Um, did you guys realize that it's April 20th already!? The fact that May is inching closer and closer is crazy, especially because it still doesn't really feel like spring around here...and also because in my mind, it's still the beginning of 2018. Oh, time.

How was your week? Can we slow things down by reflecting for a moment? Here are a few of the simple, sensory pleasures that brought me joy over the past 7 days...

HEAR: "Most People are Good" by Luke Brian
I know this country song is super cheesy, but I kind of love it and agree with the sentiment. I do believe most people are good (despite all of the horrors in the world) and I do believe you "love who you love and [that there] ain't nothing you should ever be ashamed of," and yeah, I also believe that "most mama's oughta quality for Sainthood" (hahaha!), so I'm into it. I'm a cheesy country fan through-and-through ;) You can listen here. 

SEE: Charlie Mae enjoying the great outdoors
Although it wasn't super warm, it was warm enough last Friday + Saturday for us to get outside with Charlie Mae. On Friday I went on a hike with a friend and wore her in my new backpack carrier (thanks for the hand-me-down, Abby!), and on Saturday we took her to a local park that she's totally obsessed with. It's so amazing seeing her come alive exploring new places/the outdoors after *such* a long winter with very little exploration. Summer is going to be so amazing!

TASTE: Date night dinner
Ben and I had a casual date night on Sunday night and it was long-overdue and delicious. It had been a while since we'd gone out to dinner just the two of us, and let me tell you, eating my dinner in peace, without feeding/running after/taking care of a toddler the whole time was a dream. I actually tasted and enjoyed my meal + glass of wine! Hooray! Shout-out to my MIL Susanne for babysitting so we could make this happen.  

SMELL: Simply Sugarless Blueberry Muffins (aka homemade toddler muffins) baking in the oven
I've been wanting to make these muffins since WAAAYYYY back in March, 2016, when we first posted them to the blog. But alas, it took me until now to get to them. That being said, they're delicious and smelled so good while baking! And Charlie Mae loves them! We made them together yesterday and it was the best. Thanks for the recipe, Sara, and thanks for the help, Charlie Mae (HAHA).

TOUCH: My new short hair (!!!)
I chopped off all my hair this week and it feels ahhhhhh-mazing. I was super scared to do it (as you may have seen on my Instagram Story) but now that it's done, I feel free and light and more easy-breezy than ever; who knew I would LOVE having short hair? Also, I got to donate 10+ inches to Locks of Love, so that made it extra worth it. Thanks to my amazing hair stylist, Kate Scott, for your talent and patience as I freaked out in your chair! 

...And there you have it. I hope you have a wonderful weekend full of simple joys--and that you can find some time to reflect back on your past week today...

See you back here next Tuesday!

Hey hey Friday! Here we are--ready to kick off another weekend! It's supposed to be in the 50's on Cape Cod today (I'll take it) and Charlie Mae and I have plans to go on a morning hike with some friends, so I'm excited about what lies ahead...but first, we need to talk SJOTW.

How was your week? Full of simple pleasures, I hope? Here's what brought me joy over the past 7 days...

HEAR: The Pitch Podcast
If you like Shark Tank, Startup, How I Built This, or any podcast or show about entrepreneurs pitching their business ideas to investors, then you need to listen to The Pitch. It's one of my favorites these days. I love hearing about the businesses people are starting, I love hearing the investors' feedback and thoughts on those businesses, and I love the whole startup world in general. Check it out! 

[Note: I know I've mentioned this podcast here before, but that was a long time ago and I felt like it needed another shout-out. Esp. because I've been enjoying it so much lately.]

SEE: Finished work projects
I know this sounds boring, but you know when you have a super productive week and you're able to knock out a few big projects that have been looming? That's what happened in my world this week and it felt AWESOME. It was so great to have 3 full daycare days in a row and only a handful of extra calls/meetings so that I could really focus on my workload, and it was exciting seeing my recently-finished products being used out in the [internet] world right away. Three cheers for productivity! I'll share some recent projects here soon...

TASTE: Theo Salted Almond Dark Chocolate
I have decided that this is officially my favorite dark chocolate brand. I love every single variety that they make but am stuck on this flavor lately. It's SO delicious and a small amount goes a long way (as does a large amount, hahaha). 

SMELL: My morning cuppa Tazo Organic Chai Tea
I buy my AM tea in bulk (to save $) and ran out for a few weeks. I had ordered more but it got held up in shipping and yada yada yada I had to rely on my back-up English Breakfast for about 2 weeks. I know it doesn't sound like much, but let me tell you, my first day back with my old fave (last weekend) was divine and I've been appreciating my morning cup even more this week. It's my favorite way to start the day! 

TOUCH: Swinging in the hammock
Charlie Mae is OBSESSED with swinging in our hammock. It's not exactly warm enough for hammock swinging around here yet, but I brought it out last weekend anyway and all she wants to do is swing all day err day (which you'll know if you saw my Instagram story last weekend, ha!). And you know what? I enjoy a good hammock swinging session, too, so it's been lovely. It will be even lovelier when it's just a *smidge* warmer ;) 

And there you go! Another week of simple joys has come and gone. I hope that you can find the time to reflect on your SJOTW today, too.

Have a wonderful weekend and I'll see you back here on Tuesday! [As a reminder or in case you missed it: I'm moving my blogging days to Tuesdays and Fridays for the time being, so you'll find new posts those days and not on Mondays + Wednesdays for now...]. 

