tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26593314415348631862024-03-13T00:44:43.859-04:00blooming branchthoughts on faith, fashion, and everything in between.chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05266469813892412838noreply@blogger.comBlogger488125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659331441534863186.post-17204848792574313982014-01-02T00:38:00.000-05:002014-01-02T00:38:24.099-05:00new year, new blog!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWigNVir45lstR3J6Y8w1YqHa9CQ2FC8QDp4IAMcgoPmZdfz0X0P77ZUg6yr3bwDJHoEL7YoCQ-THPZjRr8W_ZcjGaeqt_TweR4Vc8SPWjHGz6Dj6oFTV6rJX6CgXyui4PyxRkZ9zvn_E/s1600/2014+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWigNVir45lstR3J6Y8w1YqHa9CQ2FC8QDp4IAMcgoPmZdfz0X0P77ZUg6yr3bwDJHoEL7YoCQ-THPZjRr8W_ZcjGaeqt_TweR4Vc8SPWjHGz6Dj6oFTV6rJX6CgXyui4PyxRkZ9zvn_E/s640/2014+collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
the time has come, people. i can't believe that after five years, i'm leaving this sweet little blog behind. i'm almost sad to do it. it's been such a wonderful place for me to record my life. but it's time for a fancier site with more capabilities and my very own domain name.<br />
<br />
so ladies and gentlemen, as we begin a new year, i invite you to join me over at <a href="http://www.bloomingbranchblog.com/">www.bloomingbranchblog.com</a> as i launch a new chapter in the life of blooming branch.<br />
<br />
thanks for joining me on my journey here. it's been a wonderful five years. here's to many more!<br />
<br />
xoxo cheers!<br />
chelsea<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/bookmarklet/?media=http://d3io1k5o0zdpqr.cloudfront.net/images/PinterestLogoNew.png
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUJTLLdTi3Pp2f7q6nNKdJ3PeS8FwbBM0zdGNZy4mzkKwhYLpoIhOuv-6vRYo2ZfNIZ0ziLnFRXNedft_myyTmbAOvmWtHtG0_BMRWfz89o8guF0KlsUFJzeDC7AMgyUH0plNbBavM13I/s1600/oje_beautiful_muell___by_gnato_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUJTLLdTi3Pp2f7q6nNKdJ3PeS8FwbBM0zdGNZy4mzkKwhYLpoIhOuv-6vRYo2ZfNIZ0ziLnFRXNedft_myyTmbAOvmWtHtG0_BMRWfz89o8guF0KlsUFJzeDC7AMgyUH0plNbBavM13I/s640/oje_beautiful_muell___by_gnato_large.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
<br />
hello friends!<br />
<br />
just sharing some exciting news this morning. blooming branch has been on my heart a great deal lately and i've been making lots of plans for it. in fact, so much so that in a few weeks, the new and improved blooming branch blog is going to be live! i'm soon to have a new logo, a new blog look and a new url thanks to some very talented folks i've met through <a href="https://www.odesk.com/" target="_blank">odesk</a> who are making my life easy. it's going to be fan-cy and i am very eager to have a new space to resume my long-neglected posting.<br />
<br />
in the meantime, you can read a few freelance pieces i've written recently for <a href="http://www.ibelieve.com/" target="_blank">ibelieve</a> <a href="http://www.ibelieve.com/relationships/intentional-friendship.html" target="_blank">here</a> (on friendship) and <a href="http://www.ibelieve.com/food-home/trusting-god-when-your-career-is-going-nowhere.html" target="_blank">here</a> (on career). i've been blessed to have the opportunity to write for these folks and am excited to continue doing so!<br />
<br />
stay tuned in the coming weeks for some big time changes - i can't wait to share them!<br />
<br />
xoxo,<br />
chelsea<br />
<br />
image via <a href="http://jinxich.deviantart.com/art/oje-beautiful-muell-101212596" target="_blank">gnato on deviantART</a><br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/bookmarklet/?media=http://d3io1k5o0zdpqr.cloudfront.net/images/PinterestLogoNew.png
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<br />
Listen<br />
with the night falling we are saying thank you<br />
we are stopping on the bridge to bow from the railings<br />
we are running out of the glass rooms<br />
with our mouths full of food to look at the sky<br />
and say thank you<br />
we are standing by the water looking out<br />
in different directions<br />
<br />
back from a series of hospitals back from a mugging<br />
after funerals we are saying thank you<br />
after the news of the dead<br />
whether or not we knew them we are saying thank you<br />
in a culture up to its chin in shame<br />
living in the stench it has chosen we are saying thank you<br />
<br />
over telephones we are saying thank you<br />
in doorways an in the backs of cars and in elevators<br />
remembering wars and the police at the back door<br />
and the beatings on stairs we are saying thank you<br />
in the banks that use us we are saying thank you<br />
with the crooks in office with the rich and fashionable<br />
unchanged we go on saying thank you thank you<br />
<br />
with the animals dying around us<br />
our lost feelings we are saying thank you<br />
with the forests falling faster than the minutes<br />
of our lives we are saying thank you<br />
with the words going out like the cells of a brain<br />
with the cities growing over us like the earth<br />
we are saying thank you faster and faster<br />
with nobody listening we are saying thank you<br />
and we are saying thank you and waving<br />
dark though it is<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/#fp=c5abf00e798a8c16&q=w.s.+merwin" target="_blank">- w.s. merwin </a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">image: <i>waiting</i> by <a href="https://www.google.com/#fp=c5abf00e798a8c16&q=vilhelm+hammershoi" target="_blank">vilhelm hammershoi</a> via<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/SilentStoryteller" target="_blank"> silent storyteller</a></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/bookmarklet/?media=http://d3io1k5o0zdpqr.cloudfront.net/images/PinterestLogoNew.png
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKEJ_c4Lj_zPNhDy4Is590F0iXmNY4tG7YebwHgxyh7bOnVEtFwJGoDy8RGGVnuNPml6-qqr2UpNGI8_pOf0pPxHOe_kvXeW9SmjKxkVA3vW-_kNUERIZSAgZ5_0tnHt2rfAiKjy9mds/s1600/@glamourouscitylights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKEJ_c4Lj_zPNhDy4Is590F0iXmNY4tG7YebwHgxyh7bOnVEtFwJGoDy8RGGVnuNPml6-qqr2UpNGI8_pOf0pPxHOe_kvXeW9SmjKxkVA3vW-_kNUERIZSAgZ5_0tnHt2rfAiKjy9mds/s640/@glamourouscitylights.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
tonight i went to a new <a href="http://www.zumba.com/en-US" target="_blank">zumba</a> class. for starters, i've been taking zumba for probably about four years now, off and on, and with a few different instructors. it's so much fun and has definitely loosened up this ex-ballerina. latin dance + hip hop is basically always a win in my book. surprisingly, i'm actually rather good at zumba. one of my prouder moments was during a class a few years ago when a man next to me wearing tighter workout pants than i will ever own and a legit sweatband stopped what he was doing and said to me "girl, you're tall, but you sure can shake it." um, thank you? i'll take that as a compliment.<br />
<br />
that said, i fearlessly walked in to tonight's class with all the confidence in the world. as a disclaimer, i'm not terribly confident at the gym in general. i don't like weight rooms or classes with words like "blast" or "turbo" in them. i don't ever want to incorporate a tire into my workout and i think there's a reason that "burpee" sounds like a noise you make right before you vomit. i don't pretend to be hardcore. but when it comes to zumba, i'm good to go. i don't usually have trouble keeping up.<br />
<br />
but then there was this class.<br />
<br />
with the latin instructor wearing flames printed up the sides of her pants. who kept shouting commands in spanish and was impossible to see. where 60% of the other women in the class were latin. with literal non-stop salsa music and faster moves than i've ever seen. with no breaks or tutorials or overviews. where i faced the front when everyone else faced back and vice-versa. where i had to resort to trying to emulate the lovely latino girl in front of me with the backless shirt and the remarkably impressive beyonce booty shake.<br />
<br />
at the end of the class, i thought it would be a good idea to talk to the instructor. for the record, her makeup still looked perfect and she was barely sweaty. she was painfully pretty and spoke with a heavy spanish accent. here's how it went basically:<br />
<br />
