remembering [spring edition]

I was nervous to post this photo because of how terrible I am positioned on the chair, and how it makes me look... But then I remembered that Cade stopped us from walking into the theater and told me to get in there so he could snap a photo. I went along with it (obviously) and I love the picture, no matter what. I also love that he knows me well enough to know that in my mind, all I wanted to do was take a picture in the Millennium Falcon. 

This particular Sunday morning breakfast. The time making it, conversation during the meal, and dancing during clean up was well worth the mess.

Finishing my day with a hot bath, calming candles and an invigorating book that reminds me some things are not predictable... not even a little bit! 

The grand opening of "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee" and every time we've been back since. Beautiful little place making Old Brooklyn proud. We were within the first 25 customers and were even pictured in their Instagram photo! Local celeb alert, guys! 

The Dana Schutz exhibit at Transformer Station. It is unique and exciting and I learned something new on this Sunday and can now add another incredible artist to my list of creative inspirers. 

My new planter. I really like looking at you. You are a great addition to the dining room.

Can you smell this picture? I can! My basil baby. We're going on one year together and I think I need to add more herb friends to our collection...

Dinner with friends and this BLT night, in particular! (Actually, it should be BLACT - bacon, lettuce, avocado, cheese, tomato) - As Mary Berry would say "Just scrummy!"

With spring just around the corner (hopefully!), I want to remember fresh snow, only... Not the dirty and gray snow. Let's go out on a high note! 

That time that we drove just over 5 hours to Three Floyd's ... for lunch! The food. Oh, the food! 

And then lastly... Hiding under the table with Lilah. Here in a couple weeks, I am going to have a new nephew to share my attention with, but I'll never stop hiding under the table with my Lilah-Bear. 

Have a great rest of your week! I'm off Friday and so excited to spend the Easter holiday with family. I hope you're looking forward to it, too! 

i'm proud of you.

Sometimes, all it takes to feel better is to hear that someone, anyone, notices your hard work and can appreciate it. A lot of times though, it goes unnoticed. 

And who wants to ask for appreciation? I’ll admit, I’ve asked for that validation in my life and more times than none, it doesn’t feel authentic enough to truly accept it. Asking for someone to say “I’m proud of you” is nearly the same as asking someone to tell you that they love you. You shouldn’t have to ask, right?

Anyway, I’m guilty on both ends… I want someone to notice, and to say something, but I think there are also times where I don’t say it nearly as much as I should… although, I always try.

So… I’m proud of you. I’m VERY proud of you.

I’m proud of you for making the world a better place, by being a good person.

I'm proud of you for being who you are.

I’m proud of you for taking care of your kids and raising them to be kind, gentle people but also tough enough to stand their own ground if push comes to shove.

I’m proud of you for taking care of your pets.

I’m proud of you for taking care of the housework and making that house a home.

I’m proud of you for going into work every day, even though you’d rather be on vacation.

I’m proud of you for forgiving them.

I’m proud of you for not eating that snack that you really wanted too… but knew you shouldn’t have.

I’m proud of you for treating yourself and allowing yourself whatever freedom you needed.

I’m proud of you for doing what you didn’t think you could do… Whatever that might be.

I’m just really proud of you.

Thanks for being here. Thanks for being an example of strength and honesty. This world needs compassion and hope. The world needs you.

I'd encourage you to let someone know you're proud of them. Especially moms, dads and partners. 

it's getting a little linky in here.

I recently posted some pictures to my Instagram of our house on a sunny Sunday and gosh I wish it were that clean all the time. Speaking of which, you've heard of minimalism, right? Well, get ready for maximalism. TBH, sounds like my kind of party. I am ALL about colors, plants, and keepsakes. I recently came upon this this and I can't stop looking at her home. GOALS.

I just read that Little Fires Everywhere could potentially be picked up as a TV show (here). Which means, I'll need to read it soon! I also really enjoyed Big Little Lies which also had ties to Reese Witherspoon so hopefully she doesn't let me down.

Found this guide all about beer events happening in Cleveland this month. Some of those pique'd my interest and might be very worth going to! 

Speaking of events in Cleveland, don't forget to put Third Friday at 78th Street in your calendar for March 16th! It's really worth it, I promise! 

RENOVATION TIME! Cade and I are finally getting a queen sized mattress (buhbye full!) and I can't wait to have all that extra space! I'm thinking about getting a bed frame  from IKEA which means another trip to Columbus may be in order, soon! 

