anonymous was a woman.

Baby Iris

2011-12-12T20:34:00.002-07:00

Dad's hands.

Grandma's hands.

Three generations.

A few weeks ago, my friend Anna asked me to snap some pics of her beautiful, brand new baby girl, Iris. I'm so happy and flattered that she did. I hope that one day grownup Iris will look at these and smile. This girl's gonna move mountains.

xo,

Sarah

P.S. For more happy baby news, click here.
I am going to be an auntie!

2011-12-01T23:29:00.000-07:00

"To understand me, you'll have to swallow a world."

-Salman Rushdie

November Instagram Highlights

2011-11-29T00:02:00.002-07:00

fall feet I/fall feet II

ginger tea/cozy socks

late night/early morning

new coat/old friend

santa fe cathedral/salt lake pony

audrey/coco

cute curb/pretty lights

It has been a beautiful month.

xo,

Sarah

Thanksgiving in Santa Fe

2011-11-27T20:02:00.000-07:00

I spent the long weekend at my parents' house in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where it was cozy and warm (inside) and wonderful. The food was delicious and the company was perfect. I miss them all already. But I'll be back for Christmas! And hopefully next time I won't miss my plane...

What was the best part of your weekend?

xo,

Sarah

Happy Friday!

2011-11-11T11:09:00.001-07:00

Just stopping in for a quick hello before things get too crazy. On my plate this weekend? A pedicure, a wedding, a final to study for, a portfolio to put together, and lots of cleaning to do and errands to run in between. So I may not be around for awhile, but you'll be in my thoughts, blog buddies! I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

xo,

Sarah

My Favorite Photo

2011-11-09T00:00:00.005-07:00

Peering past the beer glasses in this photo are me and my sister. We are on the island of Crete in Greece where she spent a couple of summers doing archaeological work for the university she was attending. I stopped by that year while backpacking through Europe. Having purchased these, now defunct, sunglasses five minutes or so before this shot was taken, she decided to wear them anyway. I'm sporting the lenses and she the frames.

This is my favorite photograph because it not only brings me back to those fabulous adventures in Greece, but it also signifies a fresh start between my sister and I. Looking at this photo, you'd never know that we did not get along for nearly our entire lives up until (almost) this exact moment. Prior to that summer abroad, we would not have sat next to each other, let alone snap a smiling photograph. I'm so very glad we decided to grow up and become true sisters, sisters made up of more love than blood.

-Gwen

Saturdays with Maggie

...

Thank you, Gwen, for sharing this sweet story. If you would like me to feature you photo and story, just send them to me at favorite.photograph@gmail.com

Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with Toasted Hazelnuts

2011-11-08T00:00:00.041-07:00

I realize that I lost half of my readers at the mere mention of this mostly unpopular vegetable, and maybe you, too, are ready to click away, but don't! I haven't always liked Brussels sprouts either. Me, the girl who started on sushi at seven; the only girl brave enough to eat the dissected (and subsequently fried) squid in 9th grade biology. So I get it, I do. But these are different! I promise! These non-soggy, non-sulphury, slightly sweet and crispy Brussels sprouts are begging you for a second chance, and you should take them back because they really have changed.

Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with Toasted Hazelnuts

-1 lb. Brussels sprouts, roughly chopped

-1 T. olive oil

-1 T. cider vinegar

-1/3 c. hazelnuts, chopped and lightly toasted

-salt and pepper

In a large saute pan, warm olive oil until hot, but not smoking. Add Brussels sprouts and saute, stirring occasionally, until they soften slightly and lightly caramelize around the edges, but not so long that they lose their bright green color. As you saute, drizzle the vinegar over the sprouts, and season with salt an pepper to taste. Remove from heat and top with add hazelnuts. Best if served immediately.

I've been eating these by the bowlful lately!

They will definitely be making an appearance on my Thanksgiving table.

xo,

Sarah

Instagram

2011-11-07T06:37:00.001-07:00

Are you on Instagram? I finally am and I'm addicted. It's so much fun. Find me if you'd like, my username is _sarahnicole_. I can promise lots of photos of

food,

kitties,

and maybe an occasional self-portrait.

I hope you had a lovely weekend, and I hope you have a lovely Monday!

xo,

Sarah

Loving Lately

2011-11-04T00:00:00.043-06:00

Lately I have been loving leopard print. This is unusual given my decade long aversion to anything animal print (I blame a pink polyester snake skin skirt that I wore way too often in the summer of 2000...), but I just can't get enough. In fact, these shoes might be on there way to me as I type (my second pair no less - I had to size down from a 7 1/2 to a 6 1/2 - they run huge, but they are really beautiful). I can't wait to pair them with black cigarette pants, as well as the brights and neutrals that are trending this season.

What do you think of leopard for fall?

Yes or no?

xo,

Sarah

P.S. If you'd like more info on any of the fab stuff above, just click here.

