four years.

Alison and Chris from Kate Headley on Vimeo.

Four years ago, I married my best friend. We were lucky enough to have Kate Headley capture it on film. {True story: Kate was the only photographer I approached to shoot our wedding. I knew she had to be the one who captured our day from the moment I first saw her photos.} 

I share this video every year, but I do so because it truly captures the happiness of the day in a way that words cannot. I'm so lucky to share a life with {cv}--one we always dreamed of during our long distance days. In so many ways, our wedding allowed us to finally close the door on those years and open up a life of togetherness. Sorry for the repeat share, but in the very least, I hope it brightens your Thursday like it did mine! xoxo {av}

blogger chain mail.

{photo by Kate Headley}

Last week, Elizabeth and Heidi tagged me in what I am affectionately calling blogger chain mail. I sat back and realized I haven't done a post like this in years. I know you've all been waiting with bated breath for one, right? {Just kidding of course!}

FAVORITE FLOWER? Without a doubt, lilacs. Hydrangeas are in a close second. {See evidence from my wedding bouquet here.}

MOST / LEAST ORGANIZED SPACE IN YOUR HOME? My closet is definitely the most organized, except when we've traveled two weekends in a row. My pantry, on the other hand, is always in disarray. Weird?

WHAT BOOK HAVE YOU READ RECENTLY THAT REALLY MOVED YOU? I'm going to make a big admission here: I've struggled to continue Lean In. Most of the books I find myself reading these days are pretty mindless--mostly because I haven't had the bandwidth for something deeper. Even if she didn't "move" me, Gillian Flynn keeps me on the edge of my seat.

WHAT DISH ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO AT THANKSGIVING DINNER? The cliché of all Thanksgiving dinner clichés: my mother's turkey. She actually stuffs the bird and the flavor is out of this world. 

HOW DO YOU TAKE YOUR COFFEE? I don't. If I need caffeine, I reach for an ice-cold Diet Dr. Pepper--preferably of the fountain variety. 

WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL? To be frank, I don't miss much. I was a crazy lady in high school. I miss small town life but not the small town rumor mill. My days were filled to the brim with cross country, music theatre, AP classes, youth group, and life. I do miss the simplicity of life: one without college debt, one without a full-time job, one without adult decisions. While I didn't feel carefree during those four years, the cares I had then pale in comparison to the cares I have today.

MOST MEMORABLE CONCERT? July 27, 2004. John Mayer. Bonner Springs, Kansas. SECOND ROW. We even locked eyes during my favorite song, Split Screen Sadness. I had repeat second row seats for the tour he cancelled in 2012. I'm still not over missing it.

HOW DO YOU UNWIND BEFORE BED? While I'm terrible at unwinding, {cv} is great at it. He is the only person in the world who gets me to slow down. At the end of a long day, we end up on HGTV watching a House Hunters episode with our cuddly cats. We are clearly the epitome of cool. 

DOTS OR STRIPES? Stripes. Since I moved to New England, the volume of stripes in my wardrobe has more than tripled. Oops?

Any other burning questions for yours truly? Since this has been floating around a bit, I'm sure I'm tagging someone who has already been tagged but I'll give it a go. Caitlin, Jillian, Melissa, Natalie, and anyone else--these questions are all yours! xoxo {av}

why you should always eat the cupcake.

The day I got married, I weighed ten pounds less than I do today. Everyone always warned you about the "freshman 15", but I don't remember any warnings about the "marriage 10". I'm here today to share why those last few pounds aren't worth worrying about for another second.

{one of our engagement photos from 2009 - courtesy of Kate Headley; see more here + here}

The reality is that as hard as I try to get back to "wedding shape," I never get there. Recently, I finally accepted it is because I am not supposed to get back there. In the months leading up to our wedding, stress may have aided in my petite size for our big day. {I was working out, but no more than I normally do.} Our wedding day was an absolutely wonderful whirlwind. When we left for our Parisian honeymoon, I gave myself the green light to finally relax and enjoy. 

