Simple Joys of the Week, November 4th Edition

As another week just rolls on by, I feel so lucky to have been able to enjoy the following simple pleasures over the past 7 days. What has brought you happiness? Think back on the little things from your week--the yummy pumpkin muffin or cup of coffee that you savored at a coffee shop, the great read that you were able to delve into before bed one night, a funny or touching email from a friend, a great yoga class. These are the basics from daily life that I think it's oh-so-important to stop and appreciate every once in a while...

Here's what made me smile, laugh, or sigh with happiness this week:

Hear: Britney Medley by Pentatonix on The Sing Off

Um...this is amazing. I know I've already shared how much I adore The Sing Off in a past SJOTW post, but seriously, this week took the cake. Each group had to perform a "superstar medley" of 3 songs, and one of my favorite groups, Pentatonix, did a Britney medley (woohoo!). I've included the video below because it's just too good to miss. As a reminder, this is A CAPPELLA--meaning ALL voices. Um, yeah. Enjoy!

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See: Clear schedule in my planner for the weekend (!!!!!)

For the first time since I started teaching yoga in May, 2010, I have a FULL weekend off. That's right everyone, I have both Saturday and Sunday off with nothing scheduled. No classes, no workshops, no training, no meetings, no nothing. In fact, the only thing I have (kind-of) scheduled (in my head) is yoga, dinner with friends, CrossFit, and if I'm in the mood, some painting. It feels like a mini-vacation! It's absolutely crazy! Yes, I may end up doing a bit of wedding planning and errands, but the weekend is completely mine to do whatever I want with it. It's a magical feeling!

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Taste: New Teas :)

Remember how last week I wrote about my new obsession with tea? Well, continuing with this obsession, I went to Whole Foods this week and stocked up on a bunch of new flavors to ensure that I'm trying as many types of tea as possible. My faves out of what I picked out? Tazo Vanilla Apricot White and Decaf Chai (pictured to the left!). Both are delicious, and I've been enjoying them in the afternoon as a little refresher. I've been indulging in about 4-6 cups per day since I got my new-age "tea kettle," so obviously I just can't get enough. The perfect cold-weather treat :)

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Smell: Herbes de Provence

A few years ago, my mom gave me this seasoning, "Herbes de Provence" in my Christmas stocking. She swore it was the best, but seeing as I lived alone in NYC at the time, I didn't use it much until I moved in with Ben and we started actually cooking at home. Now I know that she was right--it's the best! In fact, I'm cooking some chicken for dinner tonight right now (such a planner!), and the aroma filling the apt. is SO good that it trumps all other smells I've come across this week. I have no idea where she got this, but I'm sure that it's fairly easy to find. Either way, it's worth it, because it really makes everything taste divine. Yum!

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Touch: Mixed media/collage materials

When I painted yesterday, I decided to really play, putting aside all of my "work"paintings to just enjoy the process of using new materials (acrylic, paper, random collage ephemera, etc.). It was so much fun feeling all of the textures of the materials and playing with placing them on my painting surface--I felt like a kid again with no plan and no one that I needed to please with the final product. It was absolutely great! Want to play with collage yourself? Start collecting things that inspire you...rip out newspaper and magazine images, collect postcards, stamps, and papers that you are drawn to for whatever reason. Once you've got a collection, pick out a surface to "paint" on and start playing with laying them down. Add gel medium to glue the materials down, add paint if you want, and viola! You're a mixed media artist!

So that's where I am this week--what about you? Take a moment to reflect, I promise that it does the mind & body good :)

Here's to a wonderfully relaxing weekend filled with exactly what *YOU* want to be doing at every moment.

Namaste,
Mary Catherine

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