the big 2-0!

i'm taking a break from my Europe photos to share another big event that took place this summer! I'm like three weeks behind on life pretty much right now.  But on July 24th I turned 20! 

And I pretty much had the best birthday in the world.

 ^^My two gorgeous friends threw me a birthday party in NYC.  I have no clue where I would be without these guys.  

^^ The next day Zoe shared my crown because she turned one around the same time I turned 20!  Happy birthday baby girl! 

 ^^ My birthday involved lots of sweet treats....

^^ Oh and it also involved BEYONCE.  Back in February my friends and I bought tickets for a Beyonce concert the day after my birthday.  Can I just say my life peaked at that moment when Beyonce sang Single Ladies? Cause it did.  It was perfect. 

Thank you to my amazing friends and family for the most amazing birthday in the world!  I am a very lucky girl indeed.  xo

Happy Birthday Caroline!

Today is my little sister's 15th birthday!

I can't believe she's already 15.  Even though we're only 3 years apart, I still think of her as my baby sister!

She's honestly the best sister ever.

She puts up with my crazy behavior, listens to my (terrible) singing in the car everyday, and is comforting whenever I'm upset.

She's the world's best listener and sometimes I forget I'm the older one!  She's so mature for her age!

So happy birthday Caroline!

I'm so happy you're my sister and I hope you had the most spectacular birthday yet!

love you!

Circa late 90s 

Turkey, 2010

Circa 2007 or 2008

Hawaii, 2009

Hawaii, 2009

Greece, 2010

Greece, 2010

Isn't she absolutely gorgeous, too?  

I'm going to miss her very much next year!

Happy Birthday Dad!

I just wanted to stop by to wish my Dad a very happy birthday!

Thank you Dad for taking me to swim meets, bringing me home pizza when i so desperately crave it, filling up my humidifirer before i go to bed, and providing me with an amazing education and the ability to go swim everyday.

But most importantly, thank you for being so incredibly supportive of all of my dreams.

I hope you have a great day and I love you!

1. My Dad and I when I was little.

2.  and again

3.  The day I was born.

4.  When we both were still running, we would always go running together.

5.  In Turkey this past summer

6.  My Mom and Dad in Greece this past summer

7.  In Hawaii in 2009

I'm a total Daddy's girl, so going through these pictures brings tears to my eyes!

-----

What is everyone's weekend plans?

I'm going to make some new art to hang around the room, work on my paper, celebrate my Dad's birthday, teach my yoga class, do a little yoga myself, and possibly go out to lunch with a friend tomorrow.

Have a great weekend!  I'll be back tomorrow with "Style Story Sunday"! xo

My Birthday Weekend

the last two days have been very special to me

i feel so lucky to have such amazing family and friends who wanted to spend the day with me.

and i got so many lovely gifts which i'll share soon!

on wednesday me and my friends carly (not pictured) and julie went for pizza and ice cream to celebrate the birthday.

then sex and the city 2 was playing on the beach, so we got excited to see that.

however, within 20 minutes of watching the movie, it started to rain and it was cancelled.

the first 20 minutes were amazing though!

friday night was birthday dinner with the family

we went to one of my favorite italian places- right on the beach!  it was amazing 

my cousin Kara, me, my best friend Nora, and my sister Caroline

best sister ever

make a wish:)

yesterday, my actual birthday, i had a swim meet

that didn't stop me from celebrating though

you can't really read it, but my friend wrote 

"it's my birthday" 

on my back.

i think it brought some good luck :)

caroline made me the most amazing cake ever for when i got home.

vanilla cake with chocolate reeses buttercream frosting.

omg amazing.

my dad also cooked me caesar salad and mozzarella sticks.

YUM!

i had such a great birthday and it's going to continue all week long since i still have to celebrate with some friends!

also, thanks to everyone who sent me emails, comments, and tweets wishing me a happy birthday!

it made my day.

you guys are the best!

xoxo

i'll be back tonight with style story sunday!

Birthday Girl!

today's my birthday!

I'm 17 :)

and i couldn't be happier!

on monday I take my driving test- i'm so stinkin' nervous!

the last year has been absolutely insane- but i think i've grown up a lot.  

and i feel so much happier and healthier then i did this time last year :)

in the past year i've 

traveled across the country, down south, and across the atlantic

spent some time in the hospital

watched my baby sister graduate 8th grade

had my wisdom teeth out

started looking for colleges

found my love of baking

went to prom with all my friends (in my favorite dress)

did a triathlon 

ran a half marathon

wowza.  it's been a busy year.

and i can't wait for the next one :)

i have a swim meet today and tomorrow- kinda a bummer but my last one of the summer!  other then that i'm celebrating with friends and family all weekend!

xoxo

birthday weekend!

ok, so I know I promised to post pics of new artwork a long time ago, and I'm so so very sorry.  It's been crazy hectic around here lately, but i'll try to post them later for you : )

anyway.... this weekend has been super amazing.  friday was my birthday!! it was amazing and awesome because i have super cool family and friends who helped to make it that way.  but, of course, the celebration is continuing all through the week... so it's not over yet!  and i must thank my little sister who made me my FAVORITE birthday cake last night from scratch.  vanilla cake with chocolate heath bar icing.  AND she left me extra icing.... because she knows how i love to eat icing  : )

ahhh... another year older.  but i already know that this year is going to be a great one!

i'm off now (yes it is pretty early this morning, right?) to starbucks for a meeting and then back home for a day out by the pool (and some art of course).  have an amazing sunday!