A Late Resolution for 2014

I'm never really one to make New Year's resolutions because I get so disappointed when I can't keep them (which is all the time). However, I do find myself fairly good at defining a direction that I want to take in my life and then making the necessary changes.

I needed some time late last year and into early this year to work through some things, as 2013 was a rather tough year for me. But now we're well into 2014 and this year, time is flying by even faster than in years past. I'm brushed off, and ready to start a slow jog, that will hopefully pick up in a few months (I'd say "hit the ground running," but my muscles would hate me after months of barely moving- I like to keep things at least semi-realistic).

1. Increase Productivity: 

As I've finally gotten out of my rut, and have been forcing myself to get out more often to meet new people (which this introvert is surprisingly enjoying), my main source of self-hate has been from the fact that my productivity is not what it could be. After reading some articles about habits of CEOs, I came up with getting up earlier. And I'm not talking crazy early. It's my goal to be out of bed and into non-pajamas by 8am. Every day. My first alarm goes off at my real target time of 6:45 (still not that early) but I allow myself to stay in bed and read or watch youtube videos until 7:55 if I'm still a bit tired.

My work is shift-based and most days I don't start until 10 so this gives me some time to get some writing drafted, e-mails written, studying in and breakfast eaten before getting ready for the day. I also find that it helps to have that time limit- knowing that you have x amount to do before a solid commitment (like work).

2. Move More: 

Note that I did not say "get more exercise." It's a trick I like to play on myself. Exercise to me, sounds like a chore. Going to the gym? Only fun & motivated for the first week. Playing tennis, walking, hiking and doing outdoor activities? Now that sounds like fun.

Since the weather's not always stellar here in Seattle, being outdoors can be a lot more work than I'm willing to put in. To combat this, I invested in a nice yoga mat and do pilates videos on youtube or the 7 minute workout (and yes, there's an app for that). I can't say that I get some form of exercise every day, but I try to use it as a way to regain focus on my work.

I also moved to a location in Seattle that is just close enough to walk to many places, which is something that I take full advantage of. I pay for parking at my apartment complex and if I'm going to an event that I know I can walk to after work, I will just park at home and walk the 30 minutes it takes to get downtown, etc. Parking has gotten more expensive in the city and can be really hard to find- which only leads to more stress. Walking pretty much guarantees my ETA, I don't have to worry about timing that cocktail so I can drive home and I get some exercise.

// Have you defined a new direction for yourself recently? If no, what are some that you have really stuck to?
// Do you have any recommendations to help me maintain these throughout the year?

These Lovely Fall Days

I know everyone says this, but where has the time gone? I feel like just yesterday I was complaining about the winter in New York.  Since then I have moved across the country, roamed around Europe for a month, had my heart broken, traveled to attend two bachelorette parties, and two weddings (one of which I was a bridesmaid for the first time). And now here I am getting ready for the holidays. All the while being a fairweather blogger. And that's what I realized I am.  I can't seem to blog through all moods. Sometimes I just can't find the right energy to type away over sharing just the right amount on the Internet, because isn't that what blogging is anyway? It's been a rather rough year, but also one full of learning and growing. 

Now I'm just trying to figure out the perfect way to wrap it up.  So far I'm just stomping on some leaves and going on add many walks as possible.  Gotta enjoy good weather while it lasts!

// What are you up to this fall? What would be your ideal year wrap up?

Manicure Monday - Barry M with dot details

Happy Manicure Monday, friends!

I don't actually know, but apparently it's a thing on Instagram? Well, I'm going to be a rebel and not do it on Instagram. And I can because it's my birthday. Also because the wifi at the beach house I'm currently staying at in Portugal is refusing to work on my phone and I actually can't Instagram. I know. It's hard. Like a true addict, I'm going through severe withdrawl symptoms.

These are all the Barry M gel nail polishes that I picked up when I was in England. I'm glad I was able to get my hands on them, but I'm still not completely sold. They're great for the price, but the color selection is quite limited and you really need to thickly coat them to get a smooth finish. You can also fudge this using a top coat, but I can't always carry a top coat around with me when I travel ;)

// What's on your nails this week?

6 Things You Should Know About Me

Casey from True Colours tagged me in this get to know you tag where you pick 6 out of 9 questions (at the bottom) to answer about yourself. 

