Because new friends are great.
And so is pie.
And so are pictures of all of the above.
Wishing you a happy weekend.
Go make a new friend.
Or eat some pie.
Or all of the above.
Just Because Pie Is Great
Comfort
There are things that we find comfort in.
Something that I think we most often find comfort in is familiarity.
Things that we know.
Things we find reassurance in because of their known-ness.
Often these things come in the forum of places.
And I think that that’s my favorite sort of comfort.
Comfort in a place.
A place I know.
A place I can close my eyes and run my hand over and still see.
Kayleigh | Senior Portraits
Meet Kayleigh.
A beautiful girl on a beautiful North Carolina farm.
And this isn't just for photos, she's a country girl at heart and has grown up horseback riding and living out in wide open spaces.
She's the real deal.
I so loved spending the afternoon shooting this gals senior portraits.
Always love when my job carries me to other places and I get to spend time with souls as lovely as this one.
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If you're a senior it's not too late to book a spot for your own portraits!
Or too early... if you're thinking about next year. ;)
Shoot me an email for more info.
Shoot me an email for more info.
Adventures | Nashville
One of my adventures over the summer was a trip to Nashville Tennessee. It was my first time in Nashville, first time in Tennessee actually, and so I was excited to explore the city of music people all over the country love so much.
(Not to mention I've been watching the show Nashville... Hey, I like country music okay. Don't judge.)
I had a lot of good food, heard a lot of good music, made some new friends, explored some cool spots, photographed some wonderful people (more posts on that coming soon) and had an all around great trip.
I even saw Taylor Swift's house.
At night, from really far away.
But I still saw it.
At night, from really far away.
But I still saw it.
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Until next time Nashville.
Places Pictured
Do
Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge
Really cool to visit at night. Such a beautiful view of the city.
Parthenon
Kind of random, still don't 100% understand why this is here, but it was neat to see...?
Centennial Park
Pretty place to walk around and feed baby ducks. I mean who doesn't like feeding baby ducks? (and crashing random business parties with live music... but that's a story for another time)
The Bluebird Cafe
Technically just saw the outside of this famous little place, didn't have time to stand in an all day line for a show. Maybe next time.
Grand Ole Opry
Of course I had to go here. It's Nashville tradition right? I didn't end up really knowing any of the people we saw that well, but everyone was so great and it was such a fun show. We did see Striking Matches who were awesome and, unknown to me, wrote a handful of the songs on Nashville. So that was cool! And Kip Moore did a really heartfelt acoustic set. I loved this song in particular.
The Johnny Cash Museum
Major fangirling over here. I spent a good 2+ hours in this place. I love me some Johnny Cash.
The Listening Room Cafe
One of the best places I saw live music at. There's a cover charge, but it's totally worth it. The artists we saw were so talented and it was such a good set of music.
Eat
Frothy Monkey
Only had a beer here, and it was super crowded when we went, but it was a fun atmosphere! I'd definitely go back.
12 South Taproom and Grill
The food we got here was okay, but they have a nice outdoor patio area.
Merchants
Such excellent service, and the fried green tomatoes were some of the best I've ever gotten. I don't remember what that special sauce was, but with that and the pimento cheese they were amazing. Kind of still having dreams about them. Also: they bring out this super yummy/savory popcorn while you're looking over the menu. So yea. Pretty much fell in love with this place.
Rock Bottom Restaurant
There's a rooftop bar that's a really great spot at night (I imagine it'd be great during the day as well but I was only there at night). You can look out on all of downtown Nashville and it's beautiful.
Fox's Donut Den
I mean, there are donuts here. Enough said right? Okay no but really, get the "cronut" (a croissant/donut) when you go. Literally one of the best things I've ever eaten. The girl who was working was so lovely as well and gave us some extras for free cause it was our first time.
Crema
Their quinoa dishes were so good. Got one of each so my friend and I could split and try a little of both and they were pretty large servings anyway. The iced chai wasn't bad either.
Shop
BookManBookWoman Books
Didn't have a ton of time to look around here but they had heaps of lovely books. I always have the hardest time when I travel and I run across wonderful little book stores like this. I always want to buy 34 different books but I have no hope of getting them into my suitcase, back on the plane and back home. It's always fun to look though.
Grimey's
Because if course you have to go to a record shop (or three) when you're in Nashville.
Lawrence Record Shop
Another place I didn't have a ton of time to look around in, but they definitely had a ton of vinyl!
Acme Feed & Seed
This is technically a restaurant, but they had a little market set up on the side with fair-trade and handmade goods and a bought a super beautiful scarf there by the company FashionABLE which creates sustainable long term jobs for women in Africa.
Haus of Yarn
Because everywhere I go I find a yarn shop to get some yarn for the travel blanket.
Imogene + Willie
I'll actually be doing a separate post with these guys, but this was one of my favorite places I visited in Nashville. If you're ever there you have to go.
Events | Free People Richmond
A few weeks ago I attended the Food and Fashion Festival held at Free People's new Richmond location hosted by the lovely Brittany of Eating Bird Food (another Richmond blogger)!
