Hellooo August

I can't believe you are here already. Summer is in full swing and the days are muggy and hot as all get out here in the Bull City. Needless to say, I'M READY FOR FALL. But then again, I'm always ready for fall so that's about par for the course. I've been spending my days wrapping up my last few real estate deals, inventorying our household goods, catching up with friends and family, and running around like a crazy person. We have had a wedding to go to every month since April, and my yoga teacher training has continued to get more in-depth and intense. So we are definitely all over the place, but in a good way!

I have been trying to be better about living with intention in each moment and finding gratitude in little, everyday things because it seems like time just won't slow down and I don't want to miss anything, especially during times like this where everything is going a million miles a minute and it's so easy to just plunder through without noticing or appreciating anything.

Luckily, I rediscovered my copy of The 52 Lists Project today while attempting to inventory all of our stuff today! I never finished it because, go figure, we moved and I couldn't find it anywhere. This book is such a beautiful way to find inspiration and gratitude each week with a new though-provoking topic. And this weeks topic is 'List the Things That Make You Excited'.

I am so happy that I found this book, and can't help but feel like it showed up right when I needed it the most :) That being said, I am reinstating that weekly blog prompt from this wonderful book and I invite you all to play along too!

As an easily excitable person, this could end up being quite an extensive list but here goes...

Things That Make Me Excited
-Good books
-Hole-in-the-wall coffee bookshops/coffee shops
-Traveling to new places
-Harry Potter
-The first snow of the year
-When the seasons change
-Seeing old friends
-Sales
-Cook books
-Baby animals
-Hearing other peoples good news
-New yoga pants
-Seeing my hubby after we've been apart
-Christmas!
-Cozy dinner parties
-Fridays
-That moment when you first see the beach
-Making lists (lol)
-Getting packages
-Dressing up
-People standing up for others


What are some of the things that make you excited??

Em <3

The 52 Lists Project: List 43

This past weeks prompt was: List your favorite meals and treats. 

Well, my inner fat kid had a field day with this one. I've been known to put away copious amounts of ice cream in very short time periods. Reeses run screaming from me. And no biscuit is safe when I'm around. With that being said here is my list...

When it's hot outside: watermelon, pink drink ice pops, lemon sorbet, ice cream, peaches, grapefruits, ice cold corona, beefsteak tomato sandwiches 

When it's cold outside: veggie chili, tomato soup and grilled cheese, my dad's christmas chocolate chip cookies, mom's chex mix, cheese grits, hot coco, s'mores

All of the time: Swedish fish, southern buttermilk biscuits, coffee flavored everything, french fries with ranch, mashed potatoes, sweet tea, dark chocolate, rice and black beans, cosmic cantina veggie deluxe burritos, cold orange juice, blackberries, strawberries, oreos, peppermint everything, big crunchy salads with lots of veggies in them, cheese & wine

I'm certain that I've forgotten something, but I am making myself soooo hungry writing this all down that I think I need to go get a snack ;) 

What are some of your favorite foods??

This weeks prompt is:

List the words that warm your heart.

List the things that make you feel peaceful...

This weeks prompt for The 52 Lists Project was List things that make you feel peaceful.

I have been described as a lot of things in my life, but peaceful is not one of them. Sure, there are times in my life when I think, 'hey, this is pretty darn peaceful,' but they are few and far between. In fact, when I try to think about those times in my life where everything just seemed to slow down and there was a feeling of quiet peacefulness, one big trend emerges. All of these moments happen when there is nothing particularly grand or momentous happening. Those calm, content, peaceful seconds always occur in the quiet, little moments that you never really think about, almost like a pause. And lots of these times, I find that I am surrounded by the people I love having a great time, just hanging out, laughing and talking, and I find myself taking an involuntary step back and just watching everyone. (This sounds creepy when I write it down haha) But I honestly think that I find myself the most at peace when I am with the people I love. You can almost feel the energy that connects you together in those peaceful moments and life seems so simple. On the opposite end of the spectrum, some of the most peaceful times are the moments when you find yourself completely and contentedly alone. So, upon breaking these moments down and acknowledging what tiny, little details make them so peaceful here is what I've found...

The Things That Make Me Feel Peaceful:
~the sound of cicadas on a summer night
~cool breezes & warm sweatshirts
~crackling fires, peppermint tea, & a good book
~music that is turned down to be background noise
~thunderstorms
~random mid afternoon naps
~my bed when its cold outside but the comforter and sheets are still warm
~swimming when no one else is around
~looking straight up at the tops of the tall pines trees as the summer wind rustles them around
~long hugs (not the creepy kind though, you know what I'm talking about)
~the sound of the ocean
~hearing the noises outside when you leave your windows open at night (no the screaming Duke students though...)
~movie nights
~that first moment when you step into a warm house when its freezing outside
~the sound of falling snow (you know, that muffled crunchy sound?)
~fairy lights
~holding sleeping fur(babies)
~mountains
~that noise cars make when they drive through the rain, but you're snuggly in bed
~Gryffindor common room (yep, i said it)

As I started making this list, I realized that there are actually a ton of little peaceful things that I could name! But my list is beginning to get extensive so I will save the rest for my 52 Lists book...

