Love x's Four

I love sunsets. I am def a sunset person over a sunrise person. Nothing ends a day better than capturing an evening sunset. Whenever I am able to take in a sunset I feel thankful for the moment I am in and where I am at.

Here are some of my favorite sunset shots that I have been able to capture over the years.

Chandler, Arizona- Neighborhood street view

Sailing in the Caribbean

Maui, Hawaii

Maui, Hawaii

Anyone else thankful-enjoy sunsets like I do or do you prefer sunrises?

Love x's Five

I may not live in a very big or fancy home, nor may it be my dream home for that fact, but I am thankful for what I do have. Someday, I look forward to redesigning my next home by putting in hardwood flooring, french doors, and white glass cabinets in my kitchen amongst a never ending list of "ohhs" and "ahhs"of decorating items that are on my want list.

Someday I would like to have a dining room like this. Loving the buffet table and of course those doors.

{via}

I also would love to have a claw foot tub and a chandelier in my bathroom or dressing area.

{via}

and of course a cute, quaint backyard for entertaining over pitchers of wine and sangria.

{via}

But really what matters is that you live in a home where there is love. This weekend I toured and donated some food/ house hold products to children residing in a children's home. This place was amazing! This children's home relies heavily on volunteers so its amazing to see how much support they receive over the years. Each home is separated by age and if the children are male and female. Each home has a set of house parents that look over the children. During the tour we were able to go inside the homes. They were beautifully decorated and all the kids were being typical kids. Some kids were watching their Saturday cartoons and in the other house the kids were playing RockBand. It makes you realize many of these children came from having nothing to pretty much living in a castle. They may not be able to live with their families, nor had a voice in where they wanted to live, but it's humbling to see that even though this home may be temporary its a home filled with love.

Love x's Six

Oh how I heart stationary. I love sending and receiving cards/ letters in the mail to my friends and family. I love how a small gesture can most likely guarantee a smile. Its also fun to go back and reread cards and letters that a person has received throughout the years. Some of my favorite keepsakes are the letters that were written to me by my grandmother. Being able to reread those letters brings back a lot of happy memories and yes... a lot of smiles.

{Image via weheartit}

Love x's Seven

Being an aunt is something I value very much. It is almost like being a second mom in some ways. I am lucky enough to be an aunt of three amazing children, miss K, Mr. C, and little miss C. Now that I live far away I only get to see them one- two times a year but when they see their auntie they know its all about having fun and getting spoiled.

This is my oldest niece, Miss K. She is in the 8th grade, straight A student, and talented volleyball player. She in so many ways is my "little sister". We have a very close bond and I am so proud to be her aunt.

This is my nephew/godson Mr. C. Very smart, loves sports, building thing, oh and bugging his sisters! He has a big heart and he certainly holds a special place in my heart.

Little Miss C and her lipgloss (just like her auntie, she is obsessed with lipgloss). Little Miss C is my girly girl. She started Kindergarten this year and I just love hearing about all the fun things she is learning and hearing "I love you" from her little voice.

I am so very thankful for these three musketeers as its never a dull moment when they are all together. Most of all I love all the moments that I get to have with them and of the memories that are yet to be made.

Creative Placecard

As I prepare my shopping list of what I all need to buy for our mini Thanksgiving meal (just me and the husband) I came across the cutest place card idea.

{via the partydress}

Love x's Eight

Having a job is something I am very fortunate to have. But I don't really see my job as a "job" if you know what I mean. I can honestly say I wake up every morning and actually look forward going to work. I have come to realize that if the worse thing stopping me from wanting to get up in the morning is because I just want those extra five minutes of sleep I have it pretty well made.

I always thought while I was in undergrad and graduate school that I would want a job where I will be the one making a difference in a child's life. Perhaps over the years I have and maybe I haven't. Though, the one thing I have learned is that its the children I work with who have made a difference in my life and that is something I will never take for granted.

{Via weheartit.com}

Love x's Nine

Now that you know I love the beach can you guess what my favorite thing about the beach is?

Sea Shells (besides that ocean breeze smell)! Oh how I love walking up and down the shore collecting sea shells. During a visit to Coronado Island one year I found a sand dollar that was in perfect condition, and during our honeymoon my husband found a conk shell while scuba diving. Talk about a keep sake!

But what really makes seashells so special to me is that I make wishes on them. (I do not believe in shooting stars maybe because I have never seen one). I have to say there have been some wishes, big and small, that have come true and most of all I like to think that seashells are truly my lucky stars.

Shell Beach, St. Barts

Shell Beach, St. Barts known for its massive piles of nothing but... Shells!

What do you love most about the beach?