A New Chapter: Apartment Hunting in Atlanta

Because BeBe needs to be close to her babies.

Friends, I have some news — and it’s the best kind. My daughter-in-law is expecting Baby #2 at the end of September, which means June is getting a little sibling, and this BeBe is getting a very good reason to spend a lot more time in Atlanta

Here’s the plan: I’m keeping my home in Athens — it will always be my home base, the place where I feel most rooted. But I’ve decided to look for an apartment in the Dunwoody area of Atlanta so I can be close to my granddaughters whenever I’m needed. And trust me, BeBes are always needed.

So what does a woman do when she’s about to start apartment hunting? She puts on a great outfit, of course.

What I Wore Apartment Hunting

I firmly believe that how you show up matters — even when you’re just walking through empty rooms and peering into closets. This look is pure American Classic: polished enough to feel intentional, comfortable enough to climb three flights of stairs if the elevator is “temporarily out of service.”

Shop the Look

• Talbots Sweater — The ivory with navy trim is everything. It’s the kind of sweater that looks expensive and effortless at the same time. Classic, collegiate, and completely versatile.
• J.McLaughlin Ivy Pants — Navy ankle pants that fit beautifully and go with absolutely everything. This is the kind of piece that earns its place in your closet for years.
• Everlane Day Glove Flats — Comfortable enough for a full day of walking and touring, chic enough to look put-together doing it.
• Quince Suede Handbag — The taupe suede barrel bag is so on-trend right now, and the quality from Quince never disappoints. Great everyday bag.
• Jeanie Jacket — Spring weather can be unpredictable, which is why a tech jacket (with removable hood) is a must-have.

A New Chapter — and Why I’m Excited

I’ll be honest: the idea of having a second home didn’t occur to me until I realized how much I was missing by being an hour and a half away. With June at the age she is now — so curious, so funny, so completely herself — every visit feels both too short and too precious to rush.

And with Baby #2 arriving in September? Can you believe it? Another girl! I want to be the grandmother who shows up. Not the one who has to make a production of the drive.

Athens will always be home. My roots are there, my life is there, and Ollie absolutely refuses to relocate. But having a little pied-à-terre in Atlanta feels right. It feels like exactly what this chapter of life calls for — leaning in, showing up, and staying close to the people who matter most.

What I’m Already Bringing With Me

One of the things I love about starting fresh in a new space is the chance to be intentional about what goes in it. I’m not starting from zero — I already have a few key pieces that will make any apartment feel like home immediately.

Leesa Mattress

Here’s my philosophy on setting up a new space: the bed comes first. I don’t care if there’s no couch yet, no kitchen table, no artwork on the walls — if I can get a good night’s sleep, everything else can wait. A well-rested woman makes better decisions, shows up better for her grandchildren, and frankly, looks better doing it. So before I find a single piece of furniture for this apartment, the mattress is already handled.

A good night’s sleep is non-negotiable, and I already have my Leesa mattress sorted. Here’s what I love about it: the Leesa Original is a 10-inch all-foam mattress with a medium-firm feel that works beautifully for side and back sleepers — which I am. It contours to your body, relieves pressure on the hips and shoulders, and the foam is specifically designed to keep you cool rather than trap heat. It’s also GREENGUARD Gold certified and made with CertiPUR-US® certified foams, which means no harmful chemicals and low emissions — the kind of detail that matters more to me the older I get. It arrives as a mattress-in-a-box, expands beautifully, and comes with a 100-night trial so you can truly sleep on it before committing. If you’ve been considering one, use my code BETH75 to save $75.

Ruggable Washable Rugs

Two Ruggable rugs are already on my list — a kitchen runner and a second one for the living room. Can I just say: a washable rug with grandchildren is absolutely genius. Ruggable, what would I do without you? For an apartment where little ones will inevitably be involved in crafts, snacks, juice boxes, and general beautiful chaos, washable is the only way to go. I don’t want to be precious about my rugs, but they also have to look good, and Ruggable has an endless assortment of styles and colors. I want to throw them in the wash and get back to the fun part.

Making It Feel Like Home: Flamingo Estate

The kitchen and the bedroom are always my first focus when I move into a new space. Get those two rooms right and everything else falls into place. And both rooms get a candle — because that’s just how I do things.

The kitchen gets the Flamingo Estate Heirloom Tomato Candle, which is unlike anything I’ve ever burned. It captures the green, herbaceous essence of a summer garden — ripe tomatoes on the vine, freshly watered, leaves at their most fragrant. It makes the kitchen smell like you actually know what you’re doing in there.

The bedroom gets the Jasmine Damask Rose XL Candle — and if the Heirloom Tomato is the candle for living, this one is the candle for being. Intoxicating jasmine and sweetly floral Damask Rose with bright waves of Bergamot and Orange Blossom — it’s the kind of scent that makes a room feel like a sanctuary the moment you walk in. Both are hand-poured in Los Angeles in beautiful recyclable glass, and both make extraordinary gifts.

And the kitchen also gets properly stocked — starting with the Chef’s Kiss set. Three essential ingredients that belong in every kitchen: a green, peppery olive oil, deep floral honey from bees foraging on wildflowers in the Los Angeles mountains, and a Salsa Macha made with chipotle chiles smoked for 48 hours by the Aquino family in Veracruz. Whether you’re cooking a real dinner or just drizzling things over crusty bread, this set makes everything taste like you know what you’re doing. Chef’s Kiss comes in an embossed gift box finished with a grosgrain bow — buy one for yourself and one for someone you love.

Flamingo Estate is a Los Angeles-based brand that sits at the intersection of the garden, the kitchen, and the senses. Everything they make — from candles to pantry staples — is rooted in botanical ingredients, small-batch craftsmanship, and the philosophy that everyday life deserves to be beautiful. It’s one of those brands that once you discover it, you can’t imagine your home without it.

What I’m Looking for in an Atlanta Apartment

I’ve been thinking about what matters most, and it comes down to a few things:

• Close to June and Baby #2 — proximity is the whole point
• A guest room or comfortable sofa bed situation for when the boys visit
• Good light — I cannot live in a cave
• Space for Ollie when she makes the trip (she’s very particular about square footage)
• A kitchen I can actually cook in — BeBe does not do takeout every night

I’ll be documenting the whole process right here — the tours, the decisions, the inevitable moment I fall in love with something completely impractical. Stay tuned.

Style Has No Expiration Date — and Neither Does Starting Fresh

One of the things I’ve learned in this season of life is that new chapters don’t stop coming — and the best thing you can do is walk into them with intention. And ideally, a great outfit.

If you’re in a season of change right now, too, I’d love to hear about it. Drop a comment below and let’s talk. That’s what this community is for.

Are you in a new chapter right now? Tell me about it in the comments below — I read every single one.

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