EXTRA SPECIAL HOLIDAY CARD!

universal thread sweater, maternity tank, maternity jeans, boots - on Sloan jacket, boots

cards by minted

This year we sent out extra special Christmas cards! We can't wait to meet baby GIRL this Spring! Our family is feeling very grateful this season. We hope everyone has a wonderful holiday!

House Progress: Dining Room

Sunshine! We haven’t seen you in a while. Love how this room gets the morning light. Also, I know I shared lots of before pics of the house but never any since we’ve moved in. Honestly, we haven’t done too much so there isn’t a ton to share, but I’m going to start posting a few pics of before and after thus far! See this room before below. Nothing new here but paint, floors, and we removed the doors separating this room from the living. All of the furniture, etc. is from our old place. Someday we’ll install lighting so our guests don’t have to eat in the dark ;)

+LONGEST I'VE EVER GONE + A PAINT STORY.

Happy New Year, everyone!  I can't believe how long it's been since I last posted.  This is by far the longest I've ever gone.  Actually, during the Holiday Gift Guides I had several more I wanted to get up- but got sick, and then the Holidays came, and then Chris got really sick, and then work got busy, and then, and then, and then. Anyway, it's been way too long and I'm going to find time to post again.  I miss it terribly.  In no specific order, here are a handful of pics from my i-phone of the last few months.

made cinnamon log cookies- hardest cookie to make, ever.

treehouse family is building (complete with bathroom! can't wait to get the final pictures from my Aunt once she decorates this place!)

sailboats in our neighborhood

wine country

annual batch of peanut butter blossoms

monkey bread

a new favorite clutch that Chris calls my "pencil pouch" (also have been obsessed with this blazer this season- looks like it's not only on sale, but the website is 40% off right now on top of that)

got the sailor framed and he's up!  need to take pics of that (btw, the flats are another BR find that are so comfortable and remind me of the classic chanels- also would be 40% off with the code)

We also got the go ahead to paint a few months ago.  It was very exciting.  The entire place is painted and I will need to share pics soon.  By the way, I was a painters WORST nightmare.  I came home during a lunch break from work to "check in" because for some weird reason my gut told me to (at this point our guest room and bedroom were already done and I  we were happy with the colors).  

As they had just finished our entire living room/kitchen in a coat of BM's classic gray (I had tried this color on my walls in multiple lights and different locations and liked it a lot), I walked in and froze.  Quietly looking around.  They knew immediately I hated it.  I felt horrible.  I didn't know if I should just suck it up and be the nice gal, or speak up then and be much happier later.  Ultimately, I ended up speaking up and I'm glad I did.  I ran to the paint store and grabbed another grey that I hadn't tried.  I walked around the paint store with the swatch like a crazy person holding it up in different lighting-asking the store employee his thoughts the entire process apologizing for being so obnoxious and telling him "I'm sure this happens all the time, right?  People freaking out over colors?"  Obviously looking for him to reassure me that I was not losing it.

He then told me, "don't worry, this happens all the time, I've watched people have full on meltdowns in this store, crying and all".  By the end of our therapy session I was patting myself on the back for actually being totally normal and not one of the people he would label as crazy (although we all know he was thinking this chick is totally crazy the entire time).

I walked out of the store 10 minutes later with 2 gallons of paint in my hands.  Came home, dropped off the paint, sprinted back to work, with no clue how it would turn out.  I just prayed it wouldn't be as bad as the last color.

When I got home I was so stoked with the color.  I am beyond happy I went with my gut and wasn't too scared to speak up.  Have you ever done something like that?  Were you happy you did?

Well folks, it's good to be back.  And I hope to be posting again very soon with diy projects, paint updates, organizing projects, etc.  

Hope you all have an awesome weekend!

+ OUR 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY RECAP

We had such a fun 1 year anniversary weekend! I wanted to get up a recap post up to ensure we had a journal of all the fun we had (said it before, but this blog is also a personal diary on top of a creative outlet). 

We started our drive off with a stop at Rustic Bakery- one of my favorite places in Marin: 

arrived at the lake tahoe ritz:

where they had our wedding first dance song playing, a framed photograph from our wedding, and champagne and treats ( I highly recommend staying her for a special occasion). this was also the same special moment that I received a custom ring we had made that matched my wedding band a year ago.

we enjoyed sunsets:

took a gondola ride down to Northstar:

dinner at the ritz- (our birthdays are two days apart in june as well):

hung around the fire pits with coffee in the morning- soaking up the sun & smell of tahoe (p.s. these sandals are selling for full price in all department stores- but get them majorly discounted at the nordstrom rack- so comfortable)

had a famous "wet woody" at garwoods:

not the bet picture, but a view of us in front of the lake (note to self: sunglasses always- also, told you all I'm obsessed with this shirt & these shorts- wish I would have bought 2 pairs! mine did not come with a belt though)

went for a bike ride, and then rented kayaks: 

then hit up the hyatt (where I had my bachelorette) and hung out at Pier 111 bar:

caught in the act...oh, and LOVE this cheap bikini top peeking out from tarjay (there is a round gold circle where the circle is in the pic online & you can remove that strap easy):

amazing what you can capture on an iphone

i miss this place already. my dream would be to have a place on this lake...

we had such an incredible time.

here's to many more anniversaries with my love xo

+ JUNE IS MY FAVORITE...

June is one of my all time favorite months.  In the past- school would end, summer started, my birthday happened, the pool was open (lived at the pool), and the list goes on.

In fact, even though I'm not a little one anymore... this month brings me joy.  I tried to find a photograph that captured the joy I'm talking about.  The one above is the winner.  The feeling of riding a bike on a warm day with your best friend just about sums it up. This photo is from when Chris and I lived back in Boston in July of 2010 in Martha's Vineyard.  It was one of the best days ever. 

