Nursery Reveal
If you’ve been following me for any length of time, then you probably know I love design and decor. So you can probably imagine how excited I was to decorate a nursery. Even in the darkest moments of my fertility journey, it was something I looked forward to—it lifted my spirits. I never had a specific vision for the nursery, but of course it was going to reflect my personal style. I approached the nursery with the same design philosophy that inspires my home: simple and clean, with a focus on versatility.
Letter Box
In my heart, I’m the kind of person who buys birthday cards well in advance and sends them out early to everyone on my list. In reality, I race to the store to buy a card and hope it gets there on time. I’m pretty sure this makes me a normal human being. While I do, on occasion, manage to get it right, I’ve always wanted to do better.
Dried Orange Garland
I wanted to share an easy DIY holiday decoration that will put you in the festive spirit and make your home smell divine. Now that’s what I call a win-win. I was inspired by a picture in House & Home magazine of a dried orange garland hanging on a mantle; there was just something simple and sweet about it that made me think of an old-fashioned Christmas. I wondered to myself, how hard could it be to make? As it turns out, not hard at all.
The Story of Things
I think it was their shape that caught my eye. All of those angles drenched in shiny lacquer. Standing there in the middle of CB2 staring at them, I was transported to a handsome library drenched in dark navy walls with antique leather chairs and brass finishes. I could see the boxes resting on a shelf next to a collection of wine-colored books; the gold lettering on their bindings seemed to play off of the reflective lacquer of their hexagonal neighbors. As I stood in that library studying the boxes, wondering what was inside, I imagined what they would look like on a low, wide coffee table in a sun drenched living room in a Hampton’s beach house. Inside, there would be seashells.
Love Letters
Life is busy, a reality to which many of us have reluctantly conceded. What pains me the most about busyness is its warped sense of priorities. Somehow, and for no good reason, the people and rituals I cherish get pushed to the back of the line. Raise your hand if you can relate. I try hard not to take my relationships for granted, but it happens. And while one of the calling cards of true friendship is that it doesn’t require a lot of maintenance, it’s important to reach out and show the people you love how much they mean to you.
Creating A Home Altar
I have a special place in my home devoted to my spiritual practice. My altar includes photos of my teachers (yoga and family) and some objects that inspire me: statues of Lakshmi, the goddess of abundance, and Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, some rocks, crystals, and trinkets I’ve collected, and a Catholic prayer card given to me by a dear friend. I like to spend a few minutes in front of my alter every day contemplating my life and my practice, but what I’ve learned over the years is that this physical space I’ve created in my home is really just a reflection of the altar within me. Every object, every photo is simply a manifestation of that which lies deep inside. I carry it with me always.
Fall Flowers
The art of arranging flowers is, for me, all about letting go. I might have an idea of what I want the arrangement to look like, but it never ends up looking like what I had imagined. If I focus on the act, itself, and give up my attachment to the end result, my arrangement will take on a life of its own. Devote yourself and then surrender to the process — that is yoga.
Thanksgiving Centerpiece
Thanksgiving dinner is more than just the meal. It’s more than the table decorations and the pumpkin pie; it’s about the meaning behind our traditions. I think that’s why Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday; more important than the results is the intention behind what we do.