something new

Bonjour! 

Remember a few weeks ago (okay, maybe like five weeks...) when I said I was working on something new? Well, after tons of brainstorming sessions, design tweaks, and switching things around, I'm SO excited to share it with you! West Coast Whimsy is a new blog, a new adventure, a new space for me to share my life with you. While I love this blog and have been so blessed to get to know so many of you, this blog has slowly turned into something I never meant it to be, and I'm am ready and stoked to make a fresh start. You can read more about why I'm starting over at my first post of West Coast Whimsy. I really hope that you will continue to be a part of my blogging ventures and follow me there! I adore the support and whimsy of the lifestyle blogging community so, and I'm so excited to be a part of it in a way that is more me. Hope you'll join me there! 

xoxo & love love love, Charity

two moments

two recent moments: both quiet, both dear, both small but brimming with wonder. 

life is a glorious thing. xo! 

currently obsessing: seattle engagement shoot by Andria Lindquist

okay y'all, have you seen this gorgeous seattle engagement shoot by the over-the-top cool & talented Andria Lindquist? so chic, so sexy, so lovely. my one dream in life is that I will be able to afford her by the time I get married, because she is so BOMB. and this shoot is one of my favorites to date. see the rest of the set here, but be prepared to losing an hour or two to browsing the rest of her photo adventures. xo! 

insta lately

As usual, summer flies by without asking permission. I'm trying to grab on to each day, squeeze a few extra hours of sunlight through, but as of yet my efforts have been unsuccessful. The time I do get has been filled with weddings, travel, family, flowers, donuts, pups, and a bonfire here and there...rough life. I have been a bit down about life lately, but putting this post together reminded me how lucky I really am--thanks, blog world. xo! 

something new

It may be a little quiet around here for a few days, but it's only because I am working hard on something BRAND NEW for you all! But fear not, because as you can see, I've got the best consultant money can buy on my team. I've already spent hours scheming, brainstorming, and playing with new ideas, so I can't wait to reveal it--soon. In the meantime, don't give up on me. xo! 

a sweet-tooth brunch: dark chocolate banana bread

If you've been reading along, you can probably tell that my family is going through a tough time right now. When life is painful my instinct is always to bake something yummy, a spark of goodness,  & I always think of Raymond Carver's 'A Small Good Thing' while doing so. If you haven't read it, you must! It is a strange, sad, wonderful little piece of literature. 

But anyway. 

My mom came to Bellingham recently to help me move some large furniture, and was going to stay for the night. I decided to make her short stay as happy and life-giving as I possibly could--an oasis of sorts. When she arrive that evening, Evan & I had a summer-soaked BBQ waiting for her, wood ready for a bonfire and s'mores supplies waiting. I had red wine, ears ready to listen and arms ready to hug. The next morning we slept in and then visited the Farmer's Market and my new favorite shop..but first, I made this warm, chocolatey-gooey banana bread for us to eat in the sun. 

As usual, I used a recipe from someone much more skilled than I: Heidi from foodiecrush. I like her recipe because it uses Greek yogurt, my new favorite thing! The only thing I did different was use crushed dark chocolate bars instead of chocolate chip, because I'm obsessed with dark chocolate. Served with sober mimosas (OJ + sparkling water) and fresh nectarines, it was really just exactly what we needed that morning. The sunshine and cuddles from this guy helped, too. 

What's your go-to comfort food in hard times? Extra points if it contains dark chocolate. xo! 

amongst the wreckage

These gorgeous, richly hued flowers come from two thriving gardens: the top, from my mama's garden at my childhood home and the bottom, from my temporary home here in Bellingham. Both handfuls were picked on days I desperately needed some encouragement; some pieces of God's promise that the world is an inherently good place if we just look for it. Both handfuls brought glimmers of peace to my soul and slivers of joy to my eyes, my nose, my mind. Today, as I sit with sorrowful news, I am thankful for the bits of colorful life that grow amongst the wreckage. different gardens, same peace. xo, Charity