neverending birthday - part 2

Talk about a lucky guy! We celebrated Carl's birthday again last Saturday. Ok, not last Saturday as in two days ago, but last last Saturday! How's that for confusing on a Monday?

His party was also a little celebration to "warm" our house, but it was mainly about Carl. He was travelling for work on his real birthday, so I had this waiting for his return:

I had originally wanted to make a fabric birthday banner, but I thought this was a fun alternative. I still plan to make the fabric birthday banner, but I've got some time now since we are sort of done with celebrating birthdays - at least ones in this household - until August!

Lucky Carl also got to indulge in a birthday flight, complete with audience. Its hard to beat a beautiful Santa Barbara morning, overlooking the entire city, taking in this view

and savoring the wonders of childhood

then we all get to watch in amazement as Carl flies away

going...

going...

gone!

He's a pretty lucky guy indeed. All his favorite things in one place.

But it was no rest, because we rushed up to prep the house for the party.

And like a bad hostess, I was so busy with everything that I didn't take a single picture. But the word on the street is that Axel and Inga got some great shots. We should be able to see those as soon as they are able to return to Norway and clear themselves of jetlag. So, yeah, hold your breath...

I did, however, manage to get a snap of the neverending CAKE BALLS

This is a picture of cake balls, day two. They didn't turn out exactly as planned, but I had a great time having my girlfriends help me with them. Lots of "ball" jokes to be had, and impersonations of the infamous SNL "Schweaty Balls" sketch, which if you haven't seen you should hulu immediately!

I'm off to bed, but first, maybe one last cake ball...

Good Night!!

XO,

Chelsea

fancy fridays - lets go to camp!!

As I mentioned yesterday, we planned a very quick, impromptu camping trip to Big Sur for tomorrow.

I love that we have all our gear fairly well organized now so its pretty easy to grab and go. Carl even started us a Google Wave with our "template" camping list so we always know what we need. Then we create new replies for each trip so we can add supplies based on where/how long. Nerdy??? Maybe just a wee bit, but we are both such planners and organizers. Its something we like to do together and both get very excited over. Its our bonding time to geek out over things like that.

I'm really looking forward to taking in the California coastline, the awesome size of trees in Big Sur and share the experience with our International guests. Its also super fun to share with the kiddos and to see the great big world through their little eyes.

Its hard to imagine any place more magical than this

our first camping adventure together

our Thanksgiving trip to Big Sur last year

 So, on that note, today I'm fancying all things camping inspired. Take a peek and see if you feel inspired to just get out there!!

I would love to have this tent and this little spot in the woods.

lovely little tent colony

take shelter

what a sweet little chubby hand. I love sharing the experience of the outdoors with my littles.

  

everything tastes better over a campfire

starry skies for gazing

pretty towels by Jeanne Graeff for cleanup

sweetest little picnic print by paper sparrow

love this photoshoot with couture campers

(images: flickr, weheartit and my own where not linked)

Do you like camping? What's your favorite part??

XO,

Chelsea

i HEART Thursdays - nature love

Camping is one of my all time favorite things to do. I love waking up with the smell of campfire in my hair, the pared down simplicity of everything, and of course any excuse to eat smores. So imagine my excitement at the notion of an impromptu plan for an overnight trip to Big Sur this weekend with our visiting Norwegian venner!! Its their last weekend in town and we knew no trip to Cali would be complete without witnessing this beautifully breathtaking spot.

In honor of our little respite, I'm hearting nature today. If you look around, its found naturally all around you!!

I'd love to go here

my heart on a string...

not sure what's cuter?! A puppy with this heart patch or the sweet little girl and her chipped red polish.

I miss seeing this every day

bleeding hearts. one of my fave plants ever.

not exactly natural, but formed by nature!

(image sources: flickr and me)

Do you love camping? What's your favorite part?

XO,

Chelsea

geranium

Ahhh Spring! 

I can't stop mentioning how much I love this season. We're blessed in Southern California in that we don't really even have "seasons" per se. But I can't help but feel the change in mood when the days are longer, more consistently warm and that big yellow ball is shining day in and day out.

I picked this little nook yesterday to shoot in and I realized that I just so happened to match the newly blossomed geranium in our side yard.

I'm a huge fan of bright colors and I think more is definitely more! I got lots of comments on how bright this outfit is. I'm taking that as a compliment ;)

I love this. 

Here I am trying to give my best "fierce" face and out darts my little man. Sutter, your timing is impecable!!

What makes you feel like Spring has sprung in your neck of the woods?

XO,

Chelsea

neverending birthday - part 1

We spent this last week basking in the glow of the newly longer days and celebrating Carl's birthday for quite a few days in a row. A beach afternoon, a day hiking and watching friends fly off mountains all ended in a birthday slash "warming" of our house, an amazing concert by our pal Rusty Lindsey (complete with not one but two shout-outs for Carl's bday) and a day of finishing house projects all made for an amazing first days of spring!!

It was a pretty full week so I'll only barrage you with one onslaught of pictures at a time!

Carl's birthday celebration Numero Uno - day at the beach followed by a fun dinner at the most awesome Cajun restaurant in Santa Barbara. The food and service is amazing and the atmosphere is lively! Anywhere that has the entire restaurant join in a round of Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" is my kind of place...

Cajun Martini. Delish. A perfect way to end the evening...

More celebrating was to be done later in the week. Stay tuned for that!

XO,

Chelsea