take five

Today is one of those days where I just feel overwhelmed… how do people do all the things they do? Keep up with things at work, and keep the house clean, remember to get their car inspected (ahem), and keep up with personal finances (not to mention business finances), while making sure they have clean laundry and don’t run out of toothpaste, and keep up with work? Really, how? While I ponder all that, I’m looking forward to a quiet weekend at home. Well, maybe not too quiet… along with a friend, we’re going to start building a fence and deck for our backyard. I think putting my feet up on a deck while sipping a cocktail is exactly what I need right now (even though we’re thinking the project will take about a month, so in the meantime I’ll have to find somewhere else to do that).

But above are images from some pretty links for your weekend, and below are some fun things to do, if you’re a “Durhamite” like me.

coaster baby shower invitations on FPO by Brian Leach / jewelry by Nallik Jems on Unruly Things (she has a knack for finding the best jewelry!) / piping experiments by Fellow Fellow / honey glazed roasted veggie recipe from The Best of This Life / new artwork from Jessica Bell

Weekend Event Picks for Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill: It’s First Friday in Raleigh // Tonight, a double Retrofantasma feature for just $8 at the Carolina Theater with 1968′s Barbarella and 1965′s Planet of the Vampires // instrument zoo for kids at Marbles on Saturday from 11-2 with the NC Symphony // Long-time baker, Frank Ferrell of Ninth Street Bakery, will moderate a panel of Durham’s artisan bakers on Sunday, June 3 at 3 p.m. at the Main Library. Learn how these bakers got started and what they love about the business,  followed by a Q&A session. // the 8th Annual Beaver Queen Pageant, this Saturday, June 2 from 4 p.m. at Duke Park. A family friendly event, this year’s emcee is Frank Stasio of NPR’s The State of Things, Cirque du Vol Studios will perform, and some of your favorite Durham businesses will have representatives dressed in full wetland regalia as they serve as Dishonorable Pageant Judges and of course, the main attraction will be the performances and ultimately the crowning of the 8th annual Beaver Queen! // Durham’s new co-working space, Mercury Studios, will have their launch party on Saturday // Whole Foods on Broad Street will have their Grand Re-Opening Celebration on Sunday afternoon with a party (live music, crafts, bbq, beer) from 3-6 pm. 100% of food and drink proceeds will go to Preservation Durham!

Have a good weekend!

—Ellie