Instaweekend

There was a definite shift in weather this weekend and, as usual at this time of year, I became incredibly anxious to get busy enjoying it. I simultaneously got re-obsessed with Instagram, and attempted to document some of my favorite bits of activity. For more where that came from, visit my sandcastleblog Instagram page and sign up to follow me.

Farmers' Market finds and new Tretorns // A particularly wavy day on Lake Michigan // A retro parking lot sign at Jayson Home & Garden // "Playing Monger" at Marion Street Cheese Market during an outing in Oak Park // An early sign of Fall decorating to come // A gross impulse buy in anticipation of Halloween // A few gems from my garden plot // Homemade strawberry and peach preserves // Sunset over Lake Michigan // Jarritos by the beach // The magazine I've been waiting months to receive // A ridiculously good chai latte from Unicorn Cafe // The perfect treat on a rainy Sunday afternoon // Goodies from Birchbox // An early morning wait for the release of Phillip Lim's line at Target

Midwestern Moments

Apples, freshly mown lawns, and red barns

As autumn approaches, I can’t help but stop and appreciate a few of the quintessential Midwestern moments that I’ve been able to enjoy this past summer….

Bloody marys, lakeside sunsets, and simple strings of lights

Extra tall wildflowers and clear blue skies

Night hikes, pine tree silhouettes, and the light of a full moon

Curious livestock and split rail fences

Shabby chic plates and Friday night fish and chips

Making Magic

Another thing that always happens to me at the end of summer: I instinctively feel like I should be going back to school. For this reason, to me, September has always seemed to signal new beginnings—sharpened pencils and clean notebooks, transitioning wardrobe and weather, evolving classroom subjects, different people and fresh ideas. From an early age, we naturally start to brace for change in the fall, and though it’s been nearly 8 years since I have been a student, old habits die hard.

The trouble with being goal-oriented is, eventually you reach a point where the goals aren’t as formulaic as they once were. After high school, it’s college, after college it’s a job, after a job it’s usually marriage, quickly followed up with a new house, and a few kids. All nice achievements, of course, and all milestones that I will undoubtedly pursue for myself in the coming years. But, where does personal growth fit into the mix? What do you do when you’re at a crossroads in your professional and/or personal life, when you can’t see how all of these disjointed pieces fit together in a way that could ever allow for the kind of healthy balance that you seek?

Very heady and possibly overwhelming thoughts for a Friday, I know, but I’m choosing to use them as a gentle reminder that nothing is static. Change is inevitable and, actually, it’s usually within our control.  In other words, when life becomes mundane, unsatisfying, or just plain confusing, we all have the opportunity to get outside of our respective comfort zones and see what we can make happen.

I may not be going back to school this year, and I may be marveling at how quickly time passes when I’m not making life-shaking plans, but I’m not going to let that stop me from hanging this simple drawing up in my office as an encouragement to boldly take risks and see what becomes of them.

Seize the weekend!

via

Curio in Columbus

Simple, rustic place settings ideal for socializing

Though my sister’s graduation party at Curio was quite awhile ago, memories of the flavorful food, extensive drink menu, great service, and eclectic party room still linger. Curio is the sister creation of Harvest Pizzeria, and it’s perfectly tucked away inside Columbus’ quaint German Village. We booked the speakeasy’s private room upstairs, and were treated to an extra long table, family-style servings, ethereal music selection, and a handcrafted “Silver Dollar Pony” signature cocktail that was a fitting toast to my sister’s newly awarded equine medicine degree. Make this a must-see during your next culinary adventure in Ohio’s capital.

A colorful olive assortment starter

Our well-equipped drink station

One of the many cheeky vintage touches throughout the room

Harvest Pizzeria sausage and fennel with a local microbrew pairing

A cute way to serve up some straws

A definite highlight of the meal: butterscotch budino

Graphic wrapping paper suitable for a veterinary medicine grad

The end of the Silver Dollar Ponies...

...with plenty more where they came from

So Long Summer

Our favorite beach on the last day of the season

I’m happy to brag that the term lazy doesn’t even begin to describe our Labor Day weekend. We’ve been traveling, reorganizing and working so much recently, that I didn’t feel a bit guilty about doing next to nothing. Sure, we made the requisite stops at the Farmers’ Market, the beach and the library, but other than that, we basically basked in peace and quiet. We met our goal of cooking a lot and not going out to eat once, we watched a decent amount of HGTV and college football, and I developed a not so subtle addiction to Pinterest that embarrassingly resulted in a stiff neck and a sore-from-flicking-through-images arm.  (Psst...Visit my finds here)

This time of year always makes me slightly sad, but with the sadness also comes excitement for impending New York Fashion Week coverage, falling leaves, hearty crock pot meals, nubby sweaters, boots, new TV series, and the rollout of Halloween decorations. Until I can satisfy myself with those signs of early autumn though, I’ll cling to these few reminders of the last official week of summer 2013.

Calm, crystal clear lake water

Late summer vase filler

Early fall colors and textures

Decadent, cloud-shaped challah french toast inspired by Ina Garten and enjoyed on a cool Sunday morning