Weekends Are Awesome

It is amazing what we can find to fill our days when we don't have to be in an office. Although, I bet if we had free time all the time we may not enjoy it as much. Thats probably horseshit, but I'll keep telling it to myself.  My past weekend was a beauty. Beginning with cooking in and a heated game of Trivial Pursuit (obvi pop culture!) to a wonderful Ann Arbor tailgate (and MSU victory!!!!!) and ending with a gorgous walk around Cranbrook and a couple birthday parties (plus a Columbus Day parrrtay!), I'd say this weekend was a winner. Now, I need a breather. 

The fall colors are right on the cusp of autumn perfection. Check it out.

 

Welcome Back, Me.

Okay. So, it's been a while. I know. Sometimes I find myself wondering where the hours in a day go, days in the month and months in a year. Life flies and as soon as I know it, time has passed and I cannot even remember what I did 2 days ago. Oh, the tribulations of being a busy and  slightly overwhelmed 26 year old.  But, seriously, I know you guys have all felt it.  You get in the ZONE. Going about your day, through the motions... and.... volià... you've done half your Target run and you cannot remember what's in your basket.  Early age?  I think not. This is what I call the epitome of being a scatter brained. This is me.

Now I am starting to take "busy" less seriously. Everyone is busy. Everyone needs more sleep. Get over yourself.  Alrighty! Done. So, hello blog world (and hello, Nani, BAM & Avery!).  Sometimes I wonder what thoughts can be so valuable to put down in writing. When you forget alot, everything become valuable. Our thoughts and our ideas, while sometimes fleating, are so important in making us who we are. I have become one of those people who  have a notepad next to their beds. 

2 am. Dream. Good idea. Write it down or else you will never remember what on earth you were thinking. 8am. What in God's name was I thinking?

I guess my bottom line is, it's all important. It's essential to acknowledge our thoughts. Writing is the language of our brains and the cliff notes of our being.

And so it goes.... 

 

Because...

.... this is so cute it is just hard to resist. 

 Charlotte, my niece (so official!), turned one over the weekend. She is just the cutest darn thing I have ever seen, green icing and all!

Well....

It has been a couple weeks since I have made my last post. I guess sometimes these late August months can mean that the summer laziness sets in as we all try to enjoy our last couple weeks of true summer weather. That, or I have just gotten inexcusably lazy. Hmm. It could be a solid combination of both scenarios.  I am going to live up these last few weeks of summer with bells on. 90 degree heat and all. I mean come on.... we can't ALWAYS be complaining about the weather. So, I will be sweating through the next few weeks with a smile on my face.

Last weekend Scott and I went to a wonderful wedding up at the Homestead in Glen Arbor.  On Saturday, while Scott was hitting the links, I had a chance to check out my friend, Emily, family's farm. Emily's cousin and his family started the business, Food For Thought. It was cool to see behind the scenes of what it takes to produce some absolutely delicious jams, preserves, mustards and honey. All organic. I have been savoring my jar of strawberry basil jam and cannot wait to open the variety of products I brought home (blueberry/lavender, apricot/chardonnay, cherry mustard… oh my!). Food For Thought is stocked on gourmet grocery shelves throughout Michigan and beyond. Lately, I have been trying to make a conscious effort to buy local and organic and this is a wonderful Michigan company to support both these needs!

A few other photos from the weekend...

Unplugged.

It's simple. Not the Unplugged wave that MTV made famous in the mid eighties, with the eclectic performances ranging from Tony Bennent to Nirvana, but the actual, simple act of removing the technology that dictates our lives and getting back to knowing ourselves and observing the world around us. Being of a generation where when we have a lull in being bombarded by texting, bbming, facebooking, youtubing, foursquaring, we may be as bold to state that we are bored.  Don't get me wrong, I am the first person that needs to listen to this advice. I think I am getting carpal tunnel from texting and my posture is suffering from sitting over a key board all day, but I do feel that we could all go out an explore a little more what is beyond our virtual world.  This all probably sounds very hypocritical as type away at this blog entry, listen to a Pandora station and occasionally switch over to the thesaurus.com tab. Well, I guess we all have good intentions.

While in Bermuda Scott and I put a halt to the tech barrage that gets so ingrained into our routines everyday. No email. No phone. No Ipod.  I do admit, the Ipod-less vacation began as an unfortunate mistake.  Mine is lost. No real surprise here for those who know me... it is probably in the big, black hole that consumes many other objects in my life.  Scott's is the casualty to a water prank gone wrong. Karma.  This was the most refreshing thing we could have done to really recharge. For starters, I think it was the first time in ages I had sat at the beach and not drowned out the sea gulls and waves with some blaring tunes (if it had been Palm Beach circa 1998 you better believe those tunes would have been from the Mariah Carey #1's CD). Hearing the crashing waves was just the beginning. Being able to read books, play board games and have conversation not sparked by the daily new controversy was all amazingly rejuvenating.

Ok, onto the design portion. We all have these special places that allow us to unplug.  But, if we are able to take this opportunity it is all up to us and what our life style permits. It was when I was babysitting this weekend that I came across an Elle Decor issue I had not seen. Now, if we want to discuss a place to get away from the hustle and bustle of life, this is it.  I was excited to read this article detailing a barn renovation in the Hamptons for Ralph Lauren creative director. Doesn't that just sound like it would carry a blessing from the decor gods! Well, it does.

This home just has soul. I loved how the home has a spirit and a history that is communicated in the patinas, textures and materials. The barn carries a nostolgia of yesteryears but also is able to achieve a very modern purpose.  I am a firm believer in historic preservation, but for us to all be able to use historic buildings effeciently in the modern age there is no doubt that changes have to be made. One of my favorite comments in this article is from the architect, Calvert Wright, “We wanted to treat everything that was there originally with total respect—and then make the clashes artful”. Artful is the key word here. We have all seen a building adapted for modern use that really just erases many of the aspects that give it the unique historical charm.

Check out the pictures below and, if ya feel like it, imagine yourself relaxing and unwinding admist the artfully styled rooms in this fantastic rural hideaway.

 Photographer: Roger Davies