i can have both.

Reading today's lifestyle posts around the blogging community has inspired me to scrawl out one of my own. See here & here if you're wondering what I'm talking about.

The past couple of years/time since I've graduated college/time since 2007, when I was a student worker in the Labor Unit at LSUHSC-Shreveport have been a time of me choosing a career path, changing my mind, changing it again, re-changing it, going back to square one, & repeating this same circle over & over & over, for what feels like a million times. 

I think the main battle I've been waging with myself has been over whether I choose to go with my creative side, or the side of me that feels pulled toward the medical field.

Why was I telling myself I have to choose? Well, because I'm one of those people who have an all-or-nothing personality. This trait has manifested itself in my past eating habits, when I was either meticulously counting calories or binging like there was no tomorrow, as well as in my career, when I was practically wearing a stethoscope around my neck while taking prerequisites for Physician Assistant school or shirking all responsibilities while indulging in the artistic lifestyle of guzzling coffee & penning pages of prose. 

Then, slowly but surely, this past year, a break-through occurred.

I don't have to choose. I can have both. 

I'm not going to lie to you & say that I haven't gone back & forth EVEN MORE, after this breakthrough occurred around November. Because I have. Tears have been shed, ideas have been second-guessed. But for now, I believe I am on the right track. 

There is a long road ahead of me, but I'm going to indulge in the ride. I'm going to delight in the journey. Because really, that's always the best part. And while I'm indulging, I'm going to be sharing. Because sharing makes it real. And keeps me accountable. And reminds me that this is going to be fun.

photo: the beginning of my first novel \ instagram

the sunday currently, volume 26 [happy birthday, kara! edition].

Today is my little sister's big 2-1 birthday.

yep. this is us.

Even though we're not in the same city today, I hope you have the best birthday ever. Can't wait to see you in May!

reading Little Women & THREE Real Simple magazines. Yeah, I know, I'm a little bit behind. But I am on schedule to finish LW by the end of March. 

writing some thank you notes I've been majorly putting off, this week.

listening to my instincts & going for it.

thinking this week's answers are going to be kind of short. I'm tired from all of our adventures! We've had a lot of fun this weekend, exploring & eating.

smelling my new Golden Vanilla car air freshener I bought at Bath & Body Works this weekend. B&BWorks is quickly becoming one of my favorite places these days.

wishing my skin would clear up. I haven't had issues like this since college.

hoping I work out every single day this week... & then, for the rest of the month, too.

wearing my bangs down & loving them. 

loving Instagram lately. It comes in waves.

wanting to re-visit all of the new restaurants we tried this weekend. I really, really loved Copper Penny & Dixie Grill.

needing to drink more water. Do I sound like a broken record? That's because I need to get my act together.

feeling like it's time for a good ole workout. 

clicking some new blogs that I am absolutely loving. Lemon Stripes. Laken B. Nix. {dear friend}. E Tells Tales. Wishful Nals.

photos: instagram

friday's fancies #62: st. patrick's day!

In my family, St. Patrick's Day has always - well, at least since 1992 - been a holiday we celebrate full-force. It's not because we're Irish, it's not because we all love the color green, or anything like that... it's because my sister was born that day! And she has red hair. And is really short. Seriously. This stuff cannot be made up.

And this birthday is a big one - we're talking the big 2-1. And while I won't be celebrating with her on her actual day, I have a few tricks up my sleeve, as well as a visit in May that we will no doubt take advantage of on the celebration front. 

While she's celebrating her milestone in Shreveport, Justin & I will be enjoying a visit from our Dallas family over here in Wilmington. As I'm sitting in a coffee shop, typing up this post, I'm waiting for the clock to strike one so I can head to the airport to pick them up. We are so excited to have them here, & I hope they'll enjoy exploring North Carolina with us this weekend! If we lived in a perfect world, here is what I'd be wearing for our adventures...

top | boots | jeans | aviators | bag | earrings

I'm a little pressed for time this week, so I'm going to have to skip writing my Friday's Letters for the third week in a row. I have something planned for next week, though, so it's safe to assume they'll be returning. You know, in case you were worried.

lace love | the sunday currently | charleston snapshot: we are definitely tourists | choosing our snapshots

link-up: friday's fancies \ {long distance loving}

choosing our snapshots.

