Whoa, October, where's the fire?

I am completely floored that we're at the end of the month already.  Where did October go?  I feel like I just wrote the rent check and now somehow it's already time to write another one-- Sheesh!  (Greedy calendar...)

I've decided that as of Monday morning I will be engaging in No(eating out)vember.  I've heard of a couple of ladies participating in No(shopping)vember-- which is very inspiring, but in considering of my own personal budget, I think the area that could really use some discipline is eating out. 

Too often I grab something on the go, or run around all day without thinking about dinner and then go to a restaurant at the last minute because I'm too hungry/cranky/lazy to cook something for myself.

SO!  During the entire month of November I will be fasting from all food and drink unless I get it from a grocery store.  We'll see how I do...

Meanwhile, here's my Friday outfit for Emery's Fall Fashion week:

Cowboy Boots

Detail of owl necklace

Head-to-toe shot

Dress: Overstock.com
Sweater: Target
Boots: Steve Madden
Socks: Urban Outfitters (boy section)
Necklace: Some cheapy store on Melrose Ave.

Don't forget to swing by Emery's blog to see everyone else's fashions from the week!

Fall Fashion Week -- Day 4

Yeah, I'm still claiming this as a Fashion Week post even though these pictures hardly count, I'm sure.

I forgot to have Greg take my picture this morning before I left for work, and taking a picture of myself just wasn't really going to happen today.  I figured I just wouldn't play today, but then I went to the grocery store and snapped these quick pics:

This is the only full length shot I got.  Heh. 

BAM!  Mirror over the produce.

Thanks for playing, Albertson's.

(Shoes!)

Not that you can see it, but for the record, I'm wearing:

Sweater: Target

Tee Shirt: Promotional item for Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (they were handing them out in San Diego earlier this year before the movie opened in theaters)

Trouser Jeans: Express

Converse Shoes: Target

Fall Fashion Week -- Day 3

Aw shucks, you guys, thanks so much for all the nice comments on my last 2 posts.  I'm not a very fashionable person, but you have been really encouraging and gosh darn it, I feel pretty!  And I'm LOVING exploring everyone else's styles as well.  So inspiring.

My Wednesday outfit is pretty simple.  I'm holding down the fort at my office while the rest of my team is on site at an event, so I could afford to be really casual today.  (And I am taking advantage!)

My handsome husband ran to Starbucks while I was in the shower this morning and he brought me a piping hot vanilla latte and an old fashioned donut for us to share.  (How's that for accessories?  YUM!)

Because iPhones only offer so much clarity, I'm giving you close ups of some of the details.  Like these little skulls on my shirt.  It's almost Halloween after all!

I also love that the sweater has little pockets in the front.  I REALLY enjoy pockets.  Decorative or practical.  I just love them.

Because my outfit today is really nothing to write home about (let alone blog about), I decided to share a picture of my wedding ring today. 

It's nothing special, but it's really special to me.  Here's the story: Greg gave me the most GORGEOUS engagement ring, which is a family heirloom that has been passed down for generations.  The only problem is that it's a bit too big for me, so I'm terrified to wear it until we can get it sized properly for fear that I'll be the bride that loses or breaks the family ring. 

Here's my pretty engagement ring (on top of the shoe/jewelry)

SO, in the meantime, I wear a simple plain silver ring that Greg and I picked up at the mall two weeks before our wedding.  We couldn't afford real rings before we got married so we decided to give ourselves some grace and use temp rings while we save our pennies rather than going into debt (we'll get proper rings eventually, probably for an anniversary or something). 

In addition, I also wear a ring that my mother owned when she was a little girl.  It's a little gold ring that displays her monogram from before she married my dad (it has her maiden initial).  I'm not sure when she gave it to me, but somehow I ended up with it, and it fits just perfectly on my finger nestled next to my silver band.  So that's it! 

I look forward to the day when Greg and I have our "proper" rings, but in the meantime, I am proud to wear my makeshift wedding band set on my left hand.  It holds a lot of meaning for me, and (if I'm honest) it has humbled me at times, like when my girlfriends get engaged with gigantic rocks that they glamorously sport on their left hand.  But the very moment that twinge of envy sparks in me, it is immediately smothered as I'm reminded of the man that my ring represents-- and I am so very, very content.  My husband is a good man.  His wealth is in his character and that makes me a rich woman indeed.  With abundance, in fact.

