A Holiday Message from Wonderlust!

We wish each and everyone of you the happiest of holidays!

                       Source: sacramentostreet.com via Melanie on Pinterest

If you are feeling frazzled from all of the gift buying, preparations, 

and holiday parties - STOP - look around you and slow down a little so you can really enjoy where you are and who you are with. 

. . . 

We have been keeping ourselves busy with family and friends the past few weeks... 

Crossfit RX {Just What the Dr. Ordered}

For Wonderlust our mission has always been to share inspiration and passion with our followers and those who might happen upon us. Sometimes, you come across someone who is so passionate that they ignite something within you. One such person is Kelly, owner of Crossfit RX gym. 

Over the summer, we met up with Kelly to check out the gym and to discuss the experience of Crossfit with him.

Happy Thanksgiving from Wonderlust!!

                                                                             Source: annies-eats.net via Melanie on Pinterest

“It isn't what you have in your pocket that makes you thankful, but what you have in your heart.”

-unknown

I hope all of our readers are enjoying time with loved ones today. I am personally thankful for the opportunity to put together a little feast to share with my family. Yesterday was filled with cleaning, prepping, and doing some final touches on my new place. I am very excited about my new gallery corner, look out for images at a later date! On a side note, I am very thankful for all of our followers. It means so much to share my passion with all of you!

Genius {quote + photo = inspiration}

Imagination is more important than knowledge.

-Albert Einstein

. . .  

Wonderlust Photography by Jona

Atlanta Design Sponge Book Signing

Last week Jona and I had the pleasure of chatting with Grace Bonny of Design Sponge for a minute while she signed our copies of her new book. We couldn't resist the opportunity to snap a photo with the talented super blogger turned book writer. 

Happy Halloween from Wonderlust!

                                                                         Source: google.nl via Melanie on Pinterest

    

Home {quote + photo = inspiration}

There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort. 

- Jane Austin

I feel like this is the perfect message as we enter into cooler temperatures in Atlanta. Sometimes the tricky part is making a house feel like a home, which is exactly what Jona and I are now working on after recent moves into new places. I cannot think of a better time of year to be at home organizing, purging, and decorating... holiday entertaining is just around the corner!

. . .  

Wonderlust Photography by Jona

Content Written + Edited by Melanie

Blue Skies Ahead {road trip - part 7 - minneapolis}

Welcome to Minneapolis and our final road trip post.  Like most of the other cities I encountered along my trip Minneapolis had a different type of vibe than I had expected.

Find Another Entrance {quote + photo = inspiration}

"I have become my own version of an optimist. If I can't make it through one door, I'll go through another door - or I'll make a door. Something terrific will come no matter how dark the present."

 - Rabindranath Tagore 

{a Bengali mystic, Brahmo poet, and Asia's first Nobel Prize Winner}

(Inspirational quote found at The Daily Love)

. . .  

Wonderlust Photography by Jona

Modern Atlanta { MA11 - part 2 }

Welcome to Part 2 of our Modern Atlanta home tour feature. We feel that the tag line for Modern Atlanta 2011 sets the perfect tone for the week long celebration of modern design:

 I Modern, You Modern, Let's Play 

Blue Skies Ahead {road trip - part 6 - st.paul}

As we entered into the last day of our short 3 day road trip, we arrived in St. Paul. Prior to this trip I had never really thought about traveling to St. Paul and was pleasantly surprised by the city's upbeat vibe. 

Discover {quote + photo = inspiration}

The creative is the place where no one else has ever been. You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. What you'll discover will be wonderful. What you'll discover will be yourself."

- Alan Alda

. . . 

Wonderlust Photography by Jona

Modern Atlanta { MA11 - part 1 }

During our summer fun we delighted in Modern Atlanta. For those of you that are unfamiliar Modern Atlanta (MA) Design Is Human began in 2007 as a week long event celebrating modern design. The celebration starts off with a preview party followed by a week of events, lectures, and exhibits. Everything wraps up with a weekend-long tour featuring some of Atlanta's finest modern homes. There is something grand about gathering with like-minded people to celebrate and support ideas and creations you feel passionate about.


The following are a few images we captured from the first three houses we visited. If you were unable to attend I hope you enjoy a few glimpses into the homes we explored, if you did attend I hope you enjoy revisiting.

 I Modern, You Modern, Let's Play.

Prepare {quote + photo = inspiration}

By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.
-Benjamin Franklin

. . .

Wonderlust Photography by Jona

Blue Skies Ahead {road trip - part 5 - madison}

This was my second visit to the charming little city that is Madison, Wisconsin. The city is home to the Westye Group where Wolf and Sub-Zero is sold, I visited the facility during my previous visit. It is also home to one of Frank Lloyd Wrights first silver level LEED certified convention centers, Monona Terrace.

