Happy Weekend! And links for you.

Since we were with family last weekend, John and I are celebrating our January 4th anniversary tonight. Last year we had a great time at American Grocery, so we're going back - can't wait. We are also excited to do yoga, see friends, and relax this weekend after a crazy few weeks of travel.

Links for the weekend:

Sarah Tolzmann's brand new Note to Self print shop got me extra excited about my trips to Charleston in February! Always a good idea.

What ever happened to downtime and sacred space? An important read for all of us, especially if you're obsessed with working like I am.

Just ordered this and can't wait to start it this weekend. Caitlin Moran always says that feminism is too important of an issue to only be discussed by academics. Couldn't have said it better.

Have a good one!

Lm

photo via our bach party in Charleston last year :)

American Grocery

Last week, John took me to the restaurant I'd been dying to try since moving to Greenville. I was fighting off bronchitis, sure, but I refused to miss the celebration of our Second Anniversary at American Grocery.

Although I expected great food, I didn't realize we'd be blown away. We went through all of the best meals we've had - Woodberry Kitchen, FIG, L'Albatros, and Hungry Mother, to name a few- and were surprised to realize that AGR actually beat them all - right here in our new little city!

While they couldn't top FIG's amazing bartenders and Manhattan/Negroni Menus, John did have a martini that was made of Vodka hickory smoked to order. Yeah, it was amazing.



Maybe we just happened to choose the perfect combination on the perfect night. Maybe we'll have to go back for round two to see. And then three.

After seeing John hand me a tiny box over the table, our server came out with a little bag of handmade candies saying "I think I heard it was your birthday." She might have had the wrong occasion, but the gesture sure won my heart. Adorable.

xoxo,
    Lauren

January Fourth

Today is the second anniversary of our first date. The story goes like this: undeniable chemistry as friends for two years until finally John asked me to "hang out." We were both uncharacteristically nervous! I tried to play it cool and postponed my trip home to Baltimore to drive to Atlanta, at which point he gave me my first present: an electric toothbrush. This was one of our many inside jokes, and I was sold before we ordered our first drink. After a couple of hours of conversation in downtown Atlanta, we knew. Two weeks later John flew to Baltimore, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Now, he is my fiance who insists on making me lunch every day, and he doesn't get mad when American Horror Show prevents me from turning the lights off at night. He's my other half; we bring out the best in each other; and we're constantly laughing. Today is our favorite day. 

See you at the end of the aisle. :)

P.S. Here's what we were thinking about last year on our anniversary. 

So Far So Good

Maybe you have a special occasion combined with a low budget. Maybe it's even your one-year anniversary. Maybe you should cook dinner together at home over a bottle of wine, and visit La Cave du Vin afterwards to share a delicious bottle of champagne. Perfect. :-)

La Rose N° 7

Then, unfortunately, it's time to make up for the holiday full of Southern goodies. Back to Cleveland Yoga - and a few days sans meat for detoxification.

On the docket for January - Comfort Foods, the healthy version. Life planning. 

Thinking beyond Cleveland. Dog sitting. Snow shoveling.

It's been a whole year!

Unexpected yet serendipitous, this past year with John has brought
incredible joy for both of us.

We have a lot to look forward to, an exciting year ahead..
...and a lot more West Wing to watch.



Photo by my amazing friend Erin