Happy Earth Day!

How exciting that Earth Day turns 40 years old today!  We both turn the BIG 4-0 this year.  !!  Here are some pics that have inspired me this spring...

photo credit: LaNa...tulip in my yard

photo credit: LaNa...I may have missed the cherry blossoms

in DC, but these sweet flowers graced some trees in A2.

photo credit: LaNa...artist unknown, but a local A2 neighbor.

who knew clam shells, oranges, lemons, limes, and mulch could be so beautiful!!

photo credit: LaNa...artist unknown, but same neighbor as above.

clam shells make up the D and Tigers is spelled out with mulch...VERY creative!

GO TIGERS!

Peep-tini's!

photo credit: LaNa

We had dinner with friends last night and were treated to some yummy peep-tini's! 

Thanks Michele and Steve!

It got me wondering if there were a lot of people out there that also enjoyed peep-tini's and there are!!

http://kate-ktd.blogspot.com/2009/04/peeptini-recipesin-honor-of-easter.html

http://greatgrub.com/recipes/peep_a_tini

http://jimmyrabbitte.tumblr.com/post/95575037

http://www.urlesque.com/2010/04/02/cooking-with-peeps/

Engaged...for 2 months as of today!

We have secured the location, photographer, caterer, attire, attendants, and seen to many other details all in two short months!  It certainly helps that I'm an event planner by day...I love this stuff!!

My March...

...where did march go?  why don't i remember what i did??

...i guess that i've been in wedding mode and loving every little detail!

...so far we have a location, photographer, caterer, and our wedding attire. i think that's pretty good given we've just been engaged two months tomorrow!

...went to a red wings game with dad and james...detroit won - yahoo!

...and, of course, i've been running after our "puppy!"  we are DEFINITELY out of the honeymoon stage and in need of some training for beast and owner!!!

Today's a good day to...

catch up on all the shows on my DVR!  The weather has gone from 80's to 40's within a couple days!  My body is shocked at the sudden chill, but it's MICHIGAN and this is to be expected!

Curb appeal for LaNa?!

James and I would LOVE to build a bigger porch onto the front of our house.  However, those plans will be on hold since we are planning a WEDDING right now! 

I've been looking online at different blogs I love and came across this photo on Design Sponge which is giving me a bit of inspiration...

photo credit: design sponge...photographer corbin lee gurkin's charleston home

I'm loving the white painted porch with colored floor and stairs to match the shutters!  I think a similar update at LaNa could refresh the space until we can make bigger changes.  We'll have to discuss what will work best for our home and will update you along the way...

photo credit: LaNa - current front view

Wonderful cabinet idea!

I was surfing one of my fave blogs, Design Sponge, and found this sweet posting on an idea for inside your kitchen cabinets.  What a wonderful idea!!!!

photo credit: jenny rosenstrach, former cookie magazine editor...illustration by gina triplett

We are looking to update and brighten the kitchen at LaNa and this might be a cute look to incorporate.  Stay tuned...

Hipstamatic for iPhone!

Ah, my new fave toy is my Hipstamatic application on my iPhone!!  Navin and Gibson were my patient subjects last night as I try to get the hang of the different options.  I'm sure you'll be seeing more of these photos on LaNa!

A little closer to my next "Dinner in the Drive!"

The warmer weather has had me longing for a "Dinner in the Drive" at LaNa.  These evenings are full of fun, friends, good food, and great wine!  Soon my friends, soon!

LaNa's Furry Friends!

Navin

Gibson

To James' delight, Gibson LOVES tennis balls!!

He also LOVES peanut butter!

A recent dinner at LaNa...

My February...

...enjoyed Superbowl with close friends (Thanks Mike & Traci!)

...did my taxes and was pleasantly pleased!

...went to Disney World with family

...lost 3 pounds (even while gone on vacation!)

...hung "walls" in basement - photos to come

...GOT ENGAGED!!!!

A gift for Navin?

Cat bed by lovenostalgicwhimsy's

Today I saw a posting on Modish and I just had to research the artist further.  Pet beds made from old, recycled suitcases and table legs.  Brilliant!!!! 

Pothole Gardens!

I came across this posting on erin.ever.after about Pete Dungey's Pothole Garden project.  What a fab idea and much prettier than a big hole in the road.  If I were to plant a garden in each pothole of my street, it would be quite the enchanted scene...aka there are a TON of holes on our lane!!

image courtesy of Pete Dungey

Engaged!

So excited to share the news that James and I got engaged this past weekend!  Yippie!  We will have lots of updates coming as we plan an exciting day that will set the tone for our life together as husband and wife. 

Bitchin'!!!!

Several years ago on Valentine's Day...

I had a wonderful opportunity to view elephant seals up close and very personal!  At a santuary south of San Francisco, a group of friends went on a guided Valentine's Day excursion to view hundreds of elephant seals that had come ashore for mating season. An incredible experience!!!

We were warned not to get too close and to be prepared to run as the bulls were very protective of their harems. I feel so lucky to have been able to get so close to these beautiful creatures.  This video reminded me of their beauty...



*Remember: while cute, you should never get this close to wildlife on your own!

Wacky Etsy Finds...

These finds just made me chuckle...

Nom Noms Teeth Soap by soapopotamus

These would be hilarious in our bath!

Rear Gear

Just when I think I've seen everything!!

Love mid-century!

I'm thankful...

for my family, friends, health, and freedom.  Recently, I came across a photography project that also made me thankful for my community and my home. 

100 Abandoned Houses, a project by Kevin Bauman, consists of photographs of city abandonment in Detroit.  Houses that were once beautiful homes are now boarded and overgrown. 

Kevin began the project out of curiosity, but continued it to bring attention to some of Detroit's 12,000 abandoned houses. 

The images, while haunting, give me hope for the rebuilding of a city that once had so much to offer.  A limited edition of prints are available for purchase with proceeds benefiting organizations doing positive work in Detroit such as Habitat for Humanity or The Greening of Detroit. 

This project has reminded me to be thankful for my neighborhood and the importance of helping surrounding cities like Detroit.

Super Bowl Commercials...

While I didn't catch all the commercials, I did see this one online and think it's pretty clever...



Parisian Love by Google

The new issue of Lonny Magazine!

So VERY excited to see the new issue of Lonny Magazine online today!!!