{appetite paper}


I mentioned last week that I was hoping to get up a frame wall this month and, alongside that goal, was trying to make my room look cozier in general. I rocked the summer with bare walls, completely succumbing to analysis paralysis. Each time I'd find a print I liked, I'd find an issue with it the next day. The quotes weren't what I was looking for. The colors weren't jumping out at me. The prices were a little high. 

And so I sat with my walls bare and my eyes peeled, looking for something to warm up the space.

Then, my friend Sara introduced me to Chicago-native Rachael, who recently launched Appetite Paper.  She specializes in eco-friendly (all recycled paper, made exclusively from green energy...!) paper products and gives 15 percent of her profits back to the community. Not to mention her designs are amazing.

I emailed Rachael about creating a custom print, because I had a specific quote in mind (although this guy really stole my heart, too!).  

All I told her was the quote I wanted and that I was "really open on colors and font." I've heard that the easiest clients to work with are those that know exactly what they want and I am sorry to admit I really had no idea. I knew exactly what I didn't want in all the previous prints I'd found, but couldn't quite articulate what I was looking for. However, I needn't worry, because  Rachael got back to me within minutes, sending me amazing design options for the print. 

And, voila! Isn't she a beaut?

My room looks so happy now - and every time I walk into it I smile. If you're looking for a print or paper products in general, I strongly recommend Appetite Paper. And, if you're a little bit stalkerish like me, you're probably going to want to follow her: Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

When it's all said and done, I just can't help but fall for the work of a Midwesterner, yaknow?


Let's Try This Again: CSA

Do you remember last summer when I told you I joined a CSA then went totally crickets and never mentioned it again?

Right. Here's what happened:
I was all fired up to subscribe for the fall, which begins the first week of August. 
But then I remembered we were moving and the last thing you want to move is tons of produce. In fact I prefer to have completely clean cabinets for a move.
So I missed the August option, but figured I jump in to the next session, ten weeks later. 
But then we got rats. And you definitely don't want to bring precious local produce into a house with rats. We didn't want any food in our house at all, to be exact.

And that CSA sure slipped my mind.

Excuses, excuses. I know. 

But here I am, one year later, to report that yesterday, I really joined the Riverview Farms CSA. Wahoo! I signed up, paid and have my official pickup location for next Wednesday. I'm so excited to eat local Georgia veggies for the next ten weeks. 
I'm hoping:
1. I get more experimental with my meals, instead of buying the same 10 items and eating the same three meals every week. 
2. I go to the grocery store less often.
3. I try new veggies I've never had - or maybe even heard of!

I will, of course, keep you posted. 

And this time, I promise to do it.

three new things for august

Did you ever play Don't Wake Daddy growing up? This is what I picture when I think of July this year. It completely sneaked by.

Where did it go?

It was here and then, just like that, rabbit, rabbit. It's August!

I want to cultivate more awareness this month in an effort to slow time down. Nothing makes my heart as happy as extended hours of daylight, high humidity, airy sundresses and instantly melting popsicles. With greater awareness I'm hoping to hold onto these things a teeny bit longer before sweaters, football and crunchy leaves take over.

And so, three new things for August. Here's what I'm doing this month:


1. I'm going dairy free. As someone who lived with a lot of food rules for a long time, I've worked hard on giving them up - and I really don't believe in them anymore. Everything in moderation is best. However, I need to be realistic about the fact that my digestion isn't exactly at its finest right now (I'll spare you the details) and my skin isn't looking as good as I'd like it to either. The truth is, I've been eating dairy like cows are going extinct. I just love it! So I'm taking a break to see if it helps. I'll be sure to report back.

2. I'm taking on blog sponsors. Eek! This one is scary, but I think it's time. I've read a lot about the point at which you should take on sponsors and I've passed that threshold, but have since just been afraid to do it. Risk and reward, though, right? Details on this to come. 

3. I'm finishing my frame wall. I've been talking about making one forever and have finally made some headway. Now I need to order the right pictures so my room feels haphappy and homey. 

they're here...!


For two and a half years I've been solo in Atlanta, without family at all. My friends have all been new, which is fun and exciting in a wonderful, wonderful way. And for them I am so very grateful. They have made Atlanta feel like home in a very real way.

But there have been days where I have yearned for someone - anyone - who knows me beyond my life in Atlanta.

Days where I wanted just one person who knows the ins and outs of Zionsville. Or who has been to 100 Willow. Just one person who understands why the Indy 500 is racing, yes, but so much more than that. Or who gets why things are funny from childhood, without the back story. Just one person who knows me, my home and so many details in between.

And then, just like that, there were two people.


In what feels like the blink of an eye, Duke and Sam have arrived. After months of talking about it. Planning it. Will it happen? Where will they live? Should they live together? Anticipation - excitement - waiting, waiting, waiting.

And now, they're here.

And I couldn't be happier.

People keep asking me: are you so excited your brothers are here!?

Yes! Obviously.

But yet, it doesn't seem real. I keep feeling like they're just here for the weekend - like it will be taken away. I told my mom multiple times, "I wish you guys didn't have to leave." Only to remember that those guys don't have to leave.  They're here. And staying!

I'm so excited to have them here and to create a new normal that includes them. To factor them in to my life here. It's going to be an exciting, new Atlanta chapter - I just know it! 

Welcome Duke&Sam!

And PS: Atlanta, you are one lucky city to have them, you thing you.