Hello friends!
It's been quite a while since I've had a chance to sit down and write and I'm so happy to be relaxing on my couch right now with a glass of wine (maybe watching the Bachelorette...) and taking a moment to reflect on the past couple of weeks.
After the amazing week spent with family and friends for Kevan and Rebekkah's wedding, James and I were able to relax and lay low for a couple of wonderful weeks. We took the dogs to the beach, cooked dinner together, read books, and slept late! It was so nice after the stress of my previous job and API. However, during this time, through a series of crazy events, I came in contact with a wonderful real estate agent who ended up hiring me as her transaction coordinator while i work on getting my real estate license! It was such a relief after worrying about being able to find a job, and i couldn't be happier or more excited about how this job is going :)
This week is my second week at work and i feel like I'm finally settling in and understanding my place in the office. Even though the hours are a little longer than I anticipated, the time goes incredibly fast and I am learning SO MUCH about real estate in florida. It's very different from the rules and regulations in NC but luckily my three years in NC have given me a great platform to jump from and i can't wait to see where this goes.
On a completely separate note, I have somehow let Rebekkah talk me into running a half marathon with her in October! And I'm actually really excited about it. For my whole life I have lived under the impression that i can not physically run because i am a fat kid stuck in a skinny kids body. Welp, this experience has proven that...I was right hahahaha
At this point in time, I can run a 12 minute mile without dying, which is two minutes more than i ever thought possible! You would think that after being a dancer and growing up as a fairly athletic person, I would be able to run, but that is not necessarily the case. There are three months though before the half marathon and the training program we are using seems to be keeping me on track so far...fingers crossed!
And the best part about this half marathon is that its in Durham! I can't wait to go back and see everyone and hopefully complete this crazy race before they close down the track and send everyone home ;) On that note, any tips on running are welcome in the comment below! I can use all the help I can get!
Hope everyone is having a great week!
7/28/15
7/13/15
m i l l e n n i a l m u t t e r i n g s
mondays always have a way of sneaking up on me. i remember being in school and saving all of my homework for sunday night (or monday morning...)and immediately starting the countdown to the next friday. wouldn't it be great if every day was as exciting as friday? i mean obviously we all love the weekend because, well, its the weekend! no work, all play :) i want to love what i do so much that everyday is as great as a friday!
generationally speaking, a job can be fun but its still a job. we are all expected to have not only a job, but a single career for our entire lives. its almost assumed that you won't love it, but you do your work because you have to. because its what people do. i think that our generation has done an exceptional, if not fully understood or accepted, job of showing that fluidity and change in the workplace is a good thing! you don't have to start on this long career path when you're 23 and move up the workplace food chain until you turn 65 and hopefully retire with enough money to live out the rest of your life. millennials have shown that there are many different paths and careers that a person can take and still have an influential, productive, and awesome work life.
don't get me wrong! i don't think there is anything bad about having a single career for ones entire life. some paths like those of doctors, scientists, engineers etc... come with an incredible amount of schooling. the bottom line is, different people are happy doing different things in different ways.
personally speaking though, i would be so bored if i did just one thing for my entire life! real estate is a great job for me because you can make your own schedule, you get to meet lots of people, and you rarely sit still. its a problem solving career that is always changing. its also a job where you get out of it what you put into it. if you want to make money, you have to get out there and work for it. this part was difficult to learn at first, but making money to pay your bills is a pretty great motivator ;)
being surrounded by so many great people who are down in pensacola for the same reason as me, the reason being they have a significant other in flight school, I've learned that being creative and fluid in your job/career choices is not only a positive thing but a necessity. I've met women who are yoga instructors, real estate agents, food industry workers, nannies, stay-at-home moms, independent Etsy sales people, you name it! its absolutely incredible. some people may look down on having many different jobs in different fields but i think its an asset! who wouldn't want to have tons of options and life skills? its much harder to get bored, thats for sure!
another important thing about job fluidity is that it allows you to enjoy the NOW more. it seems like when people are in a set career they're always working towards some unspeakable end in a way that completely ignores how the person is feeling now. goals are great, they help get shit done, but it is so important to enjoy the little things that happen daily and not get so wrapped up in the future that you wake up one day 50 years down the line and wonder where your life went. thats why i am using this new beginning (career-wise, and location-wise) to focus more on doing things that make me happy. i want to work hard and make money so that i can travel to crazy places, do new activities, and experience things fully all the time, not just when i turn 65 and retire.
there are so many options for things to do that get you out in the world that don't necessarily have to do with work. take a class just for fun because you want to learn something new! get scuba certified, heck get yoga instructor certified (it could come in handy one day haha). train to run a half marathon even though the only time you 'run' is when you think you're being chased by zombies! these are all things that i plan on doing before this year is over and I'm sure that list will change and grow throughout the months, but i think its important to have this list. everyone should have a fun to-do list, or a bucket-list. even if you can't do everything on it right when you want to, its still fun to take it out and look at it so that you are able to remember not to take things so seriously. were only given this one life, and i think we should all make the most of it!
whew! okay, monday morning rant over :)
E
generationally speaking, a job can be fun but its still a job. we are all expected to have not only a job, but a single career for our entire lives. its almost assumed that you won't love it, but you do your work because you have to. because its what people do. i think that our generation has done an exceptional, if not fully understood or accepted, job of showing that fluidity and change in the workplace is a good thing! you don't have to start on this long career path when you're 23 and move up the workplace food chain until you turn 65 and hopefully retire with enough money to live out the rest of your life. millennials have shown that there are many different paths and careers that a person can take and still have an influential, productive, and awesome work life.
