And just like that, it's Christmastime!

This holiday season has absolutely flown by and I really don't know how next week is Christmas! I went from zero to 60 in the last week - I'd done pretty much nothing Christmassy to doing a whole lot in a short time. And it was lovely :) 

Last week, I went to Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens (ATL Bucket List #25)  with coworkers. It was so much fun and absolutely got me in the holiday spirit. Something about a spiked hot chocolate and shiny lights will do that to you.

(I found some Indiana corn in the gardens)

Over the weekend, I wrapped all of my Christmas gifts and packed them up for my trip home next weekend. I love, love gift giving but really, strongly dislike wrapping them. I rush through it and don't like to measure and it just isn't my scene. Duke and Sam entertained me (or more accurately, I entertained them with my poor skills), while we listened to Christmas music. It made the whole experience much livelier. 

On Saturday night, Chris and I went with his mom to Murphy's for dinner and a gift exchange, then back to the gardens to see the lights again. Even the second time through, they did not disappoint. They were lovely. 

On Sunday, a few of my friends and I went to lunch at Mary Mac's Team Room and the Nutcracker at the Fox (Bucket list #70 and #109), which I hadn't seen since I was really young. I didn't know what to expect but was pleasantly surprised. The whole time I just kept thinking about how athletic they all are - those legs! Impressive. 

To wrap up the weekend, Melissa and I exchanged Christmas gifts. And, of course, drank hot chocolate. 

And now, here we are, just one week away from the merriest holiday of the year. 

I hope your holiday season has been full of cheer!

{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!

carolina weekend

This past weekend, Chris, Melly and I drove to Clemson to meet friends for the UNC game. We rented an adorable lake house in Seneca and drove in to campus to tailgate and go to the game.

It was my first actual Southern football game (I've tailgated before but never gone in. Not quite sure how I made it four years without attending one!) and it was so much fun. They are truly a production!

From the company to the weather, the weekend was absolutely perfect. Minus a Tarheel loss, that is!

PS: Right before the game I snagged this dress from Anthro on a major sale. It's not online anymore but if you're looking for a good fall dress, look for it in stores. I kept calling it a naked dress because it's so light and airy. :)

an atlanta weekend: full of places and people I love

Last weekend the forecast said rain, rain, rain. But the days rolled on through - sunny and beautiful for every minute, which was absolutely perfect, because my mom was in town and we had a lot to do!

Thursday night, Chris and I kick started the weekend with a date to the Dekalb Farmers' Market (Bucket List #105). He'd never been and it's kind of the equivalent of Disney World to me - so it was high time we took a trip.  

We bought tuna, asparagus, purple potatoes and wine and went back to my house to cook&feast. It was such a good dinner and I'm always blown away by the freshness and price of the market. 

For dessert I made this cookie cake, which was insanely tasty. If you're in the baking mood, bake it ASAP :)

Friday morning, I worked and then took the afternoon off so Duke, Sam and I could head to the airport to get my mom. From there, we hit the ground running with a walk in the Morningside Nature Preserve near our house and a night on the Westside. We ate dinner at Bartaco, walked around Westside Provisions and played cards at our house with Melly and Chris. 

Saturday morning, we had coffee at Octane and went on a mission to find the Bellwood Quarry. I recently added it to my Atlanta Bucket List after Sam saw it named as "something you need to do in Atlanta but might not know about." It sits between Bankhead and the Westside and, as it turns out, does not want to be found.

To simply enter the property, we found an abandoned road, which was blockaded by a barbed-wire fence. My mom and I climbed around and my brothers went over - navigating broken glass and the wire. After that, we hiked for about an hour - through an odd mix of city trash, abandoned buildings, fields and nature so pure you'll forget you're anywhere near Atlanta. That is, until you turn the corner and see the skyline. 

Had I been alone, I'd have quit a lot sooner. But with my mom and brothers alongside, we were all determined to get to the quarry. 

Upon arrival, we realized it was absolutely worth the work. The quarry was gorgeous - I wish the pictures did it justice. Sitting below hundreds of feet of rock walls, the calcite-rich blue and teal water was majestic. 

After we left the quarry, we returned home to shower off burrs, bugs and some poison ivy. And then, we all agreed it was time to feast. 

We headed over to Souper Jenny for lunch, then did some boy friendly shopping, which culminated at the Home Depot, where we bought a ton of plants because my brothers are slowly becoming horticulturalists.

Saturday night, we got carry out from Yeah Burger and played at my house - rearranging furniture and trying to mix up our sun room.

