Give me a moment to be. Just be. In this one moment. And let me believe it will last forever. The world is spinning and we are too, but for this fleeting second we are. We are like the butterflies of summer - existing in our days of sunshine for such brief hours. And then, like a wisp of cloud. Gone.

If our moments on earth are numbered, please lets pass our dwindling moments together. In moments like these. Your hand is mine to cling to. In moments like these.

When there is nothing but you and me. The sadness of death is far away and the reality of life becomes a dream. All I see are the stars within your eyes as you kiss my tears and draw me close. In moments like these, we are flying. Nothing else matters but the closeness of your heart and mine.

I am pulling this feeling deep within my soul. You are my butterfly. This sunshine is ours. Please lets pass our numbered moments together. In moments like these.

Note: My Grandma passed away this morning. In between Easter and funeral happenings, I may not have too much time for blogging. Photo by Laura Zastrow.

I haven't posted anything design related lately, probably because I'm too busy designing to write a post about what I've been designing. But here are some things I have been working on lately:

 

Apple Nutrition is 99.99999% official. We're in the final stages of lease negotiating and in the beginning stages of store designing. Right now our nights consist of visiting boring guy stores like Menards and Home Depot, staring at laminate flooring options (I'm thinking bamboo...), browsing paint chips, and picking out trim.
I've suddenly become graphic designer, interior decorator, and marketing director all at once. 

But I know the owner,
and he's been paying me quite well with kisses and Chipotle dinners....

 

Our Business Launch Celebration on Saturday night was a lovely success. Thank you to everyone who came with smiles and happy encouragement. Laura is the perfect kind of person to do a party with - she is completely creative and so very fun. We talked and laughed with best friends and family, ate delicious vegan treats (made by sweet Nicole), and celebrated the beginning of two lifelong dreams. 

Thank you, dear Jamie, for the beautiful photos. :)

tomorrow.

 

Are you coming?

6:00-8:30 @ Cool Beans Coffee Cafe

Thursday, you're my favorite day of the week. I love waking up on Thursdays. I love that I have a comfy soft bed to wake up in on Thursdays. And a fuzzy headed hubby to wake up next to.

Thursdays are good days. I love going to work on Thursdays. I love that I have a job I love on Thursdays. And a tasty breakfast of sliced apples and nuts to eat at my desk.

Thursday, you're extra special. I love seeing the world on Thursdays. I love that I live in Wisconsin on Springy days on Thursdays. And a perfect God who sends sunshine.

Thursday, you have joy inside your name. I love the anticipation of the weekend that Thursdays bring. I love that weekends come the day after the day after Thursdays. And with a happy Friday nestled in between.

Sweet Thursday, you're my favorite day of the week - on Thursday.

(But tomorrow is Friday, and it will surely be a favorite too.)

 Little sister is living upstairs, in an orange room almost as bright as her smile. Her name is Rynn, but Timmy calls her Rynn-diddly-in-in-innnn. I just call her Princess.

I've lived with her before. For 18 years. So I already know that she can be delightfully grumpy in the mornings, she tends to run a little bit behind, she laughs almost always, she makes me smile in the happiest way, she likes to eat meals late at night, and she loves to live her life as if she were the star of a beautiful fairy tale. When she moved in, it was kind of like finding a favorite pair of shoes you have not worn in years - soft, comfortable, and familiar. They still fit. It fits to have her living upstairs, just like it always has and always will.

She walks around the house humming. She hums more than she ever used to, and this is because of Caleb.

Caleb is little sister's husband to be, and I love to see how happy he makes my Princess. He is as perfect for Rynn as Timmy is for me. He very well might be the number two most amazing boy in the whole world (Tim and Daddy tie for first). Timmy really likes Caleb. They're kind of becoming best buds.

Caleb is a worship leader and he writes lovely song lyrics and beautiful poetry. Rynn is my favorite little singer, and her and Caleb's voices blend perfectly. They recorded a song together. You should listen to it here.

(source)

Me: I want a pet duck.

