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December 2022

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Photos From Home Leave in Charleston, South Carolina

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What a joy to grow another year older!! Newborn cuddles, early mornings, no makeup, nursing basically every hour, watching my husband be the sweetest father, and my little one giving me his first smile for my birthday..

TYJ - I’m loving my thirties ✨

#thirties #newparents #newbornsnuggles #boymom

What a joy to grow another year older!! Newborn cuddles, early mornings, no makeup, nursing basically every hour, watching my husband be the sweetest father, and my little one giving me his first smile for my birthday..

TYJ - I’m loving my thirties ✨

#thirties #newparents #newbornsnuggles #boymom

Welcome to the world little love 🤍

Welcome to the world little love 🤍

They don’t teach you how to cope with the anticipation the last few weeks do they ⏰🤰

Patience is not my best skill…. Currently lunging for an hour around colonial lake after a long walk downtown

#charleston #pregnant #firsttimeparents

They don’t teach you how to cope with the anticipation the last few weeks do they ⏰🤰

Patience is not my best skill…. Currently lunging for an hour around colonial lake after a long walk downtown

#charleston #pregnant #firsttimeparents

Still pregnant over here, but not complaining :)

Induction was scheduled for Valentine’s Day morning! Jokes on usss, I think the whole department took a fun little vacay because there hasn’t been a free bed since. Just waiting on a call now anytime 🤞 Not stressed or mad about this, because what would that even change?

Soooo in the meantime still trying all the things. We’re walking 3 hours a day at the marsh, beach, park, wherever we can find + yoga + dates + raspberry tea 🤣 lmk if you have any other tricks!

PS. Will says he’s lost 2 lbs in the last few days from my regimen and TELL ME that’s not the most funny/infuriating thing ever 😆

Still pregnant over here, but not complaining :)

Induction was scheduled for Valentine’s Day morning! Jokes on usss, I think the whole department took a fun little vacay because there hasn’t been a free bed since. Just waiting on a call now anytime 🤞 Not stressed or mad about this, because what would that even change?

Soooo in the meantime still trying all the things. We’re walking 3 hours a day at the marsh, beach, park, wherever we can find + yoga + dates + raspberry tea 🤣 lmk if you have any other tricks!

PS. Will says he’s lost 2 lbs in the last few days from my regimen and TELL ME that’s not the most funny/infuriating thing ever 😆

I’ve gained 50 Ibs!! We moved our entire lives internationally. We had scary test results in Greece that we had to interpret in another language. And obviously so much more.

All of that to say that it hasn’t been easy! YET I’m so emotional because this pregnancy is almost over. I know some people *don’t love* pregnancy and I totally get why, but I have truly loved all of it!! Even in those dark days there was even more to be grateful for.

My mom always told me she adored being pregnant, so I always had a strong inkling I would too. What a powerful outlook that she passed on to me.

I just feel the most beautiful and supported I’ve ever felt. Our family and friends have rallied and made sure we have everything we need, even during scary times and gov shutdowns. Will’s office threw us a second shower even though we’ve only known them a short time. A neighbor I’ve never met stopped me and gave me bags of adorable boy clothes. My husband has been an angel and makes me proud to raise another little man just like him.

I’m still reeling at these gestures by our community, it really surpasses anything I ever expected.

I share all this because while pregnancy is so challenging and there are narratives out there (especially on social media) that amplify them, it’s also important to have this perspective out there as well. I hope it encourages someone. 🤍

#pregnancy #positivity

I’ve gained 50 Ibs!! We moved our entire lives internationally. We had scary test results in Greece that we had to interpret in another language. And obviously so much more.

All of that to say that it hasn’t been easy! YET I’m so emotional because this pregnancy is almost over. I know some people *don’t love* pregnancy and I totally get why, but I have truly loved all of it!! Even in those dark days there was even more to be grateful for.

My mom always told me she adored being pregnant, so I always had a strong inkling I would too. What a powerful outlook that she passed on to me.

I just feel the most beautiful and supported I’ve ever felt. Our family and friends have rallied and made sure we have everything we need, even during scary times and gov shutdowns. Will’s office threw us a second shower even though we’ve only known them a short time. A neighbor I’ve never met stopped me and gave me bags of adorable boy clothes. My husband has been an angel and makes me proud to raise another little man just like him.

I’m still reeling at these gestures by our community, it really surpasses anything I ever expected.

I share all this because while pregnancy is so challenging and there are narratives out there (especially on social media) that amplify them, it’s also important to have this perspective out there as well. I hope it encourages someone. 🤍

#pregnancy #positivity

This under the sea themed nursery was such a labor of love!

🔨 We started with a very small, empty room and built out the closet (previously one wire hanging rack) so it could be more helpful and hold allll the baby things. Then we added moulding on the walls to fill up the empty space, and filled in with sailboats and sconces.

🔨 Will and I worked together on all of this - I usually think up the design and he cuts the wood and makes it happen. It’s so empowering to know you can build whatever you dream if you put in the work to learn

This space feels so calming already, I can’t wait for the days and nights spent reading in that cozy chair 🤍

What’s your favorite detail? Mine might be the turtle and squid pillows 🥰🥰

Furniture: @potterybarnkids

#diynursery #babyboynursery #underthesea

This under the sea themed nursery was such a labor of love!

🔨 We started with a very small, empty room and built out the closet (previously one wire hanging rack) so it could be more helpful and hold allll the baby things. Then we added moulding on the walls to fill up the empty space, and filled in with sailboats and sconces.

🔨 Will and I worked together on all of this - I usually think up the design and he cuts the wood and makes it happen. It’s so empowering to know you can build whatever you dream if you put in the work to learn

This space feels so calming already, I can’t wait for the days and nights spent reading in that cozy chair 🤍

What’s your favorite detail? Mine might be the turtle and squid pillows 🥰🥰

Furniture: @potterybarnkids

#diynursery #babyboynursery #underthesea

Turned the smallest room in the house into our favorite room :)

We taught ourselves these skills so don’t let anyone convince you that you can’t learn them too!! The wall moulding entirely changed the room, I think we need to do the whole house ✨

@potterybarnkids for furniture - can’t wait to show the final details tomorrow!!

