Monday Inspiration: It's a Beautiful Day.

Walking to school today, I was already thinking about the millions of things I needed to do. I was already growing anxious and the day had just began. I could practically feel the disconnect occurring between my mind and body

and then...

I walked by a police officer and he looked at me and said "It's a beautiful day."

As soon as he said that, I looked up and took in the blue sky, crisp air and autumn breeze.

You know what? It is a beautiful day. 

It is a beautiful day. It is a beautiful life.

Have you felt it?

Happy Monday, folks! 

xoxo

What the heck is a blate? & Some Inspiration for One Of Those Days

Hi Loves!

When I began blogging six months ago, I remember coming across some of the lingo and thinking "what on earth does that mean?" For example...

Blate.

What is that? Some sort of blogger sandwich? Or some kind of way to say I was late in posting my post?

Ya, no. I was way off the mark.

In case you are having a hard time understanding all the lingo like me, a blate is a date for bloggers. And I was able to experience my first ever one with Rachel from Postcards From Rachel, yesterday!

I'm glad I figured out what a blate was because it was a blast. I felt like it was my initiation from being a "baby blogger" to a full blown toddler. Look, ma! I'm walking!

Photo Cred: Rachel's Iphone

That's Rachel and I. We went to a yummy restaurant called Parish Cafe near Copley Square. If you're ever looking for a delicious lunch place in downtown Boston, try it out. We took this picture right after saying we were never going to be fashion bloggers because we both pose awkwardly...then the wind picked up and we managed to smack heads and take this. Aka I'm pretty sure we were meant to be friends. If you haven't checked her blog out make sure to-she's fantastic! And if you're in Boston and ever want to go on a blate, let me know-I'm hooked!

***

This is one of my favorite verses. Whenever I read it, I always think, "Wow. That's what I want to be." Some days I do okay at being strong, clothed in dignity and manage to live in the moment and then there's days like today where it is just plain hard.

Those days where you wake up clearly on the wrong side of the bed. The days where you need double the dose of caffeine to stay awake. The days where you simply want no one to look at you or to say anything to you so you don't have to interact with the world. The days when the laundry comes out wet and you don't want to pay another $1.25 to run it again.

Days like this I grow so frustrated with myself. Why can't I shake this feeling of tiredness? Why can't I just be happy with what I have and the multitude of blessings that surround my life? Why did I bark at M for asking a question?

So, I guess this post is my way of reminding myself to breathe and be gentle with myself. That woman whose clothed in strength and dignity, who can laugh at the days to come? She has her days. And they do not make her any less strong, they make her human. They make her beautiful.

When you have one of those days, remember...

You are strong.

You are beautiful.

And you'll be able to laugh at the days to come again and be happy in the moment.

But for now?

It's okay to let the day suck. It's okay to take a few moments to breathe.

It's okay to not be perfect.

The 411 on Moving in Together

Hi loves!

I hope you all had great weekends!

Mine was full of fall activities which I will share later on in the week, including APPLE PICKING! My absolute favorite. It doesn’t feel like fall until I half-attempt to climb a tree in which I end up falling and being pricked (I had no idea apple trees had thorns…there really should be a warning label..or maybe I just need to gain some common sense? It’s up for debate).

It was the first weekend since moving with with M that we were able to simply enjoy ourselves and feel well, like we’re actually living together. Since moving in we both had been too busy to decorate or sit on the couch for a cuddle.

Which got me to thinking…Hey, LB, maybe you should blog about what you think the 411 of moving in with your significant other is?

So, my dear friends, I grant you…

1. Making the Menial Meaningful- the first thing I quickly realized about moving into our own apartment is that there is a lot of housework that needs to happen, aka laundry, dishes, ironing, general room cleaning...It can take a lot of time and sort of suck the romance straight up. M and I made sure to discuss who was going to do what so neither of us would feel any resent about one person doing all of the cleaning, etc. This past Saturday we made a game out of it. I blasted music and we danced around the apartment while doing our various work. It made it seem more fun and like we were doing something together instead of just cleaning.

