1. Oh how I love these interviews with veggie kids: http://vegansaurus.com/tagged/happy_veggie_kids

2. Making my own clothes. Just finished a skirt yesterday, came out amazing. Next step is a summer dress.

3. A rainy day after weeks of hot sun. It’s a nice change and I can wear my spring clothes, we almost skipped spring this year.

4. Biking! I looooove biking and I didn’t even know it. I borrowed my friend’s bike and fell in love. Now I’m getting myself one this week. I have my eye on a mustard colored vintage bike.

5. Aloe. It’s a brilliant plant. I’m growing my own and also using aloe gel. It’s the perfect after sun gel and helps with itchy mosquito bites.

I could go on for at least five more but I’ll stop now and continue at the end of the week.

1. Whether or not you have a band, a stone, a tattoo on your ring finger, or no ring at all is between you and your fiance. I think outside opinions about engagement/wedding rings fall under the same jurisdiction as baby names: off limits! I mean, *you’re* the one who’ll be wearing this ring for the rest of your life, right?

2. Do you know what style of band and/or stone fit your personality and lifestyle best? The first time I was married the ring choice was completely out of my control (the typical college “Surprise! Here’s a huge engagement ring, marry me!”), and while I loved the look of my ring it did not fit with my lifestyle. It was a simple band with a pretty big stone, and while it looked nice on my finger, I was constantly taking it off because it wasn’t practical. The second time I got married I wasn’t sure I wanted a ring at all, so my fiance (now husband) and I went to our favorite department store and I tried on at least a dozen rings. I ended up finding both a style and stone (not a diamond) that I really loved.

@ Monique – Hello there in Holland! Thanks so much sweetie, and I’m so glad you’re finding inspiration here. =)

@ Laura – Hey lady, welcome to the blog! =D

@ Lydia – Ooh, congrats on eating more veganish – you keep up the good work too! Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.

@ Alley – Squee! Me too on the horror! I said “trashy” because it’s more general but really, I’m a total sucker for cheesy horror novels and Dean Koonzt is my secret love, HA!

@ ~L~ – Yup, I tend to push myself until I collapse. It’s so important to maintain balance and I’m working on that. I know I’m not alone, it’s good to hear from other hard workers who struggle too. =)

@ Joselle – Thank you. Seriously, that really meant a lot and hearing it helps me to take a deep breath and relax a bit. Thanks lady!

@ Lindsay – Agree, <3 to the blogosphere. Have a great vacation!

@ Monika – Girl, I know we have this bad habit in common. We are fierce and driven women, this is both a good and a bad thing! It makes us crazy but hey, it also gets us through the LSAT – oh yeah, CONGRATS ON THE LSAT! =D

@ Taylor – Thanks lady, I’m so glad you like the blog and glad to hear the mission is going well. yay for looking/feeling hot and mostly yay for reuniting with long-distance love interests, w00t!

@ sarah – No, not the only one at all. Look at how many of us there are just here! You make really good points, and thank you, because that stuff is so good (and important!) for me to hear. Thanks lady. =)

@ Virginia – HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! 29 year, just wow. Beautiful! I hope today was amazing.

@ Sierra Dawn – Screw the house work yes! SO important (yet so hard) not to lose sight of that!

@ Hyla – Hey lady! Love your whole list but especially dread love. I know that someday I will have dreads, it’s in my destiny. =)

@ Sandra – Ooh, sharing lots lotsa LOTSA love for coffee! And congrats on the new job, it sounds like it’s just awesome.

@ Sonja – Wow, what an experience you must be having. And the food! Oh, I am envious of the food. =D

@ Stacey Bru – I’m sorry you’re having a rough week, m’dear. Good for you for finding a few happy things, and hopefully next week will be better. <3

@ Julie – Great list, and especially WOW, great boyfriend. Hold onto that sweetie!

@ Alina S – Glad you’re feeling better!

@ Natasja – Hmm, I don’t have any posts about the wedding because that was my pre-blogger days. But I have to say, you most certainly do not have to have a stone! I always wanted just a plain band and would have had one, had I not married into a family of artisan jewelers. I’m not a diamond gal but Damian had a vintage diamond, his step-grandfathers, that he really wanted me to have. His step-father made our rings, which we designed. I have to say, I totally understand just wanting a band and I think they’re elegant and beautiful and you should do what YOU want. But also, for me, I sure have grown to love my little sparkle. =)

I understand the diamond issue. As far as I know there are a few options: vintage/secondhand, lab-grown, and cubic zirconia (who can tell the difference anyway?) I’m not sure about the price of each, but you may want to look into those options?

I was pretty lucky with my wedding in general and people letting me make my decisions and not trying to force their ideas. It was the purely happiest day of my entire life, and so I say: do whatever you need to do so that your wedding day will be that way too. If that means fighting for what you want then fight. If that means letting it go so you don’t have to stress it, then let it go. But whatever it is, this is the one time in your LIFE where you really, really get to make it ALL about what you want. What a concept! Don’t be afraid to let yourself have that pleasure.

Just my advice! Anyone else want to chime in?

@ Denise – Aw yay for dragging out the ol’ juicer!

@ Felicity – Wow big changes! Congrats on everything, you must be so excited (and nervous of course). Let us know where you’re blogging, I’d love to read about your travel eats. =)

~~~

Love you guys! Have a great week!

My 3-

1. Your tips and hints. I broke out the ole juicer this past week and started trying your suggestions for juicing mixes from a bit back. Granted my juicer is a low end thing I’ve had lying around for a period of time I won’t be admitting to, it was there and it works. :)

2. The local feed and grain store- they have a good selection of organic seeds, staff that’s happy to give advice and birdies and bunnies to introduce my baby girl to. Yes I got motivated this weekend and got more of my ‘garden’ in.

3.Yoga class- never regret going. Almost always feel great afterward. I’ve found an instructor I really like and it makes all the difference!

1. The wonderful massage I was gifted with Saturday morning
2. My brother and mom visiting this weekend… And bringing my new car with them!
3. Filling my fridge with fresh fruits and veggies. I always feel better with a fridge full of produce

1. I work at a university, but I work behind-the-scenes and don’t interact with ‘the public’ much (which is fine, because this best suits my personality). However, in the last few months, I have come to realize that I enjoy hamming it up in front of an audience. So my new love is delivering funny (yet informative) workshops for faculty, staff, and students. Hearing the accolades of my peers is nice, too.

2. My boyfriend. He is an omnivore who loves to cook, and he loves to cook vegan food for me. And then I love cleaning up after he cooks. (Who knew that washing dishes could take on such a caring, loving aspect?)

3. (Secret love that most people hate:) Rainy, cool summer days. I quickly wilt and get cranky in the heat, so I am secretly overjoyed when it is cool and overcast. Hooray for the rain that is falling right now.