T Spoon of Sunshine

on eating in.

2012-01-11T11:28:00.002-05:00

One of the most popular resolutions people seem to make at the start of every new year has something to do with diet. Whether that be to lose those last five pounds or to make a conscious effort to eat better, it never fails that a healthier lifestyle becomes the ultimate goal of that year. Of course, a very small number of people actually follow through with this and before they know it, they're downing double bacon cheeseburgers with a gigantic soda...on a weekly basis. Don't get me wrong. I love a good burger every now and then. But the older I get, the more I realize that I actually like eating healthfully. There's something to be said about starting the morning off with a bowl of fresh fruit, Greek yogurt, and some tea. And then continuing the rest of the day with foods like kale salads, granola bars, and fish. But I digress.

This past Christmas, I was gifted a wonderful cookbook called 365 Good Reasons To Sit Down And Eat. For obvious reasons, I don't want to place an unrealistic expectation on myself to cook from this book every. single. night. However, I am cooking from it with the corresponding date. That's right--this book maps out every single month with a recipe for every single day. And they are fabulous. Some dishes are as simple as fried eggs with bacon, others are as wonderfully complex as salmon carpaccio with chervil. And then there are the desserts. The desserts! Pears in wine, French apple tart, Grand Marnier soufflé...need I say more? I think that every kitchen needs this book on its shelf, even if just to be inspired. I already know what I'm making for the 14th of this month: mussels in white wine. Yum!

out with the old.

2012-01-02T10:00:00.000-05:00

Last year, I made a list of resolutions / goals for 2011 and called it my "30 before 30". And while I still have five more months to go before actually turning 30, I feel like I've done a pretty okay job at accomplishing them. Of course, there are a few things that I will not be able to do until after the baby is born, but I'm pretty happy with what I've done and I'm still going to try to complete as much of the list as I can before the big 3-0. Here is the updated list. (Twenty-one out of thirty isn't so bad, right? Also, having a baby wasn't part of the "plan", but look at what's happening! If anything, it may even trump everything on the list. I could not be happier about that little surprise!)

Make our escape out of Florida plan a reality.
Do the L'Eroica antiquated bicycle ride in Tuscany.
~~Cook more meals at home.~~
~~Open up my ETSY shop.~~
~~Take time each day to let out a huge breath and let all of the stresses disappear with it.~~
~~Have more romantic date nights with Ryan.~~
~~Send out more hand-written letters.~~
~~Find something to feel passionate about.~~
~~Read more books.~~
~~Grow out my hair (without acting on impulse to chop it all off).~~
Practice patience.
Learn how to sail.
~~Pay off my debt.~~
~~Set pretty pennies aside for more savings.~~
Perfect one authentically French meal.
Pare down my closet to only the essential classics.
~~Take more mini-breaks on long weekends to visit out-of-state friends and family.~~
~~Ride my bicycle more often.~~
~~Have a night-time beauty regimen.~~
Stop beating myself up over the very very small stuff.
~~Eat more fruit!~~
~~Do more arts & crafts.~~
~~Be {more} comfortable in my own skin.~~
Visit family in Canada.
~~Exercise on the reg.~~
~~Go to the farmers' market for local produce more often.~~
Go on a camping trip.
~~Buy more art.~~
~~Get the new Haruki Murakami novel 1Q84 as soon as it hits the shelves.~~
~~Learn something new. Anything!~~

This year, I think I'm doing away with the resolutions / lists / goals. I am, after all, about to embark on what may very well be the biggest adventure yet: motherhood. So I'm doing away with the old and embracing the new--everything about it--and I'm giving myself a break for 2012 because I feel like it's only going to be more challenging from here on out and part of my growing up involves being able to let. things. go. Here's to 2012!

happy new year!

2012-01-01T16:37:00.001-05:00

Last night could not have been a better evening. As I mentioned earlier, we planned to spend our NYE in a very relaxed setting at home. Ryan and I have never had a new year's celebration where neither of us was actually working. So when the opportunity presented itself, we decided that instead of staying out until the wee hours of the morning, we would host a small gathering at our home. And I'm so glad we did. It was a success! This was our last NYE without a baby...so we really made it count. Dinner, old and dear friends, champagne (sparkling apple cider for me), and a few sparklers were all it took to make the evening as perfect as I could have ever imagined.

Happy New Year to all and hope that 2012 brings the best of everything to everyone!

xoxo,

TFH.

2011 recap.

2011-12-31T10:15:00.000-05:00

01. 01. 2011: 1st meal of the year--pho!

Valentine's Day weekend.

Cutest niece in the world comes to visit.

Happy 3-year anniversary to us...

...which led to this!

TF + TF-H reunited again.

We visited Olivia, Beverly, and Adam in Boston!

The belly gets sassy. (P.S. It's a GIRL!)

Thanksgiving trip to Asheville, NC.

Christmas card photo.

Back to the future.

Holiday crafting...

...and baking!

Halls decked.

I can't even describe to you in words how much s t u f f actually happened to us in 2011. Instead, here is a photo log to give you a general idea of how crazy whirlwind our year all went down. And now it's NYE 2012. Isn't it insane how quickly the year went by? Tonight, we plan on a very low-key evening with close friends, dinner, and sparklers at home. How will you spend yours?

...is anyone still out there?

2011-12-27T20:16:00.003-05:00

I started this blog as a way to sort of just ramble. And in the process, I found inspiration and a whole bunch of amazing readers who have become a part of my life in a very real way. But somewhere along the lines, I temporarily lost momentum and then (admittedly and sadly) just decided to blog intermittently until my daily ritual of setting time aside to communicate to all of you suddenly became an afterthought. I looked forward to writing every day. I enjoyed sipping a hot beverage in the morning, rifling through other blogs, and having some genuine "me" time. So what happened? Honestly, I couldn't tell you. I truly have no legitimate excuse for forgoing a passion I once had and now, am desperately trying to rekindle. I'm guilty of being lazy. For that, I apologize.

I don't want to make empty promises saying that I will post on a daily basis, or that you will definitely be hearing from me all the time. However, I do want to be more on top of it. So much has happened. I repeat: SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED. And it would be foolish of me to keep all of the exciting news and happiness to myself. I would still like to share things with all of you, if you'll still have me.

As you can clearly see, I've changed the layout of the blog...again. I want a fresh start, a new page. I want this blog to be more personal and intimate. I want to feel like you're meeting up with an old friend or, if you're new to the blog, that you're meeting a new friend for the first time.

That's just the beginning.

The end of 2011 is nearing. It's pretty amazing how quickly this year flew by and I have a feeling that time will not continue to slow down. 2012 is shaping up to be pretty awesome and it hasn't even arrived.

I hope you will forgive me and to those readers who are still remaining loyal, I thank you thank you thank you so much for your patience!

xoxo,
TFH.

the hibiscus and sparrow.

2011-09-06T17:34:00.000-04:00

And it's up! After months and months of putting it off, I've finally gone ahead and opened up my first ETSY shop. Eeps! This is just the bare bones of what I've got, but rest assured, there will be more to come as I go on many a thrifting excursion. So exciting!

