BEAUTIFUL SOUL

April 27, 2017

Now that it's spring, I suppose it's appropriate to have a plethora of references to flowers and pretty green things. While there definitely is no shortage of that around here (I have some new plant friends I am desperately trying to keep alive), I want to take the time to reflect on some other things budding this season.

Can I get honest for a second? I was never a girls' girl. Or for that matter, I wasn't very good at the whole "friends" thing. Being in fellowship and in community was never something I thought was for me. I've been abandoned one too many times before. "May the bridges I burn light the way" became my modus operandi. A false confidence to show I could make it on my own. I am perfectly okay going on walks by myself and jamming to good tunes and making small talk to the squirrels. My sanctuary is a book in a cozy corner with a cup of coffee. Social interactions were always awkward and I took those insecurities as a facts I was going to live with for the rest of my life.

I wore that Lone Wolf name tag like a badge.
And that was okay with me.

I few years back, someone said something that I has always haunted me ever since the words left her lips. When a person with a seemingly nonchalant attitude is told "You need to get out of your head", it gets shrugged off immediately. My conversations with my inner thoughts were the only friends I knew that I could rely on. The only ones I could trust. Even if they were also the inner demons that sometimes shouted too loud. I welcomed that darkness like a dear friend. One I knew that would never leave me.

Maybe it's age. Maybe it's all part of getting older. Maybe it's the new and renewed relationships growing in my life. But I've felt these walls crumbling and making way for the light. The whispers turned into commandments. They pushed me into the unknown. Beyond my comfort zone. Beyond myself. To serve. To be in community. To have honest and real relationships, especially with fellow females. And like the clouds breaking for a beautiful brunch with beautiful souls, I am thankful.

I WANT YOU AND YOUR BEAUTIFUL SOUL.

YELLOW 108 EASTWOOD R HAT - H&M STRIPED SHIRT (SIMILAR) - UNIQLO SLIM BOYFRIEND
TOP SHOP PYTHON BOOTIES (SIMILAR) - STEVE MADDEN FRINGE BAG (SIMILAR)

PEDALS & PETALS

March 23, 2017

The name of this post is a total rip off of husby's shop on Reverb: Pedals for Pedals. Technically I didn't steal it since I came up with the name for him. He was in the process of selling off some unused guitar pedals so he can get a new set of wheels. Now that the shop is empty, I'm counting down the days till we can start our little bike gang.

SO WHY "PETALS"...

Over the past two weeks, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society hosted the annual Flower Show. Almost every year, I get in some good family time with my parents and look at all the exhibits with them. This year was no different. With past themes of National Parks, London, and even Disney and Pixar, it's hard to compete! Although not as lavish as years past, "Holland" showed an unconventional beauty that stole my heart.

Of course there was a fair share of tulips and bicycles all around. If you're a Philly native, you have probably seen videos of the bicycle fountain filling your Insta-story feed. There was a wall filled with statement pieces that married floral arrangements and bicycle wheels into beautiful sculptures. And let's talk about the AWE INDUCING INSTALLATION that is a wedding day dream come true: waves of flowers crashing and engulfing you in their beauty.

I especially found a kinship to the installations that focused on food (I am an inner fatty with a homesteader heart). As much as I love to support local farmers, I take notes on how the Netherlands treats food culture. I don't mean restaurant culture, but agriculture. The Dutch are able to be the largest exporter of produce while also creating sustainable, healthy food and respect nature all at the same time. It gives me hope that local farmers will incorporate this knowledge and how "the man" that real food is the good stuff and can be profitable without cutting corners. Although not a main theme at The Flower Show, it still left its mark on me. Live walls gave inspiration to vertical gardening. A beekeeper teaching their buzzworthy ways. Vendor tastings of delicious sprouts has me creating new recipes in my mind (Bull's Blood Beet Microgreens will LEGIT change your life).

SO WHO'S DOWN FOR A BIKE RIDE?

SOMETIMES YOU NEED A DAY TO GET AWAY

February 2, 2017

"Getting Away" doesn't always mean taking a flight to your closest national park. Sometimes it does mean that. But most times it doesn't. Most times it just means going to one of your favorite towns and making your own adventure in your backyard. Many people think Justin and I go on these grand adventures all the time. And we do sometimes go on those stereotypical trips that lead to really amazing moments. But most times, we just enjoy the company we keep and explore places that are outside people's comfort zone: the bubble.

LAMBERTVILLE / NEW HOPE

IS ONE OF THOSE PLACES OUTSIDE OF THE 30 MINUTE BUBBLE

These two river towns are a favorite hang out of ours. For years we did the constant drive between South Jersey and Bucks County. And every Sunday after church, this would be one of "our spots". This place is a special place for the two of us, and we don't want it not be special anymore. But we do believe if something is awesome, we want to share it with people we care about.

A short hike after a flurry storm. Grade A views. Great burgers. Good shopping scores. And a killer writing session over carrots. It was a nice little getaway.

MISTY MOUNTAIN

January 29, 2017

You know when life just gets ahead of you? That's how January felt like. Even through the country's unrest, this month has been a big ball of uneasiness, anxiety, and hope. My heart breaks for what is going on, but we will not be unheard. We will save our forests and protect our lands. We will continue to love people with honest hearts. And we will speak boldly with soft tongues to produce fruitful conversations and not condemnation...well at least that's my hope for the coming years.

