Noted on a Friday

Welp, this shirt pretty much sums it up. I have been slammed at work and we've had some fun after-work commitments, and I haven't been feeling that well, so I am looking forward to indulging in some much-needed downtime in the next couple days. We are co-hosting a garage sale tomorrow morning at our place, and then I'm looking forward to reading, watching movies, and a nap, or three. Happy summer solstice! xo

A few things that made my week...

This guy. Love him.

A "Welcome Summer!" bonfire with friends, s'mores, and music at Fiesta Island.

Chilling with my lady and some 'Say Yes to the Dress'

World Cup shopping, Flavio representing. Vamos Mexico!

iPhoned

Breaking news! I entered the 21st century this weekend when I bought an iPhone. For years, rather smugly, I had the cheapest phone possible. But then last week, I tried to clean my ancient phone with with water, and then it wouldn't turn on. So, I guess it was time. Here's me with my old phone:

I'm not even sure why I've been so resistant of smart phones. I guess I get annoyed when my students or other people can't hold a conversation because of their addiction, or need constant reassurance from their phones, instead of trying to have real human connections. (I told you I was smug.) But, I must admit, Flavio and I FaceTimed yesterday and it was thrilling! And there are lots of fun apps, and I ordered this pretty case, and I've already taken tons of photos of Guiri with it, so I'm okay with moving to the dark side. Just don't let me turn into this guy...

{New Yorker cartoon}

Kiva

Last night's Advent calendar activity was to PUT A TWINKLE IN SOMEONE'S EYE, and I'm excited we donated to Kiva. Each year we try to pick a new organization to support and I've heard about Kiva for so long I'm glad we went with them. In a nutshell, you make a $25 microloan to someone who needs it - like a young Bolivian woman for her school tuition, or a Ugandan farmer in need of more dairy cows. Then, when the borrower repays the loan, you lend the money out to someone else, so it's the gift that keeps on giving. The coolest part: They have a 99% repay rate and $2.5 million has been lent out just this week. Awesome.

All the borrowers are worthy, so it took us about an hour to choose. In the end, we decided to support a young Kenyan woman who sells tea leaves and wants to use her anticipated profits to build a school. Wouldn't it be a nice gift to donate in someone's name? Especially for that friend who already has everything. 'Tis better to give than to receive.

Activities Advent Calendar

{one of last year's advent activities, mulled wine by the tree}

I look forward to the holiday season all year long. I start playing Christmas music on Thanksgiving, put my decorations up early, sip my favorite holiday tea while addressing my Christmas cards, and I feel so festive and peaceful as I enjoy each of these small traditions. For me, the holidays are all about experiences. But somehow, the calendar fills up, things get hectic, and I used to find myself scrambling or forgetting to enjoy the simple joys of the season. So, for our first married Christmas 2 years ago, I decided I wanted to be intentional about celebrating the holidays and I talked to Flavio about creating an activities advent calendar. Did you grow up with an advent calendar? It's one of my favorite traditions. We wrote down 25 things we wanted to do to celebrate the season, like have a romantic candlelit picnic by the tree, watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, pack hot chocolate and drive around to see the lights, etc. and we stuck each activity into the 25 stockings in our advent calendar, along with 2 little pieces of chocolate for each day. We planned our activities so that during the week the experiences were small and no-pressure, and we left bigger outings, like ice skating, to the weekends. Yesterday, December 1, we picked out our Christmas tree and decked the halls while listening to Christmas music. Tonight's experience was to rock out and dance crazy to "Feliz Navidad" - which Guiri thought was scary. I'm excited to document this year's advent activities on the blog - My goal is to post most days, but work is crazy and we'll see how it goes.. I am feeling so merry already!

PS: In case you are looking for a cute calendar, this is our Hats and Mittens Advent Calendar, which I love, for sale here.

Holiday Essential: Return-address stamps

Ok, essential it is not. But fun it is! Last week we got our holiday cards in the mail, and I realized a return-address stamp would make addressing all those greetings faster and easier. I ordered a return-address stamp, it came today, and I've been stamping away. Is it weird that this gives me a thrill? It's the little things, I guess. I can't wait to mail our rent check.

Summer Wedges

Can I let you in on a little secret? H&M has the best wedges! They're cute, cheap and comfortable. I bought a pair last summer and got tons of mileage out of them, and this summer's wedges are even cuter. I got them last weekend, and quite a few people have already complimented them. For $34.95, you can't beat these babies. That is all.

{Photo: H&M Sandalettes}

Half-Birthday Wishes

Do you celebrate your half-birthday? I do. It's the less-pressure, just-for-you birthday where there's no getting stressed or birthday-shy. Yes, we're on our financial fast, but I'm fantasizing about one day shopping again. What better excuse than my half-birthday? Well, a girl can dream..

I always treat myself for my half-birthday (May 18), but usually with something small like a mani/pedi or a special treat from Anthro. If I win the lottery, here are a few other things I'd buy right now.

Currently coveting:

A cozy spring cardi that adds a pop of color
A yellow KitchenAid - my stand mixer broke last week! Nooooo.
Lionel Richie tea mug - to remind me to up my green tea intake
Obsessed with this flip clock for the kitchen
A spring-y Anthro dress
These Parisian wedges