as of lately.

as of lately, i've become exceptionally motivated to get back into blogging.  it could be the cooler temps or my sudden interest in baking or that i'm dreaming of new spaces to call home.

a. and i started the housing hunt just recently and while it's been frustrating and scary at times, it's also been fun to imagine a life in san diego where we're finally settled in a place we love enough to call home.  after months and months of online hunting we're at the point where we know exactly what we want, now it's just a matter of finding it.

aside from the hunt, i'm finally getting my footing with the new job.  traveling while balancing life and work is no easy feat.  when i accepted this gig i knew there'd be a lot of travel but i had no idea how quickly it would change my life.  don't get me wrong, i love it, but finding balance has been exceptionally tough.

now that things are starting to slow down (or will in about a month) i'm excited to dive back into routine and spend ample time adventuring, with the hubs, and crafting to my hearts content.  sounds pretty good, right?!

new adventures.

happy weekend friends!  for the past week i've been spending my days in beautiful colorado springs.  this city is rad.  since arriving i've experienced freezing temperatures, snow, heavy winds, sunny skies and 70 degree weather.  it's safe to say colorado is keeping me on my toes. 

despite the crazy weather, i'm so happy to be here.  this is the first of many business trips i'll be taking with my job and regardless of the time change and being away from home, i have so much passion for what i do that i can't help but be anything but rejuvenated. 

life is overflowing with adventure.  i'm fortunate to have a job that allows me to travel and engulfs me in magic every. single. day.  but it wasn't always this way.  i've had to scrape, claw, and in some cases, take what seemed like a million steps backwards to get to where i am today.  and in hindsight, it was (of course) so very worth it.  

so today, as i sit here writing after a long and rewarding day, i say to you- go, fight for what you want and never, ever, settle.  because in the end, when you're doing what you love, you'll look back & realize that all that mud you were walking through was making you stronger and preparing you for everything yet to come.  

currently.

currently our garden is growing & i'm still in awe of our little broccoli.
currently spring cleaning and re-decorating.  there's something about a fresh space that makes us feel alive.
currently i'm trying my hand at watercolor.  i'm super proud of how this experiment turned out & can't wait to share the final project in a couple weeks.
currently crafting is the name of the game.  from watercolor to quilting, i'm feeling ridiculously inspired.
currently we're still enjoying the benefits of birthday flowers.
currently loving a rearranged bedroom and morning light through sheer drapes.
currently finding new restaurants in san diego to enjoy.  sometime a killer sandwich is the answer to all problems.
currently loving this quote.  it makes my heart happy & soul wild.
currently i'm still happiest by the sea.  add surfing, family & bonfires and an ordinary weeknight becomes extraordinary.

birthday celebrations.

yesterday was my birthday.  can you believe it?  part of me feels as though years have past while another part of me can't believe i'm already a year older.  it's the paradox of life.

this year, i spent my birthday in new york city.  it was a whirl-wind trip, but despite the massive amounts of travel, it was a great day.  some of my favorite people drove down from syracuse to join me for the night.  we had dinner at friedmans lunch- a trendy, urban restaurant and later settled in for the night with some cocktails, chocolate cake & catching-up.  there's no doubt, this was the highlight of my trip.

then yesterday, i went to a meeting in the morning and spent the rest of the day traveling home.  luckily everything was seamless and once in san diego, andrew and i met up with my mom & sisters for drinks and appetizers to celebrate the big 3-1.  it was a great trip, and while the day was very normal and low-key (in a jet setter kinda way), it still goes down as a wonderfully, memorable birthday.

my march goals: update.

things for march are on track.  i've deviated in some places sure- but for the most part, i'm doing pretty darn good if you ask me.

