by Susie Borchardt on January 23, 2012
Partnered with the au courant air of January, the Chinese Year of the Dragon is now too underway. Honoring the dragons fierce and autonomous persona, I began this week by challenging myself to shake up my typical Monday routine. Despite the fog drenched weather, I ventured with an umbrella-in-hand to the cobblestone sidewalks of Georgetown. Catching up with a fellow yogi over tea, window shopping, and one divine German chocolate cupcake were all it took to set the mood for the week ahead. Whatever may be planned for your week perhaps you too can mix things up a bit by infusing the unordinary within your ordinary. Even the smallest of changes are enough to spark your perspective and reawaken to the infinite possibility always ahead of you.
Patrick Lindsay captures this idea beautifully in his brisk coffee table read Now Is the Time. Introducing readers to 170 ways to sieze the moment, he caught my attention with the passage below. Hope it captures yours as well. If nothing else, fully engage in your week. Choose to be present each day with whatever happens to lay in front of you. Claiming full ownership of your life, though at times difficult, gives you the keys to further unlocking your true bliss.
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”We are all creatures of routine.
Start to think outside of your normal boundaries.
Start small:
a new route to work;
lunch at a new cafe;
a chat with strangers.
Then look further afield:
join a club; help a charity; plan a trip; start a new hobby.
Grow.”
By: Susannah Conway
by Susie Borchardt on January 12, 2012
Tidbits of all that’s bringing a smile to my face this chilly January. Hope it brings one to yours as well.
BIRCHBOX
No matter the day I’ve had, arriving home to a glam hot pink box always brings a smile to my face. Better than a magazine subscription, BIRCHBOX is stock full of generously sized samples of luxury products. For only $10 a month this little wonder is a true gem!
UNRAVELING 2012
Putting pen to paper is a ritual I believe in more than most.What a perfect way to kick off 2012 indulging in the oodles of inspiration Susannah Conway gifts to her readers throughout her blog Notes on Unraveling the Heart. Her free and gorgeously crafted 16-page workbook is the perfect way to doodle and ponder all of your dreams for the year ahead.
http://www.susannahconway.com/2011/12/a-little-something-for-you/
YOGA
Having just obtained my certification to teach yoga from the lovely Tranquil Space, it’s been a focus of mine this month to carve out time to develop my own practice at home. Creating a little space of my own, complete with Mala and lush candles, helps me to cultivate tranquility throughout my week. Where could you create some space this month to nourish your own passion?
TEACUPS & ZHENA’S GYPSY TEA
Small details win my heart every time. No one masters these quite as beautifully as Anthropologie. This store alone is a lovely wonder that makes me smile year-round. Whenever possible, I always try to pop in to grab a lovely little teacup to add to my growing collection. Like the small details painted intricately on the cup itself, creating a delicious cup of hot tea never fails to make me smile. Especially when it’s made with one of the yummy Zhena’s Gypsy Tea flavors.
COFFEE TABLE BOOKS
Glossy coffee table books are another sinful indulgence. Not only do they add a homey touch to your haven, they also provide a little world to escape to whenever need be. The ease and inspiration alone I feel every time I crack one of these open is truly always worthy of a smile.
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What’s making you smile this January? As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts and musings. xox
