Always, Megs

Which for me means that my best friend in the entire world is getting married tomorrow! I can't believe that after 16 years, so many slumber parties, late night talks and phone calls, tears and condolence, long distance visits, dress fittings, arrangements, bridal showers, bachelorette parties and so many talks over sushi this day is finally here! It feels like it was just yesterday that she was asking my advice about whether an engagement and getting married this Summer was a good idea (of course I said it was), and it's finally here! It's amazing how much time flies! I am so blessed to have the lovely woman in my life (as well as the groom who has been there for me more times that I can say), and can't wait to shower her with love on this special day that only comes once in a lifetime.

So while I'm off celebrating their new life together, taking pictures, eating great food and dancing the night away...please enjoy these links!

• You better believe it!
• Did you know that this song is about John Lennon's mother, who was a midwife?!
• I want.
• I'm in love with these shoes.
• Unaired pilots of shows you love, that may be a little unfamiliar.
• Heading to the coast next week with Jimmy, and get to see Hearst Castle.

Found here.

is Missy Higgins newest album, entitled, The Ol' Razzle Dazzle! I have been a fan of Ms. Higgins since I discovered her my freshman year of high school. Her music and lyrics touch me in a way that I seldom find in today's neverending rap albums and country pop stars. She sings from the heart. She has soul. And she writes loving and touching music.

There is one song in particular from her new album that truly moved me and brought me to tears. It reminded me so much of my aunt that passed away a year and a half ago. It's called Cooling of the Embers. You can listen to it on youtube here.

I hope you love it as much as I do.

"You put your hand on top of mine
you're talking fast but talking blind
and I can't bring myself to meet you're eyes

'cos death is slowly covering you
in galaxies of black and blue
and under your skin all his colours bloom

And you're only half here
like someone left a frail body and took the rest

But I remember when you were strong
never wanted help from no-one
what you've become is not who I remember

Is this the cooling of the embers?

She's off again through summers past
the smell of rain and freshly cut grass
seems those ordinary days are the ones that last

Cos he was there, the one you loved
the one you never could let go of
and there's something you know as you're looking up

That your only half here
like someone left a frail body and stole the rest

But I remember when you were strong
never wanted help from no-one
what you've become is not who I remember

Is this the cooling of the embers?
is this the cooling of the embers?

Cos you are not who I remember
it's like you are a child, you are a child, you are a child once more
and all of our yesterday's have gone

You put your hand on top of mine
you're talking fast but talking blind
and I can't bring myself to meet your eyes..."
source 

Am I the only one on the internet that hasn't heard of the Air B&B site? How did I not know that this wonderfulness existed? It's like a combination of homeaway, and couchsurfing! Seriously, guys this just made my night. I'm pretty sure this is going to be my way of travelling for the next 10(+) years (until I become a billionaire of course).


I think travelling at a young age is such a great experience. You see and experience things on a whole different level when you travel young. You stay in hostels, aren't afraid to go clubbing, strike up conversations with the locals...all things you can't do while staying at the Ritz. Trust me, it'd be nice to have lots of money and stay at expensive places...but I never think I would do it (especially while I'm young). When you travel, isn't it about meeting the locals, not fellow Americans? Travelling is about opening your eyes.


I love the idea of truly being a part of a city, by experiencing it like the locals. What better way to act like a local, than to stay in a locals apartment? I love seeing, smelling, and tasting every city I go to (which is why I'm a big fan of walking around without a map), as well as getting to know local customs and people. It's the way of life I crave, not just the touristy spots...though those can be fun too.


The great thing about the AirB&B site, is you can search for local places, as well as places far away overseas. Which means it's great for a day trip, as well as that weeklong trip to Venice, Italy that youve always dreamed about.


Between WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms [seriously check it out, I've been dying to plan a trip around the idea of working on farms in exchange for room and board]), couchsurfing and now Air B&B, I'm all set to travel...and trust me, my wanderlust is a stirring!


I'd love to hear from you all about your favorite ways to travel! Any tips? Would you ever exchange room and board for working on an organic farm? Would you ever crash on someone's couch? Drop me a line!

WWOOFER in action.

...is good. This weekend we celebrated my best friend's upcoming nuptials with a trip to Capitola, CA for her bachelorette party. We sat outside on the water and had margaritas, went shopping, and layed out on the beach. She even wore the 'bride to be' tiara that I got her all day, and I didn't think she would since she doesn't really like to be the center of attention.


