strawberry fields

It’s been 75*+ for the last little while in California so you can’t really help me for dreaming of spring. Lately what I’ve been craving are bright, sweet, fresh strawberries… but I guess I’ve still got awhile to go. So until then these will suffice:

This is basically just a grown up version of my obsession with Strawberry Shortcake from when I was wee. Everything is from Anthropologie because, well, they make it too easy.

leap more


“When you’re young, your whole life is about the pursuit of fun. Then, you grow up and learn to be cautious. You could break a bone… or a heart. You look before you leap and sometimes you don’t leap at all because there’s not always someone there to catch you. And in life, there’s no safety net. When did it stop being fun and start being scary?”

– Carrie Bradshaw

In 2011 I plan to leap more. What about you?

photo by slumbering heart

non-resolutions

It’s 2011! I have a good feeling about this year. It’s already making me very happy!

“I hope you will have a wonderful year, that you’ll dream dangerously and outrageously, that you’ll make something that didn’t exist before you made it, that you will be loved and that you will be liked, and that you will have people to love and to like in return. And, most importantly (because I think there should be more kindness and more wisdom in the world right now), that you will, when you need to be, be wise, and that you will always be kind.” Neil Gaiman

While I do like sitting down and making resolutions it can sometimes make me feel like I’m beating myself over the head with “you didn’t do this”, “you should have done this”, “you should have done this”, “you should have done more of…” You get the picture. So when Erin, Anne, Crystal and Bri made their lists of “non-goals” I decided to do the same and make a list of things I do well and don’t really want to change.

I jumped at new opportunities like assisting Rachel at a wedding and spent 10 days in France to name a few.

I blogged (a lot). That may sound silly but I feel like I’ve connected and met some of the most amazing people through blogging. I hope for more of the same this year.

I drank a lot more water and cut out a lot of sugar.

I took a lot of pictures.

I wore dresses.

I kept trying with my family.

I read my scriptures every single day.

I wore red lipstick.

I made my bed every single day. (This is a big one guys!)

I started taking salsa classes.

I gave in to the fact that I’m completely obsessed with this sweet thing.

Happy New Year friends! May 2011 bring you sweetness, inspiration and joy. xo

Is it bad this was a tough list to write? Why do I find it so easy to kick my own butt? Maybe I’ll make cutting myself some slack a new resolution.

merry christmas 2010

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our dear Saviour’s birth.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining,

‘Til He appear’d and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! O hear the angels’ voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born;
O night divine, O night, O night Divine.
Merry Christmas!
Love, Vanessa + Harlow

New Year’s card exchange


So… I blew it on the Christmas cards this year. I usually LOVE sending them out. I love sending mail (and getting it is fun too) but I just didn’t get my act together in time.

Instead I’m going to send New Year’s cards! Hooray!

If you’d like a card you can email me your address (joiebutter at gmail dot com) – I’d love to send you one!

Now I can get back to freaking out about the fact that there is only 9 days left until Christmas!

ps – how gorgeous is this photo by i.anton? i love it.