{P.S. I also have another blog where I will be posting any new additions to the shop, so be sure to add it to your blog roll, too!}

yowayowa camera woman.

2011-08-31T15:20:00.004-04:00

How cool are these photos! Natsumi, girl-genius of the blog よわよわカメラウーマン(Yowayowa Camera Woman), captures these images of her daily "levitation" using only her camera and a self-timer. Talk about awesome. And of course, she happens to be in one of my favorite cities in the world, Tokyo. Makes me want to go out and try to do this myself!

COURTESY OF: よわよわカメラウーマン

simple comfort.

2011-08-29T13:44:00.002-04:00

Now that the big pregnancy reveal is out, is it bad that all I want to wear are loose-fitting beautiful garments like this? More power to the pregnant women who can wear body-hugging outfits that show off their bumps. But for me, I like the idea of being able to move around comfortably in something soft and non-restrictive. Thoughts?

PHOTOS COURTESY OF: ANDY VE EIRN

{ahem...} / attention, please.

2011-08-23T13:44:00.000-04:00

Well, remember this post and how I said that I "have a lot bubbling over in my real life"? Here it is! Ryan and I are going to have a baby! And we can hardly wait. Oh, the adventures that lie ahead...!

and we're back!

2011-08-23T13:17:00.004-04:00

Enjoying a pineapple jalapeño paleta on the High Line.

Fine meats at Eataly!

Wonderful ladyfriends Kate and Lindsay of The Loyal We.

Gorgeous pastries at South End Buttery in Boston.

Olivia and her Uncle Ryan.

A gargantuan pizza at Figs in Boston. (And my one tiny hand. Weird.)

Beverly and Adam, cutest couple. Ever.

OLIVIA!

Ryan and I are finally back from our wonderful week-long vacation in New York and Boston. It was filled with lots of food, fun, walking (a lot!), and amazing people, family, and friends. It makes me wish we could just stay up in the Northeast forever and ever. One day perhaps?

Our stay in New York was hosted by our friends Mike and Emma of M + E. We got to stay in their beautiful Brooklyn brownstone and seriously cannot thank them enough for their generosity and hospitality.

In Boston, we stayed with my sister Beverly (of the lovely blog Marmalade) and her wonderful husband Adam and beautiful daughter Olivia. Again, their kindness was beyond anything we could have ever wanted. It was just so wonderful to be around family in a city outside of the one we live in and to explore neighborhoods, cafes, and restaurants. (Obviously, this trip was fueled by food, too.)

Anyway, these are some photos from our trip that I cannot stop looking at. They make me wistful and happy all at the same time. Oh, and my little baby niece Olivia! How could you not want to squeeze those cheeks?

globes.

2011-08-06T10:53:00.000-04:00

Holy cow. These globes are stunning! They would look lovely clustered together on a mantle or standing alone in a totally awesome kid's bedroom. I kind of want one for myself! {I think I could actually make one of these with a little elbow grease!}

COURTESY OF: IMAGINENATIONS

i want to go to there.

2011-08-05T10:34:00.000-04:00

This morning I am currently daydreaming of taking a faraway vacation. And when I happened upon these photos of St. Ives, I nearly died. The mystique of the foggy seaside town drew me in immediately and made me want to know more about this little town. The tug boats, the water, and the seal (!) on Seal Island (!!!) are reason enough for me to want to book a flight over there. Right. Now. {Sigh.} Like I said, daydreaming.

COURTESY OF: I AM AN AGE OLD TREE I AM STARS IN WHITE SNOW

everyday harumi.

2011-08-04T11:02:00.003-04:00

Last night, after the famed Family Taco Night, Ryan and I took a detour home to the bookstore in search of an everyday Japanese cookbook. I had mentioned to Ryan that although we have been eating more meals at home, something still lacked in the fulfillment of my cooking. I told him that I wanted to really start mastering some Japanese stand-by's so that we could eat healthful, wholesome meals. It seems that so many of the Japanese cookbooks focus on sushi and other typical meals you'd find at an "Americanized" Japanese restaurant. And that's not what I want to make at home. I want to make foods that I recall my grandmother cooking for my sister and me while we visited when we were children. I want to make the foods that warmed my soul and left me happy and full before going to bed at night. And then I stumbled upon it: Everyday Harumi. This book has it all! Tonjiru, mazezushi, and even ankake donburi. I couldn't believe it. This is the book I've been looking for. I can't wait to start cooking out of it. So tonight, I think I'll try a ginger pork dish with bok choy. Oishii!

family dinners.

2011-08-03T17:12:00.001-04:00

Growing up, my family never really had a themed dinner night. Dinner was a time for the whole family to get together at the end of the day, sit down, and talk about the day's happenings over a home-cooked meal. And we did this every day. It still surprises me that many families don't get to do this seemingly "normal" activity. That said, our nightly dinners weren't much of an "event" representing any one thing. Ryan's family, however, entertained a semi-regular celebration of each other by having Family Taco Night. There would be a smorgasbord of shredded lettuce and cheese, diced tomatoes and onions, guacamole, and any other fixings one might desire on their taco. And everything would be arranged on a counter-top for you to assemble your taco to your liking. In my mind, this is fantastic. Genius, even! And guess what. Tonight is Family Taco Night! I can't wait. Fiesta! Fiesta!

COURTESY OF: SMILE, YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL

starsmith.

2011-08-03T10:39:00.002-04:00

This band reminds me a little bit of Daft Punk and I'm really liking it. I especially love the video with the gorgeous English seaside.

summer lovin'.

2011-08-02T13:48:00.002-04:00

I just found the perfect summer cardigan. Easy, breezy, and oh, so chic!

COURTESY OF: MODCLOTH

fill in the blank.

2011-07-28T12:12:00.002-04:00

This fill-in-the-blank stationery set made me happy. They're the perfect cards for any occasion. I especially like the "You + Me = _______"!

COURTESY OF: THESE ARE THINGS

summer jewelry.

2011-07-19T14:06:00.003-04:00

Aren't these necklaces perfectly simple and perfectly summer?

COURTESY OF: MADEWELL

hot hot heat.

2011-07-12T11:04:00.002-04:00

Today is a scorcher! It's one of those days that makes you just want to put on a fantastic bathing suit and lounge poolside with an ice cold beverage in one hand and a trashy tabloid in the other. Alas, the laundry has to be done, groceries need to be taken care of, and the house needs some straightening up to do. A girl can dream, can't she?

COURTESY OF: Swimwear and Lingerie

one week.

2011-07-06T11:07:00.002-04:00

A week ago, I bid farewell to a couple of lovely people as they made their way out of the Sunshine State to the Golden State, namely, Golden Gate. And while I am so thrilled at their prospects, plans, and their general enamorment of their City by the Bay, I can't help but have a heavy heart. Tara and Mike are two people who came into Ryan's and my life when they moved into the apartment building that we were living in. We had all seen each other about town but had not gotten to know each other at all. Simply by living in the same space, neighborly dinners, outings, and adventures had begun. Little did we all know that their time in Florida was fleeting.

