shetoldstories

 

Five on Friday: a list of what I'm loving right now.

Ninth Street Espresso. I don't like to give up my spots, but this little gem is where you will have the best cup of coffee in all of NYC. Trust me. They have a few locations. I'm not spilling where I get mine. Go try a cup and thank me later.

Sweet Almond Oil. My hair is drenched with it right now. It's a fact that as we age, so does our hair. While mine is normal, almost combination because it oils up the day after a wash, it's still very dry. I use this stuff twice a week from root to tip, wrap it up in a bun on top of my head and wash it out the next day. Talk about shine! My hair drinks this stuff up.

Celtic Sea Salt. I'm going through a lot of dietary and lifestyle changes at the moment and this stuff has been magic! You have to use it sparingly, but it puts the pink Himalayan stuff to shame. Plus, if you have to use salt, this is one of the better ones for you.

Ok, I'm officially in love with cold pressed coffee and I think I've found the best way to make it. Have a look (I'm talking to you KP!) My ration of coffee to water is different than what they use in the video, but hello... I am ordering this gadget asap. 

Nata Fashion: Seriously. I want this, this (for over yoga capris), and this.

I'll be offline for the long weekend but you can still go creepin all over my instagram where I'll be posting pics on the fly. Wishing you a lovely holiday weekend and if you need a little get ready for summer music, check out Best Coast. (I love the entire Crazy for You album).

Please check out 52 Photos Project today where Jenn Gibson of Roots of She is our featured photographer this month!

Saying goodbye to Winter. I'm glad to see you go.

isn't she lovely?

So this very pretty lady came over for dinner on Friday. One thing we were brought up with and really enjoy doing together is breaking bread. We can do that like nobody's business.

When we've had a bad meal or experience terrible service (either out or at someones house), we speak of it as if it were a tragedy. On the flip side of that, when we are served a great meal, we have mad love for the chef. I remember this one time we went out to eat in the city and we ordered burgers. These were no ordinary burgers. These burgers warranted us to call the chef over and give him our props. We're food snobs and we can own that. 

While dressing up our tables would seem like a display of grandeur, we find it a comfortable and welcoming gesture for our guests and for each other. I put out my best for her because I love having her dine at my table.

I also love that when we get together with our girls, we all sit in the same seats as if they were assigned but no, it's just what we're used to. Our girls will have this tradition just as we did from our parents. We gather, we engage, we laugh, we eat. 

We had a beautiful dinner. We're both open to trying new foods and I was happy to see she liked sprinkling quinoa on her salad ;) We finished our meal and then she said "let's go lay down on your bed" as sign that her belly was content and ready for a rest. 

We are so different, yet so much alike. I love my sister more than words can express. (I know you're reading. It's your turn to cook next).

my truths on this day:

 

Truth: My body is bouncing back from a deep rest. I nursed myself through 11 months of sadness. I gave myself a pass from humanity and life and fully living mine for a time. I gave into each feeling, each craving, each teardrop like it was the only thing I had to hold onto.

And then, around the 9 month mark, I felt a shift. I was ready for something else, to move on from this insulated space I inhabited.

I've shared this already, but I'm feeling more settled in my skin tonight than I did a couple of months ago.

The thing is, my body suffered physically over the last year. As the days passed and I continued to lay dormant, my body weakened and got bigger.

I can't say I don't care about the bigger part because my health is in question and I want to be in tip top condition. 

But oh ... does the body know how to bounce back!

My energy levels have sprouted like ripe fruit. My senses are alive and alert.

I'm taking the advice of my beloved helpers who have guided me back from the depths and reawakened my spirit.

I shared this photo on instagram the other night. 

It was just an ordinary moment, among many I had that day. But in this particular moment, so many non-sensible things began to make sense, which kind of made the moment extraordinarily epic for me.

Every night, I go to bed stronger than the morning before.

I know nothing: I am a blank canvas of questions working double time for a little reveal. That night, I got a reveal and I have to tell you, it was the most peaceful I've felt in months.

My body is strong. It has never failed me even though I have failed it many times over.

I believe in self care for the body, mind, and soul. I believe that what I eat and how well I take care of my body is a representation of what I feel I'm worth. (this is not about you, this is about me. i don't have an opinion about what you do ... i've got enough of my own work to do).

I believe that we need movement for our body to work properly and maybe for our sanity.

I am awake and loving/living every minute of this life - this beautiful gift of a life. My body is precious and I am so aware now of how I treat it.

At the moment, the only expendable energy I have is for myself and my family, and that feels ok to me. I'm not trying to keep up or hope that my name doesn't drift away like a sad one hit wonder. 

No. I am here, now, present in my own life, doing my own thing, just like the rest of you, more aware of what I need and of what really matters to me.

Today @ 52 Photos Project, Jenn Gibson of Roots of She talks about her self care toolbox offering: Breathe Peace, the e-book. I'd love it if you would stop by there and see what she's up to.

xo

beautiful places

 

KK Canvas Magic Texture

weekending:

 

The weather was beautiful. I got to visit & catch up with good friends in real life and with facetime across the miles.

I spent a lot of quality time with my daughter. We went out to the cinema to see the Great Gatsby and then proceeded to watch another 3 movies over the course of the weekend. Major puppy love time with Trixie was had as well.

Angie, my mother in law, and I went out for some shopping and a girls dinner on Mother's Day. I didn't see my husband at all because his work schedule is cray-cray at the moment.

And so, here we are again at Monday. I'm finishing up my knits and dreaming of what my life could look like if I start journaling some ideas I have for my creative work. I'm so glad I have no plans for the next couple of months except for boat rides, trips to the beach, and sky gazing in my backyard. Perfect daydreaming moments.

I'm sharing my weekend with Amanda.