Currently....

Listenting to: this song by Daughter I am obsessed, seriously.  So sad, but so good:




Feeling: Overwhelmed. Work kind of sucks the life out of me these days. Breathe Hollie, breathe.
        
 
Doing: making as many herbal concoctions as I can in my spare time.  I love it so much
.

Reading:  Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter.  Only a few chapters in, but so good so far.


Laughing at: this video below.  Makes me laugh every single time:









Watching:  Shamless on Showtime.  Love this show.


What is going on in your neck of the woods??

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. A tradition started by Soulemama.    

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Lady Luna

Because sometimes you need a slice of natures beauty to remind you of its abundance and your place in the world. I have always felt a deep connection with the moon, and have always felt drawn to her beauty and splendor. Even as a kid, I loved to go outside and sit and just watch. It brings me calm, and grounds me in the best way. I know she is always there, and it is like having a good friend that you can always count on to show up. I hope you enjoy this video as much as I do, and she brings you a sense of peace and calm like she always does for me.
Full Moon Silhouettes from Mark Gee on Vimeo.

Liebster

 I've been tagged by Ginger from East 80 to participate in the Liebster blog award.  The rules are as follows...


Rules:
1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves.
2. Answer the questions the tagger set for you, PLUS create 11 questions for the people you tag.
3. Tag 11 other bloggers with less than 300 followers, go to their page and let them know you tagged them.
4. No tag backs.


Here are 11 things about myself:

1. I dream of living in a different state, but honestly don't think I could ever leave San Diego.
2. My husband I dated for 8 years before getting engaged, and got married a couple months shy of our 10th anniversary.
3. I long to live on a farm, an honest to goodness work my ass off farm.
4. I get claustrophobic really easily, and always have to open at least one window in the house even when it is freezing outside.
5. I am more happy and content in my 30's than I have ever been.
6. I am a book hoarder, seriously like it is a problem.
7. My husband and I are starting the long, arduous adoption process this year. I am terrified.
8. I own an embarrassing amount of flip flops. Living in San Diego is my excuse.
9. I love Wes Anderson movies and could watch them everyday and never get tired of them.
10. I dream of having my own beehives, and am working towards making that a reality.


11 questions I was given:

1. If you could live anywhere on the planet, where would it be?
The Pacific Northwest.  I am in love with the rich greens, and moss covered everything.  It seems like a magical place.

2. What is the one skill you wish you possessed/is acquiring it plausible?
I wish I was an artist, or had any artistic skills.  I would love to be able to paint/draw specifically.  I am sure I could learn and train in this, but I truly think you are born with it.

3. All-time favorite album?
It is a tie between Plans by Death Cab for Cutie and Year of Meteors by Laura Veirs.

4. What is the one thing blog readers might not know about you from reading your blog?
Well, my blog is pretty new, so a lot.  The one thing is that my husband and I have been trying to have a baby for about the last six years and it has been an very emotional struggle.  A big blog post is coming up on this.

5. Is there a particular story or quotation that has meant something to you that you have carried with you throughout life?
Well, there are really a lot to be honest, but this one by Mary Oliver is one I carry with me;

“When it's over, I want to say: all my life
I was a bride married to amazement.
I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms. 

When it is over, I don't want to wonder
if I have made of my life something particular, and real.
I don't want to find myself sighing and frightened,
or full of argument. 

I don't want to end up simply having visited this world.” 
― Mary Oliver

6. What is the most outlandish thing you believe in?
It is probably more about my lack of belief.  I don't believe in organized religion. I believe in love, kindness, and respect of others, and their beliefs.  Unless of course they are hurtful.

7. Do you believe there is a particular lesson for you to learn in this life?
I do.  I believe we are all here for a reason, what that is I don't know.  I do believe the lesson is to learn how to be one with all, especially the earth.  We all are from the same place and I believe the big lesson is how to learn to all live and work together for a greater good.

8. If you could go back to college (or attend college for a different interest) what would you study?
I would most definitely study earth science.

9. What is the one thing you can do today to make the world a better place/are you gonna do it?
I believe in treating everyone you come across with kindness, I hope that makes the world a bit of a better place.

