Butterfly Specimen Poster

I am not particularly drawn to butterflies and certainly avoid any clothing or accessories they find themselves fluttering on.

I am, however, attracted to this beautiful print from UO.

The paper appears vintage, as though recently ripped from an old textbook. My mom (who dislikes all butterfly decor) will probably be pained to read that I would love to frame and hang this print in my home. 

What do you think?

*I stand corrected. This bride happens to be wearing a lovely butterfly dress. 

Minimalism: a Follow-up

This weekend was refreshing. 

Friday night, my sister announced her forthcoming peanut (due in March!) and we slept in to a near-embarrassing time Saturday morning. 

Only I'm not embarrassed. It was lovely.

Last month, I shared my desire to move towards a balanced, practical minimalism in my life. We dedicated a little of our weekend towards this goal, which made it all the more refreshing. 

Our progress:

1. We scoured our closets and drawers for clothes that are out of style, no longer fit or never see the light of day. They are now piled in a bag awaiting their delivery to the thrift store. 

2. We spent yesterday evening at the park with friends. Eric and Shaun ran while Bethany and I walked and chatted. It was already dark and a little spooky walking on the trail through the woods. The best part? There were hundreds of twinkling lighting bugs and it was all free!

3. I planned this week's meals around similar ingredients to make sure we utilize what's in our pantry and refrigerator before it goes bad. Because it's just the two of us, this can be a huge source of waste!

4. We (finally) organized our recycling. The three full garbage bags are ready to be dropped off and a pantry in our kitchen is now empty again. 

Are you moving towards a simpler life? 

I'd love to hear about your progress: tips, setbacks and successes!

*Image via Like the Dew. 

Appreciating beauty, instead of taking it for granted, is a wonderful way to embrace a simpler life. 

In Print

We love Tennessee.

I recently wrote an article for Birmingham Magazine detailing a road trip through this beautiful state.  

It's published in the July issue and you may view it here. 

*image via Poppy and Pinecone

DIY Florals

It's summer: a time to enjoy beautiful blooms planted in spring.

Unfortunately, nothing grows in our shady apartment (my poor terrariums died long ago).  I am desperate for a weekend project that brings permanent florals to our decor.  Enjoy!

Floral pots - to camouflage the fact that only dirt and a few leaves grace the top

Floral lampshade - to bring pattern to our otherwise solid-color bedroom

Floral window - to complete the steal-of-a-deal pane I found last week

Have a lovely weekend!  

The Hardest Button to Button

Last night I worked out for the first time in months.  This is sad, people.  I want to give you excuses about the holidays and our crazy, busy schedule but they all sound lame.  Which brings me to my next goal for 2011.

Goal number 3: Get in shape - have fun while working out.

This, my friends, is the hardest button to button.

I want to be healthy but I lack motivation.  Hence the "have fun" addendum of my goal.  I hope that by keeping a smile on my face I can convince myself that working out is an enjoyable hobby and something to look forward to.

While Eric and his friend Owen hit the weights, I went to a spin class and did, in fact, enjoy myself.  My bum is rather sore today from the seat and I feel a proud sliver of accomplishment each time it hurts.

My favorite way to have fun while working out is to hit the great outdoors.  And when spring finally arrives, I plan to do just that.

{Eric and I at Edward's Point in Chattanooga - a long time ago}

Why then, do I wince in sharing this with you?  

Do you have any goals you're afraid to share?  

Nine Lives

Our war on clutter concluded this weekend with the dreaded guest bedroom.  The (thankfully) enormous closet busted at the seams with outdoor gear, old books, unfinished projects, a desktop computer and much more.  We pulled out every box, emptied and refilled, made trash piles and new thrift store piles and purposefully organized the contents back into their (now spacious) home. 

During the process, I came across the Nikon camera I received for Christmas many years ago.  So long ago that 3.2 megapixels was nice.  I remembered that it does not turn on anymore and the SD card is stuck.  I tossed it into the "would anyone want this for parts?" pile and went about my work.

Eric got the SD card out and turned the camera on.  What?!

This camera has nine lives.

