GRATITUDES + BREAKTHROUGHS // May 23, 2017

Gratitudes

Wednesday morning I met up with Charli + Joe for their post wedding lifestyle session. These two choose to skip their pre-wedding engagement session in order to incorporate the May sunshine and greenery as well as Charli’s horse Bo. The morning sun made the dew on the grass sparkle and watching these two wrap themselves up in each other 5 months after getting married tickled me. I very rarely get to be on the other side of the wedding day, sure couples come back for anniversary sessions but this was so close after their ceremony that it still felt new. When I met these two Joe told me secretly that Charli was a past rodeo queen who represented the state of Virginia, how freaking cool is that?!(Sorry Charli, hope I didn’t spill your secret.)  So knew she was into riding and eventually found out that her family owned Ride-On Ranch, a facility dedicated to equine assisted therapy. Their wedding reception was on the family farm, but with the timeline we didn’t have much time to grab her horse Bo. This session was all about this sweet boy. He would perk his ears up for the camera and wasn’t far behind Charli when I’d ask her to walk-in-hand with Joe. I haven’t been around horses in a few years but I was reminded so much why I love them. Their grace, personality and loyalty. You’ll be seeing more of their session on the blog soon!

Back in January – if you remember – I picked up a part-time job at a local winery. I mostly wanted it to get out of the house so I didn’t feel as alone with Devin gone. I’ve really come to appreciate my time there and the conversations I have. For the most part they do revolve around wine but there are times where I really find myself connecting with people. One elderly couple stopped to grab their wine club pick-up and come to find out… they live right by my parents. They knew where my parents driveway was just as I knew exactly where their farm was. We talked about living in the country and a about a few of the neighbors. Connections like that really make this world feel small. A few days later a similar connection was made, this time through Facebook we found out that we knew the same people; connected through yoga, photography and where I grew up. Eventually on my break I sat down with them to chat about my business and new tattoo and they gladly shared with me a taste of this amazing 2013 Petit Verdot. I’m grateful that I have the opportunity to meet and connect with people regularly, as an extrovert it really help feels my soul and energizes me.

Saturday morning I headed to Tyson’s to try Founding Farmers for brunch. A few gal pals set up the date a month before because with life, schedules, work and kids we definitely don’t see each other enough. The place was cute and our waiter had an amazing personality, quick with jokes and happy to offer suggestions. While I generally try to shy away from buffets, especially at restaurants, this place was good! Their whole vision is farm to table so each dish was in a smaller service bowl and changed frequently. They had yummy breakfast items like french toast and lunch items like shrimp and grits. I loved the bottomless coffee and while I’m usually a fan of spicy bloody mary’s their house drink with Absolut Peppar was too much for my taste. They had an adorable pastry table with donuts, kettle corn (my fav) and mini muffins.

I continued my day catching up with my girl friends and met my friend Anna for a long walk around Target and HomeGoods. I’ve been slowly decorating and updating rooms in the house, but this weekend I needed a push for the living room. In between the aisles Anna and I caught up on so many things. See before she moved to Charlotte, North Carolina we lived in the same small town and would work out together, drink together and grab dinner together as well as random trips to Target. In four years she got engaged, moved south, married her best friend, bought a house, had a sweet baby girl named Lola, sold their house and are currently building a new one. So many things change especially as we get older, we let days and weeks go by without catching up. After shopping we went to one of my favorite chill spots in Gainesville, Trummer’s Coffee + Wine Bar for a little vino and snack.

Mimosas for the Mr. & Mrs. is the color of the week. I switched from that cool blue (Gelato On my Mind), to a warmer neutral. This ultra sheer pinky-peach is great for my light skin tone as it doesn’t make my nail look like an old glass of milk with ice. You know that watered milky white color.  I did have to use three color coats for this one to make the color even and stand out. This is great for all occasions and I’ve even had a few of my brides wear it over the legendary Bubble Bath. Give it a shot. Also, I bought this color last August to wear to a wedding in Maine. Yup, I’m the girl that remembers when and why she bought a new color.

Breakthroughs

I have always felt this sense of calmness and rejuvenation after a deep cleaning the house and a little redecorating/rearranging. There is something about a clean house and items placed in new areas that give me a different perspective. This past week I made big moves in reorganizing and getting rid of things that brought me no joy or that weren’t useful. I’ve replaced a few of those items and simply taken a few items from one room and placed them in another and my little house feels renewed, reenergized. When the house feels that way, I feel that way. I’ve had a little more peep in my step and I find I’ve been working harder. I’m hoping this offbeat fung shui will continue to bring me enthusiasm, if not I know yoga will.

As always, thanks for reading. xoxo.