2. Leave cute notes around. M and I are both really busy during the week with class, work, blogging, meetings, seeing friends, etc. Sometimes we leave at 8am and won't get home till 9pm. This can be a big bummer when one of us is home and the other is out. So, to make things a little better and to still feel each other's presence when we're out, M and I bought a chalkboard to hang in our kitchen. We leave each other random little notes. I never know when to expect one, so it really makes me feel special when there's one waiting! (Hint M Hint)

3. Leave the grumps at the door. I write about this in detail here. When M and I first moved in, I quickly realized when I had a bad day or was super tired I couldn't walk into MY room and shut the door. Instead, I had to learn how to not bring that home and take it out on M. I quickly realized talking about my day with M and explaining why I'm in a bad mood was much more helpful. Either that, or letting him know I need a little space and going on a run or for a cup of coffee on my own. This has helped us both to not create a toxic environment in our small apartment with our grumps.

4. Make a rule to snuggle. This past weekend was the first time M and I really got to cuddle on the couch and watch a silly TV show and WOW! did it make a difference. Studies show that even spending five minutes a day cuddling can help strengthen a relationship. Taking this time to simply enjoy being with M and not focus on work, homework, etc. has made all the difference in our transition of moving in together and has helped us actually feel like we live together. We've adopted the Sunday Cuddle Rule-aka we have to spend at least thirty minutes every Sunday being lazy and cuddling.

5. Be Mindful. One thing M and I are practicing (okay I'm practicing because I desperately need it) is being present for each other during meals and things. I'm always planning or thinking about what I have to do later, so I've taken to taking some deep breaths before dinner and focusing all of my attention on M and what he's telling me. 

This is not a full proof method, but these are some of the things that have worked for us and maybe they'll help any of you who've just moved in together. If they do or you have any of your advice please let me know! :)

Have great Tuesdays!!

5 Things I'm Afraid Of

Hi Lovelies!

Happy middle of the week!

When I started this blog, I began a series called "5 things about LB." I thought it would be a fun way of letting readers get to know me better. A way in which I could share some silly and also serious things about me. It lasted for a whopping one post and then I got distracted with other posts, etc.

I missed it, so today I'm bringing it back. In honor of fall and October being right around the corner, I thought I'd share...

 

1. The shower curtain being closed. This seriously freaks me out, even when M is home. I'm convinced everytime I go into the bathroom and it is closed that there is a creepy axe-murderer waiting for me.

 

2. Death. This one is hard for me to write about, especially because I'm hoping to be a hospital chaplain one day. When it comes to helping others surrounding death, I'm fine. But when it comes to thinking about it, dealing with it, etc. I freak out a little inside (okay, maybe a lot.) Even though I have strong beliefs, great support and am currently in a grief and loss course at school, it is something I am steadily trying to deal with and not be afraid of.

 

3. This is another serious one. When I'm stressed I have a reoccuring dream of losing M. Even though I know he'll never leave me, whenever, I get stressed my mind decides to play tricks on me and I dream about him breaking up with me. The worst part? I always wake up right before we get back together!

 

4. The chalkboard noise. Not only do I not like the sound, I fear it. Whenever anyone is writing on a chalk board, I mentally prepare myself to hear the sound. Eek.

 

5. Sleeping home alone. M went home for a wedding this weekend and I was left in our apartment alone. I may or may not have put a chair against our bedroom door when I went to sleep each night...

 

 

Have great Wednesdays, everyone!

 

xoxo

 

 

Why I don't believe in the "honeymoon phase"

We hear the phrase "the honeymoon phase" all of the time.

Newly dating? You should be in the honeymoon phase.

Newly married? Well, duh-you're honeymooning it.

Newly moved in? How's that honey to your moon?

