you all might remember this post from last fall involving my work with the dreamy Upper West Side plant and flower shop, PlantShed.
i have since had the privilege of working with them again and, for the foreseeable future, will be continuing to do so!
to say that this is a dream job is an understatement. being able to work with plants and cool people in one of my favorite cities? yep. all the makings of a dream job.
Iceland.
a place full of wander and wonder.
i'm finally going through the many photos i took in that ethereal place, and here are the ones from visiting the Grotta Lighthouse my first day there. jet lagged, cold, most likely hungry (because i'm always hungry) but so, incredibly, alive and happy.
that thing.
the identification of which everyone always talks about gloriously obtaining when you recognize the thing it is you love doing more than anything else. or, at least, more than most things.
the discovery of which, allegedly, comes when you lose track of time doing said thing.
tiny houses, simplicity, intentional living, minimalism -- all types of limitation that bring freedom. all topics that have been on my mind for a while now, but ever pressingly this week.
i loved coming across these photos again, from an adventure in Ireland in 2015 where i had the privilege of staying in this cute camper in the middle of The Burren. the contemplative space that the month of January usually brings with it has had me looking back into various archives and it's been a happy and welcome time of recollection and rediscovery.
in fact, looking back, i recognize this experience as one of the earlier placed logs on the ever growing fire that is my desire to live more simply and intentionally.
beautiful new moon
you are a welcome face
at my window.
you greet me always with a consistent serenity
pure of face and,
should you have one,
heart.
(though perhaps suggesting you have such a mercurial organ is a defilement to your etherial and constant nature)
i reach the end of the shadows and that is when i feel the sun warming my back, reaching me finally, as it had crept higher than the trees. i feel its heat through the worn wool grey sweater i often wear (admittedly one of the more unflattering pieces in my wardrobe and yet something i've held onto for eight years now. which is a thing i am always fighting—my attachment to material things).
the suns fingers slide down my body, starting at my hair, falling down my back, slipping down my calves and then being kicked off by my heels.
Read Moreand have you ever felt for anything, such wild love? —Mary Oliver
from the moment i knew of this little ones being (which involved a sonogram in a little country restaurant parking lot and lots of happy tears) i was filled with anticipation and joy.
i've told multiple people, in all manner of abject wonder, how disarming and incredible it is to have so much love for such a little being who isn't even your own blood relative. for such is the experience i have when it comes to loving this small person. if i love this baby this much, how in the world am i going to feel about my own hopefully-one-day child?
i hold the hope of one day finding out.
i had the exceptionally wonderful opportunity to travel to New York City at the end of last month to photograph some special projects with my friend Casey Godlove, Plantshed and WeWork!
(what? you got paid to travel to New York to take photos of flowers and plants?? i know... i can hardly believe it myself. talk about a dream job. #thetravelingphotographer)
Read Morei have been away from this space for quite some time.
it wasn't intentional at first.
but with each passing day, week, and then proceeding month(s), it felt harder and harder to be back here.
i am in a place of transition.
i've said that to a lot of people lately.
but i don't really feel that it aptly reflects my true state. a transition implies that you know where you are going, you have a direction you are headed, something you are working towards, you are moving from this to that.
good morning friends!
i am posting a series of videos in my instagram story this morning (which you won't be able to see online, you'll have to go into the app!) so be sure to go watch those, you can find me @agirlnamedleney!
i made them to talk more about my heart behind this event i am hosting with The Village Magazine and Jacqueline of BoldHeartMama on July 29th here in my home city, Richmond, Virginia.
