home is me.

vivian maier.

2012-01-30T07:00:00.001-06:00

A couple of months ago while we visited at my parents house, my dad mentioned a news segment that he recorded on their dvr for me to see. intrigued, we sat down to play it and watched as the story of Vivian Maier unfolded. Vivian was a street photographer in the 1950s - an EXTREMELY TALENTED street photographer, mainly roaming New York City and Chicago, yet no one had discovered her talents. In her daily life she was a nanny, and her photos were really only for her. She didn't share them. Her negatives were discovered recently in 2007 at an auction house in Chicago. The candid and raw beauty of each and every photo is astounding. To be able to capture a candid moment as poetically and truthfully as she was is such talent. What an eye she had. I will let her photos explain....

Such an inspiration! I love cruising around her official web site... the inspiration just pours from the pages. I'm hoping to purchase the book someday soon for even more. I urge you to check it out and certainly to visit one of her upcoming exhibitions if you are in the area.

Thanks Dad!

{all images from vivianmaier.com}.

a mushy heart.

2012-01-29T19:17:00.000-06:00

I am so happy to announce that over the weekend husband and I have been infinitely dubbed Peanut's godparents. Remember in my previous post when I told you my heart was slowly pooling into mush.... yep, well that has since happened. Over the weekend he weighed in over 3 lbs {HOORAY!}, declared me his godmother, AND bought me this shirt.

heart = mush.

Isn't he the cutest? Here we are, the proud godparents, on our way to see him Saturday.

Brian is wearing my sunglasses, so don't take him too seriously here. Or ever. We feel so incredibly blessed and honored and humbled and full of love that it is sort of bursting out of us.

In related news, my family is a sitcom. Some of you will understand this.

Other events:
+ we watched 50/50 and we loved it. so good and deserves so many awards. so many.
+ I stumbled across one of my photos on pinterest! totally cool and humbling and mind-blowing.
+ I tried this no heat curl hair tutorial that I found on pinterest and it worked like a charm!

+ I redid my tumblr page.
+ next project.
+ and this one too {the gold mason jar}. brilliant! Stacey, you in on these?
+ this! this this this this this! meg, I adore you and I can't even tell you how many times I have read this.
+ finally, I completely adore this and the wisdom in its words helps me get through the week:

xo
chelsea

you're strong. a storm braver if I ever saw one.

2012-01-29T18:24:00.000-06:00

Because it is Sunday {Downton Abbey day} I feel that I can get away with bombarding you with even more Downton things. I have been watching these videos over and over and over. I'm not even kidding.. like over and over and over.

Be warned.. there are some spoilers in here. But they are seriously the most beautiful videos EVER.

Honestly... love doesn't even begin to cover it. My heart is slowly pooling into a pile of mush.

xxxxooo
chelsea

updaaaates!

2012-01-27T23:20:00.000-06:00

+ my beloved Joy posted this sure-to-delicious recipe on her blog, including the sweetest video one can possibly create while making dinner. can she be any more perfect?

+ yes, yes she can. Joy tweeted today that she designed three different tshirts inspired from the series... you guessed it.... DOWNTON ABBEY! I audibly screamed when I saw them.

Obviously I'm a Mary and will be ordering my shirt right quick. Oh, it's the little things people. The little things.

+ Thank you all so much for your very kind and encouraging thoughts this week. It seriously means so much to me and I appreciate all of your messages, emails, comments, tweets, and thoughts. I really, really do.

+ currently my hair looks like this because I am trying this method out. let's hope it works and if it doesn't at least I felt almost as glamorous as Mary for the evening.

+ WOW.

+ soooo cool: Kinotopic app! I'm addicted.

+ I've finally gotten around to handling some exchanges & returns that I have been meaning to since Christmas. The really great part... I scooped up all of these items for practically nothing at all because of my exchanges/gift cards from Christmas. Now, that is my kind of shopping!

goodnight, dears.

reminder:
start each day with a grateful heart.

xo
chelsea

downton abbey.

2012-01-27T07:00:00.000-06:00

After a rough day, what better way to wind down than to crawl into bed and watch countless hours of Downton Abbey while consequently scouring tumblr for pretty photos {and denying that last night's OTH took place- holy WOW}. I know I have already mentioned my new found love affair with Downton Abbey, but I can't resist dedicating an entire post to its perfectness. I. Adore. This. Series. I love everything - the characters, the setting, the time period, the clothes, the stories, the relationships, the actors, everything. It is enchanting and enthralling and I can not stop watching.

{lane-kent}.

{all three lane-kent}.

{whatisaweekend}.

{maybeyouwill}.

Matthew Crawley, you have ruined all other men for me.

xxo
chelsea

giantLION

2012-01-26T19:34:00.000-06:00

I am sooooo happy to report that I won the lovely Cait's blog giveaway to the etsy shop, giantLION. Do you even know how totally rad this is?!?! now... what to choose, what to choose.....

{clockwise from left: amethyst and chain necklace; swarvoski and gold friendship bracelet;

sterling drop earrings; color blocked beaded bracelet}.

Those four are my top contenders and I am trying to choose between them. Not an easy job, but hey, I'm not complaining. SUCH a pretty shop. so glad I won!! hooray!

I'll let you know which one I choose.

xxo
chelsea

the post that I probably shouldn't write...

2012-01-26T19:08:00.000-06:00

..... but am anyway because who gives a shit at this point.

I can't get pregnant. Big surprise, no? A lot of people know this already, but it's not really something that I divulge 24/7 either. For the past couple of years I have actually been quite bottled up about it {ie, living in denial of my own emotional state- whichever you so chose}. The year before that, not so much. And the year before that, not at all. I talked to anyone who would listen because we were so excited. Yes, that's right. This has been going for almost four years. No wonder I'm a complete emotional basket case.... typing it makes it seem more real.

You want to know what's even more pathetic? Not only can I not get pregnant... but I can't afford a doctor to tell me that I can't get pregnant. The second the word "infertility" is thrown around, every red flag within a hundred mile radius is waving in your face and the all of the little steps that you thought you were making are thrown into a stop so fast you have backtrack just to get there.

This September we will be married five years. And this April marks twelve years that we have been together. I knew I wanted to have that man's babies the second I laid eyes on him, so in retrospect you can see how long my feelings have been involved. After we married, we wanted to have some time to ourselves to enjoy our marriage. So we planned to wait a year and see how we felt then. When our first anniversary started coming into the picture, we were so excited that we threw away the pills before the calendar even flipped to September. And while we weren't expecting anything immediately.... we weren't expecting what we got either. Which was a big fat nothing. After close to a year of nothing, I threw myself into books, web sites, forums, charting temperatures, vitamins... any little thing that I could get my hands on, read about, casually strolling the baby sections at Target pretending I had babies to buy for... {I won't tell you that I have a perfectly new, in box, bassinet in the basement collecting dust; no I won't tell you that}. I am not kidding you when I say that every day for months and months I woke up at the exact same time and took my temperature while trying not to move an inch for the most accurate results. I'm sure some of you have been here... it is both exciting and so nerve-wracking that some days you don't even want to look at the temp that you just set your 5am alarm clock for. After what seemed like an extremely long length of time involved in these general antics {and some appointments and general testing with my doctor} I'm sad to say that I was discouraged and kind of gave up.