This morning, I woke up realizing that a week had gone by since their official move and I just felt ...low. It may not seem like that big a deal--friends come and go all the time--but somehow, this feels different. This feels like the a stronger bond, a bigger friendship, a lifelong one. The only difference is, we're now bi-coastal instead of being in the same space and time. This just means that I have to readjust and work hard at keeping in touch through hand-written letters, visits, care packages, et al. When I think of us visiting one another, it makes my heart swell because the new dinners, new outings, and new adventures will begin all over again.

IMAGES COURTESY OF: DESIGN YOU TRUST and WE HEART IT, respectively

{ahem...} / hello?

2011-07-01T11:44:00.005-04:00

...a little over a month of hiatus has left me feeling rather stir-crazy. So guess what. I'm {sort of} baaaaaaack! I will do my best to make this blog space more personal and intimate. I will try my darndest not to let you, my readers, down. And above all else, I will let you in on so much good that is peeking its head just around the corner. It feels good, I tell you. Really good. The break was a much-needed one and I can truly say that I feel refreshed. Lots of down time and self-reflection on life, directions, and future plans have inspired me to keep on keepin' on. So hello! Hello? Is anyone there?

COURTESY OF: SARAH NELSON via SFGIRLBYBAY

break.

2011-05-26T12:11:00.004-04:00

So...

I'm guessing you all have noticed the sparseness in my postings. Or that my postings have been kind of ho-hum. Or that lately, I'm just seemingly uninspired. The truth of the matter is, I have a lot bubbling over in my real life that it's hard to justify staying indoors and typing away for my blog life. I'd like the get the balance right, but for some reason, things are just not happening in sync with one another.

I've "met" so many wonderful people who are a part of the blog world (like Nina, Celia, and Melina, just to name a few favorites) who have certainly impacted the way I see things and have also helped me to be a better person and blogger. I like to think that in some weird way, we would have all been friends in the real world. My sister started her own blog in the past year and I could not be prouder of her for showcasing herself in the most sincere, sweet, honest, and bare-bones way.

But at this moment in time, I am feeling this inherent need to just get out there and actually really do the things that I want to do. And I am--things are happening for me at an alarming speed...I'm just not quite ready to tell the world about them.

So for now, I'm clearing a space on the shelf for my little blog to rest and I am taking Emerson's advice to break the monotony and do something strange and extravagant. This isn't good-bye, I promise. This is just me, throwing myself into a few projects and in due time, I'll share everything. Thank you all for reading and being such a huge part of my life, both real and in this blog world.

xoxo,

TFH.

COURTESY OF: WE HEART IT

nyc dining car.

2011-05-16T00:00:00.000-04:00

A lot of old movies (like this one) feature trains and people enjoying meals in the dining car. I, for one, have never had the chance to experience a proper dining car setting, so I was completely and utterly amazed that the folks over at A Razor, A Shiny Knife managed to pull off this incredible "Casual Sunday Lunch"...on the L train. Not only was it taking train dining to a whole new level (makeshift tables! several courses!), it was "casual" dining at its finest. How cool is that?!

COURTESY OF: A RAZOR, A SHINY KNIFE

have a happy weekend!

2011-05-14T23:29:00.004-04:00

This weekend's agenda:

1. Write letters. A lot.

2. Drink wine with the husband.

3. Read Bossypants.

That's all.

Have a happy weekend!

xoxo,

TFH.

COURTESY OF: TO BE LOVED

happy thursday!

2011-05-12T10:30:00.000-04:00

Today is my day off and my baby sister is coming over for a day of relaxing with me. She's off from university for the rest of summer (until August!) so today, I've planned a picnic, a day at the pool, and then some adventures in thrifting. I can't wait! It's not every day that I get a chance to spend time with her so I'm really looking forward to seeing her. Tonight, I'm planning on cooking a meal with her and then watching two movies: The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and Two For the Road--two very different films, but both classic in their own right. What are you doing this Thursday? Hope you have a good one!

COURTESY OF: AWESOMEPICTURES

have a happy mother's day!

2011-05-07T12:46:00.004-04:00

To all you wonderful moms, moms-to-be, and grandmothers, the happiest Mother's Day to you!

xoxo,

TFH.

cinco de mayo.

2011-05-05T12:13:00.003-04:00

Jalapeño margaritas? Yes, please. Happy Cinco de Mayo to all!

COURTESY OF: FOOD NETWORK

the big 29.

2011-05-03T09:34:00.002-04:00

This was me on my birthday a couple of years ago. I have a feeling I'll be grinning that exact same way today. 29! I can't believe it. Happy birthday to me!

tea, scones, and a whole lotta will & kate.

2011-04-29T04:00:00.002-04:00

[image courtesy of: aspiringkennedy]

They're gettin' hitched and I can't wait to see this fairy tale wedding! It is 4:15 am, in my pajamas, tea in hand and scone in the other, you can count on me being one of the millions of eyes who will be glued to the television admiring all the hats and fascinators, all of the beautiful royalty, and of course oohing and ahhing at the dress. The dress! I like to think my personal invite got lost in the mail. So, I guess this is what I'll do...(and apparently, I'm not the only one...!)

fancy schmancy.

2011-04-28T10:54:00.005-04:00

Last night, we had two of our friends over to try out a four-course meal. Why? Oh, just because. It was Wednesday, so why not?

[Course 1: baby arugula salad over french fried Hawaiian

purple yams topped with a poached egg and drizzled

with a miso balsamic vinaigrette.]

[Course 2: carrot ginger soup topped with a dollop of

crème fraîche, chives, and balsamic vinegar droplets.]

[Course 3: Japanese curry infused with malbec and shallots

with brown rice, blanched asparagus, and roasted Japanese

eggplant, broccoli, baby bellas, kabocha, and deep fried

lotus root. Garnished with scallions and fresh avocado.]

[And finally dessert: lemon ricotta cheesecake with a

graham cracker crust and lemon-infused strawberries.]

green thumb.

2011-04-26T09:34:00.001-04:00

I don't know what's happened, but the older I get, the more I want to build/plant gardens of various plants. It started with the succulents and now I think I'm adding herbs to the list. For our housewarming party, our lovely friends Tara and Mike brought us a basket full of herbs: cilantro, parsley, basil, and chives. And I won't lie--we've been using them like nobody's business. It was a sort of starter kit for us until we were able to plant a life-size garden in our back yard. And then I saw this. This raised garden kit looks exactly like what we're looking for. Isn't it so lovely?

COURTESY OF: ReFORM SCHOOL

the perfect chair.

2011-04-25T09:30:00.000-04:00

Does anyone know where I can actually purchase this chair? It would be perfect in our living room and I think Ryan might actually fall in love with me all over again.

COURTESY OF: STILSUCHT via SWISS MISS

have a hoppy hoppy easter!

2011-04-23T21:24:00.005-04:00

My dearest readers, what are you up to this weekend? Ryan and I are having a lovely Easter brunch with my side of the family and then meeting up with his side of the family later on for a late lunch/early dinner. In other words, lots of food! We also plan on meeting up with some good friends for a nightcap later on at night. Sounds like my kind of day. Hope your Easter is lots of fun and filled with food, too.

xoxo,

TFH.

COURTESY OF: WE HEART IT

happy hump day!

