Wish I Was There Photo Contest – #AFWishIWasThere

Friday, February 28, 2014

Remember the other day when I was getting all excited about making summer plans? I've been daydreaming about traveling like crazy! So what better timing to go down memory lane with Al Fresco Holidays' "Wish I Was There" photo contest. 

They want to see a photo of a travel memory that brings you happiness. If you want to join, just share a photo of the destination you wish you were right now and tag it #AFWishIWasThere.

Here is my "I Wish I Was There" travel photo:


Because I just can't help myself. I almost always wish I was in Tuscany.  This photo was from one of our first hikes at Barbialla Nuova, so when I look at it I get not only a feeling of wishing to be in that place, but also a feeling of wishing to be at that time. It was the beginning of a fresh start, with so much time and freedom (and wine and mozzarella) in our future.  I remember starting in disbelief at that horizon and sunset and realizing that in Tuscany, time slows down. The sun seemed to be taking it's sweet time sinking below the hill, and I didn't mind one bit. I wanted to soak in every last warm moment of it before slowly retreating to our home and slowly sipping Chianti as I slowly cooked lentils and fresh arugula and tomatoes from the garden. 

  • Tweet your happiest photo memory to @AlFrescoHols using the hashtag #AFWishIWasThere
  • Post your picture on Instagram using the hashtag #AFWishIWasThere
  • E-mail your photo into alfrescoholidayscompetition@gmail.com

Bonus: To gain five extra entries and increase your chances of winning, you can write a blog post mentioning the competition with a description of your holiday and the story behind the photo.
I can't wait to see all of the photos on Instagram - I love to walk down everyone else's memory lanes almost as much as my own! ;)
Happy weekend, friends!

Half Dome + Links

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Half Dome - Yosemite - April 2013

Ciao! I hope everyone's week is starting off swimmingly. This week I'm focusing hard on getting in my flow. Working out. Sleeping. Eating healthy. Working hard during work hours and not in the off hours. I've realized it's easier to do all of this when I just say to myself "just this week". And with any luck it will stick and slide into next week as well.

I thought this photo of the lovely Half Dome in Yosemite was fitting, because another thing that's been filling my brain this week is spring/summer trips. I'm dying for some getaways. Part of my wants to try all new places, but I might have to return to Yosemite again this spring when the waterfalls are flowing. It's a magical place! If you go in May it usually isn't too crowded yet, and though it can be a bit chillier at night, the wildflowers are blooming and the waterfalls are full force due to the melting winter snow. Have you been?
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Here are some little links that have been brightening up my days...


How to make a drinking glass from a bottle...this looks semi dangerous but equally awesome. Would you give it a try?

Feeling crafty? Here are 10 awesome statement wall ideas to help brighten up your space.

This simple DIY wood coat rack is just my style and looks so easy to make.

I thought I was done with cruises for a bit (I prefer more freedom on my vacations) but these 28 tips to make your next cruise awesome make me want to be cruising through the sea.

This woodland themed baby shower is tugging it making uterus jump big time.

And my favorite. I love this article about how the new English language (i.e. the one where "like", "totally" and the new "because" are used) isn't ditzy/lazy but rather a sign of empathy and warmth in humans, showing our desire for connection . It's worth a read!



Have a great week, friends! I'll be back soon with more mindfulness.



Currently

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Happy Throwback Thursday - here's a shot from our adventure in the White Sands of New Mexico.


Currently I'm...

Listening to... Podcasts. I have been loving the TED Radio Hour for a boost of inspiration and thought provocation (subjects such as "Disruptive Leadership" and "Identities"), then Stuff You Should Know which gives me crucial details on necessities such as "How Cave Dwellers Work" and "What's the deal with the debt ceiling?". And finally, for some cutesy and mildly informative cheer, there's the Disney Story Origins Podcast, which gives me a nice dose of childhood nostalgia as well as some tidbits to share

Eating... Smoothies and stuff from the Trader Joe's frozen aisle, because....cooking? Ain't nobody got time for that (lately). And these amazing WOW cookies. YUM.

Reading...The Art Forger, which is mediocre so far but based in Boston, so it's giving me that dose of much needed Boston Love. And I just finished Walden on Wheels by Ken Ilgunas which I absolutely loved. Favorite quote: “On this voyage, I couldn't help but think we need need. We need to be forced to go outside. We need to be forced to depend on one another. we need to be forced to sacrifice, to grow a garden, to fix a rood, to interact with neighbors. Nature has been all around me as a boy. It unleashed terrifying storms, spun circular cycles, inflicted bone-chilling, cold and renewed itself with springy revivifications. Yet I was completely oblivious to it all. I was playing video games.” 