I had come to the realization after about two years of this that it just wasn't meant to be right now and that I had to relieve myself of this for a while because I was slowly driving myself insane... thinking of absolutely nothing else and feeling sorry myself. Not exactly where I wanted to be. So I just kind of stopped... much to my husband's dismay. Talking about it now, I realize that this action was even more of feeling sorry for myself, so much so that I didn't think I deserved to even try anymore. But my brain convinced my heart that my lack of efforts was for my own good.... to give my emotions some rest for a while, to enjoy being young and free and in love with my husband, and to leave these plans up to god for whenever they were meant to happen for us.

Two years later.................

It seems like everyone is having babies these days. And I do mean everyone. It is a part of my life that I can no longer avoid and I am grateful for that. There are so many wonderful and amazing babies in my life now and I am so wholeheartedly grateful for them. Great friends, tons of family and co-workers, even my sister, have all been so extremely blessed with the most precious of babies that I have ever seen, that I don't even know how this much of such an extraordinary thing is allowed in our world.

Surrounded by babies, the feelings that I pushed down so far had nowhere to go but back up. Slowly, but surely they started filling my head and my heart again, and even though I denied them, I was constantly aware of them. I knew that no matter what I tried to convince myself, this is what I wanted and that it would never, ever go away.

Finally after having convinced myself {with a lot of pushing from husband} that this is something I wanted to start actively thinking about again, I called a doctor for a check-in appointment. Due to insurance changes {aren't those grand?} I have had to switch doctors and can no longer see the doctor that I have seen my entire adult life. And today the reality of a new doctor, at a new office, with new rules and stipulations got the best of me. Because of my "infertility history" I can't even be seen without loads of money being thrown their way first. While I understand it from their perspective, from mine it is gut-wrenching. I just want to be doing something... anything that I can to move forward. After finally getting myself somewhat emotionally ready to try to move forward with this again, and taking that gigantic leap of making the call, and thinking that I have finally gotten myself there again.... I am SHUT DOWN. I'm not even sure where my emotions are at this point. I think they ran into my bedroom and are hiding under the covers.

I know that this isn't the end of the road for us {obviously} but I can already hear me convincing myself that this is all because it's just not our time and I need to go back to being free and careless and enjoying my perfect life with my husband {believe me, I have family and friends and a packed social calendar that makes this very convincing! I love my life right now!} All of that is very true, and even though I adore my life and feel so grateful for it everyday, I know that deep down I want more. One minor setback like this, involving money no less, and I am so easily scared away. I know that dreams are meant to be chased, but this one is so hard to keep moving towards. I just want to curl up and stay put until someone comes and carries me there. I feel too weak to do to this anymore.

But I know that I'm not and that I won't be.

I have wanted to be a mother my entire life.

And I won't give up.

I feel a bit better having gotten this off of my chest. And if you stuck around this long, kuddos to you for attending the Chelsea pity party. Alas, sometimes it just can't be helped. Talking about it makes me feel better, even if I only have the balls to talk about it to my blog. I guess that's what these things are for, right?

Sometimes I think that all of my good fortune was used up in my husband... because yes, he really is that great. And maybe that's all that I get. I won't complain, because I know how lucky I am for that, and I wouldn't trade him for anything though. It's weird that my brain thinks this way, isn't it?

Tomorrow will be better and I will go back to dealing with my feelings like a somewhat sane and rational person, but for today this is how it is. That phone call really messed with my head, but I am grateful that it pushed me to explore my true feelings and to deal with them today. In my state of stupor I know that I probably have not explained some things right and that this post will probably truly only make sense to me, but that's okay; it's what I needed. I am ready for tomorrow though.... yes so very ready to think rationally and gratefully and blissfully {meanwhile pinning to my babies board on pinterest, what?}. I leave you with my favorite quote Yes, found on an infertility message board, what have you?!

"I might have to wait. I'll never give up. I guess it's half timing, & the other half's luck.

Wherever you are, whenever it's right, you'll come out of nowhere & into my life."

ready for tomorrow...

xxxxxooo
chelsea

2012-01-26T07:00:00.000-06:00

{via 55some}.

the good list.

2012-01-25T07:00:00.000-06:00

When you’re feeling down
because you’ve spent the day
comparing the list of things you are good at
to the list of things you know you’re never going to master
it’s important to remember
that everyone’s list skews toward the latter.

It’s true.

There are far too many goals out there
and only one of you
with one single life
to try and tackle them all.

Some people spend their entire time here
just trying to learn the particulars
of water polo,
or knitting a Christmas sweater,
or playing country music on the harp.

Maybe you are one of those people.
Maybe not.
Maybe your favorite author is one of those people.
Maybe not.
Maybe the president is one of those people.
Maybe not.

Whatever the case
when I think about you,
or the president,
or my favorite author
I’m never too concerned about how any fare
at water polo,
or playing the harp,
or knitting a Christmas sweater.
{dallas clayton}.

I immediately fell for this dallas clayton poem and have been referring to it frequently for insight since I found it. I hope it can do the same for you.

chelsea

whats up doc?

2012-01-25T06:00:00.000-06:00

this is the possibly the funniest three minutes of 2012 so far.

take my love of hart of dixie + my teenaged-OC-loving self + rachel bilson cracking jokes at the expense of mischa barton.... while rapping.......

and this is what you get. pure brilliance.

it has a very snoop dogg feel to it, don't you think?

"ben and brody deuces!!"

oh my gosh.

this is my life.

{this ones for you, missy}.

xxxo
chelsea

happiness.

2012-01-24T20:53:00.000-06:00

i am completely head over heels in love with this song. ^^^^^
a little bit mazzy star. a little bit 90s prom. it's perfect. over and over and over and over.

brightening up my cubicle at work. and swooning over perfectly tiny stories in the loveliest tiny book.

perfectly perfect whimsical embroidered textile art that reminds me so very much of my grandmother.

this is why you marry your best friend.

tea time honey, earl grey keurig cups & my favorite anthro mug. all while adoring my vintage plates.

my favorite one of all.

the much-anticipated release of madi diaz's album, plastic moon. it is to die for!! {let's go-oh-oh!}

taking leaps, even when they scare the piss out of you. realizing how much of an adult you have grown into, and taking the necessary, albeit scary, steps in order to reach your ultimate happiness.

how did you find happiness today?? make it last!

xxo

chelsea

only I would finish Bossypants & immediately dive into a contemporary translation of the Bible...

2012-01-24T07:00:00.001-06:00

I've been a reading machine lately.. which isn't abnormal for me this time of year. I finally got around to checking out Bossypants and am looooooooving it. I had completely underestimated its reported hilariousness. now I get it. I so get it.

I've started to dabble into The Message after hearing so many inspiring words over the past couple of months. I have to say I am really liking what I have read so far and look forward to discovering more of it.