My Favorite Photo

2011-11-02T00:00:00.011-06:00

This photo always makes my heart swell with love for these friends and makes me realize what a good effing time we always have together. We can have a party with just the three of us, every time that we meet. Give us a box of junk and suddenly we're ten years old again and playing dress up. Even though I didn't meet Fred and Melissa until the end of my senior year in college, they're the kind of friends that I feel like I've known my entire life. Luckily Alex fit right in that weekend, making that awesome threesome grow to four. I love how he is the one taking the picture and I can still hear him laughing behind the camera every time I look at this photo.

PS- I got a really good pair of jeans that I still wear today out of that pile!

-Sarah

Desirous of Everything

...

Thank you, Sarah, for this fun photo! If you would like me to feature your photo and story, just send them to favorite.photograph@gmail.com.

Book Club

2011-10-24T20:35:00.000-06:00

My book club met on Sunday. It is ladies only and lots of fun.

The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta.

Anna + baby.

Squash soup.

Emily.

Whittney.

Jamie.

Pumpkin cake with brown butter icing.

Are you part of a book club?

If not, you are missing out!

xo,

Sarah

Sunday Smile

2011-10-23T20:29:00.005-06:00

-ice cream and fries with my bffs
-drinks, darts, and friend anniversary fun

-brunch on the patio (please see above)

-book club and squash soup

-getting so much better at pigeon pose

What made you smile this weekend?
A lot of things, I hope.

xo,

Sarah

Intuition

2011-10-22T10:20:00.002-06:00

And it's impossible to tell

How important someone was

And what you might have missed out on

And how he might have changed it all

And how you might have changed it all for him

And how he might have changed it all

And how you might have changed it all for him

What are you listening to today?

xo,

Sarah

A Peak Into My Bedroom

2011-10-22T00:00:00.004-06:00

I gave my bedroom a mini-makeover this month, and I am loving it more than ever.

It's amazing what a few small changes to your environment can do to improve your mood.

Just a few of my favorite things.

What is your favorite thing about your bedroom?

Hope you are having a lovely weekend!

xo,

Sarah

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

2011-10-21T14:12:00.000-06:00

"I am a grown woman - mostly - and I can guzzle champagne with whomever I choose."

-Juliet Ashton

Loving Lately

2011-10-21T00:00:00.025-06:00

This week I am loving:

1 The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. So sweet!

2 My Fuji Instax and Polaroid cameras. Instant film is perfect for fall photos.

3 Vanilla-scented tea lights from Ikea. Darker days mean more opportunities for romantic lighting.

4 This beautiful pea coat from J. Crew. It's calling my name...

5 Veggies. Two of my favorites this week? Butternut squash and brussels sprouts.

6 Hunter boots. Just took mine out for the first stomp of the season.

What have you been loving lately?

Have a wonderful weekend!

xo,

Sarah

A Peak Into My Classroom

2011-10-20T10:58:00.002-06:00

I have such a funny and sweet group of kids this year.

There is a (space) lot I can learn from them.

xo,

Sarah

P.S. To see more pics of my classroom, click here!

My Favorite Photo

2011-10-19T00:00:00.003-06:00

Almost 3 weeks ago, my Grampa passed away. Within hours of getting the word, my mom and I headed to Arizona to take care of everything. In the process of cleaning out his house, I found his old Minolta A5 1000 camera. When I was growing up, every time my grandparents came to visit, this camera was draped around Grampa's neck and he was always ready to snap away taking pictures of all his grandkids. I always loved that camera & couldn't think of anything that reminds me more of him. I was lucky enough to inherit the camera still encased in the fitted leather camera case and stowed away neatly in the camera bag that resembles an old overnight suitcase lined with bright green velvet. The day before the funeral, I pulled out the camera and opened up the film door and noticed there was still some film in it (the camera is older & has no window to show if there is film in it or not). After quickly shutting the film door, and hoping I didn't ruin the pictures that had been taken, I rushed to the nearest photo shop to develop the film. I was thrilled that I didn't completely ruin all of the pictures - though they are over exposed. This photo is one of the last photos my Grampa took with that camera - a cactus in bloom in his front yard.

This is my favorite photo at this moment in time because it reminds me how precious the simplest moments- like that of a blooming cactus- really are and, even though those we love won't be with us forever, the memories & things we do to remember them are.

-Erica

Life, Love, and Photography

...

Thank you, Erica, for sharing this sweet story. If you have a sweet photo and story to share, just send them to favorite.photograph@gmail.com

When You Are Engulfed in Flames

2011-10-17T16:46:00.000-06:00

"I now had what the self-help books called relationship baggage, which I would carry around for the rest of my life. The trick was to meet someone with similar baggage and form a matching set, but how would one go about finding such a person?"

- David Sedaris