Happy Birthday Graham!

Happy 23rd Birthday, Graham!!

23... wow.

I can still remember the days when you were just little,

and I would trap you inside the laundry hamper...

;)

Hope you have a GREAT day!!!

If It's the Beaches...

I can't believe it's already been almost 2 weeks since we were in California on our little west coast getaway.  We had such a great time running away together for 10 glorious days.  I finally uploaded and sorted through all of our photos we took.  Warning:  there are a lot.  :)  I decided to break up my California posts a bit.  This one is about... you guessed it, the beaches.

One of the main things we did on this vacation was explore some of the many unique California beaches.  We flew into LAX and were spending the week in a little beach rental in San Clemente.  We spent a lot of time just lounging (and Brett surfing) on the San Clemente beach, but we did get out a couple times to explore other beaches in the area.  

Heading out to the west coast, our flight into LAX landed at midnight... aka 3am east coast time.  We stayed in a hotel right near LAX because we were zonked.  So our first official day of vacation started the following day.  After the somewhat lacking continental breakfast at the hotel, we started making our way down to San Clemente.  Check in at our beach house wasn't until later in the afternoon, so we decided to check out some sights along the way, like Huntington Beach.  This beach was gigantic and gorgeous.  They even had a stand-up paddle board competition going on!

After killing some time walking around and sitting in the sand, we eventually made our way to San Clemente.  The San Clemente beaches were a lot smaller compared to Huntington Beach, but were still equally awesome.  The Amtrak train runs right along the coast down here and I've never seen anything like it.  I can imagine going on a long train right up or down the coast and just daydreaming out the window staring at the ocean the whole way.  Swoon.  Surprisingly, during our week long stay here in San Clemente, there was a weird fog that lingered around.  We got a couple days/hours of gorgeous blue skies, but there was quite a bit of overcast fog throughout the week.  But what did we care!  We were in California and not working and had no responsibilities for a week except to surf and eat as much Mexican food as humanly possible! 

Sometime mid week, we decided to take a day time adventure and check out some other beaches near by.  These places were amazing.  First, we stopped at the Dana Point Marina and took a little hike along the water to secret caves that pirates supposedly used to hide their treasures in.  And apparently, some treasure has yet to be found!  (I am such a sucker for tales like this...).  We also took it to higher ground to check out an awesome view of the marina from above.  We stopped at Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point for a little lunch picnic we packed.  It was so neat to watch the waves crashing against the awesome rocks here.   

After our lunch at Salt Creek, we made our way to Laguna Beach, specifically to go to Table Rock Beach.  We had to climb down these old wooden stairs to get to this little gem and it was breathtaking.  It was this little secret beach scrunched up and hidden below some amazing cliffs.  The water looked extra turquoise here.  It was beautiful.  

On the last day of our vacation, we were scheduled to fly out of LAX early early in the morning.  So instead of spending our final night in San Clemente, we opted for a hotel room near the airport.  The day before we flew back to Pittsburgh, we said goodbye to our cute little beach rental and the San Clemente beaches and made our way to LA.  We decided to spend the day in Santa Monica.  It was such a gorgeous sunny day.  Blue skies!  We rented bicycles and rode up and down the beach.  We also witnessed the best sunset of the entire trip here in Santa Monica.  It was beautiful.  And the perfect end to a fantastic beach getaway.

Ahh, I miss these views already.  The west coast and east coast have such different scenery.  I love the east coast, but it's so nice to be able to get a taste of a different view every once in a while.  California beaches, we love you.

(More California posts coming soon!) 

The Wood Brothers

Brett, my dad, and I went and saw the Wood Brothers on Wednesday night.  Have you heard of the Wood Brothers?  Probably not.  Well, let me tell you... they are phenomenal.  Their music has a very bluesy, acoustic feel to it.  Their albums are awesome, but if you ever get a chance to see them live, DO.  We saw them at the Rex Theater in Pittsburgh, a small intimate little venue with great sound.  It was such a great show.  

I am a huge lover of live music.  Something about the atmosphere and environment of being at a concert just gets me.  The passion and energy the musicians give off, the way the crowd gets lost in another world while listening, the lights and sound of the whole room in sync with each other, it's amazing.  Music has always been a dominant part of my life.  And I don't plan on changing that for as long as I live.