don't get me wrong! i don't think there is anything bad about having a single career for ones entire life. some paths like those of doctors, scientists, engineers etc... come with an incredible amount of schooling. the bottom line is, different people are happy doing different things in different ways.
personally speaking though, i would be so bored if i did just one thing for my entire life! real estate is a great job for me because you can make your own schedule, you get to meet lots of people, and you rarely sit still. its a problem solving career that is always changing. its also a job where you get out of it what you put into it. if you want to make money, you have to get out there and work for it. this part was difficult to learn at first, but making money to pay your bills is a pretty great motivator ;)
being surrounded by so many great people who are down in pensacola for the same reason as me, the reason being they have a significant other in flight school, I've learned that being creative and fluid in your job/career choices is not only a positive thing but a necessity. I've met women who are yoga instructors, real estate agents, food industry workers, nannies, stay-at-home moms, independent Etsy sales people, you name it! its absolutely incredible. some people may look down on having many different jobs in different fields but i think its an asset! who wouldn't want to have tons of options and life skills? its much harder to get bored, thats for sure!
another important thing about job fluidity is that it allows you to enjoy the NOW more. it seems like when people are in a set career they're always working towards some unspeakable end in a way that completely ignores how the person is feeling now. goals are great, they help get shit done, but it is so important to enjoy the little things that happen daily and not get so wrapped up in the future that you wake up one day 50 years down the line and wonder where your life went. thats why i am using this new beginning (career-wise, and location-wise) to focus more on doing things that make me happy. i want to work hard and make money so that i can travel to crazy places, do new activities, and experience things fully all the time, not just when i turn 65 and retire.
there are so many options for things to do that get you out in the world that don't necessarily have to do with work. take a class just for fun because you want to learn something new! get scuba certified, heck get yoga instructor certified (it could come in handy one day haha). train to run a half marathon even though the only time you 'run' is when you think you're being chased by zombies! these are all things that i plan on doing before this year is over and I'm sure that list will change and grow throughout the months, but i think its important to have this list. everyone should have a fun to-do list, or a bucket-list. even if you can't do everything on it right when you want to, its still fun to take it out and look at it so that you are able to remember not to take things so seriously. were only given this one life, and i think we should all make the most of it!
whew! okay, monday morning rant over :)
E
7/6/15
g r a t i t u d e & a t t i t u d e
the beginning of july has come and gone, and with it, a wonderful week of revels with family and friends. we celebrated the marriage of Kevan & Rebekkah (J's sister and brother-in-law) with a week-long extravaganza of seafood, music, funny stories, and heartfelt thanks as these two wonderful families came together and it was such a beautiful experience to be a part of!
my parents were also in town during the wedding week so i was finally able to show them around pensacola and give them a glimpse into out little life down here. the name of this post is 'gratitude & attitude' because sometimes it takes a big event, like a wedding, to realize how much the little things in life matter. showing small, everyday bits of gratitude for the people and things in your life makes a huge difference in how you feel and carry yourself.
one of the big things that has been bringing me down recently was my job as a nanny here in pensacola. i unfortunately let the poison of that job filter into other aspects of my life and make me miserable. i honestly don't know what i would have done without the support of my amazing friends and family as i struggled to get out of that contract. i allowed my entire being to lose its light and just coming home and making dinner after a day at work became a chore. however, with the encouragement of james, my beautiful friends, and my awesome family, i decided to quit my job (yikes!),get my real estate license in florida, and continue selling houses down here as well as in nc!
today was my first 'unemployed' day and i have to admit that although liberating, it was a little nerve-wracking to realize i don't currently have a job! luckily, through connections we've already made down here, i have a job lined up with a real estate firm as soon as i complete my 72 hour online course. whew! talk about a relief!! sometimes you have to suck it up and make a change, be it a change in scenery, job, or attitude, and in this case i changed a little bit of all three. its scary making huge life changing choices, but without change there is no room for growth :)
as i sit here reflecting on how crazy the last week was, i am struck by the enormous gratitude i feel for the love and encouragement of the people in our life. no matter what is going on in life, through the highs and lows, the happiness and the sadness, the worry and doubt, and all of the beautiful, messy moments in between nothing would hold any meaning without these kooky, sweet people we call our family and friends. i wish it didn't take a job change and a wedding for me to realize this but sometimes we all need a little kick in the ass, right?
i am also thankful for the super great NEW friends we were able to make because of Kevan and Rebekkah's marriage. its so crazy to think about how much light there is in the world, and how many wonderful new people and experiences are out there, if we could only just change the lens we look through and have a more open and positive attitude. so, in the wake of a truly awesome fourth of july week, i am making a promise to myself and all of you, to be a more positive, optimistic, and encouraging person DESPITE the darkness in life. because lets be honest, we've all got it pretty darn good! and if something isn't gelling with your vision of how you want your life to be, CHANGE IT!! FOR GOODNESS SAKE, just jump off that metaphorical cliff and take life by the horns!
i hope that all of you had a great week! and if ever you feel some part of your life is not going in the right direction, remember that its never too late to change it. tell the people in your life that you love them, help a stranger, laugh A LOT, ask people how they are and CARE about the answer, and never ever ever settle for something less than absolute happiness!
