seaside september weekend

 Some of my thoughts from our fall beach weekend, which is turning into quite a tradition:

• I am discovering that I am in love with the allure of ships. I think my favorite place at the beach is the inlet, where all the giant steel fishing boats sleep. We went there one sunset and saw fishermen unloading their day's bounty, which included small blue fish. I asked the fisherman, who was very kind, if I could snap a few pictures of him doing his work. He obliged, and that black & white photo above is one of my new favorites.
• We also have a weird new go-to beach that I like to call Carcass Beach (sounds lovely, right)? It's actually gross but I always leave there as wide-eyed and curious as a kid. There is almost always a scattering of fish vertebrae, crab legs, and that pungent smell of fish. This is weird...but I kind of like it. At a distance, of course.
• To go with my new love of watching ships, I have become obsessed with tracking them and reading up on shipwrecks. I started reading a book, Shadow Divers, which I am halfway through...it is SO COOL. All about shipwrecks scattered along the coast of New Jersey. I borrowed the rental house's copy but didn't finish in time, so I bought my own copy and am patiently awaiting its arrival in the mail.

I love the beach in the fall when the crowds have left. It is so inspiring and beautiful, with the most enchanting smell of autumn in the air. It is the season for spices, orange hues, scents and tastes - but by the sea everything is better. 

I woke up every morning around 5am to see the sunrise - thanks to my mom, for getting me out of bed. Once on the roof, we saw the most stunning vistas, even if it was a cloudy daybreak. I also liked watching the ships bob in the water - even the big freighters and fishing ships, too. 

 - - - 

Last post I announced I was changing my public settings on my blog and going to go "private." So if you're reading this, thanks for staying on :)

ciao xo! 

4 habits for a calming nightly regimen

image via 

Sleep is sacred. My outlook on sleep and my nightly regimen is quite definite - it's one of the most important routines I allow myself to follow. It's not necessarily a tedious to-do list, but rather a series of steps that I make the time for myself to take. I treasure my sleep! I have found that several factors account into a great night's sleep - no late snacks,  sleeping in my own bed, finding time to 'wind down' before hand - some are obvious! But here are some habits that I consistently stick to - honestly, every. single. night. 

1. Moisturize.  I never used to do this until recently but now using my favorite moisturizers - a rotation of this and this - is something I can't imagine not doing! It calms me, makes me feel cooler (literally, it brings down my temperature) and gives me this clean feeling. I usually apply a generous amount to my hands, elbows, legs, ankles, knees, feet - the usual dry spots. This is more of a personal preference but it is a nice treat to end the day!

2. Shut off anything with an on-off switch 15 minutes before closing my eyes. This is a hard one, because it's a rule that is so easy to break. I often do. But I find that when I steer away from digital light, I sleep better and feel so much more rested in the morning. I rely on my phone in the morning as an alarm clock, but I try to set it in advance. It involves discipline, but when it comes to sleep, you have to put yourself first and realize that a refreshing night's sleep really is important. The worst thing you can do before bed is scroll through dozens of instagram photos and crowd your mind with a billion thoughts - it's occupying your mind with visuals and ideas that will not help you wind down! Some old-fashioned techniques like reading a book or magazine never fail me. Luckily, I fall asleep (like a log!) quickly.

3. Stretch out. Okay, this one is my absolute f a v o r i t e. Spending a good, solid five minutes on stretching before sleep absolutely, 100% of the time gives me the most invigorating yet calming feeling ever! I love back bends and gentle yoga moves - nothing heavy duty or cardiovascular. I use a yoga block or strap sometimes, but mostly focus on lower body stretches in the legs, hip openers, and core. I do this all on the floor so that I can be all over the place. Sometimes in place of stretching I will attempt to meditate. I try to mimic my yoga classes. I take a few moments to breathe deeply and allow every fiber of my body to totally melt into relaxation - literally going from fingers to toes, up and down, under and over.

4.  Make your bed in the morning. I am sure there are people out there that will shake their head at this one - some people hate making their beds in the morning! And when it's me, during the process, yes, it's annoying. As I am tugging at the covers and throwing the pillows back up by the headboard, I always silently bemoan the fact that it is a work day and I have to get through so many hours before I can climb back into bed again. Parting the bed first thing in the morning is probably THE hardest thing about waking up! But by the time the day is over, and it's finally time for my regimen, the very last thing I do is pull back the covers and climb under my luxuriant sheets. I always think to myself, "I've earned this today!" as I unfurl the top layer of my duvet. So, simply, making the bed gives yourself something to look forward to later in the day, and sets up the reward in advance.

I hope you can try one of these - they are so simple and anyone can try it out. Let me know if it works for you and if you see any noticeable difference! Wishing you a refreshing and restful sleep!

ciao!
xo

carlsbad flower ranch

Carlsbad Ranch and their 50+ acres of ranunculus was the last spontaneous destination of the trip heading back from San Diego...and it was so. heavenly. beautiful. I truly have never been so overwhelmed by color. It was once-in-a-lifetime unforgettable.

