Meet Miss Jones

My friend Erin is one of those people. The ones you look and say “how on earth to they manage to do it?” Sometimes I think she has a hidden time-turner that doubles her hours each day. Not only is she one of the sweetest, most genuine people I know, but she’s always cooking up amazing new projects and creating incredible things (whether it’s the perfectly syled outfit or a new painting series).

It’s been so much fun to watch her pursue the things that she loves, and her latest venture is a wonderful combination of those passions. After living in Italy a few years ago with her husband Chris (during which Caleb and I house/cat-sat for them), she returned to Florida with a renewed love of travel and a desire to help others experience the joy of other cultures. She also began building her yoga training, including a six-month stay in Italy this past year to get her full teaching certification.

So, I wasn’t too surprised when she announced a few weeks ago that she’s going to be leading a travel/yoga retreat in Florence: Eat. Pray. Move.

Spend a week in the idyllic Italian countryside while you practice yoga, meet new friends, explore, hike, relax, sweat, experience…and of course EAT amazing Italian cuisine, PRAY in mindful contemplation, and MOVE through powerful poses.

I pretty much want to be there right now. :)

While I don’t currently have the resources to attend the retreat, I was excited to help when she asked if I could take some photos for her to use as she promotes her retreat (and her continued yoga practice). This is the first real “photo shoot” that I’ve done, so I was a little nervous, but we had so much fun! I’m really happy with the way it turned out, and seeing her form such advanced poses really renewed my desire to begin practicing again. Yoga is such a great way to nourish both your body and your soul. I can’t wait to hear all about the first Eat Pray Move retreat, and hopefully I’ll be attending one of the next ones.

It’s the last day of The August Break! I enjoyed taking a breather from regular posting, especially since this month turned into an incredibly busy one. It was nice to stop and remember to take photos each day–while making me realize that I need to go outside my set routine whenever possible!

I hope you had a wonderful August as well! Celebrate the end of summer with something fun. :)

This is Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, such a beautiful church. I ended up downtown a number of times this weekend–as touristy as it can be sometimes, I really love the old city that we live in.

I’ve been out sick for the past two days–nothing big, just a cold/sinus thing that knocked me off my feet for a while. I was feeling a bit better yesterday afternoon and made some delicious eggplant pasta for Mr. Jones and me. Italian food is better than chicken soup in my book.

During lunch break at an antique store down the street.

At the Farmers’ Market this weekend. The guy with the banjo was pure folk awesomeness.

I’ve been working in the Five Points Theater building for over two months now and I have yet to see a movie in the actual “theater” part. This needs to change soon.

Nothing says August in Florida quite like late afternoon rainstorms. I love the smell and the drama.

Last night, my work showed off some of our designs at The Cummer Museum’s “What is Art” exhibit. I got to wander around in the gardens before it started and enjoyed the views of the river and downtown Jacksonville. It was so much fun, and there are more photos from the event on my Flickr if you want to check them out.

I work on the fourth floor. Sometimes I use the elevator, but usually I take these fun old stairs, hoping the climb will make up for my recent lack of gym time.