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

cheers

I love hosting. I think I got the hostess bug from my mama, and ever since moving out of my parents' house years ago it has only grown. For the last nine months I've been living with a family as part of my internship, and since I didn't have my own space, I wasn't able to host parties anymore, which was so hard! I just love making things extra special so that everyone feels like I really care for them. It's just so fun. Now that I have a place to myself again, temporary though it is, I've been itching to host a party again! 

My best friend is exploring Australia for a year, so I of course jumped at the chance to host a going-away party! We decided to make it American themed, since he's leaving the states..all the way down to USA decor, homemade pies, patriotic cupcakes, and a good ol' fashioned BBQ. We had full bellies & full hearts as we went around sharing our favorite memories of Mikey, toasting to him over and over. The amount of times we toasted to him is a testament to what a guy he is--cheers, Mikey! 

I'm hoping I get to visit him in Melbourne--how fun would that be? Where my Melbourne bloggers at??

ps: romper, vest, & necklace from forever21

follow c'est la belle vie on bloglovin'!

I know you guys have probably heard this a million times in the last month, but Google Reader is officially donezo as of the first. This blog is also going to be changin', growin', & altogether getting more fun, more creative, and just straight-up better in the next few months, so I'd love for you to keep following along! To do so, follow me on bloglovin' if you don't already. I have lots of scheming happening behind the scenes right now that I can't wait to share. See you on bloglovin'! xo. 

a space to create

Last week I wrote a collection of poetry. It was the first significant amount of writing I've done in about a year, and it was important for many reasons. Furthermore it was an exhilarating, painful, and terribly honest process. I'm the type that must be in a peaceful, natural-lit, clean place to create, and I also have an irreversible need to have a drink in my hand in order to write. This is the space I created last week--more on what came out of this space, soon. xo.  

a little America, a little early

It's not the fourth yet, but I am spending the day preparing for an American themed going-away party for my best friend who is leaving for Australia for a whole year (!) so I can't help feeling a little patriotic. I bought this dress for church on the East Coast during my volunteer trip--and it's kind of my favorite thing right now. So easy, so simple, so classic. Worn with sandals, a pop of red, more blue & white stripes on the hat..tres Americaine. Oui? I may or may not also own an American flag bikini, flag shorts, and a stars & stripes denim vest...but that's a whole different conversation. 

ps: rumor has it that gfc will soon be no more. follow me on bloglovin'!

blueberry scones with lemon glaze

After making a dessert for a party last week, I found myself with some leftover blueberries. Every time I opened my refrigerator, there they were, gleaming at me with all their potential, just wishing to be made into something warm and delicious. I went back and forth for a few days: muffins with a crumb topping? pancakes? Perhaps simply throw them into a smoothie? Then, it came to me: scones. duh. Why would I put them in anything else? Homemade scones are the best breakfast of all. 

I also happened to have a surplus of lemons, so when I found a Food Network recipe for blueberry scones with lemon glaze, it was basically fate. I mixed these up while sipping morning coffee & listening to Ben Harper, on one of the first free mornings I had after finishing my internship. So good. 

I served them warm, with the glaze just poured on, with bacon & eggs & sunshine. These are moist, bursting with fresh blueberries, with just the right amount of citrus kick. Next time you have extra blueberries in your fridge, or out-of-town friends staying with you, bake these for a special brunch. Recipe here.

What's your sweet brunch item of choice? Leave your favorite recipe--I'm on a brunch spree. xo! 

Angela added some adorable new pieces to the shop this week--come & see! happy Sunday! xo. 

local goods: Gypsies and Ginger Snaps

Sometimes the best things in life are the things you stumble onto. Like the friend you meet in the most unexpected place, the amazing restaurant you find after getting lost in the middle of nowhere, the guy you meet after swearing you'll be single for a while....etc etc. Or sometimes, you're walking with a friend and you see the sign above on the street, wander into an alley, and find the most adorable shop you've ever seen. 

After an unsuccessful thrifting trip, my lovely friend Megan & I happened upon local shop Gypsies and Ginger Snaps and basically died of cuteness. They have everything from dresses, jewelry, and shoes to tiny animal figurines, candles, purses, sassy decor, and even espresso. Basically, the essentials. Some vintage, some new, and some in-between. The dream of owning a vintage & handmade shop is always humming in the back of my mind & perusing Gypsies and Ginger Snaps made that hum just a l-i-i-ittle bit louder. 

I picked out a few precious little things for a loved one, but in case she reads this, I'll keep them a secret. 

If you are in the Bellingham area, you must pop in to this shop. Bring a friend to ooh & aah over the items with--and, it is conveniently located right next to the Honey Moon, so you can wander over for happy hour after. Best. Day. Ever.