Adjust Your Sails

It's October in Okinawa. That means we are coming up on our one year Oki-versary! It's hard to believe we have been here for almost a whole year already. The last few weeks have been a little crazy with all of the typhoons, the deployment, and work, so I am super thankful for my favorite season to finally be here. Autumn has always been a time for slowing down and turning inwards for me. The weather gets colder and everything becomes much more focused on things like; rest, introspection, hygge, and cultivating a deeper relationship with the simple quotidian things in life.

Honestly, this shift couldn't come at a better time for me. Being 6 months pregnant, I am more than ready to start slowing down and and taking more time each day to do some self care and introspection. It hasn't been easy doing the majority of this pregnancy alone while J is deployed, and I have tried to keep myself so busy that I'm honestly exhausted from all of the distractions. I want to spend more time reading, and meditating, and listening to good podcasts, TAKING a yoga class instead of just teaching them! The first trimester was very difficult for me, my energy level was way down, I was constantly nauseous, and we were doing a lot of traveling at the time so I was basically a walking zombie. Then when the second trimester hit, I felt so much better that I did a complete 180 and decided to just do ALL OF THE THINGS! Looking back, neither one of these has that lovely element of balance that one hopes to achieve in life!

But, I think I'm finally starting to get it. The learning curve for understanding what your body and mind need during pregnancy is steep. As someone who prides herself on knowing herself very well, I've been surprisingly obtuse at times during my pregnancy. Trying to push through when I know I should rest, or taking a nap because I was sad J wasn't here when I KNEW that going to yoga would make me feel better. I've spent a lot of time the last few months feeling like I should be doing things a certain way, and judging myself for not being up to my normal standards. But, that is so ridiculous!

So, it may have taken me a good six months, but here we are at the crossroads. I think I can finally understand and accept that these changes that are happening are not ultimately changing me or the things that are important to me. I just need to put my Yin Yoga training into practice and soften myself to roll with the tides, not against them. With this new season comes a new outlook. I will strive to be patient and in tune with my needs, and less focused on comparing myself to how I was before becoming pregnant. I will make time to relax, and read, and practice my daily sadhana. I will understand that it is okay to slow down. After all, come February, there won't be much time for relaxing anymore...

Durham House: The Before Pics

After a few push backs we finally have a new departure date from Florida. The truck(s) will be here this weekend and then it's on to our next adventure. I have to admit that even though I'm still bummed about being apart, it will be very nice to finally get this move over with and not be in PCS limbo anymore.

Also, I am pretty darn thrilled that I will be getting to NC just in time for my favorite season of all! October is a great month in NC because the leaves finally start changing, the state fair comes to town, the farmers markets are in full swing, the nights are cool enough to leave the windows open, and its tailgate season. Aaaaand also, because halloween.

We already have our first couple of trips planned to visit each other and I'm feeling better about the situation now that we're almost in October. The rest of this year is going to fly by, and before we know it we'll be celebrating our wedding with everyone :) And then J will get his Wings of Gold, and we'll be off again!

Another positive about moving into a new place is that I get to feed my interior decorator addiction. I love moving into a new space and deciding where to put everything and how to make it feel homey. The Durham House (as we're calling it) is wonderful but tiny. It has old hardwood floors, a huge back deck, and great windows. But it is only 827 square feet! Which, coming from our Milton House, is going to be a huge change. Luckily for the most part it will only be me...and four animals...and J when he comes to visit. I'm actually really loving the idea of downsizing and getting rid of all the unnecessary junk.

So, now that it is officially official, here are some before pictures of our new Durham House...Stay tuned for the 'after' photos!!

kitchen area looking out to back deck and huge yard!

itty, bitty kitchen love

hallway from living room

ye olde bathroom

second bedroom which will be the office

master bedroom (bring your own cat)

living room!

I've got big plans for this baby, and a good old ikea trip in the making so check back to see what we've done to spruce this place up and make it our own <3

Some Fall Wardrobe Favorites

Thank you so much for all of the wonderful book recommendations after my last post!! One of my life long goals has been to start a book club that doesn't immediately fail due to lack of organization and time haha so thanks for helping me keep the dream alive!!

One of my biggest chores of the week, in preparation for our move, has been to go through all of my clothes and shoes so I can get rid of all of the things I don't wear anymore. After being in Florida this long I definitely feel like my work wardrobe has dwindled down to flip flops and sundresses, which we all know will not cut it in a NC winter.

So, out come the three organizational piles! The donate pile. The keep pile. And the trash-it-before-anyone-sees-it pile. My favorite part about the changing of the seasons is being able to switch up my wardrobe. As someone who is constantly trying to focus on the NOW but who is always thinking way too far ahead, I get sick of the seasonal fashion trends really quick. After like 3 weeks of bikinis and short shorts, all I can think about are sweaters and jeans. After a month of so of hoodies and tights, I am ready for flip flops and rompers.

