2012, It's Been Swell.

I have been reflecting on 2012 for the entire month of December, and it's hard to believe the final day of the year is before us. We are in the thick of it. 2012 has been quite the year...

1. We celebrated New Year's 2012 with many of our friends from Qi. Haha this picture looks like I am grabbing myself...

2. Costa Rica yoga Retreat in April. Talk about breaking open my heart... This retreat was a fantastic vacation, but more than that - it was an incredible learning experience. I placed things that no longer served me into the fire (self-doubt and negativity) and discovered a sense of strength and confidence I have always had deep within. Meditation every morning for 30 minutes, practicing yoga with a beautiful view of the Pacific, surfing lessons, everyday dips in the ocean, and new friendships. I cannot wait for this coming April to reunite with friends and go deeper intto my practice. One of the highlights was definitely the deep-sea fishing trip a few of us took (thank you, Sherry!) The funny thing about this fishing trip - it was just as heartfelt and eye opening as the yoga. We caught (and released) huge swordfish that day. Each catch was a conversation, a new layer of self revealed for all of us.

3. I said goodbye to Justin as he began his new career at University of Florida. Goodbyes really suck. This was actually the SAME DAY that I left for my retreat. Talk about transitions. Thankfully, we got through it and I was stronger than I ever could have imagined!

4. Hiked a Colorado 14er (and shared a tent) with Natalie and Chad.

5. I watched one of my best friends, Merissa, marry the love of her life, Jeremy, in Michigan in July. It was so nice to see Justin on this trip! I was also fortunate enough to meet Miss Addison, Ashley and Alejandro's daughter, who turns one in January!!

6. Had a wonderful goodbye party with our Colorado friends!! I miss everyone so much!!

7. I moved to Florida in August (leaving my design job and my yoga teaching position - {hard to call that a job!} behind me) - Justin and I finally reunited and moved into our downtown apartment in the heart of Gainesville.

8. This fall... we went to a UF football game, kayaked on Lake Walburg, visited local breweries, walked the Gainesville-Hawthorne trail, Halloween Horror Nights, and many more adventures!

9. We rented out our Colorado home prior to the big move. Renting out your home is a strange thing, but we are happy with our decision.

10. On the way to Florida, we stopped in Columbia, Missouri; Nashville, Tennessee; Birmingham, Alabama; and Auburn, Alabama. We were able to visit family and friends on the trek to Florida as well as take a few days off of driving here and there!

11. In Florida, I began teaching yoga for 3 different groups - Alter Ego Fitness, Gainesville Area Rowing, and The Jam (the third one being no more). UF yoga classes begin in January! I have really enjoyed sharing yoga with new people in a new place this season. I learn something every single class, and I am thankful for each experience!

12. The past 6 months have been full of a lot of general reflection on where I am and where I might want to be in life! While working a non-stressful job, I have had a great deal of time to think. I am so thankful for this time. I am not completely ready to share with the world the changes I have in mind for myself in the coming year. As time progresses, I may share more, but currently I am keeping this side of myself private so I may really focus and meditate on all of my ideas!!

13. My Grandma's 90th Birthday Party in October! She's still got it! She was the queen of the party!

14. Our trip to Charleston in November. An absolutely dreamy city! We met Justin's Aunt Faye there as well as Amelia and her fiance! We will be heading back in May 2013 when Amelia ties the knot!

15. I witnessed my sister-in-law marry her fiance Coley in a beautiful ceremony in Auburn. This was a really fun wedding! We were lucky enough to stay in an Auburn mansion with family! I designed the guestbook and ceremony programs for the wedding. This was a really fun time in December! Kind of like an early Christmas...

16. We have been fortunate enough to visit with both sides of the family NUMEROUS times throughout the fall and winter! We have visited with Justin's Grandad in Georgia at least three times not counting seeing him at the wedding this month! I was able to stay with my Grandmother on North Hutchison Island for a weekend. I love staying with her - she has the best stories! I was able to see my mother twice in the fall and my sisters a few more times than that! We saw Justin's parents, sister, and Auburn grandparents a number of times throughout the past few months.

