The M-O-V-E.

Buh-bye antique-filled fairytale room (& house). You have treated me well for my first two months here in D town, but I will be trading you in for a much more 'me' apartment...tomorrow!

Eastern Market

I went to Eastern Market with Daniela this weekend and it was HEAVEN. One of the few moments I've had in Michigan that makes me feel at home again. Lots of local produce, plants, flowers, honey, & maple syrup, and all at amazing prices. $18=2 large tomatoes, one very large bundle of fresh basil, 4 pears, 2 bouquets of wildflowers, and a bottle of this amazing pesto-esque sauce this guy was selling. I would like to argue that the flowers were the best find though. They literally smell like the mountains that I miss so much. Having them on my nightstand almost makes me feel at home again. Almost. All I have to say is that I hope that same flower lady is there again next week!

Happy Friday!

Ohhh I'm in such a good mood! Not only is it Friday, but I've had the most wonderful week, even with my crazy work schedule.

smile worthy moments from this week:
-The universe is smiling on Michigan. Gorgeous Utah weather all week long (blue skies, SUNSHINE, a surprising lack of humidity, and blissful low 80s)!!! Please don't let it stop.
-It's restaurant week here. Kona Grill, Benihana, Ruth's Chris, Melting Pot...yum.
-I went to Good Girls Go To Paris last night. This place is reason enough for you all to come visit me (wink wink). They have some amazing looking savory crepes, but I ended up getting a simple Brie and Strawberries crepe instead...my mouth is watering just thinking about it again. You just can't go wrong with Brie and fruit.
-MOCKINGJAY. The perfect ending to a long list of good summer reads.
-Had a few really good phone convos with good friends this week. I have some of the most amazing friends out there who just make me smile.
-Finalized everything for moving in to my lovely new apartment next week. Yippee!
-J.Crew is having a phenomenal sale right now. And I mean phenomenal. This, this, this, this, this, & this...may or may not end up in my closet soon. The best part about a lot of their sale items right now is that they are perfect transitional layering pieces for fall.
-Did I mention it's friiiiiiiiiday and the weekend is almost here?!!! Morning crepe run followed by Eastern Market tomorrow morning. Ahhh yeah. Photos to follow.

Chicaaaaaago.

Just booked my first Detroit-Chicago trip. And let me tell you, I probably spent the better part of the past 2 weeks trying to decide whether to fly, train, or bus myself over. Who even knew there were so many alternatives to flying while stateside? Here's how it all broke down:

Airplane
-Pros: fast. 1 hour flight+1 hour time difference=get to chicago without even losing a minute!
-Cons: $170.

Train
-Pros: free checked bag; free parking; $75.
-Cons: 6 hour ride; no internet service.

Bus
-Pros: free checked bag; free parking; free wi-fi; $66.
-Cons: 5 hour ride.

Do you want to know what I went with? Hmmmm?














Well...against all trained judgment, I decided to go with the bus and just try it out! I mean, I'm saving $100 on the ticket, $40 on parking, have an option to check 2 free bags (even though I never check a weekend bag at the airport anyways...but hey it's the option that counts!), have free wi-fi the entire trip, and am not driving so I can do work, watch movies, sleep or anything else for the full 5 hours! Oh and not to mention I'm curious to see what type of people I meet on the bus. Potential for this to be a crazy adventure? A gillion percent.

Michigan Style Camping

Camping takes on a whole different meaning in Michigan. Aside from the fact that you're sleeping in a tent, it is nowhere similar to camping in the beautiful Rockies. Think no mountains. Instead, substitute in plenty of lush landscape, beautiful lakes for boating, and about a gallon of mosquito repellent if you have any desire to get through 48 hours unscathed. Definitely different, but definitely worth it.

I can't wait to see what up state Michigan looks like come fall!

The Sketchbook Project

Have you heard of The Sketchbook Project? I LOVE THIS IDEA!!! I'm sending in for mine this afternoon. Let me know if you do it too, I'd love to hear about which theme you pick and your plans for it.

The Little Things

I love the little things in life that always remind me to smile...

The blue sky and sunshine of summertime; the internet that allows me to read so many different things on a daily basis...from uplifting talks like this to fun blogs like this; cell phones that let me keep in touch with people who are miles and miles away; gchat that lets me feel like I actually get to see people more often even if it's only over the web; my wavy summertime hair; good music that I just can't help but sing along to when I'm driving in my car; summertime berry picking; my amazing bathroom complete with rainforest shower; fresh flowers.

Thank you life, for the little things.