This looks like heaven! I think I'll curl up on the couch, put on a girly movie and make one of these tonight!
Friday, July 30, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Favorite Thing #2
Favorite Thing #2 - Vintage Luggage
I've always had an infatuation with all things vintage, but lately I've discovered a new love - vintage luggage! Here are some gorgeous vintage luggage pieces I found on etsy.com!
I've always had an infatuation with all things vintage, but lately I've discovered a new love - vintage luggage! Here are some gorgeous vintage luggage pieces I found on etsy.com!
Back in the day, luggage came in so many different shapes and sizes - every piece was so unique!
I love the colors and the diagonal zipper!
I love anything avocado green. It's so retro, but feels so modern...if that makes sense!
I've decided that bowling bags are awesome! I must get one of these someday! I haven't decided what I'd use it for, but I'm sure I'll think of something...
Just beautiful! It makes me want to plan a trip just so I can use one of these retro luggage pieces!
Monday, July 26, 2010
Favorite Thing #1
"Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens...bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens...brown paper packages tied up with strings...these are a few of my favorite things!"
There are so many little things in this world that I love, so I've decided to start making a list! I'm hoping to use it as a fun reminder of all the things in life there are to be happy about.
Favorite Thing #1: Eating Outside
Something about eating outside just makes me feel so alive! Spreading out on a blanket in the grass or cozying up with some friends on a picnic table and chowing down is one of life's simple pleasures!
My absolute favorite time to eat outside is just before dusk. You set up your food and get out the plates and drinks while it's still light outside, and slowly the sun sinks lower and lower. The crickets and cicadas sing louder and louder, and the lightning bugs come out one by one. By the time you're finished with your meal and done sipping that last little drop of chilled wine, you can enjoy an evening of hanging out under the stars. It doesn't get much better than that, folks!
Friday, July 23, 2010
My Vision Board
My Life Vision
I'm sure by now, most of you have heard of the concept of a vision board. It's basically a group of images you put together to represent the things you want out of life. The idea is that if these images are always staring you in the face, you'll be constantly reminded of your goals and will spend more time working toward achieving them. Some people will cut out magazine pictures and stick them on a cork board, while others will make a collage for their computer's wallpaper. Today I thought I'd share a few images from my vision board.
Your vision board can include whatever it is in your life you'd like to attract. Mine represents the lifestyle I want to have, the things I want to own and the way I want to feel everyday. This is my vision for myself and I hope to spend everyday working toward that end. This is my vision. What's yours?
I'm sure by now, most of you have heard of the concept of a vision board. It's basically a group of images you put together to represent the things you want out of life. The idea is that if these images are always staring you in the face, you'll be constantly reminded of your goals and will spend more time working toward achieving them. Some people will cut out magazine pictures and stick them on a cork board, while others will make a collage for their computer's wallpaper. Today I thought I'd share a few images from my vision board.
Your vision board can include whatever it is in your life you'd like to attract. Mine represents the lifestyle I want to have, the things I want to own and the way I want to feel everyday. This is my vision for myself and I hope to spend everyday working toward that end. This is my vision. What's yours?
I Want....
To have complete control over my schedule...
To spend a couple months each year truly experiencing life in a different country...
To live in a place that is sunny almost everyday...
To have the financial freedom to be able to buy new clothes whenever I want...
To live a lifestyle that allows me to spend more time outdoors than indoors...
To be able to travel whenever/wherever I want...
To have fresh flowers in my house at all times...
To have enough money to go to any restaurant I want as often as I want...
To live in a house that exudes calmness...
To spend as much time as possible being happy and showing love...
To have the energy to search for adventures everyday...
Most of all, I want to live the kind of life that allows me to look back and think...'Wow, that was awesome!'
Thursday, July 15, 2010
TILT
I'm an avid fan of the blogger Gala Darling! She's an incredible gal whose website inspires girls to live their happy life! Every Thursday, she posts something called "Things I Love Thursday" (or TILT.) She lists all the things she's happy about that week and invites others to do the same.
Here's my TILT for the week:
-experiencing my first roller derby match!
-delicious watermelon from the Farmer's Market
-beignets and cafe au lait during a nice summer bike ride
-hot, humid summer nights
-cicadas
-catching up with girlfriends
-outdoor, nighttime picnics
-lightning bugs
-drive-in movies
-chilled white wine
-watching softball games in the sun
-using fresh herbs in my cooking
-trying to decipher conversations with two year olds
-and much, much more...!
What do YOU love this week?
Here's my TILT for the week:
-experiencing my first roller derby match!
