what i'm reading

A couple readers asked about what I've been reading lately, so I thought I'd do a little post about the books I've read so far this year.  I've really enjoyed all the books I've read so far this year.  I feel like I'm reading a lot more this year than last year, but that could just be because I've been on quite a few plane rides the last few months.  I get most of my reading done on planes.  I like that planes are pretty much technology-free zones, though now most of them seem to have internet.  Still, my computer's battery is so old that it will barely hold a charge for 30 minutes now, and onboard internet between Seattle and Alaska is spotty at best, so reading is a better option anyway. 
My mom gave me One Thousand Gifts for Christmas and I quickly ate it up. I think I'd nearly finished it before getting off the plane from Anchorage at SeaTac.  I loved it.  Ann's writing style is very interesting, unique, and visceral.  Even if you don't have any faith in a God, I still think that Ann's message about the life-changing effect of living in a state of constant thankfulness and thanksgiving is invaluable.  Especially for those of us living in the blogosphere constantly, it's easy to adopt an attitude of jealousy and/or comparison, instead of realizing how blessed we are for what we have right in front of us.  Replacing comparison with thankfulness is something that I know I need to be constantly doing in my life.  I also loved Ann's attention to the smallest of things.  She gives thanks for things like freckles of light dancing on her kitchen counter, the crisp smell of autumn air, the sound of a child's unadulterated laughter.  I think we forget how many gifts are around us all the time, and in order to see them we only have to open our eyes.  I've long held the belief that in order to experience daily miracles, we need only be aware.

Omnivore's Dilemma was a book Dan had on his shelf for a while, and after contemplating my diet and making some changes, I decided to borrow it.  Loved.  I absolutely love Michael Pollan's writing style, and way he wrote about the topic was very engaging.  I'd definitely recommend Omnivore's Dilemma to anyone, especially those considering changing their diet to be more local and sustainable.  It gives you a ton of valuable information, without reading like a textbook.  He weaves his own experience in with the information in a very readable way.  So much so that...

I immediately went out and bought his other book, In Defense of Food.  Again, loved his writing, loved the content, would absolutely recommend.  This book is a bit shorter and a faster read than Omnivore's Dilemma, and less about facts and figures, and more about the philosophy of eating.  He boils things down to: Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.   I appreciate the simplicity he advocates when it comes to eating, especially since we're bombarded with so many complex and confusing diets and nutritional information these days.  This is a great book to read after Omnivore's Dilemma, as it is more about the practice of eating, after learning everything about the food industry from reading Omnivore's Dilemma.  


I've been advised to read Quiet by quite a few people, since I'm an outspoken introvert (oxymoron? haha), and I loved Susan's TED Talk.  I only started it a couple days ago, but I'm in love.  It's so great.  I've long believed that the world these days is very extrovert-centric, making it feel like an unfriendly place for us introverts, and making us feel like something is wrong with us for being the way we are.  Group projects? No thank you.  Small talk? I'll pass.  Parties?  Super fun!  For a while, until I'm ready to go home and be alone again.  It's nice to have some validation that I'm not just an antisocial weirdo.  If you're an introvert, or think you might be, you should read this book.  I mean, I'm only just starting it, but I can tell it's going to keep getting better.  I'm glad people are out there dispelling the myth that extroversion is the way everyone should be.  I would love to be able to advocate more for introverts, especially in school settings where it's so in vogue to teach in a way that is very exclusive to extroverts (group projects, seminar settings, etc.).  It can definitely make kids feel like there's something wrong with them, when really they're just introverts and learn better by being more introspective and doing projects alone, rather than in a group. But anyway, all that is a topic for another post entirely, perhaps after I finish reading and am teeming with introverted thoughts.

brick + plaid

Last weekend we went to a party downtown and I was reminded how cool all the old brick warehouse buildings are.  They have such beautiful light and texture.  Some of them have been converted to lofts or businesses, and while I love our house, sometimes I wish we could live in a converted warehouse loft, with huge open spaces and enormous windows.  Granted, practically speaking, that doesn't make much sense.  Heating one of those spaces alone probably costs a fortune.  I would love to have a studio space in one of those warehouses though.  Ever since I saw Katie's studio space, it's been on my mind even more so.  There are just so many of these beautiful buildings downtown begging to have new life breathed into them.
Lately I've been trying to do things that I say I want to do, rather than saying I want to do something and then just... not doing it.  I have a hard time taking all the ideas I have and actually putting them into action.  But I realize that the only reason things aren't happening is because I don't do them!  I saw a quote once that said, "A year from now, you'll wish you'd started today" and I feel like that so frequently.  I want to live more fully.  Less regrets.  Less wishing and hoping.  More doing and being.

top (similar) + boots/thrifted :: jeans/courtesy of for elyse jacket/courtesy of asianicandy :: bag/joy of ex :: photos by Dan
The next few weeks are looking pretty crazy for me.  I have meetings, two weddings to attend (one of which I'm photographing), a road trip, a photo shoot, graphic design work, planning for some events, and blogging on top of that.  I'm excited, but also a bit anxious.  I'm usually pretty good at planning well, but I still get anxious when so many things are happening in such a short amount of time.  It's like running straight from one thing to the next, either mentally, physically, or both.  But at the end, it feels great to have accomplished everything.