It's really hard work being this basic.

With all of that being said, I have been gearing up for fall by creating a list of my fall fashion staples. My favorite part about fall fashion is the juxtaposition of all of the textures and patterns. I love mixing a huge, chunky knit sweater over opaque black tights, with some Frye boots. And seeing all of the rich, jewel tones people mix in with their work blazer through scarves and accessories. Everything is so comfy but so interesting to look at. In my opinion, a perfect, oversized, knit sweater is the equivalent of your favorite blanket you curl up in on your couch. Except the sweater is not frowned upon when you wear it in public.

Speaking as someone who is obsessed with always making everything as cozy as possible, the fall is my absolute favorite time of the year for fashion.

Must Haves:
Black Tights: they go with everything.

Boots: ankle, over the knee, etc...all of the boots!

Nice Jeans: I prefer dark wash, but a nice pair of bf jeans are amazing for a more casual look.

  

Flannel Shirt: the fitted flannels from Madewell and J-Crew are perfection. They are very flexible and can be tucked into a skirt or worn over jeans to a tailgate.

 

Blazer: a fitted, fresh blazer is perfect for going from the office to dinner.

Sweaters: I love a chunky, off the shoulder knit that can be layered or worn in its own.

Flats: A dressy pair of flats can be worn with jeans or a dress and they always look good

There are so many awesome fall outfits to try and so little time to try them all. You could always turn the A/C down and completely jump the gun like I did this morning! What are some of your fall wardrobe necessities?? 

A Few Good Books

Today is September 13th which means; the movers come to pack our stuff up in 6 days, we move in 7 days, the first day of fall is in 9 days, and our wedding is in 123 days. Just a few random facts that I have been ruminating on this morning.

The week has ben very laid back so far as J wraps up his last few events and I work on getting us ready for our respective moves. It's crazy to think that this will be our last week living together for the next 6 months. But it will go quickly and we will definitely rack up some miles visiting each other! Speaking of...does anyone have a credit card that they recommend for getting miles? 

Oh! And we officially closed on the Durham House this week after a long repair period. I am very excited to see it again in person! Oh the joys of buying real estate from another state :) It looks like I'll be getting to Durham a few days before the truck so I will be camping out with the animals at my parents place while assessing the new digs for decor and furniture placement (which we all know if the best part of moving into a new place).

Since I've been spending the last few weeks practicing the good old game of 'hurry-up-and-wait' I've had time to burn through a few books on my never ending reading list! Keep in mind these books are all over the place and have absolutely nothing in common except that I really enjoyed them...

1. Lean In - Sheryl Sandberg 

This book is everything. If you are a woman in the work force, read it. If you are a woman NOT in the workforce, read it. If you're a man, read it. The stories and statistics discusses by Sandberg in this book are enlightening and empowering. I also added about 7 of the books from her bibliography to my next stack of books to read.

http://amzn.to/2cupArL

2. How To Be Parisian Wherever You Are
This book was very entertaining to me. Partially because it was so abrasively and stereotypically French that I found it hilarious. But also because in between the ludicrous Parisian 'snobbisms' there was actually some good advice about being who you are and not caring what people think about your faults. It takes like 3 hours to read and is good for a rainy day when you're feeling especially existential. Or bored.

http://amzn.to/2curit2

3. The Sixth Extinction - Elizabeth Kolbert
This was my second time reading this gem. I'm definitely a sucker for a good case study and anything anthropological. This book does an amazing job of bringing to light how patterns in nature have occurred over time and how humans are effecting the environment.

http://amzn.to/2cE89dg

4. The Fiery Cross - Diana Gabaldon
I love this series (Outlander) and this book has been especially fun to read because **SPOILER** it is set in NC. This story line never ceases to surprise me and I'm very curious to see how the book progresses...

http://amzn.to/2cE8pZB

What is everyone else reading right now?? I'm always open to suggestions!

Let Me Just Be Basic For A Minute...I'm Ready For Autumn.

I've reached that point at the end of the summer where ALL I can think about are the cool days of fall. Anything to get some relief from the stifling, timeless, stuffiness of summer.

I want to be able to turn off the A/C and throw the windows wide open so that the smell of wood stoves and crispy leaves fill the house. I want to wake up and have that moment where the air is so chilly that getting out of bed seems impossible, until you remember how amazing that first sip of hot coffee is. I want to come home from work and be able to get cozy and curl up with a good book and a cup of tea, knowing that outside the world is slowly going into hibernation but I am warm and safe inside.

For the love of god, I really just want to be able to walk to the mailbox without having a heat stroke.

