Rob and I have mostly settled into the long-distance thing. I go there one weekend, then he comes here. This weekend we were in Tysons Corner, where we manage to do a lot of both going out and staying in. We talked about how our new weekends together aren't like real life anymore--when we lived together we actually had things to do from Friday night to Sunday evening. But now? Multiple coffee dates; a walk around the mall; a metro ride or two into Washington, DC to have drinks with friends; lunch, dinner, and then breakfast out; our song playing on repeat while we read in bed and take at least one really good two hour nap--these are our new weekends in northern Virginia.

Happy Friday you guys! I thought last week was long, but then I went on a business trip where my company put on a conference and now I think that this week was definitely longer.

[Baltimore Sky]

Sunday morning I was at the office by 8 AM so we could get on the road, and when we got to Baltimore we set up and registered people and met all the attending clients at a wine and cheese reception. On Monday we were up at 5 AM to get ready and eat breakfast. I registered people until the conference began, and presentations and small group sessions lasted all day. We had a '20s theme party where we got into costume and had cocktails and dinner and dancing with everyone, and on Tuesday morning I gave a presentation (to 150+ clients!) where I was able to show off what I've been working on for the past two months. It was nerve-wracking and the whole conference was a lot of work, but it feels so good to be part of a team and to be doing something worthwhile. I couldn't be happier. But I couldn't be more exhausted.

Here are some things I've loved this week. I haven't really been around very much!

My real-life friend Alli emailed me a link to this beautiful article about female friendship.

Rob got me a few shirts from Everlane this week and I know I've posted and tweeted about this company before, but I really can't go on enough about how much I love them. I need every top in every color!

THIS GUY! Found him right here on Reddit.

JIGSAW LONDON FLASH SALE! Ohh boy.

I love the pictures Amanda and her friends took in this post. Makes me wish all my girls lived in the same place!

I always want everything from ModCloth, but I usually stop myself. I don't know how much longer I can hold out! I feel like I need this sweater so I can escape to some snowy cabin and drink hot chocolate by the fire.

Sam blows my mind with every post. This one was no different.

I bought and started Blue Like Jazz and it is so beautiful already. I always kind of want to write about my religious views here, but then I'm not sure about it. Maybe this will inspire me to share soon.

Did you enter to win $20 to Sprightly So? Do it now!

I'm really looking forward to a fun, relaxing weekend. What are you going to be up to?

My co-workers and I got home from Baltimore really late Tuesday night, and yesterday everyone was allowed to go into work a little bit later. I set my alarm for nine AM but woke up on my own at eight. The morning was clear and quiet and I could literally hear birds' wings flapping just outside my window. I made coffee and went outside with my copy of Les Miserables. It was chilly, but not too cold to be outside. Yoga pants, a soft tee shirt and scarf, a book and a warm cup--now that's a fall morning.

You can just feel it in the air. Here it comes.