Oh you guys, it's been quite the week and a half. In case you missed it on social media, I'll catch you up: last Thursday, I came down with a bad case of what turned out to be Flu B. It landed me in the hospital over the weekend and I've been sick ever since--the sickest I've been as an adult, I believe.

Then on Tuesday, Charlie Mae started showing some symptoms, so I took her in on Wednesday and found out that she has it now, too. Luckily, hers doesn't seem to be as bad since she got the flu vaccine, but it's still super sad. {Keep your fingers crossed for Ben!} 

But during this time, I was mostly in bed, feeling like I was dying, falling further and further behind on life, work, baby preparations, and taking care of my child, and it was no bueno. I'm finally back to functioning (although not quite 100% yet) and am hoping to be back to teaching tomorrow morning. PHEW!

So, simple joys. These are going to be *really* simple because I haven't been able to do much or experience much since I got sick...

HEAR: Maren Morris' New Album, Girl
Maren Morris put out her second album last month and I've been enjoying it ever since. It's quite poppy, which doesn't bother me at all but does make me wonder if she's on the T. Swift trajectory...either way, I def recommend it!

​SEE: Charlie Mae eating ice cream
If there is one thing that makes our girlie happy even when she's sick, it's an ice cream cone. I took her to get one after her pediatrician's appointment on Wednesday and it was adorable watching her eat it and seeing how much joy it brought her. I have to say, when it comes to ice cream, I understand the feeling ;) 

TASTE: Getting my taste buds back ;)
I always forget how much it sucks to lose your sense of taste until I lose it and then get it back...taste buds are amazing! Sure is nice to taste my food again.  

SMELL: Throat Coat Tea
I haven't been able to smell anything since I got sick, so I'll just say this tea, since it's a favorite when my throat hurts and I'm coughing as much as I have been. My mom sent it to me when I first got sick and I was so appreciative. 

TOUCH: Sleeping 
When I was super sick, I was coughing so much that I couldn't sleep (plus Tamiflu causes insomnia for me, so that didn't help). All I wanted to do was sleep and I couldn't. For the past two nights I've finally been able to sleep again and it has been heavenly. THE LITTLE THINGS, AMIRITE!??!

And there you have it! The most basic of basic simple pleasures. I hope your week was better than mine and full of life's little joys! See you back here next week.  

Here we are at the end of March and I can hardly believe it!  Now that I'm pregnant, these weeks passing so quickly have an entirely different meaning; what do you mean I only have 4-ish months left to prepare for this little babe joining our family? How can that be possible? And yet, here we are, knocking on the door of April. 

Thus, I'm thankful that this blog forces me to slow down + reflect on my #SJOTW, which in turn helps to ground me + keep me from getting too spun up about what lies ahead. 

​What made you smile over the past 7 days? Here are a few of the little things that brought me happiness...

HEAR: "Saturday Nights" by Khalid
Have you heard this song? Ben and I are both obsessed and it's been in our heads all week--ever since he asked me to dance to it with him when I came down from putting Charlie Mae to bed on Tuesday night (LOL but also very sweet). You can listen below:

​SEE: Amy Schumer Growing 
Fellow pregnant ladies + Amy Schumer-lovers, you NEED to watch this Netflix Special about being pregnant! It's so great. I watched it on Friday night while I worked on the couch (Ben was coaching) and it made me laugh so many times. She's spot-on. 

TASTE: Hard Boiled Eggs
Buying this Dash Quick Egg Cooker a few years ago was one of the better $16 investments I've ever made. I've been eating 1-2 hard boiled eggs almost every single day of my pregnancy and they've been such a great source of protein when a lot of other protein sources turn me off. 

SMELL: Aloe Gel
Welp, I've now had a bizarre itchy rash on almost my entire body for almost 2 weeks and of course, I'm blaming it on pregnancy sensitivities + hormones because I cannot for the life of me figure out what's causing it (and it's not getting better--ahhhhhhh!). Because I hate putting medicated cream on my body while pregnant, I bought some 99% pure Aloe Gel at Whole Foods this week and it's been providing a lot of relief. Hooray for natural remedies!

TOUCH: Pedicure
Life has been so insane over the past few months that I haven't even been able to find the time to sneak out and get a pedicure. I usually go during a work day when CM is at daycare (and just bring my laptop and work), but even that had proved to be too much until yesterday. I finally found a window of time (and the motivation to make it happen) yesterday afternoon and it was great! No more dry, creepy toe talons on this girl. You're welcome, yoga students (HAHA). 

And there you go! Another week of simple joys in the bag. Hope you can find the time to reflect on your #SJOTW today, too. 

​Locals: I'm teaching my Spring Awakening Detox + Restore workshop at Centerville Yoga tonight (6-8pm) if you're around. Would love to see you there!

Hope you have a great weekend *full* of simple, sensory pleasures...

