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2014, in all its glory.

Big Sur

2014 was a PRETTY big year.  So before we cheers to 2015 tonight (clink!), we wanted to take a look back at some of the best posts of 2014, and all things bitter and sweet that shaped us…  for the betta.

1. ON LOVE:  Karrie’s really real talk on marriage and everything learned – so far – on the subject.  We will ALWAYS try and be truthful, honest, and sometimes – to the chagrin of those closest to us (schorray, Teem!) – pretty darn candid.  Which brings us to…

Karrie & Tim | Covet Living

2. ON LOSS:  Steph’s raw and heartbreaking post – penned in the throes of a painful split – left our readers in a puddle.  The love that had joyfully radiated through the internet and the subsequent loss of it were equally palpable.  But how ‘bout that silver lining?!!  …the shift to a more fulfilling career in a warmer place, the goodness of so many loved ones and strangers, and the profound lessons learned… and learned a-gain at the end of 2014, just for good measure.  Many of which can be summed up by Mark Manson’s Love is not enough.  No regrets though – not a one.

I Loved, I Lost | Covet Living

3.  CALIFORNIA DREAMIN:  Once bi-coastal bloggers & besties, Steph’s cross-country move put us just down the street from each other (Santa Monica à San Diego)…  which means regular trips to the Rose Bowl Flea Market (stay tuned for the before & after of Karrie’s breakfast nook we’re currently revamping!), a lot of hilarity, and a lot of trips to Casa Machado.

Karrie and Steph, Encinitas | Covet Living

Southern Cali | Covet Living

It also means Tim wants to punch himself in the face on a regular basis.

Teem | Covet Living

4. ALL IN THE FAMILY:  Our hearts literally broke this Spring when we said goodbye to Steph’s beloved Grandpa, Bud…  a man who once said: “I never understood the point of fake boobs.  Anything you can’t fit in your mouth is a waste of time.”  What a stud.

BUD collage

Then they burst at the seams later in 2014 with the addition of one of the cutest, most angelic things to grace us with her presence – Karrie’s niece, Willow – a cooing little nugget we wanna eat up!  (Look at that FACE!)

Willow | Covet Living

Rounding out the fam-jam:  Steph moved into a bachelor pad with Karrie’s he-cousin + another young lad.  She affectionately refers to it as “El Frat House” and some days, wakes up to the sounds of thighs slapping and the sights of a sea of empty beer cans.  LAWD.  But to their credit, those 2 hooligans make for protective pseudo brothers, and the whole shenanigan makes for some amazing stories.

5. FASHION ROUND-UPS:  Look no further than our fashion round-ups {2014 Oscars | 2014 SAG Awards} to get a sense of the evil texts we volley to each other during awards shows (in sweatpants).  Who do we think we are – Anna Wintour + OP?  Nah…  just two hens cluckin’ about all things fashion related.  And when we’re not weighing in on stars’ fashion triumphs & mishaps, posts like this inspire us to keep our wardrobes effortlessly cool.  And fearless.

Camilla and Matthew | Covet Living

Jason Bateman | Covet Living

6. BACHELOR(ETTE) ROUND-UPS:  Speaking of being perched up in the judge’s chair…  Most Tuesday mornings, Steph shares her candid, kooky and controversial belly-laughing commentary from Monday night’s Bachelor episodes.

Cody and Mad Libs | Covet Living Bachelorette Commentary

Opera Singer on Bachelorette | Covet Living

Operation Doctor candidate | Covet Living And we can’t WAIT for Farmer Ted’s season – otherwise known here on Covet Living as the “Panty Dropper” – to start on January 5th!

Chris Soules Farmer Ted | Covet Living 7. ON TV:  Someday, we’ll tell you about the time Steph was in a close overtime thriller to be one of gals vying for Farmer Ted’s heart.  As for Karrie (a reality TV producer by day), this year we toasted not one but two of her MAJOR hit shows!  The pint-sized drama on Little Women: LA left our jaws on the floor, and the modern-day arranged marriage / social experiment that is Married at First Sight  had everyone from the ladies on The View to the check-out ladies at your local grocery store talking about it.  Look for even crazier TV shows to come from Karrie in 2015.

MAFS | Covet Living

8. GLOBETROTTING:  With girls’ trips to Palm Springs and Malibu, weddings in Big Sur, wine country getaways and jaunts across the pond to the South of France, we took in some of the most gorgeous places in the world.

Travel | Covet Living

9. HEALTHY BODY:  We both embraced dropping gluten and picking up yoga in a major way, and we feel a MILLION times better for it. And big props to Amy P at Corepower Yoga in San Diego for kicking our ever-loving butts in the happiest and most Namaste of ways.

