weekly scenes

It's that time of year! As with everyone else, there have been celebrations all around. For me: holiday pot lucks with various friends, a fun late-night Chinese dinner with the man, and a family visit in Florence. It was our first Christmas without my grandfather. He passed away earlier this month. Although it was clearly his time, he went in his sleep just two weeks shy of his 91st birthday, there was a hole where his commanding presence was once expected. I'm happy because there was nothing over the top. We came together as family, grounded and laid-back with smiles on our faces despite the loss. After all, the simple things - friends, family, and love (with a little food and booze thrown in) - is what the holidays should be about. Now to head home and celebrate with my parents in a couple weeks. Fingers crossed for a smooth trip.

Much love!

weekly scenes

I have to be honest, this weekly scenes is more like a monthly scenes. Life has been crazy busy. There have been a lot of journeys and events. My plate has been so full that I just haven't gotten around to posting the little moments. I'm taking it in and powering through. The reward will come and I'll be able to take in a deep breath, looking back satisfied. I'll finally sit down with a book again and will seriously get back to the yoga mat - two things I have not been getting enough of. I'm looking forward to it, but for now, gotta run. I'm procrastinating on things that need to get done!

goof bawls

This past Thursday was our annual work holiday party! We got all dolled up, and goofed around before going over to celebrate. As they say, you can dress her up, but you can't take her out. And I don't mind one bit. :)

weekly scenes: happy thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

It's hard to believe that it's been a whole year since I was last home for my favorite holiday. So much and so little has happened all at once. 

It's been the year of growth - learning to stand on my own, gaining financial control, and finding perspective. I'm thankful for the downs just as much as I'm thankful for the ups. I'm glad that life isn't always as easy peasy as you think it should be. That the road isn't always straight, and that sometimes you have to struggle to find answers. I don't regret the slumps in friendship that forced me to confront my faults, or the mistakes that taught me what better to do the second time around. I've been able to take these happenings and turn them into understanding.Without it all, I wouldn't learn, I wouldn't grow.  

After all, the downs create the ups. If they never happened, I might not realize how lucky I am to be completely in love. How lucky I am to have friends and family that I adore, a roof over my head, and fresh food on my plate. I can truly look back and say that up until now, my life has been nothing but full.

There is no better schooling than life, and for that I am thankful. Here's to another year.

weekly scenes

It's been an interesting week. I've been feeling very introspective. Trapped up a lot in my own head, sitting with fears and joys like common companions. It's both good and bad, but I can't really help but be any other way right now. Sometimes you just need to step back into yourself to asses situations and develop a vision. But at the same time, for someone who's usually such an extrovert, it does feel a bit isolating. I am very thankful for the people that do make it easy to hop out of that introverted world every once in awhile. The people that you can completely forget yourself around and spill all those milling thoughts out on. Letting it out, saying what you're scared of, confessing your dreams, and sharing what excites you with another person, is really sometimes the best solution.    

weekly scenes

Ladies and gentleman, it's fall! I'm addicted to the way that the light shines through the red of leaves, and I stand strong that there is no more beautiful time of year. All I yearn to do is walk around city streets from farmers market to flea. I've been getting my healthy dose of both - bringing home decor items and recipe ingredients in bounds. As a result, rearranging and concocting have filled up my indoor hours. It's a time of adventure, both at home and on the road. A little weekend trip up to NYC/Brooklyn put me in a great way, and I couldn't be sadder the for the weekend to end. Fall, never go away, ok? 

1. I couldn't not

2. Enjoying the beautiful weather on our lunch break

3. Desk space

4. Fresh picked flowers at the farmer's market

5. The beautiful Ariane

6. I fell in love

7. Salmon Benedict at Cafe Lafayette - eat it.

weekly scenes

I'm back at at. Home from vacation and fresh with perspective. Getting away from it all helped me to pinpoint some priorities. I decided that I'm going to concentrate on health, patience  and realizing creative ideas to improve in areas where I feel like I was coming short. The rhythm has felt good as I go from one thing to another. The balance of working hard, exercising, and focusing on creative endeavors has been very sane. I'm happy with the things that I've been able to accomplish, and I'm glad to see myself able to focus in the right areas. It's also been great to get back to my friends. I have so much fun when I'm with them. Between friends and my boyfriend, I'm one happy girl.

1. I finally made it to Cook! 

2. Garance Dore signing at The Sartorialist book signing event

3. Yin and Yang

4. An artist I spotted sketching in the street

5. Backpacks & cowboy boots

6. My signed copy of Scott Schuman's new book