In the three years and some odd months since our wedding, I made the decision to keep enjoying life like we did in Paris. I love running and going to the gym, but I also love to travel and eat cheese. Finding the balance of these loves is certainly key. There have been times in the last three years when the equilibrium was off {thanks to a stress fracture from marathon training}, but I got back on board as soon as I could.

Thanks to #tbt, I find myself looking at pictures of myself from my early 20s and wish I had that body back. On the other side of the coin, I realize I am much kinder to my body today than I was at age 21. I eat real meals {because I can afford to go out to dinner and not to the dining hall}. I exercise five days a week. I sleep like a semi-normal person. The difference? I let myself have the cupcake today when my younger self would have passed. Does this mean we have the green light to eat whatever I want? No. Everything in moderation, of course. I simply mean that I no longer deny myself the right to enjoy life with food.

I tentatively asked {cv} the other day about this topic. The thing he said which stuck {and actually gave me the courage to finally write this post} was this: We've lived. We've traveled. The weight doesn't make me like you any less than the woman I married--it only makes me love you more.  In hearing that from him, I realized something big: those last few pounds are just the last few pounds.  {cv} isn't going to run for the hills because I weigh a few more pounds than I did on the day we got married. I "earned" that weight over marvelous dinners with my husband, fun nights out with my best friends, and big Italian family dinners. 

At 28 years old, it is pretty weird to look in the mirror and see a body that isn't like the one you had ten years ago. I'm certainly much less tan. I'm much more womanly. I have hips. I no longer have 18 year old boobs. {I said it, not you.} I have a few wrinkles--or as {cv} calls them "smile lines". I'm also old enough to finally accept that I'm not going to have a six pack. {Kudos to those of you who do, but I'm happy in my one-pieces.} I'm not perfect--nor will I ever be. I'm okay with that. I'm making the decision from here on out that what I am is enough. Life is too short not to eat the cupcake {or brownie or ice cream} placed in front of you. 

I'll admit: this was a pretty big topic for a random Thursday. This post has been lingering in the back of my brain for a long time. I always back off out of fear that someone might judge me or say that I actually do look better ten pounds lighter. I don't know what gave me the courage to write this today, but I hope you'll be kind in your comments and give your two cents on the topic. If you take away anything from this post, let it be this: always eat the cupcake. xoxo {av}

DISCLAIMER:  I'm not writing this post to get the "oh, you're so thin" comments. I'm writing this post 
because I think we all deserve a break from the weight rat race--and a cupcake when we want one.

your yearly installment.

Three years ago, I had the most magical day of my life: I married {cv} on a perfectly sunny spring day in DC. Surrounded by our family and friends, we celebrated the start of our forever and danced the night away. I've shared this video before, but I hope you'll excuse me for sharing it again ;)

Alison and Chris from Kate Headley on Vimeo.

Kate Headley outdid herself with this little video. Every time I watch it, I'm instantly transported back to 4.10.10. I can't complain about that one bit. I love the life {cv} and I are building together...and it is so wonderful to be able to look back on where it all began :) With this anniversary chatter in mind, I'm signing off to spend some time with my favorite mister-- I'll see you for another round of Friday's Fancies in two days! xoxo {av} psst: new to this little blog? see more of our wedding on Martha Stewart Weddings + Southern Living. 

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five things.

A very happy Monday! The lovely Christin tagged me to join in the "five things" phenomenon, so I'm here to share mine. They may not be mind-blowing, but they're me. My springy, picky-eating, cat-loving, peanut butter-obsessed, small town girl self requests your understanding ;)

{photo from my instagram}

1) Growing up in Southern Indiana, I loved everything about fall--the bonfires, the leaves, and everything else that comes with it. After surviving four New England winters, I've decided I'm more of a spring person after all. Fall brings an impending winter, but spring brings s-u-m-m-e-r. I say that's a win.

2) I'm a bonafide cat lady and I'm not afraid to admit it. I like dogs, but I love cats. {cv} and I often comment on how we won the cat lottery with Gus and Mr. Pinky. A lot of people hate cats, but if you met our little men, you might come around to them. They're winners.

3) I adore peanut butter. More specifically, I love JIF Creamy {Reduced Fat} Peanut Butter. One of my biggest fears is that I will have a child with peanut allergies. It's true.

