Thankful

Happy almost Thanksgiving!  We had the most amazing time in Maui, eating and drinking our way through the island and taking every chance we got to soak up the sunshine.  I can't believe the holidays are upon us already, but since Thanksgiving is early this year I'm planning on taking full advantage of all the season has to offer.  This year has been so wonderful {with some challenges, of course}, and I'm so thankful for everything big and small that has been making me smile this past year, including a new job with welcoming and kind coworkers, my amazing family, Mai Tai's, weekend adventures, Trader Joe's, red wine, cuddling with Nina, Saturday morning coffee, beauty face masks, wonderful girlfriends, Netflix & Thai food, my sweetest guy, and of course, snuggles.

Happy Thanksgiving!  Can't wait to share with you our Maui adventures!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Maui Bound

And we're off!  To celebrate my sweetie's bday {and to get away from the cold}, we're heading to Maui for some fun, sun, and relaxation before my new work life starts {and I have no vacation days left}.  Hope you have a fabulous few weeks - think of us drinking Mai Tai's on the beach! :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Last Day

On my last day of work in this pretty building downtown, my coworkers made me feel extra special all day long.  The morning started with my fave - breakfast burritos - before I met up with a longtime coworker {we've worked together since the very beginning!} for lunch next door at Farestart.  While I did some work and cleaned out my desk, I spent most of the day feeling antsy and nostalgic and trying to hold back tears.  In the afternoon, as I we were all feeling a little anxious, we made probably the worst hand-traced turkeys ever {elementary school kids do way better} and hung them up on the board.  In the afternoon, I finally popped open the little bottles of bubbly someone kindly brought to work so we could all have a farewell toast before I left.  I was almost out the door without crying until I saw Sara, the last of our core crew, and that's when the waterworks started.  I managed to compose myself in time to meet up with Christian and his mom at Urbane for a celebratory happy hour and the beginning of my two weeks of unemployment {glorious!}.  It was a sad but also cleansing last day, and though I wish I would've heard more from some of the people and leadership I had worked with for 12 years, I was overwhelmed by my coworkers love and support and celebrating with them ended up being way better than anything else.  They really are what kept me there for so long.  Now, on to the next chapter! 

 the greatest cupcakes and note waiting for me at work- apparently we had a bit too much fun at happy hour the night before!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Vote

I vote because I care.  About the future.  About the environment.  About human rights.  About my city, my country, my home.  I vote for those that can't.  I vote because I can.  And if you haven't already, just VOTE.

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Fall Weekend

I don't know if it's the camera on my new phone or just a beautiful fall day, but yesterday my house was lookin' goooood.  I was able to rake a few leaves before the Seahawks game during an unexpectedly sunny November day, and spent the rest of the afternoon cheering on the Hawks and looking for Mom & Dad on TV {ugh - let's not talk about the outcome of the game}.  And now?  I'm in full on vacation mode :)

 mushroom garden

 before...

...and after

xoxo,
stephanie marie

A Bittersweet Farewell

I wasn't sure I'd ever see the day, but after nearly 12 years at the same company, it's finally time to say goodbye.  It's bittersweet, as I'm so excited to learn new things and use my skills at a new place, but I'm sad to say goodbye to such a great and talented {and underappreciated} team of wonderful friends.  I started there at the tender age of 22 {I laugh at this badge picture that I've kept for the entire 12 years} and have really grown up here and called this place my home.  I've made some of the best friends, had some of the most wonderful experiences, and really learned who I was through these formative years, and now it's time to embark on a new chapter that will hopefully be even better.  I'm so grateful for the past 12 years, and though the past one has been a bit rough I couldn't have gotten through it without such an amazing and supportive team {pictured below at happy hour last night} who I will treasure forever.  There may be a few tears shed, but many more laughs and hugs {and glasses of wine} shared, and I know that the people I have met and known there will still be a big part of my life as I head off into the unknown.  Thank you to these wonderful people, both old and new, that have made my experience for the past 12 years such an important and memorable time - it will never be forgotten.  And to my next place - you have a lot to live up to :) 

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Showering Autumn

Sunday morning we all gathered to celebrate the anticipated arrival of Baby Helling.  We met up at Westward for brunch and mimosas to toast Autumn, who I have to say is probably the cutest pregnant lady ever.  Unfortunately the above picture is the only one I took all morning {whoops!} but that just means that I had such a great time catching up with the girls {it had been way too long} and toasting the mama-to-be.  I can't wait to meet Baby Helling and I know that Autumn & Ryan are going to be the most amazing parents to their new little one.  Congrats you guys!

xoxo,
stephanie marie