Simply perfect.

Always sad to see the weekend end. Wishing they could all be as lovely as this last one was.

Morning runs...

A late but wonderful Christmas with the Joneses

I love our little family.




Spending time with them makes my heart happy.

And staying the night means spending the next day doing just this...


Sunny corners, a perfect view and a good read.

And a walk by the sea to end our Sunday.

Thankful heart.

This weekend was exactly what I needed. It was simply perfect. No better way to end one week and begin another. No complaints here on this Monday evening. Wishing you all a beautiful week filled with simple moments that make you smile.

xoxo- miss v.

Before and After...

Happy Saturday friends hope you've all been enjoying a wonderful day off from the regular hustle and bustle. I know we are. I went for a beautiful 3 mile run along the waterfront today on a path I just discovered practically outside my front door. I was pretty excited about finding this gem as running is something I would really like to incorporate into my regular exercise schedule.

Taken on my run this am. Beautiful day in the city.

Later today we're headed down to the Joneses to celebrate family Christmas, since we were a bit delayed in that dept. this year ha! In other weekend news I'm tackling some house projects and while doing so I found myself looking back at how far our little home has come in one year, I thought I would share some before and afters!

Living together has always thankfully been something that has felt so natural, we've never gone through any kind of adjustment period and it's all actually been quite wonderful, really. The only issue we've ever really had is our taste in how to furnish and decorate our home. It's a continual work and progress and will obviously change with the space itself. I prefer a softer more feminine look and Mr. Jones tends to lean towards minimalist modernism. Two very different approaches to decorating... but in the last year the house has really gone through a transformation embracing the best of both worlds, that, or Mr. Jones has just lost his say ;) (I kid..kind of ha)

Here is the before, last January.

I have really struggled trying to keep a balance of "modern" and clean while also making the house feel like "me". This time last year I was really in a design rut on how to do that...

But, over the course of one year the living room has slowly evolved to this...

Ahhh... much better, soft and inviting while still keeping it simple and modern.

My first step was replacing the art behind the couch. I was inspired by a photo from Elle Decor and decided to break up the large wall with two prints in big white clean frames. From that point forward it was obvious to me that sticking to a white/cream color palette with a few "pops" of color would keep the space simple and uniformed but also soft and not so "modern" and harsh looking as before with the darker bold colors.

They inspired the pillows, throw blankets and other accents around the room.

Greens, golds, and silvers have been the accent colors thus far. Inspired by this print and the ones behind the couch. Most recently I re-did this side table with silver frames and a few new vases.

It's no secret that I love taking pictures, especially of those that I love. Finding ways to incorporate them into my everyday makes me a happy girl.

I went on a mini shopping spree at Home Goods earlier this week and for under $100 I bought new vases all new frames a new pillow for the couch that I am in LOVE with. I had been mulling over what to do with this side table for forever, so although I bought all of it in one day it had been on my mind for a few months now. I am so happy with the way it's all turned out.

Nothing like a few fresh new pieces to inspire change in the New Year. Wishing you all a very happy weekend whether you're spending it in your own home sweet home or soaking up some sunshine and fresh air hope it's a lovely one.

XOXO- Miss V.

A New York Minute.

Finally sharing some photos from our most recent trip to NYC better late than never right? As always it's a bittersweet trip for me. I think it's amazing that my family lives in New York and feel so lucky that my dads job ended up there. It's such a destination point so there's the thrill of seeing my family and there's that added thrill of being in New York City. But, with the good also comes the reality that my family lives......in New York City. Far, far, away from me, and from where we "grew up" so leaving them never gets easier. Having said that I love the quality time that we do get when we are all together and this trip was no different. On top of my immediate family being there my grandparents and cousin came up from North Carolina for a few days so it was an added bonus to see them as well. Like all trips back East it was over far too quickly, here are a few snapshots of all the things we were able to do in what felt like a New York Minute.

We rode the Ferry to get a great view of the city and Lady Liberty herself

Grandma, always the fashionista sported her fur coat and light pink gloves during the trip

We spent evenings all together having huge family and friend dinners.


I spent time with my oldest friend, Whitney, going on 20 plus years of friendship that goes way back to the days when my family lived in New Jersey before we became Cali transplants ;)

My brother, Mr. Jones, and Whit's cute hubby Mr. Samples

We visited Highline park on a beautiful day, perfect for strolling and sightseeing avoiding the crowded streets below.

Pretty Sissy and Cousin Gabby

We strolled Central Park

and admired the decorations inside the Plaza!

We saw the tree and ice skaters at Rockefeller

We admired the bustling Grand Central Station

and spent some quality time with those that we love.

(the beautiful and adorable Samples family)


sighhhh... if only we weren't so far away.

Date night!

We celebrated my birthday with toasts and...

an afternoon at the MET. A very, very, happy birthday girl.


And rested our weary feet at my favorite place in New York, the Boathouse, beautifully decorated for Christmas.

And then, before we knew it, it was time to head home.

Thank you family and friends for another wonderful trip. Now just counting down the days until Spring Break.

Hope you've all had a wonderful week back after the long weekend and happy early Friday my loves!

XOXO- Miss V.

The list.