(Do a google search on "little yellow baby duck".
You'll want one too.)

Timmy: Umm... can you even have a pet duck?
Where do they go to the bathroom? 

I really think our subdivision has a 'no duck policy'.

I really like being married.

I like going on nine month anniversary adventures with my handsome husband. I like spending entire days of "just us" - going to my favorite vegan restaurant and sharing vegan chocolate "cheesecake. I like that Timmy isn't afraid of vegan chocolate cheesecake. I like getting to the Milwaukee Public Museum half an hour before closing and laughing so hard as we try and race through all the exhibits. I like it when Timmy pulls me into dark museum corners and kisses me. I like holding my husband's hand as we take our time viewing the Dead Sea Scrolls special exhibit (which stays open later - whew!) and I like running to the tippy top of the IMAX dome theater to watch a film on Egyptian mummies. (And I really like that we both take off our shoes at the movie theater, because it's more snuggley that way.) I like eating smoothies in the car together, promising to not talk about business at all - and then forgetting and ending up talking about business 90% of the day. I like that we start businesses together.

And I really really especially like that, when statues of old Irish men get a little too close, I have a gallant husband to defend my honor.

 

I really like being married.

and the winner is…

Yay Kristen! She is the lucky winner of my happilyBecki giveaway! Kristin chose the Natural Silhouettes Desk Calendar and the Peacock note cards as her prize.

And because I had so many sweet comments, I decided to give a second place prize as well.

This time the random number generator chose comment number 18. Wanda! She asked me to surprise her if she won, so I'll be picking something special out just for her.

Kristen and Wanda, send me an email within the next 24 hours (rb.obrien7@gmail.com) giving me your mailing address. And be watching your mailbox for the little treasures I'll be sending your way...

A great big thank you to everyone who participated in my giveaway this week. All your comments made me so, so happy and I truly wish I could send prizes to everyone.

meet Laura.

I really like Laura Zastrow. She plays in a band, uses cloth napkins, makes delicious hummus, teaches her babies sign language and Spanish (wow!), goes to school full time, paints her living room one wall at a time, has seemingly endless energy, and runs her very own photography business.

Her photography speaks for itself. Brilliant, creative, stunning. Her website is here. If you need pictures taken, she's the one you should go to. 


I am often in awe of Laura Zastrow. 

And in the midst of raising a beautiful family and chasing her dreams, she always finds time to inspire others. She tends to make gloomy days seem brighter, and her endless encouragement helped to make my Etsy store become a reality. 

You really should meet Laura. Oh, lucky you! You can meet her right now! This short interview will give you a peek into her delightful world. You may now consider yourself officially introduced to Laura Zastrow, the other half of our amazing Business Launch Celebration.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I'm a 23-year-old wedding and people photographer. I've lived in Madison, Wisconsin for six years with my husband, and both of our babies were born here. My family is very important to me, and there's nothing I'd rather do than spend time with them.

How do you know Becki?

My husband and I have been good friends with Becki's husband, Tim, since we moved to Madison. I worked for Tim for a brief stint when he opened his first business. I met Becki a few times and was at their wedding, but I didn't really get to know her well until she sent me a sweet e-mail encouraging me in what I do. We've been bouncing ideas and admiring each other's projects ever since!

Besides creating things, what do you do?

Currently I stay at home with my two kids, Oliver (almost 3) and Eliot (17 months) while my husband goes to school, works, and makes music. I'm also in school full time for graphic design, and I play acoustic guitar pretty casually with a band. That summary makes me sound much cooler than I really am, though.

What made you decide to become an artist?

It's always been in my mind. My mom saves cute magazine ads she finds to make homemade birthday cards, and my dad has been working in computers for probably 40 years. I guess I was destined to do something with digital art!

I got my first digital camera when I was 14 using $600 I had received as eight grade graduation and confirmation gifts. That 2.1 megapixel point-and-shoot cost more than my first DSLR did! I took the camera with me on our family's spring break trip to Washington, D.C. and documented the whole trip. I was smitten after that.

So, you have a photography business. What do you do exactly?