for example, i participated in lent & decided to give up sugar.  i made it a little over a week & then a friend got married, had an amazing sweets table with the cutest desserts and itty-bitty bamboo spoons, and i caved.  but then i jumped back on track only to lose my mind over a chocolate milkshake after our weekend of sailing.  sugar is crack.  no doubt about it.  for the most part, i'm really good during the week & then over the weekend- i give in.  next week i'll be diving into a delicious homemade rhubarb pie to celebrate my birthday (!) & if that's not reason enough to fall off the wagon one last time, i don't know what is.  regardless of the falls i've had a long the way, the fact that i'm saying no to sugar more than yes, is making me feel pretty good about this challenge.

as for the other goals i set for march: i'm running, swimming & biking at least 4 times a week.  i'm super happy with that.  my sister decided to join me for a triathlon this year so we're going to start training together.  we're thinking about doing a big one in september which gives us plenty of time to get our butts in gear.

cooking is becoming fun again!  i rearranged our kitchen so we have more counter space to prep dinner.  it's not a huge improvement, but it's something.  i've been making a point of going to the farmers market a couple times a week as well and am finding lots of inspiration in the seasonal produce.  making my heart & our tummies happy campers.

as for the bedroom- well, this spilled from the bedroom to the bathroom to the office.  on the plus side, we have 2 totally new & functional spaces that are a million times better than what we started with.  i'll just have to roll the bedroom project over to next month.

and surfing.  this hasn't happened yet- but there's talk that we might go this weekend.  the forecast is calling for sun, sun & surprise, more sun, making for an otherwise perfect weekend that much better.

so there it is, my monthly progress report.  i'm really happy i was able to stay on track this month.  there have been quite a few distractions, but there's something so rewarding that comes from getting things accomplished & crossing these mini-goals off my list.  making the effort of staying focused, totally worth it.

my march goals.

unlike last month, i'm sharing these goals early so i can not only hold myself accountable, but also share on my progress.  i'm really wanting to make a couple habit changes (eating dinner at home more often & moving more) throughout the year, so there will be some repeating goals month after month and despite a busy schedule, i really need to hold myself accountable to finish a few projects (i.e. our bedroom)- so there will be some repeating with those big projects as well.

all and all, march is such a fun month for us.  andrew and i both celebrate birthdays- one at the very beginning and one near the end of the month- so we do our best to celebrate this life and partake in as many adventures and reasons to celebrate as possible!  while i'm always excited for goals, i'm really hoping these will help keep me on track this month.  i feel really good about february- if only i can carry over my productivity into march as well.

how are you hoping to get organized this month?

ps. i used the rhonna designs app to make this image.

my february goals.

this month it took me awhile to sit down, put a pen to paper & figure out what i'd like to focus on in february.  to be honest, i'm more focused on being productive, crossing things off my to-do list & really following through with my goals- but i'm always looking to create mini-goals for myself to keep me focused and uncomfortable (in a good way).  so, with only a week left in february, i wanted to take a minute to share what i've been focusing on for the past couple weeks.

what are you hoping to accomplish this month?

ps. i used the rhonna designs app to make this image.

currently.

we got cable!  it's been about 8 years since we were last connected to "the real world" so this is quite the novelty.  right now we're enjoying the olympics (so much), homeland & the walking dead.  i have to say, the olympics...man oh man...i'm such a sucker for almost every event, but hearing the athletes stories are the best.  i tear up every single time.

i'm swimming and biking quite a bit.  i haven't been able to get into running since the half marathon, so i'm giving myself time to get focus on some other activities.  the best part of living in san diego is that we can do this year round...and swimming outside in the middle of february?  i'll take it!

project life 2013 is finally complete.  i'm so happy to be done with that project.  while i loved it, it was a lot of work and i fell seriously behind.  when i was working on september in november there was a time i didn't think i'd finish.  but i kept my head down, wrapped up this massive project and love every single bit of it.  months ago i was assessing what i'd do this year and decided i'd keep it up but on a much smaller scale...like month to month.

i'm trying to get better at snail mail.  there's nothing better than a sweet note from friends to brighten the mailbox blues, so i'm doing my best to spread cheer far an wide.  i love how this blogger is scattering love.  totally inspired.

