Friday, March 28, 2014

happy happy birthday love.....

 
love you to the moon and back.  xoxo
 
 



mom xoxo

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

still photographing my weekends...

i love my weekends.  i didn't end up simplifying things quite yet.  i think it is going to be a slow
process.  cut things out gradually.  because even tho i need to simplify things i really really love all that i do.

  hope you are having a great start to your week.


Friday, March 21, 2014

beautiful...

happy friday. hope you were lucky enough to see this beautiful sunrise today...

love sent, xo

Thursday, March 20, 2014

simplify...

i know i need  to simplify and slow things down a bit.  i think we tend to make our lives more complicated than they need to be..  when i am  in the throws of my self imposed boot camp, i tend to forget that i actually have control over some things.  i often ignore the signs of burn out until i am at the point where i don't feel like doing anything.  my life has been stressful since the start of this year and i know i have to get better at taking time for myself.    when i don't my creativity feels entirely exhausted.  i push so hard through my mile long list of  to-dos and then  by the time i get to relax its midnight and i am so overtired.  then as a result, my mind is never really quiet and i'm skipping right over that much needed sleep.  and... i wonder why my head feels over full and foggy.
this weekend i plan to live in my yoga pants & ballet flats, maybe  take a few naps, hang out and watch a few movies. stuff i never do that i think would be very good for the soul.  even if i just hang out at home and clean my house.  (i'll let you know how this works out  :) 
most of us have very busy, full, lives it's how we respond to things that makes the difference.  sometimes a few minor changes can make a big difference.

i love thoreau.

this is such a peaceful picture.
my dad took us so often to walden pond, it holds a special place in my heart.  

 Tried and True Tips for More Mindful Living

1. find a quiet place to breathe deeply and just be for a few moments several times throughout the day.
2. eat healthy & exercise daily.  drink water often.
3. identify your favorite comfy chic wardrobe essentials, stock up and wear with them with confidence.
4. simplify all aspects of your life by reducing clutter (mental & physical). start with your closet and your kitchen.
5. swap out your afternoon coffee and self imposed pressure for herbal tea.
6. focus on what you are grateful for...you will see your gratitude grow from there.
7. when you experience writers block and the creative blahs, take a break.  it is ok, and you will be better for it.
8. be you, never play the comparison game.
9. light a candle.
10. remember that most of the time...less is more.
love sent,  xo

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

my answers...

i was asked some questions.....

 what is your favorite journey?
coming home, from anywhere. i love my little corner of the world. but i also love any kind of a journey.

 what was your best read so far this year?  
the book thief, by markus zusak.

what was  your favorite movie so far this year?
philomenia, i loved it. i loved Ireland and the landscape in the movie was beautiful.
the story is so touching so heartbreaking and beautiful.

 if the sun is shining, where do you go?
toward the ocean, i gravitate toward water when it's sunny.  i can't wait for warmer days.
beach walks and picnics.

 where’s next on your ‘must visit’ list?
 i have so many places i want to see,  so i'm really not sure. but i am thinking I would love to visit  france again, actually, it is a sure bet. we've pondered so many options lately and greece is up there too.

 what are your words to live by?
life is always changing, live in the moment and have no regrets.

tell me a joke.
what did the grape say when the elephant stepped on it? it gave a little wine.  so corny but i love it.

...    and a song that really moves me.


 

hope you had a great day.

love sent, xo

weekend rewind...

