giving thanks in florida

This year we did something so totally and brilliantly uncharacteristic for our family. We abandoned the dropping Midwest temps and headed to Sanibel Island for a much-needed dose of rest, relaxation, and vitamin D. 

Going against the Thanksgiving grain isn't all that uncommon for Andy or me. Whether celebrating early with friends in Germany (me), cooking a small meal after work in North Dakota (him), or joining the banquet table at a hotel in Abu Dhabi (both of us), we've experienced quite the grab bag. However, it was my mom's first-ever Thanksgiving away from home, if you can believe it! I'm so happy she stepped outside what was routine and expected. It's made for the start of one fantastic new tradition.

it's not perfect . . .

. . . but it's progress.

Slowly slowly, the spare room is turning into a space I actually want to spend time in. Yesssss! What you can't see here is our now-full bookshelf, on which six bankers boxes worth of books now reside. (And I repeat, Yesssss!) Apparently all it takes is a sick day and Freaks and Geeks in its entirety on Netflix to get this girl moving. 

As for the shopping trip that distracted me the first time around, well, I'd say it was also a success. Andy bought me the best scarf from Anthro, just because. (I can't find it anywhere on their website, and mine was the last in store. Which I suppose only makes it feel doubly special.) I've been wearing the dang thing nonstop since we purchased it, like an adult security blanket. 

Mmm mmm, so cozy and warm. This is love, people. I may even be ready for snow. Just look for me camped out in my studio, minky goodness around my neck. Yep - that is most definitely what I consider "winter-ready." x

stay-at-homebody

We were supposed to head to Ohio this weekend for friends & football, but neither of us has been feeling that great, so we bailed and decided to do one of our most favorite things of all time, ever: Stay home. (Come on, it's not like we never get out. We just really relish those no-pressure, go-nowhere times, too. Introverts times a thousand.)

After spending several hours reading, surfing, and sipping coffee, I decided I'd spend the rest of the day tackling this situation:

Yep, that's my "studio." Or, as we like to call it in its current state,"Room where we throw whatever we don't want the cats to get, along with all the crap we STILL haven't unpacked." 

My little art dream space, where, as of right now, absolutely no magic happens. (With the exception of this post.*)

But you know how when you're cleaning the bookshelf? And you sort and dust like a pro for approximately two minutes, and that's when you come across your high school yearbook/a favorite book from childhood/that title your grandma passed down to you years ago? So you start reading and flipping and finding sweet tokens tucked between the pages. Three hours later, you're ready for a nap and a snack, and the bookshelf is still a mess.

Welcome to the digital-age equivalent. 

I took the above photo of my mess, hoping it would soon be the hideous "before" picture of an impressive "after" reveal. And now, two hours later, I've gone through all my recent snapshots on Instagram, taken additional photos of bits & pieces collected over time on an inspiration board, eaten four Chocodates, and finished two cups of coffee. Also, pinned a bunch of stuff and changed my pants. PROGRESS.

Ah, anyway. Andy just came in to tell me he's going to the mall where a new Madewell just opened (I've never been in one of their stores), so it looks like I'm going back into the world after all.

Cheers, then!**

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*HA. Yeah right.

**Make it a double if you've managed to stick with this post to the ridiculous non-commital, un-edited conclusion.