july around here

Happy Thursday, friends! 

I had this post all ready to go this week, then I came down with the stomach flu. Ick! It reminded me of a little blogging truth that's important to remember: people always post the good stuff, so it's really important not to compare your real life to someone's blog life. If I were to post what my Tuesday around 1 p.m. looked like, it would not be pretty.

But, alas, here's the post I wanted to share with you before I spent my week on the bathroom tile :)

//

Normally, I hoard my summer weekends. Meaning, I try to leave them as unscheduled as possible, so the warm, long days turn into warm, long weeks. I yearn for July days that are full of what should we do today? and where should we go next?

But this year has been different. July has been packed, with travel every weekend. Although it has made the month fly by, I'm so grateful for the time with dear friends, in sweet cities. Here's what we've been up to around these parts:

We had a Fourth of July cookout with our Atlanta framily.

And a lake trip to south Georgia with dear friends.

Chris and I snuck in a date night, where we saw a movie. Yes, a movie! It was our second movie ever. We saw Inside Out and loved, loved it. If only every movie could be that good! We took an elevator selfie to document the unusual occurrence.

We went to Raleigh for a wedding. Chris was in the wedding, so I spent the day exploring that sweet city town on foot. I grabbed an iced coffee from Brew Coffee Bar, which was g.o.o.d. I'm thinking Raleigh may be my next city guide.

{Speaking of which, thank you to everyone who has pinned my Nashville City Guide. That has gotten a lot more action than I ever expected!}

Chris and I went to Birmingham for the inaugural Sloss Festival. We loved Lord Huron and First Aid Kit! Also! Loved Steel City Pops. Holy vanilla! All of their flavors are gluten free, which I quite liked.

{Turns out Octane Birmingham is just as good as Octane Atlanta}

When we got back into town, we had the pure joy of meeting our friends' new baby, Davis. I couldn't be happier to see Katie & Austen become parents.

And that's July!

I'm supposed to leave for Charleston for a bachelorette party today, but with being sick am going to hopefully be up for it tomorrow. So now, back to the couch :) I hope your week has been swell!

first weekend of summer in ATL

One of my all-time favorite holidays each year is the first day of summer. Nothing says happy to me like the longest day of the year. This past week I've been celebrating with as much time as possible in that sweet Georgia sun. With that sweet man-made sunscreen :) Here's what I've been up to:

Free King of Pops yoga on the BeltLine (every Tuesday - 7 p.m.!) with Melly.

{Melly got this sweet Atlanta on the Rise mug from Foster ATL}

Slow mornings with good convo&coffee on my brothers' deck before the sun gets too hot. 

King of Pops in honor of our Pops on Father's Day! No better way for a Biber to celebrate someone they love than with dessert. It's our love language.

A pool day (with more sunscreen) to celebrate our sweet friend Megan's birthday.

And two (yes, two!) trips to the new Victory in Inman Park. Mile High Club and Tea Bird gluten free sandwiches for this girl! So good. And so happy. Welcome back to the neighborhood, Victory! We're so glad you're here.

And now it is officially my favorite season of the year! Happy Monday!

This Weekend: Avett Bros in ATL

In the summer, my entire being craves outdoor concerts. During the rest of the year, I don't think about concerts much at all. But, ah, in the summer. Just give me music + a drink + some humidity and I'm all set.

{Memorial Day this year - kickstarted the summer with DMB}

A few weeks ago, ScoreBig, an online ticket vendor, reached out to me to see if I'd post a review. Their site is a little different than others, because (similarly to Priceline), you name your own price. If they accept the price, you'll be notified right away. And if they don't accept it, you won't be charged at all, but you also won't be able to bid on the tickets again for 24 hours. They have a little meter under the bidding to let you know the likelihood of your bid being accepted, which is quite helpful. 

I bid on two Avett Brothers tickets and my price was accepted. And a totally unexpected bonus was that when they came in the mail (almost immediately), they had a parking pass with them, too, which I did not realize I'd receive. 

So, this coming weekend, Chris and I are heading to Avett Bros on Friday. And, moving forward, I'll certainly use ScoreBig for tickets again. Although my bid was only a few dollars lower than face value, every dollar saved helps! 

