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Sigh. Spring feels so good. Good for the skin, spirit and everything in between!
This season of awakening senses reminds me how incredibly important it is to stop and appreciate all the little things in life. The smell of the air just before a rain. The satisfying smoky taste of freshly made espresso. The feel of the lake-side breeze. The slow blink of a kitty cat. The warm fuzzy feeling we get when we think about someone we love.
Sure, I’m being totally sappy here but isn’t life too short to let these moment drift by without notice? I don’t want to take any feeling, internal or external, for granted. That’s why I decided to keep things simple with today’s post and just focus on some of the everyday moments that fill my heart with joy.
Needing a breath of fresh air and a temporary escape from city living – my hub and I embarked on a one week adventure to Appalachia.
Spending several days in the Pisgah National Forest in a beautifully renovated antique cabin at Brown Mountain Beach Resort, we enjoyed leisurely hikes, canoeing and fresh locally made foods. The couple who recently acquired the stretch of historical cabins imparted their enthusiasm for all things green and homegrown. Not only is this treasure of a resort striving for true sustainability, both financially and ecologically, they’re also pet-friendly. Talk about hitting up the right demographic! David and I will be sure to swing through again in the future with our mini goblins in tow.
After a few days of R&R in the park, we embarked on a visit to Asheville, the self-proclaimed “foodtopia” of the East. With a penchant for the arts and slow processes, both with foods and products, this tiny city nestled in the smoky mountains was refreshingly low key. With live folk music pouring from the bars, an abundance of local handmade crafts, direct-from-farmer restaurants and a thriving arts scene, this town of 50,000 was a pleasant surprise. We enjoyed gallery hopping in the River Arts District and leisurely strolls between the many boutiques. A true gem with much more to be discovered – I foresee us swinging through Asheville again in the near future – to do some more in depth exploring.
Is there a close vacation destination near your home that offers sustainable and local foods? If so – share your suggestions for regional trips in the comments! We’d love to know where you go to escape!
I love love love playing up each season in my home using knick knacks and materials that are already strewn about our place.
So when curating the look of my home for Easter and spring, I thought it would be fun to put a creative twist on the traditional symbols of the season.
Can you spot the themes?
For this fun and vivid display I collected all the bird-like objects that I had dispersed throughout our apartment and brought them together on a runner of bright green moss. Compiling items with a similar shape, theme, color, texture or size is a great way to make an ”instant collection” with pieces you already own. Not a dime spent here!
I’ve been obsessed with brass vintage figurines this past year. Having found a set of bunny statues a couple years back – I have found myself moving them around the apartment at the shift of each season. But with it being spring – they are front and center on my side tables.
Feathers feathers feathers! They’re so easy to find and there are endless ways of using them! Whether collected in vases or strewn across the fireplace mantle with twine and washi tape – these natural (and trendy!) wonders add an airy texture to any space.
These pillows! I just couldn’t stop myself when they appeared in an email newsletter from fab.com. These unique animal plushies are created when artist Kristin Loffer Theiss draws out the image using thread. She then scans and prints the design onto the fabric and stuffs each with filling and love! The result is a collection of unbearably adorable pillows! Here I’ve collected several of the more spring-like animals together to sit upon my re-upholstered vintage chair. Read the rest of this entry »
The weather is officially dreary in Chi-town and the post-holiday slump is coming. The decorations have come down and the new budget is in full-effect, which means one thing: It’s time to re-decorate!
Now, when I use the term I’m not talking about going out, buying lots of new accessories and paint, and cluttering my home with more ‘stuff.’ To me, re-decorate (see the clever use of the hyphen?!) means to take what you already have in your home and re-arrange it for a new look. Read the rest of this entry »
When shopping this holiday season there’s nothing better than scooping up items that are handmade, vintage or sustainable. Not only does it mean you’re supporting a smaller business, you’re also promoting a greener economy.
With that in mind, I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorites off Etsy. Here’s my own whimsical wishlist:
What’s on your holiday wishlist? Are you dreaming of something vintage or handmade? Share links to your favorites in the comments.
Our current foster dog Apple modeling with me.
Tis’ the season for shopping, eating and looking at sparkly things. Many of us become caught up in the fast paced rush of the holidays, that we forget that it’s a time to focus on joy, peace and love. The greatest love of all is that which manifested in Jesus’s birth – which is indeed the reason for the season. But how can we, with all the distractions and chaos, re-focus on making it a time of substance? Read the rest of this entry »
The last week of October I embarked to South Carolina to spend eight wonderful days in the presence of my dearest friends. All of us flew in for a week long celebration of love, family and friendship. The occasion? A wedding of course! Traveling from Seattle, Chicago, Portland, Atlanta, Indianapolis, Madison, New York and even Poland, the wedding guests came in from around the globe to witness the union of a beloved couple: Natalie & Reid.
The bridal party arrived in Beaufort several days early to prepare for a grand task: Plan the ultimate eco-friendly, vegan and local wedding soiree. So in true DIY spirit, we spent hours crafting, consorting and conniving all in the name of throwing a handmade shindig for our two dearest friends.