2011-04-20T11:01:00.002-04:00

Sometimes, all you need is a little melty bubbly manchego over sliced apples on homemade bread all drizzled with a little bit of orange blossom honey to start your morning. Lucky for me, today's my day off so I am enjoying every last morsel of this. Happy Hump Day!

succulent garden.

2011-04-18T12:21:00.003-04:00

One of Ryan's and my first dates involved going to a gardening center, picking up some succulents, and building terrariums. I think it was then that I felt that I could be with him forever. Since then (three years ago!), he and I have built up quite a collection of succulents around the house. And the collection continues to grow. They're so easy to care for and so beautiful to look at. I can't get enough! These succulents above from Succulent Love would be the perfect addition to our home. Aren't they just beautiful?

COURTESY OF: DESIGN*SPONGE

oh land.

2011-04-13T10:28:00.002-04:00

I might be a little behind on this, but I just discovered Oh Land. Watch and listen. So pretty!

one month later.

2011-04-11T13:21:00.006-04:00

Today marks the 1-month anniversary since the devastating earthquake and tsunami that rattled Japan. As it now stands, 13,116 are dead and 14,377 are still unaccounted for. 151,000 survivors are dispersed throughout the 2,300 shelters across the country. Despite the fact that these shelters were places where people could go for heat, running water, and three hot meals during their time of need, they have become a place people want to leave. There is little to no privacy available for those who want to grieve over their loss.

On top of the high emotions among them, there is the constant worry of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant as it tries to maintain cooling temperatures so as not to overheat and cause severe nuclear damage to the surrounding areas and all over Japan. Officials even stated today that they would have to enlarge the evacuation area to more than the current 12-miles. This could mean that more people would have to leave what little is left of their homes to seek safety.

The American Red Cross, the Japan Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, along with many other organizations are doing their best to donate to the massive relief effort to help rebuild Japan. Another one of these organization is Relief By Design (remember this print?), a charity started by my brother-in-law where artists can design a print and submit it to the website (some of which you can see above). They are available for purchase on the Tsunami Relief Poster Project website with a $5 donation and are high-resolution images you can print up yourself at home. The best part is that 100% of the proceeds go to the American Red Cross to aid Japan in rebuilding their country.

I don't normally ask people to donate anything to anyone on my blog. But this means the world to me and I know that this cause would give Japan more help. And hope.

Thanks so much.

xoxo,

TFH.

IMAGES COURTESY OF: RELIEF BY DESIGN

rainy day ramen.

2011-04-05T17:12:00.004-04:00

Today was one of those days when I woke up with the sky completely overcast, thunder rolling, and lightning snapping away. And the first thought that hit me was: mmm, ramen. It's hard to find a good bowl of ramen in the area that isn't in a styrofoam package. I'm talking real, good, stick-to-your-ribs ramen. So I decided to make it.

I've been experimenting with different broths and the one that I seem to get right is the miso broth. So, as a special treat, here is my recipe for rainy day ramen. Bon appetit!

Rainy Day Ramen

serves 2

2 cups chicken broth

2 tbsp. miso paste (I used red miso paste)

1 tbsp. vinegar

2 eggs

4 stalks chives*, chopped

dried egg noodles, individually portioned (available at Asian markets)

sesame seeds

hot sesame oil (for drizzling)

(optional: left over cooked chicken, shredded)

*I used chives today but also use scallions when I want!

1. Heat the chicken broth bringing it almost to a boil. Do not let boil! Add miso paste and stir in until smooth. Bring heat down to a simmer.

2. In a separate pot, boil the noodles until cooked, usually about 5-6 minutes. Drain and set aside.

3. Using that same pot, fill with water and bring to a simmer. Add vinegar. Crack 1 egg into a small bowl. Using a slotted spoon, stir water until a whirlpool forms and add the egg gently into the whirlpool. The vinegar will coagulate the white and the whirlpool holds it together. Cook this for about 3 minutes and scoop egg out with slotted spoon. Congrats, you've just poached an egg! Place on top of cooked noodles in bowl. Repeat this process with the other egg.

4. Sprinkle chives and sesame seeds on top to your liking. (This is when I also added my shredded chicken on top.)

5. Pour in the miso chicken broth.

6. Drizzle hot sesame oil on top of poached egg in ramen.

7. Eat eat eat to your heart's content!

What do you like to eat on rainy days?

the art of eating in.

2011-04-04T13:45:00.004-04:00

Although this book came out last year, I only recently got my hands on a copy and have been so inspired by it. The author, Cathy Erway decided on a whim to not eat out while living in New York. And what started out as an challenge turned into a two-year experiment of diligence and commitment. It definitely made me rethink our eating out habits that Ryan and I have become comfortable with. It's not that we eat out for every single meal. That would be absurd. But we do eat out much more often than I'd like to.

Yesterday and last night, we hosted not one, but two housewarming pot-luck parties. The first one started early in the afternoon with both sides of our families over. The table was overflowing with spinach salad, shish-kebabs, potato salad, five-spice chicken, Spanish tortilla, roasted red peppers, ceviche, oodles of Chinese noodles, and an array of desserts including an English trifle, ooey-gooey peanut butter chocolate brownies, and a French mille-feuille. You could say it was sort of a United Nations smörgåsbord. Then, when the families left and our friends came over, another feast was just around the corner. And again, a smattering of different cuisines were presented to us--sweet potato lasagne, napa cabbage rolls with noodles, spicy chickpeas with rice, kale and avocado salad, cheese and asparagus tart, spinach and jalapeño dip inside home-made no-knead bread, oats and dates squares, and fancy deviled eggs.

After yesterday's festivities and while I read this book, I can't help but want to cook-in more often. I love how the idea of a pot-luck just brings everyone together sharing different types of foods, cultures, cuisines, tastes, and ideas. I wish I had taken photos of the dishes last night but I was so caught up in the moment that I had forgotten to! I went to bed thinking that there truly is an art to eating-in and I closed my eyes feeling so warmed by everyone's eagerness to bring what they loved to make and felt so much gratitude and love towards my family and friends.

COURTESY OF: THE ART OF EATING IN

twister.

2011-03-31T10:07:00.002-04:00

Last night, a storm raged through the night which made for the perfect sleeping and dreaming soundtrack. Unfortunately, today is still really gloomy and worse--there's a tornado whirring around outside and I'm doing my darndest to stay safe inside and keep my dogs calm. Florida is no stranger to natural disasters, namely hurricanes, but you never feel ready enough. And while tornadoes in Florida are not nearly as large as they are in the Midwest (or in the photo above), they're still scary. That said, I'm going to make some tea and weather out the storm.

COURTESY OF: QUESTION MARK

oh, dear.

2011-03-29T10:46:00.004-04:00

I don't know what it is but I just can't seem to sit still for more than a few minutes of my day and take the time to blog. And I feel guilty about this. Terribly guilty. It's not that I don't have time--I do! And I actually even quietly read all of your wonderful words. But for some reason, I haven't taken any time to do it myself. Bottom line: I've been lazy. L-A-Z-Y lazy. And I'm sorry. I have no excuses so I will make a very concerted effort to be better about updating my posts. Thank you so much for your patience.

COURTESY OF: ELEGANTLY WASTED

for japan with love.