<3 E
p.s James, im also thankful for the vacuum...those stairs would have been nightmare without it ;)
my parents were also in town during the wedding week so i was finally able to show them around pensacola and give them a glimpse into out little life down here. the name of this post is 'gratitude & attitude' because sometimes it takes a big event, like a wedding, to realize how much the little things in life matter. showing small, everyday bits of gratitude for the people and things in your life makes a huge difference in how you feel and carry yourself.
one of the big things that has been bringing me down recently was my job as a nanny here in pensacola. i unfortunately let the poison of that job filter into other aspects of my life and make me miserable. i honestly don't know what i would have done without the support of my amazing friends and family as i struggled to get out of that contract. i allowed my entire being to lose its light and just coming home and making dinner after a day at work became a chore. however, with the encouragement of james, my beautiful friends, and my awesome family, i decided to quit my job (yikes!),get my real estate license in florida, and continue selling houses down here as well as in nc!
today was my first 'unemployed' day and i have to admit that although liberating, it was a little nerve-wracking to realize i don't currently have a job! luckily, through connections we've already made down here, i have a job lined up with a real estate firm as soon as i complete my 72 hour online course. whew! talk about a relief!! sometimes you have to suck it up and make a change, be it a change in scenery, job, or attitude, and in this case i changed a little bit of all three. its scary making huge life changing choices, but without change there is no room for growth :)
as i sit here reflecting on how crazy the last week was, i am struck by the enormous gratitude i feel for the love and encouragement of the people in our life. no matter what is going on in life, through the highs and lows, the happiness and the sadness, the worry and doubt, and all of the beautiful, messy moments in between nothing would hold any meaning without these kooky, sweet people we call our family and friends. i wish it didn't take a job change and a wedding for me to realize this but sometimes we all need a little kick in the ass, right?
i am also thankful for the super great NEW friends we were able to make because of Kevan and Rebekkah's marriage. its so crazy to think about how much light there is in the world, and how many wonderful new people and experiences are out there, if we could only just change the lens we look through and have a more open and positive attitude. so, in the wake of a truly awesome fourth of july week, i am making a promise to myself and all of you, to be a more positive, optimistic, and encouraging person DESPITE the darkness in life. because lets be honest, we've all got it pretty darn good! and if something isn't gelling with your vision of how you want your life to be, CHANGE IT!! FOR GOODNESS SAKE, just jump off that metaphorical cliff and take life by the horns!
i hope that all of you had a great week! and if ever you feel some part of your life is not going in the right direction, remember that its never too late to change it. tell the people in your life that you love them, help a stranger, laugh A LOT, ask people how they are and CARE about the answer, and never ever ever settle for something less than absolute happiness!
<3 E
p.s James, im also thankful for the vacuum...those stairs would have been nightmare without it ;)
(this last photo was taken by Jerry Padgett Photography)
6/21/15
F l i g h t S u i t F r i d a y
the past year has been so full of huge, life changing events and it seems like each month goes by more quickly than the last. so when i looked at my calendar today and saw that there is only one week left until july, all i could do was shake my head and wonder where the time has gone! friday was a huge day for James and his classmates because it was their Flight Suit Friday which is the first official day they are allowed to don their flight suit uniforms and celebrate being done with the horrible testing portion of API. and with the exception of the aviators themselves, nobody appreciates this portion of flight school being over more than the significant others! james and i actually got to hang out yesterday and go grocery shopping together! it was awesome.
in this type of situation you have to learn to accept that more often than not its about the quality of time you spend together, not the quantity. its a hard lesson to learn and sometimes you have to remind yourself but its just the way things are and its always worth it in the end :)
today we are going to go to the beach so we can enjoy the sunshine, drink some beer, and take a dip in the gulf. we honestly haven't been to the the beach in close to a month which is ridiculous considering we live about 15 minutes from it! however, with work, school, and life its been difficult to get out there recently. BUT NOT TODAY! this weekend has been all about relaxing, reading, playing video games, making pancakes, sleeping late, and all those awesome things that are so easy to take for granted.
im also very excited because my parents are coming to visit a week from today! i can't wait to show them around pensacola and take them to the beach, eat good sea food, and just hang out. it will be a super fun week because I'm taking off work just to spend time with them AND get ready for Bekkah and Kevan's wedding of course, which is the next friday! its going to be a great start to july filled with family, friends, good food, celebrations, and fun.
life is pretty darn good :)
so, on this wonderful sunday i hope all of you do something relaxing and enjoyable like us! and don't forget to call your daddy's and wish them happy father's day!
E
in this type of situation you have to learn to accept that more often than not its about the quality of time you spend together, not the quantity. its a hard lesson to learn and sometimes you have to remind yourself but its just the way things are and its always worth it in the end :)
today we are going to go to the beach so we can enjoy the sunshine, drink some beer, and take a dip in the gulf. we honestly haven't been to the the beach in close to a month which is ridiculous considering we live about 15 minutes from it! however, with work, school, and life its been difficult to get out there recently. BUT NOT TODAY! this weekend has been all about relaxing, reading, playing video games, making pancakes, sleeping late, and all those awesome things that are so easy to take for granted.
im also very excited because my parents are coming to visit a week from today! i can't wait to show them around pensacola and take them to the beach, eat good sea food, and just hang out. it will be a super fun week because I'm taking off work just to spend time with them AND get ready for Bekkah and Kevan's wedding of course, which is the next friday! its going to be a great start to july filled with family, friends, good food, celebrations, and fun.
life is pretty darn good :)
so, on this wonderful sunday i hope all of you do something relaxing and enjoyable like us! and don't forget to call your daddy's and wish them happy father's day!