The Marriage Plot and 1Q84 have been on my list since the start of the year-- as new works from some of my favorite all-time authors; I can not wait to dive into those. As well as this awesome Hunger Games collaborative work that my sister gave me for Christmas and Firefly Lane, another novel that I have been waiting to get my hands on for months.

good books makes for a happy winter. what's on your list?

xxo

chelsea

pinboard.

2012-01-23T07:00:00.000-06:00

I am endlessly inspired by pinterest. who would have thought spending hours in front of my computer screen would leave me so inspired? some of my latest favorites:

I'm obsessed with chevron.

lavender hot chocolate.

space.

hair.

inspiration.

home.

glitz.

moment.

look.

words to live by.

bake.

dreamy.

repeat.

find me here.

chelsea

{chevron. lavender. space. hair. inspiration. home. glitz. moment. look. words. bake. dreamy. repeat.}

this weekend:

2012-01-22T17:40:00.000-06:00

we had a blizzard:

spent quality time with peanut:

ate chicken wings:

and......

cleaned the house. slept in. caught up with the DVR. watched the ides of march {brilliant}. bought a keurig {!!!}. read a lot. baked chocolate croissants. fell even more in love with my husband.

oh, and I'm crushing hard on this pink nail polish and this pink lipstick.

and I need to know. what are you favorite keurig flavors?? so far I have discovered the chai latte and french vanilla blend... yummmm.

happy sunday dears.

chelsea

shit girls say.

2012-01-18T07:00:00.001-06:00

honestly...... I don't care to admit how accurate these are. I laugh so hard that I am crying, you guys.

episode two | episode three

acutal tears.

chelsea

delicious standbys.

2012-01-17T07:00:00.001-06:00

lately, we have been repeating the same dinners over and over and over. and I am not complaining. we are pretty much addicted to these recipes. like seriously, once weekly.

.fish tacos.

.chicken rollup thingys. <---- named by my mom

.tomato tortellini soup.

click through for recipes. enjoy!

xo
chelsea

know this, we've noticed.

2012-01-16T07:00:00.000-06:00

one tree hill premiered it's ninth and final season last week. it was an emotional episode to say the least! for so many reasons. knowing that it is the end.... all of the different storylines intertwined.... seeing the town of tree hill in such a new light since visiting wilmington in real life. it's going to be a rollercoaster of a season.

and the music. oh, the music.

<p>&amp;lt;a href="http://soundslikebranches.bandcamp.com/track/sleeper"&amp;gt;Sleeper by Branches&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;</p>

my heart is not ready. not ready.

chelsea
{tv fanatic}.

and then it's the weekend.

2012-01-15T17:25:00.000-06:00

.and we go to the library.

.and we watch movies.

.and we go to bed early.

.and we wake up for coffee.

.and we drive through the snow-covered world.

.and we stop at pretty shops.

.and we drink sugar cookie lattes.

.and we hang out with peanut all day.

.and we celebrate birthdays.

.and we enjoy dinner with friends.

.and we clean the house all up.

.and we admire the pretty trees.

.and we relive memories past.

.and we snuggle.

.and we catch up with the dvr.

.and my sister gets to hold kellan for the first time.

.and the world is miraculous.

.and we take care of our sick puppy.

.and we have baby photoshoots with ms. hailey.

.and we capture the afternoon light.

.and we rest up for another week to come.

xxo

chelsea

twenty twelve.

2012-01-15T16:50:00.000-06:00

I'm not one for making new years resolutions, but this coming year I plan to make a lot of changes in my life. in fact, I think I have to make a lot of changes in my life if I'm going to survive at all.

a lot of these changes will be internal and no one will know them but me. but hopefully my changes will shine through. I just want to be happier.

little by little I have worked on my positivity and controlling my attitude this past year. small changes can make a big difference. you may noticed my increase of motivational quotes and spiritual figures retweets on twitter. you have not noticed my inner battle with myself everyday to move on and let go and be happy. I have to work at this every day. I have to remind myself to work on this every day. and you know what, some days I lose. some days I am miserable and feel alone and like an afterthought. those are bad days. but the good ones make up for it. I bask in the moments when I'm driving to work or shopping for groceries or paying the bills and something so beautiful and raw and pure and simple happens before me and I am overwhelmed with happiness. I can't describe this, but it's how I know I am alive. and how I can believe in the good in the world. and how I can know that I am where I'm suppose to be. just yesterday, driving to work.... freezing cold.... running late..... mismatched socks..... no coffee and completely flustered..... when I suddenly notice the tops of all of the trees are lit up from the sun that just snuck out from behind the clouds. in my rear view mirror the sun is bright and blinding and beautiful from behind even more trees lit up with its oranges and yellows. it's so striking that it washes everything else and I am just there, in that moment, where I'm suppose to be.

In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary.
.Aaron Rose.

I have thoroughly enjoyed working through Susannah's unravelling workbook to reflect on 2011 and figure out what I can build on in the next 12 months. it has been so helpful and so inspiring. my word for 2012:

I debated for several weeks over what my word should be, and I am confident that embrace is the best choice for me to be the best possible me. I tend to fall into funks of feeling sorry for myself and stay there as long as I'm comfortable. this is selfish and unfair to those around me and really gets me nowhere anyway. I'm not naive enough to believe that this will no longer ever happen-- but I will be working to embrace where I am in my life and focus on how blessed I am in 2012.

I'm going to embrace the opportunites around me, no matter how much they scare me. no matter how much they terrify me. I realize that I can't stay in this in-between-and-infinitely-feeling-stuck place forever. or even for another moment.

my nephew has taught me a lot of things already. the most important being that life is precious. and I don't want to hold on to things that hurt anymore.

so this is the new year...

xo
Chelsea

lana del rey.

2012-01-12T17:26:00.000-06:00

... is my new obsession.

i love her.

she is going to be huge, you guys. like adele-huge.

you're welcome.

chelsea

recently...

2012-01-10T21:53:00.000-06:00

I have witnessed such pretty skies on my way to work in the mornings.

I updated the blog header {finally}. ^^^^^^^^

I've found a new meaning to the word prayer.

I've become obsessed with Downton Abbey.

I'm starting to be a watch person.

I'm addicted to cookie butter. {yes, this exists}.

Think I'm actually ready to make a recipe from my Julia Child cookbook

{....that I have owned for two years}.

Inspired by this. So. Much.

This has become my new mantra.

take care, lovelies.

chelsea

collection.

2012-01-10T21:37:00.000-06:00

I have added this beaut to my phone case collection:

and I looooooooove it.

might be my favorite.

I'm minorly obsessed with collecting them.

the others:

I may never upgrade my phone again.

and husband got himself a shiny, new case too!

we're majorly obsessed with 'the walking dead' in our house and we jumped at this case immediately.

society 6 is rapidly becoming one of my favorite sites.

chelsea

as i stare at my shoes, in the ICU...