2011-03-18T13:03:00.002-04:00

Today, I am proud to be a part of the Bloggers Day of Silence. Please join me and give what you can.

xoxo,

TFH.

津波:Tsunami

2011-03-15T14:42:00.001-04:00

As you all know, I have a great love in my heart for all things Japan. In light of recent events that occurred merely four days ago, I felt compelled to write / say something. The tragedy that struck Japan, a land I called home for nearly four years, is ringing very loudly for me. I still have family over there--my dad, my uncles, aunts, brothers, and cousins--and upon finding out the news of what had happened, my stomach dropped at the notion that I could not do anything. It was a helpless feeling--one that I don't know how to overcome except by trying to live a normal life and trying to be as supportive for those out there. Even writing this seems a little trite knowing that there are people who have lost their homes, their families, their belongings--everything. It is so heartbreaking. And yet, this is a country that will persevere and rebuild itself.

After the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995, people didn't know how Japan would recover. But they did and they did so gracefully, efficiently, quickly, and admirably. If that was a testament to their strength and resilience, then I know that Japan will recover with just as much grace, efficiency, speed, and admiration, if not more.

[On a side note, but still completely related, brother-in-law and his design firm have put together an organization where people can donate to the cause. It's called Relief By Design and artists are encouraged to design and sell their work through the site. You can purchase a print--like the one seen above this post--and ALL proceeds go to helping Japan. Not only are they beautiful, it's also for an amazing cause!]

COURTESY OF: RELIEF BY DESIGN

i'm back (sort of)!...and home sweet home.

2011-03-10T15:12:00.004-05:00

After what seems like a very long two weeks, we have finally moved {almost} everything into our new home and let me tell you, it feels good. Last night was the first night we slept here and it was wonderful. There was even a thunder storm outside while we were cozy in our new bed in our new house. Sometimes, the simple things make me so happy. I feel so out of touch and have missed you! Please tell me what you've been up to! I'd love to know.

COURTESY OF: HERE COMES THE SUN

moving and shaking.

2011-02-23T11:15:00.003-05:00

I am taking this time to apologize in advance for the static. Ryan and I are moving out of the studio loft apartment that we love and moving into a two-story home with a porch swing and an orange tree in the back yard. Woot! So pardon the silence, I will be blogging when I get the chance, but with all the packing and moving and moving and shaking, it will be a little crazy. I promise, normal blogging will return soon!

xoxo,

TFH.

COURTESY OF: MOON FACE

let there be light.

2011-02-21T08:09:00.000-05:00

This lamp is all kinds of fun. Not only is the entire thing held up by paper clips, you can also get it in a DIY kit. Yay!

COURTESY OF: SHOWRAUM

have a sunny weekend!

2011-02-18T08:54:00.000-05:00

One of the nice things about living in Florida is that in the middle of February, when other parts of the U.S. are still below freezing, we are getting sunshine and temperatures that invite breezy tops and skirts. That said, this weekend, I hope to have a Blood Mary and enjoy the sun. Have a sunny weekend!

COURTESY OF: DIXIE CAVIAR

one-piece.

2011-02-17T09:43:00.000-05:00

Current need. That's right: need.

COURTESY OF: FUTURE STANDARD

lace.

2011-02-16T08:00:00.000-05:00

Why is this dress $495? No fair. It would look so pretty with a fresh face and a smile!

COURTESY OF: TOPSY DESIGN

how to draw.

2011-02-15T09:24:00.000-05:00

I would love these framed at home on a wall. So simple, yet so good!

COURTESY OF: PAPER TASTEBUDS

♥ happy valentine's day! ♥

2011-02-14T09:44:00.000-05:00

Some kisses to get you through the love-filled day! Happy Valentine's Day!

COURTESY OF: KISSEZ

have a lovely weekend!

2011-02-11T09:34:00.004-05:00

Tonight will be a great night. Ryan and I are going to see one of our favorite bands, Broken Social Scene! I cannot wait. Dinner, an indie-rock show, and a glass of wine with dessert. Valentine's Day came early! Have a lovely weekend! ♥

COURTESY OF: CHARTATTACK

hanging air plants.

2011-02-10T08:21:00.000-05:00

How beautiful are these air plant pods? I recently was introduced to the air plant and fell madly in love. Not only are they incredibly low maintenance, they have a subtle gorgeousness about them. I imagine these pods would look beautiful hanging in a kitchen or foyer. Love!

COURTESY OF: MUDPUPPY via SUPERMARKET

the sartorialist.

2011-02-09T12:08:00.003-05:00

I always knew that Scott Schumann was cool. But this just made me love him even more.

ramones v. misfits.

2011-02-09T08:12:00.000-05:00

This made me laugh. That's all.

COURTESY OF: GRAYHOOD

1950s dresses.

2011-02-08T08:02:00.000-05:00

GORGEOUS dresses that are all. custom. made! How I never stumbled upon Mrs.Pomeranz until now is beyond me. I'm thinking I might just have to have a 1950s-themed party. I just might have to.

COURTESY OF: MRS.POMERANZ

alphadeath.

2011-02-07T09:34:00.000-05:00

Kind of morbid, yet really cute. These would make great framed prints in a kitchen, no?

COURTESY OF: MINICUBBY

bottle.

2011-02-04T08:25:00.000-05:00

Since it is February and it's almost Valentine's Day, I thought I'd share this video that made my heart swell. Enjoy! Have a lovely weekend, too! ♥

giving thanks.

2011-02-03T08:55:00.003-05:00

Have you seen this? Leah writes daily "thank you" notes for...well...everything. And they are a.maz.ing! See more here.

COURTESY OF: THXTHXTHX

happy groundhog day!...and i was in hiding.

2011-02-02T08:59:00.003-05:00

Hello, my dear, sweet, patient readers. I am so sorry that I haven't been around to post anything in the last month (oof). It's been one of those months. Everything was happening around me at an alarming rate and I needed to focus on me. Hence, the hiding.

That said, a little update: the year started out with a roar--a roaring 1920's party, that is. The new year celebration was fantastic. It was then that I decided to kick it into high gear and really make 2011 the year that I would own.

Case in point: I quit my job yesterday. I cannot tell you how much of a weight has been lifted from my shoulders, my heart, and my general well-being. Things seem lighter, my days seem brighter, and the future is looking really rosy. As a result, I will be focusing more on things that bring happiness to my life and really getting that ETSY shop of mine up and running and all of you lovely readers will be the very first to know when that will be!

And now, as we enter the second month of the new year, I am promising to post more for your viewing / reading pleasure. I have missed you all!

PHOTO COURTESY OF: FOTOLOG

LBD.

2011-01-19T14:41:00.003-05:00

My lovely friends (and neighbors, too!) Tara and Mike are to be wed this coming March and I could not be happier. It will be an elegant affair complete with little black dresses and fancy cocktails. That said, I feel like I have an array of LBD's to choose from, however, this one from vintage Christian Dior just feels like one I need to have in my closet. And also feels like the one I need to wear to that wedding. Le sigh.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF: ETERNITY

hopeful.