...AND he sometimes surprises me with Starbucks in the mornings!  :)

Fall Fashion Week -- Day 2

Welp, my husband had to be at work at 6am this morning, so I was once again forced to take my own janky pictures using an iPhone, poor lighting, and a mirror that I yoinked off the wall... 
Below are the results of my MacGyver-style photo shoot!

So here we go, feel free to use your imaginations if that helps these photos look less grainy...

My boots

My attempt to take a shot in my full length mirror at home... Meh.

Close up of my earrings

Shot I took once I got to work. 

I don't know why I look so cranky, but the shot's brighter, at least!

I don't think any of these shots really display the shirt well, but one of the reasons why I love it is because it's really comfortable cotton fabric that feels like a tee shirt, but it drapes in a way that makes it a bit more interesting than just a plain tee.  There's a wider neckline, and it tapers in just a bit at the bottom to prove that I have a waste, so it doesn't look like I'm wearing a bag.  Overstock, ya'll!  One of my favorite finds from that website.

Boots: Steve Madden (another pair I bought at the end of the season last year for 40% off and free shipping)
Jeans: Express
Shirt: Overstock.com
Scarf: H&M circa 2005
Earrings: by Tiffany Kunz

Acquired taste

When I was 14 my family took a vacation to the Grand Canyon.  I remember being really thirsty one of the days as the family van chugged along the rim while the sun beat down on us, but when my grandmother offered me a sip of her mineral water, I decided then and there that I would rather put desert sand in my dry mouth than ever taste that stuff again.  Mineral water was disgusting.

Fast forward to earlier this year when my husband decided to give up soda (including his beloved Mountain Dew) for the entire year.  I made a similar resolution to give up caffeine, but unfortunately I fell off that wagon and landed open-veined in a pool of coffee that I decided to drink my way out of... 
Soooo... Kudos to Greg for sticking with his resolution!

In an effort to support Greg in his soda fast, I invented a beverage that I like to call a "spritzer." I'll serve one of these to Greggers as a treat to spice up his routine of water, juice and tea.  I mix one part juice and one part mineral water-- this way Greg can get a little bit of fizz, but can still stay away from the syrupy soda he's trying to avoid.

Allllll that to say that I've acquired a taste for mineral water in the worst way and that THIS is my accessory today:

Yum! So tasty and fresh!

Why am I so concerned with accessories today?  Because it's time for Emery's fashion week again, and I kind of forgot about it until this morning, but I still want to play along.

Bam! 

Head over to Emery's blog and check out everyone's Fall looks-- it's not too late to join if you want to play too!

 So here's my completely unplanned outfit that I'm wearing today.  I literally had to hold up a mirror to take my own picture because Greg had already gone to work and if iPhones have tripod capabilities I don't know about it.

Boots: Steve Madden (hint: at the end of the season, Steve Madden has awesome sales online... that's where I snagged these babies for 40% off plus free shipping)
Jeans: Express
Sweater: very old GAP (how old does something have to be to be considered "vintage?")

Beautiful weekend

Last night was date night and Greg surprised me with dinner and a movie-- well, actually TWO movies.  We watched The Nightmare Before Christmas (an autumn tradition for us) and then How to Train a Dragon, which we had had heard good things about but hadn't yet seen.  To coincide with our entertainment for the evening, Greg prepared various "courses" for us to eat.  It was the perfect night in with my creative and thoughtful husband.  Consider me good and wooed-- I love that guy so much.

Today it is overcast and cool outside, so I let myself sleep in a bit.  Greg is filming with Rigor Tortoise today, so I've had the place pretty much to myself.  I talked to various family members on the phone in my pajamas and eventually showered and dressed because I was hungry and needed to go to Trader Joe's for some grub.  I went a little crazy at Traders... it's true, you shouldn't grocery shop when you're hungry.  (PS-- all the fall stuff is now on shelves, everyone-- I'm talking about pumpkin butter and vanilla cinnamon black tea!  Go!  Run!  Get some!)

After being away for a week, I threw in a load of wash and settled down to watch some Hulu.  I think "30 Rock" might be my favorite show.  They did a live broadcast recently and I watched both the East and West coast versions.  I made myself pumpkin tortellini with walnuts for lunch, which was an experiment that turned out very tasty. 

Tonight I'm going to see a musical at the Actor's Co-op with my friend Giorgia.  I'm looking forward to our time together and a cozy night of good theater.

Happy Saturday, all!

The Virginia details

Hey!  I'm finally back at my home base computer and able to actually post more about our trip to Virginia this past weekend.

