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My Favorite New Gift Boutique

Good morning! Today’s forecast makes it seem like our sunshine may finally go behind the clouds for a bit as this evening scattered thunderstorms are expected. I had to go through the flat closing the windows and vents before I left this morning to ensure I don’t come home to puddles!

IMG_9007The rainy forecast has also made me decide that it’s time to join the gym at our offices. I hear it isn’t luxurious but for $45 per month it includes a few different classes each day, weights, treadmills, lockers, and showers. Those benefits along with the convenience of being one floor above my desk and open from 6am-9pm means it is the right investment for me at this time. I doubt I’ll spend much time on the treadmill as I enjoy running outside far more but knowing that it’s there in case of fowl weather is a welcome comfort. I have a lot of work to get done this evening which means I’ll probably be at the office quite late. Maybe today’s run will be done on the work treadmill as a quick experiment!

In other news, I spent a few hours last night writing thank you notes and picking gifts for many of our friends and family back home. Bo and I both have so much to be thankful for as so many friends helped us over the past few weeks by either hosting our farewell party, spending their Saturday taking photographs of us in our favorite spots, or helping us with the actual move. I like taking the time to send personal gifts whenever possible as I find it provides a warm touch. While I wish I was as craft as my dear friend Erika so I could make each of the gifts, right now I don’t have the talent nor time to do so.

Luckily, I recently found out about the company Lila Mae, an eco-friendly boutique that strives to bring high quality, local USA made gifts to the masses. It reminds me of a small boutique you’d find on a square in Savannah or along the cobblestone streets of Brooklyn. Everything they source is from small companies which adds to the charm! The entire site is a joy to shop due to their easy navigation, fun category titles, large images, and handy account system!

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I have spent the past few evenings shopping on the site and pinning things to my Geneva Flat Pinterest board. Though all our furniture is currently on a slow boat to Europe from the United States, we will need a few pieces in both the Geneva flat and London flat to fill out the space. I have fallen especially in love with the Nest+Nourish section and more specifically, their vase collection as my poor flowers are currently in my plastic measuring cup!

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I love that the Fire & Light vase is made from recycled glass!

When not shopping for the flat, I’ve fallen in love with their candles and jams as perfect thank you gifts. The candles are all organic and have some of the most unique scent combinations! I hope that peony smells as delicious as it sounds as I’ve already ordered a few of these as thank you gifts for girlfriends! The French Lavender will be perfect for our powder room while grapefruit orange will bring a bright, vibrant clean scent to the living room area. How unique that the French Lavender candle comes complete with dried lavender petals?

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The Sqirl Preserve jams come in 8 tasty flavors including June & Rich Lady Yellow Peach, Blenheim Apricot and Blackberry Meyer lemon! We loved these unique flavors so much that we ordered a trio immediately for Blake and JP as a thank you gift for hosting us in the Hamptons! image 

Have you heard of Lila Mae before? If not, I highly recommend checking out the site for your next hostess, thank you, birthday, or a gift for yourself! In addition, give them a follow on Pinterest.

What’s your favorite way to thank someone?

*This post is part of a partnership with Lila Mae USA, though all thoughts and recommendations are my own.

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ashleyd /

Thank You New York City

Four years and two months ago I drove into Long Island City, my black Chevrolet Impala filled to the brim with my Philadelphia apartment belongings, as Bo and I moved in together for the first time.

New York City was our first home together. Atlanta, Athens and Philadelphia were only temporary stops before as we knew our days in each were numbered due to graduations.

At that point in my life I was 25 years old, only 3 years out of college, and unsure of everything in my life other than my career and Bo. I was still insecure in my own skin for many reasons. I was shy and not sure how I would make friends in a city where I knew very few people. Most of my UGA acquaintances who moved to NYC after graduation had either decided their time up here was finished or already had established friend groups.

New York City makes you work for your friends. Everyone is busy and no one has time to stop so if you want to make life long friends you have to be willing to put yourself out there.

