Fill in the Blank Friday

Yay yay yayyyy it's Friday Friday Friday. Seriously I haven't been this happy to reach the weekend in awhile. Pshew.

Source: silverboxcreative.com via Tammy on Pinterest

Anyway it's time to link up with the little things we do for another fill in the blank Friday.

1.   My current obsession is      Golden Spoon frozen yogurt. I seriously could eat it every day for dinner, and well sometimes I do eat it for dinner... for a few days in a row. I've been obsessed with Golden Spoon since I was a little kid, I guess somethings never change ;)  .

2.    Having a comfortable home where I can cook, host, and invite the people I love over to celebrate holidays together      makes me really really really happy.

3.  My greatest strengths are   my empathy, patience, and desire to help and care for others (it tends to help with my job a lot too).

4.    My tendency to procrastinate and, as a result end up pretty unorganized   is my greatest weaknesses.

5.  My life is    pretty darn good. I have a wonderful boyfriend, a great family, and good friends I can rely on. To top it off, I live in San Diego, about 2 minutes from the beach andddd that's a pretty good reminder that I'm pretty lucky too hehe.

6.  In high school I was     quiet and had few friends. I didn't really come out of my shell until college   .

7.  When I'm super tired    I have a tendency to fall asleep, anywhere! It really is a bit of a problem. Seriously, in college I fell asleep at a Blink 182 concert! Who does that?  .

This weekend Nadav's family will be in town, we're all going to an air show (yes!), and I'm going to a good friend's bridal shower. 
Should be fun. now I just need to figure out when I'm going to plop on the couch and bond with the DVR.  


Happy weekend friends! 
What are you up to this weekend?

xoxo,

Tammy

Happy List

It's Happy List time again my friends. 

I feel pretty darn happy when writing these lists,

and I hope you feel a tid bit happier and maybe a bit inspired to look for the little happy things in your life after reading them too.

So today I'm feeling happy about
1. Apples and honey, and well all things associated with apples and honey today ;)
2. I *gasp* baked and that is very exciting. Yup, I did and believe it or not I was quite successful. I will blog about my success very soon. (I'm actively working on overcoming my fear of failure/cooking. hehe)
3. The return of Modern Family. Seriously, that show is aahhmmaazzinng. Watching it makes me feel all giggly inside.
4. Sitting on the couch, looking out into the canyon, and enjoying the silence. (Well mixed in with the occasional laughter and yells of little kids that attend the preschool on the other side of the canyon hehe)
5. Knowing that the hard work I put into pilates each week is changing my body and the way I carry myself. (Thanks Gavriel!!)
6. And this video... Is it appropriate? Probably not, but seriously it's sooooooooooooooo sooooooooooooooo funny. I kind of love it a lot. 

7. The little kids I work with... :)
8. Nadav.. and that he is always there for me, always gives good advice, and always just wants me to be happy (I was going to write that he always listens, but lets be honest... he's a boy, and he doesn't always listen hehe. Love you babe =P)
9. Catching up with my brother over the phone, he lives in Santa Barbara and we don't talk nearly as much as we should.
10. My family, the support they provide me, and the love they've instilled in me.

xoxo,

Tammy

Interested in sharing your own happy list? Awesommmee, go ahead and link up below

Greenwich Village, I Think You're Pretty Cool

Here are some pictures that I think sum up our afternoon in Greenwich Village... not going to lie I'm a little obsessed with the Village. The restaurants are so good, the buildings are so beautiful and historic, the shopping is fantastic and plentiful (I know, I know I just referred to the shopping as "plentiful". That's a totally normal thing to say, I swear hehe), Washington Square Park is so fun and the people watching there is pretty much awesome, and well I just feel kinda hip when I'm in the Village... and let's be honest, we all deserve to feel a little hip every once in awhile hehe.

We also saw gasp, Jennifer Aniston while we were walking around the Village. She was being stalked by some paparazzi, which made me feel pretty bad for her. It must kind of suck to know that you can't leave your house without body guards because you will be chased and harassed. Ahh the price of the being famous. =P

Jean jacket-Madewell, Undershirt-Free People, Pants- Joes Jeans, Boots- About 5 years old from Bloomingdales

Apparently this performer decided it would be a good idea to roll a grand piano into Washington Square Park, sit on an upside down trash can, and play incredible songs on the piano.

Hope you enjoyed :)

Also, I'll be posting my weekly happy list on Thursday. Feel free to link up :)

Xoxo,
Tammy

Afternoon Delight

You know when you have one of *those* afternoons? 

You know the kind of afternoon when you're in a huge rush, 

so you reach into the pantry to get out something quick to eat.

Then you proceed to knock a huge glass jar of masala sauce onto the floor, all over the pantry, the wall, and the pantry door.
"Woops".