​Another Fri-yay is already here! These weeks...I won't even say it because I know I'm a broken record...

How was your week? We had a great one around here--my dad was visiting, we had a super special Easter, and Charlie Mae was in wonderful spirits (every week that goes by during which she isn't sick and/or teething is such a gift). 

Here are a few of the simple, sensory joys that brought me happiness over the past 7 days...

HEAR:​ "Laya" by Good Vibes Collective
This song is on my April class playlist and it's so beautiful. It's the perfect yoga song--repetitive, long, beautiful, and doesn't have any recognizable words. You can listen below: 

SEE: Charlie Mae on Easter // Charlie Mae and my Dad together
I couldn't pick just one so I had to include both here. First, Charlie Mae had THE BEST Easter and it was such a joy to watch her enjoying it. She was honored at the Unitarian Church where Ben's family has been going for years (CM is the 5th Generation to enter the doors!), she had a blast hunting for Easter eggs in the yard, she ate her first 4 jellybeans (which she loved), and we had a big family dinner at our house during which she was the starr (hehe!) of the show and totally soaked up all of the attention. Also, her little Easter dress was so adorable I could hardly handle it. 

And Second, I loved seeing my dad and Charlie Mae interacting during his visit all week. It's so hard when your family doesn't live close by, but it's extra special when they do come and you can see how quickly they reconnect with your child (and quickly she makes them a part of her world). It was a great visit!

TASTE: Easter Dinner
Although we "hosted" Easter dinner, Ben's family (and especially his mom) made almost everything and brought it all over to be served. The food was SO good, as were the desserts (of course)--especially the little bunny cupcakes pictured above, which Ben's mom made from scratch. It was so great hosting a delicious meal but not having to do any of the prep/cooking!

SMELL: GT's Gingerade Kombucha
This Kombucha is the best! I love it so much. The addition of ginger is clutch--give me ginger on anything + everything and I'm a happy gal. I enjoyed a bottle of this Gingerade over the course of a few days this week and it hit the spot. 

TOUCH: Play-Doh
Our girl got some Play-Doh in her Easter basket and although she's never been a fan in the past, she's finally fallen in love with it and it's been great. Play-Doh is fun for everyone, ya know!? We've had some good times making little sculptures this week ;) 

And there you have it: another week full of simple pleasures is in the bag. I hope you have a lovely weekend and look forward to seeing some of you at my workshop tonight!

Oh, and don't forget to take a few moments to reflect back on your SJOTW today if you can...it's such a great way to memorialize all of the little things that make life enjoyable. 

This was such a good week! It was the first in a while where nothing crazy happened (no one was sick, we had no big storms, no trips were canceled, there were no sleepless nights, etc.) and it felt lovely to settle into a bit of a routine and get caught up on life.

I hope your week was similarly [wonderfully] mundane!

And now lets talk simple joys: here are a few of the sensory pleasures that made me smile over the past 7 days...

[PS. In case you didn't see on social media, my trip last weekend got canceled. Not because of the weather, but because Charlie Mae came down with a high fever the night before we were supposed to fly out together. So that's why you won't see any TN trip-related simple joys below (sigh).]

HEAR: "Speed of Sound" by Communist Daughter 
I heard an interview with two members of this band (a husband + wife duo) on one of my favorite podcasts, Death, Sex, & Money, and had to listen to their music afterward. Of course when I started listening I was immediately hooked and the rest is history. You can listen to one of my favorite songs by Communist Daughter here. 

SEE: Ben's excitement re: starting his basketball business
Ben decided to turn his volunteer basketball coaching "side-hustle" into a real business (still a side hustle though, of course) and I couldn't be more excited for him! He launched Swish Private Basketball Coaching this week (with a little help from his wife, of course), and it's been so lovely seeing him come to life as he fields calls, books court time, and finds a way to monetize what he has already been doing and loves SO much. I adore small businesses--no matter how small or how part-time they might be!

TASTE: Family trip to Steve & Sue's Par-Tee Freeze (our fave soft serve ice cream spot)
Charlie Mae has been asking for ice cream a lot these days. Oops. We gave it to her when she was sick and we were desperate to get her antibiotics down her throat (medicine milkshake, anyone?) and since then, she wants it all the time. So last weekend, after she had been asking for ice cream all week long, we promised her we would go get some on Saturday night. It was so fun sharing my cup of soft serve with her and this little trip made me very excited for summer when we can go and sit outside while eating it. I love being an ice cream family :) 

SMELL: Fresh-smelling yoga clothes thanks to my winning laundry combo, Charlie's Soap Laundry Powder + Rockin' Green Active Wear Detergent
I gave Rockin' Green a shout-out here back in January, and now I need to share my love for Charlie's Soap's Laundry Powder, too, the other piece of my laundry puzzle. A lot of my [expensive] yoga clothes had gotten pretty icky from years of teaching in hot studios, and these two products have revived them and gotten rid of the smelliness for good. Here's what I did/do: every once in a while, I soak everything in the Rockin' Green to get rid of all of the smelly bacteria that builds up on active wear. Then every time that I do a load of my yoga clothes, I use Charlie's Soap as my detergent. This combo has gotten rid of the stink and saved me from having to buy all new clothes. Yay! 