Here are a list of the books that I plan to read in the month of March in case anyone either wants to read along, or wants to let me know what they thought! (no spoilers, please!)

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
You by Caroline Kepnes
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn

HEY MYSTERY/CRIME NOVEL JUNKIES! A brand new website has graced our interwebs and it's incredible! It's called CrimeReads and it's everything you need. I'm obsessed!

Another new (to me) Podcast that I have been listening to a lot lately is Someone Knows Something. Specifically this newest season has me on the edge of my seat! I genuinely think they might solve this case which is all the more reason to check it out. Very good! 

Finishing off with another post about home goods (surprise, surprise!). I recently found out about this company, d + k renewal. I would like two of everything! No, but seriously, if you're into decor and eclectic/bohemian designs then you should check out their Instagram. It's heavenly and definitely provides inspiration! 

Thanks for following along! Have a great rest of your week :) 

february book recap (100 words or less)

Hello, hello! Time for my lightning fast February book reviews.

Between my birthday, surprise trips, dinners with friends AND the occasional shopping trips, I had a heck of a time finishing books in February. There were days in a row that I would go without reading. That was a bummer! BUT, somehow I managed to still complete four books... So that lifted my spirits a little. 

In February, I read: 

Where'd You Go, Bernadette
Everything I Never Told You
A Man Called Ove
In a Dark, Dark Wood

Where'd You Go, Bernadette

Bernadette is a wife to Elgie and a mom to Bee, and a world renowned architect. The family lives in a slummy, unique house that has blackberry vines growing under their floor boards. Bee, a scholar and too smart for her own good, remind her parents of a promise they made which was a family trip to ... Antarctica! While planning the trip, Bernadette gets herself into trouble... One thing leads to another and eventually, Bee and Elgie are forced to search for missing Bernadette.

I had SO much fun reading this book. It's essentially a compilation of emails, faxes, conversations, etc. instead of typical story telling. You're  playing the detective and really getting to know each character in a different perspective. I give this book ALL of the thumbs up and what's more is that they're turning it into a movie! Coming out in May 2018 and you betcha I'll be seeing that.














Everything I Never Told You

Lydia Lee goes missing, and is eventually found dead in a lake near her house. While her family is left to try and piece together either what happened, or what went wrong, they uncover so many questions they have, and missed opportunities they had. Together, James (father), Marilyn (mother), Nath (brother) and Hannah (sister) will share their story and what Lydia, and the rest of the family means to them.

Get your emotions ready with this one! For a fictional novel, this sure is deeply personal. When reading this, I found myself not thinking... I didn't try to piece anything together, I didn't try to figure out what might have happened. I just read and took it all in. I got so lost in this book that I felt like I knew each character on a personal level. It's a great story and I would HIGHLY recommend this one. My only suggestion would be to immerse yourself in the story, don't try to figure anything out or make any assumptions.








A Man Called Ove

Ove is a grumpy old man with only one objection in mind. It's a simple plan and shouldn't take much time, thought, or effort. But when everything goes a frenzy and one delay causes another, causes another, Ove becomes frustrated and engulfed in situations. By reflecting on his past and keeping that objection in mind - Ove does his best to stay on course.

When I started this book, I genuinely thought I'd have to give it up before I could make it halfway. The old grumpy man, Ove, is seemingly racist, rude and incredibly disrespectful. ...and then you get to know him, and his past, and kind of figure out why he is the way he is. It uncovers details of his upbringing and the love of his life, Sonja and the life they lived. By the end of the book you really fall in love with Ove. I laughed out loud, I got very angry, and I had a stream of tears coming down my face for the last few chapters. A book has never made me feel this way and I will strongly urge everyone reads this. I don't think I'll ever forget this book, or Ove. 












In a Dark, Dark Wood

Nora (or Lee, or Leo, or Leonora) is living her life as a crime writer in London when she receives an email from an unknown address asking her to join in on a "hen" night for an old friend, Clare. Nora, not sure whether it's legit or not decides to go with another mutual friend, Nina. What starts as a semi-typical bachelorette weekend party quickly turns scary... Can Nora remember the details to save herself? 

I didn't get a lot of time to read during my weekend but when I did, I couldn't put this down. In all it took me four sittings to finish it (a couple of them only an hour). It's very suspenseful and will keep you guessing until the end! To be honest, I tried and tried but really couldn't pin point who the guilty person was until "they" came forward! Very good, and very thrilling! 















I've already got my March books planned out and can't wait to get started! As always, let me know if you read something great! There's not much better than having a friend to discuss a book with.