This is kinda Great.

Had to share...

Cozy thermals, plaids...

I love this photo shoot from Teen Vogue that was done a few years ago. I have a thing for cozy outfits that make you look as if you've stepped out of a log cabin. And, I'm especially loving these romantic skirts. : )

Must Love,

Mountains. I swear, the love of mountains must be in my bones and in my soul. I always think it's so funny when people say they love the ocean more... I wonder what that is? (Why people love one or the other more?) Perhaps it's what we grew up with? My best friend is definitely a surfing, ocean girl. She loves it! I like a little of both, but mountains are my favorite!

Wishing you all a wonderful Turkey Day. We're going to do a little skiing (but, there isn't much snow yet) and some cooking!

image via Ruby Press

Wish you May, Wish you Might

Tomorrow, we are heading to Colorado for Thanksgiving and I was thinking... that I am ready to play and celebrate. I know, I have been writing "heavier" things than normal, but that's just what happens when you're going through something. There are ups and downs, good days and not so good days. But, I also believe in surrounding yourself with the people you have the most fun with, drinking a lot of wine, skiing and having some fun. Yea, not just some... a lot! Wishing all of you some sweet family/friend time!

images via pretty stuff

Sometimes it's okay...

Often, I get into the habit of pushing myself until I physically, mentally, emotionally can no longer move, make sense or pretend to be alright. Sometimes, you just gotta say, I need a moment to myself to take care of me. And sometimes, it's longer than a moment. Sometimes, you need a few days, a few weeks, even a few months. And well, that's just okay.

images via sunshine traveler and we heart it.

Marie Claire, Russia

I love this editorial with Julia Dunstall. The colors, the coats, the hats are perfect. I hope all of you have a great weekend! I can't believe it's almost Thanksgiving!

Crazy!

(images via MagXone)

Time to Celebrate... A little...

I hope all of you are having a great day! I got some pretty exciting news today. I was accepted into a writing program and I can't even believe it... Wooohooo! Ready to celebrate "Great Gatsby" style tonight. Wearing a sparkly dress and dancing on tables might be in order. :)

Simple & Lovely...

Last night, when I couldn't sleep and found myself searching for inspiration to keep writing, I stumbled upon this and it made my night! It is so simple and lovely. The life of an artist is quite different. Us creative types have to have our solitude at times. There comes a time when it is necessary to reflect and you really have to unplug. There is often this weird lull and when life gets too busy, or you start to focus on other things, it becomes messy in the mind, but with solitude there is time, time to soak it all in. I love when she mentions driving... how it pushes everything unimportant into the back of your mind and you think about the good things. I feel the exact same way. I drive from Houston to Arkansas, Arkansas to Houston all the time. People often ask me if it's exhausting, how I could possibly do it so much? But, I'll let ya in on a little secret... there are times when I cherish those moments, alone, in my car, listening to music, thinking and thinking... it gives time to digest life. We have things thrown at us all the time. Sometimes it's nice to take a step back.

Loving Tuesday

I hope all of you are having a great week so far. Sorry for the missed post yesterday. I was traveling all day back from San Francisco and arrived home a little exhausted, but the kind of exhausted that's after a long weekend spent with your BFF having a whole lot of fun (and reliving what it was like in college?) We had a great weekend with lots of wine, lots of food, shopping and some music... ohh yess, my favorite things!

San Francisco's Best Breakfast: Plow

I arrived in San Francisco last night and already, I think I've had the two best meals of my life. Last night, Jana took me to Chez Maman in her neighborhood in Potrero Hill. It was the coziest place I've ever been to, with the best butternut squash soup and french fries. This morning we woke up, and headed to Plow. Owned by the same person who happened to give us a free bottle of wine last night (Ruby Wine, thannnk you).
Plow is a tiny, unassuming breakfast hotspot. We got there at 8 this morning and it was crowded! If you happened to be in San Francisco, you must go to these two places. Try the pumpkin pancakes at Plow, I swear they will make your life so much better. :)

Starting the Weekend...

Happy Thursday all! I am heading off to San Francisco today to visit my BFF. I am so excited! I haven't been out to visit her since I lived in New York, which was about 3 years ago. I know... too long! Enjoy the day, hopefully there won't be any travel delays! ; )

PS. I love this picture. My leather jacket is in tow...

A little bit of honesty...

Have you ever thought about the word "honesty?" What it means exactly to be honest with yourself and with others...? Sometimes, I find it to be very challenging. I am a pro when it comes to acting like everything is okay, like I have it handled, like I have a grasp on it when in truth I'm a big mess. Yep. This brings me to the next word: "vulnerability." I think I actually might be allergic to that word. But, in yoga class yesterday, Maria, our teacher spoke to us about both of these things and I thought, my gah, here I am trying to pretend that everything is okay and here I am lying to myself and not making any sense to anyone else, all because in some way I feel weak if I were to say, "I'm not okay. I might cry. I might fall apart a little." If I do ever say these words, I immediately start apologizing for myself. So, here's to honesty.

And a little bit of an excerpt...