#diynursery #babyboy #newparents

Turned the smallest room in the house into our favorite room :)

We taught ourselves these skills so don’t let anyone convince you that you can’t learn them too!! The wall moulding entirely changed the room, I think we need to do the whole house ✨

@potterybarnkids for furniture - can’t wait to show the final details tomorrow!!

#diynursery #babyboy #newparents

Heard snow was coming so obviously I headed for the dock

If I have to be snowed in at least I got one more sunset 🫶

#sunsetlover #marsh #lowcountry #charleston

Heard snow was coming so obviously I headed for the dock

If I have to be snowed in at least I got one more sunset 🫶

#sunsetlover #marsh #lowcountry #charleston

It’s wild how you can be equally excited for these different chapters 🫶 do you feel the same?

#expat #travelcouple #becomingparents

It’s wild how you can be equally excited for these different chapters 🫶 do you feel the same?

#expat #travelcouple #becomingparents

Heard tomorrow the east coast is gonna freeze so I am taking advantage!! It even felt a little like Greece out here with the kind of weather where you can sit in the shade and enjoy all day 🫶

Recovering from a stomach bug over here, had to get IV fluids at the hospital, and we’re all just trying to make it a few more weeks of cooking this little nugget. Will saw birds circling me above my beach blanket and tried to convince me they were vultures coming for me 🤣

#beachday #romanticizeeverything #thirdtrimester

Heard tomorrow the east coast is gonna freeze so I am taking advantage!! It even felt a little like Greece out here with the kind of weather where you can sit in the shade and enjoy all day 🫶

Recovering from a stomach bug over here, had to get IV fluids at the hospital, and we’re all just trying to make it a few more weeks of cooking this little nugget. Will saw birds circling me above my beach blanket and tried to convince me they were vultures coming for me 🤣

#beachday #romanticizeeverything #thirdtrimester

The best day 🤍🌊 Thank you to my wonderful MIL & SIL for hosting our baby shower and for our friends and family for coming to celebrate us. Baby Gabriel doesn’t know how lucky he already is ✨

These are the days we always dreamed about while abroad and it feels surreal and even better than we could have dreamed of to be around the people and places we love 🤍

#babyshower #expat #cominghome #lifeinthelowcountry

The best day 🤍🌊 Thank you to my wonderful MIL & SIL for hosting our baby shower and for our friends and family for coming to celebrate us. Baby Gabriel doesn’t know how lucky he already is ✨

These are the days we always dreamed about while abroad and it feels surreal and even better than we could have dreamed of to be around the people and places we love 🤍

#babyshower #expat #cominghome #lifeinthelowcountry

Third trimester thoughts 🕊️✨

- I feel like I’ve been both pregnant forever and for only a heartbeat at the same time

- Marsh walks and working out are more for my mindset than anything physical

- Slowing down in January feels lovely! The rest of the U.S. seems to be running real fast, but I’m embracing what I learned in Nigeria and Greece about the beauty of slowness and being present

- So many fun nursery updates! I need to make a reel, but we’ve totally built out the closet, collected clothes and items from loved ones, and are working on the walls now!

- The exact day I went into third trimester I started having bad round ligament pain and it made me laugh about the (very true) cliche that 2nd is a dream

- I loveee being pregnant. I’m embracing the experience and flipping every little thing I keep hearing I’m supposed to be scared of on its head. My body looks beautiful with this little miracle in there! God and my man are so good to me. I have everything I need and I feel so grateful for all of it. 🤍

How’s your January going lovelies?

#pregnantthoughts #thirdtrimester #lifeinthelowcountry #makingahome

Third trimester thoughts 🕊️✨

- I feel like I’ve been both pregnant forever and for only a heartbeat at the same time

- Marsh walks and working out are more for my mindset than anything physical

- Slowing down in January feels lovely! The rest of the U.S. seems to be running real fast, but I’m embracing what I learned in Nigeria and Greece about the beauty of slowness and being present

- So many fun nursery updates! I need to make a reel, but we’ve totally built out the closet, collected clothes and items from loved ones, and are working on the walls now!

- The exact day I went into third trimester I started having bad round ligament pain and it made me laugh about the (very true) cliche that 2nd is a dream

- I loveee being pregnant. I’m embracing the experience and flipping every little thing I keep hearing I’m supposed to be scared of on its head. My body looks beautiful with this little miracle in there! God and my man are so good to me. I have everything I need and I feel so grateful for all of it. 🤍

How’s your January going lovelies?

#pregnantthoughts #thirdtrimester #lifeinthelowcountry #makingahome

I always pick a word to symbolize the year ahead and this year I’m way behind :) help me by sharing your word! I’m thinking something that represents “slow and steady”

Last year’s was “trust” and BOY did I need to lean on that many a time in 2025 🫶🫶🫶

#visitcharleston #charlestonsouthcarolina #eastcoastgirl #sharkteeth

I always pick a word to symbolize the year ahead and this year I’m way behind :) help me by sharing your word! I’m thinking something that represents “slow and steady”

Last year’s was “trust” and BOY did I need to lean on that many a time in 2025 🫶🫶🫶

#visitcharleston #charlestonsouthcarolina #eastcoastgirl #sharkteeth

What a year frolicking around Greece and sharing her magic with you 🫶 here are a few of my favorite, must-visit places if you haven’t been:

Zagori - Ancient bridges & otherworldly mountain villages - I have a whole guide on where you must stay!

