tell a friend

Just in time for the summer heat to make it's grand entrance, and for my pregnancy to reach optimal "so over it" mode... Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream is finally back on the shelves! This calls for a celebratory ice cream cone :)

Something about these sprinkles just gets my mouth watering... 

Doesn't this just give you all the "I need a beach vacation pronto" feels? 

Happy Tuesday!!

// Image Source // 

the best gift

You know what gift I have loved giving the past few weeks? Plants! I think I've given away three in the past week! They are simple, beautiful, and full of life (and usually affordable!). Always original, but still "safe"-- meaning, almost anyone can appreciate receiving a plant. Especially with spring on the horizon, I'm loving handing out these little babies of sunshine :)

What's your go-to gift?


P.S. Incredible houseplants and mason jar terrariums 


Image found here //

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.

a word about these past 3-6-5

I can't believe it, but it was one year ago today that we hopped on a plane to move our lives to Haiti. How can it have already been a year? Time seems to have stopped from June until about this past April, because life as we knew it was so different. Now that it's summer again, I find myself thinking of and missing Haiti almost every day. The heat, the smell of gasoline, the busyness of city dwellers as I walk through the streets- it all awakens glimpses of memories of our every day lives there. I remember so much about each day so perfectly, it doesn't seem that 365 days have already come and gone...

Have a splashy weekend!

What do you have planned this weekend? Tonight, Andrew and I are going to use a gift card for dinner and I might try to talk him into seeing this movie, since I read the book several months ago. I'm working at another wedding tomorrow, and some of our closest friends are staying the night with us. Stay cool in this heat-- find a pool! Or kick it old school and find a sprinkler ;) xoxo

What a lovely palette.

Sweet words.

A "can't stop re-watching it's so crazy" kind of video.

How adorable! A young Meryl.

The truth, if you so allow.

Just lounging around.

An interesting perspective on an every day habit.

250 new emojis are being released this summer- Read about it on my sister's hilarious blog.

Did you know that women should consume no more than 24 grams of sugar a day? It might be time for a change in the American diet.

There's just something about the love of a dog...

One more to drive that last point home :)

Part of my thought process in my slow pull away from social media.

Would you dare? Not sure if I could pull it off...

Prettiest little babies.

Oh, swoon.



Image found here //

the little piece of heaven

What was your summer routine when you were growing up? Both of my brothers are at camp this week, and it seems that with each summer that passes I miss it just a little more. I was able to be a part of camp for 16 years, and after 5 years of full time counseling and with marriage on the horizon, I was ready to call it quits. Now, as I see my brother spending his summers as a full time counselor, I am reminded of the sense of family amongst campers, counselors, and workers, and the beauty in the calm of each morning before the crazy begins.

I also miss the time away from the world, with some of my best friends just a cabin away. After the directors of 20+ years stepped down and a new couple took their place, the next generation has risen to call camp their home. They've created a new space, with new trends and personalities and activities. But the same will be true for everyone- a safe haven to connect with God and grow to love Him more deeply. 

And one more memory just for fun... ;)

xo

summer style watch

I'm totally into the shirt dress look this summer. I originally was thinking, "Great, another style that only looks good on super thin, super tall women." But I decided to give one a try and with a little bit of a length adjustment, I love it! It's a great casual look that you can dress up or down depending on how you accessorize. I recently wore mine to the wedding we went to this past weekend. The best part is that it has sleeves and isn't low-cut, so you don't have to worry about anything being accidentally revealed :) 

You can watch the video of Andrew and I singing at the Anies wedding here.

Shirt Dresses worth a mention:

1. // Anthropologie 

2. // Urban Outfitters

3. // Shopbop- AIR by Alice & Olivia

4. // ASOS

5. // Stripe button-down

6. // Target (I'm wearing the Oatmeal/Black in the video)

Top Image found here //

keeping it cool

How long do you hold out before turning on your A/C? We've been trying to rough it the last few days in our new place, but being on the top floor has it's disadvantages when it comes to summer heat. After not sleeping well last night due to the heat (even with 3 fans), and then discovering this morning that even some of our pantry food is melting... I think it might be time to flip the switch. I used to pride myself on saving a few bucks on my bills by being able to fight off the switch to A/C or heat for weeks on end, but I'm about ready to put those days behind me. And it's not even May!!

P.S. This looks oh so refreshing.

xo

Image found here //