A Weekend to Wander

I hope the weekend treated you all well. :o)  Mr. K and I did a little "backyard" exploring on Saturday and found a hidden little natural gem. Today, the two explorers hung up their discovery hats and spent the entire day relaxing. Without further ado, here is a little glimpse into our weekend. 

Saturday, April 28 - Day of Discovery

We have big plans for this tucked-away abode, starting with runs around the entire lake and picnics right at the edge. When we were living in NYC, we would run around the Central Park reservoir daily so this scenic country lake brought us a bit of sappy nostalgia.

Sunday, April 29 - Some Much Needed R&R

The view from our bed - - Todo I don't think we're in NYC anymore.

The next few weekends are booked solid! I have a mini-vacation coming up that I can't wait for, family visits, and a day excursion to Stone Mountain all in the near future. The summer will be booked up before we know it!

What are you all planning for the summer? Any big vacation destinations?

'Til Next Time,
The Fashist

Sub-Lime Reveals

The weather in Atlanta has been mighty chilly the past few days. I've gone back to layering in an effort to stay warm. These pictures were taken yesterday, just as the sun began to set. The timing made for some wonderful lighting, but the brisk breeze definitely tested my endurance. Looking back at the versatility of these distressed jeans really makes me want to invest in some more torn denim. I always worry it'll look unkept and slightly young, but I see that isn't the case at all. *whew* Pair it with more polished and refined pieces, such as the brown heeled penny loafers and a peek-a-boo white collared shirt and the denim takes on a whole new feel. Lesson learned!

Sweater: Banana Republic (Petite) / Button Down: Express

Jeans: Abercrombie & Fitch

Loafers: Nine West

Fortunately now I sit snug as a bug in a rug on the couch watching a Knicks game with Mr. K. Admittedly, he's turned me into quite the little basketball fan - it gets very exciting! Who knew?

So what about you guys? Any closet professional sports fans? Or better yet, anyone else so eagerly anticipating the NBA playoffs like it's the final Harry Potter novel all over again?

Oh boy, such a short post and yet so many reveals. You're looking at a closet NBA fan, and a widely open Harry Potter fan (forever and ever). Have I lost your respect yet? haha :o)

Indulge me - what are your hidden interests/passions/joys?

'Til Next Time,
The Fashist

Humble Beginnings

Like many people in the world, I come from very humble means. We never had any "extra" of anything growing up and I look back angrily on all those times I asked my parents for something I knew deep down we couldn't afford. I was a kid after all, caught up in futile child-like yearnings. With four daughters all very close in age, it was difficult and far too expensive to go on any grandiose vacations. But the ones we did have are some of my most cherished memories. I even plan on recreating them with my own family because of the closeness it brought. Another outcome of my humble beginnings is the very deep desire to give my parents an easier life. And while I'm constantly trying to minimize the importance of money in my life, it'll take a pretty large amount of it to make that happen.

I'm currently sitting in my room at the Four Seasons Hotel. The above pictures were taken from my iPhone, showing the sun-drenched view from my window, a snapshot of the colorful business attire I packed, and the elegantly elaborate faucet in the tub that I will enjoy a bubble bath in momentarily.

I've just returned from a cocktail reception, kicking off the start of a two day banking forum. I've never told you guys this but I started working for a large consulting firm at the beginning of the year. I went from trying to climb my way up the ladder, to standing on a very comfortable plateau with the most beautiful view of what lays our before me, basically overnight. My parents could never afford to put us up in the Four Seasons, and here I sit - eyes and soul remembering and being thankful for my past, but always looking straight ahead to the new and opportune. I hope my past will always color my present with the never-ending amount of appreciation I feel right at this very moment.

So today, I am thankful for my upbringing and my trials. All negative memories, hardships and painful experiences culminated in who I am today. And I guess it's less who I am and more how I feel. I feel hopeful, and blessed; enlivened and bursting with passion for life. It sort of puts everything into perspective.

No matter where you come from, never stop reaching for that which seems so impossibly out of your reach. Never settle for less than you know you deserve. You can never anticipate or plan for the joyous journeys the universe with put before you. All you/we can do is slow down just for a second, take a deep breath, and look around at all that we do have. Appreciate the here and the now as much as our tiny hearts will allow.

I hope you all have blissful weeks! Hopefully I'll get to read all about them.

'Til Next Time,
The Fashist