An Open Letter To...

Dear 2014,

It isn't until you look back on something to realize that your perception of that said something, were completely wrong. I was scrolling through photos from the year and although I felt that nothing was happening during the year and that I wasn't accomplishing anything, I found that I had a hundred tiny little things to be happy over. Until that moment, I had forgotten that I had gone on a handful of adventures, made friends, celebrated holidays, birthdays, basked in the sun, learned, taught and grew.

You've shown me this year that the little things in life are the most special... cups of coffee, new babies, watching my pets sleep, kissing the ones I love, good food, phone calls, discovering self-love and so much more. When 2014 begun, I could never picture my life being as it is today. It's amazing to see where myself and the ones around me have come in just short 12 months. There are two things I'm most happy about from 2014. The first was my watching my sister, Michele, become a mother. Something she swore she'd never do. It's beautiful to see he comfort him, hold him, laugh with him and to see the look in her eyes when he discovers something new. The second, was watching (and continuing to watch) my best friend come into themself. It makes me so happy that they were able to share with me their true feelings, and to see their willingness to change everything for what their heart wanted. It's inspiring to see someone discover who they are and just go for it.

I hope that in 2015, life will continue to provide me with the love and friendship I received last year. I want to discover more about myself and the world; to try something new and give it my all. My wish is to go through 2015 searching, doing and loving more every single day. So that when December 31st, 2015 comes around, I won't have to look back through photos to know that I did something. I want to be able to write about as many accomplishments and moments that I can without reminders. I think it's time that I start appreciating my life and everything that comes along with it.

Cheers,
S. Hadley-Smith

Pike Place Market

It never fails, when ever I am in Seattle I make it a point to stop at Pike Place Market. If you're in the city, you won't want to skip out on a trip to here. Seattle is full of such diversity and culture and Pike Place Market encompasses of it in just one stop. Here you can find an array of delicacies. Such as, handmade turkish delite, piroshky, vietnamese buns, a french bakery, and oh so much more.

I wish I could live in the city just so that I could stop by the market and pick up a bouquet of flowers, some fresh produce and just baked bread for our home. Last month, Sean and I were able to visit the market and the florist had to most beautiful autumnal bouquets you could imagine. They featured deep purples, oranges, seasonal greens and warm yellows. I quickly snatched up one of the $5 bouquets which are just as beautiful as the more expensive ones. 

The weather was absolutely gorgeous that day and it made standing in long line for the original Starbucks much more pleasant than if it had been raining. The original Starbucks is like any other apart from the original wooden plank floors and being a bit more pricey than other locations. However, it's really cool to see where it all started.

And you can bet we stopped by Post Alley to see the Gum Wall! It is both one of the most disgusting and intriguing things to see. When ever we're in Seattle we like to head down and see it. Apparently it started with the theatre on Post Alley. Because you're not allowed to chew gum in the theatre, patrons would stick their gum on the wall just before entering. Now people head down there just to put gum on the wall.

Even though I've just visited Pike Place, my only wish is to return again and buy up all the mini donuts, macaroons and Beecher's macaroni and cheese my heart can possible handle. xoxo

Love Always, 

Sarah