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Each disc a day

14 February 2025

It was the best summer of our lives. We knew it at the time — I’ll always be grateful for that — even if those around us were inclined toward demurring, prevaricating. I’m sure it felt premature, to declare something “the best” when there were still so many opportunities to surpass it, when we were still so young.

But each day was a golden disc, luminous and precious, and they stacked lazily on top of one another for months – “each disc a day, and the addition slow.”

Everything was new. I had never had a boyfriend, of course, so that was new, but I mean everything. I drove on new roads in my old town – roads I’d never needed to drive on before, because nothing that lay at the end of them had ever mattered. I listened to new music on his mixed cassette tapes: The Arcade Fire, Iron & Wine, Wilco, Bloc Party. I tried new foods, overcoming my limited palette in the hopes of impressing him, or at least not disappointing him: guacamole, gazpacho, pavlova, sushi, hot buttered lobster roll, chicken tikka masala.

We got our Indian fix from a little hole-in-the-wall in the city next door, and after our many trips the owner began recognizing us. This felt important: a new acquaintance who had never known us apart from one other. We laughed as we were ushered to the table by the window week after week.

Who wouldn’t want to put love on display?

Our favorite days, the best days, went like this: wake up slow. Converge on the McQuade’s parking lot with the group. Order deli sandwiches, squeeze into fewer cars. Drive to Watch Hill, make a decision about parking (pay $20 for the lot or risk a ticket?), then hoof it past the marina and over the dunes to a slice of sand on Napa Tree Point. Unfurl a towel. Lie in the sun. Toss the football. Splash in the waves. Talk, talk, talk with whomever could come that day.

We got quite a few tickets.

Then home for a quick shower, pull on a sundress. A few minutes later he’d pull back into my driveway and we’d head out, just the two of us this time – to Abbott’s, for dinner, squinting, the low sun glinting off the sound. Another place I’d never been, even though I’d lived in this town my whole life, too.

Then to game night. Someone’s parents’ house, the whole group again, or whoever could make it that evening. Cranium, usually, or poker, or Rock Band. Home before curfew, usually just.

We were not completely without responsibility, that summer. He worked at a seaside market, slicing ham and scooping potato salad and toasting bagels for beachgoers. He’d bring me home an unsold chocolate croissant after closing, by this point knowing enough (and feeling comfortable enough) to pull one of my mom’s wax-paper-wrapped burritos out of the freezer for his own late-night snack.

I worked at a tiny beach shack, at a tucked-away cove frequented only by nannies and toddlers. He’d bike miles round trip with a friend or two just to see me, rounding the corner of the deck sweating and grinning. I’d give them a shaved ice, the sanctioned offering for friends, then go back to reading my book in the sun when they left.

A letter arrived from college with my roommate’s name printed neatly in small black type. She called me a few days later, urged me to log onto Facebook now that we could guess at our college email addresses. Intrusive, all of it, an unwelcome reminder that a world beyond this summer was lurking.

Never mind.

We hiked, we kayaked at the cottage, we watched movies, we laid in the hammock and read books, we dove in the pool, we walked on the train tracks, we went to the casinos for Krispy Kreme, we played croquet in my backyard, we hopped the fence and flew high on the beachside swings in Groton under the moon. And when we weren’t with our friends or alone, my younger sister inexplicably became our third wheel, a heretofore unheard of circumstance in our somewhat-frosty relationship.

It’s easy to be generous when you’re in love.

We went skinny dipping once, wading deep into the pond before tossing our suits back to shore, everyone laughing and shrieking in the moonlight, and that was the night of our biggest argument. “Are you just going to do what everyone else does?” he shot at me later, a slight tremor revealing the fear about what we’d find, who we’d become when throttled beyond this golden summer, plucked up and placed somewhere we weren’t seen and known and loved.

This was the only stumble.

Otherwise – and this is not just hazy hindsight, I remember this with clarity and certainty – we knew this summer was the beginning, knew we would pass into marriage, and children, knew we would last. We knew it as surely as we knew our names.

But who could bear to live in that excitement for even five years?

I have had many blissful seasons since, many golden summers, mostly because our lives only became further entwined – but none like that first one. Our love feels quieter now, steadier, deeper. It is on this love that the engine of our marriage is run: being in love that summer was the explosion that started it.

We celebrated the twentieth anniversary of our first date in late January, and I couldn’t let it go by without sharing a few thoughts. Astute readers will recognize that I wove in a few lines from one of our ceremony readings, with many thanks to C.S. Lewis, as well as a line from my favorite poem.

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2024: A year in review

31 December 2024

I am aware that we are in the sweetest of sweet spots in our family’s life. It’s rather unfashionable to say so – the more correct thing to say is that there is beauty in every season, and that we shouldn’t elevate one over another – but sometimes unfashionable things are also true. Of course (of course!) there is beauty in every season: I fully expect to delight in our family when everyone has graduated from elementary school, when we have teens, and when kids are home on college break. I will relish the days when we can all huddle around the same game board and no one is whining to be carried on a hike.

And yet: so many people say that the years between six and twelve are the golden ones for family life, and I can see why. Our kids are squarely within our sphere of influence. They like our home the best and spending time together the most. They don’t have phones or computers – there’s no algorithm shaping, splintering, spoiling their psyches. They’re growing more capable every day and look out for each other while on the go. They’re full of questions and eager for answers, willing accomplices, sweet and genuine and unguarded. They smile and hug and snuggle and hold our hands.

They also bicker, and vehemently express outsize opinions about inconsequential things. They complain and whine and dawdle and melt down. I lose my patience and come down hard in the wrong places and make the more expedient choice instead of the one I know is better in the long-term.

This is family life, with all of its joys and furies. This is our life together, and here I am to mark one more year in its span: to pin it down in my memory, to examine it from each side like the jewel-tone butterfly it is. Thank you, as always, for indulging me. xo

As ever, our year began by celebrating another birthday for our big girl – this time with a “birthday day of fun” with one of her best friends. We went to the Life & Science Museum in the morning, a rock climbing gym in the afternoon, and rounded out the day with her first ever sleepover. We invited a contractor into our attic to talk about renovation possibilities, cousins came to visit, I re-sorted my bookshelf after almost a decade of rainbow order, and Shep played his first basketball season at a gym in our neighborhood – bliss! We also kicked off reading Little Pilgrim’s Progress in the mornings before school, something we’d continue all year until we finished in December. Finally, my beloved paternal grandmother passed away on the 19th anniversary of John’s and my first date – and my maternal grandparents’ wedding anniversary.

On the blog, I shared my 2024 goals and reading list.

We wished for snow in February but were disappointed. Instead, we made classroom valentines, hiked on sunny days, made crayon sun catchers (still hanging many months later!), and cheered on the NC State gymnastics team with friends. We spent a long weekend in Virginia with grandparents and cousins and took our first visit to the National Zoo. I celebrated my birthday at the end of the month with antiques shopping and a solo lunch date, and on the blog, I shared some thoughts on beauty at age 37 and 6 small changes I’m glad I made.

We spent lots of time outdoors in March, including on the field and sidelines for another soccer season for June and Shep. We celebrated the first blooms from our fancy daffodils, shopped for Easter baskets for kids in our community, and *almost* put in an offer on a home in our neighborhood after a 24-hour scramble to get pre-approved for a mortgage. We flew to Connecticut to honor my grandmother’s life at her memorial service – I gave a eulogy based on these remembrances – and loved getting to visit with family at our farm. A week later we left for another spring break on Jekyll Island, this time in the turret and with friends! On the blog, I shared a second installment of our family’s faith formation practices.

April was filled with adventures big and small. We biked to church one morning – 9 miles round trip! – I chaperoned a field trip for June, and Shep took some tune-up swim lessons before his first season of neighborhood swim team. Perhaps most notably, I flew to Texas for DG’s annual retreat and met Cultivate’s new vice president, Jessica. It’s been a year of much change for CWM and this was the week it all kicked off. I left feeling hopeful, and though it’s been a year of ups and downs, I’m grateful for our small but mighty team. On the blog, I shared an update on our mortgage payoff plan.

We kicked off May with two back-to-back weekends of camping with friends, and then John and June one-upped us by camping a third weekend during their 22-mile backpacking trip! June, John, and I were all terribly proud of how well she did on this epic adventure with dad. In between, we picked strawberries, biked all over our town, finished soccer, and started neighborhood swim team. Shep graduated from our beloved preschool and grandparents came to town to celebrate. I also organized a flower bar at church for Mother’s Day, a sweet opportunity to serve some ladies I love.

On the blog, I shared my intro to rucking.

In June, the two bigs finally cashed in on their Christmas IOU – tickets to The Lion King at DPAC! Their faces absolutely lit up when the cast sang and danced their way down the aisle inches from our seats. School let out for the summer and we adjusted to the work-from-home life with two kids around. Verdict: incredibly grateful to be able to do it, not without its frustrations. We rounded the month out with more cousin visits, a sweaty Durham Bulls game, hosting a neighborhood kindergarten breakfast, first swim meets, and one of our favorite weekends of the year: a trip to a North Carolina beach town over Father’s Day/Juneteenth. And in the midst of it all (how?!), I traveled back to Texas for Cultivate’s big PowerSheets photo shoot.

On the blog, I shared 10 helpful money decisions we keep repeating.

In July we were off to Michigan, one of our happiest of happy places! We tubed, hiked, fished, dined, and napped in the sun with 35 Thomas family members. Soon enough it was time to send June off for her first summer of sleepaway camp – two weeks in the North Carolina mountains! After a flurrying of planning and packing, we walked away from a big piece of our heart with a lump in our throats. Thanks be to God she thrived (even if she did only send us one letter, ha!). On the blog, I shared a mid-year update on my goals.

Sleepaway camp flowed right into another week of Cousin Camp – with an Olympics theme, naturally. We continued the cousin time with a week together in Maine. It was a treasure, as always, despite the fact that John was knocked out by COVID for almost the entirety of our stay. An especially dear memory is taking the Whaler to a tiny nearby island one afternoon with just my dad and the three kids.

Back at home, we celebrated Shep’s birthday with his own birthday day of fun – a train ride to Greensboro to visit the children’s museum with two buddies and their sibs. And soon enough it was back to school for all three, but this time both June and Shep were biking to elementary school!

On the blog, I shared a simple trick that makes the most of my clothing budget.

September: more soccer (this time, for Annie, as well!), our annual camping trip with the Rays (this time on Lake Gaston!), and a 12th anniversary trip to Asheville where we dined and dreamed. Just a week later, we helplessly watched as damage from Hurricane Helene mounted across Western North Carolina. Closer to home, I pushed through considerable nerves to speak for the first time on behalf of The Connected Family. It was a gracious group (including some EFM reader friends! Hi!!), and I’m looking forward to doing more of it in 2025. On the blog, I finally shared my apple cider scone recipe and an anniversary sort-of poem.

After much heartache over the fate of our fall mountains trip (the area we had planned to visit was too damaged to receive travelers), we rerouted to Bryson City in October. We were grateful to be there and gratefully received by shopkeepers and restaurants eager for tourists. We gathered for the 9th anniversary of Articles Club, visited the state fair, cheered on our favorite babysitter at the Homecoming game, celebrated Lara and Ari’s vow renewal, and I saw Kendra Adachi (the Lazy Genius!) speak at Quail Ridge.

November was a quiet month. We mostly stayed home, welcoming my family for an early Thanksgiving weekend and celebrating Nancy’s new baby with a nesting party (an absolutely brilliant idea – more about that soon!). I began painting this year’s book ornaments and we ended the month in Virginia with all of John’s family for Thanksgiving proper.

