la mer - a farewell to summer, pt. II

 

 

polars from the Essmann family vacation to Duck, NC

yes, me + my sister + her friends are keeping Target's swimsuit line "afloat."
& yes, Emma the dog does in fact smile when she's leash-less on the beach.

such a fun vacation.

xo, kelsey

la mer - a farewell to summer, pt I

It's been September for 14 whole days now, but it's just beginning to hit me that summer has ended.

The distinctive lines between summer & fall have blurred over the last two years, 

what with the addition of a day job and the subtraction of the back-to-school factor.

Traffic is back to it's stop&go norm, the sun is setting earlier, & we're spending more evenings on our back porch.

I'm not kidding myself - I am welcoming fall back with wide open arms,

But I can't help but be *a teeeeensy bit* sentimental over yet another newlywed season ending.

Summer, you were great! 

A little toasty, but I'm sure I'll be dreaming of your warm embrace soon enough.

::some of my favorite ocean photos from our first married summer::

 

xo, kelsey

taking off!

I'm packing my bags tonight, & jumping on a plane headed for Atlanta tomorrow morning.

While I'm learning things at a work conference, you'll get some more engagement pictures & a couple goodbyes to summer.

I've been prepping my booty off to keep you all entertained this week ;)

In the meantime! If you have suggestions for my week in The Big Peach, please let me know! 

My boss & I already have to-do list running, & we're way more than open to insider tips.

Have a wonderful week!

xo, kelsey

lately: phone photos

1. an august sky

2. bacon chocolate chip cookies + the perfect cup for cookie dunkin'

3. fried green tomatoes from Cotton

4 & 5. Some yummy summer drinks

6. fingernails - ignore my writing bump.

7. QUELF!

It's been a quiet "day off," but somehow busy aaaall at the same time.

I'm taking off for a work conference this week, & am thus overwhelmed with all the leaving-town goodness that ensues.

I'm making my outfit list, my shopping list, my blog schedule list, my must-wash list...

So. Many. Lists.

But I'm excited! Should be a good trip.

For now, I'm off on the hunt for a good trouser jean.

My 19 yr. old self is all like, "Whaaaa??"

But it's time. Professional Kelsey, reporting for duty.

happy monday!

xo, kelsey

never forget

On September 11th, 2001 I was: 

homeschooled, & slowly getting ready for my day.

My mom came into my room & told me that a plane had just crashed into one of the World Trade Center towers.

I didn't really know what that meant. The gravity of the situation certainly hadn't hit me.

I sat on her bed & watched the news with her. My older sister joined us.

My mom went to go get my youngest sister. That was when the second plane hit.

I remember being confused. I didn't know if I was watching a replay at a different angle.

It didn't take long for them to confirm that a second plane had hit the towers.

I think that was when I realized... maybe when we all realized... what was going on.

When the Pentagon was hit, it became that much more real.

My dad's friend had left his office & went to the other side of the building.

There was no office to return to.

We spent the rest of the day in front of the tv, watching history. Horrified. Sad.

& like so many others, wondering why. Did we know anyone that was hurt. What does this mean. What comes next.

That night, I had ballet & pointe class.

I remember being surprised they weren't cancelled.

I will actually never forget being driven in that evening.

The sun was setting, & the sky was beautiful.

I remember watching it, & just feeling... small.

The world seemed so small.

I didn't know anyone in NYC that day, but I somehow knew everyone in NYC that day.

The world was small, & we were all hurting.

My teacher explained once we got into class that we were there because we needed to keep going.

To get our minds off what we'd been watching all day, but also so that they didn't win.

& they didn't.

All gave some, some gave all.

Love you, NYC.

xo, kelsey