bolo because, yolo

Yup.  That's a bolo tie.  Granted, I'm easing my way into this, tucking the leather strings (ties?) inside my sweatshirt.  But still, wearing this thing made me feel like a brave cowgirl.  In fact, every time I looked in the mirror I got this song in my head.  Wild west, the 80s, and Bon Jovi, all in one little accessory so neatly tucked into my otherwise unassuming outfit.  What's not to love?

Here's the details...

still alive

I swear it, I am still alive.  I'm super busy working on a project that I hope to be sharing with you guys soon (so excited!), and I can only spend so many hours in front of the computer before my eyeballs start bleeding, so the blog has taken a bit of a back seat lately.  But I am alive and well, truly.  And if you need proof, follow me on Instagram, where I have finally set up an account and am chronicling life's little pleasures in a less wordy way.  See you over there?

lunar elements

In the last few months of 2013, fitness had sort of fallen away as a priority for me.  And that would be ok (I don't mind being a wee bit softer and rounder for a time) except that not exercising actually makes me anxious.  And that's not ok.  So in this wonderful new year, I'm trying to find ways to fit fitness (ha ha) into my new routines and habits. This means cutting back a bit from where I used to be, but I'm realizing, it doesn't have to be so all or nothing.  I can just do a little bit, every day; it's all about balance.

Here's what I'm doing...

fuzzy wuzzy

I have always been anti-extraneous-fuzz in my clothing.  Mohair and angora items made me sneeze just at the thought of all those flyaway fibers getting near my nose, not to mention in my mouth.  But the other day, at Cos, I was overcome by a sense of adventure and bravery (possibly brought on by having my favorite shopping companion at my side - a rare treat!) and wrapped myself in this angora cardigan.

It was pretty much love at first touch...

heavenly bodies

This weekend my awesome cousins came for a visit (four days of madcap touristing!) and one was sporting a new tattoo.  She now has 8 celestial bodies on their criss-crossing orbits (and a little beauty mark of her own that serves as a moon) making a beautiful cuff on her arm.  I love how it manages to boldly take up so much real estate but still be so delicate and airy at the same time.  She's a big astronomy buff as well so it's just the perfect thing for her.

ikea haul

We had a big Ikea day this weekend.  But then again, every Ikea day is a big Ikea day.  Why is it impossible to do in less than 4 hours?  Even if you don't look at any furniture?  Even if you skip the meatballs?  Mind boggling.  It took the major part of our saturday, and left us comatose for what was left of it.  But the time and energy spent is less than or equal to the money saved, and I think we did pretty well for ourselves, restocking some basics that we needed, plus a few little luxuries to make me smile.

The details and the rest of our loot...

amulets

Been thinking about superstitions and lucky charms lately...

fantasy giving

It's my mama's birthday today!!!  I wish I could give you an entire field of poppies to celebrate.

I also wish I could give you...

swimmingly

This is where I was swimming last month.  I know I have yet to tell you all about my Super Duper Mexico Vacation, but I still haven't finished organizing all my photos and thoughts.  Needless to say, it was awesome.  I'm back in the big city now, but I'll be damned if I give up my water time.  So...

Husband and I have joined the pool!  We started this week, committing to four full months of membership (gotta get those discounts where you can, and the obligation to keep it up is just a bonus), and absolutely love it.  My pool's not as amazing as the Caribbean, but it's pretty damn wonderful.  All this has made me think it would be a good time to go over some pool essentials.

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8

Trust me, you need these things...

ch-ch-changes

I'm officially back!  Back in Spain, back online, back to daily life.  But it feels different, I have to say.  We've only been gone from Madrid for a month but somehow it feels like it's been much longer.  There's changes all around me: a new 5 euro bill, my local Zara completely remodeled, and a Starbucks in the basement of our grocery store, and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Something internal has shifted as well, a settling of sorts, a coming to terms with change: the inevitability of it and the excitement of it.  I don't want to sound melodramatic or anything, but we're nearing the end of a big era in our lives, and steadying ourselves for the one that lies ahead.  A year from now I predict our lives will be totally different, new city, new jobs, new friends, new routines.  And while it used to just terrify me, now I'm filled with energy and enthusiasm.  I'm still nervous about it all, but it's more like pre-show jitters, lovely little anxious butterflies to carry me along the journey.