me: "hi, this is my first class and i really enjoyed it! i've taken zumba before, but this is a little faster-paced than i'm used to. how long does it usually take newcomers to catch up?"<br />
<br />
señorita: "you never dance before? that's okay. you can't keep up, you just march."(demonstrates marching in place for my benefit)<br />
<br />
me: "well, no, i've actually danced my whole life. and i never usually have trouble keeping up in zumba. this is just a lot faster and different than i'm used to. how many combinations do you have in rotation on a regular basis?"<br />
<br />
señorita: "that's okay you just practice." (gives me a sad, sympathetic once-over) "wow... look at you. you sweaty."<br />
<br />
<br />
muchas gracias.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">image via <a href="http://weheartit.com/from/glamorouscitylights.tumblr.com" target="_blank">@glamourouscitylights on tumblr</a></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/bookmarklet/?media=http://d3io1k5o0zdpqr.cloudfront.net/images/PinterestLogoNew.png
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<br />
i was recently tagged by <a href="http://humming-right-along.blogspot.com/2013/03/five-things.html" target="_blank">the lovely lacey</a> (and by recently i mean like six months ago) to do a fun little "five things" post that's been floating around the bloggy world these days. ironically, this also happens to be my five-hundreth blog post. even though i haven't been very committed to the blog lately, i am so thankful for the role it has played and will play in chronicling my life and engaging my creativity. a five things post seems a fitting way to mark this milestone. making lists happens to be one of my favorite things, so let's get to it. five random things you may not know about me:<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZeo9vxwISzorEUiwZAxPgNvvd4nTw7deo1DSFRbdr62IR_HPachr2RyHax-7mIe39R2LLRLRWE4MI46r6mvkxeB3xkwUbEiLB4qRhd37zkMOm83KZOGqDm6xST0roi0Qs2uXzJjPgCAY/s1600/town.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZeo9vxwISzorEUiwZAxPgNvvd4nTw7deo1DSFRbdr62IR_HPachr2RyHax-7mIe39R2LLRLRWE4MI46r6mvkxeB3xkwUbEiLB4qRhd37zkMOm83KZOGqDm6xST0roi0Qs2uXzJjPgCAY/s640/town.jpg" width="560" /></a></div>
<br />
1. one of my other favorite things in life (besides lists) is taking weekend trips to new (and old) places. i love trying new restaurants, exploring local boutiques and galleries and wandering neighborhoods looking at houses. it doesn't have to be far away and i get just as excited about small towns as i do about the big ones. even when i don't particularly love a place, it's fun to experience the culture and find the things that make it unique. i'm not a big fan of doing tourist-y things when i travel, and i like to take my time and be spontaneous. schedules are for work days. <br />
<br />
2. sometimes (a lot of times) i like to sing in my car and practice my kareoke debut. i've never actually sung karoke and that's probably better for everyone. if i did, however, i would probably like to sing 1. <a href="https://myspace.com/taylorswift/music/song/tim-mcgraw-121038-181466" target="_blank">tim mcgraw by taylor swift</a> 2. <a href="https://myspace.com/janetjackson/music/song/escapade-92561-101621" target="_blank">escapade by janet jackson</a> or, a duet with some unbeknowst kid rock stand-in to 3. <a href="https://myspace.com/kidrock/music/song/picture-feat.sheryl-crow-61761695-76556962" target="_blank">picture by kid rock featuring sheryl crow</a>. (and please don't judge me for numbers two and three. the heart wants what it wants.) this tidbit does not, however, mean that i am actually going to sing karaoke. okay then.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOXMlkXxGiSPBUwG8iXyrTg4gpg2ttTCeK5Wf52DC6KWzdSbTgLcVuWjnJ4kbJBkViCOrpmkIbwgL8de1Y9zk5fIpMMOt_YzXa4tdej1L0nrhn0ghyRYvaHY_CaY5RQPflKaGY1yWXBY/s1600/books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOXMlkXxGiSPBUwG8iXyrTg4gpg2ttTCeK5Wf52DC6KWzdSbTgLcVuWjnJ4kbJBkViCOrpmkIbwgL8de1Y9zk5fIpMMOt_YzXa4tdej1L0nrhn0ghyRYvaHY_CaY5RQPflKaGY1yWXBY/s640/books.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
3. i really like books and magazines. i don't want to read them on a tablet. i want to hold them in my hands and turn their pages and underline things and fold down corners. sorry, iPad, but i just don't need or want your help with that. <br />
<br />
4. i overanalyze everything. all the time. every waking moment, every single thing. sometimes i'd like to turn my brain off, please, and not think so much. it would <strike>probably</strike> definitely make my life a little less stressful. <br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oLTdde1UupP4D3sWtB336oBgsUYm3gfQGmRTsd6TRY6y6x0_BIpPCTN5NE8vkILLLlJQoOVddpObjdVTRGjgS_EkelwIH9zsrArDMZeMI6Wjvu1RRuSxyCB-oomUxZruhQR2n1BuNwU/s1600/breakfast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oLTdde1UupP4D3sWtB336oBgsUYm3gfQGmRTsd6TRY6y6x0_BIpPCTN5NE8vkILLLlJQoOVddpObjdVTRGjgS_EkelwIH9zsrArDMZeMI6Wjvu1RRuSxyCB-oomUxZruhQR2n1BuNwU/s640/breakfast.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
5. when i grow up and have a family, i am so excited to make big, lazy breakfasts together on weekends. especially pancakes. i love breakfast and i love staying home in my pajamas and making it. it will be a lot more fun when i don't have to eat all the cinnamon rolls by myself. although i can't say i mind too much because cinnamon rolls are delicious. <br />
<br />
1. <a href="http://www.tedbaker-london.com/store/womens/" target="_blank">tedbaker</a> 2. <a href="http://www.budgettravel.com/slideshow/photos-coolest-small-towns-in-america,7627/" target="_blank">budget travel</a> 3. <a href="http://www.honeykennedy.com/2012/01/friday-15/" target="_blank">honey kennedy</a> 4. <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/404198135276522292/" target="_blank">victoria savannah</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/bookmarklet/?media=http://d3io1k5o0zdpqr.cloudfront.net/images/PinterestLogoNew.png
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNDEWVXkTek4Ezs-MxjYyRI0-5RdgWUmkQGm1ocB_p1fpsnwh1Z-Bkdq7i0SRutH6U_O6X_AjAyhKnnkZaNqPjwOZX__6eFt3QOPj2CFt8lG1vvewirvlIS1KqiYTDGtDxMTaMVaGazss/s1600/crockpot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNDEWVXkTek4Ezs-MxjYyRI0-5RdgWUmkQGm1ocB_p1fpsnwh1Z-Bkdq7i0SRutH6U_O6X_AjAyhKnnkZaNqPjwOZX__6eFt3QOPj2CFt8lG1vvewirvlIS1KqiYTDGtDxMTaMVaGazss/s640/crockpot.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
there is a very high likelihood that i have lost my mind within the last few days. not only did i sleep through my alarm for over an hour this morning (and i vaguely remember trying to turn off npr with my iphone at one point), but yesterday evening (tuesday) when i came home hungry for dinner, i realized the the huge pot of soup i made on <em>sunday afternoon</em> was still sitting in the pot on my stove. i guess i should be thankful the stove wasn't still on, which wouldn't have actually shocked me. apparently i need to slow down a little bit. thankfully, there are really easy and fool-proof crockpot recipes for helpless people like me who seem to be a bit scatterbrained. tonight i came home after an almost twelve hour day to the most delicious crockpot meal i've made yet. and probably the easiest prep-wise too. also, if you know me at all you know i generally am not great when it comes to following recipe directions and this one is very open for modifications (aka whatever vegetables i happen to have in the fridge at the moment). i was so happy with it, i had to share: <br />
<br />
balsamic chicken and vegetables <br />
you can read the <a href="http://www.greenwoodgrove.com/2012/03/balsamic-chicken-vegetables.html" target="_blank">original recipe here</a>, but i changed/modified it quite a bit, to be honest: <br />
<br />
2 - 3 large chicken breasts<br />
1 whole head of garlic<br />
2 sliced zucchini <br />
1 red onion, sliced <br />
2 cups of sliced mushrooms<br />
2 cups small grape tomatoes<br />
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar<br />
1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce <br />
salt and pepper<br />
<br />
1. place frozen chicken breasts in the bottom of a crock pot. season with salt and pepper. <br />
2. peel garlic, but keep cloves whole <br />
3. slice zucchini and onion, toss with tomatoes, mushrooms and garlic<br />
4. place vegetables on top of chicken<br />
5. mix balsamic vinegar and worcestershire sauce, pour over vegetables<br />