BUT TO BRIGHTEN UP THIS MOODY POST...

CAN WE TALK ABOUT HOW
FREAKING CUTE THIS IS?!

If you follow me on Instagram, I previewed a little trip to Terrain in Glen Mills. Along with being a super cute shop, it's where I made a new friend over the summer. So it's a pretty swell place. While I was there, I picked up a few goodies for a little project I've been wanting to do for a little while.

The terrarium was used as a ring holder for our little ceremony a few months ago. At the time, I filled it with baby's breath and some fresh greens that eventually dried out. So at Terrain, I picked up a pot of this luscious nettle thinking it will look lovely flowing out of the terrarium. The glass unicorn was a gift from Mama Coombs that paired nicely with a little quartz cluster I had laying around. I finished it off with some foraged finds of little hemlock pinecones and a sprig of dried hydrangea flowers.

Fingers crossed for its survival in my dry/weird-tempered apartment.

YES, THE TITLE OF THIS POST IS A LOTR REFERENCE
DEAL WITH IT

THIS MUST BE IT...

December 31, 2016

This year is going out with a bang.
Princess Leia died. Mercury is in retrograde. It's the weird week between Christmas and New Year.
We're all in that moment of reflection of the past year and the apprehension of the coming one.

To be honest, I'm not sad to see this year go. The world is in a very weird place (politically/socially). Too many celebrities died (not that I think anyone should be put on a pedestal more than others). Goodbyes were made (some sad, others not-so-much).

But to balance the scales, a lot of great things have happened. I have reconnected with old friends. Made a few great new friends. The unicorn within me revealed itself for a few short months (it's currently in hibernation mode). Hiked a few great trails. Received a new tattoo to add to the collection. Knocked off Acadia National Park and Walden Pond from the bucket list. Moved to a new town. Saw my spirit animal. Got a pretty NICE ROCK from a pretty amazing man.

SO MMXVI. NOT TOO BAD.

If you've been reading this little blog of mine for awhile. I did a half year UPDATE on the INTENTIONS I set for 2016. For the most part, I think I did pretty well. I wasn't perfect by any means. I accomplished a lot on that list. But it was overwhelming. For this coming year, I'm going to only set a one word intention for 2017...

MINDFUL-

1. ATTENTIVE, AWARE, OR CAREFUL

2. NOTING OR RELATING TO THE PSYCHOLOGICAL TECHNIQUE OF MINDFULNESS

To make a one word intention for the year lets my 2017 manifest in the way it is intended to. The Type A human inside of screams at that notion, but the other part of me is excited for the relief in letting go. To observe, be present, and just be.

WELCOME TO THE NEW YEAR

XXVII

November 15, 2016

So let's just say, Twenty Seven is off to a great start. I partied the night away at Dance Yourself Clean with the coolest crew around. Then, became a Time Lord when the clock struck 2 and got the second best birthday present by sleeping in. Now after a mini vacation to The Catskills, I am feeling a bit refreshed to take on the coming year.

How cute is this keytag by Three Potato Four?! I picked up this little babe after birthday brunch with my parents. I have been on the hunt for something to put my new apartment keys on and this was the perfect choice. Three Potato Four is currently at Art In The Age's Holiday Market, so deff make a point to stop in. They also have this other keytag with clever foodie quips. "Are you ready for this jelly?" C'mon, I love me some good food puns!

Before the busy holiday season and after the crazy election, Justin and I decided we should take a mini vacation. We headed up to The Catskills and stayed at The Graham & Co for some much needed R&R. Well it was a part getaway and also part research trip for our big ceremony with our friends and family next year. But hey, that's just me killing two birds with one stone. For our guests, stay tuned! I'll have a more detailed round up for you on our future website. For others, here is a little snapshot of our weekend.

A QUICK ROUND UP

SUNRISE BIKE RIDE ALONG ROUTE 28
PHOENICIA DINER FOR BREAKFAST
HIKING AT KAATERSKILL FALLS
SHINDIG & CHOCOLATES IN WOODSTOCK
STOCKING UP ON CARBS AT BREAD ALONE

PS. The best present was being able to call Justin "Husby"

OCTOBERS ARE MADE FOR WEEKEND DATES & VISTAS

October 31, 2016

Sorry it has been a few weeks. October has been kinda crazy around these parts and it doesn't seem like it will be slowing down anytime soon. This month was filled with moving across the river back to the badlands (thankfully it's only a short stint) and the usual Autumn festivities. The cool crisp air is helping deal with the stress of the new environment (green juices and a plethora of cauldrons of coffee are good too).

Another good stress reliever is enjoying the changing leaf colors with some sick views. This month's choice trails are the Blue Dot/Red Dot Loop to the summit of Mount Tammany. The 3.5 mile trail is filled with a handful of scrambles, but the vistas are definitely worth it. From the cliffside you can see a great panoramic of the Delaware Water Gap (Mount Minsi on the PA side and Arrow Island standing in the Delaware River). Go with some snacks packed and a good amount of water, you'll thank me later. If you're looking to get the same views with an easier hike (lame, but I get it), just go back and forth on the Blue Dot. An extra perk? The mini waterfall along the way.