Friday Favorites

My new address book 

I'm old fashioned. I get pretty excited about paper, stationary and a hand written note. I recently purchased this little Tiffany Blue address book to store the information of all of my loved ones.

Hobo Wallet in Lauren Vintage

Chi Omega Alumnae Chapter

I am thoroughly enjoying being able to spend time with Chi O's in the Tampa Bay area. Some of the ladies were in chapter with me and others I am meeting for the first time. Either way, I'm loving it!

{Image Courtesy of Once Upon A Time}

Telephone

I actually dislike talking on the phone. I know, it doesn't seem normal but I loathe it. My father would be surprised to hear me say this now considering I just HAD to have my own phone line as a teenager. What can I say? It was a phase.

For last couple of weeks, I have been making a better effort to stay connected with people. I have been making one or two calls a week to say hello and catch up with a friend. It definitely gets harder to stay in touch, especially when so many of my friends are all across the country, so it has been nice just to know what is happening in people's lives and to hear their voices.

My favorite phone calls are with Angela because she was my daily check in and I miss those morning chats. Actually, I talk with her several times a week and I do not mind it one bit.

E , I hope you are reading this and feeling proud of your positive influence on me!


Have a great weekend everyone!

Vision Boarding

"Your intent should pour out of you. It should emanate from every cell of your being so that you attract the people and circumstances that can support you in manifesting your desires."

~ Dianne Collins

I found yoga while spending a semester interning in Washington, DC. That summer I traveled to Spain and found that this practice transcended cultures and language barriers. I found a deep connection to practicing yoga and through it, a deep connection to myself. When I walk into a yoga studio all of the thoughts, stresses and to-do lists of the day disappear. For a busy girl like me, this is magical. As I have grown in my practice, I have become more intentional in every aspect of my life.

While living in DC, I had the pleasure of practicing at Tranquil Space. The thing that was so different about this studio was that it took a holistic approach and encompassed all parts of our lives. At the helm of the ship is Kimberly Wilson. She provides vision for living a purposeful life both on and off the mat.

Shortly after I arrived in DC, she published her first book entitled Hip Tranquil Chick. This book serves as a constant source of inspiration and thought provoking reflection. My favorite chapter features tools for living a vision-led life based on your values. I used this chapter to inspire my most recent art project.

Most yoga classes begin  with some deep breaths and the instructor asking you to set your intention for practice that day. This is one of my favorite parts of class because it forces you to think about the "why". As I began packing my things to move to Florida, I started clipping words and images out of magazines that provided vision and intention for my next journey. I wanted the beginning of this journey to be as purposeful as the decision process I went through to get here. 

The first step was laying out all of my clipping and painting my canvas with this beautiful blue. Then I arranged all of my clippings and glued them on. Once the glue dried, I sealed my vision board with collage pauge (can be purchased at any craft store).

This project served as a wonderful intention setting activity and reminds me each day of my vision for this next phase of my life. It may change or adapt as life delivers the unexpected but I am happy to know that I have this little beauty to guide my way and answer the "why" if I forget.

Enjoy the slideshow!

Independence Day Celebration

Happy Fourth of July!

I celebrated a day early with Momma and Doug in Dunedin. We feasted on mahi and fresh cucumber, tomato, feta, and mint salad. The feta was so fresh and delicious that I ate a big ole piece all by itself. Yum!

Then we wandered down to Jollimon's Grill to enjoy sangria and fresh key lime pie. There was a fabulous Irish band that played Amazing Grace on the bagpipes. It was such a treat! To complete the night, we enjoyed some early fireworks with a finale to God Bless the USA.

A great night and great celebration for the country we love so dearly! I hope everyone has a great holiday!

Thirty Before Thirty Update!

{Photo Courtesy of Indulge-In-Reveries}

In January, I created a Thirty Before Thirty list detailing all of the things I wanted to accomplish prior to the celebration of my 30th Birthday.

Here is an update on my list:

1. Get up earlier
2. Enjoy more live music
3. Carve out more time for friends
4. Go to an educational conference
5. Have long dinners full of conversation
6. Be less busy and more present
7. Have a creative outlet
8. Spend more time being a tourist in my own town
9. Start saving for the cottage house on the lake
10. Stay out until the sun comes up
11. Spend more time being quiet
12. Buy a red peacot
13. Go to a yoga retreat
14. Read Jane Austen's collected works
15. Take a Cake Decorating class
16. Continue taking the right next step
17. Pay off my credit card and car
18. Read Atlas Shrugged
19. Decorate my Christmas tree in my own style
20. Find the perfect pair of jeans
21. Be in a book club
22. Take a creative writing class
23. Apply to a PhD program
24. Explore moving closer to family
25. Take better care of my body
26. Have a Reunion with Chi O Pledge Class
27. Subscription to a local theater
28. Get rid of excess stuff
29. Redecorate Bedroom
30. Celebrate 30 in Greece!

I'm looking forward to the road ahead!

{Image Courtesy of Sunset & Silhouette Dreams}