Flee to the Cleve

What is Marriage: One Whole Year

2013-05-01T15:07:00.002-04:00

It feels just like yesterday that I woke up with all my closest friends and started the day that would end with a husband. But unbelievably, it's been a whole year.John and I spent the weekend on Kiawah Island celebrating. The Sanctuary is a magical place, a rare, perfect combination of beauty and hospitality. We daydreamed about the weekend of our wedding and how much it meant to share each

That Which Determines Our Fate

2013-04-22T19:20:00.001-04:00

15 people holding onto that which will determine their fate, by Amanda Blake I love this painting so much. I dream of hanging it in my home, gazing at each person, imagining the stories they would tell if they could. Soon more people fill my mind. What would my mother be holding, if she were added? What would I be holding? What would the 8-year-old boy from the Boston finish line have

There you are.

2013-04-21T22:44:00.000-04:00

Hello again. It's been a while. I can't really say where I've been, except that my free time has been spent writing for Prosper clients and doing hot yoga. I miss you, Flee to the Cleve. But, I am thrilled to be working for an agency whose mission I can support wholeheartedly. Their energy is palpable, and I'm honored to be part of it. I was featured last week on the Prosper blog talking about

We're women now.

2013-04-07T00:34:00.001-04:00

Last weekend I turned 28. It was really lovely, and John planned a whole weekend full of surprises, and I felt insanely lucky and loved and more and more like adulthood is yes, full of bills and obligations, but happier than childhood still. 27 was the first birthday I didn't get overly excited about. It didn't feel old, but it felt like that door had been opened. It was the first time

Purpose

2013-03-15T10:11:00.001-04:00

Recently I posted about an attempt to find opportunity in disappointment. Rather than dwell in the negative, for once I made a conscious effort to move forward. Somehow, it worked and brought good things faster than I thought possible. I found myself asking questions about my purpose and goals and how I can meet them professionally. If that sounds like a cheesy, horrific self-help exercise,

March

2013-03-04T07:00:00.000-05:00

Every year I write about how much I love March, and this one should be no different. Two years ago I was sitting in Cleveland snow, about to get engaged, and last year I was overwhelmed with gratitude at the amount of support I felt from friends and family as we approached our marriage. This year, nothing quite so exciting is on the horizon, but that's okay. We still have sun, tulips, the

What is Marriage: Take Care of Each Other

2013-02-27T06:30:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I was driving to Florence for a business trip, and I was thinking about my husband. He had made a special early morning trip for orange juice in a vitamin-laced response to my new cough. He was worried that I had to drive three hours in the rain. He made breakfast. He was taking care of me. I realized that the word "husband" still gives me a giddy little rush. When does this

Makers

2013-02-26T19:53:00.001-05:00

Will you watch this tonight? "There are women who fight for something bigger than themselves."

Opportunity in Disappointment

2013-02-20T15:50:00.001-05:00

Recently I mentioned that my life has been a bit of a whirlwind, seeking direction and making difficult decisions. I felt like one door slammed shut two weeks ago, and it was disappointing. To put trust in a group of people is a big step in the first place, and to have it compromised can feel horrible. I tend to make situations out of my control very personal and look for ways to deem them "

Week in Women: Human Rights

2013-02-19T11:08:00.000-05:00

If you're like me, you're constantly watching women's issues with the frustration and hope that pervades all of us in 2013. We're so close. Yet, not at all. You watch Michelle and Hillary intently, and you groan when Sheryl Sandberg's comments are so good and so bad at the same time. You saw that good piece in the NY Times Saturday about the need to redefine women's rights in the workplace

Missed you

2013-02-18T10:41:00.003-05:00

Friends! I've missed you. At some point about three weeks ago, I got extremely busy and something had to give. I've been working every weekend to help with the Governor's School audition season, traveling every week, and at the same time found myself faced with some big shifts relating to career. Although I'm still working weekends and traveling, the big things have all settled. I left my

Week in Women: Gender at Work and Sheryl Sandberg

2013-01-30T20:35:00.000-05:00

Sheryl Sandberg is both right and wrong. Her recent comments about employers asking women about getting pregnant before hiring have understandably elicited quite a backlash. Perhaps they were well-intentioned, because of course we do need a more open dialogue about gender in the workplace. She says we need to lean in, be more ambitious, be more assertive. She fails to address the gaping fact

Do it. For Chicago. (Sex sells)

2013-01-29T07:00:00.000-05:00

A Chicago public radio station is taking a cheeky approach to advertising. If you're cool, have sex with another cool person, thereby providing the world with a future public radio listener. This is adorable, and as everyone knows, sex sells. I know I'd probably respond a little bit more positively to NPR's dreaded phonathons if I'd seen a few irreverent ads around town. Also, I feel

Weekend Projects

2013-01-28T12:42:00.000-05:00

This weekend, there wasn't much time for rest, but our tea bags did provide us with some lofty goals. The heart shaped breakfast was Smitten Kitchen's Oat and Maple Scones, which I adapted with white whole wheat flour and almond milk. I got a little carried away selecting paint colors online and left them in the oven a minute too long, but I'd still recommend the recipe. John painted our

Find Momo

2013-01-25T16:23:00.001-05:00

Dear Former Where's Waldo Lovers, I give you Find Momo.

