around here lately.

I know I just shared an Around Here Lately post with you this past Wednesday, but I've amped up my picture-taking since being back here in Wilmington, & there are some Instagram shots I'm itching to share...

weekends at the beach | mrs. t's signature wedding candle | bright manicures

trekkin' it  to school daily | outdoor rainy brunch at the george | finding vintage lace china while antiquing

downtown murals | the simple joy of a morning ritual | late lunch at riverboat landing on the private balcony

bow ties | feeling thankful on memorial day | little lamps at the antique store

I like to think that we've kicked off the Summer Season here in Wilmington pretty perfectly. It's hard not to be completely overjoyed when your weekends are filled with beach time, brunch, & antiquing in a picturesque little downtown. Fill in the weekday spaces with school & limitless cups of coffee, & I guess you could say I'm one lucky girl. And, well, my husband is pretty badass - helping me study, making me laugh so hard I cry. Don't mind me, I'm just riding the wave of blissed-out summertime*. And it's still only early June. There's plenty more in store, I hope.

*playlist coming soon

recognizing nostalgia.

Yesterday, as I walked from class to my car, a strange kind of sadness gripped me in a way that hasn't happened in a long time. I wasn't sure what to make of it, & it made me feel pretty horrible, truth be told. As I trudged down the street, partly composed of cool concrete, partly composed of sun-warmed bricks, I kept my head down. The sadness was pulling me deeper & deeper, & I only wished for an explanation. 

I was thinking weird thoughts, abstract, yet vivid. I felt a sense of possession over the place we live, the time we spend, the activities that fill our days. Outsiders felt like threats - I didn't want them to tarnish our experience, to call our home anything other than that. 

As I approached the parking garage, I just wanted clarity: why was I feeling these feelings? At that moment, I glanced up at the sky, saw the frothy clouds moving this way & that, & realized it: life is a miracle. And the feeling I was feeling? Nostalgia. Nostalgia for a time that is still happening. 

And I know that in the distant future, when I think of our first married spring on the east coast of North Carolina - here in Wilmington, I'll think of this very time in my life. And I'll feel that familiar sting - the ache of nostalgia. And I'm sure that, at first, it won't feel pleasant. But, once I realize it for what it is - the bittersweet recollection of a vibrant memory - it'll be cherished.

wilmington magnolias | iphone

the sunday currently, volume 38.

The above photo couldn't be more indicative of my life lately. Being in a summer session class means there's no down time. We're cramming a whole lot of stuff into very little time. But, I like the pace. I like that we're getting it done quickly. And I'm already excited for my second session classes. 

Ok, enough about school...

reading A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Hosseini. I ripped through The Kite Runner, so I'm excited about reading his second novel, to be followed up by his third & most recent one.

writing the rest of my sociology study guide this afternoon.

listening to Justin watching a clip of America's Got Talent.

thinking that I finally got a good night of sleep last night. I woke up & actually feel rested. This is a relief after a few weeks of tossing & turning.

smelling the coconut conditioner I used on my hair last night. It's new, & it's good.

wishing I had woken up at 5:30 a.m. I have a lot to do today.

hoping we get a lot of good stuff at the grocery store today. Ready to have coffee in this house again, as well as healthy snacks!

wearing the biggest t-shirt I own, as well as some lemon pajama shorts. A vision, as usual.

loving our anniversary plans. And the phone conversation Justin & I had with my mom & dad last night. Oh, & Mad Men. Justin & I basically shirked all our other tasks yesterday & camped out in the living room to watch. We're now to the middle of season three.

wanting coffee. We're going to go to the gym as soon as I'm finished with this post, & then we get to go grab some Starbucks Sunday.

needing coffee. I may be well-rested, but that doesn't mean I'm any more a morning person.

feeling ready to work out!

clicking The Sunday Secrets.

highlighting queen | instagram

weekender.

Happy Weekend! Justin & I don't have any big plans for the next couple of days, other than soaking up some sun on one of the local beaches. Not long ago, we made a promise to ourselves that we would take complete advantage of our proximity to the ocean every weekend of this summer. And that is exactly what we intend to do this weekend. For that reason, I was thrilled that this week's Friday's Fancies theme revolves around sunglasses. Can you tell I've got Mad Men on the brain? Those shades are screaming 1960s.

headband | swimsuit | sunglasses | sandals | coverup 

p.s. don't forget sunscreen!

beach reading:

- Allyssa's Branding Your Blog series has me inspired to polish my layout.
- Bethany is home & happy & shared a bit about the hardships she's faced. And it's inspiring.
- This isn't reading, but I have a new favorite beauty guru. Here she is.

