Future Life Balance

I believed in a good home, in sane and sound living, in good food, good times, work, faith and hope. I have always believed in these things. It was with some amazement that I realized I was one of the few people in the world who really believed in these things without going around making a dull middle class philosophy out of it. I was suddenly left with nothing in my hands but a handful of crazy stars.

- On the Road, Jack Kerouac

When I stumbled upon this quote, not only did all of the memories and details from Kerouac's novel come rushing back to me, but I was comforted by his sentiment; it resonated with me, with my present and my hopes for the future. I was a person who often balked at the idea of a "traditional" life because I saw my small-town family, and thought that all relationships and futures ended in a complicated family situation, the same routine day in and day out, 'round and 'round the cup-de-sac we go. I grew up with the notion that middle class existence was mundane.  I didn't want the same thing for my future. But I still wanted a good, stable home, still wanted to make a living with a steady job, be surrounded by people I loved, and wanted to be happy. So how could I ever find a balance? Did wanting those things mean I was destined to a monotonous future? 

Nope. I don't have to be one of those people who chooses between a haphazard, "free" life, with no stability, and the mundane and monotonous. I too, am one of those "few people" who can see myself living a "traditional" life, without it being susceptible to all the cliches that go with it. When I think about my future, there's a foundation to my life, a blueprint in which I can build, but not one that I have to stick to. I don't have to fit into a mold, adopt an entire middle class philosophy. I am free and spontaneous and can have any life that I want.

via bloom

Wednesday Blues

**I take no credit for these photos. Original sources can be found via my pinterest "fashion" board.

Bedroom Decor

In the near future, wherever I happen to call home will include my current bedroom furniture. I love my mattress - it's like sleeping on a cloud - and the drawers beneath offer crucial storage space. Plus, the espresso color and silver nobs will be a nice contrast for the lighter and brighter colors that I like to incorporate into my living space. 

Bedroom ideas and inspiration

Exposed Brick

Purple

                Add purple accent

Add accent colors

Cozy Knit

Moroccan Quilts

Ever-changing Societal Norms

I am a firm believer in making decisions based on what you want to do and not travel down a life path that solely adheres to what your family, friends, or society expects of you. That includes my personal take on marriage. It's not that I am "un-romantic" or trying to "prove a point," it's that to me, marriage is a very personal thing between you and your partner. It should not be reserved for certain people and exclude others, and it should not be a such an ostentatious event like it always sometimes is today. In my personal opinion, if you decide to take this step in your relationship, what does a huge party of "support" from your friends, family, and people you barely know, (your mom's cousin's son that you had to invite to assuage an old family feud) have anything to do with your lifelong commitment to one another? Regardless of my opinion and thoughts on the matter, society is changing and evolving. People are now marrying later (or not at all) and having kids with friends, donors, or on their own (or again, not at all). 

via NY Mag

This article from New York Magazine, "Parties We Should Have Instead of Weddings," though not particularly insightful, is what got me thinking about all this. The author's point is that society is changing, so the typical wedding - and all of the parties and hoopla that go with them - are outdated. Why have a couple register for gifts when they've been living alone for a decade and already have the things that they need/want? 

Personally, I love the idea of having a "home warming party;" when my boyfriend and I move in together, we are going to be without the funds to buy what we really want or even need, so it would be an amazing help if our friends and family could each pitch in a little bit. Especially because we don't plan on getting married (at least in the traditional sense with a huge party). It's not like we want to hit people up for gifts all the time... It's that we'd rather have the stuff we really need when we need it. And not years down the road if and when we decide to even have a wedding celebration. All I'm saying is, I have no problem buying my friends gifts when they get married and have babies and then move again and then have another baby. But why should they have all the fun of opening gifts? Can't we throw a few parties for our life accomplishments too? 

PS... For the future,  like West Elm for many home goods ;) 

Home Decor

Thinking about living with John got me thinking about the second best thing about moving out: decorating (yes, on a budget). I have visions of what my future home will look like, and  I can't wait to see it come to fruition. Luckily, with the invention of pinterest, all of my future home ideas and inspirations are in one handy spot.* 

I tend to be drawn to light and airy spaces with a bit of personal charm. And no matter where I end up, I know there has to be space for lots of books. 

Book shelves and storage ideas

Light & breezy

Cozy 

Organized by color

Useful storage

Create a nook

Lots of charm

DIY

*I do not take credit for any of these images. Most of them came from my "Home Decor" pinterest board but I did try to credit the original source when available. 

And wouldn't it be nice to live together...

Ever since he put it on a summer playlist last year, this Beach Boys song always makes me think of my boyfriend. And they were really onto something. Wouldn't it be nice, if once you found someone you could be completely, 100% yourself around, you could create a life together? And not have to worry about bills, or student loans, or job prospects? 

Wanting this print for our future home

Over the past few days, my boyfriend and I were roommates as we had a house to ourselves. It was quiet, relaxing; we cooked, hung out with friends, read books, went in the pool. A truly fantastic weekend. And it got me thinking about living with him and also living alone. I'm an introverted person and quite enjoy being and living alone. I remember blogging about this New York Times article last year, "One is the Quirkiest Number,"which explores some of the pros and cons of living alone. I can't say that I've ever lived alone for an extended period of time, but when I was house sitting for a few months last year, it was just me and the dog. It was wonderful. 

I even credit this true independence for the beginning of my relationship with my boyfriend. When a person lives alone, as the Times article explores, they can truly be themselves. I know I felt so true to who I was as a person and I was so happy in my own skin. I could record and watch anything I wanted on the DVR. Pee with the door open. It was a glorious freedom to be utterly and completely me. A weird, quirky, girl who talks out loud to the dog, sings in the shower, dislikes wearing pants, likes to eat cereal in bed - me. I was more confident and sure of myself. So when I met John, I wasn't putting on an act, or showcasing some selected version of my personality. I was authentically me. And it paid off. The first conversations that we had we just normal. They weren't like those first date conversations where girls claim that they "love watching sports" and guys "confess" that they "love romantic comedies." Who are those people? John and I weren't trying to be perfect, we were just perfectly ourselves. And this has been the case ever since. 

Which brings me to my main point here, (which got quite convoluted) that this weekend confirmed what I already knew: I can be me around John, all the time. Nonstop for 5 days and nights in a row. So I guess, he would be an okay roommate because I'd do all the things I would do while I was living alone. Except he would be around and hear my horrible singing voice and see my embarrassing dance moves while I clean the apartment. 

Have a Lovely Weekend

This weekend I am going to take advantage of the warm weather, pools, friends, and a few good drinks. Cheers! 

Here are some links/photos/quotes from around the web that have made me smile this past week: 

via pinterest/source: istanbul

Love you back.  Thanks President Obama. 


This HBO film, Clear History, starring Larry David and John Hamm has a great supporting cast and even the trailer made me laugh.

‎

Close your eyes & imagine the best version of you possible. That’s who you really are, let go of any part of you that doesn’t believe it.

C. Assaad 

(via sorakeem)

 Book shelf love

via apartment34

How does a baby giraffe sleep?

via neatorama

Dress envy.

pinterest

Happy Independence Day

There is something about the 4th of July that makes me feel nostalgic and long for a simpler time. Maybe it's the vision I have of summers spent enjoying picnics, drive-in movies, and dancing outside on a humid night. Regardless, the 4th is the epitome of summer so no better time to share some of my "to-dos." 

Happy Summer! 

via awelltraveledwoman

1. Fly a kite 
2. Blow bubbles
3. Host a themed party (we're thinking Shark Week)
4. Make popsicles, freeze, eat. Repeat. 
5. Go camping on the beach 
6. Catch a fish 
7. Have a water fight 
8. Jump off something into water 
9. Bake a pie (with help from this list)
                   side note: I love pie - any dessert really)and my boyfriend and I always have the discussion that I am a "pie person," (which evidently is a specific subgroup of people) and he is not. So I am going to make him a delicious berry pie and see if that changes his mind. 
10. Learn the dirtiest joke 

To Rome With Love

Sony Classics

I've come to realize that having a balanced life means that sometimes you've got to power down and rest. My allergies lead to sinus infections, and what used to be a bi-annual few days in bed, has unfortunately become more frequent. I feel these infections coming on and this time, instead of tons of water and rest, I was away having fun for the weekend. I'm paying for it now and today I decided to just rest and get better so I could enjoy the festivities on the 4th. 

The day started out rainy and gross so I took to the couch to watch Woody Allen's latest, To Rome with Love. Off the heels of Midnight in Paris, this "new" Allen had a lot of live up to, and this film just didn't quite capture me the way Paris did. The four story lines didn't meld together; they barely co-existed or complimented each other.  Nonetheless, it was entertaining for a day in bed and I enjoyed seeing some of the sights I visited on my own trip to Rome. It's funny, the film did mirror the way I felt while walking around the city: I could never really get my bearings, the sights were so beautiful they didn't seem real, and Italians speak at such high volumes, I always think they're yelling at me for doing something wrong. La bella vita! 

I Promise to Stay Wild

The Wild Side

What we find in a soulmate is not something wild to tame but 

something wild to run with. 

- Robert Brault 

One of the things that instantly drew me to my boyfriend was the fact that he radiated this adventurous spirit. He had a spark of mischief in his eyes, an openness about him, and an air of witty intelligence.  When a person is completely genuine and 100% themselves, you can't help but be drawn to them. That could explain how we met in a nut shell. We were both exploring untapped parts of ourselves with carefree attitudes and our paths crossed at precisely the right time. One of his current goals is to hike Devil's Path in the fall and he recently began to blog about his adventures. I'm interested to see how this turns out and what side of his personality comes through on his new site. 

Weekend Recap

This weekend marked the official start to my summer and although the weather wasn't always cooperating, it was still the perfect way to kick off a relaxing two months. 

My friend Farah and I were going to spend a long weekend in Maine and began the trek early Thursday morning. Though we were able to walk around the cute shops, eat lots of candy, and treat ourselves to some good food, the weather was damp and chilly for the end of June. 

Town where Farah's condo is

After persistent downpours, we quit on our Maine getaway and retreated back to her place in Connecticut, which paid off. On Saturday the weather was perfect for the beach: the sun was bright, the salt water was warm, and the breeze was blowing. We finished the day with a delicious seafood dinner on the water.

Knapp's Landing in Stratford, CT

Sunday was spent celebrating John's little brother's high school graduation. Great italian food and pastries, and I played bar tender, keeping the party going with margaritas! All in all, a successful party. 

Summer 2013 Goals

In addition to the work I am doing this summer, I have a few goals I want to accomplish. Summer is the perfect time to catch up on all the "shoulds" and "wants" in my life.

1. Write more.
This one is easy and has already started with the creation of this blog!

2. Begin an at-home yoga practice.

I always have wanted to be "one of those people who do yoga." Thinking back to the time in my life where I did yoga 2-3 times a week, my body felt great, my stress was in control, and I felt a whole new appreciation for my body. The recent struggle has been finding the time and place for yoga. I'm tired of putting it off and have decided to begin practicing yoga in my home. My hope is that if I get into the habit this summer, it will be easier for my to keep when school starts again and my schedule becomes hectic.

3. Cook more recipes from this book.

My boyfriend got me this cookbook as a "just because" surprise and I really haven't been using it enough. It's time that I take advantage of this little extra time that I have and surprise him with a few home cooked and healthy meals.

4. Cross some books off my reading list.

Double Cross: The true story of the D-Day spies by Ben McIntyre
Committed by Elizabeth Gilbert
The Other Typist by Susan Rendell
Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter
...among some others that have been highly recommended by friends

5. Relax. And finish an entire TV series on DVD with my boyfriend.

I think that we finally agreed on HBO's Deadwood.

Take 2

Those who know me, know that I tried "the blog experiment" once before, and those who know me really well, know that it was an interesting choice of medium for me, someone who doesn't yet own a smartphone or believe in tablets replacing books. But, my last blog helped me navigate a particularly interesting time in my life and now I'm glad to have the posts that captured those moments and thoughts.  

The "purpose" here is slightly different. Though I am the same person I was back then, just slightly more evolved, my goal is to live a balanced life, (so much so that I've been tempted, numerous times, to tattoo the word "balance" on my body in morse code). Trying this experiment again was inspired by my boyfriend who is forever in the process of bettering himself, and a few of my friends who refuse to let life pass them by, waiting for tomorrow. Also, being a teacher allows for some serious self-reflection time; time to bring it back to neutral and assess who I am today. 

I tend to be the person Marjorie Pay Hinkley refers to in the quote I placed as my blog header. The person who wishes her life away, filling her days with, "When X happens, I will do/be/feel Y." But the trick is to enjoy life now. To be happy now. To realize that this is life. And I wont be able to get to X or Y without today. I've learned that life is a matter of balance and that in order to be happy and healthy, I need to master of the art of the balancing act.