The sauce goes everywhere, the jar breaks into millions of little glass pieces that land all over the kitchen, 

and all you can smell is Indian food. 

The sauce is even on your new favorite jeans and your shoes.

You spend about one and a half hours cleaning up the mess.

The entire time you know you should laugh at the shenanigans, but really you're feeling kind of teary eyed.

You get in your car and drive fifteen minutes to boot camp even though you smell like Indian food.

You know masala sauce and sweat probably don't mix. Oh well?

You wait around at boot camp for about 30minutes only to find out that the class has been cancelled.

Poops. 

What now? Must get pent up masala aggression out, must get pent up masala aggression out.

So you get in your car, and decide to go on a run at the beach.

Source: thelittlethingswedo.blogspot.com via Bay on Pinterest

That's when things start to get better ;)

You remember that you have so much to be grateful for,

and you appreciate the beauty that is the water, waves, sand around you.

Seriously. I live two minutes from this view. I think it's a good reminder that things could be a lot worse. ;)

You remember that even though the past few months have been stressful 

you are so blessed to have your health, loving people in your life, and so much more. 

Hey, you're thankful for this blog, the new blog friends it has brought into your life, and some new opportunities it has provided.
 

Then the boy gets home,

hugs you,

shakes his head at the smell,

teases you about the masala sauce,

takes you out to Pho (your favorite),

and suddenly things gets even better.

Note to self: 

Life is good, try not to sweat the small stuff

Xoxo,

Tammy

A Stroll Through the Park

Nadav and I concluded that our favorite part of New York City was Central Park, and being the San Diegoans that are we are, I don't think that should be too much of a surprise. We prefer the more relaxed, slow, and calm vibe of the park to the crazy/stressed out atmosphere in most of New York City. 

To be completely honest, I was not such a fan of Times Square. That place gives me what I'd like to term as "tourism anxiety". There are way too many people walking around and way too many people trying to sell crap to the tourists. I can't help but feel like those distractions take away from the incredible billboards, lights, and excitement of Broadway and all the musicals that are playing near Times Square. (We saw Mary Poppins on Broadway and it was so so good/cute. I definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a light hearted and fun show to watch)

Anyway, us San Diegoans spent a whole lot of time in Central Park relaxing and escaping the craziness. Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure. I'm still amazed that there is such a huge calm, fun, and flourishing park in the middle of New York City. (I'm convinced visiting this park on a regular basis keeps many New Yorkers sane =P)

At the John Lennon Memorial, Strawberry Fields in Central Park. I <3 the Beatles

One day we walked through the park to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I've been to New York City a few times, but was never able to spend more than one hour at this incredible museum at a time. Nadav and I agreed that on this trip we would spend as much time as we could at the Met, wait until we began to experience "museum burnout" (the phenomenon that occurs after you've spent too much time at a museum and way too many incredible things just start to mush together), and then head back to our hotel. I'll post more about our museum visit another time, but for now, here are some pictures that we took outside of the museum.

I didn't actually try the Pretzelcart, but it looked cute so I took a picture. I know, I know "tourist alert, tourist alert" ;)

Between our NYC trip, the bachelorette party I attended this past weekened, and going to work each day I'm still trying to catch up on sleep/life. Hopefully I figure that out this week :)


Hope everyone has a great week.
~Tammy

This Weekend

When I first moved to San Diego I was lucky enough to move into a house in Pacific Beach with two amazing girls. Seriously, this was a "craigslist" roommate situation, and we all know those can turn very, very bad. I don't know why we were so lucky, but the three of us clicked, managed to get along, and stay friends even after I moved out to be with Nadav, Courtney moved out (and away to Chicago to be with her love), and Michelle-y (I like to add the extra "ee" sound to her name hehe) met her now fiance and will be marrying him next month. I am so so happy for these two, and so excited to spend this weekend celebrating Michelle's Bachelorette Party. Woop woop hehe

About two years ago at the, *swoon* Jason Mraz concert

I am so so excited to get all dressed up, enjoy wine tasting in Temecula (Southern California's equivalent of wine country), try lots and lots (and lots) of wine, celebrate a great friend, and engage in some activities that are probably not blogable (Yes, I definitely just made up that word. hehe).

and now that I've mentioned Jason Mraz it's only appropriate that I leave you with one of his fabullouuuss songs. I think this one is quite appropriate for a bachelorette party weekend hehe

Whatever you are doing this weekend, 

I hope you take the time to enjoy, 

live in the moment,

relax,

and be thankful. 

xoxo,

Tammy

Fill in the Blank Friday

I'm linking up with the little things we do again for yet another Fill in the Blank Friday. Have a great day everyone :) 

I heart Fridays!

1.   The best thing I did all week was     hosting Wednesday night "family dinner" at our house for 3 people I love, respect, and have so so much fun with. This week the pizza was yummy, the wine was flowing, and the homemade cookies were oh so good  .