TOUCH: Playing outside with sticks, grass, bubbles, etc. (aka a spring-like day!)
Charlie Mae was home from daycare yesterday and it was a GORGEOUS day. It was sunny and 50 degrees out, so we spent the morning playing in the yard, going on a walk, getting out her new Elmo bubble-maker and dancing in the bubbles...and it was the best. We're so ready for warm weather around here! It's going to be life-changing with a toddler! We had so much fun yesterday and I love how having a child makes you get outside and play in ways you never would otherwise. 

And there you have it! Another week + another month in the bag. Woah. 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and a lovely Easter *full* of simple joys!

When it comes to the past few weeks, I feel like our household has been limping to the finish a lot lately. This week was no different--between the storm that knocked out our power and whatever sleep issue Charlie Mae is going through right now (it's always something as a parent!)--we just barely made it to Friday. But we made it! Hallelujah! That's something worth celebrating. 

Oh, and I'm sorry that I missed Wednesday's blog post...we had no power or wifi and I just couldn't find a way to make it happen with Charlie Mae home + no internet. Such is life.

But enough about that (Debbie Downer much?), lets look at the positive side of the past week! Here are some of the simple, sensory joys that made me smile over the past 7 days. What brought you happiness? 

HEAR: "Walk Into a Storm" by The Lone Bellow
I haven't had a ton of time (or power) to listen to music this week, but when I did get a chance to listen, I was listening to this album by The Lone Bellow. I was in love with this band back in 2015, but then kind of forgot about them until my dad mentioned their latest album last week; I immediately started listening + we picked up right where we left off--they're so great! You can listen to their newest album, "Walk Into a Storm," here. 

SEE: Power coming back on!
When you've been out of power for over 24 hours and it suddenly pops back on, it is the biggest relief EVER. It's amazing how much we take electricity for granted and how much we rely on it to do everything--from making toast, to helping our children sleep (hello, sound machines!), to drying our hair. We are all out of sorts for those cold 24 hours in our powerless house, and I've never been more excited to see the lights come back on. Phew. 

TASTE: Harvest Snaps Snapea Crisps
These little snacks are SO delicious! I'm sure you've had them, but if you haven't and you're a salty, crunchy snack-loving person (who isn't?), get ye to a grocery store stat and pick some up. We bought a jumbo bag last weekend so Charlie Mae and I have been crunching on them all week and we're basically addicted. They count as veggies, right!!? ;) 
​
SMELL: Coffee
I don't even drink coffee anymore, but I still love the scent of a freshly-brewed pot in the morning and have gotten used to having that smell in the house every day. When we lost power and Ben wasn't able to make his AM coffee, the house felt emptier somehow, and I found myself missing that morning scent. It was lovely when it returned on Thursday morning; all felt right in the world again. 

TOUCH: Hot fire in the fireplace
During our power outage, we were extremely thankful for our fireplace. It was the first time we've ever used it out of total necessity (as opposed to just enjoyment) and it was a life-saver--especially with a toddler around. And yes, despite the annoyance of not having power, there is something super special about total quiet and no electricity with a fire burning. [But I'll still take power any day!]

And that's it for this week, thank goodness!

​Now I'm off to try and catch up on all of the work that I'm behind on because of our two powerless and internet-less days. I hope you have a productive Friday and relaxing, warm, stress-free weekend! ;) 

Woah you guys, where did this week go? I've been teaching my "Juice + Loose" AM Yoga Bootcamp this week, so have taught a yoga class first thing in the morning (every day) and then again in the evening  (3 of the past 4 days) and it's been awesome but it has made this week fly by at an alarming speed.

Also, I'm tired! But in a good yoga + work way, not in a I-have-a-sick-child-so-am-not-sleeping way ;) 

How was your week? I hope wonderful + full of simple joys! Here are a few of the sensory pleasures that made me smile over the past 7 days...

HEAR: "Painter (Valentine)" by Lapsley
This song!! It's so good! It's on my March class playlist and it's one of my favorite songs that I've come across in a while. It's a great yoga song, too (IMHO).  You can listen here. 

SEE: AM Yoga Bootcamp yogis
Teaching a 6:30am class every morning has been really refreshing and fun. Also, I've been super inspired by everyone who signed up and came to class every day despite the power outages and crazy weather we've had over the past week.  It's been really beautiful teaching as the sun comes up and watching these yogis start their days by moving, breathing, and stretching. I think I need to find some 6:30am classes of my own/to start taking myself! 

TASTE: Ginger Tumeric Steamer from Sunbird
I went to this fabulous local coffee shop (that I never get to anymore) for a meeting yesterday and this drink knocked my socks off. They had me at "Ginger Tumeric," but when I saw that it was also a hot steamer I was 100% sold. If I could drink this beverage every day I think I would be a better person. So delicious!

SMELL: Anything/everything because my sense of smell has been gone for a week (!!!)
When your child keeps bringing home new sick germs from daycare every day, you inevitably get sick over and over again, too. As Charlie Mae got better last week, I got worse, and had to get on antibiotics for a sinus infection over the weekend. Bleh. Along with this infection I lost ALL sense of smell + taste and just started getting them back yesterday. It felt so good to smell and taste again! I missed these senses! 

