This is what fall looks like...

All of the sudden the weather got perfect. I mean really, painfully perfect. I found myself exclaiming, "It's so nice out..." every time I went outside. The skies are sunny and blue, the temperatures are mild... these are the kind of days that make you thankful to be alive. So I've been filling my time with lots of lovely little things that make my heart full. This is what fall looks like (around here)

Crafting (I made this!)

Arguably too much Octoberfest (and a few extra pounds to show for it)

So naturally I went with OPI's "Every Month is Oktoberfect" for my mani/pedi

(the perfect moody, vampish purple with flecks of orangey red)

Family dinners (al fresco, followed by fireside smores)

picnic lunch catch-up with an old friend after 3 years apart 

A (not-so) spooky read, fitting for the month

sweet potato pancakes at brunch (al fresco) with my sweet girlfriends

a pretty convincing breakfast invite from my daddy

Long runs outside (in hopes of offsetting all the Sam Seasonal...)

The perfect running buddy (and equally perfect view)

Halloween costumes for pups (and the funniest snap chat from my brother)

doing some decorating with baby pumpkins 

driving around with the top down and embracing the crazy hair that ensues

Beaufort, boats, more beer (this time Blue Moon, dockside)

cozy cooking (dutch oven ziti, shrimp scampi)

burning my seasonal Christmas candles 

In case you didn't notice, I've been doing everything I can outside.* I swear the fresh air is therapeutic. Making some (tough) decisions, but reminding myself not to take things (especially myself) too seriously. Trying to embrace it all- the work, the struggle, the climb uphill and the subsequent coast back down. 

*If I were to come up with a witty title for this post it might be faAL FRESCO... punny, right?

hello + inspiration

Hi love doves... I feel as though a bit of an explanation is in order. 2 posts last week? The only thing more pitiful than that is the number of times I went to the gym in that 7 day span... just once. It's really a silly thing, and there's no true reason for my absence. The weather was heart-achingly beautiful until Friday, I was shockingly productive (thanks to a new technique I've employed- more on that tomorrow), and then I got waylaid by a migraine yesterday. I spent a good portion of the day in bed, curled up with Hemingway.* Thankfully, I rallied for church, which was great (have a listen here.) Well, how's that for an overshare? In short: life is sweet.


When I find myself feeling uninspired, I typically don't post, but it was quite the contrary this week. Beautiful bits of inspiration popping up all around. My mind has been an ocean of ideas, pulling every which way with the currents and trade winds, so, just for today, I will slow down. Edit. Organize. You need that, every now and then. But, if you dare, just a glimpse into what has caught my attention lately...

 [stormy seas]

 [bright ideas]

 [These BCBG heels were a steal at Marshalls... $15!]

[comfy, cozy]

[Jesus Calling is always an inspiration, but today's message was just perfect. I'm trying to be more mindful of the journey. Because it really is a beautiful ride.]

*I'm reading A Farewell to Arms, and enjoying it very much. Diving into a classic after reading loads of young adult/chick lit is kind of like jumping into the cool ocean on a hot, spring day. Rattling at first, but surprisingly refreshing once you get acclimated. 

The Dreaming Tree

Hi hii my sweets, did you have a lovely long weekend? I most certainly did. Hilights included:

visiting my 92-year-old great grandmother

dinner with my dashing date...

...at my favorite Baja Mexican grill

and an oyster roast to celebrate a good friend's birthday! 

I took two bottles of wine to the oyster roast: something pink and bubbly for the birthday girl (of course) and something red and delicious for myself. Have you heard of The Dreaming Tree Wines? It is a collaboration between musical genius Dave Matthews and winemaker Steve Reeder. I sampled Crush, their red blend, when we added it to our wine list at the restaurant. I'm not usually a fan of blends, but I love the smooth, fruity flavor of Crush. (Dave says it's like blackberry cobbler)

Saturday night I tried the Cabernet and it was equally delicious. These wines are crafted for people to enjoy, to share, to experience. They are made with passion, and I think you can certainly taste that in each glass. Also, they are made with respect, great care, and a commitment to sustainability. 