Milos - towering rock formations in the middle of turquoise water, a beach that feels like you’re on the moon, and so many bright fishing villages

Serifos - peaceful, enchanting, and undiscovered. The most gorgeous beaches in Greece. Combine with its slightly more busy neighbor:

Sifnos - you WILL be leaving with pottery, hopefully from a family run shop on the beach. Visit a castled city made of stone & a stunning church that seemingly floats on the sea

I have guides to all of these - just let me know if you want me to dm one to you!

#greece #greecephotography #milos #zagori #sifnos

What a year frolicking around Greece and sharing her magic with you 🫶 here are a few of my favorite, must-visit places if you haven’t been:

Zagori - Ancient bridges & otherworldly mountain villages - I have a whole guide on where you must stay!

Milos - towering rock formations in the middle of turquoise water, a beach that feels like you’re on the moon, and so many bright fishing villages

Serifos - peaceful, enchanting, and undiscovered. The most gorgeous beaches in Greece. Combine with its slightly more busy neighbor:

Sifnos - you WILL be leaving with pottery, hopefully from a family run shop on the beach. Visit a castled city made of stone & a stunning church that seemingly floats on the sea

I have guides to all of these - just let me know if you want me to dm one to you!

#greece #greecephotography #milos #zagori #sifnos

I love a little something different during the holidays!

Chinese family introduced us to “hotpot” and explained why some surrounding countries do it a little differently due to climate. This Chinese one is great when it’s cold out because the pots continuously boil!

Being pregnant I was worried about raw meat, but when you put it in it cooks SO quickly!

My favorites of the spread that included all kinds of veggies, meat, and seafood: the strips of beef, Korean turnip, and bok choy 😋

Such a great night that we combined with a little marsh walk and of course midnight mass 🤍🤍

Did you follow all the traditions or do things a little differently this year? 🎄

#nontraditionalchristmas #hotpot

I love a little something different during the holidays!

Chinese family introduced us to “hotpot” and explained why some surrounding countries do it a little differently due to climate. This Chinese one is great when it’s cold out because the pots continuously boil!

Being pregnant I was worried about raw meat, but when you put it in it cooks SO quickly!

My favorites of the spread that included all kinds of veggies, meat, and seafood: the strips of beef, Korean turnip, and bok choy 😋

Such a great night that we combined with a little marsh walk and of course midnight mass 🤍🤍

Did you follow all the traditions or do things a little differently this year? 🎄

#nontraditionalchristmas #hotpot

Making a marsh walk our new Christmas Eve tradition 🌿

Hope your Christmas is merry and bright and you’re able to cherish the slow moments around you ✨

#homeforchristmas #southcarolina #charleston #marsh #lowcountry

Making a marsh walk our new Christmas Eve tradition 🌿

Hope your Christmas is merry and bright and you’re able to cherish the slow moments around you ✨

#homeforchristmas #southcarolina #charleston #marsh #lowcountry

Oyster roast > Jimmy Buffet tribute band > sunset on the docks 🦪🌊🌞

Oysters on the point is one of our favorite Charleston traditions @charlestonharborresort

If you have kiddos, make sure you come back for ice skating or drinks by the fire pit with friends 🌲

#charleston #coastalchristmas #oysterroast

Oyster roast > Jimmy Buffet tribute band > sunset on the docks 🦪🌊🌞

Oysters on the point is one of our favorite Charleston traditions @charlestonharborresort

If you have kiddos, make sure you come back for ice skating or drinks by the fire pit with friends 🌲

#charleston #coastalchristmas #oysterroast

✨ Charleston at Christmas might be my favorite season 🌲One of my favorite things to do downtown is just wander the streets and admire decorations. Each one is unique and beautifully crafted. It’s a nice reminder that noticing the little things is what makes life so beautiful!

Which home is your favorite? The one with wreaths in every window?

#charleston #visitcharleston #charlestonchristmas #charlestonarchitecture #doorsoftheworld

✨ Charleston at Christmas might be my favorite season 🌲One of my favorite things to do downtown is just wander the streets and admire decorations. Each one is unique and beautifully crafted. It’s a nice reminder that noticing the little things is what makes life so beautiful!

Which home is your favorite? The one with wreaths in every window?

#charleston #visitcharleston #charlestonchristmas #charlestonarchitecture #doorsoftheworld

Charleston had me feeling like I was back visiting European Christmas markets ✨

@americangardens.chs downtown is our newest community-oriented garden with a nightly tree lighting, letters to armed forces, a beautifully lit carousel, local artisans, festive food, and hot chocolate ☕️

If you can’t catch her for Christmas, I hear the plan is to offer events here year round. This was my first time visiting and I found she was in the perfect location for a break from strolling my favorite cobblestone alleys 🤍

More festive Charleston spots coming this week as every decorated home pulled my attention and I couldn’t get enough ✨

#charleston #downtowncharleston #southcarolina #americanchristmasmarkets #thingstodocharleston #christmasactivities #charmingplaces #charlestonchristmas

Charleston had me feeling like I was back visiting European Christmas markets ✨

@americangardens.chs downtown is our newest community-oriented garden with a nightly tree lighting, letters to armed forces, a beautifully lit carousel, local artisans, festive food, and hot chocolate ☕️

If you can’t catch her for Christmas, I hear the plan is to offer events here year round. This was my first time visiting and I found she was in the perfect location for a break from strolling my favorite cobblestone alleys 🤍

More festive Charleston spots coming this week as every decorated home pulled my attention and I couldn’t get enough ✨

#charleston #downtowncharleston #southcarolina #americanchristmasmarkets #thingstodocharleston #christmasactivities #charmingplaces #charlestonchristmas

I can’t decide if I’m more happy in the marsh or at the beach ✨

📍Hunting Island, South Carolina - only a quick drive from Charleston

We spent the day searching for sharks teeth, trying to take our eyes off the sprawling oaks and palms, and exploring the boneyard beach. They were fun, but the 📍Marsh Boardwalk took my breath away. Unlike the other trails, you can park and walk straight out into the wild.

