to my best friend, as she becomes a mother.

This is a letter to my best friend as she prepares to become a mother -- and to my best friends who will follow on this path in the years to come....

When I met you, we were young and starry-eyed. We were full of hope in what the future would hold for us. We talked about cute boys, we traveled together, and we shared life's details we wouldn't even share with our own mothers. When we talked about the future, it typically centered around where we might live or who we might marry -- not necessarily about the days we would become a mother. Motherhood seemed like a distant reality. Believe it or not, that distant reality? It's here.

I'll admit: when I became a mother, I felt like I was on my own island. A few of my dear friends who were mothers tried to prepare me for what was to come. No matter how many questions I asked, nothing could have prepared me for the journey that is motherhood. I wish I could prepare you for what is to come, but unfortunately, there is no foolproof guidebook to motherhood that you can buy on Amazon. (If there was, I would have purchased it -- and already sent you a copy.)

I marvel at the mothers who "get it" from the early days. The ones who are brave enough to nurse in public from day one. The ones who shake off the blowouts. The ones who know every last piece of baby gear under the sun. Here's the thing... I've determined most of those mothers are second-time moms. If they're not, good for them. You have to find your own groove in motherhood. It may take you six months; it may take you two years. However long it takes, you can trust I'll be there to share my journey and give my side of the story -- without insisting it's the only way. 

I won't judge if you do or don't breastfeed. I won't judge if you FaceTime me and haven't showered in days. I won't judge if you co-sleep. I won't judge if you choose not to sleep train. (Ok, I may judge if you make your own baby food -- but only because I don't have the time to do it myself.) If you haven't noticed, the theme of this whole paragraph is that I will not judge your journey to motherhood. I simply pledge to be by your side, every step of the way. 

I can try to explain the feeling you'll get when you see your baby (YOUR BABY!) for the first time, but I can't. I can try to explain all the yucky parts of those tender postpartum weeks, but instead, I promise to answer your questions and keep the fear at bay for now. I can try to explain the exhaustion that comes with motherhood, but I will fail (read: it isn't like those all-nighters we pulled in college). I can try to explain the elation with seeing your baby's firsts, but until you witness that first smile or that first roll, my words won't mean much. You'll understand soon enough.

Truth be told, I cannot wait to see how your life changes once you have that baby (your baby!!!) in your arms. It sounds incredibly cliché, but it's true: it may not always be easy, but I promise it is always worth it. Our friendship will inevitably change once you become a mother. I am ok with that. Why? We will have a whole new facet to our late-night phone calls, text message chains, and frantic emails. It will no longer be about you and me -- it will be about something much, much more. 

I don't want to lose sight of what brought us together in the first place, of course. When I signed on to be your best friend many moons ago, I signed up for this too. We still have so many memories to make! I can't wait to take tandem family vacations. I'm already excited for those rare girls' weekends, when we leave the boys with our brood and get a chance to relax. Most of all, I look forward to the days when we're old and gray, chatting about our grandkids and laughing about our early days. 

I may not be your sister, but I am your best friend. Whether you realize it or not, you will be an incredible mother. How do I know? You're the friend I've needed in the lowest of the lows and the highest of the highs. You're smart. You're generous. You're thoughtful. You're compassionate. You're you. The only piece of advice I have is this: trust your gut. You've got this -- and you've got me right by your side, whenever you need me.

life by the water is always better.

{photo + text source: my Instagram}

This past Memorial Day weekend, we had the chance to really relax for the first time in what felt like forever. With the big news we shared last week still under wraps, it was wonderful to be surrounded by a small group of friends who knew our big secret. As goofy as that sounds, it is the absolute truth. 

Being an only child, I have always placed an enormous value on friendships. I am an all-in kind of girl. I ask lots of questions and really seek to know everything I can about the people I love. Living on our own little island in Rhode Island, I crave those phone calls and FaceTime sessions with my faraway friends. The visits are even more special: we stay up until the wee hours soaking up every minute. Over Memorial Day though, I put my "FOMO" to out to pasture and went to bed at a reasonable hour. My pregnant self couldn't keep up with the late nights! 