                                                     my favorite photos of the weekend.







hope you had a great weekend as well. love sent, xo

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Thursday, March 13, 2014

it's five o'clock somewhere...

a zippy citrusy cocktail for the upcoming warmer weather.  

i know i keep bringing up the fact that spring is near, it's because i am trying to convince myself that it's really close, despite having had to maneuver my way through another snow and ice drive this morning.




via anthropologie    this glass is perfect  to serve this in.


what you'll need
oz. orange liqueur 
1 oz. gin
1 oz. pineapple juice
orange slice
mint sprig
soda water

how to make it
combine the orange liqueur, gin and pineapple juice in a glass with ice.  add the mint and orange slice (after giving it a good squeeze). stir until chilled and fragrant, then top off with soda water.

enjoy.
love sent, xo

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

spring...

i can not wait for the first day i can leave my coat at home.

i received a spring "birch box"  in the mail yesterday which was super fun. i love these surprises.   it included a pretty spring scent, a fun pink lip gloss, some much needed moisturizing cream, some sunscreen and much more.  loved it!  perfect sizes  for a weekend away.

i can't wait to wear my new spring shoes. loving everything about them.  being a shoe fanatic doesn't help.
i just can't wait to stop wearing boots.

and a perfect summer sneaker beloved by french girls everywhere. super comfortable, pretty and tomboyish all at once.

i look forward to starting up the garden again and i am loving my new cookbook  it is keeping me super inspired.

can't wait to go back to this restaurant  the food was amazing.


and a recipe for the cold rainy morning forecasted for tomorrow.

best baked oatmeal  

thank you yossy!   



2 cups rolled oats
1 cup pecans, toasted and chopped
¼-⅓ cup maple syrup
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
¼ tsp. salt
2 1/4 cups whole milk
1 large egg
3 tbsp. coconut oil (or butter) melted
2 cups blueberries (fresh or frozen)

what to do:
preheat oven to 375F and butter the inside of an 8-inch square or 9-inch round baking dish.

in a large bowl combine the oats, baking powder, cinnamon and salt (this can be done the night before). in a large measuring cup whisk the maple syrup, milk and egg. spread half of the oat mixture in the baking dish. top it with half of the pecans and blueberries, then add the rest of the oats on top. gently pour the milk mixture over the oats and shake the dish a bit so the ingredients settle. scatter the rest of the berries and pecans over the top and drizzle with the melted coconut oil.

bake for 35-45 minutes until the top is golden and the oats have set. serve warm with additional maple syrup and butter if desired.


  love sent, xo

Monday, March 10, 2014

the weather man said...

it's gonna snow, and it did.  it was so dark this morning but so light last evening. i love having longer daylight hours.  it makes me certain that spring is near, even if it doesn't feel like it, and this morning it really didn't feel like it. but, to this day, the ebb and flow of the seasons move me.  i am looking forward to golden days even though i know they will be peppered with chilly nights.  i am  looking forward to pea pods and fresh asparagus at the farmer's market, lighter clothes and bike rides. i think it's important to have things in your life you look forward to, otherwise you can get pulled into the slumber of monotony. so, look for the buds on the trees, and watch for the birds on your windowsill and remind yourself of what's to come.

                                                                                 spring is near


love sent, xo

Sunday, March 9, 2014

a sunday well spent....

                                                        brings a week of content....










love making the most of my weekends.

have a great week ahead

love sent, xo

Thursday, March 6, 2014

breathe, be present and give thanks...

i looked out my window early this morning and shivered at the temperature.  how can it be only 8
degrees? it's early march, surely it should be warmer by now. but lots should be different by now.
it is sunny but oh so cold.  this has been a long, long winter.
everything feels more difficult than usual, this day has been difficult.
as the sun glistens off the frozen snow banks i know spring will come soon again.  so for now even amidst the tears i know there is so much beauty.  i memorize the fragments of my every day experiences and i know there is so much to be thankful for. i lean my forehead against the cold window and look at the beautiful blue, gray sky and it makes me realize what a small space i occupy in this universe.  there is so much magic but sometimes i just have to remind myself to see it.


just remember when you open your eyes each morning - you don't know what the day will bring. but when you close your eyes each night you know how you contributed to the things you couldn't control.
this week didn't go exactly how i expected, but i have found a peaceful resolution. i felt heard. at times i felt scared and overwhelmed. buy i also felt like i made a positive contribution to an important conversation.
i will look back on today and know i did my best, i spoke from my heart and i saw goodness in people.

thank you from my grateful heart

love sent, xo

Wednesday, March 5, 2014