goodbye, summer. hello, autumn.

long days, short nights. patios. spf. sunglasses. iced coffee. farmers' markets. porches. leisurely bike rides. swimming pools. lakehouses. windows pushed up, windows rolled down.

The other night, I was driving home late and was stopped at an intersection. The street was bustling with people moving to and fro, trying to get those last few summer beers in their systems. A young man crossed the street in a tee shirt and it struck me that within a few weeks, we'll be wearing sweaters at night.

What does summer mean to you?

As the sun sets on this year's summer, I'll feel as though I've made more of the season than I had ever previously. How lovely it would be if this became a pattern.

Fall is my favorite season and I'm excited for the foliage, pumpkin patches, and apple-picking. The sad thing about fall in the Northeast is that it tends to be relatively short-lived. Maybe this is why we appreciate it so much.

I've listened to this song a lot this summer:

Happy autumn, everyone!

xoxo

instagram favorites - august.

Some of these photos may look similar to some of you if you follow me on Instagram. Even though I am not quite as obsessed with this app as I have been in the past, I still have an appreciation for it. I still look at it almost every day, although I don't post quite as frequently.

I figured I'd share some of my favorite photos that I've posted on Instagram this August. It's fun to look back on a period of time as represented in photographs. I've been thinking how quickly this month went by, but when I look back at these photographs I at least feel like I've experienced a lot of fun and beauty during August.

 This August, I took a style cue from the lovely Kater of All This Happiness in the form of hair bow/ribbon hair accessories! She is also an amazing partner in thrifting crime.

 This August, along with seemingly every other month of my "adult" life, I ventured into new yummy and adorable cafes and diners.

This August, I started running outside. So much more challenging and a fair amount more entertaining. 

 This August, Kater had a beautiful birthday party in her backyard with red wine, buttermilk cupcakes, and candlelight.

This August my sweet Christophe returned to me. Such an event called for daytrips and gallivanting.

I hope that you all enjoyed your August as much as I did. As excited as I am for fall, I am grateful for the fact that I really feel as though I made a lot of my month of August. My drive for life seems mostly to be based upon a "light at the end of the tunnel" frame of mind. I'm always rushing through the present in order to reach this "better" place in the future. Slowly but surely, I feel like I'm developing a greater appreciation for the present and I am so thankful for that.

And I'm thankful for any of you who take the time to read what I write on this blog. It means more to me than you may know.

xoxo