Mugs Not Drugs

Can a girl ever really have too much tea in her life?  I don't think so.  I am not a coffee drinker and have always loved tea (Meijer brand jasmine green tea is my go-to in a rush), and I got more serious about loose leaf tea a few years ago.  Now I'm a bit of a maniac.  I was gifted some Teavana and their ingenious tea steeper a few years ago by my lovely roommates (Eureka shout out!).  The aroma of the Maharaja Chai Oolong and Samurai Chai Mate blend relaxes the heck out of me and puts me in a very happy place.  

My other tea obsession, Joseph Wesley Black Tea out of Detroit, makes me a proud Michigander. Joe is bringing knowledge and craft back to tea and the result is some amazing, pure, delicious drinking. I have and love the Darjeeling, Assam, and Keemun Congfu (sourced from India and China).  The tea comes out light and flavorful, with wonderfully complex notes.  The packaging and information provided with each tea is awesome - I love to learn about what I'm eating and drinking, and they make sure you are an informed consumer.   Be sure to check out the beautiful website and blog and get yourself some goodies while you're there!

Current state of my kitchen cupboard.  Clearly there's room for more tea.

As if I didn't have enough mugs (and bottles of wine, apparently), here are some more mugs I'm currently pining for. . .  because Etsy is a dangerous place for me.

 

Knotworkshop

  

 

StyleDahlia

Sushi Soothes Me

I'm getting myself settled into my new place and got to wake up yesterday for work only an hour before I had to go in, which made me wildly happy.  My view isn't half bad to wake up to either.

Nina popped over after work for a drink and some dinner.  We went to Blue Sushi Sake Grill, which is close to my new place (highly dangerous because I have a sushi addiction).  We kept it simple with a California roll, salmon and avocado roll, and a shrimp tempura roll, but their specialty rolls are a definite must-try for next time (because obviously there will be a next time. . . I have no self control when it comes to sushi).

Some sparkling rosé in the new living room.  Makes a place feel more homey to have friends over for celebrations :)

Things Fall

Life is funny.  Things fall apart, then somehow manage to fall back into place.  Things were stagnating for me and I wasn't sure what to do about it, so this move is really a new beginning in a lot of ways.  I now have 400 square feet that I can call my own and do with what I want.  I haven't lived alone since college, and, after sharing a bathroom with a four- and six-year-old, this time to myself should be nice.  This new start is exciting and scary, but I'm feeling like this is finally where I'm supposed to be.

Gold mirror on the right: Eastown Antiques (Grand Rapids, MI)

Tall gold mirror: Home Goods

Smaller mirror to the left: Antique, from the family cottage

I always have these set up somehow in my room wherever I live.  I have ever since I moved back into my childhood home right after college.  They're my comfort objects and I've added to over the years.  A dream catcher from our family cottage; a handwritten note from someone my grandparents encountered years ago, written partially in Norwegian.  They make a place feel like home.  

Craigslist has been good to me.  From it I found my favorite apartment in Chicago during college, a fantastic house where I met great friends in Grand Rapids, and now this adorable, fits-perfectly-in-my-new-apartment couch.  

The miniature version of my book collection.  Some day the three boxes of books in my mother's basement will make their way down to Texas and we will again be reunited.

Getting to be around my amazing family again is a lovely reminder of how good I have it.

Six to None

Moving tomorrow and it's really hitting me how much I'll miss seeing my knobby-kneed nephews every day, having my sister around when I wake up, occasionally seeing my brother-in-law (our schedules rarely allow us to have that quality time together he so wishes we had), watching crazy Zena chase bunnies in the backyard, and seeing how much Banana the beta fish loves it when his water gets changed.  Six roommates to just me, myself, and I.

Texas is Almost Official!

We ran to my apartment complex quickly today to see the new place, because if you don't see your apartment for the first time two days before move-in, you're probably doing something wrong.  In all our excitement, Lauren and I completely forgot to notice if I have a microwave or not!  We are thinking not, so that microwave rice noodle bowl I just bought at Trader Joe's should be interesting to make. . .  We also had to make the obligatory run to Home Goods because I am in desperate need of a teakettle.  I ended up leaving with a colander, two champagne flutes, a vase, and a golden deer head (as if my accessory inventory isn't large enough), so not the most successful trip in terms of getting the thing I needed, but not a bad trip altogether  :)  

The light in my apartment is amazing!  Thank goodness, because it is super tiny.  I'm going to have to have some serious brainstorming sessions with Lauren on Monday about how to work this space.  I can't wait!

Walked in.  Saw a gold deer head.  Had to have it.

Now I just have to find out about that microwave. . .

Go Texan.

