falling into slowness
and just like that autumn is fading to winter. i confess i like the cold a bit for i have lived in new england all of my life and experienced all of the harsh winters and blazing summers but to be honest…. i think my body and mind desire a bit of tropical. i know my hair would look amazing in the warm slightly humid climate of hawaii and my skin would be all dewy and glowing. i could be barefoot and wear dresses every damn day. my smoothies would hold tropical fruits like pineapples, and mangoes, and papayas and i would never see a goose bump nor want to peel my skin off due extreme weather conditions. but alas here i am and i find that shifting things around a bit to accommodate the seasons really satisfies my soul.
my simple "fall to winter" ideas:
+ slow down: simple christmas lists, slower meals, slower yoga practices, slower speech, slower sundays, deeper breaths.
+ eat warm foods + drink warm drinks: i always start the day with a big glass of warm water with lemon, then coffee or green tea, then herbal tea throughout the day. Dandelion, ginger, mint, and chamomile are my favorites and they always fill a pretty mug. soups and stews filled with veggies and lentils with simple spices…again in a pretty bowl.
+ switch your skincare around: my skin is so fickle. so fickle i can't even describe it so simple skincare is important. i use a gentle cleanser followed by a spritz of rose water and a couple of drops of argan oil.
+ wear warm clothes: my uniform consists of colorful hats, warm leggings, cozy cardigans. it's never a fashion statement in the winter. i'm over it. (wool socks and bean boots are on the wish list)
+ smell citrus: this smell brings me back to warmer climates- grapefruits, clementines, tangerines, oranges, persimmons, kiwi. mostly i eat more of these during the winter months but sometimes just a whiff of it in my hand or dish soap does the trick. instant uplift.
+ stay creative: 2015 is just around the corner and i have so much to share in this space and so much to do but i am trying to keep it simple. slow the creative mind with smaller projects. i am curating a mood board to redesign the girls' room for their birthdays in the new year. some rooms i love.
+ snuggle your kids + listen to their stories: when the days are absolutely bonkers i admit to not fully listening to my children. don't hate me. motherhood is most usually a multitasking business but once i adhere to my "slowing down" ritual i am completely at their attention. there stories are lovely and confusing and magical and funny. i love my kids to the moon and back. i am always learning from them.
+ get outside: our slow sundays will usually find us outside. we don all of our cold weather gear and breathe the fresh air. nothing can compare to the wind on your face and earth beneath your feet. this makes winter truly a gift.
p.s. there will be some random posts until january. i have lots of good stuff planned for 2015!
- sunday cuppa- a weekly post on a delightful topic
- interviews with creative mamas on how lovely and imperfect they are
- friday fix- using my design eye to curate a new space for marvelous moms
- sneak peaks into my business- the good the bad and the ugly
- and more!
so do come back. this space is all about connecting. it's a big yet small world out there.
p.p.s i love that i may be talking to absolutely no one right now. ha. starting a blog is weird.