Exploring

Last week, my husband had some work appointments in Huntsville, AL, which is about four hours north of us. It was a quick two-night trip and I thought it would be fun to join him and do a little exploring while he was on post during the day. Huntsville is the one major city (and major is a very relative term here) in Alabama that I hadn't yet been to--we've been to Montgomery a million times and Birmingham a few times. And I think my husband was happy to have a travel partner! I made zero plans ahead of time,  and I had a blast--both when I was on my own and later, when my husband and I went out that night. (These are all iPhone shots, so I apologize for the low quality.)

I started at this adorable, quirky little cafe in the historic part of town. Whenever I'm visiting a new place, I like to start in the older neighborhoods because I've found that you will usually discover gorgeous old homes (I did) and quaint, one-of-a-kind shops, restaurants, and cafes like this one. It was early in the morning, and this place had the added benefit of free wifi! I sipped on a delicious latte and did some blogging for a few hours.

The barista was a really nice young woman so I told her I was exploring for the day and asked if she had any recommendations for shopping, parks, places to eat. That sort of thing. She gave me all kinds of great ideas. She mentioned this tea shop that was just down the street, and said she thought there was also a vintage consignment shop on the second floor.  

I walked to Emma's Tea Room and met the owner, whose husband is also a soldier. She said that the consignment shop had moved (and gave me directions to it) and invited me to look around. It was such a sweet little place and would be a perfect venue for a bridal or a baby shower. I spotted this teacup on my way out and couldn't resist taking it home with me. I've had tea in it every morning since!

Then I decided to drive to the consignment shop's new location, but unfortunately they were closed that day. But it wasn't all for naught--on the way back, I found a local bakery where I picked up some sandwiches before meeting my husband for lunch. Chicken salad and a BLT on homemade bread--yum!

That afternoon I had a quick catnap and then spent a few hours outside reading my book. It was a surprisingly mild day, and it felt nice to enjoy the breeze. For dinner, we went with the barista's recommendation from earlier--an artisan pizza place that was tucked into the corner of the Huntsville Museum of Art and overlooked a massive park with duck and fish ponds in it. The pizza was scrumptious--my half was a pesto pizza with tomatoes, mozzarella, balsamic vinegar, and fresh arugula. So tasty! My favorite part (other than my date) was that the restaurant had massive photographs of New York City on its walls. They made me feel right at home.

After dinner we walked around the park and soaked up the beautiful evening. Then I made my husband very happy by accompanying him to the new Star Trek movie in an IMAX 3D theater, which was actually quite spectacular. It really felt like we were up there in the stars.

The next morning, I went back to the cafe to blog and drink some more delicious coffee, then I picked up my husband who had finished his appointments. On the way home, near Birmingham, we stopped at a fruit stand and bought a crazy amount of fresh peaches and strawberries. I've frozen most of the strawberries for summer smoothies, and a few days ago I made a peach crisp. I think I'm going to make a breakfast version this week--not too sweet, lots of oats and sliced almonds and flax seed, and plenty of juicy peaches.

In a nutshell, that's how I like to explore a new place--cafes, historic neighborhoods, recommendations from locals, great food, a healthy combination of walking and relaxing. How do you do it? 

Nightstand Decor

I think it was the arrival of Spring that inspired this fun project. I decided I wanted to liven up my nightstand, make it cute but keep it practical, and I wanted to use only items I had around the house (which, minus the lampshade, I did successfully). I really love my nightstand but I hadn't quite figured out how to make it look pretty. It's also a rather large surface, and keeping it too simple just makes it look bare. Here's the before.

Simple and basic--a plain lamp, books, lotion. I've put a lot of thought into a lot of areas of our house, but somewhere along the way my poor nightstand got neglected. Within just a few hours, it was transformed into this.

A big improvement, if I do say so myself! Other than primarily using items I knew I already had lying around, it was also important to me that my nightstand not look overly "styled," if you know what I mean. I try to take this approach in all of my decorating--I want my home to look natural and lived in, and I think that certain decorative touches can sometimes make a home look too "done up." For this project I mixed practical items with decorative items, and I think (I hope!) I achieved a look that's natural and simple but still pretty.

So here's what I did. I decided to use this square mirror as a tray (something I saw recently on a blog) and put just a few items on it--a clear bottle with flowers I gathered from the neighborhood, hand lotion, and a little dish for small items like bobby pins and lip balm. The print behind the tray is one of three New York City prints that my husband and I bought a few years ago. I haven't found a place in our home for all three to hang together, but I thought this would be a perfect place to display one of them. The photograph is of the Brooklyn Bridge in the wintertime.

A nightstand is never complete without some books, and I thought these would look sweet resting under my lamp. I swapped out the basic lamp for this antique lamp from my grandmother that wasn't currently being used. The cut glass reminds me of Hollywood glamour (I'm not sure why) and the one item I did buy was this modern, white linen lampshade to go with it. Tucked in the corner is a bottle of homemade lavender linen spray (livened up with a homemade label) which I spray on our freshly cleaned sheets and pillows. 