​TOUCH: Fisher-Price Little People 
If you have a toddler I'm sure you know what I'm talking about here, but in case you don't, Little People are exactly what they sound like--little plastic people with little plastic worlds that kids love (or at least my kid loves). Charlie Mae has quickly started amassing a collection of Little People and she has a blast playing with them, thus, so do I. But really, it's adorable watching her interact with theses toys and playing with these people [with her] reminds me SO much of the games that I played when I was a child...we have fun ;) 

And there you have it! Thanks so much to everyone who has joined me for my AM classes this week + to everyone who has wished me a happy blogiversary and/or filled out my reader survey over the past few days ;)

If you haven't entered my giveaway yet, you have until Sunday night to do so! All you have to do is answer a few questions about yourself + the blog. The link is here.

Have a great weekend! 

Oh wow, we went through the wringer this week.

The stats: two last-minute trips to the Pediatrician with a miserable, sick child, four fevers over 102 degrees, one night where we only got 2 hours (ish) of sleep, four prescriptions picked up from the pharmacy, and too many tissues + tears to count. Phew. Now Ben and I are both feeling under the weather and are just hoping that we don't get what Charlie Mae had... 

But even though this past week was a hard one, it was still full of simple joys, which played a very important role in keeping our spirits up. Here are a few of the simple, sensory pleasures that brought me happiness over the past 7 days: 
​
HEAR: "River" by Eminem (feat. Ed Sheeran)
Somehow I completely missed the fact that Eminem put out a new album back in December. I became aware of this fact when I heard this song on the radio the other day and semi-freaked out. I immediately started listening to his new album on Spotify and while I know it hasn't gotten great reviews from the critics, I'm a fan (as usual). I haven't gotten through the whole thing yet, but am excited to do so while working today. Listen/watch the video here. 

PS. When I asked Ben about this song/Eminem's new album he said, "That's so 2 months ago," and then proceeded to tell me that I was losing my touch and quickly becoming an outdated mom (with a smirk on his face). Ouch. 

SEE: The beach on a sunny day in February
It was SO gorgeous here this week! The sun was out, there were multiple 50-degree days, and while my mom was still in town and Charlie Mae was actually feeling okay for a few hours on Tuesday, we snuck down to the beach for a [slow + meandering] walk. I've missed the sunshine and the beach and it was so great to be back. 

TASTE: La Croix Cúrate Kiwi Watermelon Seltzer
Fellow seltzer lovers, have you tried this flavor from La Croix? OMG! We usually get Polar Seltzer, which we love, but forgot to get our normal allotment this week so I picked up this special pack from CVS when I was there picking up prescriptions. Wow. Each time I cracked one of these bad boys open this week I felt a real sense of excitement. The little things!!!!

SMELL: Emergen-C
Yep, another beverage-ish SJOTW and not an exciting one, but a must-have when you're trying to fight off all of the sick germs. I tried to drink an Emergen-C packet every day this week, and while I forgot some days and they still didn't keep me 100% well, I tried. 

TOUCH: Charlie Mae's cool skin (after having a crazy high fever!)
Holding your child while she's sweating, moaning, and has a super high fever is no joke. It's scary, heartbreaking, and stressful. Charlie Mae had a fever of 104.3 degrees for over 2 hours on Monday night, and when it finally broke and her skin felt cool again, I was extremely relieved. Ever since then, I've ben so thankful for her cool skin every time I check her forehead (which is a lot). 

And there you go! That's it from me for now. I hope your week was healthier than mine and that you've got a relaxing/fun/exciting weekend on the horizon...

Oh, and there's still time to sign up for my Juice + Loose AM Yoga Bootcamp at Centerville Yoga which starts on Monday! This 1-week series comes with a cold-pressed juice from The Local Juice after each morning's practice and you can sign up through tomorrow. Reserve your space here through Saturday, 3/3 :)

Last Friday in February, whaaaattt? Such a weird short little month, or as Charlie Mae would say, "teeny tiny."

How was your week? Mine was lovely and quick and as usual, full of simple joys. Her are a few of the sensory pleasures that made me smile over the past 7 days...

HEAR: Totally Laime 'Blast from the Past' Episodes
One of my favorite old comedy podcasts, Totally Laime, is coming back next week (!!!), and as they are gearing up for the launch, they've been re-releasing one old episode every day for the past 10 days. It has been really fun to listen back, hear some old episodes that I [somehow] never heard in the past, and get ready for their triumphant return. 

SEE: Charlie Mae + "Deema"/Grandma
My mom came in town yesterday afternoon and it had been a while since she and Charlie Mae had seen each other. Charlie Mae was a little shy at first, but once she started to get more comfortable she started showing off + doing all of her tricks (mostly bouncing, spinning in circles, trying to jump, and running), integrating 'Deema' into her games, and bringing her lots of toys to hold (one of CM's favorite activities). It was super sweet to see them interacting and brought a big smile to my face.

TASTE: Ricola Cough Drops
We've all been fighting something off around here, and while I think we're over the hump, I've been thankful for Ricola Cough Drops this past week, which have been a great resource for both me and Ben. Nothing like a little throat soother when you feel those coughs coming on (especially while you're teaching a yoga class!).  

SMELL: Wet Dog
I know this sounds like a bad smell, but let me tell you, everything related to Sayde is a simple joy these days (ever since we had to send her away for 3 long weeks). From her stinky breath (which we say we hate but we also kind of love), to her popcorn-scented feet, to her wet dog smell when she comes in from a walk in the rain (like she did this week), I love all of her dog scents. She's the best. 

