Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas {and Happy Solstice!}!  I can't believe that the holiday is already upon us - this season has just flown by.  I haven't done everything I usually do - there's no lights on the house and no fresh cookies baking - but I decided to not stress myself out about it and just enjoy all the awesome things I have been able to do this season, like put up my beautiful tree, wrap presents to go under it for my loved ones, see a Legendary Christmas show, and watch some {really terrible} Netflix Christmas movies :)  Even though it's a little more low key this year, it's still pretty great.  I'm excited to head north for a few days and show Christian all of our family traditions, just relaxing at mom and dad's and celebrating the season.  Because spending time with the ones you love is way more important than the lights put up perfectly on the house, right?  Maybe next year :)  Until then, I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

A Legendary Christmas

Tuesday night, Christian and I met up with my friend Sara and her husband for the most epic Christmas show around - A Legendary Christmas by John Legend.  Sara and I had heard about these tickets months ago and knew they would be the best way to celebrate the holidays.  The pictures aren't the best {as we were pretty far back} but we had a wonderful time singing and dancing along to John Legend's Christmas carols, plus a few of his fabulous non-Christmas hits.  Each backdrop and outfit change was even better than the last - it was a super classy, super fun Christmas spectacular that really got me in the mood for the holidays {since I can't believe they are coming up so fast!}.  I have a new appreciation for the amazing vocals and stage presence of John Legend, and will be singing along to his album all the way through the holiday.  It was truly Legendary :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Christmas Partyin'

A few weekends ago, Christian and I dressed up in our fancies and headed down to the Fairmont for his company Christmas party.  He was hesitant to go, but when I found out it was at the Fairmont and would have free dinner and drinks, I insisted :)  We arrived at the party and he only knew a handful of people, but it was great because we got to wander around drinking wine and admiring all the amazing Christmas decorations around the hotel.  When it was time for dinner, we found out that we were actually in the midst of a murder mystery party {who knew?} and we spent the rest of the evening trying to figure out who the murderer was, hiding from the emcee, and enjoying some really delicious dinner.  At the end of the night, we were both glad we had gone to the party and got out of our comfort zone to hang with a bunch of strangers.  It's the holidays after all, and it's nice to get out for a dressed up date night - but even better to come home and head instantly into cozy jammies :)

 our table won handcuffs for guessing the murderer correctly

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Happy Birthday Kami!

Happy Birthday to my sweet friend Kami!  I'd like to say this picture was taken last summer but it was actually almost 9 years ago - we look the same though, right?  Kam, this just shows how long we've been buddies {and it goes way farther back than this} and that even though life takes us in different directions sometimes, I can always count on you for the best time.  Cheers to you my friend!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

The Weekend {In Pictures}

{the best part of my visits to Bellingham - miss theia}

 {my contribution to my work craft christmas party}

 {festive holiday treats while getting my hair done}

{rainy days = lots of naps for this one}

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Happy {Almost Christmas} Friday

Happy Friday!  Can you believe it's only 11 days until Christmas?!?  I feel like I have a lot to do to get ready, including writing on cards, baking cookies, wrapping presents, and putting up some lights on the house, but I also really want to enjoy this time of year and not get too stressed, so I see a lot of Christmas movies and hot cocoa in my future this weekend :)  How about you?  Have a great one, and Go Hawks!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Annie {A Holiday Surprise}

Saturday afternoon, Mom & I took Patti and Julie out for a fun holiday surprise downtown.  They came to my house early in the morning and picked me up to head downtown, where they had no idea what we were up to.  We wandered around Seattle shopping and taking in all the fun holiday decorations before heading down to Purple Cafe where we had sneaky lunch reservations for the 4 of us.  At the end of lunch, we decided to spill the secret for the real reason we were all downtown - to go see Annie at the 5th!  They were absolutely shocked, neither of them guessing what our plan for the day was, and since we were a little early for the show we stopped by the Fairmont to check out their Christmas decorations {one of my favorite places during the holidays}.  Mom & I gave Julie and Patti our regular seats and we took the two a few rows back and we all spent the next 2.5 hours laughing and being thoroughly entertained by the whole production {though of course the dog was my favorite}.  It was such a fun day pulling off this epic surprise for the ladies, and I hope they enjoyed it as much as we did!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Go Hawks!

In honor of the Hawks big win on Monday night {yay!} I'm taking it back to last Sunday, where I took Christian to his first real Seahawks game {sitting in the press box doesn't count}.  We got down to the stadium early to wander around with a beer and check out all of the best places to get food.  The weather was perfect for football - pretty cold but sunny - and when it was finally game time, the Hawks were unstoppable.  It was so fun to watch them kick the 49er's butts, and watching Bobby grab an interception and run it back for a touchdown right in front of us was one of the best moments of the day.  Even though Christian isn't quite as big of a Seahawks fan as I am, I know he had a great time cheering the boys on to victory and getting caught up in the energy of the crowd {whoever said on tv that the stadium wasn't loud must have had earplugs in}, and with the team on a winning streak now, it's even more exciting to watch together.  Let's get ready for January!

a blitz selfie on the way to get food!

Go Hawks!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Happy Birthday Gram!

Happy Birthday Gram!  I hope you have the best relaxing day filled with friends, family, and all the things you love.  I wish I was there to celebrate with you, but I'll cheers to you from afar!  Here's to a wonderful year and many more to come - now go light those candles and make a wish!  I love you!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Maui {Day 9 & 10}

We woke up Saturday, our last full day in Maui, to rain coming down at the condo, so instead of getting a little more sun like we had originally intended we had a quick breakfast at home then headed into Lahaina to finish up our shopping for the trip and grab some lunch.  I had heard about Star Noodle from several different people as a must try, and I can see why.  It's in a random industrial park in Maui, but the crowds had definitely heard about it as there were tons of people waiting outside.  We were about an hour early for our reservation {due to the rain} but they graciously seated us at the bar early where we ordered dish after dish of amazingly delicious food.  Seriously - if you're in Maui you have to check this place out {just make sure to make reservations early or you'll be waiting!}.  After lunch we headed to Front Street to pick up a few more souvenirs, walk around by the water, and have a happy hour Mai Tai for only $5 {a steal in this town}.  We couldn't quite bring ourselves to head back, so we sat on the boardwalk and watched as the sun went down, taking in our last Maui sunset of the trip.  When we got back to the condo, we decided to take one more dip in the hot tub {isn't a hot tub the best in the rain?} before heading down the street to pick up take out at Ohana Tacos and call it a night.  Sunday morning, since there was no rain at the condo, we raced out to the beach to lay out and grab our last rays of sun before heading back to cold Seattle.  At about noon it was time to head to the airport, so we took one last look around this amazing place before heading back to reality {not before some airport Mai Tai's to toast the trip though :)}.  Maui, you were such an incredible place for us to relax, celebrate, and really have the best trip.  I can't wait to go back :)

 pretty rainbows

 fresh watermelon soda

 hapa ramen

 garlic noodles & ahi with avocado and lemon

 steamed pork buns

the huge old banyan tree in lahaina

 very sad to go home :(

Until next time, Maui....

xoxo,
stephanie marie