Solitude, Friendship, & Chicken

  

It is easy in the world to live after the world's opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after your own; but a great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude. 

Ralph Waldo Emerson 

This weekend, though quite short (aren't they all?) was near perfect. It held equal parts of solitude, time with dear friends and new friends, and productive time to take care of errands and tackle projects. Sandwiched between busier weekends and hectic work weeks, it was just what the doctor ordered. 

 

Friday evening I had a much needed solo night at my apartment. I threw together a random "dinner" based upon what was in the fridge, lit a bunch of tea lights, and caught up on last week's episode of Parenthood. Fueled a bit of relaxation, I was then able to do a bit of cleaning and organizing around the apartment, which I'd been putting off. 

  

Saturday began with sleeping until I naturally woke up, which in my opinion is one of the best things in the world. I am NOT a morning person, and a snooze-button-aholic, so the opportunity to stay put in bed until I was ready to emerge was a real treat. Saturday night, M & I met up with some friends for Indian food and then went to see the movie Drive. While not my typical fare and a little gruesome in parts, it was a very well done movie & Ryan Gosling is a hunky dreamboat. 

 

Sunday, I put on my brave face and headed to Alexandria to meet up with a bunch of fellow bloggers for a brunch. It's funny for me to say "fellow", since I'm so very new to blogging, but this lovely bunch of girls welcomed me with open arms. Though I didn't know anyone (aside from through their blogs) before walking in, as I walked back to my car, I couldn't help but reflect how comfortable it was to be in the presence of such creative, friendly, and like-minded women. Major thanks to Ashley for coordinating. I'll do a post later this week sharing a few photos from brunch & sharing more about the girls who attended.  

  

Sunday evening, as promised, I roasted my first chicken.  I took Chelsea's advice and tried the "beer butt chicken" method. While a bit unorthodox, it was absolutely DELICIOUS. We also roasted carrots, red potatoes, and an acorn squash. It was so lovely to put everything in the oven, clean up the kitchen, and have some time to read while the apartment filled with delicious smells. And, this is a great example of why having a blog is so important -- I posted it as a goal at the beginning of last week, heard feedback from you lovely folks, and actually accomplished it by week's end. 

  

Wishing you all a fantastic start of the week. 

How do you refuel?

I'd be quite happy if I spent from Saturday night until Monday morning alone in my apartment. That's how I refuel.

- Audrey Hepburn

You guys, I'm exhausted. These past two weeks I've really been burning the candle at both ends. Long days at work, lots of social plans, and an out of town wedding. It's all been lovely, but I'm drained. The introvert in me needs a good dose of quiet, alone time to refuel and get back on track. Lucky for me, this weekend is largely unscheduled and allows for plenty of time to refuel, but also has a few fun things sprinkled in.

As I finish up the work day with Pandora's Bon Iver station playing in the background, I look forward to heading home, lighting a few tea lights, and crawling into bed to watch an episode or 2 of Felicity. I happen to own the whole series, but did you know that it's available on Netflix instant now? 

Here are some of my favorite introverted activities to refuel: 

• Comfort food - I had Pad Thai with tofu for lunch, and it hit the spot 
• Nap or extremely early bedtime 
• Reorganizing a cluttered area in your home (i.e. desk or vanity)
• Losing yourself in a good book 
• Mini-marathon of a favorite TV show 
• Bubble bath or long, hot shower 
• Listening to your favorite album or podcast in a dark, quiet room 
• Going to Target and wandering around with no time schedule 
• Paint my nails 

What do you do to refuel? 

This weekend, I look forward to indulging in some of the activities listed above, but also have fun plans with a few dear friends + my boyfriend on Saturday night, and brunch with the fantastic Ashley as well as some other new friends on Sunday. And Sunday night? I just might roast that chicken.

{Image via Pinterest}

Rainy Day, Don't Go Away

The best thing one can do when it's raining is to let it rain.  

- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Dreary, cold, and rainy days rank among my favorites. Though I admit it's harder to get out of bed on a rainy morning, I delight in the coziness and freshness of a wet day. On this rainy, early fall day, I wanted to share a list of my favorite rainy day/fall activities. 