6. cover and cook on low for eight hours (if you want to cook on high, you're on your own. i have no idea how to cook on high.)<br />
<br />
i actually cooked this on low for about ten hours, and it was still completely moist and delicious. i doubled the initial liquid suggestions since i knew i'd be cooking for quite a while. additionally, i thought with such a short list of ingredients it might end up tasting bland, but it was quite the opposite. i was floored. i didn't actually measure any of the veggies, but i just filled up the crock pot. i also think summer squash would be really delicious so i'll likely decrease the zucchini and add that to the mix next time. and there will <em>definitely</em> be a next time!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/bookmarklet/?media=http://d3io1k5o0zdpqr.cloudfront.net/images/PinterestLogoNew.png
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBpLMddCGOl45qarNfAR-4G4HCrTZvpNHy7Oijf8kYogBdy0BmF8H0vMSR2I4Rt4pGl4gbAglvjJDLUnmcaBSumEt4QJe6ZSULl8ywTwQvVgnevTHKJSJkUnDHIW7lIVTBEIKuhyphenhyphen4yiY/s1600/froyo3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBpLMddCGOl45qarNfAR-4G4HCrTZvpNHy7Oijf8kYogBdy0BmF8H0vMSR2I4Rt4pGl4gbAglvjJDLUnmcaBSumEt4QJe6ZSULl8ywTwQvVgnevTHKJSJkUnDHIW7lIVTBEIKuhyphenhyphen4yiY/s640/froyo3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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i think it is important that i share something very important with you: <a href="http://www.bluebunny.com/Search/Products/q/Frozen_Yogurt" target="_blank">blue bunny frozen yogurt</a> is ridiculously good. in fact, i thought it was actually ice cream the first time i ate it. but then i looked at the nutritional facts thinking how horrified i was going to be after eating a half gallon by myself (not really. but kind of.) and was actually shocked in a good way. there was barely any fat. there was a lot of protein. the ingredients didn't contain words i couldn't pronounce. there were healthy probiotics that didn't require me to turn into jamie lee curtis and eat activia. i mean, let's be honest, it still has calories and all dessert is probably full of crap that we don't need to be stuffing into our bodies by the very-large-spoonful, but in general, i feel pretty good about this stuff. i also feel pretty good about the fact that it tastes remarkably good and <a href="http://www.bluebunny.com/Search/Products/q/Frozen_Yogurt" target="_blank">has incredible flavors</a> that don't just include chocolate and vanilla. (but they have those too if you're into that.)<br />
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my favorites include the two flavors that i have tried. but honestly i'm so happy with them i'm not sure it's worth branching out. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEcZBKt8n7-jZSFAegD0mtvLIbPCuSYeSvVTkncC_xi6jTEUbQvjjX6sdSPYZkqH86F_L4JMsB-wD0TXE0y3KrVd_9KTfuAm5_53vPwN8w2ZMUoIvi2WrnhEWitZ0f1UiA2F0Wd2zg-A/s1600/froyo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEcZBKt8n7-jZSFAegD0mtvLIbPCuSYeSvVTkncC_xi6jTEUbQvjjX6sdSPYZkqH86F_L4JMsB-wD0TXE0y3KrVd_9KTfuAm5_53vPwN8w2ZMUoIvi2WrnhEWitZ0f1UiA2F0Wd2zg-A/s640/froyo2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhnV0TgJvg4S4XQyClK7JN5irt2-WL9ovPi1o5-fBZBftZ8Fs154YOw206t56MafWOYO_M6XgbcqVjTev6rVuZVkWOCLRtrvCmFAYC0yKf2X5ggWjEBVgMnvPJOET5gmcbgcPaUA2qkYA/s1600/froyo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
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<a href="http://www.bluebunny.com/Products/d/All_Natural_Frozen_Yogurt_White_Chocolate_Raspberry" target="_blank">white chocolate raspberry</a> (follow the link for nutritional information) includes "white choclate flavored frozen yogurt swirled with a raspberry ribbon and dark chocolate chunks". win win win. win. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_wLmZpChzoo2cfNDv9z0z0gHmsQbfbutIml5U9XC86nModILgRFr9-OFgkdbRil44OVmuGpz_AhNrKFLuJUySyyUJG-ui00_L_pxsyVvOPQvq0jHo5PP0WIIxyUggMuu0iyP_ItRo-c/s1600/froyo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_wLmZpChzoo2cfNDv9z0z0gHmsQbfbutIml5U9XC86nModILgRFr9-OFgkdbRil44OVmuGpz_AhNrKFLuJUySyyUJG-ui00_L_pxsyVvOPQvq0jHo5PP0WIIxyUggMuu0iyP_ItRo-c/s640/froyo1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.bluebunny.com/Products/d/All_Natural_Frozen_Yogurt_Caramel_Praline_Crunch" target="_blank">carmel praline crunch</a> might even be slightly better if that's possible. "butter pecan frozen yogurt with praline pecan pieces swirled with a salty caramel ribbon." is there a combination that sounds more fantastic? i don't think so. i'm on board for pretty much anything that contains salty caramel. i am actually eating some while i write this and feeling like all is as right with the world as it can be on a random tuesday night in february. <br />
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the wonderful thing about the two aforementioned flavors is that harris teeter carries them in mini single-serve sizes. meaning you can flirt with the cute baby ones without making a serious fro yo commitment, just in case you have issues with that. <br />
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p.s. this post is not related to blue bunny in any way and all opinions are my own. meaning, blue bunny didn't pay me to write about how much i love their fro yo. but if they wanted to pay me or give me free product, i mean, i probably wouldn't say no to that. <br />
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images via: 1.<a href="http://petitefoliee.tumblr.com/post/38723068398/http-whrt-it-trvvts" target="_blank">petitefolie</a> 2.<a href="http://www.flickriver.com/photos/bluebunnyicecream/random/" target="_blank">flickriver</a> 3.<a href="http://www.flickriver.com/photos/bluebunnyicecream/tags/frozenyogurt/" target="_blank">flickriver</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/bookmarklet/?media=http://d3io1k5o0zdpqr.cloudfront.net/images/PinterestLogoNew.png
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdd-yRJ4GK8vCzDQhEDriSWLPegO8YUZNPWRbo01RUHiA2X0vHp4CmQMCfMOLY1LOlZd83gjbApjMMB1yBmYPiE2sZgp8JinA9ku_EtQPf6tCABgjpzrgwIiOd_7pMw1a_gpy2pRWdjs/s1600/allison1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdd-yRJ4GK8vCzDQhEDriSWLPegO8YUZNPWRbo01RUHiA2X0vHp4CmQMCfMOLY1LOlZd83gjbApjMMB1yBmYPiE2sZgp8JinA9ku_EtQPf6tCABgjpzrgwIiOd_7pMw1a_gpy2pRWdjs/s640/allison1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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meet my friend allison. she's gorgeous. she runs half marathons. she loves jesus. she has a cute dog named ranger. she now lives around the corner from me. she sells <a href="http://www.marykay.com/Allison.Dobbins/en-US/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">mary kay</a>. she is the only person in the world i know who owns and loves every season of friends as much as i do. and she just got married to her best friend. i don't know rob too well yet, but my favorite thing about the two of them together is that when they had a long distance relationship they'd use skype to play connect four with each other. is that not the cutest thing ever? personally, i'd be partial to texas hold 'em or monopoly deal, but it's probably hard to wager things via the interwebs. <br />
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i had the honor of sharing in allison and rob's special day and despite the fact that the temperature never rose above 50 degrees, had a blast at their outdoor ceremony. what's even better is that allison hired my sweet friend and insanely talented photog, <a href="http://lindseyleephotographyblog.com/about/" target="_blank">lindsey lee hartsell</a> to capture her special day. and it's <em>your</em> lucky day because there's a huge slideshow of their lovey nuptials <a href="http://lindseyleephotographyblog.com/2013/02/13/allison-rob-charlotte-nc-wedding-alexander-homestead/" target="_blank">over on her blog</a>. go check it out and round out this week of love with a real wedding featuring two people who definitely love one another. <br />
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happy friday!<br />
<br />
p.s. if you leave a comment on <a href="http://lindseyleephotographyblog.com/2013/02/13/allison-rob-charlotte-nc-wedding-alexander-homestead/" target="_blank">lindsey's blog post</a>, allison can win free photography. it takes five seconds and i promise lindsey lee will not fill up your inbox with spam. i mean, why wouldn't you want to help allison print more photos of her fantastic bridesmaids to hang on her walls? <br />
