Armchair Chats // October 2016

It’s already a few days into November, but this still counts, right? I think I can give myself a 5-day grace period on these posts.

As I write this I’m eating far too many Brookside dark chocolates, and Halloween candy wrappers litter my coffee table. It’s been a tough couple of a weeks and I am eating my feelings without shame.

We’re in the middle of home renovations, so the lower level of my house is in total disarray. I’ve been taking Selah over to my mom’s house on my days at home with her (because the workers don’t seem to care that I have a baby who needs sleep!), and I just feel so out of my routine. I’m rereading and reminding myself of my own words from last week: it’s okay if I don’t feel done.

So this month, these are the things I’ve thought about, the things that have grounded me, the things that have brought me joy. I’d love to know what’s happening in your life and what you’re into these days!

What I’m Learning

The sounds I put into my brain have a deep impact on how I feel. (This should have been obvious to me before now.) I listen to a lot of podcasts, but lately I’ve been swapping a few out in favor of classical music or movie scores, and it’s making a difference in how calm I feel.
How to edit photos in Lightroom. I’ve been taking a great class through Skillshare and I’ve been learning a ton by following Cole’s Classroom.

What I’m Loving

The original score from The Holiday. To the point above, I have been listening to this on Spotify, and it’s making me insanely happy. It’s getting me into the holiday spirit without being overly Christmasy (I love Christmas, but I’m not ready to dive headfirst into Christmas music), and it’s great mood music for creative thinking.
LaCroix. It caught my eye at the grocery store last week and I realized that I’d never had one, despite how many friends rave about it. I’m officially addicted and look forward to this as a nightly treat. My favorite flavor so far is mango.
The family photos we took a few weeks ago! My mom and I captured the shots, and I edited (also related to the point above!). Here’s a little peek at some of my favorites.

What I’m Doing

Watching Gilmore Girls (for the 5th time). Just 22 more days until the big revival, and I might DIE with excitement.
Planning Selah’s 1st birthday party. I can hardly believe my little monster is going to a year old this month! I’m partnering with a few Etsy shops to put together a pretty pink party, and I can’t wait to show you what we’ve got planned! You can follow along on Instagram if you like that sort of thing, or if you love newborn pictures. I’ll be spamming some early photos of her as I live in denial about how old she is.

What I’m Clicking

The Norwegian Secret to Enjoying a Long Winter: “Norwegians also have a word, koselig, that means a sense of coziness. It’s like the best parts of Christmas, without all the stress. People light candles, light fires, drink warm beverages, and sit under fuzzy blankets.”
How to Avoid Overwhelm This Holiday Season: “We can’t force others out of their packed schedules or their family hustle. We can only do what we know is best for us– gifting ourselves a season of quietness, quality conversations, generosity, hope, and rebirth.”
This is what work-life balance looks like at a company with 100% retention of moms: “‘We wonder why in corporate America women are absent at these levels,’ she said. But the answer is really not that difficult, or expensive she says. ‘You have to value care-giving.'”