on the mat | consistency is key

I used to think practicing every day was too hard. That I should give my body a break. That I should try to do other things.

But the more I practiced and saw improvements in my flexibility, strength, coordination and mental state, the more I came back to my mat. Now I practice yoga almost exclusively, with a bit of running or cardio thrown in here or there for good measure. And really I have never felt better.

I guess my point is that whatever it is that you want to do, whether it be yoga, running, taking photos, picking out daily outfits, etc, the more you do it the better you can be at it. And doing a little every day is probably better than doing a lot all at once every now and then. I truly believe good things come to those who practice. Namaste.

finally Friday

all items remix'd
top: Old Navy
skirt: J. Crew
boots: Anthro
earrings: Collignon Designs, gift'd
necklace: AE

Thursdays always seem to be the longest and hardest day of the week for it. Probably getting up before the sun comes up and working until after the sun goes down doesn't help. I keep the same work hours on Tuesday but the work day doesn't seem quite as exhausting then. Enough whining...

I absolutely adore this skirt and am not sure why I haven't worn it more. J. Crew really knows what they are doing with all their bright colors!

Some good friends are coming into town for the weekend...I love having something to look forward to!

Again and again

all items remix'd
top&skirt: Anthro
sweater: Gap
tights&boots: Loft
earrings: Collignon Designs, gift'd

Not much to say today except that I am happy more winter-like weather is here. Any excuse to wear tall boots, I guess.


We all know how versatile a simple gray cardi can be.


But did you know a bright purple top could be as well. All of these skirts were purchased at different times and this top was purchased the most recently, but they all coordinate very well. I guess being attracted to certain colors has its benefits.

iSmile

Getting full-on back to the real world, away from holiday madness this week.

We love Elmo (and he's much easier to photograph than 2 crawling/running boys!)


Cool skies


Pretty shoes


My boys


A cute elf


No time for a decent outfit photo yesterday but I did get the shoes!

This must be a record

all items remix'd
top: Loft
jeans: Gap
shoes: Geox
scarf: India

I woke up this morning and the clock read 4:53 AM, which, to me, means it's time to crawl out of bed, make some coffee and get ready for yoga in an hour. What I failed to realize was that when the hubs said to me about an hour earlier, that the clock seemed to be an hour ahead, he didn't change it to the correct time. So I was really up at 3:53 AM. So I am not sure if we fell asleep around 8 pm instead of 9 pm. At any rate, yes we are a bit insane to be up this early, but we really work more efficiently this way. I like the quiet and stillness of the early morning hours.


Yesterday was a nice Monday off from work and so I decided to re-wear a shirt from over the weekend. The only people who know are the hubs and now you. But I think I am a relatively clean person and the shirt is now in the laundry so it's ok.

weekend casual

all items remix'd
top: J. Crew
vest: CR
skirt: Old Navy
booties: Target
sunnies: Dsquared
earrings: Collignon Designs, gift'd
necklace: gift'd
bag: Gucci. gift'd

The first full weekend of the year was nice and relaxing for us. Unfortunately the hubs had to work Saturday night so I took the opportunity to eat and watch Melancholia with a friend. I guess I had high expectations because it received many rave reviews, but I am not sure I really liked it. Without giving too much away, it's definitely a movie a person would either love or hate. The hubs would probably have been asleep within the first 10 minutes!


all items remix'd
top: Loft
skirt: Anthro
sandals: Old Navy

Tired of this skirt yet? I am not! I packed away all my shorts, since being January and all, but yesterday the temps were in the high 70s and so humid. Yes, definitely evidence of global warming, my friends. Wearing a skirt and tee were my next best options.


The only thing I had planned this week is getting my hair colored. I think it's been over 2 months since I last went in and I was desperately in need to color the white hairs! Megan recently wrote an excellent post about hair that I highly recommend, especially if you are thinking about changing yours.


I was also not kidding when I said I was going to remix and rewear my clothes. I've decided not to take myself or my clothes too seriously this year and wear what is fun and makes me happy.

scrappy sunday

Since working on and completing my December Daily album last month, I have renewed my love for gluing photos on paper. And with Instagram, I love seeing others' art as well as sharing my own. And thus the start of scrappy Sunday, where I will post about my crafty projects.


One of my favorite parts about Christmas is all the cards we receive in the mail. I would love to save each and every one, but we would be swimming in a sea of paper. So the trusty square punch to the rescue. Every year I punch part of each card and make a layout. I don't keep every single card, but I like the reminder of how our friends and family are doing each year. {This idea is straight from Ali.}


I am excited to start Project Life this year.


Only the title page is done as I am still waiting for some photos to be printed. More to come next week!

yoga | a good start

I am happy to report I am off to a good start this year in yoga practice. I like that the 1st this year was on a Sunday, because traditionally (and by traditionally I mean in Mysore, India), you begin your practice week on Sunday with a led class and end on a Friday with a led class. Monday through Thursday are mysore, or self-paced, classes.

I am also happy to report that I am starting the year feeling strong and injury free. I have been hesitant to post about yoga because every time I made progress and "boasted" on the blog last year, I seemed to hurt myself immediately after. But because it is such a big part of my life, I still want to talk about it, maybe just in general terms.