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all images via <a href="http://lindseyleephotographyblog.com/" target="_blank">lindsey lee photography</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/bookmarklet/?media=http://d3io1k5o0zdpqr.cloudfront.net/images/PinterestLogoNew.png
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgye6NK_9KrusNEPiSQB-pi5qMfNUUhAsdxB4HkIoD27KH1YXX10wilrub0VbkX_e9w_7TmtChg8oCLC7KTtLNH4SqIa68V8c56M3BRWyTtwbH_bFDJ5uIOBVgvojk7sQ03Vh0syVy9yTc/s1600/v-day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgye6NK_9KrusNEPiSQB-pi5qMfNUUhAsdxB4HkIoD27KH1YXX10wilrub0VbkX_e9w_7TmtChg8oCLC7KTtLNH4SqIa68V8c56M3BRWyTtwbH_bFDJ5uIOBVgvojk7sQ03Vh0syVy9yTc/s640/v-day.jpg" width="446" /></a></div>
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better late than never, but happy valentine's day! i've been running six ways from sunday today, but it's been a happy one. cupcakes for breakfast at our office party. planning with a sweet sweet coworker who is leaving tomorrow to have cancer surgery. event rebrand meeting at the insanely cool <a href="http://www.rollten.com/" target="_blank">ten park lanes</a> in charlotte. learning and live tweeting at the <a href="http://tedxcharlotteed.com/" target="_blank">TEDxCharlotteED</a> conference this afternoon. dinner with my parents. now i'm sitting by the fire and nursing my sugar hangover. </div>
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if you haven't already done so, hop on over to <a href="http://www.ibelieve.com/" target="_blank">ibelieve</a> and read my <a href="http://www.ibelieve.com/relationships/be-my-valentine.html" target="_blank">far more insightful thoughts about today</a> instead of my half-asleep wishes at the end of all the craziness. i hope you felt loved today. and i hope you ate some candy hearts and chocolate of some kind. until next year... </div>
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"and love is stronger than fear, life stronger than death, hope stronger than despair. we have to trust that the risk of loving is always worth taking." - henri nouwen </div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/bookmarklet/?media=http://d3io1k5o0zdpqr.cloudfront.net/images/PinterestLogoNew.png
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-NDjV-JlBCaDyLmLwoEdvXeOieAZgtABF3VsHqIZKufR9kBx2yVfXvNqjI_dGjm5qscrk4e4bJm3c2qovEwrsrc20-XuoGlY4yRtmEhyphenhyphenQAps1xqVQCUu2UKmkm5EtUB0hcHuAw48ZWg8/s1600/hearts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-NDjV-JlBCaDyLmLwoEdvXeOieAZgtABF3VsHqIZKufR9kBx2yVfXvNqjI_dGjm5qscrk4e4bJm3c2qovEwrsrc20-XuoGlY4yRtmEhyphenhyphenQAps1xqVQCUu2UKmkm5EtUB0hcHuAw48ZWg8/s640/hearts.jpg" width="430" /></a></div>
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even though i almost never post lately, you should know i'm still alive. and in celebration of the fact that i love valentines' day and it's coming soon, i have taken the time to create the ultimate love song playlist. i like love songs. i like making playlists. especially ultimate ones. i also especially like love songs that are not generally played by delilah. all of the ones on the playlist in the sidebar ------> really resonate with me for one reason or another. they are my favorites and you should listen to them. and stop being mad at me for never posting on my blog. my valentine to you. you're welcome. <br />
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a few other notes in regard to this playlist:<br />
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- kc and jojo's <em>all my life</em> almost made it. don't judge me. <br />
- in case you ever had any doubt that <em>you're the inspiration</em> isn't one of the greatest love songs ever, watch <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcYO9n0j0Z0" target="_blank">this video</a> from the old <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0247091/plotsummary?ref_=tt_ov_pl" target="_blank">tv show <em>ed</em></a> (remember that!?). tom cavanaugh and julie bowen are second only to ross and rachel and nick and jess when it comes to great tv couples. <br />
- nickelcreek's <em>when you come back down</em> isn't just an ultimate love song, it's likely my favorite song in all of the world. <br />
- if you aren't already a dave barnes fan, you should be. three of his songs made the list because they're that good. <br />
- i'm sorry, tpain, but just because your song is entitled <em>best love song</em> and i like to listen to it when i run does not entitle you to make the list. thanks for playing. <br />
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additional note: if you're reading on a tablet or mobile device, the embedded playlist won't load. but don't dismay! <a href="http://grooveshark.com/playlist/Put+A+Little+Love+In+Your+Heart/82844721" target="_blank">click here</a> and put a little love in your heart. <br />
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image via <a href="http://www.laurenconrad.com/" target="_blank">laurenconrad</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/bookmarklet/?media=http://d3io1k5o0zdpqr.cloudfront.net/images/PinterestLogoNew.png
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiiLhQoyKNE3Y90O7qdEPn5JA9dzmGhnNIS_IXEkSZy1rQY7YjKZ1kI1VZNt3yeUx9HgUkmwLcfHgQx9697smkPz7EOqQ0OmDYKcCohllKMIUgbjmGXW8UD5Tpi-JVzJWe08ov4stArME/s1600/tayswift1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiiLhQoyKNE3Y90O7qdEPn5JA9dzmGhnNIS_IXEkSZy1rQY7YjKZ1kI1VZNt3yeUx9HgUkmwLcfHgQx9697smkPz7EOqQ0OmDYKcCohllKMIUgbjmGXW8UD5Tpi-JVzJWe08ov4stArME/s640/tayswift1.jpg" width="430" /></a></div>
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if i had a dollar for every time lately someone has told me i look like taylor swift, i could probably buy the ralph lauren collection dress that she wore to the people's choice awards last night. i am freaking out a little bit over how stunning she looked. that dress is unbelievable. i'm generally a pretty modest dresser, but i think she played this one perfectly. she looks sexy and classy. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTdM6_adtlYuwd5D17zd-4a1XMc_rqlMy8yFHOc1oRkh_aExiLn91z-_vVJjQwb1gxCwNxkJ80pqGUDnEIKCBWFD-Kj4uWOWq64lWgdEP4jh856BdF3Twub8GwGjcD97cbakYCJsilHF0/s1600/tayswift2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTdM6_adtlYuwd5D17zd-4a1XMc_rqlMy8yFHOc1oRkh_aExiLn91z-_vVJjQwb1gxCwNxkJ80pqGUDnEIKCBWFD-Kj4uWOWq64lWgdEP4jh856BdF3Twub8GwGjcD97cbakYCJsilHF0/s640/tayswift2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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i don't really see my resemblance to tay swift, but i have been asked to appear as her at the cabarrus chamber's annual meeting next friday. given that i don't have to sing and get a free lunch out of the deal, i am pretty happy about it. perhaps taylor would lend me this dress for my appearance? or is it too much for a day event? <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">images: 1.-2.stylefrizz</span> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/bookmarklet/?media=http://d3io1k5o0zdpqr.cloudfront.net/images/PinterestLogoNew.png
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuAd6KPs5ud4ryJeNLXm9eDCiVuQfEVCGgwxMl2qoLsdPaHFDJcAAcr2k69hkGOGUXv8k6xsu0Qr3yIgWtRvm0MvuwRpGLURsTscokO9tu40CT0Gt03QuumNJdesp6MZskjUROjE4ZPjo/s1600/newyear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuAd6KPs5ud4ryJeNLXm9eDCiVuQfEVCGgwxMl2qoLsdPaHFDJcAAcr2k69hkGOGUXv8k6xsu0Qr3yIgWtRvm0MvuwRpGLURsTscokO9tu40CT0Gt03QuumNJdesp6MZskjUROjE4ZPjo/s640/newyear.jpg" width="502" /></a></div>
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happy 2013!<br />
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after a lovely christmas holiday, i ended 2012 with three petty traffic citations (none of which actually had to do with my driving and i'd like to think that cops on nye are more interested in citing drunk drivers than goodytwoshoes rule-followers like me, but alas, some state troopers are apparently bored) and kicked off the new year with flannel pajamas, my mom, a downton abbey marathon and a little bubbly. today i am back at work and making an effort to actually ignore the crazy to-do list (and the 250+ emails) that follow two weeks of vacation and take a proper lunch hour to blog and breathe. <br />
