Where Children Sleep

After looking through this beautifully designed book by James Mollison called Where Children Sleep, it makes me realize even more than before how truly lucky I am. The images and stories are both fascinating and heartbraking. You can read it online here. 

Day 28 of Things I Love...LOVE!

When I saw this photo series by Lauren Fleishman of couples who have been married fifty years or more, I  had to share. I've been married almost four years, together almost nine, and no one ever told me how hard it would be. Marriage is hard work, but you get out what you put in it, for sure. I can't imagine what it's like to be married for fifty years, but I hope that I have the opportunity to find out!

Day 28 of Things I Love... Love!

photos via found via

Day 27 of Things I Love...Madewell

Madewell is J.Crew's cool sister store. A little urban, a little hip, a little prep. Here are some of my favorite transitional pieces they are featuring right now.

I love these layers. Not so sure about the little bowtie, I think I'll leave that to the boys.

 I adore cropped skinny pants (they are NOT capris!)

LOVE these shorts. They would be perfect with heels and a little tee for a night out.

 I have this shirt from the Fall and have worn it to pieces. I like this new acid yellow color for Spring.

Perfect shorts for the weekends

A little 80s prep? Perfect...

I'm off to enjoy this gorgeous weather while my Red Velvet Cupcakes are baking for our neighborhood Oscar party! My bets are on Black Swan for best actress and the Kings Speech for best actor. If you haven't seen those, you need to!

Happy Weekend!

xoxo

It's been a crazy few weeks...

Readers... what can I say. It's been a little crazy around here lately and I have been less than inspired under the loads of traveling, phone calls, and home life. My plans did not come through with the 28 days, but I'm bound and determined to finish what I started, so here goes. Hope you don't mind!

Day 26 of Things I Love... Volunteering

It's so much fun sharing all of the material things that I love, but when it comes down to it, people and experiences far out way anything money can buy. Lately, life has been weighing heavily on if I'm doing enough for myself and those around me to live a fullfilled life. I love what I do, but does it make a difference in people lives? Maybe yes, maybe no. I know everyone has those days, but it's good to keep yourself in check. Volunteering is an amazing way to give back. Every single time I have volunteered, I get way more out of it than the people I am helping.

 I have never been abroad to volunteer, but it is something that I have high on my priority list, in particular, somewhere in Africa. Until then, I know there are plenty of opportunities state side that I can be a part of. I have recently joined a program called Guardian ad Litem and although it terrifies me, I'm looking forward to the challenges it will bring. 

Below are photos from friend's that have are involved in voluteering abroad.

Rachel, a photographer with Millie Holloman, recently went to Ghana and worked with an organization called Father's House.  It is well worth your time to read her experience while in Ghana.  

Will Bynum, Grayson's best friend from college, is also a person that has been an incredible volunteer in not only Africa, but also started an organization while in medical school called Medical Students for Burn Care International.  You can find more information about how to be involved here.

Mac Bowen is another one of Grayson's friends, also in medical school, and also traveled to Ghana to volunteer. 

You may not be able to go to Africa to treat sick children, but there is an opportunity for everyone to volunteer. Grayson is downtown right now writing wills for Marines that are about to be deployed. You don't have to go far to help.

There are soup kitchens, youth soccer teams, literacy councils, animal shelters, and arts programs that all need volunteers. So, while I'm stepping off my soap box, I challenge each of you to find a place that you can give part of your time to. I promise, it will give you so much back!

Day 25 of Things I Love...Good Beer

I know, unexpected. But I do love a good beer. It's the husband's fault. When we lived in Chapel Hill, he would take me to every local brewery and we would sit there until I figured out which one I liked. Of course I love a good red wine, a fancy cocktail, and the night cap glass of champagne, but there is something about sitting on the front porch after a long day and sharing a beer with him that makes me love it even more. 

Day 24 of Things I Love... Pistachio Gelato

Pistachio gelato is my weakness. If you have never had it, you need to try it as soon as possible. It's so good! I always have a little tub of Talenti Sicillian Pistachio Gelato in the freezer. Absolute heaven.

Day 23 of Things I Love... Spring!