December was full of delights old – baking favorite recipes, reading beloved books – and new – most notably, attending a performance of Handel’s Messiah with dear girlfriends. As a family, we unfortunately battled sickness all month, but it didn’t stop us from enjoying Christmas at home and a few days in Blowing Rock with my family immediately afterward (including snow tubing for the first time for all three kids!).

For us, each year in the life of our young family is a delicate balance – between travel and staying home, between “new” and “the same,” between pushing and choosing rest, between work and play, between freedom and control. We do not get it right all the time, not by a long shot – but we try. We think deeply about it, and pray for wisdom, and act carefully, and adjust as we go. It’s both rewarding and overwhelming to see a year in our life summed up like this, but as always, I’m choosing gratitude. It’s not hard, and for that I am, well, grateful.

Friends, however often I can show up here, I am so grateful for what we’ll discuss in 2025. Thank you for always meeting me here, and for sharing so generously with me! It’s one of the delights of my life. Wishing you a healthy, happy, and abundant new year. I’m finishing up my 2025 goals and reading list and can’t wait to share, so I’ll see you soon! :)

2023 year in review
2022 year in review
2021 year in review
2020 year in review
2019 year in review
2018 year in review
2017 year in review
2016 year in review
2015 year in review
2014 year in review
2013 year in review
2012 year in review

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Best of 2024

27 December 2024

I hope you’ve all had wonderful holidays, friends! Our days have been full – hosting family, traveling to see family, and squeezing in some favorite traditions. Still, I’ll always make time for the two posts I have planned for the end of the year: today’s best of and my traditional final post, our year-in-review. They help me count the fruit from another precious year, and that’s an opportunity I’ll fight for even in the midst of these full, chaotic, slow post-holiday days. I hope they can serve as an opportunity for a little reflection on your own 2024, if you haven’t had a chance for it yet! In the comments, please share a few of your best memories, finds, and favorites from 2024, if you’d like. As always, I can’t wait to hear!

Best adventure, travel, or trip: We had a number of memorable adventures this year, but the one that glows brightest in my mind is our long weekend cruising around on a golf cart on Bald Head Island. While I treasure our time in our families’ special summer places, the novelty of traveling to new places with just our little family always leads to rich memories.

Best trend you tried: Gen Z socks! Inspired by the mom (five years my junior) who ziplined alongside us on our anniversary trip, I was emboldened to try out a pair. (And found this ivory version looks better than stark white with my coloring.) I mostly wear them with workout outfits so far and feel young and hip whenever I do :)

Best new podcast listen, newsletter subscribe, or blog follow: I have long loved Coffee + Crumbs’ essays and podcast episodes, but this year I subscribed to the personal newsletter of the founder, Ashlee Gadd. She is truly an incredible writer and I love learning from someone who’s a kindred spirit – but with kids just a little older than mine.

Best book: I read 38 books on my own this year (16/24 from my 2024 reading list), plus 14 read alouds with the two big kids. Out of many terrific choices, The Frozen River and The Outlaw Noble Salt rose to the top for fiction while The Boys in the Boat and When Breath Becomes Air were my favorites for non-fiction.

Best meal: Dinner at The Pure & Proper in Black Mountain, NC. Just ask my family: they teased me for days (weeks?) about how much I raved about my dish – short rib with pumpkin pesto – but I stand by my enthusiasm.

Best movie: Twisters! John and I had a blast seeing it on opening night at the theater (and listening to the soundtrack for many weeks afterward).

Best album, song, or artist: This one is always tough for me to answer! I will say I enjoyed having this Nancy Meyers’ inspired playlist on in the background throughout December.

Best kiddo milestone: While the more obvious answer is Shep starting kindergarten, the one closer to my heart is adding him to our big kid read aloud crew. (The two milestones coincide at our house.) These evening read alouds have been the sweetest time with just June for the last few years, and though I’m sure we’ll continue to split off for certain books in the future, it’s been fun to welcome him in as we read through some of my favorites this fall.

Best life or mom hack: If a hack is something that makes a desired outcome easier, then the Brick certainly wins for 2024. This little gadget, attached to the side of our fridge, has made staying off my phone and staying present with my family at the times that matter practically seamless.

Best beauty purchase: Friends, I realized a dream I’d had since high school this year: laser hair removal! (Chalk it up to dance class five nights a week in those years.) I’m only three treatments in but giddy at the idea of never again shaving my underarms or bikini line.

Honorable mentions go to this hair oil, which takes the crunch out of my curly hair and adds shine when I blow dry it, and this concealer, which I was relieved to repurchase when Beauty Counter came back online.

Best faith grower: The Bible Recap! One of my 2024 goals, this is the first time I’ve read through the entire Bible with commentary along the way. It did exactly what I was hoping it would, and more – I’m more familiar with scripture and its narrative’s shape, I made connections I hadn’t understood before, and I’m finishing with a greater hunger and love for God’s Word.

Best new tradition: I wrote about this earlier this year, but our Christmas card album. I scrapped a half-filled-out Christmas memory book that I felt lukewarm about and replaced it with a simple album to hold our Christmas cards and newsletters and I couldn’t love it more.

Best habit you created: Implementing a default 20-20-20-60 workout on days I’m not able to do a full session. (I do 20 push-ups, 20 Romanian dead lifts, 20 squats, and hold a plank for 60 seconds.) It takes about five minutes and I can do it anywhere, so there’s no excuse not to!

Favorite blog post written: It’s no secret that I’ve written fewer posts here this year than usual, and I hate that that’s the case. I also accept that in this season I cannot do it all, and that getting The Connected Family off the ground has taken extra effort. Still, there are posts I look back on proudly, particularly this one about my grandmother (that formed the basis of my eulogy), this post on beauty, and this Marvelous Money post about helpful decisions we keep repeating.

Most surprising goal progress: I would have to say clarity on our housing future! This felt like a bit of an oddball goal when I set it – I had no clear outcome in mind – but we’re finishing the year having taken steps down several potential routes forward and armed with much more information than we had this time last year. With this being such a source of uncertainty for so many years, I’m grateful.

Best home improvement: Sadly, I can’t say it was recovering the white chairs (I’m just eh on the blue velvet I chose), but I am delighted by the cafe curtains we added in our kitchen and the green shoe cabinet we added in our foyer! Painting a desk for June’s room and finding a dresser for Annie were wins, too.

Best little luxury you’ve enjoyed: This is not new, but it is a luxury I enjoy each month: on Articles Club night, whether I’m hosting or not, John will take all three kids out for dinner at Chick-fil-a around 5:30 or 6. This means I have uninterrupted time to pick up the house, set the table, prep my dish, get dressed, or do a late read through of our articles for the evening before the gals arrive at 7:30. I’m grateful for the physical and mental space to get ready for one of the best nights of each month – and for the love from John it represents.

And now, just for fun, here are the top ten most popular posts from Em for Marvelous in 2024:
1. How to host a book swap party (August 2019 – the only post that also made my 2022 list!)
2. Our favorite family read alouds, part one (April 2023)
3. One woman’s beginner intro to rucking (May 2024)
4. My 2024 reading list (January 2024)
5. Marvelous Money: The Financial Implications of Having a Third Child (May 2023)
6. Tips for hosting large groups of houseguests (February 2023)
7. My takeaways from Habits of the Household (July 2023)
8. How to host a book swap (June 2023)
9. Reading Harry Potter with our children (February 2023)
10. How we handled summer as two working parents (September 2022)

(Am I thrilled that 6 of these 10 posts were about reading? Yes, yes I am. You are my people.)

And the top ten most popular newsletters from The Connected Family in 2024:
1. The tiny gadget that’s changed the tech culture in our home (free)
2. ‘The Anxious Generation’: 4 norms to adopt now (free)
3. Things we do differently (paid)
4. My least favorite feature of the smartphone (free)
5. The TCF Tech-Free Gift Guide (free)
6. Why we still read aloud to our third grader (free)
7. 50 Dreams (paid)
8. Our 10 favorite family movies (so far) (free)
9. A day in the life of The Connected Family (paid)
10. Ask these questions this Thanksgiving (paid)

As always, I’m ending the year so grateful for the delights, big and small, that filled our year. I’ll be sharing more in my year-in-review post soon, but in the meantime, please do share: what are some of your “bests” from 2024? Can’t wait to hear!

Affiliate links are used in this post!

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One woman’s beginner intro to rucking

28 May 2024

Whew! Pals, I did not mean there to be such a big gap between today’s post and my last one – but such is life at the end of the school year, I suppose! :) Thanks for being here. Onwards to today’s topic…!

If you had told me a few years ago that I would get into rucking, I probably would have looked at you in confusion – and asked the number one question submitted to the question box when I asked what you wanted to know about rucking on Instagram a few weeks ago: um, what is rucking?!

Well, friends, John and I are a few months into this rucking adventure, and I’d love to share what we’ve experienced so far – the good, the hard, and my advice if you’d like to try it, too. Let’s go!

What is rucking?

Rucking is simply walking with weight on your back – simple as that. Unlike hiking, it doesn’t need to take place in the woods (though it can!). Rucking is an important part of training for many branches of the military, and so the idea of rucking as exercise kind of moved in popularity from military communities out into the wider world in the last decade or so.

Why were we interested in getting into rucking?

Funny story :) In the last year or two, an interview with Michael Easter popped up on one of John’s regular podcasts, as part of a publicity round after publishing his first book. We did a double take – Michael was a fellow graduate of our college class, and in fact was an English major alongside me! It is not common to see a classmate pop up in the news – we went to a tiny school! – and so this was an unexpected delight. In the book and in the podcast interview, Michael extolled the benefits of rucking, which was the first time I remember it piquing our interest. His enthusiasm was later echoed by Peter Attia and others, until it felt like we were hearing about rucking everywhere we turned.

What appealed to us about rucking:

— It would not require adding anything additional to our schedule. It might seem silly, but this was the biggest one for me. Since we were already in the practice of taking a walk several times each week, we could simply add weight and get more out of what we were already doing. Balancing the need to exercise with all the other things I want to do is a constant struggle for me, so this was huge, and easily what got me on board so quickly.

— The health benefits. From my understanding, rucking builds muscle and strength while improving cardio and endurance. (You can burn up to three times more calories than walking alone.) The pressure the weight puts on your muscles and joints also helps to build bone density, which is particularly important for women.

— It’s simple. You just need a pack, some weight, good sneakers, and a place to walk. There are no fancy moves to learn and no subscription to buy.

— It’s outside, and can be done with others. We’ve been able to incorporate our kids (more about that below!), and though we haven’t yet participated in any group rucks, we enjoy being able to ruck side by side.

This article lists more benefits of rucking, and I agree with many of them!

How we got started with rucking:

Last fall, John bought us each one of these ruck plates – 20 pounds for me, and 35 pounds for him. (Experts suggest starting with 10-25 pounds and gradually scaling up until you’re carrying no more than 1/3 of your body weight.) We put the weights into normal backpacks we already owned and set off on our first ruck.

It was awful. We were both terribly uncomfortable – the plates sat low on our backs and bounced as we walked – and ended up cutting our first outing to less than ten minutes. I freely shared my very negative impressions with John, ha.

We returned the plates (that was a heavy box to ship off at UPS, yikes) and decided to go all-in with official GoRuck gear – backpacks and plates. We got another 20-pound plate for me, and this time a 30-pound plate for John. This was a leap of faith – our initial attempt was not a positive experience, and the GoRuck gear is not inexpensive – but it seemed like our best option if we wanted to make a real go of it.

While the GoRuck gear was noticeably more comfortable, the weight quickly fatigued my shoulders and back and caused pain between my shoulder blades for the first few weeks. I would complain bitterly to John on even our short 10- or 15-minute loops – somehow it made me feel better, ha – and constantly adjust my straps to try and relieve the pressure.

