Peaceful Places...

I'm a sucker for white lights. On anything.

White lights, calm water, simple dock... It reminds me of one of my very favorite spots in the world.

I can list my five favorite places in the world that I've traveled to and one of those places just so happens to be in my town! It's a place where I can breathe and just be. A place that brings me inner peace and solace. Do you have a favorite spot like that? A place that is all yours even though you share it with the world? A place that when you step your foot upon it, your tension instantly melts away? You can exhale...

I am so lucky to have it so close to home. I don't have to travel half way across the globe to find it...

It's right here... Lucky girl. Yes, I am one lucky girl.

xo

The Power Of Teachers...

We all need a few inspirational people to come along and touch our lives. 

That is why this quote really resonates with me...

It is so true. When I surround myself with people who inspire me, guide me, encourage me, love me, want the best for me, educate me, heal me, root for me, push me and shine their light on me... it leaves me feeling like a better human being. Then in turn, I pay it forward to others.

Surrounding myself with inspirational "teachers" has made such a difference in my life. I have a few unbelievable people in my life who have inspired me without even knowing it. They came into my life for a reason, no doubt. There are 4 people off the top of my head who have taught me such beautiful life lessons.

These few are definitely living the best versions of themselves. They have gifted me with something truly beyond words.


One of them taught me this:

So powerful. So empowering.



One of them taught me this:

 

Don't ever, ever give up. You are stronger than you think. Strong body, strong mind. You can do it. Always.

 



 

 

One of them taught me this:

 



Go out there and grab the world. Your dreams are meant to come true. Don't ever let fear hold you back for you are worthy of greatness. Let the goodness come into your life and soak it in.



One of them taught me this:

 

 

Good is good. Better is better. Strive for better. Have a deep connection and respect for other beings. Treat them kindly for in return, they will appreciate you and love you back like no other. 

All of these life lessons combined are quite extraordinary, which has allowed me the freedom to live a life that is quite extraordinary. I am so blessed and humbled to have teachers who are positive influences in my life. They leave a trail of radiant sunlight behind them. I love walking that path with them, allowing them to teach and guide me, though all the while, creating my own little pathway.

Shanti...

xo

pics via: pinterest

Life Is Good...

I have a life out of balance right now... It feels all out of whack. Grrrr! Hate this feeling.

You know how I've been working out? My motto used to be this:

I have needed that motto on many a day to motivate me to get moving.

Well, yesterday I worked out and good things didn't come. What came was major dehydration. I was shaking and dizzy after my workout. I felt sick to my stomach. My trainer made me drink a shot of something filled with electrolytes. It was the first time I felt bad after working out rather than really strong and good.

Then today I woke up to my cell phone being in a puddle of water. I cut a pretty hibiscus and put it in a mason jar on my kitchen counter. My cat decided to knock it over, which led to the water being pooled around my phone that was charging on the counter. So I'm off to get a new phone this morning.

My house feels disorganized and so do I. I have been working non-stop lately. I am waiting for the summer dip that happens every summer when business slows down. I am over extending myself in anticipation of the dip... but the dip hasn't happened yet. So now I'm just getting stressed out.

I am writing all this because it's my real life story and it's far from perfect. It's my journey. Good days and bad days. Believe me, I know it's not really a bad day... it's just an off day. I'm not complaining, I'm just writing it to release it. Once it's out of me, I can move on.

I am striving for a life of peace and balance. Not every day because that would be impossible. But on most days...

So I will meditate on my drive to get a new cell phone. I will seek out an extra 10 minutes tonight for some time to quite my mind and myself. I will sit silently for 10 simple minutes. I will change my thoughts from "wah" to "shut it girlfriend, life is good."

Starting now!

xo

pic via pinterest

The Sweetest Little Table I've Ever Seen...

Once upon a time, a husband and wife went to a tag sale because the husband saw a riding lawn mower that he had to have... I stayed in the car because there wasn't much at the tag sale and who cares about a riding lawn mower, right?

The lawn mower was sold already... hubby was sad. But not sad enough to walk past this adorable little telephone table. He came back to the car, toting it in hand, saying he bought it for me to refinish. Isn't that the sweetest thing ever?

It was love at first sight. Why? Because she had cup rings on her surface! {That means she was well loved in the previous home, not just left in a dark basement.} She needed wood glue in a few places... She had tall gangly legs like a little newborn filly... She had a few flaws and imperfections... just like me. Just like everyone. And that is what made me love her.