-delicious watermelon from the Farmer's Market
-beignets and cafe au lait during a nice summer bike ride
-hot, humid summer nights
-cicadas
-catching up with girlfriends
-outdoor, nighttime picnics
-lightning bugs
-drive-in movies
-chilled white wine
-watching softball games in the sun
-using fresh herbs in my cooking
-trying to decipher conversations with two year olds
-and much, much more...!
What do YOU love this week?
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Don't Put Off Your Happy Life
Love these!
Go to yesandyes.com and you can buy these in the form of 'karma cards' to carry around with you.
Go to yesandyes.com and you can buy these in the form of 'karma cards' to carry around with you.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Beat Boredom - Live Consciously!
For the past 2 1/2 years, I've been working at a job that really doesn't fulfill me in any way. I come in every day, count down the minutes until my 8 hours have been clocked in, then head home to enjoy the last little bit of my day. It's certainly not a terrible job by any means, but it pays me enough money to live a comfortable lifestyle and I'm comfortable doing my list of daily tasks...which terrifies me! Because, as you may or may not know, living a comfortable life puts you on a fast track to living a boring life. Before you know it, it's 20 years down the road and you find yourself living the same, boring life you never intended to live. You shake your head and think 'where in the world did the time go?!'
However, luckily for you and I, there is a way to break out of the cycle. The answer? Live consciously!
Living consciously can mean a lot of different things to different people, but the basic premise is that you live your life on purpose. Those who don't live consciously often get stuck in a monotonous routine and never figure out what makes them happy. Living consciously means paying attention to your daily life and spending as much time as you can doing things you love!
Everyday I try to work toward living more consciously. I'm still working the same unfulfilling job, but at least I know that it's leaving me unfulfilled. So, everyday I work toward making the next big move to improve my situation, while at the same time, I also spend time discovering the things I already do love about my life!
So, here are a couple of questions to get you started:
-What's going well right now? What can you celebrate?
-What's boring you?
What are things that bore me? My job, checking other people's Facebook pages, reality t.v., living in the same city for the last seven years...
What are some of the things I celebrate? My relationship with my husband, sweet tea from McDonald's, soaking up the sun, Voluspa Candles, walking barefoot through soft grass, sushi nights with my girlfriends, standing up for myself, karaoke with my family, fashion and popsicles... The list goes on and on!
The key is to waste less time on the things that bore you and spend more time doing the things you love! So, the next time I'm contemplating wasting half an hour of my life watching 'Keeping Up With The Kardashians', I think I'll throw a blanket out in the backyard and look at stars with the one I love instead!
“Celebrate what you want to see more of.”
-Tom Peters, American businessman
However, luckily for you and I, there is a way to break out of the cycle. The answer? Live consciously!
Living consciously can mean a lot of different things to different people, but the basic premise is that you live your life on purpose. Those who don't live consciously often get stuck in a monotonous routine and never figure out what makes them happy. Living consciously means paying attention to your daily life and spending as much time as you can doing things you love!
Everyday I try to work toward living more consciously. I'm still working the same unfulfilling job, but at least I know that it's leaving me unfulfilled. So, everyday I work toward making the next big move to improve my situation, while at the same time, I also spend time discovering the things I already do love about my life!
So, here are a couple of questions to get you started:
-What's going well right now? What can you celebrate?
-What's boring you?
What are things that bore me? My job, checking other people's Facebook pages, reality t.v., living in the same city for the last seven years...
What are some of the things I celebrate? My relationship with my husband, sweet tea from McDonald's, soaking up the sun, Voluspa Candles, walking barefoot through soft grass, sushi nights with my girlfriends, standing up for myself, karaoke with my family, fashion and popsicles... The list goes on and on!
The key is to waste less time on the things that bore you and spend more time doing the things you love! So, the next time I'm contemplating wasting half an hour of my life watching 'Keeping Up With The Kardashians', I think I'll throw a blanket out in the backyard and look at stars with the one I love instead!
“Celebrate what you want to see more of.”
-Tom Peters, American businessman
Friday, July 2, 2010
I Love Austin, TX!
One of my favorite cities in the world is Austin, Texas. It's quirky, full of life, love and energy. It's also one of the most health conscious cities in the U.S. which means it has tons of places to run and bike outside, as well as lots of places to get delicious good-for-you (and not-so-good-for-you food! I currently do not live in this lovely city, but I'm hoping to get back there soon! Here are just a few of the reasons, I love Austin!
1) The Food (Of Course!)
