Home Decor

One of my favorite parts of people's homes has always been the photographs in them. I love the photos that tell the story of their most precious memories. Seriously I love walking around houses and looking at the photos. 

So when I got an email from Artifact Uprising with a promo code to get more photos with their unique wood block photo set I looked more into it. 

You get 12 photos with the set which you can upload through your desktop, phone or social accounts. This was a major plus since most of my photos sadly don't make it off my phone. 

I am totally in love with my purchase and have brought it in to my cube at work, but am looking at more of their products for our home.

I think a gallery wall project is in my future. 

Target Spring Obsessions

TOPS

 

SHOES

BEDDING

Spring Wedding Guest Dresses

Wedding season is in full swing.
 Spring Weddings are always full of bright colors and fresh blooms. One of my cardinal rules for all weddings, but especially spring ones, is not to wear anything where the majority of the piece is white. I just can't get past it. When I see guests do this, I wonder why they don't have the same anxiety I do about it? 

Anyways, I always keep this rule in mind when shopping for a new dress as a guest. 

We have a wedding in a couple of weekends and here are the dresses I am looking at buying! 

Le Bistro

I mentioned I love brunch right? 

I went to Le Bistro in downtown Roswell this past Sunday. My friend Melissa and I arrived a little early, because I forgot to check what time the restaurant actually opened (opps!)

Luckily the coffee shop below was open so we grabbed a cup and waited for a few minutes for the Bistro to open. As soon as they opened the doors we headed inside and had our pick of tables since we were first in line! 

We chose a cozy table by a window that overlooked historic Roswell. Le Bistro gives you all the small town feels even though it is located in a major Atlanta suburb. The decor is done well from the coffee shop to the restaurant giving you that French shabby chic feeling. 

Everything on the menu looked so good from the crepes to the sandwiches! 

I went for the goat cheese and salmon quiche with a side salad. Goat cheese has been my obsession lately and it was everything I wanted and more! 

Served in a cast iron skillet, it was the perfect amount of quiche, flaky and savory with the taste of goat cheese, and the salad to compliment it!

If you are looking for a place to celebrate a bridal/baby shower, girls brunch or mom's birthday this place is perfect!

Westside Workout Crawl

So the adventures in my fitness journey continue. 
After taking Saidah Jones/Love You Healthy's Hardcore Abs class, she promoted the Westside Workout Crawl. I did not think I would sign up for this...a major portion of this crawl is spin and spin has never been my favorite thing. Probably because I am not the best at it.
BUT my friends Liz and Lindsey love spin. Seriously they are the spin queens. AND I loved that this workout crawl incorporated the abs class we took previously and the bonus of running to the studios.

 So we signed up along with our friend Jane. The more people who workout with me the more I feel committed to the workout. I think that is why I love group classes so much.
It was a little chilly at the beginning of the class which was right outside the Lululemon Howell Mill Store, but Saidah had us warming up right away. Again my abs felt the burn as soon as we started. I want to believe my sit ups were looking a little better this time around.
Next up we ran to Torq Cycle which was a quick half a mile up the road. It was definitely a casual and fun run with the class.

Picking up our cycling shoes once we got inside reminded me of the struggle I had locking in to the bike last time I went to a cycle class. I made sure I asked for help and was able to get in pretty seamlessly. The class was so much fun! A little hard to keep with with the lingo for a beginner like me, but I picked up on it eventually. 
Competitive by nature the rank board had me working harder. I did not want to be last in this class. The music keeps you distracted and the energy in the room was so much fun I forgot that I had signed up for a two hour workout crawl. 
My legs were feeling like jelly once we hopped off the bike, but the only way back to the LuluLemon store was the group run. 
Motivated by the food and wine that awaited, we completed this quick run and stop for a group stretch and some more group pictures. 
As much as I thought I wasn't going to make it through this class I was happy that I signed up. It is always so rewarding when I complete my workouts, especially when I don't always feel like going. 

Spring Espadrilles

I am a sucker for spring sandals, especially comfy spring sandals.

