12/23/14

See You in 2015!

As I'm sure you've noticed, I've taken December off from regular blogging. What with travelling home and holidays immediately after, a break was for the best!

I'll be back in January to ring in 2015 with weekly posts, monthly goals, and photos from my trip to England.

Happy holidays!

Do you have a Word of the Year picked out for 2015? I can't decide if I want to pick one or not...

12/2/14

NO Goals for December


That's right. I am declaring it. I am setting NO goals for myself this December!

One week from today (Tuesday) Katelin and I will be flying home to America. In the few weeks after we have plans for a Christmas shebang with our best friend, Tina, that includes a maternity photoshoot, and a few days after that my family will be in town for Christmas!!

There is also a to-do list with important items that must be done, and with such a busy, kind of stressful month ahead...

I didn't want to set myself up for failure and discouragement.

I know what I can handle, and I'm already questioning how I will balance everything planned. To add 5 goals would not be my best move!

Let's review last month's goals...

You can see them here.

Three have a big check-mark next to them while two got a star for effort!

Yoga was not such a priority for me in November. I participated in #SizeDoesntMatter for about half the month this round, and I just wasn't feeling it. So, I stopped!

The same thing happened with yoga videos three times a week. Most weeks I did one video, but go me for pushing myself just that bit!

I participated in Mara Glatzel's Course Brave Love, and SO loved it!! I have a few lessons I'm taking my time to catch up on, but it was so, so fantastic. I completely encourage all of you to check out her blog and offerings!

Stonehenge totally happened. Ahh.. it was... beautiful. Once I am home and rested, I plan on writing some posts featuring photos and stories of everything we saw! Stonehenge was one of my top three faves.

And, lastly, if you take a peek towards the bottom of any page, you will see a cleaned up categories section! Yay!

While I won't be working towards goals this month, I am participating in an Instagram yoga challenge - #HoHoHipOpeners with @yoga_davina. If you care to follow along, you can find me @evecalian!

Here's to a happy, goal-free December!

Let me know in the comments what goals you're setting! If you're not, tell me why!

11/21/14

What I am Craving...



Early mornings involving coffee and meditation.

Printing out pictures to scrapbook, and scrapbooking them lovingly while watching a favorite show.

Making our bedroom a sanctuary filled with twinkling lights, crystals, and candles. A room that inspires me.

Walking my dog regularly.

Sitting down with my partner and creating a budget that makes us feel secure and free.

Trimming down the list of who I really want in my life - the people that make me feel wrapped in warmth, love, and acceptance.

Taking care of those people. Showering them with gifts and love.

What are you craving right now?


11/19/14

Life Lately in IG Photos






Christmas decorations are appearing, Christmas scented candles are being lit, + warm drinks are being drunk by the light of the Christmas tree. 



Most days are being spent wrapped up in a warm blanket with a book (currently: The Stand by Stephen King) or computer on my lap. Coffee + tea close by. 



English weather has finally greeted us in full swing! This has meant many rainy outings as we do our last tourist stops before returning to America.




The rain has not stopped us from exploring forests + taking cheesy photos!


My mantra I am trying to live by.

Follow me on IG @evecalian!


11/17/14

This is My Only Job


My only job is to love myself. 
To be there in a way no one else can.
Hand over heart. 
Knowing.
Understanding. 

My job is not to be there for the world.
To spray compliments and encouragements to you
without ever giving them to myself. 

My job is to shine -
My beauty. My worth. 
My excellence. My edges. 
I will not dull myself to
bring you Happiness. 

My job is to cultivate my own 
Happiness.
Not yours. 
I will shine. 

Shine.
Shine. 

I will hydrate myself.
I will lay out the mat for yoga. 
I will curl up in my favorite blanket
and sweatpants and
pour the coffee. 

I will

Say Yes,

Yes, 
Yes. 
I will allow myself everything
I want. 

This is my only job. 
To say yes to myself, and
no to you,
if I must. 

I will love myself, and
let you depart,
if I must. 

Hand over heart.
This is my only job. 


11/11/14

Gift Guide: The Harry Potter Lover


1. A last name sweater by SweaterinBox. They have Malfoy, Weasley, and Potter. I also love this one. // 2. A butterbeer scented candle! // 3. Ravenclaw minimalist poster. There's also Gryffindor, Slytherin, and Hufflepuff for you non-Ravens. // 4. A refillable Quibbler notebook cover to channel your inner Luna Lovegood while you study. // 5. Hogwarts Alumni mug. // 6. To keep you organized in the new year, a Divination Planner.

Keep checking back for more Gift Guides in the next few weeks!

Personally, I would love any and all of these items. Which is your favorite?

11/3/14

5 Goals for November

A new month means a new set of goals!

Can you believe it's already November?

It's also my last month in England - a bittersweet realization I had yesterday. It will be great to be home and get back to work and school, but this has been a fantastic experience.

Before I get into November's goals, let's review last month's goals and how I did:

1. Do Yoga Every Day

Some days I only did one pose, some days was a full on practice, and some days were in between.

But wow. Going from NO yoga routine to daily practice is such a big deal for me.