4) My parents only had one child--me! My biggest side effect? My seriously picky eating habits. I'm working on it though--I tried a clementine this weekend ;) That's progress, right?

5) I miss small town life. Though I love how invigorating big cities can be, there is something wonderful about the serenity of a small town. I like knowing my neighbors and feeling like someone has my back. Our future home will be about 30 minutes from the nearest city--and I couldn't be happier.

In true tagging fashion, I am spreading the "five things" fire to Anna, Ashley, Carly, Jillian, and Natasha--and each to you! If you post about it, be sure to share your post in the comments below :)

Share one thing which popped in your head about yourself! I want to hear! xoxo {av}

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60.

Today, my dad turns 60. He will spend his 60th birthday in the California sunshine with my mother and two of their close friends by his side. He will run a 5K this morning to start off his 60th year and then enjoy a day tooling up the California coast with the wind in his hair. 

Though I love my mother with all my heart, I am a daddy's girl through and through. The saying goes that you can't choose your family. I'm glad that's true. My dad is truly the salt of the earth and I am beyond blessed to call him my father.

From my father, I inherited my love of running, a passion for graphic design, and the heart I wear on my sleeve. We have run more miles together than I have with any other person in my life. Through years of encouraging me on the cross country course {and in life}, he taught me how to rest on the bus. No matter how long it has been since our last run together, we always run perfectly in stride. 

My dad and I have shared 27 years on this earth and I can only hope those years were as happy for him as they have been for me. It is impossible to fathom that my dad is 60. To me, he will always be the smiling face I saw across the table at McDonald's while I ate my happy meal--looking all of 30 years old.

To my father on his 60th: thank you for teaching me what love is. Thank you for stopping whatever you're doing to take my phone calls. Thank you for being a God-fearing man and teaching me the importance of a Christ-centered life. Thank you for loving my other half, {cv}, like your own. Thank you for being you--because you are more than enough. I love you forever! {av}

{third image via Kate Headley}

grateful.

This morning at 4:45am, I woke up to take {cv} to the airport. As we rounded our way into the terminal, I just looked at him and smiled. This scene was all too familiar. During our long distance years, those early morning flights were all too common. Truth be told, I was in college--and AirTran knew how to reel in a kid on a budget with $39 flights at 5:00am.

Though I would have never imagined it then, I could not be more grateful for those gut-wrenching early morning departures years ago. {cv} travels on a regular clip for work and I've come to relish in the peace and quiet of a night alone. Would I rather him be here? Absolutely. Is it absolutely amazing to watch The Bachelor, Girls, and Pretty Little Liars on DVR without blinking an eye? You betcha. 

As the years pass, I find myself increasingly grateful for the years we spent apart. My 24-year-old self would never believe my 27-year-old self was saying such a thing, but it's the truth. When {cv} leaves for a business trip or I go spend a weekend with my girlfriends, we are able to keep on living. Our worlds don't stop because we're not in the same place. The years we spent long distance taught us we couldn't live that way. Have you found yourself surprisingly grateful for something you used to resent? xoxo {av}

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the c word.

It's been a long time since I posted about the c word. I don't like it, but then again, I don't know anyone who does. So when skin cancer became a part of my life in July 2008, I became all too acquainted with that ugly word. Thankfully, I've had some time to process it--and while it's never "normal" to say I had skin cancer at age 23, I don't hide it like I did in the early days.

Since my melanoma was removed that summer, I have visited my dermatologist every few months without fail. After a biopsy at a routine visit in July 2011, my dermatologist removed a precancerous mole from my abdomen. For the first three years after my initial diagnosis, some part of me believed my melanoma was an isolated event. When I went into surgery for the second time, I quickly realized I would be fighting a lifelong battle with the c word. 

Let's face it: celebrating our third anniversary in April will be infinitely more exciting than my fifth melanoma "anniversary" in July. In my book, the word "anniversary" should never be used with sad events because it takes away from the good ones. As that fifth year mark came into view this year, I received another reminder that the c word will always be in my vocabulary.

