Happy Friday friends. I am beyond excited for this weekend because I'm FINALLY going on a mini-vacay Saturday! Lorelai and I will be spending two weeks in the Washington D.C. area with my parents and little sister and although we're gonna miss Mr. Jackson, it'll be so good to visit family and a few wonderful friends. I'm looking forward to the down time, trips to exceptional eateries and a few days of strolling the museums... we even have a croissant baking class planned!

Before I hit the road, here's what I've been loving this week:

Zara's April/May lookbook a few fabulous life lessons with Iris Apfel via The Coveteur stylish shots outside the Sydney shows & did I mention? Garance Dore is totally worth it

serena & lily sconce, otte ny eyelet tee, portrait of george washington, country estate ginger jar, one kings lane julep cup, antique brass desk lamp, serena & lily leather stool

The longer I live in the South the more I fall in love with its charm... you just can't find history, hospitality or tradition like this anywhere in the world! We've been living below the Mason-Dixon line for almost six years and I'm finally coming to terms with abandoning my Yankee upbringing for a slower, sweeter lifestyle.

The funnest way to acclimate to Alabama has definitely been finding ways to incorporate a little bit of Southern comfort into our home. Where I may have opted for a minimalist Parsons desk before, something from the antique store fits nicely now (paired with an Eames chair, of cours... I'm never letting those babies go). A framed portrait of our first president? I would have called you crazy a few months ago but now I just can't get enough! One of my 101 in 1,001 goals was to start a collection and I've already picked up a few antique pieces of blue and white china. The challenge now will be to blend the two styles that I'm loving so much (modern and traditional).

There sure is something sweet about the South, ya'll. It's probably tea.