Moving into a new phase of life, I find myself cherishing each of my conversations. There won't always be serene walks or uninterrupted chat sessions, but I will still be taking time for the ones I love. For the next six months though, I will be making the most of the quiet ;) Many thanks again for all of your love and support. I have literally been smiling ear to ear since we shared the news. Thank you so much for putting that smile on my face. xoxo {av}

memorial day memories.

After a wonderful long weekend, I'm happy to have a short work week on the horizon. I'm still living in the glory of a holiday spent with a few of our best friends via my iPhone camera roll. The photos above are just a few of my favorite snaps from our Memorial Day weekend on Cape Cod. I shared a few via Instagram, but I tried to be selective ;) I didn't want to overwhelm everyone with too many photos from our little escape. My life isn't always this picturesque, but when it is, I love sharing the beauty of New England with all of you. Thanks for taking a little trip with me! xoxo {av}

happy weekend.

Happy Friday! I don't know about you, but Memorial Day weekend has always been one of my favorite weekends of the year. It feels like the start of summer, though this year may not be the warmest showing in the Northeast. {cv} and I are heading out to Cape Cod today for a nice long weekend with a few of our best friends. I am literally beaming with excitement. If you don't follow along with me on Instagram, I promise plenty of happy little snippets from our weekend.

I'll begrudgingly be back in action on Tuesday, when real life hits again ;) Many thanks to the men and women who are the reason we celebrate this holiday in the first place. Whether you're in the States or not, I hope you have a relaxing weekend on tap! Until next week... xoxo {av}

Procrastinating before the work day ends? Here are a few posts to keep you entertained:

-This post from the {ldl} archives has all the tasty drink ideas you need to make your weekend bit more festive. 

-Don't forget to thank your host or hostess this weekend: use this list for inspiration!

-Is your forecast looking sunny and bright? Stay safe with this post on my favorite sunscreens. 

-If the forecast is a little cooler {like it is here}, you'll be relying on this post for inspiration on how to style your trusty jean jacket.

-Find plenty of other Memorial Day weekend fashion inspiration with last year's Friday's Fancies round-up.

snapshots from jamaica.

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a splendid weekend! I got home late last night from a perfect girls weekend in Jamaica. I met two of my best girlfriends, {jt} and {kw}, in the Charlotte airport early on Thursday and we jumped a plane to paradise. Since the wifi wasn't incredibly strong, I wasn't able to share much on Instagram. Thankfully, I packed my DSLR and snapped a few non-cellphone shots to share...

The sunset from our last night was pure magic. I love cloudless skies, but a few clouds make a sunset way more colorful.

{jt} took a little sunset swim--and reminded {kw} and I of the Little Mermaid ;)

In true best friend fashion, we all packed one yellow dress--without consulting one another. We may have received a few confused glances, but we didn't mind. (Oh, and please excuse my crazy awkward arm. This is what happens when you ask a busy waiter to take your photo.)

In looking back at this photo, it looks like we were celebrating the 4th of July--which is only fitting considering we were all American Studies majors back at Georgetown ;) 

This past weekend was a reminder that being disconnected isn't a bad thing. From Thursday morning until Sunday night, my internet connection was less than stellar--and it was such a blessing. In the midst of all our crazy schedules, the three of us had every opportunity to catch up. I read two books from cover to cover. I got a little vitamin D (safely, of course). As a blogger, I love the internet, but I'm the first to admit social media can get in the way. Though {cv} was jealous of my time in paradise, I know I'll treasure the memories and the snapshots from this girls' weekend forever. 

When was the last time you really disconnected?  xoxo {av}

planning a great girls' getaway.

In May, I traveled with my bestie {ch} to Charleston, South Carolina. In true summer craziness, I'm just now getting around to sharing the pictures. She and I also gathered a few great tips for planning a girls' getaway that we discovered along the way.

1) Sometimes, over-planning is the death of fun. Create a list of the things you want to see and do together. Figure out what's most important--be it food, museums, shopping, etc. Now, cut that list in half. You want to be able to enjoy the time with your friends--not feel like you're a slave to your travel to-do list.

2) {ch} and I prioritized food on our little getaway. We started plotting out which places we had to hit and then figured out whether or not they accepted reservations. Many places use OpenTable and we started stalking {literally} when reservations opened up on the dates we were in town. It worked to our favor! We scored great reservations at some busy spots {like Husk and FIG} and enjoyed every bite.