Watching... Downton Abbey - it's just so gosh darn adorbs. Can someone throw me a 1920's English-royal-countryside-bazaar themed party someday?

Feeling...balanced and well slept, thanks to a beautiful and calming remote reiki treatment I received the other night from the lovely Shannon Eileen. It was amazing and so unique - feel free to reach out if you are curious about my experience with it!

Excited about...summer travels. It's about that time to start planning some new adventures, and my wheels are turning...

I hope everyone is enjoying a lovely week!

Mindful 01 :: Introduction

Monday, February 10, 2014


I'm excited to be introducing a topic that has meant a lot to me this year. Something that has turned me into a more calm and purposeful person, helped ease my way through challenges, improved my sleep and eating habits, and kept me out of many a fight with my love. I'm talking about the practice of mindfulness.

There is a lot I could say about it, so in the interest of time and organization I'll be doing a little series on the hot topic- stay tuned!

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So, What is Mindfulness?


"Mindfulness is paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally." -Dr. Jon Kabat Zinn

In other words, it's about being fully in the moment. It's a practice, but also a way of being. It's about intentionally being attentive, being open to the present, and knowing what is being observed.


Why Practice Mindfulness?

The more that you practice mindfulness, the more mindful you will be. Increased mindfulness can help you become more focused, happier, healthier, more creative, more relaxed, and simply more in control. It can improve your sleep, help foster healthy relationships, cultivate self understanding and inner wisdom, and allow you to more deeply appreciate each precious moment.

Does this sound too much like one of those lists in a health magazine encouraging you to try the newest fad? Like, "If you do head stands and eat tons of chia seeds, you'll be happy and perfect and skinny and a genius and Channing Tatum will come sweep you off your feet!".

Well, perhaps this is a hot topic lately, but similar to yoga (which I also support deeply!), it's something that has been around since, oh, I'll just say forever.  And I'm not much into health fads, so you can trust me. And if you're still not sure, just try it out for yourself :).

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Establishing Mindfulness


So, care to give mindfulness practice a try? Download the "10-minute mindfulness of breathing" mp3 from freemindfulness.org, or try this 20-minute guided meditation on YouTube. Then keep the following guidelines in mind:

1. You'll start by getting comfortable and noticing your posture. You can practice mindfulness in any way that supports awareness - usually for me this means sitting up straight in a chair or on the floor.

2. Have an intention in mind when you start off your "sit". As a first timer perhaps you'll tell yourself "I intend to stay open to the experience and nonjudgmental of myself during this sit" or, "I intend to pay attention to my body", or "I intend to come out a bit more clearheaded and calm than I'm going in."

3. Find awareness in your body. Bring attention to the sensation of sitting. Feel the heaviness of your body and the way your skin and clothes feel grounded on the chair or the floor, and notice the feeling of groundedness that this brings.

4. Next, try paying attention to the breath. Don't feel the need to alter your breathing in any way, just pay attention to it. If it helps, use noting phrases in your mind such as "breathing in....breathing out....".

5. At a few points during the sit, take note of your mental tone. Are you being judgmental of your experience, thinking "this isn't working" or "this is boring", or is the mind curious and open to the experience?

6. As your mind inevitably wanders during the sit, gently bring it back to noticing the feeling of your body or the sensation of your breath. That moment of noticing your wandering mind is a moment of mindfulness.

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Think you'll give it a whirl? Let me know if you've tried Mindfulness practice, or if you think you might try it, or if you have any specific questions about it. I'm no pro, but as you can it's something I've really loved learning about. I look forward to hearing how it goes for you guys!

Wish List :: V-Day

Wednesday, February 5, 2014


*I don't have a source for the print - any help?

I think Valentine's Day is adorable, and I'm not afraid to say it!

I dislike roses, I'm not normally into pink, and I would pretty much hate to receive a box of chocolates. But I love what Valentine's Day is all about (...which of course, is LOVE). Some people may say it's a silly creation and that it's all about consumerism, to which I say...you're a tad closed minded and probably lazy. Because if you're in love and have a speck of romance or creativity in your heart, then there's nothing preventing you from taking advantage of this silly day in one of the coldest months of the year to warm up with your darling and be loved in whatever way that means for the two of you.

For Jimbo and I that might mean enjoying a leisurely breakfast together before work (a rarity!), having some wine while we dream about our future hand-built cottage (one of our favorite things to do) or spending time with friends while sneaking a few more lovey-dove glances at each other than usual.

And if somehow all of these wishlist items were involved then hey, I wouldn't complain ;).

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What will Valentine's Day mean for you and yours??