so long.

confession time {and an embarrassing one at that}. so, i don't watch tv. like ever. it happened when i picked up blogging, and started living on my own. there just aren't enough hours in the day. but, see, i do watch this one show. one hour per week. one tree hill. {oh, tell me you're a fan, too!}

i discovered it the summer between freshman and sophomore year of college, and literally spent three days straight watching the first two seasons. would. not. go. to. bed... just. one. more. episode...

addicted. has that every happened to you?

anyhow, i've seen every episode since. never missed a single one.

while this might seem quite silly, in honor of their ninth and final season that concludes next wednesday, i feel inclined to give one tree hill a shout-out of gratitude. i've been with this crew forever, routing on each and every one of them.

it's the end of an era, i'll miss you dearly.

{may this inspire you to reflect on your favorite tv show and remember your younger self who just began watching. that's what makes a series so great. you grow right along with the characters}. xo

the arena.

about a year ago, i shared one of my favorite ted talks of all time by brené brown. she discusses the importance of vulnerability in our lives and what it means to live whole-heartedly, with courage. in moments of fear, i often reflect on her talk and become rooted in the thought that while feeling vulnerable is scary, it's a necessity for personal growth, positive change, and discovering our own self-worth.

as she states, in her follow up ted talk, "vulnerability is not weakness, it's the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change."



if you have twenty minutes, i'd recommend watching. it may just be the psych major in me, but i can attest that it has some incredibly valuable lessons on shame, and how feelings of not being good enough can get in the way of who we want to be.

as brené says, "may we enter the arena that is our lives, and dare greatly."


it's all happening has truly taught me we must risk feeling vulnerable by speaking our minds to create something beautiful that is true to ourselves. bring on the vulnerability. we need more of it in this world.

home.

i had one of those moments on this fine monday eve where i fully felt like myself. one hundred percent. hi me, i've been missing you. it was almost as if i came home. like, oh! it's so nice to see you again.

do you ever have moments like that? when other things kind of cloud your vision and consequently make you feel a bit out of step?

maybe it was the simplicity of the solo adventure. the familiarity of an old routine. even the heavy whole foods grocery bags making my fingers burn with numbness only added to the perfection of the moment. i thought about people i hadn't thought about in a while, revisited memories made, admired the high clouds, and contemplated my next turn on the route home. happy is what i think they call it.

things i'm leaving this day knowing...

daylight savings is a wonderful gift.

sometimes it's okay to have two kombuchas in one day. maybe it's even necessary.

an evening walk makes for great natural medicine.

a challenging sixty minute yoga class before bed just might lead to the best sleep you'll ever have. try it.

love yourself first and everything else falls into line {that one i owe credit to ms. lucille ball. i wear it as a daily reminder, and nights like tonight remind me of why i believe it to be true}.

*delights found here and here. funny how days and days after pinning a photo it can fit exactly how you want it to. oh, where oh where would we be without pinterest?

cups of xo today.

one of my favorite moments of the morning is sipping from this homemade heart mug. i brew my peets coffee and sip it at my desk for the next hour or so.

reminds me of this quote:

"...it's the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all."

~laura ingalls wilder

i believe i made this mug one summer in college on a girlfriend outing to color-me-mine. who would have thought it would last me to my corner-office-corporate-life. i love the juxtaposition. it fits, but it doesn't really fit. serves as a daily reminder of my younger self. the self who loves mushy, lovey-dovey creativity.

very grateful for this heart edition.

gametime.

let's play a little game called what's in my bag? you know, like they do in us weekly {yup, i'm content-stealing}.

things i absolutely never leave home without...

my phone, obviously. 

that darn day planner. i find myself so attached to it, anxiety ensues if i forget to stash it in my purse. you never know when you might need to put something on the books! call me old-fashioned, but i prefer paper to devices. 

coral hobo wallet. technically, it's a clutch, but it really does make for a great holder of cards, checkbooks, and every frozen yogurt and coffee punch-card imaginable. 

my pen, a souvenir from maui. always, always carry a writing utensil! you never know when you'll need to jot down a few ideas or add a few things to your grocery list. if i don't scribble it down in that very moment, i kick myself later because i can't remember the thought for the life of me.

headphones. primarily to listen to sarah and vinnie on the radio dot com app on walks to work.

work badge. we run tight security.

ginger candies are always a good way to satisfy your sweet tooth and even soothe an upset tummy.

usb drive... you know, in case we need to transfer any files.

advil for any aches.

keys for entering and exiting.

muni pass. always stored in the side pocket for easy access. speaking of, it's time to re-load that bus fair.

my new favorite benefit lipstain. who needs lipstick when you can stain for long lasting color?

and finally, a hair claw to tame the sometimes out of control mane. 

 

see how full this thing can get? can't.live.without.it.

now tell me, dolls, what's in your bag? 

i spy gratitude.

how about a little photo album of thankfulness? yes, i think so. a few things - as of late -  that make my life feel whole...

a friday treat after a long, hard week. anemones. i love this flower and finally learned its proper name. {i dream of white ones in a someday wedding.}

saturday morning cappuccino's. blue bottle, of course. nothing compares.

adventures! with the dearest of friends. quick jaunts across the bridge for a long-awaited spa day. soaking in the city from a different point of view. trying new eats in sausalito, one of my new favorite gems of a city.

sonoma sundays. happy birthday to b! a great day putting names to faces of some incredibly empowering young women, and cozily squeezing eleven of us in a ten person limo. discovered two darling new wineries: scribe and cline. just a hop, skip, and a jump from home.

finally, monday night therapy. had to visit the one and only before he departs for europe. it felt so good to be back.

...and that's a wrap!