To love the moments we live in.

i had a beautiful walk all over the city today. i took a half day from work for an afternoon of doctor appointments. this wandering is something i rarely do. i walk with purpose even when i have no purpose. i walk very fast thinking of other things. i'm not in the moment. i also listen to my iphone or check apps. 

today i had no headphones. i let the world fill my ears and eyes. also, getting purposely lost, i had to focus on the little things to figure out where i was. it was great fun and i need to do it more often. now that the weather is good, i'm going to try to more. 

i wrote this on my "notepad" on my phone. when you get the feeling to write, you must write. and it was just one of those moments when the words were floating in my head and had to get out if i was going to remember the images i had seen today. 

Little girl bouncing along the hopscotch - the beads in her hair following suit. Jazz notes falling down the club stair case, floating through the air and taking a ride on my pounding of the pavement. I think Seaton street is my favorite. It's dripping with roses and ivy and all the houses are painted in the color of "home." To love the moments we live in. How easy one forgets.

and here are the pictures i took of Seaton street. I couldn't help it. 

Spring Fever

This weekend was unexpectedly wonderful.
Walking home from the metro my neighbor invited me over for dinner of chicken covered in herbs, garlic, and butter, laying on a bed of crispy kale and a bottle of white wine. We sat on the patio and talked to the neighbors. The weather was perfect. Then my friend came over and we finished off the bottle of wine, went to our favorite local bar and then all three of us went to a Gypsy Jazz show at another bar nearby. Someone at the table ordered a lamb shank and then i had to order a Cabernet to wash it down with.

Food. Music. Good company. It is the holy trinity.

Saturday I wrote all day and then got an email that my Bee article was going to be published on an online magazine. I was really happy to get that news. It is a little accomplishment, but it is the encouragement i was looking for to keep writing and sending my stuff in. Then i went to Opera in the Outfield, watching The Magic Flute on the Nats stadium screen.

Sunday I went to an Andrew Wyeth lecture which blew my mind. His technique and subjects were so interesting. His approach to art was to strip away everything to find the true images, not to add things to make it look "better." The lecture focused on his fascination with painting windows. He painted 300 pictures of windows.

After the lecture I had an inspiring phone call with an old friend, as I sat on the stairs of the steps of the National Portrait Gallery.

I went over to my friends backyard, drank beer and lay in the sun in my sundress, then went to a local bar. They were having an annual celebration where all the men wear sundresses. It was amusing, to say the least.

I got a musician's number. He was wearing a yellow and black striped dress.

Everyone is out in my neighborhood. The streets are one again brimming with Millennials and the occasional stroller pusher. I love my neighborhood in the spring and summer. That when I moved to DC and i think it is the best time to be here. There are endless things to do, see, and people to meet.

10 ways to spring forward

TEN WAYS TO SPRING FORWARD

 

Even though we’re fast approaching the first day of Spring, tonight it’s snowing outside my window.  In trying to shake off this snowy haze I’ve been stuck in, I’ve found ten sparks of inspiration for getting yourself to spring forward and embrace the blossoming to come.

1.       Perfume
Everyone needs their signature scent. Whether it is a body spray or an expensive French Eau de toilette – find your scent!  One day you may feel like lemongrass zing, the next a smokey violet. If you’re in need of a pick me up, spritz a bit on your neck and wrists before you leave the house in the morning. You only need a spray or two to feel a little luxurious. It’s like wearing an invisible Harry Winston necklace. Everyone can see the smile on your face but no one knows your secret.


2.       Bright colors
During the winter months it’s easy to let the surrounding colors collect on your clothes. Instead of looking like you’re walking through an L.L. Bean catalog, remember to wear your favorite colors.  If your signature color is black try wearing an unexpected hue that complements your hair, eyes, or skin tone. I like wearing my coral tweed spring coat in these tired winter days. It makes my cheeks look brighter and the glow I get from wearing it is a confidence booster. It pops against the gray skies and white snow.


3.       A drink
A green juice or smoothie is a great morning cheers to your health.  Getting a glass of wine or sipping green tea while reading a book is the best respite after a busy day.


4.       Fresh flowers
The next time you go to the grocery store, try to pick up fresh flowers.  Flowers brighten a room.  Having a bit of nature inside your home will remind you that spring is indeed coming very soon.


5.       Used book store
lost is exactly what you are supposed to do in a used book store. It yields the best results. You walk out with a book – or seven – that you may not have known existed. I got an Italian travel book in February and it allowed me to take a mini vacation to Tuscany without putting a dent in my bank account. And speaking of travels….


6.       Take a trip
A great thing to do is type in a place you’ve always dreamed of going on a travel site.  If you can’t go there this instance, due to time or money, you can still plan for it.  Put a jar in your bedroom and fill it with pocket change. Label it’s outside with your desired destination.  Whether it is a weekend trip or month long one, it’s wonderful to look forward to a new adventure.


7.       Dancing to ________ in your underwear
This is so much fun.  Even more so when you don’t feel like it.  It’s hard to be pissed off about anything when you’re dancing in your underwear. Go Tom Cruise style: socks, sans pants, while wearing sunglasses. Show tunes, punk rock, Led Zeppelin – play whatever moves you. Close your door and start your risky business!


8.       Karaoke
Are you scared of singing in front of crowds? Karaoke is not about being the next contestant of, “The Voice”.  It’s about having fun and celebrating. If you need the liquid courage have a bit, but not too much so that you don’t feel the thrill of singing with reckless abandon as your friends guffaw, dance, or do both at the same time on the sidelines.  The rush you get from not caring what other people think about you is a wonderful buzz. People are attracted to those who take chances and don’t mind occasionally making a fool of themselves.


9.       Yoga, running
As soon as it is warm outside I put on my running shoes and get the blood flowing. If your motivation is “finito” before you have begun, make a new running playlist.  This musical inspiration helps me break the mile barrier.  If you’ve never ran before, but want to try, download an iPhone Running application, like Couch to 5k.  It’s a great way to ease into running while not feeling overwhelmed. Walking the majority of the time and running for five minutes at a time is a great start! If running isn’t your thing, go to a community yoga class.  Usually yoga studios offer a once a week donation class, that is less expensive than the average class.  This way you can ease yourself into yoga and see if the instructors are ones you will like.  Stretching and sweating give your face a better glow than bronzer ever could. You’ll feel reenergized and ready for Spring.


10.   Something sparkly
I don’t own much expensive jewelry, but buying or wearing the occasional sparkly brooch attached to my jacket lapel, hat, or scarf really brightens up an outfit.  If you’re the crafty type, peruse Etsy for inspiration and construct a glitter covered object of desire. Barettes, scarves, even furniture if you are feeling brazen!  Anything you can imagine can be covered in glitter. As for the aftermath that is up to you, but why not spread glitter everywhere in this world! You’ll leave a signal of Spring.

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