Follow Your Heart

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.

Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking.

Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice.

And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.

They somehow already know what you truly want to become.

Everything else is secondary.”

 

--Steve Jobs (1955 - 2011)

Homemade Granola

A lot of people have been asking me to share my recipe for homemade granola. Granola is so expensive when you buy it at the grocery store.  Making your own is so much cheaper!  So here ya go!  My recipe for homemade granola...

4 cups quaker old fashioned oats

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp salt

3 tbsp oil

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

Add-ins:

1/2 - 1 cup nuts (optional - any kind you'd like)

1/3 - 2/3 cups raisins (optional)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  In a large bowl, mix together oats, cinnamon, and salt.  In a separate small bowl, mix together oil, honey, brown sugar, and vanilla extract.  Combine the two and stir until well blended.  Spread mixture onto a baking sheet covered with wax/parchment paper.  Bake for 10 minutes, then take out and sprinkle on nuts.  Bake an additional 15 minutes, then take out and sprinkle on raisins.  Let cool, then transfer to tupperware container to keep fresh.  (This amount usually makes about 2 baking sheets worth of granola.)

Today, I made a fall variation of this granola recipe -- Pumpkin Spice Granola!  All you have to do is use the above recipe, but instead of 1 tsp cinnamon, add:

2 tsp cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp all spice

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp ginger

Then, follow the rest of the directions just the same.  So, there ya go.  Try it!  Homemade granola is soo delicious and will seriously make your house smell heavenly.  Let me know how yours turns out if you decide to try it!*

Pumpkin Spice Lattes & Burnt Orange Nails

It's officially happened.

I've finally let go of Summer...

and am now fully welcoming FALL with open arms!

Pumpkin spice lattes,

burnt orange nails,

gorgeous changing leaves,

crisp refreshing air,

pumpkin patches,

warm, hearty soups on the dinner menu,

cool weather camping,

scarves & boots,

the return of jeggings (!!),

Brett's pumpkin homebrew,

homemade pumpkin chocolate chip cookies,

(ok, basically anything pumpkin flavored),

the list could go on and on.

There is just something so cozy & calming about fall.

I normally deem Summer my favorite season,

but Fall is right on it's heels.

I love it.

 (Happy Friday!*)

Coolest Cactus Ever

While walking to dinner one night in San Clemente,

we were heading down a street and I look to my left and what did I see?

The coolest cactus ever.

I named him Bob.

 Try not to be too jealous of my new friend...

Oh and cacti (plural of cactus?!) are now a sore subject with Brett.

But that's a whole 'nother story for a whole 'nother time...

Let's just say: Cactus: 1, Brett: 0

Home Again Home Again

We're hooooome!

California was amazing.

I can't wait to share our trip with you guys.

But as for right now, I am currently consumed by

doing piles and piles of laundry,

unpacking full suitcases,

uploading hundreds of photos,

and trying to adjust to the time zone change.

Be back soon.

Hope you guys had a great week!

Can't wait to catch up with you! :)

{Photo by me - Sunset on the last day of our vacation}

California Bound!

 

California, here we come!

 

Our vacation officially starts today!  We're heading to the airport this afternoon, then off we go to California!  Just wanted to pop in and say hi before we left.  I didn't schedule any posts for while I'm gone because, to be honest, I just didn't have time.  But maybe I'll pop in once or twice while I'm there.  Regardless, I'm sure I will be tweeting & instagramming (username: AnnaT314)!

Have a great week everyone!!*

Gettin' Crafty

First off, happy FRIDAY!

It was a total of 44 degrees this morning.  I think summer is officially over... Thank goodness we are hopping a plane to California tomorrow (!!) where we can prolong summer just a little bit longer! :)

So I was making up a list of all the things I need to pack for our trip.  I didn't want to bring my big laptop bag because then we'd have to use it as one of our carry-ons for the plane.  I was originally going to buy a laptop sleeve so I could just throw my laptop in my backpack, so we would have more room for stuff.  But then I came up with the crazy idea to make one!

