let life overflow

When I was a senior in college, a lot of girls in my sorority lived out of the house - meaning they got their own apartments. I remember, at the time, I wanted to live in the house, but kept thinking about how I was really ready to cook for myself and decorate my own place.

When my friends and I were recently back in Bloomington for a bachelorette party, I told them that if I could, I'd tell all those juniors that are making the same decision: live in senior year. You have your whole life to live on your own. This is the last chance you'll have to live with so many of your friends. Enjoy the day parties and dancing on the sundeck in the afternoon. Soak up every late night chat with froyo and blaring music while getting ready together. Enjoy communal meals and showers and the constant togetherness that inevitably fades away when you no longer live with your best friends and have minimal commitments.

As I said it, I realized this advice - this attitude of enjoy-the-now - is just as applicable to my life today, too. In our 20s, it's so easy to want what the people around us have. As I watch my friends move in with boys, move to new cities, have babies or have the incredible joy of living near their families, it's easy to feel overcome by the wanting. It's easy to let it taint the right now.

But right now is really sweet. Are there hard days? Yes. Do I sometimes feel jealous of my friends who are on different tracks than me? Of course. It's natural. But, the older I get, the more I understand that we have to make a choice at some point between overflowing and emptiness. Are we going to decide that what we have is enough - that life is overflowing - and get as much joy out of it as possible? Or are we going to always look at it as though it is not enough - that is is empty?

It got me thinking about life right now and that I really want to remember this phase. I want to soak it in so that in a few years I don't forget how great it is. Because life today is sweet. The days are long and warm and the nights are restful and balmy. Evenings are marked by walks with Chris or frisbee with my brothers. We grill out a lot and can't get enough guacamole. Life is full but not too busy.

I'm not planning a wedding or moving or making any big changes. And sometimes, I may want to rush into those things. The truth is, life right now is sort of in between a lot of different phases. But, if I let it be, it is overflowing. I want to choose to see that and allow myself to rest in its peacefulness.

Someday when things begin to change, I know I'll look back on this phase and remember it as a happy one. It's simpler and has narrowed in a lot of ways. But it's good. It feels like a warm sunny day when the breeze blows across your face. It's sweet and tender and reminds me that right now, I really like doing life with the people around me.

my favorites from this week

(one year ago when Katie & Sara were here! ^^)

Happy Wednesday! My bffs from high school, Katie and Sara, are coming in from Chicago on Friday, so this week feels like seven to me. But, alas, we're halfway there! Here are my favorite things from this week so far: 

To eat: Perfect Bars. They sent me a box to review and they are (1) delicious (2) filling (3) full of healthy ingredients - carrots and celery in each bar, to name a few. The carob chip and almond butter flavors are my favorite so far. 

To move: A rowing workout from Chris. Try it! My goal was 5,000 meters, or just over three miles. Let me know how far you get! :)

To pick me up in the afternoon: Trader Joe's new peanut butter with chia and flax mixed in. A little crunch a lot of flavor. 

To let loose: Moscow Mules at the Painted Pin (ATL Bucket List #138). I went for a going away party on Monday night and it was awesome. Even on a Monday it was crowded. So glad they're on the ATL scene. 

playing hard to get

 

When we're neighbors we can go on walks after dinner.

 

When we live in the same town, we can take yoga together and have wine nights.

 

When we live closer together, we can make dinner and go on double dates.

 

I can't tell you how many times I have some variation of that conversation with my family and friends each week. It's like my coping mechanism for the distance between me and so many of the people I love: it won't last forever - you'll be with them soon - just hold on to the dream.

 

I was recently talking with Katie, who lives in Chicago, and was telling her that this spring, Atlanta is really starting to feel like home to me. And it feels so good - it's life-giving and fulfilling and makes me feel like I'm starting to understand my piece of this post-grad puzzle. But it also makes me feel panicked, and I didn't understand why at first. But then I asked Katie if she was going to buy a house in Chicago and she said: no, because then I'm stuck. I can't just leave.

