Beating the Heat

 

The weather report for the past few days has been nothing short of brutal. The temperature was in the high 90s for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday with a “Real Feel” of over 100 degrees. Tires were melting, people were cranking air conditioners and it seemed that the only place to find a respite from the oppressive heat was by the water. 

I was lucky to escape my air conditioned office by 2pm all three days and it was so completely worth it. The break from the battle of work + heat felt needed, justified, and a means of survival. There is something truly healing about being by, near or submerged in water when temperatures hit record highs. Being in New England means we don’t usually see crazy high temps because we are close enough to the shoreline to have steady and strong breezes coming off the water. That wasn’t the case this week. Even us coastal people were feeling the intensity of the sun. 

I made sure that my bag was packed with a great beach read, my favorite towels and enough sun protection to keep an entire army covered head-to-toe. My one goal was to make sure none of my beach company went home sporting sun burns. The heat was enough during the day, I was adamant that we would not be burning up at night, as well.

“Live in the sunshine,

Swim in the sea, 

Drink in the wild air.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

I'm Back...and Better Than Ever

(image via)

For reasons truly unknown to me, I have neglected this blog. Yet when I look back on the posts I have curated over the years, I am proud and inspired by the woman who penned these words. I found myself searching around and loving what I found. My gratitude posts (here, here, and here, for example) lifted my spirits and is certainly something I want to revisit. With the new year right around the corner, what better time to start focusing on the blessings we encounter every single day. I also want to share the fascinating stories that I find online. Typically what I do is add these stories to by "Reading List" online but share them with no one. Why not have a platform where I can share these articles and also find them again, should I go looking? So stay tuned for some lessons on gratitude, interesting finds online, book talk, interviews with fascinating people, and tips on how to live an inspiring, happy, and fulfilling life. I am going to be learning these life lessons right along with you and sharing what I find. A classroom for a wonderful life! 

Reading List:

~12 Little Known Laws of Gratitude.

~8 Habits of People Who Always Have Great Ideas.

~The Evasive Work-Life Balance. 

~9 Books on Reading & Writing.

~When Life Feels Like a Mess.

~Adele is Back.

~The Best Thing You Can Do For Yourself.

As I await the birth of my second child (towards the end of the year) and continue to raise my beautifully spirited 21-month-old son, I will also share some parenting lessons, suggestions, and obstacles that I learn along the way. 

I look forward to building this small space into my online home. I am not doing it to build a platform, increase page-views, sell anything or become an online sensation. I just want it to be a place for me to do my favorite things; read, write, learn, and share. I'm excited!

Happy Fall! 

The Original Great Gatsby with a Modern Trailer

This is what the original, Robert Redford Great Gatsby Trailer would look if it were made today. Pretty cool!

Did anyone see The Great Gatsby with Leo over the weekend? Thoughts? How does it compare to the original? How does it compare to the book?

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to the woman who inspires me daily. 

I love you, Mom!

A Writer Remembered

Maeve Binchy, one of the most prolific and beloved writers of our generation, passed away this summer leaving behind a gorgeous literary history as well as one final novel. A Week in Winter came out last week and I don't think it's a coincidence that such a loved writer had her last work published days before Valentine's Day. Here is a short summary of her final work.

Stoneybridge is a small town on the west coast of Ireland where all the families know one another. When Chicky Starr decides to take an old, decaying mansion set high on the cliffs overlooking the windswept Atlantic Ocean and turn it into a restful place for a holiday by the sea, everyone thinks she is crazy. Helped by Rigger (a bad boy turned good who is handy around the house) and Orla, her niece (a whiz at business), Chicky is finally ready to welcome the first guests to Stone House’s big warm kitchen, log fires, and understated elegant bedrooms. John, the American movie star, thinks he has arrived incognito; Winnie and Lillian are forced into taking a holiday together; Nicola and Henry, husband and wife, have been shaken by seeing too much death practicing medicine; Anders hates his father’s business, but has a real talent for music; Miss Nell Howe, a retired schoolteacher, criticizes everything and leaves a day early, much to everyone’s relief; the Walls are disappointed to have won this second-prize holiday in a contest where first prize was Paris; and Freda, the librarian, is afraid of her own psychic visions. 
            
Sharing a week with this unlikely cast of characters is pure joy, full of Maeve’s trademark warmth and humor. Once again, she embraces us with her grand storytelling. 

I can't wait to dive into this one but part of me wants to savor Maeve's last work. It is certainly bittersweet.

Recommended Reads

Dinner: A Love Story. Intoxicating.

Pride & Prejudice for the Downton Abbey fans.

Donna Tartt is back...soon.

Author of PS I Love You has another book heading to the big screen with Love, Rosie 

History of the toothbrush.

You had one job! (Warning: You will not be able to stop scrolling through these pictures)

Started this book over the weekend and can't put it down.

Fresh Soaps

These FRESH soaps are just divine. I would love a basket full of these sweet smelling soaps.

Sunday Reading

via NYTimes

Great article by Alex Williams in today's NYTimes Style Section on Hipsturbia. There is definitely a hipster/Brooklyn revolution going on right now. I see it everywhere; in local shops, in books, in tv shows. What is the fascination with the Brooklyn way of life and why is it so easy to poke fun at and yet also so inspiring?