Women This Week: Hillary's Benghazi Testimony and Michelle's Inauguration

2013-01-25T07:36:00.005-05:00

It was a good week for women in media - it was a bad week for women in media. Michelle was exalted in the public eye. John and I often wonder how anyone, regardless of political persuasion, could harbor bad feelings towards Michelle Obama. She is genuine, she is gracious, fun, smart, and she is trying to make our nation healthier (crucial). She was applauded for her feminine characteristics,

What is Marriage: Pizza Delivery (Taking Risks)

2013-01-24T11:18:00.001-05:00

Marriage in January hasn't changed much since last week. This week is about big decisions for us, though, which is sort of nerve-racking. What's so interesting is how much has changed in two years - when I was willing to risk everything and move across the country to take a shady job in Vermont. Now that I'm in a better position and have some of the stability I craved, risk taking is way less

Red Balloons and Michelle Obama's Style

2013-01-22T14:07:00.001-05:00

Going back to work after a holiday weekend makes me daydream about being this guy, what about you? In other news, I'm struck by our graceful and beautiful first lady. Yesterday's symbolic choices in attire were sophisticated and reflected the mood of this entry into Obama's second term, demonstrating that style has a depth that is ignored by many. Behind the scenes, she took iPhone

Three Day Weekend

2013-01-21T10:59:00.001-05:00

Three day weekends are, truly, a gift. You have one point five days to do errands and exercising and one point five days to do absolutely nothing. What a dream! I've continued on my Smitten Kitchen binge and this weekend and made the Maple Walnut Granola, Spiced Turkey Meatballs over Smashed Chickpea Salad, and Potato Latkes (all in the book). It's amazing what one great new find can do for

What is Marriage: Cold Winter Blues

2013-01-17T19:49:00.000-05:00

Marriage in January is weird. For the first time in three years, John got sick. And it lasted forever. Then I got a different virus that was going around. Also lasted forever. Somehow, between work, friends, and orchestra gigs, we never got the time to watch movies and recover that we needed. We're doing that this weekend. So, I learned a few things. Marriage is sleeping further away when

Minimalist Jewelry

2013-01-16T06:30:00.000-05:00

Paired with my love for minimalism in fashion is my love for minimalist jewelry. Tiny, subtle pieces with clean lines that never come off are my favorite. John recently fed this addiction with these Kathleen Whitaker tiny staple earrings, a Christmas gift, and this tiny L necklace. It's a sweet story - I've been a fan of Maya Brenner for a long time, but we saw the L in person on our

January

2013-01-15T07:00:00.000-05:00

In December, as I felt myself mentally slowing down in anticipation of the holidays, I imagined a very productive and energetic January. I had plans to buy and learn Elements, and I envisioned endless yoga classes and a lot of reading. As it turns out, this month is just the opposite of what I planned. The only things on that list I've touched are a couple of books. On New Year's

Minimalist Fashion and Everlane

2013-01-14T11:06:00.000-05:00

Minimalist fashion has become so appealing to me as of late. Androgynous styles for women are so sexy, and the clean lines leave me feeling put together and professional. I love the way minimalism highlights the face and simply lets it be the focus. I find myself wearing the same pieces constantly, and Everlane has played a big role in this, both in inspiration and execution. I love

Happy Weekend! And links for you.

2013-01-11T10:12:00.000-05:00

Since we were with family last weekend, John and I are celebrating our January 4th anniversary tonight. Last year we had a great time at American Grocery, so we're going back - can't wait. We are also excited to do yoga, see friends, and relax this weekend after a crazy few weeks of travel. Links for the weekend: Sarah Tolzmann's brand new Note to Self print shop got me extra excited about

What is Marriage: When the first year is over

2013-01-10T07:00:00.000-05:00

When John and I called his aunt and uncle for Christmas (Uncle Mason, sweetest man alive), his aunt said something that made my heart melt. They've been married 52 years, and as she marveled that we are well on our way to our first anniversary, she said "wow, that first year is such a wonderful one." I felt a fleeting sadness at the thought that this blissful time could end, until I heard her