I feel it. The anticipation that begins to build as the holidays approach. In the last couple of years I have dreaded the season {which is extremely unlike me}, but this year I feel energized by the thought of spending time with family and friends, building memories with my boys, and the festivities that come between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. In the weeks to come I hope to share that excitement with you!
Things that inspire and interest me this week, heavily influenced by Buenos Aires:
5. I fell in love with this chalkboard wall. The lettering, the design, all of it. Plus, it was the store front of a speak easy in Buenos Aires. Well, done.
6. A Caipirinha in the mid-afternoon sun is perfection!
I am so, SO excited for the weekend. I love to watch my boys prep for Halloween night. The night is really not my favorite, but they are totally into it and seeing them happy is always a good thing. I had not allowed mini-sized candy into my house until this week. And for good reason! Who can resist a Snickers bar? Not me, obviously. Sunday afternoon we are Buenos Aires bound. {Whaa?} One whole week of exploring the South American city, eating steak, drinking Malbec, and maybe a little hiking and dancing the Tango thrown in for good measure. I won’t be posting here on the blog next week, but please follow my trip and adventure on Instagram. {@seattlejune}
Haircut follow up: You know when you go on a blind date and the minute you meet him you instantly know he is “the one”?! Yep, pretty much the same thing with my new stylist.
A round-up of things that inspire and interest me this week:
1. Anyone been to Buenos Aires? We would love any recommendations.
2. To know me is to know I am obsessed with cross-body bags. The fringe on this bag is everything!
3. Do you follow Garance? We would be best friends if I lived in NYC. Her new book is out this week.
We leave for Buenos Aires in just four days. {Pinch me!} One of my dear friends, who we are traveling with, has issued a challenge. Carry on luggage only. My husband has wholeheartedly accepted the challenge for me after lugging my enormous suitcase around Italy for two weeks. I will admit that I packed too much on our trip to Europe. We were gone for fifteen days and I had no idea what to take with me. Now I have a better idea of what I like to wear in a large, international city. It also helps that it is spring time in South America, so I won’t need big bulky clothing. Don’t get me wrong, this is not going to be easy to do. I am beginning to formulate a plan. I think dresses will be my saving grace. However, what do I do about shoes? Or outerwear? Or beauty products? The beauty products alone are nightmare. Damn 3 oz. rule! {I strongly believe that rule is discriminatory toward women.}
So I have to ask:
Do you carry on or check your luggage? If you carry on, what are your tricks?!
Typically I tumble into a fitness rut in the fall. I launch the kids into a new school year and then begin to hibernate. Last year I found it near impossible to pull myself out of it come spring, so I knew I needed to do something different. I think age has a lot to do with and I have learned I can’t really take “time off”. There is no bouncing back anymore, so my commitment to fitness must be steady.
In an attempt to break my nasty fall habit, I joined a TRX Team in early September. The team ran for six consecutive weeks, meeting 3 days a week for an hour. Our final class was last Friday. Our fearless coach asked us to send her a testimonial regarding the team and our experience.
My testimonial:
I joined the TRX team in hopes that my historical fall slump could be avoided.
I have found that the commitment has been exceptional for me in many ways.
1. I had noticed that my focus on cardio exercise, namely running, had left me with little to no arm and core strength. I began to see definition return within the first two weeks of the class. I can only imagine how strong I will be by the end of six weeks.
2. I have structured my days around the Team workout and have found I am extremely productive. All areas of my life have benefited from a structure and schedule.
3. I don’t weigh myself, so I can’t measure my progress in pounds. I can measure it in energy. I feel great all day long, including the afternoon when typically I slump. I have been sleeping great and my clothes are fitting quite comfortably.
I am stronger, much stronger, six weeks later. Additionally, the team increased my productivity and my energy. For me the real work begins today. Without the structure of a team I will need to be self-motivated. My plan is to create my own weekly schedule, so that I have an allocated time and activity for each day. Wish me luck!