Let me preface this by saying... my mother bought me a sewing machine almost 2 years ago and I have maybe used it three times (mainly to sew random brewing bags for Brett).  That being said, you can say that I am not an experienced sew-er.  But for some reason, I convinced myself that I could sew a laptop sleeve.  And I have to say... I am SHOCKED that it actually came out looking half decent:

I didn't buy one item for this laptop sleeve.  I used some random fabric that my mother gave me that she didn't need anymore and some buttons laying around the house.  And the little black closure strings?  Yeah, those are hair ties.  I didn't use a tutorial or pattern or any directions.  I completely made this up as I went along.  The only thing I did was measure my laptop to make sure that it would hopefully fit.  The whole time I was making this, I was thinking "please work, please work, please work!"  And luckily, it DID!  

Now that I've got my laptop sleeve, I'm all set for California!!* 

Start Something that Matters

This book came in the mail a few days ago and I am SO excited to read it.  Blake Mycoskie and Toms Shoes has been a huge inspiration to me ever since 2007.  I went to a Hanson (yes, mmmbop... but that is a WHOLE 'nother post) concert and they had partnered up with Toms Shoes to do one mile walks to raise awareness for children who don't have shoes.  I bought my first pair of Toms at that walk in 2007 and was immediately inspired by the Toms movement (and everything Hanson was doing too).  Since that day in 2007, my Toms Shoes collection has grown to over 12 pairs.  I really need to take some pictures of all the different styles I have and do a post on them.  They are my most favorite shoes that I have ever ever owned.

When I found out Blake was coming out with a book, I was SO excited!  Taken straight from Blake's website, here's what "Start Something that Matters" is all about:

--------------------------------------------------------

"Love your work, work for what you love, and change the world—all at the same time.

What matters most to you? Should you focus on earning a living, pursuing your passions, or devoting yourself to the causes that inspire you? The surprising truth is that you don’t have to choose—and that you’ll find more success if you don’t. That’s the breakthrough message of TOMS’ One for One movement. You don’t have to be rich to give back and you don’t have to retire to spend every day doing what you love. You can find profit, passion, and meaning all at once—right now.

In Start Something That Matters, Blake Mycoskie tells the story of TOMS, one of the fastest-growing shoe companies in the world, and combines it with lessons learned from such other innovative organizations as method, charity: water, FEED Projects, and TerraCycle. Blake presents the six simple keys for creating or transforming your own life and business, from discovering your core story to being resourceful without resources; from overcoming fear and doubt to incorporating giving into every aspect of your life. No matter what kind of change you’re considering, Start Something That Matters gives you the stories, ideas, and practical tips that can help you get started.

Why This Book Is For You

• You’re ready to make a difference in the world—through your own start-up business, a nonprofit organization, or a new project that you create within your current job.
• You want to love your work, work for what you love, and have a positive impact on the world—all at the same time.
• You’re inspired by charity: water, method, and FEED Projects and want to learn how these organizations got their start.
• You’re curious about how someone who never made a pair of shoes, attended fashion school, or worked in retail created one of the fastest-growing footwear companies in the world by giving shoes away.
• You’re looking for a new model of success to share with your children, students, co-workers, and members of your community."

--------------------------------------------------------  

I haven't even started the book yet and I'm already inspired!  Do yourself a favor and go order this book.  I have a feeling it's going to be amazing.
 

This book will definitely be coming on the plane with me to California... {3 days!}

6 Days Until California...

It's a lazy Sunday here in the Heher household.  We were supposed to be spending the weekend camping in Virginia (and Brett was supposed to be competing in a mountain bike race), but the weather gods rained on our parade and everything got canceled.  Boo.

It's funny because it actually hasn't even rained all weekend.  But I guess the rain from earlier in the week ruined all the trails and terrain, so it was a no go.  We made the best of it and went rock climbing at Coopers Rock yesterday.  We were worried it would start raining any minute, but it never did.  It was a beautiful day!  Success!

And now we are just relaxing at home, preparing for the work week, but more importantly... preparing for our California vacation that is coming up in a mere 6 days!  To say I am excited would be an understatement.  A blissful week of the ocean, sunshine, good food, and quality time with my husband is much needed!

Now I just need to figure out how to fast forward through 5 days of work... 

{Photo via}

Whale... Baby Whale

I felt the need to share this with all of you.

I literally laughed out loud when I saw this.