Two weeks ago, I went to my dermatologist for my six-month check-up. I don't think I'll ever grow to love the process, but I slipped into my gown so she could do an examination of everything. {In the chill of winter, it feels slightly like you're in a bad dream in which you wake up in the middle of a football game without your clothes. Lots of fun, right?} One mole on the right side of my chest had been worrying me and she affirmed those worries. She wanted a biopsy. Though I have never much cared for the b word, I had mentally prepared myself for this one.

What I wasn't prepared for was the biopsy she wanted to take from a mole on my back. My back has always been a scary place for me because a) I can't really see it and b) I can't keep close tabs like I can everywhere else. {cv} keeps an eye on my back, but with my sea of moles, it is tough to pinpoint new ones. After a few quick swipes of a scalpel, it was all over. I just hated the odds that something might come back cancerous. All of my previous biopsies had.

I left the dermatologist's office feeling deflated, anxious, and seriously ticked at myself for ever caring about being tan. As life would have it, these biopsies kicked off a week of pure craziness in my personal and professional lives. The chaos helped keep my mind off of the impending news, but it didn't always do the trick. I've never been good at the waiting game. 

After eleven days of waiting, many prayers were answered when I heard my dermatologist say I was in the clear. I walked out of the office with an enormous smile on my face. I climbed into my car and cried a few happy tears. Though I know melanoma will always be a part of my life, it isn't time for me to fight it again. My relief can scarcely be put into words.

I may not blog about it often, but the sun savvy pledge that Danielle and I created in June 2011 is still very much alive. If you have any stories to share about how you've changed your sun habits, I am all ears. Please email me and they might find their way into a future post. 

If you're still reading, thank you. I choose to share this experience with you because I feel an obligation to confront the c word head on. The sun is still shining and it means we have a responsibility to take care of ourselves. I pray this post might encourage one of you to make an appointment about your mole that looks funny. I cross my fingers that it reminds you to wear your sunscreen--all year round. Above all, I desperately hope this post will serve as reminder that being tan isn't everything. Being healthy is. xoxo {av}

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you're mine.

My favorite posts from 2012? They covered all topics, be it my attempt at capturing Parisian street style, my favorite John Mayer lyrics, my J.Crew Factory finds, my marathon recap, and my valentine for {cv}. There was also the  one time I vlogged and announced my polish your blog adventure--which is still going strong :) I don't know if I could pick my favorite Friday's Fancies, but this one and this one are in the running! {Apparently, I have a thing for polka dots and preppiness. No surprises there!}

The top posts {by pageviews} from 2012? They were all about cleaning up your pinterest, looking at the newest Pantone colors, sporting wine-colored nails, and finding the perfect self-tanner.

All in all, 2012 was an amazing year beyond measure. Trying to fit it all in one post is much too daunting, so I'll leave it at this: I am so grateful for the people in my life who helped make it the best year yet. I truly cannot wait to see what 2013 brings! Be safe and I'll see you on the 2nd! xoxo {av}
{background image source}

xoxo.

After the final chapter of Gossip Girl on Monday and this blog post from Joanna Goddard, I've had xoxo's on the brain--along with a special memory from 2008. Four years ago today, I woke up ready for a day of fun in DC with {cv}. With a Georgetown game and holiday party hopping on the itinerary, it was the recipe for a perfect day. Little did I know, {cv} had something more exciting in mind. We got engaged in the place where it all began--right on the park bench where we had our first date while we were both students at Georgetown. I still get giddy thinking about it. I know I always will.

{For our full engagement story, read this blog post from what seems like ages ago.}

My daily reminder of 12/20/08 is the ring of my dreams that resides on the fourth finger of my left hand. {cv} designed it himself and I've never seen another one like it. A quick glance at it makes me think of so many things, but the memory of the day I first received it almost always comes to mind. On December 20th, {cv} and I were no longer the crazies doing long distance. We were the couple who made it--despite the distance--and the world was our oyster. Happily, it still is :)

If you're married {or engaged}, do you celebrate your engage-iversary? Or are we the only ones? 
See you all back here in your holiday best for tomorrow's Friday's Fancies! xoxo {av}

deck the halls.