The other day, when I read Betsy's post, I found myself quite relating to the parts she mentioned about only baring our most perfect selves on the internet. It especially struck a chord with me when I realized the sheer 'truthiness' of my workspace photo, that I loaded to Instagram mere hours prior. 

To the immediate right of the pictured space, is a cardboard box/plastic laundry basket which is serving as makeshift storage for some maddening little odds & ends which have not yet found their homes within ours. And to the left, is a post-apocalyptic mess of a living room, complete with clothing, shoes, & couch cushions on the floor, fast food bags & empty water bottles cast carelessly & disgustingly over the coffee table. 

And that pristine, whimsical coffee cup shot? Taken seconds before I knocked the cup over on the center console of my car, leaving me to resort to sopping up the mess with the jacket I was wearing at the moment, since I didn't have any napkins on hand. 

I find it interesting how we bloggers showcase our photo-worthy spaces, despite the probable messes - big & small - that are surrounding us from day to day. Rather than the slight lies-by-omission we seem to be committing, I like to view it as finding & sharing the little snapshots of loveliness we can arrange amidst the chaos that is sometimes life. I find it inspiring, because I've never truly believed anyone in the blogging world really has a picture-perfect life, even if it looks that way. Rather, I took the opportunity to learn from them, finding seemingly perfect ways to pretty-up & present the imperfections in my life.

How do you choose which snapshots of your life to showcase? Have you ever been tempted to Instagram a photo of your messy house? Because I have... maybe one day, I will.

photos: instagram

charleston snapshot: we are definitely tourists.

I've taken a few moments of silence around here for the last couple of days, as I've recharged my creative batteries. Eliza posted about her Creative Cleanse a while ago, & I like to think that's what I've been doing. Sometimes it's just necessary to take a breather & reflect on what you've been doing, writing, & creating. 

I find blogs to be an ever-changing medium, & I'm excited about some of the changes I've been mulling over & have in store for this space. These changes shall be revealed after they've been 'perfected,' which, honestly, could mean next week, if I allow my impatience & excitement to get the better of me...  

As a bit of a departure from the previous Charleston Snapshot posts, I wanted to share some silly shots with you today, just so we're clear on how dorky & touristy Justin & I really are. Don't worry - there are a couple more Charleston Snapshot posts to come, their contents being more of the beautiful scenery & architecture variety.

Want to see more of Charleston?

charleston snapshot: glimpses of spring.

charleston snapshot: washington square.

charleston snapshot: waterfront park.

Stay tuned for more coverage coming next Wednesday. 

This time, we'll be viewing some buildings of note in downtown Charleston.

photos: tourists \ nikon

the sunday currently, volume 25.

Do you ever have those blogging weeks where you feel like you haven't really accomplished your goals? Well, that was me this week. First off, I make it a priority to comment on each of your posts every week when you link up, & obviously, that didn't happen this week. I'd blame it on my travels, but that's not a good excuse. Secondly, after this post, I had full intentions of infusing more of me into this space, but I reverted back to what I'll refer to here as lazy blogging. Basically, I fell back on posting photos & not really, truly writing much of anything. And that makes me sad. So, let's let this volume of The Sunday Currently serve as a ceremonial turning over of a new leaf for the week. Here's to writing!  

reading on a schedule to finish Little Women by the end of March.

writing an enormous career list. I'm keeping it hush-hush for now, but I can't wait to share more in the next couple of months.

listening to & watching episodes upon episodes of Saved By The Bell. Thank you, Netflix, you are truly lovely.

thinking that sometimes indulging in your favorite foods is not the answer to having a bad day. Even if it is fun while it's happening.