 

 

And then I finally understood why it scares me that Atlanta feels like home. If Georgia begins to feel like the place I am meant to be, and if it begins to take up more room in my heart - if I love my job and relationships and am putting down roots - what happens to my plans? What happens to wine nights on my back patio with my far away friends?

 

It's like I've spent the last 2.5 years playing hard to get with this city: I can leave anytime. If you don't give me the job/husband/friends/life I want, I'll leave. I have lots of people I could run to, you know? If this doesn't work out, I'll be fine. I'll be out of here.

 

But as my relationships and career and life have begun to grow and develop, this city has slowly taken hold of my heart. The stakes are higher and it would be harder to leave.

 

 

Court and her family recently decided to move back to Virginia, and Ash and her family decided to buy a new house in Colorado - and both of their husbands are starting new jobs in their respective states.

 

So how can this be? How can my sisters both be doing what I'm doing in Atlanta, but doing it so far away?

 

I'm not sure, exactly. It doesn't make sense to me just yet, but I've noticed lately that life has a funny way of working itself out. Just when you think things aren't making sense it all, so often it seems lots of little pieces fall in to place. So for now, we just have to keep building the life and relationships that feel right in this moment, and doing our best to make the distance seem a little smaller than it really is.

 

And someday, when we're all sitting on our back porch, eating dinner after a long day together, we'll know that the time apart was worth exploring. And the time together? It'll be worth the wait.

 

I just know it.

 

 

image, image, image, image

 

weekend and a half and a halfway move

Do you ever have those weekends where you fall into bed Sunday night and feel like you can barely remember what you did Friday? Where it seems like forever ago and even though the weekends are never long enough, it felt like 37 combined?

This weekend was one of those. Mainly because we halfway moved out.

Some of our things went to storage, and some are going to the new place. Katie's super sweet parents came to help us with the first half. They got into town in the afternoon, so, to get a jumpstart on the task, we pulled everything we were moving out onto the lawn Saturday morning. We thought we were really funny and set it up outside like the inside.  Moving furniture already cracks me up for some reason - add that to our outdoor living room and I was doomed to lose it. 

It was also one of the easiest ways to move I've ever done (which is, let's be real, a subject I'm familiar with), because by the time the truck arrived, we had a full picture of everything we needed to load. Like a big puzzle! 

I also rented this beauty just to make sure we had enough room. Needless to say, it doesn't have the turn radius of my Jeep. It also beeps when you back up...

Surprisingly, we had no less than 11 people ask us if we were having a yard sale. At one point, we said no, but a girl still said: could I take a look and see if there is anything I want to buy?

I almost said yes, based on her persistence alone! I guess if you really want my table that badly...

Other weekend highlights include a late dinner at Taco Mac Saturday night, drinks on the patio at Noche Sunday afternoon, and dinner with Sally and her mama at Two Urban Licks Sunday. 

Sunday night, I crashed into bed - happily exhausted. Now, just a few more nights until a rat-free home. Yaay! I hope your weekend was wonderful, too!

happee day mondayy

Oh my heart. It is so full.

This weekend was wonderfully happy and I felt so enveloped in love by the support of friends and family. I can't wait to give a full report tomorrow. But for now, a happy Monday to you all! I hope the weekend high carries you through the day.

PS: Is it seriously June 11? June is halfway over this week. What!? Where'd it go? Sheesh!

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Love in NOLA

This past weekend I traveled to New Orleans for my sweet friend Ali's wedding. It was my first time visiting the city and I was definitely taken aback. I don't know how NYC beat it out as the city that never sleeps. New Orleanians never sleep, nor do they ever stop celebrating.

Bourbon Street was fun and the French Quarter was undeniably enticing, but my favorite part was getting away from the hustle. The church was a few miles out and I absolutely loved see this portion of the city. It was beautiful and very tradition-rich. It reminded me a lot of Savannah.