My schedule has allowed me to practice early in the morning before work, which I hope to continue this year. I used to think practicing before the sun came up was unimaginable, but now it really invigorates me for the day. They are called Sun Salutations for a reason! Part of the reason I wake up so early is to be a bit more warm before practicing.


The only practice I attend that is in the evening is on Friday, for a led class with my dear teacher and now friend, Erik. He and his wife Rachel, also my teacher and friend, are amazing people I am happy to know. Rachel is now back in India for 3 months and we miss her much! Joe and I have been going to Erik's class for years now and we enjoy it as much now, if not more, as we did when we started.

I am sad not to be returning to India this year, but happy for my time there. Namaste.

Finally Friday

all items remix'd
dress: J.Crew
cardi: Target
wedges: Payless
earrings: Tiffany's, gift'd
necklace: Loft
tights: Hue

Is it weird that the hubs and I are in bed before 9 PM and up before 5 AM? I swear we are not grandparents, we just like to sleep! We rarely watch TV these days; in fact the only shows we watch on a regular basis are Modern Family and The Soup. The Soup keeps us up-to-date on pop culture so we feel like we know what's going on, even if we don't!


all items remix'd
top&belt: Anthro
cardi: Express
skirt: Theory
shoes: Taryn Rose
earrings: Collignon Designs, gift'd
necklace: AE

I thought these 2 green outfits would look good in the same post, as they are color I don't typically gravitate to. Pink will always be my signature color, but I like the share the love with other colors in the rainbow.

I am thankful that this is a non-working weekend and we really don't have anything big planned. I could use a nice, long weekend full of nothing.

Not so bad

all items remix'd
top: J. Crew
cardi: Loft
cords: Anthro
boots: Nordstrom Rack
earrings: gift'd

Returning to work this week hasn't been as crazy as I thought it would be. I'm thinking that is because people are on a "new year-new me" high and in unusually good spirits. I know I am...excited to see what 2012 brings, excited to start new paper projects, excited for some changes ahead. Let's hope it lasts! I am thankful for a short work week to ease back into things.


I am also excited to rewear and rework my clothes as much as I can. I've been toying with the idea of doing another 30-for-30 challenge, but I may just challenge myself to wear more unloved clothes instead.

iSmile

I am tackling a few big whole-year creative projects, one of which includes my 5th year of taking a photo-a-day! For the 2012 366 edition, I am using my iPhone to take the photos and Instagram and My365 to post the photos, which will simplify things for me (I think I have talked about this simplification in almost every post so far this year...I guess it goes along with "LESS."). So these smile photos will include my POTD, as well as any other random thing that, well, makes me smile!


Thali! I miss India...


Playing with the new fisheye lens I received for Christmas.


My 2011 POTD project all made into monthly mini-books.


The photo wall I made for our NYE party.


Spending NYE with dear friends.


Spending the 2nd with the hubs.


Those eyes.

Back to the real world

Unfortunately all good things must come to an end and the holiday celebrations are over. We spent Monday running errands and trying to get caught up. We also watched Wall-E last night, which was a good reminder for me on why I need less stuff!


all items remix'd
sweater: Ann Taylor
skirts: Anthro
leggings: AA
boots: Loft
sunnies: Dsquared
earrings: gift'd

I have also decided that life is too short not to wear fun and colorful clothes. I bought this skirt from Anthro over a year ago and have only worn it a few times, even though I love the bright floral pattern. Be prepared to see more of it, and other less loved items, this year.

New beginnings

sweater: Anthro
cords: AG via Anthro
boots: Nordstrom Rack, remix'd
earrings: Collignon Designs, gift'd&remix'd
sunnies: Dsqared,remix'd
scarf: India, remix'd
bag: Gucci, gift'd&remix'd

I am a bit embarrassed to say that even thought my One Little Word for 2012 is "LESS," the outfit that I am wearing here is all new. I couldn't resist these bright orange cords from Anthro during their 50% off-sale items sale, and of course I had to buy enough to receive free shipping. But I have kept to my word and taken 4 items out of my closet and into my donation bag.


I'm not sure how this happended but it's only the 2nd day of the year and I am already feeling a bit behind! I'm thinking this is going to be the year of iPhone blog photos, just to make my life a bit easier.

Welcome 2012!

I am happy to report that while we spent good times with our peeps last night, we didn't imbibe in too many adult beverages and are feeling pretty good this first day of the year.

I am starting my 5th year of doing a photo-a-day, but this year, for simplicity of life and creativity, my photos will be taking with my iPhone and posted through Instagram. Do you Instagram? If so, please come find me (eek2011)!

Counting my blessings

2011 was definitely an interesting year. I am unbelievably lucky that I have had more highs than lows and thought I would share some of the best moments of the year here.


1. The best friends.


2. The best room in which to practice yoga.


3. The best new friends.


4. The best buddha baby nephew, with a nose that looks like this girl :).


5. The best concert.


6. The best sparkly wedding shoes.


7. The best 40th birthday trip..


8. The best movie.


9. The best sunrise.


10. The best zombies.


11. The best newly-two-year-old nephew.


12. The best families.


And, of course, the best man with whom to share my life!