Rachael Zarda

It’s been months since I’ve seen the top of my dining table. In the center of my home, it’s taken on the role of collector of all the sandpaper, paint brushes, junk mail and receipts alike. The home projects are never ending, so there’s no real need to put things away when I’m just going to use them again in a few days. This is how my mind works, my friends. But when one has company coming for the weekend, one realizes that drill bits and and caulk are not the most welcoming or attractive ways to accessorize your home.

So this condo of mine went through the deep cleaning it needed. I got the seal of approval from my mom, even! If you knew my mom, you would know this is a feat in and of itself. She is the queen of clean.

I rewarded myself for my hard work with the prettiest bundle of white lilacs $6.99 could buy. Thanks a mil, Trader J. It’s now my goal to have fresh flowers in the house throughout the majority of summer. Every time I turned the corner into my dining room there they were, an eyeful of instant happiness.

Memorial day weekend was the loveliest staycation, full of family, sun, and relaxation. My brother and his better half were visiting from Birmingham, so I took them on a tour de every one of my favorite restaurants in town. We also visited the Liberty Memorial because, well, it was Memorial Day and bonus! it’s got the best view of this city I love (see #6).

I have many talented friends, but one in particular makes the best cakes in all the land and I asked her to make my favorite (you can’t beat a good vanilla on vanilla combo) for a special birthday celebration. There was cake to be had for nearly a week and all was good in the world.

To further convince you that all I do is eat and drink, last weekend we road tripped to Louisburg Cider Mill to stock up on local fig preserves and cider donuts, which taste just as good in the summer as they do in the fall, believe it or not! Take right up the dirt road and on your first left is Somerset Ridge Winery. We spent the afternoon soaking up the sun, sipping my favorite red, sampling spanish tapas, and listening to the most talented pianist play Mr. James Taylor for us. It really was quite dreamy.

In between the fun, I did work a little, started on my patio redesign (coming soon to a blog near you), and impressed myself with the amount of online shopping and returning one gal could muster.

And so now you’re all caught up on my life. What’s new in yours? I’ll be posting about a fun shoot I played a part in for one of my favorite boutiques tomorrow, can’t wait to share it with you!