Austin prides itself on sustaining local businesses, which means there are tons of locally owned restaurants and fewer chains. I'm such a big, big fan of this! You can find so much more character and charm in small restaurants. Owners put their heart and soul into the food they create and I'd argue the food tastes better because of it! Not to mention, Austin has tons of great Mexican food. Who doesn't love chips and queso, tacos and a margarita on a warm summer night?!
Hill's Cafe in Austin, TX.
They have the BEST patio! They have live music on a small stage most nights of the week and the trees are filled with Christmas lights. I love hanging out here, eating some chicken fried chicken and listening to live music in the summer under the stars.
2) Shopping
Austin has some of the best vintage and boutique shopping out there! South Congress is full of great little stores and on the first Thursday of each month, the entire block throws a little mini party with sales and free drinks. There's also a great section right near UT's campus with adorable clothing stores! There are also so many great vintage jewelry stores around town, that I really don't think I'll ever buy new jewelry again!
3) Greenbelts
As I mentioned before, the city of Austin is a very health-conscious one. There are so many great places to run and bike right in the city. There are many, many greenbelts around town, but my favorite one is the original 10 mile Town Lake Loop. It's a dirt path surrounded by trees and water, making it a perfect place for runners and walkers. It's such a gorgeous, green place, that you forget you're right in the middle of downtown!
4) Mt. Bonnell
After I've eaten and shopped to my hearts content, I like to head up to Mt. Bonnell to watch the sunset in Austin. You park your car, work up a bit of a sweat walking up some steep stairs before getting to the top of Mt. Bonnell. Looking down, you see tons of gorgeous mansions and a great view of the river. Some people take a picnic, some just take in the sunset, while I like to look down and pick out my future home!
5) Gruene
Okay, so this one isn't exactly 'Austin', but about 45 minutes south of Austin is the town of Gruene...and I adore it! Gruene is a tiny little town whose motto is 'Gruene, TX...Gently resisting change since 1872.' In the town of Gruene, you'll find a really cool, old open-air dancehall called Gruene Hall. It's so old in fact, that it's recognized as the oldest dancehall in Texas! The place looks like it could collapse around you, but there's just so much charm and life in this old building. There's always live music and it's the perfect place to hang out while you're waiting for your table at The Grist Mill. (More on that in a second!)
Gruene Hall in Gruene, TX
Strawberry Blue Bell Ice Cream
And on to my other favorite thing in Gruene...the Guadalupe River! The Guadalupe River runs right through the town of Gruene. In the summer, thousands of heat-weary Texans grab a tube and a cooler of drinks and float down the Guadalupe. On any given day, you can find people relaxing on the river and enjoying the views. It just screams summer!
6) Alamo Drafthouse
Another one of my favorite ways to spend a Saturday night is to catch a show at The Alamo Drafthouse. Not only is it a movie theater, but it's a restaurant and bar as well! They show regular, new movies, but also show independent and older films as well. My favorite times to go are when they have special events. People dress up, interact with the movie and just have a generally awesome time! For example, a couple of weeks ago, they had a Back To The Future Trilogy Feast! They played all three movies in the series and served a six course dinner with the menu being based off the movies. And, as an added surprise, Christopher Lloyd pulled up in a Delorean to introduce the show and do a Q&A! It really doesn't get much cooler than that, folks!
There are several things in Austin that I have yet to experience yet, but I'm making a list so I can knock them out soon!
1) Swim at Hamilton Pool Preserve
2) Take a Stargazing Tour at Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve
3) Visit the Austin Farmer's Market
4) Hang out in Texas Wine Country
5) Eat at one of the many trailers
6) Experience Kite Day
7) Swim at Barton Springs
1) The Food (Of Course!)
Austin prides itself on sustaining local businesses, which means there are tons of locally owned restaurants and fewer chains. I'm such a big, big fan of this! You can find so much more character and charm in small restaurants. Owners put their heart and soul into the food they create and I'd argue the food tastes better because of it! Not to mention, Austin has tons of great Mexican food. Who doesn't love chips and queso, tacos and a margarita on a warm summer night?!
Hill's Cafe in Austin, TX.They have the BEST patio! They have live music on a small stage most nights of the week and the trees are filled with Christmas lights. I love hanging out here, eating some chicken fried chicken and listening to live music in the summer under the stars.
Player's Restaurant in Austin, TX.
There's nothing gourmet about this place, but I LOVE their chocolate malts and burgers! Everytime I visit Austin, I head straight from the airport to this place.
Kerbey Lane in Austin, TX.
The best breakfast in town - I love this place! If you've never tried (or heard of) migas, this is the place to try them! The migas at Kerbey Lane basically consist of scrambled eggs, pico, tortillas, cheese, sauce and queso - delicious! Their sticky muffins are also delicious (and cheap! $2.35?! You can't beat that!)