Greg and I took a red eye flight from LA to Newport News last Thursday.  We changed planes in Atlanta and dozed on the little puddle-jumper plane that took us the last leg of the journey, and we awoke on Friday morning to an aerial view of lush green-turning-orange tree tops as we landed.  I've been looking forward to this trip for so long that it really wasn't until I saw those tree tops that the excitement fully hit me. 

We took it easy on Friday.  After napping for about an hour and then freshening up with a quick shower, Greg and I were ready for whatever Virginia had to throw at us.  We toured Brad & Jeanette's (beautiful!) home, drove around their town as they pointed out their favorite places, and then played Mario Brothers on the Wii with 4 players.

Friday evening, Brad had to go to a rehearsal dinner for a wedding he was in on Saturday, so Jeanette took Greg and me to a delicious dinner at one of her favorite restaurants.  I had spaghetti squash.  So good!

Then we came back home and Greg and Jeanette jammed in the music room until Brad came home to join them.  I have never wished so badly that I could play an instrument.  It is amazing to me that they could start fooling around on the keyboard and drums (and guitar, and accordion...) and sound so wonderful together.  They gave me a rain stick that I could occasionally jump in with, but mostly I just listened.

Greg on keys

Jeanette on drums

...Beth on iPhone taking photos...

Saturday morning Brad made us pancakes that were bigger than my head and SO tasty!  Once we were full to the brim of buttery-syrupy-goodness, we set out to explore Colonial Williamsburg.  Our first stop was at a vintage book store called Mermaid Books which was down a flight of stairs located under a Virginia Ham Shop.  (Yep, Virginia Ham Shop.  Isn't that perfect? You can't make this stuff up!)

The store's sign pointed us down the stairs into the shop

Loved this...

This little lady was hanging from the ceiling

Greg and Jeanette looking at books

Then it was on to the Colonial section.  It was so interesting and cool to see all the period buildings and fashions.  Plus, it was beautiful weather and it just felt good to be outside walking around in the warm sun and cool fall air.

This man was teaching this little girl to write with a quill pen

I loved the moss on the rooftops

Cobbler shop

Carriage on gravel streets

Saturday night Greg and I crashed that wedding that Brad was in.  Technically, we were invited, so I suppose it wasn't really "crashing..." But it was an intimate gathering of about 50 close friends and family members, so it was a little bit awkward at first.  I definitely felt like we were intruding, but we met a lot of really nice people and all the other guests were very gracious to us even though Greg and I were wearing jeans and I'm sure they thought we were fresh off the farm...

Sunday we went to church with Brad and Jeanette, which was SO GREAT.  Brad spoke that morning, which was really cool for Greg and I to hear.  Greg kept telling me later that day that "Jeanette married a good man."  It was nice to finally see this church that we'd heard so much about and put faces to names of people we'd heard about too.  Everyone was really welcoming.  We ate lunch with a handful of the youth after the service.

Then we went home and the boys went upstairs to jam and record some music while Jeanette and I made a CARAMEL APPLE PECAN PIE FROM SCRATCH.  Here are some pictures you're going to wish that you could taste:

Yum!

Close up...

 We SO enjoyed our visit.  I just loved every bit of it.  I got some great time with Jeanette while the guys recorded music, which was nice-- I realized that since I've been married to Greg, any family time with his side of the family has been over a quick weekend for someone's wedding, so it felt so luxurious to have so many days with these two.

Some final pics:

I LOVE this photo of Greg & Jeanette.  What great looking siblings.

 Me and Jeanette looking like sisters...

And these two handsome fellas being all brotherly...

PERFECT WEEKEND!

Virginia is for lovers

I'm back in LA (briefly), but am about to hop on a plane to San Francisco for work, so this post is just a quick note... 

Greg and I had an AMAZING time with Brad & Jeanette in Virginia.  I'll write all about it on Friday, but until then, here are some highlights of some of the things we did:

• Crashed a wedding
• Went back in time
• Baked a caramel apple pecan pie from scratch
• Recorded THREE original songs
• Had lunch with a youth group
• Played 4-person Mario Brothers on the Wii (chaos!)
• Sampled imported chocolates

More details from our trip soon!

Leaving on a jet plane

Tomorrow Greg and I are leaving California and heading to Virginia to visit these two love birds:

Jeanette & Brad

I cannot tell you how excited we are to visit with Greg's sister and her husband.  We booked our tickets a few months ago, and it felt like our trip would never get here-- but finally tomorrow we are hopping on that plane that will take us to the east coast!

