fresh perspective


There are already so many reasons I love having Duke and Sam in Atlanta, but one of the things I've loved the most is seeing the city through their fresh eyes.

Once a Piedmont Park addict, I hadn't made it a priority to spend time there recently. I love that they've gone there every day since they've moved here to workout.

Once a Braves-going fool, I hadn't had time to go to a game this summer. And I love that we went last week - excited for them to cheer on the team as their own. 



The whole experience of having them here - trying to think of what I can show them and introduce them to - has been a reminder to me of the importance of breaking from my routine. I am so routine. And I get in such a fast-paced groove each week, washing my sheets on Sunday, packing my gym bag for the week, making my lunches, getting in my workouts, going to this meeting and that coffee date. And having them here is making me slow down, because I want to make time for them. And it's making me mix up my routine because I want to make room for them in it. 

And even as we begin to find our own separate rhythms - when Duke starts school and Sam starts work - I hope I can maintain this attitude. I hope I can remember that routine is good but sometimes flexibility is better. Hustle is good, but sometimes slowing down, drinking a beer and cheering on the Braves with dear friends is even better. Because this life really is meant to be enjoyed, you know?

Happy Tuesday!

{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.