And now, Avett Bros here we come!

In exchange for this post I received a ScoreBig voucher. The opinions, however, are my own and were not influenced by the incentive. 

life lately

I told Chris recently that I love doing life with him. This sweet summer pace that offers events and busy right alongside slow and humid. These sunshiney days and sticky patio nights coupled with air conditioned sleeps. Just life; good life. 

It's warm and happy with big events like my beautiful friend, Abby's, wedding last weekend at the Fox. I was blown away by her elegant affair.

And the Summer Supper Series at Two Urban Licks to celebrate Chris and my Meetiversary.

Yes those special nights, but also the slow and easy - the normal.

Like grocery shopping, making dinner, going to church, building absurdly huge salads at Whole Foods, pool days, workouts and everything in between. It's easy and steady and reminds me daily not to create chaos, but instead to enjoy every sweet summer minute. 

I hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend!

{summer}

Did you know that Saturday is the longest day of the year? Which is one of my all time favorite days of the year because it has more sunlight than any other day and officially marks the start of summer.

If you didn't know, you should surely act accordingly. Meaning: makes plans to be outside for as much of the day as is humanly possible. 

In honor of the fact that it's really, officially summer, this week I:

1) Went to a Braves game with Chris (Summer Bucket List #8).

2) Worked out before work, instead of at lunch, with Duke. I loved starting the day that way. It just felt summer-right to workout in that fresh AM humidity. 

3) Am biking the Silver Comet trail with Duke this weekend (Bucket List #60). And then having just a huge breakfast at Highland Bakery (Bucket List #131). 

4) Am Shooting the Hooch with some friends Saturday afternoon (Summer Bucket List #1!). 

5) Am wearing my jorts and hoops all the time because even if hoops aren't in style in real life, they're always in style in my summer lyfe.

I hope you have a great start to summer!

the start of something good // summer

One of the more underrated things about Atlanta is, in my opinion, the holiday weekend. Everyone leaves - heading to the Carolinas and the Panhandle - leaving Atlanta noticeably emptier. Since moving here, I've never spent a Memorial Day in town and this year, after a spring full of travel, I was so excited to try it out. 

On Friday night, Chris hosted a cookout to kick start the weekend and welcome two of his friends, Walker and Claude into town. 

Saturday,we went to brunch at South City Kitchen (my first time there --> so good!) then headed over to his aunt & uncle's pool in Buckhead. They were out of town for the weekend and so kindly offered us the place as a staycation of sorts. 

Saturday night, we went to the Dave Matthews concert at Aaron's amphitheater (ATL Summer Bucket List #6). It was absolutely perfect weather for an outdoor concert. 

Sunday, we got up and headed to our friend, Katherine's, house in LaGrange Georgia to go boating (ATL Summer Bucket List #3). 

Her family couldn't have been more gracious hosts - they were so accommodating - driving us around on the boat all day and constantly reminding us to eat and drink anything we saw. It was such a lovely day with great friends and great weather. 

And now, here we are on Monday with a mini week ahead of us and the lovely realization that it is, unofficially but practically officially: SUMMER.

my atlanta summer bucket list

After last summer being particularly rainy and this winter being so cold and long, I couldn't be more excited for summer weather. I'm hoping for a sweltering, humid season where I constantly yearn for pool time and can boil an egg on the sidewalk (not that I've actually done that. But I want the option.).

Once the heat index hits 90, I'm officially kick-starting my summer bucket list. Here are my 14 to dos for Summer 14...