I still can't believe the wedding is in 5 days. With so many little thing I have to do, I can't even imagine how the bride & groom are functioning. One step at a time.

This weekend includes hanging out with my mama, running away to the beach for a fabulous bachelorette party for my bff (8 days 'til the wedding!), drinking copious amounts of coffee, and doing my laundry from this week.

All in all, I can't wait.


What are you guys up to this weekend? Any great plans or trips in your near future?
Enjoy you weekend and these great things from around the web!

• Advice from Miley Cyrus.
• My pinterest has exploded with wedding hairstyles. I can't decide how I want to do it up!
• My boyfriend's review of Seeking a Friend for the End of the World. I must needs see this!
• Could someone be ever so kind as to buy my this? I've spent way too much already this month...but I feel like if I'd known this was out there, I'd have bought it a long time ago.
• Wouldn't this make a sweet promise ring?
• Good to remember. How to curse in Italian.

I can't say how I will raise my children in the future. Things come up, and I'm sure I'll improv a lot as I go (sort of like life). However, there's a couple things that I won't compromise on; having a home birth, always taking my kids on vacations, and not letting them have prolonged media exposure before they are two years old

Yes, I know?! Gasp. Sigh. This girl knows nothing about the hardships of raising children. You ARE right, I don't have kids yet, but I DO know how hard it is. I've also read countless studies on how TV (as well as video games) can affect how children think and reason for the rest of their lives (read this article). And I, for one, just don't want them to be in front of the TV that much while growing up. This actually includes the first 12 years of their lives.

Yes, I watched TV when I was younger. Was it monitored as to how much? To a certain extent yes it was. My memories don't just include television shows I watched.

All I'm trying to say it. There can always be too much of a good thing. I want to play games with my children, take them outside, sing with them, play dress up, have them grow up healthy and wholesome...

but that's what every parent wants right?

Do you ever feel as if when you stay in one place, do the same things every day, see the same people...that you lose site of who you are and what your original goals were? That's why I love travelling so much. It opens me up to so many new ideas. I learn different ways to do things, meet new people that challenge my opinions, and become remarkably better at taking care of myself.


I don't see how people can be content with never travelling, especially when they're young. It makes you who you are, and brings you closer to who you were meant to be. It opens up eyes, horizons, and hearts. It lets you realize that it's ok that things are different, that you are out of your comfort zone, that you don't always know what to do. It teaches you how to react to these different environments.


I wish that everyone had the chance and the means to travel. If you are able to do so, I urge you to travel. Learn who you are from a new place. From a person you meet on the subway. From that mam figure at the hostel. If you can't travel, it is not the end of the world. But if you can travel, and don't, you are missing out on a thousand different worlds and a million different stories. 


What's stopping you?

Just kidding, sorta ;) I hope everyone has a wonderful Father's Day, and get's to share this special day with that special dad (or father-figure) in their lives! I was blessed to be raised by a father who is always there to support me, and give the best advice without bias. I couldn't ask for a better listener or a better friend. Thank you daddy for always having my back. What are your plans for father's day? My dad and I are headed to Monterey for the night, to get away from it all (mainly the heat)! A high of 100 does not lead to a happy girl.  Have fun, and treat dad like a kind every day of the year! xo.

Yes, on Friday's I become country.

Have you heard about the upcoming documentary about Ina May & The Farm? As a big advocate for home/natural births I am thrilled to see this movie raising money and awareness, and hopefully pushing it's way into the LA Film Festival. It's one that I will undoubtedly see and I hope more and more people will become aware that commonplace hospital protocol for delivering babies is not up to scratch and there is a different way to do things. 


Ina May holds a special place in my heart, and I hope all my followers will watch the above clip (which includes the trailer), and will consider making a pledge of whatever they can to the success of this documentary.
via (kickstarter & B&N)

My life, as of late, seen by my iPhone.
 



 

This lovely young girl, is only 12... 12! This is an incredible performance, reminiscent of someone twice her age. She is such a strong, technical dancer for someone so young, and this made me miss teaching and choreographing more than I can say.


TOKYO tends to re-use a lot of his choreography, which gripes me, but this performance was too brilliant not to share.


Paulina Macias, everyone!

