Creating Moments

We have a mouse in our apartment, or rather in our building, and it feels the needs to scamper across our kitchen counter every other day or so.  Gross!  It is a teeny little thing.  So small that it's weight is not enough to set off any of the dozen traps we have tried to set to catch him!  Needless to say I spent some of this weekend cleaning...and by cleaning I mean scouring every inch of our floor for crumbs that may provide a snack to our small critter.   

In my cleaning frenzy I remembered reading something about creating moments in your home;  small vignettes that make you peaceful and glad to be home.  I inadvertently have attempted to do this in the past, but yesterday I really took notice, and created a couple more.  Our apartment is really no bigger than some people's closets but that doesn't mean it can't be charming right?!  Creating moments in life is sometimes hard, but by looking at these small nooks in my space it urges me to take a peaceful pause to thank God for the life that I have and the people in it.  It was really refreshing!

Oh right, the last picture.  Well Zep has a moment almost daily when the sun shines through our window in the afternoon, and he can finally take a snooze in the warmth.  When I am home on the weekend, he drags his blanket over to me so that I will make a little bed for him by the window.  It is really the cutest, and yet another moment that makes me smile.

The Good Thing About Friday...

via coco and kelley

Is that I can come home and relax instead of frantically making dinner, lunch for the following day, read mail, clean, etc... in hopes of getting to relax for a half hour before bed.  Instead I can leisurely read and have a cocktail, pick up on things throughout the inter webs that I otherwise may have missed, and enjoy the moment in a way that is not possible when work looms ahead the following day.  

This weekend will be laid back with hopes of soaking up the last summer weather in the city, since we will head upstate next weekend, and finally getting the jeans I have been coveting for the past two months!  I'm really excited about that.  I think Fall calls for a new pair of jeans and boots.  It's of utmost importance in my mind.  Happy weekend!

Weekend Wonders

Most times when I am uploading weekend photos here I think to myself, "Self, it looks as though you had another mundane weekend."  It seems as though my weekends are not blogworthy.  However, it is quite the opposite in reality.  I look forward to weekends where there is nothing planned, and we can hang around doing whatever we please.  If we are staying in the city this means not leaving the house until 2pm, eating snacks for dinner, buying sugary sweets and sharing them while browsing consignments shops downtown, finally finding the perfect sized kitchen trash can for the world's smallest space after searching for ages for something suitable, and baking cookies for Mike.  Oh, and getting a jump on the September issues.  My absolute favorite month for magazines...All the fall fashion makes me exited for boots and wool.  

Happy 100 Julia!

Today Julia Child would be 100.  I hold a special place in my heart for her witty banter and awkward stance.  To me she represents a woman who charmed without being beautiful, who was quick witted without being obnoxious, and was graceful without being pretentious.  I have read almost all of her books and biographies and each time I am struck by how smart she was, and how involved she was in politics while still maintaining her cooking research and her loving marriage.  She was the best of both a career woman and a housewife, and I look up to her for that.

Happy Birthday Julia, you are a huge inspiration to me.

Don Draper

I probably fooled you with the title of this post huh?  It has little to do with Mad Men, except that I was thinking of Don Draper's (or any other male in the 1950's) in their weekend attire.  Khakis, white tee, and your done.  I think they had it right...and I can totally relate now since I have to "dress with intention" for my new job.  Which truth be told is kind of nice...I might have to document those outfits here as well.

This Summer...

Well it has been quite a summer if I do say so myself.  It started with the culmination of an insanely hard time in my work life.  After many months of battling with myself, I finally quit my job and got a new one.  I am so relieved, but at the same time it has also taken it's toll leaving me exhausted.  It's easy to forget how tiring it is to be in a new place with new people, and a new routine.  However, things seem to be falling into place, my new job is great, my co-workers are equally fab, and I am finally feeling back to normal again.

In the midst of my career switcheroo, we managed to fit in a lake vacation with my fam.  It was really great to get away from the city, soak up the sun, some laughs, and eat plenty of ice cream (my absolute must have every evening on vaca.)  It was really splendid.  PS the top pic is the view from my new desk...not too shabby huh?!

Strength Personified

A belated Father's Day post is in order since the craziness of the last week has finally calmed down.  My Dad is simply the strongest and bravest person I know.  He has taught me to have courage even though you may be scared, and that dreams are not worth sacrificing.  To look before you leap, but to leap none the less.  To work hard, but leave room for having a good time, and to always push on since ultimately you create your own happiness in life.  

I love you so much Daddy...I wouldn't be the person I am without your guidance, and I am so grateful that I have you.

Food Stuffs

Weekends are best spent making food that's too time consuming to prepare on work days when all you want to do is collapse on the floor when you get home.  Things like chicken soup and pop overs.  It is also a good time to experiment with new cocktails, and of course to order greasy pizza since you have time to sleep in to cure a slight hangover from too much drink or salt.  Yes, another reason why weekends should last longer than work weeks...so much more enjoyment would get accomplished.  Happy Monday!  

Life Happens

Life has been really crazy for me lately.  Let's just say a whole bunch of things have gotten shaken up, and I'm really excited for the upcoming months, but for now I am focused on enjoying the weekend with my loves.  Enjoy yours too...

And so it begins...

The scorching hot humid NYC weather that is.  Wow Memorial Day you really brought summer this year!  This season for me represents a time when fleeing the city is necessary as often as possible, which is why we made our way upstate this past weekend.  There is so much more air!  Aside from breathing deeply, we relaxed a bunch, ate and drank, and made s'more cookies which were so good!  I will have to post the recipe.  It was really enjoyable, and too short, which weekends often are.  I'm looking forward to my next escape.