Lake vacation.

  

  A few years ago we started a vacation tradition with some college friends. Since that first year, our group has changed so much. Namely, we've added half a dozen babies! So this year's lake vacation looked a bit different, but was still perfectly relaxing and great to just get away. 
  To be honest, my introverted self always get a bit overwhelmed/exhausted by big trips like this one. I know they are so good for our family, though. And seeing Justin around some of his best friends is totally worth it. Plus I slept in and took some naps {what?? I blame you, baby number two} and finished two books. Definite signs of a good week! And now we're set to squeeze out every last bit of summer over these next few weeks!

Celebrating.

  On Friday night I was able to help celebrate one of my favorite ladies. Liz and I went to college together, but it wasn't until after we both ended up in Indy that we became good friends. I think it all started when we just scheduled a coffee date, sort of on a whim, and hit it off immediately. Then we joined cooking club together and, well, the rest is history. Our friendships is one of my favorites and it reminds me that relationships in adulthood look different- they don't just happen to you. You have to work to make them happen. We both thought 'hey, I could be friends with her' and then did something {coffee date!} to make it happen. I'm so glad we did!

  And over the past year, it has been so fun to watch her fall in love with Ryan. To hear about their first date and saying I love you and hopes for a Fall wedding. And now it's happening! 

  It was probably one of my favorite low key bachelorette parties ever. Really good friends, good food, good drinks, and good conversation {and lots of fun facts about sex}. We met up at Divvy for small bites and then headed back to Meg's house for drinks and desserts {and a movie that we never got to, because, well we're a very chatty bunch!}. 

  So here's to you, Liz! I am more thankful for your friendship than you probably realize. You and Ryan make such a wonderful couple and I think I speak for all of the girls when I say we can't wait to continue the celebration with you in November! xo

Symphony on the Prairie.

   One of our unofficial summer goals has been to explore Indy a bit more. Months ago, we talked about going to Symphony on the Prairie for Motown night with some friends. On Friday, we all met up at Conner Prairie, armed with enough snacks for 10 people and plenty of beer and wine. We were totally put to shame by the Symphony pros who brought full size picnic tables and tablecloths and citronella candles. Next time, we'll be far more prepared. Even with our hodge podge picnic, we had a blast listing to some throwbacks and helping the Contours relive their glory days. Tons of fun! I even saw a local celebrity {that no one else in our group had heard of...} But we'll probably be sticking with our {cheaper and closer} park concerts. Either way, live music and byob? Yes, please. 
 In other news, I'm in denial that summer is almost over. Not. Fair. 

Cinco, Cinco, Cinco de Mayo

  Ever since Justin's Taylor days, Cinco de Mayo has been kind of a big deal. To celebrate this year, we had some friends over for a nacho bar, the best ever enchiladas, and mexican beverages. Delish! As usual, I failed to take a single picture. One day. One day I'll be better at that. Maybe.

 Justin and I are prone to reflecting a lot after hang outs like this weekend's. Did everyone have fun? Was anyone offended? Did we leave anyone out? Was the party lame? I'm really not sure why we're so darn concerned with pleasing everyone, but we really are. I think it comes down to the basics of wanting people to like you, have fun with you, and like you more (not less) after you host a shindig. You know? We're both generally outgoing and confident people, but those insecurities creep up from time to time and we've been so mindful of them since leaving our bubble of college life years ago. Its made me think about needing to take a step back and work more on having a Mary kind of heart. (hello, cheesy Christian analogy) Maybe put less into the planning and organizing and doing and more into being and enjoying.  

We showed our class when we broke out a screen door to use as a table.

  Truly, I think it was fine. Good food makes anything better, right? Right.

 It was also the best excuse to try out some new recipes! I found the best blue margarita, easy non-fried ice cream, and my absolute new favorite sangria recipe (sharing soon!). And had the excuse to make my favorite salsa and hand out as party favors. And put a sombrero on my husky. It was a win/win, people. Win/win.

Lobster-fest.

 One of the first nights of vacation, we got suckered into a great deal.

All you can eat lobster.

For two midwestern couples and one from the Jersey shore,

that sounds like a dream.

{except for J, who hates seafood}

We all had about four or five lobsters, but by the end, it was a bit rough.