But we kept going! John gamely encouraged me to “embrace the suck” (which is apparently something that rucking people say), and slowly, over several weeks, the pain started to lessen and we were able to increase our distance. Now, half a year later, we regularly ruck for 30-40 minutes several times a week with no pain or fatigue, at a sub-20-minute/mile pace.

Our thoughts on rucking so far:

Rucking has been a great workout for us. When I have my pack on, I can feel my whole body working — particularly my calves, glutes, rear, and core. I’m grateful for that.

That being said, the greatest delight I take from rucking is twofold: first, as I alluded to at the top, I feel like I’m gaming the system by getting more benefit for my body without adding anything to my schedule. It feels like some sort of cheat code and I am HERE FOR IT. I suppose I’m working both harder and smarter? :)

My second source of delight is knowing that I’m doing something that will make future-me grateful. My bones don’t feel any different right now – I can’t notice any changes and haven’t looked at any scans – but just knowing that what I’m doing today (even when it feels hard), is making it more possible for me to enjoy my favorite people, activities, and places for a long time to come is thrilling for my future-oriented, big-picture-loving brain and heart.

I’m not particularly motivated by pushing myself to complete challenging physical tasks (that’s all John), but increasing the likelihood I’ll be strong, mobile, and independent in the future? That will get me off the couch.

Rucking with kids

A last aspect I wanted to circle back to: though my rucks have mostly consisted of 30-40 minute rucks around our neighborhood thus far, John has set off on longer routes – and he’s taken our two older kids (5 and 8) with him. (They don’t carry packs!) On many Sunday afternoons this spring they’ve set off on treks around our town, a little platoon of adventurers, five miles or so at a time. They’ll stop along the way to play at a playground or get ice cream downtown and return after a few hours, tired but happy. June and John even rucked to our friends’ house one memorable afternoon – 10 miles!! (To be fair, I picked June up toward the end – she completed 9 of the miles :))

I like to think this might be just the beginning of our family’s rucking adventures together. From keeping us connected to keeping us fit, I’m hoping it will be a part of our family’s culture for many years to come.

What questions can I answer for you about rucking? Has anyone else tried it? I’d love to hear!

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hi! my name is em.