E
6/10/15
B u l l C i t y R e v i s i t e d
if any of you follow my instagram, or Facebook, or snapchat, ooooor any other social media outlet you probably know by now that i got to spend 3 glorious days back in durham this week. i was able to spend some great time with my family, and also managed to cram in a TON of other amazing activities...
on sunday afternoon when i arrived home, i was surprised to see some of our great family friends that we haven't seen in forever. it turns out that Edie, who is the author of some amazing young adult fiction like East, Hero's Song, Fire Arrow...READ THEM, THEY ARE AMAZZZZEEEE)was in town for a book reading for her latest novel called Ghosting. I was super excited because i read it when it first came out and thought it was incredible. I'm also a huge sucker for book readings and signings because you get to ask the authors questions aaaand i always have a million questions :)
later that day also just happened to be our annual neighborhood block party. trinity park was such a great neighborhood to grow up in because everyone looks after each other, kids are always running around playing, people are out walking their dogs, and everyone knows everyone else...and their mother...and their grandparents...and their uncles pet cat...you get the picture. its also a great time of year to be outside in durham because the huge trees that line the streets are covered in bushy green leaves, everybody's gardens are in full bloom, and people just like to sit out on their porches and drink sweet tea after work because its simply too hot for anything else.
i was able to see a bunch of friends and catch up before everyone goes their own ways. it seems like this is the year for us all to find the next step in our paths; med school, dental school, backpacking through europe, grad school, new jobs! you all know who you are! and you better come visit me!
on monday, i was able to visit with my adorable baby Dillon and i think he actually remembered who i was! he is getting so big! he can even sit up by himself and pull up on tables now. this is such a fun age, I'm super jealous of his new nanny! but we got to read a couple of books and hang out before his bath time so that was great. i know the next time i see him he will probably be running around.
after a whirlwind couple of days of visiting friends, shopping with my mama, lounging on the porch, and going to my favorite durham spots, it was time for the kicker. the REAL reason for my visit (other than seeing my family of course!). The Taylor Swift concert.
it. was. awesome. i think she sounds even better live than on her albums. Brittney, my parents, and I donned our flower crowns (okaaay, not my dad), applied copious amounts of glitter (also not my dad, i offered though!) and spent the evening rocking out with about 15,000 screaming 13 year old girls. and i am pretty sure we had more fun haha
overall, it was a super fast trip but i was so happy to be home for a short amount of time! it definitely doesn't get any easier to say good bye but i know that whenever i go back things will always just pick up where they left off :) not to mention, my parents are coming to visit very soon so it was important that i got back down here to buy a vacuum and start cleaning...ruh roh
on sunday afternoon when i arrived home, i was surprised to see some of our great family friends that we haven't seen in forever. it turns out that Edie, who is the author of some amazing young adult fiction like East, Hero's Song, Fire Arrow...READ THEM, THEY ARE AMAZZZZEEEE)was in town for a book reading for her latest novel called Ghosting. I was super excited because i read it when it first came out and thought it was incredible. I'm also a huge sucker for book readings and signings because you get to ask the authors questions aaaand i always have a million questions :)
later that day also just happened to be our annual neighborhood block party. trinity park was such a great neighborhood to grow up in because everyone looks after each other, kids are always running around playing, people are out walking their dogs, and everyone knows everyone else...and their mother...and their grandparents...and their uncles pet cat...you get the picture. its also a great time of year to be outside in durham because the huge trees that line the streets are covered in bushy green leaves, everybody's gardens are in full bloom, and people just like to sit out on their porches and drink sweet tea after work because its simply too hot for anything else.
i was able to see a bunch of friends and catch up before everyone goes their own ways. it seems like this is the year for us all to find the next step in our paths; med school, dental school, backpacking through europe, grad school, new jobs! you all know who you are! and you better come visit me!
on monday, i was able to visit with my adorable baby Dillon and i think he actually remembered who i was! he is getting so big! he can even sit up by himself and pull up on tables now. this is such a fun age, I'm super jealous of his new nanny! but we got to read a couple of books and hang out before his bath time so that was great. i know the next time i see him he will probably be running around.
after a whirlwind couple of days of visiting friends, shopping with my mama, lounging on the porch, and going to my favorite durham spots, it was time for the kicker. the REAL reason for my visit (other than seeing my family of course!). The Taylor Swift concert.
