nomadic tipi's and snoqualmie falls...

Our weekend was a success! Such a beautiful place. Bobby picked me up after school on Saturday and from there we headed to North Bend to the Log Cabin Bed & Breakfast
where we reserved a majestic tipi that's nestled next to the Snoqualmie River. 

We drove down a long gravel road to get to the main house, a log cabin, where we were anxiously awaited by the family who owns the bed & breakfast. They were just as excited for us to be there as we were and apparently we were the first tipi reservation of the season. We were handed a welcome basket full of coffee, water bottles, hot chocolate and other small necessities. From there on we were pretty much on our own to make ourselves at home. We were okay with that! 

Our tipi was the red one that sat first on the property and the one I was praying for! Beside our tipi was a picnic bench set up to be our little kitchen area complete with a stove/oven and all the pot & pans we needed for cooking. The fire pit was between our tipi and the river so we faced our camping chairs so that we were looking out onto the flowing clear blue water. Firewood was at our disposal with axes laid out for us to us. Bobby enjoyed pretending to be a lumberjack, chopping away at the logs. Our first night we spent sitting by the fire and enjoying the soothing sounds of nature and even played a game of Scrabble. 

The inside of our tipi was simple which made it so peaceful to be in. Inside was a full sized log bed, handmade by the gentleman who owns the bed & breakfast, a table and another fire pit! That's right we were able to have a rolling fire to warm us during the night while we slept. In case you're wondering the top of the tipi open just enough to make it so that we could have a fire yet keep the rain out just enough. I loved it! We were a little smoked by the end of the weekend and our things had a slight layer of ash on them but it was part of the experience and I really wouldn't of changed it for anything. Having a blazing fire as we snuggled in bed put us right to sleep and we both slept like babies. 

Sunday morning we woke up early, well, I woke up early to make breakfast and make a cup of coffee in my french press and as soon as our tummies were full we heading up to Snoqualmie Falls. Snoqualmie Falls is dear to our hearts since it was the place we said "I Do". At the time of our wedding the trails were closed down due to renovations so were weren't able to climb to the bottom of the falls. Since then it has reopened and we wanted to make a point to adventure down to the bottom of the falls. It was a beautiful little hike. 

It was an amazing weekend and we highly recommend the bed & breakfast to anyone who is looking for a tranquil experience. They offer actual log cabins as well as big tents. The tipi's are fun and I hope to do it again but maybe bring Sebastian along! 

xoxo. 

bits & pieces of beauty school...

I've been bring my camera along to take snapshots of things I see on a daily basis, I'm sure everyone will be sick of me by the time I graduate! It's so inspiring being around fellow classmates who are so very talented. Not only have I learned so much from our instructors but I've learned even more by shadowing others. 

1// two front desk girls. One being my sister! 

2// had to get a shot of me in my natural habitat. 

3// two goofballs

4// Ricki always diligently working on a manniqin

5// Krystal practicing her curls 

6// Ivana applying makeup to an updo client! 

xoxo! 

on my soul mate...

This day three years ago, I stood just a short distance away from a beautiful waterfall underneath a typical Pacific Northwest sort of sky and married my soul mate. 

Marriage is such a complex thing, so much more than I would have ever imagined. It's more than love and trust. It's deeper, a more internal connection that runs down into the center of our hearts. Even though Bobby and I have only been married three years we've been together almost eight so there was a good chunk of time spent working on ourselves individually but at the same time becoming one. Whenever I have conversations with others about marriage, typically people who aren't married, I always end up telling them that it's a lot of work. It's not easy and the sooner that you realize it the quicker you can start flourishing into better people. 

Teamwork is probably the most key quality in a marriage. If you don't have teamwork then things fall apart. I'm lucky because Bobby and I have been able to really utilize teamwork. It's been something that in our relationship that has grown the most. It makes things easier when the person you share your life with is right there with you helping and planning the next move.

We're no where near perfect but I can say that we've grown since day one and our growth has made us better people and parents. It's truly amazing to have someone who completes me in every way. Sharing my dreams with him as well as him sharing his with me and us working together to do whatever it takes to make those happen is without a doubt the best feeling in the world, it makes me literally feel like I can do anything.

Don't get me wrong we drive each other crazy but that's just nature keeping things in balance! 

This year for our anniversary we wanted to get away for a few days. With me being in school and living at my father's we rarely have anytime together (if you know what I'm saying!). Saturday after school we'll be heading to spend a few days camping and hiking near Snoqualmie Falls. When you think of camping you probably think-- tent with sleeping bags. Fair thought, however we won't be pitching a tent because actually we'll be sleeping inside a real TIPI right next to the Snoqualmie river!! I found the coolest Bed & Breakfast where they have authentic tipi's set up along their property fully furnished with a bed along with cooking supplies and firewood. We couldn't say no. It's going to be a fun experience and something different, and we all know I love to do things out of the ordinary. 

Happy Anniversary to us! xoxo

on summertime grilled pizza...

Summer time is upon us! With school and how busy I have been since February and will be until December, quick, easy yet healthy meals are what I focus on. Now that the nice weather is here I utilize the grill outside as much as I can. One of my favorite things to cook on the grill is pizza! So yummy. There's something about the end result that always makes us go back for seconds! 

It's all about the dough. Focaccia pizza dough is the best and is always my number one chose when making pizza at home. It just makes the pizza that much better! I usually prefer to make homemade dough (love this recipe) but I don't always have time (school night blues) so I just use one of Trader Joe's Focaccia doughs that I always keep on hand. I HIGHLY recommend it. 

The next part is really up to your imagination. It's my favorite part! I always play around with my pizza toppings. One of our usual go-to's are spinach, artichoke, mushroom, tomato with mozzarella cheese. My stomach has a hard time handling tomato sauce so usually I just drizzle some balsamic vinaigrette. 
This time I had some asparagus that I needed to use so I sautéed it up with some red onion and added spinach with tomatoes. A little cheese and the balsamic vinaigrette and there you have it. Super simple yet incredible flavor. 

xoxo

on a field trip...

I was so glad to find out that Sebastian's field trip was planned for a Monday, my day off of school! We had so much fun at the Kitsap Fair Ground for a farm day. Sebastian was able to  have as many horse rides as his little heart wanted, we rode around on a hayride, went around meeting all sorts of farm animals and just enjoyed the hot summer sun! These are the days that I live for lately.

on roasted red pepper and cauliflower soup with goat cheese...

I made this soup up last night. It's super quick and easy yet the flavor is phenomenal. The goat cheese that I crumbled on top really infused everything together. It's some of those soups that you can eat and don't feel super full and bloated but more satisfied with leaves you feeling happy and healthy. Try it out for something quick during the week!

Ingredients:
4 red bell peppers
2 tablespoon olive oil
2 whole tomatoes
1 small head of cauliflower
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped
4 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
crumbled goat cheese for garnish

Directions:
1// Cut up red bell peppers, cauliflower and tomato and spread onto a baking seat. Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil onto vegetables. Bake at 375 for 20 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
2// In a pot, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and add chopped onion. Cook until onion is opaque. Next add all the veggies along with chicken broth, minced garlic and sweet paprika. Let everything cook together for about 15 minutes until it all boils together.
3// Turn heat off. Use a hand blender and puree soup to your desired consistency. Add salt and pepper to taste (tip:goat cheese is pretty salty already so do not over load soup with salt).
4// Garnish with some crumbled goat cheese and if you're like me and like a little extra zing! a few shakes of hot sauce really seal the deal.

Enjoy!

on being a student...

It's been a while since I've been able to update. It's also been quite crazy around here. A good crazy. I finally started on something that I've only been dreaming about for a really long time now. Becoming a hairdresser has been my biggest dream and it's so overwhelming thinking that I am pursuing it! It's already been a month and one week and I am head over heals for the school I am attending. Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy is beyond a perfect fit for me. 

Within the first week of being there I was already asked by one of teachers to be her model! It was a fun and exhausting experience but in the end I have some rad hair and experienced something that many don't. Each month as a school we have photo shoots that the students can participate in. Each of them are themed. My first one is in March and the theme is FANTASY and all over men's look! Which for me is totally the best thing ever. I always have tons of ideas and can't wait to get started on them. I'll be using my little sister and her boyfriend as models! 

I've already got from being a freshman to a sophomore. The first month went by in a flash and we've nearly learned six different haircut that we've done on mannequins. So far I've been extremely impressed with the techniques and terminology that Toni & Guy teach. Now that I'm in sophomore we are learning about color which to me is such a fascinating subject. Also being a sophomore I get to have models every Saturday to do cut and color. Just this past Saturday I had my step sister as my model and I ended up doing a total transformation on her. 

She left happy and I was swelling with pride! I love that it comes so natural to me. Next month I'm out of the classroom setting and get to be on the "floor", where I will be taking real clients! I'm more excited than anything.

I hope to be around more sharing my journey. It's a lot of work. The commute is daunting at times and my days start from 4:45am- 5pm. Long days. Some days are harder than others but in the end I'm excited and happy to wake up every morning to learn and thrive in something I know I'll love for the rest of my days. It's an industry that is forever changing and growing. That in and on it's own is what's most appealing to me. 

I wouldn't be where I am at if it weren't for my husband and my family. Sebastian thinks it's the coolest thing that I'm going to school. I tell him every night that I won't be seeing him in the morning because I'll be at school and he is alright with it. He bobs his head up and down in approval. It's quite cute. 

I don't think anyone in the school fully understands how big of a deal going to Toni & Guy is for me. Every day I walk into the school thankful for the chance to be there. 

xoxo!