I found the courage and confidence to go to a blogger and reader brunch with strangers in May 2009, hosted by the lovely Melissa.  It was during this brunch that the ladies convinced me to start a blog. After that one successful moment I continued putting myself out in the world in order to meet new friends. Suddenly I was the person who was willing to get out of my shell and go on “blind workout dates” or ask a co-worker to get a drink after work in hopes of developing the relationship.

The streets of New York City have helped me train for three marathons, proving that with hard work and great friends 26.2 miles is possible. Bo and I discovered this city via the sidewalks, park paths, alleys, and streets. I feel like every nook of the city, especially south of Central Park holds a memory from a long run or jaunt with friends. 

A city that moves at a pace like this one requires a certain level of assertion. Even the sweetest of people will find themselves in a back of a cab trying to hustle the driver because it’s Saturday night and you have somewhere to be. You’ll push through the tourists because while you welcome them to the city and appreciate the money they spend, you are on a different time schedule. Time is money here, proof in the fast paced lunch spots where more chopped salads are served in ten minutes than in two hours anywhere else in America.

I’ve had the absolute joy to work and encounter people from diverse backgrounds and beliefs. I’ve danced along side the Pride Parade as it winds through the Chelsea and Gramercy streets, celebrating the strides that have been made. I’ve had long conversations with cab drivers during treks to JFK or LaGuardia, wanting to know more about what brought them to this country and their experiences.

This city has truly become a home. It has toughened us, it’s taught us to take advantage of every opportunity, it’s exhausted us at times, it’s allowed us to meet and reconnect with some amazing friends, and most of all it’s made us stronger.

But now it’s time for us to take the next step. Hopefully a few years from now we’ll look back on our time in Europe as one that brought us together as a couple and allowed us to explore more than we ever thought possible. But for now, we’re taking one day at a time and can only pray that all 8 checked bags arrive with us in Geneva tomorrow morning.

New York, and all our amazing friends, thank you for everything and see you soon!

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Moderation

So, these final few days in New York City are pretty amazing in very sad ways.

We feel like we’re leaving forever even though it’s only 2 or 3 years and we’ll be back within 3-4 months for a marathon and wedding along with the Christmas holidays. But, when you’re accustomed to spending multiple long runs, weekends, or happy hours with people it really is an eternity. Therefore, every single evening for about a two week time period I have either a happy hour or dinner on my calendar.

I’ll admit – my Instagram includes one too many going away picture but each night, with friends, I get really, really, really sappy.

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So reflecting on the week that follows and the week that has past, I’m proud of myself for being okay with plans every night since it’s a rare occasion. It isn’t every week that a couple moves to Europe and therefore leaves their incredible friends behind. So instead of getting stressed about all the bubbly and delicious food we’re enjoying we’ve been making sure to be reasonable about it and thank our lucky stars for the opportunity and great friends.

So, how are we finding moderation right about now? Well, I can only speak for myself, so here goes.

Each morning seems to be a social hour of a different kind. I’ve had more group workouts and run dates in the past two weeks than I can remember. But, it’s amazing. Why else would one choose to run 5 miles in Central Park and enjoy not one but two hills and 95% humidity at 6am? Why would someone do Uplift Strength and Barry’s Bootcamp within 12 hours of each other? Oh and last but not least, why would I choose to do hot power yoga, long run, and runners boot camp within 24 hours of each other? Well, because that’s how you balance lots of wine and squeeze in time with friends.

Going away workouts

In addition, I’ve been balancing the evening dinners and drinks with super clean food during the day. A creature of habit, I haven’t strayed from my morning iced coffee, oatmeal and banana nor my afternoon giant salad. Mix that with a few green juices here and there and you actually have a pretty healthy balance of work hard, eat healthy, sweat lots, and be social!

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I’m not perfect. I don’t claim to be in swimsuit model shape for this weekend’s Hamptons beach trip but at the end of the day I’m enjoying life and cherishing the time we have with our New York City friends before our move.

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