Gardens in the City of Roses

While we were in Portland, we decided to check out the International Rose Test Garden. We mainly had a little time to kill and a lot of brunch calories to burn, so with full bellies and a caffeine boost, we made our way out of downtown one hazy morning. The garden was about 2 miles from our hotel, but the walk was so enjoyable.

When we finally reached the garden, it was like something out of a fairytale. Rows and rows of roses. And the smell! Utterly amazing. The pictures don't do it justice. I found myself repeatedly exclaiming "This is so crazy!" 

Next we made our way over to the Japanese Gardens. Practically the polar opposite of the rose garden, but equally beautiful and so incredibly peaceful.

Is it normal?

Is it normal...

to love this Robyn Pandora station as much as I do? 

for your DSLR to collect dust while your iPhone camera roll is full?

how much I love clothes and hate laundry?

for Fabolous lyrics to resonate the same way Austen and Hemingway and Fitzgerald speak to your soul? And to honestly believe "You Be Killem 'Em" is about you? "Enough class for wine, still handle Patron..." um helloooo... #itsyagurl

Things have been kind of crazy lately. Busy. Weird. Fun. I feel like I've been going non-stop and it has left me feeling a little compromised, creatively speaking. It hasn't been all work, I assure you. There has been a lot of fun (at times a bit too much fun...) These past few weeks I haven't really made time for getting organized, centered, and focused and it's catching up with me. This weekend will be a bit of a much-needed slow down. But just to fill you in, here's what you missed...

I talked about this poem here, and then planted my own (mini) garden...

[basil, something pink, parsley]

And sure as the devil, flowers came just days later. Life's funny like that. It has a way of surprising you, really catching you off guard. And even when it's not what you were expecting or what you thought you wanted, it reminds you not to give up on what you really want, what your heart believes you deserve. It won't steer you wrong. I've spent so much of my life thinking expectations are a bad thing. Shakespeare even said, "Expectation is the root of all heartache." But I'm realizing that isn't entirely true. Expectations are the natural byproduct of standards, and having standards is never a bad thing. If something or someone isn't living up to your standards, don't waste your time.  

2 consecutive Wednesday nights on the patio at RuckerJohns... live music, yummy food, and fun friends. Perfection.

And speaking of friends, this little angel made her way back for a visit.

This boy graduated! I wore Michael Kors... to die, righttt? 

And I've been working on my tan... beach with girlfriends, pool with the sweet baby pup... I'm and equal opportunity sunbather.

And in an attempt to get my butt in gear (and because it was the free App of the week from Starbucks) I downloaded Clear. List-makers, enjoy. Not only is it great for managing tasks, to do lists, and reminders, but it gives you these fun little quotes... and I'm a total quote junkie. 

Nostalgic Garden Roses

My mom and I were grocery shopping last week when I spotted these beauties out of the corner of my eye. I was immediately transfixed, initially assuming they were peonies but upon closer look realizing this was not the case. The florist was quick to offer an explanation: nostalgic garden roses. I'm no floriculturist, in fact my thumb is anything but green, but I've always had an appreciation for all things old and beautiful. She explained that nowadays, most roses are grown in hot houses. As a result, modern "roses" rarely smell like roses. Enter the nostalgic garden rose. A reminder of a simpler time, they are grown in actual gardens and smell like actual roses. Just as they should. 

I've never been a fan of anything too perfect, and as I looked at these nostalgic garden roses I started feeling a little sad. Have we gotten so far off that we mass produce our flowers, and everything else, until there is no variation? Marilyn Monroe is credited for saying "Imperfection is beauty," and I wholeheartedly agree. The slightly irregular shapes, the variation in color... by modern standards these roses are sub-par, but in my book they are perfectly imperfect and absolutely stunning. 


p.s. from the archives, on nostalgia

Blue Heron Pottery

While perusing the shops in Floyd this weekend, we wandered into New Mountain Mercantile. As soon as we walked in the door I fell in love with this beautiful pottery by Jayn Avery. The artist uses vintage lace to make the imprint and shapes each piece by hand. Some of her pieces are impressed with lace that belonged to her grandmother! Talk about a cool heirloom. She does commissioned work too, so if you have lace a special woman in your life, what better way to showcase it than this! 

I couldn't resist buying this little bud vase for my mom, but if I had it my way I would have walked out of there with one of everything! 

I especially love the "button"detailing on the back!

I was particularly fond of the coffee mugs (because, let's be real, I'd get plenty of use out of them!) and this pitcher, which I think would make a lovely vase!

Find Blue Heron Pottery on Etsy, Facebook, or her Website. 

Shameless Saturday

Happy Saturday! I missed Guilt-free Friday and mass protests ensued. Which really just means I got an angry text from my mom asking why I hadn't posted my guilt-frees for the week. She poses as a loyal reader but I think she secretly uses Guilt-free Friday to monitor my alcohol intake. The day that more than two of them are about wine I swear she's calling Dr. Drew. 


Anyways, is the weather gorgeous where you are? Wilmington weather has been beyond delightful, and it looks like it will continue for the next few days. I have been taking full advantage of the warming trend , from eating burgers outside with my dad and brother on Thursday afternoon to catching some rays by the pool with Jordan yesterday morning. I hope you're having a beautiful weekend too, and remember, "There's no such thing as bad weather, just different kinds of good weather." -John Ruskin


Hey! It's ok...


... to firmly believe that everything tastes better alfresco. 


...to rock riding boots... even if you haven't been on a horse in over 10 years


...if having already brushed your teeth is the only thing stopping you from diving head-first into the box of Girl Scout cookies when you can't sleep at 2am

 [delicious sushi at Bento Box yesterday]

[beautiful flowers at Fresh Market]

Bloom where you're planted.

Saturday my mom and I made a trip to our local garden center. I felt like a kid in a candy shop. I'm no photographer, but here are a few shots I captured with my little baby camera because you can't hide pretty. Even if your camera is little and you're a total novice. 

Side note: Learning how to garden is the last thing on my to-do list to complete my transformation into Martha Stewart. About that...