2.    Planning my next vacation      makes me super happy.

3.  Pets are  awesome, but a lot of responsibility and work. I don't think I'm quite ready to be responsible for another living being at this point   .

4.   My boyfriend, my family, and my best friends   are the best things about my life.

5.  With the cooler weather I am looking forward to    wearing cozy scarves, boots, tights, and old sweatshirts. I have to accept reality though, and realize it's going to be awhile until I can wear that kind of clothing in San Diego.

6.  Something that's on my "wish list" right now is     a fancier camera lens for my Canon T1i. I haven't quite figured out which lens to purchase yet, suggestions anyone? :)   .

7.  This weekend I am going to    have lots and lots and lots of fun at a good friend's bachelorette party. Yayyyy!  .

What are you up to this weekend?

~Tammy

Oh Those Happy Things

Ittttt's happy list time again :)

1. Coming home to the beach, a cozy home, and my love for San Diego after a week away on the east coast leads to complete and utter happiness.
2. Coming home to a canine house guest that is very very very excited to see me. This seriously makes me understand why so many people have dogs =P
3. The smiles of the little kids I work with
4. Watching old episodes of Modern Family, they are oh soooo funny
5. Holding hands with Nadav while walking through Central Park
6. Being lucky enough to be on the east coast just as the leaves were starting to change colors :)
7. Learning to be present and just appreciate the moment instead of being somewhere and thinking about all the other things I need to or should be doing
8. Looking through old photos of our trip to Maui.... sigh, must go back very very soon
9. All kinds of 90s music... Seriously it doesn't get better than "I saw the sign", "Stay" by Lisa Loeb, "Groove Is In Your Hearttttt", "Mr. Jones"
10. Exploring, traveling, and seeing the world with the one I love

Did you make your own happy list? Link it up here :)


~Tammy

Waffle Deliciousness

All right, picture this...

It's our first morning in New York City, we've walked from Midtown towards Central Park and I'm hungry. Let's be honest, when I'm *that* hungry, I'm usually pretty cranky (poor boyfriend). We can't decide on a place to eat, and I'm too cranky to pick a place... which is making me more cranky. I know, I know I can be such a joy sometimes =P

We cross the street to Central Park and we see the Wafels & Dinges Truck...

I then remembered that our house guest, who just moved from NYC to San Diego, told us that if we're lucky enough to find the Wafels & Dinges Truck we HAVE to stop and eat there.

So we did... and it was so good that it deserves its own blog post!

Behold the amazingness

Seriously, these waffles are so good that they beat Bobby Flay's waffles on the waffles Throwdown challenge.  I think that's a true mark of food greatness.

Nadav ordered the "dethrowndown wafel" and I got the "WMD" which is basically waffle with chocolate syrup, their speciality spekulos ice cream, and powdered sugar. 

The decliciousness was intense.

If you're in New York and are lucky enough to find Wafle & Dinges I highly suggest you indulge!

But I am le tired

No really, I am le tired.

Yesterday we woke up at 4am on the east coast (which really is 1am our time), made it to JFK, and got on a plane back to San Diego. We had a great time in New York City and on the (gasp) Jersey Shore hehe, but there's nothing like spending a week in a very busy city to remind me how nice it is to come home to the ease, calm, and beauty of San Diego.  

Anyway, back to our time on the east coast... we had a wonderful time exploring New York City, eating yummy food, walking all over Central Park, attending a friend's beautiful wedding, shopping (ok I shopped, Nadav found a chair in each store and played on his phone while I shopped hehe), and lots lots more.

I'll write a few more detailed posts later, but for now... here are some pictures to give you a little peek into our time in NYC.

Just a note, I'll be posting my weekly Happy List on Thursday, and you'll be able to link up your own Happy Lists if you're interested :)

Hope you all have a great day.

~Tammy

A Very Happy Guest Post by Erika

I was so happy when Erika from A Tiny Rocket emailed me and said she would do a guest post for me while I'm in NYC. Erika is an incredibly talented person. She has a beautiful blog, takes great pictures, and is a great artist. I know you'll enjoy her blog.

Well Hello There! My name is Erika from A Tiny Rocket.  I am a blogger and painter who is living her dream of being an artist.  I am always on the quest in life to finding and discovering true happiness. Everyone deserves happiness and you just have to go out and get it.  Here are a few things in life that make me happy.

My hubs- makes me happy and I can't even tell you how lucky I am to have found him.   We are partners in crime.  We go on adventures together and we both want to make our dreams a reality.

My bugs.  They are both cuddled and snoring at my feet while I type this blog post.  They are the best snuggle monsters and love.. and expect lots of compliments. :)  Just look at their faces? How could you not be happy?