What are some of the things in your life that make YOU feel peaceful? I think maybe we should all think about it and try to surround ourselves with those things more often. It's so easy to get caught up in a crazy whirlwind of a routine and forget to appreciate the little moments in life that truly make us happy and content. 

And the best part is...I think it's probably a lot easier to surround ourselves with this energy than we think it is!

Happy listing :)

E

The 52 Lists Project: Week 41

This weeks prompt was...

List all of your favorite things about fall.

Easy right? Actually, I am quite basic so this was really hard. I just love too many things about fall. So here is my SHORT list! It is extensive & I apologize in advance.

*the way the air smells like wood stoves & bonfires & burning leaves
*the colors of all the leaves, especially in the NC mountains
*the poetry & stories & lore about the fall
*huge, cozy knits to wear & snuggle under
*coming home to a simmering crockpot full of soup or chili
*apple pie & pumpkin pie & pecan pie (basically all the pie)
*all of my favorite holidays! 
*bonfires & s'mores & camping
*big, fluffy socks
*leggings and tights (and not having to shave...muahaha)
*that crisp, clean, cold smell
* open windows & cool breezes
*hot cocoa, flavored coffee, apple cider oh my
*wearing ALL the scarves
*reading about how cozy everyone else is online
*knowing that its cold outside and that you are snuggly, warm inside
*getting out the big, down comforters 
*FLANNEL
*tailgating at football games with friends and family
*smelly candles (apple, cinnamon, vanilla, spruce)
*diffusing my favorite fall essential oils like tangerine & eucalyptus
*watching holiday movies
*puppy snuggles
*pumpkins and fall home decor

What are your favorite things about the fall??

-E

P.S This weeks prompt is:

List the things that make you feel peaceful.

Ode to Autumn

"Delicious Autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive Autumns." George Eliot

"Once more the liberal years laughs out, O'er richer stores than gems and gold; once more with harvest song and shout, is natures boldest triumph told." 

John Greenleaf Whittier

"Then summer fades and passes and October comes.  We'll smell smoke then, 

and feel an unexpected sharpness, a thrill of nervousness, swift elation, a 

sense of sadness and departure."

Thomas Wolfe 

"Change is a measure of time and, in the autumn, 

time seems speeded up.  What was is not and never 

again will be; what is is change."

Edwin Teale

There are so many lovely poems and quotes out there dedicated to Autumn! It truly is a universally loved and admired season...

Still brainstorming all of the things I love about the fall and the list continues to grow and grow :)

10 Things I Love About Sundays

Sunday's are funny because they feel like an ending and a beginning. The weekend is over and a new week is about to begin. It's a time for switching your lazy, fun weekend brain off and starting to gear up for the work week ahead. It's very easy to focus on the negatives of a Sunday; having to get up early the next day, not being able to watch Netflix for hours in a row, curbing your Pinterest habit. 

But, I also love Sunday's because they are so cleansing. There is something very therapeutic about cleaning the house, getting the fridge stocked for the week, organizing my work stuff and setting it out, getting something good cooking on the stove, and then being able to sit back and relax in the evening for a little while before bed. 

As I write this post, the doggies are snoozing by our feet, J is studying and watching a football game on T.V, some amazing smelling chicken and rice soup is simmering away on the stove, and I'm and relaxing and drinking some hot, peppermint tea . It's pretty perfect. 

Starting the week off on a good foot can make all of the difference in the world, and out of all of the days of the week, I find Sunday the easiest day to both fall off the positive bandwagon and get going with a really great, positive mindset. However, a lot of people don't think of happiness as a choice, and of course this choice is more difficult for some than others, but it is still an active, participatory thing. 

With that being said, here are 10 of my favorite things about Sunday...

1. Making a big pot of something yummy that we can munch on for the next few days
2. Opening the windows and letting the cool, evening breeze blow through the house
3. Reading what the next prompt is in The 52 Lists Project and brainstorming my answer
4. Sitting down after getting the house clean and ready for the week (smells like orange oil!)
5. Freshly washed sheets and blankets to snuggle down into
6. Scrolling through my favorite blogs & Pinterest posts in my coziest sweatpants
7. Turning on my twinkle lights, lighting those pumpkin spice candles, and reading a good book (#basic, I know)
8. Drinking a cup of hot tea after dinner and watching New Girl reruns with J on our couch
9. Calling my family in Durham to say Hi and catch up with them (even though we talk way more than once a week)
10. The feeling of a fresh, new week ahead of me with infinite possibilities!

I hope everyone had a great weekend, and that your Sunday has been as restful and relaxing as mine :)

E

*P.S This Weeks Prompt For The 52 Lists Project Is...

List all of your favorite things about fall.

The 52 Lists Project: Week 40

List Your Top 20 Mood Boosting Songs:

It was soooo hard to pick only 20 songs for this list because I feel like my musical preferences change so frequently. But I do love all of these songs and they definitely boost my mood whenever I hear them! 

