Sometimes the best adventures begin with a little curiosity. One college Saturday, a brown-bag lunch, and a room full of strangers led to a pair of handmade mittens — and a lovely reminder that not everything we try needs a grand purpose. Sometimes saying yes to curiosity is enough.
Author: Krissy Pellegriti | Deliberate Desires
Hi, I’m Krissy Pellegriti—author, blogger, and the creator of Deliberate Desires, a place dedicated to living with intention, clarity, and courage. Through personal reflections, The Deliberate Detour travel series, and stories from everyday life, I hope to encourage others to slow down, notice the beauty around them, and design a life they truly love—deliberately. Wife to Tom, we have nine grown kids, nana to ten grands and 2 more coming soon, lifelong learner, and believer that some of life’s greatest adventures begin with one small intentional step.
Catalina Cucina: Worth a Second Look
Sometimes a restaurant deserves a second look. We returned to Catalina Cucina in Woodstock, Georgia, for a relaxed Sunday lunch and discovered that second chances can be delicious. From fig Bellinis and wonderful service to comforting Italian favorites and ricotta cheesecake, we’re so glad we went back!
Not Every Beautiful Day Is Sunny
Not every beautiful day needs sunshine. Sometimes life's loveliest moments arrive quietly, beneath a gray October sky. An old railroad bridge, autumn's changing colors, and a little reminder to appreciate the scenery along the way.
When Chocolate Was the Destination
Sometimes chocolate is reason enough for a detour! 🍫 We’re revisiting a deliciously indulgent 2018 visit to Toothsome Chocolate Emporium at Universal CityWalk, where one outrageous milkshake was practically an entire meal! Add a little Willy Wonka nostalgia, an unexpected personal connection to Roald Dahl’s family, and a celebration of Toothsome’s 10th anniversary, and you’ve got one sweet trip down memory lane!
Some Days Don’t Need a Lesson
Not every day has to teach us something. Not every moment needs a takeaway. Not every Tuesday — or Wednesday — needs to become a turning point. Sometimes the coffee is good. The sky is pretty. Dinner tastes great. Someone makes you laugh. You get home, take off your shoes, and realize the … Continue reading Some Days Don’t Need a Lesson
Ramen, Rice & a Little Aruba
A Saturday night in Kennesaw turned into one of those easy, memorable little detours — complete with ramen, sizzling garlic rice, a terrific waiter, and an unexpected taste of Aruba at the end.
Say Cheese!
A Capital One commercial put Antonelli’s Cheese Shop on our radar — and a family trip to Austin gave us the perfect excuse to visit. Tiny but mighty, full of personality, and packed with delicious cheese, this was one very fun Deliberate Detour.
September, You Were Lovely
September was busy, imperfect, full — and somehow filled with moments worth remembering. A little end-of-month reflection on the ordinary joys, detours, laughter, and things still unfolding.
A Step Into Italy: An Early Fall Detour to Ferraro’s Kitchen
A beautiful early fall Sunday afternoon in Blue Ridge turned into a little step into Italy at Ferraro’s Kitchen — complete with a breezy second-floor patio, delicious food, wonderful service, and one very memorable cannoli.
What “Let Them” Reminded Me About Living Deliberately
Inspired by Mel Robbins’ The Let Them Theory, this reflection explores what happens when we stop trying to manage everyone else’s choices and return our attention to the one thing we can control: how we choose to live.
