maine, in blue.

 

call me crazy, but i'd be perfectly happy if i woke up tomorrow and it was august.

don't get me wrong... i love the summer: new freckles, corn on the sob, water that looks like the color of blueberries... but july is going to be a crazy busy month, and honestly, i'd rather just skip it. what can i say? i'm a wimp.

the other night, simon and i went canoeing, and i let my fingers dip into the water as we floated along. it was such a refreshing, calming feeling; i suddenly realized just how precious these little moments are, and i'm crazy to wish my life away.

so, let me start over. july, nice to see you... but please go easy on us, okay? and to all you americans out there, happy fourth of july!

maine living.

as i type this, the sun is setting over the lake (and confession: we are also watching a christmas episode of community. we are addicted.) anyway...  today, two pictures. 

one: this amazing little house is where we are temporarily living while we look for our own house.  it belongs to simon's parents. so, while we can't stay forever, we are loving it. where else can you go canoeing after dinner and roast marshmallows on a week night?

two: speaking of dinner, this was one of the first meals we ate in the lake house: lobster, avocado, tomato, and mango salad. i am not exaggerating when i say it was "summer in a bowl". 

conclusion: nina is officially a maine girl.

i belong among a field of wildflowers. i belong in a boat out at sea.

moving is a little unsettling. cardboard boxes take over your surroundings, and shit, where are your favorite worn-out, soft sleeping pants? (they could be anywhere.)

despite my valiant efforts to stay sane, which include listening to the good music while packing, and spontaneous bouquets of wild flowers, i've had a couple of melt downs. this is normal, no?

what are your secrets for staying balanced during times of transition?  

summer solstice.

the summer night is like a perfection of thought. --  wallace stevens

 

please join us, won't you?

the way life should be.

… and i’m back! how have you all been? what did i miss? can i tell you how much i appreciate that you're still here? oh so much.

my time away from this space was busy, but in the best possible way. we have some news! over the past month, simon and i have made the move from our bustling, urban lifestyle in boston, to living on a lake in maine. we are still getting our bearings, and adjusting to the quieter lifestyle. (i am also learning how to drive slower. ahem.)

in the evenings, we sit by the water and build a fire. it's hot and still, and the bugs are a welcome reminder that we are, in fact, in a whole new place.

as with any big life transition, there is some bittersweetness. boston is where we met, fell in love and where some of our family and friends still live. but we've been dreaming about making this move for a while, and it feels like the perfect adventure at the perfect time. together, we are figuring it all out... even how to drive on bumpy dirt roads with a car that is packed to the brim with boxes.

over the next few weeks, i am excited to share more about this new place we call home, and get back into the groove of using my camera every day. 

logging on here today felt like coming home, and i am so happy to be back.

post script:  while i was away, i also spent some time thinking about why i blog… or more importantly, why i want to keep blogging. a friend of mine said it best when he said: "life only throws you a handful of magical moments. some are big and obvious like weddings, graduations, births, etc. other times, those moments are quiet, subtle, and easily missed.”  blogging reminds me to step back and pay attention. hopefully, many years from now, i can read this blog and remember with equal gusto, the little things that happened as the days went by.

(photo credit: weepy hollow) 

multiple choice.

 

i have been a bad blogger lately. this is because:

a) i have been watching trees blossom in our neighborhood. (also known as, spying on the neighbors.) 

b) i have some exciting projects in the works. (i cannot wait to share!)

c) simon and i have been spending lots of time in quiet, beautiful maine (which often reminds me of home).

d) there are not enough hours in the day. (universe, just a couple more?)

e) i have been craving time offline.

f) i've been eating watermelon every day.

g) all of the above.

p.s. loves, i'm sorry my posts have been sporadic. the good news is i have some great things lined up for the next couple of weeks. thank you for sticking around. :) gros bisous.

(photo credit: emma louise)

a day in maine.

this morning: a long walk to a local coffee shop with a big, black dog by my side. exercise, coffee and good dog-sitting. win-win-win.

right now: pomegranate juice, a roaring fire, and articles that feel good for my brain.  

later tonight: a heaping bowl of spaghetti bolognese, a glass of wine, and continued daydreams of someday making the move up here.  

how is your day going?

(photo credit: miwaramone)

twenty four hours of bliss.

yesterday i had the pleasure of visiting my dear friend, (and wedding photographer) meredith, in south portland, maine. she and her boyfriend spoiled me rotten. they are not only the sweetest couple ever... but they also live in a house that looks like it's straight out of a magazine. wow.


upon my arrival, meredith served me lavender lemonade. it tasted just like the flower smells. needless to say, i finished the whole pitcher. (i'm a great house guest like that.)


every time i turned around, i fell more and more in love with their house: colorful pillows, antique bottles, flowers, vintage furniture, etsy illustrations... it was gorgeous. (did i mention they live down the street from scratch bakery?)


after a feast of risotto, panzanella, and blueberry honey mead, i snuck up to my own little loft space to sleep for the night. i slept like a baby and dreamed about the ocean (which is incidentally, just down the street).


then, this morning, meredith and i strolled around cape elizabeth and chatted about life. it was one of the prettiest walks i've been on in a long time.

meredith, thank you so much for having me. and simon doesn't know this yet, but we're moving... pronto. xo.