As always, follow for more calming photography and inspiring places to explore ✨

#southcarolina #marsh #lowcountry #southcarolinaphotography #huntingisland #beaufort

I can’t decide if I’m more happy in the marsh or at the beach ✨

📍Hunting Island, South Carolina - only a quick drive from Charleston

We spent the day searching for sharks teeth, trying to take our eyes off the sprawling oaks and palms, and exploring the boneyard beach. They were fun, but the 📍Marsh Boardwalk took my breath away. Unlike the other trails, you can park and walk straight out into the wild.

As always, follow for more calming photography and inspiring places to explore ✨

#southcarolina #marsh #lowcountry #southcarolinaphotography #huntingisland #beaufort

Happy Thanksgiving wherever you are in the world 🤍

Here’s some places we’ve spent the holiday over the last 5 years - Nigeria, Greece, and now home in South Carolina.

I will say it feels very weird and wonderful to not have to fly 27 hours with a frozen ham or turkey or have to wait until 8pm after a glass or two of wine to call family and tell them happy Thanksgiving due to time zones 😂

#americanabroad #expatlife #thanksgiving #holidaysabroad #homesick

Happy Thanksgiving wherever you are in the world 🤍

Here’s some places we’ve spent the holiday over the last 5 years - Nigeria, Greece, and now home in South Carolina.

I will say it feels very weird and wonderful to not have to fly 27 hours with a frozen ham or turkey or have to wait until 8pm after a glass or two of wine to call family and tell them happy Thanksgiving due to time zones 😂

#americanabroad #expatlife #thanksgiving #holidaysabroad #homesick

Random thoughts on getting our things from abroad:

- red carpet so they can wheel things in
- in 6 moves we’ve never had damage until now :( a lot of pottery from Nigeria and the places we’ve lived, my desks, our law degree frames, but eh gotta keep your eyes off these worldly things anyway
- we do have insurance incase the container falls into the ocean (happens a lot) but it’s not really helpful for a few $k of loss. We will see!
- have to wash every piece of fabric and every piece of dishware because yuck 😵‍💫
- where did all this crap come from?! (estate sales)
- will nesting mode be helpful for this? I can’t wait to put everything in its own home and start decorating for the holidays 🤗

Do these boxes & piles also give you anxiety? We do this every few years 🤣

#lifeabroad #expatlife #movingabroad #movinghome #pcsseason

Random thoughts on getting our things from abroad:

- red carpet so they can wheel things in
- in 6 moves we’ve never had damage until now :( a lot of pottery from Nigeria and the places we’ve lived, my desks, our law degree frames, but eh gotta keep your eyes off these worldly things anyway
- we do have insurance incase the container falls into the ocean (happens a lot) but it’s not really helpful for a few $k of loss. We will see!
- have to wash every piece of fabric and every piece of dishware because yuck 😵‍💫
- where did all this crap come from?! (estate sales)
- will nesting mode be helpful for this? I can’t wait to put everything in its own home and start decorating for the holidays 🤗

Do these boxes & piles also give you anxiety? We do this every few years 🤣

#lifeabroad #expatlife #movingabroad #movinghome #pcsseason

But the gov is open today so WOOO 🎊🍾

Anyone else hear the echo in our house??? 😂 gotta give you some realness of this lifestyle lest you think it’s glamorous. Because our household items (including furniture, kitchen stuff, & everything else we own) has to get shipped where we get posted… we have to live without it for quite some time on both ends. We got some basics from goodwill and have had to get creative (pots used to mix up salads, ziplocks as Tupperware) 🤣

I’ve been wearing just the clothes from my suitcase for way too long and none of it fits anyway because of lil baby. Having access to Amazon again is both a blessing and a curse 🙃

Anyway let’s hope this truck gets fixed. Minimalism is a cool way of life but I’ll be happy to feel more settled when our things arrive 🤞🏼

#americanabroad #expatlife #pcsseason #movingstruggles

But the gov is open today so WOOO 🎊🍾

Anyone else hear the echo in our house??? 😂 gotta give you some realness of this lifestyle lest you think it’s glamorous. Because our household items (including furniture, kitchen stuff, & everything else we own) has to get shipped where we get posted… we have to live without it for quite some time on both ends. We got some basics from goodwill and have had to get creative (pots used to mix up salads, ziplocks as Tupperware) 🤣

I’ve been wearing just the clothes from my suitcase for way too long and none of it fits anyway because of lil baby. Having access to Amazon again is both a blessing and a curse 🙃

Anyway let’s hope this truck gets fixed. Minimalism is a cool way of life but I’ll be happy to feel more settled when our things arrive 🤞🏼

#americanabroad #expatlife #pcsseason #movingstruggles

Coastal south 🤝 marsh views, crabs on the dock, cobblestone alleys, oysters, Publix subs, shark teeth

Is this what people associate the south with? Hahah I’ve gotten some weird looks around the world and even from other Americans when I tell them the south is home. I’ll argue about how the word y’all is very efficient, but I usually stop there because sometimes you just have to experience it to get it 🫶🏼

#americanculture #southernculture #coastalsouth #yall #southcarolina #charleston

Coastal south 🤝 marsh views, crabs on the dock, cobblestone alleys, oysters, Publix subs, shark teeth

Is this what people associate the south with? Hahah I’ve gotten some weird looks around the world and even from other Americans when I tell them the south is home. I’ll argue about how the word y’all is very efficient, but I usually stop there because sometimes you just have to experience it to get it 🫶🏼

#americanculture #southernculture #coastalsouth #yall #southcarolina #charleston

Maybe I’m weird for waiting so long, but this year brought (1) a pregnancy in a foreign healthcare system, (2) an international move with pets, and (3) answered prayers to spend more time with family so we’ve been working hard to manage the stress and be fully present 🤍

I see all of your questions so I’ll plan to share more about the move, Greek healthcare differences, and what’s been going on :) Anything else?