Some weeks are such a blur! And this one definitely was. I have an astounding amount of work on my plate right now (which is great--I'm thankful for it!), so I basically spent every "free" moment of the week on my laptop, working on logo designs + websites and emailing clients. But it's all fun work that I love so I'm not complaining ;)

How was your week? I hope lovely and filled with simple joys! Here are some of the little things that made me happy over the past 7 days...

HEAR: "Yoga Feels" Playlist on Spotify
I can't remember how I found this playlist (I didn't make it, I just stumbled across it), but I found it about a year ago and have been following it ever since. The person who created it adds a few new songs to it every month and it's not your average yoga playlist--a lot of the songs aren't songs I would actually play in my classes, but I love flowing to them. I did a home practice to this playlist earlier this week and it was just the lift I needed. If you're on Spotify check it out!

SEE: The Marvelous Ms. Maisel
You know how when you're part of a couple you have the shows you watch together and the shows you watch separately--if your partner isn't home or has fallen asleep on the couch? Well, this is my new only-me show and I'm loving it. It's just the lighthearted, fun little piece of entertainment that I need right now and I'm already looking forward to watching it tonight while Ben is out coaching. 

TASTE: Lemon Ginger Energy Bites 
At the Yoga + Ayurveda Mini-Retreat that I co-led last weekend, my co-leader, Maria, made these amazing Lemon Ginger Energy Bites for us. The recipe above isn't the exact same one she made, but it's close enough. They were SO delicious! Now I just need to motivate myself to make them at home...

SMELL: Interior house paint drying
While I don't actually like the smell of paint drying, I do love when a house project is finished, so this week the scent of paint was welcome one. In preparation for Baby #2 we're going to be moving Charlie Mae's bedroom downstairs, and as a part of that we had to convert a weird former-closet-turned-shelving-unit in our guest bedroom back into an actual closet. We had our favorite local handyman do this for us and he finished the project this week. It may be the most expensive basic closet anyone has ever paid for (lol), but we're excited about it. Hooray for home improvement! 

TOUCH: Sunshine + bubbles 
We've had a few sunny days in the past week that were just warm enough for us to put on our coats and get outside for a few hours. During this time we spent LOTS of time blowing bubbles, swinging in the hammock (or on the swings at the playground), and coloring in chalk. And truly, one of my favorite things is just sitting in the warm sun with Charlie Mae, blowing bubbles. There's a meditative quality about it that slows me down and gets me grounded. She's my little mindfulness teacher! Also, thank goodness for spring weather. 

And there you go! I hope you can find some time to reflect on your SJOTW today, too...

I'm sorry, but how is it mid-March? I mean, this is getting ridiculous. Especially with a pregnancy/baby countdown going on each week...

So let's slow things down! Here are a few of the simple, sensory pleasures that brought me joy this week...

HEAR: To Live and Die in LA [Podcast]
Have you heard of this podcast? It's another investigative true crime series, but this one is about an ongoing, open Missing Person case and it's crazy (it's also very sad, of course). I started listening this week and have already binged all 5 available episodes. Highly recommend if you're into these kinds of shows, too!

SEE: Warmer temps/CM at the playground
It's been much warmer outside this week, so on Wednesday Charlie Mae and I ventured to the playground for the first time in months. There was still quite a bit of snow on the ground in the shady spots, but the swings and slides were dry and she was so thrilled it was like she was at an amusement park. And it made me very excited for actual spring. 

TASTE: Blueberry Rx Bars 
I've been a longtime Lara Bar devotee, but when I got pregnant, they started turning me off for some reason (argh!). So, I turned to Rx Bars in the hopes that they would be a better fit for my hormone-fueled taste buds and they were! Especially this flavor. They've been my go-to on-the-go snack for a while now and I'm so thankful for them. 

SMELL: Fire in the fireplace
Somehow, we just had our first fire of the winter (I know?!) last weekend and we all loved it. I guess we'd forgotten how relaxing and beautiful they are?! Although I'm definitely ready for spring, I wouldn't mind another fire or two before we say an official goodbye to winter...

TOUCH: This Maternity Sweatshirt
I got this super comfy French Terry maternity sweatshirt in two different colors and it has become my uniform. Leggings, a tank, + this sweatshirt pulled over = what I wear basically every day. If you're pregnant and have a middle-to-biggish size bump, you need one. 

And there you go! I hope you can find some time to reflect on your simple joys of the week today, too. 

Also, if you're local, there's still room in my Inner Spring Cleaning/Yoga + Ayurveda Mini-Retreat with Maria Ferguson this weekend! It's Sunday from 11-5 at Centerville Yoga. Check out the details + sign up here. 

Have a wonderful weekend!

Above: the best shot I could get of my dad + CM together during his quick visit this week. The girl HATES pictures! At least my dad looks happy ;) 
​
It's been two weeks since my last SJOTW and a lot has happened in my little world in those 2 weeks. As I wrote in yesterday's newsletter, I've been IN IT with my mom's health and that has been consuming most of my time and energy lately. I was in GA taking care of her last weekend and then I got sick for a few days when I returned, so it's all been a bit of a blur...

