Life Since Last Time

Last Saturday we met up with Josh and Noura and Henry's cousin Diana and her new fiance for dinner at a Middle-Eastern restaurant called Carousel. It's one of my favorite places to eat! There's a five-course dinner of Arabic foods, live music and dancing, and a belly-dancing show at the end. I love that I get to have this culture as a part of my life since I married a Lebanese guy! 

I loved all the colors of our first course. That pretty pink stuff was a delicious turnip hummus. 

Me and the hubs.

 This week I've just been trying to put one foot in front of the other. I got a bad cold that I kind of deserved after not taking care of my body too well with all the snacks and sweets from Super Bowl parties and such last weekend. I've been a bit discouraged by thoughts of inadequacy and the likes, but I've gotten a lot of good advice and revelation on the subject. I really want to make sure I'm living a life that I love and not trying to mold myself to anyone's expectations, including the expectations I put upon myself! I'm also really trying to make sure my life is in line with what God wants for me. Ultimately, He know what will make us the happiest in our lives. 

Here are a few quotes that have totally inspired me this past week...

Be sure to check out my Pinterest page where I pin pictures, ideas, recipes, and quotes like these that I love.

Sometimes when things get too complicated in my head, looking over at my cat reminds me to simplify!

Fantasy Photo Shoot

My friend Stacey came into town with her new fancy camera! We did a couple of photo shoots, one in my neighborhood and one at the Huntington Gardens. We were going for kind of a fantasy/fairy feel at the gardens, and it was so much fun! Stacey's getting really good with her camera. I had a great time photoshopping the pictures back home. Here are a couple I finished...

Almost makes me believe it's real!

The photos with stone in them turned out really nice and gothic-style. 

I'll keep posting as I go through and edit!

Inspiring Pictures January Week 2

Again, probably my last "Inspiring Pictures" post. I'll put these types of pics on my Pinterest page from now on.

These are flowers my sister Paige bought me over a year ago. I found this pic in my folder and had to post.

The view from my kitchen window. Notice the lone rose? That's why I took the picture.

Two great pics I took in Utah!

Inspiring Pictures December Week 1

You know the drill...Here are some pictures I found inspiring for one reason or another.

I love deer, and I love vintage animal decor! 

This girl from one of my new favorite blogs made her own mini Christmas village display out of things she's collected. I want to try this in the future. 

Happy (cozy) Holidays...

Inspiring Pictures November Week 3

I love anime art! Here are a couple of girls who took it to the next level...

I'm seriously considering getting a pink wig for fun nights out... 

Beautiful don't you think?

Inspiring Pictures November Week 1

Here's me weekly collection of inspiring pics...

Love these little bra tops. I've been wanting to try and make some that go straight across at the neckline so I can wear them under lower-cut shirts. Plus, look how cute they look all hanging in a row! 

Wildflowers from my friend Debra's house.

Teapots!!! I love tea sets... I'm starting to collect mismatching plates to hang on my wall.

Art Inspiration

I ran across these pictures on the internet this week, and absolutely love the style. I wish there was a name for this style so I could search for more like these...

I loved this one so much, I even tried one of my own in this style (I'll post it on in my "Arts and Crafts" tab). 

Free People Video (September Catalog)

I love this video from Free People. It's so inspiring to me.

Free People - September 11 catalog from FreePeople on Vimeo.

Go for a Walk!

I've been going on walks every morning. Sometimes just around the block real quick to get my day started with fresh air and movement. Other days when I'm not in much of a hurry, I take my camera and wander aimlessly. Here are some pictures I took from last Saturday's aimless wandering...

I don't know why, but I really love moss.

I love the morning sun seeping down through the trees!

We have lots of stray cats in our neighborhood. From what I've heard from our old neighbor, the majority could actually be my Gracie's kittens that she had before we adopted her...

My favorite part of this scene is actually the paint-chipped brick at the bottom.

I like this car.

Bougainvillea, my favorite!

I see you white cat!

This is my favorite of the pictures I took!

Anyway, go walk and explore sometime! You'll be amazed all the inspiring things you can find right in your own neighborhood. 

Inspiring Pictures 10/11/11

I love collecting pictures that inspire me creatively. Here's today's batch...

If you can't tell, it's a little tent in a field.

I've love this picture from an Anthropologie catalog.  

Something about a rural European countryside makes me so excited inside. 

Wildflowers... My favorite...

This is the Latter-Day Saint Temple that Henry and I were married in! Gorgeous picture.

I love this girl's red hair and patchy rag doll dress

Perfectly pretty.