Living the Hygge Life

I finished my third book of 2018!

And I have A LOT to say about this one.

Holy heck do I have a lot to say.

First thing I have to say is HOOGA.

That's right - you pronounce it "hoo-ga" not "higgy" like I had been saying it in my mind for about a month.

Have you ever tried to switch up how you're pronouncing a word in you brain? Not the easiest thing. But after about a month of saying it correctly I think I'm about 85% there.

I don't have everything I want to say about this book formulated in my brain yet, but I know it will be more than one blog post. Probably multiple posts.

Because I am in absolute love with HYGGE.

So much that I started a Pinterest board.

I know this term has risen to Instagram and Pinterest fame here in the US recently, and has, dare we say, become a trend? I'm sure the Danish find that somewhat annoying considering the bulk of US culture is anything but hygge. (But we can talk about that later.)

I will say that I am not in love with hygge because it has become trendy. In fact I tend to go the opposite direction of trends in general.

The whole concept and feeling of hygge is something I was already working on integrating into my life without realizing there was a word for it.  

Everything in this photos oozes hygge to me...the soft, cozy rug, my favorite comfy shoes, and my arts supplies!

Hygge is about comfort, togetherness, feeling cozy, warm, and cared for. 

Oh, and lots of coffee and candles.

So basically my dream life. 

But not to trivialize hygge...it is so much more than a cute mug full of caramel flavored coffee and a burning candle. 

It is a complete lifestyle revolving around living, what the kids say these days, your "best life." 

It is about happiness and what truly matters. 

So I'll be back later for more on everything hygge, but for now I think I'll sip my coffee and add some more inspiration to my Pinterest board. Come hang out over there and be inspired with me!

Hope you have a cozy, happy Saturday!

What I've read so far this year...

Not to toot my own horn or anything, but it is January 13th, and I've already read two books this year.

I know. You're wondering, "How does she do it?" 

Well, for one, I have a fairly messy house. 

And these books aren't exactly novels. 

BUT. I READ TWO BOOKS.

And I want to share them with you, because they are both lovely!

So here goes...

The first book is The Velveteen Principles by Toni Raiten-D'Antonio. I technically began this book before the new year because it was a Christmas gift, but I finished it in January, so I'm counting it. 

I make up the rules around here, OK? 

The Velveteen Principles is basically a guide to being human, revolving around the lessons in The Velveteen Rabbit.

The theme of this book appealed to me because I love everything about this quote from the original children's book:

"It doesn’t happen all at once,” said the Skin Horse. “You become. It takes a long time. That’s why it doesn’t happen to people who break easily, or have sharp edges or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But those things don’t matter at all, because once you are real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.”


It is an easy and lovely read. 

I can't say I learned a whole lot of earth shattering things or had a lot of light bulb moments. I can owe that partly to working in an environment with, and being surrounded generally in life with, people who have taught me a ton about the value of being authentic, and the beauty that can be found in being real and flawed. 

But this book was certainly a great refresher course & kick in the pants to keep moving in that direction.

Here is one quote that gave me a whoa moment:

"Remember, the most important and most lovable parts of you are invisible." 

I mean I already knew that, but forget it so often. The visible things about being human can be great, but they sure don't make up your worth as a human being, soul, friend, sister, wife, mother etc. 

This book was a fairly quick read and I recommend it if you need some extra shots of encouragement in a world that is constantly bombarding us with messages of how we need to measure up to others. 

The second book is My Friend Fear by Meera Lee Patel. 

I devoured this book in only a few sittings because it is not only beautifully written but visually stunning. Meera Lee's paintings and lettering accompany her words in such a way that you really feel like you become part of the book as you read it. 

As someone who has dealt with anxiety and fear for as long as I can remember, her honesty around how she has befriended her fear encouraged me to do more of the same. 

I typically do a lot of underlining in my books, but this one is so gorgeous that I didn't want to mark up the pages. 

Quotes that especially stuck with me...

"If the pull of fear is holding you back from cultivating your dream, spend more time listening."

"Where there is self-awareness and surrender, there is no shame in blooming alone."

And a few beautiful images from the book...

I really recommend this book if anxiety and/or fear are holding you back from experiencing your best life. 

I'm looking forward to sharing more of what I read this year with you. Any suggestions? What are you reading? I'd love to hear about it!

XO,

Happy Little Clouds

Is there an identity you kind of want to try out, but you think you'll pretty much suck at it?

Let me tell you a story.

(But spoiler alert...you are NOT alone.)

I painted the background on this canvas about a month ago and absolutely hated it. 

I wish I had taken a before photo, but you'll just have to imagine the diagonal stripes of turquoise, gray and gold. It was a bit of a mess.

So it sat against the wall in our bedroom since then. 

Every few days I would think about it and how I could fix it. I even brought it out of our bedroom a few times, only to return it hours later. I hadn't got up the courage to revisit it. I honestly thought all I would do is make it worse. 

A few days ago I started reading a new book, Your Inner Critic is a Big Jerk (which is just as awesome as the title), and it encouraged me to pull out my paints and get to work. 