2011-01-12T08:58:00.003-05:00

Chelsea of Frolic! recently posted these beautiful photos on her blog and said, "These images always feel very hopeful to me." So true. I love how they have a dream-like quality to them and can only make you smile. Sometimes, a little hope goes a long way.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF: SEBASTIAAN BREMER via FROLIC!

they came and went.

2011-01-05T08:54:00.004-05:00

Five days into 2011 and I still haven't posted anything new...until today! The holidays were awesome. Filled with the F trifecta--food, family, and fun--it was everything I had ever hoped for and more. Oh! I also got Christmas cards from two lovely lovely ladies who I hold near and dear to me, although we only "know" one another through the blog world. The holidays came and went just like that, and I can't help but feel slightly let down that we have to start all over. Then again, that only means that we have an entirely new chance to make it even better than the year before, right? This year, on top of my 30 Before 30 list, I am going to try to be more optimistic about things...you know, look at the glass as half-full more often than not. There's just so much to look forward to!

PHOTO COURTESY OF: SITA MARIE

happy new year!

2010-12-30T08:32:00.007-05:00

I'm going to take a few days off from the blog world and enjoy few remaining days of the year but wanted to wish you all a very happy new year! What can I say? 2010 is practically over and with that comes two things: a huge wave of relief and nervous butterflies in my stomach about what 2011 will bring. The coming year will be my final year in my 20s and while I am already welcoming 30 with open arms, my 29th year seems a little bittersweet.

2010 was a difficult year. Scratch that--it was more annoying than difficult. I was laid off, I got a new job, and we almost bought a house but backed out at the last minute due to unforeseen issues that would not be resolved. Yet, there were also two monumental events that we had experienced: 1) our trip to Japan--where Ryan finally met my father for the first time and spend time with that side of my family on that side of the world. It was nothing short of amazing. And of course, 2) the birth of my very first niece Olivia Ruth Cote--the most perfect little package in the form of a teeny tiny baby. (Congrats again to my sister and brother-in-law!)

So what will next year be like? I'm really crap with resolutions so instead, I've decided to make goals. Seeing as this is my last year before 30, I've decided to make a "30 Things To Do Before 30" list. Here goes (in no particular order).

1. Make our escape out of Florida plan a reality.

2. Do the L'Eroica antiquated bicycle ride in Tuscany.

3. Cook more meals at home.

4. Open up my ETSY shop.

5. Take time each day to let out a huge breath and let all of the

stresses disappear with it.

6. Have more romantic date nights with Ryan.

7. Send out more hand-written letters.

8. Find something to feel passionate about.

9. Read more books.

10. Grow out my hair (without acting on impulse to chop it all off).

11. Practice patience.

12. Learn how to sail.

13. Pay off my debt.

14. Set pretty pennies aside for more savings.

15. Perfect one authentically French meal.

16. Pare down my closet to only the essential classics.

17. Take more mini-breaks on long weekends to visit out-of-state

friends and family.

18. Ride my bicycle more often.

19. Have a night-time beauty regimen.

20. Stop beating myself up over the very very small stuff.

21. Eat more fruit!

22. Do more arts & crafts.

23. Be {more} comfortable in my own skin.

24. Visit family in Canada.

25. Exercise on the reg.

26. Go to the farmers' market for local produce more often.

27. Go on a camping trip.

28. Buy more art.

29. Get the new Haruki Murakami novel 1Q84 as soon as it

hits the shelves.

30. Learn something new. Anything!

Hopefully this list will prove challenging, enriching, and life-changing. I've never had such a long list of goals to accomplish, but that in and of itself should be interesting. I've got a whole year to complete these and it all starts January 1st. Wish me luck!

Happy New Year to everyone!

xoxo,

TFH.

PHOTO COURTESY OF: NICKL

happy monday!...and a roaring new year's eve.

2010-12-26T08:59:00.000-05:00

Now that Christmas has passed, another big holiday party is about to commence: New Year's Eve! Two years ago, I had a fabulous time with friends. Last year, not so much. I am determined to start 2011 with a bang. And what better way to do so than by attending a Roaring 1920's themed New Year's Eve fête? These dresses from ASOS would be perfect for the occasion, don't you think? (click on photos for more info!) What are you doing for NYE?

PHOTOS COURTESY OF: ASOS

merry christmas!

2010-12-25T09:32:00.002-05:00

From my home to yours, have a wonderful holiday this year.

xoxo,

TFH.

PHOTO COURTESY OF: EAT DRINK CHIC

the illusionist.

2010-12-22T15:02:00.005-05:00

One of the things I love most about the holiday season is the plethora of movies that come out in theatres. It's so exciting! Ryan and I have already gone to see the new Harry Potter flick and just the other night, we saw Black Swan. One movie I'm really looking forward to seeing is The Illusionist, which comes out on Christmas Day. For as long as I can remember, the cousins in my family would all meet up on Christmas Day and go to the movies. Hopefully this year, we'll be able to see this one!

soon!

2010-12-21T09:01:00.003-05:00

Shopping done. Presents wrapped. Christmas time is here! This week will be a hard one for me at work as I am so ready for the weekend to come.

Traditionally, growing up, my family always partook in Nochebuena, the Spanish "Good Night" which is celebrated on Christmas Eve. Although the Japanese side of my family doesn't really do Christmas, my Catholic Filipina mom always made sure that we had a Christmas like the ones she grew up with and that there was lots of food on the table that night. We would typically dine at around 9 pm followed by desserts and coffee afterwards. Then, when the clock struck midnight, we would open presents! The best part was, not only did you get to open your gifts at midnight, if you were good that year, you would still get gifts the next morning from Santa! Everyone wins!

This year, Ryan and I are putting together our own Nochebuena feast and having my mom, step-dad, brother, and one of my sisters over. What will the menu be? I'm not sure yet, but we've got a few ideas up our sleeves. I cannot wait!

happy friday!...and wrapping presents and baking cookies!

2010-12-17T08:45:00.015-05:00

It's Friday! And it's just over a week before Christmas (Iabsolutelycannotwait!!!) so tonight, my younger brother, one of my sisters, and I are going to spend some quality time together. On the agenda: cooking skillet bacon mac & cheese for dinner (yum), wrapping more presents (huzzah!), and doing some holiday baking (linzer cookies and fig and chocolate biscotti, anyone?)

PHOTO COURTESY OF: WE HEART IT

10.

2010-12-15T08:38:00.004-05:00

You guys! It's only 10 more days until Christmas! I seriously cannot remember the last time I was this giddy with excitement. I am thisclose to finishing all my gift-wrapping endeavors and putting them under the tree. And you? Are you all through with your shopping? Have you reached panic mode yet?

PHOTO COURTESY OF: WE HEART IT

green with envy.

2010-12-14T08:06:00.000-05:00

I know my birthday is about five months away (who's really counting, though, right?) but I already have my eye on this beautifully simple ring. My birthstone is the emerald and I've always wanted something completely un-gawdy. I think I may have just found my answer!

PHOTO COURTESY OF: SCOSHA & CO.

happy monday! and...french for: i ♥ you.

2010-12-13T08:04:00.000-05:00

Wouldn't this sweet print be so lovely to wake up to every morning? Everyone should have that kind of a reminder that he/she is loved by someone!