3) Don't be afraid to spend a little time alone, even on a girls' getaway.
Example: I enjoy a morning run and {ch} loves her morning coffee.
Problem: I am not a coffee drinker and {ch} is not partial to running.
Solution: We both head out for our favorite morning adventures solo.
 We meet back at our hotel room, ready for the rest of the day together :)

4) Be on the same page about how much you're willing to spend. Money isn't always a fun thing to discuss with your friends, but setting clear expectations on your budget makes it easier for both parties involved. If you're not on the same page, it makes sense to discuss it before you leave--rather than feeling like you're getting jipped or overspending.

5) Whether you're planning a week or weekend away, getting a date on the books with a few months to plan is ideal. I love spontaneous trips as much as the next person, but when airfare for multiple people is involved, it's a different story. The longer you wait, it is easy for last minute flight costs to add up and for hotels to be full, so lock down a date to avoid any unnecessary costs.

6) You're on vacation. Make it feel that way. Do your best to check out of work {or school} as much as humanly possible. If you're a blogger, plan out your posts in advance. Vacation email responses will be your best friend and buy a bit of understanding from people who may need you {who aren't on vacation}.

7) Do a quick search to see if anything big is on the calendar where you're headed. We discovered that the Spoleto Festival would be in full swing during our visit, which put friendly pressure on us to book flights and our hotel. With some extra hustle and bustle in town, {ch} and I also got to see Charleston at its finest.

8) Dinners took priority in our planning, but don't forget about lunch and breakfast too! Even if food isn't top on your list, do some research to find the best spots for your earlier meals. While in Charleston, we loved Butcher & Bee and Two Boroughs Larder. Poe's Tavern on Sullivan's Island was yummy too!

9) Excursions by car {like ours to Boone Hall Plantation and Sullivan's Island} help break up lots of city walking. Charleston is super walkable, but a little car time helped us rest up a bit.

{Our photographer missed our feet and the humidity was crazy, so pardon the peg legs and big/frizzy hair.}

10) Make the most of every minute, whether it is spent getting ready for a fun night out or taking in the view with your best friend{s} by your side. Our lives won't always be as easily to align, so we make the most of it while life is still pretty simple. Does it mean we won't take girls' trips when we are crazy with our kiddos or when we are old and gray? Absolutely not. They'll just be a little different ;)

What tips would you add when planning out your next girls' getaway? xoxo {av}

don't you worry child.

Last week, one of my dearest friends lost her beautiful, kind, loving and devoted mother.
Today, I am in Indiana celebrating her life. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

After hearing the Swedish House Mafia hit for months, one line in particular stood out to me last week. I'm sure they didn't plan for their song, Don't You Worry Child, to inspire a blog post, but it did. The line above struck a chord with me. Loss reminds us how important it is to cherish each day we have on earth--because we never know what day will be our last.

I'll be back to regular programming on Thursday. Keep the infinite wisdom of Swedish House Mafia
front of mind today {and every day}. Heaven absolutely has a plan for each of us. xoxo {av}

STAY IN TOUCH: INSTAGRAM + TWITTER + PINTEREST + FACEBOOK

what to serve: bachelorette party drinks.

2013 is a year of celebrations! I'm so honored to be a part of two weddings this spring {in the span of six weeks!}, so there are lots of festivities happening early this year. I already threw my sister-in-law's bachelorette in January, but in just a few short weeks, I'll be helping to throw another for my bestie, {kj}. Per the bride's request, we're doing a quiet weekend--full of best friends, good food, and a few tasty beverages ;) Here's the trouble: a super sugary cocktail isn't meant to be consumed in higher volumes. These recipes are on our radar, but we haven't picked a final winner just yet...

left column {from top}: Salty Dog via Matt Bites + Peach Bellini via Kitchen Meets Girl + Brooklyn Beauty via Crepes of Wrath || right column {from top}: Tangerine Sorbet Champagne Float via Completely Delicious + Champagne Mint Julep via Southern Weddings

Truth be told, I'd be happy with something sparkly {be it champagne or prosecco}, but fun drinks make for a good party! What cocktails have you found to be party pleasers--which aren't hard to make + wouldn't be too fussy? I can't wait to hear your suggestions! xoxo {av}

STAY IN TOUCH: INSTAGRAM + TWITTER + PINTEREST + FACEBOOK

bestie birthday gifts.