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i am excited about 2013, yet i have realized lately that i'm not really the optimist that i thought i was. i imagine exciting scenarios. change, excitement, future happiness, but i don't really expect they will happen. i've found that i often expect things i wish would happen <em>not</em> to happen to avoid certain disappointment, and i think that's a sad way to live. lately the Lord has taught me that it's good to hope, good to trust and good to plan for the best scenarios. while disappointment is a fact of life, He is faithful and sometimes wonderful things can happen. i don't want to be cynical. i want to be hopful.<br />
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i don't really make new year's resolutions because i like to think we're constantly changing and improving for the better, not just once a year (and plus, does anyone honestly make it past january with the eat-only-clean-foods-do-one-thing-that-scares-you-everyday business?), but i do like the idea of making a motto or words to live by for a year. in 2013, i've decided that mine is going to be extremely simple: <strong>hope</strong>. there are so many beautiful scripture verses regarding hope and i'm excited to explore and memorize them this year as i not only rejoice in the hope i see around me, but hope in the plans that the Lord has for me and watch the way He uses them build my faith in Him and His goodness.<br />
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join me in hoping during 2013, won't you? <br />
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"may the God of <strong>hope</strong> fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with <strong>hope</strong> by the power of the Holy Spirit." - romans 15:13<br />
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image credit <a href="http://pinterest.com/lipstickcurls/" target="_blank">lipstick&curls</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/sarahfmartin/" target="_blank">sarah martin</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/bookmarklet/?media=http://d3io1k5o0zdpqr.cloudfront.net/images/PinterestLogoNew.png
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_gZutrMjQiAh945kEnI2ZPHGg0j7k1Xl9oicQGjWzW5arVP10UbdWR-R55EBwdIAa9eR9PqmW-EAT84MydB5NCcS5hfKhS1nPe5QIEb4eJeu0ecsfiAfieZqDmjRxXab2PjPErcXmaxA/s1600/Ballet_Wide_620x350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_gZutrMjQiAh945kEnI2ZPHGg0j7k1Xl9oicQGjWzW5arVP10UbdWR-R55EBwdIAa9eR9PqmW-EAT84MydB5NCcS5hfKhS1nPe5QIEb4eJeu0ecsfiAfieZqDmjRxXab2PjPErcXmaxA/s640/Ballet_Wide_620x350.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/60-minutes/" target="_blank">60 minutes</a> is one of my favorite shows, but thanks to sunday football, i often forget to watch it because it's never on when it's supposed to be. their stories are always riveting, even when you don't think they're going to be, and generally i think they don't sensationalize human suffering or tragedy the way that a large majority the media does. instead, they create in-depth reports across a wide spectrum of subjects and provide thought-provoking stories that leave me wanting to learn more. <br />
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last night, however, 60 minutes knocked it out of the park with a report about the new york city ballet, peter martins and <a href="http://balanchine.com/" target="_blank">the legend that is george balanchine</a>. it is fascinating and i could write for hours about it, but you should just watch the report. you won't regret it, i promise: <br />
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<embed allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" background="#333333" flashvars="si=254&&contentValue=50135740&shareUrl=http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50135740n" height="360" salign="lt" scale="noscale" src="http://cnettv.cnet.com/av/video/cbsnews/atlantis2/cbsnews_player_embed.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="640"></embed><br /></div>
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the<a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18560_162-57552076/nyc-ballet-forges-the-art-forms-future/" target="_blank"> 60 minutes page for this report</a> also features a lot of web extras and lovely photographs of the nycb.</div>
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also:</div>
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fun fact #1: <a href="http://ncdance.org/" target="_blank">the north carolina dance theatre</a> is fortunate enough to be able to perform balanchine choreography, as one of its artistic directors, <a href="http://ncdance.org/Pat.asp" target="_blank">patricia mcbride</a>, danced with balanchine in the new york city ballet. the <a href="http://balanchine.com/" target="_blank">balanchine trust</a> is exclusive and charlotte is extremely lucky to have access to his legendary choreography.</div>
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fun fact #2: peter martins choreographed two of the barbie ballet movies (nutcraker and swan lake). if you haven't seen these, they do not feature real people, but cartoon barbie. i didn't realize that they had actual original choreography. go figure. barbie's got all kinds of people in her corner. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">image of nycb via </span><a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18560_162-57552076/nyc-ballet-forges-the-art-forms-future/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">paul kolnik</span></a></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/bookmarklet/?media=http://d3io1k5o0zdpqr.cloudfront.net/images/PinterestLogoNew.png
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70kVJ9zXmSywkW-UTPQrCv_CKnd3EmovZ_9OJ4LjcjHJz9DUsShQWstVPJ71qdiG9ui35L3UiZyc_VIL70yDCAY-kTZyP7gAkHQGFpSESdF9PWNc7QOkEybq5_-t2MM5vX4he-Cwr_Uc/s1600/thankful.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70kVJ9zXmSywkW-UTPQrCv_CKnd3EmovZ_9OJ4LjcjHJz9DUsShQWstVPJ71qdiG9ui35L3UiZyc_VIL70yDCAY-kTZyP7gAkHQGFpSESdF9PWNc7QOkEybq5_-t2MM5vX4he-Cwr_Uc/s640/thankful.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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as i sit on the couch this evening in my stretchy pants, surrounded by my family, black friday flyers, half eaten snack trays on the coffee table, and christmas decoration boxes waiting to be opened, my heart is full of gratitude for the blessings i've been given. sometimes i can't believe how blessed i've been. sometimes it just doesn't seem fair. <br />
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but i am thankful for these blessings every year. the Lord has given to my family freely and while i still wait for particular things that i want to be realized, i am more certain than ever that He is in control and will fulfill my desires in His time. but this holiday, more than others, i think the Lord is teaching me that even if He doesn't, and even if all of the things for which i am so thankful are lost, that He is still good. that He still loves me and is working in my life. it's one thing to be thankful for the things in this world that are fragile and fleeting. it's another to know that the things to which i hold so tightly aren't the most important things and that without them, i still have a pupose, a hope and a future. and for that, i am most thankful. <br />
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i hope you all have blessed holiday weekends with your family. and lots of turkey and cranberry sauce. <br />
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image via <a href="http://dailycupofcouture.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">dailycupofcouture</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/bookmarklet/?media=http://d3io1k5o0zdpqr.cloudfront.net/images/PinterestLogoNew.png
