a heinritz-starr wedding!

what an eventful holiday weekend! first and foremost, big congratulations to n&j on their holy matrimony and letting me celebrate this very special occasion with you and your families. the welch center on the stlawrence campus is a stunning venue boasting some incredible views of appleton and the wolf river that runs through it... overall, it was a beautiful winter wedding and i had so much fun! 

as if that weren't enough, this christmas was also definitely one to remember! i must've been a very good girl because i was spoiled rotten, surrounded by so much love! i've been fortunate enough to meet many great people in this last year... and hearts have been opened that i'm so grateful to be welcomed in. so from the bottom of my heart, thank you and know i am truly appreciative for the crossing of our paths. seasons greetings and happy holidays to you and yours... and always remember to count your blessings!

that said, and in light of the new year quickly approaching, remember that the wrapping up of this year is not an ending nor new year's day a beginning... but a going on to making new advances with the wisdom we've acquired regardless of mistakes! let's continue to "be the change we wish to see in the world" and "write it on our hearts that every day is the best day in the year!" cheers!

happy birthday, to me!

several years ago, i came to the realization that i would rather be my own best friend - than accept the obligatory cliche of my own worst enemy - and it was then that i made the personal commitment to consciously try and work on all my relationships with the same mindset. focusing on improving the quality of my friendships, i made a conscious effort to continue living by the basic concept of becoming the change i wish to see in the world!

and every year i grow older, i find that with time, the quality of these relationships we've forged would begin to surface as we are forced to go through certain life experiences - whether happy, sad, tragic or petty. it's the intangibles that reveal the true nature and character of each bond... and i'm, indeed, fortunate to have such great people around me.

this year, on my birthday, a few of my closest friends surprised me with a simple picnic against the city as our backdrop. absolutely quaint and perfect! yes, little things make me happy.

♪ ♩ ♫ sat here thinking about my heart. all of the places it fell apart. there's just one thing that i need to know... why am i always chasing the rainbow? ♩ ♫ ♪

rainbow cupcakes :)

i've been on a baking kick recently and was already smitten by the idea jamming a rainbow in a cupcake... but after making them, frosting them, and enjoying one, omg! these little cuties are like... a rainbow ;D in a cupcake!!! yes, i'm a dork! haha.

nonetheless, so gosh darn adorable though, they just make me so happy :) you've gotta be one cold, cold soul if they can't even brighten up your day, just a little!? and i can't seem to stop using exclamation points! hhaha.

!!!

rainbow cupcakes!

i've been on a baking kick recently and was already smitten by the idea jamming a rainbow in a cupcake... but after making them, frosting them, and enjoying one, omg! these little cuties are like... a rainbow ;D in a cupcake!!! yes, i'm a dork! haha.

nonetheless, so gosh darn adorable though, they just make me so happy :) you've gotta be one cold, cold soul if they can't even brighten up your day, just a little!? and i can't seem to stop using exclamation points! hhaha.

!!!