Happy Thursday! Today happens to be one of my bestie's birthdays--and in light of this special day, I thought it would be fun to pull together a little birthday gift guide. Another of my takeaways from my reader survey was that many of you were hoping for more wallet-friendly options...so get excited, each and every one of the gifts below is at {or under} $25. They're fun and thoughtful and sure to please!

{clockwise from top left: tabletopics + hoop earrings + trinket box + cz studs + heart tote + monogrammed notecards + pencil case + candle + polka dot wallet + monogrammed frame + diy book}

There were so many other goodies I didn't include, so I might save those for another day. {I didn't want to bombard you!} Since birthdays happen all year round, maybe I'll create one later this year with fresh goodies ;) I'll see you all tomorrow for a beachy round of Friday's Fancies!

spontaneity.

It's only appropriate Laguna Beach is back on MTV this week. Why you ask? In mid-June, I booked an impromptu girls' weekend with airline miles in LC's old stomping grounds. For this coming weekend. For a planner like me, my spontaneity took me by surprise--but I cannot wait to be reunited with two of my besties on the west coast on Saturday.

{source}

This weekend, I feel as though I'll be living out a 36 Hours feature on New York Times. I arrive mid-morning on Saturday and then have a red-eye home on Sunday night. The schedule isn't ideal, but I'll be back to work bright and early on Monday, riding the wave of what is sure to be a great weekend. With the quick turnaround, we're still trying to plot out our short time together, which is where you come in. With your help, each and every trip since I started blogging has been better than the one before. 

I'd absolutely love your input on the must-see's in and around Orange County. We'll have a car, so mobility isn't an issue. We love yummy food and tasty drinks--and anywhere we can relish in some girl time. Since little {v}s aren't in the picture just yet, I knew I had to jump on the chance to fly west. I'm only young once, right? And please forgive me for not staying longer--I promise a west coast Blogger Blitz soon!

give thanks.

{give thanks graphic via Rifle Paper Co.}

Enjoy each and every minute with your loved ones today--I know I will :)
See you back here tomorrow for a Black Friday edition of Friday's Fancies!

gifts in a pinch.

Let's face it: sometimes the facebook birthday reminder fails us and we have to scramble to find 

the perfect prezzies for our pals. Danielle and Sarah challenged their readers to come up with a 

few of their favorite gifts and I decided to pick six fabulous gifts you can buy in a pinch!

Pottery Barn Frame Trio {$29} | Domino: The Book of Decorating {$21}

Kate Spade Monogrammed Note Cards {$26} + Signature Spade Studs {$38}

NARS Sea of Love Set {$49} | Helen Ficalora A Charm {$50}

In my opinion, these six goodies would be perfect last-minute gifts since they're readily 

available online for speedy shipping and they don't all break the bank. When I give gifts, 

my intention is to buy a little treat they might not purchase for themselves.

What gifts do you like to give when you're in a pinch? 

Can't wait for some gametime Friday's Fancies tomorrow {along with the slew of other 

cute outfits I'm sure you ladies will create}! I hope you have a phenomenal Thursday...

and I'll see you back here tomorrow! xoxo {av}

psst: I'm in Durham, North Carolina on Friday night...email me if you are too!

a windy weekend.

I'm back from a whirlwind trip of the Windy City--and what a wonderful weekend it was!

This is a photo-heavy post, but I think it manages to hit the high points of my trip :) Enjoy!