A little pick-me-up for your Thursday afternoon!*

{via}

Rainy Days & Bird Bells

{one of my favorite windows in our house}

It's a rainy, rainy Labor Day here.  I don't think the rain has stopped even once since yesterday morning.  Ideally, I love me some sunshine and warm temperatures.  But sometimes the rain is nice.  It almost forces you to stay inside and get stuff done.  Oooor just be lazy and take multiple naps throughout the day.  Either works.  The rainy day has welcomed some much needed relaxation and slowwwwwing down.  Life is busy busy busy these days and sometimes you need something to force you to stop for a second and relax.  Today that something is the rain.

Friday!

Fridays are happy days.

And happy days call for celebrating things that make you happy!

So here's a little list of things currently making me happy...

...Hubby making homemade salsa & mexican twice this week for dinner

...Eating a sweet peach while walking home from the farmer's market last night

...My mom surprising me with tickets to see Wicked with them in September

...Exciting possibilities and plans for the future

...Our Southern California vacation being only 15 days away

...Even though it's September, the forecast is still calling for hot temperatures

...My new and growing love for mountain biking

...An upcoming long 3 day weekend with my hubby

...My new display of my instax polaroids (above)

...My upcoming and much needed hair appointment

Have a happy and relaxing long weekend!*

September...

And just like that, it's September.  Wow.  Did Summer even happen?  I feel like it went by in the blink of an eye.  I must admit, I do love Fall... the changing leaves, the pumpkin patches, the scarves and boots, the pumpkin spice lattes!  But I just don't think I'm quite ready for Summer to end yet.  Luckily, Brett and I get to extend Summer just a bit when we go on our Southern California beach trip in a few weeks.  So as far as I'm concerned, it may be September, but it's still Summer until after we get home from California!  And THEN, I think I'll be ready for fall. ;)

What about you guys?

Are you sad Summer is ending?

Or super excited for Fall?

From what I've been hearing around the blog world...

most of you are ready for Fall!

18 Days...

Remember when I said AirTran was giving Brett & I both free round trip flights for the inconvenience of our delayed flight to Hilton Head in May?  Well, we cashed those babies in!

Brett & I are packing our bags & hopping a plane to Southern California next month!  And I am so ridiculously EXCITED.  We fell in love with California when we went there on our Honeymoon last August.  So we're going back!  Only this time, to Southern California.  We're staying in a cute little beach rental right near the ocean and we plan on surfing, relaxing in the California sun, going on lots of brewery tours, and eating as much Mexican food as humanly possible.

The countdown is on.

18 days!!

{photo via}

Camping Mini Movie

Hello & happy Friday!*

We are soooo close to the weekend!  What are your plans?  Tomorrow, my family is throwing my Grandma a surprise party for her 80th birthday.  I feel pretty confident talking about it here because I'm prettttty sure my Grandma does not use the internet.  So our cover is definitely not blown.

So last week, I made a little video of our camping trip.  But then an insane storm blew through and we lost internet, so I couldn't upload it.  Well, here we are... a week later and Comcast finally decided to show up to fix the internet.  The first thing I did was upload my video.



Ah, we had so much fun on this trip.  West Virginia often gets a bad rep, with people thinking all that's there is a bunch of crazy hillbillies running around.  But West Virginia is actually an extremely beautiful place.  I count myself very fortunate to live so close to such beauty.

Speaking of West Virginia, I think we might head down there to go rock climbing on Sunday.  That is... if we aren't super hungover from my Grandma's big bad crazy birthday party... ;)

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!*

I Heart Sunrises

 Mornings are so much better with a pretty sunrise...

and coffee...

and a smooch from your husband before leaving the house.

:)

Camping at Blackwater Falls

I know I am posting my camping weekend recap over a week late... bear with me.  We had a crazy storm Friday night and have been without internet since!  Better late than never, right?  

As I mentioned earlier, last weekend Brett and I set out for a camping adventure with Lee & Jess at Blackwater Falls State Park.  This place was beautiful.  Our Friday evening run in with a gorgeous sunflower field was only the start of a really amazing and fun weekend.    

We spent the days biking, hiking, and taking in the gorgeous scenery.  And spent the nights building campfires, making s'mores, and drinking lots of delicious beers.  We were outside for 3 days straight and I wouldn't have it any other way.  I can't wait until our next camping adventure!