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      • Gifts for Em
      • November 2024 goals
    • [+] October
      • A fall weekend trip to Bryson City
      • October 2024 goals
    • [+] September
      • Love is --
      • Apple Cider Scones for the first day of fall
      • September 2024 goals
    • [+] August
      • A simple trick to make the most of my clothing budget
      • August 2024 goals
    • [+] July
      • How to host a neighborhood kindergarten breakfast
      • 2024 mid-year goals review
      • July 2024 goals
    • [+] June
      • Family weekend trip to Bald Head Island
      • 10 helpful money decisions we keep repeating
      • June 2024 goals
    • [+] May
      • One woman's beginner intro to rucking
      • May 2024 goals
    • [+] April
      • Family spring break trip to Jekyll Island Club
      • You can change your traditions
      • Marvelous Money: Our mortgage plan update
      • April 2024 goals
    • [+] March
      • Family faith formation practices, part 2
      • What's going in our kids' Easter baskets this year
      • March 2024 goals
    • [+] February
      • On beauty, at age 37
      • 6 small changes I'm glad I made
      • Bang
      • February 2024 goals
    • [+] January
      • An Extended Family Trip to the Florida Keys
      • The Articles Club Guide + Modeling Friendship
      • My 2024 Reading List
      • January 2024 goals
      • 2024 Goals
  • [+]2023
    • [+] December
      • 2023: A year in review
      • Best of 2023
      • Christmas scenes around the house + our cards
      • Marvelous Money: 3 Ways We're Living Generously This Christmas
      • December 2023 goals
    • [+] November
      • A chocolate chip cookie party
      • Yoto giveaway on Substack!
      • What we're actually giving our kids this Christmas
      • Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Kids and Grown-Ups
      • Our favorite Christmas and winter picture books
      • Favorite gift ideas for the ones you love
      • Gifts for Em
      • November 2023 goals
    • [+] October
      • A fall weekend trip to Boone, NC
      • 5 of My Takeaways from Hunt, Gather, Parent
      • 6 Favorite Soup Recipes
      • Christians in Public School: Em
      • Our 11th anniversary weekend in Charleston
      • Christians in Public School: Ginna
      • October 2023 goals
      • Christians in Public School: Krystal
    • [+] September
      • Christians in Public Schools: Amber
      • More movies for family movie night
      • Christians in Public Schools: Claire
      • A few things on my "decide once" list
      • Christians in Public Schools: Shelby
      • What I'll remember about summer 2023
      • Let's talk about Christians in public schools
      • September 2023 goals
    • [+] August
      • After school jobs for kids
      • Bulletin boards for kids
      • Simplifying kids' artwork
      • Simplifying kids' shoes
      • Ask Em: Moving Away From Family
      • Our master bedroom refresh
      • August 2023 goals
    • [+] July
      • My takeaways from Habits of the Household
      • June's Favorites at 7 Years
      • July 2023 goals
      • 2023 mid-year goals review
    • [+] June
      • A weekend trip with kids to Beaufort, NC
      • June's Favorite Books: Kindergarten and 1st Grade Series
      • Summer fun list
      • How to host a book swap
      • First year baby gear picks after 3 kids, part two
      • June 2023 goals
    • [+] May
      • Our Google Docs Family Packing List
      • Step inside our main room
      • Marvelous Money: The Financial Implications of Having a Third Child
      • How to find a family video song
      • A weekend trip to the Biltmore
      • May 2023 goals
    • [+] April
      • Our favorite family read alouds, part one
      • Our kitchen refresh
      • Celebrating a 50th wedding anniversary
      • Marvelous Money: Long-Awaited Splurges
      • 20 Hours in Serenbe
      • April 2023 goals
    • [+] March
      • Top Ten Favorite Board Books
      • 3 Friendship Case Studies
      • New 36
      • Easter Baskets + Persnickety Gifts Giveaway!
      • Family faith formation practices, part 1
      • March 2023 goals
    • [+] February
      • Love and light
      • Reading Harry Potter with our children
      • Our keys to marriage happiness
      • The first annual Articles Club weekend retreat
      • Tips for hosting large groups of houseguests
      • February 2023 goals
    • [+] January
      • A fall weekend in Highlands, NC
      • January 2023 goals
      • All about our family goals (right now)
      • My 2023 Reading List
      • 2023 Goals
  • [+]2022
    • [+] December
      • 2022: A year in review
      • Best of 2022
      • Our 2022 Minted Christmas cards
      • My Purl Soho Advent Calendar
      • Our 10th anniversary trip to Mexico + marriage summit
      • Working part-time as a mom, part four
      • Stocking Stuffers + Persnickety Gifts Giveaway!
      • December 2022 goals
    • [+] November
      • Gifts for Em
      • What we're actually giving our kids this Christmas
      • Working part-time as a mom, part three
      • Bats and Swallows
      • What to include in a college care package
      • Working part-time as a mom, part two
      • November 2022 goals
    • [+] October
      • Seven years of Articles Club
      • Working part-time as a mom, part one
      • Summer in New England
      • October 2022 goals
    • [+] September
      • Family movie night
      • Kitchen Refresh: The Background, Inspiration and Plan
      • What I'm packing for our anniversary trip to Bermuda
      • How we handled summer as two working parents
      • September 2022 goals
    • [+] August
      • First year baby gear picks after 3 kids, part one
      • Summer family reunion in Northern Michigan
      • Shep's camping fourth birthday party
      • August 2022 goals
    • [+] July
      • Day trip to Hammocks Beach State Park
      • July 2022 goals
      • 2022 mid-year goals review
    • [+] June
      • How we ended the school year well and kicked off summer
      • To the middle-of-the-night parent
      • Our tenth anniversary glamping trip at Gold River
      • How to be a more relational writer
      • June 2022 goals
    • [+] May
      • A train ride adventure
      • June's spring flower party
      • Favorite parts of my evening routine
      • Family spring break trip to Jekyll Island
      • May 2022 goals
    • [+] April
      • How to host a stuff swap
      • What I learned from my styling session with Lisa
      • What's going in our kids' Easter baskets this year
      • April 2022 goals
    • [+] March
      • The other names
      • Tips for eating at restaurants with young kids
      • Our weekend trip to Black Mountain, NC
      • March 2022 goals
    • [+] February
      • I'm so glad you're here! (Survey + giveaway!)
      • The best way I've found to regularly see my friends
      • Homemade classroom valentines
      • 13 Tips for the Fourth Trimester After 3 Babies
      • February 2022 goals
    • [+] January
      • Our weekend trip to Virginia-Highland in Atlanta
      • Our top ten meals of 2021
      • Sheptember: Volume 3
      • My 2022 Reading List
      • January 2022 goals
      • 2022 Goals
  • [+]2021
    • [+] December
      • 2021: A Year in Review
      • Extended family photos in WaterColor, Florida
      • 2021 Christmas Cards from Minted
      • Best of 2021
      • 2021 Gift Guide: Stocking Stuffers
      • An extended family trip to WaterColor, Florida
      • Annie's Newborn Photos by Anagram Photo
      • What we're actually giving our kids this Christmas
      • December 2021 goals
    • [+] November
      • Gifts for Em
      • The story of Annie's birth
      • 2021 Gift Guide: Your Favorite Grown-Ups
      • 2021 Gift Guide: Your Favorite Kids
      • Our weekend trip to Decatur, Georgia
      • November 2021 goals
      • DIY Family Weather Costume
    • [+] October
      • Six years of Articles Club
      • Blogging Q&A, Part Three: Grab Bag
      • June in June: Volume 6
      • October 2021 goals
    • [+] September
      • Blogging Q&A, Part Two: Content
      • Blogging Q&A, Part One: Nuts and Bolts
      • Fall fun list 2021
      • Morning smoothies
      • Back-to-school dinner 2021
      • What I'll remember about summer 2021
      • September 2021 goals
    • [+] August
      • Fall outfit inspiration
      • Shep's favorites at three years
      • August 2021 goals
    • [+] July
      • How we're getting ready for kindergarten
      • The meaning of Susanna's name
      • Say hello to Susanna
      • 2021 mid-year goals review
      • Making a Big List and some to dos for baby girl
      • July 2021 goals
    • [+] June
      • Backyard garden party baby shower
      • All About Meal Trains
      • Our maternity family photos with Ally & Bobby
      • How to Make the Introduction of a New Sibling More Joyful
      • June 2021 goals
    • [+] May
      • Third trimester update
      • John's Instagram wardrobe
      • Life lately
      • Baking with June
      • Parenting resources I love to learn from
      • May 2021 goals
    • [+] April
      • Our plan for baby girl's nursery
      • Our spring break trip to Jekyll Island
      • Marvelous Money: Investing 101
      • Maternity Family Photo Planning
      • April 2021 goals
    • [+] March
      • How to organize kids clothing
      • Screen-free road trip tips with preschoolers
      • The third Baby Thomas is a...
      • Prepping for Easter baskets
      • Deciding to have a third child
      • Morning and evening skincare routine in my mid-30's
      • More happy news to share
      • March 2021 goals
    • [+] February
      • 34 questions for a 34th birthday, part two
      • 34 questions for a 34th birthday
      • Master bedroom refresh inspiration
      • Children and the passing of time
      • A bright and cheerful kids' bathroom
      • February 2021 goals
    • [+] January
      • Why we love participating in research studies
      • Our Valentine's Day mailbox
      • January 2021 goals
      • 2021 Goals
      • My 2021 reading list
  • [+]2020
    • [+] December
      • 2020: A year in review
      • 2020 Books Review
      • 2020 Christmas cards from Minted
      • Best of 2020 - with friends!
      • Family camping at Blue Bear Mountain Camp
      • 2020 Gift Guide: Stocking Stuffers
      • December 2020 goals
    • [+] November
      • What we're actually giving our kids this Christmas
      • 2020 Gift Guide: Your Favorite Grown-Ups
      • Gifts for Em
      • Sheptember: Volume Two
      • Our trip to Highlands, NC
      • Christmas accoutrements
      • November 2020 goals
    • [+] October
      • Our review of June's big-kid bike - the Priority Start 16"
      • Five years of Articles Club
      • Favorite Instant Pot recipes
      • Four-year-old favorites
      • October 2020 goals
    • [+] September
      • My favorite episodes from the Work & Play podcast
      • June in June: Volume 5
      • Marvelous Money: Our net worth meetings
      • Banned phrases in our marriage
      • Our summer trip to Mystic, CT
      • The best guacamole recipe
      • Em's guide to photo organization, part three: printed photo albums
      • September 2020 goals
    • [+] August
      • Upstairs bathroom renovation: the plans
      • Em's guide to photo organization, part two: digital photos
      • Quarantine reflections
      • Everyday magic, Octonauts edition
      • Island in a pandemic
      • Em's guide to photo organization, part one
      • August 2020 goals
    • [+] July
      • Our Berkshires vacation
      • Our favorite at-home, hands-off activities for kids
      • Our favorite summer recipes right now
      • Kitchen quick tip
      • Neely & Chloe wallet + new handbag
      • July 2020 goals
    • [+] June
      • Inspiration for a stay-at-home Fourth of July
      • 2020 mid-year goals review, part two
      • 2020 mid-year goals review, part one
      • Raising kids I like
      • Making the everyday magical: muffin tin snack trays
      • Diverse books to add to your family library
      • June 2020 goals
    • [+] May
      • How I meal plan
      • How to make a recipe binder
      • Our new front porch gate
      • What I've been reading lately
      • May 2020 goals
    • [+] April
      • An easy meal-planning hack
      • Earth-friendly swaps in our home
      • What's growing in our garden this year
      • Easter Weekend 2020
      • A recipe exchange!
      • April 2020 goals
      • This year's Easter baskets
    • [+] March
      • What's making me smile right now
      • The beauty of quiet time
      • My chalk paint desk and downstairs command center
      • Em's Marvelous North Carolina Bucket List
      • March 2020 goals
    • [+] February
      • I'm so glad you're here! (Survey + giveaway!)
      • Help us plan our trip to Watercolor, Atlanta, and Greenville!
      • How to unhurry your life
      • How I'm using Instagram right now
      • February 2020 goals
    • [+] January
      • 9 decisions that led to a life I love
      • Our most-loved kitchen items
      • Sheptember: Volume One
      • The birthday interview
      • January 2020 goals
      • 2020 Goals
      • My 2020 reading list
  • [+]2019
    • [+] December
      • 2019: A year in review
      • Our 2019 Christmas cards + mini session
      • Camping with 5 kids under 5
      • Best of 2019 - with friends!
      • What we're actually giving our kiddos this Christmas