this week's posts:

beach reading

thoughts on blog every day in may

the sunday currently

on being a student again

shreveport snapshot: around here lately

favorites as of late

When I think about goals for this weekend, I think of relaxation. And that, of course, leads me to think of the beach. I do, however, need to pick up A Thousand Splendid Suns from our library, to tote with me when I plop down in the sand & the surf. We have also GOT TO FIND a wreath hanger this weekend. I know, it sounds silly, but this task has proven futile for weeks now. And do I really need to say that I plan to watch as many episodes of Mad Men as I can? Also on the docket? Finalizing Father's Day gifts & planning our Sowell Family Trip to Destin!

favorites as of late.

I used to indulge myself by creating a love list for each month of the year, but, truth be told, at times I felt it was a bit of a stretch. I was finding it harder & harder to produce an authentic list of ten things I was absolutely adoring for each month. So, when January Favorites time rolled around this year, I made the executive decision to hold off, vowing to compile a list as favorites showed themselves, publishing the list when & only when a collection of the ten most glorious things ever filled its spaces. Thus, I give you... favorites as of late.

twinkle lights on frenchmen street in new orleans

1. Pitch Perfect. Justin & I crave watching this movie all the time. And we sing the songs constantly, because they're in our heads constantly. And I haven't met one person yet who doesn't like it. 

2. Urban Decay Suspect eye shadow all over lid & smoked out. This is the easiest smoky eye on the planet. Suspect can be found in the Naked2 palette, or may be purchased as a separate eye shadow from Urban Decay. 

3. Vanilla Caramel Tea from Bigelow. This has long been a favorite of mine, but I've recently put my red Le Creuset teapot to use, indulging in a cup for many days in a row. This flavor is reminiscent of caramel popcorn. It smells - & tastes - delicious, no sweetener or creamer necessary.

4. Black & White Cookies. Believe it or not, I had never tasted this particular type of cookie until one of my Shreveport book club meetings over at Natalie's. The book we had read was If You Have To Cry, Go Outside, by Kelly Cutrone, & Daci brought black & white cookies, in keeping with the New York theme. Imagine my delight when I discovered that my local Harris Teeter makes these fresh, daily.

5. Aveeno Lavender Chamomile Lotion. I went through an entire tube of this in under a month, & trust me, that is saying something. This is my favorite lotion to apply after a shower & before bed. The soothing scent reminds me that it's time to put my phone and/or laptop away & go to sleep.

6. Light Pink Camellias. On our visit to Pinehurst earlier this year, I discovered an abundance of these beautiful blooms. I texted my mom, asking if they were, indeed, camellias, because I had an inkling that's what they were. She not only confirmed that they were, but also reminded me that they are blooming in front of our house in Shreveport. And now, well, they are topping my list of favorite flowers, right alongside hydrangeas & sunflowers.

7. Pastel Colors. As you may guess from the design of my blog, I've always been drawn to the softer range of colors; however, my love of them lately has increased exponentially. Blame it on the season, but I don't think that has much to do with it, really.

8. Twinkle Lights. I mean, who doesn't love twinkle lights? But lately, I've had an increased affinity for them. So, that's what earned them a spot on this list. The fact that they are now used in abundance - not just for the Christmas season - makes me so very happy. I want to use them in our home decor soon.
9. Spring-time Scarf-wearing. Not only is the room that my afternoon class is held in a frigid scene out of Antarctica, I truly just love the wearing of scarves in spring-time. And I'm calling it spring-time because the first official day of summer has not come yet, though it both feels (& looks) like it has here in Wilmington.
10. C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Tint. Basically, I sit in class & apply this stuff over & over. Its minty quality is quite addictive, I'd say. My mom loves this stuff, too.

shreveport snapshot: around here lately.

some recollections from my time in shreveport: long runs, my dad's birthday, mother's day, my parents' thirty-second wedding anniversary, mrs. t's bachelorette party & wedding, kelsey's graduation, & technicolor flowers dotting the ontario house's neighborhood. it was a good visit.

on being a student again.

In the morning, I wake up. It's always with a grudging demeanor that I roll out of bed early in the morning. Keep in mind that to me, any time before 9 a.m. is early. 

I trudge into the bathroom, because once I'm awake, I find it hard to carry on with my day until I've brushed my teeth. Brushing them when I first wake up will mean that I need to brush them again before I leave the house, but, like I said, it's worth it to me.

