Hi friends!

Looking through my iPhone photos the other day, I realized it’s been a minute since I’ve done a proper photo dump. If you’ve known or followed me long enough, you know I love taking and sharing photos. If you’re new to the blog, then hi, I’m Jen and my camera is always ready to snap a quick picture whenever an opportunity presents itself. I guess that’s why I have over 40,000 pictures in my photo library. How about that!?

Anyways, over the past month(ish), I’ve taken quite a few snaps, so I thought it would be fun to put together a quick photo dump post to scrapbook some of my favorite recent pictures. From my family trip to Oak Island, NC to Alex’s 30th birthday celebration to days spent around the house with not a lot going on (#everydaylife), I’ve got quite the collection of photos to share. Today I turned them all to black and white frames because I love a good black and white photo. There’s something so beautiful about a photo covered in all the different shades of gray. Like reading a book instead of watching the movie, a black and white photo leaves so much room for the mind to interpret all the detail you can’t see behind the filter.

Hopefully these photos bring a smile to your face. Whenever I’m feeling uninspired, which is how I’ve been feeling as of late, it helps to sift through photo memories — of mine and of others. Happy scrolling!

We (finally) purchased new wall art from Home Goods to hang on the white wall behind our headboard. The right one turned out a little crooked, but you know what? Life’s not perfect.

Walking the Oak Island beachfront waiting for the fam to arrive. Mom and dad weren’t expecting to see me, so it was a fun surprise.

Converse in the sand, surrounded by ocean bubbles.

Pelicans flying above.

Lunch with my cutie doggo nephew who got to come along on vacation.

Love him so much!

We drove the squad to see Oak Island Lighthouse.

First brewery tour stop: Wrightsville Beach Brewery. Excellent craft beer — loved their Gator Tears Sour IPA.

Next flight at Waterline Brewing.

Mom and me.

Enjoying a tasty third flight of beer at Front Street Brewery. We had so much fun on our three stop brewery tour.

A quick walk along the River Walk in Downtown Wilmington on our way to get some ice cream.

Very windy at The Point in Oak Island.

Beautiful views and a couple new friends.

Out of 20 attempts, this was the best one.

Severe storms brewing off the coast.

Late nights spent playing the Mexican Train Game with the fam.

Two sisters on a morning mission.

Grabbing donuts from a local shop in Oak Island.

They were 10/10 delicious. Especially the vanilla frosted with fruity pebbles. Yum!

Next adventure: taking the ferry to Bald Head Island.

Even Bosco got to ride the ferry. It was pretty cold up front, but he enjoyed the time with my dad.

Favorite part of Bald Head Island — riding around on golf carts all day.

Crew #2.

Goodness, it was so cold out on the beach.

Feeling “crabby”.

I could get used to beach life.

Smiling for the camera after my sister almost walked into an alligator carcass. It freaked us both out, especially my sister as she didn’t know at first if it was dead or alive. She let out the funniest, loudest screech.

Not pictured: Mom losing her bananas yelling at Ben to get off those rocks because they were slippery and the ocean waves were strong.

Old Baldy Lighthouse (NC’s oldest Lighthouse).

Views from atop Old Baldy Lighthouse. Quite a climb, but worth the view. I hadn’t ever climbed a lighthouse before this excursion.

The only way onto Bald Head Island is by ferry. This sign was way too perfect.

Leaving vacation with the goods my mom drove down with her. If you know, you know.

A quick solo trip to Wrightsville Beach.

I’ve always been fascinated by ocean piers.

The sun peaked out ever so slightly and gave me 10 minutes of warmth to sit on a beach bench and read my book.

Purchased these spring scents from Bath & Body on my way back from Wilmington.

Surprised Alex with 30 gifts for his 30th birthday.

Alex’s 30th birthday Polaroid.

Conviction and TOPO whiskey — two new additions to our whiskey cabinet. Love that they’re both from local NC distilleries.

A morning visitor. He comes around and jumps on the bed when we let the dog outside.

Pulled off to the side of the road because this spontaneous rainstorm made it impossible to drive. Crazy downpour and gusty winds, but a cool shot. Alex and I were on our way to Chick-Fil-A.

A quick stop for frozen custard at Culver’s on my way home from Raleigh. My WI heart was so happy.

A sleepy pup after a long day of outside activities. He took up the whole bed!

Tried out the TikTok mascara. Verdict: not so much for me. It was too hard to take off I think I lost half my eyelashes.

I can’t even with him. He’s so handsome and photogenic.

This guy too. Can’t believe he’ll be 7-years-old this summer.

Feeling all the spring vibes.

A break from fetch. He’s like the Energizer Bunny.

Just another porch selfie.

At home beer flights with Alex. Such a fun day date that started with me dropping and shattering one of the flight glasses. #clumsy

Afternoon walks with my boys. Check out that action drool shot.

Backyard belly rubs.

Honestly haven’t been feeling that into baseball since the pandemic started, but trying to support my home team. Go Brewers!

Snoozy weekend mornings.

The cutest little stare.

A quick stop for drinks with Alex.

Love this guy!

So. Much. Love.

So sunny! Can you tell?

Enjoying a sunny afternoon in the front room.

Me after listening to Fearless (Taylor’s Version). So much nostalgia in the best way.

Such a good boy.

He’s the judgemental one.

That tongue is always out.

Making the best of a bad workweek.

Waiting in the drive up line to get my first COVID vaccine.

So thankful for science!

The best part of work from home is getting to see this guy all day. We take lots of brain breaks to sit outside, play with the ball, and enjoy fresh air and nature. I’m sure going to miss this luxury when I’m back in the office full time.

He’s always cozying up somewhere new in the house.

Choose happiness.

My work helper. He doesn’t get much done on a daily basis, but he’s loud in meetings.

Friday afternoon and ready to play. He’s got that Friday feeling.

A quick snap on the way out the door to our friends’ house.

Our new basketball hoop. Hard to believe it took us all day to assemble. We were exhausted when we finished.

I won the first game of HORSE.

Watching Alex shoot hoops.

So stoic. I swear he could be a model.

Enjoying a drink with Alex on the Old Chicago patio after finishing our basketball hoop.

Hard to caption, but too cute not to share.

He loves sitting on my lap on the back porch.

Books I’ve finished in 2021 (so far).

New book order that came in. So excited to turn these pages over the next couple months. I’m eyeing up a few more titles to add to my to be read collection for late spring/early summer.