Forward {quote + photo = inspiration}

“It doesn’t matter where you are, you are nowhere compared to where you can go.” 

- Bob Proctor

. . . 

Wonderlust Photography by Jona

Blue Skies Ahead {road trip - part 4 - chicago}

Only having two hours to spare, I didn't have much time to experience all the gloriousness that is Chicago.  My initial impression of the city it that it seems to have a hard shell that needs to be broken through to get to know all of the wonderful stuff tucked away inside.

Fly High {quote + photo = inspiration}

A certain amount of opposition is a great help to a man. Kites rise against, not with, the wind. 

-Lewis Mumford 

. . .

Wonderlust Photography by Jona

NeoCon {the dream vs. the reality}

Anyone who has ever wanted to go to or has been to the massive exposition of design products that is NeoCon will be able to relate to the experience of our guest blogger, Gabby Markowitz.

The Dream: To go to NeoCon

Present Tense {quote + photo = inspiration}

"Pick the day. Enjoy it - to the hilt. The day as it comes. People as they come... The past, I think, has helped me appreciate the present - and I don't want to spoil any of it by fretting about the future."

- Audrey Hepburn
 . . . 
Wonderlust Photography by Jona

Alys Beach

During a trip to Florida for our friend's wedding in May we decided that an afternoon spent photographing in nearby Alys Beach was a requirement. If you are unfamiliar with Alys beach your eyes are in for treat, if you are familiar you already understand our infatuation. Think crisp, white, and geometric architecture alongside sidewalks made of seashells and you have an idea of the beauty that is Alys Beach. Whenever I am there I feel as though the buildings are from a faraway place, it's nothing like anything I have crossed paths within the United States.

Blue Skies Ahead {road trip - part 3 - indianapolis}

Home of the Colts, Hoosiers, the Indy 500, and the Gary Indiana song from Music Man was pretty much all I knew about Indiana before my visit. We arrived in Lexington KY at 11 PM to find that our visit coincided with the Kentucky Derby.

Let Go {quote + photo = inspiration}

“The key to change... is to let go of fear.”
-Rosanne Cash

Change can be very hard. More times than not, it is not how you pictured or imagined. We worry so much and 9 times out of 10 things turn out better than we could have chosen for ourselves. After a long 4 years of change, in all arenas of my life, I am starting in a new chapter in a loft and this is my new view (I couldn't ask for more). What I have discovered is life has a way of surprising us if we let go.

 . . . 
Wonderlust Photography by Jona

Blue Skies Ahead {road trip - part 2 - nashville}

Welcome to part 2 of a 7 part series of my recent road trip.

 

We pulled into Nashville at dusk. The patios downtown were filled with people casually lounging. The expected blue jean skirts, boots, and cowboy hats were prominent.

Eyes Open {quote + photo = inspiration}

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” 

– St. Augustine

I leave tomorrow morning for London, Paris, and Normandy - I am giddy with excitement!! 

I have worked out itineraries from personal recommendations, books, and of course the handy little internet. I look forward to coming back renewed and inspired. 

. . .  

Wonderlust Photography by Jona

Masculine Minimalism {EK Designs}

We happily re-introduce designer, Emily Koch (formerly known as Emily Browne). Do you remember her home tour? It was one of our very first posts. She has had a busy year, establishing herself as a designer and planning her recent May wedding. In addition she now has a new website where you can learn more about her and her work. 

Liana Photography

Earlier this year she completed the design of a home for an Atlantan bachelor. The achieved look is both classic and masculine, suiting the client's needs and personality. 

Creativity {image + quote = inspiration}

Creativity comes from trust. Trust your instincts. 
And never hope more than you work. 

- Rita Mae Brown

Sometimes going the less traveled way in life can be incredibly scary. But you just might just find something amazing around that corner, so maybe it's time to take the unfamiliar route. 

We would like to say a big "THANK YOU" to all of you for your patience while we take time to repair posts and focus on things outside of Wonderlust. Be on the lookout this week for part 2 of our roadtrip series.

. . .  

Wonderlust Photography by Jona

Summer's Full {image + quote = inspiration}

There came a day at Summer's full, Entirely for me.

- Emily Dickinson 

Jona and I have decided for the sake of work/life balance to take some time off from posting new content to the blog. Jona started a new position this week and I need some time to brush up on my French for my upcoming trip (high school French class was 10 years ago!) and do some things for myself (like read a book!). During the break we will still be working to repair posts that are missing images as a result of the technical issues we recently experienced. We promise there are a lot of fun projects in the works, so please stay tuned! I hope you also have a little down time to enjoy the summer sun and catch up on things.

