today i am

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Excited about: our second-annual Friendsgiving tonight! I can't wait to wine and dine with friends. 

Intrigued by: Serial. Have you heard about it? It's a free nonfiction podcast and I started listening this week. Here's how they describe it: Serial is a podcast where we unfold one nonfiction story, week by week, over the course of a season. We'll stay with each story for as long as it takes to get to the bottom of it.

Loving reading: This post about the 10 Things Your Mom Never Told You. Makes me miss my mama!

Indulging by: making super detailed Christmas lists, whoop! I almost know what I am buying everyone on my list. Buying people presents is the best! 

Wanting to make: Peppermint Bark Popcorn. Yes. You read that right. Sounds amazing! And, while I'm at it, I would also like to mention this peanut butter hot chocolate. Yep! 

Getting behind: This post about exercise addiction. Taking breaks is so important.  

Wanting to snuggle in: These snuggly striped towels from Anthro. Beautiful!

Cannot wait to: Go home to Indiana on Sunday!

// things i know today //

1. different people bring out different qualities in you and it's important to choose wisely. 

2. time heals 

3. love heals

4. we need a balance of optimism and realism. find your cheerleaders and find your question askers.  

5. a cozy blanket, cozy scarf and hot drink make cold temperatures a whole lot easier. 

6. talking about people and their flaws is tiring and draining. talking about ideas is energizing. 

7. there are a lot of people in the world sitting on dreams at their desks. go out and get yours. if you don't do it yourself, no one will tell you to do it. 

8. don't stop until you get there. and when you get there, begin again. 

{mountain weekend}

This past weekend, Chris and I went up to Cashiers, NC with dear friends, Katie and Austen, for a mountain getaway. The weekend was just perfect.

{obviously needed road trip snacks. current fav: perfect bars. SO GOOD}

Friday, Chris and I went to dinner before they got in to celebrate a few milestones from the fall.

Saturday morning, we went to the grocery bright and early to get food for the weekend and grabbed coffee at a cute local shop. I'm loving almond milk lattes with mint - the almond milk makes it taste like a treat, but you avoid a lot of the sugar of seasonal lattes. It's a win win :) 

{really happy about the coffee}

After that, we ate breakfast then bundled up for a hike. 

The views were beautiful. 

After that, we ate chili, watched football, had more coffee and wine and great conversation. 

The weekend reminded me how important it is to get out of the city. 

I love Atlanta, but every time I leave, I remember how much more deeply I breathe when I'm not confined by pavement. How well I sleep where the stars shine a little brighter. And how much I love being away with dear friends.

I hope you had a great weekend!

{the last few weeks}

Hello :) I'm back from my accidental blogging break. Here's where the last few weeks went...

//

Robyn came to visit for Halloween. And, yes, I do mean that Jane Fonda came to visit Zack and Kelly at Bayside...

We also went to Chomp and Stomp, which was my first time and is now one of my favorite things ATL's fall has to offer. (Bucket list #124)

And then it was sweet Sam's 25th birthday. We celebrated with friends and toasted him and the amazing man he is. 

And, also, made a cooler out of a pumpkin. :)

And then, at work, I planned a conference for young professionals, which also meant meeting Bill Rancic. Who, I had no idea how dang cute he is! 

And after that, Courtney and Ashley (&Max!) came into town so we could have a beach trip. But before we did that, we celebrated Sam's birthday again. And also took this slightly awkward family photo. Why does it look like we are claiming Sam? #thislandismyland

Then, we drove to the beach.

Then, Ash and I drove back to Atlanta, where she got to meet Chris and celebrate Sam's birthday a little more with lunch at Victory and froyo at the Yogurt Tap.

And now, back to normal life in Atlanta!

I spent the week catching up from the insanity of conference planning. And, tomorrow, Chris and I are heading to the mountains. But for now, this sweet little city town of Atlanta is where I am!

Happy almost weekend! :)