      • All about our 70-mile bike ride
      • December 2019 goals
    • [+] November
      • 2019 Gift Guide: Kiddo Stocking Stuffers
      • 2019 Gift Guide: Your Favorite Kiddos
      • 2019 Gift Guide: Your Favorite Grown-Ups
      • 6 things on my November holiday checklist
      • June in June: Volume 4
      • Gifts for the helpers
      • Kale, sausage, and chickpea pasta
      • November 2019 goals
    • [+] October
      • Words with friends: year four of Articles Club
      • Being a patron
      • October 2019 goals
    • [+] September
      • Shep's first birthday party
      • Simple toy storage in our family room
      • Dating after kids
      • Marriage Q&A, Part 2
      • Marriage Q&A, Part 1
      • September 2019 goals
    • [+] August
      • Marvelous Money: Our new mortgage plan
      • No makeup days
      • Once more to Maine
      • The best book I ever read (as told by 17 book lovers)
      • How to host a book swap party
      • Family favorite: chocolate raspberry pavlova
      • August 2019 goals
    • [+] July
      • Transitioning from 1 to 2 Kiddos: Part Three
      • Outer Banks family vacation in Corolla
      • July 2019 goals
    • [+] June
      • If you're going to give, give graciously
      • Transitioning from 1 to 2 Kiddos: Part Two
      • Mid-year goals review
      • June 2019 Goals
    • [+] May
      • Transitioning from 1 to 2 Kiddos: Part One
      • How I Read
      • May 2019 Goals
    • [+] April
      • Marvelous Money: 10 of my favorite purchases
      • Our neighborhood meal swap
      • Tips for finding the right daycare
      • April 2019 goals
    • [+] March
      • An easy way to print and display Instagram photos
      • Easter basket picks
      • Favorite board games for two people
      • March 2019 goals
    • [+] February
      • The Years of Making Magic
      • On having family close by
      • Shep's New England-Inspired Nursery
      • Shep's newborn photos by Anagram Photo
      • The story of Shep's birth
      • February 2019 goals
    • [+] January
      • What John does
      • Those Winter Sundays
      • Three-year-old favorites
      • June takes ballet
      • January 2019 goals
      • 2019 goals
  • [+]2018
    • [+] December
      • 2018: A year in review
      • Our 2018 Christmas cards and newsletter!
      • 2018 Gift Guide: Husbands, Dads, and Brothers
      • December 2018 goals
    • [+] November
      • 2018 Gift Guide: Parents, Grandparents, and In-Laws
      • 2018 Gift Guide: Sisters, Moms, and Best Friends
      • What to wear for large group family photos
      • Two house guest hacks
      • November 2018 goals
    • [+] October
      • Halloween charcuterie
      • Where there is vision
      • Mom jeans
      • Marvelous City Guide: Asheville
      • What we read this year in Articles Club
      • Marvelous Money: The Tax Benefits of an HSA
      • October 2018 goals
    • [+] September
      • A marvelous giveaway
      • Ten marvelous years
      • Fall fun list
      • Making a modern home movie using iMovie
      • Marvelous Money: Prioritizing Spending v. Saving
      • June in June: Volume 3
      • September 2018 goals
    • [+] August
      • Toddler favorites at two and a half years
      • Self-care for people who don't like self-care
      • 10 of our favorite quick and easy meals
      • The meaning of Shepherd's name
      • Say hello to John Shepherd Thomas!
      • August 2018 goals
    • [+] July
      • Midcoast Maine Summer
      • Our new backyard!
      • Camping with kiddos
      • My thoughts on Amazon Echo and technology in our home
      • Summertime in Connecticut
      • July 2018 goals
    • [+] June
      • A New England nursery for baby boy
      • My favorite parenting books
      • Indelible images of my parents
      • A new chapter
      • Third trimester update
      • What June eats - and my best toddler eating tips
      • June 2018 goals
    • [+] May
      • Our new bedside tables
      • Marvelous Money: the cost of our first year with a baby
      • 10 of our favorite cheap meals
      • Coastal New England style
      • I am the standard
      • My skincare routine
      • My simple fitness hack
      • May 2018 goals
    • [+] April
      • Marvelous Money: Managing Money Together
      • A weekend away in North Georgia
      • How to organize your own childhood memorabilia
      • Easter Weekend
      • April 2018 goals
    • [+] March
      • Spring fun list with a toddler
      • Confidence
      • Baby boy Thomas!
      • Our favorite board games
      • I'm so glad you're here! (Survey + giveaway!)
      • Easter baskets - to do or not to do?
      • How We Do It: Organizing Our Kiddos
      • March 2018 goals
    • [+] February
      • How We Do It: Organizing Our Spiritual Lives
      • A winter getaway to Anna Maria Island
      • How We Do It: Organizing Our Relationships
      • A few things we did for Valentine's Day
      • Happy news to share
      • How We Do It: Organizing our Work
      • A vision for our refined home
      • February 2018 goals
    • [+] January
      • How We Do It: Organizing Our Personal Lives
      • A simple way to make your relationship happier
      • How We Do It: Organizing Our Homes
      • How We Do It: Organizing Our Finances
      • A Life List Book
      • How We Do It: Organizing Our Time
      • Christmas in California
      • 2018 goals
  • [+]2017
    • [+] December
      • 2017: A year in review
      • Christmas Cards 2017
      • Gifts for Em
      • December 2017 goals
    • [+] November
      • Christmas Gift Guide: Your Favorite Kids
      • Christmas Gift Guide: Parents, Grandparents, and In-Laws
      • Christmas Gift Guide: Kind-Hearted Picks
      • Christmas Gift Guide: Sisters, Moms, and Best Friends
      • Toddler favorites at twenty one months
      • Minted Christmas cards + a giveaway!
      • Getting our home ready for guests
      • Our living room rug
      • November 2017 goals
    • [+] October
      • The fifth annual pumpkins and soup party
      • Marvelous Money: 26 Ways to Save Money
      • A surprising source for fall clothes
      • Great articles to read with friends
      • 10 great dinners for new parents
      • October 2017 goals
    • [+] September
      • What to send in a college care package
      • Jack
      • Five intentions for the next five years of marriage
      • Does your wedding look timeless?
      • The beauty of an imperfect home
      • September 2017 goals
    • [+] August
      • June in June: Volume 2
      • 30th birthday book
      • House contentment hack
      • Lake Life in Northern Michigan
      • August 2017 goals
    • [+] July
      • Marvelous Money: A review of Financial Peace University
      • Master camping packing list
      • Camping with toddlers
      • 7 Tips for 2017 Graduates
      • July 2017 goals
    • [+] June
      • Our secret birthday anniversary trips
      • Wisdom from my Dad
      • Mid-year goals review
      • How to make something a habit
      • Our five must-have baby registry items
      • June 2017 goals
    • [+] May
      • A month of meals: spring edition
      • Summer fun list (with a toddler!)
      • How to make friends in your neighborhood
      • Marvelous Mama Beth
      • Fun baby shower game
      • May 2017 goals
    • [+] April
      • Personal beauty consult with LULA Hair + Makeup
      • Marvelous City Guide: Durham, North Carolina
      • Fifteen month baby favorites
      • Our backyard project: the plan and inspiration
      • April 2017 goals
    • [+] March
      • Our backyard project: the before
      • Taking ballet again
      • Pretty athletic leggings
      • HGTV Home Town and our house portraits
      • 60 Before 30 Recap
      • How to host a favorite things party
      • Marvelous Money: Paying Off Our Mortgage Early
      • 10 hopes for my 30s
      • March 2017 Goals
    • [+] February
      • Month-by-month baby photos
      • How I am trying to love people well
      • June's first birthday
      • 2017 Survey Results: I'm still glad you're here!
      • Choosing my Warby Parker sunglasses
      • A month of meals: winter edition
      • I'm glad you're here! Survey + giveaway
      • February 2017 Goals
    • [+] January
      • 12 years together
      • June's favorite playlist
      • Baby favorites at one year
      • Marvelous Money: Making Trade-offs
      • June's buffalo check and Liberty print nursery
      • NC Museum of Art family photos
      • Day-in-the-Life Family Photos with Nancy Ray
      • Happy one year, June
      • June's first Christmas
      • 2017 Goals
  • [+]2016
    • [+] December
      • 2016: A Year in Review
      • Christmas Cards 2016
      • How we keep Christmas about Christ
      • My favorite Christmas recipes
      • Gifts for Em
      • December 2016 goals
    • [+] November
      • Our favorite Christmas traditions
      • Marvelous Money: Making a yearly budget
      • Gifts for husbands, dads, and brothers
      • Gifts for sisters, moms, and best friends
      • 14 great gifts for kids
      • Farmhouse Pottery
      • Minted Christmas Cards + A Giveaway!
      • November 2016 goals
    • [+] October
      • Camping with babies
      • The best cooking playlist
      • Planning multigenerational family photos
      • Calligraphy vows prints in our master bedroom
      • How to slow down time, part two
      • Rituals, traditions, and the perception of time
      • How to slow down time, part one
      • October 2016 goals
    • [+] September
      • Signature family dishes
      • Apple cider scones
      • Marvelous Mama Rachael
      • Four years of marriage
      • How to host an articles club
      • Eight month baby favorites
      • June in June: Volume 1
      • September 2016 goals
    • [+] August
      • Marvelous Mama Margaret
      • Easy date idea: a dessert crawl
      • A week on the Connecticut shoreline
      • Lisa's all-white French-inspired baby shower
      • What's in our diaper bag
      • Baby shower ideas for Lisa
      • 15 Things I Love About North Carolina
      • August 2016 goals
    • [+] July
      • 12 Things I Miss About New England
      • 7 Tips for Road Tripping with an Infant
      • Pleased to make your acquaintance
      • July 2016 goals
    • [+] June
      • The great Southwest adventure
      • Five month favorites
      • Summer fun list (with an infant!)
      • June 2016 goals
    • [+] May
      • Life lately
      • June's newborn photos by Graham Terhune
      • The story of June's birth
      • Pregnancy book recommendations
      • May 2016 goals
    • [+] April
      • Our favorites from the first six weeks
      • Marvelous Mama MacKenzie
      • Charleston for the weekend (with a three-month-old)
      • Thanking our post-partum nurses
      • April 2016 goals
    • [+] March
      • My favorite natural deodorant
      • Notes from the first six weeks, part two
      • Marvelous Mama Allyson
      • Notes from the first six weeks, part one
      • A blueberry baby shower
      • Spring clothing favorites for baby girl
      • March 2016 goals
    • [+] February
      • Birthday weekend
      • Marvelous Mama Julia
      • Found: the most delicious banana bread
      • Notes from our hospital stay
      • Favorite new artist: Erin Gregory
      • Marvelous Mama Kate
      • February 2016 goals
    • [+] January
      • Marry the kind one
      • Marvelous Mama Amanda
      • Champagne bar with tinsel stirrers
      • The meaning of June's name
      • Marvelous Mama Samantha
      • Say hello to June Chen Thomas!
      • Introducing Marvelous Mama
      • My 2016 guideposts
      • My 2016 inspiration board
  • [+]2015
    • [+] December
      • 2015: A year in review
      • Goal setting for 2016 with PowerSheets
      • Our end-of-year celebration dinner
      • Christmas cards 2015
      • Gifts for Em
      • Planning our newborn photo session
      • Marvelous Money: A new way to watch TV
      • December 2015 Goals
    • [+] November
      • Our new dining room chairs
      • Tips for shopping kids consignment sales
      • Weekend trip to Nashville
      • Minted Christmas cards + a giveaway!
      • Our soup and pumpkins tradition
      • November 2015 Goals
    • [+] October
      • 12 favorite fall recipes
      • Third trimester update
      • Framed & Matted
      • An Articles Club
      • Blue buffalo check nursery plans
      • House Tour 2015: Upstairs
      • October 2015 Goals
    • [+] September
      • House Tour 2015: Downstairs
      • Baby Girl Thomas!
      • The best way to reheat pizza
      • Weekend trip to Greenville
      • Three years of marriage
      • Telling the families our baby news
      • Fall To Do List 2015
      • Baby registry input
      • September 2015 Goals
    • [+] August
      • Fall clothing favorites
      • Marvelous Money: Our car fund
      • Deciding to have children
      • Maine 2015
      • La Vie en Rose: the Côte d'Azur
      • Something to share...
      • La Vie en Rose: Cassis
      • August 2015 Goals
    • [+] July
      • La Vie en Rose: Provence
      • Strawberry baby shower picnic in the park
      • La Vie en Rose: Versailles
      • La Vie en Rose: Paris
      • Natural wood dresser
      • A spring woodland baby shower for Nancy
      • Inspiration Board No. 105: Spring Woodland Baby Shower
      • Marvelous summer playlist
      • July 2015 Goals
    • [+] June
      • Happy Father's Day
      • No. 45: Go to Europe
      • Wilmington and Bald Head Island
