From This Side to the Next

I have been absent from the blogging world this past week because my dear Nana passed. She was 93 years old and lived a great, unapologetic life. She left behind a legacy of kids, grand kids and great grand kids. She outlived my Papa, two of her children (my Dad) and a couple grand kids. We always compared her to the energizer bunny. She just kept going and going and going. I think Nana was tired of going and it was her time to finally rest.

Of all my grandparents, I was the closest to her. I have great childhood memories spent with her on her ranch playing games, telling ghost stories, cooking, picking berries from her garden and pouring cold cream over them for breakfast and digging through her old gowns and jewelry and playing dress up. As I approached my teen years, she always told me "Now Katie..a lady keeps her legs crossed til marriage." (She would say this with a wink and a smile) and she would also always tell me, "A proper lady never leaves the house without her lips on". This is why you will never see me in public without some form of lipstick on. ;) Even in her late years, she would throw on some lipstick for a holiday gathering or birthday.

She was in a happy state of mind past few years and didn't go in any pain. That is all any of us can ask for in this life. I got to visit with her this past Saturday, although I don't think she knew I was there. It still made me feel good seeing her knowing that I had a proper goodbye. As I left her bedside Saturday, I bent down and whispered in her ear, "thank you for all the wonderful memories and love ... Until we meet again."  On Monday, I got the call that she was at peace. 

Left: Nana age 31 circa 1950. Right: Nana on her 92nd Birthday 2011 

 Nana with some family on her 92nd Birthday. (My Mom is in the background on the phone and my Brother in blue and nephew Joe in red)

 Nana and her family on Easter Sunday circa 1950. Left: Aunt Beth, Aunt "O", Papa Right: Nana and the little boy is my Dad :)

All the same people in the photo above many years later. (Back row: Aunt Beth, My Dad, Aunt O Front Row: Nana and Papa). They all stuck together through thick and thin. Aunt O is the only one left with us now. The rest of them I'm sure are having a great time on the other side. 

Enjoy every single day we are here. Life is so precious and short. Don't take family for granted. Make a point to call and visit your loved ones all the time. It is one thing you won't regret in this life. <3

A Few of My Favorite Things

Last weekend, the fiance and I ran a few errands (met with a wedding vendor, had a nice brunch along the coast and then stopped off at my home away from home..Nordstrom). The fiance waited in the car for the last errand. He gets fussy if I bring him into the mall with me (as most men do). On the rare occasion he actually enters the store, he can typically be found with the rest of the grumpy men, sitting on a plush chair by the escalator, scrolling through his phone with his leg crossed...peeking his head around the corner every few minutes, in the hopes he will see me emerge from the various beauty counters and other women shoppers. We have both learned, it is better for the both of us if he stays at home when I go on my shopping expeditions. However, if he is along for the ride, the next best thing is for him to wait in the car. That's ok..I knew exactly what I was going to get.. like any girl on a stealth mission, I headed directly for the perfume and makeup counters and snatched up my little treasures. I come back to the car, twenty minutes later to find him laying back in his seat, eyes closed, listening to talk radio. He rolls his eyes as I get back in the car and asks "Did you get what you Neeeddeeeddddddd?" Yes dear, I did..away we go home. :)

 Perfume: Coco Mademoiselle: I wrote a previous post of how I adore this perfume. This time, I got the travel bottle because it actually comes with more oz. of perfume for only a couple dollars more than the actual bottle. Mascara: Lancome Hypnose Star: Can't say enough good things about this mascara. It lengthens and volumizes like a pro! Lashes: MAC: I always pick up this particular pair of lashes whenever I am having a glam night out. They are double layered and give a Hollywood effect. This particular pair was for Halloween. Eyeliner: MAC Fluid Line in Black Track: A holy grail item..I never go without. I have tried pretty much every black liner on the market and this is the only one I have found that doesn't smudge and end up somewhere unintended on the face. Bobbi Brown's is comparable too. My everyday eye, no matter what eyeshadow used, consists of a slight winged cat eye. This and a great slanted brush does the trick.

I love love love this travel bottle. It comes with three refillable bottles (right photo) and the packaging is so sleek! It twists open and pops up the area that you spray out of. Approved for airline travel. I just love it!

View from brunch in Encinitas/Cardiff area (San Diego coastal town). This is where the fiance and I hope to move to after we are done with our downtown lifestyle. For now, it makes more sense for us to stay in downtown (i.e. no commute to work). After we are married and looking to settle down a little more, Encinitas/Cardiff is our destination for a house. It is a laid back surf community with a bunch of little eateries and surf shops. 

I hope you all enjoyed this weekend! Back to the 40 hour grind. Friday...and fall weather..cannot come quick enough! 90 degrees in San Diego today! Bring on the coat weather please!