{Feel-Good Things}

I liked this idea so much last week (I stole it from another blogger) that I thought that I might do it again this week!

Three feel-good things you can do right now:

No. 1: Take a walk in the park or have lunch with a friend. We are always always on the go go, and our bodies NEED time away from our work, our errands, our stress! Take twenty minutes out of your day and do something where you don't think about your to-do list. Your six hours of sleep through the night aren't enough to let your body recuperate. Be good to this body of yours! {Warning: cliche coming} It's the only one you'll get!



No. 2: On a similar note, another thing to help you feel good right now (and later on!) is trying a little physical activity, namely, Pilates. If you aren't already familiar with this wide-sweeping phenomenon that is gaining in popularity everywhere, you are in for a treat! This method of movement targets your core (where most of us say our trouble spots are!), balances your musculature, and leaves you feeling long and lean. Try doing a few moves, right by your computer from this site. P.S. Anyone can do this!

No. 3: Spoil yourself with a simple pleasure. Get a fancy soap to create a luxurious bubble bath. Paint your fingernails (always makes me feel so girly!). Treat yourself to 2% milk instead of nonfat at Starbucks (truth be told you will find there is a huge difference in taste plus it fills you up a lot more! you might not go back!).




Hope this has inspired you to do something to feel better and take care of yourself! Now it's your turn...what kinds of things do YOU do for yourself? xo, Alicia

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Image credits: 1. Jen Siegrist of jlynne photography; 2. Pilates; 3. Lippincott Soap Co.; 4. Sandra Lane found on sarahkaye.com

Easy tips to brighten your day

Hello hello and happy Thursday! I was reading through my blogroll this morning and found this great guest post at Oh, Hello, Friend about how to brighten your day, right now. I LOVE that idea. We all need something to keep us going, to get through the day. These ideas are not revolutionary, but will definitely revolutionize your day as you give to others and make the world a little bit better, one small act at a time.

Here are my favorites from the post:

* Bake something from scratch. There's something endlessly satisfying in creating something from nothing, and all the better if it's delicious and makes your whole house (or impossibly tiny apartment...) smell positively heavenly.

{congo bars via bakerella.com}

I have had this desire to make something from scratch (I don't cook or bake very much...), especially since I found Tartelette. I wish I was better in the kitchen, but I'm thinking I should just have a go at one of these recipes. Maybe I'll start with the Congo Bars photographed above!

* Start a quote collection. Get a fresh, new, blank little notebook, and write down your favorite quote in the world. Fill it up with all the best, most inspiring quotes in the world, and then start Volume II.

{lime green modern tweet sketchbook via parksideharmony}

I like this idea. I always have a few journals lying around, but I have never been good at journaling. Writing down my favorite quotes though? Inspiring!!

* Plan a trip. Whether you're going to Romania, Rhode Island, or just somewhere 'round the corner, there's a thrill to had in travel. Make it an event, and you'll be looking forward to it between now and then.

{credit}

On my list of things to do this year (I hate the word resolution--we should think of them as "goals," don't you think?) is to travel somewhere I've never been! I've never been to Canada. I live in Cincinnati, Ohio. Patrick (my husband) and I are planning a trip to Toronto once he's done with his summer term! If you have any recommendations of things to do while up there (or where to stay...hostels maybe?), let me know! I don't really know anything about the area!

* Write somebody a letter. No - not an e-mail, an honest-to-goodness handwritten letter. Now put it in an envelope, address it, and stamp it. Mail it, even if they live just a few miles away. You've just mailed an impending smile!

{Oh Hello! Card via bellacardcompany}

It really is exciting when you check your mail and see something hand-addressed to you, isn't it?! I love that feeling. Who can you send a card to this week??

Hope your day is good--tomorrow is Friday!