• Paint my nails a bold shade - Current favorites are Butter London's Wallis and Bluey, and Essie's Power Clutch and Merino Cool. 
• Make a big pot of soup - my mom's "famous" tortellini soup is easy and delicious. 
• Wear a scarf - I recently picked up two adorable and affordable fall scarves from H&M. It's such an easy way to accessorize an outfit, as well as add a bit of warmth and coziness. Curious about different ways to wear a scarf? Check out this video. 
• Curl up with a book - I'm currently reading State of Wonder by Anne Patchett. Recent favorites include Room, The Thirteenth Tale, Bossypants, The Help, The Happiness Project, and Freedom. 
• Watch a favorite movie - Every fall, I love to watch Anne of Green Gables, You've Got Mail, When Harry Met Sally, and the TV show Felicity. 
• Go for a walk - I always say "a rainy day isn't so bad if you have an umbrella". Grab a brightly colored umbrella and a pair of rain boots and go out for a stroll. You'll likely find the city a bit more deserted than it is normally, and you'll be able to breathe in that fresh air and find a new perspective. 
• Make a mug of your favorite tea - I'm a chai girl myself, or herbal (I'm extremely sensitive to caffeine, so no chai after noon). There is something so soothing about starting or ending a day with a warm, steaming beverage. Whether it's a fancy loose leaf blend or a bag of Lipton, tea soothes the soul. 
• Take yourself out for a solo lunch - I am one of those people who doesn't mind doing things by myself, and I love taking myself out to lunch every now and then. There is a Japanese restaurant near my office that offers a fantastic lunch special, and it's a real treat to eat miso soup while people watching or reading. 
• Hunker down with your to-do list - While occasionally I lack motivation on a rainy day, it also can inspire me to plow through my to-do list at break neck speeds. I get the feeling it's a great day to settle in at my desk and begin plugging away at those pesky tasks that you've been putting off. 
• Listen to some great tunes - It's no secret that I love Pandora, and some of my favorite rainy day stations are Mumford & Sons, Beirut, Yann Tierson (the magic behind the Amelie soundtrack) or Ingrid Michaelson. The right music choice can provide the perfect soundtrack for many of the above activities. 

Does anyone else share my love of gloomy days? What are your go-to activities?
 

Fall Dreams

 The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past,
worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to
live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.

- Buddha

September is busy. There's a reason it still feels like we're "back to school", even for those of us who aren't official students. When we flip the calendar from fancy free August to perpetually scheduled September, suddenly our free time is at a premium. For me, this month has been a blur of busy work days followed by whirlwind weekend trips. The introvert in me is calling out for some unscheduled time with a cup of tea and a stack of magazines. 

When charting out my week in my planner last night, I realized that while the to-do lists are long, they don't include many personal goals aside from "make student loan payment" and "schedule dentist appointment". While tackling some of those life administrative items can certainly have a positive effect on our lives, what about creating a list for those goals and dreams, small or large as they may be? 

One of my personal goals in starting this blog last month was to have a place to keep track of my weekly and/or monthly goals. I wanted somewhere to scrawl them besides absentmindedly in my planner or in an e-mail to a friend. Here are a few of my fall dreams, lofty or tiny as they may be. 

• Roast a chicken - I am not a chef by any means. Most of the meals that I prepare for myself are extremely easy and can be done in a small amount of time. But, I've always wanted to roast a chicken. Ever since I saw Sarah's video post over at Pink of Perfection (one of my favorite blogs of all time - if it's not in your Google Reader, stop now + add it), I knew this was something I wanted to do. What is better than a fall Sunday evening with a chicken and vegetables roasting in the oven?   
• Spend more time reading - Those who know me well may wonder how that's possible, but recently I haven't made as much time for reading as I would like. Much more fulfilling than mindlessly sitting in front of the television or computer, I want to use my free time curling up with a book. There is a lovely tea shop not too far from my apartment, and I want to try to make it there some evening this week to drink a mug of tea and read. My current book is State of Wonder by Anne Patchett, which I've just started. I've got my book club meeting this Thursday night, so that will also help make reading a priority. 
• Restart my yoga practice - I've never been a big exercise person. For me, it almost has to be disguised as something else, or have great mental benefits as well. I've found yoga to be a great fit over the years. But, with the closing of the extremely convenient yoga studio near my apartment & work, the past year and a half I've fallen away from my yoga practice. I've been avoiding returning not only because I need to find a new studio, but also because I fear I'd be starting anew with my practice. I recently read Nina's wonderful blog post on yoga, which inspired me to begin again, as yoga is a personal practice and not about anyone but me. I look forward to it's mental, spiritual, and physical benefits. 
• Plan a weekend getaway - Earlier this summer, my boyfriend and I discussed how we so rarely take a weekend trip where we're not attending an event or visiting other people. Because summer was so hectic, we decided to plan something for the fall (which, since it's my favorite season, definitely appealed to me). We'd like to go somewhere relatively close to DC, but a cabin or cottage in a more remote area where we can unplug and just enjoy time together. Any recommendations? 