it. was. awesome. i think she sounds even better live than on her albums. Brittney, my parents, and I donned our flower crowns (okaaay, not my dad), applied copious amounts of glitter (also not my dad, i offered though!) and spent the evening rocking out with about 15,000 screaming 13 year old girls. and i am pretty sure we had more fun haha
overall, it was a super fast trip but i was so happy to be home for a short amount of time! it definitely doesn't get any easier to say good bye but i know that whenever i go back things will always just pick up where they left off :) not to mention, my parents are coming to visit very soon so it was important that i got back down here to buy a vacuum and start cleaning...ruh roh
6/1/15
k i d k r u d
if you are a parent, teacher, or in my case a nanny, then you are most certainly familiar with what i refer to as the 'kid krud'. its that nasty virus that school age kids get EVERY. SINGLE. YEAR. it comes complete with runny nose, horrifying cough, sore throat, and body aches. and the best part is, you don't get a day off when you are a nanny and the kids are the ones who started the illness because they can't catch it back from you! its not like you can say 'stay away from me you sick child!' when i see one of my kids being all sick and pitiful i can't help but want to make them feel better...so long story short, i caught the 'kid krud'. wah wah
however, i did get about 24 hours of fun in this weekend before it hit me! we went out for sushi on friday night (or i did, J had a video game date) to celebrate our friends' flight suit friday. its crazy to think that James will be celebrating his in a few short weeks! then we spent the day at the pool, drinking gin & tonics, reading, and relaxing.
saturday night we had people over for a BBQ. its nice to know that we are surrounded by so many great people. our tiny apartment was packed with fun friends, good food, and lots of noise. we had to call it a night early because J had some studying to do for his exam, but it was a good time :) also i needed to chug about 4 bottles of nyquil. 0_o
today was the first day of summer for the kids i nanny for so my days will be beginning at the crack of 8:00am for the next couple of months. the camp schedule for these 3 is insane, and i spent most of the day running them to and from their activities while trying to get laundry done in between. we did manage to watch Mockingjay, play 3 rounds of checkers, take the dogs to the dog park, and make crepes today though which is pretty good for four sick people haha. hopefully in the days to come everyone will start feeling better so we can go to the beach!
oh! and for all of my durhamites, i will be back in town this sunday until wednesday morning for the Taylor Swift concert and to visit my family. sooooo, if you wanna get a drink or catch up, you know how to reach me! i promise not to breathe on you...
however, i did get about 24 hours of fun in this weekend before it hit me! we went out for sushi on friday night (or i did, J had a video game date) to celebrate our friends' flight suit friday. its crazy to think that James will be celebrating his in a few short weeks! then we spent the day at the pool, drinking gin & tonics, reading, and relaxing.
saturday night we had people over for a BBQ. its nice to know that we are surrounded by so many great people. our tiny apartment was packed with fun friends, good food, and lots of noise. we had to call it a night early because J had some studying to do for his exam, but it was a good time :) also i needed to chug about 4 bottles of nyquil. 0_o
today was the first day of summer for the kids i nanny for so my days will be beginning at the crack of 8:00am for the next couple of months. the camp schedule for these 3 is insane, and i spent most of the day running them to and from their activities while trying to get laundry done in between. we did manage to watch Mockingjay, play 3 rounds of checkers, take the dogs to the dog park, and make crepes today though which is pretty good for four sick people haha. hopefully in the days to come everyone will start feeling better so we can go to the beach!
oh! and for all of my durhamites, i will be back in town this sunday until wednesday morning for the Taylor Swift concert and to visit my family. sooooo, if you wanna get a drink or catch up, you know how to reach me! i promise not to breathe on you...
5/27/15
h o u s e t o h o m e
one thing i have learned from the many moves I've made in my life, especially this cross country one, is that i am a minimalist trapped in a pack-rats body. if anyone were to ask me what my ideal home would be, i would probably answer that i love industrial and scandinavian styles with bright pops of color and plants everywhere!
that being said; i can't keep greenery alive to save my life, i have way too many books stuffed everywhere, i prefer to have a million animals, and i always end up with really loud, eclectic pieces of furniture. in short, my home always slightly resembles the Weasley's Burrow from Harry Potter. not necessarily a bad thing, and definitely homey and cozy, but also furry, erratic, and cluttered.
somewhere between the pristine, white, minimalist home in my head & the hodge podge of hand me downs, dog hair, and bright red ikea furniture there lies a beautiful balance. and i actually think that after this last move we may have gotten pretty close.
the most important thing, in my opinion, when it comes to making a house a home is being able to identify those important, key things that make you feel completely relaxed and comfortable in your space. after all, your home should be a place where you feel completely at ease, it should be your sanctuary. a place to entertain friends and family, but also a place where you can hide away from the world and do your own thing.
when i think about what i need to feel perfectly cozy in my home i can think of several very important factors that play a huge role in how i chose to decorate my house.
1. fairy lights: i LOATHE overhead lighting and would rather sit in the dark and talk about politics than have a horrid, white light blinding me from above and making me look paler than i already am.
fairy lights are warm, they add character to any space, and they make any room instantly cozier.
2. blankets & pillows: there is nothing better than curling up on the couch with a good book and wrapping yourself in a snuggly blanket. also, i am always freezing so my blanket collection is extensive to say the least.
3. oil diffuser & candles: with four animals and a marine in the house things can get a little smelly. i always have candles burning to make sure things stay fresh. my oil diffuser is a miracle worker. we basically have this thing running 24/7. my favorite oils to diffuse right now are peppermint, sweet orange, and lemon. this mixture is perfect for hot summer days, it is revitalizing, and it isn't overpowering.
4. books: James and i both have an astounding number of books. we seriously need about 3 more book shelves because every surface in our house has stacks of books on it. i love to read, and even though i will use my iPad occasionally, there is nothing better than holding an actual book in your hand and flipping the pages!