My windy weekend is one I won't soon forget. {ah} pulled together a stellar itinerary to show {ch} and I the best of what Chicago has to offer. We made new memories flying down Michigan Avenue, saw the sights in the daylight and the moonlight, and ate very well. I seriously can't thank her enough for inviting us to Chicago and sharing her hometown with us. Her family was so kind to open their home to us--and they did a fabulous sales job at trying to convince me that Chicago is the place to be long-term! I'm beyond grateful to have forever friends like {ah} and {ch}...and I can't wait for our next reunion :)

On top of it all, I tacked on an extra day so I could finally meet {jd}! She was one of the first bloggers I really got to know in the blogosphere. Though we've emailed and skyped plenty of times before, I was so glad to see her in person. I was thrilled to experience her corner of Chicago, meet her {h}, and dream of fun things on the horizon! I know we'll be friends even after things like blogs are obsolete with the newest technology in a few years time ;) After such an incredible weekend, I'll admit that I had a very hard time boarding the plane back to Rhode Island yesterday, only made better because I got to see {cv} at the end of it all.

What did you do with your weekend!? {And do you love the Windy City like me?}

One positive for this Tuesday is that it's Tuesday--and not Monday, which means Friday will be here before we know it ;) I hope you all have a fantastic day! I'll see you tomorrow :) xoxo {av}

down the cape.

In honor of tomorrow's patriotic-inspired Friday's Fancies, I thought it was the perfect time to share a few photos from Memorial Day + my birthday! We spent the long weekend on the Cape in lovely Osterville, Massachusetts. My best friend, {ch}, and her family were so kind to host us for the second year in a row :) 

Every time we head out to the Cape, I find myself wishing I could stay just a little longer. 

The views are spectacular and the environment is as quintessentially New England as you can get. During our Memorial Day visit, we cherished some much needed R&R, spent some time whipping 

up some fun recipes {which I'll be sharing over the course of the summer}, and enjoyed some 

wonderful time with the two friends who stood right next to us on our wedding day, {ch} and {ao}. 

We even toasted to my 26th year, complete with a candle holder from my first birthday party! 

Reminiscing about the Cape has me longing for the weekend! Over this holiday, we'll be traveling 

to Blacksburg, Virginia for a wedding :) I've never been to this corner of the world--and I'm so 

excited to see my friend {cc} become {ca}! We're hoping to catch some fireworks once we land

back in the Ocean State!

What is on your docket for the Fourth of July? 

How are you doing on your summer bucket list?

Can't wait to hear about your plans--or see your festive Friday's Fancies tomorrow!

Have a lovely Thursday! xoxo {av}

my {r}evolution.

Happy Tuesday! I am still reeling over the fantastic response to our sun savvy pledge!

With my bestie {ah}'s birthday in mind, I thought the easiest way to see how I've changed over
the years is to share some photos from my own sun savvy {r}evolution. You'll see the rapid uptick
in my tan in 2007 when I bought a tanning membership--and then the gradual decline after my melanoma diagnosis in mid-2008. It was my wake-up call to stop damaging my body and wasting my money in the tanning bed...and channel those funds into better things, like visiting {ah} in Texas and now in NYC.
In the first picture, I'm on the left, {ah} is in the middle, + {ch} on the right on the night {ah} first introduced me to {ch}!

Spanning seven years, these photos show my gradual change from "too tan" to healthy.

{These photos are also a disturbing reminder of what I used to consider fashion. OY!}
I definitely am learning to embrace my natural color...which isn't so bad after all ;)

All these things aside, it's also a fabulous reminder of my beautiful friend {ah}'s presence in my life in the last 84+ months. I'm so grateful to have friends like {ah} who stand by me in the happiest {and the hardest} of times. I look forward to adding photos from 2054 and beyond because my diagnosis in 2008 opened my eyes to sun safety. 

I'm definitely happier in my paler skin because I know that {God-willing} I'll be around to see
that 50th anniversary of our friendship. Join me in taking the sun savvy pledge...so you can

keep making memories with your own friends and families many years into the future,

without the ever present worry of skin cancer because you have better sun safe habits.

What are you doing to change your skin care routine?
Can you identify when your skin consciousness shifted?


Thank you again for all of your support and encouragement!
Each and every day is a blessing...and we should all live with that in mind :)
Until tomorrow! xoxo {av}

P.S. And {ah}--thank you for being an unending source of love and support. Your friendship means the world to me and it always will! You deserve every happiness in the world for the kindness you always show to those around you. I love you for always!

P.P.S. Peek at my travel-inspired guest post on Bloom!

a new hybrid.