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHvfLZDgt6iE4rOXbXsc1czGZqExboZGIrkLRL4Z9uDFx95Dcg7wMyS3xlT87n285KAu56ehnOHtUB3goyScyNubqTOb9qz26yqHskCWQKfgng7PWocNM3_5NCYMQ-HDeOI5_Q5PdZN4/s1600/coat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHvfLZDgt6iE4rOXbXsc1czGZqExboZGIrkLRL4Z9uDFx95Dcg7wMyS3xlT87n285KAu56ehnOHtUB3goyScyNubqTOb9qz26yqHskCWQKfgng7PWocNM3_5NCYMQ-HDeOI5_Q5PdZN4/s640/coat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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you guys. can we please talk about <a href="http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/outerwear/wool/PRDOVR~18771/18771.jsp#" target="_blank">this coat</a>? oh my goodness. and that's all i have to say. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTzI_G2LDZmthJdLcfpIAZcWW6e2zIPNLTwOsVlrZYWLfr5sHwvAzh5ha-43_gMlBuHHQctsS_-Dc-uwmAPtwNgezZ-XRtt6wHRrumt9VbDRkRM9kkMGauzZZtWKRLk08OGRwzkZpGMM/s1600/coat2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTzI_G2LDZmthJdLcfpIAZcWW6e2zIPNLTwOsVlrZYWLfr5sHwvAzh5ha-43_gMlBuHHQctsS_-Dc-uwmAPtwNgezZ-XRtt6wHRrumt9VbDRkRM9kkMGauzZZtWKRLk08OGRwzkZpGMM/s640/coat2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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images via <a href="http://www.jcrew.com/index.jsp" target="_blank">jcrew</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/bookmarklet/?media=http://d3io1k5o0zdpqr.cloudfront.net/images/PinterestLogoNew.png
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMm4LAtqKHzgr1JmwRRg5rG2HWs9b6dJO_B6t3yh6SuiFBrfSWdg5r1IZzmn96zUcrJ70uJsBdsmMwQxGnNtgBejZYn9qMeH4WqySobrSb0-EH0p0zxilumMksbb8LDhXYabR6M8Rq6ig/s1600/photo4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMm4LAtqKHzgr1JmwRRg5rG2HWs9b6dJO_B6t3yh6SuiFBrfSWdg5r1IZzmn96zUcrJ70uJsBdsmMwQxGnNtgBejZYn9qMeH4WqySobrSb0-EH0p0zxilumMksbb8LDhXYabR6M8Rq6ig/s640/photo4.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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i spent this past weekend in one of my favorite places in the world - southern pines, nc. it's sweet and beautiful and i have only happy memories there. bonus, my friend <a href="http://humming-right-along.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">lacey's</a> parents (<a href="http://bloomingbranch.blogspot.com/2012/10/for-laurie.html" target="_blank">the aforementioned laurie</a>) live there and their house is one of the few places in the world where i feel as at home as i do at my own house. they are warm and hospitable and fun to play board games with. their couch is remarkably comfortable and i am always thankful when i get to spend time there. sadly this weekend, i took very few photos of anything of merit, but since it's so lovely there i figured i'd share the few i did find time to take. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh24krrhoODOJray0xGFqBWHLP6kM65-k76Jcy4zlU5-FSqPmwV1ibWsMdHtDT6RBZ8aKc_9u1qZza7MerJz8avkWtFNYvRNBQyJFw00lJ71dKO05ZLIeV4Bsd8mQs31JGe2ITm3nEXK0/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh24krrhoODOJray0xGFqBWHLP6kM65-k76Jcy4zlU5-FSqPmwV1ibWsMdHtDT6RBZ8aKc_9u1qZza7MerJz8avkWtFNYvRNBQyJFw00lJ71dKO05ZLIeV4Bsd8mQs31JGe2ITm3nEXK0/s640/photo.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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when i arrived after what seemed like the <em>longest drive ever</em> on friday evening thanks to charlotte traffic, i was greeted immediately with wine and homemade pumpkin cream cheese bars. (and i did go ahead, in case you were wondering.) we ate dinner <em>after</em> that, which seemed like a great decision. then, lacey and i watched <a href="http://www.nbc.com/parks-and-recreation/" target="_blank">parks and rec</a> reruns, i fell asleep on the couch before 9:00 p.m. and was in bed shortly thereafter. bliss. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4r4O7gv5yBapeWZzNfVuNeMGJz3J780YTNOT-CJZjLttC3PDuwooKBMWlwjLNQK-L4WPovrpxP1vRiJ8E-wFHGZPwhqe4h7jaOD6eNrv9FTc_M-DSAN7GJIkZsqWMqCbid3otBpBQPJI/s1600/photo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4r4O7gv5yBapeWZzNfVuNeMGJz3J780YTNOT-CJZjLttC3PDuwooKBMWlwjLNQK-L4WPovrpxP1vRiJ8E-wFHGZPwhqe4h7jaOD6eNrv9FTc_M-DSAN7GJIkZsqWMqCbid3otBpBQPJI/s640/photo2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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the next morning, we woke up with the sun to hit the semi-annual <a href="http://www.thefairbarn.org/" target="_blank">fair barn</a> sale, where i have scored plenty of fabulous flea market finds in the past. i wore my warmest gym clothes, which really just equal comfortable clothes that are not pajamas, and apprently looked sportier and more energetic than i felt, as i was asked by one of the vendors at the sale if i was running the half marathon in pinehurst that morning. because lots of people go to the flea market before they run a half marathon. although. flea marketing is <em>sort of</em> like a half marathon, as it takes a great deal of training, patience and stamina. perhaps i'll keep it in mind as a warm up if i ever do run a half marathon.<br />
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we scored a few deals, watched the horses on the track outside the fair barn and then headed back to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/swank.coffee" target="_blank">swank</a> (the best coffee shop in town!) for some lattes, muffins and catch up time with our friend, <a href="http://liveitoutblog.com/" target="_blank">sarah martin</a>, who is awesome. i have written about her before <a href="http://bloomingbranch.blogspot.com/2012/06/twenty-something.html" target="_blank">here</a>, and you should be her friend too. <br />
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after coffee, lacey and i headed back to the house where we were greeted with more coffee (a homemade red velvet latte that was spiked, as a matter of fact) and homemade caramel sea salt pie. lacey's mom has got it going on. clearly. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH0IuKoOf1LDzc1mYLbALYgTSQGAtrDeeJ5KML2a4tAApHWh_YdwvjOZUBmnyPFo9vJH8Yhca8_Xx_64LB9ZOKrP0yEHITqcdGwi9GlN4Kla9wiN5_0FsMrpNs-O3tNyDt3ARCeB5XbbM/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH0IuKoOf1LDzc1mYLbALYgTSQGAtrDeeJ5KML2a4tAApHWh_YdwvjOZUBmnyPFo9vJH8Yhca8_Xx_64LB9ZOKrP0yEHITqcdGwi9GlN4Kla9wiN5_0FsMrpNs-O3tNyDt3ARCeB5XbbM/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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the rest of the weekend was spent shopping and enjoying a dinner party hosted by lacey's parents on saturday night, where we had a delicious meal including homemade eggnog, and a great deal of chat with the neighbors. the weekend was relaxing and a wonderful way to kick off a short holiday week! laurie and dale, thank you for your hospitality as always, and thank you for packing me a cooler when i left. you're awesome. lacey, i'm glad you share my love for thrift stores, tjmaxx, replacing meals with junk food and not showering. and that you have a cool family and are from an awesome town. you're the greatest and i'm thankful for you. <br />
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a few weekends ago, i took a quick spontaneous trip with my parents to visit upstate new york - where i was born and spent the first five years of my life. my grandma (hi, grandma!) and a large majority of my dad's family still lives there, and it's always one of my favorite places to visit. i haven't visited this time of year in quite a while, and i forgot how truly wonderful it is in the fall. i feel like i can share photos and tell you about it, but experiencing it is really the only way to understand what i'm talking about. it's idyllic. it's like something straight out of a country living magazine or a movie set in new england. the trees everywhere were literally ablaze. it was like they'd been photoshopped. seriously. there were corn mazes and farmers markets and pumpkin patches everywhere. haybales and scarecrows lined all of the streets in each of the small towns we visited and you haven't seen a farmer's market until you've visited one there. the produce is unreal. <br />
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we kicked off saturday morning with coffee at grandma's house and then we headed to herman's farm market for homemade doughnuts and nostalgia. i grew up going each fall to pick out a pumpkin at herman's and there's something about the smell there that takes me back to my days as a wee one. they make the most incredbile apple cider on site and have more varieties of apples than i knew existed. their produce makes me wish i could shop there every saturday morning. i was a photo-taking fool during our visit and it was likely very clear to every customer there that i was most definitely not a local. little did they know we have photos from 23 years ago at herman's. once a local, always a local. <br />