 

my fitness routine pt. 2 // what i wear

A few people have been asking what I wear when I work out/ rock climb, so I thought I'd share that with you guys!  I  mostly try to find work out gear at thrift stores because you can sometimes find some gems in there hidden among other, less desirable items.  I found the Patagonia sports bra in the first photo, and the Lululemon leggings in the bottom photo at thrift stores!  Pretty much every time I thrift I like to flip through the activewear section, just to see if there's anything good.  Most of the time there's nothing, but every once in a while I score!
bra (similar) :: shorts (similar) :: headband :: mat For Insanity, I have to wear almost nothing otherwise I'll completely overheat, especially now that the weather is warming up.  In the winter months I'd start with a top on and then strip it off midway through the warm up.  I like doing Insanity without shoes, though I know they recommend doing it with shoes to keep you from pounding your legs and also to avoid rolling your ankles.  I really dislike doing workouts with shoes on (well, except running), as I'm used to doing pilates and yoga.  Since I workout on hard floors I use two yoga mats to keep from hurting my feet and legs.   I also have to have my hair off of my face completely, otherwise it drives me nuts.  I pull it back in a pony tail, lash my bangs down with bobby pins and put on a head band for good measure.  Insanity has a lot of jumping around so I have to make sure my hair is pretty secure.  Also: WATER.  Lyke whoa.    top + leggings/courtesy of ellie (use the code GETFIT for 20% off!) :: shoes/evolv
For rock climbing I'll always wear leggings, as they give me the best range of motion.  These leggings from Ellie are my new favorite pair, on par with my Lululemon pair (below).  Good stretch, nice support, and they're not see through at all.  I usually wear a sports bra when I climb, though it's not necessary, and then layer a cute top like this, this, or this over it.  I don't really need a sports bra for support, but it is nice to not get a regular bra all sweaty and gross.   I wear Evolv's Elektra VTR Women's rock climbing shoes.  I like them a lot.  I have another pair of Mad Rock shoes that never get worn because I just prefer these Evolvs so much more.  They're pretty entry-level as far as shoes go.  They don't have a very agressive arch or anything, but the rubber is super sticky, which I love.   I made my own chalk bag because I figured it looked pretty easy and I couldn't find a cute one that I liked.  Plus: cheaper. I had some leftover fabric from making this dress, so I threw it together in an evening.  So far it's held up really well!  I made it over a year ago and use it all the time!


top (similar) :: tank(DIY) :: leggings (similar)/lululemon
This is another pretty standard rock climbing outfit, and I plan on this being one of my running outfits, once I start running.  I'm doing the Warrior Dash in July, so I want to at least train a little bit for that.  It's only a 5K so I'm not super worried.  I know I'll be able to finish it even if I didn't train, but I would like to start running.  I'm already pretty heavy into cardio training from doing Insanity, so a couch to 5k program seems like it wouldn't be rigorous enough from where I'm starting.  Does anyone know of any good 5k training programs for someone who is already relatively fit?   I also really like wearing the above outfit for yoga and pilates classes.  I like to have a tight fitting shirt on so I don't flash everyone when we do downward dog, but I do like a loser fitting top over it.  The white tank top is just a DIY I did by altering a plain white tee.  Just cut off the arms, the bottom hem, and the collar, and then tie some of the excess that you cut off to make a knot on the back.  If you don't feel like DIYing it, though, Ellie makes a great top that's pretty similar!  I've been enjoying my Ellie pieces.  They are very high quality, and feel similar to my Lululemon pieces, but are more affordable.  Plus, they tend to have more stylish workout clothes than just your standard leggings and sportsbra tank, like this super cute top.

a bit pin up

Last week was about crop tops.  I think I wore crop tops the majority of the week.  It was a good week in my book.  I actually bought this outfit last summer, and only wore it once, but never photographed it.  I had gone on a Forever 21 retail therapy trip after finding myself frustrated with the lack of anything "sexy" in my closet.  Sometimes you just want to put on an outfit and feel like a bombshell, right?  Well, I had looked in my closed and only found cutesie, modest, vintage silhouettes and nothing made me feel like hot sex on a stick and I wanted at least one outfit that made me feel like that, dammit!  Well, I bought this outfit and then proceeded to never wear it again.  I blame the shorts because they're really not super comfortable.  They're all right, but they get all up in my business when I sit down, and they were also on sale (for like $3!) because the side zipper is broken, so I have to undo all the little front buttons to get out of them.  But hey, fashun.  It's important.  I'm glad I kept these shorts, though.  I really do love their style and despite being slightly uncomfortable when I sit down, they're still cute enough to overcome that minor downfall.  I suspect I'll wear them more this summer



top (similar) + shorts (similar)/forever 21 :: shoes/courtesy of modcloth bag (similar)/courtesy of handbag heaven :: photos by Dan Dan and I took these photos downtown after taking a local adventure to a restaurant we'd been wanting to check out for some time: Stink!  It's kind of a wine and cheese type of place (though they do serve other things).  We're kind of cheese fiends, we've discovered, so we got a 5-cheese plate and enjoyed stuffing our faces with all kinds of cheesy deliciousness.  I definitely want to go back.  I love finding little restaurants and businesses run by local folks who have a passion for something and go for it.  It's fun to be able to support someone else's dream and vision, especially being someone who might end up as one of those small business cafe owners one day!   Dan was taking my photos and told me to act sexy, so I did whatever is happening in the photo below.  Apparently that face is "sexy."  Yup. 

lisa leonard necklace giveaway!

Happy Mothers' Day to all you moms out there!  I hope you're all having a wonderful day!  Before we get to today's giveaway I want to announce the winner of the AT&T giveaway for the LG Optimus G Pro!  Congrats to Harmony Burmeister!  I'll be in touch with you to get you your brand new smartphone!
Today I've got another awesome giveaway for you guys, this time from Lisa Leonard!  She makes tons of beautiful necklaces, bracelets, rings and more.  She's got some perfect jewelry to give to mom for Mothers' Day (if you totally forgot and are panicking about what to get! You can also get 15% off by using the code DELIGHTFUL15 when you check out!).  I picked out this pretty pale pink quartz necklace to style and I get to give away one to a lucky reader as well!  Just follow the directions below to enter!


a Rafflecopter giveaway