      • June 2015 Goals
    • [+] May
      • Packing for Provence
      • One Love Organics + new face wash routine
      • West Elm nautical collection
      • The drinking water game
      • Em's camping favorites
      • May 2015 Goals
    • [+] April
      • Thoughts on camping
      • Fruit of the spirit: peace
      • Natalie + Joe's summer wedding at the Branford House
      • Marvelous Money: Start Rich
      • Help me choose my new glasses!
      • Our wedding album from Milk Books
      • Weekend in Beaufort, SC
      • Weekend in Savannah
      • April 2015 Goals
    • [+] March
      • Camping 2015 + Texas road trip
      • Spring trip to NYC
      • Marvelous spring playlist
      • Packing for Paris
      • March 2015 Goals
    • [+] February
      • Replacing paper towels
      • Cafe curtain inspiration for the dining room
      • Fruit of the spirit: joy
      • We are going to France!!
      • Marvelous Money: Preparing financially for a baby
      • Ten year dativersary
      • February 2015 Goals
    • [+] January
      • No. 54: Learn some flower arranging skills
      • A family treasure
      • Our new rug + foyer plans
      • Tips for travel planning
      • Fruit of the spirit: love
      • Why iPhone notes are genius
      • 2015 Goals
      • New year, new topics!
  • [+]2014
    • [+] December
      • 2014: A year in review
      • Tinsel stirrers in the limelight!
      • Christmas Cards 2014
      • Gifts for Em
      • Our new red front door!
      • Marvelous Money: Charitable Giving Accounts
      • 2014 Em for Marvelous Gift Guide: Littles
      • 2014 Em for Marvelous Gift Guide: Neutral Gifts
      • December 2014 Goals
      • 2014 Em for Marvelous Gift Guide: Colorful Gifts
    • [+] November
      • Happiest Thanksgiving + Inspiration Board No. 104
      • Featured in Emily Ley's Simplicity Series!
      • Rethinking our wall of art
      • Minted Christmas cards + a giveaway!
      • Minted does fabric
      • November 2014 goals
    • [+] October
      • H&M home for the holidays
      • My ultimate dream home and other magazine memories
      • Marvelous Money: Why do we spend so much?
      • Porch party
      • October 2014 goals
    • [+] September
      • Fall to do list
      • Caitlin Wilson Designs giveaway!
      • 2014 reading list so far
      • Top 25 favorite chapter books
      • Top 25 favorite picture books
      • Six years of blogging
      • The houses of Serenbe
      • Two years of marriage
      • Jackie + George's Wedding
      • Puffin in Bloom
      • September Goals
    • [+] August
      • Sailing in Maine
      • Replacing my Toms
      • August in Maine
      • House Tour 2014: Upstairs
      • House Tour 2014: Downstairs
      • August Goals
    • [+] July
      • Little adventurer baby shower
      • California Dreaming: San Francisco
      • Natalie and Joe are married!
      • California Dreaming: Yosemite
      • California Dreaming: Monterey and Carmel
      • July Goals
    • [+] June
      • California Dreaming: Cambria, San Simeon, Big Sur
      • Watercolor house portraits
      • California Dreaming: Santa Barbara, Montana de Oro, Cayucos
      • California Dreaming: Malibu, Ojai, Montecito
      • Planning a point-to-point trip
      • June Goals
    • [+] May
      • Summer fun with friends
      • Buckwheat and banana pancakes
      • Shark Tank
      • Front porch inspiration
      • May goals
    • [+] April
      • What we eat, part two
      • What we eat, part one
      • Pysanky eggs
      • Weekend in Charleston
      • Our house's colors
      • April goals
    • [+] March
      • Five favorite abstract artists
      • Marvelous Money: A Beginner's Guide to IRAs
      • No. 49: Canoe down the Haw River
      • Dining room table lighting options
      • The Well's End and other thoughts on reading
      • March 2014 Goals
    • [+] February
      • 60 Before 30
      • Teal and emerald bridesmaid dresses
      • Cuyana
      • A marvelous love story
      • Garlands of love
      • Birthday presents on the hour
      • February 2014 Goals
    • [+] January
      • Finding your team after a move
      • The cure for homesickness
      • New kitchen pendant lights!
      • California dreaming
      • Classic and romantic
      • DIY gold dot stationery
      • Marvelous Money: Paying off debt
      • 2014 Goals
  • [+]2013
    • [+] December
      • 2013: A year in review
      • Christmas cards 2013
      • Gifts for Em
      • 2013 Em for Marvelous Gift Guide: Littles
      • 2013 Em for Marvelous Gift Guide: Gents
      • 2013 Em for Marvelous Gift Guide: Bright Gifts
      • 2013 Em for Marvelous Gift Guide: Neutral Gifts
      • Blessed to be a Blessing: Giving at Christmas
      • December Goals
    • [+] November
      • Happy Thanksgiving!
      • How we plan our meals
      • Weekend adventures
      • How I organize my blogging
      • How I use my Simplified Planner
      • Face first
      • Our kitchen chalkboard wall!
      • Minted Christmas cards + a giveaway!
      • November Goals
    • [+] October
      • Slightly nautical nursery
      • Cozy fall playlist
      • Inspiration Board No. 103: State Fair Celebration
      • Colorful gallery wall
      • Homemade chicken nuggets
      • Marvelous Money: A Beginner's Guide to 401ks
      • Easy Raised Garden Bed
      • Living with kids
      • October Goals
    • [+] September
      • Inspiration board no. 102: Peacock, shale, teal, and emerald
      • Fall to do list
      • Sperry Tent Layout
      • Observations from one year of marriage
      • Traveling wedding friends
      • A visit to the cobbler
      • On longtime friends and weddings
    • [+] August
      • Marvelous Money: Why save for retirement?
      • The great area rug search
      • Tips for hosting an adventure dinner party
      • Life lately
      • August Goals
    • [+] July
      • Marvelous Mondays: Gallery wall inspiration
      • Two useful things
      • An ode to golf course strolls
      • Our first apartment
      • Camping with friends
      • Stepping into the Great Gatsby
      • Summertime in Northern Michigan
      • Happy Fourth!
      • July Goals
    • [+] June
      • Summer to do list
      • Honeymoon in Nevis, Part 2
      • Guest post on Snippet & Ink!
      • Honeymoon in Nevis, Part 1
      • Tried and true recipes, no. 2
      • Day one
      • June Goals
    • [+] May
      • Tips for everyday adventures
      • House search update no. 3: The conclusion
      • Home
      • Happy Mother's Day
      • Tinsel stirrers at a baby shower!
      • May Goals
    • [+] April
      • Inspiration Board No. 101: A Nevis Wedding
      • Pet Nicknames
      • Marvelous Monday: Small Backyards
      • Marvelous Money: Tracking your budget with the envelope system
      • Packing for Nevis!
      • Marvelous Money: Tracking your budget with Google Docs
      • April Goals
    • [+] March
      • Inspiration Board No. 100: Anne of Green Gables
      • Picks for spring
      • House search update no. 2
      • Making Things Happen
      • Marvelous Mondays: Easter Eggs
      • Marvelous Money: How to spend money
      • Beyond the Sea: The budget
      • March Goals
    • [+] February
      • The Birthday Party Project
      • Inspiration Board No. 99: Beyond the Sea
      • Beyond the sea: Reception
      • Beyond the sea: Cocktail hour
      • Beyond the sea: Our ceremony
      • Beyond the sea: First look
      • Beyond the sea: Wedding morning
      • Beyond the sea: Rehearsal dinner
      • Beyond the sea: Final preparations
      • February Goals
    • [+] January
      • House search update
      • Marvelous Money: Building a budget
      • Tinsel stirrers in the shop!
      • Super foods
      • Marvelous Money: Managing Joint Finances
      • Friends of Em + Graham Terhune Photography
      • Board No. 98: Backyard Garden Party Wedding
      • Marvelous Money: The emergency fund
      • Marget and Seth's Wedding
      • Marvelous Mondays: Bedrooms with wood plank walls
      • Marvelous Money: What's your story?
      • Target Threshold Spring Collection
      • Welcome back to the Bachelor
      • January Goals
      • Daily Goals 2013
  • [+]2012
    • [+] December
      • 2012: A year in review
      • Merry Christmas!
      • Christmas cards 2012
      • Board No. 97: Blue and White Christmas
      • Em loves you: A Christmas giveaway
      • Gifts for Em
      • Em for Marvelous Christmas playlist 2012
      • 2012 Em for Marvelous Gift Guide: Neutral Gifts
      • 2012 Em for Marvelous Gift Guide: Bright Gifts
    • [+] November
      • Blessed to be a blessing: acts of kindness for Christmas
      • Felt mistletoe
      • Christmas cupcake flags in the shop!
      • Marvelous mondays: wreaths
      • Happy Thanksgiving!
      • Gold party outfit
      • Crafting our ceremony: serving communion
      • Our wedding film from Inkspot Crow
      • Marvelous mondays: kitchen banquettes
      • Crafting our ceremony: our vows
      • Modern Christmas newsletter
      • Minted Christmas Cards
      • Crafting our ceremony: music
    • [+] October
      • Inspiration Board No. 96: Falling for Dahlias
      • Christmas trees in baskets
      • Hiking in Asheville
      • Antiquing in Asheville
      • Eating in Asheville
      • Pumpkin chocolate chip muffins
      • Gilded pumpkins!
      • Crafting our ceremony: readings
      • Marvelous mondays: caramel apples
      • Pure Barre
      • Advice for first time home buyers
      • Marvelous mondays: gilded pumpkins
      • The hunt is over: Nitsa's
      • On the hunt: David's Bridal
      • On the hunt: The White Dress by the Shore
      • Marvelous mondays: black stair railings
    • [+] September
      • On the hunt: Maddison Row
      • On the hunt: inspiration
      • Fall to do list
      • Marvelous mondays: built-in bunks for four
      • New beginnings
      • Wedding road trip!
      • Wedding planning update: 9 days to go
      • Our wedding registry
      • A good weekend
    • [+] August
      • Wedding planning update: 16 days to go
      • Wedding planning update: 24 days to go
      • A picnic bridal shower
      • Rehearsal dinner outfit
      • Wedding planning update: 1 month to go
      • Favorite group portraits
      • Our wedding invitations, part two
      • Our wedding invitations, part one
      • Invitations out of the house!
      • Matt & Claudia are married!
      • Invitations in the house!
    • [+] July
      • Dreams do come true
      • Paloma's Nest Ring Bearer Bowl
      • Ann Taylor tops
      • Seasonal Home of Gales Ferry
      • Wedding planning update: 2 months to go
      • Mike & Antonia are married!
      • Seth and Marget are getting married!
      • Oilcloth project possibilities
      • Wedding day emergency kit
      • Happy Fourth of July!
      • June Instagram
    • [+] June
      • Accessories Week: Comb + Veil
      • Accessories Week: Earrings + Clutch
      • Accessories Week: Bracelet + Necklace
      • Classic Groom Essentials
      • Summer to do list
      • A Kate Spade Bridal Shower
      • Wedding planning update: 3 months to go
      • Paper Picks 2012: One Canoe Two
      • Paper Picks 2012: Belle & Union
      • Paper Picks 2012: Alee & Press
      • Paper Picks 2012: Figs & Ginger
      • Paper Picks 2012: Mr. Boddington's Studio
      • Our engagement photos!
      • Cupcake flags + donuts!
    • [+] May
      • Lot 190 + blue doors
      • Wedding weekend welcome packs
      • Wedding planning update: 3+ months to go
      • Busy week ahead!
      • Quaker marriage certificate
      • Inn at Palmetto Bluff: Treehouse
      • Accessorizing
      • Backyard bridal shower
      • Lowcountry Produce
      • Hunting Island State Park
      • 101 in 1001: May 2012
      • City Loft Hotel in Beaufort, SC
    • [+] April
      • Old Sheldon Church Ruins
      • Bridesmaid dress recap
      • Wedding planning update: 4+ months to go
      • Engagement photos!
      • The wedding morning, part three
      • Get yo' cocktails on
      • Vintage silver at the reception
      • Sweet peas in weddings
      • Drink more water
      • Tried and true recipes
      • Ways to Personalize a Groom's Formal Look
      • Tuxedo junction
      • Flea market find: floral frogs
      • A Kate Spade Bridal Shower: The Invitations!
      • A Kate Spade Bridal Shower: Inspiration
      • Tips for hiring destination wedding vendors
    • [+] March
      • Black and white dance floors
      • Inspiration Board No. 95: Pastel Spring
      • Wedding planning update: 5+ months to go!
      • Method spring soaps
      • Spring to do list
      • A dress for the mother of the bride!
      • Registering for china
      • Sweet watercolor paintings
      • (Almost) Spring weekend
      • Black and White Cheesecake Brownies
      • Adorably Small Houses
      • Kate Spade Sample Sale
      • Valentine's Day Party Invitations
      • 101 in 1001: March 2012
      • Spring Fling
    • [+] February
      • Here's to 25
      • Colorful Cocktail Napkins
      • Wedding planning update: 6+ months to go!
      • Mini desserts
      • Julie & Julia Dinner Party
      • How to Make a Wedding Website Using Blogger
      • Happy Valentine's Day!
      • Flea Market Finds
      • A creative groomsman "proposal"
      • Bells will be ringing
      • Our videographer + budget realities
      • Easy Valentine's Day DIY
      • A slightly military wedding ceremony
      • Our save the dates!
      • 101 in 1001: February 2012
