winter-vention

One of my New Year's vows is to blog consistently...and I feel like I've done just the opposite! My apologies, friends. I'll try and do better.

We're in the middle of winter, and though I love snow, I'm ready for spring time. It's time for a winter-vention!

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Flower infusion - Starting January 25th through May 31st, artist Will Ryman will launch displays of giant roses on Park avenue. Exactly what we need in the midst of this dreary winter. See more at the Paul Kasmin Gallery .

Scents of spring - Currently, there are 4 Wallflowers (Bath & Body Works)in our humble room-all of which are winter-y (Winter Candy Apple, 'Tis the Season, Spiced Cider, etc.) I say it's time to do a Wallflower overhaul!

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Sweet Pea is my favorite springtime scent. I'd like to try some new ones, though, like Fresh Linen, Passion Flower, and Pineapple Orchid. 

Shades of Glory - Hopefully you'll appreciate the movie wordplay (hehe). I've craved these sunglasses from Target for almost a year now, and I finally gave into my desire and bought them! I couldn't find them anywhere online, so I had Lindsay snap a picture of me wearing them. The candid one turned out best-

mmm. caught mid-sip. 

 So never mind the fact that it's 20 degrees outside, let's get spring here, and get it here quickly!

"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant..." -Anne Bradstreet 

things i love thursday

Happy Thursday, friends! And for those of you who go to school here, happy first day back! I hope it went well for everyone! I won't lie, starting the year off with chemistry and microbiology has me a little scared. But that's not what this blog is for! It's for the positive, the beautiful, and the lovely aspects of life. So henceforth, chemistry and microbiology will not be mentioned here!

things i love thursday:

my new room layout! / buying office supplies / making sweet tea / new brown & blue throw pillows / these plush bird bookends by dora designs  - I have one on my bed at school and at home

settling into a new routine / keeping up with the happiness project / not having class on fridays! / notebooks from paperwink / amazon.com - I'm completely addicted / "the ghost inside" by broken bells / antique wall hooks / art galleries / snow flurries / "kitchen spice" candle by bath & body works / getting a full nights sleep / wall art / a spur of the moment tea date with mom, lindsay, and derek / warm drinks in mugs / finally learning the tv channels here / picture frames and white curtains 

Short but sweet today-have a great long weekend, dears!

music monday

This song may quickly climb into my list of top 25 most played. You can't find it on iTunes, which makes it all the more charming. Luckily you can buy the single at independent record stores. I heard it on Alt Nation and have been hooked ever since. It's "Pumped Up Kicks" by Foster the People.

I love the airy feel of the song with the whistling reminiscent of that heard in Peter Bjorn and John's "Young Folks." Maybe you'll feel the same way! Listen for free here!

mgmt daytrotter session

Good afternoon, friends! Now, for those of you that know me, you know I love MGMT. And for those of you that don't, you'll certainly pick up on it quickly. So I was ecstatic (to say the least) when I heard about their Daytrotter session, and even more ecstatic when I learned they recorded in October 2010, during Moogfest in Asheville - where I was in attendance!

The download includes "Song for Dan Treacy," "It's Working," and "I Found a Whistle," all from Congratulations, and "Only a Shadow," which they covered (originally by The Cleaners from Venus) and played live for the first time at Moog. The essay, written by Sean Moeller, both eloquent and wonderful, praises MGMT and is by far my favorite article written about them.

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You can download these songs for free and read the fantastic article here. The bands record specifically for Daytrotter, and comes at no loss to the band. 

Enjoy!

things i love thursday

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• Kitchen Gadgets- Lately I can't help myself; I love buying kitchen goodies. I like the idea of dark red, black, and white colors, so I've been stocking up on dark red appliances and gadgets. I also found these matryoshka measuring cups at Francesca's. Can you say adorable? 

• Vitality- If you read my previous post, you know I'm embarking on the happiness project, with a new area of happiness each month. This month I'm tackling vitality in an effort to be more energetic. I've tried to get into a set sleeping routine and have been getting at least 8 hours a night. I've also cut way down on sugar and "junk food." I can honestly say I feel a difference after a few days of this and it's lovely. 
• Snow- I woke up to yet another snow fall this morning! I know it's an inconvenience for travel, and I know we're all ready for warm weather, but it is absolutely gorgeous outside! The trees are completely covered, and the ground is solid white. 

More things I love:

Pottery Barn / Twitter / Free downloads - MGMT Daytrotter session here / Snow angels / Recipe boxes / Packing- I move back to school on Monday and discovered I don't have to live with a random roommate but  instead get to live with Lindsay! Who wouldn't be excited? 

So excited! 

skinny caramel lattes / bathing suits at Target! - I love the snow, but the anticipation of summer is pretty grand, too / House marathons / financial aid refunds / waking up before the alarm / Charcoal pencils / Too Faced lava gloss / coffee - multiple cups, multiple pots / new head phones / a clean car- finally!

Also, happy birthday to the coolest little brother in the world, Sam!

the happiness project

I've started reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. Basically, Rubin lives a good life (a loving family, a job as a writer, comfortable setting in New York City) and feels pretty happy, but not as happy as she believes she can be. So she embarks on a year-long life changing experiment in which she tackles a new area of happiness each month. Example: In January, she tackles vitality by going to bed earlier, exercising better, organizing, and acting more energetic - all in an effort to be more energetic. Looking at the table of contents, she also tackles love, work, lightening up, leisure, friendship, money, eternity, hobbies, mindfulness, attitude, and happiness within. Wow.

I'm not even a full chapter in, and already I'm inspired to start my own happiness project. Like Rubin, I'm not unhappy by any means. But I feel like I could definitely improve on it. I've been contemplating what I would want to focus on each month. I like the way Rubin starts her project, with vitality. After a pretty rough semester, my energy plummeted to a new low. And with a new semester quickly approaching, I'll need all the energy I can muster.

I'm embarking on my own happiness project, starting with vitality. I'll get at least 7 hours of sleep, reorganize and clean my space, exercise and eat better.

I have a good feeling about this!