Honesty Day (question mark?)

This morning, while I was eating my breakfast, I heard that it was "Honesty Day," which is a concept I find interesting; we live in a society that delegates a day to "coming clean." Not yesterday, not tomorrow, but today, yes, I think today is the day where I will be honest. Having never heard of this Hallmark Holiday, I decided to turn to Wikipedia, (obviously) and found out that April 30th is a day where we recognize the honesty of past presidents and raise awareness of current men and women in government, perhaps in hopes to hold them more accountable. Interesting.

So today, in the spirit of honestly, I say that we think about some of our own internal truths. Now, I don't think that we need to shout from the rooftops that we were once convinced we were going to marry Zach Morris, that we pee in the shower, (because we're eco-conscious citizens and want to save water!) or that we just figured out the lyrics to Elton John's "Tiny Dancer" (we still like ours better). But, a few months ago someone (aka my life coach, aka my therapist - hey! it's honesty day!) asked me to be honest with myself and what I needed from myself. It's an odd question that I had to contemplate for awhile. Sure, it's easy to say: "I need a job that makes me rich," or "I need my family members to stop asking why I don't have a boyfriend" or "I need a boyfriend who doesn't mind my family." But it's hard to strip away everything else and focus on what you need from you, aside from other people or things. Months ago I jotted down a list and revisit it every once in awhile. It's actually saved as "honesty" in my writing folder.

1. I need to have balance in my life.
2. I need order and organization in my life.
3. I need alone time without isolating myself.
4. I need to challenge myself.
5. I need to be doing at least one thing that I'm good at or passionate about.
6. I need financial stability.
7. I need to live a life that accommodates all aspects of my personality.

Within each need, I elaborate as to why I desire that particular thing in my life, as a reminder of it's importance. It can be argued that a lot of these needs depend on other people, a job, etc, but I tried to strip them down to their purest form. It was pretty eye opening for me.


Something to remember...

"A poem is a sword"

This article proves the power of voice.

Pretty little things

Sometimes I think it's okay that I take advantage of the fact that I'm a girl...having a compilation of pretty things isn't a bad thing.

JCREW does it once again...

This morse code jewelery is such a creative idea, I love it.

"Let's Do It"

I love all of these delicate pieces from this etsy shop.

Pretty with an edge.

Gorgeous.

Let's run away.

If I were a character in a romantic comedy, I'd live in Paris and own a flower shop.

Simple.

You can't have a list of "pretty" without including the epitome of beauty herself.

And you want to travel with her


And you want to travel blind


And you know that she will trust you 

For you’ve touched her perfect body with your mind. 

                                                                                                ~Leonard Cohen

Mission Accomplished

I can honestly say that after the semester ended, and a week at work was behind me, I have been hibernating in my bed since about 4:00 Friday afternoon. And I feel uncharacteristically unapologetic about it. Bring on the lazy Sunday. Back to real life tomorrow.

Is it 2:15 yet?

Hunting and fishing

As I was curled up on the couch reading my new purchase, The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing, I was vaguely aware that at one point, John was reading over my shoulder. He muttered variations of, "How can she be so stupid?" and got frustrated with Jane's lack of ambition to be the protagonist in her own life. This got me thinking about the female voice. Though Hunting and Fishing is a work of fiction, author Melissa Bank captures what it's like to be a young woman coming of age in today's society. But what does that mean exactly? Bank's voice is undeniably real and honest, yet I'm not sure I like what it says. Maybe it's because it hits too close to home? Her character Jane finds herself in a job with a boss who undermines her intelligence and Jane finds herself regressing, instead of evolving. She finds herself in romantic relationships where she has become a caregiver instead of a partner. Jane falls victim to certain idioms that society dictates, despite how uncomfortable it makes her feel. It's hard to find a strong female protagonist, it is. But that's because in order for her voice to remain real, it must be plagued with the doubt we all feel, the second guessing we all do, the lack of confidence we all feel. In order to experience the empowerment of a female character in modern literature, we must first feel it in ourselves.

It's definitely worth the read. Bank writes with precision and truth, something that is harder to come by than it should be.

Happy Birthday Farah

 via cupcakesandcashmere

They say when you write, you should keep one or two people in mind, so your voice stays consistent. My dear Farah was the one who inspired me to write this blog, so I write for her (I have found this to be very useful; I have many "voices" and trying to stay consistent is always a challenge because, to put it simply, I'm a crazy person). She knows me and the many sides of my personality well, so she seemed to be the ideal audience. Farah has taught me how to be a good friend; one that is caring, silly, respectful and most of all, thoughtful. She reminds me that being a girl isn't a bad thing, that I should try it almost daily, and that being feminine doesn't mean you're weak, (as I previously thought) often it proves just how strong you are. Farah is the only person I know who's cravings drive her to mango and not chocolate dipped in peanut butter or something else equally as sinful and delicious. She showed me that there is truth behind the old adage, "laughing so hard you pee your pants." Honestly, I've seen her do it, more than once. But it is her genuine love for life that allows her such happiness and today, she celebrates being another year older, and I can only hope, another year happier. 

xo

Thanks Lex

Why I love JCREW in my my inbox

 

Easy peace

 

images via greenlikebathwater

Weekend recap

There's nothing better at curing the the Monday blues than by reflecting on an awesome weekend. John kidnapped me and brought me to the NYC Aquarium and Coney Island - two places in NY that I'd never been. On the way home we stopped and had a nice lunch by the water. We then ended the day with a trip to our favorite little bookstore. The whole day was a thoughtful surprise, which was the best part.

 

John and I also took my brother to walk around West Point and to visit the museum. It was really nice to see them bond over their love of history, (and weaponry) and watching my brother realize the importance of something that we grew up right across the river from was pretty cool.

Took this for you Mia! A little taste of home for you and Nick.

The weather was perfect this weekend and I'm glad we took advantage of it. Saturday night we kicked off the season with a BBQ and I even had time to start (and finish) a book.

Wow, this makes sense

I actually attack the concept of happiness. I don’t mind people being happy - but the idea that everything we do is part of the pursuit of happiness seems to me a really dangerous idea and has led to a contemporary disease in Western society, which is fear of sadness. It’s a really odd thing that we’re now seeing people saying “write down 3 things that made you happy today before you go to sleep”, and “cheer up” and “happiness is our birthright” and so on. We’re kind of teaching our kids that happiness is the default position - it’s rubbish. Wholeness is what we ought to be striving for and part of that is sadness, disappointment, frustration, failure; all of those things which make us who we are. Happiness and victory and fulfillment are nice little things that also happen to us, but they don’t teach us much. Everyone says we grow through pain and then as soon as they experience pain they say “Quick! Move on! Cheer up!” I’d like just for a year to have a moratorium on the word “happiness” and to replace it with the word “wholeness”. Ask yourself “is this contributing to my wholeness?” and if you’re having a bad day, it is.

- Hugh Mackay

Sunday love

 

 via greenlikebathwater

The stack just keeps growing...

via themeetcute

WIT 

via themeetcute

I'm trying, but it's harder than it looks

 via themeetcute

 via modernhepburn

Yeah. I think I could be her.

   via modernhepburn

Zebra Scarf!  

via modernhepburn

 Outdoor bed. Yes, please. 

via crushculdesac

 

I'd try this.

 via libraryinatower 

My typical day. Concerned about my next meal...

 via themeetcute