Off I Go

{after countless pictures taken of the view from my apartment, I realized the other day that I don't have one of me and my view. so this is me, on my balcony, just a few days ago in the middle of good old gloomy Portland}

I've been thinking about what I wanted to write in this blog post for several months now. And yet here I am, at 12:48am the night before I'm due to take off down to CA, surrounded by boxes and a never-ending to do list, and I find myself at a loss of words. I want to pay tribute to every memory, every friendship, everything I learned while I was here. But my emotions and thoughts are too wild to even begin to tackle that kind of a post, so I will keep it simple. Here are a few of the milestones and favorite memories from my 4 and a half years in Oregon, and what I will miss most about living here:

My first place in Oregon. Hello Beaverton.

I got my baby girl, Mia

Met and lived with Anna and CK, two of my best friends, and better known as SAC where ever we went

Met more amazing friends and went on awesome adventures

Experienced weather that was all over the map

Visited Anna in Hawaii to ease our long separation

Traveled to London and Rome with my two best friends

My parents sold our childhood house in Irvine...

...and moved to Bend to start their own chapter

I moved to the Pearl, the coolest place I have ever lived

I watched my brother marry the love of his life as I gained a sister

And now I am ready to bring this chapter to a close. To go back to my roots and the sunshine. Where life feels familiar and uncertain, terrifying and exciting all at once. There is much I will miss about this place - the clean air, the small town feel in a big city, Solid Rock (big time), my studio apartment downtown, the beautiful trees, and no sales tax. But mostly I will miss the people. My friends who have shaped me over the past four years. The relationships that have challenged me and helped me grow, the roommates, the Bible study girls, the mentors, and the co-workers. And most of all I will miss you Darwin. You've changed my life for the better. And when I think of my time spent in Oregon, I will always think of you as one of the lights that shines the brightest over it all. Thank you for who you've been to me. And thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey with me.

I am off! California I can't wait to be back, and Oregon you will always have a piece of my heart.

xoxo

Sara B

Thanksgiving Weekend

Some photo highlights from Thanksgiving weekend. Mostly stolen from my brother's new camera and awesome photography skills. Love my family so much. I had a really wonderful weekend. And I hope the same is true for you!

I love this series. My Mom (left) and aunt (right) ran outside and danced around in the snow (which you can't really see in these pictures). Just like little kids :)

Treats

Sister

Bundled. It was around 37 degrees at this point.

Mama Daughter

The newlyweds

My adorable Mother

Parents got a ping pong table. Aunt Jan pretty much schooled us all. Except for on the second day when I reclaimed the title.

Happy Thanksgiving!

This was a special moment for us since he hardly cares about anyone except for my Mom. 

Downtown Bend with sister

Working hard in the kitchen. Where we belong.

At the nail salon, love this pic :) Longer post on this coming later this week...

I'm packing and probably running around like a crazy person all day today getting ready for my big move tomorrow. Doesn't feel real to me that I'll be living in CA by the end of this week...yikes.

Tell me about your Thanksgivings!! Where did you go? What did you eat? Throw any ping pong racquets in your family?

xoxo

Sara B

Thankful

via

Happy Thanksgiving dear ones!

Lately I truly have tried to be intentional when it comes to having a grateful heart. Every time I get stressed out about something (which is quite the common occurrence these days), I try and turn it around and recognize something I am thankful for in order to change my heart. For instance: I'm so grateful to have a car that works and can drive me back and forth from CA to OR (even when I want to scream after being in my car for 14 hours straight), to have clothes to move into my place, to have a family that loves and supports me and covers me in prayer when my job search doesn't feel fruitful, and so much more.

I know you're probably already thinking of things you're thankful for this day, but I challenge you to keep the habit going. Start a thankful journal, think of 3 things you're thankful for from the day before you fall asleep at night, turn your next complaint into a praise, and see if you notice a difference. God commands us to give thanks all over the Bible, and for good reason. He designed our hearts and knows that when they're filled with thankfulness, there's no room for bitterness, entitlement, or anger. 

"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 

1 Thessalonians 5:18

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4:6

"Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His love endures forever." Psalm 106:1

What are you thankful for today? I'd love to hear. Hope you all enjoy a wonderful day and weekend with your loved ones and eat until you have to change into stretchy pants.

Thankful for all my blog readers and friends,

Sara B

A Sparkly and Sequiny Wedding

This last Sunday I attended the wedding of my college friends Tara and Ryker in LA and was in AWE of what an amazing and gorgeous wedding it was! Held at the famous and perfectly urban Smog Shoppe, Tara nailed every last detail of her girly, charming, and most importantly - sparkly wedding. Thanks in part to the amazing Carter and Cook Event Co. (one of whom I went to college with, and both of whom I will most likely hire to do my wedding someday - they do INCREDIBLE work! Check out their website and blog). From the gold sequin table cloths, gorgeous pink and red flower arrangements, red mylar heart balloons, succulent-filled wall, delicious Kogi Korean BBQ for dinner and donuts for dessert, to the heart shaped sparklers sending them off, I was in glitzy heaven. 

I'm so happy for you both, congrats on your beautiful day! So glad I got to be there to share it with you :)

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory played in the background while we ate

Later they played a great dance montage video while we shook it on the dance floor

The two darling bridesmaids who I completely (and unintentionally) matched

Gorgeous Tara!

(my dress is from Forever, shoes are Jessica Simpson)

Photo Booth Fun

Amazing right? Loved every detail. Great job Tara and congrats again!

xoxo

Sara B

Fun Gadgets

Aphrodite USB Hub - $38.00

Thanks to my friend Molly, I discovered the toothpaste tube squeezer below and loved that genius idea! I need that in my life. Anything that makes life neater, more organized, and prettier gets an A+ in my book. So here are a few gadgets as well as cheap DIY ideas I love (that also make great Christmas gifts! :)

Toothpaste Tube Squeezer - $4.99

Grass Charging Station - $24.00

Cord Organizer (via)

Cord Labeler (via)

xoxo

Sara B