    • [+] January
      • Wedding shoes: update!
      • The wedding morning, part two
      • Gowns with netted straps
      • Wedding planning update: 7+ months to go!
      • Yard sale chairs remade!
      • Recycled art!
      • Garden bouquet inspiration
      • Bouquet wrap inspiration
      • A Trip to M&J Trimming
      • Bridesmaid Dresses!
      • Our wedding photographer: Tanja Lippert!
      • Player piano
      • Inspiration Board No. 94: Mulberries in Hawaii
      • Wedding shoes!
      • Em for Gems
      • Old Lucketts Store + silver update
      • 2012 Goals
      • Scenes from the holidays
  • [+]2011
    • [+] December
      • Merry Christmas!
      • Christmas in the apartment
      • Our Christmas cards!
      • Gift Wrapping Inspiration
      • Inspiration Board No. 93: New Tartan
      • Em for Minted: Giveaway winner!
      • Inspiration Board No. 92: Candy-Colored Christmas
      • Gifts for Em
      • EFM Gift Guide 2011: Neutrals + Metallics
      • EFM Gift Guide 2011: Colorful
      • EFM Gift Guide 2011: Cool Tones
      • EFM Gift Guide 2011: Brights
      • Giveaway: Em for Minted!
      • Welcome to Em for Marvelous!
      • Christmas tartan
      • Wreaths
    • [+] November
      • Watercolor letterpress calendar
      • Vintage state towels
      • Peppermint drink stirrers in the shop!
      • Happy Thanksgiving!
      • The perfect cardigan
      • Thanksgiving dinner inspiration
      • More silver for the reception!
      • Cayman Islands
      • The wedding morning
      • Inspiring menus
      • Sperry tents
      • Faux fur fuzzies
      • Eno River fall foliage
      • 101 in 1001: November 2011
    • [+] October
      • Pumpkin chocolate chip muffins
      • Steve Madden flats
      • Candlelit
      • Wedding planning update: 10+ months to go
      • Hostess gift idea!
      • Minted save the date options
      • Rainbow bookshelf
      • Ringing the bell
      • Makeup bags
      • charleston: angel oak & middleton plantation
      • charleston: folly beach & kayaking
      • Donuts at weddings
      • Haw River rock hop
      • Green Knob Trail
      • Edward Hopper stamps
      • Pink in the park
      • 101 in 1001: October 2011
    • [+] September
      • Camping this weekend!
      • Bacon + avocado grilled cheese
      • Embroidering
      • Kendra Scott earrings
      • Wedding planning update: 11+ months to go
      • Fall to do list
      • Summer to do list: update!
      • Venue reveal: our reception site!
      • Venue reveal: our ceremony site!
      • Wedding prep extravaganza!
      • The great venue search (part two)
      • The great venue search (part one)
      • Berry wedding ideas
      • Polka dot gift bags
      • Treehouse Point
      • Pretty hellebores
      • Mini food at weddings, part II
      • Amy Merrick
      • Rope bracelets
      • Charleston: Video!
      • Charleston: French Quarter + Battery
      • Charleston: Eats
    • [+] August
      • Charleston: Folly Beach + Kayaking
      • Charleston: Angel Oak + Middleton Plantation
      • Back Porch Music at the American Tobacco Campus
      • Wedding planning update: 12+ months out
      • Minted business cards!
      • Book baby shower
      • Flea market success!
      • Flag escort cards in action!
      • Back from Charleston!
      • Charleston
      • Black Bean Mexican Pizza
      • Backyard wedding with string lights
      • Summer wedding dress
      • 101 in 1001: August 2011
    • [+] July
      • All time favorites: M and C
      • All time favorites: Lauren and Joe
      • Wedding planning update: 12+ months out
      • All time favorites: Caroline and Clark
      • All time favorites: Liz and Chris
      • All time favorites: Dabney and Rob
      • All time favorites: Erin and Paul
      • All time favorites: Lily and John
      • Mini food at weddings
      • White bouquet with dusty miller
      • My engagement ring!
      • Weekend in Beaufort
      • You will probably want to watch this video...
      • Happy Fourth!
      • 101 in 1001: July 2011
    • [+] June
      • Drink stirrers in action!
      • Marget + Seth engaged!
      • Happy anniversary, Mom and Dad
      • Deep dish chocolate chip cookies
      • Maine Squeeze: We Toast
      • Poppers
      • Board No. 91: Green and Cafe Au Lait
      • Guest bedroom style
      • Fourth of July drink stirrers!
      • Apartment garden: June
      • Flea market find: faux bamboo table
      • Maine Squeeze: More Decor
      • Bathroom plans!
      • Bow-quet
      • 101 in 1001: June 2011
      • Veronica Sheaffer swiss dot gowns
      • Market Imports in Raleigh
    • [+] May
      • Outdoor summer movies
      • BHG winners!
      • Happy Memorial Day!
      • BHG giveaway reminder + recipes
      • Seersucker bikinis
      • Pedestal sink bathroom
      • Apartment garden: baby plants
      • Maine Squeeze: We play!
      • Better Homes & Gardens site redesign + giveaway!
      • National Stationery Show
      • Festive brunch ideas
      • Cheerful ribbon boutonniere
      • Board No. 90: Daybreak
      • Ann Taylor Loft Petites
      • One-piece swimsuit round up
      • 101 in 1001: May 2011
      • Summer to do list
    • [+] April
      • Blue bedrooms
      • Maine Squeeze: We eat!
      • Better Homes & Gardens May Issue
      • Board No. 89: Royal Wedding Sapphire
      • Easter weekend!
      • Formal accessories on a budget
      • Ombre cakes
      • Vintage Village
      • Maine Squeeze: Lemonade and Cookies
      • Swiss dot wedding fashion
      • Nautical bags
      • En plein air piano
      • Maine Squeeze: They make their vows
      • Keds
      • Cherry blossom weekend!
      • 101 in 1001: April 2011
    • [+] March
      • Maine Squeeze: The girls get ready
      • Swell towels
      • Cherry blossom wedding ideas
      • Board No. 88: Soft cherry blossoms
      • H&M pillows
      • Maine Squeeze: We wake up very early
      • On being green
      • Board No. 87: Plum and evergreen for Caroline
      • I stop writing the poem
      • Happy St. Patrick's Day!
      • Maine Squeeze: We eat lobster!
      • P&P packaging
      • Making an inspiration board
      • Chebeague Island wedding
      • Maine Squeeze: Wharf jump!
      • Bridal shower tin cans
      • Board No. 86: Beyond the sky blue sea
      • Anthro headbands
      • Pierrepont Hicks Spring
      • My whole heart
      • 101 in 1001: March 2011
    • [+] February
      • Happy birthday to me!
      • Maine Squeeze: Rehearsal and wiffle ball!
      • Janet Hill Studio
      • Bridesmaid dresses
      • Long distance maps
      • Maine Squeeze: We raise the tent!
      • Apartment garden: the seedlings!
      • Winter travels: the Old Edwards Inn
      • Board No. 85: My Summer Valentine
      • Happy Valentine's Day weekend!
      • From Song of the Open Road
      • Polka dot dress, version two!
      • Maine Squeeze: More preparations
      • Bow-Bedecked Car
      • Anthro Color-Dipped Dress
      • Tulle tables
      • Maine Squeeze: It begins
      • Creative escort card ideas
      • 101 in 1001: February 2011
    • [+] January
      • Board No. 84: Bold Yellow
      • Casual wedding portraits
      • To paint or not to paint?
      • Shower curtain update
      • Happy Monday!
      • Polka dot dress
      • TOMS update
      • P&P valentines!
      • Board No. 83: The Most Delicate of Delicates
      • Colorful dresses
      • Robert Allen Khandar fabric for sale!
      • Better Homes and Gardens January issue
      • John Robshaw Textiles
      • New York, New York!
      • Pink + gold wedding invitations
      • New favorite wedding dress!
      • 101 in 1001: January 2011
      • 101 in 1001, Vol. II
  • [+]2010
    • [+] December
      • Happy New Year's Eve!
      • A very merry Christmas to you!
      • Black Bean Soup with Cumin and Jalapeno
      • Board No. 82: Pinecones and Sage
      • Nutcracker tonight + 101 reminder!
      • Christmas CD Swap Wrap Up!
      • Modern Christmas from JL Designs
      • Black and white Christmas
      • Comfy winter bedroom
      • Christmas cards!
      • Board No. 81: Softly Shining Christmas
      • P&P Gift Guide 2010: Metallic
      • P&P Gift Guide 2010: Neutrals
      • P&P Gift Guide 2010: Cool
      • P&P Gift Guide 2010: Warm
      • Board No. 80: All that Glitters is Gold
      • Modcloth for New Year's Eve
      • 20x200 on One Kings Lane
      • Happy December!
    • [+] November
      • Colorful blocks
      • Thanksgiving Recap
      • Happy Thanksgiving!
      • Sycamore Street Press Announcement
      • Recent project
      • Board No. 79: Jewel Tone Thanksgiving
      • Christmas CD Swap!
      • Toms shoes
      • Four weddings...
      • Possible Curtain Fabric
      • Shutterfly Holiday Cards
      • Thanksgiving table inspiration
      • Inspiration Board No. 78: Fall Figs
      • In which I consider buying a leopard jacket
      • Out to Dinner: The Grove Park Inn
      • Gifted Magazine
      • Happy November!
    • [+] October
      • The Middle Daughter
      • Blues + natural texture
      • Cherry wedding
      • Minted Holiday Cards
      • Tree trunk side tables
      • Frye Boots
      • Applique wedding dress
      • Someone please have a baby so I can buy you one of these
      • Toast & Laurel
      • 101 in 1001: Favorites!
      • 101 in 1001: Recap, Part III
      • 101 in 1001: Recap, Part II
      • 101 in 1001: Recap, Part I
      • Board No. 77: Rich Fall
      • Weekend Project: Closet Cleanup
      • Nate Berkus
      • Cool and classic cocktail party
      • Kitchen ferns
      • Basil centerpiece
      • Sweet Potato Harvest
    • [+] September
      • My china pattern
      • Navy and Yellow Bunting
      • More relaxed portraits
      • Gorgeous recipe styling
      • Fall Fashion Week: J. Crew
      • Fall Fashion Week: Old Navy
      • Fall Fashion Week: LOFT
      • Fall Fashion Week: Land's End Canvas
      • K + C Get Married: The Film
      • Dark August
      • Breakfast Jewelry
      • The Ribbonerie
      • Out to Dinner: Vin Rouge
      • Monday, Monday
      • Inspiration Board No. 76: Black and White Summer
      • Happy weekend!
      • Happy September!
    • [+] August
      • Kate + Cormac DIY: Ribbon Drink Stirrers
      • Shower curtains
      • Blue and white decor
      • Peach and Pearl in Brides!
      • What I learned
      • The bunting is up!
      • Loading the truck
      • Addison's Vision
      • Allow me to introduce...
      • Paper wedding bells
      • Classically elegant Stephanie Williams wedding
      • Peony pave posts
      • Retro getaway car
      • Relaxed family portraits
      • Rubber lace coasters
      • Cookie reception
      • Classically elegant Cooper Carras wedding
    • [+] July
      • Neiman picks under $100
      • Max & Margaux
      • New in the shop!
      • Front Door Decoration
      • Board No. 75: Spring Green Garden Party
      • Summer
      • Casual Interiors
      • Welcome to Maine!
      • Edible centerpieces
      • One Month Out
      • Summer camp
      • Lewis & Sheron Fabrics
      • Weekend Project: Handmade Wedding Signs
      • Bright gingham shorts
      • Board No. 74: Bold Blue and Red Picnic
      • Happy Fourth!
      • Happy July!
    • [+] June
      • Buttermilk and friends
      • Dream Home: Hideaways + Nooks
      • K + C wedding invitation
      • Figueroa Mountain Wedding
      • Whoopie!
      • Emersonmade Sneak Peak
      • Board No. 73: Daisy Blue
      • Happy weekend!
      • Les petites douceurs
      • Good Bones Great Pieces
      • How to find fun things to do!
      • i love you much(most beautiful darling)
      • Oriental rugs in interesting places
      • Kate's alphabet bridal shower
      • Friend ship
      • Board No. 72: Pomegranate + Plum
      • Gilded wood blocks
      • Alligator stationery
      • 101 in 1001: June 2010
      • Today I love...
    • [+] May
      • Alphabet poster round-up
      • Dream Home: Outdoor living spaces
      • Miyuki Sakai
      • Favorite fabric sources
      • Honeysuckle perfume
      • Board No. 71: Hamptons Pool Party
      • Happy weekend!
      • Daybreak
      • Summer dresses
      • Lobster welcome dinner
      • Dream Home: Exposed beams, open feel
      • Sailor's knot bracelet, v. 2
      • Board No. 70: Red and orange ranunculus
      • On Turning Ten
      • The non-toss ceremony exit
      • Netflix queue
      • Zebra shorts
      • Porcelain farmer's market containers
      • Bulletin board wall
    • [+] April
      • A Blessing
      • Vintage beach engagement session + style board
      • Dream Home: Snuggly Beds
      • My new favorite...
      • Timeless glamour
      • Lobstah
      • Blackberries for Amelia
      • Alphabet bridal shower invitations
      • New in the shop!
      • Striped paper straws
      • Striped paper straws
      • Board No. 69: Fruit and Flowers
      • Coda
      • New bike
      • Bunting invite + bunting cake
      • Dream Home: Kitchen Island
      • Indian Summer at Lands End
      • DIY: Paper Dogwood Flowers
      • Dream Home: Walls of Books
      • Bunting Portraits
      • Board No. 68: Black and Red Gingham
      • Box of sunshine
      • Hummingbird
      • 101 in 1001: April, 2010
    • [+] March
      • Dream Home: Filled with light
      • Mini bunting
      • Dream Home: Deep Window Seats
      • Save that date!
      • Board No. 67: How Does Your Garden Green?
      • New looks from old standbys
      • Board No. 66: Zinc and Deep Royal
