stop and smell the lilacs...

in the midst of what has been just a crazy few weeks, i was reminded this weekend of how important it is to stop and notice all the little things in life. and that yes, even in the midst of all this rain and dreariness, that there is a bit of beauty to be found. and for me, that beauty is found in the lilacs i plan to stop and smell on my way home today.

this new mantra also includes includes getting back to blogging. and blogging in a big way. stay tuned!

{image via pinterest - my newest obsession}

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here comes the sun.

days like today are precisely the reason that we live in vermont. it makes it all worth it. and here's the thing: warm and sunny days like today mean more to us up here in northern new england than they do to those a bit further south. why? cause we worked a little harder to get here.

these first warm muddy days of spring make the long winter seem like it was ages ago and the first glimpse of green sprouting out between the snow banks makes us forget the months of snow and ice and all that it entails. days like this remind us that it's time to get out and enjoy every second of these well deserved days.

so, wherever you are, i hope you enjoying the sunshine and spending it with the someone - or the someones - that you love. and i promise (yes, i can do that) that the feeling of today will carry you all the way through the next mudseason.

xoxo

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signs of spring.

just when you think you can't take it anymore and that spring will never ever ever make it all the way up to vermont....the smallest little burst of green appears and changes your whole outlook on life. (well, mine anyway...) happy april!

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wedding wednesday: the light.

there is nothing prettier than the light just before the sun sets. especially over lake champlain, and especially after the long dark winter we have had. and yesterday, for the first time since i can't remember when, i was aware of that brilliant and romantic light at the end of the day. (spring is in the air, i can feel it!)

furthermore, i have to admit, that i love when this light is captured on film. the warm and dreamy colors are just to die for. especially on a wedding day in september, don't you think?*

* please note that the heavy sell on this concept is because mr. frederickson just about passed out when i told him we might have to leave our wedding party for a few minutes for a cocktail hour photo shoot. (miss a party!? him? never) but i am hoping that maybe these lovely images will sway him...

{sunset via, weddings via}

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please, please, please.

...the sooner the better, in my opinion...
{via mary ruffle}

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lilac love.

what i know about flowers can be summed up as follows:

• mums= fall
• poinsettas = christmas
• red roses = valentines day
• daffodils = spring
• lilacs = birthday

so clearly, i'm pretty simple minded when it comes to flowers and smells, but each one of them conjurs up such wonderful memories of holidays and celebrations gone by that i can't really complain. and this time of year it's all about lilacs...

...for as long as i can remember i have woken up on my birthday to the smell of lilacs - whether it be a bouquet from my mom on my bedside table, or just the fresh air blowing through the open window. so, just a whiff of these lovely spring flowers brings a smile to my face...along with thoughts of breakfast in bed, perfectly wrapped presents, and maybe a cupcake or two!

and luckily this year (even with the april blizzard) the lilacs have come just a bit early. and i think with that, the celebrations should start now as well. do i have any objections?

(all images via we heart it)

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may day floral basket.

check out this fantastic DIY may day project brought to us by the talented vermonter jaime giorgi of the monkey flower group - a floral studio currently based in burlington, vermont.

...and i say currently because they are relocating to california next month, so we will sadly be losing this great talent. but i was thinking, maybe if we ALL make these magical flower baskets and leave them on her doorknob she will be tempted to stay in the very friendly and generous (although very snowy) state of vermont...what do you think, are you with me? let's shower her with love and her own DIY project! to see the project from start to finish visit design*sponge. (it even uses mason jars. love. love. love.)

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