30 Day Challenge

If you follow me on twitter, you may have heard me talking about a 30 day, hot yoga challenge. I usually practice hot yoga twice a week but I really wanted to reset and feel healthy again after all the indulgences that accompany the holiday season. I felt like I needed to make a change to jump-start the new year.

I somehow conned my friend Natalie into doing the challenge with me and I have to say, she made the whole process so much fun and helped keep me accountable. I kept expecting to "hit the wall" and start dreading going to class after 30 straight days but shockingly that never really happened. Sure there were days when I didn't feel like going but I always felt so refreshed and invigorated after class. My goal wasn't to lose weight but I noticed a tightness and strength in my body that had been missing before. I developed muscles in my stomach that I hadn't seen in years! Another added bonus? I was sleeping better than I had in recent memory. Once my head hit the pillow I was out like a light until morning. Coconut water also became my best friend. I had one after each class as a way to keep my electrolytes in balance. That stuff is amazing.

It's been a little over a week since I finished the challenge and I am still reaping the benefits. I feel energized and renewed. I think one of the most important lessons that came out of this experience is that I can take 90 minutes out of each day and dedicate them entirely to myself, with no distractions. It wasn't always easy and it takes some planning but I feel stronger and more centered than I have in a very long time and that alone has made the experience totally worth it.

*Image found here.

Fill Your Year With Wonder

My darling grandfather passed away over the holidays and it's taken me a while to process the emotions that come with losing a loved one. In the midst of missing him, I often find myself thinking about what an amazing life he had. I always loved his tales of sailing ships in the Navy, traveling around South America or moving to Puerto Rico with my grandmother. When I close my eyes and remember my grandfather I think of dark roast coffee, his dusty library full of treasured tomes and I hear him playing Las Mañanitas on his old harmonica. It got me thinking about how I want my future grandchildren to remember me. What adventures and stories will I be able to share with them?

So for my resolution this year, in honor of my grandfather, I am pledging to fill my year {and life} with wonder. For me, it means planning more adventures, drinking good wine, taking risks, dancing with my husband in our living room, worrying less and finding joy in the little things. I think this quote from Ernest Hemingway says it all...

It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end

Friends, here's to an incredible journey and making every single day count. I hope 2012 brings all of you amazing things.

*Thank you to the lovely Kathryn Butler for leaving the the above message on the chalkboard wall in my kitchen. It's going to stay there for a very long time.

Sedona: Anniversary Getaway

I can't believe Kiwi and I have been married for 2 years! To celebrate our second anniversary, we headed up to the red rocks of Sedona for some eating, drinking, hiking and relaxing. It's cliche but true, time flies when you're having fun. Happy two years my love!

*Kiwi would like me to clarify that by hiking, I mean stopping every five seconds to take photos while he patiently waits for me. Folks, I've got myself a keeper.

painted pumpkins

I know Halloween is over but I couldn't resist posting a few photos of my little project. Inspired by these lovely pumpkins I decided to break out the spray paint and masking tape to try my hand at pumpkin painting. It was remarkably easy and probably took me a total of 10 minutes. I can't wait to try a new pattern next year!

*I love that my little chevron pumpkin matches our new rug perfectly!

New Zealand Here We Come!

Well friends, Kiwi and I are off on another adventure! We are heading to New Zealand to visit Kiwi's family and to check out a few of the Rugby World Cup games. Also on the agenda: bungee jumping, black water rafting and zorbing! I'll try and post a few photos and updates while we are away. See you guys in a few weeks!

*Images by Andrew Smith found here.

Labor Day Getaway

The older I get the more I appreciate quiet weekends at our family cabin. It's amazing how rejuvenated you feel after a few days of reading, biking, baking and taking photos. Once again, poor Kiwi had to stay at home {he's almost done with his MBA program!} but it was great spending some quality girl time with my little sister and my sweet friend Amanda who joined us on the trip and baked us many a delicious treat. A little Labor Day getaway was just what the doctor ordered!

*You can see photos from last Labor Day here.

art appreciation

My mom, sister and I spent Sunday afternoon checking out the new collections at the Phoenix Art Museum. I absolutely loved the Modern Mexican Painting exhibit and Peter Wegner's incredible Guillotine of Sunlight and Guillotine of Shade. The installation is made up of 1.4 million pieces of recycled paper! Totally amazing. I forgot how inspiring it is to just meander through the different galleries, taking it all in.

*Where do you go when you need a little inspiration?