Cheeseburger in Paradise.

I flew back to Michigan this past weekend. It was a sort of impromptu family reunion/ homecoming. My Mom, and I hadn't been back to our family's lake house since 2003, my brother in 15 years. We were long overdue. We also timed our trip for the annual Cheeseburger in Caseville. A huge event spanning the entire week filled with Jimmy Buffet, Margaritas, Music, events and of course cheeseburgers.

We went to Air Margaritaville Saturday night a tribute band for Jimmy Buffet. It was a lot of fun though abnormally hot for Michigan. The best part I think was just being back there. Spending time with my family and being at our lake house. I'm making plans to go back next year and bringing Eric this time.

First Anniversary vacation!

Eric and I took a long weekend to celebrate our anniversary in Washington, D.C. It was a fantastic trip. We explored the city, a lot of the museums and ate a ton of great food.  We did end up exploring some of the eateries Anthony Bourdain explored on his trip to the city. We are pretty big fans of his. We went to Ben's chili bowl for a half-smoke and fries. A half smoke I learned is half sausage half hot dog with chili, onions and mustard. It was awesome.

The Smithsonian is amazing. We checked out the National History museum, Art museum, Air and Space. We walked miles inside the buildings looking at everything.

The National monuments were also amazing. The WWII memorial and the Korean memorial were two of our favorites. Seeing old Abe was pretty cool too.

We had a wonderful time to visiting Jose Andreas restaurant's Jaleo and Oyamel.  We sat at Jaleo eating spainish tapas for a while. Drinking Sangria and Estrella Damm Inedit beer. So good. Jaleo lead into one of our favorite evenings  there. We ate great Spanish tapas reminiscent of our honeymoon in Barcelona and we went to see Avenue Q.  If you have a chance to see it go. It is hilarious. 

We also went to the historic Tabard Inn restaurant for our anniversary dinner. It was a wonderful dinner and a great way to cap off our first year of being married.

Happy Anniversary and a mini vacation.

I can't believe it's been a year. It's been a whirlwind of change.  We are both working in our respective fields. School is finally behind us. Eric passed the bar, we moved, and the excitement of being newlyweds has been fun. It has been a challenging year but it has ended up amazing.  I am ridiculously happy. I now look back on my wedding pictures and wonder how it can be possibly be a year. Time seems to have stretched in one sense then flown by in another sort of like the movie Inception but much happier.
I still dream of the amazing time we had on our honeymoon in Barcelona and long to go back. Maybe in a few years we can go back and celebrate, but for now I am looking forward to our trip to DC creating new memories.

Celebrating our Anniversary

This Sunday will mark Eric and I's one year anniversary. We are celebrating by going on a trip to Washington D.C. Neither Eric or I have ever been. We are so excited, we didn't know DC was in the plans we randomly picked it this past sunday via internet searching. Once we settled on a location it was time to do some research. We started with our favorite snarky chef, Anthony Bourdain. He'd been to DC right. Of course he had. So we watched his episode, drooled over the food and decided we had to check out a Jose Andres restaurant. He's an amazing Spainish chef and we went to Spain for our honeymoon. Perfect.

One awesome place to check out for our food love down. Now a million other places to see and explore. We haven't really been away since our honeymoon so this is going to be a great trip.

Cheers!

Homeward bound

I just purchased my ticket. I'm going home. My childhood home that is. My family has owned a lake house, (cottage) on Saginaw Bay since before I was born. Before my Parents owned it it was my Great Grandmothers. My Aunt and Uncle own a place a few doors down and my Uncle a place next door to ours.  I haven't been back up there in 7 years. Gasp, A place I lived in the summer. Read books on the beach all day and hung out by a campfire or playing cards all night. It is amazing. This time around My Mom, Brother and I are all flying up on the same flight. They are there for a week, I'm taking a long weekend. It will still be amazing. I can't wait to see all my extended family and lay eyes on a town that I have such great memories off.

from

A sunset view from the Pier. I can't wait.  August is going to be so busy.

part of my world...

Is all about AutoCAD somedays and other days its all about finishes and furniture... my job changes almost daily on what I am up too. It's always interesting. Well my company recently just started carrying a lot of new things. I am in love with so many of the products. I wish I could buy one of each. I love lines that have many types of finishes and are unique. These companies have it in spades.

Like this chair from Porada.

I love the walnut and it's slightly retro but modern feel. So beautiful.

This Bonaldo chaise/chair called the Dragonfly Chair

 It's really gorgeous and folds up to be a chair. It just calls to me for a book and a blanket.

These companies have such fabulous items. I just wish I had a bit more space. Eventually. :D

Gasp.. My very own macbook...

So my wonderful husband decided to spoil me rotten. He bought me my very own Macbook Pro this weekend. I have been longing for one for a very long time but would not have spent the money for one.  I am absolutely in love though. It is so amazing and nice. I can not wait to move all my files, tweak it and make it my very own. I feel very designer-y. (Yes I made that up.)  He had a whole hour before he gave me it. He hid it in our oven so I wouldn't see it. Lucky I didn't come home and start dinner. The horror.
I am going to get a copy of illustrator for it and then it will be official.

Thank you Eric!!! You Rock