Art makes me happy.  This one is one of my latest paintings that I am a little on the fence about keeping because it just makes me happy.  It reminds me about the first time I rode a bike with out training wheels.. the wind in my face. and not a care in the world.  I am not sure what is so magical about paintings- that I could just hang out with paintings all day long.

What makes you happy?

Fill in the Blank Friday...eerr Saturday

Well it's Saturday, but we finally have some downtime on vacation and I figured it's a good time to pay some attention to the blog... even if this is supposed to be Fill in the Blank Friday, not Saturday.

1.   You should always take time to     tell the people you love, "I love you".

2.    Let's all be a bit more patient with each other and      make(s) the world a happier place to be.

3.  I can hardly wait for   our next trip (we're still on vacation and I'm already planning our next getaway :P)   .

4.    Saturday   is my favorite day of the week.

5.  Something totally dumb and ridiculous that I love is    watching the Real Housewives of any city on Bravo .

6.  If I could, I would   work part time and travel the world with Nadav    .

7.  I rather like    strolling through Greenwich Village/Central Park/museums... well I really just like walking anywhere with Nadav and exploring   .

Thanks Lauren from the little things we do for another Fill In the Blank Friday :)


~Tammy

A Happy Guest Post by Molly

I'm so excited to have Molly from Blonde Out Loud guest blogging on ze blog today. She's a great writer, has a great blog, and you'll see from this post... is a great person. :) Check out her blog, I know you'll enjoy it.

Hi Everybody!

I’m Molly from Blonde Out Loud and will be entertaining you today while Miss Tammy is enjoying herself on the East Coast. She’s actually only about 90 minutes from me since I’m living it up here in Connecticut!
Tammy asked me to write about things that make me happy and I’m more than happy {I’m so funny!} to oblige!
Let’s start with my fur nieces and nephews.

I don’t have any pets of my own but I tend to rent them from my friends and family when they want to go off and do other things. Rusty is my parents’ Miniature Dachshund. He is one hot hotdog dog. Luna and Daisy are my cousin’s labbies. They are loves. There’s nothing better than going to her house and they come running to me smiling. And then there is the Ollie bear my adopted child. My friends Meg & Jeff go on trips and I get to spend day after day with this snuggle monster. These pups make my heart happy!

Speaking of friends and family!

These are just five people that make me a very happy girl! I wish that I had a million pictures to share with you of all of the people I love but these are a few of my favorite pictures. Meg & Leah have been good friends of mine for nearly 10 years. We all worked together at a local outdoor outfitter and became fast friends and have been a source of some of the best times of my life.
Of course, my parents are my biggest champions and have been with me through thick and thin. Most recently, I’m glad to have celebrated my graduation from business school this past May.

Miss Julia is someone I never expected to become such a good friend. She’s actually the wife of another wonderful friend of mine, Mikey. The last few years have been the most difficult I have had to endure and she has been an endless support for me.

Finally, there are three causes that I put a lot of time and effort into:

Petit Family Foundation – After my own home invasion, I kept in contact with Dr. William Petit, a local man that lost his wife and two daughters to a very terrible attack. I’ve devoted myself to participate in the Foundation’s annual 5k walk/run and raise money for the cause.

Kisses From Katie – My friend and former co-worker, Alan, and his wife lost their baby girl Katie at the way too young age of 5 months to Hypo plastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). They started programs to provide support to families in 5 hospitals across the country with critically ill children. When Katie past, it broke our hearts and many of us think about her every day.

BE STRONG for Dan Campaign – While not exactly a charity, the BE STRONG for Dan Campaign was started by my friend and colleague Joe and me in support of our other friend and colleague. Dan was seriously injured in a plane crash this summer. Since then we have been making BE STRONG for Dan Bands and providing ongoing support for Dan, his girlfriend and their families.

All three organizations make me happy and grateful for everything that I have and remind me that the little things we do can make a difference in the lives of others.

What things make you happy?

Happiness Guest Post: Chandra from A Stylish Little Lady

The lovely Chandra from A Stylish Little Lady is guest blogging on the blog today. This sweet Southern girl has great style and taste, a beautiful blog, and her posts have a way of always inspiring me. I know you'll enjoy her blog just as much as I do.

very little is needed

...to make me happy!  Here are a few things that made me smile and beam with happiness this week.

My growing {and surviving} flowers.  I've always had house plants and wanted to try planting some pretty little things outside.  Here are a few of my growing beauties for you to see...

A surprise little package waiting for me by the front door.  Inside was this hand carved heart a friend had picked up while on a recent trip to India.  It now has a special place in our home...up on the mantle for all to see.

My latest finds from a thrift outing.  Not bad for a total of $7.00 and some change!  A cute wooden necklace and a shiny, chain ring.

And last, but not least...new nail polish by the name of mint sorbet.  Such deliciousness for my toes!  Hope my sweet boy likes the color change!  He'll get to see them tomorrow when he gets back in town.