Attitude Inspiration

I was chatting with a chef yesterday when he started describing how well preschool-age son cooks. The kid can even roll his own sushi! The trick, the chef said, is that it doesn't even cross his son's mind that he shouldn't try cooking -- or that he wouldn't be great at it.

Isn't that cool? When is it exactly that we start doubting our ability to do things? That we block ourselves from even trying?

Let's put a stop to this! Instead of thinking why we shouldn't attempt something, let's be confident that we’ll probably be great at it.

And, hey, this isn't a bad way to start a weekend.

Cool by Design

Today I am feeling inspired by the immensely talented artist Katie Kirk, whose designs can be found on her flickr set. Her work is graphic, witty and very cool.

Here, take a look.

Images from here.

Little Joys

I picked up a little something for myself this weekend. And it is silly how happy this small purchase makes me.

They are two black chiffon flower bobby pins from Forever 21. They set me back a whopping $1.80. But I am so loving them! I can't wait to wear them. I'm already planning a work outfit around them and a more fun look around them for the weekend.

It really is the little things, isn't it?

Photo from here.

Fueling the Fire

This morning, there was frost on the ground when I woke up. Frost! I can't believe how quickly autumn has come this year.

While I can't say I'm ready for it, I will try to embrace the best parts of it. The joy of warm meals. The particular brilliant way the sun shines this time of year. Crunching through leaves as I walk or run through them. Cozy sweaters and tall boots and belted jackets.

And fires.

We have used our fireplace quite a bit this week. I love it! It makes our living room so cozy. Wouldn't it be incredible to live in a house that had fireplaces in the dining room, bedroom or even bathroom?

I snapped this photo a few weekends ago in Vermont. I like the pattern and texture found in this stack of firewood -- and how someone else seems to be anticipating cozy nights inside by a fire.

Stay warm out there!

Photo by me.

Thankful Thursday

Today, I feel overwhelmingly grateful for home.

Not just my physical house, although I'd be remiss if I didn't mention how much I do love it. I love how we're little by little fixing it up and making it our own. I love how it's this oasis of comfort no matter what's going on in the rest of the world. All day, I kept thinking about how I wanted to walk in and curl up in a blanket by the fireplace while it's chilly and drizzly outside.

But as much as I crave being in my house, it's the others that also call it home that are really the best. My husband and pup make my life so wonderful, and I can't think of much nicer than spending time with them at home. Whether cuddled inside or romping in the backyard -- as they're doing in this photo -- it doesn't matter. What matters is that we're here.

Since we've been away the past few weekends, he and I have expressed how much we are looking forward to this week and weekend, just being at home together with the dog. We've been carefully guarding the upcoming weekend, not saying yes to any invitations out just yet and not making too many plans. I think we both recognize how much the three of us just want to be together ... and be together at home. And I think that's a beautiful thing.

Photo by me.

Time for Tights

Now that the weather has taken a deliberate turn for the chilly, I am going crazy for tights. Colorful or patterned stockings have to be the most fun part about dressing warmly. 

So I was excited to see the beautiful ways Rebecca of the amazing and inspiring The Clothes Horse has been wearing hers. So pretty!

Photos from The Clothes Horse.

So Much Love

What a wonderful weekend I just had. I know it's nearly halfway through the week but I find myself thinking again and again about how I spent those days.

My husband and I went to Vermont for his best friend's wedding. The celebrations were lovely, the people we met were friendly and the fall color was absolutely gorgeous. The leaves were such rich shades of orange, red and yellow that they looked electric, while the hills in the background tinged a beautiful shade of blue. (My photos definitely do not do the scenery justice!)

But I have to say, the best part of the long weekend was how loving my husband was to me. He made me feel so special, so important, so amazing. We had such a blast dancing and chatting with his friends and just hanging out. I think I fell in love with him all over again.

Photos by me.