Last week, one of my oldest and dearest friends, {kp}, sent me an email. She married her college sweetheart, {rp}, six months before I married mine. I've been blessed to have {kp} in my life since the ripe old age of 14. We have seen each other through many different periods of our life--and no matter how long it's been since we last chatted, we always pick up right where we left off. To me, that ability is what embodies a lifelong friendship :)

As always, her email brightened my day. She is one of the small handful of people in my life who actually know about my blog {since I'm choosing only to share it with those who might somehow appreciate it!} She mentioned how she and {rp} are in a new hybrid of a long distance relationship, very common in this day and age. Because of their work schedules, they will be spending Monday through Thursday apart for the next four months. In the seven years they've been a couple, their time together greatly outweighs their time apart. {rp} spent some time studying abroad during business school, but on the whole, they have always had one another to come home to at the end of the night.

The topic of work affecting time spent together is one which isn't foreign to me. {cv} works hours that rival doctors, though he spends his time with numbers--not patients. When we were long distance and he was working 80-100 hour weeks, it was far from easy. I learned to value the few minutes of his undivided attention at the end of a long day. I also learned to keep myself busy to help distract from the fact {cv} wasn't with me.

For me, one such "distraction" was and is running. Conveniently, {kp} and I both share a major passion for this sport. {She could kick my behind any day though!} Thinking about the time she and {rp} will be spending apart in the next few months, the best advice though that I could give to her {or to any of you} who are facing time apart from your significant other {or even a best friend!} would be to find some healthy distractions. For {kp}, this will likely be training for the many races she has on the horizon. For you, this could mean investing time in your blog, your church, your local animal shelter...or whatever gets you passionate.

Having time apart is never easy, but for me, it sheds light on all the things I miss and love about {cv}. It also helps me to appreciate the time we do have together even more. As difficult as our long distance years were, I would repeat them again...if only to have the same appreciation for my husband and what all he brings to my life. {I still shake my head when I realize I'm thankful for our years apart...I don't think I would have ever said that in the midst of them!}

So, to {kp} and to those of you who are currently spending more of the week apart than together, stay strong. Devote some of your free time to enriching your life {or the lives of others!} You'll become a better person and be on your way to learning one of the toughest skills in life: patience. Good Fabulous things come to those who wait!

If you've gotten this far, thanks for reading along ;)

Can you speak from experience on this topic? 

How do you {or did you} "distract" from long distance?

To those of you who have your +1 close by on a regular basis--give them 

an extra squeeze for those who don't. Much love to {kp}--and to all of you who

are braving long distance in one form or another! xoxo {av}

P.S. One day closer to Friday...and you know what that means :)

we're heading south.

A few weeks ago, I solicited your help for a trip which seemed so far away...

but now it's almost here! {cv} and I leave tomorrow for:

We're heading to Charleston this weekend for what is sure to be a fantastic celebration:
my dear friend {lh} is getting married! We met post-college in DC and I'm so blessed we did.
We have relied a lot on each other over the years because she and her {almost husband} survived multiple years of long distance too! I'm so honored we're included on their guest list...
and I can't wait to see {lh} walking down that aisle on Saturday :)

This weekend is full of excitement: we'll be toasting to {cv}'s 27th on {lh}'s wedding day--and to our first wedding anniversary on April 10th. Get excited for plenty of wedding memories in the coming weeks!

Have any last minute suggestions for our Charleston adventure? I'd love to hear them!

This post wouldn't be complete without mentioning another fun weekend activity I have on the docket! I'm thrilled to be getting together with a few of my favorite bloggers in the city this Saturday. If you're a Charleston-area blogger, I'd love to meet you! Email me for details about a meet-up earlier in the day on April 9th! We have fantastic group of girls already assembled and we'd love to include you in the fun :)

I have a super fun anniversary-themed Friday's Fancies outfit for tomorrow! The Friday's Fancies post will be live at 12:00AM--so I hope you'll join in the link-up fun. I am still pinching myself to think 43 of you wonderful {and stylish!} ladies linked up last week :) If you have any Friday's Fancies questions {or questions about the meet-up this weekend}, please feel free to email me!


Enjoy your Thursday! Can't wait for tomorrow
{or this weekend for that matter!}
All of my love to {lh} and {bh} :) xoxo {av}