comparison.

"Do we focus on building a real life that makes us happy or do we attempt to live an Instagram life and pretend it makes us happy?"

The hubs sent me this article from the New York Times and it struck a chord with me. Theodore Roosevelt was right when he said, "comparison is the thief of joy." As a lover of Instagram and blogs it is important to remember to keep things in perspective. Do what makes you happy. 

Happy hump day.

image

july.

July thoughts and goals:

Eating / Cleaner (i.e. more fruits/vegetables & less processed foods/sugars).

Drinking / Plenty of H2O. I'm terrible at this when I'm working.
Practicing / Kindness and selflessness.
Mastering / The art of oncology nursing.
Learning / To grow a vegetable garden.
Trying / To buy less unnecessary stuff. I already have what I need.
Playing / NPR on the radio. 
Finishing / The final touches on our home. Painting our bathroom is next on my list.
Reading / Game of Thrones & Call the Midwife series.
Remembering / "Change your thoughts, and you can change your world." -N.V. Peale
Wearing / A simplified wardrobe.
Cooking / On the grill. Clean up is so easy when grilling.
Working / At my new job and getting used to the routine. 
Traveling / To nearby cities. I'm thinking a day trip to Savannah, GA would be nice.
Wanting / Less. Because less is more, right?

List by Bleubird. Image via A Note on Design.

lately.

Marriage - ✓

Honeymoon - ✓ 

Happy - ✓

Life is good. Happy June friends.

hello may.

This May is going to be filled with good things. These good things include moving back to Charleston, a bachelorette weekend with close friends, a break from work, time with family and friends, marrying my best friend, and honeymooning in Mexico. I'm pretty sure this might be the best month ever.

Happy May friends.

images via my tumblr

lately.

 There have been some big changes going on around here lately...

-The BF got a new job in Nashville, TN.  We move at the end of the month!

-A couple weeks ago the BF surprised me with an amazing trip to Tulum, Mexico.

-While in Mexico, we got engaged!

-And to top it all off- we found our dream vintage Eames-style lounge chair on craigslist.

Life is good.  Happy Monday.

hibernating.

It is a cold one here in Charlotte today.  So, I have decided to go into hibernation for the day.  I've been curled up in my PJs watching episodes of Parenthood and catching up on blogs with hot chocolate in hand.  It has been quite nice.  

Here are a few things I have been enjoying this week:

This studio visit (above) with textile designer Helen Dealtry.

My new headboard from Amazon has arrived and it is beautiful.  And is also quite a steal.

Lovely interior inspiration over at Sweet Thing.

An easy tutorial to achieve curling iron waves.  It is my new favorite way to style my hair.

Happy Friday.

lately.

pretty mountainviews in virginia / blogs & coffee - two of my favorite things

so happy with my lulie wallace print / lounging with louie

Happy Friday.

2013.

2013.  Really?  I am still so amazed how fast time seems to fly by.  The past year was amazing yet filled with challenges.  I moved to Charlotte from Charleston to be with the BF who had relocated for his job.  It was definitely one of the best decisions I have ever made.  Our relationship has grown leaps and bounds.  However, moving away from my hometown, friends, family, and job was harder than I had anticipated.  It proved to be one of the biggest challenges in my life so far.

After some hard months, I have finally adjusted to life in a new city.  And I learned that things take time- rarely does everything fall into place when you want it to.  As more life changes are on the horizon, I hope I can remember this and take change with a little more ease this year.

So here's to 2013!  I hope to keep life simple and do more of what makes me happy: take walks, eat fresh foods, send letters, phone friends, spend time with family, blog, read books, travel, and appreciate life more.

Happy New Year friends.

lately.

 diy garland inspired by herriot grace / turkey day tablescape / our pretty xmas tree

new vintage kilim rug / beautiful vintage ornaments- i love the colors / boots weather

busy decorating for the holidays / an afternoon at home / a lazy morning

Headed to a tacky Christmas sweater party tonight.  Hoping to win the prize for tackiest sweater.   Happy Friday.

thankful.

I am thankful for:

my loving family

my dear friends

my sweet boyfriend

my crazy cat

my rewarding career

my cozy home

Happy Thanksgiving.

via kinfolk

lately.

1st row:  recycled a Rifle Paper Co. calendar print as artwork for our bathroom, a pretty mess of things by my bedside table, sweater weather- finally!

2nd row:  date night with the BF complete with s'mores, wine, and a cozy fire, chatham county line concert at the neighborhood theatre, so proud of my pumpkin this year (i got the idea on tumblr)

3rd row:  this week's flowers- so perfect for fall, out for brunch at a lovely spot in black mountain, pretty views in the mountains of asheville during our overnight camping trip

Happy Halloween!

lately.

1. Lou looking so very comfy.
2. Pumpkin doughnuts- my weakness.
3. Fall has officially arrived here in Charlotte.
4. Me and the BF at our dear friends' wedding.

Happy Thursday.

the list.

28 before 28

1.       Plant a vegetable and herb garden.

2.       Run the Cooper River Bridge Run.

3.       Refine my closet.

4.       Travel to another country.

5.       Eat healthy + exercise regularly.

6.       Pay off my student loans.

7.       Adopt another pet.

8.       Take an interior design class.

9.       Start an Etsy shop selling vintage home décor items.

10.   Have five “go to” dinner recipes

11.   Learn to make berry cobbler from scratch.

12.   Ride my bike more.

13.   Volunteer. 

14.   Attend a music festival.

15.   Go on a vacation with my family.

16.   Go to a large outdoor antiques market.

17.   Own an original piece of artwork.

18.   Host a dinner party.

19.   See the Pacific Ocean.

20.   Learn something new.

21.   Live in a city I love.

22.   Sleep under the stars.

23.   Work in hospice and palliative care.

24.   Spend more, buy less.

25.   Plant a flowerbed.

26.   Go fishing.

27.   Take a scenic train ride.

28.   Buy my first home.

This year I turned twenty-five years old.  I decided to make a list of the things I want to do over the next three years.  After much thought, I came up with this list.  Time to make the most of this wild and precious life...

lately.

1. Yummy coffee + cookie @ Sunflour Baking Co.
2. My bedside table- I love my stack of magazines.
3. Lou on the lookout.
4. Quiet night at home with the BF-
    We have been on a documentary kick lately.
    This week we watched the Big Easy Express.

Happy Tuesday :)