#americanexpat #internationalmove #firsttimemom #pregnancyabroad #foreignhealthcare

Maybe I’m weird for waiting so long, but this year brought (1) a pregnancy in a foreign healthcare system, (2) an international move with pets, and (3) answered prayers to spend more time with family so we’ve been working hard to manage the stress and be fully present 🤍

I see all of your questions so I’ll plan to share more about the move, Greek healthcare differences, and what’s been going on :) Anything else?

#americanexpat #internationalmove #firsttimemom #pregnancyabroad #foreignhealthcare

Surprise: we’re 6 months pregnant and given the choice to do this in faraway adventurous places, after many Ithaca moments, we felt like we wanted to do this in our own home 🤍

Keep Ithaca always in your mind.
Arriving there is what you’re destined for.
But don’t hurry the journey at all.
Better if it lasts for years

Ithaca gave you the marvelous journey.
Without her you wouldn’t have set out..

And if you find her poor, Ithaca won’t have fooled you.
Wise as you will have become, so full of experience,
you’ll have understood by then what these Ithacas mean.

📍South Carolina

#homecoming #americanabroad #americanexpat #nomads #cominghome #america

Surprise: we’re 6 months pregnant and given the choice to do this in faraway adventurous places, after many Ithaca moments, we felt like we wanted to do this in our own home 🤍

Keep Ithaca always in your mind.
Arriving there is what you’re destined for.
But don’t hurry the journey at all.
Better if it lasts for years

Ithaca gave you the marvelous journey.
Without her you wouldn’t have set out..

And if you find her poor, Ithaca won’t have fooled you.
Wise as you will have become, so full of experience,
you’ll have understood by then what these Ithacas mean.

📍South Carolina

#homecoming #americanabroad #americanexpat #nomads #cominghome #america

Greece gifted us with one last blessing… 🇺🇸🤍🇬🇷

Lots of other updates coming, but for now just know as painful as it has been to leave Greece, for the next few years we’ve been given a chance to be with family and in the place our souls call home 🤍

#americanexpat #nomads #lifeabroad #movinghome #americanfamily

Greece gifted us with one last blessing… 🇺🇸🤍🇬🇷

Lots of other updates coming, but for now just know as painful as it has been to leave Greece, for the next few years we’ve been given a chance to be with family and in the place our souls call home 🤍

#americanexpat #nomads #lifeabroad #movinghome #americanfamily

When I leave home, I dream about the way the live oak trees come to life with the sway of the Spanish moss 🤍

Did you know Spanish moss is actually a completely different plant from the oak trees?? It just prefers the oaks and cypress in the lowlands, swamps and savannas of the south because of our heat and high humidity.

Native Americans called it “Itla-okla”, which means “tree hair.” The French renamed it “Spanish Beard” because it was reminiscent of the conquistadors. Eventually the name evolved into Spanish moss.

📍Hampton park - An easy walk + parking in downtown Charleston

#lowcountryliving #lifeinthesouth #charleston #southcarolina #lowcountrynature #hamptonpark #explorecharleston

When I leave home, I dream about the way the live oak trees come to life with the sway of the Spanish moss 🤍

Did you know Spanish moss is actually a completely different plant from the oak trees?? It just prefers the oaks and cypress in the lowlands, swamps and savannas of the south because of our heat and high humidity.

Native Americans called it “Itla-okla”, which means “tree hair.” The French renamed it “Spanish Beard” because it was reminiscent of the conquistadors. Eventually the name evolved into Spanish moss.

📍Hampton park - An easy walk + parking in downtown Charleston

#lowcountryliving #lifeinthesouth #charleston #southcarolina #lowcountrynature #hamptonpark #explorecharleston

Someone just said this and it sums it up perfectly 😂“Halloween is my Super Bowl. We’re going to have drinks, Jell-O shots, candy wall dispenser, full size bars, fog machines, music, all the things - I am so pumped”

For the last 5 years abroad we really missed all the pumpkins, palm trees, and life-sized scary things that get bigger every year!!

We leave the big stuff to our neighbors with kids, but there’s nothing like sitting on your own front porch handing out candy to the kiddos, having a beer with the neighbors, and checking out everyone’s costumes 👻

Our American communities in Nigeria and Greece always found a way to make this fun, but it sure feels good to remember what this holiday looks like back home.

Do you celebrate or decorate or are you missing these holidays too??

#halloween #americanculture #southernculture #americanabroad #americanexpat

Someone just said this and it sums it up perfectly 😂“Halloween is my Super Bowl. We’re going to have drinks, Jell-O shots, candy wall dispenser, full size bars, fog machines, music, all the things - I am so pumped”

For the last 5 years abroad we really missed all the pumpkins, palm trees, and life-sized scary things that get bigger every year!!

We leave the big stuff to our neighbors with kids, but there’s nothing like sitting on your own front porch handing out candy to the kiddos, having a beer with the neighbors, and checking out everyone’s costumes 👻

Our American communities in Nigeria and Greece always found a way to make this fun, but it sure feels good to remember what this holiday looks like back home.

Do you celebrate or decorate or are you missing these holidays too??

#halloween #americanculture #southernculture #americanabroad #americanexpat

Glad you guys like these sounds as much as I do 🫶

Favorite Charleston beach? 👇🏼

#charleston #eastcoast #coastalvibe #coastalsounds #calmingsounds #sealover #oceanlover

Glad you guys like these sounds as much as I do 🫶

Favorite Charleston beach? 👇🏼

#charleston #eastcoast #coastalvibe #coastalsounds #calmingsounds #sealover #oceanlover

Looks like you guys love this sound too 🫶

Where’s your favorite beach in the world? Mine is Folly in South Carolina (not pictured but very loved)

#charleston #southcarolina #beachlover #calmingsounds

Looks like you guys love this sound too 🫶

Where’s your favorite beach in the world? Mine is Folly in South Carolina (not pictured but very loved)

#charleston #southcarolina #beachlover #calmingsounds

In search of simple Charleston nights, preferably with a bright sunset & some shark teeth :)

Greece was popping in to say hello with this piece of seaglass I found. Excited to be reunited with my collection sometime soon 🤍

What’s your favorite Charleston beach?

