wearing - 10/50

sweater - Target // button down - Gap // pants, heels & barrette - H&M

These pictures are debatably worth sharing, as they are from a morning when there was just not enough sunshine or coffee. One of those mornings where my foolproof no-heat curl system just... didn't... work, I forgot to put my wedding rings back on after gooping what seemed to be an entire bottle of lotion onto hands that refused to be moisturized & my mascara fell back behind the sink into what has to be to most terrifying corner (abyss?) of any bathroom, no matter how many times you clean it.

But you go with it, because they're saying Saturday is going to be a high of 75 with clear skies & it can't be March forever, right? RIGHT.

photos by: kelsie of with lavender & lace

our song

We had been at the beach almost all day together, with the mish-mash group of friends that had somehow brought us together. He was quiet, wearing a thrifted Sunkist t-shirt, & ear buds hadn't left his ears all day. Barely acquaintances, we had walked together for a few blocks as part of a small delegation that had been sent to buy smoothies, but we didn't talk. I had just broken up with a boyfriend not a month before "because college (COLLEGE!) was three months away", & I was surprised to find myself excited to walk just a couple of feet away from him as we wandered. A new boy was very much not part of the plan for what I was hoping to be my final months in Hampton Roads. I was even more surprised when I found myself wandering over to where he was standing alone in the middle of the beach. He was singing, & how does a girl like me not walk over to a boy like him singing on the beach?

"The Music Man?"
"What?"
"Till There Was You. The Music Man, right?"

No, it wasn't The Music Man. It was, in fact, the Beatles crooning in his ear about birds & hills & bells & sweet, fragrant meadows of dawn & dew. He smiled, pulling the other ear bud out from behind his shaggy dark hair (speaking of the Beatles...), intrigued that I was standing in front of him, asking about a movie from the 1960s. He couldn't help but quiz me about the movie, & I couldn't help but show off the moves I remembered from "Shipoopi." I like to think that it was those moves that really sealed our fate, & that's what the grandchildren will be told, by gum, but he says it was something about my eyes & some other smooshy stuff.

I had never heard the Beatles' version of this song, & even worse (according to Jared), I had never really listened to the Beatles'. Not on purpose, anyway. So, two months (& 5 whole weeks of dating) later, I received my first Jared Bethune playlist, teeming with Beatles' glory. I was partial to "When I'm Sixty-Four," but Till There Was You was already our song. I had never had an "our song" before, but as far as meet cutes go, it was the perfect soundtrack.

It was also the perfect soundtrack when we walked back down the aisle as husband & wife & when our sweet friend Kelli sang it for our first dance. It's even earned a spot on the wall of our family room. & I can bet you our future babes will hear it more than a few times. If you had told Summer 2006 Kelsey any of those things, she would probably tell you, "Well, thank GOD he wasn't listening to Outkast."

& she'd have an excellent point. Thank-you, Meredith Willson & Paul McCartney.

four good things

1                          2                          3                          4

SPRING DECOR - The bug has hit - Maybe it's because we spend so much time indoors during the cold months, but good gracious is it time to get some new colors & fresh air up in here.

TRUSTY BOOTS - For as long as I can remember, Virginia's March showers have brought April showers. This year's showers have been especially cold & horrible windy, but my, how those Hunter's are always up for a challenge.

LOVELY NAILS - I have never been good at the at-home manicure (like, I'm actually terrible at it), but Sally Hansen's "Insta-Dri" has been a game changer for me. 

MINTY FRESH - Allergies are already shaking their groove thangs around this Bethune apartment, & herbal remedies are soothing our way through the sniffles & sore throats. Fresh mint + my June Jar is my current saving grace.

[p.s. see some more good things on my pinterest]  

wearing - 9/50

cardigan & pumps - Target // shirt  & shirt - Forever 21 // lip gloss - NARS, Super Orgasm

Alternate Title 1: How To Dress While Shopping Solely at Two Soul-Sucking Mega Stores 

Alternate Title 2: Look Legs, The Sun!

Alternate Title 3: Today I Tied a Knot in My Hair
Alternate Title 4: Put a Ribbon On It

Odd to think that this time last week, snow was melting away. 68 degrees is WAY more Virginia, Virginia. Keep up the good work. These legs need aaaaall the sunshine & warm weather that you can throw at 'em. & so, it was with mirth & a bit of giggling that I cast aside the black tights I considered donning for this outfit, making the full commitment to unsheathe the great whites. You're welcome!

I have to throw roses & thanks & props & love to my sister, Meredith, who not only supplied half my wardrobe for today but also took these pictures at the last minute. Never mind almost getting hit by several minivans on their way to the grocery store just around the corner or the fact that I picked a wind tunnel to stand in - She made the magic happen. Hopefully the Starbucks stop afterwards showed my appreciation but really, sisters are just simply the best. ... Especially sisters with clothes to share.

norfolk blogger meet up

Hey YOU! If you live in Virginia (& will be nearby Norfolk on Saturday) & have a blog (or have thought about blogging in a semi-serious to serious sort of way)... Then come have coffee with me & other local bloggers on Saturday morning! Join us for coffee & conversation at Cure Coffeehouse & Brasserie at 10am this Saturday, March 15th.

I do love this great state of Virginia & I do love blogging, so I'm especially thrilled to be working with Virginia Bloggers as their Norfolk/VB ambassador. I can't wait to meet the wonderful faces of the blogs that call Hampton Roads home - See ya there, yeah??

[If you think you'll come, we want to make sure we have plenty of seats. Let us know in the comments here or on the Virginia Blogger post, OR via facebook or twitter.]