I try not to say things like this often, but holy cow, April is flying by! We’ve been keeping busy between a quick trip to Virginia for a bridal shower/bachelorette party, my birthday and Easter celebrations, and hosting Dave’s parents and my mom. I feel like spring always ends up being a whirlwind, but it’s still my favorite season, hands down. Here are a few of the things making it even better lately!

Local spot: It was hard to choose a favorite for this category because we have been out and about a lot lately, but I think I have to go with WRAL’s Azalea Garden–we’ve been popping by almost every weekend! Not only is it completely gorgeous (I think peak bloom time is over, but it’s still worth a trip soon if you’re local!), it’s also right across the street from the new cathedral that’s under construction. It’s going to be our parish once it’s complete, so it’s exciting to see the progress!

Beauty product: I just switched from the Clinique foundation I’ve been using for the last few years to bareMinerals Matte Foundation powder and I am LOVING it. I appreciate the buildable coverage, the matte finish, and the more natural ingredients (the main reason I made the switch, since my face is so close to Charlie’s face all the time!).

Routine: I finally got my hands on the new set of Write the Word journals the other day, and let’s just say I’m not surprised they’re already backordered–they are so good! Journaling is my favorite way to pray, and I’ve only recently started getting back into it. A big part of that has been nailing down a consistent time to sit down with my Bible and my journal: as soon as Charlie falls asleep for his morning nap. I’m less than a week into this new routine, but so far, it has been working out beautifully. All of the Write the Word journals have a different theme and are available for preorder–I’m starting with Cultivate Renewal.

Blog post: I’m a little bit obsessed with Coffee + Crumbs these days, and for good reason…this recent post made me cry, and it isn’t the first one to do so. PSA: if you’re a mama with a soft spot for beautiful writing, C+C is a must-read. Their podcast is excellent as well (listen to the marriage episode!!), and I can’t wait to get my hands on their new book.

Gal Meets Glam

Upcoming event: I am counting down the minutes till our Charleston trip this weekend! We haven’t been on a trip on our own (going somewhere for the heck of it, not to visit family) since our honeymoon, and I feel about as giddy as if we were going on a honeymoon again, albeit with Charlie in tow :) I’ve been poring over Charleston guides (Julia’s, Anna’s, and Emily’s), but would love to hear if you have any can’t-miss spots we should add to our list!