Mom & Meg

Weekend Wrap Up

This weekend my mom and I went all out. Fall is coming and we're making big plans for the remainder of 2014. Our amazing unplanned girls weekend began with lunch at a local winery. We both ordered Gyros - aka "Kebabs", I tried a blueberry lemonade and we discovered the best salad in town. It had been awhile since we had a proper "catch up" and it was just so nice to spend some quality time together. Our next stop was the nail salon, this time I went for a solid iridescent blue to compliment my new career attire :O yahoo! We snuck in a bit of shopping and got an absolute steal on some fall favorites and ended our wonderful Saturday at our brand new community carousel! Today we followed the "Parade of Homes", a community event featuring amazing homes! We visited some absolutely ridiculous mansions and some adorably decorated homes. Just when I thought the weekend couldn't get any better, my mom made red potato soup and I tried my hand at kale chips! Yum! I am just so thankful for my mom and the time we spent together! Next weekend we plan to visit the local farmers market! Stay tuned for more "Mom & Meg" adventures!

Lemon and Honey

Today was a blur, so many things to print and design and so little time - I really love my new job though, I am very lucky to be able to spend with such a fun group - it just doesn't feel like work! The worst thing about today and the last couple of days is that I am ill, I have what they call "the crud".. not sure if its a virus, it could just be allergies? .. who knows, but it sucks. The first thing I did when I got in was start the kettle. I made myself some cold and flu tea (lemon & honey) and continued with my wedding thank you cards. I am so grateful for all the wonderful presents we received during our wedding, we really did get spoiled. One of my favorite things we received is our Empire Red Kitchenaid mixer, I know its going to look marvelous in our future British/American home! I'm also pretty in love with the heart shaped photo quilt that my Aunt made for us, it is just simply adorable (photos to come). I am most thankful for all the love and support I've had throughout the last five or six years, I couldn't imagine life without my friends, my family and of course my Andrew!

I'm going to stop rambling and get some rest now.

Good to be back in the blog world, wishing I had the energy to keep writin…. zzzzzzzz

Preston Home Decor: Red, White & Blue Willow

Inspiration for our future home.

Red, White & Blue Willow!

I'm sitting here in a crowded room dreaming of our future home. The other weekend I came up with the above design in hopes that my desire to decorate would be cured - I didn't work.

The truth is, our beautiful Blue Willow is waiting in boxes, our amazing Empire Red Kitchenaid has never been opened, and our antique furniture is crowding my childhood bedroom.

I know that one day we will have an adorable little home and we will find a place for everything.

For now I'll just create mockups.

#designlife.

Headed North

4 instagram photos to illustrate an eventful, yet relaxing, two days.

Andrew and I made our way to Lake Stevens, WA Saturday morning for his U-13 boys soccer game. We hit the road at 6am after stocking up on mini donuts and sour gummy worms at the mini mart near our house. We drank our coffee pretty fast so most of the trip consisted of dreaming out loud. 

We spoke about how great it would be to own our own horse, something that always seems to come up on our way though Eastern WA farmland. Our conversation dwindled as we approached the "Evergreen" of the Evergreen State - trees for miles, waterfalls and crystal clear waters. As we hopped out of the truck for a bite to eat we were greeted with the fresh pine air, full of oxygen and fairy dust. ;)

We bypassed Seattle and kept climbing, by midday we were only an hour from the Canadian border, signs for Whidbey Island Ferry beckoned. We arrived at noon, Andrew's team did great, won 2-0 on a green field dusted with wild mushrooms odd wildflowers, bordering a dark forest. 

On our way home we stopped in a quaint little town called Snohomish. We found an English pub on 1st street, popped in for some bangers and mash, and afterwards visited a giant antique shop in which we spent more than an hour exploring and drooling over antique furniture. I slept most of the way home, only waking to sneak a final glimpse of the forest before entering desert.