TOUCH: allBirds Wool Runners
I got my second pair of allbirds sneakers for Christmas and once again (and unsurprisingly), have been LOVING them. These really are the most comfortable tennis shoes I've ever worn and I adore how they look, too (so simple and clean!). I've been fighting off the urge to get a pair of their Wool Loungers (we're trying to watch our spending these days)...but they have a new rose pink special edition and they're so pretty! Aghhhh. 

And there you have it! I hope your week was full of the simplest of joys, too. 

Oh, and a quick note for my local yogis: if you're planning on joining me for my upcoming Juice + Loose Morning Yoga Bootcamp at Centerville Yoga this March (March 5-9th), early bird pricing ends in just 5 days! This 1-week series comes with a cold-pressed juice from The Local Juice after each morning's practice (talk about a simple joy!). Snag your spot here. 

​Have a great weekend!

Wowee, it's Friday again! I hope you had a lovely Galentine's/Valentine's Day + week and are as excited as I am about the 3-day weekend ahead of us (in reality, not much changes for me except that Ben is home from work on Monday, but I'm still excited!).

What brought you joy over the past week? My favorite simple, sensory joys from the past 7 days are below...

HEAR: "Memories That You Call" by ODESZA + Moonsiren
Another song from my February yoga class playlist that I'm *loving* this month! I know it might sound a little crazy for yoga, but I play it during sun salutations and find that it's a great way to bring up the energy and encourage my students to let go. You can listen below:

​SEE: SAYDE!!!!!
As you may have seen on social media, we got Sayde back on Monday and having her home again has been the best. Not only is she her same snuggly, sweet self, but she's now a WAY better behaved version of herself, too. We seriously can't believe it--she actually listens to us, she does what we ask of her, and she's much more calm, quiet (the constant crazy barking has stopped!), and has way less anxiety. Sending her to a 3-week training camp was the best thing we've ever done for her so it was all worth it (phew). 

TASTE: Valentine's Day dinner
Ben and I celebrated Valentine's Day on Sunday night (because I teach on Wednesday nights) by going to one of our favorite "special occasion" spots here on Cape Cod, Villaggio Ristorante. We order the exact same meal there (down to the salad) and aren't even ashamed of it--and then we enjoy talking about how amazing the food is the entire time we're eating ;) Shout-out to my mother-in-law for babysitting while we got away!

SMELL: Green smoothies
Last Friday, I put up a pic on Instagram (which is also above) about how much Charlie Mae *LOVED* the green smoothie that she had at our local Organic Market when we went there with friends. Because she enjoyed it so much, I decided that I would start making her green smoothies at home and guess what? I've followed-through this week! She never drinks as much as I'd like her to, but she's had at least a few sips of a green smoothie every day this week, which is a big improvement over the previous week. Plus, I've been drinking the leftovers and loving it, so that's good, too ;) 

TOUCH: Paintbrushes
I had a couple of watercolor projects to work on this week and it was SO nice to get back to painting--it had been too long! I love the changing nature of my work and how it's never the same week-to-week, but it's sad when painting takes a back seat to everything else for too long. I am making a commitment to paint more in 2018 than I did in 2017...stay tuned for how I'm going to make sure this happens.

And there you have it! I hope you have a WONDERFUL weekend full of simple joys. 

​See you back here on Monday...

I'm so excited that it's Friday! For lots of reasons:
​

1. Friday is obviously one of the best days of the week (obviously)
2. We get Sayde back on Monday so we're *almost* there. Gah I miss that dog!!!
3. Monday + Friday are the two days of the week that Charlie Mae is home with me, but we didn't get our Monday this week because I had to add an extra day of daycare, so I've been missing my girl and can't wait to spend the day with her!
   
   

Are you equally excited that it's Friday? How was your week? I hope it was full of simple joys. Here are some of the sensory pleasures that made me smile over the past week...

HEAR: Cardi B's album GBMV2
You knew this was coming, right? I mean, there's no way a female rapper could blow up the way that Cardi B has without me becoming a big fan...she's so talented! And this week I did some googling to learn more about her background and wow, has she had a rough go at it, which makes where she is now even more amazing. I've been listening to her album while working this week and while yes, it's pretty intense, it has also gotten me quite pumped up for my design work (ha). Not for the tender-eared but a great rap artist ;) 

SEE: Charlie Mae walking on a neighborhood walk
We went on a walk on a gorgeous and rather warm day last weekend, and Charlie Mae was having none of her stroller. So we decided to let her get out and walk for a few minutes in hopes that she would be happier (something we've weirdly never done/had to do on our walks) and that girl had THE. BEST. TIME. EVER. She was walking super fast, making happy noises + saying "walkin walkin walkin" the whole time, and only wandered down random driveways every once in a while. So fun! Our walk took a lot longer but it was totally worth it to see how happy she was.

TASTE: Cinnamon Raisin Bagel {with buttahhhh}
Ben got us a bag of mixed day-old bagels from our favorite bagel place on the Cape, and although I never would have chosen or ordered a Cinnamon Raisin bagel on my own (EVER), it was the last one left yesterday and I was craving a bagel so I ate it. And um...it was delicious!?!? Who knew I would enjoy something with raisins in it *so* much!? 