And that's it! I love the way it turned out and it's amazing how much more beautiful our bedroom feels as a result. It's a healthy mix of useful (hand cream, lavender spray, bowl for small loose items, books) and decorative (flowers, NYC print, mirror tray). Furthermore, I spent very little money, used items that were not in use elsewhere, and had fun doing it!

One-Piece Bathing Beauties

I stumbled upon a fantastic collection of vintage beach photos (called "Before the Bikini") and had so much fun looking through them. Aren't these women glamorous and gorgeous? I just love the look of so many of these vintage bathing suits, and they got me thinking.

You see, I'm over my bikini days. I still have most of my old bikinis, and I do wear them sometimes--like when I'm reading by the pool in my neighborhood. But for swimming, or going to the beach with family and friends, I've discovered the beauty of the one-piece. I don't know if I'll ever really go back. 

And it's not because I have anything to hide--at the risk of coming across the wrong way, I'm actually quite happy with my body (hey, if you don't love your body at 25, when will you love it?). I've simply found that one-pieces are so flattering, so feminine, and most importantly, they leave more to the imagination. They're mysterious and retro, and in this "bare it all" culture of ours, I think erring on the side of not baring all is a brave and beautiful choice.

And lest you think that modesty is not sexy--believe me, it is. First of all, look at all of these women from the 30s, 40s, and 50s. They're absolutely stunning! My husband has also told me that he prefers my one-piece suits to my two-piece suits. He thinks they're becoming and feminine. And there are so many interesting and flattering options these days for one-pieces (I think they're coming back into fashion--yes!). A few years ago, my mom and I found a beautiful black, ruched suit with ultra-thin straps. I still love it. A few days ago I added this inexpensive Target suit to my collection. And I'm pining after this lovely (total splurge) one-piece from Anthropologie.

(I know this isn't a one-piece, but it may as well be, right?)

I would love to hear what all of you think about this. Do you wear one-pieces? Would you? If you haven't worn anything but bikinis in years, I encourage you to at least try on a one-piece. You might be surprised at how beautiful you feel in it.


(Images Source)

Happy Memorial Day

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;

He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;

He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword:

His truth is marching on.

I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps,

They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps;

I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps:

His day is marching on.

I have read a fiery gospel writ in burnished rows of steel:

"As ye deal with my contemners, so with you my grace shall deal;

Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with his heel,

Since God is marching on.

He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;

He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment-seat:

Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet!

Our God is marching on.

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,

With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me.

As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free,

While God is marching on.

He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave,

He is Wisdom to the mighty, He is Succour to the brave,

So the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of Time His slave,

Our God is marching on.

(Battle Hymn of the Republic; words by Julia Ward Howe; Image Source)

Sunday Currently: Volume 18

Well, I'm off to a later start than usual for my Sunday Currently! I've been busy with a couple of fun decor projects, which I'll be blogging about later in the week. Here's a sneak peek. Hope you're all having a wonderful and relaxing Memorial Day weekend.

Reading Falling Together by Marisa de los Santos. I often find myself reading contemporary novels during the spring and summer and hunkering down with classics in the fall and winter. Isn't that funny?

Writing this post and some to-do lists.

Listening to the air conditioning humming.

Thinking about how today has been flying by--I actually totally forgot about writing the Sunday Currently until just now. I've been a busy bee!

Smelling my new basil grape hand cream (pictured in the green bottle above) which was on sale at Ulta this week. It smells incredible.

Wishing....I can't think of a single thing. I suppose that means I'm feeling pretty happy today, huh?

Hoping that the next few days go well. My husband has some appointments in Huntsville, AL and I'm going up with him to explore the area. I've heard that Huntsville is quite cute, so I'm excited.

Wearing linen capris and a black and white striped tee. And spray paint, which splattered my right hand when I was working on a project earlier!

Drinking water with lemon.

Loving lots of things--the neighborhood pool, afternoons absorbed in a book, fresh lobster (which was our lunch yesterday), little decor touches around the house, lots of time spent with my husband.

Wanting to head to the pool with my book (now that I've mentioned it!).

Needing to run one more errand today.

Feeling thankful, as I am every Memorial Day weekend, for our nation's military.

Clicking on not much, today. It hasn't been much of a computer day. But I'm looking forward to catching up on the other Sunday Currently posts a little later.

Enjoy the rest of the long weekend!

Linking up with Lauren.

Favorite Blogs

As I promised in my latest Sunday Currently, I'd like to share with you a few of my favorite blogs and daily reads. One of the best parts about blogging, I think, is being surrounded by so much inspiration and creativity and artistry, and so many interesting women! The list of blogs I follow is too long to count but here's a sampling of the ones that I really look forward to reading each day. I hope perhaps you will discover a new blog or two (or ten!) that will become part of your list of daily reads.

