Simple Joys of the Week, August 16th Edition

Travel days are weird. This morning, I sit on my couch, sip tea, and write. In a bit I'll take a yoga class, teach a yoga class, pack, and then head out of town. Tonight, I'll be in my childhood room in Atlanta, going through an old yearbook with my BFF and "studying up" for our HS Reunion (I'm only half-kidding about this...). Talk about a time warp!

But, as usual, I'm getting ahead of myself--lets talk about the past week before we jump ahead to the weekend. What made you smile over the past 7 days? My simple, sensory joys of the week are below...

HEAR: New self-titled album by The Civil Wars
The Civil Wars are some of my favorite musicians out there right now. Their voices are simply amazing and their harmonizing abilities are top notch. They've just released their second album, which is self-titled, and I cannot believe how good it is. You can listen to one of my favorite songs from this album, "The One That Got Away," below. WOW. 

SEE: Retreaters hard at work on mixed media projects
Yesterday, I drove out to West Virginia to teach yoga + mixed media painting to a group of retreating women at Kimberly Wilson's "Tranquility Summer Camp." One of the things that I love most about teaching art (of any kind) is how our different preferences show up in our creations--nothing shows our unique perspective more than open-ended creative projects, and I simply adore getting a peek into individual aesthetics and personalities through art. Lots of fun! 

TASTE: Haagen-Dazs Vanilla
After the 2 hour drive home last night, I was exhausted. I walked into the apartment to find Ben pulling out a pint of Vanilla ice cream, a little treat he'd picked up at the grocery store that afternoon. Having a few spoonfuls (straight from the container!) at the end of an exhausting day was just perfect. As I said to Ben, Haagen Dazs = my drug of choice. Oh, is that not a yogic thing to say? 

SMELL: Clean country air
Making the short drive from the city to the country yesterday was incredible. I noticed my body, my mind, and my breathing visibly relaxing as I moved from the highways to the country roads, from the concrete + buildings to the rolling hills and blue sky, from the smoggy air to the fresh, country air. Getting out of the city, even if it's only for a day or so, is so healing. Ahhhhh.

TOUCH: Vintage  ceramic pony planters
Remember how I told you about my Sunday trip to the consignment/antique shop nearby? When I was there, I picked up these vintage pony planters (pictured above), and I don't know why, but I adore them. I think they remind me of my old My Little Ponies or something, a classier version for adults. I want to plant little succulents in them and display them somewhere prominent...just haven't figured out where yet ;)

I hope that you, too, were able to enjoy a week FULL of the simple pleasures in life--and may your weekend be full of the same!