A little bit of heaven

Remember when we introduced that new series and promised we'd be starting soon?

Well, here we go. :)

Easily, music is one of my all-time favorite passions. I could very nearly sing all day long. If I know a song that's being played, I will sing, hum, and inevitably dance. In the car, at a local shop, even at a concert when singing along is frowned upon; I cannot help myself. I really can't. It's one of the ways I do beauty.

Fancy a sneak peek into my life?

One of my favorite parts of my job as a nanny {Mary Poppins here} is the one hour I spend each day doing housework.  'Rachel you're crazy!' you may say.  But for this one hour, I plug my Ipod into the home-stereo system which is absolutely brilliant, and I sing along crazy loud while doing whatever daily chores there is to do.  Kind of like a modern day Cinderella, hey?

Quite naturally, going to see musicians perform live is my little bit of heaven.  And frankly, it's been far too long since I made plans to attend any concerts.  But with spring and summer creeping up on us and needing a little inspiration to get us through, Christina and I, kind of went concert crazy {considering we really haven't seen any shows the last year} and bought tickets for three phenomenal shows that will be happening over the next three months.

In just two weeks we'll be seeing Josh Ritter.  I really love him.  And this album in particular often lulls me to sleep, not cause I'm bored, but because it makes me feel warm and happy and safe.

In April we'll be seeing Serena Ryder.  We're very excited for this show.  She seems so effortlessly cool and the combination of her tone, lyrics, and beats are perfection.

Lastly, in May we'll be seeing Sigur Rós.  This is a concert I have been wanting to see for years and years.  Goodness gracious, this show is going to be a doozy.  I'm going to be walking on clouds all night long and probably for the next few days afterward.

Who are you dying to see in concert my dears?

I'm always looking for new artists to follow and I love any and all suggestions. :)

{First image found here}

"I do not understand the mystery of grace-

only that it meets us where we are but does not leave us where it found us."

Anne Lamott

{Quote found here, image here}

Sweet slumber

Not going to lie,

All I can seem to think about these days is my bed.

Or more specifically sleep.

I know, I know, everyone likes sleep, 

maybe even loves it.

But I've never been one of those people. 

I always saw it as something necessary, pleasant, and slightly indulgent.

But now....

I'm consumed by it.

Ok, so it doesn't help that I may have Mono...

*Gasp*

No I haven't been locking lips with any contagious folk of late...

So I have no idea how this has come to be.

But,

It's a possibility. 

And it definitely explains my fatigue and sleep obsession.

Rachel definitely thinks there is something wrong with me...

Most nights I'm passed out by 9:30pm.

So not my style.

Granny alert!

Well, anyway...

Since I can't seem to think of anything else,

let me pass along a few delicious images.

So happy to know that a Saturday morning slumber-sesh is just around the corner!

Happy Friday Lovelies!!!

P.S. Don't forget to set your clocks forward an hour on Saturday night.
This weekend is SPRING FORWARD.
Yay for an hour more of daylight!!!!!

{Images courtesy of this fab tumblr}
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Take pleasure in this life

I've been thinking about a few things lately and I thought, why not blog about it?  

Swear, I will not get too philosophical on you, or self-important. :)

It might help if I give you a little background context though.  Last spring I graduated from university, and it was a moment that I had anticipated for like... ever!  Degrees are stressful things and they take over your life.  Don't laugh {or laugh, I don't mind}, but I couldn't wait to have time that was all mine, for mostly silly things, but for some noble things as well.

 I painted my nails with abandon, went on a million-gazillion evening walks, practiced yoga at home, guiltlessly sat down to watch three tv shows in a row on any given evening, read books for fun {and magazines too!}, and spent loads of time with those that I love.

  

Life has settled a lot since then and I've no doubt lost some of my enthusiasm for living well.  Or maybe it's just that regular living has lost a bit of its novelty.  Either way, it's been on my mind to take pleasure in this life.  With these thoughts in mind, I stumbled across such a relevant post by Age Old Tree, which included this stunning quote,

"Beauty was not simply something to behold; it was something one could do."

Toni Morrison

Woosh. What a notion.

So guess what dear readers?  Here marks the beginning of a new little series of posts that will pop up over the next few weeks.  Christina and I will take turns, letting you into those ways we're doing beauty.  But we'd really love to hear from you all as well. :) 

   P.S. Cannot wait to do beauty like this when summer comes.

{all images found via my fave tumblr right now}

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Sexy-back

There is just something about hoop earrings.

When I put a pair on I instantly feel sultry, carefree, and dare I say it? 

A little more wild. 

My inner Bridget Bardot is unleashed, and I can't help but embrace a more 

womanly, exotic, and bohemian vibe.

They can elevate the simplest outfit to bombshell status, and make you feel fantastic.

Like you know you got it going on...

*Ok maybe that's just in my head*

Whatever their magic super powers may be, 

they are definitely my go-to when I want to get my sexy-back.

How about you? What makes you feel gorgeous?

Happy hump day!!!


{Images 1, 2, 3, 4}

"Have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a foreign language. 

Do not search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live with them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. 

Perhaps then, someday in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer."

Rainer Maria Riike {Letters To A Young Poet}

{Image via this fantastic tumblr and quote via this very cool girl}

 

Cha cha cha

It may just be my most recent indulgence in Spanish tapas,
or my fond memories of last year's birthday, with electrifying flamenco dancers,
or even a certain Woody Allen movie.

Who am I kidding, it's probably my love of sangria {cuz it's just so good!}

No doubt about it, I'm dreaming of ...

The sights, sounds, colours, an explosion for the senses! 

I can envision taking in the Sagrada Familia, strolling the picturesque boulevards, and enjoying the sun-dappled courtyards {sangria in hand of course!}

                  

After a night of dancing and merriment, I would be tickled pink to wake up here.

And eat this.

The Spanish do breaky right.

Churros! YUM!

Meet me in Barcelona?


Happy Friday!!!!

{Images, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13}