SMELL: Productivity
I understand that productivity doesn't have a scent, but just go with it because I have to share this with you--Charlie Mae took her first ever real nap at daycare on Tuesday. This meant that I was able to leave her at daycare all day (instead of doing her usual 1/2 day so she could come home for nap time) for the first time ever! The amount of work that I was able to get done in 8 actual hours of work time was incredible...I couldn't believe how productive I was!!! And it made me very excited for a day when I have 3 full days of childcare in a row so that I don't always feel so behind on my work. Obviously I missed Charlie Mae so that was hard, but I can definitely see a time in the future where I am able to be even more present with her when I am with her (+ on the weekends) because I actually get some good work done on daycare days. Yay!

TOUCH: Snuggles with Ben on our comfy new couch
At the end of our new sectional couch (before + after pics of the living room coming soon, I promise!), we have a big comfy "chaise" which is in the perfect place for snuggling up and watching TV. Sometimes Ben and I sit separately (when we need some space, haha), but my favorite thing to do is share the chaise, cuddle up with a blanket, and watch a TV show there. We did that on Sunday night and it was the best. Can't wait to do it again this weekend. 

Other SJOTW? My bff had her first baby last weekend so seeing pics and getting tidbits about their first week together has been amazing {and definitely given me baby fever!}. Also, I got to take both a regular yoga and BUTI Yoga class this week, and had a great turnout and fun time teaching my Slow Flow + Restorative workshop last Friday. It's been a good 7 days :) 

Hope you have a wonderful weekend full of simple pleasures!

​See you back here next week...

First Friday in February, woop woop! How was your week? Mine was lovely; I've been feeling really good about things lately (besides my heartache for Sayde, of course) and for the first time in about 17 months (haha), I'm feeling fairly "balanced" in terms of work/life/motherhood/relationship/etc. I don't know how long this feeling is going to last, but I'm going to try and ride it out as along as I can... ;) 

So lets talk about our simple joys! What brought you happiness over the past week? Some of my favorite simple, sensory  pleasures are below...

HEAR: "Faith's Hymn by Beautiful Chorus"
This is my savasana song on my new Feburary yoga class playlist and it's one of my favorite savasana songs I've found in months. It is so peaceful, so soothing, and SO beautiful. You can listen below. 

​
​SEE: The Crown on Netflix
Ben and I just finished Season 2 of The Crown and we loved it. The series is really well done, is based on historical events involving and during Queen Elizabeth's reign thus far (yes, Queen Elizabeth the current queen), and is quite addictive. Already looking forward to Season 3 + highly recommended.

TASTE: Clementines (or as Charlie Mae calls them, "Timas")
We are such a Clementine house (or Lil Cuties house? Haha). We all love them so much--doesn't everyone?--and Charlie Mae is the newest convert. She obviously loves how delicious they are, but also really loves helping me peel them: "Peewl! Peewl! Tima! Tima!" So yeah, we've been eating a lot of Clementines lately and I'm not unhappy about it. They really are so tasty.

SMELL: Charlie Mae's Baby Shampoo + Body Wash {Babyganics Orange Blossom}
There is nothing better than inhaling a whiff of your child's sweet smell (as long as his or her diaper is clean, ha!). I love the scent of Charlie Mae's hair, head, skin, and little body SO much, and ever since we changed from Unscented Babyganics to Orange Blossom, it's been even more lovely (How is that even possible? It is.). We've used this brand of Shampoo and Body Wash since she was born and I'm a big fan. 

TOUCH: Buti Yoga
Have you tried Buti Yoga yet? It's nothing like the type yoga that I teach, but rather, a mixture of "power yoga, cardio-intensive tribal dance + body sculpting primal movement." The music is loud and upbeat (really loud + upbeat, but in a good way--think Hip Hop yoga turned up a few notches), the classes are heated, and it's crazy hard. I've been doing it 1x per week or so at Wellbeloved Wellness and it's super fun and a great workout class. Fellow yogis: don't go expecting traditional yoga or a focus on alignment, go expecting to sweat, move your booty (er, Buti), smile, and get your asana kicked. Always fun to try something new + mix it up! ;) 

And there you have it: another week in the can. Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! Looking forward to seeing some of you at my Winter Slow Flow + Restore workshop tonight! 

You guys, I have been blown away by the response to my #MeToo post from Wednesday. Thank you all SO much for taking the time to share your stories and comment on mine; the outpouring of supportive, encouraging messages has been really lovely and simultaneously really horrifying.

I'm so sorry that so many of you have gone through similar (and much worse) situations. I am so sorry that this is the state of things in our culture. I'm so sorry that so many of you have gone through such trauma, and also that the lines are so blurry and we so often feel that we "owe" something to men who do something nice for us. It's not okay. 

But also, things are changing, and I feel it. I think we all do. And that's really, really exciting and wonderful. I am confident that our children will have a different experience than we have when it comes to equality and sexual assault and I know our daughters won't be as scared to speak up as I have been. 

Phew. Now lets switch gears to a MUCH more lighthearted topic: #SJOTW! Here's what brought me joy over the past week. What made you smile? 

HEAR: Atlanta Monster Podcast
For my fellow true crime-loving podcast listeners, this one is for you! I'm from ATL and knew *nothing* about this story, so have been pretty shocked by the first 3 episodes. It's really well done, really crazy, and really addictive listening. I'm already excited about listening to today's new episode while I work during naptime! 

SEE: Charlie Mae in her new Dino leggings
I got Charlie Mae these dino leggings recently and 1) they are the cutest things ever and she looks adorable in them and 2) when she is wearing them, she says "Dino Dino Dino Dino" basically all day long and points at them. It's kind of the best. 