As I reflect, I can tell you I am so very thankful for all the friendships in my life. They are literally the fuel that keeps me going - my friendships keep me positive, keep me inspired, keep me smiling! With all of my geographic moves in life, I have met so many amazing people! And I have been lucky enough to still have such great friends from every facet of life so far. There must be a reason for all of the wonderfulness in life, that comes in the form of good, no, great friends :) 

Last but not least, I am so happy and thankful for my husband. He really is my rock, my strength... I am grateful for the laughter we share and look forward to our future together.

So, here's to the friends, the husbands, the people that keep us all up and smiling. I raise my glass to you, I am forever grateful for you.
Everyone - please stay safe this New Year's Eve.
Love to all, may your 2013 be filled with love, success, and dreams that become a reality!!

Where oh where?

Phew!!!
2012: Where oh where have you gone?

Justin's sister is getting married next weekend! I am thankful I have the 95 programs printed, just need to fold all of them on Thursday once we get to Auburn! I cannot wait to share the wedding with you here!

We are still obsessing over spaghetti squash! When in doubt, make spaghetti squash for dinner! This is our go-to item when we are about to head out of town and we don't want to waste any food!

I started at a new gym and I love it! Seriously, this place is kicking my asana! I am so sore in my shoulders and back from Friday's intense work out! I am trying to prepare myself for another booty-kicking session tomorrow afternoon! Wish me luck! ;)

I stayed with my grandmother this weekend! One on one girl time, family is truly the most precious thing! All of the stories we share, it makes my heart melt thinking about our fun conversations!

Holiday Blog Swap update! I have been paired with Kira from Rain or Shine and will be sending her gift out tomorrow during lunch! Cannot wait to see what she thinks ;)

We are halfway through our 50+ holiday card addressing/writing in this moment! Hopefully to finish them all by tomorrow night at the very latest! Justin is stuffing and licking envelopes; we have a great assembly line working here!

My sister, Diana, leaves for Israel tomorrow, while Nicole, my youngest sister, leaves towards the end of this week. Sooo incredibly excited for them both. Please pray with me that they will be safe and sound in the beautiful country that is Israel!


Back to holiday card writing...
Have a fantastic week, my friends.


*Above photograph taken while heading down to my grandmother's house in South Florida.

Hello, December.

Can you believe December is here?
Quite honestly, I am unsure as to what to talk about today!
Do you ever have writer's or creativity block?!

Now that I think about it, we have a good deal of stuff going on these days.

I am finishing holiday shopping this morning. Phew!
I cannot wait to share what I found for the wonderful women in my life after I give them out!

My sister-in-law ties the knot in 2 weeks.
I have designed and completed the wedding programs, I am just awaiting her final review. I also drew up her guestbook (tree for guests to stamp their fingerprints and sign their names). I will share both of those projects after the wedding!

I am trying out a new gym this month beginning Monday.
The classes are Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays - 3 weeks on, 1 week off. I am assuming (and hoping!) lots of HIIT will be involved.

Speaking of HIIT, I am currently obsessed with these YouTube videos.
My husband, my mother-in-law, and hopefully my rowers I am teaching yoga to are all participating in these workouts. We literally pull the YouTube video on the TV and workout for about 10 minutes per video. High-Intensity Interval Training ROCKS!

Neiman Marcus + Target Collab is available today here!!
Loving these high/low collaborations! It definitely makes the fancy stuff with the high price tag more accessible for myself and many others!! You shouldn't have to pay an arm and a leg for high fashion! Click here to check it out! My favorite is this Lela Rose dress! Hello, Gorgeous!!

I will be participating in a Blog Swap with The {Blessed} Life.
While reading my best friend Ashley's post this morning, I learned about this super cool swap. Now that December is officially here, we are reminded the holidays are fast approaching! Why not mix in a little gift swapping with other bloggers? This should be fun, people! Head over here to participate and join in on the Swap! 

Happy Weekend!

*Above image is my own - taken along the Charleston bay back in November.