2012-01-08T10:59:00.001-06:00

hospital waiting rooms. that's where we have been. for instance right now as I write this post...... from the hospital waiting room. but that is okay. that is preferred actually. that is where I want to be most of the time because that means I am close to Kellan. he is such a lover. and such a fighter. oh, how i love this little boy.

my weekend:

date night with husband. finally taking care of returns and exchanges. texas roadhouse. spending as much time as possible with Kellan. laundry, laundry, laundry. paying bills and sorting new insurance information. catching up on sleep. catching up on blog posts. reading 1Q84. watching midnight in paris again. settling in to finish my reflecting/unravelling. grocery shopping. catching up with the dvr. dancing to adele on the record player with my husband.

hospital waiting rooms also gave me plenty of time to

place some orders that I have been meaning to...

+ glasses {check}.

+ceramic farmers market dish {check}.

+huge postalpix order {check}.

{the last two are for this, thanks darling elsie}.

I leave you with this:

enjoy your weekend, darlings.

chelsea

{love yourself more}.

when you run into my arms we steal a perfect moment.

2012-01-05T17:10:00.000-06:00

life is beautiful.
but it's complicated.
we barely make it.
we don't need to understand.
there are miracles.
miracles.
yes.
life is beautiful.
our hearts.
they beat.
and break.

2012-01-04T07:00:00.000-06:00

{here}.

nice iowa.

2012-01-03T21:23:00.000-06:00

this is perfect.

some good things.

2012-01-03T07:01:00.000-06:00

+ my baby nephew stretching his long legs.

+ January's photo-a-day challenge on IG.

+ slowly, but surely enjoying my wonderful christmas gifts.

+ how darling is my little elephant ring holder?

+the art of getting by. have you seen this yet??

+the soundtrack is to die for too!

+finding a killer recipe for fish tacos.

+smith's rosebud salve.

+pretty coffee mugs.

+and starbucks gift cards.

+owning this piece of history {it still amazes me}.

+this quote that my husband sent to me...

happiness is like a butterfly. the more you chase it, the more it will elude you. but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder.

+my five pairs of warby parker home try-on frames to be delivered today!

+the head and the heart.

+one day. {the story, the film, the music, all of it}.

+pinterest and all things pinterest-related.

always count the little things. always.

xxxoo

Chelsea

midnight in paris.

2012-01-03T07:00:00.001-06:00

There is not a single thing about this movie that I did not adore. It is perfect. I can not wait to watch it over and over again. I hope that you have seen it and loved it and if not, what are you waiting for? Hemmingway, Fitzgerald, Porter, the streets of Paris at night... can you hear the flutters in my heart?

"That Paris exists and anyone could choose to live anywhere else in the world will always be a mystery to me."

xo
Chelsea

{collage}.

more on new years.

2012-01-02T20:09:00.000-06:00

I reeeeaaallly enjoyed this video. Just too darling.

Guinness, however, did not make it to midnight. Or anywhere near midnight.

New Years Eve and I do not have a good record. But it was nice to spend it in my pajamas with my little mister. Hey, I drank sparkling juice.

Happy 2012! I have been working on Susannah's Unravelling The Year Ahead and hope to share some insight with you soon. It has been the perfect tool for me this year to reflect upon the past twelve months and the direction that I am headed now. It also came in very handy in all of the waiting rooms I have spent the past three days in.

Goodnight.

xo
Chelsea

so this is the new year.

2012-01-02T19:16:00.000-06:00

Much to be grateful for and much that I'm working on..... I think I'm ready for you, 2012.

Much more on this later...

Chelsea

{this}.

Kellan means warrior.

2012-01-02T19:07:00.001-06:00

Again, I honestly do not know where to begin. My brain is so foggy with details of these past few days... even these past few months. Let me start....

We found out in the fall that my sister, Hollie, and her boyfriend Lucas were expecting a baby at the end of March. Unexpectedly she went into labor Friday (12/30) afternoon. It became very critical, very quickly. In a matter of minutes of arrival at the hospital the Dr. determined A placental abruption and she was whisked away for an emergency C-section. It was extremely scary and all happening so fast. {It felt like I was living in a Grey's Anatomy episode}. They learned just how critical the situation was once in surgery and not only are we lucky to have the baby, but that Hollie is still here. Truly a miracle.

The baby, now lovingly referred to as Kellan, was transported to a nearby nationally-ranked children's hospital NICU. Thankfully, he is doing amazingly well. All 2 lbs and 3 oz of him. It is going to be a long road, but he is impressing us all so far and has each and every one of us wrapped around his tiny, perfect fingers.

Our long weekend involved a lot of waiting rooms, a lot of scary moments, a lot of hospitals, a lot of trips back and forth (the children's hospital is an hour & a half away), a lot of tears and a lot of love.

It is truly amazing how much you can love someone you just met and how much perspective this new year has brought to our lives already. Welcome, 2012. I can not wait to be the best aunt in the world.

xxo

Chelsea

christmas time.

2012-01-02T18:33:00.000-06:00

WOW. So much has happened since I have last checked in and I am a little overwhelmed of where to start. Let's see.... we had an extraordinary and lovely holiday. Filled with love and gifts and family and beautiful Christmasy things (though no snow)....

I hope that your holidays were merry and bright and filled with love!

Chelsea

you can't choose what stays & what fades away.

2011-12-28T18:02:00.000-06:00

lots of christmas recaps coming your way soon. but right now I am busy dancing around the house with my dog to Florence & the Machine on the record player.

later.

chelsea

i'll be home for christmas...

2011-12-24T15:23:00.000-06:00

I'm sad that I have not had a chance to catch up here with you all. And now of course the holidays are in full swing. See you after Christmas!

Happy Holidays all!

xo
Chelsea

{wreath}.

moon on the wing

2011-12-18T19:57:00.001-06:00

the lovely and oh-so-talented Joy posted this original poem of hers to her blog last week. my love for it was immediate and my adoration for her only grew...

The wee hours...
They belong to the mothers
They belong to the lovers
They belong to the lonely who stare at tv sets
They belong to the loved who leave one in bed for sunrises and cigarettes
The wee hours, yes, they belong to the babes
They belong to the writers,
to the mourners,
to the ghosts out of their graves.

Listen to the crickets.
Listen to the moon.
Is she comforting to you-- or does she arrive too soon?
She speaks not to me,
but perhaps you hear the sound.
Does she whisper or sing? Is she quiet or loud?

To me, she is cold and distant and blue
Unless she is low and enormous and gold
when she shines like that, I could swallow her up

I'd let her sink deep down into my gut and glow
If I glowed like that maybe then you'd know
how true is my aim
how real is my path
how much I am seeking
how I don't want to do this alone...

The wee hours...
They belong to the pray-ers
They belong to the dreamers
They belong to the hopeless who stare blankly into mirrors
They belong to the angels who stare back with fire and rescue
The wee hours, yes, they belong to the shamed
The prowlers can prowl and the gamblers can game
But the wee hours belong to the weeping and brave.

The sunlight will come and make a new start
Though, before one can start, one must make resolve
It's the moonlight, my dear, that stirs up your heart.

Let her dance in, but remember in the morn
That you promised and vowed and swore the night before
That you'd make a new start when the moon disappeared...
Well, the new sun is coming!
She's coming!
Almost here...

