fall nails

I'm needing some nail polish inspiration... All of my colors are so summery! What colors are you leaning towards for this fall/winter? I'm waiting for a CupofJo post to point me in the right direction ;)

OPI's new Fall/Winter 2014 line is so fun. You have your typical gorgeous dark browns and purples, but I love that they liven it up with a few bright colors, as well.  Now that I am working full time, I appreciate the look of a $10 manicure. It looks so professional and you automatically feel more dressed up and put together. I don't know why I didn't "indulge" before! :) Now I've just got to find the right color...

Hope you have a colorful Monday!

xo

Images found here and here //

have a sweet weekend

Hope you have a sweet weekend! We have plans with Andrew's family to celebrate his grandmother's birthday, watch the GA game with some friends, and get some good ol' r&r. Hope you're last September weekend is golden.

xo

do you remember.. the 25th of september

On this day 5 years ago, Andrew used a (fake) apple to ask me to be his girlfriend. I don't have any pictures of that day, because smartphones still weren't the mainstream. I don't have anything to remember the day by because I accidentally kicked the apple in the river in excitement, ha! I remember thinking we knew each other so well and were the best of friends. Man, life just gets sweeter.

One day later, we went on our very first date with two good friends to Six Flags. We've been matching clothes, rooting for each other's teams, and exchanging facial expressions ever since. 

Happy (dating) anniversary, my darling and my dearest friend!

xo

keeping it cool

What amazing fall weather we have been having- I don't remember ever having this many days in September with weather so cool. How's the weather been where you are? Hope you've been enjoying it like we have!

xo

have a nice weekend!

What are your plans this weekend? Atlanta's biggest annual music festival will be going on just a few steps from our apartment, so we will probably be enjoying some tunes from our porch :) Enjoy the cool weather as fall approaches!!

another one year celebration

Remember this little guy?? I became his nanny when he was just 6 weeks old. And this week he turned ONE! It was such a blessing to be a part of his little life, and to witness all of the amazing first year milestones- it's crazy how fast these little people learn in such a short amount of time. And, cheers to his mama for one full year of juggling 4 kids so gracefully and joyfully :)

xo 

endless grace

A year. It's been a year to the day since we left Haiti. It still feels so ever present in my mind; how could it have really been that long ago? What a handful of gifts and memories God has given me since then, and a heart full of lifelong lessons and promises.

Also:

Positive thoughts from 15 months ago...

Learning to laugh amidst the trials.

Facing trials, but not in vain.

Plenty of amazing sights.

A trip of twists and turns.

Joy in progress and production.

A video of our time living in Haiti.

Reflections a year after arriving in Haiti.


Living in a place you both absolutely love, but are completely battling every minute, will make a lasting impact. Thanks to everyone who has bared with me as I have reflected over this past year. I think I've had to grieve the loss of my time in Haiti. I know I am in a new chapter, but I still feel so connected to this one. It has changed the course of my life. I feel like a totally different person, though it still fills my heart... and I hope to return again another time and give it another go. But I appreciate the patience and understanding as I sift through feelings and continue building and growing.

xoxoxo

forever 8

Happy Birthday to this dude, who is forever 8 years old in all of our minds (sorry bro, guess that comes with being the baby!). But for now, we will wish you a Happy 17th Birthday just to humor you ;) Love to you and your colorful shorts, witty 'tude, and curious mind

xoxo

have a fun weekend!

What are your plans this weekend? Andrew is leading a worship music service tomorrow night, and be busy practicing all weekend. Sunday night we are off to this little guy's FIRST birthday party!!! Followed by family dinner to celebrate another (not so little) birthday guy :) (my baby brother turns 17 on Monday!) Hope you have a fun weekend! Here are some links to make you smile xo

Clean eating and perfect for fall.

Redefining the definition of "nude".

Taylor through the years.

You can never go wrong with teal & gold.

Sparkling fun.

How to be skinny ;)

When bored goes oh so right.

Engagement ring of my dreams, anyone?

How to get out of a traffic ticket...

Wrapping up summer in style.


Image found here //

sugar rush

Have you seen this documentary on sugar in the food industry? I took sugar out of my diet a few months ago (not just sweets- literally, anything with sugar minus fruit), though it has slowly crept back in (whoops!). It's fascinating, and crazy, what's going into processed food these days. I love learning about the ways our body interacts with different food- physically and mentally. It's amazing how we are so connected!


Image found here //

jewels of the world wide web

Can we just talk about this Craigslist ad for a minute?

"Rare" "French Designer" "$150"

It's glass on top of two CONCRETE BLOCKS... is this a joke? Is this a scam? Did this poor person unknowingly buy this from the person before him, thinking he had scored an amazing deal? So many questions.

I guess I shouldn't judge, because apparently you "must (see) in person to appreciate."

beauty in the city

Trader Joe's is the spot for sunsets, apparently. 

city magic

Okay, Atlanta. You are officially cool with your locally manufactured popsicles, walkable streets, and magical lantern parades. This place is like Athens on steroids. So naturally, I officially love it. That's one thing I never (ever) thought I would say about Atlanta...

Atlanta, you have proved yourself. You can thank your beltline lantern parade for being the winning closing argument.

holland, like the country

Missing my sissy today. She's been in London for about a month now. I'm still so proud of her, but my heart reaches out to her as she continues to learn and navigate her new life. Keep trekking, Holla!!! Here's to you for keeping a smile on your face through it all :)

saturday lovin'

I hope you're having a wonderful weekend. Stay cool. 

xo

So... this is amazing.

For my flour less friends with a sweet tooth :)

More shoe swooning.

Hilarious prank!



Image found here // 

out with the old, in with the shoe

My beloved leopard loafers have seen better days, and for quite some time I've known I had to say goodbye. Not even two years old yet, I've worn those babies into the ground. I was thrilled when I found a pair that looks almost exactly like them, on clearance, at a Banana Republic outlet store. Consider this my superficial post for the week- but for a girl with a closet full of simple, understated neutrals, these shoes turn me into a vibrant and sophisticated fashionista ;)

holiday refreshment

I hope you had a relaxing holiday weekend. We sure had an eventful one, but relaxing, nonetheless.  We enjoyed having our friends from India stay with us for the long weekend, watching movies and shopping for all of their "kids" at Target :) Georgia pulled out a wonderful win over Clemson, and it made mine and Andrew's Sunday at the lake house with family (who are Clemson alums) even more enjoyable. Then we still had Monday to stay at home with our friends, relax, make homemade pizza, and clean-- which I thoroughly enjoyed having a day to tackle the mess that's built up in our 900 square feet :) Shouldn't every weekend be three days???

          

xo