yesterday ethiopia, today vegas

...but this time for real. 

I'm headed to Vegas for work for the first time ever. I've had a long-standing obsession with the city because of the show, Las Vegas, which was only marginally popular in real life, but wildly popular in my mom and mine. I'm still hoping for a reunion season. 

I get back Thursday night, then leave Friday for Denver to see Ash and Court. Sunday, I get home from Denver, then leave Tuesday for Indy. I'm all packed for the three whirlwind trips and can't wait to get in the air. 

Here's to hoping for three sunny cities!! 

image

we're going to ethopia! // get set, let's go!

That's right, my friends! You, me and all 67 beautiful, wonderful people who donated to my charity : water campaign are riding our dollars all the way to Ethiopia, where they're digging
well loved // one tri : one well!

I was so excited to receive an email last week, detailing the campaign's progress. In 18 months a town in Ethiopia will have clean water for the first time, and will hang up their jerry cans filled with dirty water forever. Yes - forever.

I was overwhelmed when we reached $5,000 and now I am even happier as I watch the real action begin to take place. I can only imagine how I will feel when the well is complete - all thanks to your amazing support. I will be sure to update you on progress. :) thank you!

Appropriately enough, today charity : water launched its holiday campaign. And it's ahhmazinggg. Watch it below - I've already played it a bajillion times/am just listening to it on repeat.

Are you ready?
Get set, let's go!

images - some from Ethiopia!

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.