-bethany joy galeotti

{this photo I stumbled upon on pinterest reminded me of joy's poem....
lights still on from the night before...
the stillness in the air before the stirring begins and the day settles in....
and holding onto the promises from the night before}.

I also just entered Joy's holiday giveaway with this holiday hiaku:

sparkles from the sky
happiness inside our hearts
magic in the air

happy sunday all.
xo

ho hey.

2011-12-14T08:00:00.007-06:00

are y'all watching hart of dixie? i am and i love it. it's not the best writing on the planet, and it's not even the best acting on the planet {though has gotten progressively better since the pilot}, but it's rachel bilson you guys. it's rachel bilson.

and i freaking love it!

i caught this little ditty from the lumineers on an episode not long ago and fell in looooooooove.

listen to its perfectness. just do it.

"i belong with you, you belong with me, you're my sweetheart... ho.... hey... "

also there's wilson bethel. yes, that's real. and jason street. i mean honestly?!

it's cute. and it's southern. and it's really just adorable all around. it makes mondays actually tolerable.
check it out!

xo
chelsea

ps. thank you darling micaela for finding it!!

whipstitch.

2011-12-13T08:00:00.002-06:00

i always find cool things in weird places. like this bag that i actually adore from..

wait for it....

maurices.

{i know, right}.

i scooped it right up amidst all of my christmas shopping.

oh, happy day.

xoxoxo

chelsea

pretty things to start the week.

2011-12-12T19:56:00.000-06:00

{first snowfalls}.

{what's not to love?}

{every day}.

{happy}.

{the most amazing sweater in existence}.

{this is my happy face}.

{precisely}.

{stars}.

{the hair. oh, the hair}.

{it's true}.

{monte cristo: the perfect food}.

{ever}.

xox

chelsea

what might have been lost...

2011-12-12T19:35:00.000-06:00

where do i begin? we saw bon iver in concert. as in live. on saturday. there really are
no words to describe this event. or the pounding in my chest. or the goosebumps that covered my body. of the emotions that flooded through my heart. there really just aren't a n y.

it was one of the most remarkable nights of my life
and i will never forget it. or sharing it with my husband.

the rest of the weekend consisted of finishing up christmas shopping (only two gifts left to get!), a little bit of wrapping, pretty pictures, sleeping in, love actually, a lot of hot cocoa, and lovely new ornaments sent from across the seas {thank you Sharni!}
{and thank you darling Micaela for hosting the exchange!!}

aren't they just perfect?

happy monday!

chelsea

ours.

2011-12-08T21:58:00.000-06:00

I really do have some real blog posts coming up. but for now all that is needed is......

taylor swift + QB1 + kittens

Do you even know what this video does to me?

Do you know how much I love Zach Gilford? Do you?

just. wow.

chelsea

how is this even real??

2011-12-07T20:39:00.000-06:00

I want one!

other things i really love right now.....

2011-12-05T07:00:00.000-06:00

clean, crisp sheets.

my phone case.

finding the perfect gift for someone.

huge, comfy cardigans.

joy's retro hair tutorial.

these snow globes.
{that i will hopefully make successfully myself}.

tortellini.

catch-up nights with my college gals.

bulldogs.
robert pattinson.

my bed.

photography.
{i swear that when i think as if behind my camera, i can find beauty in the most mudane of things}.

just a few for today...

happy monday.

chelsea

{welcome}.

hooot hooooooooooooo.

2011-12-04T20:30:00.000-06:00

I met some pretty friendly faces over the weekend. sometimes I forget how truly magical this world can be.

also, Mr. Owl is clearly my new best friend.

xo
Chelsea

today is....

2011-12-03T13:27:00.003-06:00

what is about saturday's that make me feel the most like me?

xo
chelsea

{romeo & juliet; the romantics}.

please listen to this song...

2011-12-01T08:00:00.001-06:00

my current obsession.

chelsea

things that are pretty.

2011-11-30T20:51:00.000-06:00

our thanksgiving weekend was quite pretty... and imagine all of the pretty food too {because i forgot to take a photo of it all.... too busy eating}....

husband surprising me with this.... probably the greatest combination of things i have ever seen in my life....

lighting up the house.....

drawing on our chalkboard....

and cuddling with this cuddlebug....

xo
chelsea

1920s flappers, trips to the er, and glittery phones.

2011-11-30T20:41:00.000-06:00

look like a cluster? that's because it is. it has been a while. i have a good excuse i promise. after spending a lovely day in madison with husband last saturday, brian suddenly started showing very serious signs of a stroke when we arrived at home. we spent the night in the emergency room and eventually he was back to normal. -- an EKG, CT, MRI, and lots of blood work later, they believe that he suffered from a severe migraine which signaled the signs of stroke- numbness of right side of body, very slurred speech, loss of concentration. he basically couldn't speak a normal word to me (came out of nowhere!) and I had no idea what was going on. things have been okay for the past week --knock on wood-- he is taking some daily medication and we have a follow-up with a neurologist. but I pray to god that this never happens again because I can't tell you the last time I have ever been so scared.

besides this scare, the past couple of weeks have been nice and relaxing -- filled with very pretty christmas cards, decorating the house for christmas, the smell of pine needles, red wine, breaking dawn {and lots of it}, the breaking dawn soundtrack, bella's ring {basically all things breaking dawn}, gold glittery iphone cases, the most amazing gloves in existence, chunky yellow hats, organizing in pretty baskets, making paper snowflakes, hot cocoa, christmas music {everly, she & him, the civil wars, andrew belle}, stocking up at trader joes and celebrating the fact that I have all of this time to spend with my happy, healthy husband.

another not so nice and relaxing event however..... our laptop died. the same night that we spent in the hospital. not. cool. we lost most everything on the hard drive - though I was thankfully able to save some photos and important files -- but have spent majority of the past few days trying to get my laptop back to what it was. do you know how hard this is? my iphone won't sync with my itunes, because it's basically not my itunes anymore.... all of my folders are gone... I basically can't find anything. I can not wait for the day that the glorious macbook pro will be MINE. all MINE.

a special thanks for everyone's thoughts and prayers these past two weeks. we have felt all of them and are grateful.

xo
chelsea

2011-11-26T18:58:00.000-06:00

{list}.

I daydream of...

2011-11-17T17:25:00.000-06:00

afternoon bubble baths and writing my latest novel.

rocking my children to sleep and photographing the sun rise.

crunching leaves beneath my boots as I walk to the corner market.

capturing the light of Paris perfectly.

growing old with my husband and taking our grandchildren to the zoo.

hiding in movie theaters for entire days straight seeing everything imaginable with my best friend.

watching my sisters grow old and wise.

saving an innocent animal from harm and surrounding myself with empty notebooks.

sipping coffee in Portland and eating lobster in Maine.

staying up late on Friday nights working on lesson plans for my students with a bottle of red.

seeing my children's faces light up on Christmas morning.

photographing my husband when he smiles and hearing an owl wooo hoo outside my window.

falling asleep by the fire with my dog and finding a snowglobe with an entire village inside of it.

xo
chelsea

{paris}.