Like everyone else I too have a list of goals or resolutions for the new year. My last post talked about I guess my overall emotional/spiritual goal for the year but today I thought I would share my "fun" list of resolutions for the new year.

1. First up...become a wino.

via

Yep you heard right number one on my list this year is to drink more wine. Ha! This is not to say I will become a drunk, or that I'm going to become some wine snob, it just means that I would not only like to take advantage of living so close to Napa and Sonoma but I would also like to know what I'm looking for when shopping or ordering out.

I'm using a few tools to help me in this dept.

This kindle book:

Great resource, enjoyable and easy to read plus if you have the Kindle app on your iphone this is a great resource to have on hand when you're out shopping for wine. She gives great tips and recommendations on other books and websites to help find, price point, and shop comparatively for easy to find wine labels from around the globe.

And the lovely Kendall's Wine Friday suggestions:

via

Both fit the bill perfectly one a book of recommendations on how to choose, drink and serve reasonably priced wines from an expert and the other recommendations from a "real" person just like me, someone who likes to enjoy the occasional glass of wine without having to drain your wallet.



2. Read 10 books.

Blue Bicycle Books in Charleston SC. Photo by moi.

Last year my only real resolution was to read 12 books in one year. Well I fell a little short by only reading 9. So close! I thought this year I would make it a little easier and just up that number by one. I'm already on my way and have mom and dad to thank for my brand new Kindle Fire! Love it! I'll also of course take advantage of the Library for freebies ;)

My local library, just a hop skip and a jump from my front door!

Here's my list of 9 from last year if you're looking to expand your reading list. It's a pretty eclectic list.

1.The Knight of the Sacred Lake (book 2 of the Guinevere Trilogy)
2.The Child of the Holy Grail (book 3 of the Guinevere Trilogy)
3.The Help
4.Beautiful Things Happen When a Woman Trusts God
5. Black Heels to Tractor Wheels
6.Sleeping Arrangements (wasn't a fan)
7.Good Night Nobody
8.The Perfect Christmas
9.The Christmas Basket

3. The last real resolution is just to continue with a healthy lifestyle.

Plenty of local fresh produce here in the Bay Area

I've always enjoyed exercise and eating right (well some of college was questionable ha) but in the last year or so I've really started to pay attention and read up on healthy organic foods, homemade foods and staying healthy and being conscious of what I eat more as fuel for my body and longevity in life rather than staying "thin". Luckily eating for your health also helps to maintain a healthy weight so it's the best of all worlds. I've always been someone who exercises but I'm kind of itching to jump on this blogger running bandwagon that I've noticed lately. I'm hoping between the Nike+GPS app, and a few of my favorite blogs I'll really be able to continue my love for a healthy mind and body.

There's no denying that exercise is really great, free therapy.

Nike + GPS App for the iPhone

And some of my favorite healthy and homemade real food blogs:
www.yummymummykitchen.com
www.skinnytaste.com
www.100daysofrealfood.com

And I do realize that resolutions 1 and 3 may seem counterproductive but leading a well rounded lifestyle is all about balance people. ;) At least that's what I'm telling myself.

So there's my little list. I'm happy I have it down in writing and it will be fun to look back in a year to see how I've done.

Happy New Year and New You everyone!

Cheers- Miss V.

This year...

This year we spent NYE just the two of us and it was lovely. Although I do love getting dressed up and celebrating the end of one year and the beginning of another with my friends and loved ones, it just wasn't in the cards this year. Maybe it's the two weeks I've had off from work, maybe it's the quiet days at home we've had this week but I have just felt a sense of calm in my life that hasn't been there in quite some time. Who knows, maybe once the work week starts up again tomorrow I'll look back at that sentence and laugh, but maybe not. I think I spent so much of 2011 with worry, stress, pressure and busyness that I just finally exhausted myself from it. I spent a lot of time trying to schedule in "calm" that when I look back those times weren't even fully enjoyed always because the pressure was there to make it "perfectly" peaceful and I didn't fully appreciate it.

Calm doesn't have to mean no worries, an empty schedule, and no priorities, it doesn't have to mean perfect organization or always running on a schedule. This is life after all and well life likes to throw worry, doubt, chaos and noise in a lot. Calm is more of an attitude towards it all. Take life as it comes be ready to let go when there is nothing you can do, be willing to change, strive for excellence but don't allow it to deter you from realizing the excellence in the journey and remember that like a new year, each day gives us another opportunity to succeed. Do what you can today and then be willing to let go.

Easier said than done. I'm not saying that I've mastered any of this. I'm not delusional... thinking that from this point forward every day will be spent sipping green tea doing yoga and begin with morning meditation. I know there are still long days ahead of me, lots of uncertainty and a life still unknown. I hope that my days are busy... but fulfilling that my days are spent not worrying about how best to allocate my time but rather just finding enjoyment or purpose in every day. I would like to remember how I'm feeling right now, and try to keep it with me throughout the year.

Quiet, calm, and continued health and happiness are my overall goals for this year. What are yours?



We spent our New Years weekend relaxing and just enjoying our favorite city. Happy, healthy, and peaceful, here's to hoping 2012 brings us many more just like it.

lazy weekend mornings

long walks through the city

healthy

and happy

baking with love

And toasting to another year

Cheers my friends- Miss V.