the current state of my being.

last week my jaw started to hurt, just enough for me to chew gingerly and occasionally be bothered. by last night, i couldn't sleep at ALL and was hoarding advil like a crazy person.

today at work when the tears came and i couldn't focus on anything in front of me, i made an emergency dentist appointment. apparently there's a raging infection up in there that warranted 2 prescriptions, one of them being...vicodin!

needless to say, we're in love already.

laying in bed has never felt so grand.

because all i've done this week is eat...

let's revisit my recent trip to ghirardelli square with lauren & kel!

on a chilly day we waited outside in a loooong line,
drooling over the menu.

the inside was toasty and warm...

perfect for enjoying ridiculously large amounts of ice cream.

seriously...sugar shock.

delish.

thanksgiving memories.

happy thanksgiving!

i'm enjoying a lovely one with my family in texas after the craziest week ever. it felt so good to sleep in today, lounge around the house in PJs, and have love actually playing in the background.

my friend laura reminded me of one of my favorite thanksgivings ever, a few months after i'd moved to london and all my american friends and i decided we needed to celebrate properly! i dug out the pictures to tell the story...

this was my cute apartment building in notting hill:
...unfortunately my actual apartment was literally about 200 square feet. we decided to host thanksgiving for 7 people here {obviously}, and yet i didn't even have a full-sized oven. we split up our courses and everyone cooked something at home, and then trekked through this gorgeous neighborhood carrying trays of turkeys and green bean casserole.

the neighbors LOVED us. :)

we borrowed card tables and chairs and packed in tightly {i was sitting on my bed for this photo} and shared our favorite american foods together.

we even popped some buck's fizz out the window for a proper celebration.
and stuffed ourselves just like we were in america!
this was one of my favorite thanksgiving memories, being in a new country with a new job, away from my family, and yet everyone pulling out all the stops to fulfill the traditions we all missed so much!

to my london loves...erin, ariel, laura-loo, maria...miss you all! i loved reliving this day.

hope you all have a wonderful day of food, friends, family & fun! we have so much to be thankful for.

holiday shopping - iphone polaroids

{clockwise from top left}

1. my storage spot for rainboots
2. rolls of beautiful wrapping at paper source
3. new red lip stain from sephora
4. ...apparently every retailer uses striped bags this year?

sneak peek: rachel's maternity shoot

i've been a chicken with my head cut off this week, so my photo editing/posting has been moving at a snail's pace. but i just had to share this picture...so sweet. more to come {when my head is on again}!

the results - sf stereotypes party!

the big night came...and it was amazing! a few of my fave photos from the night...

the golden gate and transamerica pyramid.

the castro.

the marina couple {with baby bjorn} and the mission hipster.

the marina bro, complete with bar none beer pong champ status and frat tattoo.

the union square protestors {erin was one of the bday girls}.

hipster & hippie! yep, i went for the haight-ashbury look.

so much fun, and everyone did a great job with the theme!

fall in your hand.

sf stereotypes costume party.

my friend jen is having a themed birthday party tomorrow where everyone needs to dress up as their "favorite" san francisco stereotype. can you please help me pick a costume??

my favorite idea was to be the ubiquitous "googler" {google employee} with my google tee, nerd glasses, and iphone in tow...but i can't find the tee! grrr.

my top options are {via my webcam}...

{haight-ashbury hippie}
{bandwagon giants fan}
{pacific heights socialite}
what's your fave?

my holiday wish list!

i looove making wishlists {almost as much as i love reality tv posts}. here are some of the items on mine this christmas, which i also happen to think are GREAT gifts for all lovely ladies!

{photojojo magnetic polaroid frames. too cute for the cubicle! 6 for $15}

{urban outfitters leather wrap bracelet. technically in their men's section, but i like it. lots of cute colors, too. $14}

{urban outfitters earrings. they remind me of something my grandma would have worn, and i love that! $16}

{old navy mukluk slippers. pretty sure i want these every year. cheap & cozy! $17.50, plus old navy has 30% off going right now for their give & get program!}

{west elm striped sheet set. you know you're getting old when you ask for bed linens. queen size $99}

{photojojo tokyo dreamer camera strap in sky blue. SO much cuter than my canon strap! $20}

{modcloth birdcage laptop bag. i just adore this. i might even get excited about bringing my laptop home to work after hours. $54.99}

{target clear bubble umbrella. i like something that shields my hair from every angle. $16.99}

{canon powershot digital camera. i am photographer, yet my point-and-shoot camera is absolutely beat up and embarrassing. time for an upgrade. on sale on amazon for $149}

{giants world series champions ornament. literally must have this. $7.95 - yet priceless.}

{world series box set. yes, i would watch every game over and over again. kind of pricey, but worth it in my heart. $64.99}

guilty pleasure.

during this off-season for america's my favorite trashy reality tv, the bachelor/bachelorette franchise, i have to get my fix from other places.

my absolute fave involves these flexible gals:

yes, folks, i cannot get enough of dallas cowboys cheerleaders: making the team. my sister and i watched this in marathon form after she gave birth to lily {random memory alert}, so for the past few years i have grown to LOVE this show.

leading the helm of my adoration is the illustrious kelli mcgonagill finglass, the dcc's chairwoman/leader/director. she is one half southern belle, one half blunt taskmaster, and we love her for this.

her other half is judy {no last name, at least, not that i remember}, who exists so kelli can whisper snide comments during auditions {these comments are always true} and who heads up more of the "dance" side of things. i would pee my pants if these two judged me at any activity.

the show is addictive, and after a few episodes you will become a weird curator of all things dcc. when monday night football is on, i can recite fun facts about the cowboys' stadium layout, locker rooms, suite levels, and jumbotron specs. i could probably bust out a routine or two due to the repetition of moves that are drilled into our head.

and most importantly, i can sure as hell tell who is getting cut for a low kick. mmhmm, sister.

this gem airs on CMT on fridays at 9pm.

engagement shoot : josephine + milo

a couple weeks ago - in the middle of a week of rain - josephine + milo met me in central park in san mateo for a fun engagement shoot! luckily we had a break in the downpour and were able to find some fun backdrops for these two lovebirds.

from bleachers {with a softball rec league playing...hey guys!} to benches...

to gorgeous gardens...

this park ended up being fabulous!

congrats, jo + milo! can't wait until the wedding in january.

rainy day.

two sweet things for a rainy sunday morning...

{nonfat peppermint mocha. love the starbucks red cups!}

{fluffy cinnamon rolls...out of this world.}

sights & sounds.

the whole night of the world series victory was just crazy. if you don't mind motion, high-pitched shrieking/crying {courtesy of me, you are welcome}, and a champagne-splattered lens, enjoy this gem:

these photos also accurately describe the mayhem that was the marina following the game. one of the most fun nights of my life!

note our wet hair from the champagne - seriously a shower.

hanging out of the buildings on chestnut st.

my favorite fans celebrating! we did it!