Foy Vance

On Sunday, Josh and I went to see NEEDTOBREATHE at the House of Blues. We were told that it would be like being in the eye of a hurricane, and it was. What an incredible evening of dancing and singing! "You will leave with your clothes in ribbons and your hearts on the stage." I have to tell you, though, before the South Carolinian brothers even stepped foot on stage, our hearts were stolen away.

via alyssa joy photography

The opening artist was an Irish songwriter named Foy Vance. He emerged alone and seated himself in front of a keyboard. As the first thread of his lyrics rang across the venue, "The scenery's changing and it warms my soul," there was a tangible moment of stillness and awe.

Josh and I had the privilege of meeting Foy after the show. He was gracious, kind, and quietly engaging. "Vance is moved by the fractions of love and sentiment, giving himself over to the quiet deluge. His is a voice that rattles you and forces you to let it in so that you may all enjoy a dark room, a modest fire and something to toast with." Indeed we were rattled, and the chorus of his closing song is still humming in my head.

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Warmin' up

Spring weather is finally creeping towards Chicago! Last Friday, Josh and I picked up some Portillo's and had a picnic at the marina with some dear friends. It was almost warm enough to take off our jackets! Almost.

Winter is melting away, and I'm ready to shove my coats and scarves into the back of the closet. It's time for these limbs to see the sun again.

Starved Rock

We love our city, but it starts to feel a little crowded and cold after awhile. A day trip out here was the perfect remedy, especially on the first warm Saturday of the season!

3 beauty products I love

1  johnson's baby oil
2  l'oréal paris pore minimizing gel cleanser
3  l'oréal paris translucide naturally luminous loose powder

1  Just shaved your legs? Turn off the shower, but don't towel off just yet! Reach for that baby oil and massage a few drops into your legs for a smooth, silky shine. I've found that baby oil moisturizes my skin more effectively than lotion, and a little goes a long way.

2  Have oily skin like me? Instead of washing your face with the same, acne-fighting product twice per day, try reaching for this gentle cleanser in the mornings. I love the fragrance, and it gives my skin a break from the salicylic acid found in my evening scrub.

3  For years, I finished my makeup routine by dabbing my face with inexpensive, pressed powder. It was usually a shade too dark, and it always crumbled and cracked inside its plastic shell! Sometime last year, I decided to try applying this loose powder with a brush. Love it! The coverage is lightweight and natural-looking, and it keeps that oily shine to a minimum.

What products do you love?

A taste of Ireland

We hosted a little St. Patrick's Day celebration on Saturday. Well, the party was held at our home, but our dear friends did all the work. Hehe. They brought over corned beef and bacon-kissed cabbage, Kerrygold for the fresh soda bread (which turned out just fine!), marbled cheese, a salad bearing the Irish tricolour, and even a mind-blowing chocolate cake with ganache. Food coma, anyone?! We ate and ate, and we decided that this is definitely happening again next year.

How did you celebrate St. Patrick's Day?

TGIF

This is a snapshot from the passenger's seat during our morning commute. Isn't the city grand? We won't be glimpsing this view tomorrow, though, because it's Friday!!! Time to stay home and sleep in. Josh and I spent our week unpacking more boxes, cleaning, and arranging furniture in our new home. We even managed to escape IKEA without spending all of our money. ;) We are hosting a little St. Paddy's celebration tomorrow (yay!) and I'm attempting Irish soda bread for the first time. Am I the only one who freaks out a little before trying a new bread recipe? It's such a gamble... but so cathartic and so very worth it.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend! Any plans?

A room with a view

Our spacious room was lined with tall, tall windows. We set down our bags and stood close to the glass, never minding the chill, gawking upward at the Trump Tower and all her subjects.

You see, we may not live in Chicago forever. Last-minute hotel deals are pretty amazing.

So, we got a room.

Back to my roots

My childhood best friend got married this weekend! I flew home to North Carolina and had the honor of standing up as one of her bridesmaids. I can't wait to share the official photographs later on! Her wedding was gorgeous, and the reception was so much fun!

I stayed with my family for the weekend, sleeping in a twin bed in my old bedroom. I'm not going to lie... it felt a little surreal! Despite the busyness of the rehearsal and the wedding day, I was able to sing at my home church on Sunday and spend a quiet afternoon with my parents and younger siblings. It was fun, it was restful, and it was restorative.