Spring brings a freshness that other seasons just can't. Opening the windows and cleaning out flowerbeds after a long winter is so therapeutic. In preparation for spring, here are a few things on my list of must haves...

A new pair of shades. I love these by the Row.

Suede shoes that will surely be ruined by May

 A few perfect white tees 

A  striped Spring jacket from Diane von Furstenberg

A sharp pair of garden pruners from the NYBG Shop

And a fab vintage inspired dress for the Garden Party

Day 22 of Things I Love... Ina Garten

My love for the Barefoot Contessa is beyond. Her food is so good, even when I make it, and her show has a sick way of totally relaxing me. I think it's because she has the same calmness that my mom does when she is in the kitchen, and she makes everything look so easy. I (sometimes) love to cook, and when I do, my go to recipes are usually from one of her cookbooks. 

My favorite recipe is the mustard roasted fish. I make it with parmesan-roasted broccoli, and dill fingerling potatoes.  

• 4 (8-ounce) fish fillets such as red snapper
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 8 ounces creme fraiche
• 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard
• 2 tablespoons minced shallots
• 2 teaspoons drained capers

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

 Place the fish fillets skin side down on the sheet pan. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.

Combine the creme fraiche, 2 mustards, shallots, capers, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl. Spoon the sauce evenly over the fish fillets, making sure the fish is completely covered. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish, until it's barely done. (The fish will flake easily at the thickest part when it's done.) Be sure not to overcook it! Serve hot or at room temperature with the sauce from the pan spooned over the top.

Snapper can be expesive, so I use tilapia instead. I also only use 1/2 of the creme fraiche to save a few calories. Creme fraiche is a little hard to find, but Fresh Market always has it right in the dairy aisle. 

Day 21 of Things I Love... Garden & Gun Magazine

Garden & Gun  is one of the treasures that greets us once in month in our mail box. The husband gets first dibs on looking though this glossy magazine as I wait patiently for my turn. We both love it because it's features on Southern culture, products, foods, and great feature stories. 

Some of my recent favorites are...

Laura Vinroot Poole's French botanist wall outside her Charlotte store, Capitol

A new men's store in Austin, Stag,  that offers up new and vintage finds, music, and good whisky

and letting their readers know that dreams really do come true...

Day 20 of Things I Love... The Avett Brothers

Growing up, my dad and his friends would sit on our front porch until the early hours of the morning playing bluegrass music. Most Saturday nights when I was young, my dad would drive the family to an old school house way out in the country where groups of people would be in circles "picking bluegrass." To say that I didn't really appreciate this kind of music then would be an understatement.

In the past ten years though, my perception of this kind of music has changed. The Avett Brothers are one of those bands that has brought bluegrass music into a modern day and they have gained  rapid fire popularity. Read more about them in a recent issue of Garden & Gun magazine. 

Day 19 of Things I Love... King Charles Spaniels

If you don't know me personally, you may not know that I have a King Charles Spaniel that is the light of my life. If you are thinking about getting a dog (they are so much more than that!) in the near future, I highly suggest one of these sweet babies. Polly Anna (named after my Grandmother) is five years old and is super sweet and loving but has caught her share of squirrels here lately. When I'm working from home, she is right by my side.

 Cooper is our other dog, a lab mix, but Polly rules the roost. Can you see her excitement in the corner of this photo? She loves the beach!

Salt Harbor and Millie Holloman recently had a wedding featured in Southern Weddings Magazine featuring fellow King Charles lovers, Sarah and Nate! Bea and Patty were a hit at their wedding and Salt Harbor honored them with little flower garlands. 

Day 18 of Things I Love... Harney & Sons Tea

I need my skinny latte every morning to kick start my day, but there is nothing better than a mid afternoon cup of Tea. Harney & Sons is my favorite, not only because it taste great, but I love using the tins for storage after the tea is gone!

Day 17 of Things I Love: Alfresco Dining

It is a glorious 65 degrees outside and I haven't seen the husband all week between meetings and obligations, so we have a lunch date today and going to one of our favorite spots to have lunch outside! Eating outside is one of my most favorite things to do, especially with a nice glass of white wine. I have to skip the wine today because lots of work is still to be done this afternoon, but I'll take what I can get!