TEN

1 Book hunting has truly become one of my greatest passions. Purchasing new books can be nice every now and then but searching through used books and stumbling on a vintage edition or a gently worn read gives me all the feels. 

2 I've been going through Grand Hotel on Netflix and am completely obsessed! I'm trying to find the balance of wanting all the details of this beloved story but not binge-watching too quickly and savoring this treat of a series. 

A Chattanooga Photo Diary

Josh and I love to take road trips so as Valentines Day was approaching we decided to choose a location for a little get-away. Chattanooga is a very special city to us because we had been there quite a few times while we were dating and when we were newly engaged. I don't believe we have been back since before we were married so we decided that a trip there was in order. 

Dreaming of Spring

January through March are hard months for me. They are cold and dreary and for someone who struggles with anxiety and depression, they certainly don't help the situation. I have to try and find little snippets of beauty and delight where I can. 

Lately I have been dreaming of spring and how wonderful it will be ~ particularly this year. Today I donned one of my favorite white dresses, dabbed my wrists with perfume, and scribbled down a poem on the subject. 

Tips to Keeping a Tidy Home

One question I get asked a lot is, "How do you keep your house so clean?". Well, let's be honest....I don't own any pets and I don't have any children at the moment so that makes housekeeping 100x easier. Also, believe me, my house does get cluttered and messy just like everyone else's, I just don't share those pictures with the world. ;)

I've collected some tips over the years that have helped with keeping a clean and organized home and I thought I would share them with you. Take and leave what you want. Everyone's lifestyle is different and to each their own.

What I Read in 2017

I began this past year with a book challenge for myself to read a book a week. I actually exceeded that challenge by reading a total of 55 books in 2017.

I grew up surrounded by books and reading was a huge pastime in our family. During road trips through New England, we'd often stop by our favorite bookshops to stock up on books to add to our library.

I ended 2016 a little disappointed in myself because I realized I had hardly read anything that year and I decided to challenge myself by reading more in 2017. At times it has been a struggle to keep up. I doubted myself that I could do it but I am so glad I stuck with it.

I experienced some amazing reads in 2017 and I was so happy to write mini book reviews on each one. Feel free to search for them on my blog! I wanted to share a few of my favorites and a few of my not-so-favorites with you. Maybe I can suggest some new reading material to you for 2018!

December // What I Read

Emily of New Moon 

by L.M. Montgomery 

I began the month reading a L.M. Montgomery classic. Although Montgomery is widely known for her beloved Anne of Green Gables series, she wrote several other works including the Emily of New Moon books. 

A New Christmas Tradition

I recently came across an Iceland Christmas tradition and right away asked Josh if we could incorporate it into our family traditions each year. He sweetly agreed. My parents have already been gifting a new book to each of their kids for a few Christmases now but I adore the idea of Josh and I exchanging a new (or old) book every Christmas Eve and passing that tradition along to our children one day. I am completely, ridiculously sentimental so adding special, unique holiday traditions brings my heart joy.