Just As I Am

 May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are.

Mother Teresa

Oh, January. Such a special month you are. With reminders of how we're supposed to lose weight, eat more vegetables, and simplify our lives everywhere we turn, the message of self improvement is clear. With that and the noticeable lack of twinkle lights and champagne, it can all seem a bit daunting. Clearly, I love making goals and striving to be the best version of myself, but the focus on starting anew can be a road block that stops us from seeing how blessed we are, right here and now.

I read this article on one of my favorite blogs last week, and haven't been able to stop thinking about it. Sarah very eloquently writes, "...this year, I don’t have a benchmark or milestone to reach. This year, I want to lean into living the life that’s right in front of me, right now." Isn't that a wonderful thought as we start the year? Lean into living the life that's right here before us, accept how and who we are right at this very moment? 

I struggle with this daily, and don't we all? I want to challenge myself to see the beauty in my lovely little life. Instead of beating myself up for gaining a few pounds during the holidays, why not step back and realize I'm likely the only one that notices? Instead of feeling lonely as I drive away from my family and friends back in Ohio, why not fill these blustery January evenings with meeting up with friends that are becoming near and dear? Instead of multi-tasking and checking Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram every 5 minutes, why not set my phone aside and be fully present during an evening with my beau?

So, for this weekend at least, I'm keeping my "goals" simple - cook something in the CrockPot on Sunday, finish the book I'm reading and start the next, go on a brisk winter walk, and all the while think to myself that I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be, snug jeans and all.

{Image via Pinterest}

Snow, Paris, and Nail Polish

I'm one of those strange people who prefers cold weather to warm, and would much rather bundle up and take a brisk walk through the snow over a dip in the pool. Though I enjoy living in a place that experiences all the seasons, I'd place summer firmly in last place. Boots, scarves, sweater dresses, fuzzy blankets, and hot tea are my recipe for happiness. 

You can image that I've been slightly disappointed in our mild winter thus far. I was definitely in a sour mood when it was 65+ degrees on Saturday, and was just dying for snow. You can imagine my happiness when I looked out my office window this afternoon to see those fluffy flakes falling from the sky. Thank goodness! 

Aside from the snow, here a few other things that are making me happy right now. 

• The Paris Wife, Paula McLain's lush novel that has whisked me away to 1920s Paris and made me fall slightly in love with Hemingway myself.
• Essie's Cocktail Bling nail polish, the perfect pale gray/blue for this time of year. 
• Downton Abbey, Masterpiece Classic's superb British costume drama & the perfect anecdote to the post-holiday blues
• Even though I've always been a stripes girl, I've currently having a love affair with polka dots.
•  I finally caved and bought a bottle of sriracha hot sauce, and I can't get enough! I've been putting it on everything, my favorite being eggs, veggie burgers, and noodle dishes.

I hope you can curl up with your favorite things this evening and enjoy this fabulous winter weather! 

{Image via Pinterest}

Clean Slate

And the time came when the risk it took to remain the bud 

was more painful than the risk it took to bloom.

Anais Nin

Ten days in Ohio was just what my soul needed: inside jokes, curling up under a fluffy blanket, countless mugs of tea made by my mom, harmonizing around the piano, and eating every Christmas cookie I came across. The problem, of course, was that it was over in the blink of an eye. As with most things that we look forward to and spend months planning for, time presses on. Before I knew it, I'd loaded up my car with my stuffed suitcase (anyone else a chronic over-packer?) and hit the lonely road back to DC. 

Of course, after settling in, unpacking, and watching a few episodes of Downton Abbey, everything looked a little rosier. Being back in a routine has always been a better fit for me, and I have been cherishing the new perspective that some time away has given me. As I mentioned before I headed home for the holidays, I spent some time mid-December brainstorming goals & dreams for 2012. Now that we're officially in "resolution" territory, I thought I'd share a few things I hope to accomplish and/or keep in mind for this month. 

•  Attend 1 yoga class at an actual studio: after my beloved yoga studio in my neighborhood closed, I haven't yet found another place to practice. I'm going to research a few that are in the area and attend at least one class this month.
• Make my bed every day: It's such a simple thing, really, and just takes a few minutes. But this small act helps me feel more prepared for the day, and instantly puts me at ease when I come home. 
• Weekly phone calls with my best friend: I've been very blessed to have the same best friend for 24 years, since the first grade. In the final weeks leading up to Christmas, he and I talked several times a week, solidifying our plans for the holidays. I want to make a conscious effort to pick up the phone once a week, so we can keep up-to-date on those day to day details. 
• Spend more time reading: I set a goal on Goodreads to read 25 books this year. While I do always have a book on the go (and am part of a wonderful book club), I only read 16 books this past year! I'm well on my way to my goal, already having finished one book (Mindy Kaling's excellent "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?") and started my second (this month's book club pick, "The Paris Wife").
• Plan a weekend getaway: A goal that fell flat for fall was planning a little weekend getaway with my beau. This month (even if it doesn't happen until February or March), I'd like to find a cozy little cabin with a fireplace that's just an hour or 2 away. 

Wishing you all a lovely start to this brand new year.  

{Image via Pinterest}