a year in photos.

just a few of my scenic snapshots of the last year.

sandy beaches on the east coast...
flying above the clouds with Rainier in view...
scenic drives in France...
miles of grapes in Tuscany...
sunsets in the dessert...
hidden moments in eastern washington...

reflecting on the year that's passed.

Someday someone might come into your life and love you the way you’ve always wanted. If your someday was yesterday, learn. If your someday is tomorrow, hope. If your someday is today, cherish. by Anonymous


I've been sitting here for hours - the sun has set, my third cup of tea's gone cold and I'm one and a half red velvet cupcakes in - staring at a blank screen, not knowing where to begin to sum up the year that was 2008. So many memories, people and places that have come and gone. There were highs and lows that came and went just like the seasons, and now as I sit and survey those memories, all I can do is smile.

What will 2009 have in store for me? I couldn't tell ya. I was amazed at all the experiences, people and places that I was fortunate to be a part of this last year. If this new year is anything like the last, it cannot be missed.

So, au revoir 2008, hello 2009! Today is a great day. All past mistakes are not quite erased, but fading day by day and all strengths and memories acquired in the year that's passed stay with us and I continue to learn from them. Some resolutions will be kept and some will (most likely) be broken, but year after year the resolution that stays is love. Always love.

Last, but not least, thank you to every one who has been a part of my life in the last year. You are all loved greatly.

xoxo,

b


(photo via overflowing)

admittance is the first step to recovery.

hi. my names bethany. and I'm an addict.

ok, don't get too worried. It's not that serious. I'm just addicted to blogs!

It's more than a habit, really. blogging is an addiction that is not easily curbed because just when I've become bored with seeing the same 'ol stuff, my partner in 'blogging' crime, Katie unveils more of her favorite blogs, which soon become my favorite blogs. For instance, I've just spent the last hour drooling over page after page of this blog. It's all about her wedding and the planning of every last detail that went into it and I'm loving it all. Letterpressed custom coasters? I die. Jars of homemade jam as place settings?! I'm totally stealing that idea!



Oh, and just when you think this chick might be having a hayride and some old dude in overalls playing a washing board at her wedding, she pulls these out! Love it.

why oh why is there so much clever crap out there that lures me in. I really have no willpower at all.

Now, who wants to be my sponsor?

i am the eternal optimist

via overflowing

assume the position

physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness - Joseph Pilates


After spending an hour at the Lululemon store today buying loads of new workout clothes, I went to the gym. After a few too many weeks of not going, and on top of eating Mom's cooking and drinking Dad's wine for the past 2 weeks, it was long over due. And while I was at the gym, I stumbled upon the Pilates room and as soon as I saw the reformer and chair, my heart skipped a beat. I ran right over and assumed the position.
It felt so great getting back into the positions and routine. It's been over a year since I've regularly been doing Pilates and that's just sad. There was a time when I was doing regular classes - twice a week for years. Nowadays, I do the occasional mat routine to keep up with the exercises and make sure I don't forget all that I've learned, but there's nothing like being strapped into the machines and stretching, pulling and contorting your body into all sorts of odd positions that just feels sooo right. It's the best feeling in the world. Such a great feeling, in fact, that I wonder why I just don't go to school to become an instructor. It's a big dream of mine...and a dream that I don't want to not come true. One day, I just might have to drop everything that seems like it's more important, and really pursue my trainers license. I don't want to look back on my life with regrets or what if's or excuses. I want to live it to the fullest, in every way possible.

confession:

cool kids.

I stumbled across a new blog today, Pike/Pine, that incorporates two of my most favorite things - stylish people and Seattle. This blog is Seattle's answer to inspirational street style.

my first pressie of the season...

The sticker says it all.

These packages are my favorite to receive. They've traveled far across the pond to get to me and it's always a welcomed surprise as I unwrap it. This time it was a handmade tartan notebook and cute little ornaments from Becs! Perfect!

You're the best Becs! Happy Christmas to you! xxx

That's the secret I'll never tell.

Everyone has a secret.

Whatever your secret is - good, bad, scandalous, illegal - everyone has one and you're not alone. If in doubt, peruse this blog for some entertainment. And if you have to get your secret off your chest, send it in.

if you haven't heard...

It's like, a blizzard in Seattle! The city that averages 3 inches of snow per year, we've been blessed with over a foot within the last week. It makes for an interesting pre-Christmas week, as I still have not bought one single gift. Oh well, it's not about the gifts this year, anyway. I've been hunkering down at my parents house deep in the woods for the last few days because the scenery there is too good to be true, as well as the comfort food, bottom-less wine glasses and wintery midnight walks....

translation please?