Anyway, I don't usually wax philosophical on the blog, but I just couldn't help it.  And to mark the change, I've bought some flowers for our home, something I rarely do.  (Kalanchoe, which apparently can be spelled Kalanchoë or Kalanchöe, movable umlauts? Who ever heard of such a thing?) Hopefully I won't kill this little guy, cause it sure is making me happy.  Here's to the start of (a new) something good!

desaparecida

Playa del Carmen

If it seems like I've been missing lately, it's cause I have.  I've been deep in preparations for our upcoming trip (tomorrow!) to Mexico.  Thought the least I could do was pop in for a minute and make all y'all jealous with some photos of the places we're headed.

Places like these...

on the road again

Our bags are packed and we're ready to hit the road again.  I think I'm traveling more this month that I ever have in such a short time span, but hey, gotta work hard to keep the title of Nomad, right?  Luckily we don't have to head to Wisconsin on camelback.  Or in a horse-drawn carriage.

See you on the other side of the globe!

images from welcome2mongolia and world artists' initiative

paris, quick!

image from wallpapersus

I'm headed to Paris, in just a few days! Last minute family trip with Husband, Mother-in-law and Grandmother-in-law.  Anything we have to see/eat/do/buy?  We're only going to be there a few days, but any recommendations would be more than welcome...

the villager

Look, it's a photo of my great-great-great-grandmother from Siberia.  Just kidding.  It's just me.

It's been raining a lot here and I have a deep-seated hatred of umbrellas, so I have to don a big furry hat and an oversized wool shawl to keep me dry.  When I realized I was wandering the streets of Madrid dressed as a villager from another country in another century, I couldn't resist sharing.

xenotes

Starting to plan our trip to Mexico in May and I'm getting all excited just thinking about everything I want to pack into such a short time.  At the top of my list: cenotes.  They're basically natural sinkholes caused by the collapse of limestone bedrock, revealing wells of fresh groundwater, and are often connected to one another by seemingly endless tunnels.  Underwater underground labyrinths.  So cool, right?  One of the natural wonders of the world (at least, they would be if I were in charge of making the list).

More exciting and inspiring photos...

how we got started

My pal, the very talented Aaron Thomas, has just released his newest album Blues and Greens, with some of my favorite songs on it.  Good stuff, I highly recommend you check it out.

I was lucky enough to be a part of the music video for the single "How We Got Started" (directed by the fabulous Alonso J. Lujan - yeah, I know, I might be biased), both in front of and behind the camera.  Creative consultant and 2nd Assistant Director were two of the hats I got to wear, and then at the party I got to wear this hat as well. 

(Did you spot me?)

black lace

Did you have a nice valentine's day?  While I'm madly in love with my husband (yes, even after 12 years together, knock on wood) we've never really been into this holiday.  Still, I'm not above an extra little dose of black lace, and any excuse is a good one.

Details, details...

snow globe joy

Remember back in december when I recommended these mason jar snow globes?  Well I made some of my own, and they turned out pretty awesome (if I do say so myself), and, since I avoided any traditional holiday themes, pretty seasonless as well.  So never mind that the holidays are behind us, make yourself some fake snow magic and enjoy it year-round! 

Follow these little guys and see how the magic was made...

it's a wrap

I wanted to go sort of minimalist this year with my wrapping, but still keep it light and fun.  Done and done.

My three wrapping essentials for 2012...

traditional cookies

Tonight is our annual christmas cookie making extravaganza.  We go all out.  ZZ Top here is from a few years ago, as is Sad Donkey below.  We obviously don't do well sticking to a holiday theme, but I think our cookies turn out the better for it.  Who can argue with total creative freedom?

Do you have any wacky holiday traditions?  Or are your traditions actually traditional?