In the end, accountability to my coach and fellow teammates was great motivation. While we didn’t all have the same goals, the support and encouragement from the other women on the team was just what I needed to keep showing up. Do you have fitness goals? Whether big or small, I strongly suggest finding a team. Find an established team or form your own. Heck, form a team of two. Just you and your bestie training for a 5K or taking 30 yoga classes together. In the end you will be strong, happy, and connected.
What do you have planned for the weekend? I am looking forward to taking the kids to get pumpkins. Our beloved farm is open again and so we are making the trek for pumpkins, mini doughnuts and cider! I couldn’t be happier! Little Man wants to make cut-out sugar cookies, so I will dig up the fall cookie cutters and whip up the dough today. I love baking with the boys.
A collection of things that inspire and interest me this week:
1. This room screams cozy and comfortable. Those woven IKEA poufs are pretty awesome and totally affordable.
2. Stacks of baskets. Wouldn’t these be great for blankets? Or possibly a smaller one to hold TP in the bathroom?
3. If you have tape and spray paint, you can start and complete this pumpkin DIY in no time!
4. OMFG! I am still obsessed with having a neon light somewhere in my house.
5. A Dia de los Muertos inspired skull candy bowl is spot-on! {And only $12}
I wrote a guest blog post today for a fellow Seattle area blogger. Brenda, creator of From Me With Love, just had a baby and needed a little time off. I was happy to help her enjoy a little extra time with her baby.
I shared a recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookie Jars. Pop on over and read the entire post. {They are the absolute perfect dessert!}
It has been such a busy and exciting week. New things on the horizon for me and it is thrilling to be challenging myself in different ways. We are never to old to push ourselves. To move outside our comfort zones. That is when great things happen.
And in super important news…….
I am getting my haircut next week by a new stylist. It is kind of like going on a blind date, isn’t it? One is so full of hope and praying that “this is the one”! Wish me luck. You know how these things can go.
A collection of things that inspire and interest me this week:
Last week Benjamin Moore announced the Color of the Year for 2016. And it is white. More specifically, Simply White. It was surprising, since there are like a billion paint colors. But I have to say I love the choice. Crisp and clean. A blank canvas to build upon. However, in full disclosure, I am totally biased. I recently painted our family room white. After much research and five pint size samples, I chose White Dove for the walls and Simply White for the trim. I loved Simply White because it was a true white. The room makes me nothing but happy.
I took a risk when painting the interior doors glossy black. My hope was that I would love the contrast. I am so pleased with the results! Actually, I love them. The doors add interest to the white room. It was a delight to read the narrative on Benjamin Moore’s website about using white and black. It emphasizes striking contrasts and bold lines.
Well, there you go! I couldn’t have said it better myself. I am by no means a designer, so this is kind of awesome. More importantly, it reaffirmed the importance to follow your gut and do what will make you happy in your home. No matter a trend or a “of-the-moment” look, it has to be right for you!
How do you feel about white walls? Do you love it or do you need more color in your life?
A few rooms in white:
{images via Benjamin Moore}
As you can see, our family room is a work in progress. It is a very large, BLANK canvas. Still working on it. I promise that I will post more about the room. Including a post about our vintage sliding door into our laundry room. It was my harebrained idea that actually worked!
And just like that it is the end of the week. Hell ya for Friday! We just finalized all of our travel plans for our trip to Argentina. And yes, I am counting down the days. Have you been to Buenos Aires? I’d love any recommendations if you’ve got them.
I am still reeling from The Martian and having fantastic conversations with my boys about the film! {Yesterday Little Man and I discussed how Watney pooped in space.} If you haven’t already, you really must go this weekend.
A collection of things that inspire and interest me this week:
1. Instagram worthy! The colorful buildings of the La Boca neighborhood in Buenos Aires. {Stay tuned.}
2. Black, white, gray, gold, and wood. The perfect palette for a home.
Guys, it’s October. This week was awesome and not for any reason in particular! I’m hoping this weekend is just as fun and productive. I want to change the chalkboard wall, catch up on reading the latest magazines on my coffee table, and bake a delicious fall dessert!
A few things that inspire and interest me this week:
1. That pool! The weather is still gorgeous here, but that pool at The Parker!
