OKA-b., aka my favorite new shoes

I've mentioned before that I have a bit of an issue with footwear. When I find a pair of shoes I love, I wear them until I get holes in them (literally). And when I was recently introduced to Atlanta-based Oka-B., I knew these puppies would quickly become a staple.

These shoes are my jam.

They were designed to be comfortable and they most certainly fulfill this intent. They're so comfy!

But they're so much more than that (these aren't Crocs, people). They're also hand-made in America, from 25 percent recycled material, anti-microbial, washable and ergonomic. And cheap! The basic flats are only $42. So to recap: they're good for America, good for the earth, good for your feet and good for your wallet.

What more could you want?

Maybeeee, you want them to look good? Don't worry, they will. They go with everything and are perfect for transitioning from summer to fall. I'm loving the Taylors for everyday wear and the new fall line to mix it up, which launched this week.

Oka-B. kindly gifted me the Cecilia's and I've fallen in love. I honestly don't know if I'll take them off at all this season.

I suggest you run, don't walk over to Oka-B. to get some. And then walk, don't run, because I don't think these shoes want to be run in.

I have to admit, I was so grateful for Oka-B. to send me these shoes, but I was a little nervous about posting pictures of just...myself. As Melissa said, thus far my blog has been a selfie-free zone. 

Fortunately, my friend Reuben (whose pictures you saw here, too) offered to take them and made me feel so much less awkward about it. He called me out, gently of course, when I made weird faces and didn't make me feel strange about doing close ups of my feet. 

So, thank you, Reuben, so much, for taking the pictures!

I am so happy to have the chance to promote Atlanta shoes and an Atlanta photographer, all in one post. It's a good day for the A, y'all!

all photos taken by Reuben

Ten Things for 20-Somethings

Time has been funny this month. I can hardly believe it's almost Labor Day and yet it feels like months ago that I posted my three new things for August. It's both flying before my eyes and standing still at the same time. 

As I approach the last few weeks of my 26th year, I can't help but reflect on how much has changed. And, as with every year in my post-college twenties so far, I find myself a little more relaxed in this crazy decade - a little more sure of who I am and what I believe. 

While I still don't know a lot, today, this is what I'd tell someone beginning this crazy season of life:

1. Take care of your body. It's so important and you really, really only get one. Build it to last. What you put into it is what it will produce. With food, with conversation, with relationships, with what you read. Give your body good things if you want it to give you good things in return. And listen to what it is telling you. That pain? The fact you can't sleep? The irritable bowels? They mean something. 

2. Don't look around and compare. We have a tendency in our twenties to do this more than ever and it's so exhausting. What I've learned is that someone is always going to have more than me and it is so easy to be in a cycle of want. But you know what else? I will always have what someone else wants. I don't believe that life is inherently unfair, but I do believe it is uneven. Because we are not all the same and we have different needs. Trust that your needs will be fulfilled at the right time.

3. Let go of the wrong relationships. It pains me to see people I love date guys that aren't right for them. It terrifies me to see them inch toward marriage. Don't hold on to those relationships because you're afraid of starting over. Starting over is OK. In fact, as hard as it is, I am so grateful for all of the times I've done it. I've learned so much each time and I wouldn't trade the knowledge, freedom or peace I gained from the ends of those relationships for anything. There have been a few times when I've thought I was dating my husband and it hurt to find out he wasn't it, but I'm so grateful for the way that pain has helped me grow.

4. Hold on to the right relationships. The friendships. Your family. The right guy. Pursue the good relationships and make them a priority. They mean something; they will carry you. 

5. Budget. I wish I'd learned it sooner. I wish I did it better. Money isn't everything (at all!), but it's good to be smart. 

6. Believe in things. Care about things. Research causes. Pursue them. Make a difference. Passion is so attractive and learning about new things or growing our understanding of current interests makes us smarter and more interesting.

7. But don't be mad when other people don't care about the same things. I really, really care about Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. I love giving my time to it. But it's OK that some of my friends don't. In fact, it would be a little crowded if we all cared about the same things. It's good to spread the love.

8. Sort through your issues. I firmly believe that after the age of 25, things start to stick a little bit. Negative comments, bad breakups, family issues - they're really real. We've lived long enough to know the depth of pain we can feel, and it's OK. Don't be afraid to admit it when you need help sorting through your gunk. Reach out to friends; read books; talk to a therapist. Do whatever you need to do make yourself feel better. 

9. Relax. Everything is going to be OK. Really. You will get a job. You will meet your husband. You will make valuable post-college friendships. You will begin to understand this crazy season of life. You will. I promise. Rest in the knowledge that God's timing is everything. He has a plan for you. He didn't create you to simply forget about you - there is a plan in place. A really, really beautiful plan.

10. Remember that we're all in this together.  Do good. Give to the world. Be a good listener. Help whenever you can. We're all one body and, as far as I've learned, the best way to feel good is to do good.

I know that I have a lot, lot, lot more to learn. But for now, that's what I know. And that, my friends, is Wednesday.

xo.

Chi Does ATL, VaHi Style

Some weekends are so all-consuming and happifying that you can't even begin to get a worthy-enough blog post together about them until Tuesday. Last weekend = this kind of weekend.

Katie, Sara and Maggie came in from Chicago and we had a full-on-nonstop-Atlanta weekend. We embraced the Highlands from head to toe - walking to Belly and San Fran coffee, eating at El Taco, getting drinks at Hand in Hand, shopping at Bridge and making all sorts of stops along the way. 

We rolled deep at Park Tavern for When It Rains, We Pour, because if we couldn't beat this crazy rain with our Shoot the Hooch plans, why not just join it? 

As I sat on the patio overlooking Piedmont Park, the amazing skyline and our long table of friends from so many different areas of life laughing together, my heart was full. Sometimes I don't understand why I have to live so far from so many people I love, but on Saturday afternoon, everything felt right. 

I woke up Monday morning with sore abs from laughing all weekend. I was sad to see my friends go, but felt so much peace knowing that even through all of these years apart, some friendships just continue to grow together - grow better. 

And that's pretty wonderful.

Thank you, Sara, Kate and Mag for coming to Atlanta! 

Summer's Best Kept Secret: 1Kept

I've mentioned before that I'm a real sucker for ambiance when it comes to dining. Vibe is everything. But when the food is as good as the vibe? Then we're really grooving. 

This is exactly the case at 1Kept, which opened in Buckhead this spring. My friend Casey told me about it a while ago and, blown away by her review, I decided to host a bridal shower there, sight unseen. 

The day of the event, I started to get a little nervous. Who hosts a shower without at least looking into the venue first?

I do, apparently.

Fortunately, 1Kept deserved my trusting heart. 

The food was incredible. Katie and I split the Florentine flatbread and the Buckwheat waffles. Don't even make me try and choose between the two. Because it's not a possibility. They were both amazing. 

The ambiance: my jam. You enter through a back alley and it's dimly lit (even for brunch), with tree stump tables, tufted seating and vintage typewriters hanging throughout. The only way I can adequately describe it is that it's just plain cool.

But, hands down, the best part was the service. The staff was so accommodating before and during the event. They allowed us to bring in cupcakes and champagne, and then, when we ran out (much quicker than anticipated, by the way...), they offered complimentary Prosecco. 

What more could you want?

Here's to hoping Atlanta gives 1Kept a warm welcome. Are you with me!? Let's go!

images via Thrillist