Adam + Erin

I had the joy of photographing these two lovebirds before Christmas last year.

Their wedding was magical- so much love and laughter and so, so much dancing.

So thankful to end the year celebrating love. 

2014

Looking back on 2013, I am filled with thankfulness for those who have walked with Matt and I this year. 

Jeremy and Val Sizemore have been essential for transitioning from Hawaii to California,

 and it was so sweet to spend the new year with them. My heart is brimful of love for all the friends and family 

we've been blessed with and for God's timely provision this year. 

I'm looking forward to more joy, more surprises, 

and more being humbled by the goodness and love of Jesus. 

(And I wish the same for you)

Here's to 2014. 

Christmastime

This year Matt and I were able to see my family for the holidays.

 It was so good to be home, enjoying the craziness and good food. 

Loved my late night jam-sessions with my little brothers, 

meeting up with friends, playing games, and having long talks with the ones I love. 

So thankful for all this year has brought to us and what the new year holds. 

 

Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays!

Hope your time with family and friends is refreshing and full of joy, 

that your new years surprises you with hope and cheer,

and that you find yourself becoming more childlike in the midst of the holidays. 

-S

Birthday Weekend

Last weekend Matt and I took a trip down to Santa Barbara for our birthdays. Our goal was to do some coffee crawling. 

We had so much fun adventuring around that we're going to make a tradition of it. 

I'm learning more and more that we both love business. 

 I love customer service, Matt loves efficiency. We both love excellence and integrity in all things. 

We hope someday to run a cafe of our own, we hope it's in Nepal. 

We stopped in Goleta for some highly spoken of breakfast burritos, which are Matt's favorite. They were delightful. I definitely recommend Cantina. The price was right, it was authentic, delicious, and more than enough to eat. I hope to make it back. Goleta was so cute. 

We stopped at The French Press on Anacapa Street first.

 Since we're both in the coffee industry, we've starting doing the pros and cons of every shop we go to. 

Our intention isn't snobbery, I promise. We just love discussing ideas for future shops of our own. 

The French Press did not disappoint. 

We ordered two cappuccinos and an espresso. The baristas were focused but friendly. 

Our drinks were poured right in front of us, both with lovely art, and called out right away. 

They serve Verve coffee and serve it well. The atmosphere felt quiet and spacious, despite the many

 people inside. A great place for a morning coffee or to hang out with a friend.

I am still thinking about my cappuccino (which was decaf). So yummy. 

It tasted like honey and some familiar fruit that I just couldn't place. The espresso was pulled perfectly,

 with complex notes of orange peel and dark chocolate (for you nerds out there). 

Loved it. I give it 8.5.

Stop Numero Dos was Santa Barbara Roasting Company. 

One of the regulars at my cafe in SLO mentioned that I should check it out. The cafe was crowded and

 smelled of sugary flavored coffee, so we decided to just get an espresso and drink it outside. 

The baristas were impersonal and seemed too busy for us. We both really liked the use of their space; 

The layout of their cafe was really interesting, I have never seen a bar right down the middle of a shop before. 

The espresso wasn't good. It was over extracted and stale tasting. It lingered in your mouth for a while, and not in a good way. Kind of an oaky afterbirth. 

I give it a 3.0, for the atmosphere. 

Right around the corner from SBRoasters, was a precious little shop called Chocolate Maya. 

They completely sold me on everything they do. 

Amazing chocolates, photos of the farmers and their families, and a bar where you 

can lounge and watch the chocolate being made. The ladies behind the counter were

 friendly and loved what they did. I had a Milk Chocolate Honey Champagne truffle. I died.

We saved the best for last. Handlebar Coffee Roasters.

 Matt had been before, but I was so excited to finally try what I had heard so much about.

Unfortunately, saving the best for last doesn't always work on a Sunday. 

They were closed.

We ended our awesome weekend with a bonfire in Oceano with some buds. 

So thankful for Ariel, Jake, Molly and Jeff. Love them sweeties. 

Also, I love s'mores and roasted hot dogs. (I ate three, is that normal?) Bonfires are the best. 

What a wonderful start to a new year.