It was so great meeting Brittany and, of course, sampling those delicious vegan apple pie squares (the recipe for which you can find on her blog soon).
It was a super fun night filled with shopping (I certainly did my fair share), adding to my Christmas wish list (it's never too early right??), eating way too many apple pie squares (no regrets) and meeting a lot of the wonderful ladies who work at Free People.
I definitely made a new friend or two.
Not to mention took one to many photos of the lovely yarn filled displays.
I mean, they clearly did that just for me.
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Be sure to check out Brittany's
As well as Free People Richmond's
And of course check out the new Free People store, located in Short Pump Mall!
Tell Kathleen, Katharine and Liz, along with all the other fabulous gals that work there, I said hi.
P.s. You can now follow me on FP Me!
Adventures | Sailing Una
Meet Una.
She's the product of my father, the sailor's, hands.
He built her in a garage in the suburbs of Richmond over a ten month period.
And, if it means anything to you, she's a Iain Oughtred Sooty Tern. A double-ended yawl, sporting a balanced lug main and bermuda mizzen.
Her name means pure, holy, feminine and single (one).
She's Scottish/Gaelic/Norse in her origin.
In my father's words she was "a labor of love, a commitment to a dream and a promise of adventure".
(You can see where I get a bit of that wanderlust soul from...)
Seeing how proud he's been of this boat and how happy it's made him in the building and completion of it has been one of the highlights of my year.
We took her out for an overnight adventure last month and it was, simply put, one of the top ten best experiences of my life.
(I can actually list these experiences for you too... if you don't believe me)
I will treasure this time and the memories made during this brief but wonderful trip for forever and always.
My father is one of the people I adore and most look up to in this world and while this experience is one I hold very dear to my heart, I hesitated sharing it here because of it's sacredness.
However, I wanted the opportunity to showcase his wonderful talent and to give his beautiful creation the spotlight it deserves.
As I've stated before, being on a boat makes you look outward and there's a special kind of soul searching that happens when you're surrounded by all that blue.
There's also a kind of serenity that comes with it that's not easy to find these days.
It's something that neither words or pictures can really fully express.
You just have to experience it for yourself.
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If you're so inclined, and understand such ruminations (or simply have an appreciation for them), you can read my father's blog on the building of Una
.
My RVA: In Autumn
"Autumn... the year's last, loveliest smile."
| William Cullen Bryant
Gypsy Soul: A Knit Lookbook
This fall/winter knits collection is called Gypsy Soul.
I designed and knit this collection for you.
For the free spirits, the adventurers, the nomads, the wanderers, the vagabonds, the travelers, the road trip takers, the seekers, the wanderlust filled hearts, the explorers.
For the gypsy in all of us.
Essentially, I wanted to create necessity knits for the wandering soul.
Namely inspired by my ever constant living on the road as well as this song. I wanted to bring you pieces that I hoped you would love and enjoy, but also ones I personally love and enjoy and wear throughout my own travels and adventures.
Wherever they may be.
This collection was shot in Urbanna by my always insanely talented friend Meagan Abell.
Having it shot in and around the marina with various boats and water-bound crafts was, of course, idyllic.
I am, after all, the daughter of a sailor.
The water has me ever looking outward and onward to my next adventure. Whether it is in fact on sea, or on land.
Similarly, I hope this collection inspires the same for you, as it does for me.
After all, the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.
Gypsy Soul: A Knit Lookbook
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In order of appearance:
The Born On A Boat Chunky Cabled Hat
The Coffee Shop Fingerless Gloves
The Oversized Chunky Knit Sweater Shrug
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All photos are taken by
.
Go like her on
!
Because she's incredible.
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"
We were born before the wind
Also younger than the sun
Ere the bonnie boat was won
As we sailed into the mystic
Hark, now hear the sailors cry
Smell the sea and feel the sky
Let your soul and spirit fly
Into the mystic
I wanna rock your gypsy soul
Just like way back in the days of old
Then magnificently we will float
Into the mystic”
-Van Morrison
Jenna | Conceptual Portraits
"And you tried to change, didn't you? Closed your mouth more. Tried to be softer, prettier, less volatile, less awake... You can't make homes out of human beings. Someone should have already told you that. And if he wants to leave, then let him leave. You are terrifying, and strange, and beautiful.
Something not everyone knows how to love." | Warsan Shire
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Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
Model: Jenna
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Check out more here.
Interested in getting some portraits of your own done?
Email me for more info: by.leney@gmail.com
Maddie + Taylor | One Year Anniversary
Well, I had the pleasure of staying with them in their new home in Laguna Beach during part of my California trip. And as it so happens, my procrastination with posting photos in a timely manner has turned into a good thing for once, because now I'm able to share these photos with you on their one year wedding anniversary today.
I love these two dearly. It was so great to put pictures (literally) to the life they've built in Laguna together over the past few months, which I'd previously only been witness to through many long distance phone calls and swoon worthy instagram posts.
I'm so excited for them and their current season of adventure.
I'm so excited for them and their current season of adventure.
I can't wait to see where life takes them next.
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Check out more here.
Interested in getting some portraits of your own done?
Email me for more info: by.leney@gmail.com