And yet, here we are! March, International Women's Day, and *almost* Daylight Savings Time. Phew. 

So, let's go ahead and talk SJOTW. Here's what brought me joy over the past 7 days:

HEAR: "If You're Going Through Hell" by Rodney Atkins
Funny enough, this old country song by Rodney Atkins has been in my head all week. Don't worry--I don't think I'm really in hell right now (haha)--but I do love the sentiment behind the song and it's an oldie that always gets me up and going. I've listened to it multiple times over the past few days and it's made me very happy. 

SEE: My dad
My dad was coming through Boston on his way home from a trip to Maine earlier this week, so he stopped by for 36-ish hours and it was really special. He and Charlie Mae have gotten super close and it warms my heart to see them together. She kept telling me that "Baba is my best friend" and I could hardly stand it. 

TASTE: Kayak Cookies!!!!!!
These are hands-down my favorite cookies and it had been waayyyyy too long since I'd had one. Yesterday, I interviewed the owner/baker/founder of the company for Built on Cape Cod (get excited about that one!) and as a thoughtful treat, she brought me some cookies. Ben, CM, and I enjoyed them together after dinner last night and we were all in heaven. Btw, you can order them online and I HIGHLY recommend that you do!

SMELL: Honey
I recently read that honey is just as effective in treating a bad cough as cough medicine, so honey has been my treatment of choice this week. Obviously, being pregnant, there's not a lot you can take to treat bad colds, congestion, and cough, so I've just been trusting my body to get over it and using honey, tea, and cough drops like a champ. I think it's working! {I know honey doesn't really have a scent, but just go with it...}

TOUCH: Caring for my mom
When a loved one is sick or dealing with major illness and you live far away, it feels really bad. Before going to see my mom, I felt so distant and helpless--like I wasn't doing enough. Obviously just a few days with her still wasn't enough (and I'll probably go down again soon), but it did make me feel better to see her, touch her, and be able to help her with the things she can't do for herself right now. 

And that's it for this hard week! I hope you can find some time to reflect on your #SJOTW today, too.

Quick reminder: this Sunday (3/10) is the last day to enjoy early bird pricing for my upcoming 1-day Yoga + Ayurveda "Mini-Retreat" at Centerville Yoga on 3/17. Learn more and sign up here.

Have a wonderful weekend! 

Phew, it's been a week​. But we made it to Friday and life is still moving forward and we just do the best we can, right? So here we are. 

And here are a few of the simple, sensory joys that have brought me happiness during this challenging week...

HEAR: "Don't Hold Your Breath" by Wookiefoot
This song is on my February class playlist and I love it. It always comes on at just the right time in my classes and provides a wonderful energy boost when we need it. Listen below.

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SEE: Charlie Mae playing in the snow
Watching children play in the snow is magical. It just brings them so much joy! We didn't get a ton of snow this week, but we got enough for Charlie Mae to spend a few hours scooping it up with a shovel and having the time of her life. I loved watching her have so much fun. 

TASTE: Homemade Rice Krispie Treats
I had a crazy pregnancy craving for Rice Krispie Treats last weekend, so I looked up a recipe (here's the one I used), bought the ingredients, and Charlie Mae and I made them one afternoon. How long has it been since you've had a homemade Rice Krispie Treat? Do you know how delicious they are? And how easy they are to make? We all loved having them around over the weekend (Ben enjoyed them a little too much...) and I have to say, I'm tempted to buy more ingredients this weekend...

SMELL: Aquaphor Healing Ointment
I know Aquaphor doesn't actually smell very good, but it has felt so good on my crazy dry winter skin (and expanding belly). We have tons of the stuff leftover from when CM was a baby, so I've been using it myself and been quite pleased with the results. 

TOUCH: Haircut
I got a much-needed haircut yesterday and it felt so good! And my hair feels so healthy! You know the feeling so I don't need to explain it to you, but I really needed that little pick-me-up. 

And there you have it! I look forward to seeing some of you at tonight's [sold out] workshop and I hope your weekend is full of simple joys. 

This week was hard. It started with my uncle's visitation + funeral--which was beyond heartbreaking and emotionally exhausting--included a nausea/throwing-up incident on my trip back to the airport after the funeral (first puke of the pregnancy, though!), and was topped-off by another intense family issue that's been taking up a lot of emotional energy.

Buuuut, as is normal in this life, there was a lot of good, too. And that's what #SJOTW is all about--celebrating the joys of this experience even when life is not so easy. I say this all the time, but it feels especially pertinent right now.

So here goes: my favorite simple, sensory pleasures from the past 7 days. What brought you joy over the past week?

HEAR: "Learning to Fly" by Tom Petty
I haven't heard this song in a really long time, but it was one of my uncle's favorites. Because of this, it was played a lot at his visitation and quoted in the eulogy that my dad gave at the funeral, so it was in my head this week. It's a beautiful song and I loved hearing it when memorializing my uncle, despite how sad it made me, too. Listen below.

