on moving and being adventurous

This is my view as I sit on my parents' patio this morning, drinking a cup of 

 Pal's coffee. We are in the middle of the biggest move of our family's life to date. After living in the same place for almost 7 years, the Navy is moving us to our new home in Pensacola, FL. The truck pulled away from our house Monday after lunch with all but two carloads worth of personal belongings (p.s. its amazing how much a honda civic can hold). We will find ourselves in our new home mid afternoon Monday (God willing).  

First we stopped in our home state, NC for a minute and tried to see as much family as possible in our less-than-24-hours stay before heading to Johnson City, Tennessee (cue the OLd Crow Medicine Show sound track). Next we are on to ATL to see H's God mama and stay with an old friend of hers and Robert's.

Where I thought it would be immensely stressful to be house-less for a week, I feel like I've left my stress behind in VA. I know there are hours upon hours of painting and unpacking ahead of us in our new home, and I will have to start the process of making new friends and getting acclimated, but I feel like I've spent so much time getting excited about our move that I am seeing it (at least at this point) as an adventure. 

I feel in this season of my life that I need to embrace adventure more, and look at life more in that light, and embrace more. Becoming a mom definitely informed that change I'm trying to make. Where I was and have always been somewhat trepidatious of change, my husband and son always plunge full force into life- and figure things out when they need to. I love that about them, and as a mom, want to foster that as much as possible in Henry, even though I know he will end up on wild and crazy adventures that may involve something like getting lost in the chesapeake bay for 24 hours straight (thats another story for another time, and you'll have to ask dear Robert about that one.) 

I will miss my friends in VA dearly, but as every military spouse knows, if you don't move first, a dear friend will. We have friends scattered to the four corners of the earth and its nice to know that no matter where we go, we probably know someone nearby. 

 We spent a lottttt of time going through and getting rid of a ton of stuff (they say 3 moves are the equivalent to a house fire when it comes to purging things- and we are on move number 4) and have been dealing with some health problems. But now that we are in tip top shape and past the hard part of the move I hope to write more! 

xoxo

emily

saw it on Pinterest challenge!

There are always so many projects I see on Pinterest that I want to do, so this is a way to challenge myself to do them every once in a while. I make recipes from Pinterest on occasion but usually nothing other than that. 

This DIY is particularly out of my comfort zone because I am NOT a hair stylist by any means. I mean- I didn't own a brush until a few years ago when I cut my hair off and HAD to style it every day. I can't believe I just admitted that out loud...

Original Pin
(I could not find the original site, please let me know if you know of it!) 

Anyway, I adore messy hairdos, especially this one. So I thought I'd give it a try...

I started with 2 day unwashed hair and added some dry shampoo to the roots to add some body. I normally don't wash my hair more often than 3x a week because my hair is SO fine it gets oily easily AND gets really dried out easily. I am currently in the early stages of no-pooing my hair (Another Pinterest challenge coming your way) which you can read more about here. I decided to curl my hair sporadically with a 1 inch curling iron to add more body/texture to it. As you can see in the original photo, the model has a lot of body and texture to her hair. 

Next I parted my hair down the middle (in the back). I don't do the middle part too well so I kept my natural part in front and just decided to see how that would work.  I also teased my hair a bit in the back using a comb, as it appears the model has done. I decided I need to tease it more and higher on my head next time for the same effect. 

Next I separated my hair in half again on either side.

I twisted each side and then twisted them together into a bun. I realized in hind sight that I can make it messier to achieve a look closer to the original. 

And finally I braided each side and twisted the braids around the bun, pinning each one into the bun. I attempted the french-braid on either side and gave up after my arms fell asleep after several attempts haha. Then I sprayed my hair with some hairspray to smooth out the fly-aways. 

All in all I'm happy with it! It took a while for me since I'm a newbie but its a nice change from my usual topknot, pony, or leaving my hair down. It is not ideal for a get ready and go kind of day as my days usually are around here. I normally shower at night and don't wear makeup in the summer so I'm ready in about 10 minutes flat. (Having an extremely active 16 month old also dictates my morning routine as well ;). )

what I'm thankful for today

A while ago I started keeping a gratitude journal. I don't write in it every day, but I do make a mental list at the very least every day. 