#GoodNightTreeHill

2011-11-16T16:48:00.002-06:00

today is one of the saddest days of my life. I realize that a lot of you won't understand this, but that's okay, because a lot of you will. and even if you didn't, it wouldn't matter. One Tree Hill is a tv show. it is a tv show that I have watched and loved and breathed for eight years. it is a tv show that has changed my life. and today is the last day it will ever film. today is the last day that Tree Hill even exists. today is the end. and it is heartwrenching. I am forever grateful to have experienced the love that I have with this show and its cast and its crew and its fans and all of the love around it. ONE TREE HILL IS LOVE. and today we are saying goodbye.

".....there is only one Tree Hill.... and it is your home."

xoxoxoxoxox {and endless tears},

chelsea

ps. my previously-gloated-about-photo was featured in a news article today by zap2it. check it out! just adding it to my list of already-overwhelming-OTH-related-miracles.

may the odds be ever in your favor.

2011-11-15T17:49:00.000-06:00

can. not. wait.

2011-11-15T11:31:00.000-06:00

c'mon urban outfitters. you're killing me here.

every girl deserves a pretty bathroom, right? right?

i digress.

my u.o. wishlist is out of control.

chelsea

weekend in collage.

2011-11-14T20:30:00.000-06:00

saying goodbye to naley | making heart-shaped garland | shopping with stacey | editing photos | catching up on brothers & sisters on netflix | ccuuupppcaaakkkeesss | lusting after this | cardigan and scarf weather | the most beautiful way to drink a coke ever | pepermint tea and peppermint mochas... so lots of peppermint | horrible bosses | finding new special-to-us ornaments | downloaded crossed, but haven't yet started it {i know i won't be able to stop once i start} | chinese takeout | waiting for the walking dead to start and then it's over just like that...

and some other things too, but this is all i can muster at the moment. going on day 5 of this sinus infection and i'm a tad bit crabby. bully cuddles and blankets, here i come!

chelsea

this happened.

2011-11-14T19:18:00.000-06:00

not to mention the fact that Bethany Joy also retweeted the photo later that day. 11/11/11. the very last day of Naley. ever. it makes me teary-eyed just thinking of this. but, James tweeted me. and that is how I will remember this day.

but seriously one tree hill is completely controlling my emotions lately. it can't eeeeeeeeennnnnnndddddd!!!

i feel sad and lonely and sad today.

2011-11-10T17:24:00.000-06:00

chelsea

things.

2011-11-09T19:51:00.001-06:00

+ we had our first snowfall today {see above}. I paused on my way into work to frolic in the moment for a second and snap a few photos. gosh, snow is pretty.
+ this is awesome.
+ the one tree hill finale tweets & photos might kill me this week.
+ i am so clearly in love with the show revenge, so this photo shoot was pure eye candy for me.

+ some inspiring quotes on my twitter feed to get me through the day:

"today all I see are problems." - man

"today all I see are opportunities!" -God

.@kirkfranklin.

"Rush hour: coffees, cars, adrenaline, the promise of a new day.

My question: are you going to make it a good one?"

.@iansomerhalder.

"Because not having someone?

Well, that's the worst curse imaginable." -Once Upon A Time

.@killedthelights.

"If you can't be the poet, be the poem."
.@chelseakane.

"I don't grow tired of it because everytime I write

'fade in' its an opportunity to drive a new road." -Mark Schwahn

.@jennabeans24.

"It was the kind of kiss that made me realise

that I was never so happy in my whole life." -Stephen Chbosky

.@thelovestories.

+ devouring Mindy Kaling's book Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns). I started it 4 days ago and am almost completely finished.

+ I love this commercial. no surprise here because anyone who knows me knows that I adore Lowes. but it's seriously a cute commercial. "....don't stop... doing what you're doing......"

+ shopruche's holdiay lookbook. divine.

+ thought for the day.

+ signed up for dolce vita's ornament swap!

+ 33 ways to stay creative.

+ are you easily distracted? I am. and this is perfect.

+ I can't wait to see this movie.

happy wednesday!

chelsea

weekend in collage.

2011-11-07T20:26:00.000-06:00

november.

2011-11-01T20:53:00.000-05:00

+ oh, hello friend's lovely november wallpaper.

+ crossed.

+ OTH season 9 promo. again. {and again and again and again and again and again}.

+ christmas music.

+ photo meditations.

chelsea

for all the awards.

2011-11-01T20:42:00.000-05:00

here's why.

halloween at our house.

2011-11-01T17:48:00.000-05:00

halloween is lovely and perhaps one of my favorite holidays. it seems to last forever with all of the costume making, goodies baking, parties, scary movies and treats. halloween is so wrapped up into autumn that it's impossible not to love it. we handed out mini colas and chocolate to the trick-or-treaters last night and they were very excited {and deserving- we saw some awesome costumes}. such a pure holiday that brings me back to my roots and thrown into a childhood version of myself.

I hope your halloween was equally as sweet {literally}.

buh bye october. i will miss you the most.

xo
chelsea

i am smitten with the weekend...

2011-10-31T21:11:00.000-05:00

...................................................................................................
............................................................................................
the breaking dawn soundtrack. reading matched. oktoberfest wine. thai takeout. hen den chats with stacey. halloween movies {hocus pocus especially; I watched it twice}. captain america. dancing until midnight. wearing my cowboy boots. giving gifts to my dad. M83. rainbow connection polish. candles. scanning old photos using shoebox. oth evening. tons of cleaning. slippers. hot cocoa. cozy cardigans.

xo
chelsea

what's that riding on your everything?

2011-10-30T14:06:00.000-05:00

don't you love it when you rediscover an old song on your ipod that you haven't thought of in years? it's one of the best feelings ever, I swear {thanks shuffle feature}.

here's one of my all-time favorites from 2000. i will always love this song. my favorite modest mouse by far.....

chelsea

lately...

2011-10-25T08:00:00.000-05:00

this is my favorite quote and my favorite illustration.

just keep working at letting it go. letting it all go.

you've got the love.

2011-10-24T20:27:00.001-05:00

can't decide which version i like better. but i love the lyrics all the same.

Sometimes I feel like throwing my hands up in the air

I know I can count on you

Sometimes I feel like saying Lord I just don't care

But you've got the love I need To see me through

Sometimes it seems that the going is just too rough
And things go wrong no matter what I do

Now and then it seems that life is just too much

But you've got the love I need to see me through

When food is gone you are my daily meal

When friends are gone I know my saviour's love is real

Your love is real

You got the love

Time after time I think Oh Lord whats the use?

Time after time I think its just no good

Sooner or later in life, the things you love you lose

But you got the love I need to see me through

You got the love

Sometimes I feel like throwing my hands up in the air

I know I can count on you

Sometimes I feel like saying Lord I just don't care

But you've got the love I need to see me through

You got the love

xo
chelsea

think of the world you carry within you.