​SEE: Our baby!!!
There's nothing like watching the baby in your belly move around, put his hand in his mouth, drink his amniotic fluid, and kick his little legs. During our 18-week ultrasound we not only found out that we're having a little boy (who, at this point, already looks exactly like Ben, haha!), but we also got some peace of mind that he's healthy, developing correctly, and loves to do plow pose ;) It was really special and uplifting. 

TASTE: Morning tea in my new Yeti Rambler Mug
My dear friend + Starr Struck Design Studio partner-in-crime, Sara, recently gifted me with this mug and I am obsessed. It truly does keep my tea hot for the entirety of the time I'm drinking it (game-changer!), the top ensures it doesn't get spilled when I'm enjoying it on the floor while playing with CM, and it's dishwasher safe! I love it so much. 

[Also, wishing Sara a very happy birthday! She's home with a sick kiddo today so we need to send her extra special wishes for a relaxing, enjoyable day...]

SMELL: Homemade chocolate chip cookies 
Melissa, the talented gal who runs Charlie Mae's daycare (and thus = MVP of our family!), is also an incredible chef and baker. She made homemade chocolate chip cookies with the kids yesterday and sent one home for each of us as a special Vday treat. It was the perfect little nightcap after a long evening of teaching and it was delicious. Was I annoyed that Ben confessed that he *almost* ate mine while I was gone despite me telling him not to? Of course I was. But he didn't, so all is well around here. Thanks, Melissa!

TOUCH: Snowmen
It snowed a bit here on Tuesday and it was just enough for me and Charlie Mae to make about 800 snowmen, which is her dream these days. We've done a lot of talking about snowmen since Christmas, but haven't had enough snow/the right kind of snow to make them until now. It was so sweet watching how much joy our miniature snowmen brought her, and I loved romping around outside together. She was very sad when the snow (and thus, all of our little snowmen) melted. 

And there you have it: joy amidst sadness, life and death, sickness and health--the duality of our experience, the ups-and-downs, the reality of our shared existence.  

​I hope you can find some time to reflect on your week today, too.

Have a simple-joy-filled weekend!

We lost another family member on my dad's side of the family this week. I thought we might have a little break from loss after all of the loss of 2018, but I guess I was wrong.

My dear uncle--only 62--passed away unexpectedly on Monday night. He left behind two incredible children in their 20's and my beloved Aunt Joanie. Everyone is obviously devastated. I'm headed to the funeral in North Carolina this weekend and might write more about it in the future, but suffice it to say that a sudden, out-of-the-blue loss like this one is sobering, scary, and heartbreaking. It reminds you of the fragility of life and of the realities we always talk about in yoga--specifically, that this one moment is ALL we have for sure. 

This loss has led me to be more present, to give more love, and to soak up all of the gifts in my everyday life even more this week. Thus, I still wanted to reflect on my SJOTW today.

Here are some of the little things that brought me joy over the past week, despite all of the sadness in our family... 

​HEAR: "Akaal" by Ajeet Kaur
This is a total yoga song so if you're not into yoga music it's probably not for you, but if you're a yogi and love a good slow song for the end of your practice or class, check this one out. I put it on my new February playlist and every time it comes on it makes me feel more soothed and relaxed. Listen below.

SEE: Doulas
I interviewed a doula team at our house yesterday and it was wonderful. They were the perfect fit and made me much more excited (and freaked out/nervous) to attempt childbirth again, this time with an extra support person. Thanks for all of the advice + personal experiences you shared on my IG post about this! Your words of wisdom were really helpful. 

TASTE: Ice cream after a month of no deserts ;) 
Ben and I went on a rare date on Saturday night (yay for us!) and then, because none of the desserts on the menu spoke to us, stopped at a convenience store on the way home and picked up some ice cream (that's how we roll). I got Ben + Jerry's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough--as I always do--and can't even begin to tell you how delicious it was after a month of no desserts. And the great news? My sweet tooth was so refined after a month away from sweets that I only needed a little bit to feel satisfied! 

SMELL: Baked Japanese Sweet Potatoes
Have you ever had a Japanese Sweet Potato? If not, and if you like sweet potatoes, I can't recommend them enough. They're delicious and really good for you. I baked a bunch on Tuesday and have had one with dinner every night this week. Yum. 

TOUCH: Baby kicks in my belly
I don't remember feeling Charlie Mae move around in my belly until around 20 weeks or so. This pregnancy, I first felt the baby move at 14 weeks and the movement has only been increasing since then. This week I felt the most movement yet, and every little twist, turn, and punch makes me SO happy and gives me a whole lot of [much-needed] reassurance. 

So there you go; a tough week that still included lots of little simple joys (+ SO many Charlie Mae and "tidying up"-related pleasures that aren't included above).

I hope you're able to spend some time reflecting + feeling the gratitude today/this weekend. We are so lucky to be here and to be experiencing the simple joys of life. 

Happy February! And happy birthday to my brother, Peter! What a great day. 

