One Thing I Know

SC is seriously gorgeous.

Smelling Salt

SC is known for its beaches. And this week, I'll be working with sand in my shoes. See ya in Hilton Head. 

(I love my job.)

Hilton Head, SC

In other news...

Herbie is 3!

I love John. 

Our house closing got delayed. 

Over the weekend, I got prescribed bifocals! I always refuse to wear my glasses and squint instead, but I think I'm slowly losing that option. The doctor didn't understand why I found this so amusing. The good news is that I finally got to visit See, something I've been wanting to do for a while. They have great, clean European design that doesn't break the bank.

I think this salt air is going to cure my little cold, too. Win.

xo,

Lauren

Being a Grown Up

Friends,

Grown-up questions have been plaguing my mind. It's exciting but also...strange.

1) New Condo Shopping - How do I know which mattress is actually the best quality? They all sound good, feel good, and look good to me. Come on.

2) How do I switch gears from grad student looking for cute furniture on the cheap to adult slowly collecting lasting pieces?

3) Do I have to shower before work?

4) Dare we tackle painting and flooring projects while trying to plan a wedding?

Send any and all advice my way. :)

 Today was the first really cold day and I promptly put Herbie in a jacket, which, by the way, he loves.

Recap

John and I are going to own a condo in 9 days! That's so crazy. Things have changed so much for us: our career goals, our personal goals, what makes us happy. I know I speak for both of us when I say we feel so, so blessed. The Unexpected, in this case, ended up being wonderful.

From illness to moving around the country, conducting and opera singing to working in fashion, to an abusive job, to settling in one place that we both love. I can't believe everything that's happened in the past three years - or how well it ended. I can hardly sit still when I think about the exciting things to come - condo, wedding, honeymoon - or the things that are happening right now - excellent job, general happiness. Big thanks to our little support network that's kept us going along the way!

via Girl Near the Bay

He's Growing Up

Those of you who know Herbie will know what a big deal this is. His checkered past means dogs terrify him.To be in the same room with another one, much less TWO of them, feels miraculous. He is very proud of himself for being so gracious to our weekend visitors, Lucy and Lucy. 

Also, here's a lovely new color blog, The Color Issue, that I look forward to using for inspiration in our NEW HOUSE (omg). We will officially be home owners in 12 days! Wild.

And these boots are perfect and gorgeous.

xo,

Lauren

Fall for Greenville

Fall for Greenville is so much fun! Best friend Grace joined us Friday night for food, music, and dancing in the streets. After sampling the menus of Soby's, Smoke on the Water, Larkin's on the River, and The Bavarian Pretzel Factory - just to name a few, we went to a free J Roddy Walston and the Business show, which was f-u-n. They're super talented, gritty, and can make anyone remember why they love Rock and Roll. They also have this great shared energy with their audience that makes you want to fight your way right to the front and stay there.

John and I had such a great time that we went back Saturday night just to get our fill, and I can't even count the number of times we said "We love living in Greenville" to each other. I can't wait for next year!

This October Week

I made a wedding website. We have a lot of friends who are super organized and good at planning travel way ahead of time, hence laurenjohnwedding.blogspot.com. 

OLAS Photography

I came home from work late, and John had this wonderful roasted Chickpea salad waiting. With brown rice on the side. And red wine. A perfect Lauren meal marry me right now why don't you.

I fell in love with a company tonight called 31 Bits. They are changing women's lives. Read about the amazing programs they have developed in Uganda here, and put some sweet faces with the project here. I'm so taken with their product, their innovative approach, and the way they are equipping these women. Love!

Two things.

 I think this print would be adorable in a child's room. 

Even better, buying it would support two artists trying to make it in the face of the impossible: cancer + no job + no insurance. A lot of us have probably experienced heath insurance-induced panic - or unemployment panic - in the past couple of years, and this is an, albeit roundabout, way to fight back. 

I don't know these people beyond reading Kate's blog, but their story pulled my heart strings. Read more about Kate's fundraiser if you'd like. Wishing them all the best in the world,

Lauren

Buy here.

I fell in love with this song yesterday.

Then I played it for John, and he loved it, too.

Weekend Recap

True love.

In the words of Usher

These are my confessions.

I had the whole entire weekend off. John was working. I spent hours cuddling with Herbie (he's really good at that). I also spent an unhealthy amount of time perusing wedding blogs. I'll admit it. Once Wed, Ruffled, 100 Layer Cake, and Green Wedding Shoes are among the sites I conquered. And you don't want to know how much time it requires to conquer a wedding blog.

Green Wedding Shoes

On the up side, I am brimming with ideas for our wedding. Now it's just a matter of narrowing them down and translating them to a real representation of Us.

The other part of the game is making it Us while maintaining affordability, if that word can be applied to weddings at all. (Cue scissors, glue, spray paint)

ALSO, this having the whole weekend off is something almost entirely unprecedented in my professional life, and I love it.

xo,

LM

Thanks, Mags

I just fell a little bit more in love with Gaga.

This makes me so happy. If you watch this and don't want to sing and dance, you're crazy. 

Knock on Wood

I had so much fun designing our Save the Dates. I used a Custom Silhouette from Etsy and had them printed on Wooden Postcards. I wanted our friends to get a fun, unexpected surprise in the mail and for it represent our personality as a couple. Success!

Plus, I'm extra happy that Meg and Lauren validated me on their blog.

I love this place.

Okay, maybe it's because I've been moving all over the country, but I just tried Zoes Kitchen for the first time today. It's amazing. You should go.

I was drawn in by the smart font surrounded by my very favorite colors, and I wasn't disappointed. It's healthy fast food that's actually healthy. Think delicious, vinegary slaw with no mayonnaise.

It's right around the corner from Governor's School - dangerous for my wallet, but not my lifespan.


                                                                     xo,

                                                                           Lauren

P.S. They sell beer and wine!

October!

October is for...

...cold weather. But I think of what I was wearing this time last year in Cleveland compared to what I'm wearing now, and I do a little happy dance.

...a film I really, really want to see. Elmo=Love. So sweet.

...good news. And this time, a little chicken dance.

...hilarious radio ads for getting chased by Chainsaws in the woods.

...remembering the potential of a good pair of tights.

...Pumpkin Beer, Pumpkin Cake, and Pumpkin Cornbread. Why not?

xoxo,

Lauren