a Florida girl in Atlanta

A couple of times a year, my mother-in-law/boss, sister-in-law, and I head up to Atlanta for Market. If you’ve never heard of Market/America’s Mart, it’s amazing! It’s a place clothing stores/boutiques  and gift stores (both large and small) find vendors and merchandise. It’s also a great place to connect with other store owners and see the latest trends. It’s one of my favorite things about working at Ashes!
Each time we go I feel like we’ve perfected our trip a little more. And while this last time we flew instead of drove (therefore we didn’t have a car to drive around town with) we didn’t necessarily need one.

I’ve really come to love this city, especially since my uncle and grandfather both lived here (and since they both passed away before I was born this is a link to them I wouldn’t have otherwise had).

So some of my favorite places in Atlanta (and please share the ones you love, because I love recommendations)!!

Tipple and Rose Apothecary and Tea Room.
We obviously love tea rooms, but since we are really one of the few left in Jax we rarely get to enjoy going to High Tea ourselves. And sometimes its nice to be able to sit an relax while drinking a cuppa. This place was fantastic. The atmosphere is unique, the food terrific and the icing on the cake was that it is woman run!!!

The Hub.
This last visit to Atlanta was the first time I have encountered The Hub and I'm super sad about that. It has so many ethnic foods all in one spot. Everything looked amazing. Plus it was super convenient being across the street from Market.

Varsity.
I actually ate at The Varsity before my Market trips. On mine and Austin's first anniversary trip we stopped here on our way to Chattanooga. Apparently my grandfather use to frequent this burger joint!

White Oak Kitchen.
One night during our stay we try to do a nice dinner where we can sit down and enjoy the city. On one of our trips we stopped at White Oak Kitchen. So, so, so good!


And of course, some photos from Market..... enjoy!

Why yes this is from a new vendor we found. And yes we are getting some of these in!!!!

A little bored waiting to leave for the airport...... and also loving my new earrings. 

We met Emiliee from My Girl in LA and we loved her and the company!! So excited about working more with them!

When the decor is this cute, you can't not play with it!

Why yes the shirt I'm wearing will be coming into the store. 

One of my favorite sites (inside Market). I just love this place. 

After waking up at 3 to be at the airport by 4:30 only to have our flight delayed by 6 hours..... coffee was needed. However the flight was so short we didn't even get a chance to finish our cup. Major booooooo. 

Well, that's a wrap on this trip. Until next time..

xoxox

may 2019

I know that the month of May is not over quite yet, but before it was I had to share all the celebrations of the beginning of it

We kicked off this month with our first Kentucky Derby at our family's Tea Room. It was so much fun planning and hosting! And the food my mother in law/boss and sister in law made for the occasion was absolutely fantastic! It also kind of rocked to be able to wear a fascinator all day. 

Then, like so many other birthdays of mine, I spent many days celebrating with lots of friends and family (the best way I can)! 

We had family dinners and manicures, and a ladies tea day.

For my niece's birthday we celebrated pool party style. I still can't believe that girl is 9!

The birthday celebrations ended with a fun day off with my momma (for her birthday) exploring parts of city (and surrounding cities) that we hadn't before-- including Pollyanna's house (below). 

All in all, it's been a fantastic month with a lot.... and I mean a lot of cake! 

<3

Father's Day

There have been times when Father's Day has been one of the hardest days of the year to get through.

When you no longer have your dad around, especially after having been so close, it can be a painful time. 

A fellow blogger that writes for The Grace Scripts (a blog I've also been writing for recently) summed it up so perfectly on their instagram feed. There is grief and joy in these days. And in more recent years, I've finally been able to see the joy.  

While I still miss my dad and think of him often, I also am to the point where I can see the joy in things as well.  I also have the incredible fortune of having three amazing dads in my life. My dad, my step-dad, and my father-in-law. Each have had an incredible impact on my life and taught me so much. 

So on this day, where we celebrate all the father figures in our lives and what they've added to our lives, I have three men in particular to be thankful for. 

Thank you Dad, Joe, and Ronnie for helping me understand more of what love looks like and how to be a better person. 

love always, 

kel

my niece's graduation photos

I can barely believe my nephew is in college (remember when I took his graduation photos?), but now I'm posting the photos I took of my niece. How are they growing up so fast?????

Faith definitely is rocking this pixie cut and a gorgeous cinderella (as I call it) prom dress (which is amazing since for awhile if it wasn't black, she wouldn't wear it).

I love this kid and I'm so proud to share some photos of the gorgeous woman she's becoming!!!

xoxo, kel

thankful thursday// vol.5

 I am so incredibly thankful for our growing family.

 The night before Christmas Eve, Austin brought home this sweet little puppy. It was the best Christmas gift (and I think Chloe thinks so too).  

So here is our newest addition to our little family: Luna Padfoot (if you aren't a Harry Potter fan....well I just can't help you). 

Sweetest right? 

xoxox, kel

thankful thursday// vol.1

I know- sharing something I'm thankful for on Thanksgiving....how original. But seriously, my heart could not be more full. 

I am incredibly thankful for my family. 

This past year has been a crazy one for my family. We've gotten smaller after several devastating loses, but then we grew immensely after two weddings (mine and my cousins'). 

I think about how much my family has gone through, how we've lost touch, but through the grace of God have become an even stronger unit. I thank God for the amazing women and men that I get to call family and I cannot help but smile. While not all of our families members are still with us, and some are spending this holiday hundreds of miles away, they have each had an amazing impact on my life. I am grateful for every single one of them. 

They are my heart.

Thank you God for blessing me with all these amazing people!

xoxom kel

auburn week

Last weekend was one of my favorite times of the year!!! Labor Day weekend means so much these days.... It's the beginning of college football, which means the Roby family trip to Auburn, the lakehouse, going out on the boat, a long weekend, and now it also means my best friends' wedding anniversary!!!! 

It was a long drive, but we made it a fun one. 

This marina had the coolest colors. House dreams here.

Of course no Alabama road trip would be the same without stopping at Mark's Melon Patch. We made sure to leave a little early to get there before it closed. Their boiled peanuts are the best!!!! And we may have stocked up on some other goodies!!!

So apparently pup cups are a thing!!! At Starbucks they'll give your pup a small cup of whip cream. (Although if they are like Chloe-- it'll mean farts for the next hour of your drive.) 

Chloe totally came out of her shell....at least a little bit last weekend too. While swimming didn't agree with her (and she tried to run away) she loved being on the boat! Who wouldn't? Even our nieces and nephew live for these days!!!

Welp... one year until we get to do this all over again. 

xoxoxox kel