I don’t know about you, but I feel like this year is flying by! I feel like New Years Eve was practically yesterday and now we’re already in February. Then again, I’m not complaining, I am very much so ready for longer days and a bit {a lot} more sunshine.
February is always a little ray of sunshine is an otherwise, wet, dark, overcast grey PNW winter. Not only is it my birthday month, which usually {in years past} involves a tropical getaway, but it’s also what I consider the beginning of the end of winter. It’s usually my tipping point, the point during the year when I am totally over living in Oregon, desperate for a full day of sun, and eager to feel warmth of my skin that doesn’t come from the heating pad that I slide under the covers before I go to bed. This year is no different. Even though we are not traveling anywhere or planning any grand celebrations, I am still looking forward to intimate festivities, lots of sweet treats and cozy nights in. Spring will be here soon enough.
Calendar
I am in full on celebration mode! First up is my birthday on February 8th and while I had high hopes of traveling this year for my birthday, we decided to stay local and making the best of a quarantine COVID birthday. Instead, we’re going to drive up to Bainbridge Island and spend the weekend with my parents, eat delicious chocolate cake and over-serving ourselves Pinot.
Next up is Valentine’s Day and even though I try not to get too sucked into overpriced flowers, I do like to carve out quality time with Chris. We don’t often do gifts {although I’m never opposed}, instead we’ll spend the day or evening together. Since Valentine’s Day is on a Sunday this year, we’re going to do a decadent brunch and most likely go for a hike near by. Ultimately, it’s about spending time together and soaking each other in.
We also have a quick little weekend getaway planned at the end of the month at this impeccably decorated rental house right on the beach in Neskowin. I’m definitely looking forward to a few days “off” and drinking in some salty ocean air!
Cooking
I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am for my birthday cake! It’s usually some combination of chocolate and vanilla if not all chocolate. For the past two years we’ve been making a chocolate cake with milk chocolate frosting out of Sweet Laurell Bakery’s dessert cookbook and this year will be no different! I actually saved my family the hassle of doing it all and ordered their cake mix online. If you are dairy-free and/or paleo, I can’t recommend their desserts and cookbook enough. They are hands down the best dairy-free paleo {with vegan optional} desserts I’ve had had that have any hydrogenated oils or refined sugar. I love all of their recipes.
We’re also going to cook something yummy up for Valentine’s Day. We’ve never been big on going out to dinner on Valentine’s Day and have come to love staying home, cooking a meal together and snuggling up on the couch. This year we’re going to divide and concur – Chris is in charge of dinner and I’m in charge of dessert. I’m thinking some Sweet Laurell Bakery cupcakes!
Things I’m Eyeing
I took a break from shopping in January and now that the birthday discounts from all my favorite brands and retailers are piling up in my inbox I’m ready to snag some pieces that I’ve had my eye on.
I’ve been loving everything that Nili Lotan is doing, but they are definitely splurge items. I’m still on the hunt for a good black blazer and I’ve got my eye on the Diane Blazer. I’m also 110% going for these leather pants by AGOLDE after debating between them and these Nanushka pants. Ultimately, I liked that the AGOLDE ones were 50% recycled leather.
Reading
I finally finished A Gentleman In Moscow and I think I’m like 60/40 on it. It picked up in the end which I enjoyed, but the first 100 pages were difficult to get into. It was good, but perhaps not my cup of tea. Next up is Circe, which I’ve heard great things about. I’m already a few pages in and find myself very engaged! I also picked A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle back up, another one that I’ve heard a lot about and that’s always gotten lots of praise. I don’t know if I would consider this a self help book, perhaps, but I do enjoy books that address personal growth. I’ve always been fascinated by the ego and how often times we are in our own way in life.
xo
S
