Weekend Recap: Yoga Retreat

What a wonderful weekend! I had the opportunity to attend a yoga retreat this weekend in Bigfork, Montana.

I had never been to Bigfork before, but it's about 3 and a half hours away from here and was a beautiful drive. We drove over Friday and got in around lunch time. We stopped at a little cafe and had a wonderful lunch, and of course some wine... gettin' our weekend started out right!

After that we headed out to the location of the retreat which was at the beautiful Six Mile Estates. If you are in a position to be able to go there, I highly recommend it. I kept saying all weekend how wonderful it would be to come in the summer and take advantage of the beautiful lake.

There were a bunch of little cabins on the property and the people from the retreat had the whole property, even though we only filled up two cabins. I got to share a room with 3 wonderful women. DeAnn, Morgan, and Carly were wonderful roomies and definitely added to my experience.

Friday night we did a wonderful meditation and did some really cool and inspiring exercises with the group. We also got yogi names to use for the weekend. Mine was Tip Toe. =)

That night the roomies headed out on the dock to look at the stars. Seriously... the most beautiful night sky I have ever seen. You know when you're a little kid and you get shown a picture of the Milky Way on the computer? That is what it looked like. Not even kidding. And we saw three shooting stars. I was in awe. It was so beautiful.

Saturday we actually got to sleep in a little bit! We did another flow in the morning, and then went for a hike on the property. When we got back from that we had a little break and then did another flow followed by some workshopping. This was one of my favorite parts. I got to work on some skills I was really excited about and I actually accomplished my goal of going from crow into plank! Soo happy with myself! I also worked on my headstand and on another really neat transition from crow to tripod to headstand to wheel to camel! I kept getting stuck at going from headstand into wheel. But I'm going to get it! I was really proud of myself but it was also so cool to see so many other people trying new things and accomplishing goals. The energy was really encouraging and really great.

After another delicious meal (all of the food was so so good!) we headed out to visit around a bonfire and enjoy a little wine!

I woke up Sunday morning with sore muscles! My arms and neck were especially! I'm thinking probably from so many headstands and crows! We did another flow, and then got to take some awesome yoga pictures with a photographer. I can't wait to see them.

We ended our retreat visiting over an amazing brunch.

I am so thankful that I was able to participate in this amazing retreat. It was awesome for my yoga practice but also for my spirit and heart. It was very encouraging and uplifting. I had such a great experience with so many wonderful women. I can't wait to do it again next year!

Also, linking up with Life of Meg, Sami's Shenanigans, and I have a degree in this.

What I'm Loving Wednesday

What day is it?! Hump Day! (Please imagine this in the camel voice... you know the one).

I am back for another installment of What I'm Loving Wednesday! Here we go!

I'm loving that it is October. October means fall, and pumpkins, and wind, and rainy days, and football, and birthdays, and dressing up, and flushed cheeks, and colored leaves, and wonderful wonderful times.

I am loving that I have a 4 day week. I'm not exactly sure why we get this Friday off... Columbus Day isn't until the 14th, and I don't have that off. But I'm not complaining.

I am loving that I am spending my long weekend in Montana for a yoga retreat! I am so excited to get away with DeAnn (my MIL) and practice my yoga skills in the beautiful Montana wilderness. I am hoping to perfect my headstand. And maybe even crow into vinyasa... Crazy, I know.

This is crow. I can actually do this. I'm trying to accomplish kicking back from this into a plank pose and then going into a yogi pushup. Gracefully.

I am loving camo pants. I have had my eye on some for awhile and finally broke down and ordered some. They should be here soon, but I'm already planning pinning all of the outfits I'm going to where with them!

What do you think? Cute? Can I pull these off?

I am loving that I have been diligent in my workouts this week. So far I'm 2 for 2! Hopefully 3 for 3 tonight!

I am loving that Justin had the day off yesterday and cleaned the entire house. I came home from work really a little bit grumpy after a long stressful day, and was reminded of how blessed I am to be married to such a giving, loving, and slightly OCD man! =)

I am loving the fact that fall TV has started!! I'm still watching Grey's Anatomy (am I the only one?), Nashville, Dancing With the Stars, and Parenthood, and have also added Trophy Wife, and The Crazy Ones to my long list of shows on my DVR and Netflix cue.

I also love that Dancing With the Stars is only 1 night a week now. 

I am loving football. And some football players...

Oh heyyy Colin

And I am loving that my little blog button is spending the month on Karissa & Company and Happy is A Choice! Such lovely blogs and lovely ladies! How lucky am I?!

I'm also loving this song! Can't get enough!

Happy hump day you all!!

Recent Life Happenings and a Little Brain Vomit

Whoa you all. It has been too long. I'm going to get better at this blogging and working thing... I promise.

I've been pretty busy with work but also with some super fun things.