10. What is your favorite movie?
Amelie or any Wes Anderson movie, particularly Fantastic Mr. Fox or The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.

11.Who is your favorite fictional character?
Again, Amelie or any Downton Abbey character, I am slightly addicted.


My questions for YOU..

1. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
2. One is the one event, person, etc. that you say shaped your life the most?
3. When you are feeling low or out of sorts, what is the one song that can instantly change your mood?
4.  Where is your most favorite place you have traveled and why?
5.  Is the job you have now that one you want or would you like to be doing something different?
6.  Is there a song that makes you cry or tear up every time you hear it?
7.  If someone were to make a movie about your life, what would the title be?
8.  Do you like to plan everything out or are you spontaneous?
9.  What was the first concert you went to?
10.  What is your favorite book?
11. What accomplishment makes you the most proud?

Tagged:

Alquimia Oracle
Searching for Serendipity
Gypsy Moth Sol
Slow Down; Breathe
Rosy Revolver
We Shall Fly
Fate-filled Times


Ok, this is only 7 blogs I tagged but all the rest I read have A LOT of followers.

This moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. A tradition started by Soulemama.  

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Enchanting and inspiring indeed

A while ago I ran across an etsy listing that caught my eye and so I saved it into my ever growing list of favorites and kind of forgot about it.    Well, I was scrolling through my favorites one day and spotted it again.  This was a particularly rough day and I was feeling really low and just so over it, and this listing spoke to me and I knew I had to purchase it.  It is from the Etsy shop Shambalah and the listing was for enchanted mail.  Fast forward to a couple weeks later and the most beautiful package appeared in my mailbox.    

My enchanted mail

Sofia who is the owner of Shambalah put together the most inspiring, love filled package.  In it there was a handwritten letter filled with truth, inspiration, and all around gorgeous words.  She also included a couple of beautiful stones with personal messages for me and how to use them, incense, and a handmade journal, along with a couple of other goodies.  This is by far one of my most favorite purchases I have made on etsy.  Sofia's letter and entire package she put together for me spoke straight to my heart, and I have re read it many times since it arrived.  If you are feeling like you need some inspiration or a pick me up, I cannot recommend this enough.  All you do is answer a few questions about yourself and your enchanted mail from Paris arrives at your door filled with beauty and love. Honestly, couldn't we all use more of that in our lives?

A quick weekend away

Last weekend we took off to Las Vegas for a family friends wedding.  Being from Southern California, we have been to Vegas A LOT.  To be honest it is not one of my favorite places.  I don't gamble and really don't drink often so I always feel a little out of my element there.  On the upside, it was so nice to get out of town and get a break from work for a few days.  The best part is the drive, I know it sounds crazy but give me good music, my hubby, and the open road and I am a happy girl.  

The drive was started off nice, but then we hit some rain, hail, and then even snow driving over Cajon Pass, but once we hit the other side of the pass, it was blue skies and sunshine.

I love how stark and beautiful the dessert is on the drive there, and there was serious cloud porn the whole way.   We stayed on Fremont Street which is considered "old Vegas" we love staying down here.  Everything is so close and so inexpensive for Vegas.   

Fremont Street

A truly rare find in vegas.  Vinyl & tea, yes please!!!

The wedding was beautiful and we had such a good time hanging out with family and old family friends.  It was held at a venue just outside of Vegas called Sunset Gardens.  The grounds were gorgeous and it truly felt like you were somewhere else and not right in the middle of crazy downtown Vegas. 

And just like that the next morning came it was already time to head home.  It was such a fun weekend and we crammed so much into a few days.   But you know what they say there truly is no place like home.

California skies and open road.  So close to home.

A new year, a brand new blog...

Hello to everyone!  I have been very absent from the blogging world over the past year, but things they are changing.  This is a big year of change for me, and with that comes a brand new blog with a new name and a new look.  I am really excited to share my adventures and life stories through this new space.  I am also looking forward to connecting with new people and hearing their stories.  I can't wait for you to join me on this adventure.  2013 you are going to be a wonderful year.  Cheers to new beginnings!