1. Shoot the Hooch. Last year we planned to do it twice and both times it got rained out. I ca.nn.ot wait. √ Done!
2. Stay in this Intown Treehouse. Ah, life en plein air. Chris and I stayed here this past weekend (I know, I totally jumped the gun on the summer portion of the bucket list by already checking it off). You won't be disappointed. √ Done! 
3. Go boating on one of Georgia's many lakes. One day I will have a lake house of my own, but until then, you can find me posted up on someone's dock. See you soon, Lake Lanier.√ Done!
4. Make s'mores. Anyone have gluten free graham crackers? I'm going to need to purchase ASAP and get my bon[fire] on. 
5. See a movie at the Starlight Drive-in. I've never been to a drive-in and I think it's high time I put my popcorn maker to use and hop to it. 
6. Go to a concert at Aaron's Amphitheater or Chastain Park. Summer ain't summer without an outdoor concert. I'm gunning for country music. √ Done!
7. Grow my own vegetables. After joining a CSA last fall, I realized there were so many perks to having locally grown, pesticide-free veggies. Why not try my hand at farming? Atlanta Botanical Gardens offers free consulting from their Plant Hotline, too.
8. Go to a Braves game. I've got to bid the Ted farewell before they leave the city.  √ Done!
9. Go berry picking in McDonough. And make a pie!
10. Get a hammock for our backyard. And read in it all the time. 
11. Make homemade ice cream. And have sundaes on a Sunday. 
12. Go to Screen on the Green (or Flicks on Fifth or Chastain Summer Movie Series. Whichever one is happening this summer). 
13. Try Morelli's ice cream. And basically eat as much ice cream as possible.
14. Go to Shaky Knees. Hello Lone Bellow! Update: Not quite possible this year!

//

(A few other things that deserve honorable mention but I've already done plenty and/or have a conflict: 

- Run the Peachtree Road Race on the Fourth of July, of course. 

- Spend an afternoon at Sweet Water Brewery

- Go to the Virginia Highland Summerfest

- Spend a morning at the Goat Farm

- Eat King of Pops all the time

and

- Go to as many of the gajillions of amazing festivals and farmers' markets Atlanta has to offer as possible.)

Happy summering Atlantans!

{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?

so long sweet summer

Do you think it will last?

I have asked this question approximately 37 times since Sunday, when fall decided to take over Atlanta.

And the answers I have gotten have been a wide variety of yes, no and maybe. All leading to me to the conclusion that no one knows, but everyone hopes, that this early autumn is here to stay.

The air is crisp, the skies are blue, the temperatures are in the 80s.

I'm, of course, always down for an Indian Summer, but also can't get enough of this weather. Last week I was feeling burned out on running, but this week, all I want to do is throw on my runners and get outside. And dine al fresco. And sleep with my windows open. And make s'mores.

Ah!

I hope you're having a great week, and getting outside a whole lot.

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i lake it. i lake it a lot.

In March, I officially called it spring. My heart was bursting with warmth as the two most perfect seasons began. And every year, as it turns to August, I begin to feel one part bliss, because I love back to school season, and if I try hard enough, I swear I can still get a whiff of the sweet smell of Eagle Elementary. But another part of my heart is anxious because I have wildly conflicted feelings about fall.

But, as I begin my third autumn in Atlanta, I'm beginning to relax. Fall isn't so scary, because winter isn't so long. In fact, Georgia winters are pretty unthreatening. I feel like I am no longer approaching fall with my shoulders up by my ears. I might even be excited...!

However, this weekend, we made sure to embrace summer to its fullest. With a birthday party Friday night, finding our new house Saturday morning (!!) and a trip to Lake Rabun Saturday and Sunday, the weekend was jam packed. My arms are sore (sore, sore) from tubing, but if you know me at all, you know that lakes are a pretty large obsession of mine, and the lactic acid build up really just means victory on the tube.

As I fell asleep last night, I definitely felt like my bed was rocking like a boat, and I was also sad to see the weekend end. But, we still have a lot of lake-appropriate weekends ahead of us - and that's the beautiful thing about fall in Georgia, my friends.

Hope you're weekend was grrreat. xo :)

Oh, and since I didn't take any pictures (eqjwbis!), a throwback for your Monday viewing pleasure.

Don't you lake it, too!?

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it's here!

 

Last night at yoga, in honor of the solstice, we participated in the biannual tradition of 180 sun salutations. The entire thing takes 3 hours, and we only had about 100 minutes, but we did what we could during that time.

When we started the class and he told us what we'd be doing, I was kind of annoyed. Really craving a hard workout, I was frustrated that we were just going to repeat salutations A, B and C, considering they're normally a warmup.

