Constantly buying peonies from a little shop downtown that I’ve fallen in love with. The photo above was taken in the store.
I’m planning two summer trips. One here and one here. Advice and input are greatly welcome!
Thinking of how I’m ready for my sweet husband to come home. Missing him ridiculous amounts.
Feeling disbelief that I will soon have a first grader, a third grader, and two preschoolers!
Wishing I was back in Paris today thanks to this fabulous lady‘s Insta feed. If you don’t follow her, follow her NOW. I have a feeling this summer is going to be legendary.
Reading The Storied Life of AJ Fikry.
Grinning because LeVar Burton’s Kickstarter campaign worked. BRING ON THE READING RAINBOW! It was an honor to donate.
Starting the 30 day shred. Yet again. Le Sigh. Let’s hope I make it past the 10 day shred. Which is my personal record. Don’t act like you’re not impressed… Today the littles were watching me do the video and they were yelling WHY YOUR FACE SO WED? YOU SWEATY MAMA! YOU NEED TO GO TO SWEEP? MAMA? YOU CWYING??? Um, thanks girls.
Watching Nashville. Obsessively. Finally caught up. Oh Deacon…I love you so. Listening to the Nashville soundtrack. Also obsessively.
Picking up freaking Rainbow Loom bands all.day.long.
Wearing Zara. Almost every day. How did I live pre-Zara?
Learning more and more Italian, thanks to Duolingo.
Smelling jasmine on the breeze. Daily.
Wanting a new camera. But I have no idea where to start.
Loving this time of year in Italia.
What about y’all? What are you up to?
What kind of camera do you own now? Are you interested in a DSLR or something with just a zoom lens?
I’m cheap so I have a small kit, the Canon T3 with kit lens (18-55mm) and I purchased the Canon 50mm 1.8, which I use most often. I would like to buy another lens, but I’d rather keep that money than spend it, lol. If I did buy a lens it would be between these: Canon 85mm 1.8, Canon 28mm 2.8, or Sigma 24-70mm 2.8 for Canon.
I also own a Panasonic Lumix DMC ZS-19; this is my trip camera. I used it when we went to Vegas, and I’ll likely use it when we go to Disney, fall 2015. I am in love with my DSLR, and I know that it takes the best pictures, but for the purpose of traveling with my clumsy self and small children, I’d rather have a smaller (handheld) less expensive option with a built in zoom. I did a lot of research before I bought this camera, and I am very happy with it. For being a ‘point and shoot’ it has a lot of features and great wide angle lens.
Thanks for the DuoLingo link. I’m looking into that. I need a refresh on my French and learning Spanish would be nice for my area. And what is Zara, share a link.
Gabi from Denton, TX
I’m with you on the feeling disbelief. My only boy graduated from high school on Saturday.
I LOVE Sardegna. I spent a week in Palau last year. Make sure you plan some time to visit the Nurage. Super interesting. A quick ferry ride to La Maddelena for a day is also fun. There is shopping and a breathtaking national park and Garabaldi’s house. The place I never wanted to leave was Porto Rafael.
Oh. and most important. NASHVILLE! 🙂
I just finished reading The Storied Life . . . last week and really liked it. For readers & book lovers, it’s a no-brainer. Happy Tuesday.
I’m cracking up over the work out visual. Small children are so unhelpful.
Peonies are my favorite, and the twins are hilarious!!!
How lovely to have some little cheerleaders while you exercise. The trips sound wonderful, I’m sure you’ll have a good time. I know what you mean about time flying, my littlest boy will be six tomorrow, I don’t quite know how that happened. The excitment levels are through the roof tonight! Enjoy the rest of the week Stephanie. CJ xx
Line up tours in Barcelona – the city is huge, and you’ll appreciate having someone take you around and you’ll also learn so much more than you would’ve on your own. You won’t have to wait in the looooong lines at the Sagrada Familia.
