Lifestyle

Are you listening…

to your body?

your mind?

your gut instinct?

your significant other when sitting across the table at dinner?

to yourself?

As much as I’d like to think I’m a good listener, if I’m being completely honest with you this is definitely one area of my life that could use some major work.

For one, there’s the addiction that I have to my iPhone. (It’s bad, like really bad) For some reason, I constantly feel the need to check work emails (even on the weekends and past 9 o’clock), browse twitter and check to see if my latest insta post got any likes + comments. Meanwhile, my husband will be trying to have a meaningful conversation with me but I’m failing to listen, to really be there for him. Even though I’m not doing it intentionally, it doesn’t feel good inside. And thus this is something I want to STOP DOING NOW.

Then there’s the whole listening to your body. This is something I preach often on the blog, and feel that the majority of the time I practice. But I am human too (and by no means perfect!), and sometimes I let this slide…

…Like in the … Read More!

Are you a dream chaser?

Do you vision-board your life over and over again?

Are you constantly thinking how you can be better, faster, stronger, always thinking you need to do more?

Do you strive for this ideal version of yourself, yet never feel quite satisfied?

Now let me ask you this: do you ever feel downright tired?

I know because I’ve totally  been there. I used to be THE dream-chaser. (And it’s not like there is anything terribly wrong with being a dreamer by the way) That’s not what I’m saying at all. It’s when you are so busy chasing your dreams, that you lose sight of the present and the beauty that is. That’s where the problem is.

There comes a time when you just need to stop (chasing/striving/running) and start living and breathing in the moment. You see, when you stop trying so darn hard to get EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT and just trust + believe, the universe can finally start working on your side. It’s as if you unblock this sticky fog (smog?) that’s been suffocating you, and finally allow yourself to see things as they really are.

Sure trusting in the universe … Read More!

Last week I wrote about gratitude — on appreciating others and what you have. Isn’t it such a joy to be grateful for others and in turn give them that joy?

Today, I want to take a step back and focus on how we give to ourselves. Earlier today when talking with a dear friend, she said something that really struck me. “I think we tend to just give to other people and don’t take time for ourselves.” BINGO. She hit the nail on the head.

I give my energy to friends + family (because I love them).

I give my all in my job, and go above and beyond to get things done.

I give my time to other people…a lot.

I give handmade gifts + presents + treats.

I give myself…with no expectation of anything in return.

But the question is, what am I giving to myself? As we enter 2015 — a brand new year of exciting, magical things– one of my intentions is to GIVE MORE to me.This means spending more time doing the things I love, you know “me things.”

I’m a hard worker and tend to give 110% of myself to … Read More!

I’ve been a bit MIA on the blog-front lately, but I promise it’s in good reason.

Three weeks ago I married the love of my life, and can honestly say without thinking twice that it was by far the best day of my life.

Really, I couldn’t think of a single day that even comes close — it was special, unique, full of love and downright a good time (our friends and family know how to party!) In one word it was simply magical.

Leading up to the wedding, we heard endless words of advice from friends and family (all in good nature!)

You’re not going to eat, so be sure to eat something at the cocktail hour before you go out.

Remember to step away and take it all in; it’s going to be a blur.

It’s going to fly by, enjoy it!

It’s impossible to get to every table… unless you want to miss dinner!

All of this was great, first-hand expert advice from fellow married couples, but the moment I walked into the church in my all-lace dress and grabbed onto my dads arm for dear life, all of it went out the window.

I was about … Read More!