Some things I'm looking forward to:

• Spending quality time with this lovely couple that we don't get to see nearly enough of
• Baking a pie with Jeanette
• Visiting their church (and in fact, I think Brad will actually be doing the teaching this Sunday, so that's cool!)
• Fall weather in Virginia
• Finally seeing their house!
• Listening to my husband, Jeanette & Brad jam in the way that musical people tend to do when they gather in a room full of instruments

Please tell my heart (my grinchy, grinchy heart...)

I am a very visual person, and I often think of the Grinch's shriveled up little heart (and the way that it eventually swelled by the end of the cartoon) as an illustration for worship.

I have been worrying a lot lately. Worrying about the future, about work, etc... and it recently dawned on me that in attempting to plan for the future, I was making a lot of choices out of fear.

I had some great conversations with a couple of really awesome women this weekend.  Then last night, after an impromptu concert of Beattles Band Hero with Greggers, we both settled down on the couch for a talk.  My sweet husband listened to me ramble on and on about my worries, my prayer requests, my failings and my desperate ideas for possible solutions-- and then Greg spoke such truth and encouragement into my shrunken, shriveled, fearful prune of a heart.

Here is an illustration of what happened next:

This is me at the beginning of our conversation. 

Note the little weakling heart in my chest and the dismal expression on my face in spite of the impromptu Beattle Band Hero concert which was actually way fun. (I'm Ringo.)

A close up.  Just so we're clear with what we're dealing with here.

Now imagine my patient husband listening to me vent all my worries.  And then imagine Greg opening his mouth and gently pouring out wisdom and truth that put all those dumb fears into perspective. 

He reminded me of the blessings we have.  He reminded me that we can't control our future, but that we have a loving and powerful God who is good and who has promised to be with us through ANYTHING life throws our way.  He gave examples from the past year of how God has cared for us above and beyond what we may have ever imagined.  He reminded me of the abundance we have. 

And as Greg spoke, I swear my heart did this:

A peace washed over me and my spirit was filled with praise and thanksgiving.

Greg and I prayed together and praised our Heavenly Father for his goodness and his faithfulness in our lives.  We asked for guidance and direction, and there on the couch we basked in the blessed assurance of God's love for us.

And my face looked like this, even though joyful tears kept sneaking out of the corners of my eyes:

My heart grew 16 times last night and I feel like it's still growing. 

My circumstances haven't changed a lick since yesterday evening, but today I am content.

My Corinth

My church is about to start a new teaching series based on Corinthians, and this Sunday's sermon set up the next few weeks. 

I hadn't realized that the city of Corinth was known, in its day, for its glamour.  It was quite the cosmopolitan city.  In fact, yesterday in his sermon, Joseph described Corinth as LA/NY/& Las Vegas all rolled up into one city and placed in the ancient world.  (Yikes!)

I can't get that idea out of my head, and as I begin to read through Paul's letter to believers in 1 Corinthians, I can't help but compare Corinth to Hollywood, and the scripture is far richer to me than it ever has been before.

Especially considering that in Corinth, people of the city worshipped sex.  I learned yesterday that there was a temple dedicated to the goddess of love, Aphrodite, which employed high priestesses (basically prostitutes) that would go out into the community.  As shocking as that is, my mind races to modern day equivalents.

Through my work with Treasures, I've met many "high priestesses." Call them models, actresses, porn stars, strippers or prostitutes...  I was fascinated to read Paul's words to early Christians with my knowledge of the modern day sex industry in mind.  In spite of all the glitz, glamour, sex, art and culture in Corinth, Paul still carried the message that God sent him to deliver: "I love you."

It's cool to read how much God loves us through Paul's letters as he shares the gospel to this early community.  I'm also strangely encouraged to know that it wasn't easy for Paul to be a witness in Corinth.  He admits that "I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling." (1 Cr 2:3) 

It is sometimes difficult to be a Christian in this town.  Isn't it hard to be hated?  It somehow comforts me that Paul wrestled with this too.  Paul.  If Paul had a hard time, than of course it will be hard for me too.  But I read his words with a tender heart, knowing that I must continue to spread this message: "I love you."  From God to his people.

I can't wait to continue on in this study. 

And in case you haven't heard it today: You are loved.