1. What do you find inspiring?

i find a lot of inspiration in landscapes and other people. This is probably one reason that I am so addicted to traveling. Seeing new landscapes and meeting people from different backgrounds and cultures helps to give me perspective and inspires new ideas. 

2.  What is your favorite season of the year and why?

Autumn. It's so gorgeous with all of the changing colors, has amazing seasonal fruits and veggies, is the perfect time to get out your favorite sweaters and is my birthmonth. What's not to love?

3.  Of the places you've lived, where has been your favorite and why?

I haven't moved around too much- I move often, but often to the same place, or am actually on the move so I'm not living anywhere in particular. A suburb of Seattle, WA in the US, Chofu city in Tokyo Prefecture in Japan, New York City, NY in the US are the three cities that I've called home. I love them for all different reasons so I honestly can't choose just one, but I think that I'm subconsciously put them in the order that I love them when I listed them. 

4.  What has blogging changed about your life?

Blogging has introduced me to world and friends that I had no idea existed before. It also gave me a great creative outlet for my writing and photography and taught me the importance of having a schedule and keeping to it. I'm still not the best at this, but I'm working on it!

5.  What song is at the top of your playlist currently?

I also have Emi Meyer's On the Road on my playlist when I'm ... erm... on the road ;)

6.  What do you think is your best quality?

I'm usually quite down to earth, which is funny because I was always high strung growing up. I guess that's what travel and being an expat does to you- or at least did to me!

Thanks for tagging me, Casey! Click here to read Casey's post and to get to know her!

// Instead of tagging specific people, I'm going to leave this open ended. If you'd like to participate, please consider yourself tagged. Be sure to leave a comment down below so I can add a link to your post in this one. And if you'd like to just choose one or two and answer those in the comments below, I'd love to hear from you that way, too!

1. What do you find inspiring?

2.  What is your favorite season of the year and why?

3.  If you could jump on a plane right now, where would you go?

4.  If you met someone who wanted to know about your blog, how would you describe it?

5.  What is one goal you'd like to accomplish before your next birthday?

6.  Of the places you've lived, where has been your favorite and why?

7.  What has blogging changed about your life?

8.  What song is at the top of your playlist currently?

9.  What do you think is your best quality?

{{ Happy Tuesday, Everyone!! }}

Hilarious Yelp Review

Do you use yelp?

I generally use it as a way to sift through all of the restaurants here in NYC. Sure not all of the reviews are helpful, but sometimes they tell you what the must-get item is. There are dishes I probably would have never tried, had it not been for yelp reviews. 

However, there are times when you find one that is so unhelpful it's hilarious. 

Just now I was looking for a restaurant to satisfy a pho craving and ran across this:

I star review of a Vietnamese restaurant called Cong Ly from Dave in El Paso, TX:
"Cold entrees, cold appetizers, horrible service.  Took my wife here for our 5th wedding anniversary, this place ruined our night.  She's now filing for divorce. Thanks, Cong Ly-ing about how good your food is."

uh... pretty sure this restaurants didn't single-handedly ruin your marriage, Dave. 

Socially Responsible Brands: Raven + Lily

I have been drooling over the pieces above for quite some time now. The beads used in the pieces above are  not only beautiful and very intricately, they are actually made from old bullet casings!

Raven + Lily is a really cool, socially responsible company based out of Texas that works with women artisans all over the world. They achieve this through collaborations with various organizations around the world. To learn more about them and their products, check out this article that I wrote about them for the Culture-ist! It was a lot of fun to research & write; promise it's worth a peek :)

To make things even better (for everyone except my wallet), they just added a collaboration with Maasai artisans in Kenya, with whom they will be creating these beaded bangles.

Unique and gorgeous pieces that employ women with talent and dreams for a better life for themselves and their families? What's not to love?! Check out their full campaign here and the video from their page below:





// What are some of your favorite socially responsible & sustainability-minded brands?
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*I have not been asked or compensated to write this in any way. I just like spreading the word about cool and sustainability-minded organizations :)

New Series, Need Title

They say that as a consumer, you should vote with your wallet. I'd like to start a series where I introduce some awesome companies and what they are doing to create socially responsible products as well as those that promote socially responsible ideas. I don't know what to call it, though... "Sociably Responsible Sunday"? That seems like too much of a mouthful. Any ideas?