Couples, weddings, families. I want to have candid photos of them being themselves and capture the emotion of that time in their lives.

What inspires you?

Textures and colors of old urban buildings, patterns, shapes, emotion.

What are your top five favorite creative blogs?

In no particular order

(http://benchrismanblog.com/) Ben Chrisman

(http://colormekatie.blogspot.com) Color Me Katie

(http://www.bobbiandmike.com/blog) Bobbi + Mike

(http://happilybecki.blogspot.com) happilyBecki

and currently probably (http://thedieline.com/) The Die line as well due to its relevance in my computer graphics glass.

What is a little known interesting fact about yourself? 

I'm so hippy and frugal that I wash and reuse Ziploc bags. I think my husband thinks I'm weird.

Favorite color?

I like them all. Really! No favorites.

Favorite books/movies/music?

Not too specific on movies and music, but the book Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne changed my life. And how about TV shows? We don't have a TV, but Hulu and Netflix have it all. We watch Biggest Loser, Mad Men, and (I hate to admit it) Party Down, as well as early seasons of The Simpsons and The Office.

What is one thing you feel like you couldn't live without? 

Maybe my down comforters?

In ten years where would you like to be? 

Oh goodness, what a scary question. In ten years I will have a big family, and I hope to be helping people who need it. I would like to be an award-winning photographer; traveling every so often for my job; making enough money to easily support my family; teaching others to do photography well. 

If I'm interested in your photography services, what is the best way to contact you?

I hold strange hours with mothering and school and such, so e-mail is great! Its laurazastrow@gmail.com

 

happy St. Patricks day!

Oh my pretty Emerald Isle,

How your magic makes me smile.

Green above and green below,

A million greens that gleam and glow.

All the world is bright and clean,

When you're in the Irish green.

I like to wear green on St. Patrick's day. I love to walk among hundreds of fellow green wearing friends. There's something just so magical about it. I wish we had color themed days more often.

I like that Chipotle is giving away free guacamole for St. Patrick's Day. 

And I really like that my last name is O'Brien. 

I'm Irish. 

And I'm a very lucky girl.

Don't forget to sign up for my giveaway!

Note: You don't need a blogger account to leave a comment. You can leave an anonymous comment - but be sure to sign your name! Or, you can leave a URL comment and just type your name in for the URL. 

AND. Laura is hosting a yummy giveaway at her blog. 
Go here for a chance to win some delicious cookies! 

happilyBecki Giveaway!

With the launch of happilyBecki, I'm hosting my very first blog giveaway.

The winner will get to pick their prize - any two items from my Etsy shop!

Any two items! 

To enter, go check out my Etsy shop! Then, come back and leave a comment under this post, saying which two items you would choose if you win! The two you pick are the two I'll send to you.

Anyone can enter! But, you can only enter once.

 I'll pick a random winner on Friday, March 19th. 

(Be sure to check back, because I'll be posting the winner on my blog. If the winner doesn't contact me within 24 hours, I'll choose another winner.)

my big, beautiful surprise announcement!

 

My dear photographer friend Laura and I are hosting a joint Business Launch Celebration!

And you, blog readers, are invited.

To celebrate the beautiful beginning of happilyBecki designs. 

My Etsy shop is finally, finally up and running! Find it here.

To celebrate the official start of Laura Zastrow Photography. 

Her website is here and her photography is stunning. 

To celebrate the amazing reality of lifelong dreams coming true.

And to celebrate the fabulous people who supported us throughout the entire process.

Pretty please come. Bring a friend.

It's going to be an amazing night.

(Blog readers, leave a comment letting me know you're coming, and I'll have an extra special present waiting for you at the party!)

To mark the launch party and start of my Etsy, the following week will be a week of jubilee! Check back for exciting posts and some additional little surprises.

together we did.

Something happened last night.
::before::

::after::

I make Timmy's heart flutter. He said so.

He also said that I look like a movie star.

I think he looks like a rock star.

We got our hair cut.

Together, of course.

