Olympics 2012!

I am so thrilled that the Olympics are finally here!!

watching the opening ceremony last night almost brought me to tears multiple times... not a joke. 

First, at the beginning when they were showing all of my absolute favorite spots in London 

then, as all 5 molten rings came together above the stadium in a shower of sparks?! it was unbelievable!

of course, seeing team USA in their Ralph-Lauren-designed Olympic uniform during the march of the nations just about did me in (so proud to be an American right then)

and then last, as they lit that torch!! I think that is the neatest torch ever.

So here are some of my favorite vintage olympic posters:

Enjoy!

 

And Last But Not Least, San Francisco!

In San Francisco we stayed with some of our good friends Cody and Alysse! 

Which was awesome because they took us around to the local spots.

i.e. some of the best food we've ever eaten and most importantly, introduced us to 

Bob's Donuts

They were easily the most delicious donuts I have ever had, ever. 

And Mr JP would definitely agree, because he had 6 in one sitting. 

Another highlight of the trip was that Les Misérables was being performed at a theatre there! 

So obviously, we had no choice but to go. 

And it was absolutely incredible and made me even more excited for the movie that is coming out in December!

Mr JP crossed something off my bucket list for me during this trip too!

See, when I was living in London I would always see men buying these beautiful, brown-paper-wrapped flowers on the street and carrying them home to a girlfriend or wife or whomever on the tube.  It seemed so romantic! 

And so when we were exploring the city and Mr JP offered to buy me some flowers, I just about died haha.

We also went down to the Ferry Building, drove Lombard street (we did it last time but I love it so much I made Mr JP do it again haha), and drove along the Marin Headlands which gave us gorgeous views of the Golden Gate Bridge (even though it was super windy!). 

We love you San Francisco!

Road Trip Up The Coast: Leg 2

After breakfast, we traveled north on highway 1, driving right alongside the ocean and stopping whenever it suited our fancy. We explored beaches, watched wind surfers, saw elephant seals in San Simeon, toured hearst castle, and as the sun set we pulled into Carmel and ate a delicious dinner- after discovering the best old-fashioned candy shoppe Mr JP has ever seen here in the U.S. (his words, not mine). 

Road Trip Up The Coast: 1st Leg

// Breakfast in Santa Barbara //

The morning after the wedding, Mr JP and I left L.A. and drove up the coast to San Francisco, stopping along the way. It was one of the best days we've ever spent together and we both agree that everyone should do that at least once in their lifetime.

If you're ever in Santa Barbara (it was my first time!) I would definitely recommend Tupelo Junction Cafe for breakfast (or brunch for that matter).

They make french toast out of baguettes. Baguettes! 

and served orange juice in mason jars.

We were sold. 

California Lovin'

This weekend, Mr JP and I drove to California for my friend Jenna's wedding!

I met Jenna on my study abroad in London :)  

She married her now-husband Mike and believe me, its been a long road for those two haha but they were SO HAPPY, you could see it on their faces all night. The whole reception was amazing, and I got to catch up with some of my favorite people too!

Definitely worth the trip.

Congrats Jenna & Mike!

 More friends from London!!

 

I couldn't help myself.

... and now we are enjoying some time in San Francisco with friends we don't get to see very often! 

But more about that later :)

A Bridal Shower for Brooklyn!

Brooklyn was the first new friend I met my freshman year of college (beside my roommate of course). And she is getting married in two weeks!!

Brooklyn is hilarious. And we may or may not have shared a twin bed for multiple nights in a row on several occasions... But that's probably one of the reasons we're still such good friends haha

I am so excited for her and her fiance John!

I was able to attend a bridal shower for her this past week and as you all have probably figured out by now, bridal showers are one of my favorite things in the whole world haha so here are pictures! :)

Here's Jord - she's the master party planner. 

mah girl markelly.

aaand here's Brooklyn! She's in the chambray shirt. Opening the present. haha. 

She had to get a balloon tied to her crown every time she answered a question wrong during a game...

aww.. freshman-year friends!!

and here's markell and i to end the post. because somehow i didn't manage to get a picture of brooklyn and i together haha.