I stand corrected.

It was so incredibly hard; there was a point when I wasn't sure I would make it through. My entire body is rocked with soreness today. I left the class feeling exhausted, detoxed and centered.

When I got home, I talked to my favorite yogi and friend forever, Katie, who told me she'd recently been in a class and the instructor closed by saying: You're living your dreams - don't miss it!

And I thought it was just a lovely way to start this Friday and first full summer weekend ahead.

I hope your weekend is dreamy!

image one, two, three

the time. has come.

Every year, on this day,  Courtney and I come to opposite conclusions. You see. The first day of summer is one of my most favorite things ever. For one, it is the longest day of the year. Two, it marks the official start of the best season. And three. Well, there is no three. Need I say more!?

Courtney, on the other hand, thinks it is actually a little sad, because the days are getting shorter and we are inching our way toward fall (inevitably winter) and away from her favorite season, spring.

Fortunately, being one of five, she's accustomed to compromising, and is more than willing to celebrate the day with me, even if she's secretly having a minor anxiety attack that the leaves are looking just a touch too crispy for her liking.

Tonight after work, I fully intend on being outside for every possible minute. From dinner to dusk, I'll be embracing the daylight, and I hope you can do the same.

Happy summering, you guys!

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yoga summa

Yoga last night was a little bit of a mess - not because of anything the instructor did, but because of my own struggles. My body was impossibly tight and my mind was ev.er.y.where but there.

More specifically, I spent the majority of the class thinking about summer camp.

Days on the lake, morning walks to chapel, the smell of the dining room, where my camp crushes are now (I'm looking at you Pat and Mike)...

What prompted this level of reminiscence, I'm not sure. I think it had something to do with the way this unusually cool Georgia weather filled the studio - the windows were open and the cross breeze felt much more similar to nights in the cabin than the average June day in Atlanta.

Although I left the class slightly less zenned out than I typically hope for, it did make me extra happy about life. Less than one week until it's officially summer, and camp, or no camp, I'm really excited about all the season has to offer.

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sumsumsumma

It's officially the unofficial start to summer and I couldn't be happier. This weekend marks the beginning of long days at the lake, hot nights on the dock, lightning bugs, ice cream, sun-kissed, carefree blissfulness.

My heart is full and my bags are packed because we're heading to the beach. See you in the summer!

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mad for mint

Our julep weekend has long since passed, but my taste for mint has yet to be satisfied. Is anyone else loving the color like mad? I can't get enough of its freshness. I think I'm even brushing my teeth more than usual.

PS: Don't even get me started on coral. Oh man.

images: watch, skates, candle, clutch, camera, pencils

magapalooza

This weekend can be summed up most effectively in one word: Magstravaganza.

Maggie was in from Chicago and the whirlwind weekend was just splendid.

Friday night was a little bit like a Series of Unfortunate Events book, in that we couldn't make anything happen how it was supposed to. Fortunately, it was still really happy, unlike the books. After dinner, we went to the Dogwood Festival in Piedmont Park around 9:55, only to learn that it ended at 10. The bands and rides were shutting down just in time for us to say goodnight. Fortunately, we convinced one sir to let us ride the swings, sans tickets, which pretty much fulfilled my taste for carnivalism.

After that, we put on our 80s garb to go hear Yacht Rock at Park Tavern. We arrived at around 10:58, and discovered that the concert ended at 11.

So, we hopped in a cab to go to a new ice bar in Buckhead, which opened Friday. Upon arrival, we were denied entry because of our 80s gear. For real!

Luckily, I was just happy to be with Maggie, so we stayed in good spirits. :)

Saturday, we went to our first ever crawfish boil. Apparently this is a standard activity in the south, but Maggie and I were in awe. I was skeptical to try the little crawbabies at first, but they were really good. They tasted just like shrimp!

After that, we headed to Candler Park for 420 Fest.

It was so great to have Maggie here, and on the way to the airport, she told me that she was pretty sure she could live in the south. I've officially found my mission! Move Maggie to ATL 2k12 - here we go!

Thank you so much for coming Mag!!