Thursday Doodle got a hair cut. You guys... this is something we do because it is necessary. Not something we do because we think he looks good this way... He grows out in a few weeks and looks super cute again. I promise.

before

after
So sad. 

Shadow also got a haircut. Yes, we give our cat a haircut, and yes she loves it. Bible.

Boots with the fur...

Also on Thursday my MIL and I went to a Bachelorette dinner for our yoga instructor and friend. It was at The Wine Cellar which is a really cool restaurant in downtown Coeur d'Alene. We had the top floor to ourselves and we had such a blast.

While at dinner we all went around and gave the bride-to-be our best piece of marriage advice. It was so great to be able to give advice as a married woman!! But also so nice to hear advice for myself as well! Some key notes... Pray. Pray with your husband, pray for your husband, pray for patience, and love, and just pray. Also remember how you felt on your wedding day and all of the reasons you got married and love your husband. Also, keep that fire alive!

Friday Justin and I decided to have a night staying in, just us two. We made eggplant parmesan for dinner, yum. And when I say we I actually mean Justin made it and I read him the recipe. We also watched some of our favorite TV shows... including about 5 episodes of The League. Do you guys watch this? Oh my goodness I think it's so funny. It's definitely kind of a man show and can sometimes be a little bit raunchy but if your man wants to watch it, give in. You'll get points for letting him pick the TV show, and its actually really funny. And it's on Netflix! Win.

On Saturday my MIL and I had a total girls day. We went to yoga in the morning and then spent the day sipping wine and getting ready for a wedding that night. The wedding was at a church at Gonzaga University and was so amazing.

It was such a beautiful and fun night spent with good people having such a great time and celebrating a great couple.

Sunday was spent recovering, and thats about it. Oh, and mourning the Niners loss.

I don't want to talk about it.

In other news it's 100 days away from Christmas today so that's great. I almost want to make one of those paper count down chains but I'll hold back... at least until after Thanksgiving.

Also, as much as I love fall... it was dark tonight when I got out of yoga. At 7:45. This is the first time this has happened and it made me a little sad. But then the new Miley song was on the radio and that made it a little better. Speaking of... I'm loving that song, but why do her videos have to be so weird?! Miley... why do you have to lick random things and have your tongue out all the time?

When did this become a thing? I don't like it.

Well that's all for now... enough brain vomit for one night.

Happy Monday loves!

Wish List

My birthday isn't until November 19th. But my birthday is in the fall and once the air starts to feel a little more brisk and people start pulling out their sweaters and boots, I can't help but feel like my birthday is around the corner.

Justin usually prefers for me to email him links to things that I may want for my birthday or Christmas or Valentine's Day, or any other occasion when I get a present. But this year I have decided to make my wish list here on the blog for us all to swoon over.

So here we go... (These items are not in order of importance or most desired.)

1. Subaru Outback 2014

I have owned my beloved Dora (the 1999 Explorer... get it?) since my sophomore year of high school. We have had some wonderful times and she will always be loved and never forgotten.... but I wouldn't mind having this baby. And Justin... it might be nice for us to have a car with good gas mileage, you know? 

2.  Teacup Pot Belly Pig

Oh. My. Gosh. Seriously, I die. Just go google teacup pot belly pig and tell me they are not the cutest thing ever. I've been wanting one of these for a while now. And the pig that I got as a wedding gift from Justin will definitely hold me over for a little while but I'm going to need one of these sooner or later. I'm already thinking of names. It's bad. 

3. Yogitoes Towel in Om Candy

If you aren't a yoga goer you might not know what this is... But when you are doing hot yoga and sweat is dripping off of you on to your mat you start slipping all over the place and can not do your poses as well as you normally could. Having one of these helps to keep you in place and Yogitoes is the best. This One is called Om Candy and I just love it. 

4. Alex and Ani Charm Bangles 

I have been wanting to start a charm bracelet for a long time. I originally thought I would go with something traditional like a Tiffany's charm bracelet. But then I found Alex and Ani and knew that these are the ones I wanted! I love how you can wear a lot or a few or just one, I love all of the options, and I love that they are different then the traditional charm bracelets you always see. 

5. Boots

This shouldn't even need to be on the list because I mean really... they are boots. And I love them. All kinds. These are the ones I'm really pinning for right now though.

Tory Burch

Duh. 

Uggs

Can you really ever have enough? Plus I don't have this height or color. 

Joules

Do I even need to explain why I want these? I mean look at those bows! And Justin... These are actually practical! I could wear them everyday of winter so my feet don't get wet and cold on the playground and walking through the snow!

6. Full Body Massage

I got a gift certificate for this for Christmas last year and it was heavenly. I wouldn't mind another one a single bit!

Ok I think this is a sufficient Wish List. This should hold us over through Christmas too! I'll let you all know Justin's reaction when he reads this because it's sure to be comical! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!