One important reason why I am so fond of this memory is that it is so truly and completely spontaneous. I had never heard of anything like this in California, let alone the United States...I only thought that fields like this existed in Europe. I saw an editorial in a hotel magazine about the Flower Fields at Carlsbad the day before and was immediately curious and intrigued. And even more conveniently, it was located right on our way home - about 5 minutes off of our route. Fate? Yes!!

From the road, you could see the rows and rows and rows of vibrant bursts of color. Ask S - I think I was squealing. By the way, S was SO patient as we walked through here. It might not look like it from the pictures, but the place was teeming with tourists. It was also teeming with the happiest buds of ranunculus - a more delicate kind of peony - of every color imaginable. It was beautiful to see the variety of colors even within one row. From afar, it looks like blurred punches of one color, but when you walk up to the flowers and get on a closer level, you really see all of the flecks and variegated colors within the petals.

I could write a love letter to these fields. I want to sleep there, wear a big floofy dress in there, and just take thousands of pictures all day. As a photographer, this was a moment out of one of my dreams. I loved the cheerful vibes of the staff - I mean, I guess working at a place like this is the secret to happiness indeed. I want to cut a bunch for a gigantic bouquet, but then I don't - how could one ever willingly cut away from these gorgeous, undulating waves of color?

Carlsbad's peak season is from the end of March until May. I am so, so eternally happy that I was blessed with the opportunity to see this with S! He knows it meant a lot to me. I love the little hidden treasures like this. Go if you're ever down on I-5 by Carlsbad :)

Ps. Thanks to the @the_flower_fields for following me back on instagram! You guys are the coolest. Be back soon :)

ciao, xo

Terhune Orchards

 This past weekend was such a treat after a week that felt unusually long and stressful! On Saturday we poked around the Princeton area and found the most charming little orchard. It was the first day in a while that was cold, but didn't feel freezing.

Our spontaneous 'let's go down this road' mentality led us to Terhune Orchards. As we drove close, it was hard to not notice all of the knobby, gnarled and bare apple trees, seemingly petrified in the cold. They looked pretty stark against the ice/snow packed into the ground. I certainly didn't expect a cute little farm store with full-blown early spring delights inside. It confirmed our hope for spring! Budding grape hyacinths, baby daffodils, and fresh cut flowers were around every corner and visible surface. Apples were generously piled in great wooden crates, fresh cookies were on display, and the best apple crumb pie was offered for 'samples' (i.e. try a whole slice!). It tasted so fresh and local. In our shopping bag was fresh salsa, a small bunch of freesia, apple cider donut holes, guacamole chips, and of course apples.

Most delightful of all was the happy bunch of little farm animals that greeted us. A spunky white duck, a cuddly yellow lab, friendly cats, and chickens! Before heading out we couldn't resist ourselves with the apple cider donut holes - they were so good! - and we hung out with the animals by a smoking bonfire outside of the store.

My must-try for next time is their wine tasting room. Their winery is going to be my next early-summer stop, and when the autumn comes around I want to do apple and peach picking! Going to be awesome...and if you live in the area of Princeton NJ you should really go and 'shop local' at their perfectly quaint little farm store.

spring is coming! even though it is literally snowing now...I know it is coming!
ciao, xo

simple joys

Simple joys are...

A vibrant burst of hydrangeas on your night table during the coldest winter months.

Blankets by the fire with your sweetheart.

Late night air-popped corn during a Harry Potter weekend.

The warmth of a climbing under the covers at night.

Fancy candles for the not-so fancy occasions.

George Harrison music marathons during lazy mornings.

The satisfaction of a newly-organized and cleaned living space.

Feeling alive, breathing blasts of winter cold air after a quick jog.

Fresh laundered pajamas.

These are just a few simple joys off the top of my head from the Christmas break. It was 12 days long - a record! - as Christmas was on a Thursday. It allowed for the longest possible break..and it was heavenly. I relaxed so much that I truly have forgotten a lot of the worries that I'll be unfortunately tackling again today. All I can say is that this little vacation has been such a treat. S was back home from California and his presence has been an integral part to this happy, eased feeling. We got so much done but also had so much time to relax, meander around, and just be us. I miss it already! But I've never been happier or more content with life. I am just so so happy and blessed.

As for the rest of my little joys...the past few weeks have actually been quite productive. I was accepted into my top grad school of choice, so I will be starting classes VERY soon indeed and getting back into the swing of all things academic! I am a little nervous, too. In my peak, I remember writing 10+ page papers was a breeze - but now I am a little intimidated, as I work a full 8+ hour workday with work that sometimes has to come home with me. I know I could have a lot more on my plate so this is the best time to 'get it overwith,' as it were. I suppose the little bit of nerves is normal!

Another big feat (for me) was totally gutting my room and cleaning it up. I was able to clean out old and useless clothes and put them in bags for donations. I went to the Container Store - my new favorite - and bought a lot of, well, containers. I organized SO much of my stuff. Paint stuff, scrapbooking stuff, makeup stuff, stationery, yoga stuff, handbags, even high school yearbooks. Poof! Organized.  After cleaning it up I decided that over the next couple of days I want to do some major feng-shui changes. Maybe even new paint! I am thinking bright and crisp. Thoughts on white?

Lastly, with the extra time off I made some small strides forward with running again - I overcame the fear of the crippling cold (by crippling I am talking about 40-50 degree weather, don't laugh at me) and just got out for short 1 mile runs. Pairing that with a lot of yoga made me feel waaaay less guilty about holiday eating. The satisfying feeling of having a run done, yoga class under your belt, and making smart decisions about eating - it just leaves me light and airy and literally happier. It sure does beat food guilt!

I am feeling overall cozy, comfortable with everything...but ready to begin the challenges of work and grad school. I'm looking forward to getting trained as a better writer - I have lately felt like my writing is so loose and unrefined. I am debating on also joining a gym - we will see how I can balance the time - to improve on my strength and have something besides running to balance yoga. All is well, all is good. Feeling happy and grateful.

ciao, xo

happy monday! (eek!)

strong start

As I type this, I am freaking out - freaking freaking freaking out.

Today is the GRE.

And just so we are all on the same page, this is definitely not the nutritious brain-boosting breakfast I am eating today...

it's from a few days ago...

and today I'll probably be in the city somewhere eating a bagel and a coffee.

Then nervously chomping on my fingernails before the exam starts.

not exactly the breakfast of champions.

I'm not sure why I feel at ease typing this here - you know, all of my worries and anxieties - 

but it feels kind of nice to let it all out. suck it, GRE - cannot wait to get this over with.

five hours of torture.

at least i can look forward to this afterwards.

maybe I'll instagram a pretty drink for you.

ciao, xo

ps. wish me luck! send me some good vibes. PLEASE

barnegat, part one.

{we named him frasier}.

{every morning the inlet would be blanketed with fog}.

{crab corpses littered our roof. poor guys}.

{great minds think alike}.

{used in the filming of this movie}.

My life, my health, and my entire sense of inner contentment would be enhanced if I lived in walking distance to a cafe. This, my friends, I am convinced.

A charming, perfect, cedar-sided cafe now resides a mere stone throw's away from the marina of my childhood memories. It is small, with a occupancy limit of 17, but even I question that 17 would fit. A little loft apartment where the world's luckiest person lives sits on atop, undoubtedly with the best views of the sunset on the bay. What combination could be better...the taste of freshly brewed coffee, with a hint of sea salt and fish grime in the air? (ps. I have a weird love for the fishy smells at the marina).

The cafe was actually a long walk away. I would say 30 minutes one way. But oh, it was worth it. I jogged it once but by the time I was there I was so hot that I had to settle for an iced coffee (2nd choice to my usual hot coffee, which I took during the week - the only week of the year - with sugar in the raw). It would be even more picturesque with a bike. Put me on top of a little mint beach cruiser, like the perfect one above, it would take 15 minutes, tops. Oh, and how my life would be so, so good.

Living near the marina, the lighthouse, and the inlet was pretty awesome. I could go and stand on that jetty for days and never be bored. How could one be bored? Sailboats, seagulls, crabs, sea urchins, bugs, fishermen, speedboats, fishing charters, storms, fog, rain, sunsets and sunrises and the fish would all keep me truly entertained. Just watching. Each little crevice of the jetty has its own story. On our first night, we met a crane named Frasier by the rocks. He was just chilling, gingerly stepping from rock to rock, searching for food or just posing for us.

Other days, pretty much every day, we were treated to front row seats to the crab gallows. Watching a crab get slaughtered is a solemn, yet gladiatorial, affair. Instead of the colosseum we were on the flat, sunbleached rooftop deck. Seagulls would glide on over and land with a  feisty, gutsy little blue-claw in-beak. Then, it would poke the life out of it - literally. It was awful and fascinating. Crab legs littered our roof. The boys played hockey with them, ugh.

Before the vacation, I looked forward to wine on the deck in the evenings, watching the sun sink below the bay. But I have to admit that my favorite parts were, without second thought, in the mornings. When the fog would blanket the inlet heavily, so that only the masts of the fishing charters glided in the dim shadows of the morning. When we would walk (or run) to the cafe. When I would wake up at 7am, fearing to death that it was actually 10am, then, in a relieved excitement, go about my morning routine.

more tomorrow! ciao, xo.