method Summit in San Francisco

Okay first of all...wow. WHAT A WEEKEND! I think it's okay to use all caps because if you were talking to me on the phone or in person about this I'd probably be squealing, or maybe even yelling. The wonderful people at method brought me out for a few days to get excited about their products, their story, and their culture...and get excited I did! I'm going to be working with method on some new projects they have up their sleeve, so it was important for me to really check them out, and I left feeling great about it. They are a company with a very inspiring story, and I feel proud to be working with them.  I also think that since becoming a Mom weekends like this feel more fun than ever. I'm so used to doing Henry stuff all day (best thing in the world), but it makes it extra exciting to get dolled up and eat fancy food, see beautiful things, and just travel a little out of my comfort zone. So an extra big thanks goes to Hank and my parents for watching Henry. I feel grateful that I was able to do this and I am so excited about the past few days that I hope you'll excuse a possible overuse of exclamation points, too. ;)

I arrived on Thursday evening to the absolutely gorgeous Hotel Monaco and after freshening up I headed downstairs to meet the other "method Mavens" for dinner (you probably saw the #methodmavens hashtag on twitter or instagram if you follow the other ladies or myself). We headed over to Radius and enjoyed a delicious multi-course meal, topped off with the most decadent lemon tart.  This was my first time ever attending an out-of-state blogger event like this, and although I was a bit nervous at first, I got comfortable pretty quickly- all of the girls were just so sweet. It was really awesome to be surrounded by so many like-minded women and I was equally excited to meet so many new friends.

The next morning we all met in one of the conference rooms for breakfast before boarding the bus to head over to the Method headquarters. As we were pulling in I heard someone say "oh my god!" Then a gasp, another "oh my GOD!" ...more gasps, and all of a sudden I see that all of the method team is outside with balloons, waving with huge beaming smiles, ready to usher us in!  It was awesome and totally set the tone for the day.

We made our way inside after we finished squealing and taking tons of photos of the happy-balloon-method-people like the snap-happy bloggers we are. The two (wonderful/engaging/funny) founders of Method came out- Eric Ryan and Adam Lowry- and told us a short version of their story: how method came about, what it means to them, and where they see it going. It was fascinating, incredibly inspiring, and I thought it was the best possible way to kick off the event.

Our method Summit was chock full of a whole lot- we spent some time learning about their products, learning about production, sustainability and their "green" practices, we tested out different scents, checked out past, present and future designs...and a million other fun things too. We heard from a wide variety of method employees, had a fun photoshoot, completed a DIY project with Danny Seo and previewed a few top-secret method things as well. ;)

And then, Friday night's dinner! OH MY WORD. After the Summit we were treated to the most amazing 5-course meal designed around the method scent stories at the weirdest/coolest/ place ever- the old Russian Consulate. It was truly beautiful, but I don't think I have ever seen so much taxidermy in one place. It was pretty insane. The dinner was prepared by Stag Dining and consisted of so much deliciousness I don't even know to begin to write about it. Just know I said "oh my god this is the best _____ I have ever had" at almost every course.

Overall, words can't describe how great of a time this was. Blog business aside, it was really just an amazing weekend spent with some fantastic people. I feel so lucky to have met so many new friends, and I look forward to all that is to come. Thank you again to method, Mekanism, and everyone involved in this fabulous undertaking. It was a true success and I already can't wait to do it again!

If you'd like to check out the other "method Mavens" (and all the girls I had the pleasure of spending the weekend with!), check out the list below. And one more thank you to method and Mekanism for every little bit of it. You treated us like queens and I am so thankful.

Denene Millner // MyBrownBaby.com
Victoria Smith // Sfgirlbybay.com
Jordan Ferney // OhHappyDay.com
Cassandra LaValle // Cocokelley.blogspot.com
EZ Pudewa // CreatureComfortsBlog.com
Gigi Ross // KludgyMom.com
Danielle Hampton // SometimesSweet.com
Janice Croze // 5MinutesForMom.com
Susan Peterson // Freshly-Picked.com
Brooke White and Summer Bellessa // youtube.com/TheGirlsWithGlasses
Shannon Kelly // TheShoppingMama.com
Ilana Wiles // MommyShorts.com
Nicole Balch // MakingItLovely.com
Pam Ginocchio // ProjectNursery.com
Heather Solos // Home-Ec101.com
Jenny Ingram // JennyOnTheSpot.com
Liz Stanley // SayYesToHoboken.com
Alix Tyler and Leslie "Dottie" Van Every // ModernKiddo.com

the following ladies were unable to attend:

Gabrielle Blair // DesignMom.com
Crissy Page // DearCrissy.com
Catherine Davis // FoodFamilyFinds.com
Jordan Reid // RamshackleGlam.com
Kelly Lewis // According-To-Kelly.com

And now, some photos. I didn't take too many, so I am definitely looking forward to seeing the other girls' pictures from our weekend too.

We were one tree and not two...

