New Spring Photos on Shutterstock

Nothing better than a bright, sunny day in the park with chips. Those and hot dogs are my dream summer diet.

(FAVORITE BBQ CHIPS are Utz Kettle Classics Smokin' Sweet BBQ Crunchy Potato Chips.)

Been taking photos around Maryland through the fall and winter so far this year (here's when I posted some in January).



Just added some new Spring photos to my Shutterstock Profile!



So so so excited for the road trip this week coming up. Been planning this for a while (here are some of the plans and notes that I drew up back in February). I can't believe it's finally here. Going from Baltimore to New Orleans, with a bunch of stops in between (Wilmington, Charleston, Savannah, Panama City Beach, and more). Will share as much as I can!

When it Rains

Isn't it 'April Showers bring May Flowers'?

Baltimore's been getting an insane amount of rain the last few weeks. There was hail once or twice too. As you can imagine- it adds to a lot more driving time. At least it's not cookie dough.



Here are three simple ideas I use to try and stay motivated on days like this.



1. Start Energized. The majority of people wake up and go about their days dehydrated. Thanks to a book I like by Aubrey Marcus, Own the Day, Own Your Life: Optimized Practices for Waking, Working, Learning, Eating, Training, Playing, Sleeping, and Sex - I fix a glass of water with a quarter lemon and pinch of sea salt. It's energizing and motivates me to start the day hydrated and with a clear mind. I also like coffee lol. My strong and steady, is Café Bustelo, with half a tsp of condensed milk and some ice cubes melting in.



2. Stretch Your Legs. This is another thing Aubrey talks about in his book. Being in the sunlight, moving around, and getting hydrated within 20 minutes of waking up. Often a change of scenery is what we need to get motivated and be productive. Get up and walk around your office or in the building, depending on your workplace setting. You'll end up getting more done with those little breaks, than if you sat there for hours staring at the screen.



3. Focus on Critical Tasks. One thing I struggle with is narrowing down what to do. It all seems important! I had to teach myself that you don't have to do everything all at once. When it rains I notice the garden being nourished, and it's a gentle reminder that you can't rush how fast plants will grow. Like vegetables and flowers, certain tasks need time to develop, and it'll save you more time long-term, to tackle it later. If it helps, set a google calendar reminder. In the end, ironically, this is more productive than repeating the task later, and fixing things down the road.

New Summer Items!

We have almost twice as many products on the site now, ready for your strong start to the upcoming Summer months. I hope you're going to travel, dream, and explore. That's what I want for myself and everyone I know. After a pretty rough winter, it just seems like time to overcompensate and truly soak up the nice weather.

Following the Junot Díaz News

Following the Junot Díaz news lately after the recent New Yorker piece, and wanted to share my favorite passage by him, below. It’s hard to hear when anyone’s been treated in a way that echoes for the rest of their lives. I will say he put into words what myself and other women couldn't about love and life, for many years.



“This is how you lose her.



You lose her when you forget to remember the little things that mean the world to her: the sincerity in a stranger’s voice during a trip to the grocery store, the delight of finding something lost or forgotten like a sticker from when she was five, the selflessness of a child giving a part of his meal to another, the scent of new books in the store, the surprise short but honest notes she tucks in her journal and others you could only see if you look closely.



You must remember when she forgets.



You lose her when you don’t notice that she notices everything about you: your use of the proper punctuation that tells her continuation rather than finality, your silence when you’re about to ask a question but you think anything you’re about to say to her would be silly, your mindless humming when it is too quiet, your handwriting when you sign your name on blank sheets of paper, your muted laughter when you are trying to be polite, and more and more of what you are, which you don’t even know about yourself, because she pays attention.



She remembers when you forget.



You lose her for every second you make her feel less and less of the beauty that she is. When you make her feel that she is replaceable. She wants to feel cherished. When you make her feel that you are fleeting. She wants you to stay. When you make her feel inadequate. She wants to know that she is enough and she does not need to change for you, nor for anyone else because she is she and she is beautiful, kind and good.



You must learn her.



You must know the reason why she is silent. You must trace her weakest spots. You must write to her. You must remind her that you are there. You must know how long it takes for her to give up. You must be there to hold her when she is about to.



You must love her because many have tried and failed. And she wants to know that she is worthy to be loved, that she is worthy to be kept.



And, this is how you keep her.”

Enjoying the ☀️

Little Havana Restaurante y Cantina off of Key Highway in Baltimore is just a short walk from Riverside Park to the water. Like I wrote in my Presidents Day Brunch Post- there's the coolest huge mural on the wall here with a handwritten headline  'Land of Eternal Spring'. We were definitely in the mood to enjoy the Spring weather, and hopefully it'll stick! It was an ideal date. Not too hot or cold, and all we needed was a light jacket.

I didn't know until coming back here, that they've been serving Cuban-inspired cuisine on the South Baltimore waterfront for almost 20 years, and it was once a former Feed Supply warehouse!

Walt Disney World Resort Memories

This time last year, we were in front of where Harry Truman used to hang out in Florida on a family vacation to Disney World. It was my first time, a bucket list item.

RIP Barbara Bush. Half of another Gemini couple (George Bush Sr. and her were the longest married presidential couple), and someone who accomplished an incredible amount in her life. She said in 1990 Wellesley College commencement address:

"At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, winning one more verdict, or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a child, a friend, or a parent."

'Fresh Baked Cookies' 🍪 Candlemaking

Did you know that the art of candlemaking is called 'chandlering'?



I am so proud of this 'Freshly Baked Cookies' candle scent mixture. I have to give Mark credit for helping come up with it- it really does smell like you just made a batch of fresh-baked cookies and it warms the feeling of the whole house. We thought of the concept while living in a hotel for two weeks back in January due to flooding issues, and I think were just wanting to think about cozy, comfortable things.

I want to make mini ones (votives), change up the label, keep working on this. There's a place I like called the Foundery that I went to print and cut out vinyl labels.



'The Foundery was built upon the goal to fuel the creative community with unique access to industrial-grade tools and knowledge, and to provide a safe and accessible makers’ space for Baltimore’s creative community to gather, learn, build and teach.'



With the cost of a day pass, you get access to embroidery machines, laser and vinyl cutting, woodworking, screenprinting, and more! It's also a nice, diplomatic space to think creatively and relax. And you can get a big mug of Zeke's coffee and a hot dog while you work.

Listening to: 'A Life That's Good'

Being from Texas, there are a few country songs that bring me back. Started watching Nashville recently. Really liked the storyline between Deacon and Rayna. This song and 'Sanctuary'; the feels.

Visiting My Old High School

 Took the bus down Friday night and got in super late, looked at our old art with Jenny, woke up in New York and took another bus down to Boston to ride the old red line to Natick.