Visions of Vineyard Vines on Nantucket Island

For years and years now, I've wanted to visit Nantucket.

Since I met Emily in college, I've heard about the idyllic summers her family spent on the island, and I've been mildly obsessed with everything from clam bakes and lobster feasts to Nantucket reds, cedar shake cottages adorned in climbing roses and hydrangeas, cobblestone roads, and living the east coast island life.

Em's parents are from the east coast, and both families had summer homes on Nantucket. She visited every summer growing up and to this day. Now there's just one family home on the island, and I think she hears threats of the cottage going on the market annually.

We've talked about traveling with Em and family for a couple years, and our annual visits to Sunriver served as a good taste of what vacationing with them might be like, but I was in disbelief until we actually booked our tickets to Nantucket. This dream was finally becoming a reality. And with Em and her brood living across the state of Washington now, we figured we might as well travel across America to spend a week at the beach with them.

Much like our road trip, I took some abbreviated notes, and we all took loads of photos. And now, the highlights:

• Red-eye from Portland to New York to Nantucket ... even the airport is cedar shake and adorable
• Beach ... happy hour ... burgers and super fresh corn, washed down by homemade ice cream at Millie's down the street ... the fun began as soon as we got off the plane, and the boys tried a homespun simple syrup whiskey smash concoction to get the party started
• More beach ... a trip into town, and the most gorgeous sunsets over the Atlantic 
• Oh, funny...we hit the beach again, Taylor and I went for a long run around the island, and we feasted on steaks, wine Emily saved from our girls trip to Healdsburg last year, and more ice cream
• The rains came, and we headed into "town" ... 1671 cobblestone roads (amazing!) ... lobster roll for lunch, crab cakes, chowder and seafood bisque...mmm my mouth is watering just typing this up! We kayaked the bay this day, and we watched the sunset again...it never, ever got old...and I believe this was the night we had the most epic lobster feast ever
• Taylor and I biked around the area of Eel Point and checked out the MASSIVE cedar shake "cottages" ...Taylor and I had a "date" that night and feasted on local fish tacos
• I got up at the crack of dawn with Taylor to fish at Eel Point (he fished, and I read)...then we spent the entire day at the beach...we had our traditional Brie en croute appetizer, popped a bottle of Rombauer Em had been saving, and feasted on lobster once again

We left Nantucket on the Fourth of July, and I'm not sure I've ever seen a more patriotic display of Americana in one place at one time. I do hope we make it back someday, but if we don't, the memories we made will carry me through my entire life. I will never forget the magic of Nantucket. Thank you, Emily and Greg, for including us in your trip. We love you! 

Leap of faith on the job front

There's not a whole lot to write about here. I was cruising in my last job, loving almost every minute of it. I really felt like I was in my element.

Opportunity came knocking, and I could not pass up the chance for a promotion and the ability to spread my wings are really try something new and different. I didn't have to leave my team, just switch roles, so what did I have to lose?

The comfort of my old job.

That's what I had to lose.

Life begins at the end of your comfort zone, though, right?

So, I interviewed. I gave it all I had, even though I thought I was under-qualified and over-challenged (not a word, I know) for this new role. I was completely honest in my perceived lack of skills, but I gave that interview my all. I prepared, had great examples, and honed my inner creative type, making a foam display board to help with my mini-presentation. I felt pretty confident, though my nerves were through the roof the moment the interview began. Taylor and I were leaving immediately after my interview for our road trip, so I had plenty on my mind.

And as luck would have it, after about fifteen minutes, the fire alarms began sounding. I am not making this up. We figured it was a drill, but usually drills are announced and posted on the building entrances.

We exited the building, and since the room in which I was interviewing was near a fire escape, I didn't even think to go back to my desk to get my wallet or phone. Once we got down the stairs, we realized there was, in fact, an actual fire. We weren't sure if it was in our building, but the plumes of smoke were visible, and my coworkers were running back in the building to get their personal belongings.

Yes, you read that correctly. (Well, I guess I mentioned it in the post about our road trip, huh? Sorry to blow the lead!)

What's the first thing you're not supposed to do? Run back into a burning building.

Back to the interview.

Since filling this position was pretty time-sensitive, and there were other interviews following mine, we had to keep going. Yes, I kept interviewing while walking through crowds of people standing and watching said fire. It was a bit abbreviated, and I had to leave my foam board behind, but I finished the interview and basically said, "See you later" for a week as I was heading out on vacation.

When I was walking to my car, I saw the charred food services truck, the culprit behind the fire. I thought it was an omen...I figured I didn't get the job. I mean, when there's a fire drill, and an actual FIRE in the middle of an interview, when is that a GOOD sign?

On the last day of our vacation, after mountain biking in Park City, I got a call from my new boss, offering me the job. I was shocked to say the least. I didn't know what I was getting myself into, but I took a leap and said yes.

It hasn't been three months yet, but the learning curve is STEEP. It's a challenge, but I am sure once the newness wears off, I'm really going to like it. I get to keep some of the comforts of my old job--same team, same group, and I literally moved just two desks away--and I get to embark on a new journey that includes a lot of presentations and mental math. I'm just kidding about that second part, but I do have to speak about numbers, something that's super challenging for me!

I knew a new adventure was on the horizon after my birthday, and this new job has definitely been quite a ride the last few months. Looking forward to settling in and feeling comfortable again soon.

...

Below are some old photos from previous work trips...I've been to L.A. three times this year for work so far, and I'm sure I'll be back again soon!

Nice perk getting to see the sisters and littles!

And getting to see the beach? Only on our way to the airport! 

Previous work trip to L.A.