The intention was just to post one or two favorite photos, but the Alhambra is just so physically stunning that it was impossible to do.  The day we arrived it was so hot that I was ready to call it quits when we repeatedly got lost navigating Granada's windy alleys.  I wouldn't have been able to retrace our steps if my life depended on it.  But the view of the Alhambra, commandingly situated over the rest of Granada, was worth it.

And another great idea is to follow up a trek in afternoon heat with tea and pastries in a quiet corner of the Arabian quarter.

The interior of the Alhambra is a rambling affair.  Both Islamic and Christian influences intertwine throughout the compound.  One trick to recognizing the differences is that Islamic architecture tends to have modest exteriors and intricate interiors.

My old coworker's boyfriend proposed to her at the Alhambra.  Who says romance is dead?  Oh yeah, Parkway Drive.

Within a few days of eyeing the fashionable ladies in Andalusia, I was convinced that I too could rock the harem pants.  Tony thankfully convinced me otherwise.  I was also amused to see that there's a male version of those pants, too.

And someday, if we ever return, I've got my eye on those Arabic baths.  Potentially touristy, but oh, definitely worth a soak or two...

I first "met" the lovely Rachel from That's Chic while shopping online, first as a featured blogger on Modcloth and later on on Coach as part of their holiday campaign.  I love that she and a hearty collection of fashionable bloggers (like Sartorialist and Glamourai just to name a few) constantly force you to rethink your notions on style.  Here are a few pics from a very quick session with her.

It all started with a mysterious box and a rather fantastical invitation.  Once I opened it and read the rather charmingly written invitation, I knew that Natalie's baby shower was going to be something rather special.  And like Alice in Wonderland, it started with a trip down the rabbit hole.

The glowing mother-to-be presided over the affair as the Queen of Hearts.  A fashion show, a baby guessing game, and a lavish spread was just the tip of the iceberg for this lovely shower.

Check out Natalie working the fashion show "runway"! :)

It was a lovely way to spend a sunny Saturday.  Congrats to the soon-to-be parents! 

In anticipation of summer (yes, I know we still have to go through spring first), here are a few pictures as a reminder that though it's not quite summer here, it certainly is summer somewhere in the world.  I never got to upload these photos, but they were taken almost exactly year ago during Jen and Dave's wedding in gorgeous Playa del Carmen.  What is one advantage of having a destination wedding?  You can take all your wedding guests snorkeling with you on a private catamaran a few days before the wedding.