around here.

 

most nights, after e is asleep, ryan & i head out to the porch. with some beers, we watch the sunset & breathe & talk about life. usually the sun has been down a long while before we head back in to do dishes or fold laundry or catch up on modern family/the mindy project/nashville. one evening, i grabbed my camera to try to get a few shots of my handsome husband -- as you can see, he takes very seriously having his photo taken for t&f!

it's the perfect time of year to pass long hours on the porch -- just warm enough, no bugs, perfect for a candle or two. the other night, i heard an ice cream truck! i think the inner kid in me is thrilled i can chase it down. i grabbed ryan's wallet & literally sprinted, high school track style, three blocks to catch it. ryan was laughing pretty hard when i came back, arms raised in victory, with the goods...

sorry it's been a little quiet around here, there's been a lot going on for our little family. here are a few things i'm loving -- back soon with some more regular posting.

these are incredible lifetyle family photos.

this pullover sweatshirt from gap is my new favorite thing ever. i even wore it on a date night! i have it in navy & am excited to snag a few other colors when they go back on sale!

have any of you gone shampoo free? my hair has been so frustrating since pregnancy/childbirth, i'm willing to try anything.

this home was completely inspiring to me -- it captures so much of what i hope to do with our home. a welcome place for curious children; beautiful, simple design; so many deeply personal touches.

beautiful, beautiful, beautiful wedding.

this heartfelt letter makes me so excited for the days ahead with ellie.

baked potato grilled cheese? sign me up!

have a wonderful day, friends!

lately.

i'm excited to share some of the things i've been loving recently & answering a few reader questions (ellie, on the other hand is busy eating cheerios on our stairs while she wakes up from her nap & anticipates our afternoon adventures outdoors!), ok, here we go!

i love the simple joy of lighting a candle -- these beeswax & this hot cider one caught my eye!

man, i wish i could live in alli's pinterest boards!

i would love to invest in a painting one day & thanks to paige's stunning blog (you really need to check our her new old house!), i found the artist we'll go to whenever that day comes!

given i talk about our homemade lattes a lot on this blog & instagram (tulipsandflightsuits if you want to follow me!), a few of you have asked what we use to make them. we received a version of this espresso maker as a wedding gift and love, love, love it -- i love the process of making an espresso shot -- pressing the grinds, etc. the frother on the machine hasn't worked that well, so i heat the milk on the stove or in the microwave & then use this to get the froth right. 

this post on kitchen essentials & this one on measuring & substitutions gave me a lot to think about with our kitchen and how i cook/bake. it's a new to me blog i'm really loving!

oh blackberry farm, one day, i'm coming to see you.

i've been thinking a lot about storytelling for our family -- this book really made me think about how much i loved the stories my dad told me growing up. i am so inspired by these cards to help parents with ideas for their stories -- let's support this little venture to get these cards made! (p.s. be sure to watch the video -- it's so neat!)

i'm loving this blog on ideas for montessori activities i can do with ellie!

the above photo & lots of the recent ones were taken by this camera -- we use our iphones a lot, but when we really want to be intentional about taking photos, this is the one we're using. i'm really excited to learn more about the camera in the coming months -- i have a LONG way to go, but really enjoy the process of getting behind the camera & seeing what i can capture. plus, i'm constantly inspired by so many bloggers who are just so, so gifted.

what have you been loving recently? any other questions i can answer? have a great day! xo

oh hey there & links!

hey y'all! i know posting has been sparce around here & the good news is, very soon i'll be able to give a more full explanation & posting will get back to a steadier rhythm, but for now, hang with me!

i've got some fun posts planned for this week (ellie's nursery included -- at long last!) & i miss you guys & this little space. here are some links to kick off your week that have warmed my heart & inspired me:

the above fall mantle, makes me want to spend a bit of time bringing ours into this season (my very favorite season!)

exactly how i'm feeling about motherhood right now.

cup of jo will always be my favorite blog, especially for posts like this & this.

i'd be really happy if i could live in this tumblr. love, love, love.

west wing cast reunites for a commerical. please tell me there will be a movie one day?!

parenthood is back on & the first two episodes made me cry. is this normal?!

can't get over this cute dress.

ok, monday, let's dance.

let's wander.