Other highlights included Cafe du Monde, the Farmers' Market, the shopping and the street music ev.ery.where.

And, of course, Ali and Doug's beautiful wedding.

Congratulations Ali and Doug!

Oh happy!

It’s official. Wonderful Kari sent me Hunger Games part two, Catching Fire, as a housewarming gift. 

I also still have things I want to do in my apartment, such as repainting a bench that I made a drippy mess out of this weekend. Eek! When am I ever going to blog!?

Thank you, Kari! I'm already addicted.

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even though it's been a week...

I'm still on cloud nine from Megan's wedding. She was so happy and lovely, and it was wonderful to have so many of my friends in one place. I love them and am very grateful to be able to find them in the Midwest.

Congratulations Miss Meggie and Michael!

Rehearsal dinner :)

Getting ready with the bridesmaids!

In the limo - here we go :)

I love you Meggie Mooch!

Ra ta ta holidaaa

Although I would never (ever) complain about warm weather, after years of winter starting as early as October, 70 and sunny in December is confusing my brain. I keep forgetting how close we are to Christmas! It's only 11 days away. Ra!

Thank goodness my friends were willing to get my in the spirit this week, with a pitch-in and ornament exchange at Melissa's.

I walked away with a super cute snowflake to hang on my tree and took the long way home to look for Christmas lights. The combination, plus Christmas music all day at work, helped remind me how close we are. Also, as soon as I head north, I'm pretty positive my brain will be quickly reminded of it. Di!

My bags are packed and I'm ready to go...

When it comes to packing, I tend to be pretty prepared (read: psychotic). I get panicked if I don't have a handle on things days in advance. For example, my freshman year of college, I moved into the dorms Sept. 25, yet packed at the end of July. It led to two full months of me digging through boxes. But man! I would have been ready to go at any minute.

I shouldn't have been shocked when I woke up Tuesday morning and realized I'd already packed (and loaded into the Jeep) all of my tights. Along with my TV remotes (no Today show!?). You see, I am moving this weekend. And therefore, I felt the need to pack the majority of my apartment Monday night. Why I feel more comfortable living among a jungle of boxes than I do packing Thursday and Friday night, like a normal person, is beyond me.

Last night, Savannah came over with sushi and dedication, as she helped me wrap things up by packing every square inch of my kitchen, food included. That pantry has never looked so empty! Moments after she left I got a serious craving for red hots and had to do a little digging to satisfy it. Nothing like working for my meal, eh?

Mid-process, we decided it was time to drink sparkling peach juice, which I've had since a wedding in May. With the bottle openers and knives packed, Savannah was sure she could open it with the edge of a metal spoon. A lot of work it may have been for five month old nonalcoholic champagne, but the beauty was in the process...

And just when she was about to give up...

Just a few more nights in this happy little apartment! Eek!

Oh big PS: Happy Month of Christmas! Whoahwhoahwhoah!

image via

mad carving skills

"Man, this is bad! And I've had my share of bad reviews. I still remember my first good one, though. 'Everything else in this production of Our Town was simply terrible. Joey Tribbiani was abysmal.'" Joey, Friends

During the course of the last year, there have been multiple occasions on which I probably should have gone to the hospital due to serious knife injuries to my hands. One of which resulted in me having my left hand wrapped and immobilized for an entire week.

My knife skills are abysmal.

To the point that every time I'm home and cutting things in front of my parents, they're guaranteed to say under their breaths, simultaneously, "didn't I teach you to use a knife?" as I cut toward myself and miss my skin by a hair.

Yet somehow, last night at family dinner with my friends, I ended up helping carve the turkey. We had a Thanksgiving feast, complete with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and apple crisp.

Regardless of the questionable carving, it was a lovely night.