1. Uptown Funk - Bruno Mars
Who doesn't love this song?? There are endless choreographic options...

2. Cosmic Love - Florence & the Machine
Once again, as a dancer, I could flail around epically to this jam. And I love it.

3. All I Need Is Love - Ceelo & The Muppets
Ummm this song is hilarious and amazing and makes you smile no matter what. Also, yes, this is a Christmas song. 

4. Start Wearing Purple - Gogol Bordello 
This song is utterly ridiculous and most of it is not in english, but my gypsy roots love it and there is literally no song that is more fun to yell.

5. On The Floor - Jennifer Lopez
This was basically the only song the (one) bar on Carriacou played when I was there for one of our archaeology digs. It makes me think of rum, and the beach, and dancing like a crazy fool.

6. Countdown - Beyonce 
This is one of my go-to crazy car dance songs. Queen B for life. 

7. Spice Up Your Life - Spice Girls
I feel sorry for young girls these days because they didn't get to have the amazing, girl power experience that was the Spice Girls.

8. I Will Wait - Mumford & Sons
This song makes me want to jig around a campfire.

9. I love it - Icona Pop
Girl power, all the way. 

10. Paris - Grace Potter & the Nocturnals
Grace is super badass and she wears lots of glittery dresses so i love her. 

11. Pound the Alarm - Nicki Minaj
People find it weird that I know ALL of the words to this song...but this is an epic dance party song

12. Lean On - Major Lazer
This song is on my September Run playlist. It has a great beat and I cant hear myself hyperventilating over the bass haha

13. We Run the Night - Havana Brown
An oldy but a goody.

14. Hold My Hand - Hootie & the Blowfish
I grew up listening to Hootie and his songs always make me smile!

15. Primadonna - Marina & the Diamonds
She fun :)

16. Live Like a Warrior - Matisyahu
This song is so uplifting, and I usually play it at least 3 times in a row...

17. Home - Philip Phillips
This is such a comfy, cozy song. And I really identify with it in the sense that home truly is where the heart is for me. 

18. Bad Blood - Taylor Swift
I love her. T-swift is my girl. 1989 was a great year. 

19. Heads Will Roll - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Another great car jam.

20. Mercy - Duffy
I love her voice because its super unique and this song gets stuck in my head whenever i hear it

Sunday Night Blues (And The 52 Lists Prompt: List 40)

It's that time of the week again. Sunday night. 
It is so hard to enjoy these last few hours of freedom when I know I have to go back to work tomorrow. 

Don't get me wrong, I have a job that I like but starting over as a real estate broker in a new town is not the easiest way to go. It's hard having to work in an administrative position when I have been a licensed broker for longer than most people I work with. 

But I know my stuff and have 3 years of real life experience under my belt, so at least there is that! I just didn't realize how long it would take for my application paperwork to go through! Since Florida doesn't have reciprocity with any other state I had to completely start over when I got here, which included a new background check, a pre-licensing class, a class exam, finger printing, numerous application fees, and a state exam (that I am STILL waiting for the okay to take). 

Once I am finally able to take my state exam I will be in a much better position though, and I have to keep reminding myself that. Nothing is permanent, and in real estate if you work hard, know your market, and do your business in a respectful & educated way, things will generally work out :) I learned that from the best...my mama haha, but seriously!

Anyway, this first week of the 52 Lists Project could not come at a better time because I could use a little bit of motivation right now. Since I am starting in the fall section, I will be starting with list 40 which is...

List your top 20 mood boosting songs!

I am going to be taking this week to work on my list, and probably revisit some great, moldy oldies from my high school and college music collection. Everyone is welcome to share all or part of their lists in the comments below! 

Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with...

E

The 52 Lists Project: Intro

Guys. I am super excited because the other day while scrolling through my feed on Bloglovin' I came across something so glorious that I want to scream it from the mountaintops. Moorea Seal's book The 52 Lists Project. 

This book is seriously my dream concept. It is made up of 52 list prompts, so for every week in the following year I get to open this beautifully styled journaling experience, find the corresponding prompt for the week and list things to my hearts content. 

Anyone who knows me understands that I am a list-maker. I make lists. And then I make lists about my lists. Lists of books to read. Lists of food to buy at the store. Lists of quotes that I like. You name it. The point is, here is an entire book made for someone like me TO MAKE LISTS IN. 

I'm also in love with this idea because of the online community surrounding this book and the process involved in journaling with it. There are people all over the world who are doing The 52 Lists Project and then blogging about their entries. 

Its such a romantic idea, and I cant wait to get started. Since the book is set up in a seasonal pattern, the next logical starting place is the first day of Autumn, which just happens to be a week from yesterday! I wanted to write this post today so that anyone who is interested in doing this project with me will have time to order a copy before then.

I bought mine directly from the Moorea Seal website, but you can also find copies on Amazon and in some very specific specialty stores. 

I hope that some of you will join in! But even if you don't participate directly, I will be posting the list prompts each Sunday night so you can follow along. 

Happy listing...

#52listsproject

E