the 5th of july

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'Merica! What's better to celebrate America than with family, fire, and food? Nothing. Nothing is better than family, fire, and food, and if you can't celebrate with family, fire, and food on the fourth, celebrate with family, fire, and food on the fifth! Jerry and I drove to Goldsboro after oohing and aahing at Chapel Hill's fireworks, apparently a top 10 in the nation firework show according to Travel & Leisure Magazine, to have a small little celebration with family and friends. Of course, none of this would be complete without mini American flags, American Flag themed desserts, tasty cheese trays + fruit salsa, and of course, fire on a stick. This was Warner's first time with sparklers and poppers. The wonderment a child, and even adults, have with sparkly fire is just mesmerizing. However, a note to the wise: if you hand a three-year-old a sparkler, you better know how to run fast!

I hope you had a fabulous Fourth of July celebration full of family, food, and fire, too!

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the dissection of my carry-on

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Oh, the turmoil of packing the perfect carry-on. Packing gets me all in a tizzy. I loathe it so much, I procrastinate to the last minute doing things like work + laundry. Ask my husband at 1 a.m. as I contemplated every item I placed in my suitcase and carry-on as he tried to sleep. You don't want it to be too heavy so you don't have to burden your loving husband with carrying it around the airport, but you know it'll be the end of the world if you don't have your favorite trail mix...or chocolate...or camera...or chapstick...or enough airplane entertainment!

After many flights and road trips, I'd like to think I've become a pro at packing my carry on, from finding the perfect tote, to the perfect scarf to snuggle in, to the essentials you wouldn't be caught without (face wipes, toothbrush, makeup), to my entertainment package (iPad, kinfolk magazine, iPhone, journal + pens) and of course, my babies (cameras + film). The perfect carry-on definitely makes for a more enjoyable flight.

What's in your perfect carry-on bag?

Bon voyage! Bonjour, France!

My essentials are listed below (Not pictured: my camera bag which is full of a whole other world of tech goodies!):

1. Madewell Transport Tote

2. Nikon FM

3. Fuji Instax Mini

4. Mast Brothers Chocolate Brooklyn Blend

5. Kinfolk Magazine

6. Rifle Paper Co. Notebook

7. Anthopologie Tassel Palm Scarf

8. Say Yes to Tomatoes cleansing face wipes

9. Kodak Portra 400

10. Kodak TMax 400

11. Fuji Pro 400H

12. Fresh Market Cranstachio Mix

13. Pigma Micron Pens

14. Apple iPad

15. Apple iPhone + Headphones