Two year old kisses and new beginnings...

Hi friends! Wow, this year is off to a beautiful start! After getting to start the year in Chicago, it has been busy and the type of month that inspires goal making, lists, new jobs, and being inspired! I usually feel the post-holiday blues in January, but this month has felt so jam packed there hasn't been any time for any of that. That, and the sun has been shining almost every day this month. I've been feeling full of hope and optimism lately and I know 2013 is going to be an incredible year!



Dan and I have my nephew Dylan for the weekend, and the Smith/Bruckart house has been full of laughs. Dylan absolutely adores Dan. Seeing the two of them together fills my heart with so much love!

It has been Restaurant Week here in San Diego, and it when it extends to two weeks it is bliss! I love getting to try new restaurants and experience all the fun that comes with dining out with the people closest to you. I have been lucky to enough to try quite a few new restaurants the past two weeks, and every single one of them were delicious!

Nat and I enjoying Prep Kitchen in Little Italy

Mister A's with my parents

Mr. A's

1500 Ocean at The Del

The weather last weekend was gorgeous! Sunny and warm and we spent the whole weekend outdoors! Beach days, runs along the bay, and spending the morning at an outdoor farmers market with D made my weekend pretty special. It was nearly impossible to have anything but a completely splendid two days. Just one of the many perks of San Diego in the Winter.


Lately I've been thankful for quiet nights at home with D with chats about getting a puppy. For quality time with my mom and dad in Coronado. For my new job and the opportunity to do work that I love. For simplifying and creating a zen environment in our home. For sunny beach days in January. For making fun plans with friends and lazy afternoons with naps.  The joyful exuberance of Funny Bunny every morning. The first cup of coffee with vanilla creamer at 6am. And most of all, for a man that takes me on the best dates, just because he loves me.What have you been grateful for lately? Here's to being thankful and how life always works out to be just plentiful.

Sweet morning in OB

Hillcrest Farmers Market

Chicago

Last week, I had the opportunity to go to Chicago for work. I hadn't ever been and it was at the TOP of my list, so I had to go! What an enchanting little city! I loved all the architecture so much. The brick, the buildings, the history- I couldn't get enough. Just walking around in the freezing cold, (which it turns out, I really enjoyed!) stopping in warm coffee shops, cute boutiques, and eating at restaurants that all had fireplaces made for a pretty special week!  I feel as though I was able to see a lot of neighborhoods, and since my boss grew up in Chicago, she took me to all the spots off the beaten path. My favorite neighborhood is called Wicker Park. It is east of downtown Chicago and is absolutely adorable with all of it's shops, restaurants, and bars on every corner. I can't wait to get back to the city with Dan. We want to try to go in the Summer so we can catch a Cubs game, take a boat ride along the river, and enjoy walks along the lake. Some pics from my trip:

Such a sweet romantic little restaurant!

Old Town 

View from the Shedd Aquarium across the lake

Old Esquire Theater- Gold Coast

We took a scenic drive along Lake Shore Drive- Northwestern University

Wicker Park

This is Sophia. She loves shopping. I have taught her well.

All smiles in the city!

Bundled up!

We had some great weather. 

Great little shop with delicious sandwiches and all my favorite wines for sale!

Wandering around Old Town. Wells St.

Baha'i Temple in Evanstan

Spice shop in Old Town

Sophia and me at lunch-Northside

A beautiful view across the lake!

Beautiful Birthday

The weekend was spent celebrating. Best friends flew in, there was pizza and wine and sweet morning talks with Nat. There was laughter with Britt and Cody. There were friends gathered at my place to play. Soul sisters came over and made me feel so blessed with love. Gifts were given that mean so much to me because my friends know exactly who I am. Mimosas, brunch, and a beautiful walk by the bay with my handsome man and my very best friends. A Giants win, cheering and love filled my whole house. The next day, my family on a little island at the beach all together for more celebrations. Just when I thought my heart was completely full, my family showed me how special I am to them and we laughed until we cried playing Apples to Apples and eating delicious food. The day ended with chocolate pie, trucks with Dylan, and lots of hugs from my sister, mom, dad, and Dizz. Thank you to all my precious friends and family for a beautiful birthday weekend...

 

 

 

 

Autumn Spirit

Wanted to share some pics from our day in Julian yesterday. Had a great time spending time with D since we have been so busy the past few weeks. I love Fall so much. Between pumpkins, scary movies, and chilly days and nights is makes me so happy. I love that Dan will go along on all the little adventures I want to do for every little holiday in existence. My birthday is in less than a week and couldn't be more excited to have friends over for a bbq on our deck and enjoy quality time with all of them. Life is beautiful.

 

 

 

 

 

Follow your dreams.

"Make a radical change in your lifestyle and begin to boldly do things which you may previously never have thought of doing, or been too hesitant to attempt. So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservation, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man’s living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun. If you want to get more out of life, you must lose your inclination for monotonous security and adopt a helter-skelter style of life that will at first appear to you to be crazy. But once you become accustomed to such a life you will see its full meaning and its incredible beauty.”

I found this beautiful quote that really resonated with me right now. I am in the middle of a lot of changes in terms of my career and I am excited about not knowing what life is going to bring me next. I do know it is going to be wonderful. And I do know I am following my dreams and making them happen every day that I continue to move forward. I feel busy, out of my comfort zone at times, and inspired. Live your life with passion my friends. Do what you love. Never settle for a quiet life of desperation, because you are in charge of your destiny, and that my friends, is one of the best parts about this incredible life.