We’ve been home for a few weeks now without going on any road trips. I’ve been really busy at work in corporate America as well as doing some freelance photography work (which I really, really love). I actually had to take PTO (paid time off) from work to be able to do my photo shoots. I wish I could do that full time (minus the working in corporate America — sorry boss if you are reading, although I know you would fully 100% support me!).
Anyways. Speaking of corporate America, I work in downtown Bellevue, Washington. It’s a very up and coming city and I am lucky (my poor wallet is not) to be surrounded by many great shopping opportunities. Take for example World Market, which is literally less than five minutes walking distance from my office.
On my last walk there, I spied this super cute cookie jar. So in honor of Fab Finds Tuesday tomorrow I present this cookie jar to you :) You can order it online here if you don’t have a WM near you ❤
Here it is on my shelf in my office at home (B and I keep our secret stash of goodies in there — shhhh, don’t tell hubby lol):
My recent freelance photography shoot was that of an athletic facility. Here is the Pilates studio which I just fell in love with. Have you ever done Pilates? I recently ordered a Total Gym exercise machine to have at home to hopefully start learning. Do you exercise everyday? What is your regime? I’d love to hear . . .
I’ve been on a fruit salad kick lately. B really loves Kiwis so I’ve been making a fruit salad medley of Kiwi’s, strawberries, blueberries and oranges. I stir some honey into the mix and keep it covered in the fridge. He loves this on top of mogurt (aka, yogurt — because that’s how he pronounced it when he was just a little babe and I like to keep calling it that — because he likes it too ❤)
I also received in the mail these adorable “L O V E” battery powered (and timer timed) marquee letters. They are simply so cute! I learned about them from a new friend I made. She invited B and I over for dinner one night and I was instantly smitten with her. She has the sweetest little boy and he and B played together so well! While the boys played together, she and I bonded and she shared with me where to find these sweet marquee letters that she had in her beautiful home. If you are interested in them, you can find them here.
I’ve also been feeling under the weather and have this ridiculous cough I just can’t seem to shake. I also can’t hear out of my right ear because of the ending of this really bad cold. Argh. It’s frustrating. I’m going to the doc next week for sure if this doesn’t get any better.
For now, I let Oliver be my ears at home because he hears everything !
Our weather in Seattle has been really different this year. Winter was super weak (hardly any snow in the mountains) and our Spring came really early. Some days are so pretty with temps reaching up into the high 60’s (today on my way home from work my car temperate gauge read it was 68 degrees outside!). Last week I was greeted to this wild sky at home (that’s Seattle you see there in the distance):
I hope you are having a lovely start to the week.
Thank you for being here and I hope this wasn’t too weird of a post in lieu of Fab Finds Tuesday. I just felt like opening up a little bit more . . .
As far as Airstream trips go, we have many planned such as visiting an RV friendly resort located along a beautiful river in Idaho to kayaking in the San Juan Islands in Washington State to visiting our mountain country property in Roslyn, Washington. I look forward to seeing how the apple and plum trees are blossoming away this Spring. Also the annual Vintage Trailer Rally is happening again in the fairgrounds in Roslyn over Father’s Day weekend. That’s always fun.
Good times ahead!
Thank you for listening xoxo
With shiny love,
Monica
I hope you are feeling better soon, there are many here that are suffering from similar virus type infections. What a darling ‘goodie’ jar. The Pilates Studio is absolutely beautiful…as is all your photography. What a visual treat to visit your blog. Hope you are feeling better soon.
Than you so much for your well wishes Janel — means so much xoxo So very happy to have you here :) !!
Just have to report, I received my towels from Turkey and Love them. They are soft and big..can’t wait to try them out. I love Pilates. It gently tells your body you are getting in shape, as apposed to the heavy duty Crossfit.
Probably showing my age:)
Your photography is stunning. Love the photo looking to Seattle. I worked in Bellevue for 15 years…wow has it ever changed. My grand-daughter said it is becoming a mini New York, being able to walk to all the cool places.
I always look forward to Fab Tues! Thanks for doing all the leg work…makes me happy to shop from my living room.