Sunday, we got up early for breakfast before the crowd at Highland Bakery and hiked at Lullwater. After that, my mom and I did some non-boy-friendly shopping, then thrifted with them in the afternoon. Sunday night, we went to church (showed my mom Grace Midtown for the first time!) and then had dinner at Whole Foods. 

Monday morning, we got coffee & breakfast at Belly then took my mom to the airport. I kept thinking: didn't we JUST pick her up!? But now that I look back on all we did, I realize exactly why it felt like a whirlwind 48 hours! 

Thank you, mom, for an amazing weekend! Come back soon please! 

easy summer; easy weekend

Sometimes the hustle&bustle of Atlanta excites me. I love the way there's always something going on - a new restaurant opening, a fun event and constant entertainment. I love how there are always new people to meet and access to everything you could imagine.

But every now and then, especially when I'm feeling homesick, I yearn for a small town. I yearn for the way we didn't lock our doors growing up. The way we walked a few blocks to Main Street for a milkshake and put it on an expense account. No keys needed, no money needed. Just easy, carefree pleasure. Yes, I yearn for the slower; the more innocent. 

And this weekend, although I didn't get to go home to Indiana, I did have the pleasure of heading to Newnan, Georgia to visit my friends, Katie and Austen. Chris and I drove down for dinner and a sleepover Friday night and it was so lovely to be in that little town with great friends.

They made an absolute feast, which we enjoyed alongside Moscow Mules, good conversation and lots of porch sitting. We stayed the night Friday and got up Saturday to go for a walk around town, get coffee and eat more food :) I loved swinging on their porch swing, sipping coffee and talking about life with that crew.

After that, Chris and I headed back to Atlanta where we basked in the rare and lovely glory that is a Saturday afternoon without commitments. We went to the grocery and relaxed and got iced coffees (again. I know!) and it was perfect. 

Sunday, Mel and I got up early to go for a walk and try out a new coffee shop in the Highlands, Henry & June. After that, we headed to church, then met up with a whole crew of friends at Victory in Decatur for the World Cup. 

Sunday night, Chris and I capped off the weekend with a swim, grilling and some wine. 

And I woke up Monday, happy, refreshed and grateful for my time both in and outside the Perimeter this weekend. 

I hope your weekend was wonderful!

my kind of atlanta weekend

I went into this weekend with high hopes and a pretty set itinerary. But, as a good Atlanta weekend always does, it surprised me with just enough impromptu activities to leave me happily refreshed. I do love adventuring in this city!

Friday, Chris made me an awesome dinner. He cooked bison burgers, which I've been wanting to try for a while. Paired with a kale salad and avocado & mango salsa - and we feasted! I sipped wine&OJ on the deck while he grilled and couldn't have been happier about it. I.love.summer.

Saturday, Duke and I got up early early to bike the Silver Comet Trail. I'd done it once, but that was just weeks before I did my triathlon and was, admittedly, in better cardio shape. Let's just say it was a good workout. For me. Duke just cruised along. :)

After that, I met up with friends to Shoot the Hooch. Last summer, my Hooch plans were rained out (not once, but twice), which means I hadn't done it since summer 2012. I was itching to get out there. 

We floated for about an hour before a thunderstorm set in - so for the last two hours we were floating amid lighting and mega raindrops. Decidedly, though, if our biggest problem on Saturday was that we got wet while floating the river in our swimsuits, then it's still a pretty dang good day. 

Sunday, Chris and I went to what is easily Atlanta's best kept coffee secret: Chattahoochee Coffee Company. It sits on the river the couldn't be more peaceful. I'm adding it to my Atlanta Bucket List because I think it's going to be a weekend game changer for me. I don't go OTP for a lot, but for a good coffee shop, I will. 

After that, Sunday included church with friends, a nice long walk and meeting up with friends before the World Cup at Cypress Street. 

I wrapped up Sunday night babysitting - fully recharged, relaxed and grateful for two whole days in this wonderful city. Summer life is good life. 

I hope your weekend was lovely! 

--

PS: I strongly prefer not to give negative reviews on my blog, but after our experience dealing with Urban Currents, it would be a disservice not to share my recommendation that you should not rent from them in you float the river this year. I'll spare you the details, aside from that they are incredibly disorganized and increased the price so it's now $27.50 to float. If you're going to shoot this year, definitely BYOTube and drop your car off at the end. It's worth the extra effort to avoid the headache.

{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!

and i'm back!

 I'm back from a beautiful weekend in the Bahamas! 

We couldn't have had more perfect weather to celebrate our girl Abby. I'm dreaming of that clear blue water today from my cube. Is it too soon to head back? 

Thank you, Abby, for letting us celebrate you! Next stop: the wedding!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend!