swimming swimming in the swimming pool

New York is one of the few places I’ve lived where finding a good place to swim laps is tricky. I’ve never quite understood this super tiny pools that the health clubs that do have pools have – as a former competitor I find with flip turns it feels like I am taking about four strokes to make it to the wall. I completely understand that real estate is prime here, and pool insurance is sky high – but it still makes me dream of having a luxurious swimming pool one day. My dream home completely has just a beautiful pool, perfect for laps and lounging, as well as someone else to clean it for me (I am a just a tiny bit too practical some times when it comes to the dream). What does your dream home have?

(photo via pinterest)

guilty...

I have guilt regarding my very bad blog habits lately, it’s so very Catholic of me – I really did so well for so long on trying to do daily posts, and then well life got busy and the last thing on my mind when I had free time was writing for my blog. I miss updating my blog though, so I am going to make a much better effort going forward to make time to write regularly. Hopefully I can just find things that are interesting, or just fun to share, and well I need to stop over thinking as this blog is mainly for me, and I am certainly happy you’ve stopped by to say hello – but it’s all about what’s on my mind.  I pledge to do better, and hope you’ll keep coming back to check in from time to time.

(photo from mochithings.com)

valentine

Happy Valentines Day! I thought I would share one of my most favorite letters about a valentine from my favorite shows of all time, Everwood. It's just so sweet and beautiful- and embraces all those things so many of us cannot say when we need to. I do hope you enjoy!




"Dear Valentine, come away with me. If I had a day with you and you only, I would enjoy the simple things. The things that bring joy to the drudgery and the mundane, the things that, in the end, when time steals the rest away, are the only things we'll remember. I would paddle you across a still lake in a rowboat and read poetry to you until you fell asleep, and I would never ever think about the hours.

Dear Valentine, if I had one day with you and you only, I would admire every line of your face, every strand of your hair, every graceful movement of your hands or your eyes or your body. If I had one perfect day. Don't you see, my heart beats only for you? 

Dear Valentine, these are the things I remember, my love... A warm hand, your warm breath, your warm mouth, your arms around mine. I remember feeling safe, ceaseless, like one person, the two of us, still, at rest, entwined. I remember how I felt the first time I kissed you. It felt like... the high dive. What do you remember? How will I ever know what was inside your heart? Where do they go, all the things we think and feel but don't say? 

Dear Valentine, these are the things I never told you, these are the things I need you to know... that I loved you always, and my love was so big, it lives still after you're gone. I'd like to tell you that I would do it differently, that if I had one more day I would do everything right. But I know that not to be true. I'd make all the same mistakes. That is, except one... I wouldn't say good-bye.”


(this beautiful photo is from Georgianna Lane)

love is...

Having new books ready to read, a cup of hot tea in the morning, waking up to the sun shining in the morning, enjoying a walk around the block, a funny story, splashing in puddles, writing a note...

Happy Valentine's Day Eve!


(photo from pinterest)

i wear my flip flops

Today, all day long, I’ve been dreaming about vacation – I definitely need something booked soon. Right now I haven’t really planned out trips for the rest of the year, I have some ideas, but weeks aren’t nailed down, nor has exact locations.  I definitely want some time on the beach though and I have a very strong urge to go to surf camp (anyone out there ever been?). There’s something about embracing the water and saying let’s learn something completely new. I definitely have to do some homework before I’ll commit to a week though off surfing, my fear is going for a week and on day one hating everything about it. Have you tried surf camp? Any recommendations?

it's snowing

I find it all too funny that earlier this week, I was wishing for a decent amount of snow and it's like my wishes were answered today. I am so excited to walk around this weekend and take lots of snowy wintery pictures. Those of you on the East Coast- stay safe and dry, and everyone enjoy your weekend!


(photo from Mirror UK)

happy birthday to...

Happy Birthday Ali! Since you are my most loyal blog follower, and one of my very good friends I want to make sure you get lots of birthday wishes today (I also apologize for the poorly lit photo, it's one of the few on the phone). I hope you have the best year yet, and that it's full of all the magic and wonderful things you desire. I cannot wait to have one of our many adventures this year - particularly our annual pilgrimage to Newburyport. Many happy returns!

beneath the winter snow

Last weekend I ran a race in Central Park, after a light snow fall. It was beautiful outside, despite the fact I was frozen like a little running popsicle.  I am really itchy for a good winter storm that makes it so you have to stay in and cuddle on the couch reading and drinking hot tea. I want to hear the crunch of my boots on the sidewalk, see the snow in my hair when I walk back inside. Does anyone else miss real winters?

“I want muscles like a man…

But not hands like a man” – direct quote from one of the most intense girls in my boot camp classes (this girl can do one handed pull ups – I am lucky I can lift my coffee with one hand). She’s right though – there’s nothing feminine about hands rough will callouses and rips from lifting kettle bells and weights. However, there is something to be said for looking like Lara Croft with well-defined and toned arms – hence the need for me to finally suck it up and buy lifting gloves.  Nothing says I work out like owning a pair of these babies and well keeping them in your purse on a regular basis (one of these days I’ll have to do the “what’s in my purse” posts). 

(photo from pinterest, buy gloves here)