Hi Linda — really happy to hear the good report on the towels. Hurray! Thanks for the feedback on Pilates too — I’ve always been interested in learning more so when I saw the studio first hand I was so inspired! It makes complete sense that it’s gentle on the body — I’m really looking forward to learning more about it. Thank you! Oh and I LOVE how your grand-daughter described Bellevue — she hit the nail on the head — it is like a mini New York. Every morning when I am driving to work everyone is out walking their dogs, or jogging, or walking to get their morning cup of coffee at a local coffee shop. People are out and about everywhere, I love it. It really has changed so much! If you ever come to visit, you should let me know — I’d love to grab and coffee and say hello!
Feel better Monica! We need you to keep blogging! I loved this blog, it’s not weird at all! I agree with the others, you are a fabulous photographer. Love the sky shot with Seattle! I’m also glad to hear you’ll be taking more trips. For me living on the East Coast, it’s such a treat to see where you visit as it will have to wait a long while before we can travel to your side of the states! In the meantime I’m documenting all the places you’ve shared that I’d like to visit. Keep it up!
Thanks Sandi! That means a lot to me and can I just say I love reading your comments to me? You are just about the sweetest, ever. Thank you — you, Linda, and Janel along with my other sweet readers really keep me going when I hear these sweet words. I’m also flattered over the photography comments. Thank you! When you do make it out to the West Coast, I would love to meet you! Until then, thank you for being here and super big shiny hugs to you my sweet friend xoxo ~ Monica
I had a Total Gym and loved it. Takes more space than you think it will, flailing about and all. But it’s like Christie Brinkley said: “It is a relaxing workout, not a stressful workout.” I don’t look like her though after working out on the Total Gym. You have a better chance, being blonde! Over at Travels of Kimbopolo, she has the same respiratory illness. The antibiotics worked, however, which is better than the one where they say you’ve got a virus and there’s nothing we can do. I will wait patiently for your next excursion! (Are we there yet?)
Ha! I had to laugh with your blonde comment, lol !! Love it ;) Yeah, I was surprised at how much room the TG took up, but so far I like it. Very gentle and easy. Oliver likes to sit on me when I am exercising which makes things a little more challenging lol Thanks for letting me know about “Travels of Kimbopolo,” I like her! Thank you for being here, honestly — means so much. Hugs to you xoxo
Hope you feel better soon – whenever I have an inner ear imbalance, I take a children’s Gravol before bed. The Gravol apparently fills the inner ear with its fluid, and then hopefully, drains it all back to normal while you sleep.
I like the way your e-mail showed up in that nice format with your photo! Good Job, I say ;) Your e-mails and blog are always a cheerful time of my week….and it’s a real treat to see photos of your home, *LOVE LOVE LOVE!* and the beautiful view you have from there – I used to visit Bellevue a lot, it’s irresistible!
So interesting that you have a painting of koi on your mantel – I have a sweet koi and water lily painting from Cori Creed (a West Coast based artist) that I adore!
Keep up the inspiring work, I am very close to buying a DSLR camera soon to photograph the travels we will have when we semi-retire next year – Oh! we sold our condo, so we will be full-timing in our 1963 Airstream starting May 17th YaY!!!
Can’t wait to meet you on the road next year….
Health & Happiness to you, my name-sister
Monica
xoxoxo
Miss Monica! I have never heard of Gravol before. Thank you SO much for letting me know about that because I am so going to give it a try. I still can’t hear, I am so frustrated. I’m also happy you mentioned my new email format, that means a lot because I had to switch over from a previous email subscription service that when I upgraded, caused mass problems on J5MM. I like this service much, much better. Thank you also for your sweet words about my home and my Koi painting (so interesting we both have similar paintings!) My mother gave me that painting as a gift (she painted it). It is watercolor and she added some “salt” to the watercolor when it was wet to give the water a very interesting effect. I’m very interested now in searching up “Cori Creed.” I will be sure to do that. Congratulations on May 17th — it is just right around the corner and I can hardly wait to meet you next year. Let’s make some plans for when you arrive closer — would be FUN !!!
That cookie jar is adorable! It is perfect for my aunt who loves RVing!