fall 2017

I'm behind on here once again - what is new? 

I like to think that we are all friends and can pick up right where we left. This is my favorite time of the year, as always you blink and October is behind us. The weather hasn't really changed to the seasonal temperatures that I long for once I'm sick of my summer clothes but we are finally getting a taste of cooler days. 

So many things and so little time recently - I've been back and forth between Richmond & NoVa, I've spent much needed time with some of my favorite people, explored, laughed, and need to just catch up. 

In no particular order. 

 _____

One of many trips to NoVa recently I so many of my very favorite people in life. It is always so good to see Ash and her people.

& Allison aka Momma Cub. 

I couldn't love her more - everyone always told me that I would meet amazing people once I started working. I always found it odd that my parents still talked to people from their old jobs or forever ago but I get it - it is hard to find good people so you can't let them go. 

MC is my favorite and it scares me sometimes how alike we are. Thank you for letting me be your temporary roommate, taking me for Mexican, love Moscow mules as much as me, wearing a sleep shade, and having a blankie.

There was a random day trip to Carter's mountain trip thrown in the mix to see Lauren and Q.

We had to say goodbye to one of my favorite members of the Johnston family, Gertrude. G was my grandparents German Shorthaired Pointed who quickly became just as much mine as theirs when I moved in. She loved to sneak in my room after dinner and adored a down comforter just as much as I do.

She was the quirkiest thing and about as sweet as they come even though she didn't always listen, we knew she was the boss anyways. We had the most amazing 6 years with her and had to say goodbye way too soon but I know that we will all forever cherish our memories with her.

Natalie and I finally went to Bottom's Up Pizza after a recommendation from one of our college professors , my favorite Dr. B and it did not disappoint. 

Highly recommend if you are near the bottom.

A day trip to Farmville to show sweet Rachel around as she starts making her college decisions. 

I love Longwood and Farmville will forever have a special place in my heart so getting to head down one Sunday morning was right up my alley. It is crazy to see how much campus has changed in the short time that I have been gone but I have a feeling that it will always feel like home.

& I got to see my G for a little early birthday love. 

I went camping - for the first time in my life, in West Virginia and it was absolutely amazing in an odd way. 10 people in the woods makes for an entertaining weekend, there is something about sleeping on a 3 inch mattress waking up to the Boy Scouts of America's troop leader screaming at them.

Chris, Aaron, Katie, and myself packed up and headed to Beckley, WV on Friday evening for what I would consider glamping. We stayed two nights and finished up the weekend rafting down the New River on Sunday. 

I actually don't have a ton of pictures from the weekend as my phone was either charging, we were drinking, or we were on the water.

It was a great weekend away recharging with some of my favorite people, highly recommend.

This girl had a birthday, a big birthday at that. 

Happy Birthday Iz - I hope that 25 is your best year yet. This world would be a very dull place without you in it. You bring laughter to all of our lives and keep us smiling.  

A Ghost Tour of RVA landed us at the Capital building at night. 

It is so easy to forget that things like this are literally in our backyard and taken for granted. 

Randoms from our last trip to Farmville. 

Little Q's first trip to Costco, obviously she is an executive member. She also loved the sample, a girl after my own heart. 

They also had beer Advent candles which is absolutely genius and 100% worth the $50. 

While in NoVa last week my amazing team traded in our laptops and conference calls for Cox Farms and it was the most amazing day. 

It was so nice to get away from the daily routine of the office and spend some time outside with these awesome people. Days like these remind you just how lucky you are. 

And I would say this sums up #lifeatcapitalone.

A Friday with these gems including dinner, sangrias, and Plant Nite. 

We found a Groupon for Plant Nite which was very similar to the ever so popular Wine & Design with succulents/terrariums. It was super fun and I would highly recommend, they host at local restaurants/coffee shops in the area. 

I ended up taking a half day this past Thursday before I headed home to Richmond this weekend to explore DC with Hads. 

It was an amazing afternoon with one of the first fall like days  that was just enough to bust out boots and a sweater. My favorite friends are the ones that you do not necessarily see all the time but can pick up right where you left off with, makes me heart so full. 

So much love for you Hads, thanks for showing me around.  

Last but not least this little guy is the newest resident at 27th street. 

No Dad, I did not get a dog - don't worry. 

Meet Enzo, my roommate's adorable 10 week old pug puppy. 

If you know me you know that Barnes & Noble and Petco set up adoption centers to target people like me. I live for the puppy snuggles.  

Cheers to Monday!

xo

Charlottesville Round 3

 Weekends like this one are my absolute favorite. 

Those weekends that you spend with the people that make you laugh until you cry, the ones you can sit on the couch in your pajama's until noon with and still have a blast, and the ones that you don't see nearly as often as you'd like but you always pick up right where you left off. It was was of those weekends and I do not think that my heart could be more full right now. 

Time spent with my very favorite people at some of my favorite places. I headed up to Charlottesville while Steph & Kathy headed down for our annual Charlottesville visit with Lauren. Our little tradition started with Lauren & Mario's wedding which we continued last year with Lauren's baby shower so it was only appropriate to carry on. 

Our get togethers look a little different these days now that little Quinn has entered this world but they have only gotten better. We tote her around and have pretty much added her to our headcount at this point, girl is a trooper a usually has a smile on her face. 

We all arrived around 11 o'clock and headed straight to Costco oddly enough, 2 hours later after we had stocked up, ate every sample they had to offer, and I decorated my entire house for Christmas we headed over to Carter's Mountain. Surprisingly calm for a Saturday during peak season, we all enjoyed Bold Rock and those gorgeous views. Quinn managed to spill 40% of our drinks but you can't even be angry at that face. 

A little too much Bold Rock...

Afterwards we headed for our typical Guadalajara dinner, our favorite Mexican place. Unfortunately we know the staff at this point but our trips there never disappoint. I don't think it would be a trip without a meal or two here.

We started today with our usual Sunday morning trip to Bodo's, an everything bagel with olive cream cheese is the way to my heart. 

Lauren had scheduled 9 month pictures for Quinn today on UVA's campus this morning so the three of us decided to tag along. It was a gorgeous morning and the campus was beautiful as always, we strolled around while I longed to be a carefree college student for one last semester. 

We headed back home and on our separate ways afterwards. I love this trip each year and always look forward to it, I hope it is something we continue with for many years to come. I'm missing my girls already but days like these always make Mondays a little more manageable. 

Until next time Charlottesville. 

xo