5. tea: peppermint tea. all day. every day. i don't know how i would ever get water into my body without tea. end of story.
6. my pets: as i was thinking about how nice it would be to have an impeccably clean, fur-less household i realized how boring and quiet and lonely a house would feel with no animals. suuure i spend about 60% of my life swiffering, cleaning up dog bone, dusting, and washing linens, but i mean, what do people who don't have animals do with all of that free time?? i would probably just eat. pets are definitely a must have for me :) the companionship, entertainment, and responsibility that comes with having pets is well worth the effort of keeping a clean home.
sure there are lots of other things that make a home comfy and personal, but for me, these are a few of the big ones and i always make sure to take them with me wherever i go. so the next time you're thinking about moving or decluttering a room in your house, think about what you love to have around you and maybe it won't seem so hard create a space that you want to be in :)
-E
that being said; i can't keep greenery alive to save my life, i have way too many books stuffed everywhere, i prefer to have a million animals, and i always end up with really loud, eclectic pieces of furniture. in short, my home always slightly resembles the Weasley's Burrow from Harry Potter. not necessarily a bad thing, and definitely homey and cozy, but also furry, erratic, and cluttered.
somewhere between the pristine, white, minimalist home in my head & the hodge podge of hand me downs, dog hair, and bright red ikea furniture there lies a beautiful balance. and i actually think that after this last move we may have gotten pretty close.
the most important thing, in my opinion, when it comes to making a house a home is being able to identify those important, key things that make you feel completely relaxed and comfortable in your space. after all, your home should be a place where you feel completely at ease, it should be your sanctuary. a place to entertain friends and family, but also a place where you can hide away from the world and do your own thing.
when i think about what i need to feel perfectly cozy in my home i can think of several very important factors that play a huge role in how i chose to decorate my house.
1. fairy lights: i LOATHE overhead lighting and would rather sit in the dark and talk about politics than have a horrid, white light blinding me from above and making me look paler than i already am.
fairy lights are warm, they add character to any space, and they make any room instantly cozier.
2. blankets & pillows: there is nothing better than curling up on the couch with a good book and wrapping yourself in a snuggly blanket. also, i am always freezing so my blanket collection is extensive to say the least.
3. oil diffuser & candles: with four animals and a marine in the house things can get a little smelly. i always have candles burning to make sure things stay fresh. my oil diffuser is a miracle worker. we basically have this thing running 24/7. my favorite oils to diffuse right now are peppermint, sweet orange, and lemon. this mixture is perfect for hot summer days, it is revitalizing, and it isn't overpowering.
4. books: James and i both have an astounding number of books. we seriously need about 3 more book shelves because every surface in our house has stacks of books on it. i love to read, and even though i will use my iPad occasionally, there is nothing better than holding an actual book in your hand and flipping the pages!
5. tea: peppermint tea. all day. every day. i don't know how i would ever get water into my body without tea. end of story.
6. my pets: as i was thinking about how nice it would be to have an impeccably clean, fur-less household i realized how boring and quiet and lonely a house would feel with no animals. suuure i spend about 60% of my life swiffering, cleaning up dog bone, dusting, and washing linens, but i mean, what do people who don't have animals do with all of that free time?? i would probably just eat. pets are definitely a must have for me :) the companionship, entertainment, and responsibility that comes with having pets is well worth the effort of keeping a clean home.
sure there are lots of other things that make a home comfy and personal, but for me, these are a few of the big ones and i always make sure to take them with me wherever i go. so the next time you're thinking about moving or decluttering a room in your house, think about what you love to have around you and maybe it won't seem so hard create a space that you want to be in :)
-E
5/26/15
m e m o r i a l d a y
this weekend James and I dropped the dogs off at the boarder (for the first time), drove the 8 hours up to Charlotte NC, and spent the weekend with his family celebrating the life of his late uncle. it was a beautiful weekend and so much fun to see everyone, especially J's aunt who has been super kind and helpful to us during our move! if it weren't for her we wouldn't even have a couch right now!
once we got the drive over with, the weekend was full of laughs, good food, remembrances, and family. you know how they say, 'you don't just date the person, you date their family'? well, i am very lucky that james's family is so awesome and welcoming.
we didn't get a chance to see my parents but I'm super stoked because I'm flying up there at the beginning of june to go to the T-Swift concert with them and my sister wooooo!!!
its weird how easy it is to get wrapped up in life and every day things when you move away, and i can see how quickly falling out of touch can occur. it makes me so sad and i want to make sure i do a better job of staying in touch with everyone. just yesterday, someone (cough cough TEMPE, my sister) wrote on my wall something snarky about remembering she existed and i was completely shocked to realize i hadn't talked to her in like a week!! what did i do last week? was i busy? did i not have a free second to call? honestly, i can't remember what i had for breakfast so who knows. but it made me think, i need to be much more proactive about communicating with my people back in NC.