I call phooey (yes, I'm apparently ninety)

Now, don't get me wrong- I believe in blissful moments. Those moments where you are so undeniably happy with your counterpart and just feel so damn lucky. I am so thankful that I have those moments a lot with M. But, I don't believe we need to have them 100% of the time. At least, I hope we're not because I will tell you quite frankly, my friends--

I am not nearly that perfect, graceful, gracious or sweet all of the time. I'm human- I have many moments (particularly after long days) where I'm cranky and I have a hard time feeling the bliss.

Which is what brought me writing this post. M and I have been living together for about a week now. You know what we did the first night we came home to our new place?  Lit candles, took a bubble bath, fed each other chocolate and "honeymooned" ?

Nope. We argued. What about? I have absolutely no idea. It was trivial. We were both exhausted from attending a super fun wedding, moving the next day and then going to work the next. We were out of our minds tired. So we took it out on each other about something silly.

The next day I freaked out. Did this mean we wouldn't be good roomies? Did this mean we weren't in the honeymoon phase? Was something wrong with us?

I came to realize that the answer to those questions was a resounding no.

After arguing, we realized that we truly live with one another now. We realized it was finally a reality. If one of us has a bad day, we can't come home and go to our rooms and deal with it alone. Instead, we are in it together. So, we have to learn to deal with it all together. And there is a lot of beauty in that. It's what we worked through two years of long longggg distance for. 

And since that first argument, we've been doing a lot better at communicating on days we are just too tired to deal. I think that's a whole lot better than being in the honeymoon stage. We get to enjoy the blissful moments and live our lives-the ugly and beautiful together.

I'm glad we're not stuck in "the honeymoon phase" because I get to have my cake and eat it too. Aka, I get to be happy but also learn and grow with M at the same time. 

I'd throw out the bonbons, candles and Marvin Gaye for that anytime (okay, maybe not anytime..)

Fall Wedding Looks

Hi loves!
This past weekend M and I went to his cousins wedding in RI. It was a fabulous wedding. They're decor was super cute- I mean check out these cake pops-

 

Today I'm sharing what I wore to both weddings M and I attended over the past couple of weeks. I wanted to have a relaxed/dressed up look. Both of these dresses were super comfortable to wear, but still made me feel incredibly pretty. The one with all of the pastel colors was designed by one of the brides!

 

They are both Donna Morgan. She makes awesome dresses. My sister's bridesmaid dresses were by her-and I loved that one as well. They are always super comfy, but stylish as well and have built in bras which are super handy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sorry the bottom two aren't the best quality-we forgot our camera which seems to be a daily occurence on this blog. One day I'll remember!

 

How were your weekends? What is your favorite look to wear to fall weddings?

 

I Moved...in with a Boy

Hi loves!

Sorry I've been a bit MIA on this part of the blogosphere. The last week has been absolutely crazy. I went to an incredible wedding and then moved!! in with a boy! Big step, right?

I am so excited to finally live with M. It feels like we have been waiting forever for this day to get here. Between two years of long distance and then living out of two separate apartments, it feels amazing to be able to come home to him after a long day of classes.

And our place is super cute! I was worried it was going to be too small (I only saw it once for five minutes before deciding to rent it and M hadn't seen it at all!) but it turns out it is perfect. I am in love. And so so excited to decorate.

I can't wait to show some pics over the next couple weeks of my design plans and inspiration. Here are some of the color/themes I'm going for:

Source a/b/c/d/e

First off, how badly do I want that chair cover? It looks so incredibly comfy and homey which is completely my style. M and I decided we want out apartment to be modernized classics with homey flare-'cause we're crazy like that.

I also love the colors grey and yellow. They were my sister's wedding colors and I've been obsessed since. With that and chevron. I know that train has been going for a while now, but I can't seem to hop off-I love it too much!

What's your style inspiration? Any decorating tips for smallish spaces?

Have a great weekend! I'm off to a wedding in RI!