My sister and I ventured to the McKinney Farmers Market at Chestnut Square, and I am in love!  It's open Saturdays from 8AM-12PM and it is one of the most quaint, cutest places I've seen here so far. Stands are set up in the small square among lovely old houses and the stall owners are all amazingly nice!  Free samples don't hurt either :)  The amount of organic and gluten-free options is also a major plus!

Shop local and support an amazing company for autism action!  

eldedah shirts can be purchased off their Etsy site, with their official website launching in the next few weeks!

The Tamale Company

We snagged some Cita's Salsa, which is also sold at Central Market (a magical place we don't have in Michigan) if you can't make it out to the farmers market.  The salsa is fantastic and will not last long around us :)  My Gluten Free Friend has amazing frozen meal options and the breads (for when you need a little gluten in your life) from the Village Baking Co. are wildly delicious!  Be sure to stop at Five Star Tortilla for a sample of their handmade flour tortillas. . . you won't leave without a pack of your own!  (Or at least I didn't!)  There are a lot more stalls to see and fresh produce to enjoy, so we will definitely be making another Saturday trip to see and sample more.  Five star review from me, so be sure to check it out!

Why I Moved.

Almost four years ago, my sister, her husband, and my baby nephews packed up their lives and moved down to Texas.  It was one of the saddest days of my life.  I remember holding baby Carson and crying my eyes out as I buckled him into his car seat, then lying in bed the rest of the day being an absolute mess.  I've spent these last years missing firsts and the small things I would experience being closer to them, so I could not be happier to be back in the same city again!  Today was especially sweet because I got to go with the family to see Carson's new school  :)

He was so excited about having his own locker :)

Monday will be a big day for the two of us - I'll move into my new place and Carson will start at his new school!  

Max loves hiding under the covers :)

Lovely Apartment Tidbits

I've been in Dallas almost two months now and I move into my own apartment on Monday!  It's been so wonderful staying with my sister and her family but the time has come for this bird to leave the nest.  I came down with only what would fit into my car so I had to make my packing count.  I can't wait to get my books out of their boxes, decorate my new space, and start making it my own with the lovely things I've acquired over the years.

Handmade wine rack, made in about 30 minutes by my lovely friend's husband out of barn wood from their farm in Traverse City

  

LeighViner Etsy shop (Frame on the right)

SarasRoom Etsy shop (Well worth the wait for it to ship from Italy!) (Frame on the left) 
Two amazingly talented women - check their Etsy shops out!

Michigan Longings

Driving home last with the windows down and my hair blowing in the wind got me missing Michigan summers up north.  There is nothing like driving up M-22 through the winding roads and little towns after Traverse City and heading for our family cottage.  It doesn't get any better than a glass of wine on the wrap-around porch and a view of the sunset.

Sweatshirt, Tug Stuff (Fishtown, Leland)

 My badass-looking Grandpa, who built our cottage and whose shirt I wear constantly.

Everyone has to visit northern Michigan in the summer at least once in their lives!  Head into Traverse City and check out Gallagher Farms and Gallagher U-Pick during cherry season (they're the best in town, by far).  Drive north on M-22 with a beautiful view of the bay to your right and stop at Tandem Ciders on Setterbo Road in Suttons Bay.  Grab yourself a growler of cider from their adorable tasting room then continue up to Northport, my favorite town on earth.  Be sure to stop for a look around at the Willowbrook Mill, an absolutely gorgeous venue with, conveniently, a delicious coffee shop attached!  Rent a room or a cottage somewhere, spend some time, experience the wonder that is up north.  

Nephews About Town

It's great to spend my time before I go into work hanging with my sister and the nephews, especially when it results in getting a giant bag of salted caramel popcorn at Costco and getting to wear my favorite, semi-obnoxious Loft pants.

Seacoast Canvas Sneaker, Sperry

Necklace and Purse, H&M

Sunglasses, some gas station between Michigan and Texas

Shirt, Grandpa's again :)

Photos courtesy of the lovely Lauren F.

Dallas Girls' Night

Moving to a new city and only knowing a couple people can be hard, but luckily, after a few weeks at my new serving job being surrounded by basically only guys, I've finally gotten to spend time with a new Dallas friend!  Nina is also a recent transplant who packed up and drove cross-country to start over.  It's nice to find a kindred spirit so soon into my time here.  It's also amazingly nice to find the Knox-Henderson neighborhood, get a little dolled up, sit at a good bar, drink some wine and eat delicious food, and just enjoy a new place.

Skirt: Rachel Roy at Macy's

Shoes: Target - Mossimo Supply Co.

Necklace: FreshyFig

Clutch: IC Hair & Vintage, Grand Rapids

Shirt: My grandpa's :)

Gemma Restaurant is my new go-to spot.  They're open late (till 1AM Tuesday through Sunday!) and have a wonderfully laid-back atmosphere.  Do yourself a favor and get a glass of the sparkling rosé and an order of the albacore carpaccio - your taste buds will thank you!