. . . 
Wonderlust Photography by Jona

Working for Luck {image + quote = inspiration}

I'm a great believer in luck and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.  

-Thomas Jefferson

This has become our motto as we work to restore Wonderlust. Initially we had planned a post for today that was about taking a break and a few days off from the blog so that Jona and I could focus on family and friends. The day before I left for Florida we discovered, much to my dismay, that I had accidentally deleted a large portion of our hard work. I joined Google+ this past week and when I saw that Picasa albums (which were linked to every image on this site including the title) would be available for everyone to see I deleted them without hesitation. I had no idea that deleting these albums would instantly delete all of the images from our blog. 

Oh No!

Source: piccsy.com via Katie on Pinterest

Please pardon the technical difficulties Wonderlust is currently experiencing. Due to flaws with the new Google Plus, we are having complications with the images that were linked to Picasa albums.

. . .

A Little Birdy Told Me...

Follow our adventures in Atlanta, travels around the world, and explorations on the web through each of our twitter accounts:

Jona @wonderlustpics and Melanie @wonderlustlife

Tweet Tweet! 

Out in the Sun {image + quote = inspiration}

I long to be out in the sun with no work to be done.

- Irving Berlin
. . . 
Wonderlust Photography by Jona

Scouting at Scotts

We decided to see what all the buzz was about and took a short drive OTP to Scott Antique Market. We came across a lot of interesting pieces, but to be honest one could easily shop around Atlanta's large offering of antique and vintage stores for interesting finds and better deals. The $5 entry fee, however, is definitely worth what turned out to be an afternoon of inspiration.

Blue Skies Ahead {road trip - part 1 - chattanooga}

I have a goal set for myself to see all 50 states before I hit 30. So, when the opportunity arose for me to travel through several states with my childhood best friend, I could not pass it up. This is part 1 of 7 of my road trip adventure. Enjoy!

MA11 - Home Tour {sneak peek}

What's behind door #1? Be on the lookout for our little gems from Modern Atlanta's 2011 Home Tour, coming soon.

. . . 

Wonderlust Photography by Jona

Travel Style

 It's been some time since I have done a Catalog Love post and had planned to use the most recent J.Crew catalog for inspiration when it arrived in the mail. However, as soon as I began flipping through I felt as though someone had been reading my mind. The catalog is dominated by a carefree vacation style very in line for what I have been imagining for my upcoming trip. Being the planner that I am, I have already been researching the appropriate attire.

Celebrate! {new year - new me - new dress}

This birthday is special for me because I have finally let go of the things that have been weighing me down. Without of the mental clutter I am open to experiencing all of the wonderful things that are just around the corner.

I faced a lot of personal and professional challenges over the past year. I lost of my grandfather and shortly after lost my job (the second layoff I have experienced since graduating college a few years ago). This time last year I had not yet purchased my camera and Wonderlust wasn’t even in existence. I was desperate and felt like my life was slipping through my hands like quicksand. I had no control. I was lost.

Fountain of Youth {image + quote = inspiration}

"There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of the people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age."

-Sophia Loren, an Italian film actress.

. . .

Pining Away

Have you discovered Pinterest yet? When I decided to take the leap to join yet another online community, a friend cautioned me to beware. It is too easy to become absorbed and lose track of time pining away.

The thing about Pinterest that is so appealing to me is that I can organize all of my visual inspirations so easily, whether I am sitting in front of my computer or out and about with my iPhone. I have a board for just about everything including inspiration, fashion, and recipes.

Here are a few of my favorites pins...

Source: scottliveseygalleries.com via Melanie on Pinterest

Stars + Stripes

Wonderlust wishes you a happy and safe Fourth of July weekend! We are going to take a couple days off and stay away from our computers and focus instead on being out in the sunshine with family and friends.

We wish you and your loved ones the same. Happy Independence Day!

. . .



P.S. Do you like the above photo? Check out more of our Foodie Style Profile.

London Calling

Source: photograph-london.com via Melanie on Pinterest

After some research I found that flying into London is a better deal than flying into Paris. It would be silly not to take advantage of the ease of travel between London and Paris so I have added in a few extra days to spend in London!! From there, I will take a train into Paris. Swoon. I couldn't be happier!

Lighting the Way {image + quote = inspiration}

“Inside my empty bottle I was constructing a lighthouse

while all the others were making ships.”

-Charles Simi

“A fallen lighthouse is more dangerous than a reef”

-Proverb

Lighthouses blow no horns; they only shine.

-D.L. Moody

Foodie {style profile}

Introducing our new series, Style Profile! For the kick-off we interviewed local Atlantan and self-proclaimed foodie, Rafael Love. His full walk in closet attests to his other love, fashion.