v a c a t i o n pt.2

Our vacation gets more amazing every day. We spotted an alligator in our backyard right after my last post, who we affectionately named "Orchid". I believe the boys agreed on an estimated length of 10 ft. including the tail. Absolutely one of the most amazing creatures I've ever seen. 

Yesterday we explored a little of Downtown Charleston. The charm is too much on my heart. I could stay in this town for days just wandering down alleyways. The cobblestone streets, the spanish moss hanging from the trees, the sweet little local shoppes, the charming historic buildings... It's just perfect.

While exploring downtown Charleston, we stumbled upon a little treasure called Savannah Bee Co. It's the sweetest little shop filing to the brim with their very own honey, gifts from the hive, bee education, and more. If you're ever in Charleston, (or Savannah) you must stop in.  

v a c a t i o n. pt. 1

Yesterday we packed our bags and left for our much anticipated family vacation. What a day. Fern is spending the week with my mom while we're here. I don't wanna talk about it. I'll cry again. Our vacation started off with two missed flights, running barefoot through Chicago airport, and lost luggage. Then we got here, and it was so perfect I completely forgot about the mess of a day that had put me in the worst mood ever. Here are a few photos from our first day in Kiawah Island, SC.

1.) home for the weekend.
2.) fresh farm grown peaches from the market at Newton Farms.
3.) Our beach | a five minute walk from our house.
4.) my sweetie | super blissful about the beach.

South Carolina, I love you.

Honeymoonin'

I mentioned in the post before that we were getting on wedding planning (finally). The hardest part of wedding planning, so far, (in my opinion) has been deciding on a honeymoon location. We could go anywhere! (not anywhere, but a lot of places) It was difficult to even decide what type of place we wanted to go. City, beach, woods, mountains? After much, and I do mean much, deliberation... and me deciding and re-thinking until I gave up and let Tristan decide and then re-decided for him... We finally both agreed on Boulder, CO.

photo credit

We decided on Boulder, because firstly, It's beautiful. It's beautiful and it won't break the bank. My only requirements were that it was affordable, and that I could easily access a decent cappuccino at any point in my day. Boulder offers both of these things. We're actually looking into a Coffee and Pastry tour which I am very excited about.

photo credit

We also found this really neat bike to farm dinner which includes a bike ride from downtown Boulder to the farm, dinner, wine tasting, and live music. 

A few other things we wanted to do while in town, are: visit the farmers market, eat at Beehive( a farm to table dining experience), hiking trails (obviously), a beer tour, and possibly a drop in yoga class on the mountain. I've also heard a few places in Nederland are highly recommended. 

We've been asking around about more favorite spots in Boulder. I've never been, and it's been a very long time since T has. He doesn't remember much about the city. Have any of you ever been to the area, or have any recommendations? 

A terribly unorganized post and a cute picture.

The photo above is from spending time with my Aunt, Monday, in Guthrie, OK. Guthrie is the original capitol of Oklahoma, and is very historic. It's known for its antique shopping and small town charm. A few of my favorite shops are in Guthrie. I recommend you visit if you're ever coming through, there's a free trolley that takes you all around and gives you the history. Don't go on Monday, though, like we did. Apparently Guthrie closes down for the day. 




We have a lot of things going on right now in our family. We're embracing a new adventure with new roomates, and a new house. We're ACTUALLY starting to plan our wedding... that takes place in 4 months... crap. 3 months. I'm finishing the last of my orders, and trying to restock & create new stock for when the shop opens back up, AND our family is going on vacation at the end of the month.

aye aye aye.. eye eye eye? .. I I I? ..  e-i-e-i-o?
you get it.

What was that post about resting? This is going to need to be strictly enforced and monitored.. by someone. not me, i'm too busy to keep track of that stuff.