There is something so alive and exciting and comforting about the autumn. Even the names of the months; September, October, November carry a specific, cozy promise in the way they sound when they roll off your tongue. The nights get longer, the evenings chillier, and you can hear people going for walks and laughing on the street only to stifle their noise abruptly and disappear into the night. There is something about the fall that makes you want to whisper so as not to disturb nature as she slips into her yearly slumber. Not fear, but excitement and expectation. For me, it borders on awe as this colorful burst of life happens before everything slips into rest mode for winter.

Needless to say... my autumn Pinterest boards are overflowing, I'm trying to wear sweaters prematurely, and I'm getting the urge to start re-reading Harry Potter. The signs are all present. Now I just need that first leaf to turn...

Monday Motivation

On days like today; rainy days, cold rainy days, cold rainy MONDAYS to be specific, it can be nearly impossible to get out of bed and face another week day no matter how much you love your job. With the blankets so warm, the air chilly after leaving the windows open all night, and the rain pouring down outside, it almost seems like the world should just stop and go back to sleep. Alas, that never seems to be the case. With that being said, here are a few things that motivated me to get up and moving this morning...

Coffee. That and the short amount of time in the mornings where I get to drink my coffee and read a little, or catch up on my favorite blogs before heading into the office.

Putting on some warm, cozy knits and a pair of leggings, because you know what? I don't care if they aren't 'pants,' my sweater covers my butt anyways. 

Listening to NPR or a good podcast. This helps me get out of my head in the morning and hopeful learn something new that I didn't know before, whether it's a world event, how a piece of technology works, or just a good book I haven't read. 

Diffusing peppermint oil. I love the way this oil smells and it definitely helps alert your senses in the morning! Sometimes I diffuse a blend by adding lavender, tangerine, or eucalyptus. 

And lastly, knowing that at the end of the day I get to come home, put my sweatpants on, make a hot cup of tea, and curl up on the couch with some huge, fluffy blankets and a good book!

What makes your Monday go by quickly?

November First

I feel like I say this every month but, how is it already November?? I love this time of year, it has all of the best holidays, the weather makes everything cozy and romantic, and there is just something about the holiday season that makes the important things in life come to light a bit brighter than usual. Family, friends, love, hope, random acts of kindness, helping others, selflessness, warmth, good food, cozy decor...I love it all!

Also, I feel like after halloween it is finally acceptable to start thinking about Christmas. I know, I know, many of you just cringed and almost threw your computer. BUT, I already promised J that I wouldn't start really getting into the full swing of things until after Thanksgiving. Which, is completely fine with me considering all that we have going on right now. We are finally moving out of our tiny, dank apartment and into a real house. Maybe J never stood a chance with a Realtor as a girlfriend, but he has decided to buy a house down here and hopefully we will be moving into our new home in the next week or so!

Of course, I'm over here pinning like a madwoman and coming up with decor and paint for each room even though its not going to be our 'forever home'. That's one of the tricky parts about military life, you don't want to invest too much money, time, or energy into a place you won't be living for very long. But, at the same time, each place becomes your home because of the wonderful people so it's hard not to want to have that feeling spill over into the place you're living. With that being said, I'm moving forward at full speed ahead, but in a thriftier than usual style. This house will become a rental for us so we want it to be nice and homey for ourselves as well as those who rent it afterwards. 

So, before I jump the gun on interior Christmas decor I'm going to focus on FRIENDSGIVING! Friendsgiving is the Holiday that comes either directly before or directly after Thanksgiving. It is a time to celebrate with your friends, eat a bunch of good food, and remember how thankful you are for the good things in your life. It will be so wonderful to start life in our new home by celebrating with friends and filling our home with good juju. Here are some decor ideas for our new place from my Friendsgiving pinterest board. 

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 :)

How To: Adult Tailgate

This weekend we decided to try our hand at adult tailgating. What is adult tailgating, you may be asking yourself. Please, allow me to explain...

1. When you 'adult tailgate' you don't show up to the game obliterated. 
2. You show up with several coolers of classy, adult beer (aka PBR/assorted pumpkin ales)
3. You bring a camping stove to cook your classy, adult meats on
4. You drink homemade sangria out of classy, adult sized solo cups
5. You tailgate for a minimum of 4 hours before the game under your classy, adult tent
6. Your friends husband wears a classy, adult grilling apron that has speakers attached
7. And you drink and eat as much food as you can while acting like total fools and having a blast with your friends. 

So, in summation you just add the words classy and adult into the story whenever is seems appropriate and continue tailgating the way you always have WHILE keeping in mind that hangovers are much crueler to those over the age of 25 :)

We had such a great time supporting our Wolfpack down in Mobile and the weather could not have been more perfect for an evening tailgate! The Pack crushed the other team...I honestly have no idea who they were, and everyone made it back home in one piece!