relish

verb: to take pleasure in; like; enjoy
Chicago beaches open today! Remember to follow the rules… NO SKINNY DIPPIN’ ALONE

Chicago beaches open today! Remember to follow the rules…

NO SKINNY DIPPIN’ ALONE

(Source: p-0ison, via thesunsinmyskin)

In my opinion, standing in front of a large body of water is such a wonderful and humbling experience. I love that you can look for miles and miles yet the only sight of land is the sand beneath your toes. I love how it makes you feel tiny, almost insignificant. I love that you feel connected with something bigger than you. There is more to the world than what you experience in your tiny bubble. MUCH more. So when life gets a little hectic & you feel like the current is pulling you under, why don’t you put on your sunscreen, slip into your swimsuit, head to the beach and sail away….

In my opinion, standing in front of a large body of water is such a wonderful and humbling experience. I love that you can look for miles and miles yet the only sight of land is the sand beneath your toes. I love how it makes you feel tiny, almost insignificant. I love that you feel connected with something bigger than you.

There is more to the world than what you experience in your tiny bubble. MUCH more. So when life gets a little hectic & you feel like the current is pulling you under, why don’t you put on your sunscreen, slip into your swimsuit, head to the beach and sail away….

(Source: calypso-gypsy, via moonshineandwool)

Can You Help Me? I Think I’m Lost…. If you are anything like me then you may be experiencing what some call a “quarter life crisis”. Recently, I’ve felt like I’ve been in a rut - like I need a change of scenery. I feel this deep desire to do something meaningful and profound…inspiring and spontaneous. Yet, I also have this crippling fear that I may fail. Although I lead a fairly comfortable life for a 20-something (and by “comfortable” I mean living paycheck to paycheck) I do not consider myself financially stable nor do I even feel like an adult most days. It’s shocking to me that my mother was married with two kids at my age. I can barely take care of myself, let alone a plant or a goldfish! Certainly I’m not fit to raise a child at this point in my life nor do I even want to - at least not now anyway. However, I would have hoped that by the time I hit the quarter century mark I would have had my shit together. There are days when I feel like my life is spinning out of control. Then, on the other end of the spectrum, I feel like I’m in a lull and I’ll be in this exact same place 10 years from now. Now don’t get me wrong - my life is not bad in any way. In fact, it’s the exact opposite! I have an exciting and challenging job, I have an amazing family and wonderful group of friends, I’m in great health, and I live in the most beautiful and interesting cities in the world! What more could a girl want? Honestly, I don’t know…and that’s the problem. I just have this bitter taste in my mouth or an empty feeling in the pit of my stomach like something is not quite right…something is missing. I used to think I needed a compass to point me in the right direction. However, I’ve become to think that I just need to pick up and go. I shouldn’t map out my journey and plan an itinerary. It’s time to pack up my suitcase, hit the open road and see where my adventure takes me.

Can You Help Me? I Think I’m Lost….

If you are anything like me then you may be experiencing what some call a “quarter life crisis”. Recently, I’ve felt like I’ve been in a rut - like I need a change of scenery. I feel this deep desire to do something meaningful and profound…inspiring and spontaneous. Yet, I also have this crippling fear that I may fail. Although I lead a fairly comfortable life for a 20-something (and by “comfortable” I mean living paycheck to paycheck) I do not consider myself financially stable nor do I even feel like an adult most days.

It’s shocking to me that my mother was married with two kids at my age. I can barely take care of myself, let alone a plant or a goldfish! Certainly I’m not fit to raise a child at this point in my life nor do I even want to - at least not now anyway. However, I would have hoped that by the time I hit the quarter century mark I would have had my shit together. There are days when I feel like my life is spinning out of control. Then, on the other end of the spectrum, I feel like I’m in a lull and I’ll be in this exact same place 10 years from now.

Now don’t get me wrong - my life is not bad in any way. In fact, it’s the exact opposite! I have an exciting and challenging job, I have an amazing family and wonderful group of friends, I’m in great health, and I live in the most beautiful and interesting cities in the world! What more could a girl want? Honestly, I don’t know…and that’s the problem. I just have this bitter taste in my mouth or an empty feeling in the pit of my stomach like something is not quite right…something is missing.

I used to think I needed a compass to point me in the right direction. However, I’ve become to think that I just need to pick up and go. I shouldn’t map out my journey and plan an itinerary. It’s time to pack up my suitcase, hit the open road and see where my adventure takes me.

(via onefelicity)

Do you need a vacation? Well, why don’t you take a trip down memory lane and read this hilariously true article about growing up in the 90s? Go ahead…sit back, relax and reminisce about your love for boy bands, girl power and beanie babies. For anyone who owned a Lisa Frank trapper keeper or participated in heated debates about *Nsync being better than The Backstreet Boys then this is must read! 10 Thinks 90s Kids Will Have to Explain To Their Children : http://bit.ly/rBzqcx

Do you need a vacation? Well, why don’t you take a trip down memory lane and read this hilariously true article about growing up in the 90s? Go ahead…sit back, relax and reminisce about your love for boy bands, girl power and beanie babies. For anyone who owned a Lisa Frank trapper keeper or participated in heated debates about *Nsync being better than The Backstreet Boys then this is must read!


10 Thinks 90s Kids Will Have to Explain To Their Children : http://bit.ly/rBzqcx

Tis the season to be tidy

Spring is a wonderful time of year when weather starts getting warmer, flowers begin to bloom and love is in the air. However, it is also a time of the year that many people dread… No, I’m not talking about tax season. I’m talking about spring cleaning.