I just wanted to get on and ramble about some things you'll be seeing more about. Wedding planning.. moving... so on and so forth. I've just got so much on my plate RIGHT NOW, that I can't even write an organized post about any of it.
Sunday at church the pastor talked about being too busy and using as an excuse all the time... Do you ever get lessons like that and feel like he's looking right at you? Um, who's been tattling to the pastor about me lately? yowza. talk about conviction. It's true, I am busy. I use it as an excuse often. An excuse as to why my time in the word has been slacking, or my prayer time, or I've been terrible at keeping in touch and being a good friend. I'm hoping that this new season in our lives will bring a lot of renewal in my spirit, and organization, and just.. fresh happiness.  I really feel like the Lord is giving me a vision of life being lighter, and ... lighter. (as in... not heavy, and not dark) I see it when I picture this next season. It feels right.

what a terribly unorganized post of ramblings this has been. Apologies. Organization to follow in the upcoming posts.

I want to tell you about our honeymoon plans, I'm real excited about that. so .. don't give up on me just because of this post.

Paleo

Okay, confession straight up: I'm not going on the Paleo diet anytime soon. Not because I don't want to, but because I just don't have the kitchen space at the moment to be cooking in, and storing my own ingredients, as we are living with Tristan's mom.  But! I will say, it is a distant goal of mine. My sweet friend Tillie, of "Hello Tillie",  has started a blog about her efforts to be a healthier version of herself, and I'm telling you what, guys. I'm so proud and inspired by this lady. I'm so excited about this blog, because this girl has good taste in food, and she's going out and finding, and tweaking recipes to fit into her new paleo lifestyle and they look AMAZING. She actually makes me feel like... maybe I could do that... one day.

 If you know me at all you know I have a mouth full of sweet teeth. Paleo just didn't sound like it would be down my alley. Let's get real, I love the idea of being healthy, but I love the idea of cake and brownies more.. sooo.. there's that. But now, with Tillie's wonderful recomendations, and recipe shares I really feel like Paleo and myself could have a beautiful friendship in the future.

These cookies are made with almond milk, dark chocolate, coconut oil, honey, and holy moly me oh my.

Good job Tillie! You're rocking this. :) 

If you're interested in Paleo, or just interested in the goings on of a sweet and motivated friend, you should go check out Tillie's blog. I'm just the biggest fan of this girl, and I know you will be too.


Have any of you tried Paleo? What do you think?

Relax.

I have been pushing my limit this week, friends. I even had the entire week off of work, because every year, the amazing owners of our store go on family vacation, and they shut down completely so the rest of us can have our time too. They really bless us more than we deserve. 

I thought that with the week off I would get in some good rest. What a joke. Between finishing the tons of orders from our Brickyard Buffalo sale, a terribly grumpy teething baby, and 3 days of celebrating our independence and family get togethers.. I am just pooped.

My mental state is shot, as well. My lovely future sister in law reminded me recently that in only 4 months we're to be sisters. Which is fantastic news! Except that the only thing I have planned is the dress. No venue, no music, no ordained minister, no invitations. It's officially panic time.

Have I told you that I'm the type of person that needs a list to function. If it isn't written down in front of me, I'm lost. I have books for lists that I carry with me everywhere.  I believe I've mentioned this. I am one organized lady. So, to my great pleasure, I was perusing some of my favorite blog posts that I've saved, (I just love that word... perusing) and I came across this cleaning chart by French Press Mornings. (you can download a printable format on her blog)

Such a great thing to organize the daily chores. You know I'm a fan. but more than that, what really spoke to me, was that Sunday is simply "relax".  I can't tell you the last time I had any day dedicated to just "relax"ing. Such a great reminder, that came at such a perfect time. I love how God sends you little hints at life in the sweetest unexpected ways. In a cleaning list.. He sure knows my love language. ;)

July Favorites

I feel a little southwestern theme coming on...

Every month, when I post my favorite finds from Etsy, all I do is go back over my "favorites" and pick my favorite 6 items from the things I've "hearted" (if you will) in the past month...

 so maybe that would make these June's favorites? Eh, Who's counting, anyway? Just look at all these pretty things I've stumbled upon. ... And I want them all. 

You can find these items via etsy in the following shops:

1. eleventy-five  2. norwegian wood
3. Home Living Ideas 4. cast & crew
5.PlantworksPDX 6. by loumi


all favorite picks are chosen by myself, and are not sponsored posts.