celebrating andrew in a big way.  for over a year he's been working diligently to get his instructor pilot license and just yesterday, he passed his check ride.  he's stoked.  i'm stoked.  this is very exciting news for us.

lastly, for the past 6 weeks, i've been taking a pottery class with my mom.  there's something so grounding about playing with clay.  the process is frustrating and rewarding and we're loving it.  if the next 6 weeks weren't already full, i'd be taking the class all over again.

recapping my january goals.

this january, i set out to accomplish a few minor goals, hopefully make a couple new habits and embrace creativity.  here's how it went:

make time for sunsets (or sunrises): seeing how i'm usually driving to work as the sun comes up and leaving well after it's down, this was much more difficult than i anticipated.  i did however witness some amazing sky magic on days i was lucky enough to get out early and on weekends when i took full advantage of this time of day.  to be honest, just being aware of this everyday beauty is something i really enjoyed throughout the month and something i'd love to continue throughout the year (please note, you've officially been warned of a possible over abundance of sky photos on my instagram account).

eat 10 days of whole food:  this my friends, was an epic fail.  mornings were my most successful "whole food" time of day but I still managed to drink way too much coffee and eat too many scones.  basically, i was eating out way too often and by the time we got home from work, mexican & chinese was suddenly way more appealing than homemade stir fry & dishes.  there will be a take two.

meditate regularly: i'm in the habit of meditating about 4 times a week.  and for now, that's better than nothing.  it's gradually becoming a habit and is definitely a tool i love having in my mindfulness toolbox.

start triathlon training: this month i dove (pun intended) back into swimming and started adding spin classes and weekend cycling into my routine.  it's been fun to mix things up & helped me remember why i love triathlons to begin with- the training never gets dull.

embrace creativity: this was hands down the most amazing goal of the month.  by setting this intention i found i was so much more creative on a daily basis.  i wasn't starved for ideas and really felt my creativity soar.  i only have 2 months left of my 2013 project life album, i'm learning to play guitar, started taking a pottery class with my mom, & i'm even having more fun getting dressed in the morning (hey, it's the little things!).  it's been amazing and while these creative outlets are overshadowing some everyday rituals, i find the spontaneity fulfilling.

so there you have it.  some goals were set and met with flying colors and others, well...not so much.  i realized when planning these monthly goals, i should try and link my goals with what i'm trying to embrace so everything works together instead of pulling in different directions.  it gives me something to think about but for now, when reflecting on all i've managed to complete in a month, i'm going to extend myself some grace & just be proud of all i have done and not dwell on the could-have-been.

my january goals.

those of you who know me know i'm a big fan of goal setting.  way more than resolution making.  mostly because resolutions are daunting & tend to have an ominous "365 days" attached to whatever was promised.  with goals, i have the flexibility to ebb and flow my "resolutions"... & that's so much more my speed.

in years past i've gotten into the habit of making monthly goals.  sometimes they'll be simple- like reminders- and other times, they'll be focused and demanding of my time & energy.  but regardless of how big or small they may seem, they'll always be focused toward my personal growth.

this year, is no exception.  using embrace as my guide, i'm focusing on a monthly theme (in this case i'm embracing creativity) and mapping out a few goals i'd like to focus on.  this january, i'm diving into some creative eating habits, focusing a bit more on centering my mind and body with meditation and beautiful sky, and starting up my triathlon training.  right now, it's everything i need.

what are you hoping to embrace this month?

ps. i used the rhonna designs app to make this image.

best of 2013.

2013.  what a ride you were.  i can honestly say you held some of the best & worst moments.  you were challenging and frustrating and trying and honest.  and yet, at the same time, you were surprising, full of new experiences, love, magic and most of all, growth.

i didn't document much this year- and that's okay.  i lived.  i embraced.  i forgave.  i moved.  i learned.  sometimes without even knowing it, i did what i needed to do.  and in the end, it made this past year perfect.

so adios 2013.  i know this next year will hold much wonder and joy- and for that, i'm thrilled.