How was your week? Mine was "normal" (much-needed) + full--I taught a workshop, Ben and I did a ton more Konmari Method cleaning--which was a HUGE simple joy, I got some good work done, some good time in with Charlie Mae, went to some appointments, and took (+ taught) a few yoga classes. 

But in between all of those activities, I also got to enjoy quite a few simple, sensory joys that helped me to slow down and appreciate the little things. Here are some of my faves...

HEAR: Baby's heartbeat
Since we lost our last pregnancy, I've been getting very nervous before every appointment this time around. I have flashbacks to the time when we didn't hear a heartbeat and I get incredibly worried that it's going to happen again (even though I've been feeling our sweet little baby move, which is very reassuring). I had an appointment on Tuesday and we heard a beautiful, strong heartbeat and it was a huge sigh of relief. It gets a little easier every time I get a confirmation like this. 

SEE: Elin Hilderbrand books
I've been trying to cut back on my book buying, so I've returned to our local library's Kindle Lending Library for books. Because all of the "hot new releases" (lol) are usually checked out and waitlisted, I've been looking into older books that I know will be available and have gone down an Elin Hilderbrand rabbit hole. Her books are easy to read, really interesting, and based on/around Nantucket, which I love (because I love Nantucket so much!). Right now I'm reading Here's to Us and it's great fun. 

TASTE: Dessert-free January ;) 
As of yesterday, Ben and I made it through our dessert-free January challenge! Despite The Great Graham Cracker Debate of 2019 (see my Instagram highlights if you don't know what I'm talking about), we did it, and it wasn't too bad. The first few days I definitely craved something sweet after eating, but by the past two weeks or so, I was totally fine and not experiencing any sort of sweet tooth attacks at all. And since I'm pregnant and really trying to keep my eating as clean as possible for the baby, I don't think I'm going to get back into sweets anytime soon. 

SMELL: Love Beauty & Planet Argan Oil + Lavender Shampoo/Conditioner
I'm always changing up my shampoo and conditioner and I'm not picky about what I use (should I be?). However, in the past year or so I've started trying to avoid sulfates, parabens, and chemicals that are bad for the planet, so this shampoo + conditioner was my most recent pick-up. Whether or not it works really well to clean my hair is yet to be determined, but I will tell you that the smell of these products is divine. I LOVE showering because of it (and because I love showering in general). 

TOUCH: Chiropractor
I've been wanting to get back to going to the chiropractor regularly since Charlie Mae was born (that's 2.5 years, y'all!!!). As of this week, I finally found a new one and went to him and it was AMAZING. If you're local and looking for a chiro, look no further--here's your guy: Dr. Ryan Casagranda. I can't recommend him enough. My neck, jaw, and lower back felt WAY better after my visit on Monday and I've been feeling hopeful about my pain ever since. 

And there you have it! I hope you can find some time to reflect on your #SJOTW today, too. 

Have a great weekend!

We've had an 'off' week around here. Ben was home sick from work for 2 days (bleh), Charlie Mae had her worst tantrum to date on Tuesday night (30+ minutes!), and Sayde's been here visiting all week, so things have been a lot harder than usual. BUT, that's life, isn't it? Always something but you just keep truckin'! 

So anyway, here are a few of the simple, sensory joys that have really helped me power through this hectic week...

HEAR: "Let It Be" by Imaginary Future
I've had this version of "Let It Be" on my January playlist all month (it comes on right before savasana) and I've so enjoyed hearing it every time I teach. I'll miss it in February! You can listen below:

​
​SEE: No Bad Kids: Toddler Discipline Without Shame by Janet Landsbury
Have you read this book? Have I shared it here before? I can't remember but if you have a toddler or a child on the brink of toddlerhood it's a must-read (in my opinion). She explains why toddlers experience emotions in the way that they do and how to navigate their strong emotions with gentleness, love, and steady boundaries. I read it months ago but have been re-reading it after Tuesday night's meltdown and it's brought me a lot of clarity (again). 

TASTE: Autumn Wheat Cereal
I used to love this cereal and had completely forgotten about it. I picked it up recently on a grocery trip when I was starving and not thinking clearly (you know those kind of trips!) and I'm sure glad that I did because it's delicious and has been a great pregnancy snack when I've been sick of all of my usual foods (which is most of the time because I'm aways eating). 

SMELL: Candles of all sorts!
Charlie Mae has become obsessed with lighting candles and then blowing them out. So, we've spent quite a while "playing" with them together this week. Don't worry--I'm teaching her about flame and fire safety as we handle them safely together! And bonus: all of our candles smell really good ;) 

TOUCH: More KonMari Method 'tidying'
We tackled our shoes, accessories, and books last weekend and got rid of another 12 bags/boxes worth of stuff! It feels SOOOOO good! We're on to "paper" this weekend and next (realistically mostly next weekend since we have a lot on the schedule this weekend) and I'm a bit nervous about this category but also super excited. This method has been a GAME CHANGER for us. 