One only wants to see so much lobster guts, you know?

But I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Come to think of it, I'm craving seafood as I type this...

In the works.

I've got a few posts in the works...

but none completely done.

So we'll just call today a teaser.

{Abc Baby shower. {No, I will not be posting my address for all the interweb creepers to see.}} 

{My take on the Pinterest popular pesto-stuffed chicken}

{homemade ice cream cake recipe for J's bday}

In the meantime, visit my friend Marcie's blog? And leave a comment BEGGGGGGGING outfit of the day {OOTD} pictures. She's SO STYLISH. And be a follower. Cause she'll start whipping out her hilariousness if she know people are reading!

Ok, shameless plug over. Happy Monday! :)

Shameless plug.

Let's call a spade a spade.

There's no bones about it,

this post is 100% a shameless plug.

But its for a good friend...

so that makes it ok, right?! :)

I stumbled on one of my HS friends blogs yesterday

{ Marcie why were you keeping it a secret, lady?!?!}

and decided its a MUST SHARE.

I mean, isn't the name alone awesome?

High Fashion & Cheap Wine

As in, get your arse over there and read and become a follower.

Bc if she knew people read it, I know she'd write more.

And she's hilarious.

And stylish.

In real life, Marcie is basically a mixture of Ashley and Whitney.

Super gorgeous and trendy like Ashley and balls to the wall funny and outspoken like Whitney.

Great qualities in a friend, for sure!

Even better qualities in a blog.

So, what are you waiting for?!

Go read Marcie's first few entries, become a follower {bc we're nice like that in the blogworld},

and leave a comment.

Maybe ask for her to start doing Outfit Of The Day posts...

cause those would be killer.

She's so stylish, did I mention that?

Happy weekend!!

I'm a complete mixture of bummed and ecstatic today.

{I'm fully aware that sentence contradicts itself. Deal.}

{old, gross picture. But isn't Sarah cute?!}

My amazing friend Sarah is finally marrying the love of her life today!!!

After much waiting and long distance dating,

they are finally getting hitched.

And I seriously could not be happier for them!

I don't know another couple so in love, so centered on Christ, so servant-hearted.

Sarah is such a beautiful person, in every way. 

For about three years, we took weekly walks, kept one another accountable, talked about future weddings.

I look up to her in so so SO many ways.

And when Ryan I met Ryan, I realized how much he is the PERFECT match for her.

Just the way he looks at her makes my heart melt.

They are the epitome of love.

Seriously.

So I'm super bummed that $$ and work kept me from heading to PA for their wedding today.

I'm sure its going to be so beautiful and filled with love and focused on Christ!

And selfishly,

I'm bummed I don't get to party with these two ladies...

gosh, I miss college!

Happy Wedding Day Sarah & Ryan!!!

{although I'm 99.9% positive you don't read this blog :D}

grownup update

because I know everyone is dying to hear how it went...

well.
it went well.
not amazing, not terrible.
just well.
Mainly, it was really good to talk about things that are important to me with others who also value them.
(faith, growth, the Bible)


but also, 
it was fun going with Justin and being nervous together.
We both agreed it went well 
and that we'll keep going.
we need to.


things like this just make me appreciate the friendships and relationships I've been blessed to form 
that much more.


all in all, a good step for us in the friend direction!
and p.s.
its pretty comforting to know that I'm not crazy
and that most of us face this challenge

blessed.

I have some of the best friends in the world.

Unfortunately, growing up and real life mean that I'm not able to walk down the hall and chat with them whenever I want.

Afternoon-long starbucks chats aren't so easy to fit in.

Our lives aren't so easily intertwined because of the miles between us.

If I could pack up all of my friends, and create a little commune for us to all live and coexist, i would love it.

but that's crazy.

so instead, I just cherish whenever I am able to visit, chat with, or just send a note to any of my awesome friends.

Intentionality has always been important to me, but its is even more so now that I've graduated college and moved to a city (seemingly) far from all my besties.

But all this rambling is just to say, that I am so.very.blessed. to have such awesomesupportivebeautifulencouragingChristfilledfun friends.

blessed. i am.

(this post inspired by the wonderful Lauren Shepherd and our refreshing Starbucks date this weekend. So thankful for her.)