 

it's been a while since i've passed along some links & i'm excited to share some recent favorites with you.

first off, i love above quote & blanket -- both make me feel ready for fall.

loved following along with this journey to florida (& disney!)

makes me want to go to the getty & reminds me how much i love anniversaries (three years is around the corner for us, yay!)

a wonderful list of preparations for a baby boy!

really interesting article on parenting that ryan & i are excited to talk through.

let's be honest, chalkboard paint is fantastic.

we cannot get enough of this pancake mix -- ellie would eat it every morning!

have a wonderful day, friends! xo

here's to a wonderful week!

hey y'all! wanted to send you into the week with some links i've been loving...

image above.

cross stitch iphone covers are so cute!

this article is getting a ton of buzz with good reason -- a must read.

gotta try these roasted carrots!

a fitting tribute to nora ephron & a wonderful piece by tom hanks.

just loving this sweet blog & the way she sees everyday life.

this post made me really excited about a two year old ellie!

in love with this packaging store - so simple & perfect (brides-to-be, check it out!)

such incredible words about what a home can really mean. especially when you begin your family there.

have a great start to the week!

link love!

here are some links to get this week off & rolling!

above, it's so fun to cruise through j. crew's looks we love -- totally inspires me to dig in my closet for new combinations!

an absolutely precious, simple nursery.

an amazing piece about loss from one of my favorite authors.

making my dad this rhubarb snacking cake for father's day!

really wise advice about loving the annoying things about your significant other -- all i can say is amen!

excited to try this milkshake & think sweet potato tacos need to be on our dinner table soon!

gosh, hope you weren't hungry when you started reading this post! have a wonderful day, sweet friends!

link love.

 

there have been some really fabulous finds out there -- excited to share my favorite links of late!

these pretzels look amazing & fun to make! gonna try them soon & report back.

just digging this bottle opener.

adore these engagement photos (taken in my favorite place on earth: charlottesville!)

amazing way one military wife is approaching a year long deployment: 52 very special dinner guests.

best marriage advice i've read in a long time. (great conversation starter too!)

a list of 67 books every geek should read to their kids before the age of 10 ... if you're a how i met your mother fan, you'll understand when i say, "challenge accepted!!" :)

any links you're loving right now?

finding loveliness.

been looking for prints for our little one's room & this is one of my favorites! it's been way too long since i shared some links with you & as i was looking at my google reader, i realized i had a lot of wonderful places to send you:

delicious: coffee cake muffins, butternut squash risotto , cake batter rice krispie treats & an absolutely incredible dinner party!

babies: love this baby shower so much. hilarious way to tell friends you're going to be a dad! incredible photography & just made me really excited about how much fun kids are! amazing guides for what you need for a new baby here & here.

plus, cozy hats & colorado!

have a wonderful day! p.s. can't thank you enough for all your kind words on my post on marriage yesterday -- it was a leap of faith -- and your encouragement meant so, so much.

alright monday, let's dance.

so, let's remind each other of this hourly, ok? cause wowser, as i fully hit the third trimester, final two months of work, final travel before i stay put until baby girl is here, it's getting harder. my to do list is never ending. my energy comes & goes. & i'm pretty good at never slowing down, which isn't helping much. so, this is my new motto.

i am so grateful for this past weekend. it began with a thai food/modern family date with my amazing husband (with an 8 p.m. bedtime, last week did us in), continued with a quiet morning of cinnamon rolls & listening to the rain fall & some productive to dos around the house (turns out we have a baby coming in a matter of weeks, and well, we aren't ready yet...). we went to a really fun navy event, church this morning & brought dinner to some sweet new parents (which made us even more excited for december!). now i'm off on my last work trip & so grateful for your patience as blogging comes & goes.

i wanted to stop by, say hello & send you some lovely, lovely links:

austin & amanda kay's stunning wedding photos!!

always am struck by how simple & pretty silhouettes are.

loving short engagements & a totally inspired wedding!

am i really supposed to have self control when baby girl things are so gosh darn cute?!

red wine chocolate cake. (do i really need to intro that?!)

would love to get away here!

back soon! xo

lately.

 

life has been cr-azy. i'm in my final weeks of traveling for work (and fun) & it seems like every weekend is jam packed with joyful things. here are some things i'm loving in the midst of it all:

being able to be in the kitchen long enough to cook. already made the first batch of our favorite recipe ever: this pumpkin bread. seriously, it's fall, go make some!

having way too much going on, being completely exhausted & yet being so grateful for late night conversations with ryan that remind me why i'm so blessed to do life with him.

holy moly this house is incredible!

all the people who love our little girl so well & she's not even here yet. they even love her when i tell them she's kicking, then as soon as they put their hand on my belly, she goes radio silent. i think she thinks it's funny.

my dear friend's thoughts on marriage.

reinstating date night. we've gotten to a place where we go out to dinner or a movie as a last resort -- there is no food in the house or no one wants to cook or we're utterly exhausted. it's not good. so we've blocked two nights a month, we each plan one & it's a surprise for the other one of us. can't wait!

being completely inspired by these rules of dinner.

have a WONDERFUL week!