There's nothing gourmet about this place, but I LOVE their chocolate malts and burgers! Everytime I visit Austin, I head straight from the airport to this place.
Kerbey Lane in Austin, TX.
The best breakfast in town - I love this place! If you've never tried (or heard of) migas, this is the place to try them! The migas at Kerbey Lane basically consist of scrambled eggs, pico, tortillas, cheese, sauce and queso - delicious! Their sticky muffins are also delicious (and cheap! $2.35?! You can't beat that!)
2) Shopping
Austin has some of the best vintage and boutique shopping out there! South Congress is full of great little stores and on the first Thursday of each month, the entire block throws a little mini party with sales and free drinks. There's also a great section right near UT's campus with adorable clothing stores! There are also so many great vintage jewelry stores around town, that I really don't think I'll ever buy new jewelry again!
3) Greenbelts
As I mentioned before, the city of Austin is a very health-conscious one. There are so many great places to run and bike right in the city. There are many, many greenbelts around town, but my favorite one is the original 10 mile Town Lake Loop. It's a dirt path surrounded by trees and water, making it a perfect place for runners and walkers. It's such a gorgeous, green place, that you forget you're right in the middle of downtown!
4) Mt. Bonnell
After I've eaten and shopped to my hearts content, I like to head up to Mt. Bonnell to watch the sunset in Austin. You park your car, work up a bit of a sweat walking up some steep stairs before getting to the top of Mt. Bonnell. Looking down, you see tons of gorgeous mansions and a great view of the river. Some people take a picnic, some just take in the sunset, while I like to look down and pick out my future home!
5) Gruene
Okay, so this one isn't exactly 'Austin', but about 45 minutes south of Austin is the town of Gruene...and I adore it! Gruene is a tiny little town whose motto is 'Gruene, TX...Gently resisting change since 1872.' In the town of Gruene, you'll find a really cool, old open-air dancehall called Gruene Hall. It's so old in fact, that it's recognized as the oldest dancehall in Texas! The place looks like it could collapse around you, but there's just so much charm and life in this old building. There's always live music and it's the perfect place to hang out while you're waiting for your table at The Grist Mill. (More on that in a second!)
Gruene Hall in Gruene, TX
As I alluded to earlier, The Grist Mill is a fantastic restaurant right in town. This place, without question, is my favorite place to eat outside! The building is amazing! As you might imagine, The Gristmill is located in an old gristmill. It's an enormous restaurant with tables situated throughout. (I can't imagine being a waitress in this place!) There's a giant wooden patio in the back with trees all around, that overlooks the Guadalupe River. It really feels like you're eating in a giant tree house! Stop by for lunch and try the BEST chicken salad sandwich you've ever had in your life!
The Gristmill in Gruene, TX
There are also a bunch of little old shops on the main street in town. There are a couple of antique stores which are fun to go through, but my favorite is a little general store that has lots of little Texas trinkets AND delicious scoops of Blue Bell ice cream! Blue Bell ice cream is the best and is a Texas tradition. My favorite is the strawberry! I'll grab a scoop of ice cream and enjoy it's creamy goodness while I walk down to the Guadalupe.Strawberry Blue Bell Ice Cream
And on to my other favorite thing in Gruene...the Guadalupe River! The Guadalupe River runs right through the town of Gruene. In the summer, thousands of heat-weary Texans grab a tube and a cooler of drinks and float down the Guadalupe. On any given day, you can find people relaxing on the river and enjoying the views. It just screams summer!
6) Alamo Drafthouse
Another one of my favorite ways to spend a Saturday night is to catch a show at The Alamo Drafthouse. Not only is it a movie theater, but it's a restaurant and bar as well! They show regular, new movies, but also show independent and older films as well. My favorite times to go are when they have special events. People dress up, interact with the movie and just have a generally awesome time! For example, a couple of weeks ago, they had a Back To The Future Trilogy Feast! They played all three movies in the series and served a six course dinner with the menu being based off the movies. And, as an added surprise, Christopher Lloyd pulled up in a Delorean to introduce the show and do a Q&A! It really doesn't get much cooler than that, folks!
There are several things in Austin that I have yet to experience yet, but I'm making a list so I can knock them out soon!
1) Swim at Hamilton Pool Preserve
2) Take a Stargazing Tour at Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve
3) Visit the Austin Farmer's Market
4) Hang out in Texas Wine Country
5) Eat at one of the many trailers
6) Experience Kite Day
7) Swim at Barton Springs
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)