Post-Corepower Yoga | Covet Living

Check out über healthy & delicious recipes for zoodles + meatballs, autumn ingredient salads, and lazy weekend brunches if you missed ‘em… and this post for our workout playlist.

Autumn Ingredient Salad | Covet Living

10. HEALTHY MIND: Though most of us love to read, we’re often so busy that we (whoops) forget.  And then when we remember, we don’t know what’s out there worth reading.  Well.  Leave it to Karrie to dole out good suggestions, always.

Books to Read, Covet Living

11. HEALTHY SPIRIT:  Many-a-Mondays, we shared words of wisdom like this & that… and maybe the most notable of all this year, THIS’UN.  Because if there is ONE thing we do our best to practice, it’s finding the joy (and hilarity) in everything, every. *single*. day… and being kind to people… and taking the leaps that scare you to death (“…because one day, there won’t be any more time to do the things you want to do.  Do them now.”)  Finding the good in all things – even the things that absolutely suck.  The entire reason we started this blog almost 5 years ago was to share with you guys that spirit for life and for all the things we love.  We love you to the moon and back for staying with us all this time.  And if you’re new – wassup!  Sit down.  Have a cocktail.  Stick arrooouuund.

Take-The-Leap-Covet-Living

Happy 2015 to you all!!!  And yo…don’t forget to take an Uber.

xoxo,

Steph & Karrie

 

Saturday Morning Swoon

The only thing that’s as delightful as toting flowers comme ça back from the Farmers Market on a Saturday Morning is sitting propped up in your big white fluffy bed with a cup of coffee, in your PJ’s, scouring Pinterest.  Which is what I’m currently doing, and it’s heaven.  Here are a *few* things making my heart beat a little faster this morning:

THIS TILE.

HO-ly testicle Tuesday, I truly cannot handle it.  Tile is by AKDO and was featured in Lonny this Spring.  It feels like what happens when the Great Gatsby and your kitchen meet.  I could seriously rap with this in a smallish dose – like a bar or over the range – that way it’s not overwhelming and looks like the rare jewel that it is. #nomnomnomnom

THIS DRESS.

Simple and structured and sexy and stunning.  And belongs on a Bond Girl in a Bond Movie, but I’d still take it.  This number probably has the same effect on boys as Farmer Ted does on us ladies.  And if you don’t get the Farmer Ted reference and haven’t read some of my shameless Bachelorette recaps, then you probably oughta get on that.

THIS PHOTO… (EXHALE).

…Which is about what living in Southern Cali feels like.  I was staying at the beach last weekend and up early with Gus to fetch my coffee, and about 185 beat-up 4-Runners with surfboards hanging out the back window vroomed by me on their way to the water…  Pretty sure it was Bodhi & his buddies from Point Break.

THESE STACKING BEAUTIES.

Just do yourself a favor and peruse Mociun’s rings.

This one from Dawes wouldn’t look ugly on my hand.  HEAVENS.

Nor would this.  No, I’m not getting married… and when I do, I’d probably just want some thin, stackable pavé guys.  But I wouldn’t say no to this.  And anyone who would should make a B-line for the Looney Bin, stat.

THIS HEADBOARD.

…from a Hillary Thomas install, swiped from her Instagram.  I always think I wanna do some crazy silhouette in a neutral fabric with my next headboard, but how pretty would crisp white bedding look against this bad boy?  The shape is also lovely, lovely lovely.

PS: I love just about everything Hillary Thomas does – we’ll have to do a post on her soon.

THIS PANTSUIT.

My homegirl K-Hud can do no wrong.  Her hair and makeup are also perfection in this pic.  I’m pretty sure we’re supposed to be friends in real life.

THIS CHANDELIER.

…which literally made my jaw to hit the floor when I saw it.  It’s Barbara Barry for Visual Comfort / Circa, and it’s everything.  It reads a little formal / art deco, but I feel like it’s versatile enough that you could dress the rest of the room down a bit, and it would still work beautifully.  We’re thisclose to doing it in a client’s bedroom, and I plan on living vicariously through her.

THESE CUCUMBER LIME MARGARITAS.

I may be making these later on today.  Cuz why not?  Recipe here.

THIS QUOTE.

In the vast sea of quotes you see online that you could literally drown in, this is the one I always come back to.  It has sustained me for most of this *most* interesting year.  It’s the one I literally think about every time I feel like I might have a mini-panic attack… which isn’t often, but you get the idea.  It’s a great mantra.

That’s all I got for today!  I need some breakfast and some yoga.  Hope you guys have a great weekend!

xoxo,