confessions of a newbie yogi

Let's get the good news out of the way: I survived! Which seems like nothing short of a miracle, thank you God for small favors. Like I said, I'd never really done any yoga before, other than wayyy back in the high school days (how is it five years ago already?!?) so my expectations of myself were low, to say the least. This is sort of what I was expecting:

Thankfully, it wasn't like that. At all. Although there was an old guy in short shorts and no shirt ... *shudder* 

Oddly enough, and unlike any other yoga I've attempted over the years, Bikram worked for me. The heat, the stretching, the internal focus, and the way it all combined into a seamless 90 minutes was perfect for me. I read a comment board where at least ten people documented - in detail - how sick they got taking Bikram, how they passed out, how they were nauseous, etc, which was obviously terrifying. Fortunately the instructor wasn't a yogi Nazi like some I read about, and laying down was totally allowed during the session. Which a lot of people took advantage of, but I found I didn't need at all. Even though those 90 minutes were sweaty, and strenuous to the max, I found that as we got further into the sequence of movement, my body just sort of figured out what to do, and went with it. It was pretty damn cool. 

But, some words of advice:
DO drink PLENTY of water, before, and during if you need to
DO figure out - quickly - how to deeply breathe
DO NOT worry about how much you're sweating, because everyone else is just as gross
DO NOT make fun of the poses, or laugh in the back of the class
DO repeat the instructor's "namaste" every time she says it
DO NOT make the other people in your class mad by snorting when asked to do ridiculous poses

and lastly, advice from Amy: "Do not eat Taco Bell within the hour before your class starts. Just don't. " Which, when it comes to Bikram, might be the best advice I've gotten yet. 

and may the fourth be with you

thoughts on coral

Ever whack the space between your knuckles really hard on a really sharp edge of a really hard surface? And then yell "Oy!" really loud, because that's the best non-profane word that you can think of when you're crumpled in pain? And ever have that happen when you were reaching (over)excitedly for food?

Holy guacamole, that hurts.


Anyway. Thoughts on coral? Anybody have some?

It's a warm color so it works well with my skintone, and I firmly believe that the second that gorgeous color is on my body somewhere, I start emitting a goddess-like glow. That is a fact.

In short, I love it. So I bought some today.

Check out that super high-quality phone picture there. Ooohhhh yeah.

Some other coral (or otherwise pink) beauties:

(all images from Pinterest, God bless that site)

Aaaaaand now that I think about it, 2 out of those 3 gorgeous pink things are of the beverage variety. I'm not a drinker, but it's certainly been that kind of a week.  

** I know you were all chomping at the bit to see those hairy men in dresses, but those pictures need editing and tweaking. And good things are worth waiting for. **

wishful thinking

Is it me, or did this weekend feel like summer? 


We threw all the windows open to get out the dusty smell of winter; let the cool breeze in. It was the perfect temperature, just enough for flip flops and ripped jeans again. 

Pink nails, sunshine, sun roof open, favorite song on the radio. We drove just because we liked the warm wind and letting our arms wave up and down out the windows. I'm imagining long days and freckles and sundresses against a backdrop of crashing waves and seagulls.

What makes you feel like summer?

Needtobreathe

RIP, beloved H&M white pants

Has anyone else ever heard of Needtobreathe? 


They are probably my favorite band in the entire world. My dad and I went to see them at MusikFest this past summer, and they were just as good live as they are in the studio (which to me makes them a hundred times more talented and better). I also happen to have the world's biggest crush on the lead singer, Bear, but that's neither here nor there, really.

Anyway, they have the most amazing lyrics - their songs are always about pure, beautiful things. Things that actually mean something. They remind me that not all music is about sex, and getting high, and making money. It can be about better things, a better life. These lyrics are from the song "Keep Your Eyes Open," off their latest album. 

Don't let the night become the day

Don't take the darkness to the grave

I know pain is just a place

Where the will has been broken

Don't let the fear become the hate

Don't take the sadness to the grave

I know the fight is on the way

When the sides have been chosen

Cause if you never leave home, never let go

You'll never make it to the great unknown

Open up your eyes, keep your eyes open

Try to listen to that voice and not fall in love. I dare you. Bear, if things ever don't work out with what's-her-name ... you know where to find me. 

eos

We're standing in the aisle at Target, staring at the vast selection before us.

"What do you think?" A asks me. "Should we do it?"
"Hmmmm," I reply thoughtfully. "It does seem like a lot. And even if we did, which one?"
"Should we splurge? Should we do it?" A is having a difficult time. We both are.
But it's only an act. We both know what's going to happen, so finally A takes the plunge.
Reaches his hand out, wraps it around a green one, retracts it.
We stare at the package in his hand.
Honeysuckle Honeydew.
It's a light, crisp green. Egg shaped to fit a hand perfectly.
We're already in love.
In the car we rush to open it.
Try it.
Perfection.

It's official, according to A and I: EOS is the best lip balm you will find anywhere.
If you haven't bought one of these yet: I'm serious. Do it. Do it now.
95% organic, 100% natural. And in my opinion, 100% worth the extra cost.
Also it helps that they look like beautiful little Easter eggs.

I've had mine (Summer Fruit flavor) since Christmas, so it lasts a long time (and I'm a heavy chapstick user). And that's with A stealing it every chance he got.


Disclaimer: I'm not being endorsed in any way to talk about this. Heck, I wish I was. I will gladly take free samples or cash donations to continue pursuing my addiction scientific analysis of these wonderful things.

Eos has a whole line of flavors, with more due to make an appearance on shelves soon. You can bet that when they do, A and I will be there, making more life-changing decisions. It is our dream to have an entire medicine cabinet shelf dedicated to them. Arranged by color.

Someday.

weekends are for

1. sunshine, surprise snowstorms, and robins outside your window

2. marathon watching downton abbey

3. sweatpants

4. catching up with friends via Skype and hearing about their world travels

5. brainstorming vintage photoshoot ideas

6. catching up on laundry

7. spending quality time with people

8. SLEEP

9. eating a rather unhealthy amount of carry-out chinese noodles (they came with broccoli?)

10. obsessing over this website. seriously, if Downtown Abbey had a closet, it would be this. and if I had more money, I would buy all some of their things. drooling.

Things I Love, I

I wish I could hate Urban Outfitters.

I really do.

Because then I could peacefully detest their lovely things

and not want to buy them as much as I do.

It's a good thing that I don't have the money to go there,

otherwise this little girl would be in

HUGE trouble.

But since it's my birthday soon,

I get to look and not feel guilty ;)

So enjoy some of the things that have caught my eye today.

So okay, the pictures are really blurry.

Sorry.

But now you have an excuse to go and check them out for yourself.

In fact, I mustache that you do so.

mustache?

get it?

I crack myself up.