*The blog i just shared with you below is now translated into English. Hooray!

Although, I still might browse it in French. It just makes it that much better.



*Clemence is like, my favorite. Of all time.

bearded man...a bad sign?

I love men with beards. It's a known fact. I can't help myself. I've loved, liked and lusted after a few in my lifetime....



So, are beards a sign of a bad enonomy? Some ( the WSJ ) would think so! Read the article and decide for yourself!

via A Cup of Jo and The Sartorialist

c'est la perfection

i just stumbled across this blog and Fell. In. Love. There is nothing I love more than fashionable French people and this site has all that and more. And the fact that it's in French adds to it's allure, not to mention the inspiring hairstyles for my upcoming appointment with bella sylist extraordinaire Val. I have the ever-so-popular side fringe going right now, but the Parisian-esqe THICK fringe is growing on me...check out the options!





via .V

21 days till Christmas Gift Guide...Give a Little Love

Ok, this gift's for me! Everyone knows how obcessed I am with bracelets, bangles, and anything to put around my wrist and Cartier Love Charity bracelet would be the ultimate luxury gift this year. The bracelets are made with 18kt rose and white gold rings on a colored silk cord. Different colored cords represent different charities and with every bracelet that is sold, Cartier will donate $200 to that charity. If you're going to spend $1000 on a bracelet, why not have it be for a good cause, right?

Also, check out the beautiful website for music playlists and video vignettes directed by Olivier Dahan...all in the name of Love.

23 days till Christmas Gift Guide ...It's getting personal

You know that there's always someone in your family who has just about everything they'd need or want and you're always struggling to find them the perfect gift. Look no further...

For the person who's hard to buy for - take the classics and make it personal:

I'm a sucker for monograms and initials. Initials are my way of showing effection and nicknaming people and these copper necklaces are a perfect way to do that!


Everyone's wearing cardigans and sweaters these days, but take this cozy gift to the next level and personalize it! J.crew will monogram just about any of their cashmere sweaters like this one above.



These metallic leather pouches by Anya Hindmarch are perfect as wallets for nights out or a cute way to organize the things that seem to float around our bags. They are cleverly engraved with things such as: "martini money", "passport/tickets", "girlie stuff" and "Euros".

25 days of Christmas Gift Guide

Everyday from now until December 25th, I will be posting some great gifts that I find! I hope they give you some great ideas and if not, it's really just a place for me to keep track of the things I like!

Since I missed yesterday, here's a couple gift ideas for today's post!

For the quirky, silly, comedian in your life who can always lighten the mood:

This knitted mustache is amazing and reminds me of the wine party I hosted, not too long ago.


For your friend who became a little too obsessed with Twilight and has a poster of Robert Pattenson on her ceiling:

It's a recycled wooden Scrabble tile that says: "Edward can bite my pillow, break my headboard, and bruise my body anyday."
Many other cute pendents here!

thinking about jane.

while flipping through the channels the other day, I stumbled onto the last 15 minutes of the film "The Jane Austen Book Club". From not seeing the whole film, I assume that as the characters in the film read all of Austen's books, it brings each couple closer together and into a better understanding of themselves and life. Looked nice enough to me. Well, that got me thinking about my friend Ashley who is obsessed and totally infatuated with all things Jane Austen. If you're not careful, she'll sneakily find a way to convince you to watch Pride & Prejudice with her- the BBC version, which is 4 hrs long! She has been living in Namibia for the last year, but soon she will fly home! I can't wait to have her back so we can sit at a coffee shop for hours reading, or writing or chatting. She's taught me many things, like how to drive a stick-shift car before we took a long roadtrip to Des Moines. 7 years after we've met, and although life can take you in different directions (AFRICA!!) I'm still so happy to have her in my life and can't wait to welcome her home with open arms!

So, that whole story has led me here, to my next reading book: Jane Austen's Persuasion. A I read it, I will think of you Ashley Jane. Come home soon!

think again. and again, and again, and again...etc

Think. Again. by The Atlantic is a great site where they ask and answer thought- provoking questions such as When is evil cool? Is America still the land of opportunity? Which religion will win? Why does your dog pretend to like you? There are clips, photos and interviews of every day people trying to answer these questions. Go and think!

Chevron says:

"Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it."

My friendly, neighborhood Chevron station always has thoughtful quotes posted on a board outside. I will try to share them with you as often as I can.

Enjoy your weekend!

Rx

I woke up this morning feeling a bit under the weather. Uh oh. All this fun is finally catching up to me it seems.

***still not feeling super. Looks like tonight I may be curled up on the couch with a book, tea and popping a Tylenol PM or two at 8pm sharp. Rest up friends...I hope whatever's going around doesn't take you down with me.