TWO FOR THE ROAD

 

Au Revoir Valentines day ... until next year ♥ ♥   

Well we made it back safe and sound from snowy northern Ohio and it feels oh so good to be home. We are homebodies by nature, slightly introverted, and enjoy the simple pleasures of being in the familiar but sometimes its good for us to venture somewhere new! 

Cleveland had been on our to-go list since we have been married- we were briefly there in 2012 for a Neil Young concert but with little time to explore we knew we wanted to go back and experience the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and city sights together. 

I am super glad I booked this trip- I was hesitant because of the weather we have been experiencing (you never know when a snow storm might trap you in) but I took a leap of faith and booked us an incredible hotel room in the trendy Flats District. We wined and dined and fell asleep to the luxury of cable TV (ha!) and then there is always the fun of long conversations while making a 3+ hour drive. 

One of my favorite things about being married is having the joy of knowing someone so intimately- on a level that no one else knows your partner. Nuances, mannerisms, thought patterns- these are all things you pick up when you live and spend exponential amounts of time with a person. N and I got into a conversation about our Astrological signs, which in turn had him googling descriptions, and then us laughing and pointing out all the characteristics of our signs that rang true to each other. I don't put a lot of stock in signs but I think they hold some truths, so we had fun running through all the parallels! And knowing that few could pin point these things I found in Nate and he in mine was the perfect reminder of how special our relationship is. 

V-Day 2014 is definitely one to remember, we had so much fun I didn't even once pull out my camera- only my phone (for a bathroom mirror selfie, so chic!) But as I am getting older I realize that sometimes it is best to leave the technology bagged and be happy just experiencing.

I hope you all had a beautiful 14th and great start to your weekend- I think the rest of ours will be spent cozy indoors watching movies, making good food, and enjoying home. ♥

Highlights of our trip ...

Hotel: Aloft Cleveland Downtown 

Food: Lago Restaurant and Wine Bar

Drink: Sofia Mini by Francis Ford Coppola Winery (cutest effervescent wine in a can!)

Sights: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (Rolling Stones exhibit going on now- so glad we caught this one!)

WINTER ESSENTIALS

Living in the Midwest I am all too familiar with combating winter dryness (Polar Vortex, anyone?). I've learned that as soon as the furnaces kick on I better kick my hydration routine into gear. Above are some of my favorite products and natures natural cures for dry skin, no need to pass on a healthy glow!

Clockwise from top Left: Kiss My Face lotions- all of their products are amazing but I love their lotions. Naturally made so good for you and the earth! // Gloves- wear them! Exposing skin to harsh cold is one of the worst things you can do, prevent cracked knuckles by covering up. // H2O- the best way to keep hydrated from the inside out, at least 60 oz a day is necessary for your body have enough of the good stuff to go around. // Josie Maran Argan Oil- the only thing I use to moisturize my face with these days. I use it morning and night and love the light feeling. // Coconut Oil- if you have super dry spots try rubbing coconut oil on it, you'll notice the natural healing properties of this oil work quickly to get rid of those super itchy spots. // Carmex- I am a chapstick snob, I am all about consistency and this chapstick wins in every category: protection, longevity, scent, texture. ♥

BE MERRY

This photo was an outtake from our Christmas card photo sesh and it just makes me smile

I can't believe its Christmas Eve already- the past week has flown by and obviously I have been sucked into the whirlwind so much I haven't had much time for the blog. Its been a strange feeling not being in the thick of it with a retail job- I actually had to plan time to get my shopping done instead of just hopping through the mall on my breaks and getting it done during my lunch hour. 

On the whole it has been much less stressful, my spirits have stayed up where in the past by now I would be an exhausted zombie one bah humbug away from being a scrooge. Today I actually felt ... light. And I sang Christmas carols very VERY loudly all the way home from work ;) 

I have been taking stock of my blessings this season and there are a lot. Three things I am most grateful for right here and now ...

1. My Mister and Stella Bean- I can't imagine coming home and not having them waiting there for me. There are a million and one things I could say here about them but I am sure you can imagine!

2. Spending Christmas Eve at home- we have planned a relaxing night together before the bustle of tomorrow. A fun new game to try, A Muppet Christmas Carol, and flannel pajamas for everyone! 

3. Having more than enough- I look under our tree and see gifts for others, knowing that N and I have more than enough for ourselves it was gratifying to solely focus on others. We are working on changing our Christmas traditions to incorporate more of this amazing giving feeling.

I am excited for 2014 planning and some posts leading up to the New Year to help you get excited for making your own goals! So much inspiration right now to be better, do better, and make a difference in my life and others.  A lot of taking record of what you are grateful and envisioning your future! 

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas Eve that is full of wonderment and love ♥

MAKE IT YOURSELF: GLITTERY ORNAMENTS

Today is the perfect day to start sharing some fun holiday DIY projects that I have made for our home. Its snowing outside, I'm burning my favorite candle, the tree is lit up, Stella is sleeping next to me and I am on my fourth cup of tea. The only thing I am missing is the Mister- and he should be home soon to share a Christmas ale with me- my heart is full right now!

Buuut back to the point of this DIY post- I found clear plastic bulbs at Michaels awhile ago and thought it would be fun to make some custom ornaments for the tree. I had a loose idea of what I wanted, I knew I was going to use some scrap flannel from a few previous projects but I wanted to punch them up a bit, so here is what I did!

I used:
clear plastic bulb ornaments
scrap strips of flannel, one strip for each ornament (I used three different colors)
Martha Stewart gold glitter
Mod Podge
brush

To make:
I made a glittery Mod Podge paste by mixing one part Mod and two parts gold glitter in a bowl. I took the hook part of the bulbs out and stood the bulbs on the flat opening so I could easily paint the bottoms of the ornaments. Because I used so much glitter I was able to use only one coat of glitter mixture which was a bonus! I painted them halfway up the ornament and let them dry over night. The next day I stuffed them with the flannel strips and voila!