Delightful evening

Last night was an unexpected date night with Greg.  It had been raining all day and before leaving work yesterday the idea of picking up a hot dinner on the way home seemed a bit more appealing than a trip to the grocery store.  I tried to think of restaurants on the way home aside from our usual haunts and suddenly it came to me:  P.F. Changs.

I quickly placed an order online at 5:58pm before we shut the office down and called it a day.  I even splurged a little and got us an appetizer (crab wontons: yum!)  Then I switched my windshield wipers on and headed out.  I arrived in time to hug a few necks at the restaurant (I used to work at this particular Changs and it's surprising how many people I still know there) and scoop up my piping hot bag of food.

Greg and I decided that it was perfect weather to watch a classic film.  We scanned our collection of black & white oldies, musicals, personal favorites and finally decided on Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

So good!

It was a cozy evening with all the right ingredients: Good hot food, the sound of rain outside, pajamas, a fun movie, my darling, and cold beer after a long day of work.

With as hectic as work has been lately, it felt so good to have a quiet evening during which we could be lazy and just be together.  I'm so thankful that my husband seems to recharge in the same ways that I do. 

After the movie, we slipped our leftovers in the fridge (hello dinner tonight!) and read quietly in bed for a while before turning out the lights.  The rain was still coming down while we read, and it was nice being "alone" together.  Not talking, each doing our own thing, but at the same time.  (I've been reading Euna's memoir, and I can't put it down.)

This morning I hit snooze a few extra times to savor the coziness just that much longer before Thursday had me on my feet.  Good date.

Sweater Weather

It is deliciously rainy weather outside.  I LOVE the rain.  We get so little of it in this desert of Los Angeles that when even a few drops manage to spit out of the sky my heart leaps as if it were a snow day.  But today it has been POURING on and off throughout the morning.  (Squueeeaalll!!!) 

It is so cozy inside my warm little office while the air snaps crisp gusts of damp wind around the corners of the building outside.  I've been nursing a hot cup of coffee all morning just out of the pure delight of having a hot mug in my cold hands.  Don't worry, I'm cut off now-- waaay too much caffeine has been consumed thus far.  (I don't think I'm blinking properly anymore...)

I feel like something hot and comforting for dinner.  Like soup, or stew.  Maybe I'll bake some cornbread to make the house smell good and maybe I'll bust out the good crystal candlesticks Greg and I got for our wedding for some rainy day ambience.

Oh, and one of the best parts about today?  I got to wear my new sweater that Nadine and Bob bought me while they were in town.  Doesn't my grandmother have good taste?  I really like it, it's very warm, and feels like a good "grown-up Beth" sweater:

Technically this is my Christmas present, but they told me that I could wear it early if it got cold.

I broke out my boots too-- I'm telling you, people, it's full on FALL here today!

Weekend with the girls

This weekend was delicious in all the right ways.

Emily is a die-hard Giants fan, and when she found out that her home team was playing an important game at their home stadium in San Francisco on her birthday, she quickly planned a pilgrimage north. A handful of girlfriends piled into a car for a road trip in honor of Emily's birthday wish.

We left early Saturday morning and arrived in Monterey where we would be spending the night at Emily's CUP's house.  (CUP= Cousin + Uncle + Papa)  I have to say that our time in Monterey was my favorite part of the weekend.  We arrived in time to make a yummy lunch which we ate on the porch in the cool, crisp, sunny afternoon.  Her CUP's house has a great view of the water, and as we ate we could smell the salt in the air while the ocean breezes licked at our cheeks and whipped through our hair.

After lunch, we decided to walk a mile or so down the beach to the wharf.  We bundled up-- it was pretty cold-- but we all took our shoes off to go barefoot in the sand.  Our first stop was the pier:

Then we walked over to the wharf, which was GORGEOUS.  I felt like I was on a film set in a quaint little fishing town where there may or may not be a young boy that is friends with an invisible cartoon dragon named Pete...

We wandered around, watched a machine pull salt water taffy in the window of a candy store, delighted in the tourist junk in the gift shops, and took full advantage of all the restaurants that offered free samples of their clam chowder:

It was perfect.  I absolutely loved exploring Monterey.  I have been craving a simpler life lately, one that gives me time to enjoy small things, time to invest in people, clarity of mind to slow down and focus on more important things than the drudgery of my day-to-day.  Our escape to Monterey was so appreciated, and came at the perfect time.

The next day we headed to San Fran and went straight to the ball park.  It was fun, I'm not the hugest baseball fan, but this girl made it alllll worth it:

Happy birthday, Emily.  Go Giants!!