I was able to revisit who I was and who I am. I spent the majority of my adolescence attending that church and school, growing up in that house, living amongst those faces. Although Josh and I spent the first few years of our dating relationship in North Carolina, that season now feels distant. Chicago is an entirely different world. I love it here and I thrive here, but I cannot sever my identity from the places I have been, the places where my spiritual mind was developed, my heart stolen, enduring friendships made. North Carolina holds my affections in an irreplaceable way.

I have to admit, though... at the end of the weekend, when I looked out the airplane window and beheld the Chicago skyline glittering in the sun, my heart leapt and I smiled. I was almost home.

Hair

Remember when I cut my hair in October? I am growing it back out, and I'm trying to do it the right way. So, I've been conditioning it well, avoiding the blow dryer when I can, and getting a trim every 10-12 weeks.

Look at how long it used to be! This was taken on our honeymoon last year. I miss you, hair.

Yesterday, I came home from my trim at the salon and had this conversation with Josh. (I was really happy with how my bangs and layers looked!)

"Do you like my haircut?  You probably can't tell the difference, but I can!"
"Yeah, I can!"
"Really?!  I'm so impressed!  Yay!"
"Yeah, it's really, really smooth and less frizzy.  It looks nice!"
..........

"Less frizzy." He meant well. (Why are you so expensive, Moroccan oil? Apparently, I need you in my life.)

California, v.4

We spent our time in Santa Barbara at the sweetest little inn. The front door was propped open all day long for easy coming and going.

We actually didn't spend our entire day out and about, exploring every tourist attraction or lying on the beach for hours. To be honest, we went out for breakfast... then went back to the inn. We took a long walk down the beach, ate lunch... then went back to the inn. We ventured outside once more to go window shopping... then went back to the inn. It was amazing, and we definitely needed the rest!

Our final adventure in Santa Barbara took place at Stearns Wharf. We left the inn one more time for a beautiful walk along the coast.

Aren't the mountains gorgeous? This scenery is much different than the beaches in North Carolina, where I grew up. The East Coast is very flat, but the West is garnished by these rolling hills.

California, we miss you already!

California, v.3

 

We took the California 1 from the San Francisco Bay area to Santa Barbara. Needless to say, it was the most glorious drive of my life. These photos hardly capture the magnificence.

California, v.2

You can't visit the San Francisco Bay area without walking across the Golden Gate Bridge, right?  We thought so, too.

 San Francisco dwellers have such a pretty view!

Someday, we'll show these photos to our kids.  I'm hoping that they'll be able to say, "But... we drive over that red bridge all the time!"

I can dream, right?  :)

California, v.1

We are back, we are tired, we are content. Our nine-day adventure in California was truly beautiful.

These particular photos were taken on Mt. Tamalpais, or "Mt. Tam." Our cousins drove us safely along the steep road, through the fog and around the deadly turns. I had never been to the West Coast, so in my mind... those golden hills were the most stunning scenery I'd ever seen.

So, what did we do for nine days? We flew in to Los Angeles and drove the 5 through the desert to stay with family in Novato. Together, we explored San Francisco, Sausolito, Fairfax, Mill Valley, Berkeley, and other towns sprawling across the coast. After a few days, Josh and I left and drove the 1 down to Santa Barbara to stay at a charming inn, finally journeying back to Los Angeles for our return flight to Chicago.

To all you lovelies from California... now I know why you love your state. :) More photos to come.

What's makin' me smile...

Fresh coffee in the morning. This music. Sitting on a grassy, sunny lawn during my lunch breaks. Josh's delicious smoothies and a little too much TV. Cooking dinner with our friends. Brave. Quiet days at work and the excitement of an upcoming vacation.

Today I am quiet and content. This summer is promising to be the best summer yet.

A wedding in the country

Two of our dear friends got married in southern Illinois this weekend!  The ceremony was just beautiful, and though there were a few scares with the rain, the day was truly a success.

One of the highlights of the reception was a live bluegrass band and square dancing!  It was simply exhilarating to spin round and round, barefoot in the grass, linking arms with so many smiling people.  My calves are still sore!  :)

Did you attend any weddings this weekend, friends?