PHOTOS COURTESY OF: THERESE SENNERHOLT DESIGN

have a wonderful weekend!

2010-12-10T11:18:00.003-05:00

Any plans? I plan on staying warm, drinking lots of hot chocolate, and enjoying some homemade cookies with a book. I am thisclose to being done with all of my Christmas gift shopping / making so I am taking this weekend to sit back and relax.

{Also, I think Ryan and I are going finish up our Harry Potter marathon and go out to see the latest Harry Potter movie at the IMAX! Huzzah!}

Have a wonderful weekend!

PHOTO COURTESY OF: YOURPHOTOGRAPHYX

holiday gift guide: your debonaire papa.

2010-12-09T14:12:00.000-05:00

He is the guy you hold a lot (if not all) of the guys you know up to, the only one who still uses an old-fashioned shaving kit (not because he's old-fashioned, but because he "likes it better"), and never leaves the house without a suit on. These gifts are sure to turn that classic man to mush.

1. Martini Drinks 1951 and Martini Drinks 1953 Prints
2. Ben Sherman Crest Cufflinks

3. The Art of Shaving The 4 Elements of Shaving

4. R2i Stereo System

5. BURBERRY Beige/Gray Cashmere Scarf

holiday gift guide: your lovely mama.

2010-12-09T08:00:00.000-05:00

To the woman who your doctor, personal chef, teacher, best friend, and psychiatrist. She's always been a classy lady. Show her you know just how elegant she really is!

1. Cashmere Red Scarf

2. "Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics" Cookbook

3. Multi-strand Pearl Necklace

4. Striped Jersey Top

5. Victoria Beckham Flard Jackie O sunglasses

6. Terrariums

7. Votivo Blackberry Basil Candle

holiday gift guide: your world-traveler bestie.

2010-12-08T14:08:00.002-05:00

You met her in college while you were both dating guys in the same band. Now, you're both seasoned travelers, confidants, and above all else, the best of the bestest friends. Jet-setting between Germany, Bangladesh, Egypt, and everywhere in between, these are sure to make any airplane trip worth it.

1. DKNY Silver And Gold Bracelet Watch

2. Kindle Lighted Leather Cover and Kindle 3G Wireless + Wi-fi Reading Device

3. Cameo Ring

4. Lulu Guinness Large Eyelash Tokyo Tote Bag

5. Canon EOS 40D digital camera - Highly recommended digital SLR cameras

holiday gift guide: your newborn niece or nephew.

2010-12-08T08:04:00.002-05:00

There's a new bundle of joy in the family: your niece or nephew! These toys are sure to bring a smile to those chubby cheeks of theirs no matter how old they are.

1. Loved & Adored Fleece Hat and Mitts

2. Loved & Adored Booties
3. Shoal of Fish Mobile

4. City in a Bag - Paris
5. Great White Owl

holiday gift guide: your hipster brother.

2010-12-07T12:10:00.002-05:00

You know who he is. He's the kid in your family who's just too-cool-for-school. So why not humor him some more with these gifts! They're sure to make him that much cooler.

1. The Lazy Intellectual By Richard J. Wallace

2. Vampire Weekend Records/Vinyl Contra LP

3. Casio Men's MQ24-1B3 Analog Black Rubber Strap Watch

4. Toddland Curls for Girls Wallet

5. Fixie | Fixed Gear | Track Bicycle | Mercier Track Bikes | Singlespeed

holiday gift guide: your artsy + crafty sister(s).

2010-12-07T08:20:00.000-05:00

They're the ones who listened to you lament over boys that sucked, the ones who would knit pretty scarves or socks for friends and family for Christmas, and have an endless pot of tea any time you came to visit. To sisters near and far, these are for you!

1. Joni Scarf Knitting Kit

2. Rosina Candlesticks - Set of 3 - Candle Holders

3. Rizzoli Vogue Living: Houses, Gardens, People

4. Vintage Silver Tea Set

5. Artisan Square Green Glitter Bling Frame and Artisan Square Red Glitter Bling Frame

holiday gift guide: the man you fell in love with.

2010-12-06T12:16:00.001-05:00

This goes out to the man in your life who is obsessed with industrial design and has a knack for just fixing things up. Oh, and he happens to look really good while doing that, too. {Swoon!}

1. Tiny Collar Chambray Button Down

2. TOKYUJIN YOSHIOKA Book

3. MUJI book

4. Wood Toolbox

5. Bialetti 6-Cup Moka Express Original
6. MacAlister boots

happy monday!...and t spoon of sunshine's {1st ever} holiday gift guide.

2010-12-06T08:48:00.001-05:00

So...I'm a couple years late in jumping on the holiday gift guide bandwagon. It's just that I'm always so nervous about showcasing what I think would be cool gifts for those you love. That said, I decided to give it a go anyway since Christmas is in exactly 19 days. {Yowza!} Besides, who wouldn't want any of these things? Keep your eyes peeled for the first one!

PHOTO COURTESY OF: DEBUTANTES

maryjane.

2010-12-03T08:04:00.000-05:00

Ok. It's not every day that I say that I need a new pair of shoes. So let me tell you: I need these shoes. Need. Don't they just make you want to tap your feet and dance?

PHOTO COURTESY OF: MARAIS

blue + white.

2010-12-02T08:13:00.000-05:00

When my darling Amaly showed me these porcelain pieces, I gasped. They are stunningly simple, elegant, and simply perfect. Spanish designer Jaime Hayón collaborated with a 130+ year old Japanese porcelain company called Marukawaya for Kutani Choemon. What a gorgeous marriage of East meets West. Love love love.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF: DAILY TONIC

happy wednesday!...and it's december! {eeps!}

2010-12-01T08:24:00.003-05:00

Good morning, lovelies. I woke up this morning and the sky was grey. A storm rolled through and brought with it some "wintery" weather (for Florida, at least) which excited me because today, I got to wear a sweater. That's right. Long-sleeves, tights, etc. And it actually feels like December.

Even weirder, I got a little teeny tiny hankering for coffee. Coffee! If you remember, I {temporarily?} parted ways with coffee a few months back. But this morning, I just felt like having one. So I got one. Guess what. It's still not as great as I remember it being and it's definitely not as great as I so wish it would be. But hey, it's December and I'm celebrating this cold(ish) weather! How is your morning so far?

PHOTO COURTESY OF: K-KO

attention, please.

2010-11-30T12:51:00.005-05:00

After a wonderfully long Thanksgiving weekend full of surprises and good food, I'm back! I cannot believe that tomorrow will be the 1st of December (yet, it is still 85 degrees here in Florida...ugh). Isn't it crazy how fast this year is just flying? The holidays are just around the corner (eeps!) but that just means more time spent with family, friends, and other loved ones.

As a child, I loved Christmas. Everything was just so illuminated and happy. As time went on, and the older I got, that extra little bit of magic kind of faded and fell by the wayside. Santa Claus was no more, I was the one wrapping up Christmas presents from my parents to my younger siblings, and party-planning suddenly became one huge ball of stress. Where did all of that Christmas cheer go?

This year, I'm determined to bring it back. I want that sparkle to come back with a vengeance. After all, what fun is Christmas if you're a Grinch about it?