During a backpacking trip with our dear friends, Sam and Rebecca, I took one picture and then dropped it in the sand on the bank of the creek.  It was toast.  Eric's dad took it apart and it functioned perfectly.

Then, Eric borrowed it on a trip to North Carolina with his friend, Wes.  Ice tools in hand, they climbed a 250' frozen waterfall on Whiteside Mountain.  Once at the top, Wes dropped the camera.  In slow motion, it fell all the way down and lodged itself in a deep mound of snow.  Eric rescued it, set it in front of the car heater on the drive home and it thawed out nicely. (Below are a few amazing pictures from their trip, including the mountainside the camera was dropped from).

See?  Nine lives.  I'm so excited, though, because it made for such a nice segue into my next goal for 2011.

Goal Number 2: Take more pictures - bring a camera along!

We now have Eric's Canon, my Nikon and my new Polaroid Instant Camera.  No excuses.  This year, we are making memories and taking note of them. 

Please share - what are some of your goals for the new year?

Urban Outfitters Print Shop

Is it Wednesday already?  I am so excited because Eric and I are headed to Nashville tomorrow for a concert and quality time with his family!  I can't promise any additional posts this week, but had to share a new discovery with you: Urban Outfitters Print Shop. Below are a few of my favorites. Enjoy!

What is your favorite print in the UO Shop?

A Morning Hike

Saturday morning at 7:00 AM, I fell out of bed into a tank top and shorts, brushed my teeth and tied my tennies. I met my dad at Home Depot and we drove a few short minutes minutes to Oak Mountain State Park.

{Oak Mountain Bike Trail taken by Mountain Bike 198}

For 2 hours, we traversed a beautiful bike trail and chatted - the whole time. How rare that I can spend such time goofing off and having deep conversation with one of my family members? We wrapped up the morning with Chic-fil-a biscuits and a visit to my mom at Donut Joe's.

Great outdoors, you just keep bringing people closer together!

*Next time I visit Oak Mtn, I want to actually ride my bike. Fun!

*I'm thinking that an Ikea trip could do for me and my mom what a hiking trip did for me and my dad. That place is a retail jungle!

The Great Wide Open

This picture makes me want to go exploring. And hang streamers outdoors.

In December of 2007, I was a college graduate, working full-time and living in an apartment surrounded by trees at the base of Signal Mountain. My sweet boyfriend (now husband) lived a few minutes down the road and was quite the adventurer. Chattanooga was the place. We ran trails, we rode bikes, we hiked, we creeked, he climbed (I watched, tried it out, sometimes even made it to the top). We explored.

Back to December 2007. Eric and his friends were planning a backpacking trip to North Carolina. Word reached me that one guy's girlfriend, a friend of mine, would be going along. I was giddy! Adventure, exploration, showing my boyfriend that I am super cool and tough - sign me up!

I mentioned the idea to Eric. He looked at me with knowing eyes and said, "I don't think you'll like it". I thought I would love it. And the debate continued even as we loaded backpacks into the truck. Hours later, my toes were falling off. That one guy's girlfriend, a friend of mine? Peacefully asleep next to me. Uh oh.

Bright and early the next morning, our journey began at the base of the Nantahala River and traveled 17 miles up and down (mostly up) the North Carolina mountains. 17 miles. That one guy's girlfriend, a friend of mine, had no problem keeping up with the pack. Me? I fell way behind.

Eric stayed back with me. I cried, a lot. He encouraged me and lightened the mood. We ate freeze-dried pasta, beans and cheesecake out of a plastic pouch and it was wonderful. I rested, a lot. The sun made it's way from behind us to in front of us and disappeared. My headlight went dim and Eric traded with me. We sang and laughed and talked about goals. I ached, a lot.

It was an ungodly hour when we reached our destination. The next morning, Eric and I skipped out on the final leg of the trip and hiked 6 miles to the road. We waited all day for our friends to pick us up. It was the second best day I'd had in a while. The best day? 17 miles up and down (mostly up) the North Carolina mountains with my sweet boyfriend (now husband).

Gosh, I want to go exploring soon. How about you?