contain&nourish

Last night I had the pleasure of an invitation to the Container Store's pre-launch party in Buckhead. They relocated to a much larger spot across town and, I'm going to be honest, I really don't have sufficient words for happy I was. 

Thousands of square feet - brand clean - organized by section - by color - by size. 

It's what my dreams are made of.

They have everything you could possibly desire of to organize - even the food they were serving was well contained! From check-in to serving to check-out and valeting, every aspect of the night ran smoothly, and I'm pretty sure, moving forward, I will use the Container Store as my party planners. You think they're offering that service?

Their grand opening is this weekend and a portion of the proceeds go to CHOA, so you should hurry yourself over there realll quick. You won't regret it.

It was the perfect way to jump start next week's wellness challenge: contain. (Not sure a jump start was necessary. But we'll roll with it).

As for this week, I nourished. 

A while back, I wrote about the things that stir me - the things that bring me joy. And as I embarked upon this week's wellness challenge, I realized the answer to nourish: focus on something other than food that fills you up, was right in front of me.

Somehow, this season, August turned to September and September turned to November, and this week my family was discussing Christmas gifts. This fall has been amazing, but it has also been a whirlwind of work and travel and activities that, while fulfilling, have left me feeling disconnected from my long distance buddies.

And so, this week, I focused on one of the most nourishing of all nourishing things: reconnecting with my cross-country friends. From phone calls to texts to emails, I tried to push aside the things that zap those few hours between getting home and bedtiming to reconnect a little bit.

And oh. I take back what I said about last week being my favorite. This was it. Yes, my friends and I exchange life updates via Twitter and Instagram (except for when I unplug). And it works. But there is nothing - other than being in person with wine/coffee/a walk - that replaces a good phone conversation. It was so fulfilling. And such a great way to go into the weekend ahead.

Have the best weekend, you guys!!

oh love

I know I've mentioned this before, but, the fact is, the longer I'm in Atlanta, the more I mean it.

The absolute best part about being far away from people I love is getting go take great trips to see them (e.g. here, here, here, here and here), and vice versa.

But, the worst part is when they leave you. And it always leaves me wondering two things: why do we live so far apart? And how long can I sustain this?

When my mom left Monday morning, these were two questions I couldn't quite shake from my mind. I feel pretty strongly that all of us are where we are supposed to be right now - from jobs, to school, to life situations - everyone seems to be in the exact right spot for this moment. And yet, I just couldn't quite shake the sadness I felt all day after I said bye to my mom. I.e. Lauren Alaina's Like My Mother Does came on my Spotify and I started crying a little bit...

So the first thing I did is one of my mom's top life lessons: I organized my purse. Because taking that tiny bit of control back always feels right.

Then I read this quote in my devotional and realized that yes, it's very sad being far away from people you love. But, at the same time, every situation has its ups and downs, and the best thing we can do is be grateful for where we are, and see the half-full glass for exactly what it is: running over with love. And that's just plain lucky.

foot update

Is that the sexiest title, or what?

Well, today is a wonderul day. Not just because political commericals are over (!), but also because I get to do yoga for the first time since breaking my foot. I'm ecstatic!

I'm going to a Vinyasa Flow class tonight and can only imagine how sore I am going to be tomorrow after taking five weeks off.

I'll be sure to report back with lots of zenny details.

Happy Wednesday!

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king of savannah

Remember how I told you my family stinks at resting? I am fairly certain Duke is the worst at it (no offense, Dukie :)).

He's basically just a machine. I am not actually sure if he feels physical pain, and he's insanely focused. Growing up, my parents often had to remind him to eat, or remind him that he was, in fact, sick, and should probably take it easy.

This weekend, these traits were wildly apparent when he ran dominated the Savannah marathon. Sub-eights, plus negative splitting - yes. for 26.2 miles. Insane! He's amazing!

I was planning on attending the race, then my mom decided to come surprise him, too (yaay!). She flew into Atlanta, then we drove to Savannah Friday night. We got a real kick out of it when Duke called us both and we lied about what we were doing, since we were actually doing the side-by-side, en route to cheer him on.

We surprised him at mile 21. Afterwards we asked him if he saw us, because it didn't seem to register, and he said he thought he smiled and waved. He did not :) Focused, I tell ya. But after 21+ miles at the pace, can you blame him?!

After the race, we explored and dined in Savannah.

The next day, we dropped Duke off at school, then came back to Atlanta. We made a quick roadside pitstop along the way because my mom had never seen cotton before. After many an Indiana corn shucked, she felt it her Midwestern duty to check out the cotton fields, too.

It was just wonderful, as always, spending the weekend with them. Way to go, Duke! We are so proud of you!