florence, my heart

A big piece of my heart will always be in Florence. The city is like a second home. It's where, as a kid, I spent Christmases, summers, a year of my high school career. Despite the miles of distance, some of my closest family members reside there. Every time I return, my soul is washed in happiness. Love for my family, adoration for my grandma, the way of life -- it's all so perfect. Calming. Soothing. Every day spent in Florence is filled with delicious food, interspersed with long walks. The countryside is never far, and a good hour long walk will have you in the hills outside, gazing over cypress trees and centuries of beautiful architecture. What happiness. Florence, until we meet again, my heart will be homesick for you.

stephanie tarling

Every once in a while I get to have a little fun while I'm at work. :)

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Model: Stephanie Tarling

All Clothing: Free People

an oasis all my own

This past month, a fire lit under my ass. I started rearranging, cleaning, discarding, and putting my home together a new way. So many things had been put into place with a 'that will work for now' mentality, but it was time to wipe the slate clean. I needed a refresh. I wanted to look around and feel calm...inspired in my own home. Bit by bit, I worked through it. I finally went and bought the things we'd been needing. I added a few plants to the collection. It started to come together. Slowly, I was building my own personal oasis. 

There is nothing liking having your own space. A retreat where you can escape to at the end of the day. Surroundings that fill you with happiness. You set the accoutrements, each object placed, each decoration intentional, and then you fill it with the people you love, the animals who give you companionship, the food that feeds your body. Your personality and your movements imprint themselves on the walls. Evidence of life sprinkles throughout. You have all you'll ever need, right there.

I'm a traveling soul -- drawn to adventure, but at the end of it all, there is nothing like coming home. Build your oasis. Leave it. Return to it. Appreciate how it supports you.

greensgrow update

As always, Greensgrow is an amazing place to hang out. I'm lucky to get to photograph this place.