I haven't decided if she is a keeper or going up for sale. Something in me really wants to keep her. It's such a simple, delicate piece. I painted her a beautiful shade of soft blue {my favorite color} and the inside little shelf a dove grey. I distressed and dark waxed the entire table, and then clear waxed it for extra protection. No more cup rings on this girl. I kind of think I have the perfect spot for her in my home...

I just said I couldn't blog until I finished a piece, not finished and sold a piece. So she might just have to stay put with me.

 And now... I can blog again.




Before:

 

 

 

After:

 



 

 

 

 

P.S. Hubby got his awesome new riding lawn mower the next day. He was once again a happy man. The End.

 

xo

1,2,3,4...

 

 

 

Couldn't help myself...

xo

No Furniture... No Blogging...

Okay, so y'all know that I've been slacking in my refinishing furniture business big time lately. Busy, busy, busy.

So here is my thought...

I'm not going to blog until I complete a piece of furniture. That will hopefully motivate me to get my rear end out into my workshop to do a piece. I have lots of pieces sitting there just waiting! I love blogging, so by not allowing myself to blog until I complete a piece just might be the kick in the pants that I need.

Here's hoping that we meet again soon!

xo

Farm Sink Envy...

Hola!

I love pinterest. You can pretty much find anything you're looking for on pinterest. Then you pin it to your little board. Easy. My main board is for decorating. That's the one with the majority of my pins.

Like this kitchen... I love white cabinets. I love glass doors on cabinets. I love black or oil rubbed bronze hardware.

I have recently started liking open shelving in a kitchen. I have also recently started loving butcher block counters in a kitchen. My granite counters serve me well though. I put hot pans directly on the counters all the time; that would not be so good with butcher block counters... but that doesn't mean I can't love them. I just can't have them because I'll mess them up on install day with a hot pan. Oops.

More about this lovely kitchen... Hardwood floors in a kitchen are a yes. My favorite thing is to use an old farm table as a kitchen island. And don't even get me started on that beautiful farm sink. It's the one thing I didn't get in my kitchen that I really, really wanted. Recently, I sauntered over to my brother's house to see his newly renovated kitchen... I spied with my little eye a huge handmade copper farm sink. Yep, I can openly admit that I have farm sink envy. But I do prefer a white farm sink though...

So this is pretty much the perfect kitchen to me. It's not huge with cathedral ceilings and an open concept {I think I'm the last person left on earth who doesn't like an open concept. I prefer separate rooms... like a house built in the 1920's with tons of character!}

I wish I could see what everyone else's kitchens looked like! What is your favorite part of your kitchen?

xo

pic via: pinterest

Delicious...

Happy Friday.

Since the days and nights are getting warmer, it's time for outdoor living. Adding some lanterns to a plain umbrella makes it pretty. But adding fabric to the table and chairs and boom! You're ready for a summer party. Now get your invites sent.

xo

pic via: Country Living

I Heart CT...

You know that saying: I heart New York? Well, I heart Connecticut.

And here is why...

All these pictures are from a beautiful farm in CT. Just so lovely...

 

And without using any words, that is why I love CT...


xo


pics via: Country Living

Two Treats...

Hi there.

There are two things I do that are kind of like little treats for myself. I have no idea if they work or if there's actual research behind it... but I like it. So I do it.

The first is dry brushing my skin. Some of the benefits are supposedly that it stimulates your lymphatic system, increases circulation, exfoliates, relieves stress and improves digestion and kidney function. Again, I have NO idea if these are true... I think it feels really good and I like the way my skin looks after. Really soft. The key is to use long strokes going toward your heart. That's what "they" say to do.

Here is a picture of the exact dry brush that I use:

But there are tons of other options. You're supposed to use a natural bristle though... again, so they say.

 

 

 

My next treat is a foam roller. It is like a massage for your muscles without having to go to a spa. It supposedly releases muscle tightness and knots. But I'm not going to lie... at first this hurts, but it's kind of like it hurts so good... Once I got used to it, it was just pure awesomeness. On my back and legs especially. Love foam rolling. Again, I have no idea if there is research behind it, but I like it, so I do it... 

Foam rollin' the legs!

Always give yourself little treats! You deserve them.

xo

pics via: pinterest

 

Sometimes Even Adults Need A Time Out...

Morning y'all.

I have learned that I am not good at multi-tasking. I can do it, but I'm not all that good at it.

When I get a bee in my bonnet, I'm full steam ahead with that thing. So right now my thing is health and wellness. Which means that I've put refinishing furniture on the back burner for now.

Sure I could go out into my studio and paint pieces and sell them. But that's not how I do it. I put so much thought, effort, time, energy and love into each piece I do. It's a whole creative process for me that leaves me feeling entirely fulfilled.

