HELLO
Mom to Iris. Wife to Todd. Our little family lives at the foothills of the Ozark Mountains in Fayetteville, Arkansas. We love it here and I love sharing little bits of our life.

© 2014 sarahfortune.

+

Shack Up Inn: Clarksdale, MS

This past summer Todd and I took our very first trip away together since having a baby. We left Iris with my mom and as hard as it was to leave her, I sincerely think it was good for our souls to have our first baby-free weekend. So much so, that our next one is coming up soon. This occasion was for a wedding of one of our old friends, Cory Branan. He married the lovely Rebecca at The Shack Up Inn in Clarksdale, Mississippi.

I had heard about the Shacks, but had never been. An hour and a half south of Memphis, this compound of a hotel is one of a kind. The property is made up of renovated sharecropper shacks and an old cotton gin. They did an amazing job at keeping the character, but giving guests the comfort they would expect on vacation. Our shack had an ice cold air conditioner, surprisingly comfortable bed, and amenities that were honestly way more useful (and unique) than the stuff at regular hotels – BC powder and La Croix sparkling water for hangovers, a water gun for the heat, and Moon Pies because, well, you’re in the south. Also, when you check into your room, you can check out a guitar to use during your stay. It is the crossroads after all.

I can’t wait to go back… and bring all my friends.

They are long overdue, but here are some photos of the property
and then a few of our journey.

Shack Up Inn

Shack Up Inn

Shack Up Inn

Shack Up Inn

Shack Up Inn

Shack Up Inn

Shack Up Inn

Shack Up Inn

Shack Up Inn

Shack Up Inn

Shack Up Inn

Shack Up Inn

Shack Up Inn

Shack Up Inn

Shack Up Inn

Shack Up Inn

Shack Up Inn

Shack Up Inn

Shack Up Inn

Shack Up Inn

Shack Up Inn

Shack Up Inn

Shack up inn


Road trip!
This way to Mississippi.

Key to our “shack”
This place is amazing.

the grounds
Our home for the weekend.

THE best room amenities.
The best room amenities ever. And yes, I already need that La Croix.

Friday night at Red’s Juke Joint in Clarksdale.
Juke joint. Friday night. In Clarkadale. ❤

Exploring the Shack Up Inn property
Untitled

Untitled

Exploring.

the wedding set up.
Wedding time.

the beautiful couple!
Beautiful. @rebekhoward @corybranan

Awesome.

Yep. Joaquin Phoenix was there annnnd I snuck a photo.
Oh and that's just ole Joaquin Phoenix hunched over in the background. Normal.
Wedding: day
wedding - day

Wedding: night
Wedding: night

The drive.

So long Mississippi. You've been sweet, but I'm goin home to Arkansas to see my baby.

Baby Blog: Iris videos

So, it’ been a while. A LONG while. I’ve been out of the blogging world lately since all of my time is now dedicated to my family, a new job, and of course Instagram. I did want to make a quick post to add a few new videos of Iris though. These were all taken over the past week or so. We’ve been on Christmas vacation, so we’ve had a lot of extra time on our hands. Now if only I could remember to shoot iPhone video horizontally…

Iris says, “HI!”

Iris’ first snow

Iris singing & dancing:

The disappearing baby:

Quick Trip: Chicago

Ever since Iris has been here,
it seems like I’ve been on a travel hiatus.

This late summer though,
is a different story.

I used to love packing my bags, but now…
Saying goodbye to my love is tough.

I wanna bring her with me.

Recently I flew to Chicago
for a short business trip
(sans baby).

Here are a few photos from
my two night stay…

Downtown Chicago

I can see my hotel from here. #chicago

A sliver of a lake view.

I can see a sliver of the lake from my hotel bed.

A drink at the Signature Lounge
(96th floor of the John Hancock building).

Blueberry mojito on the 96th floor of the John Hancock building. {this one's for you @bevcooks }

Photos from home
melt my heart.

Melting my heart from miles & miles away.

Pregnant me / today me.
Same hotel. Same meeting.
Exactly one year later.

Pregnant me / today me. Same hotel. Same meeting. Exactly one year later. #flashbackfriday

Met up with James from Bleubird Vintage.
Such a lovely surprise she was in town at the same time!
(photo by – Bleubird. Sorry James, I had to steal this one
– it’s way cuter than mine!)

Sarah & Bleubird - Chicago

I met her ah-dorable Gemma Bird & husband too.

If I can't hang out with Iris, I might as well hang out with Gemma. @bleubird

Oh, she's the cutest. @bleubird @aubreymccoy

Dinner with good company on my last night in town.

Last night in Chicago.

Coming home to Arkansas is always sweet.

Home! Such a pretty flight coming into Arkansas.

But coming home to this
is sweeter.

REUNITED!

Baby’s First Steps!

This is a photo of a girl who is nine months old today.

9 months old today... and she took three steps!

And this thing here, is a video of some of her very first steps.
She’s taken mini steps here and there,
but today she took her most legit “walk” ever.
She’s still got a ways to go,
but what a big day for my sweet little girl!