That is what happened.

born on a Wednesday

 My middle name is Beatrice. 

And the fact that Beatrice means "bringer of joy" was the only thing that could console me when I found out that Rebecca means "tied, bound, or hung".

The lady who told me this was also named Rebecca, and she pretended to hang herself as she visually explained exactly what my name meant. I was truly traumatized. Especially when she next turned to my sweet little sister and, with a smile, told Kathryn that her name meant "pure".

A short time later, my older sister (whose pretty name meant "God's promise") informed me that I was  born on a Wednesday. After she read me this Mother Goose poem. She, of course, was born on a Monday.

On a Monday in March. Little sister was born on a Tuesday in October. And I was born in November, right on top of Thanksgiving. It was an emotional day when I realized that their birthstones were dazzling aquamarine and sparkling pink. And mine? A hideous gold/brown/tan stone that calls itself Yellow Topaz. On top of everything else, it seemed rather unfair. Especially with a grandmother who had a habit of giving birthstone jewelry...

But I had Beatrice. And somehow that made things better. Because my sisters may have had me beat in the first name meaning department. They had better birth days and better birth months. But, out of us three girlies, I had the best middle name.

And, to me, it is the most glamorous, beautiful name. I love that it is perfectly unique and timeless. I love that I was named after a dear friend of the family. And I love to picture my parents softly speaking it over me on the day I was born.

This "bound" Rebecca, born on a Wednesday in November, wouldn't be quite the same without Beatrice in the middle.

Today is "Middle Name Pride Day". What's your middle name? Are you proud of it?

and that is what happens...

This morning I stabbed myself with a safety pin. Under my fingernail. Ouch. Because I suddenly realized after I got to work that my shirt was missing a very important button - which required pinning. And that is what happens when you set your alarm for 5:30 and get up at 6:37. Getting dressed in a hurry leads to stabbed fingers.

Timmy met me at work for my lunch hour and took me on a romantic picnic. In the car. Yay. Because I was feeling sad and work this morning made me cry. And that is what happens when weekends are SO busy and Monday mornings come too soon. Overwhelmed emotions lead to beautiful picnic lunches. 

I've been working on lots of terrific things. Like my Etsy store and freelance designs. But I can't tell you the rest. Because it's an oh so exciting secret. And that is what happens when you have a friend who is brimming with creative ideas. 

Collaborative projects lead to exciting news... 

 (dreaming of Paris is what happens when schedules get busy)

orange walls.

 

The very last thing I expected to do this afternoon 

was paint a bedroom.

But little sister Rynn is going to be moving in next weekend.

And Caleb is an expert painter.

And Timmy loves spontaneity.

And I've always wanted to paint orange walls. 

So we did.

always have.

 Today he brought me flowers at work. Just because.

I looked up from my piles of paperwork to see the face I love best. And least expected to see.

My darling husband. A surprise, his smile said, because I love you endlessly.

And as he handed me a bouquet full of my flower favorites. I realized something.

Because you're my bird of paradise, he whispered. Kissed me on the lips and watched my eyes sparkle.

I just realized this one thing: I have always loved him.

From my first imagining of the man I would marry. Every sweet thought I'd ever dreamed about the one who would someday buy me 'just because' bouquets. The elusive 'he' who would cherish me deeply and make me the happiest girl. 

He fulfills every wish waiting in my heart, every hope I had for true love.

I have always loved him. It just took me 21 years to know his name.

I love you Tim O'Brien.

Always will.

 

'delicious' daisies.

Timmy: Babe! I really love these daisy pictures!

Me: Really?

Timmy: Yes. They're delicious.

Me: … delicious?

Welcome, March. I have big plans for you. My calendar is already full of dates and deadlines. I'm so very glad that you have 31 days.

February only had 28. That is why I had to cross "Happily, Becki Launch Date" off March 1 and move it to March 13.

March 13 already had "15 Months 'Engaged' " written on it (we like having reasons to celebrate), so I had to squeeze the letters to fit it in.

But I wrote it with a bright teal marker. Now March 13 is a very important date, times two.