This morning I woke up feeling so thankful for all of this beautiful-ness in my world. My family. The love that surrounds me. Opportunity. The ability I have to make changes, to move forward, and to live how I'd like. Freedom. And I got to thinking about how this one go-round is all about relationships- the connections we make with others- and I thought about all of the people in my life I consider the closest. So naturally I thought about Hank. I thought about what a good man he is, how kind-hearted he is, what a good father he is. I sat there for a minute, thinking about this husband of mine, lost in these lovely thoughts...and spilled hot tea all down the front of my chest. Ow. All happy thoughts flew out of my mind as a few curse words came flying out...but for a moment it was a beautiful. ;) Somewhere in there though I remembered this quote. I came upon it a few years back and I revisit it from time to time. It's about true love, and to me, it's perfect. And I think you'll like it too.

"Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being "in love" which any of us can convince ourselves we are. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Your mother and I had it, we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossoms had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two."

-Louis de Bernières

Hourglass

Time is a funny thing. It's a theme in my life, if not the governing force. I think about it often. It makes me sad (it's going by too quickly), and it makes me immeasurably happy (another day to spend with my loves). I'm obsessed with it, in a way. I write about it all the time- I often think I have too much of a hold on the olden, golden days. I often think about the fact that I loved my childhood so much that it makes me want to cry knowing it's gone. But then I look at my little darling boy and know that I get to do it again, and make it even better for him.

I think back to when Henry was a baby, the tiniest thing, all nestled in my arms. I remember waking up, and up again, throughout the night. Groundhog Day, repeat, repeat. There were times where I was so tired that I wasn't sure if I would even make it to the morning (dramatic as always), and there were times where I wanted someone, anyone to help me because I felt lost trying to figure out this new job with no handbook or trainer or anyone to say "here, let me show you." But because of my obsession with time and thinking about that little hourglass' sand drop-drop-dropping away in the back of my mind I know those hard nights were to be savored.  Even the worst times, when we didn't know why he was crying, if he would ever stop, the nights where we would take turns pacing with our little man in our arms, crying, inconsolable...those were also the best times. While we were right smack dab in the middle of it I can distinctly remember thinking that this would never, ever happen again. It was depressing and beautiful and real, and knowing that there was such an expiration date on all of it made my heart ache from both loss' anticipation but also because there was so much more goodness to come.

Parenthood is funny like that. It's all too easy to spend your time feeling frustrated with the state you're in, only to miss it when it's gone. What I know for sure is that I don't want to wake up and have my little love all grown up, wondering where it all went. So I will keep being obsessed with the time I have, I will continue to keep my finger on the pulse of this hourglass, I will keep feeling like every single stage is the best part of it all. I will be in the very moment I'm in. Wailing Henry, crying Henry, smiling Henry, little baby, little crawler, little toddler. And when those hard times come, as all hard times inevitable do, I will always remember to whisper to myself, "this is it, this is life." And enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.

New girl with tattoo by Edgar Barefoot

girl with tattoo

Zombie Design Contest Entry

girl with tattoo

Zombie pinup girl 2

girl with tattoo

sugar cry

Hot woman tattoo by Shannon Nelson

woman tattoo

Girl Tattoo

woman tattoo

something takes a part of me

woman tattoo

rose tattoo backpiece

Best tattoo design for girl by Charlene Dyer

tattoo design for girl

Dragon and Koi chest plate

tattoo design for girl

star tat

tattoo design for girl

bondage girl

Weekend links

Flashback Friday! Here's Hank and me way back in 2005 (or maybe 2006?). We look so young! 

Happy Friday! Well, right now it's actually Wednesday night but I am scheduling this post because I am in San Francisco as you read this. Again? Yes, again. This time it's a super quick trip full of blog-business and I'll be home on Saturday! And I hope whatever you find yourself doing, you have a fun weekend planned too. As for us, once I get back we'll be enjoying spending time with my Aunt Ellen, who is visiting from Vermont. I've written about her quite a bit in this space but I LOVE her and have always had a very special connection with her over the years. I'm just so excited she's going to be in Arizona.

I'm off, and sending you happy wishes for a great weekend.

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This is my new favorite blog. I have yet to leave a comment (I'm a bad reader) but I have been loving every post by the adorable Breanna. And I bet you'll love it too!

I adored Katie's Leap Day post.

If you like yoga and you have little ones in your life, this is for you.

The best post I've read in awhile.

A must-read for any mamas of boys. It's great.

Dexter bowties. Henry needs one (or all) of these!

And speaking of bows...this is the most perfect velvet bow headband I ever did see.

Lemon brownies...

Want to hear some great music? Watch this video.

This wedding is beautiful. And of course it is...it's the wedding of one of my very favorite bloggers.

I can't even believe Michelle and Chad sat next to, pet, and cuddled with huge, scary tigers!

I'm enjoying reading all of the 11 Things floating around. Here's two more.

A great gift idea? A vintage map of a favorite place or traveled city.

Loving these vintage polaroid wedding invitations.

No bake peanut butter cookies. These look SO good.

If we ever have a little girl, this dress is pretty much the most perfect dress in the world.

Do you already read Gadchick? If not, you should. Not only is the main (gad)chick a friend of mine (Diana!), but they are also a sponsor this month. Yay!

What's your passion? Stephanie wants to know.

Happy Friday! xo