Pleasure Pieces

~Pieces of pleasure scattered through my days~

(there are 5 this week)

1.) Somehow when I dropped some of my water bottle in my driver's seat, my stereo and sound system got ruined... so lots of $ later it is now working and I am enjoying the sound of my own voice (despite how off key) and rocking out to my jams as I ride to work
2.) Starting the week off right with Sunday morning multigrain pancakes and fruit salad

{aren't blood oranges breathtakingly beautiful?!}

3.) Yes this is going to seem so minor but my co-workers M and L can agree with me that this is really so MAJOR--the sink in the women's bathroom is now automatic and it is so convenient, more sanitary and makes bathroom experiences so much more pleasurable
Notice how many times the word "pleasure" has come up in this post?! :-)
4.) Brad never getting the mail and letting me instead--he knows how much I love this mind-less activity and how much pleasure it brings to me to get fun magazines in the mail (they are such sugary surprises, love them) letters from friends (esp these postcard 'go postal' iphone application cards that Livvy sends me in the mail that arrive so unexpectedly) and when I'm really lucky--packages in the mail, like what came in the mail yesterday...be patient, more about that loveliness will come tomorrow!
5.) Being married to my hero in so many ways, especially in the kitchen. He inspires me to try to cook things without recipes, to practice my basics and lovingly reminds me that I too can cook well I just need to give it a try more often...(come on K8 confidence-kick it up a notch) I know sometimes I get intimated (oops, typo-intimidated..you know where my mind is at as a newlywed :):)) by my B's cooking skills but I've realized what a gift he has and I know he will make his print on the world through food in a big way...

{a vegetable frittata he whipped up the other night to cook up all the leftovers in the fridge}

{homemade pizza-the kind of crust you use really does make all of the difference in the world}

{Pork chops with rosemary and pearl onions, yummy}

Cute Word Grouping!

My mom has been sending me inspiring messages and quotes of the day lately and I have been really touched by her gesture. I know she has been trying to keep my spirits up and remind me to focus on the positive and all that I have in my life. Before I left home for the holidays I was given a huge momma bear hug and sent off with reassuring and sweet words, I know she is trying to give me support during a time in my life where I feel a little off balance and unsure of things (I'll explain more later).

Anyway, I love this word grouping she sent today and the line that stuck out to her and myself is--collect experiences, not things. Anyone who knows me knows that I like to hold on to old photos, articles of clothing, pieces of paper etc because they all have meanings to me etc but I am trying to be less cluttering, and also trying to buy less because I also have a big place in my heart for accessories, clothes, purses, you name it... so 2011 is all about finding inner peace, taking in all the greatness around me and savoring the memories with the ones I love.

My flowers are famous!

Yumiko at Hana Floral Design was my favorite person to work with for making our wedding come alive with my vision (and Momma C's vision too). She was a creative genius who couldn't have been more pleasant and sweet..she completely blew me away with her work. I love her and told her I needed to hug her in order to attempt to show her how thankful I was for all of her hard work. I love my mom's facial expression in this picture, pure contentment and excitement!

my beauties
I know I am behind in posting our wedding photos, as well as some from our mini-moon to Nantucket. The delay is nothing personal, especially because I was beyond happy with all of the photos and get excited whenever I look at them--it brings back to life the most memorable day in my life and I am forever grateful to have these pictures (and wedding video-soon!) and memories to re-live this very special time in my life.
I wanted to give a shout out to Brides Connecticut magazine because they did a spread on different floral arrangements and mine was one of them in the mix. You can see a small picture above of my flower arrangement-I was absolutely head over heels with them, they were magnificent!! I loved how unique and unusual they were and hope that my arrangement inspires other brides trying to capture a vintage-y, Anthropologie-esque, traditional, classy with a flair feel for their wedding :-)

Fun Sayings and Inspiring Quotes!

This weekend has been full of fun sayings I have seen across the many paths I have crossed and couldn't help but smile at the kind little words that are around us every day and make a woman like me have an extra skip in her walk.

At Whole Foods:

"hugs and quiches" and "just for the halibut" gift cards that I found oh so cute

At Bloomies:

"Couples that bathe together stay together" {in the towel section of the Home Department}

"Last night I dreamed that I ate a 10 pound marshmallow and when I woke up, my pillow was gone" {in the bedding section of the Home Department}
I felt like I was being surrounded by secret meanings and God was reminding me to have faith in the good in the world and in myself.