I picked up these espadrilles at Nordstrom Rack and can't stop wearing them. They go with everything: jeans, shorts, dresses, skirts. I have already thought of several places where I will wear these beauties including a few showers, birthday dinners and weddings!
Fits true to size or go half a size down!

$32.99

$54.97

$159.95

The White Denim Jacket's Comeback

White Denim Jackets.

 An eighties trend that has made it's comeback this spring. 

Perfect for those who like me can't pull off the denim on denim look unless there is a lot of contrast. I bought this jacket to stay warm at a baseball game, but now have it on constant repeat. 

The jacket I have on below is sold out, but I have linked a few similar options!

Option 1: Similar Jacket | Option 2: Similar Jacket | Dress | Similar Necklace

       

AvalOM: April

The Avalon, the shopping center just north of Atlanta, is the perfect place to get that city feel of shops and restaurants without having to go into the actual city. 

They also have great programs throughout the year! My favorite though is the AvalOM series. It begins in April and continues through October thanks to the typical Georgia warm weather. 

The boutique workout studios and retails shops host healthy one hour classes open to everyone! They promote health and wellness in the community and give you a sample of what their class is like. 

The weather was a little chilly for today's kickoff event, but it was a great turnout! Of course you need your workout essentials like yoga pants, water bottle, and a mat. You can always rent one of their mats if you get there in time, but I like to bring my own! If you are in the market for a mat Amazon has a great selection and I recommend getting one with a strap so it makes it easier to carry around.

Avalon AvalOM schedule


Similar Jacket | Similar Pants | Similar top

Easter: He is Risen

I love the Lent Season. 

To me it is the perfect time to focus on something bigger than ourselves.  Hitting the refresh button and enjoying faith, family and friends.

This year for Lent I decided to give up shopping. I have a closet full of clothes, but always seem to want something new. So I took this time to be grateful forwhat I have. 

Jared and I are so blessed with all that we have: our love, our health, our family, etc. These 40 days and nights of reflection helped me also rediscover outfits, read more, and spend more time with friends. I didn't buy a new outfit for each event during these 40 days which in the past has been the norm for me. 

Jared asked me what I was going to buy now that Lent has come and gone. I've thought about it and first before I buy something new I am going to go through my closet again and give my gently used items to someone who could benefit from receiving them. 

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

Matthew 28:6

Opening Weekend: Play Ball

Baseball is back!

 Here in Atlanta going to a Braves game is more than just a baseball game it is a social event. Opening weekend was packed! People poured in from all over with the excitement and hope that a new season brings! We ran into people we knew left and right throughout the night who were here to kickoff the new season.

 This is the Braves second season at Suntrust Park and stadium is still as fresh and exciting as last year! When building the Battery they really thought of everyone. This is a place where you can hangout before and after the game. New stores and places to eat are always popping up! 

The weather has been warming up down here so I thought I could get away with just jeans and a tee. Wrong! The temperature dropped a lot when the sun went down. I should have known better, but I was just excited to be there! Luckily with so many shops I was able to snag a jacket  from DressUP and a few others where doing the same!

Can't wait to spend some more time at the Battery and explore the ever growing area! 

Jacket | Shirt | Similar Jeans

OTF Transformation Challenge: WEEK EIGHT

The Final Week

This challenge has been the motivation I needed to get back on track with my fitness. Winter had me inside and no long runs. So when the transformation challenge was announced at Orangetheory, I knew that upping my membership and participating would put me on the right track. 

My fitness journey was kick started again and I couldn't be happier. I am getting stronger and I can see my body and muscles toning. 

In addition to the five pounds I have lost, my jeans are looser and my stomach is flatter. 

While I don't have to sign in every day anymore, I continue to go five times a  week. Sometimes it is hard to go, but I never regret going. The staff and coaches have become even more like family as they shared in this journey with me. My last week was spent in another week in Vegas, but I still made it to my three required classes.  It is so hard to go to class after a red eye, but doing this has given me more energy. I feel better when I workout and I am so glad that I have started these healthy habits. 

There are days I still struggle, but I am looking forward to continuing this journey to be my healthiest self!

*I have requested my before and after photos so hopefully I will be updating this post soon!