CARE TO LOOK

a lifestyle, travel, and photography blog

it started with french toast

This morning I was woken up by a husband holding a plate of french toast topped with strawberries, blueberries, and bananas AND coffee just the way I like it AND I got to stay in bed to enjoy it all. What more could I possibly ask for?!  Apparently I have expressed my feelings towards french toast a lot recently and Ben decided to surprise me with one of my favorite breakfasts. Any day started with breakfast in bed is off to a good start.

Another gift we received at our wedding was a gift certificate to go paddle boarding and we decided today was finally the day. The weather has been kind of bizarre recently and made us change our minds each time we thought about going, but today was the perfect summer day. Ben chased ducks and I did everything in my power not to fall when boats went by, and that about sums up our paddle boarding experience.

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After paddle boarding, we headed back to the abode to make some dinner before heading back to City Dock to try out a new eno spot we have had our eye on. We can’t take full credit for this gem of a location though. Last week we saw a few people using the docks to hang their enos and they are geniuses. We decided this is going to be a reoccurring thing.enu enu-2 enu-3 enu-4 enu-6 enu-10 enu-11

a glimpse

 

This past week has been filled with so much. Here are some pictures to show our week at a glimpse.

Attempting to soak up the sun when it actually showed up.

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Walks after dinner to the docks and stumbling upon some music.

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The view I have come to love.

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Hooray for two months of being married to him!

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Sunsets over city dock.

Annapolis City Dock sunset

Wandering to East port to look at the boats.

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Bidding farewell to my first car, Theodore. So long, bud.

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Flat shopping for a home in London. Lots and lots of flat shopping.

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An evening spent at the batting cages.

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Learning I can actually hit a baseball. [Who knew this was something I was actually decent at?!]

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This week has been full of little adventures and a whole lot of planning. Another wonderful week of summer in the books.

 

 

Vineyards and DC trips

Whenever I walk home from work I pass by Annebeth’s, a little shop that has become a favorite of Ben and I’s. Sometimes we are even given the extra homemade bread at night they didn’t sell during the day, which is an absolute treat. I’ve noticed a brand of wine they sell called Great Frogs and recently learned they are located just minutes away from downtown Annapolis. Last night Ben and I bought tickets to go to their Vine Yard Bash with wine tastings, music, food, and a projected movie on the screen. It was perfect weather and we arrived at the vineyard right around sunset. vineyardvineyard-2

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After sampling a few of their wines we chose our favorites (which always seem to be different) and headed on over to the popcorn station. I truly forgot how much I love popcorn! Especially when it comes in those red and white striped bags. 
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We found a spot right in front of barn to enjoy the music while they set the movie up and even got to try some of their new dessert wine they are releasing. The vineyard was beautiful and quaint and I loved seeing everyone who came out to enjoy the evening. Blankets, chairs, dogs running around, and friends covered the field and it seemed as though everyone knew everyone. I loved the feel of it all, a true summer night. vineyard-10 vineyard-13 vineyard-12 vineyard-15 vineyard-14

This morning was spent at the gym together (after Ben came to the rescue when I locked the keys in the car, oops) and then by city dock for lunch. Like I said before, the weather has really been treating us so well. We hung out all day before heading to DC for a meet and greet for those who attended and are attending LSE. Meeting some new faces and talking about travel and school made this whole moving to London for a year thing start to feel a little bit more tangible. Next is flat shopping and booking flights! Goodness, I am excited!falafel-3 falafel-2 falafel falafel-4

We then headed to a restaurant called Busboys and Poets which served as a bookstore, coffee shop, and really good restaurant. I loved the atmosphere and the food hit the spot. We ended our day with the drive home listening to the Totally 2000s Spotify playlist which I highly recommend. And by highly, I mean go look it up now. Ben and I have developed quite the duets.

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  • Don’t get me wrong I love a good couple shot with the sun setting just right behind them while I’m probably telling the groom to lay one on her. 😘 But, while editing this morning, I’m reminded that it’s moments like these that remind me just how much I love weddings. Moments before Kathryn and Jake said ‘I do’ all their friends and family gathered around and prayed for them. Think about it-- you love each other so much, and everyone loves the two of you so much, and all day you are surrounded and loved by all your favorite people in the world. When people ask me what my favorite part of my own wedding was, I always go back to the fact that all our friends and family from all walks of life were all in one place because they loved Ben and I (and obviously the fact that I got to marry @benwradford 😉). I’m just really into that.
  • Back to calling this @acozycasa home sweet home for the week and getting to spend time with some of my favorite humans. Nashville, you’re just the greatest💫
  • Pretty much my current state right now— so excited I can hardly stand it! Tomorrow morning I head over to spend the weekend with all six of my college roommates and I CAN’T WAIT! It’s been four years since we’ve all been together (other than our weddings) and I just can’t wait to squeeze you @katherinemeeder @lizstamand @liz_watt @katerosspowell @stephanie_dankel and James! Then I’m off to Nashville for the week! So today is filled with a lot of work, a lot of editing, and a lot of packing!
  • A few things I learned this past weekend: 1. These two are committed to the cause. When I asked Cody to spin Claire around he took this to heart in a big way and spun her around so fast they both ended up on the ground. I then joined them there because I was dying laughing. 😂 What a duo. 2. Shooting in this little town Ben and I call home was just so nice. You can say it’s growing on me a bit. And the fact that I could walk to the ceremony from my house was a real game changer! 3. I appreciate a good dance floor. I also appreciate getting to swing dance with Grandpa who is far more advanced in his swing dancing steps than I am, or will ever be for that matter.
  • WOULD YOU JUST LOOK AT HOW PERFECT CLAIRE IS?!? It’s killed me to not be able to share these until now! Yesterday was beyond perfect and I’m not sure if I’ve ever laughed so hard or danced so hard at a wedding.
  • I love you. I love you. I love you. Four years ago today we said ‘I do’ and it has been the wildest adventure ever since. From all the moves and time apart to traveling the world and dancing in the kitchen, life with you is an absolute joy. I can’t imagine doing this crazy life with anyone but you, Ben Radford. Happy anniversary, love!
  • Someone at the wedding told Ben “bold move, dude” for hitting on the photographer 😏. Little did he know we were dancing at our own wedding almost four years ago! Forever my favorite dance partner. Thanks to @erinevasmith for snagging this shot!
  • These two fine Americans are officially HITCHED! What an honor to be part of their big day and an even bigger honor to call them dear friends. Hearing and watching Bubba gush over Meghan is what makes me love getting to do this.