weekend in seabrook

April 30, 2014 Whitney Saxon

There are certain places (here and here, for example) that make me forget where I am. They feel far away and magical - but not foreign or distant. They feel soothing and exciting all at once. They give me pause; make my shoulders drop.

This weekend I had the privilege of heading to Seabrook, SC, which is exactly this sort of place. It's quiet and exciting all at once.

I went with Chris and his friends from college for a fraternity brother's wedding.

As for the wedding? It was beautiful. One of those weddings that makes you say: oh, I'm going to do that. And makes you think: I've never wanted a beach wedding - but should I? The kind of wedding that is elegant, but not pretentious, and honest and true to the bride and groom's style.

And the weekend? It was more than a wedding. A true vacation, in fact. When I unpacked, I laughed at all of the real clothes I brought. It turned out my pack list would have been complete with: swim suit, cover up, dress for rehearsal, dress for wedding and pajamas. Our days were on the beach and our nights were dressed up and there was no need for anything more.

The company? Was ideal. I felt honored to be Chris' date. It was so much fun to meet his friends and see the way they love and care about one another. They made me feel welcomed immediately. They told me stories about college Chris and grilled me on "how much I really know about him." I felt so fortunate to be part of such an important weekend to all of them.

The postpartum? Very real. I'm still reminiscing from the weekend - dreaming of the beach, laughing at everything that happened and hoping that I find myself on Seabrook Island someday soon.

I hope your weekend (and week so far) have been wonderful!

the last word

April 25, 2014 Whitney Saxon

Inspired by Sometimes Sweet, today I bring you my last word on this lovely Friday:

Last thing you cooked: Paleo ice cream sandwiches. Complete with homemade coconut ice cream. I'll post the recipe soon. They were very tasty!

Last time you felt nervous: Earlier this week when I planned a surprise dinner for Chris' birthday. I was so worried we'd get there earlier or late or he'd notice how intensely I was monitoring my texts.

Last big thing you splurged on: This Vince Camuto striped skirt. Definitely more than I like to spend on a long skirt, but I wear them so much during the spring and fall and have been eyeing this one for months. Worth it! :)

Last gift you received: A Shaky Knees concert ticket from Chris. Hello summer bucket list!

Last song you listened to: Dixie Chicks - Easy Silence. Every now and then I get on these Dixie Chicks kicks where I listen to their old songs and reminisce.

Last place you vacationed to: Actually, today! I'm in Seabrook Island, SC for a wedding. But before this? I went to the beach with my family.

Last time you were moved to tears: Happy tears? It doesn't take much :) Earlier this week when my sister uploaded an Instagram video of my niece blowing her kisses all the way to the bus. My tender-hearted Lily. I love her so.

Last blog you really fell in love with: Explore. Dream. Discover. I've followed Liz's blog for years, but I still can't get enough. Especially now that she has a new baby!

And that is my last word for the week :) Have a great weekend!

my atlanta summer bucket list

April 23, 2014 Whitney Saxon

After last summer being particularly rainy and this winter being so cold and long, I couldn't be more excited for summer weather. I'm hoping for a sweltering, humid season where I constantly yearn for pool time and can boil an egg on the sidewalk (not that I've actually done that. But I want the option.).

Once the heat index hits 90, I'm officially kick-starting my summer bucket list. Here are my 14 to dos for Summer 14...

Shoot the Hooch. Last year we planned to do it twice and both times it got rained out. I ca.nn.ot wait. √ Done!
Stay in this Intown Treehouse. Ah, life en plein air. Chris and I stayed here this past weekend (I know, I totally jumped the gun on the summer portion of the bucket list by already checking it off). You won't be disappointed. √ Done!
Go boating on one of Georgia's many lakes. One day I will have a lake house of my own, but until then, you can find me posted up on someone's dock. See you soon, Lake Lanier.√ Done!
Make s'mores. Anyone have gluten free graham crackers? I'm going to need to purchase ASAP and get my bon[fire] on.
See a movie at the Starlight Drive-in. I've never been to a drive-in and I think it's high time I put my popcorn maker to use and hop to it.
Go to a concert at Aaron's Amphitheater or Chastain Park. Summer ain't summer without an outdoor concert. I'm gunning for country music. √ Done!
Grow my own vegetables. After joining a CSA last fall, I realized there were so many perks to having locally grown, pesticide-free veggies. Why not try my hand at farming? Atlanta Botanical Gardens offers free consulting from their Plant Hotline, too.
Go to a Braves game. I've got to bid the Ted farewell before they leave the city. √ Done!
Go berry picking in McDonough. And make a pie!
Get a hammock for our backyard. And read in it all the time.
Make homemade ice cream. And have sundaes on a Sunday.
Go to Screen on the Green (or Flicks on Fifth or Chastain Summer Movie Series. Whichever one is happening this summer).
Try Morelli's ice cream. And basically eat as much ice cream as possible.
Go to Shaky Knees. Hello Lone Bellow! Update: Not quite possible this year!

(A few other things that deserve honorable mention but I've already done plenty and/or have a conflict:

- Run the Peachtree Road Race on the Fourth of July, of course.

- Spend an afternoon at Sweet Water Brewery

- Go to the Virginia Highland Summerfest

- Spend a morning at the Goat Farm

- Eat King of Pops all the time

and

- Go to as many of the gajillions of amazing festivals and farmers' markets Atlanta has to offer as possible.)

Happy summering Atlantans!

that time we slept in a treehouse!

April 22, 2014 Whitney Saxon

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As much as I love traveling on the weekends, there's something so sweet about staying in Atlanta. Especially in the spring.

This past weekend Chris and I celebrated his birthday. I surprised him by booking a night in a treehouse in Buckhead. I was pretty nervous the day of - it was unusually chilly, rainy and I suddenly began to worry about if he'd actually think it was fun to stay in a treehouse, or if that was just something I thought was fun.

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But, it couldn't have turned out better. The treehouse was amazing - truly majestic and so serene. It was surreal to know I was only 15 minutes from my house but felt a world away. It sits in someone's backyard, but the foliage is so thick this time of year that it felt completely secluded - like we were in our own world. It's covered with a tin roof, which made the rain sound beautiful, and the bed has a heated blanket so being cold was not a concern.

We had so much fun eating (lots of food!), talking, drinking wine (they give you a free bottle!), opening presents and sleeping in the woods. [If you're interested in staying in the treehouse, I'm happy to provide more details. I also have this $25-off referral code. It's really kind of like glamping.]