      • My new favorite...
      • Orange you glad
      • Bunting 101: Help!
      • Vintage silverware garden markers
      • And my Oscar goes to...
      • Oscar Party Prep
      • Bamboo for you (and me)
      • 101 in 1001: March, 2010
    • [+] February
      • DIY Calligraphy
      • Bunting cards
      • Spring dresses
      • K + C: Google Docs
      • Persimmon & Pink
      • Valentines: A Recap
      • Campfire votive
      • Board No. 65: Stone Fruits, Baking Tarts
      • Valentines: Hearts in nature
      • Task lamps
      • Valentines: Knottedrush
      • Dinghy Driving
      • John Takes a Hike!
      • Board No. 64: Cassie's Sunburnt October
      • Valentines: Catbird
      • Valentines: Rifle Paper Co
      • Valentines: Bird & Banner
      • Valentines: Woven paper hearts
      • 101 in 1001: February, 2010
      • Board No. 63: Woodsy Lodge
    • [+] January
      • Bright + cheery childrens' bedroom
      • P&P Valentines on Etsy!
      • Pie bar
      • I'm headed to New York!
      • Quilled marriage certificate
      • Go Jane
      • Enter Maribel
      • Fourth&Folded
      • J. Crew complaints no more?
      • Bold and Happy
      • Ikea tent
      • Heart print
      • Short, puffy ones
      • Board No. 62: Pink and Blue and Gold Tinsel
      • Pottery Barn to the rescue!
      • Recipe storage
      • Bedroom Inspiration, v. 341
      • Dress like a cupcake
      • 101 in 1001: January, 2010
  • [+]2009
    • [+] December
      • Merry, Merry Christmas... one day early!
      • P&P Christmas, Day 7: Movies
      • StillMotion
      • Monday, Monday + Winter
      • P&P Christmas, Day 6: Our decor!
      • Lovely Love Shoot
      • P&P Christmas, Day 5: My favorite things
      • High-Boys
      • Board No. 61: Cherry and Sky Holidays
      • Monday, Monday + One Horse Open Sleigh
      • P&P Christmas, Day 4: My Cards, Part I
      • Holly Farrell
      • P&P Christmas, Day 3: Gift Wrap Inspiration
      • More Modcloth
      • The hunt for the bridesmaid dress is on!
      • Board No. 60: Aqua and Green Holidays
      • P&P Christmas, Day 2: Wreaths
      • Wedding by the Sea
      • Board No. 59: Eucalyptus, Cream, and Coral
    • [+] November
      • P&P Christmas: Playlists
      • The 12 Days of Peach & Pearl Christmas!
      • Happy Thanksgiving!
      • Amy Atlas Thanksgiving
      • NieNie
      • Board No. 5: Blue and Orange Thanksgiving
      • Board No. 58: Hello Navy and Yellow!
      • Board No. 57: Pumped Up Sherbet
      • Board No. 56: Primary Picnic
      • Board No. 55: Nautical Knots
      • Birch bark chivaris
      • Driftwood Ceremony
      • Reader Mail: Sweater Dresses
      • Thanksgiving table
      • Cabbage bouquets
      • Board No. 54: Blooming Navy
      • Monday, Monday + Heart
      • Party time! My dream look
      • Party time! The Menswear Look
      • Party time! The Runner-Up
      • Apple crate side table
      • Love never fails
      • Board No. 53: Gilded Halloween
      • Monday, Monday + Pumpkins
    • [+] October
      • Happy Halloween!
      • DIY Friday: Dictionary Art
      • Alterna-Bedding
      • Dreamy
      • Veggie Week
      • Pinwheels
      • Balsa wood bouquet
      • Falling for fall
      • Wedding weekend brunch: the recipes
      • Wedding weekend brunch
      • Board No. 52: Bond + Baby's Breath
      • Monday, Monday + Leaf Portrait
      • City Guides + Weekend Plans
      • DIY Friday: Painted Furniture
      • Moving Announcements
      • Sources
      • My new favorite...
      • Board No. 51: Blue and Orange for Catherine
      • Monday, Monday + A Writing Desk
      • Mulled Cider
      • Brunch Inspirations
      • My new favorite...
      • Joy + Amy at home
      • Board No. 50: Prizewinning Party
      • Monday, Monday + Vintage Fall
      • DIY Friday: Brunch invitations!
      • Fall Travels: Blue Ridge Parkway
      • My new favorite...
    • [+] September
      • Fall Travels: Serenbe
      • Fall Wreaths
      • Board No. 49: Wild Roses
      • Monday, Monday + White
      • My new favorite...
      • Inkwells
      • Red carpet style
      • Monday, Monday + Hydrangeas
      • DIY Saturday: Upholstered Headboard
      • Flea Market Finds
      • Flea Market
      • Catherine's Blue and Orange Palettes
      • Tips for the newly engaged
      • Sister Peach & Pearl: Engaged!
      • Board No. 48: Bluebell and Buttercream
      • Monday, Monday + A Swing
      • DIY Friday: Monogrammed Tote Bag
      • Haven in Paris
      • Upcycled Birthday Card
      • Anthropologie for a Wedding
      • Tuesday, Tuesday + The Beach
      • DIY Friday: Nautical Porch Garland
      • Audrey
      • Riding boots
      • crewcuts
      • Driftwood Hearts
    • [+] August
      • Board No. 47: A Formal Affair
      • Monday, Monday + RH in Paris
      • Happy Weekend + Chalkboard Paint
      • Summer Travels: Seaside, FL
      • My NEW new favorite...
      • Back to school II
      • Back to school
      • Board No. 46: Alice in Wonderland
      • Happy Weekend + Handmade Soap
      • Bake It Pretty
      • My new favorite...
      • Latte Bowls
      • Paint Chip Placecards
      • Be My Guest
      • Board No. 45: Teal Appeal
      • Monday, Monday + Porches
      • Happy Weekend + Confetti
      • Boston Photographers
      • My new favorite...
      • Julie & Julia
      • Board No. 44: Orange Sherbet
      • Monday, Monday + Flags
      • Happy Weekend + A Tree Party
      • We've Moved!
      • My new favorite...
      • Summer Travels: Island Shower
      • Stars in Residence
      • Summer Travels: Wildflowers
      • Summer Travels: Cherry Republic
      • Board No. 43: White Elephant
      • Monday, Monday + A Castle
    • [+] July
      • Happy Weekend + Cotton Candy
      • Summer Travels: Amish Country, Ohio
      • Board No. 42: Amber in Connecticut
      • Board No. 41: Amber on the Vineyard
      • Board No. 40: Amber in the Caribbean
      • Thursday, Thursday + A Survey
      • Happy Weekend + Sunflowers
      • Uniqlo Neutrals
      • Two Projects
      • Bear with me...
      • Happy Weekend + Bouquet
      • Ikea + victory
      • J. Press
      • Happy Tape
      • Kris + Matt: A Jack + Jill Shower
      • Board No. 39: Hand in Hand at the Edge of the Sand
      • Monday, Monday + I'm Back!
      • Hans & Catherine
      • Monday, Monday + Parents
      • Rubie Green
      • Praia Piquinia
    • [+] June
      • Board No. 38: Cherries Jubilee
      • Monday, Monday + Road Trip
      • Happy Weekend + Polas
      • Have to have Hable
      • My new favorite...
      • Venue Scout: Kirkwood Gardens
      • Board No. 37: One Morning in Maine
      • Monday, Monday + Hats
      • Happy Weekend!
      • Paperwink
      • Kristin & Carter
      • Venue Scout: Church Landing at Mill Falls
      • Board No. 36: Lemon Drop Martini
      • Monday, Monday + Head in the Clouds
      • Happy Weekend + Kitchens
      • Peonies
      • My new favorite...
      • Brea & Tom
      • Felix Doolittle
      • Board No. 35: Romance in the Garden
      • Monday, Monday + Roses
      • Happy Weekend + Wedding Season
      • Currently Coveting...
      • Through Her Eyes
      • Announcements
      • Swayspace
      • Board No. 34: Roman Holiday
    • [+] May
      • Happy Weekend + Retro Glam
      • The Last Emperor
      • Lizzie's Bridal Shower
      • Alice Temperley Camps
      • Board No. 33: Old Glory
      • Monday, Monday + Memorial Day
      • Happy Weekend + 2009
      • My new favorite...
      • Alissa & Ryan
      • Interview Outfit
      • Vintage Engagement Shoot
      • Rosecliff: The Party!
      • Board No. 32: Fiesta Afternoon
      • Monday, Monday + Teacups
      • Happy Weekend + Adirondack Chairs
      • My new favorite...
      • J. Crew Inspiration
      • Rosecliff: The Accessories
      • Board No. 31: Lilacs in Spring
      • Monday, Monday + Lilacs
      • Happy Weekend + Cousins!
      • Plastic
      • Schooled
      • Board No. 30: Bread and Olive Oil
      • The Island
      • Technical Difficulties
      • Happy Weekend + Bookshelves
    • [+] April
      • DIY Swizzle Sticks
      • House Stalking No. 3
      • Rosecliff: The Face
      • Skinny Minnie, v. 2
      • Board No. 29: Cowboy Take Me Away
      • Monday, Monday + the Seashore
      • Happy Weekend + Buds
      • Reader Mail: Rugs + Curtains
      • Framed
      • Ceara & Nate
      • Rosecliff: The Jewelry
      • Board No. 28: Build Me Up, Buttercup
      • Monday, Monday + Bicycles
      • Happy Weekend + Golf
      • Egg Press Sample Sale
      • Today I love...
      • Rosecliff: The Hair
      • Board No. 27: Kid Gloves
      • Monday, Monday
      • Happy Weekend + Smooch
      • Porsche & Larry
      • DIY Embellished Cards + Lined Envelopes
      • Reader Mail: Leather & Metallic Sandals
      • Rosecliff: The Dress
      • My new favorite...
      • Board No. 26: Opulent Pink and Navy
      • Monday, Monday
      • Happy Weekend + Radishes
      • Today I Love Silhouettes (In My Hand)
      • Today I Love Silhouettes (In Action)
      • Today I Love Silhouettes (In Print)
    • [+] March
      • Rosecliff: Location
      • Guest post on Rock 'n Roll Bride
      • Board No. 25: Gold Rush
      • Monday, Monday + The Sun
      • Potting Puttering
      • Mine!
      • M & C
      • Down on the farm
      • Board No. 24: Spring Fling
      • Poster print winner!
      • Monday, Monday + Vanities
      • Giveaway Reminder: Win a poster print!
      • Happy Weekend + Cumberland Island
      • My new favorite...
      • Well Wed Cape Cod: Amelia Rose
      • Well Wed Cape Cod
      • Board No. 23: Luck of the Irish
      • Poster Print Giveaway!
      • Monday, Monday + Georgia
      • Happy Weekend!
      • Board No. 22: Sweet Cream
      • Board No. 21: Orange Pop
      • Board No. 20: Rainbow Sherbet
      • Monday, Monday
      • Happy Weekend!
      • A Banner Day
      • Sedona Bride
      • See Sea Lorraine Dress
      • Custom Inspiration Boards!
      • Board No. 19: Tuscany in Texas
      • Monday, Monday
    • [+] February
      • Happy Weekend!
      • A Shower By Any Other Name...
      • Handle & Spout
      • My new favorite...
      • Board No. 18: Classic Summer Navy
      • Monday, Monday
      • Happy Weekend!
      • Please, Mr. Postman
      • Today I Love...
      • From Me to Yoo
      • Short Dress Brides
      • Board No. 17: St. Valentine's
      • Monday, Monday
      • Bow Wow
      • Olive You
      • My new favorite...
      • DIY Daisy Wreath
      • Allison & Mark
      • Board No. 16: Blackberry Black Tie
      • Monday, Monday
      • Happy Weekend + A Truck Portrait
      • Skinny Minnie
      • Valentine's Day Chocolate DIY
      • Chocolate Raspberry Tea Cakes
      • Megan & Randy
      • Board No. 15: Cream and Sugar, Please
    • [+] January
      • Happy Weekend!
      • My new favorite...
      • DIY Hair Flower
      • Casablanca
      • Vote For Me!
      • Board No. 14: Style Me Pretty Vineyard
      • Monday, Monday
      • Happy Weekend!
      • Vines, Light Bulbs, and Cardboard: Oh My!
      • DIY Wine Charms
      • Mr. and Mrs. Coconut
      • Board No. 13: Dainty Brunch
      • Happy Weekend + Lemonade
      • House of Telsa
      • Soft Neutrals
      • Organizing Bathroom Drawers
      • Board No. 12: Daisy Chain
      • Happy Weekend!
      • My new favorite...
      • Creativity Headquarters
      • My new favorite...
      • Board No. 11: Willow Ware
      • Happy Weekend + Ruffles
      • The 101 in 1001 Book
      • 101 in 1001
  • [+]2008
    • [+] December
      • A Night at the Ball
      • Martha's Butterscotch-Pecan Cake
      • DIY Bell Chandelier
      • Board No. 10: Pop the Bubbly!
      • Happy Christmas Eve!
      • Board #9: Merry, Merry Christmas
      • Happy Weekend!
      • Last Minute Gift Idea!
      • Molten Chocolate Babycakes
      • Going to the Ballet
      • Board #8: Elegant Evergreens
      • Happy Friday!
      • Put your stamp on it
      • Inspiration Board #7: Blue Christmas
      • Happy Friday!
      • Beach Dwelling
      • Ruffle Cake Stand
      • This Just In...
      • Displaying Holiday Cards
      • Inspiration Board #6: Pinecones and Chocolate
    • [+] November
      • Happy Thanksgiving!
      • My new favorite...
      • A Little Southern Wedding Love
      • Inspiration Board #5: Blue and Orange Thanksgiving
      • Have a sweet Friday!
      • S'mores Y'all
      • A Dreamy 99 Cents
      • It's almost 2009!
      • Happy Friday!
      • My new favorite...
      • Etiquette Dinner
      • Stone Wall Votives
      • Happy Weekend + A French Tree House
      • Inspiration Board #4: Teal, Yellow, and Black
      • Inspiration Board #3: Punch, Blush, and Green
      • Blue Hill Reserve
      • Vote!
      • Patrick Dougherty
    • [+] October
      • Going, Going, Gone
      • My new favorite...
      • Jenna Lyons House Tour
      • Inspiration Board #2: Green Apples
      • Pink and green Bird Ornament Set in the shop!
      • New Garland Cards in the shop!
      • Oh, My Deer!
      • Just Peachy
      • Just married?
      • Lazy Sunday
      • New Cupcake Cards in the shop!
      • Butterfly Weekend
      • House Stalking #2
      • The Duchess = Eye Candy
      • Have a lovely weekend!
      • Fall Fashion: Current J. Crew Favorites
      • I'm a finalist!
    • [+] September
      • Fall Fashion: J. Crew
      • Cool Hand Luke
      • Have a relaxing weekend!
      • That's what she said...

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