better half

August 7, 2013 Whitney Saxon

I was talking with a friend recently about a guy she likes, but she thinks he isn't interested. "I don't think I'm wholesome enough for him," she said.

To which our friend Katie had a vehement reaction ("preach!" I said) and Melissa promptly pulled up this pin.

And, although we laughed at ourselves for being complete girls and turning a real-life situation into a Pinterest-situation, the truth is, it's true.

The moment you begin to play the "I am not enough XXX for him" game, is the moment you stop and 180. It's the moment you remind yourself you are enough and vow never to utter those words again.

There was a guy I dated a while back and I kept telling Courtney, "I am afraid I am going to mess it up." Because I really liked him. And I felt like he was great. And I feared he might be too great and I'd mess it up.

And she'd constantly tell me that I couldn't mess it up. Because when it's the guy you're supposed to end up with, you don't mess it up. He doesn't walk away when you're too noisy or say the wrong thing or are not wholesome enough. Because when it's right, it will be right.

I wish I could say I had learned this lesson the easy way, but instead, I've sat in relationships too afraid to be the full version of myself too many times. Too afraid to admit I did have an opinion on where we went to dinner. Too scared to speak up when I wanted something more - for fear I might be too demanding. Too afraid to admit when I was frustrated or mad - for fear I'd be perceived as unreasonable.

But lately, what I've learned is that we don't have to be small. It's OK to have a voice and an opinion. It's OK to be the full version of ourselves - in fact - it's better. As Katie so wisely said this weekend, when you meet the guy you're supposed to be with, he will make you even more of yourself - he won't make you feel like you should be less of this or more of that [wholesome, even], he will encourage you to be the full version of you. And together, as one, you will be even better.

And that, my friends, makes my heart happy.

fresh perspective

August 6, 2013 Whitney Saxon

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}

August 5, 2013 Whitney Saxon

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

August 2, 2013 Whitney Saxon

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 then we moved again.

And again.

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.