#charleston #southcarolina #lifeinthesouth #coastalcalm

In search of simple Charleston nights, preferably with a bright sunset & some shark teeth :)

Greece was popping in to say hello with this piece of seaglass I found. Excited to be reunited with my collection sometime soon 🤍

What’s your favorite Charleston beach?

#charleston #southcarolina #lifeinthesouth #coastalcalm

Starting with Shem Creek Park since we just visited :)

So happy we went middle of the day on a Sunday because it was an entirely different feeling from sunset! Families with small children were set up under the shady pavilions, coolers and pub subs in hand, fishing for crabs and fish 🎣 Very cool alternative to the beach or boat that gets the fam around water :)

I love that there’s not just one pier here, there are several docks with different direct views of the marsh and Shem creek.

-totally free
-worth waiting for parking in their free lot
-go at middle of the day or sunset
-head to the strip of restaurants afterwards for a drink or dinner

Also, shout out to the shrimp boat Whits End that always reminds me my dad could have had a better name for his boat when I was a teenager

Let me know your fave marsh views if you have one!

#charleston #charlestonsc #charlestonthingstodo #mountpleasant #shemcreek #marshviews #lowcountrymarsh

Starting with Shem Creek Park since we just visited :)

So happy we went middle of the day on a Sunday because it was an entirely different feeling from sunset! Families with small children were set up under the shady pavilions, coolers and pub subs in hand, fishing for crabs and fish 🎣 Very cool alternative to the beach or boat that gets the fam around water :)

I love that there’s not just one pier here, there are several docks with different direct views of the marsh and Shem creek.

-totally free
-worth waiting for parking in their free lot
-go at middle of the day or sunset
-head to the strip of restaurants afterwards for a drink or dinner

Also, shout out to the shrimp boat Whits End that always reminds me my dad could have had a better name for his boat when I was a teenager

Let me know your fave marsh views if you have one!

#charleston #charlestonsc #charlestonthingstodo #mountpleasant #shemcreek #marshviews #lowcountrymarsh

What an evening of jazz with @chsjazz feels like 🎷🎶🍁

Crisp weather, cobblestones, a nice dress, a full house, and a jazz phenom accompanying our very own Charleston Jazz Orchestra

The special guest was a Grammy winner and has toured with Taylor Swift - my favorite part of the show was when he took turns with several from our orchestra - sax, piano, base - to do interpretive solos. That’s something you can never recreate and must see live!

It was so sweet to hear of the work they did this last week across several of the schools in the lowcountry and was a reminder of how jazz is such an important cultural part of our community 🤍

I hope you take some time to see one of @chsjazz upcoming shows - their Christmas special promised a collaboration with Lowcountry Voices full of history and Gullah tradition 🤍

#charleston #charlestonthingstodo #southcarolinaculture #southernculture #charlestonjazzorchestra #charlestonmusichall #jazz

What an evening of jazz with @chsjazz feels like 🎷🎶🍁

Crisp weather, cobblestones, a nice dress, a full house, and a jazz phenom accompanying our very own Charleston Jazz Orchestra

The special guest was a Grammy winner and has toured with Taylor Swift - my favorite part of the show was when he took turns with several from our orchestra - sax, piano, base - to do interpretive solos. That’s something you can never recreate and must see live!

It was so sweet to hear of the work they did this last week across several of the schools in the lowcountry and was a reminder of how jazz is such an important cultural part of our community 🤍

I hope you take some time to see one of @chsjazz upcoming shows - their Christmas special promised a collaboration with Lowcountry Voices full of history and Gullah tradition 🤍

#charleston #charlestonthingstodo #southcarolinaculture #southernculture #charlestonjazzorchestra #charlestonmusichall #jazz

Deep breaths came from the South Carolina marsh this weekend 🤍

#charleston #southcarolina #carolinas #marshland #lowcountry #lifeinthesouth

Deep breaths came from the South Carolina marsh this weekend 🤍

#charleston #southcarolina #carolinas #marshland #lowcountry #lifeinthesouth

A Fall weekend in the Carolinas: filled our cups at church, visited Legare Farms pumpkin patch, mourned the loss of Penn State football, tried a new bbq joint, still dodging a hurricane 🤍

I hope you feel refreshed from your weekend. Tell me something you did!!

📍Legare Farms @legarefarms

#southcarolina #carolinafall #southernliving #americanculture #lifeinthesouth #charleston

A Fall weekend in the Carolinas: filled our cups at church, visited Legare Farms pumpkin patch, mourned the loss of Penn State football, tried a new bbq joint, still dodging a hurricane 🤍

I hope you feel refreshed from your weekend. Tell me something you did!!

📍Legare Farms @legarefarms

#southcarolina #carolinafall #southernliving #americanculture #lifeinthesouth #charleston

How fun to photograph home 🍂

That’s not my house, but wouldn’t that be nice 🥰 we had the loveliest morning strolling downtown, bagels in hand with lots of cream cheese, puppy dog surprised by all the doodles around, the air getting crisp!

Featuring: @daughtersofindia dress that I could live in

#charleston #southcarolina #cobblestone #fall

How fun to photograph home 🍂

That’s not my house, but wouldn’t that be nice 🥰 we had the loveliest morning strolling downtown, bagels in hand with lots of cream cheese, puppy dog surprised by all the doodles around, the air getting crisp!

Featuring: @daughtersofindia dress that I could live in

#charleston #southcarolina #cobblestone #fall

We’re on home leave! 🇺🇸 This is a special time we get every few years that lets us come home and see family and soak up all the wonderful things about calling America home.