And there ya go! If you're local and are around on Saturday from 1-3pm, I'm teaching a Winter Detox + Restore workshop at my old yoga home (Orleans Yoga) and would love to see you there! There's still room and you can sign up at OrleansYoga.com. 

Have a great weekend and I'll see you back here next week!

YOU GUYS. Thank you so much for the outpouring of loving messages, emails, texts, comments, etc. this week.

I really appreciate all of the support during this exciting (but anxiety-filled) time. It's so nice to finally have everything out in the open (now you know why I was EXTRA tired over the holidays and during all of our travel) but it's also a little scary, too. So thank you for making it easier to share. 

As for simple joys, obviously one of my biggest simple joys from the past week was all of the sweet 'congrats' from all of you! But above + beyond that big joy, here are some others that brought me happiness this week...

​HEAR: Lizzo
I've been on a Lizzo kick all week. I know I've posted about her before but I've been back to listening while I work and was reminded of just how great she is. If you haven't checked her out, do!!! Here's one of my fave songs: 

​SEE: Tidying Up with Marie Kondo on Netflix (and as a result, the book the show is based on)
I know some of you have been recommending this book to me since it first came out, but for some reason I was resistant until now--or until last weekend, when I watched the first episode of Marie Kondo's new show on Netflix (at the recommendation of a few of you) and it hit me like a ton of bricks. I've been losing my mind over all of the stuff in our house lately and this show (and now book, which I bought immediately after watching one show) was the right message at the right time. I want to get our house in order before Baby #2 comes! So I've committed to following the KonMari method just as described and even made a spreadsheet listing the tidying categories we're going to tackle each weekend now through late-April. I'm SO excited!!!! And as you can imagine, Ben loves it when I send him household spreadsheets while he's at work (HAHAHA). 

TASTE: Sea Salt & Vinegar Cape Cod Chips (see painting above!)
If you saw my Instagram post last night, you already know this, but I just have to say it once more here: these chips are the main food item I've been wanting to eat for the past few weeks of this pregnancy. I crave them all the time and I can't get enough of them (but actually I can so I've been limiting myself and trying to eat small portions). I loved balsamic vinegar during my first trimester when I was pregnant with Charlie Mae, but this pregnancy + these chips have taken it to an entirely different level. 

SMELL: Sayde's breath (HA! only half joking...dog people will understand)
Sayde is back visiting with us while her new owners are traveling and although it's challenging to have her for so long (life is just harder with her around because we have to keep her and CM separate!), it's been really wonderful, too. And Ben and I laugh so hard because she has the worst breath but she's so tiny and as gross as it is, we both kind of love it, too. It's just so funny when she yawns right in our faces (RIGHT in our faces) and she's so adorable that you can't be that grossed out ;) 

TOUCH: Cleaning out 6 garbage bags (!!!) worth of clothes to donate
Thank you Marie Kondo! Because of my aforementioned obsession with the KonMari method, Ben and I started "sparking joy" with our clothing last weekend and got rid of SOOOOOO many unused + unneeded items. It felt incredible! I'm pumped to tackle accessories, shoes, and books this weekend.

And there ya go! I hope you can find some time to reflect on your #SJOTW today, too...

Wowee, I am POOPED from this week! We got back in town from my brother's wedding on Sunday evening, and on Monday I was up at 5am to teach the first day of my week-long AM Yoga Challenge...it's been awesome, but waking up that early every day on top of trying to play catch-up from the holidays/all of our travel has been prettyyyy tiring. I'm ready for this weekend!

But before we jump ahead, let's look back at the past 7 days and talk simple joys. Here are some of my favorite sensory pleasures from the past week...

HEAR: The Hamilton Mixtape
Have you listened to this album? If you're a Hamilton Soundtrack junkie like I am (despite still not having seen the show...AHHHH!) then you'll LOVE it. I've been listening nonstop ever since I found out about it and am completely obsessed. And yes, I realize that I'm *very* late to the Hamilton bandwagon, but to be fair I live on Cape Cod (we're behind on everything by about 10 years) and I was pregnant/having a baby around the time that it was all the rage...

SEE: Patrick + Caitlin's wedding
My brother's wedding last weekend was perfect in every way (except for what happened with Charlie Mae of course). It was beautiful, personal, so full of love, so funny + comfortable while still being really classy + fancy--it was just 100% them. I cried so many tears of joy for my little brother and his wife while in Durham (pictured above) and am over the moon about the whole thing. It was great. 

TASTE: The Pit BBQ (location of the Rehearsal Dinner)
If you ever find yourself in Durham, NC, I highly recommend this restaurant. My brother's rehearsal dinner was here and everything that I ate was beyond delicious. The food at the wedding was amazing, too, but this meal stuck out to me because it was such authentic BBQ and it's been a while since I've gotten to enjoy that kind of food.