And yes, Der if you are reading this, i do remember you and you are awesome and I'm going to make you wear flower crowns with me to the Taylor Swift concert. kthanksbyeeee, #loveyoumeanit
on a separate note; HOW IS IT ALMOST JUNE?!?!
i really can not understand why time is moving so quickly. it seems crazy that 2015 is almost halfway over! we have been lucky to meet so many wonderful people down here and make some truly amazing friends, but its really crazy to think about how short our time will be in pensacola. and once flight school is over, everyone will be scattered across the world to different duty stations. but, thats the name of the game. at least there are endless opportunities to make new friends and hopefully run into old ones. and having friends all over the globe definitely has its perks!
for now though, we are just trucking right along :) James is in the midst of API so he is studying like a mad man 24/7 and flying through his material (pun intended). i am about to start working double time since the kids get out of school this week. and hopefully on the weekends we will get a little bit of spare time to relax, grill out, and enjoy the beach.
its going to be a great summer with lots of fun things happening! we've got weddings to attend, new babies to meet, family and friends to party with, and lots of things to be thankful for.
its looking like summer 2015 is going to be one for the books...
once we got the drive over with, the weekend was full of laughs, good food, remembrances, and family. you know how they say, 'you don't just date the person, you date their family'? well, i am very lucky that james's family is so awesome and welcoming.
we didn't get a chance to see my parents but I'm super stoked because I'm flying up there at the beginning of june to go to the T-Swift concert with them and my sister wooooo!!!
its weird how easy it is to get wrapped up in life and every day things when you move away, and i can see how quickly falling out of touch can occur. it makes me so sad and i want to make sure i do a better job of staying in touch with everyone. just yesterday, someone (cough cough TEMPE, my sister) wrote on my wall something snarky about remembering she existed and i was completely shocked to realize i hadn't talked to her in like a week!! what did i do last week? was i busy? did i not have a free second to call? honestly, i can't remember what i had for breakfast so who knows. but it made me think, i need to be much more proactive about communicating with my people back in NC.
And yes, Der if you are reading this, i do remember you and you are awesome and I'm going to make you wear flower crowns with me to the Taylor Swift concert. kthanksbyeeee, #loveyoumeanit
on a separate note; HOW IS IT ALMOST JUNE?!?!
i really can not understand why time is moving so quickly. it seems crazy that 2015 is almost halfway over! we have been lucky to meet so many wonderful people down here and make some truly amazing friends, but its really crazy to think about how short our time will be in pensacola. and once flight school is over, everyone will be scattered across the world to different duty stations. but, thats the name of the game. at least there are endless opportunities to make new friends and hopefully run into old ones. and having friends all over the globe definitely has its perks!
for now though, we are just trucking right along :) James is in the midst of API so he is studying like a mad man 24/7 and flying through his material (pun intended). i am about to start working double time since the kids get out of school this week. and hopefully on the weekends we will get a little bit of spare time to relax, grill out, and enjoy the beach.
its going to be a great summer with lots of fun things happening! we've got weddings to attend, new babies to meet, family and friends to party with, and lots of things to be thankful for.
its looking like summer 2015 is going to be one for the books...
5/20/15
m i d w e e k m o n t a g e
its wednesday. not quiiiite friday enough for me, but it'll do. I'm sitting here thinking about my to do list for this week while my kids are in tutoring, and realizing that netflix has been playing a major role in my procrastination recently...
even though New Girl isn't currently on. And I'm waiting on the new season of Scrotal Recall. Aaaand Candidly Nicole. Oh yeah, and Bachelor in Paradise (just because i love 'Onion Girl').
oh yikes, see what i mean...netflix is an epidemic!
a wonderful, entertaining, watch-it-at-the-gym, or during your lunch break, or at night while you're cooking dinner EPIDEMIC.
right now, the bf and i are binge watching Scandal, i know, were behind on the times with that one. But it is so addicting!
secretly i am watching the Bachelorette and hoping that Britt gets hit by truck full of glitter, and it explodes and showers sparkles all over the bachelors and their amazing abs, but its not looking good. however, i am only 37 minutes into the first episode so i think theres still hope.
but back to this horrid to-do list!
right now i am trying to find a decent dog boarder in pensacola so that we are able to go on several trips this year without me having a conniption about copper and tucker the whole time. let me tell you this for free: 3 days before memorial day weekend is a TERRIBLE time to be looking for a pet boarder. TERRIBLE.
i finally found a place that had a vacancy left, but it was my 4th choice out of 7 potentials and I'm not thrilled about it. i know its only for a couple of days and that they will be under the supervision of professionals blah blah blah but it looks like a doggy jail in there!
obviously this is more of a 'me problem' than a copper/tucker problem since they just want food, water, and lots of belly rubs. but i don't care if I'm a crazy dog person! i want constant video feed of my dogs while I'm gone (cough cough NETFLIX should get in on that business opportunity) and a direct line to their room so i can talk to them. okay, that sounded crazy...but I'm gonna go with it anyways.
i mean just look at these faces:
how could i not worry about them?
but they have been in the car with me way too much this year because of our move, and it wouldn't be fair for them to have to be crunched up in the backseat so we can drive all the way back to NC for the weekend.
also, i really want to be able to go to the Wizarding World this year and i don't think they allow dogs in the theme park yet so this will be a good trial run.
on that note, i have completed my last minute task of the day! so now I'm going to get as much Bachelorette in as i can before the kids finish their tutoring ...shhhh!
even though New Girl isn't currently on. And I'm waiting on the new season of Scrotal Recall. Aaaand Candidly Nicole. Oh yeah, and Bachelor in Paradise (just because i love 'Onion Girl').
oh yikes, see what i mean...netflix is an epidemic!