Southern things we’ve been filling our days with:
🌴bbq
🌴beaches that are not clear aqua blue like Greece, but that do have shark teeth!
🌴sunset walks on the marsh - I saw a pink spoonbill that looks similar to a flamingo yesterday!
🌴church and amazing worship music with a super energetic atmosphere
🌴family time
🌴house projects!! Finally taking out the metal racks and building a proper master closet with my dad right now - I’ll share more soon 🤍

I feel a bit like Odysseus searching the world and returning home to Ithaca right now 🤍🤍🤍

#americanabroad #cominghome

We’re on home leave! 🇺🇸 This is a special time we get every few years that lets us come home and see family and soak up all the wonderful things about calling America home.

Southern things we’ve been filling our days with:
🌴bbq
🌴beaches that are not clear aqua blue like Greece, but that do have shark teeth!
🌴sunset walks on the marsh - I saw a pink spoonbill that looks similar to a flamingo yesterday!
🌴church and amazing worship music with a super energetic atmosphere
🌴family time
🌴house projects!! Finally taking out the metal racks and building a proper master closet with my dad right now - I’ll share more soon 🤍

I feel a bit like Odysseus searching the world and returning home to Ithaca right now 🤍🤍🤍

#americanabroad #cominghome

6 moves in 5 years and we are tiiired. Fun fact:

While our stuff is shipped from sea to shining sea, did you know we live ~a month on each end out of a suitcase? Being without a car means you have to get creative to even leave the house for groceries. The whole time leading up to your flight, you pray your fur baby makes it on the plane because it’s a day-of airline decision that will cost you thousands either way. Bottom line: moving looks fun, but it’s a stressful little tornado that never goes as planned 😂🌪️

So much to catch up on here, I guess this is where I’ll start 🤍

#pcs #pcsseason #movingabroad

6 moves in 5 years and we are tiiired. Fun fact:

While our stuff is shipped from sea to shining sea, did you know we live ~a month on each end out of a suitcase? Being without a car means you have to get creative to even leave the house for groceries. The whole time leading up to your flight, you pray your fur baby makes it on the plane because it’s a day-of airline decision that will cost you thousands either way. Bottom line: moving looks fun, but it’s a stressful little tornado that never goes as planned 😂🌪️

So much to catch up on here, I guess this is where I’ll start 🤍

#pcs #pcsseason #movingabroad

One day I’m going to look back at this time in Sifnos and remember my kitty entourage, the best $12 seafood entrees, and the stretching of this beach over turquoise hues with no one else around.

If you visit Sifnos:

🌊 Stay: Vathi beach
🏺 Visit: Atsonios pottery
🍴 Eat at: Manolis & Tsikali
🦐 Order the: shrimp and squid

This is the kind of place where you can finally breath (and swim and eat and seaglass hunt and play with beach kitties) 💫

#visitgreece #greekislands #sifnos #greekcats #freshseafood

One day I’m going to look back at this time in Sifnos and remember my kitty entourage, the best $12 seafood entrees, and the stretching of this beach over turquoise hues with no one else around.

If you visit Sifnos:

🌊 Stay: Vathi beach
🏺 Visit: Atsonios pottery
🍴 Eat at: Manolis & Tsikali
🦐 Order the: shrimp and squid

This is the kind of place where you can finally breath (and swim and eat and seaglass hunt and play with beach kitties) 💫

#visitgreece #greekislands #sifnos #greekcats #freshseafood

No illusions, I’m currently in Martha Washington heartless curls and a grandma dress, but I can’t keep my fingers from editing up these photos from places in Greece that are magical and undiscovered 🤍

Maybe you think of Milos for watercolor fishing villages, but for a more authentic feel, try Sifnos right next door. This is Cherronisos and you can spend all day here swimming in this protected cove 💫

#authenticgreece #fishingvillages #sifnos #cherronisos

No illusions, I’m currently in Martha Washington heartless curls and a grandma dress, but I can’t keep my fingers from editing up these photos from places in Greece that are magical and undiscovered 🤍

Maybe you think of Milos for watercolor fishing villages, but for a more authentic feel, try Sifnos right next door. This is Cherronisos and you can spend all day here swimming in this protected cove 💫

#authenticgreece #fishingvillages #sifnos #cherronisos

Miss you 🇺🇸 and hope I can see you soon! 🫶

#americanabroad #lifeabroad #usa #july4 #eastcoast #southernstateofmind

Miss you 🇺🇸 and hope I can see you soon! 🫶

#americanabroad #lifeabroad #usa #july4 #eastcoast #southernstateofmind

We’re moving again! 🫡

I’m trying to keep this a positive space for those curious about living abroad & for those who share our lifestyle. Soo as we get ready for this moving tornado season, I’ll try to show you pieces of what it’s like.

1. We’re not moving today. I’m not ready to share where we’re moving to because so many things are in flux, but it should be this summer. This makes me both excited and also sick to my stomach.

2. I’ve spent two wonderful years in Greece healing from some things that happened in the past (terrorism, health stuff, etc). It has been such a blessing to get to know this country and its slower pace of life was exactly what I needed.

3. I feel anxious about what I will do professionally at our next post. In this lifestyle, spouses really take the back seat and our own work is hampered by location, work permits, foreign taxes, stigma (“you signed up for this”), and so much more. Thankfully I’ve been building two portable businesses and still plan to lawyer on the side for the right people. God has a plan and he has been building me in this season 🤍

4. THE DOG. Traveling with pets in summer is a nightmare! There are rules that they can’t fly if either the departing or arrival location is over 80 degrees. We’re leaving Athens (HA! 🔥) and the whole country we plan to move to is in a heatwave. This leaves us few options and while I think we’ve finally found a solution, it literally becomes a “day of” decision (with all of our belongings in tow). Will keep you updated on how this goes!

5. The car. We sold our car in Nigeria 2 months early and that really helped because when we were evacuated, we didn’t have the nightmare of trying to sell it from a different country. We copied that strategy in Athens and while I’m so grateful we already sold it, now I’m stuck without one for months 🤣 how do we go to church? grocery shop? TBD but we’ll figure it out because we always do.