IMAGE COURTESY OF: ADA

happy thanksgiving!

2010-11-25T09:49:00.000-05:00

Enjoy feasting to your hearts' content, everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving from my home to yours.

xoxo,

TFH.

PHOTO COURTESY OF: WE HEART IT

giving thanks.

2010-11-24T08:01:00.000-05:00

The past few months (months, I know) have left me feeling really down in the dumps. And I keep telling myself to focus on the good stuff but sometimes that good stuff is so hard to see when you're so in the negative. That said, I sat down and thought long and hard about what I'm thankful for this year. This is what I came up with.

my most loving & doting husband, Ryan
my family
Olivia
bicycles
having the ability to be creative
almond biscotti tea
friends, near and far, few and far between (too many to list--you know who you are)
incredible neighbors (thank you thank you thank you, Marty, Tara, Mike, and Staci)
Rocco & Rainer
Amaly
dreams, plans, hopes, and wishes
books
hand-written letter (thank you, Letter Writers Alliance!)
my favorite bloggers (Celia, Melina, Nina, Meli, and Stephanie--the blog world would not be what it is without you!)
and of course, my lovely readers with whom this blog would not exist were it not for all of you!

What are you thankful for this year?

PHOTO COURTESY OF: DELETEYOURSELF

departures.

2010-11-23T10:44:00.004-05:00

Last night, Ryan and I watched a Japanese movie called Departures. It dealt with the subject of death in the most sensitive and beautiful way. Throughout the movie, I couldn't help but think of our own mortality and how when we're young, we think we are so invincible, not really realizing that life is fleeting. It sounds depressing, but the film actually put it in a different light. It was beautiful and it tugged at my heart strings.

book case.

2010-11-18T11:09:00.005-05:00

If you're a book lover but don't know how to store your daily reads, this table will melt your heart. I love how the wooden slats double as bookmarks. Talk about form following function!

PHOTOS COURTESY OF: CORE77

m + e on design*sponge!

2010-11-17T14:22:00.005-05:00

Upon perusing Design*Sponge earlier today, I happened to find our lovely friends Mike and Emma of M + E. Their gorgeous home was showcased and I could not have been prouder! For your viewing pleasure, see more here.

{P.S. Isn't that platform bed amazing?!}

PHOTOS COURTESY OF: DESIGN*SPONGE

which girl are you?

2010-11-16T09:17:00.002-05:00

Amelie or Carrie? Loving this poster from Paris Versus New York. So cheeky!

PRINT COURTESY OF: PARIS VERSUS NEW YORK

happy monday!...and i'm back from new england!

2010-11-15T11:59:00.003-05:00

Hello lovely readers. I am back from a weekend in New England visiting my sister, brother-in-law, and their beautiful new baby girl Olivia. Look at those cheeks! The weekend was full of much-needed time in with the family, heaps of food (of course!), and a day trip into Boston where I had the wonderful opportunity to meet the sweetest, most down-to-earth person and blogger extraordinaire Nina! I've been following her blog for nearly two years now so this was an incredible chance meeting over brunch at The Other Side Cafe (her recommendation--delicious!).

And now, I'm back to life and the swing of things. How was your weekend?

a girl's bike.

2010-11-04T15:53:00.004-04:00

What an empowering book. This book of fifty photos of girls with their bicycles makes me want to join them in their awesome bike gang. I know fellow blogger and bike enthusiast Meli is even more passionate about riding. Do you have a bicycle? How often do you ride?

PHOTOS COURTESY OF: A GIRL'S BIKE via PUBLIC BIKES

date night.

2010-11-03T13:10:00.002-04:00

Tonight, Ryan and I are having an impromptu date night. Why not, right? Fancy homemade spaghetti bolognese and an art show, perhaps?

PHOTO COURTESY OF: A CONVERSATION ON COOL

i feliz dia de los muertos !

2010-11-02T13:07:00.005-04:00

The past few days were full of costumes and candy everywhere else but at my household. You see, I think the last time I actually celebrated Halloween was probably about 9 years ago. I stopped wearing costumes and going to Halloween parties. And not for any particular reason except that I think I might have outgrown it. Last year, I was more enthusiastic about the holiday, but for some reason, my feelings for it waned this year. Now, to those who still partake in the festivities, bravo! I'm not at all saying that what you're doing is ridiculous. In fact, I sometimes wish I still had that extra **oomph** that makes the holidays--any holiday--feel more magical. I applaud those who love putting on the make-up and the costumes and having a ball of a time. But for me, I much prefer staying in and/or engaging in something completely un-Halloween. Does that make sense?

In any case, not only is today election day (go vote!) across the U.S., it is also The Day of the Dead, or El Dia de los Muertos, a traditional celebration of departed ones. Back in the day, skulls were kept as trophies to honor those who had passed. Today, instead of real skulls (eeps!) many make sugar skulls with beautifully ornate designs. I think it's such a beautiful tradition to celebrate the dead and remember how they touched our lives in some way.

PHOTO COURTESY OF: IRIS JONES

sprinthead.

2010-10-28T08:19:00.000-04:00

These hand-embroidered pieces of jewelry make my heart swell. The colors are so pretty and any of these would look great with the most minimal of outfits, don't you think?

PHOTOS COURTESY OF: SPRINTHEAD

tpot for tspoon.

2010-10-27T15:15:00.000-04:00

This Spout TPot just made my day. Ever since I gave up coffee, tea has been my best friend and this tea pot would do me fine. It would do me just fine, thanks.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF: PAIGE RUSSELL

oh, snap!

2010-10-27T08:24:00.003-04:00

The past week-and-a-half has proven to be quite taxing on the heart for me. And after having a really good cry (induced by heavy talks and thoughts) a couple of nights ago, I woke up this morning and told myself that I needed to snap out of it. Why? Because life. goes. on. and on and on and on. And that's the way it goes.

PHOTO COURTESY OF: TOLEAFOTO

i got the blues.

2010-10-21T10:48:00.004-04:00

It's been really hard to get back into the swing of things since coming back from Japan. I'm overcome with so much emotion--exhaustion, malaise, nostalgia, sadness, hope, etc. And that alone is overwhelming. On top of that, a good friend of ours just moved away from our apartment building and into another city. Saying our good-byes was tough.

Don't get me wrong--I really love where I am. I do. I love my friends here, my dogs, my apartment, my life. But. I can't shake this feeling.

I know that our trip was a vacation and that people generally just do more on vacation. It isn't "real life". However, I know what life was like over there and what we did on our trip wasn't far from reality. It was just more condensed into a shorter period of time. I thought that this trip would refresh me and enable me to have a finer appreciation of the life that Ryan and I have here in Florida. But it only made me want to go back. If my longing to return wasn't strong before, it certainly is now.

PHOTO COURTESY OF: HUDSALVA

a big fat merci beaucoup.

2010-10-19T08:42:00.003-04:00

To all my incredibly wonderful and talented guest bloggers, I could not thank you enough for being a part of my blog while I was away. Seriously, from the bottom of my heart, thank you so very very much!

xoxo,

TFH.

P.S. I'm officially an aunt! Welcome to the world, little Olivia!

PHOTO COURTESY OF: LOVE AND LIGHT