2011-10-24T19:55:00.000-05:00

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _weekend_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

a lovely new journal for photo meditations | salted caramel mocha lattes | digging through the clearance shelves at pier one with stacey {and scoring some goods!} | really long bubble baths | the walking dead {i'm a little obsessed} | rocked my cowboy boots from nashville to a halloween party {i was a kickass cowgirl} | breaking dawn tickets | french toast made with love | a very she & him christmas | party = beer | did mention i got three other journals? {i can't resist a pretty journal} | G, the hot dog | chinese takeout

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

slowly, but surely I am making my way out of my "blogging rut". things have just been a little.... I'm not sure what the word is I'm looking for here.... not too awfully hectic, but busy all the same. I've just been prioritizing I guess you could say and spending more time on myself, just relaxing. but writing and speaking my mind comes very naturally to me and always makes me feel at home. so I will be sharing a lot more my thoughts again. but not right now... right now i'm off to take care of my sick husband. and listening to this christmas album that I seriously can not get enough of. it will be on my record player until february. you have been warned.

cheers,
chelsea

fall television.

2011-10-23T22:06:00.000-05:00

television this season has been seriously amazing. I am quite seriously addicted to way too many shows, but I am okay with this. here is a list of my current favorites, old and new.

01. the walking dead.
02. pan am.
03. once upon a time.
04. the secret circle.
05. vampire diaries.
06. modern family.
07. hart of dixie.
08. revenge.
09. parenthood.
10. the new girl.

I highly recommend all of the above fall tv this season. set your DVRs! what are your current favorites?

this list will be seriously improved come january when one tree hill is back for its final farewell!!

xo
chelsea

lost in my mind.

2011-10-19T18:26:00.000-05:00

I have fallen head over heels in love with the head and the heart. like forever and ever and ever.

xo
chelsea

another weekend gone.

2011-10-16T19:07:00.000-05:00

I am certainly sad to see this weekend go. it was stress free, relaxing and very much-needed.
go away monday.

xo
chelsea

a happy list.

2011-10-15T04:36:00.000-05:00

01. finishing a good book that plucks you out of your world and straight into another time altogether.
02. cold, rainy days.
03. babies.
04. cozy socks.
05. early morning cuddles with my puppy.
06. playing words with friends with my husband back & forth while sitting right next to each other.
07. crunchy leaves.
08. thrifting with coffee afternoons.
09. rearranging furniture.

I decided it had been too long. and there are too many things to be happy out in this world.

xo
chelsea

dear pier one,

2011-10-14T21:24:00.000-05:00

I have been lusting after Rosette for months now. It truly was love at first sight. Even under all of your harsh flourescent lights, I saw her beauty immediately. Unfortunately, her $100 price tag was not as well received by my checkbook and so our love affair started. I have admired her from afar for so long. She has even made an appearance in my dreams once.... right there on my nightstand. Looking all pretty and lovely and simplistic. How long can you possibly keep us apart? How long will it be until you realize that we were meant for each other? I will bide my time. And I will check your web site. And I will drive to your store on my lunch break to visit her there too. Until that fateful day that you grace her with a pretty red sale sticker and Rosette comes home with me.

xo
Chelsea

holocene.

2011-10-10T20:48:00.000-05:00

I am skipping over some really great weekends here, but in the spirit of keeping up with my crazy life... this past weekend was pretty great too.

until next time.....

pumped up kicks.

2011-10-09T19:10:00.000-05:00

you are all more-than-aware of my adoration for foster the people. i know i have thrown their songs in your face endlessly, and don't worry, because i will continue to do so. because they are awesome.

one of my amazing readers sent me this cover of pumped up kicks, performed by kina grannis. she is a game-changer folks. so inspiring. thank you so much for turning me on to her alison! check it out:

Chelsea

oh yea, and this is tree hill beach.

2011-10-09T18:43:00.000-05:00

i'm still here! we did some serious traveling... of which you will hear about very, very soon! needless to say, it kept me away from the blog for some time. this was suppose to be my weekend for catching up, but a seriously distracting headache had me bogged down for most of the weekend.

to come soon!

xo
chelsea

memphis, nashville, wilmington, st. louis... (in a johnny cash voice).

2011-09-21T18:09:00.000-05:00

I'm in need of some travel advice ya'll [words that I am oh so happy to be saying]. Any advice on must see's/must do's/etc in Tennessee, North Carolina, Missouri?? Anything from coffee shops to thrift stores to restaurants to tourist attractions to lakes that are pretty.... I want to know them!

I really appreciate any tips! And promise to share the adventures with you.

xo
chelsea

[coco+kelley].

special edition: tuesday in collage.

2011-09-20T15:40:00.000-05:00

so i'm home sick today. i wish i could say that it's nice and relaxing to spend a workday in my bed, but unfortunately it is anything but. this cold hit me like a freaking truck and no matter what i do i can't seem to shake it. my day has consisted in copious amounts of felicity, water, kleenex, medicine, showers, bully cuddles, really disgusting amounts of nose-blowing, tea and overall exhaustion.

i know everyone says this, but i don't have time for this cold right now. gooo awaaaaaay!

xo
chelsea

weekend in collage.

2011-09-19T19:30:00.000-05:00

the weekend was wonderful. unfortunately the cold is hanging around and making me miserable. pleeeeaaassseeeee go away soon.

xo
chelsea

this always makes me feel better.

2011-09-15T20:54:00.000-05:00

[better].

today is rad.

2011-09-13T21:30:00.000-05:00

...for many reasons. including but not limited to the missoni launch for target. i very happily scored two pairs of shoes, two coffee mugs and some really kick ass bobby pins.

macaroni & cheese for dinner. the season premiere of parenthood. getting my haircut tomorrow. and finding vanilla chai creamer at the grocery store. this all makes me very, very happy.

i am however feeling very heartsick, for reasons that i can not control. i am very grateful for all of these amazing things in my life, no matter how small. because no matter how small, they distract from the bigger things. from the harder things. from the things that hurt.

and i'll take that.

happy tuesday.
xo
chelsea

perfect weekend.

2011-09-11T18:57:00.000-05:00

Chelsea

never forget.

2011-09-11T12:20:00.001-05:00

I can't bring myself to stop watching the 9|11 coverage today... or stop myself from crying. Such an emotional day. I will never forget those who lost their lives that day. And I will never stop praying for their families and loved ones. I am forever grateful to be an American. Nothing makes me more proud.

God bless us and keep us as we remember.

xo

donate, share & serve | where were you? | live ground zero memorial ceremony

[pittsburgh].

today...

2011-09-11T11:43:00.000-05:00

[timothy buckwalter].

broken bones always seem to mend...

2011-09-08T18:35:00.000-05:00

this is my current favorite. why do i insist on repeating my favorites over and over and over.
this one makes me feel peaceful.

xo
Chelsea

change begins with a whisper.

2011-09-08T18:31:00.000-05:00

several months ago with the help of my lovely stacey, we finally took the time to start up the book club that I have always wanted to. we compiled a very random, yet very significant list of books and got started. it never occurred to me to share our reads here, but i will from now on because we have had some pretty excellent reads so far!

to date we have read never let me go, water for elephants, the hunger games, catching fire and mockingjay. we have a really great list yet to read as well including the little prince, harry potter, the perks of being a wallflower, and so on and so forth. a lot of favorites that have been suggested which i think is a great way to compile a pretty kick-ass reading list.

our latest pick is, of course, the help. i am bursting at the seams to start this one.

have you read this yet??

xo
Chelsea

let's go.

