: sparkle/shell/feather

sparkle shoe.

beached shell.

and scattered feather.


accent the cool whisper of the breeze.

the hue of orange-red leaves.

the warm of still-hot muffins.

and the moon near dawn.

:: the feather

"Hope" is the thing with feathers—
That perches in the soul—
And sings the tune without the words—
And never stops—at all—

- emily dickinson

i returned to the grove.

to walk the path.

and think.

be still.


my heart was heavy with things.

thoughts.

and i felt weighted in a balance between two things unseen.

unspoken.


i grappled for an answer.

for a sign.


and then i happened upon a feather.


i lifted it up.

all dirty, scraggly edged piece of it.

and twirled it by its quill.


they say to find a feather means you're on the right path.


i smiled.


an answer?

perhaps. or perhaps not.

but a calming reminder i am not alone.

nonetheless.

:: august break-- TOMS in motion edition (week 9)

:: august break-- TOMS in motion edition (week 8)

:: TOMS in motion-- week 7

yesterday--
my TOMS had me skipping
to the best little crepe cafe ever.

with the sun shining.
& the butterflies fluttering.
& and the mint iced teas coming--
liz and i enjoyed a beautiful summer afternoon.


after lunch-
as we sat in my garden
sipping starbucks iced chai tea lattes--
i was overwhelmingly grateful for the impending august.

for another 31 days
of this glorious summer.

:: the seven day stretch...and a TOMS cameo

after seven physically and emotionally draining nights at work--

i can breathe.
i can sit.
i can do nothing.

& i love it.

and while i haven't had time for much activity
beyond the walls of the hospital--
i have enjoyed:

breakfast at my favorite cafe.
delicious summery teas from starbucks.
eggplant from my garden.
yoga & hooping.
and of course, my TOMS wedges.
they've trotted me to work.
and like every good shoe--

they've finally trotted me home, as well.


here's to gearing up for a fabulous weekend!

::: TOMS in motion---week 5

the garden is wild.
it's alive--
(in a frighteningly delightful way, of course.)

& it's seriously out of control.

i prune.
i weed.
i harvest.
but these little patches have taken matters into their own hands.


so i thought it high time to take
the TOMS
out for a garden stroll.

you know--
before my watermelon vine tangles me up in my sleep :)


greetings from us.
to you.

:: TOMS in motion--week 4

i've subtly mentioned on this blog
that i am going to be an aunt.

when i found out my sister was pregnant--
i immediately started organizing a list of
awesome baby things to buy.

first of which- were the TINY TOMS.
i mean--
any niece of mine will most definitely be trotting in style.
and will know from the start
about the power of giving back.

aren't these just the cutest?!

::TOMS in motion---week 3

i busted out the sparkly glitter TOMS yesterday--
for the ultimate adventure:

a five AM wake-up call.
and a day spent with 3 of the greatest little boys on earth.

we spent the perfect summer afternoon outside.
hitting baseballs.
swinging on swings.
and applying copious amounts of sunscreen.

later-- after a few home-made quesadillas--
and a nap!
we made one seriously satisfied bunch.

a day with them never ceases to educate me
on love.
patience.
courage.
innocence.
and
adventure.

i'm so glad i remembered to bring the TOMS along for the ride.



play along--and post a few pictures of your TOMS in motion :)

:: TOMS in motion--week 2

this week--
the TOMS adventured to starbucks.
more than once.
but whose counting, right?


(and for inquiring minds--
that delish drink is a grande soy iced chai tea latte.
in a word--yum.)


where have your TOMS been?

:: a global photo project

when i first started blogging--
i met a fabulous, hip gal named cali.
our blogs crossed paths.
and we've been reading ever since.

ironically- we both share a shameless love for TOMS shoes.
and for their mission.
so when inspiration struck to feature a weekly TOMS post--
i knew immediately i wanted her to join me.

so here we are.
week 1 of TOMS in motion:: a global photo project.

every thursday--
on her blog & mine--
we'll be posting pictures of our TOMS in action.
journaling our adventures.
both the simple & the extravagant.

but please.
don't just read.
if you have a pair of TOMS--
play along!
we're not calling it "global project" for nothing!

snap some pictures of your TOMS.
post them on your blog.
& link back to your post in the comments.


we can't wait to see where your TOMS are taking you.


and....

yes--
those are the wedges on the left.
full photo disclosure on their fabulous-ness--
next thursday.

::: i couldn't help myself.

it's official.

i purchased a pair of these bad boys.


i've made it no secret that i am mildly obsessed with TOMS SHOES.
so when i heard the company was coming out with a wedge...

well.

that about did me in.


i tried to convince myself that another pair of TOMS was unnecessary.

i talked to myself about the difference between the things i want.
and the things i need.


but this morning.
when i knew it was payday.
i caved.
i gave into my nasty little shoe habit and ordered a pair.

and can i be honest?

i feel no remorse.

i always feel good about a TOMS purchase.
not only because i know i'll be rocking some stylish shoes.

but because they give back.

which is beautiful.


stayed tuned for many summer pictures of the wedge around town.

just as soon as my best friend in the brown shorts and big truck brings them to my door.