TASTE: Ben's special broccoli
Lame sounding, I know, but I promise it's not. Last weekend Ben made broccoli that he sautéed in garlic, red wine vinegar, red pepper flakes (+ who knows what else) and then tossed with parmesan cheese--it was INCREDIBLE. The guy can cook, people! I love enjoying what he comes up with. Yum yum yum. 

SMELL: Native Deodorant
I mentioned this deodorant at the end of this week's Starr Struck Radio episode, but in case you're not a listener, I feel like I should give it another shout-out here: after years of attempting to change to a natural deodorant but never finding one that did a sufficient job, I have *finally* found one that I love. This is not sponsored and I have no relationship with this company (although I wish I did--hit me up, Native!!!!), I am just thrilled to have an amazing-smelling, working natural deodorant for the first time in my life. I've been using it successfully for over a month now and I am never going back. 

TOUCH: Warm temps for the first time in 100,000,000,000 years!
This week's few warmer, sunnier days after what felt like years of record-breaking lows is all I needed to feel totally uplifted and reenergized. Thank you, Cape Cod weather, for reminding me what spring feels like! So lovely. 

And there you have it. I hope you have a *wonderful* weekend and can find some time to soak up some simple joys of your own ;) 

Well, as is sometimes the case, I'm limping to the finish this week...Charlie Maes's sleep has been off ever since we returned from our trip (time change, stuffy nose, teething, ya know), and thus, my sleep has been off, too. Oh well! I'm learning that messed up nights is one of the only things you can count on when you have a child this age. Poor girl has so much going on in her little body it's surprising she can sleep at all! Lucky mama ;) 

Anyhoopers, how was your week? I hope it was FULL of simple, sensory joys.

​I could go on and on about all of the amazing simple pleasures from our ski trip (I mean, isn't a ski trip just one simple joy after another?), but I've tried to concentrate on some of the more tangible sensory experiences from the past week below...

HEAR: The total quiet of the snowy mountains + ski slopes
I had to include this ski-related SJOTW because it was just *so* special. With the snow coming down, the seemingly-deserted slopes (the mountain is so big + it was a quieter time of year so it often felt like we had the place to ourselves), and all of the open space, the quiet that we were able to experience while out in Utah was pretty astounding. I am so used to constant noise (music or podcasts playing, dog barking, phone notifications, baby noises, cars, etc.) that the time spent just enjoying the quiet of nature was really soothing. I need more quiet in my life! 

SEE: Dirty water after soaking my yoga clothes in Rockin' Green Active Wear Detergent
You guys, I bought this detergent after seeing an ad about it on Facebook (nice move with your targeting, FB!) and after just one use I am a total convert. I followed the directions and soaked a bunch of my CLEAN active wear for an hour--and just as they promised, the formerly-clear water was brown when I took the clothes out. These were CLEAN clothes! That being said, the yoga clothes that I thought were going to perpetually smell like a sweaty hot yoga studio smell truly clean for the first time in years. If you have active wear that you love and want to save from the place where smelly clothes go to die, THIS is your answer!!! I am one happy customer, for sure. 

TASTE: Dried mango
After returning from our trip, Ben and I decided to give up dessert for month in an attempt to reset our need/desire for sugar after dinner every night. The holidays + a trip left us feeling like it was time, so we each ate a bowl of ice cream on Sunday night after our long-ass flight (as you do) and then started fresh on Monday (haha!). After 5 days of no desserts all I can say is thank goodness for dried mango! A piece or two of this tasty treat has helped me to curb my evening cravings as I make the transition...

SMELL: Beautycounter Hydrating Body Lotion in Citrus Mimosa
One of my dear students and fellow teachers gifted me with this lotion (amongst other fabulous Beautycounter products) for my birthday and I love it! It's super light, the scent is lovely but not too strong, and it makes my skin feel silky smooth. I got crazy dry on our trip + was SO glad I packed this product. Thanks, Julie! ;) 

TOUCH: New Patagonia Fleece
Ben got me this fleece pullover for my birthday and it has quickly become a fave clothing item. It is so soft, so snuggly, and SO warm! It was especially wonderful to throw on after a long day of skiing. It's only my second piece of Patagonia apparel but I know a lot about the company + love everything they stand for so am happy to be supporting them and wearing the logo with pride. Ben FTW! 

OTHER SJOTW? Spending time with my family (of course), more amazing words from Charlie Mae (the girl LOVES to talk!), returning home after a long travel day--there's nothing like the feeling of finally walking in the door and being home--and seeing your dog that you missed so much. Also, returning to a yoga class after a week of skiing... I could go on and on. 

I hope your week was chock full of simple joys, too, and that you're able to take the time to reflect on them today.

​ Have a great weekend!

The first #SJOTW of 2018! The new year is rolling right along. Despite getting a visit from the dreaded "Bomb Cyclone" yesterday, we're doing well here on chilly Cape Cod and haven't lost our power yet (fingers crossed, the winds are still strong!). I hope you're warm + with power, too! 

Here are a few of my favorite simple, sensory joys from the first week of 2018. What made you smile over the past 7 days?  

HEAR: "I'll Fly Away" by Rising Appalachia
This song! I heard it in a BUTI Yoga class I took with local teacher Stephanie Aycock this week and that was it; I needed it on my own playlist (and in my life!). I've listened to it many times since and it's on my January class playlist; it's also on Spotify or you can listen to a beautiful live version of it here. 