Doing so has helped change the way I think completely. I used to be a pragmatist and a cynic at times for sure. Being positive has helped me realize how limiting my previously negative way of thinking was. 

Athletes and motivational speakers have lauded the power of positive thinking forever...and they're actually on to something.

I've found that gratitude has been the easiest and most profound way of changing not only my thinking but my way of life. 

I get more done in my day. Things that previously upset me no longer do. I am more openminded. Things that once made me anxious no longer do. And the biggest thing is that I'm no longer as hard on myself as I used to be. 

It really is as simple as being grateful. I love the adage "be grateful in all things" and that can be extremely difficult to do. But I'm working on it. 

And so, I'm sharing today's list:

1. Henry + Robert  (Hen and Robert will always be my #1 on this list)

2. Our upcoming move to a new place

3. The connections I've already made with WONDERFUL people who live down there.

4. Re-entering the fleet and the Navy community

5. My bright pink shirt I'm donning today. (No clue why but it makes me SO happy!) 

6. The friendships I've made here

7. Being home with Hen this summer

8. That my quiche turned out last night and I have yummy leftovers for lunches! (Its the little things!) 

I encourage you to start keeping a gratitude journal or list and see how that changes things for you! 

++ Emily 

Note: The photos included really don't go with this post other than that they are photos that make me happy :)

This Week On Instagram

This past week I went to Seattle for a Professional Conference for a few days. I made sure not to spend too much time working and did a little sight seeing. From top left:

1. My new mug and coffee from the original Starbucks //  2. The hubby and I on a date to go stand up paddle boarding // 3. Sleepy Henry after waking up the night before due to a nightmare // 4. Gin and Tonic Season!  // 5. Getting back into running. // 6. Honey Badger Cartoon! // 7. My boy loves Chipotle //  8. Midnight french fry stop on my way home from the airport // 9. Breakfast at Le Panier in Pikes Place // 10. The original Starbucks // 11. Pier 70 where my fave season of The Real World was filmed in Seattle // 12. Dinner at Cafe Champagne in Seattle 

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Mama Style

Today I'm linking up with Casey on Mama Style. 

These images sum up my style pretty well. I'd say that I look for classic, easy pieces that I can sass up with something a little unexpected. It may be with a funky necklace, hat or fun shoes. 

Right now I need something that can go from work to class, to the park, or out all in one day.

But I still want to express myself (the artist side of me) . Generally I will go for bright colors or graphic prints, sometimes together. And thats how I like it. My style inspiration since I was a child has been Ms. Frizzle from the Magic School bus. I know, I know. But really- she wears a classic cut with crazy colors and always has great shoes!! 

Becoming a mama has made me feel more beautiful than I ever did before. Truly. I wouldn't necessarily say I'm one of those women who say that those stretch marks are my tiger stripes.  I could do without that part, if we are being totally real here. Even though my body will never be the same again, It amazes me EVERY day that I was able to carry a little person for 9 months. And that makes me feel beautiful. It is as if being entrusted the great gift of another one's life just lit a fire inside of me. Just being H's mama makes me feel more myself than I ever felt before. 

I think that growing into myself in that way helped me become more myself with my style too- to rock the colors that others may not think go together. To wear the jingly yellow Ms. Frizzle shoes. 

>> Em 

This Sweater

This sweater is a recent purchase at the J.Crew outlet near where i live.

It's cashmere. it's mint. it was on clearance.

I chose it not just because it is in the color of the moment. It reminds me if a sweater I had as a teenager.

I remember purchasing it from Benneton and it was kind of a big deal. It was part of a purchase of my first "grown up" clothes. It was to wear to work at my first job and for professional conferences I attended.

I remeber feeling pretty, feeling much more myself. I wore necklaces thAt I had made with it.
I wore it until it fell apart.

I love that clothes can carry a story like that. I think that is why I save my money for a few meaningful pieces like that rather than buying a lot of things I only wear once or twice.

>> Emily