On Sunday we rested, watched a bit of our favorite program, The Saint (love Roger Moore) and enjoyed my mom's wonderful Sunday roast with extra gravy. 

It was a great September weekend. 

Miniature Summer Vacation

Highway I-84 - the Scenic Columbia Gorge.

I have no idea how many times I've made this same trip - Columbia Basin (Tri-Cities area) to "Portlandia"/Oregon Coast area. It never gets old .. the way your surroundings turn from brown scablands to deep green forest in the blink of an eye, the spotting of the odd mountain goat, stopping off at Char Burger for a greasy bite and a browse through the gift shop, it really is the perfect road trip. 

We had been playing with the idea of accompanying Andrew on one of his soccer tournament trips for awhile, and it just so happened that my younger siblings had not yet been on a grand road trip their entire summer vacation! Long story short, we stole them from my parents and headed to Portlandia the other weekend. Lets just say, everyone was tired of the camera by the time we crossed state line (which is 20 min into the trip). haha!

Part I

Stop #1- "Char Burger", Cascade Locks

Char Burger. The first time I took my first bite at this place I was probably 'just' able to sit up in a high chair. Its the perfect place to reminisce and enjoy the greenery of the Pacific Northwest. We chose a window-side both because of the amazing views of Golden Gate Bridge and the Columbia River, and were lucky enough to spy a steamboat while we filled in the blanks in my new Mad Libs! On our way out we peeked in the gift shop 'just because'.

Stop #2- Multnomah Falls!

One of the more beautiful places I've been. Somewhere we always stop on our way into Portland.

We hiked to the bridge and snapped a few group photos while enjoying the mist of the falls. I am always fascinated by tiny ferns and plants like the one below - isn't it darling? We laughed about the little things and made the most of the tourist filled atmosphere summer-vacation-style.

A Night on the River

The Columbia River. This body of water has been a friend of mine my entire life, I began fishing and playing in this river as a baby. We don't visit it as often as we should nowadays, but when we can its always a nostalgic affair. The Columbia is something to investigate. I won't go into such details in this post, but I will tell you that I am always learning of the colorful history behind this beautiful river .

The other night my older brother and his girlfriend invited us to experience their favorite fishing hole. We had a wonderful time, laughing and balancing among the rocks along the bank. We caught a few small bass and let them all back into the water. It must be strange, being lured out of the water for a photo - maybe its a right of passage for the poor little things? Maybe they go back to their underwater village and brag about stealing a worm and taking a selfie with a stranger on dry land?

After a few hours of "I got ones" we made our way to a nearby 50s diner for a much needed treat. We stopped off at a fountain and made a few wishes before picking our flavors. While we enjoyed our cookie dough and marionberry cones we spotted an onlooker (above), and before making our way home we made sure to snap a few photos of Mr. Mantis. It was a perfect summer evening.

Life Enchanted Part II - The Prestons in America

Wow! I cannot believe its nearly been an entire year since I've posted! What can I say, life has been crazy...

KB Photography

The last 9.5 months in a..

When Andrew and I flew back to the United States I fully intended to carry on blogging but it was hard to find time while trying to settle in. Andrew and I married November 22, 2013 in our local courthouse. We finally completed the immigration paperwork and Andrew started his own General Contracting Company, Preston Design & Construction. I worked as a substitute teacher while looking for a more permanent position in my field of study, digital communication. I was fortunate to begin working in March as a graphic designer and eventually landed the job of my dreams as a lead designer in one of the most cutting edge Sign Groups in town! 

On July 26th of this year (a few weeks go, phew!) Andrew and I exchanged vows in front of friends and family (above). We had the most beautiful "English Garden" wedding in the middle of the desert. We are now dreaming of owning our own home and missing our English family (that have recently flown back to the UK after visiting for the wedding) 

I plan to bake more, do more, and document more in the midst of this crazy thing we call life. Stay tuned for Life Enchanted Part II - The Prestons in America. 

KB Photography