Summer Jams, Reads, and Eats

If you're like me, summer is not complete without great tunes, books and food. Below is a list of my summer faves (however, the songs will change in 10 minutes because I beat them to death in my car):

Wisteria

Murphy's

Sotto Sotto

Holeman & Finch

Canoe

Local Three

Terra Terroir

Let's all join the parade

Below is us getting to hear Bob Goff, one of the biggest inspirations of our generation. If you don't know him, please let me introduce you. I promise that you will never be the same.

Antico Pizza with my amazing team from work

Baby shower with great friends for sweet Tricia Spicknall

Melanie(Moon Unit, or M.U.)'s wedding in Dallas, Texas

Liz's birthday celebrated at Barcelona Wine Bar, photo booth pictures from Melanie's wedding, a note from Donald Miller (*swoon*), my attempt at a headband, beer lunch 'n learn at work, and Lauren and Brenton's visit

We've officially been married FIVE years, holy crap. We celebrated with a trip to the Iberian Pig in Decatur. Oh, and a trip to Italy. 

My best friend, Lauren lives in Pasadena, CA and came to visit this weekend for my birthday. We've always been long-distance friends, but we're pros at staying in touch. She's one that I'll take with me to the grave.

Birthday dinner for Patrick and I at Leon's in Decatur

Check out Patrick's new Warby Parkers!

The night ended at the Brickstore with Daniel, Liz, Lauren, and Brenton

     I feel like we've been going non-stop for weeks. I know Donald Miller would be proud. And I'm proud, too. It's easy to lay low, watch tv, and read books. And those aren't things I've stopped doing (duh, the Bachelorette starts TONIGHT), but I have tried to say 'yes' more than I feel comfortable doing. I might be tired, but yes, I'd love to meet early for coffee. Yes, I'd love to go to the pool, have a cook-out, try a new restaurant, or pick you up from the airport at 6am. You can only put your love into action so much from your couch. 

So why don't we all join the parade?

And while you're at it, enjoy this awesome picture from my friend, Grace in Mozambique. She knows the way to my heart.

For Cam

In honor of your wedding weekend.

These are a collection of pictures from our time together over the last eight years. I hope you'll enjoy a few of the old ones, but I did my best not to include all the old ones. And for that, I'd like to say you're welcome. 

Cameron, you mean more to me than words can express. I couldn't have asked for a more steadfast, loyal, hilarious and wonderful friend. Getting to celebrate your wedding with you was so special to me. My cheeks hurt from laughing and I know my abs will never recover. And I find myself walking away with a truer understanding of you after our weekend together. 

One of my favorite things that we used to do together was drive your car out to the middle of nowhere in Athens, and listen to this song over and over and over again. We'd look at the stars, vent, say prayers, tell jokes, and consume gallons of Jittery Joe's coffee. Those nights laying on the hood of your car were where we started going deeper together. Questioning everything, encouraging each other, pushing each other and learning how to just love better. Cam, I treasure those moments. 

And I treasure the times you called me from Peru and Costa Rica because you knew things were hard. Or you'd bring me flowers or coffee or candles when I needed to smile. You'd always make time for me no matter what test was coming up or what time you had to get up the next day. You love so well. 

And in hearing everyone talk about you at your wedding, it was obvious that you've had the same effect on every single person there. You've loved so exceptionally throughout your life, and been so generous with your time and money and heart. People's lives have been significantly impacted by you and it was so beautiful to see that firsthand. And I can't wait for Jordan to see how blessed he is to get to spend a lifetime with you. Listening to music, drinking coffee, telling jokes and just doing life. You move through things so gracefully, and I know your best years are just beginning. 

And because I can't share some of our 'other' memories, I'll give you a collection of words and phrases that might mean a little something to you:

Nan. Fuzzy Navels. Muffins. Jittery Joe's. Flowers and stationary for lonely days. Cafe Instanbul. Brain scans. Tammy. Starbucks. Ice packs. Lebanon. Peru. Horse disasters. Lost. 505 - it looks like SOS, but it's not. True-to-form cakes. Georgia/Florida. Laser shows. CHOA. Chick-fil-A. Hookah breaking. Dave Kolb. A Thousand Splendid Suns. Weddings and more weddings. Taqueria. Obi. Pamoja. I know nothing. Will. Want to go on a walk? Intermezzo. Divan. Jody. Athens. baby denny. Club 80 Groundhog Day formal. Cigars. Phi Slam. Ketchup bottles. Ty's tailgates. Brett Davis. Tye dye shirts. Andy/Rob/Jeremy/Jamie/Melanie/Patrick/Christina/Josh.

You're the best ever and I'm so grateful for you!

Love love.

Eating our way through Atlanta

The last few weekends have been FULL of killer Atlanta restaurants. Our good friend Daniel came in town a few weeks ago, and we knew we had to nail the food. Which unfortunately got us on a new restaurant rampage, as we started to feel embarrassed at how few of Atlanta's restaurants we had actually tried. So here is a glimpse of some of the great food (and Spring happenings) that we've had in the last 3 weeks!

First up with Daniel was Barcelona Wine Bar, where we had chorizo with sweet and sour figs, sauteed shrimp, hanger steak with truffle sauce, churros and wine. Tapas restaurants are hard to beat, but you wouldn't hate yourself if you had a snack before hitting Barcelona Wine Bar. The food was out of control good, just not as plentiful as you'd hope.

Next up was Heirloom Market BBQ for lunch Saturday, sushi at Zest for dinner, and a burger at Farmburger on Sunday for lunch. I seriously thought I would explode after all of that food. We did all go on a run that afternoon, so all was not lost.  

The following weekend we found the King of Pops while running the Atlanta Beltline. Then we had Moderna tacos with our sweet friends Daniel and Liz, and enjoyed lattes at Octane. Sunday we had Korean tacos at the Atlanta Food Truck Park, and another King of Pops. Because you can't beat a blueberry ginger popsicle EVER.

Since the weather has been amazing, I've been trying to take Lucy on a run every day. Yes I hate running, but I've gotten some good tips lately that make it a tiny bit more bearable. Sometimes we'll take Lucy to the park or the river to let her swim, which she thinks is greatest thing ever. She gulps the water, gallops up and down the banks, lays down on the bottom of creek, rolls in the mud, and eats all the leaves she can find. She's also been known to dig up an old hairbrush or tennis ball out of the mud. Those are special moments.

This past Friday we tried Baci in Brookhaven, then went to Noche for mojitos and a caramel corn sundae. Baci had great food, but it wasn't quite the experience we were hoping for...which is why we ended up at Noche for dessert and drinks. I'm convinced all of Atlanta was there taking shots.

Last night I had my 10 year high school reunion at Sweetwater Brewery, which was a combination of painfully awkward and incredible. I was so nervous I made Patrick give me a pep talk in the car, which consisted of "Well, at least you can always focus on drinking beer if things get too weird." But the thing is, I hate beer. So the encouragement kind of sucked. 

I will say that it was fun to catch up with old friends, and even continue the party at Marlow's Tavern with a couple that we found to be our 'home base' throughout the night. At these awkward events, a home base is imperative. So cheers to Kassandra and Sean for making it a great night!

This morning we had brunch at Sun in my Belly and this was the absolute WINNER of all the restaurants we visited in the last few weeks. Great atmosphere, coffee, decor and food. I was in instagram heaven. 

And last but not least, my favorite picture from the weekend:

Love love.