Happy December! Can you believe it's here?! I know I can't! {cv} and I had an action-packed weekend in New England, which included great friends, pretty snow, tree trimming, and a surprise 80th birthday party with {cv}'s family. All in all, it was a success! We've made a big effort this year to not be scheduled every minute of the holiday season...and we are on our way. Find some more holiday goodness from our weekend below!

• I pinned some seriously yummy recipes for the holiday season. I clearly have a thing for peppermint...and chocolate. I know I'm not alone ;)
• We put up our tiny artificial tree on Sunday night. It has survived six seasons and will be retired once we get in our house next year. {I can't wait to have a real tree--at long last!} The whole thing was strangely bittersweet...
• After our annual white light vs. color light debate, we again settled on these white + red + green pearl lights from Target. They feel perfectly vintage-y, as this instagram affirms!
• {cv} and I watched my all-time favorite Christmas movie, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, while trimming the tree. {"Why is the carpet all wet, Todd?" "I don't know, Margot!"}
• I made an Amazon Wish List to help supplement the other one I have year-round. {cv} and I had a lightbulb moment when we visited friends this weekend who reminded us the first year of home ownership is also a crazy year of spending. I'm hoping we can front-run it by asking for coffee table books and other little goodies for our house...even if those prezzies will go into storage for now.
• We poured over all our photos from this year and finally settled on a few from our European adventure for our annual Christmas card. Paired with some shimmery envelopes from Paper Source, I'm already itching to address them.

As I try to keep my head on straight this December, I am doing my best to plan ahead and not over-schedule us in the coming days. What other tips do you have for keeping the joy of the season alive--without getting bogged down in the details?!

and that's good enough for me.

I was born in a small town--but not just any small town, the one in that John Mellencamp song. As luck would have it, I met a small town boy. He grew up in a town a thousand miles northeast of me, but it doesn't matter. We both have small town blood running through our veins. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Don't get me wrong: I love living in the city, though Providence isn't really a 'big' city. I thoroughly enjoyed my six years in DC. I just cannot get sunrises like this or sunsets like that in the city. These photos are little reminders of how much I love the peace and quiet of a small town.

When we bought our land this fall, {cv} and I were more than willing to sacrifice the big city conveniences. Visits like the one we had this weekend solidify we made the right choice. I am already counting down the days until our next visit to the Hoosier state at the end of December. Our future home may be in Rhode Island, but all small towns have a way of finding their way into my heart.

John Mellencamp definitely had it right: the small town life is good enough for me.
Have you ever had a lightbulb moment like this?

P.S. Don't forget about the crazy cyber sale at Kate Spade--you have until the end of today to rock it!

safety first.

Greetings from rainy Rhode Island! Today's post will be a simple one, with #Frankenstorm on its way. {cv} and I are both working from home today since the storm is expected to bear down on us this afternoon.

I promise a full marathon recap tomorrow :) the race went wonderfully, but you better believe I'm enjoying this day at home to ice and rest up. I truly cannot thank you enough for all of your tweets, instagram likes + well wishes, comments, and general rockstar fan status over the weekend. We're really happy we made the decision to stay up north, but more on that in tomorrow's post.

Thanks again for everything, friends. I'm so lucky to have such supportive + loving readers :)

P.S. I'm still in awe of your love from the Friday's Fancies celebration last week. you. are. the. best.

three years ago.

I can't really believe it, but three years ago today, {cv} and I officially ended our long distance days and moved into our little loft apartment in Providence. It feels a little like yesterday, but it also feels like a lifetime ago. After years spent in Georgetown townhouses and citified apartments, we opted for this space because we knew it would be different than any space we'd ever buy. It may not have all the finishes we wanted, but it works beautifully for what we needed {then and now}...

This little anniversary had me thinking back to the absolute joy of walking in our apartment that day with {cv} to know we'd never have to travel to one another again. It was amazing to see the blank canvas to create what we wanted. I reveled in knowing we would no longer be buying two of everything--and that we could finally start our life together.

It is so strange to look at these pictures today. This space didn't hold any memories then but it holds so many today. With our friends and family. With our kittens {turned cats}. With each other.