More glimpses to come 🤍

#americanabroad #movingabroad #expat #pcsseason

We’re moving again! 🫡

I’m trying to keep this a positive space for those curious about living abroad & for those who share our lifestyle. Soo as we get ready for this moving tornado season, I’ll try to show you pieces of what it’s like.

1. We’re not moving today. I’m not ready to share where we’re moving to because so many things are in flux, but it should be this summer. This makes me both excited and also sick to my stomach.

2. I’ve spent two wonderful years in Greece healing from some things that happened in the past (terrorism, health stuff, etc). It has been such a blessing to get to know this country and its slower pace of life was exactly what I needed.

3. I feel anxious about what I will do professionally at our next post. In this lifestyle, spouses really take the back seat and our own work is hampered by location, work permits, foreign taxes, stigma (“you signed up for this”), and so much more. Thankfully I’ve been building two portable businesses and still plan to lawyer on the side for the right people. God has a plan and he has been building me in this season 🤍

4. THE DOG. Traveling with pets in summer is a nightmare! There are rules that they can’t fly if either the departing or arrival location is over 80 degrees. We’re leaving Athens (HA! 🔥) and the whole country we plan to move to is in a heatwave. This leaves us few options and while I think we’ve finally found a solution, it literally becomes a “day of” decision (with all of our belongings in tow). Will keep you updated on how this goes!

5. The car. We sold our car in Nigeria 2 months early and that really helped because when we were evacuated, we didn’t have the nightmare of trying to sell it from a different country. We copied that strategy in Athens and while I’m so grateful we already sold it, now I’m stuck without one for months 🤣 how do we go to church? grocery shop? TBD but we’ll figure it out because we always do.

More glimpses to come 🤍

#americanabroad #movingabroad #expat #pcsseason

I’m always shocked when people miss it

This is Anafiotika! She’s hidden directly under the Parthenon, but because it’s like a maze, so many skip right to the top or vice versa!

The neighborhood was built by workers who helped work on the Parthenon and they were given the only sliver of land left on the Acropolis slopes. Here they built their homes and alleys in the typical white-washed fashion of their home island of Anafi.

My TWO BIGGEST TIPS:

1. Find Psaras Tavern in google maps and head up the steps from there. This is a foolproof way to find it. This is also a great taverna for lunch 😂

2. Visit at 8 AM and it will be a magical experience. No people, just you and the birds and maybe chanting coming from the nearby churches.

I hope you make it - save this for later 🫶

#athens #anafiotika #greecetravel

I’m always shocked when people miss it

This is Anafiotika! She’s hidden directly under the Parthenon, but because it’s like a maze, so many skip right to the top or vice versa!

The neighborhood was built by workers who helped work on the Parthenon and they were given the only sliver of land left on the Acropolis slopes. Here they built their homes and alleys in the typical white-washed fashion of their home island of Anafi.

My TWO BIGGEST TIPS:

1. Find Psaras Tavern in google maps and head up the steps from there. This is a foolproof way to find it. This is also a great taverna for lunch 😂

2. Visit at 8 AM and it will be a magical experience. No people, just you and the birds and maybe chanting coming from the nearby churches.

I hope you make it - save this for later 🫶

#athens #anafiotika #greecetravel

Life in Athens lately 🌿🌀🕊️

I realize this is probably what no one expects Athens to be like. A mixture of being able to dig deeper in where I visit and life abroad just being a matter of living the same…just in a new place.

Endlessly grateful to call such a multi-layered place home for now 🤍

#americanabroad #athens #greece

Life in Athens lately 🌿🌀🕊️

I realize this is probably what no one expects Athens to be like. A mixture of being able to dig deeper in where I visit and life abroad just being a matter of living the same…just in a new place.

Endlessly grateful to call such a multi-layered place home for now 🤍

#americanabroad #athens #greece

Funny thing is, I think that those who grew up with these coves crave long sandy beaches 😆

If you had to pick, are you choosing a rocky cove or a sandy beach?

So happy to be back in Greece for a bit… may these coves find me!!

📍Evia, Greece - lmk if you want the beach name 🤍

#americaningreece #lifeingreece #europeanbeaches #greekbeaches #evia #hiddencoves

Funny thing is, I think that those who grew up with these coves crave long sandy beaches 😆

If you had to pick, are you choosing a rocky cove or a sandy beach?

So happy to be back in Greece for a bit… may these coves find me!!

📍Evia, Greece - lmk if you want the beach name 🤍

#americaningreece #lifeingreece #europeanbeaches #greekbeaches #evia #hiddencoves

But you must have a good reason and I found a truffle dog to love on so…

As an American, I’ll never get over the fact that a 2 hr flight = Italy

#tuscany #italy #europe #wandering

But you must have a good reason and I found a truffle dog to love on so…

As an American, I’ll never get over the fact that a 2 hr flight = Italy

#tuscany #italy #europe #wandering

Colors of Arezzo in Tuscany 🇮🇹

Current observation: Italy’s cafe cremas (maybe they have another name) with espresso + ice cream are giving my Greek freddo expressos a run for their money…

🤍

#lostinitaly #tuscany #arezzo #italianvillages #fujifilm

Colors of Arezzo in Tuscany 🇮🇹

Current observation: Italy’s cafe cremas (maybe they have another name) with espresso + ice cream are giving my Greek freddo expressos a run for their money…

🤍

#lostinitaly #tuscany #arezzo #italianvillages #fujifilm

Send to someone you want to be in Greece with
🌊☀️⛵️🌀🇬🇷

Send to someone you want to be in Greece with
🌊☀️⛵️🌀🇬🇷

And she’s on an island very close to Athens that most people overlook…

📍Church of the Seven Martyrs, Sifnos

And she’s on an island very close to Athens that most people overlook…

📍Church of the Seven Martyrs, Sifnos

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@whitsworldview

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