List a Week No. 11 & 12

Good news!  Moorea Seal just posted Week 15 of her 52 Lists today, and today I just finished up Lists 11-14!  As of next week, I will be caught up and you will only have to read one list a week!  I'm sure you're all as excited as I am.  I decided I will just post two of the lists together, so here are List 11 and List 12:

List 11 asked for a list of your essentials.  Not the toiletry items you require or what you have in your purse, but what you need in your life in order to feel like yourself.  I can get off-kilter quite easily in life if I don't have my essentials.  One of the most important things for me is to have balance and to make sure I have enough down time from the hectic rush of life.  

List 12 kind of relates to List 11: make a list of things that make you feel at home.  I grew up in two houses.  The house that my mom lives in now was our home.  My parents put a lot of work into it to make it theirs, and we have so many wonderful memories there.  I always remember coming home from road trips, and coming up on the last few blocks before home.  I think that is one of the most comforting feelings, almost being home.

Now that I've grown up and am building a home with my fiancé, my list of what feels like home is expanding and changing.  But home will always be where my family is.

So tell me, what are your essentials?  What makes you feel at home?

Music Monday

I really love when a movie has a good soundtrack.  One of my favorites is the Hunger Games soundtrack.  None of the music on the soundtrack was in the movie, but I read that they picked songs that embodied the district that Katniss (the main character, for those of you who are unaware) was from.  The songs are very earthy and folksy.  If you haven't checked it out, I would definitely recommend it.

One of the bands I discovered on there is The Low Anthem.  They're music is very diverse, ranging from soft melodies to a bit more rock.  But they are quite fantastic to relax to.  Enjoy!

Almost Spring!

Adam and I decided to go for a walk last night.  Okay, so I decided to go for a walk and dragged Adam along.  It had been a relatively nice day, and the sun was just started to go down, so I thought we were safe, but no!  It was so dang windy!  We got down to the path, took a couple pictures and immediately turned around to get back to the warmth of our home!

Top: Luvbird / Sweater: Lauren Conrad @ Kohls / Jeans: Gap / Shoes: Born

I can't wait until spring is here to stay, instead of just teasing us with good days.  Until then, I will be consoled with the flowers on my table and warm thoughts!

List A Week No. 10

One more today, and some beautiful flowers. 

With law school coming to a close, and the desire to keep my house somewhat in order in all this chaos, it was nice to make a list of all the ways I can cleanse for spring.  I don't know about you, but for me, cleansing is about both my home and my mind.  In order to make it through finals, it is important to keep a clear head and a peaceful mind.  Of course, having a clean home and surrounding doesn't hurt!

Since spring has refused to make a final appearance, I bought us some flowers.  And I thought they were the perfect subject to test out my new lens!  

Isn't bokeh beautiful?  I have always used the lens that came with my camera, and in laymen's terms, it never made such pretty backgrounds for my photos!  I love the blurriness :)

You can see the rest of my lists here.

List a Week No. 9

I'm so close to being caught up!  I promise, about five more lists and you will only be seeing these once a week!  In the meantime, here's List Nine from Moorea Seal's 52 Lists, a list of places I want to go.  this is by far not an exhaustive list, because if it were up to me, I would go everywhere in the world.  

You know how people always ask you what your super power would be if you had one?  Well I always choose being able to speak in every language and understand everyone.  I am fascinated with foreign languages and idioms, and love immersing myself in the culture of other places.  I think it's one of the greatest things our diverse world has to offer us.

I got a new lens this week, and I am in love!  It's the Canon 50mm f 1/4, so it's not very good at self portraits, but I tried!  I can't wait to show you more.  

Have a wonderful day!  You can see the rest of my lists here!

List a Week No. 8

Week eight of Moorea Seal's 52 Lists was definitely easier than the last ones, but man, did my wrist hurt after!  I have a very eclectic music collection, but I (obviously) think I have very good taste!  Going through my iTunes and Spotify accounts reminded me of a bunch of stuff I haven't listened to lately. Do I see a weekend cleaning/jam session in my future?!

What do you think?  Are there any important albums I'm missing?

You can see the rest of my lists here!

List a Week No. 7

Week Seven of Moorea Seal's 52 Lists is List Things that Make You Feel Healthy, Mind, Body & Soul.  This list touched close to my heart, because I try my best to feel healthy in all these manners.  My New Year's Resolution this year was to work out more days than I don't, and so far I've been doing well.  I know that it's different for everyone, but working out and being active makes me feel great.  Maybe it's the endorphins, maybe it's working towards a better me, but I really love it.  Don't get me wrong, I usually hate it while I'm doing it!  But afterwards, I always get that great post-workout rush.

Feeling healthy is one of the most important things to me.  It is a big motivator.  Do what you can to feel good about yourself, and it will be reflected in the world around you.  It sounds cliche, but it's true. Your friends and family will notice. 

Here are some of the many things I do to stay happy, healthy and alert.  

What makes you feel healthy, mind, body and spirit?