And although it goes against my normal practice, we put on Christmas music during dinner. While I may have spent the first half of the meal trying to think of any Thanksgiving song known to man in order to postpone Jingle Bell Rock just a little longer, the combination of good friends + gobble feasting + Christmas music got me primed for the holiday season. I cannot wait to go home and see my family next week. Di! Do you think my they'll want me to carve the turkey there, too?

Here's to one full week of work before the holiday season begins! Happy Monday!

sum sum sum

I've been really spoiled the last few weekends, with a visit from Jamie, followed by a trip to Florida with my bests, followed by a visit by Duke and Sam.

It has been very happy :) 

Miss Porcelius :)

Florida lovies 

And the most amazing brothers ever. 

yaay! yaay! yaay!

It's April! I am so happy about this, and here's why you should be, too...

1. We are in the month of the Royal Wedding! Which means we will soon get to see all of Kate Middleton's fabulous choices. The dress, the flowers, the bridesmaids...ah!

2. Spring is rilly rilly here, and it's here to stay. It's going to be 81 and sunny this weekend and I have a good feeling we won't see Jack Frost again for a looong time. Time to get out those skirts&dresses!

3. It's baseball season! Although I can't pretend I watch it on TV, I absolutely love (love!) going to Braves games. The Home Opener is one week from today and I am super excited about it.

4. I have a month full of special visitors! My mom, Allie and Sara are all coming to stay with me and I can't wait to play hostess.

By the way, it's totally April's style to start out on Friday. So fun.

via: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Tuesday?

Whew! With everything that's going on here, I feel like I've had a whole week already. I can't believe it's only Tuesday.

Of course, it probably has to do with the excitement of the weekend to come, which includes Libby's bachelorette party.

I'm counting down the days until I'm reunited with some of my favorite people, all of whom are scattered across the country and engaged in their own adventures (they too, are probably wondering how it's possibly only Tuesday).

I'm thinking the weekend ahead might call for a new ensemble. The Carven Ruffle-skirt Taffeta Dress looks bachelorette-party-perfect to me.

Oh, if only I wore crew necks...

And had $595 to spare.

Photo: apartment #34

Oprah for president

"George: Why do I get pesto? Why do I think I'll like it? I keep trying to like it, like I have to like it.
Jerry: Who said you have to like it?
George: Everybody likes pesto. You walk into a restaurant, that's all you hear - pesto, pesto, pesto.
Jerry: I don't like pesto.
George: Where was pesto 10 years ago?...

...Jerry: He's from a.. Yakima, right?
Elaine: Seattle.
Jerry: Everybody's moving to Seattle.
George: It's the pesto of cities."

Jim and I are currently involved in an on-going debate. At the core of it is the question: Seinfeld v. Friends.

I argue that Friends, because it's slapstick humor, will always be funny. For generations to come, those that enjoy that type of comedy will enjoy it. Seinfeld, however, is situational humor, and is becoming more and more dated.

For example, in the Bubble Boy episode of Seinfeld, what makes it so funny is that Jerry and George don't have cell phones, so they lose each other when traveling to the boy's house. It's this whole dysfunctional road trip, all because they can't get in contact with one another. Today, it's much more common that people don't have landlines. Everyone has a cell phone. In a few generations, they won't even know what a home phone is. The show won't be relevant.

Jim argues that this is not the case. He thinks that although they're both dated (look at the clothes!), they're both funny enough that they'll be watched regardless.

As Oprah begins the end of her career, I can't help but wonder if she'll also become irrelevant. Will we still care about the same issues in 20 years? Will we still want to buy certain products because they're her favorites?

With followers like Robyn Okrant, it seems like Oprah will remain relevant for years to come.

Okrant has spent the last year "Living Oprah". Oprah told viewers to do a vegan cleanse, so she did it. Oprah suggested every woman own animal-print flats, so she invested. Oprah told her to jump, she asked how high...

So who knows? In 15 years, we may still be loving Queen Oprah. Or, there may even be people who have never even heard of her book club.

...Psh. Yeah right.