Now I'm no tree-hugging hippie (I mean sometimes I don't brush my hair, and I own my fair share of maxi dresses, but that's about the extent of it) but I am absolutely an advocate for stewardship and taking great care of the blessings and abundance God has given us through His creation. 

Bottom line: These are wines you can count on to be delicious. They are wines you can feel good drinking (I'm lookin at  you, Mother Nature. #kidding) And besides, wouldn't you feel significantly cooler walking into a party with Dave Matthews than Rex Goliath? Thought so. 

p.s. if I didn't win you over, their website certainly will. It is chocked full of cool videos about the wine-making process.

a·bun·dance

(noun)

1. A great or plentiful amount
2. Fullness to overflowing 

Synonyms:
plentiful - copious - profuse - ample - affluent - rich

Here's to cuddling up with loved ones, flipping through a multitude of circulars, and watching as the television slowly fades from the parade to football games. 

As I sit back on this day of thankfulness, one word comes to mind above all others: abundance. I am so very fortunate, so richly blessed. And as easy as it is to get wrapped up in the splendor of this fine day- the falling leaves, the delicious foods, the people we are so blessed to spend this time with, let us always remember to give thanks. My heart is so full of gratitude, to the One who provides it all, Jehovah-Jireh. 

NYC recap (photo overload)

Hello dear darlings... home again home again jiggety jig. I had a most fabulous time in New York. The weather was practically perfect and we trekked all over the city, leaving the hotel early each day and not returning until late each night, depending on coffee and red wine (with no shortage of delicious food) to keep us running. I always return with inspiration bubbling over... The lights, the energy, it is all so grand. But, I must admit, after a few days my heart is happy to return to this sleepy, coastal town. 

 [Our arrival coincided with the delivery of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree! It still needs to be decorated, so it will stay bundled up in scaffolding for a few days]

 [Anthropologie always looks delightfully festive]

 [The Farmers Market at Union Square was full of great finds, if you were willing to wrestle the crowds]

 [Bryant Part at night just feels like Christmas to me, so red lips and a red Starbucks cup were the perfect accompaniment to an evening stroll]

 [On our last morning, we realized we didn't have any pictures of me, so on the way to 5th Avenue we stopped in Times Square (because I mean, hey, everyine takes pictures there)]

 [I know Macy's typically gets all the Christmas hype, but I found Saks to be the most beautiful of all the department stores.]

[And of course, my favorite store in all of New York, Dean and Deluca. Practical? No. Affordable? Seldom. But I do believe food to be the greatest luxury, and shopping for it should be just that: indulgent, decadent, and sensational.]

[We had several delicious breakfasts, but you'll have to check back later for a recap of my most favorite.]

[As we waited to board our flight home, we both had to slip off our shoes and prop up our feet. After 4 days of going non-stop, we were exhausted.]

Thanks again, mom, for an amazing trip. I always have the most fun with you. 

(And thanks, dad, for letting me steal your best friend for the weekend.)

Spontaneity

There's something to be said for spontaneity. En route to Raleigh Saturday evening, Taylor and I made the last-minute decision to skip out on the concert and escape to Salisbury for the night. The past few weeks have been particularly hectic for both of us, so it was such a treat to leave everything behind for a few hours and soak up some time with his family. Added bonus: on the way back we were able to sneak in a little retail therapy in Charlotte, which is never a bad thing.

On the way there, Taylor helped me sample pie pop's for one of my oldest and dearest friend's upcoming wedding! They were absolutely delicious!

We couldn't resist stopping for dinner in beautiful downtown Raleigh. 

We went to The Pit, which soon became one of my new favorite restaurants! There was a bit of a wait, but we were able to get a table outside immediately. The weather was cool and crisp, perfect for eating delicious barbecue and sipping on southern-inspired cocktails

And then the next day we were in Charlotte!

After spending most of the afternoon at South Park mall, we refueled at Dean and Deluca, my most favorite "grocery store" ever. (if you can even call it that)