Snow Day

It has been such a glorious and lazy Saturday. I woke up to snow already falling, and it's been coming down pretty steady ever since. Bagheera and I have been surfing social media, watching Anthony Bourdain's Places Unknown on Netflix and eating junk food . . . all in our PJs. I recently purchased a book called A Beautiful Mess Photo Idea Book, and it's exactly what it sounds like. It was created by the lovely ladies from A Beautiful Mess, an online blog that I recently discovered (I'm a little late on the train, I guess) and love! It's made me want to fall in love with my camera all over again, and experiment with it in ways I was too afraid before. Although it's been snowy outside, I've been trying to keep my mind busy inside, and when Anthony's wit was getting to me, I stepped away from my computer and started snapping some pictures. So, I'm going to try to pair my pictures with some things to keep you occupied on a snowy day inside. Or, to just update on the things I've been filling my little bit of extra time with (while also showing you my living space too).

Sort through your magazines. If you're like me, then you have piles of magazines that need looking through and gotten rid of. I have a hard time parting with them because there are always so many useful things that I think, "Oh, but one day, I'll want to refer back them for X project or Y recipe." And maybe one day I will, but that's why I have files for those sorts of things. I don't need the whole entire magazine, ads and all. So, it's always nice when I find the time to read through, and rip out the pages with the delicious-sounding recipes or interesting decorating ideas, and then discard the rest.

Catch up on social media. I seem to be finding more and more blogs or YouTube channels to follow lately, and then always find that I'm just too busy to keep up with them. My weekends are usually the time I have to catch up with the blog posts or the videos, and it's always so enjoyable. I like to have a warm mug of tea handy, and a cozy sweatshirt to snuggle into. Some of my favorite blogs/YouTubers lately have been: (1) Maiedae, a creatives-driven website run by two best friends who are also new moms. I find their pictures, print shop, and posts to be absolutely beautiful. (2) A Beautiful Mess, along the same lines (and I think the inspiration to) Maiedae. (3) PostSecret, my ritual Sunday morning reading. (4) Domestically Blissful, a blog full of vegetarian and vegan recipes run by a former classmate. Her recipes sound delicious and her pictures and advice are lovely. (5) Jenna Marbles because who doesn't like a little bit of outrageousness and laughter? (6) John Oliver, originally a part of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, he broke away to make his own faux-news show/youtube channel. I love his brutal honesty, but also his cynical style of delivering news is fantastic. (7) Jaclyn Hill for when I want to learn new make-up techniques from da best. Seriously, I love her personality and her make-up styles are out of this world. (8) Lastly, Makeup by Alli, another make-up channel. She's a bit more toned down and natural in her style. I like her aura and the looks she creates :)

Go Shopping. Online, of course. I recently purchased some great online things (and scoping out more as we speak). I picked up probably my favorite calendar of ALL time from Rifle Paper Co., and I already can't wait until the year is over so I can frame the pictures. They are SO gorgeous! I also got a little notepad that brightens up even the most dreary winter's day when I use it. The next thing wasn't an online purchase, but can be found there, and was picked up the last time I was at World Market, I found these adorable burlap star lights that just add the right kind of homeyness to my dining room. Click the links to access the goods! Other online shopping favorites are Target (they're having a great sale on beautiful weekend and tote bags from Faribault, a Minnesota Wool Mill company), Herschel Supply Co., and Lush.

Tend to your houseplants. My usual houseplant water day used to be Wednesday, and then I had classes on Wednesday nights. Then, it was Thursday. But then those ended up being one of my heavier homework nights. Then, it moved to Fridays, and sometimes it stays Fridays. However, most of the time, I find myself having the most time to actually prune, water, and turn/move my houseplants on the weekends. I pruned my orchid, and straightened up my succulents this afternoon, and felt incredibly accomplished afterward.

Clean your spaces. Only if you must! But sometimes the best way to ensure a complete day or evening of relaxation is to clean your space! I know if I'm trying to study or be productive, I have to clean whichever room I'm in to ensure the utmost amount of productivity. Even if what you're doing is anti-productive, being able to go to sleep that night knowing cleaning won't be waiting for you in the morning can sometimes be the best lullaby.

Cozy up and watch some movies! If all else fails, make some delicious food and have a movie marathon. That's always one of my favorite things to do on lazy weekends, but especially if it's snowing outside.

Whatever you decide to do, I hope you're staying warm, especially if you're on the East Coast where the snow just won't seem to let up. I keep on having such scandalous thoughts of spring - oh, to be able to open my windows and let the crisp new air with its beautiful freshness come and dance through my house. To see flowers poking through the soil, and spreading their gorgeous petals toward the sunshine. Shorts, skirts, and t-shirts without long sleeves! I cannot wait! Oh, and let's not talk about breaking out the flip-flops.

Here are some more photographs that I took from today (or another day *ahem* the first one below)! :)

Playing around with light, thanks my new photo book! Who thought I'd be messing around with the ISO settings, what?!

I love the fact that my house is old enough to have these radiators as a source of heat.
They're beautiful, and unique and add such a great vibrance to each room.

A sign a former student gave me as a thank-you gift. I have it hanging in my office.

Star Lights from World Market!

My cilantro is making a comeback :)

In my office - these signs were projects that my US History students did. They had to recreate WWII Propaganda posters, adding their own flair of creativity.

Happy adventuring! xoxo