"The more honest we are with ourselves about how we feel and what we really think, the more power we will have. We may have once thought that being powerful means not giving into what we felt, what we thought, or how we really were. But that attitude didn't garner power for us. It caused life, the universe to continue creating situations that would help open our hearts, help us to feel, help us to learn the lesson of vulnerability. The sooner we become honest with ourselves, the sooner we can be honest with others. The sooner we become honest with ourselves, the more quickly we'll grow and move on to a new place. Become vulnerable, at least with yourself. Be honest about what you think and how you feel. Write it. Speak it. Feel it. Release it. Then you will know where to go, when to go. What you are to do next will emerge naturally, quietly, and clearly."- Melody Beattie

Wednesday Musings

Currently loving all of this! The bottom picture is from Kate and Andy Spade's apartment. Have you all seen it?? I posted about it awhile back, a lonnnng while back! Check it out HERE if you haven't yet seen it. It is probably one of my favorite spaces. I love everything about it.

images via sparkling glitter tumblr

Kale & Rosemary Soup...

Today, I am bringing out the crock pot and attempting to make this soup. I love kale, rosemary, potatoes... basically all of the above. I think I'm also going to mix it up a bit and add some butternut squash. Exciting, yea? I think so.

For the Recipe, Click here: Roasted Tomato & Rosemary Soup with Kale and Potatoes

Happy Monday!

I hope all of you had a great weekend. Whether it was super busy, or restorative... I hope you made time for yourself! This week will be full of writing, running, yoga and of course hanging with my pup. Happy, Happy Monday! : )

image via bellemonde

In Need:

Of some yoga on a Sunday. I have never practiced on Sunday before. I'm not sure why... perhaps it's because I usually love longs runs on Sundays, or I'm just too lazy. This weekend, as much as I felt the urge to give into the inevitable draw of trying to forget about the stresses in my life, I decided to tread moderately and try not to lose myself in the midst of what would be easy. It never feels right to add harm onto harm. Because we all know when you step back to reality, you have to deal with what you're going through no matter what, so you might as well go ahead and do it without adding the hangover or lack of real sleep. Instead of the urge to do harm when everything seems to be chaotic in life, embrace the urge to take care of yourself. Perhaps, give yourself a little more love and not worry about the things in life that simply add more stress. Allow for time to heal...

I hope all of you are taking the Sunday to have some fun and relax...

"Even a little of this practice will
shelter you from great sorrow"
- Bhagavad Gita

Balancing Acts

Happy Friday, everyone! I hope all of you have a wonderful weekend. What are your plans?? On Wednesday I started reading this book and I haven't been able to put it down. It's a funny and heart-warming read about four friends who all begin doing yoga together. Their lives are all different, but in some way, I believe I can relate to every single one of the characters! Set in New York, these ladies are all dealing with all of the struggles of finding the right job, mate and balance within themselves. Ahem, I can't say that I don't relate, because I absolutely do! If you're looking for a really good read that wraps around your heart and keeps you entertained... read this!

From Kate

When I came across this yesterday on Kate's blog, a bobo mess, it made me smile a little, laugh and think of France. I have no idea why it made me laugh. Perhaps because I am going to attempt making this, and although Kate makes it sound easy and breezy, I have a feeling I will get halfway in and think, what the heck am I doing?

But, what the hell! It sounds fun to make and looks pretty!

PS- I still need to make pecan tassies... I've been slacking on my culinary expeditions, but I'll get back into them!

Nourishment

The theme of the month in our yoga class is nourishment. It honestly couldn't be more fitting at this time of year or at this time in my life. After the three weeks I had prior to this one, I am feeling a little drained, a little tired, and a little unbalanced. Nourishment is the term given to the substance necessary for growth, health and good condition. It's listening to yourself and giving yourself what you need. As I walked into my first yoga class since the beginning of October, I knew it was going to be a little tough. Going through the poses I found some to be harder than others, and when I found myself shaky or unstable, I let myself fall. Sometimes you have to accept what is going on, exactly as it is especially when you can't change the circumstance. Frustration begins when we try to fix things too quickly or simply act as if everything is okay, when in truth things are not okay. Honor yourself. Honor every part of you. Honor every feeling, every worry and let it pass through you. My yoga teacher read to us at the beginning of class from an excerpt stating that we are all exactly where we need to be, going through exactly what we need to be going through. Lessons are always right on time. During these lessons allow yourself to be nourished.

A few excerpts from Journey to the Heart...

Seek healing, a refilling of energy and spirit as soon as you need it. You don't have to push yourself to give, do, or perform when your body, mind, soul, and emotions need to heal. Seek support and natural balance. Listen to your body, listen to your soul, and both will tell you what they need and when...

Find the balance that's right for you. Become sensitive to your needs. When you become stressed, depleted, out of sync, in need of healing... Nurture and care for yourself until you're in balance once again.

Much like breathing...
You can not give out, unless you take in.


Don't worry too much about all the things you have to do, all the things you have to decide. Be with yourself in the present moment and for the time being let go of everything else and allow yourself to be nourished... to be taken care of.

image via inspiration for wellbeing

Wishing for a Sweet November...

After the month of October, I am wishing for a wonderful November full of new beginnings, healing and perhaps some skiing!

image via the Glitter Guide