five: holiday makers

This time of year there are so many things that make the season what it is; an amazing celebration of life and love, joy and hope. Here are five things that made me happy just to be experiencing the season for another year. (The last year before I experience it with a little one in tow mind you...yay!) 

[my favorite stop of the day: Two Guns for a flat white // a Christmas manicure a la Revlon "Posh" and Deborah Lippmann "Happy Birthday"]

[homemade brownie with peppermint ice cream]

[a wooden Santa from Olvera Street and our first Christmas together and a glass orb find from our holiday road trip last year]

[beautiful Christmas cards...I'm like a little kid running to the mailbox everyday to see what's arrived]

five: home made

I don't know if I've been more aware lately or what but I've been finding so much joy in the little things around me. It makes me happy to have simple things that, well, make me happy!

[Three little pumpkins all in a row. Just because Halloween is long gone doesn't mean that our fall decor has to be. I love these three little ones and their variety; one sturdy one for my man, one round one for me, and one little pure white one for our little babe.]

[Mo's Bacon Bar Chocolate Chips ready to be added to make some stunningly amazing bacon chocolate chip pancakes from Vosges.]

[A beautiful hourglass that I was given at the Imagine Conference serves as the perfect reminder to slow down and enjoy, and utilize efficiently, the time that I have been given here.]

[The little details found on some fall florals!] 

[A ridiculously delicious and airy coconut angel food muffin from Fox & Obel that my husband picked up and brought home from a quick stop into Chicago for work.] 

five: found JOY

Sometimes the best and most simple way to snap me back to reality after crazy days have worn on me is simply to take a look around my home and remember how thankful I am for what I've been given and what I've created with it! Hopefully this will serve as an inspiration to you to find inspiration and JOY in your home too!

Temari from a trip to the swap meet. I love that they are one of the first things that I see when I come home. They sit perfectly on this glass dish and are a delightful welcome home. 

Progress. After a lot of hard work studying Anatomy I am happily done with that part of my Pilates Certification. I actually loved diving into the bones and muscles and discovering what really initiates and allows what movement within our bodies. Our bodies are so complexly amazing! Each pencil shaving felt like an accomplishment with hundreds of pages to color and study!

After watching Forks Over Knives, every dinner that we've made at home has been plant based only. Last night we had grilled zucchini, steamed green beans, and roasted butternut squash with balsamic reduction. It's been amazing home much we've enjoyed it and how many great flavors are in veggies alone. 

There is nothing quite like having fresh flowers in your home. I love going to the farmer's market and finding my seasonal favorite as the year ticks on. My Voluspa candle was given to me by one of my best friends and I love it for the visual glow and shine, the refreshing smell, as well as the reminder of the love in my life.  

The best part of waking up... is an amazing latte that can be made in the comfort of your own home with organic beans! There is nothing like the smell, taste, and joy of a great latte. (I'm definitely obsessed with all things good coffee related.)

What things are being you JOY today?