On Saying Goodbye

I guess, as we get older, the more life we experience, the more deeply we love, and the more deeply we lose. It makes living life an incredibly intense and satisfying experience, and it makes losing someone very painful.

When I moved to California, I left most of my deep loves in Ohio. In these six short months, I've experienced two great losses. Grieving from two thousand miles away is not an easy task. But, grieving from two feet away is no easier.

In my opinion, saying goodbye is the hardest thing we will ever have to do. Especially when the loss happened too soon. It seems unfair, and leaves us asking questions we can't always find answers to. 

But it gives us lessons, too. Like these: Life is short, love fiercely. People are warm, hug tightly. Money is to fly home unexpectedly, save wisely. And when the rains come down, and they don't stop, and life feels hard: crack open a cold one with the people you love. For when life brings you down, friends will hold you up. 

xox

DIY Hack: Class Up Your Table with Hairpin Legs

When I moved across the country, I sold all my furniture and had to start completely anew. I would say that's when I realized I have an affinity for modern interiors. What was the first clue? Hairpin legs. 

After a few months in my little SF studio, I had saved enough money to find a table. Eventually, I decided to build one myself, to fit the needs of my small space, and I just knew I wanted hairpin legs. Of course, as I'm sure all my twenty-something readers will understand, I only have so much in my monthly budget to alot to furniture. At the time I wrote this post, I had spent the monthly budget on my kitchen table top and was using cheap Ikea desk legs to hold it up. But when the new month hit, you better believe I spent my entire apartment budget on four hairpin legs. 

I had them sent to my office, and after one particularly difficult commute home on Caltrain/Muni/1.5 mile walk (my box weighed 20 pounds 😳), it turned out to be a very easy switch. I flipped the table over so the legs were in the air. Then I removed the three wood screws holding each Ikea leg to my table top, and swapped them into each hairpin leg. I can't tell you how THRILLED I am with the result. Not only is my table taller now, it just look so much better! The light, slim outline of these hairpin legs is not to be taken for granted in my small space.

It was such an easy process to replace my kitchen table legs. If you're ever looking for a change of pace, I would definitely suggest the switch! Let me know if you do. xox

p.s. I found my legs at hairpinlegs.com. I have since learned about hairpinlegsforless.com and think it's worth checking out. Happy swapping!

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Photos: Nikond3200 35mm and kit lens; Edits: Adobe Lightroom / Table top: DIY / Table legs: hairpinglegs.com (28 inch, 3 Rod Leg in raw steel) / Stendig Calendar: gifted / Stools: Amazon  

Crushing on Lately

Hi, hi, hi! How was your week? It was a rough one coming back from that long Holiday break, amirite? I mean, geeze louise!

Anyway, I've been working a lot on my little studio, carrying things one at a time from my office in San Mateo, a mile to Caltrain station, 17 miles to the city, 2 miles on Muni and then walk it another half mile to my apartment. I'm that silly girl you see with stools, carpets, table legs and calendars on all the public transportation 😂 Hopefully I'll have something to share with you soon! Want to see some before pics? I can show those!

So. Let's talk crushes:

This bakery.
These magnets.
This (rug) website.
These booties.
This moon print.

This coffee.
This camel vest.
This scarf.
This candle.
This iPhone charger.

This instagram.
This photographer.
This weekender bag.
These (half sleeve) tees.
This mac n cheese.

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Photos: Nikond3200 35mm / Photographer: Jacob Heath / Edits: Adobe Lightroom / Wearing: Top - Lush Sleeveless, Poncho - borrowed, similar.

New Year's Resolutions: A City Girl's Tip for Healthy Breakfast

How was your New Year?! Oh my gosh I can't believe what a whirlwind 2015 was. Between moving to a brand new city, starting a brand new job, and two eighty minute commutes a day, the months really got away from me. This year my close friend has encouraged me to not focus on one resolution for the whole year, but instead choose a new one each month.

In January, I have two: run at least 40 miles this month and make healthier eating decisions every day. That means I have to say farewell to my daily donuts for breakfast and ice cream for dinner and find a few alternatives. Luckily, right at the end of 2015, I was introduced to Modern Oats.

So what is Modern Oats? It's easy oatmeal. Literally, so easy. They come in the mail in a pack of four or six and run about $3.50 per cup. Cheaper than a breakfast burrito 😉. You can buy them here. Each little cup is a perfect serving size. All you need to do is add hot water, put the top back on, and go about life for three minutes. Then, dig in. 

Things I love about Modern Oats:

• It fits in my purse (I know because I brought 4 back with me from Ohio after Christmas).
• It travels well (see above).
• I can use the hot water spout at my office.
• It's so much healthier than the donuts or breakfast burritos at the cafe downstairs.
• Yum.

Usually, my New Years Resolutions stay strong for about a week. But with products like this, I might actually be able to stick to it.... for January at least. Maybe longer now that I've told you all about it. You can hold me accountable. We'll talk about it later, because my Modern Oats are done & I'm starving. xox

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I received free product while writing this post. 
Photography: Nikon D3200 35mm / Edits: Adobe Lightroom

What Happened in 2015?

I remember New Years Eve last year so well. I was sitting on my little love seat at Ida Street, getting ready to launch a new blog name, looking for 2015 sunglasses on my way home from the gym and finishing this blog post.

My how things have changed.

I don't think I ever stepped foot in a gym... so, there's that. Note to self: change that in 2016 😳. But, as you can tell from my top 9 instagrams of the year (above), there were some pretty magnificent moments, as well:

• I left my hometown and moved to San Francisco.
• My little apartment was featured on my favorite blog.
• I turned 25. 
• I cut and donated most of my hair.
• I started building things! Like a kitchen table, and side tables... and even a desk (coming soon!)
• My bestie came to visit. 
• I learned about Smitten Ice Cream.
• And started listening to podcasts. 
• I collaborated with one of my favorite brands.
• & I got a new photographer ;D

It was a momentous year for sure. There were some ups, and a lot of downs, but I know each moment brought me to this one. The moment where I can sit on my arm chair, wonder if there is such a thing as 2016 glasses, remind myself that I need to make healthier resolutions, and say alas, all is well. 

Be safe tonight, dear ones! I'll be back with you in the new year! xox