smelling the soothing fragrances emitted from our new Scentsy warmers. A sweet family member sent them over to us as a surprise this week, & I'm thrilled. I burn candles like crazy over here, so it's good to now have a bit of a safer option. And I don't have to worry about burning our apartment down.

wishing I could eat Orange Leaf every single day without caloric consequences.

hoping I never decide to cut my own bangs again. Oops. 

wearing my 7th grade signature scent, Elizabeth Arden's Sunflowers, as an ode to the beginning of Spring. I absolutely love this perfume. I'll never forget - one of my guy friends stopped me in the hallway in high school to tell me I smelled good. That's just the kind of compliment you don't quickly forget.

loving TeuxDeux. I haven't downloaded the app yet, but I love using it in my Internet browser so far, as a trial to see how much I'd actually use it. So far, so good. Also loving? My Maybooks planner. And the notebook in which I've been free-writing. Basically, I've been loving planning & documentation. 

wanting a job & a shopping spree.

needing a pet. I miss my animals back home so badly. I have resorted to showing Justin every single cute animal photo that pops up in my Instagram feed. And, you know, that's a lot.

feeling so excited for family to come visit this week. We've had quite a steady stream of visitors since I've been up here, & that makes me happy.

clicking afternoons & coffeespoons' entire blog. Her photography is simple & beautiful.

photo: pinehurst's pink camellias \ instagram

friday's fancies #61: lace love.

I was so excited when {av} announced this week's Friday's Fancies theme - lace. I love how in lace is right now - I've long been a fan, & now I find it's popping up almost everywhere. I've created the following ensemble with a fancy event in mind. Do you ever just feel like putting on a pretty dress & sipping champagne? That's what I'm feeling now.

earrings | clutch | dress | necklace | shoes

This weekend, Justin & I are contemplating a quick shopping trip to Myrtle Beach... 
But who knows, we may end up laying low & relaxing after last weekend's Pinehurst festivities.

link-up: friday's fancies \ {long distance loving}

charleston snapshot: waterfront park.

Right when we arrived in Charleston, we stopped in to The Noisy Oyster for a late lunch. 

Immediately following, we booked it over to Waterfront Park to take in the view.

the contrast of these colors is one of my favorite things about the carolinas

if you look closely, you'll see that they're taking a photo

more of those beautiful carolina colors

i tried & tried, but i just could not get a good shot of the bridge - this was the best one

i love this picture of justin

despite the chilly weather, many people gathered to enjoy the view

palms & pineapples everywhere! justin got the best shot of the fountain.

i had to run to capture a photo of this boat, before it sailed right out of the frame

Want to see more of Charleston?

charleston snapshot: glimpses of spring.

charleston snapshot: washington square.

Next up, I'll be sharing some silly tourist photos of Justin & me in downtown Charleston. Look for it next Wednesday!

photos: waterfront park, charleston, south carolina \ nikon

a little look at pinehurst.

As you may have gathered from my last few posts, & especially if you follow my Instagram, Justin & I spent a long weekend at Pinehurst Resort & Spa, so that he could attend the North Carolina Society of Gastroenterology Annual Conference. In addition to taking in the scenery - golf courses upon golf courses, & as the name implies, plenty of pine trees - we were lucky enough to stay in The Carolina Hotel. Filled to the brim with golfing history, & outfitted with an Afternoon Tea Time each day, The Carolina did not disappoint, & I would recommend staying there if you ever get the chance. 

Now, let's talk food & drink. In our three nights, we enjoyed the following establishments: Dugan's Pub, The Magnolia Pub, The Darling House Pub, Table on the Green, & - my favorite - Valenti's. Sense a bit of a pattern? We definitely got our fair share of the pub scene this weekend. We were so glad Alex & Ashley could come meet us for a night out in The Village on Saturday, too.

Long story short: We found Pinehurst to be a little slice of serenity in the midst of towering pines & crisply manicured golf courses. We hope to one day return, if for nothing else other than the Afternoon Teas.

photo: the carolina \ instagram

more photos coming soon