SMELL: Ben's Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing
Ben made his world famous Caesar dressing this week and as usual, it did not disappoint. It did make me feel like I was breathing garlic all over the world for 24 hours (ewww) but I *think* it was worth it because of how good it tasted. And smelled. Gotta love fresh garlic + lemon!

TOUCH: Working out/yoga + getting back into a routine
If there's one thing that I missed over the past few (well, 7) crazy weeks of travel and holidays it's being in my routine. I love my routine. It's not super routine-y because every day is different and every week is different, but there's a rhythm to it nonetheless. It felt so good to be slowly getting back into life this week and even more amazing to get back to working out + regular(ish) yoga. Ahhh. 

I hope your week was equally full of simple joys and the comforts of your regular old routine.

Have a great weekend!

This year was a doozy of a year. It felt like life was just handing us one challenge after another, piling it on and asking us, "Can you handle this? And can you handle this? How about this???"

I've felt pretty emotionally exhausted over the past [almost] 362 days, but as usual, what got me through were the simple joys that showed up on even the most devastating of days.

Sometimes those "joys" arose from being thankful for the absence of something worse ("Although Sayde's Charlie Mae attack was horrible, at least she didn't maim her permanently; although we lost the baby, at least it wasn't further along in the pregnancy...etc.), and at other times they came in the form of basic, sensory experiences that brought me happiness in the moment. Which is why I started #SJOTW in the first place (SO many years ago, now...).

So, celebrating the Simple Joys of the Year feels very important this year, because again, even in the harder years there is still so very much for which to be grateful. Here are a few of my overarching Simple Joys from 2018...

HEAR: Charlie Mae's communication development
Charlie Mae's language just exploded this year. Like both her mom and dad, this little girl has A LOT to say and isn't afraid to open her mouth. Her squeaky little voice is my favorite sound in the world and her funny phrases get me every time. Some of my favorites?

• When we do something the 'wrong' way:  "That's not how it dos, Daddy!" "
• When someone forgets something: "OH! Almost 'got!" "
• When she's having a hard time falling to sleep and someone goes in to tuck her back in and remind her it's nap time: "Let's try this again."
• When she gives me a hug: "We love each others." 
• When she's talking about feeling shy around someone: "I'm just feeling a little nervous of ________. It's okay to be nervous!" 

SEE: Ben's Basketball Training Business taking off
I'm not going to lie and say that Ben's side-hustle/second job didn't put a strain on our family this year (IT DID! We were already strapped for time together as a family and then Ben added hours of time away from the house each week!), but it was also wonderful seeing how happy + fulfilled it made him, how good he is at training kids (he's really good), and how much it reinvigorated him on a daily basis. I am so happy that he has found an outlet that he loves so much. 

TASTE: Homemade Buttermilk Pancakes
We're a serious Sunday morning breakfast family and this year, we transitioned from being French Toast people to pancake people. Ben has gotten into the habit of making buttermilk pancakes from scratch every Sunday AM and I am NOT mad about it. Neither is Charlie Mae ;) Bring on the syrup!

SMELL: Sayde snuggles
As backwards as it sounds, all of the horrible events that took place around Sayde this year made me appreciate her more than ever. For the 5 months that we still had her while looking for her new home, I was able to be much more present for our snuggle sessions and QT together. Sure, those 5 months were also VERY hard, but they gave me time to accept the situation and to find the very best home for her possible. Her scent will always be one of my very favorite scents in the entire world. I miss her. 

TOUCH: Our Bed
We've done WAYYYY more traveling than anticipated this past year and while necessary (and fun, of course), it's been exhausting. However, the one constant every time that we return home from a trip has been our amazement at how comfortable our bed is; Ben and I can't even believe it. Often, the first night back in our own bed, we'll look at one another and say something like, "Have I died and gone to heaven? Am I resting on a cloud? Has there ever been anything that feels more amazing?" It's that comfortable. {​For those wondering, we bought a king Casper mattress while I was pregnant with Charlie Mae and I can honestly say that it was the best purchase we've ever made. 100% worth the $.}

And that's it for now! I've obviously experienced *so many* other wonderful simple joys over the past year, but I'll stop here because like I said, I'm exhausted and am ready to turn the page on this tough year.

Have a wonderful last weekend of 2018!

It's the last Friday that we'll be in town before Christmas! We're headed to Marco Island, FL tomorrow, and while I'm not looking forward to the travel day (I don't love flying with a toddler, no matter how amazing she is on the flight...), I am excited to be in the sun + take a week off from work. I know we all need one right about now!

So, one last #SJOTW before we head out...I'll be taking the week off from blogging, too (obviously), so I'll see you back here after Christmas!

Here's what brought me joy over the past 7 days. What made you smile? 

HEAR: The Dream podcast
Have you heard of this podcast? It was recommended to me by a bunch of people and I finally binged it while working this week; I'm so glad I did because it was really eye-opening. It's all about MLM's--the history and politics behind them, their shady practices, how they hurt people (and how they can help *some* people), etc. If you have any interest in MLM's or if you're involved in one, I definitely suggest you listen! 