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after herman's (but not before i downed 1.5 homemade doughnuts before we left the parking lot), we headed to fairport, which is quite possibly the most adorable small town in america. i wish i'd taken more pictures there, but i was too busy shopping at the craft supply consignment store (the greatest idea ever) and roaming the tents at their farmer's market.<br />
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finally, we headed up to bristol mountain, which isn't actually a mountain at all, but just one of the really high hills that flank new york's finger lakes. the drive took about an hour and a half one way, but it was through tons of unbelievable farm land. the last time i was at bristol mountain, it was to ski with my family a few christmases ago. this visit was far better than the last, mainly because i didn't spend it tumbling down a green slope in a fit of frustration and persperation. i am pretty not awesome at skiing. instead, we rode the ski lift up a golden slope and enjoyed the lovely view from the top. <br />
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i like to think that this is about as close to heaven on earth as it gets. this time of year, i'm ready to relocate here permanently. but then it starts to snow and i generally re-think that plan when it's still snowing in may. and when i remember there are no chick-fil-as there. </div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/bookmarklet/?media=http://d3io1k5o0zdpqr.cloudfront.net/images/PinterestLogoNew.png
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well friends, the election is over. i will save the political commentary for those who feel its necessary to rant via social media platforms, but whether you think another four years with obama is going to save our contry or ruin it, the good news is he's not really the one with the control. i read this pslam a few weeks ago and thought it was quite appropriate for our country's current circumstances. i am thankful that we still live free, are able to elect our leaders, and that we still answer to a God who is more powerful than any politician will ever be. <br />
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God is our refuge and strength, <br />
an ever-present help in trouble.<br />
therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way<br />
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, <br />
though its waters roar and foam<br />
and the mountains quake with their surging. <br />
<br />
there is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, <br />
the holy place where the Most High dwells. <br />
God is within her, she will not fall; <br />
God will help her at break of day. <br />
nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; <br />
He lifts his voice, the earth melts. <br />
<br />
the Lord Almighty is with us; <br />
the God of Jacob is our fortress. <br />
<br />
come and see what the Lord has done, <br />
the desolations he has brought on the earth. <br />
He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. <br />
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; <br />
he burns the shields with fire. <br />
He says "Be still and know that I am God; <br />
I will be exalted among the nations,<br />
I will be exalted in the earth."<br />
<br />
the Lord Almighty is with us; <br />
the God of Jacob is our fortress. <br />
<br />
image via <a href="http://thefullerview.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">thefullerview.tumblr</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/bookmarklet/?media=http://d3io1k5o0zdpqr.cloudfront.net/images/PinterestLogoNew.png
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you know those kids you see on corners and in front of shopping plazas with cardboard signs advertising sales? some twirl them. some dance with them. some stand there awkwardly and wave. watch the above clip from the office to see what i'm talking about if you're still not following (although i'd recommend watching it either way because it's hilarious). i maintain that there are probably few jobs in the world worse than this, so for some reason seeing those poor teenagers always makes me happy to know that someone has enough work ethic to make sure i know about a store closing or a mattress sale. they're adorable and i always wave at them.<br />
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last night on facebook, i discovered this photo. this is my cousin, mitch. he's a pretty big deal - major sports star at his high school in new york and likely heading to college on a scholarship next year. and this is mitch dressed as a mattress. advertising a mattress sale. perhaps you won't find this as excellent as i do, but i laughed for a full minute straight at this photo last night. mitch just skyrocketed to the top of my people-who-are-really-cool list. i hope this brightened your day almost as much as seeing this in person on the side of the road. and next time you see a poor kid trying to spin a sign and attract attention? wave at him for me. he's somebody's cousin. <div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/bookmarklet/?media=http://d3io1k5o0zdpqr.cloudfront.net/images/PinterestLogoNew.png
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this morning, my coworkers and i deemed it "bagel thursday" and took a walk to panera for a little carbo loading. as overstreet mall crawled with professionals with somewhere far more important to be than in line for some empty calories, i realized something amazing. <br />
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<br />
the starbucks red cups are here. <br />
<br />
<br />
i was so excited in fact, that i forgot all appropriate social behavior, stopped walking and practically shouted "STARBUCKS HAS RED CUPS!" so loudly that people looked. people holding red cups, that is. <br />
some may argue that it's too early. i am not some. call me crazy, but grande americanos are far more delicious when the cup is red. and that is all. <br />
<br />
image: <a href="http://biggerinreallife.com/2011/11/" target="_blank">biggerinreallife</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/bookmarklet/?media=http://d3io1k5o0zdpqr.cloudfront.net/images/PinterestLogoNew.png
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<br />
not much time today, but with the effects of hurricane sandy ravaging much of the eastern seaboard, i can't help but think this new song from chris tomlin was released at just the right time. i heard it again on my way to work this morning and am filled with peace at its truth. i am thankful that my God is bigger than any frankenstorm, and that yet he still cares about and calms the smallest parts of my heart that are under seige daily. <br />
<br />
You hear me when i call<br />
You are my morning song<br />
though darkness fills the night<br />
it cannot hide the light<br />
whom shall i fear?<br />
<br />
You crush the enemy<br />
underneath my feet<br />
You are my sword and shield<br />
though trouble linger still<br />
whom shall i fear?<br />
<br />
i know who goes before me<br />
i know who stands behind<br />
the God of angel armies <br />
is always by my side<br />
the One who reigns forever <br />
He is a friend of mine<br />
the God of angel armies<br />
is always by my side<br />
<br />
my strength is in Your name<br />
for You alone can save<br />
You will deliver me<br />
Yours is the victory<br />
whom shall i fear?<br />
whom shall i fear? <br />
<br />
and nothing formed against me shall stand<br />
You hold the whole world in Your hands<br />
i'm holding on to Your promises<br />
You are faithful<br />
You are faithful<br />
<br />
if you haven't heard this song and you want to listen, you can <a href="http://www.vevo.com/watch/chris-tomlin/whom-shall-i-fear-god-of-angel-armies-lyrics/US82Y1200070#/watch/chris-tomlin/whom-shall-i-fear-god-of-angel-armies-lyrics/US82Y1200070" target="_blank">do it here</a>. you won't be sorry. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">image: </span><a href="http://textsscrawled.tumblr.com/post/2497552289" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">textsscrawled.tumblr</span></a><br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/bookmarklet/?media=http://d3io1k5o0zdpqr.cloudfront.net/images/PinterestLogoNew.png
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<br />
hello! i'm alive! i'm blogging! it's been months and months! <br />
<br />