Go the the Magic Fountains of Montjuic at night and watch the fountains with the music. So wonderful – and some of my favorite shadow photographs!
We also spent an afternoon at the beach.
Barcelona is AMAZING!!!!
Barcelona is amazing! Please go to La Sagrada Familia and think of me — we did not get to go in when I was in Spain. Love Spain to bits!! There is a “town” with historical buildings from various time periods that was fun to wander around, and seeing the Olympic stadium was fun.
Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on Barcelona. We are going there next summer with our kids!
Hey, my kids tell me I’m doing it all wrong when I exercise. Ha! Kids, they are so honest. 🙂 Also, I’d go with a Canon 5D.
Love the workout story, made me laugh!! Hang onto the moments cause time really does fly – I swear it was yesterday that my kids were little like that and now they’re 13, almost 20 and 22 (he just graduated college and is heading to medical school – WHAT???) Enjoy the summer travels we’re putting the finishing touches on a trip to Malta, Rome & Paris for 2 weeks this summer. 🙂
Yes you will LOVE Barcelona!! For sure purchase your Sagrada Familia tickets before you visit…we were able to avoid the line around the block and then some. Parc Guell is wonderful, Casa Milla, Casa Batillo…after visiting you can’t understand why you had never heard of Gaudi before (at least that’s what I thought:) Must put Portugal on your list to visit as well…we are going in July, another beautiful country. So cute to have your own trainers in your home! Enjoy your summer
Rainbow Loom bands have replaced Lego bricks around here as the thing I am constantly finding everywhere. I was wondering about the language lessons. Duolingo is great! I’m using it to brush up Spanish and my son is learning German.
Barcelona is very interesting! When driving around the circles watch out because traffic often goes from 4 or 5 lanes down to 2 or 3. Keep one hand on your horn and use it often, everyone does. Many drivers gesture out the window with their fists. Normal also. There is Gaudi architecture everywhere and the other architecture is wonderful also. The parks are great. Be ready for afternnonsiesta, some of the shops will close. Dinner is late. We started eating at 10 or 11pm. Try the tapas booths down by the waterfront. Lots of fun! Some people speak Catalonia. Go to the historic section of the city. It is really fantastic! Visit Las Ram las with the kids especially on Saturday when the street performers are there. There will be people doing all kinds of wonderful things. So much to see and do, could go on forever but won’t. See the parks, the architecture, enjoy the food and experience the Catalan people and you’ll have a wonderful visit!!!
What kind of camera? I’m a Nikon girl, sporting a Nikon D7000 right now. DON’T buy the kit lens, only get the Nifty 50mm 1.8 or 1.4. Photography is my hobby although I’ve been earning a few $$$ here and there.
(with all my grands, I’ve paid for the extra lens, Lightroom5 and tons of props and backdrops LOL)
It’s my new obsession.
Love your trips and all the sites, miss seeing the girls grow. Best to you and your familiy.
We’ve been to Barcelona twice, once with children. I recommend the zoo, the aquarium and the maritime museum. The bus tours around the city are excellent. They would love the market off las ramblas (pigs heads anyone?) and it’s a great place to stock up on cava.
Such a fan of Nashville – one of the only shows I actually will sit and watch these days. LOVE.
Barcelona is a beautiful city! We enjoyed our visit so much. Of course, La Sagrada Familia is a must see and you can purchase tickets online ahead of time to avoid standing in line if you want to see the interior. It is stunning. We also went to Park Guell and it offered beautiful views of the city and some more of Gaudi’s work…and it was free! 🙂 La Boqueria was so much fun and delicious. We rented a great apartment in a nice neighborhood but it was a little bit of a hike to the metro. I cannot recall the name right now but it was big and the staff super helpful. My girls were 4&5 and they loved Barcelona. My oldest wrote many stories about it in her 1st grade journal this past school year. I hope you have a great trip there, it was really a highlight for us!