lately (in black + white)

With frigid temperatures (I know, I know– everyone is complaining about the cold) around Virginia Beach, I've been spending much of my time inside. Week nights and weekends at the house are a nice treat that we often miss during the summer months when we're off camping, traveling or playing in the sky. I'm finding that I can indeed cook, and the results are usually tasty. Plus, it's pretty enjoyable to chop ingredients and sauté vegetables with the one you love.

Eating like a queen. For our first Valentine's Day, Jay made Beef Wellington. It's now become a tradition, and 8 years later it's still going strong.

It's a jungle in here. Our outdoor plants and bonsai have been inside for a few weeks due to below-freezing nights. Not pictured: more plants taking over our dining room table and bench. And floor. And kitchen counter.

Linen sheets. One of my favorite things making it extra difficult to get outta bed.

the last 6 petals photoshoot

The weather is starting to take a turn here in Virginia with cool, crisp breezes throughout the day. I can handle fall, but it's the forthcoming winter that has me worried. So let's take it back to early summer today.

Back in May (before I decided to close my vintage shop, 6 petals) I worked with Mary and Zoe on a bold, bohemian, beach wedding shoot. Kristen and I chose bold vintage outfits from the 6 petals vintage clothing collection. I tend to gravitate to more earthy and neutral tones. Kristen is more trendy and colorful, so I knew she could help style all the ladies with bright pops of color.

We gathered a handful of amazing people to play dress up, have some fun on Fort Story beach (check out those rocks!) and look good. They totally nailed it. All of the girls are wearing dresses from 6 petals, and we even found some vintage tops for the guys.

I also designed the invitation using a photo of the heart backdrop that Troy of OnieTonie created for us. I love how it turned out!

Looking back at these photos makes me miss my little vintage business. It was a good run, but I'm also happy to not have two jobs. I'm enjoying more time and adventures with friends, family and my husband.

photos by Zoe Grant

pungo

Virginia Beach is such a neat place. It's so widespread. You can visit the beach (or the Bay), be amongst the forests in the state park and enjoy farm land in good ol' Pungo. My mother-in-law took me to her barn over the weekend, and I was so excited to meet the beautiful residents.

As we arrived, they were calling the horses back into the barn. This is Biggie. And rightfully so, he was huge. His stall is fortunately placed right by the lockers so he got the first apple treat. He was so gentle. I could have stared at him all day. I loved the colors on Pippa, the white horse with the brown spots in the photo below. She yawned twice as I was petting her long face, and I was able to catch her tongue out. So friendly and sweet. The barn was full of other animals too— dogs, birds and cats — each one thinking they owned the place.

A piece of my heart will always be in Florida with my family, but this sure is a special place to call home.

::crabbing::

Jay and I finally invested in a crab pot. Summers in Virginia Beach are perfect for Chesapeake Bay blue crabs. You'll have to get a local to show you, but there's a whole science to eating these guys. After a day and a half, we already have two crabs. One is a male (the bluer one on the top shelf) and one female (the one with the reddish front craws). We throw females back in the water and hope for more males to climb into the pot.