Five

From honeymooning in Hawaii and adopting kitties to mourning the loss of loved ones and purchasing our first home together, Stephen and I have faced a whirlwind of adventures – both good and bad – ever since saying  "I do" on June 4, 2010. Today, we celebrate our first five years, and look forward to the next.  

(Photos via Alex Neumann Photography)

Happy anniversary, my dearest friend! 

For more of our story and pictures, visit my wedding blog, Bicoastal Bride. 

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Loving My Body Through Fitness

What does it mean to love your body? It’s different for each one of us, and today, I’m honored to be sharing my own take as part of The World Around Her’s inspiring Love Your Body series.  

Stop by to read about my past struggles with fitness, what finally changed, and how I’ve now learned to better love and care for my body. Last week, I also shared an excerpt from a previous High Heels & Flip-Flops post that explains why I'm forever proud to be porcelain-skinned and tan-free. 

While visiting the site, you can check out other bloggers’ empowering stories, and even consider submitting your own.

Tell me, what do you love most about your body, and what challenges have you faced? 

Return of the Flip-Flops

All right, so I've actually been wearing them for a couple months already, but since this weekend marks the unofficial start of my favorite season, I figured it was the perfect time to re-share this cool, quirky and totally true quote.

(via More Than Sayings) 

Wishing you all a safe and fun holiday! While you're off enjoying your BBQs and pool parties, don't forget to also pause and remember those who have given their lives while serving our country. We are forever in their debt.

DC Up Close: World War II VE Day Vintage Plane Flyover

One of the best things about living in the DC area is having access to so many unique cultural amenities and events. Last Friday, in honor of the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, the Arsenal of Democracy organization staged a unique flyover featuring more than 50 vintage planes from the World War II era.

A big-time plane buff, my husband took the day off so that he and I could head into the city and watch the formations soar above the National Mall. After grabbing lunch at Sweetgreen (best bacon-blue cheese salads ever!), we found a good place to stand and view the hour-long show, which featured various types of planes flown in sequential order based on when they were used during the war. 

B-17 

B-25s 

B-29 

Catalina

P-51s

Missing Man Formation

While we enjoyed watching all of the planes, we especially loved seeing a B-24, the type of aircraft Stephen’s grandfather once flew. 

B-24

What types of cultural events does your city usually host? Do you like witnessing them in person? 

The Birds

So far, the spring season has brought us freshly grown flowers, backyard BBQs and, unfortunately, birds moving into one of the air vents on the side of our house. Yup, just like the mouse we dealt with during the winter, this is another not-so-nice thing about owning a home.

We first discovered the nest last Friday, after I heard a scrabbling sound and series of clanks that seemed to be coming from inside the living room ceiling. Since then, my husband has tried a couple different ways of getting them out, including running the fan and taping up a makeshift cardboard grate, which they have since managed to remove twice.

(via Wikipedia) 

Has anyone else dealt with this issue? Do you have any advice? We don’t want to harm the birds, but just prevent them from damaging the vent and producing waste that makes its way inside. I imagine we may have to contact animal control or try putting a more permanent grate over the opening, which is located three stories up and very difficult to get to. 

No matter what ends up happening, I'm sure we’ll continue learning as we go, and eventually get the hang of this whole "owning a house" thing!