Love it or hate it - it’s important to give your home a nice deep cleaning. Just like you need a revival from winter, so does your house. Thankfully for me, I LOVE this time of year. It is a great stress reliever for me and I actually get joy in doing it. It’s extremely methodic, requires very little thought and provides immediate results. You can start with a sink full of dishes and suddenly you see a sparkly, clean basin! You walk into your bedroom strewn with sheets and clothes and the next minute it’s tidy as can be! Instant gratification.

For someone who is a crossroad and constantly wonders what the future holds, it’s refreshing to know there are things my control. It’s almost as if I’m cleaning my soul and ridding my life of clutter every time I empty the trash or sweep the floors. I may be completely overwhelmed and an emotional wreck but if my bed is made I feel like I can take on the world. I know that it doesn’t give me super powers (though, I probably would have been a kick ass character on Captain Planet) but it is nice to know I can find comfort in the simple things in life.

Happy Earth Day. May we take the time to thank Mother Nature for providing us with such beauty.

Happy Earth Day. May we take the time to thank Mother Nature for providing us with such beauty.

(Source: spiritualhippie)

festival season is upon us : )

Lemon Lavender Cupcakes

Lemon Cupcakes

1 1/2 C self-rising flour

1 1/4 C all-purpose flour

1 C butter

2 C sugar

1 tsp vanilla

4 eggs

1 1/2 Tbsp fresh lemon zest (1 lg lemon)

2/3 C fresh squeezed lemon juice (3-5 lemons)

1/3 C half and half

Preheat oven to 350. Combine flours in a small bowl and set aside. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time and beat in vanilla and lemon zest. Juice lemons. Begin with the flours and alternately add one-third of the flours and half of the lemon juice beating well after each addition. Add final third of flour and beat well. Beat in half and half. Spoon mixture into lined muffin pans, filling each cup 3/4 full. Bake for 20-22 minutes for large cupcakes or 15-17 minutes for standard cupcakes. Let cool completely.

Lavender Frosting

8 oz reduced fat cream cheese (room temp!)

4 Tbsp butter (room temp!)

3+ C powdered sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 Tbsp half and half

2-3 Tbsp flour (if needed)

3-4 Tbsp Lavender Simple Syrup

Lavender Simple Syrup

1 Tbsp dried lavender flowers

1/4 C sugar

1/2 C water

In a small sauce pan, combine sugar and water and bring to a simmer until sugar is dissolved. Add lavender and simmer on low heat for 3 minutes. Strain liquid into a small bowl to remove lavender and let cool completely.

In a large bowl, beat together butter and cream cheese until well combined. Beat in vanilla and 2 Tbsp simple syrup. Beat in powdered sugar, one cup at a time until mixture is moderately sweet. Add 1-2 more Tbsp simple syrup. Beat in additional powdered sugar if mixture is not sweet enough or half and half to get a creamier consistency. To thicken, add more powdered sugar or a few Tbsp flour and beat well. Lavender flavor will be subtle. Frost cupcakes and sprinkle with dried lavender flowers.

Source: Haute Apple Pie

Greetings from [insert location] As stated in my previous post, my life’s ambition is to travel the country (and abroad). And like most people who travel…I am a sucker for post cards. The moment I step foot in a gas station or airport convenience store some magnetic pull drags me to the rotating wire shelves. I love the majestic photos of nature, locals in their natural habitats and cheesy greetings but the thing I love most about postcards is the joy I get when I send them. Despite being miles apart from friends and family I am still able to send them my love. Plus, who doesn’t enjoy seeing old men wearing speedos on beach…

Greetings from [insert location]

As stated in my previous post, my life’s ambition is to travel the country (and abroad). And like most people who travel…I am a sucker for post cards. The moment I step foot in a gas station or airport convenience store some magnetic pull drags me to the rotating wire shelves. I love the majestic photos of nature, locals in their natural habitats and cheesy greetings but the thing I love most about postcards is the joy I get when I send them. Despite being miles apart from friends and family I am still able to send them my love. Plus, who doesn’t enjoy seeing old men wearing speedos on beach…

(Source: weheartit.com, via laqueenofspades)

SUGAR, SPICE & EVERYTHING VICE

Most people’s first impression of me is that I am sweet & innocent (I am happy to admit that is mostly true). However, as people get to know me better they learn that I have a horrible habit - I curse like a sailor. Thankfully I can get away with it better than other people because I do look sweet & innocent. However, it is a habit that I’ve been vehemently trying to kick. I’ve noticed lately that I drop the F-bomb like it’s going out of style. Horrible, I know…

I tried to give up swearing as my New Year’s resolution but that didn’t last very long so I decided to give it another shot this Lenten season. Thankfully it has been much easier the second time around (with the exception of yesterday…) and my vocabulary is expanding beyond four letter words! My mother would be proud.

I was so impressed with my willpower that I decided to face another one of my addictions…the snooze button. You are probably thinking to yourself it can’t be that hard, right? WRONG

On average, I hit the snooze button 6-7 times before I actually get out of bed. That is 1 hour or more that I lay in bed after I am supposed to wake up (I guess it explains why I tend to run late in the morning…) You try quitting cold turkey with sleeping patterns like that! It’s not easy.

Surprisingly, the first few mornings went very well. I swear I even jumped out of bed one time! Sadly, though, I see myself returning to my old ways. Yesterday I technically didn’t hit the snooze button but I did crawl back into bed to catch another 10 minutes of shut eye. I know, I should be ashamed of myself…

But wait, it gets worse! This morning I had a complete relapse (twice to be exact) and “snoozed” for another 20 minutes. Can you really blame me, though? Waking up to an alarm on a Saturday is just wrong…

However, despite my setbacks, I am pleased with my progress and remain confident that I can rid myself of both vices. Fuck, who knows? Maybe I’ll be a morning person after all of this!