2011-09-07T06:00:00.002-05:00

i can't explain my newfound love for madi diaz in words. not only was she one of the sweetest people i have ever met in my life, her voice is like honey with an added rasp and a side of adventure.

exhibit a:

see? dangerously brilliant, this one. i'm so happy to have met her and discovered her beautiful view on the world. this is going to be an amazing friendship.

Xo.
chelsea

ps. listen and/or download her daytrotter session for free here!

pumpkin spice & everything nice.

2011-09-06T06:00:00.000-05:00

today is a big day. it is pumpkin spice latte day. nothing, and i do mean nothing, could make going back to work after a long weekend better.... except the pumpkin spice latte.

thank you starbucks.

[PSL].

strike hard, young diamond.

2011-09-05T17:39:00.000-05:00

+ we rocked daytrotter's barnstormer 5 [and even met madi diaz]. all sorts of epicness happening.

+ this included a lot of beer drinking.

+ i always know where i am headed with my compass necklace.

+ i'm addicted to pinterest.

+ i am recently involved with felicity and it's serious. thank you netflix for divulging my need of an incestuous group of college-going friends in the 90s in new york city.

+ it's hoodie weather. IT'S HOODIE WEATHER!

+ this means it is windows-open weather. oh, so happy.

+ we saw wildlife perform at the barn and i fell in love; been listening to their album ever since. [we met them too!]

+ a lot of journaling. my current moleskine is pink and it might be my favorite.

+ i'm reading the romantics. so good.

+ we are making this tomato tortellini soup for dinner. yum.

+ i've missed my chucks lately. i got them good and muddied up this weekend. welcome back.

+ also he's not perfect.

the week after a long weekend is usually so awful. here's to hoping that this isn't that week.

Xo.
chelsea

2011-09-04T20:14:00.000-05:00

clear eyes. full hearts. can't lose. / friday night lights

the cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea. / isak dinesen

be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. / plato

I just wish growing up felt a little better. / felicity

if there ever comes a day, when we can't be together, keep me in your heart,
i'll stay there forever. / winnie the pooh

grace isn't a little prayer you say before receiving a meal. it's a way to live. / anonymous

the lord will fight for you; you need only be still. / exodus 14:14

yes, i've made mistakes. life didn't come with instructions. / anonymous

at the end of the day, you can focus on what's tearing you apart,
or what's holding you together. / anonymous

Xo.
chelsea

[1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10]

blaring this as loud as possible....

2011-09-03T10:43:00.000-05:00

thank you grubbs.

said just lay down with me before you go
that's the wrong thing, I know
but I don't know when I will see you again
and it gets so lonely

see, you'd be foolish if you stay here now
maybe if you leave we can work it out
'cause I know the city only breaks you down
it gets you lonely

see, it's gonna get lonely

so you miss the feeling when you step outside
yeah, your mind comes all untied
and then you open up your eyes
and you don't feel lonely

see it feels bad now but it's gonna get better
see it feels bad now but it's gonna get better someday

see it feels bad now but it's gonna get better
see it feels bad now but it's gonna get better someday

yeah, someday

see it feels bad now but it's gonna get better
see it feels bad now but it's gonna get better someday...

i want to...........

2011-09-02T22:29:00.000-05:00

have a day like this:

and a night like this:

wear this outfit:

live like this:

watch felicity all day long:

marry eric northman:

make & eat this:

have my hair just like this:

xo.

chelsea

[0/1/2/3/4/5/6/7]

always remember...

2011-09-01T17:57:00.000-05:00

currently...

2011-08-31T20:56:00.000-05:00

I'm reading this. and loving every second of it.

xo
chelsea

summer's end.

2011-08-31T20:45:00.000-05:00

oh autumn. it is almost amongst us. my faaaaaaaaaaaaaavorite time of all. i will dye my hair dark. and watch you've got mail. and walk all over crunchy leaves. and most importantly, drink pumpkin spice lattes. i have already started my list:

01. eat turkey and dressing sandwiches.
02. find my way out of the hay bail maze.
03. pumpkin. spice. lattes.
04. bake cupcakes.
05. carve pumpkins.
06. wear sweaters.
07. and boots.
08. and scarves.
09. have movie marathon days.
10. sip tea.
11. bake anything.
12. football games.
13. burn candles.
14. paint my nails dark colours.
15. (fall means that i can say colours instead of colors).
16. candy corn.
17. cardigans.
18. crockpot dinners.
19. halloween.
20. sleep with the windows open.
21. fresh, crisp air.
22. plaid.
23. apple orchards.
24. boots.
25. layer clothes.
26. hot cocoa.
27. comfy, oversized sweaters.
28. curl up in blankets.
29. apple cider anything.
30. flushed cheeks.
31. fall television.

I feel most like me in autumn. hello september.... I have been waiting for you.

xo.
chelsea

[realsimple].

may you be in heaven my friend.

2011-08-31T17:51:00.000-05:00

God's garden.

2011-08-29T22:18:00.000-05:00

God looked around his garden
and found an empty place,
He then looked down upon earth
and saw your tired face.
He put his arms around you
and lifted you to rest.
God's garden must be beautiful
He always takes the best.
He knew that you were suffering
He knew you were in pain.
He knew that you would never
get well on earth again.
He saw the road was getting rough
and the hills were hard to climb.
so he closed your weary eyelids
and whispered, 'peace be thine.'
it broke our hearts to lose you
but you didn't go alone,
for part of us went with you
the day God called you home.

[35mm].

weekend in collage.

2011-08-28T16:01:00.000-05:00

more coffee | an organized closet | laundry a plenty | reliving memories

writing | nutella crepes | vintage label wine glasses | silence

eating like the italians | talks with friends | gilmore girls

the new better homes & gardens | candy corn | night drives

| a lot of emotions, distractions and prayer |

chelsea

free hugs.

2011-08-28T13:32:00.000-05:00

a friend showed me this over the weekend and I thought it was worth showing today. enjoy.

2011-08-28T12:38:00.001-05:00

life is not fair. it is not fair. I don't think that I will ever understand why good people are taken from us. I do believe that when they are, they are taken to a heavenly place full of peace and happiness. But I will forever hate the fact that they are plucked away from everyone they have ever known and loved. And I will never understand why such amazing people do not get to enjoy their time on earth for as long as they deserve. I guess I am just hurting right now and it is easier to blame the universe than anything else. But to know someone so gracious and so full of life taken away before their time... how do you not question everything?

ultimately peace will overcome. and the assurance of a place bigger and better than all of us sounds my heart.

Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.

[the stars].

2011-08-25T17:54:00.000-05:00

waiting for autumn playlist:

2011-08-22T19:23:00.000-05:00

life is fleeting. don't even blink.

2011-08-22T19:13:00.000-05:00

thanks Joy for your most recent post.... i am now desperate for

this

and this

le sigh.... fall can't come soon enough.

chelsea

[oh asos].