This little loft will always have a soft spot in my heart, even if I simply cannot wait to get into our house next year. Having actual rooms--rather than one huge space--is such a novel concept, though I'll never forget how it forced us to learn about that much more about each other. Honestly, every couple should be forced to live in a space with no doors {with the exception of the bathrooms, of course!} ;)

You may not see many photos of our apartment as it looks today, except little instagram peeks here + there, because we're maxed out. {Read: we have a house full of wonderful wedding gifts in an apartment-sized space!} In the very least, it is your little peek to imagine me sitting on our couch writing blog posts. It is also encouragement for those of you who aren't done with your long distance days to know it will end one day. Thanks for helping us "celebrate" this little anniversary!

P.S. If you're looking to submit your story for my bi-weekly {distance makes the heart grow fonder} series, click here!

behind the blog.

If you're new to {long distance loving}, this post should give you some insight into little ol' me.

If you've been here awhile, you can at least get a few laughs with the photos...enjoy :)

Phew! Are you tired of me yet? I could have gone on, but I will save it for another day. 

This post doesn't even touch on the whys and hows of our long distance years, but in the very least, 

it should help you get a little better handle on what makes me me. I look at this post and realize

just how much I have to be thankful for--which then makes me think of my wonderful parents.

I really don't know where I'd be without their encouragement and love. The same applies for {cv}

and all my best friends. I seriously don't know what I would do without them. I'll just say prayers

I don't have to find that out any time soon!

Like I said, I'm all ears--I'd love to help you work through your fashion conundrums

 {though I'm no expert}, your long distance relationships, your blog questions:

 whatever is on your mind...I can give you my best insight.

Have a great Wednesday! I hope you're all gearing up for another round

of Friday's Fancies, just two short days away! YAY! xoxo {av}

cute as a button.

For as long as I can remember, I've loved buttons. I sought out every button I could find as a kid. I even made my parents stop at estate sales to find big piles of them. {Don't I sound like the coolest kid ever? Holy moly!} When my grandmother and great-grandmother passed in the mid 1990s, I inherited a few gorgeous boxes of buttons which I've held onto for years. And now, thanks to pinterest, I have plenty of ideas about what I can do with those special buttons--and all the others I collected!

{button projects: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7}

What did you collect when you were younger?

Have a fantastic Thursday! I'll see you back here tomorrow for Friday's Fancies! I can't wait :)
Don't forget to get all your entries in for the bfrend giveaway--it ends Sunday!
xoxo {av}

blue ribbon beauties.

{shop the blue ribbon beauties: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7}

{county fair image source}

Back home in Indiana, the last Wednesday of July always falls during the county fair. 

For most of you city folk, the county fair is just a place to people watch and eat fried food. 

{I will admit that I definitely partake in both when I attend, don't worry.} For me, 

the county fair represents a little slice of Americana that will forever be a part of me. 

Why you ask? I participated in 4H for 12 years! The fair was the big "shindig' where we 

showed off all the hard work we put into our projects any given summer. I did a lot of 

projects which sound goofy in retrospect {hello gift wrapping!}, but I will say that many of 

the skills I learned in 4H are still with me today. Not only did I learn how to manage my time, 

I discovered my passion for photography, design, and creative writing and really cultivated my

craftiness. It may sound like something country bumpkins do, but 4H really is pretty fabulous :)

{little old me posing with my photography project in my pre-{av} days at my final state fair as a 4Her in 2004}

Today's post was most definitely inspired by the blue ribbons being handed out back 

in Jackson County, Indiana this week :) {and you know I love that rich cobalt hue!}

So...tell me:

Which of those blue ribbon beauties is your favorite?

What experience from your youth helped shape you?

Have a fantastic Wednesday! xoxo {av}

P.S. Endless thanks to those of you who have entered the lovely bfrend giveaway! 

Don't forget you can up your chances by creating a Friday's Fancies post this week :)

P.P.S. If you're in New England and you're not signed up for rendez-vous: new england,

you better get registered! Lots of fabulous ladies are already on the list!

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}

soaking it up.