These are some of my larger dreams & goals, but I also plan to share with you some of my smaller goals for just these next few weeks.

What are some of your fall dreams? 

 
{Image via Pinterest}

The Power of Red Lipstick

Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin.
That, or a kick-ass red lipstick.
-Gwyneth Paltrow

Perhaps it's something in the air, the changing of the seasons, or the incessant rain we've been having this week, but I've felt the need to shake up my routine and try a few new things. 

I'm not really a lipstick girl (as much as my mother wishes I was). Most days, I throw on a little Rosebud Salve throughout the day and that's about it. But, on the rare occasions that I did wear a little color on my lips, I noticed myself feeling more pulled together. Inspired by a talk with two of my close girlfriends this past weekend, I decided to take the leap and buy a tube of red lipstick. 

I knew I wouldn't have a clue which shade would suit my fair skin and dark hair, so I decided to let the ladies at Sephora decide for me (plus, I had a gift card). I sloshed through the rain, umbrella in hand, after work yesterday and declared "I'm looking for a sheer red lipstick for fall". Within minutes, I had been paired with the perfect shade, Nars Flamenco. It's not too pigmented, a little on the rosy pink side, and totally fit the bill. Even though it was still pouring rain as I left the store, I had a little spring in my step as I finished the rest of my errands. Despite my casual top and jeans, I felt elegant... and a little sassy. 

Sometimes the smallest things really do make the biggest difference. What's one tiny step you can take toward making today brighter?

I Heart September

 Delicious autumn!  My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.  

-George Eliot

Most people I know are feeling a bit melancholy at this time of year. Labor Day has passed, days spent at the pool and wearing sundresses are over, and hectic schedules and routine are back. For me, it's the exact opposite. When the calendar turns to September, I nearly squeal with glee. Autumn is by far my favorite season. 

Here are a few of my favorite things about September:

I want to rush out and purchase new school supplies, even though I haven't been a student in years. There is just something about browsing the school aisle at Target and picking out a new notebook, Sharpie pen, or inbox holder to spruce up my desk. 

After Labor Day, dark nail polish is fair game. Although I already own a fair amount of fall/winter nail polishes, I couldn't resist picking up the 4-pack of the new Essie fall collection, Carry On.  I have already worn (and loved) Lady Like, but am so excited to try Power Clutch. Swoon. 


Today, it's a rainy chilly day in DC. As I headed out the door this morning, I grabbed a scarf from my closet as a last minute accessory. Aside from the extra warmth it added while strolling through the mist, I love the look of scarves. I have a huge collection, and love to wear them fall to spring. 


In just a few weeks, our favorite shows will return to TV. Although I try to not waste too much time in front of the television, my can't-miss shows include Grey's Anatomy, How I Met Your Mother, Gossip Girl, and Parenthood. I'm also kind of excited for the new show New Girl, because of my intense love for Zooey Deschanel. 


While at the grocery store yesterday, I couldn't help but grab the September issue of In Style. It isn't normally an issue I pick up, but I leafed through a few pages at a friend's house this weekend & couldn't resist. Fall fashion, in all it's layered glory, is definitely something I'm thrilled about. I've been putting together a "Fall Fabulous" board over on Pinterest, and am clearly drawn to boots, scarves, things in the marigold family, and stripes. 


Are you bemoaning the fact that the dog days are over, or are you ready to embrace the season of changing leaves and crisp weather? 


{Image via Penelope Illustration}