adventures |

weekend getaway | san luis obispo

By annmarielovespaper on April 16, 2013

San Luis Obispo has a way of making me regret filling in “Architecture” as my major of choice on my Cal Poly application back when I was eighteen. I mean, architecture, Ann-Marie??? Really??? Needless to say, I did not spend my college years in endlessly charming SLO. (I spent them in endlessly charming San Diego, so I’ll survive.) But now that I have long since graduated (sans architecture degree) and scored myself a cute fiance, San Luis Obispo is the perfect place for two twenty-somethings looking for a weekend adventure. Because when you break it down, this town has it all: beauty, brains, and a whole lot of thrifting! We’ll be back soon, SLO…

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let’s get together (yeah yeah yeah).

By annmarielovespaper on April 6, 2013

Despite being in five different states, three different time zones and unpredictable levels of Internet cooperation (Jamie – we’re coming for you!), my friends and I were able to hang out on Wednesday night + it was the greatest thing ever.

Okay, so maybe not “hang out” in the same way we do when we take over Starbucks or stand in Jaymee’s parents’ kitchen until 2am or gather together for our annual holiday parties, but still, so good. Amazing actually. I mean, can you believe that with a few clicks, you can SEE + HEAR + TALK TO someone thousands of miles away? Or better yet, six different people all at the same time?! I can’t even…

Nothing better than good friends, good conversations + ridiculously amazing technology.

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eva’s bakery | salt lake city

By annmarielovespaper on March 29, 2013

While in Salt Lake last week for a lighting-fast business trip, I had every intention of taking lots of photos of all the things that I miss most about living in Utah. The snow-capped mountains. Waking up to fresh powder outside my window. Rows + rows of thrifty goodness at the DI (oh, the DI). All of my amazing friends whom I miss terribly. The reality? I filled up my memory card with TONS of images from my breakfast at Eva’s Bakery in downtown SLC. I mean, I couldn’t help myself! Everything about this place is what designer dreams are made of, from the blue and yellow patterned flooring to the calligraphed labels in the bakery case to the gorgeous menu typography. I was in heaven (literally…this is Utah, after all).

Oh, and the food? DIVINE.

xoxo

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we love it here.

By annmarielovespaper on March 26, 2013

When Saturday rolls around and John and I are looking for a fun way to spend the afternoon, Ventura often seems to top our list of places to go. And why not? It’s such an underrated little beach town so close to where we live. The weather is always nice, the parking is always plentiful and FREE (take note, LA!), and there are so many fantastic thrift shops on Main Street that we could spend hours wandering though. Oh, and we’re totally getting married there in October! Needless to say, we love it.

On the way home, we stopped at our wedding venue to see what it looks like at night. Despite my previous concerns that the lighting wouldn’t jive with my vision, I am happy to report, it looks SO GOOD! Warm, cozy, and ready for an all-night fiesta! Am I killing you with the wedding stuff yet? My apologies friends, but we’ve got a loooong (but not that long – ahh!) way to go! And speaking of wedding stuff, lately I’ve been sending e-mails with potential vow material to myself whenever a poignant thought crosses my mind. This includes, but is not limited to, grabbing my phone to write out my thoughts in the middle of the night while still half-dreaming (nightmaring?) about arriving at the ceremony only to realize that I forgot to write any vows…! (P.S. I woke up the next morning to some surprisingly decent work!) I am LITERALLY writing these vows with my eyes closed. If only the rest of the wedding planning could be so easy!

xoxo

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sunday funday.

By annmarielovespaper on March 19, 2013

On Sunday, I convinced John and my brother Andy to go with me to Disneyland, partly because the weather was springtime perfection, but mainly because I wanted to test my new 50mm lens in the most colorful setting possible. Mission accomplished.

As far as camera equipment goes, this macro lens is such a steal considering just how fantastic it really is! The sharp depth of field blows my mind every time… even if does force me to stand a mile away from my subject to get more than just their nostrils in the shot – ha!

xoxo

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venice, ca.

By annmarielovespaper on March 17, 2013

Last week I got a fun e-mail from Urbanic letting me know that I had won their giveaway from The Cream…! I can’t even tell you how excited I was, especially about this wedding planning binder that I’ve had my eye on for quite some time. The truth is, I didn’t even get a good look at the prize while I was at the event, but as a matter of principle, I always throw my name in the hat if Urbanic is hosting a giveaway. Always.

While I was down in Venice, I decided to wander around a bit, pick up a latte from Intelligentsia (even if I do feel entirely uncool while I’m there), stop by Firefly (another great little boutique!), and take a bunch of photos before the braving the 405 at rush hour. Totally worth it.

xoxo

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grammin’ ain’t easy: not ready to give up my beanies just yet.

By annmarielovespaper on March 15, 2013

From left to right:

Knitting a beanie, drinking coffee, catching up on the Rachel Zoe Project, and wearing sweats well into the early afternoon. Self-employment at it’s finest.
Reorganizing all the books + magazines in my nightstand. P.S. I’m looking for new reads…any suggestions?
Clear desk, clear mind.
The most beautiful day EVER. I sat outside far longer than my whiter-than-white skin would have liked, but the warm sunshine felt so good.
Stocking up on new yarn for another knitting project. Can’t. Stop. Knitting.
My wedding attire is coming together quite nicely, thanks to the sale section at Anthro!
I simply refuse to give up my beanies and my winter attire just yet. Even if it is 90 degrees out!
The warmer weather and longer days have made for lots of early evening walks with Wally. I’m really, really loving it.

xoxo

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the cream event.

By annmarielovespaper on March 11, 2013

THE CREAM! Where do I even begin? So many talented vendors in such a stunning location. It was pretty much the best of the wedding blog scene mixed in with super stylish vendors + guests (wearing their “blogger’s best” as my partner in crime Janelle so aptly put it) topped with a killer soundtrack that had everyone moving + grooving. Those Bash, Please gals sure know to get things done right.

P.S. You can see our Vine videos from the event at @Ann-Marie Morris and @The Style Eater!

xoxo

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we found it.

By annmarielovespaper on March 5, 2013

It was a good weekend.

After searching and researching the past few months until I couldn’t stand to look at one more outrageously expensive pricing sheet, we finally found our venue. It’s not in San Diego, like I imagined. It hasn’t (yet) graced the pages of every big wedding blog. But it’s a blank canvas with a Spanish-style flavor. There are barely any rules and our date is wiiiide open! In other words, it’s perfect.

We are so excited to finally have a place to build our vision around. This is where I get to put my Pinterest boards to work. This is where I get to hire an amazing photographer. This is where I get to dance all night long in my beautiful dress. This is where I become an Espinoza. This is where it all goes down.

Oh yes. It’s gonna be good.

xoxo