At long last, here is the final round of photos from our week-long adventure in the Golden State!
This could be my favorite set of photos too--so you're in for a treat. Our last full day in Napa
started early. We boarded vans to head to the hot air balloon launch pad at 5:30am. It had been
quite some time since I'd seen that hour...but let me tell you: it was totally worth it! Enjoy :)

After our magical ride in the Valley, we headed over to another valley, this time in Sonoma County. 

We met my very knowledgeable uncle at the Jimtown Store on the outskirts of Healdsburg, where

 we found the food perfectly yummy and the atmosphere delightful. From there, my uncle showed

us two more wonderful vineyards {Geyser Peak Winery + Francis Ford Coppola Winery}.  The 

final stop we made in Healdsburg was the tasting room for Williamson Wines. It took the wine 

tasting experience to a whole other level, with the pairing of exquisite bites and tasty sips.

If you're in Sonoma County and don't go to Williamson, you're missing out!

Once we said goodbye to my uncle, we headed back for the Napa Valley and changed in a 

parking lot {classy!} before another phenomenal dinner at The Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant. 

Found at the Culinary Institute of America, the Greystone set the stage for a phenomenal 

last night with the {d}s. We even had an olive oil flight! 

The final hours of that day consisted of Trivial Pursuit back in our suite, which was a perfect way 

to top off our time with {jd} and {rd}. We woke up the next morning and gathered all our wine 

{28 bottles between us--eeps!}, before checking out and heading into Napa for one last lunch.

We chose Gott's Roadside for our final bite, which is another place I'm glad we didn't miss.

I had a killer burger, full of flavor and topped with a slice of bleu cheese. {cv} made a healthier 

choice and had tuna tacos ;) I'm salivating just thinking about that lunch...sigh.

Though traffic from Napa into San Francisco almost allowed us a few more hours with the {d}s, we
said our "see you laters" to {jd} and {rd} after what can only be classified as a perfect visit. Once we
left them, we managed to catch a few final glimpses of SF with one of my oldest friends in the world, {hs}. {Oldest in longevity--not age, of course!} She moved to the city after college for a teaching job and made our last hours in the Golden State that much more wonderful. It was great to catch up with {hs} after a few years apart and see her in her element!

After a stellar week in California and more than a thousand miles on the road, we boarded our
red-eye back to New England and tried to catch a few winks. I'm already ready to go back...
though my pants may never fit again if I was to eat that much food ;)

What is one of your favorite memories from your last vacation?
{I'd have a hard time picking just one from this trip!}


Thanks again for indulging me in one last California post! I hope you'll come back by tomorrow
for another round of Friday's Fancies :) This week, I'm pulling together a lazy and hazy summer
outfit. I hope you'll join in the fun and dream up your own Fancies! Until tomorrow, xoxo {av}

if you need a break from your Thursday, rewind our roadtrip!

day one + day two + day three + day four + day five + day six

a little surprise.

Last June, I was honored to stand beside one of my best friends, {eh}, as she became {eb}. 

{I posted a little more of her wedding lead-up back in February...check it out here!}

Amidst all the wedding craziness, I snapped a few photos with my Instax camera that 

I had actually purchased to use for the guestbook at our own wedding in April 2010.

As a fun little gift, I decided to assemble those Instax photos into a little makeshift album since 

there aren't any ready-made albums for photos that size. This may seem like a rudimentary craft, 

but let's be honest: when was the last time you spent much time thinking about photo corners? 

I had kind of forgotten about them--I'll admit. When trying to troubleshoot this lack of album

situation, I beelined for my local Michael's and created my own solution with those little 

sticky things that slipped my mind...

The ingredients for a simple and clean album

kraft paper photo corners from Michael's - $3.99

8" X 8" scrapbook from Michael's - $14.99

TOTAL = $18.98 (plus tax)

Even if you don't have an Instax, this little handmade album might just be the perfect gift. 

Photo corners give off a kind of retro vibe to me...and I just love them. As a tip, be sure to

load up all the photo corners first (as seen in step 2) before flipping it over to stick onto the

page. It worked a lot easier that way!

Do you have any easy, go-to crafts which aim to please?

I'm aching to get my hands on some fun DIY projects...so please pass on a few

of your favorites :) Hope your Wednesday goes by quickly! xoxo {av}