I wouldn't call myself a painter by any means - I don't know technique or what tools to use etc, BUT after these happy little Bob Ross clouds started to come together this morning, transforming that background I once hated into something that's making me smile, I realized that maybe I should rethink how I define myself. 

I actually have some encouraging and wonderful memories of being a painter. In elementary school, my art teacher Mr. Robinson taught me how to paint a landscape. I have vivid memories of him standing over my shoulder, giving me tips on how to make mountain peaks and waves of water. It was all very Bob Ross, kind of like my clouds. 

So I thought of him as I painted yesterday. And thanked him with each brush stroke and squirt of paint. 

Yes, I literally squirted the paint directly onto the canvas. See what I mean about technique? But hey, it worked.  

I'm sharing this to encourage you to think about how you define yourself. 

What identity would you like to have, but are maybe too scared to give a chance? Or what is that thing you used to do as a child...an identity that you used to wear proudly, but for some reason you discarded and haven't tried back on? 

You get to define who you are! And if you're struggling with that, definitely check out this book.

It is a super cheerleader!

XO,

{hungry man}

Even though it is written for the mom who cooks in mind (my hubby does most of our cooking), I think this book looks like a great resource for our testosterone heavy household...



Right now it is like pulling teeth to get the boys to eat but I know there will be a day when we can't keep food in the fridge because it instantly goes into their mouths.

Any tips from moms of older boys out there? I grew up with one sister so we had rather dainty meals at our house.

Sorry Dad.

{imperfection}

That word has come to have such a negative connotation, hasn't it?

Pretty much since I can remember, I have worked SO hard to be perfect.

Don't rock the boat.

Don't upset the apple cart.

I think you get where I'm going, right?

It is EXHAUSTING. The constant wondering if you are saying the right things, making the right moves, looking attractive enough etc.

All too often I find myself apologizing for being me.

Someone compliments me and instead of saying "thank you!" and leaving it at that, I have to add a disclaimer to the end. Kind of like the micro-machine guy talking at the end of a car advertisement, but I say it at a normal pace and leave the conversation with this negative cloud hanging over both my head and the compliment giver.

For example (this actually happened), someone told me a few weeks ago that I have beautiful eyes. She might have actually used the word stunning (or maybe I'm making that part up). Did I just say "thank you!" and move on? Nooo. I had to add something like "I just wish I didn't have to hide them behind these glasses" or something to that effect.



Now that I think about it, isn't that kind of like turning down the compliment? How rude of me! (See...this striving for perfection thing can actually backfire on us!)

Sometimes I try so hard to be humble that I can't even accept praise.

And becoming a mother has only magnified this quest for perfection x 1,000,000. Seriously - how all-consuming is momma guilt? Some days it covers me like a cold, wet blanket.

So I've made a decision friends. Enough with this perfection stuff. Because you know what? It is impossible to attain! And you want to know another thing I've recently realized?

Imperfection can be so beautiful.



Being authentic is delightful.

Figuring out who you are and only doing things that add to that identity is freeing.

Truly.



Don't those words just put a big smile on your face?

I know I still have a lot of work to do in order to embrace my imperfections (and those of others), so I've decided to give this book a whirl...



It sounds like just what I need to keep this imperfection train going.

Care to join me? You can purchase it for $9.98 with free shipping here. (I'm a sucker for free shipping.)

If you decide to join me in reading it, let me know and we can support each other in our less than perfect-ness. :)

{love list}

You all ready for some first day of fall love?

Here we go...

1. Giveaways! Enter mine!

You know you want these cute goodies!

2. This book...

I don't even know what kinds of crazy crafts are in this book, but the title owns me, since I am 1. crafty, and 2. by definition, poor.

And she's making pom poms with yarn on the cover. Enough said.

3. This new online magazine...

Rue rocks. That's all that really needs to be said.

4. Talking toddlers...



Gosh darnit I just love my boys! And no worries...Ben was not hurt at the end.

5. Yummy fall food...



I really want to try this simple recipe. I'm all about chili, stew and hearty soups when the temps start to dip. (disregarding the fact that it is going to be in the 90's here today...shameful.)

6. This space...

Gray. Yellow. Turquoise. Velvet. Modern. Industrial.

Oh and there's an owl! On the side table...see it?!

Love.

What's on your love list today friends?

{love list}

Here is what I'm loving this week...

1. This print and pretty much everything in this Etsy shop...



Cute huh? This basically sums up my life right now, although dealing with two 2-year-olds has made me wonder about my sense lately as well.

2. This magazine...



My friend Allison sent me a copy that she picked up on her recent annual honeymoon trip to Amsterdam, Belgium, England and Ireland (I know...dream trip, right?) and it is the BEST home design magazine I've ever had the pleasure of perusing. It had me at the Orla Kiely interview. We all know how much I'm obsessed with all things Orla.

3. And this magazine...



I snagged a free subscription (you can too!) and it is a really great read. Lots of fun DIY projects, bios of creative folks and lots of inspiration.

4. This print that I see every morning when I grab my purse on my way out the door to work.

Nothing new to most of the blog world, but it is a good reminder to take deep breaths when I need them.

What are you loving this week?