Then, I make my way into the kitchen. The coffee pot sits in the corner, on the counter, like a beacon of hope & caffeination. I smile at it - at least internally, for I don't think my facial muscles are capable of a smile before noon - & know that soon, I will feel good. 

I sit down at the computer, steaming cup in hand, & open the Internet browser. This is my favorite way to start the day. In the quiet of the early morning, before the puppy in the apartment above starts loping about, chasing its toys. 

The caffeine kicks in as I navigate my favorite blogs. I begin opening more browsers to accommodate my growing interests, plans, & research topics. And all too soon, my phone alarm signals the end of this free time, this luxury. 

And then, oftentimes, it's off to school. 

I can't adequately express my joy at being a student again. Nor can I express my gratitude that my husband is able to provide for our family, in order that I may take this route. Being a student again inspires me, reminds me that there is hope for me yet. It is that extra push I need in order to rise earlier, to get more done, to add more to my to-do list. It is the reason I keep reaching & hoping & dreaming. It is a God-send. Thank you.

the road home from school | instagram

the sunday currently, volume 37.

Borrowing from my old blog, I thought I would do a bit of a differently-styled TSC post this week. Of course, feel free to link up your classically-styled Currently posts here, but also feel free to follow along with the style captured below. I want all linkers to feel free to respond to the Currently prompt in any way they would like. I'll be switching between the two templates from time to time, according to my mood!

See classically-styled TSC posts here.

currently dreaming about:

The weirdest things. My dreams have been totally off-the-wall lately, & they are the kind of dreams you can't remember right when you wake up, but that come back to you later on in the day. One I can recall at the moment involves my engaged friend marrying someone totally different than who she is engaged to.  

currently wishing for:

Starbucks. Not the loftiest, nor selfless of wishes, but there it is. Today, I'm jonesing for either a Tall Caramel Macchiato or a Tall Caramel Frappuccino. Anyone care to make a Starbucks run with me/for me? I'll come pick you up...

currently loving to wear:

Swimsuits

Bright orange shorts

My grandpa's watch

My little watermelon earrings

currently listening to:

The Mowgli's

Grouplove

Mates of State

Of Mountains & Men

Alabama Shakes

... all summer music, in my opinion.

currently watching:

Practically nothing. All of our shows - aside from Awkward - have gone off TV for the season. This is where I need your help: what shows MUST we watch? I want something I can't get enough of.

currently reading:

The Casual Vacancy, by JK Rowling, & loving every minute of it. I've always immensely enjoyed her writing... duh, Harry Potter... but the fact that I am loving her adult novel that has nothing to do with magic or wizards or Hogwarts is very affirming for me.

currently spotted:

With Justin at Kure Beach yesterday afternoon.

currently concerned about:

A bunch of abstract, unfounded fears. I told you: weird dreams. They produce weird feelings. Also, with keeping my A in class. Also, with the rash that seems to be taking up residence on my face. I think I may have a talc allergy. Yikes.

currently loving:

Our proximity to the beach.

Justin.

The way our house is finally coming together.

Summer Scentsy scents. 

currently planning:

My to-do list for the day, which I'm hoping will include buying a wreath hanger, finishing the laundry, going to the pool, &, of course, having that Starbucks.

I hope you enjoyed checking out this different version of The Sunday Currently this week. Like I said, please feel free to link up any post in which you share what you are currently up to. Happy Sunday!

kure beach | instagram

thoughts on blog every day in may.

Well, folks, it's official: May is over. With the influx of the month that is June, comes the end of Blog Every Day In May. And that means I can now reflect on the experience without worrying if my post has gone up for the day, which is the mental state in which I found myself for most of the fifth month of the year.

When I saw that Jenni was hosting a challenge, complete with writing prompts, I was pumped. And rightly so: the challenge gave me the opportunity for a re-set. For a change in my blogging rhythm. And for that, I am grateful. 

And I think it was worth the stress. It felt a bit like being in school, having an assignment due every day. And it pushed me to just write - without having a contrived theme, without having to have the perfect photo to accompany the text. That made me realize that those kinds of posts are what I've been missing from the blogging experience lately. 

So, I leave this challenge in the past with the following thoughts:

- I blogged almost every day in May: I missed one. Only one, though.

- I'm going to include more free-writing posts on my blog. I'm going to take an idea, & just let the words form themselves through my fingertips.

- People who blog every single day, all the time, have extreme dedication.

Farewell, Blog Every Day In May. It's been real.

This morning, Justin is picking up an extra shift in the hospital. Then, we are headed to the beach for the day! Happy June. Happy Summer.