SEE: The Color Purple (the book)
Somehow, despite being an English major in college and taking lots of advanced English classes in high school, I'd never read The Color Purple before. I'm not sure how this happened, but it did. And I didn't even realize it until I saw the book show up for free on Prime Reading (yay!) and read the blurb, thinking, 'Have I really not read this?' So I read it and I now understand why it's a classic. It is SO incredible.  It's still free on Prime Reading so check it out if you, too, missed it somehow!

TASTE: Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies 
Ben made us homemade cookies last weekend and they were the tastiest! He even added walnuts, just like I like them ;) My only complaint? I wish he hadn't eaten the majority of them so I could have enjoyed a few more (haha). 

SMELL: Sayde
Did you see on social media? Sayde came to stay with us from Sunday-Tuesday! It was SUCH a treat! Her new owners had to head out of town for a few days and asked if we would keep her. Of course we would! We fell right back into our normal routine and it was heavenly. I miss her so much--her warmth, her snuggles, her constant companionship, her scent. Having her back was really wonderful*

*But it was also a reminder of how hard it was to have her here and how hard it was to keep her and Charlie Mae separate all day long, so it validated our decision, too, which was good. 

TOUCH: Wrapping up my last week of Etsy orders of the season!
Today is the very last day that my Etsy shop will be open before Christmas. If you wanted to snag any last gifts--do so today! It feels weird to be closing shop before the final busy week of shopping, but it also feels nice to know that my crazy packaging and wrapping days are coming to a close for the year. Thank you SO much to everyone who shopped with me this season and all year long. 

And that's it from me for now! I hope you can find some time to reflect on your #SJOTW today, too. 

Have a WONDERFUL holiday season and I'll see you back here once or twice more before 2019 (eek!). 

[Note: I know the above pic isn't great quality, but I just had to share it because I LOVE the fact that Uggs are thigh-high boots on a toddler and that CM likes wearing them so much, despite the fact that they're next to impossible for her to walk in. Also, this pic is an accurate representation of our home life right now and thus, is an accurate representation of this past week, too.]


Well, here we are: another Friday! This December is turning out to be a really weird one for us; we leave for a family trip t0 FL on the 15th, so this weekend is our last full weekend in town until Christmas. It feels strange to know that I'm shutting it down [work-wise + Etsy shop-wise] on the 14th--I've never called it quits so early in December before!

​But, I'm sure the break will be a welcome one once we're actually there and taking some time off. It's always just the build-up and preparation for travel that's the hardest, especially during the holidays...

How was your week? Can you take some time to reflect on your simple joys today? Mine are below...

HEAR: Hamilton and In the Heights Soundtracks
I've been on a Broadway Musical kick this week--specifically a Lin-Manuel Miranda musical kick ;) While I haven't seen Hamilton yet (waaahhhhhhhhhhhh), I did see Miranda's first hit, In the Heights, twice back when I lived in NYC and I loved it SO so so much. When re-listening to both of these soundtracks, I can't help but be struck by Miranda's genius again and again. He's just so incredible and so are his creations. 

SEE: House of Cards
Believe it or not, I'm new to this show. It was one of those classic couple things: Ben and I were going to start watching it together when Season 1 first came out (years ago now), and while I was out of town one week, he watched the entire thing without me. Even though he told me to catch up so we could watch Season 2 together, I was so mad that I never even tried to watch it and it has always been "his" show. But, he recently decided he wanted to watch it all over again this winter so here we are. We started watching it last weekend and I was hooked immediately. I finally get what all of the hype has been about for all these years!

[My only issue with House of Cards: I wish I didn't know what I now know about Kevin Spacey--or that he wasn't such a bad guy IRL. Do you, too, feel weird about watching shows with known predators in them? Should I not be supporting it in this way? Such a hard thing to navigate... Ugh.] 
 
TASTE: Smith Family Popcorn in Sea Salt Caramel
OMG, Ben's Aunt brought us this locally-made popcorn last weekend and it was de-licious. Ben wolfed down most of the bag one night after I went to bed (#typical) but Charlie Mad and I each enjoyed a little bit before it was gone and loved it. So good--and of course I adore that it's locally-made!

SMELL: Our little Christmas Tree :)
We got a cute little Christmas Tree last week (Ben insisted in a very small one this year, haha) and it's been bringing us all so much happiness. Every year I'm amazed at how special it feels to have a tree, twinkle lights, and wreaths up. It doesn't take much to make things feel Christmas-y and a little more magical around here, and I always appreciate it even much more than I anticipated I would. 

TOUCH: Home practice
As much as I have a love/hate relationship with practicing yoga at home (the dustballs on the floor! The toys and STUFF all around me!), there's just nothing like a really good home practice and I had one this week. I practiced right in front of the tree with some great music on in the background, and was able to tune out my surroundings and get into the flow. The best. 

And that's it for this week! I hope you can find the time to reflect on your #SJOTW today and that you have a wonderful weekend.

I'll see ya back here next week!