grandma, aunt ginny, laurie, mom... you've been heard. since my readership is clearly out of control and the masses (er, my family) are begging for my return, i've decided to give the people what they want. it's happening. get ready. <br />
<br />
in all seriousness, things have been great lately. my lack of blogging really hasn't been a reflection of anything but the fact that i'm busy and enjoying life. and that baby mac has been struggling ever since this summer's extremely traumatic hard drive crash; but three semi-working office laptops later (working for a non-profit sure has its perks), i now have two computers that combined add up to one good one, so we're on track for some non-efficient-but-nonetheless-awesome-posting. <br />
<br />
since i've stopped blogging, a lot has happened, in fact. i am awed by the lord's blessings during the past few months and unbelievably thankful for his continued faithfulness. work has gotten quite amazing thanks to an incredible new boss lady who is absolutely wonderful. liam and i moved into a lovely little new house in charlotte in a sweet little neighborhood with families who play basketball in the driveway in their church clothes on sundays. we are happy here. i bought 456968 new articles of clothing at the goodwill to replace all of the ones that i sold/gave away when i moved, and i have attempted, somewhat successfully, to fit them into the only closet in my teeny tiny house. i started freelancing for charlotte style magazine and have written <a href="http://charlottestylemag.com/2012/10/18/dining-in-the-dark/" target="_blank">a total of one articles so far</a>. i managed to make it through the hot summer months without having one single temper tantrum. i bought my first set of grown-up furniture (a couch and a loveseat). i joined claire danes and charlotte's elite with a visit to the new <a href="http://5church.com/" target="_blank">5 church restauant</a> in uptown (i maintain that fancy pretentious food is fun, but overrated). i killed approximately ten cockraoches in my new house with no help from anyone (dad, please don't tell anyone about that one time you had to come over...). i went to raleigh. i went to southern pines. i went to the beach. big things. good thing i'm back just in time for my favorite two months of the year to share lots of inspiration and pretties. <br />
<br />
see you soon! tomorrow, in fact... (for real). you're welcome. <br />
<br />
<em>as promised, this post has been dedicated to the always lovely laurie. you have taught me how to yard sale like i mean it, use coupons more efficiently than anyone i've ever met, cook without following directions, and fill a house with things that make it home, like vickie the duck. thank you for letting me sleep on your unbelievably comfortable couch with the star wars sheets, drink your wine, eat from every single pint of your front porch ice cream flavors at once, and beat you to good treasures at your local thrift stores. let's do it all again soon?</em><br />
<br />
image: <a href="http://ifreakinlovetaylorswift.tumblr.com/post/34611288936" target="_blank">ifreakinglovetaylorswift.tumblr</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/bookmarklet/?media=http://d3io1k5o0zdpqr.cloudfront.net/images/PinterestLogoNew.png
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
oh my goodness. you guys. i checked my email this morning to find an amazing one - blooming branch has been nominated for a charlotte web award from elevate lifestyle for "best personal blog". my heart is full and i am completely floored. <br />
unfortunately, i've been consumed this weekend with other things and didn't even see the email until now, and voting ends at 10:00 a.m.<br />
if you have a moment, will you please follow this link and vote for blooming branch? it takes about thirty seconds. if you have facebook, twitter, and pinterest you can actually vote THREE times. <br />
i would love you forever if you did. :o) more soon!<br />
<br /><a href="http://charlotte.citywebawards.com/best-personal-blog" target="_blank">http://charlotte.citywebawards.com/best-personal-blog</a><br />
<br />
image via <a href="http://modelcentric.tumblr.com/post/8590538971">modelcentric.tumblr.com </a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/bookmarklet/?media=http://d3io1k5o0zdpqr.cloudfront.net/images/PinterestLogoNew.png
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<br />
today i...<br />
- slept in and woke up to coffee i didn't have to brew or buy<br />
- left my hair curly, went without make-up, wore a white lace caftan as a dress<br />
- rode a giant ferris wheel<br />
- met an nfl star randomly at lunch<br />
- shopped at the goodwill (and spotted some lanvin)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSePlcy5FOX8In4qI0fBYtk6DLwSKFHrlcVRLiCrJHdZPFfy6GaZdUCKytvbBTMElRYNKT93XQwL4ROGTETacfaAic6lmCWt6E1Nxr9UAiPihgLGyl70HYShrVoaZYtj2_K8wJMlwCBza/s1600/photo4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSePlcy5FOX8In4qI0fBYtk6DLwSKFHrlcVRLiCrJHdZPFfy6GaZdUCKytvbBTMElRYNKT93XQwL4ROGTETacfaAic6lmCWt6E1Nxr9UAiPihgLGyl70HYShrVoaZYtj2_K8wJMlwCBza/s640/photo4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
- bought some gorgeous sea anemones for my new mantel<br />
- drank two white wine spritzers before dinner <br />
- laughed over casserole at my grandparents' dinner table<br />
- walked on the beach at sunset<br />
- put on pajamas before 10pm<br />
- ate brownies and ice cream<br />
- watched hgtv for the rest of the night<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarwNi3iDqqNVAUY-UIrn6wcZW4qKJLWQ-pn65Bq4ztDqOT2mPBizA2wuA7ZDBvVjYCla8HOX4N-1ZhZWRl6SKY7ugZRGF0iem03hu_MYJVD5Lt_aeWTXVbhM1kUaDVQfKCIM-PUvYSfln/s1600/photo1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarwNi3iDqqNVAUY-UIrn6wcZW4qKJLWQ-pn65Bq4ztDqOT2mPBizA2wuA7ZDBvVjYCla8HOX4N-1ZhZWRl6SKY7ugZRGF0iem03hu_MYJVD5Lt_aeWTXVbhM1kUaDVQfKCIM-PUvYSfln/s640/photo1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
my kind of weekend<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/bookmarklet/?media=http://d3io1k5o0zdpqr.cloudfront.net/images/PinterestLogoNew.png
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvoNgi_fUkogfpUP4yYZipdICgypixjlmfRoQPHtTvJ1Ga02R6Q2oTbaPQV43HAltDjZsv4IBYkw0kzSKvhbUtsSz0EEABMKFhgTbzf9pOmhDxk2xiFZeLbbNum2nMdb1ra3LSGbx7xSEs/s1600/SaleInvite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvoNgi_fUkogfpUP4yYZipdICgypixjlmfRoQPHtTvJ1Ga02R6Q2oTbaPQV43HAltDjZsv4IBYkw0kzSKvhbUtsSz0EEABMKFhgTbzf9pOmhDxk2xiFZeLbbNum2nMdb1ra3LSGbx7xSEs/s640/SaleInvite.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
hello friends!<br />
<br />
it's a big day over at blooming branch. as of two weeks ago, i am officially a charlotte resident! i have a sweet little triplex house with a fireplace and a deck and a closet that comfortably fits all of my clothes. can you believe it!? it all happened rather quickly and while it doesn't feel like home quite yet, i'm so happy to have reduced my commute to work by 45 minutes (seriously. it's bliss.) and live among the cool city people. liam is adjusting well to big city life and i feel that i'm coming along quite nicely as well. i've been pulled between concord and charlotte for quite a while now, and while i'll still be going back and forth fairly often because i like concord and i like my parents, it's nice to feel settled and committed somewhere that i've wanted to be for so long. <br />
the best part about this move has been all the downsizing. my new place isn't really much bigger than my old one, so i've tried to be really cognizant of how much i actually need versus how much i actually want. they are very different. so, guess what? i want you to have all the things i'm getting rid of. and by have, i mean buy at yard-sale-like prices. so. you're invited to my in-house, invite-only moving sale. it's basically like a yard sale but in the air conditioning, more dignifed and with no aggressive yard sale strangers (you know the ones i'm talking about) and with cupcakes and delicious beverages. how can you pass that up? <br />
<br />
also, PLEASE bring your friends or share with anyone who may be interested.<br />
p.s. i had a rather unfortunate hard drive crash last week, so i'm still without a computer at home (boo) but much more to come soon, including blooming branch's first-ever GIVEAWAY.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/bookmarklet/?media=http://d3io1k5o0zdpqr.cloudfront.net/images/PinterestLogoNew.png
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