Simple Joys of the Week, February 19th Edition

Well, if life had gone as originally planned, today would be my last day in Costa Rica. But alas, the Zika virus and pregnancy had other plans for me, so as I wrap up this colder-than-anticipated February week, I've tried to pay extra attention to all of the simple pleasures that staying home allowed me to enjoy over the past 7 days. And luckily [as usual], there were many! 

​Here are some of the things that brought me happiness this week. What made you smile? 

HEAR: 'Baba Hanuman' by Steve Gold
This song has been on my February playlist this month and every time it comes on (near the end of class), it brings me a great sense of calm. It's so pretty! I have a thing for Steve Gold's voice, and it's at it's best in this song...you can listen below.

SEE: Thoughtful baby gifts from loved ones
We've started getting little baby + baby-related gifts in the mail and it has been *SO* exciting! This week we received our first onesie + handmade dog stuffed animal (dying of cuteness!), a few great baby books, and a handheld at-home heartbeat monitor (from our friends who are a nurse and doctor, haha!). Not only are all of these gifts helpful and so sweet, but they're also making this whole baby thing feel much more real... {Eek + yay + OMG + wow!}

TASTE: Homemade Ginger-Date-Walnut Chutney
This week, one of my students--who should DEFINITELY own her own healthy bakery--made me handmade gluten-free crackers and ginger-date-walnut chutney as a belly soother for my pregnancy digestion issues. I seriously cannot even begin to express how delicious this combination is, but I am in love with it (and can't believe that something so tasty could be so healthy + clean); I am now on a new mission to find a way for this student to start selling her creations locally STAT. So. Good. I. Can't. Handle It. Seriously, that good. 

SMELL: House paint--we're back at it!
Yep, we have three more rooms to paint + finish before baby, and gosh darnit, we're going to do it! We started on the office last weekend, which is becoming the guest bedroom so that the guest bedroom can become my new studio and my studio can become the nursery (phew!)...step-by-step, one room at a time, we're going to get things finalized. It's so exciting to feel like things are [slowly] starting to come together!

TOUCH: World's Softest Socks
Over the holidays, my brother's amazing girlfriend (shout-out Caitlin!) gave me these socks. Yes, they're literally called "World's Softest Socks" and that's because they are. Ohemgee, they're soo comfortable it's crazy! Since it's been so freezing lately and I've been placing a premium on comfortable clothing (since my body is a bit less comfortable than usual), these socks have been a real luxury this week. Comfy socks + my "Wicked Good" LL Bean slippers = foot magic.  

Other SJOTW? Spending tons of time in my studio working on painting commissions, walking Sayde outside in the sun on the days that the sun decided to show it's face again (Vitamin D, anyone?), a low-key but fun Valentine's Day celebration with Ben, and of course, some great yoga classes + workout sessions. 

Hope you had a wonderful week, too! Don't forget to reflect + soak up those simple pleasures today, if you can...

{Oh, and there are just *2* rooms left in my Namaste Nantucket Yoga Retreat this June! 1 Queen and 1 double bed--either grab a friend, partner, or sister + share a bed for the week (making the trip SUPER affordable) or treat yourself to a luxurious single room. Either way, my co-leader Laura Whitaker and I would LOVE to have you join! Learn more + sign up here.}