SEE: Charlie Mae and her Baba (my dad)
My dad and his girlfriend came in town for a quick visit last weekend and it was SO fun to see him and Charlie Mae pick right back up where they had left off over Thanksgiving. She had so much fun playing and snuggling with him and every time that he left the room she asked, "Where Baba go?" It was the best. 

TASTE: Last meal of the season at my fave CC restaurant, The West End
Sadly, my favorite restaurant is closed for the season now (for my non-local readers: it's normal for businesses here to do that!), but we were able to sneak over to The West End for one final meal last weekend and as usual, it was divine. To my beloved Truffle Tots: I'll see you in April! ;) 

SMELL: Winter beach smell on a frigid (but sunny) NYE beach walk
Last weekend was  C O L D , but when you have guests visiting and they want to see the beach, you get bundled up in all the layers and you go. And then you're so happy that you did! The beach in the winter is really, really beautiful and I'm so glad that my dad talked me into a short walk in the single-digit temps. 

TOUCH: Thursday morning yoga with Ben
Ben and I have a new routine that we've now kept up for 3 straight weeks--early morning couples' home yoga practice on Thursdays (!). Starting at 6:30am, we meet in the living room for a 30min-1hr practice (depending on how long Charlie Mae sleeps) and it has been great--for our relationship, for setting the stage for the day, and for helping me squeeze in another practice each week. Here's to hoping we can keep it up even as things get busier!

...And that's it for this week! I hope you can find some time to reflect on the simple things that brought you joy over the past few days, too. 

Also, a quick programming note: I know I *just* took a week off from blogging over the holidays, but we're headed out to Alta, Utah for a ski trip on Monday, so I'll be quiet over here next week, too. I may pop on with a quick update or some pictures, but am not going to make any promises right now ;)

​If you want to see snapshots from our trip, follow me on Instagram! And wish us luck for the long flight/time zone change with a 16-month old (eek)...

Well...here we are: 2017's final edition of SJOTW. In this special year-end installment of this beloved weekly post, I'm going to try my best to choose a favorite overarching, Simple Joy of the Year for each of the five senses. 

This is really hard for me, because I feel like every single one of these simple joys could be Charlie Mae-related, so I'm going to try my best to limit myself to just one CM-centered experience, and broaden my horizons for the others. 

When you look back on your own year, which sensory experiences stick out to you the most? Which simple pleasures were a big part of your year + brought you joy multiple times over the past 12 months?  Some of my favorite simple pleasures of 2017 are below...

HEAR: Charlie Mae's sweet little voice + all of her words
In just 1 year, Charlie Mae went from not talking at all (well, baby sounds) to knowing + saying what feels like every word in the English language. To say that the girl likes to talk is an understatement (the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, I guess...) and her little voice is my favorite sound I've ever heard. I could sit and listen to her talk all day long and it's been so fun getting to know her personality as her language blossoms. What an adventure!

SEE: A sleeping baby
The hardest thing about this past year has been dealing with the sleep deprivation and sleep struggles of new parenthood. So, on the flip side, one of the best things about this year has been the times when Charlie Mae falls asleep and stays asleep soundly and thus, I get sleep and/or work done. Seeing a sleeping baby on the baby monitor has been a HUGE joy of the past year. Phew. I'm getting exhausted/anxiety just writing about this topic...

TASTE: French toast + eggs
We've really made an effort to spend more time together as a family this year, and although it's been hard with our schedules, our new favorite tradition (when we can swing it) has been having a delicious breakfast of French toast + eggs at home together. It's so delicious and has become very symbolic of downtime as a family, so it's extra-special. Also, scrambled eggs are one of Charlie Mae's very favorite foods ("eeeeeegs!") so we've made and eaten A LOT of eggs this year. 

SMELL: Clean laundry
The amount of laundry that I've done this year is obscene. People weren't kidding when they said that as a parent, the laundry never-ending. That being said, I love the feeling that comes with a clean load of laundry, and even more than that, I love the clean scent. I don't like folding said laundry, but there is something simple and satisfying about putting those fresh, clean clothes back into drawers. 

TOUCH: Home workouts with Momma Strong
If there is one physical activity that has been a huge life-saver for me over the past year of craziness, it has been Momma Strong. I know I've given it tons of shout-outs in 2017 so I won't go on and on about it again here, but I will say that having access to a 15-minute, daily, high-intensity workout that I can do at home has been a game-changer in keeping me sane on the days that I can't squeeze-in an actual class or something longer. It's amazing how much better I feel after just 15 minutes of movement--especially on days when I don't think I can make room for anything extra. 

...And with that, I'm closing the book on 2017 here on the blog. If you're looking for some Starr Struck extras to enjoy over the next week while I'm taking a break from blogging, here are a few places to catch up:

• My latest audio yoga class (it's a fun + challenging one, I promise!)
• My latest podcast episode (#MOMFAILS...even if you aren't a mom I think you'll get a kick out of these crazy stories from our listeners and friends)
• This list of Starr Struck's most popular posts of 2017
• Follow me on Instagram where I'll be posting holiday pics ;) 

Have an INCREDIBLE holiday season, everyone, and thank you again for being such a wonderful part of my world in 2017. I'll see you back here on January 3rd! 

So much love, peace, and gratitude from me to you + yours...