Mood Board

   I have yet to really indulge in Polyvore, but I really enjoyed using the platform as a place to make a mood board today. This is where my head and heart are at this moment. Allow me to explain:

-Up, is where I feel I'm headed.

-Dreaming of a journey far away.

-It's almost long-sleeve-mini-dress weather. My favorite.

-Obsessing over blooms.

-Cannot wait for bike riding season.

-Dying for a home of my own to decorate with fun, useless, pillows

-Filling my schedule with more.

-Yoga. Always. 

-Spotting border collies all over the city, dreaming of befriending one.

-Thinking of the beach, teal, waves, and bubbles. 

Putting thoughts into pictures makes me smile. You should give it a try.

Getaway

   In our last big hurrah for the winter season, The Engineer and I went on a five day getaway to Sugarbush Mountain.  We planned this trip months ago, when a Google Offer popped up for discounted lift tickets at the Vermont resort.  I am so glad we finally got around to taking the time off to go!
   For a solid three days we did nothing but ski, sleep, and relax with hot chocolate and beer.  We treated ourselves to one fancy dinner date at Timbers Restaurant at the base of the mountain on Monday.  It was a fantastic meal and I fell in love with the candlelight, rustic colors, and sky-high ceiling.  While sitting by the fireplace for some apres ski cocktails on Tuesday, we started chatting with a woman who frequents the area.  She suggested we check out a favorite spot of the locals, The Hyde Away Inn.  Although we didn't feel quite cool enough to hang out in the pub, it happened to be Taco Tuesday, so we ate like kings for about $45!
   I highly recommend Sugarbush to any level skier.  It was more relaxed and cozy than a lot of NE ski resorts we've been too.  Or maybe that's just the blessing of mid-week skiing...

I'd rather leave in one piece, please...

We found a secret hut in the woods! Scattered with beers, of course

Peppermint Patty is my new favorite drink

Moose spotting!

Hello mountains and mountains and mountains! [So nerdy in my gear]

   I thought this was my last ski post, I swear. But, a storm is currently dumping 10+ inches on Boston...

Time

Writing on the ground. In Boston's Faneuil Hall.

Age is just a number.

  
   I turned 25 last month on the 18th.  Each year I expect to feel something on my birthday; a full body tingle, perhaps, that magically matures you a year.  Alas, the big day past feeling like any other (besides the extra attention and gifts of course).
  The Engineer is eight years older than me (technically, right now the numbers would make it 7, as he likes to point out).  We both live by the philosophy in the second photo above... you are only as old as you feel, so depending on the day we're either about 18 or 26.  At times it is hard to just live without the burden of the ticking clock and societal pressures.  You should have a better job by now, where is your savings, why are you still renting not buying, must have kids by 30...
   Mostly, I'm just trying to spend my time wisely these days. Invest more minutes in the hobbies and people I love, while weeding out the, well, weeds.  Twenty five is going to be wonderful; I am anxiously excited for this 'next chapter' of my life.

It's funny, Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland are two of my favorite stories, even as an adult.  It just occurred to me, while posting these two pictures, that they both involve manipulation of time. Maybe I want to stay young and limitless forever...

Bring Me Joy

   When shit hits the fan, The Engineer always asks "Why can't everyone just be nice?".  Can-of-philosophical-worms officially opened...

   Sometimes we have a bad day. Sometimes a bad week.  Sometimes it feels like there are so many balls in the air that juggling is impossible and it would be easiest to let them all fall. 

   Sometimes, when a solution or next step is not obvious, I'd like to suggest creating a list of what makes you happy. What makes you want to be nice.  If you're stuck in a crappy situation, the list will help you realize that there are some pretty stellar things in your world. Maybe you'll even have time to partake in a happy activity.  Possibly, this list of happiness can act as a road map, or directional sign, for what to do next.

   Lots of things make me happy, so as I started pondering on the subway this morning, I stopped to consider the difference between 'happy' and 'pure joy'.  It's hard to decipher.  I'm not going to put too much pressure on myself to make this a concise 100% complete list.  That would take days to compile and be longer than the dictionary. (Maybe I'll add more at a later post!) For now, here are 12 small moments that really make me sigh "mmmm"...

Things that bring me pure joy:

writing a great sentence

spending time with my 6 year old godson

eating a decadent chocolate dessert

hugging The Engineer in the morning

finding a deal on a great pair of shoes
being closer to nature (i.e. mountains, forest, ocean)

jamming at a great concert

discovering a new place

flower shops

the end of a yoga class

having a hilarious conversation about nothing with my childhood friends

dancing (usually of the drunk variety)

 So, what brings you joy?

A Valentine's Day Rant

"I love love."

   I've been known to say that- at bars, at work, trying to explain the type of person I am...When your best friend's boyfriend quotes you on saying something, it kinda becomes your motto.  I mean, how could you not love love?! It's magical. I'm talking love of all things, any things, love anything you want, just love it! With everything you have, just throw yourself and share your passion.  Loving makes life worth living. (Did I just turn into Dr. Seuss?)

   My love of love, in turn, makes me love hearts. I'll buy anything containing a heart or the word "love" (I also love words, in general).  Corny, I know. It's becoming a collection.  In high school photography class, my final project involved tons of pictures of hearts.  Part of it still hangs on my bedroom wall.  It inspires me to see love everywhere. 

   This morning, my Dad (#1 Valentine) emailed my sister and I a picture.  The leafy plant in his office had sprouted a small red flower over night. "How did it know today was Valentine's Day?" he asked. "Mother Nature is so darn smart." It is little moments like this that make me smile from the inside out. 

Happy Valentine's Day! 

....and remember, if nothing else, chocolate is on sale tomorrow!