Image Source

Joanna Hyatt
I really like Joanna's blog because she regularly posts about important topics (marriage, sex, love) that aren't always easy to talk about. More importantly, she isn't afraid to move against the grain a little bit, and her posts always impress me with their honesty and straightforwardness. She's a lady to be admired! I hope you'll check out her writing.

Not Without Salt
This is an exquisite food and cooking blog, with the most amazing recipes and tantalizing photos and an occasional cooking video. But it's more than that--Ashley has a wonderful way of mixing life into her food and recipe musings, and I especially love her Dating My Husband series. Ashley and her husband have weekly date nights centered around great home-cooked food and intimate conversation and alone time, and the way she writes about these nights is so beautifully sweet and romantic. And she recently announced that she is working on a book! I can't wait.

String of Pearls
It's always fun to have a personal connection to another blogger, isn't it? While I haven't met the wonderful woman behind this blog, I know three of her five sons (!) from college and my husband and I think the world of these guys. It's been so much fun to get to know their mother a little bit through her lovely blog, which is sometimes funny, sometimes sweet, and always bursting with love for her family and her faith. She's quite a gifted writer--as further evidence, Mrs. Pearl also recently wrote a novel! 

Like Ordinary Life
What I love most about Tina's blog is her poetic way with words. She tells stories about life, about struggles, and joys, and through it all runs this beautiful, whimsical thread. I think she could easily write fiction if she wanted to. It's also been fun for us to discover that we have similar hopes and yearnings for our futures, and it's always nice to connect with like-minded women. Do pay her a visit.

The Small Things Blog
Not only does Kate have a lovely name, she also has a lovely approach to the world of fashion and beauty. Most of her posts are light-hearted--a fun new hair tutorial, a guide to the best makeup products, a homemade foot scrub--and she has a way of infusing these posts with grace and femininity and a true love of what it means to be a woman. She occasionally writes more serious posts, and each time she does I'm really amazed by her faith and her desire to do God's work in all that she does. Also--she's seriously funny.

In Honor of Design
Anna's posts are a perfect mix of family life, faith, personal stories, design tips, fashion shoots, and DIY projects. It's truly a "lifestyle" blog and I just love the artful photos she posts of her sweet family. She's currently expecting her third baby and she has the most adorable way of dressing up that baby bump! I will certainly be using her as inspiration in that department someday.

The Lettered Cottage
This is a husband-and-wife blog and the two of them couldn't be cuter. Their blog mainly centers around their home renovations--design, decorating, labor--and they are always posting really helpful "how-to" tips, along with paint color ideas, flea market finds, and before and after photos (with some humor and bits of their love story sprinkled in along the way). They are based in Montgomery and it's nice for me to know that there are other Alabama bloggers out there!

Loverly She
I was thrilled to find Katie's blog! She's a pianist, a Christian, and a young wife, so we have quite a bit in common. She's so stylish and chic and puts together the best outfits (and she's looking cuter by the day--she's expecting her first baby!) and she also writes very thoughtfully and honestly about issues that concern us as women. I love her blog and look forward to each new post.

Betsy Transatlantically
Betsy has a very sweet way about her and she's currently in a phase of life that all of us women get excited about--wedding planning! It's been fun to follow her progress as she anticipates her big day and her marriage. Additionally, Betsy loves Bach (here's a beautiful post she wrote on him) and she lives in Washington, D.C. (which is where my parents just moved) so we've been able to connect on a few levels. I really enjoy her spirited posts!

Smitten Kitchen
I think Smitten Kitchen takes the award as the first blog I ever really followed religiously. I discovered it at a time when I couldn't get enough of cooking, new ingredients, new recipes, new cookbooks. I had just moved into my first apartment after college and had my first full-time job, and I was loving being an adult in the real world. I would plan what I was going to make for dinner while I was at work, then on my walk home I would shop for the necessary ingredients. I think most of my pay check went towards things like fresh hunks of parmesan and white pepper kernels and fancy olives. Cooking up a gourmet dinner after work was my relaxation. I will always associate Smitten Kitchen with this period in my life, and I think that a lot of what I know about cooking comes from Deb.

I hope you'll pay some of these wonderful blogs a visit!  

Spring Lamb with White Beans

"This dish, to me, is an ideal marriage of rustic and elegant. Rustic, because of the earthiness of the lamb and the rosemary, and the savory richness of the juices that infuse the beans. Elegant because of the perfect balance in flavors, the softness and delicacy of the tiny white cannellinis. I can imagine this roast in the homes of ancient Greek peasants, just as I can imagine it at the banquets and feasts of their rulers. Deliciously simple, yet somehow exquisite...."

Click over to the Happy Wives Club to read the rest of this post, and for the recipe!