adios, america...

...okay, well, for a week, anyway. Team Stevenson is heading to Spain.

We'll be in Reus, on the coast near Barcelona, and I'm excited for the chance to explore a new place, try new food and wine, and stock up on all the Caudalie, Longchamp, and Desigual products I can get my hot little hands on.

I'm greatly anticipating more paella.

But there's more. Of course.

When we went to California in April, our first day found us jet-lagged and exhausted wandering around Santa Monica with B's parents and his good friend from college. As we wandered along the pier, the wind making an absolute disaster of my hair, I felt happier than I had in a long time.

I am my best self behind the camera, in a place I've never been before (preferably in another country). An entirely new vista to uncover and photograph and bring home with me. Everything seems a little nicer behind the camera. I'm less irritated with people (unless they get in my shots). Everything is quaint. I'm more patient, and endlessly optimistic in a way that I never am in any other aspect of my life. And I'm even giddy, ridiculously happy.

And I'd really like to think that everyone has a "setting" in which they're their best self. I couldn't begin to guess what yours might be. But I know mine. And just know that while, yes, I'll be drinking all the wine and coffee I can get my hot little hands on and stocking up on all the Divine Oil I can get past customs, I'll also be taking thousands of pictures, smiling all the while.

See you in a week!

xoxo,
Emilia & ...Brian-a?