It's going to be so magical when I have my first child, I know I'll be in sheer disbelief at the wonder of it all, but for some reason, this moment touches me so much. The moment when the older sibling meets the younger. Such joy & wonder are always present on their young faces. I simply cannot wait for that moment when I get to share the wonderment that is new life with my first born. I think it's a bond that will bring us all closer together.


What do you lovely followers think? Did you grow up in complete jealousy of your siblings? Did you secretly love them underneath it all? Or did it take you 25 years to realize how special and important this person is in your life? I'm an only child, and I know what it's like to grow up without that special someone. I always tell myself, no one will know what it was like to grow up exactly the same way I did. I am alone in that.


So all of you with siblings, count yourselves blessed. You have someone that shares the knowledge of how & why you are the person you are. That is such a special connection, and I can't wait to give that to my daughters/sons.


I'll be seeing you,
meg

The title of my blog is a key theme (and quote) used throughout my favorite novel, The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffeneger. It is originally from the poem To His Coy Mistress by Andrew Marvell. 

“Time is priceless, but it’s Free. You can't own it, you can use it. You can spend it. But you can't keep it. Once you've lost it you can never get it back.” - Audrey Niffeneger

How adorable is this. All the bridesmaids wrote a message to the bride (in blue - might I add), on the bottom of her shoe, so that their love could walk down the aisle with her.

Hello dear followers,


I thought it might be time you saw a picture of 'the woman behind the blog.' 


I'll be seeing you,
meg

friends that are overseas.


Do any of you have friends that live in other countries. I am blessed to have friends all over this (ever shrinking) world. I count my friend that live in Germany (Flannery), one of my best friends, and it's truly a great feeling to talk on skype and catch up on all her exploits, as well as, hearing how things are done in different cultures!


However, this leads to copious amounts of missing and withdrawal symptoms. What do you do when you love someone so much who is always far away? How do you cope with not telling them the day-to-day musings and 'going ons' in your life?


Do any of you followers have friends living overseas? How do you deal with keeping in contact? I'd love to hear thoughts and opinions.


I'll be seeing you,
meg

Five things that make me extremely happy:

1. Running into my boyfriend's arms after being apart from him.
2. Curling up on the couch with a book on a long afternoon.
3. The smell of newborns.
4. Drinking hot cocoa on Christmas Eve.
5. Getting an old-fashioned hand written letter in the mail.

guilty pleasure shows. I don't actually have a lot of them. I love TV, but I don't count Mad Men, and Game of Thrones as guilty pleasure shows.


However, as of late, I have become obsessed with Dance Moms. Yes, I know, 'how can you watch those catty moms yell at each other?' Let me just say I have been in the dance world since the age of 7 and I have seen it all. I have been told the same things that dance teacher has told those girls, I have seen moms fight, and I have had just as many wardrobe malfunctions.


I love this show, the girls are fierce, and I am not ashamed to call it my guilty pleasure show!


What about you followers? Any guilty pleasure shows? Something you just need to watch every week, but you're ashamed to talk to your friend's about? Haha! I know it can't be only me!


I'll be seeing you,
meg

I have been ransacked with baby fever! I am in no way ready to be a mother, but I can't wait to hold my future baby closer and smother him/her with love and kisses.


Many of the blogs I follower (including the lovely Bekah pictured above) are mothers and share birth stories, baby photos, and motherhood stories. I can't wait to share my future mothering experiences with all of you!


I'll be seeing you,
megan


P.S. Do any of you readers have tips for dealing with baby fever? Any of you experiencing it right now as well? I want a new digital camera to capture all those happy smiley baby moments!

While I am not new to this wonderful community (fortheloveofmegan.tumblr.com), I have not stuck with what I like to call a 'grown up blog,' for more than a few months. Sure, I love blogging away my hours on tumblr, but that contains mostly pictures and pieces that inspire me. Here I would like to share more about myself and my life through words and expressions (as well as some pictures along the way). 


Lately, I've just felt as if I've needed a creative space in which I can blog and document my life. This will be very much like a diary of sorts (that I share with the world). 


It will include: my thoughts, pictures, day-today activities/musings, opinions, lifestyle views, ect. I don't guarantee that it will all be pretty. Some of it might be boring. However, I believe, it will all be worth it. 


I'll be seeing you,
Megan