a wonderful, entertaining, watch-it-at-the-gym, or during your lunch break, or at night while you're cooking dinner EPIDEMIC.
right now, the bf and i are binge watching Scandal, i know, were behind on the times with that one. But it is so addicting!
secretly i am watching the Bachelorette and hoping that Britt gets hit by truck full of glitter, and it explodes and showers sparkles all over the bachelors and their amazing abs, but its not looking good. however, i am only 37 minutes into the first episode so i think theres still hope.
but back to this horrid to-do list!
right now i am trying to find a decent dog boarder in pensacola so that we are able to go on several trips this year without me having a conniption about copper and tucker the whole time. let me tell you this for free: 3 days before memorial day weekend is a TERRIBLE time to be looking for a pet boarder. TERRIBLE.
i finally found a place that had a vacancy left, but it was my 4th choice out of 7 potentials and I'm not thrilled about it. i know its only for a couple of days and that they will be under the supervision of professionals blah blah blah but it looks like a doggy jail in there!
obviously this is more of a 'me problem' than a copper/tucker problem since they just want food, water, and lots of belly rubs. but i don't care if I'm a crazy dog person! i want constant video feed of my dogs while I'm gone (cough cough NETFLIX should get in on that business opportunity) and a direct line to their room so i can talk to them. okay, that sounded crazy...but I'm gonna go with it anyways.
i mean just look at these faces:
how could i not worry about them?
but they have been in the car with me way too much this year because of our move, and it wouldn't be fair for them to have to be crunched up in the backseat so we can drive all the way back to NC for the weekend.
also, i really want to be able to go to the Wizarding World this year and i don't think they allow dogs in the theme park yet so this will be a good trial run.
on that note, i have completed my last minute task of the day! so now I'm going to get as much Bachelorette in as i can before the kids finish their tutoring ...shhhh!
5/17/15
I M B A C K!!!
i have been a huge slacker with the blog these last few weeks, and truly there is no excuse other than: because life. on that note however, here are some pictures from the past few weeks to catch everyone up!
we have been crazy busy down here in pensacola. i started my new job working as a nanny for a family of five and they are great. J has been busy studying and finished IFS within 2.5 weeks. he is doing amazing and even had his first solo flight.
we have been spending time with great friends, getting to know the city, hanging out on the beach, and settling in to this new life :)
yesterday we went with some friends down to Destin to check out the outlets and go to the beach. the water down here is SO blue and the sand is a shade of white we just don't have in NC. its really beautiful!
for the next couple of days, even though i will be working, we are going to enjoy ourselves because J starts API this week and once that starts things will really pick up and get busy. so for now...its all about that brunch & beach ;)
we have been crazy busy down here in pensacola. i started my new job working as a nanny for a family of five and they are great. J has been busy studying and finished IFS within 2.5 weeks. he is doing amazing and even had his first solo flight.
we have been spending time with great friends, getting to know the city, hanging out on the beach, and settling in to this new life :)
yesterday we went with some friends down to Destin to check out the outlets and go to the beach. the water down here is SO blue and the sand is a shade of white we just don't have in NC. its really beautiful!
for the next couple of days, even though i will be working, we are going to enjoy ourselves because J starts API this week and once that starts things will really pick up and get busy. so for now...its all about that brunch & beach ;)
5/2/15
d e l a y e d r e s p o n s e
it has been SO long since i've had a moment to breathe. as you can imagine, a moment to write has been even harder to come by. but the crazy is officially over. after 2 weeks of moving, 3 weeks of nothing but work, an 11 hour car ride, and more unpacking, i am officially in pensacola. it feels so amazing to finally be down here with James and starting this chapter.
our tiny, eclectic apartment feels homey and perfect. even though the internet is faulty, and there are only two windows downstairs, it has never felt so right to be somewhere. my new job starts on monday, I've made some great friends, and it is so warm and nice down here! goodbye cold rain! i was made to live in 80 degree weather. its just a fact.
the past few days have been full of rearranging furniture, getting utilities set up, shopping for curtain rods that never seem to be the right length, meeting new people, and exploring this new city. I've met some great women down here who are also girlfriends or wives of people in flight school and it is so nice to have people to talk to who understand what you're going through. this military community truly is accepting and strong. a few of us have even set up a weekly coffee date and yoga night. disclaimer: just because one is an ex-dancer does not make aerial yoga easier!
i spent yesterday at the beach while J was golfing and studying (of course). and then we had a nice dinner out on the town.
i think I'm going to like it here!
our tiny, eclectic apartment feels homey and perfect. even though the internet is faulty, and there are only two windows downstairs, it has never felt so right to be somewhere. my new job starts on monday, I've made some great friends, and it is so warm and nice down here! goodbye cold rain! i was made to live in 80 degree weather. its just a fact.
the past few days have been full of rearranging furniture, getting utilities set up, shopping for curtain rods that never seem to be the right length, meeting new people, and exploring this new city. I've met some great women down here who are also girlfriends or wives of people in flight school and it is so nice to have people to talk to who understand what you're going through. this military community truly is accepting and strong. a few of us have even set up a weekly coffee date and yoga night. disclaimer: just because one is an ex-dancer does not make aerial yoga easier!
i spent yesterday at the beach while J was golfing and studying (of course). and then we had a nice dinner out on the town.
i think I'm going to like it here!
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