I love that they coordinate with other crafts I made this year (those coming next week!) and added something shiny to our tree...

Hope you have a happy crafty weekend! ♥

OUTFIT No. 31 (HELLO DECEMBER)

 Forever 21 Sweater and shorts // Lauren Conrad Polka Dot button down // Target wedges

Happy December!

Its hard to wrap my brain around the fact that we are now in the full holiday swing. I hope everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving full of gratitude and good food- our dinner turned out lovely. Despite the stressing and procrastinating leading up to the day of it went off without a hitch. And for that I am definitely grateful!

 The table before everyone arrived

It was nice to take a break from here and (mostly) unplug over the weekend. We did not partake in Black Friday madness- I enlisted my sister who was hitting the sales to pick up what I wanted most, a Kindle Fire! Still figuring out how to use it but I am so excited to start going paperless for my favorite magazines- that was a huge motivator for me to invest. Instead of shopping we put up the Christmas tree, watched Jingle All the Way, and spent a lot of time in pajamas eating takeout. It was the most stress free and relaxing holiday weekend I have had in a long time!

So today my heart is full, I am excited to start this first week of December. Feeling full of inspiration and motivation, looking forward to the posts I have planned for this week, and feeling re-dedicated to eating right and committed to my yoga practice (I even shared my first yoga photo on instagram >insert surprised emoticon face here!<)

So happy Monday and Happy December, here's to a great week ♥

FA LA LA LA AND ALL THAT

Its that time of year again- the time of year where red and green, gold and silver, glitter, ribbon, twine, tinsel, and glue go a-muck and take over your dining room table. The time of year your husband begs you to cool it on the Martha Stewart glitter and asks if another round of handmade ornaments is necessary. A crafters mind is over ran with projects and Pinterest is like morphine ... you must have more.

And it really is a good thing!

And I love it!

Last weekend I started on this long and treacherous crafty road and I haven't looked back. In fact I am almost done with my Christmas projects for the year and I can't help but feel slightly triumphant and sad at the same time. I am excited to share some of these projects with you all over the next few weeks but until then here are some fun things I have found on Pinterest lately you might enjoy ...

DIY colorful bottle brush trees look so chic

It is all about the presentation with gift wrapping this year

Some pretty Holiday wall hangings add sparkle and shine (I already completed my version of this!)

Tag it with something whimsical this year

Follow along with me on Pinterest, and tell me what you are making this weekend?! ♥

OUTFIT No. 22

 Forever 21 Flannel, Ring, Heels // American Eagle Denim // American Apparel Clutch

I don't know what it is about these transitional seasons that seem to always create a divine discontent in my soul. Maybe I am more in-tune with Mother Nature than I thought, but Fall (and Spring) tend to mark when I set out to make the largest changes in my life. 

This feeling of needing change has led to this mini blog facelift- inspired by the plaid shirt in this here outfit sequence. I love jewel tones together with warm browns and my favorite jeans. Along with design, I have also been thinking a lot about the content of this here blog- trying to keep a blog changing as your life does has become more challenging than I thought? Just me? Maybe I just like smooth transitions and I am too nervous to radically change things up- but I feel I have been on the cusp of taking the plunge on a few things and now it's the time to just do it.

This feeling of change has also got me thinking about a lot of different parts of my life. I haven't been feeling well the last week or so- nothing specific, just a vague 'ick' and today I decided I have had enough- tomorrow starts a ban on processed foods for a few days as a start. I am hoping to realign myself and get some energy back!

I also feel like I need to start shaking up what is left of my fitness routine. A few weeks ago I was all set to share what my weekly activity looks like and then it all somehow magically flew out the window and I have been scrapping by with the bare minimum of a few runs a week- not cutting it! There are new Pilates and Yoga DVDs collecting dust by the tv, I think it is time to bust them out.  

I also feel like trying something new ... meditation has been on my list for a long long time. I have made mediocre attempts, but I tend to get caught up on silly things like mantras (I have a strange fascination with mantras and affirmations) I think I might poke around the interwebs and try to find a good 'beginners guide' to meditation.  Suggestions welcome. 

I think what I am looking for as a whole is more peace this season. Peace of mind, peace of body, peace of heart.  When I think back on this time last year I was in a job I hated, I very easily could have been depressed, I had no motivation, it was a really dark time in my life and it lasted all through the holidays and it feels like I lost a part of my life in that dark abyss of my emotional turmoil (ahh I love to be dramatic sometimes) I am starting to think that my inner self guiding me to find peace is a subconscious product of wanting to never feel like I did a year ago. And so I feel this need to change, evolve, better myself, and propel myself forward. Seasons change and so do we- its all pretty beautiful! ♥

And you thought this was just an outfit post ;) 

HELLO, OCTOBER

It is the last day of September and I can hardly believe it! It has been a busy month of birthdays, new jobs, comic cons, and get-togethers. I am looking forward to October and ready to welcome it with open arms- bring on the pumpkins (as if that hasn't already begun) and comfort food! Here are a few things Nate and I are looking forward too this month ...

> My Vegan Chili ... I've been holding off for a cold night!
> Pumpkin Ale
> Fall Candles ... I purchased Flannel and Sweater Weather from Bath and Body Works- excited!
> Decorating for Halloween ... already picked up a plaster skull like this one
> Bringing our sweater blankets out of storage
> Putting flannel sheets on the bed
> Nature walks

What are you looking forward to this fall? ♥