Motivational Monday

Happy Monday! 

Today I got my lazy butt out of bed for an early morning run. And it felt great! You know how when life and work get super busy, fitness just kinda falls to the wayside? Why do I always let that happen? If you don't have your health, then it's hard to feel happy and enjoy life in general. So, health and fitness, I'm coming back for YOU!

Sometimes, you just have to rally yourself into doing things. I'm always glad when I do. Instead of always using down time to veg out in front of some TV, use that time to stretch your creativity- draw, paint, cook, read blogs (play on Pinterest, my newest addiction)! Do something that you don't really want to take the time to do- you'll be so glad you did!

 

I always talk about wanting to host cute parties, but say, "well when I get a bigger/better/cuter place, I will." But why not get creative and figure out something cute now? I can have get-togethers elsewhere, if I don't want them at home! I'm thinking about a park picnic party soon. :)

 Make time for alone time too. Read, pray, journal and reflect. Allowing God to nurture your soul, to speak to you, is so crucial for feeling at peace, I think.

My life-long pursuit of balance continues.....

xoxo,

I do love you, New York!

Just some pics from my NYC trip last week! I got to the Trad Home magazine launch party! So amazing!!! More on that later!

Warm Fuzzies

This is such a sweet video. Makes me want to take my honey camping. What a sweet honeymoon idea! This reminds me of our year of scamping in our renovated little camper. such fun.

Do you like? If you're married, where did you go on your honeymoon? If you're single, where do you dream of going? Would you ever do something outside the box like camping?

xoxo,


 

Work

via Chapman Interiors

I'm working. 

Are you?

xoxo,

 

Green + Gold = Grold?

Just a little eye candy for your Friday. :)

by Nate Berkus

 I love everything about this photo: the stripes on the wood floors, that rattan chair, the ceiling beams, those cool blue chairs, that INCREDIBLE chandelier... oh and you KNOW I love that green/gold (let's call it "grold") tufted sofa with the MCM vibe. Sigh. So great. I think rooms like this feel comfortable and inviting but still have a stylish, pulled-together look. Nothing is matchy-matchy, yet everything works together.

(Doesn't hurt that the home has great bones- check out those arches!)

I think the symmetry of the space plan- two armoires flanking the window, the seating arrangement, the 2 stools by the fireplace- rein in those casual, eclectic furniture pieces into a formal arrangement. What a great balance!

Those 2 rugs anchor each area into its own little spot. And the green plants add life and a welcome splash of color!

Well done, Nate, well done! 

(Like he needed my approval)

xoxo,

 

Last pics of Costaaaah

Here is the last batch of photos from our trip (I promise!). I hope you've enjoyed them instead of suffering through them like some relative's boring slide show of their vacation.

Cigar guy- guess what he's doing? Yah. Making cigars.

Message in a bottle!

Beach sunset at the Los Suenos Resort near Jaco.

Day in the sun

I cannot remember what this fruit was called, but it was Delish! It must have been related to a pomegranate. When I opened it, it was hollow with these dark sunflower seed-like seeds in a clear jelly. Appetizing? No. But tasty? Yes.

One of our dinners. That's my pal Katie on the left and me note right.

El Avion- a restaurant with an old WWII airplane inside it. Here's my man surveying the beach.

Here's that airplane...

And here's the best drink I think I've ever had- Cool Runner. It was like a mango colada. So yum!!!

Thanks for offering through my vacay pics!

Xoxo,
Steph

Costaaaaah pt.2

La Paz Waterfall Gardens! We hiked and toured this garden and park full of tropical animals. It was up on the mountain so the weather was misty and wet. We all bought ponchos to stay dry during the hike.

Here is the main waterfall. Beautiful, isn't it?

Angry bird.

I'm laughing because this toucan promptly pooped on my hat as soon as he landed there. The guide there said (in his heavy Spanish accent), "ooooh, don worry. Eets jus banana." And it was just banana on my hat- even if it had passed through that toucan's digestive tract.

Then we stopped for a lunch. This is dessert: rice pudding with cinnamon plantains!

Fresh mango juice and real Costa Rican grown coffee!

Next was the Coffee Plantation tour- I was one happy camper! The plantation was lower in altitude that the waterfall garden so we drove down back into the sunshine.

Lovely day, right?

Xoxo
Steph