I think that within a few weeks, my heart will be back into it. I just need to hit up some tag sales, antique stores and flea markets to get my juices flowing again. As soon as I find that one piece that I have to have... I'll be back. That much I know in my heart. So I'm giving myself permission to take a time out.

When I do decide to start furniture again, I'm definitely doing this! Look at those fun fabrics on the chair seats. I think it stirs up the boho girl in me. I love them! See? I haven't veered too much away from loving a good furniture project!

 



xo

pic via: Country Living

A Wise Owl Once Said... Take Care Of Your Health...

Good morning and Happy Monday!

I try to incorporate most of these healthy habits into my day {notice I said most... it's still a work in progress!}

But in an effort to inspire you, I wanted to share with you my little tricks of getting it done.

Take a look at these 10 Healthy Habits... {I love this list!}

0 hours of television: I can't say that I watch 0 hours of television, but I do try to limit it. I like to read instead. But I'm not going to lie... if one of my few favorite shows is on, I'm gonna watch! Although I do enjoy reading more than tv...

 

 

 

1 hour of exercise: I just ordered these ASICS running sneakers online yesterday. I am kind of getting obsessed with the benefits of exercising, and it motivates me even more when I have comfortable {and super cute} kicks on. These are so rad in person {I saw them at the store but they didn't have my size so I had to order online.} Not to mention my old sneakers were really expensive and they gave me blisters {which really annoyed me!} My "sign" that it was time for new ones was when I stepped in dog shit {sorry for the curse but by then I was extra mad!} and it was embedded in the crevasses of the sole. Say no more... done deal. New kicks are on the way! Giddy up.

2 liters of water: I have well water and I love the taste. I fill up a big pitcher of water and put sliced cucumber and fresh mint in it; I keep it in the refrigerator so it stays cool and is on hand when I need to get some hydration. Much more enjoyable that way! Though the mason jar idea is really cute too.

3 cups of hot green tea is a stretch for me. Why? Because I hate the taste of green tea. I have to put honey in it or I can't even drink it. I probably drink about 3 cups per month. So like the rest of my healthy lifestyle, I will "lean" into it, starting with a cup or two a week. Then work up to a cup or two a day. But if I'm going to drink yucky green tea, I'm definitely going to use a pretty mug to drink it out of! Maybe it will make it taste better...

 

 

 

4 short mental breaks: a little zen and meditation in my day. I have no problem doing this. Deep breathing, clearing my mind, saying a mantra. Trust me, it really does help! Give it a whirl...

 



 

5 small meals: This is so much better than 3 huge meals that make me feel full and sluggish. Eating light and healthy fills me up because I'm getting my protein and vitamins/nutrients. Egg white omelets with avocado are my favorite. I usually have strawberries or yogurt too with it. And that counts as my dinner! I have organic oatmeal with blueberries and walnuts for breakfast. And a giant organic salad for lunch. Healthy and delicious.

6 AM wake up time: Okay, so I'm definitely going to have to work up to this one... I get up usually at about 7:30, but wouldn't it be lovely to see the sunrise? To have a bit more free time in the morning so I'm not rushing about? Yes, it would. I want to start doing this one for sure!

7 minutes of laughter: now this one I actually overdo. I laugh way more than 7 minutes a day. One conversation with my best friend on the phone {and we talk about 4 times per day} has me laughing so hard I can hardly breathe. I laugh with my husband. I laugh with my brothers. Anyone who knows me knows I love to laugh. Not a polite little laugh either, but a bust your gut kind of laugh. We're like that in my family... all laughers. And I really believe laughing can brighten your mood in seconds.

8 hours of sleep: Again, no problem with this one... But my sleep is not great. I can never fall asleep fast. As soon as my husband's head hits the pillow, he's out for the count. How does he do that?! I wish I could be so lucky. Then I wake up at least 4 times per night. I am a very light sleeper. So even though I easily get 8 hours of sleep, it's interrupted sleep... I gotta work on that one! One thing that definitely helps is my sleep mask. I use it every night to block out the light. I love it and think my sleep has greatly improved because of it.

 

 

 

9 PM off to bed: Again, no problem here. I go up to bed and read before trying to fall asleep. When I was away last week, I slept like a baby. I wish my room was as tranquil and cozy as this one is. Work in progress...

10 prayers of gratitude: I have a million prayers of gratitude. I am so blessed in my life in so many ways. And beyond thankful. Truly.

Hope you enjoyed this little dose of inspiration for health and lifestyle.

Monday is a fresh start to a week of great things that have yet to come. Be open to the beauty that the days of your week may bring into your life!

xo

pics via: pinterest