B and I watched the movie Bella-it was a beautiful film and definitely had a lot of substance and beauty. One of the beginning quotes in the opening of the film is, "If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans." I loved this quote and it really confirms that you don't know where your life is going to lead and you have to have faith in God and let things happen as they are suppose to happen.
Bella tells the story of a world famous Latin soccer star who sinks into oblivion after accidentally killing a little girl. His life is set back on course when encountering a pregnant mother in crisis. Bella is a life-affirming, award-winning movie. [source http://www.jillstanek.com/archives/2008/05/bella_dvd_goes.html] Check it out here

I remember a few weeks ago when I spoke with an elderly Hungarian woman I use to work with at the German Embassy House and she gave me advice on marriage and said to always remember to have "patience, nerves and humor" and also reminded me not to "let the love run out"
These little sayings, quotes and words of wisdom have been some sunshine in my life...I hope you don't overlook the little words in your life as you walk down the streets of NYC, grocery shop or just take in the world around you...

How long do you let your decorations linger?

Some people (like my mother, sorry Ma!) don't let the Christmas decor hang around too long after the holidays. I know she gives my dad a few days to let our Christmas tree glisten a little more in the corner of the living room and spread out the holiday season. How about you-do you stretch out the holidays and let the festive knickknacks, Santa hats and angel statuettes linger or do you sweep it all away right after New Years? I have to admit it's been hard to box up my ornaments, lights and move into the dreadiest months of winter...

Today

"Today I will be happier than a bird with a french fry"

Again, a special shout out to Lavinia who shared her favorite quote with me...I thought it was so appropriate for an uplifting line to make us all take in the day. Happy Thursday blogger loves~

Exciting Things in 2011

I feel so grateful for all of the wonderful, supportive and loving people I have surrounding me in my life. This year I want to make sure that I take it all in a little more, savor the little moments and put more emphasis on all of the great people-family and friends in my life, rather than the things I have or things I am missing because after all they are just objects.

The Carta Family is growing as B and I tied the knot in September and Carey and my bro will be getting hitched in August up in Rochester, NY. So excited for them and thrilled to be in the wedding. Just ordered the dress yesterday...

Look for me August 27th in this hot dress :-) --minus those clunky shoes and the weird bracelet...I better get my tan on!

Engagement Pic-so love this one

Cherry Blossom Festival in DC

Some things I'd like to work on for the new year, I don't really believe in so-called, "resolutions," because I feel that these things should be part of your every day living but there are definately areas I need to work on:

~More patience and understanding

~Organization, Organization, O-R-G-A-N-I-Z-A-T-I-O-N

~Email clean up {work and personal}

~More resistance to buying more stuff, that being candles, clothing, bags--all the fun stuff, I should just say!

~Lots of love and support for my honey as he continues his job search and finds something exciting for himself to take hold of

Exciting news worth noting....

Blog time

Ms. Lavinia's new blog that she said she started to write about her design projects she is working on, what her friends and family are up to and also an outlet for her obsessive reading of the NY Times anddd she has a new camera so it is going to be quite something, I am predicting :)

Lavinia and I go back to high school and I we crack up thinking of how I befriended her (the new girl in school) who came into our auditorium during an assembly and I invited her to sit with me, the rest seems like history. I feel like she can do anything and everything and I look up to her for the person she is-she makes clothes, sings Opera so beautifully it can bring tears to your eyes--I was lucky to have her sing during Communion at my wedding, all I can say is WOW, she speaks fluent Spanish, is friends with everyone and when I think of her, she represents home to me. She is an amazing person-so unique, full of life and laughter, there is something very infectious about her presence-you feel so welcome and cared for around her, she is outgoing with this loving warmth that surrounds her, a true friend to the core and I view her as a sister and family member. We have been through a lot together and she has always shown her true colors--of gold. I love her dearly.

Check out her blog here

{Livvy said I inspired her to start this, truly touched L xo)

looking glam, always..

holding my hand while I get ready for the big day...

Friends getting married

Sarah and Will-set to tie the knot on June 18th in PA

Lisa and Nate-set to tie the knot on July 30th in New Jersey

Kaitlyn and Nick-set to tie the knot on August 20th

(exactly a week before my brother and his girly love)

This year will prove to be busy with weddings, lots of fun, cooking up a storm-making more bread from scratch, laughing, kisses, and memory making and great adventures for my man and I as he finds a job he loves and we figure out the next step and hopefully get....

a king charles cavalier

L.O.L.A

On our mini-moon to Nantucket we say this king charles in the ferry waiting room and I thought she was the cutest and heard her owner call her Lola and since she was the type of dog I love, adore the name Lola (and no not the famous song) and like that the name will remind me of our sweet moon to an island that is close to my heart.. I hope that this year we get our own little Lola to love on :-)