The Autumn Edit, Volume 03

Happy June, y'all. School is out, the screen porch is in full rotation, and I am writing this with a coffee I have now reheated twice. But time moves on and so much I through each day!

In Real Estate

People assume the best part of this job is the closing table. It is not. The best part is the moment a couple who has been renting for nine years walks into the right house and goes quiet, because they already know. I helped a family get to that moment a couple of weeks ago, and I drove home grinning like I was in year 1 instead of 14.

That is the whole reason I built my business the way I did. Not around transactions, around people I actually want to keep in my life long after the paperwork is signed. The clients I serve best are the ones who feel like friends by the end, and most of them stay friends. It is the only way I know how to do this and still love what I do all these years in.

If you are even thinking about a move this year, start by talking to a real person, not a website. That is the part I am genuinely good at. Reply or grab a time and we will just talk it through, no pressure. I promise.

In Life

Camden made it roughly two days into summer break before the official

announcement that there was nothing to do.

A rite of passage in this house. He literally told me in the car today that he was bored riding in the backseat to go do something fun.

We are finding the rhythm, which for us looks less race out the door with packed lunch by 7:30am and a little more slow entry to each day. A couple of camp weeks for structure, a lot of family time with grandparents, and a standing rule that boredom is allowed. I am trying to use the change of pace to impact my own day to day routines – a little more margin is never a bad thing.

I am carrying the same intention into summer that I set in the winter, which is to build better, not just more. Right now that mostly means protecting the slow mornings instead of filling them. The roses are helping, mostly by demanding I show up despite the heat. The Crazy Rose Lady Chronicles lives on!

Somethings I'm Loving Right Now

Now that we are at home more, the things in our home and that I use everyday are getting a little more attention. Here are a few things that have either earned their keep or I am eyeing:

-       I am really loving bird art right now. Between the roses, bird photos and antiques, you would think I am about to entire retirement and live my best life. (Sigh) This set is one I have been watching for some time and keep trying to make a space in my home for.

-       I have really been trying to spend more time on my skincare lately. I am coming out of a season of putting myself and my health last, so this is a simple way to feel like I am taking some time on me. Every night, I have been spending 5-15 minutes with a red light mask on and it has made a big difference. I feel so much brighter in the morning. This was a cheaper option that I found and it works great!

-       In the same health vein, I have been trying to monitor my weight more closely. This scale is inexpensive and comes with app access that will give even more insight into things like muscle mass, BMI, etc. It makes getting on the scale more of an information session rather than focusing on one number.

-       I just picked up this cookbook by one of my favorites and can’t wait to try some things in it. I have another of hers and let me tell you that the pimiento stuffed cheeseburger from it was a raving favorite in my house.

-       And last but certainly not least, this is the one item I recommend most. My mom turned me onto this plant food and wow the difference that it makes. I used to buy the small containers but have moved up to this larger jug because I know it will get used up.

That is it for this edit round – hope you found a little something you enjoyed reading. If you are newer to Raleigh or just want the spots we actually love, I keep a free local guide on the site. It is the stuff I would tell a friend who just moved here.

Message me on the gram and tell me what your summer looks like. I read every one and always love to hear ways people are living!

Your friend,

Autumn