This June, we will celebrate one year of marriage & both of our birthdays.  Very exciting.  In fact, we are celebrating our anniversary early next weekend!

Last but not least, this blog is turning 4?!  Can't believe it's been 4 years since my first post back in my tiny shoebox apartment in Boston.  Time sure does fly.  And, I've said this before- but, this blog wouldn't be the same without you all.  Thank you for continuing to read.  Makes me so happy to connect with you all.  

Oh, and...to celebrate the big 4...Deliciously Organized is getting a mini face lift!  Should be done very soon!  There will be coral, navy and clean social media buttons! Yay.

+ IT'S WARMING UP!

Summer is just around the corner but we are already enjoying warm days here in California.  Thought I'd post a few photos of what we've been up to lately...

Peonies have filled our home for the past 3 weeks.  Since it was our wedding flower, I feel it's only right for us to continue to invest in this flower for years to come.

Finally had a chance to try Tartine in SF.  If you go to the Mission District the next time your in SF, you must stop here.  Get the morning bun.  You won't regret it.

We also went to the Tiburon Wine Festival a few weekends ago.  It was a blast.  I wish I could find a link to the Lauren Conrad shirt I'm wearing here because I am obsessed with it.    Update- found the link, shirt is here.  If I could wear it every day I would.  It is insanely comfortable and breathes well for a summer day.  I never go into Kohls but I was on a hunt for something for the house & I popped in.  Ended up with clothes and accessories.  Go figure.  Here are my other new faves from there:  this hat actually folds not like others I've owned in the past, and this shirt.

We've had a lot of house guests the past few weekends which means we are getting a ton of use out of our chalk cheese platter and cheese knives from our wedding!

and the leftover striped straws from our wedding are getting some use.  here is a batch of agave nectar margis. 

I'm still in awe of my neighborhood.  This is a shot from a run last week in the morning.  Incredibly peaceful. 

Then we had more house guests & took them to one of our favorite places.  The Tiburon Tavern.  After dinner on the way back to our house we always stop in their back area and enjoy the fire for a little while.  Highly recommend the grilled cheese, onion rings & the bibb lettuce salad.  All very healthy ;) p.s. living in that striped maxi I mentioned a while back as well.  SO comfortable.

then this past weekend for Memorial Day we headed out to Paso Robles for some fun with friends:

the house we rented had a gorgeous backdrop of the vineyards.

and the sunsets...

then our friend who happens to be the cutest california cowgirl you've ever seen, took us horseback riding through the vineyards at Cass Winery:

after our honeymoon horseback riding on the beach story- anyone remember that?  horrible.  I was a little freaked out, but this time I had a lovely horse.  more than a lovely horse, an amazingly kind and well trained horse.  made for a really nice ride. 

then we headed to Still Waters Winery where we sipped wine & relaxed (another dress I have been living in- from here, super super soft and again, beyond comfy- and, yes I'm living in that hat- I am getting so much more sun now that I live in Tiburon and actually need more protection when I'm out in the sun now!):

every night we had gourmet meals back at the house.  one chef was with us + a friend who is a fabulous cook.  we felt very spoiled.

oh, and this is their newest addition to their family.  a puppy who doesn't have a name yet.  we all had our own names for him all weekend.  some of the top runners: turkey burger (turkey for short), Hank, The Dude, Shooter...he was also called "no name" a lot ;)

it was an awesome trip.  hard to come back.

one last thing...I happen to randomly pick this up a while back:

it is one of my all time favorite beauty products now.  it's a moisturizing balm with some color.  and this one too.  perfect for summer :)

hope you all had a nice Memorial Day weekend!

*all iphone pics

+ GUEST ROOM UPDATE: THE BIG RUG DILEMMA OF 2013

We are slowly making progress in the guest room.  Mainly, I cleaned out most of the stuff that was being stored in here.  Funny how a second room quickly turns into a storage unit (especially when you don't have a garage).  But what I really want to talk about today, is the rug.   

We have being searching obsessively for the perfect rug for this space.  We felt like the bed wasn't anchored without something under it, thus our hunt began.  And, on top of everything.  I am beyond picky about our space.  When I help friends pick out items for their homes, I don't even have to think twice- but, my own...sometimes paralyzed by indecision. 

Originally, I wanted a jute rug for this room.  Keep it cozy, natural with a few punches of color...but, the jute made it feel like a cream box.  Note: The owners of our home just painted it and rather we hold off on changing the wall color for now.  And, the blinds are a brown (I plan on doing a roman over it or drapes) which also already gives the space an element of natural colors/fibers.  At any rate, we have hunted online, at specialty rug stores, at big box stores- and, I think we found one?  Again, think...I do love the color (kinda brings out the color in the headboard), the texture (it is so soft), the fact that my guests won't worry about getting it dirty, the ombre vibe going on & for whatever reason it reminds me of two things: the ocean (which is so close to us) and a cozy sweater.

Things to note that will also change the room up.  1. that piece of art won't be just thrown randomly on the wall 2. there will be new tables placed in here (instead of a wooden crate & our old bamboo bathroom organizer) 3. there will be different lamps 4. window treatments 5. art 6. dresser etc. so you have an idea of other factors around this rug   

Here's my question for you all: 

1. do I keep this rug and stop looking or 

2. try a leopard rug (LOVE this idea) or 

3. opt for a bold graphic print rug? 

also, as obnoxious as this is- the rug has to be close to 5x7 or 6x7 or 7x7 which pretty much only the 5x7 exists unless you go custom!

i'd love your opinion :) 

& thank you to all who read this post in it's entirety .  who would have thought there could be so many words around a rug...