A big reason I kept up with this goal was participating in the #sizedoesntmatterchallenge hosted by @yogimj and @biggalyoga last month! My yoga repertoire has expanded along with my flexibility due to this challenge, which is why I added it as one of this month's goals.

2. #lovetober

A few days were skipped or missed, but I totally did it!!

I am horrible with following through on photo challenges, but Gala Darling's #lovetober was not one of them. Waking up and checking the days prompt was such a joy as was picking out the perfect picture. I can't wait for her next photo challenge.

3. Go to a Pumpkin Patch

Well... this kind of happened.

Due to the weather and wetness in England, pumpkin patches aren't especially doable. But we made it to a nearby garden center and picked out the perfect pumpkins!

So, I would call this a success.

4. Carve Pumpkins

I definitely carved a pumpkin.

Thankfully carving it "well" was not a goal. :P

5. Organize Blog

If you look to your left, under the blog's title, you will see I have added and removed various links to my social media profiles.

If you are interested in following me on tumblr, twitter, google+, or pinterest, they are all there!

You will see a link to facebook, because I hope to one day create a Facebook page for this space. But for now it is an empty link. Sorry about that!

At the bottom of any page, you'll find the menu bar. Not the most convenient place, but the best I can do for now.

I have added an About page!

If you want to know more about this space and myself, click here.

I am beyond pleased with myself for nailing every goal I had, and I'm excited to tackle the five for this month.

Here they are -


1. #sizedoesntmatter Yoga Challenge

I enjoyed this yoga challenge so much in October that I want to keep it going.

I'll be participating with many other women of various colors and sizes for the next month guided by the beautiful and inspiring hosts @mynameisjessamyn and @yoga_davina. Maybe you'll join?

You can follow along with me here!

2. Do Yoga Practice by Video Three Times a Week

Because I kept up with a daily yoga practice for a whole month, I want to push myself a little more.

With #sizedoesntmatter, I'll still be doing yoga almost every day, but I'm going to set aside three days a week to use guided yoga videos for enhanced practices. I'm hoping this will build my strength and flexibility even more!

3. Brave Love

Mara Glatzel gifted me with a spot in the newest session of her course Brave Love.

I want to dive heart first into the coming prompts, videos, and emails over the next three weeks.

4. Organize The Categories and Tags

This goal was originally to be completed last month alongside my about page and links, but I never got around to it. So, this month I shall clean up all the categories and tags floating around here to make finding posts applicable to YOU a lot easier.

5. Visit Stonehenge

Since this is my last month in England, I have to have a travel goal!

Our plans are to see Stonehenge mid-November, and I cannot wait!

I'm very excited for this month's five goals. Here's to you, November! And you, my friends.

How did you do with goals last month? What are some new one's you're setting for the end of the year?

10/22/14

No One Decision is Right OR Wrong



The past few months I have been tossing around a thought about decisions. Specifically, decisions being either right or wrong.

Decisions are often portrayed as two options: the true path, the one that shall lead us towards the light at the end of our tunnel, or the ugly path, the one that will only bring trouble and discomfort.

With this outline, it should be easy to make decisions! Just pick the GOOD one - the RIGHT one - and all will be well. Right?

Uh, no.

Right and wrong are not that simple.

This past summer I found myself consoling my mom with the statement, "It's not right or wrong; it just is."

I shocked myself in saying this. It came without thought, but how true it rang!

Decisions (for the most part) are not good OR bad, right OR wrong, they just ARE.

Each one has consequences, both good and bad, and some decisions will make us happier than others.

That's it.



The choice between staying or moving: Staying could mean a stable job you've had for years, friendly neighbors you trust your kids to speak with, or just close proximity to loved ones. Moving could mean seeing a part of the country or world you never have, an exciting job opportunity you might never get again, or getting away from a toxic environment.

The choice between laying a mortgage down on a new house or taking yourself on a trip to Europe. A mortgage means a place to start a family, a stable place to call home, or just plain independence. Taking that trip could mean crossing off items on your bucket-list, seeing the world before starting a family, or just allowing yourself to do something crazy for once.

No matter which choice you go with, the choice is not WRONG unless it FEELS wrong to YOU.

Your gut knows best. It knows what you REALLY want, even if you can't decipher it immediately.

So, listen to your gut and choose whatever path makes you feel happiest and freest.

Note: Topics like murder, racism, sexism, or just plain cruelty are different. Your choices in how you speak + act towards other people, cultures, etc. should be made sensitively and CAN be wrong, even if YOU don't feel it is.  

10/15/14

Life Lately in IG Photos

tiger pose
flying warrior variations

In honor of one of my October goals, I have joined the #SizeDoesntMatter yoga challenge on Instagram! This month has been hosted by @biggalyoga + @yogimj - two awesome ladies showing that yoga isn't just for thin, white women. 
photobooth friday

my favorite color... pink!


Joined by Katelin, I've been participating in #lovetober hosted by @galadarling




There have been fall walks + football games wrapped up in rain jackets and scarves. 




I have dropped love notes here + there!



And I have been getting in the holiday spirit with pumpkin purchasing, warm drink drinking, scary movies before bed, + a trip to Harry Potter World Studio Tours on the horizon. 

If you aren't yet, follow me on Instagram here

What has October looked like for you lately? 

P.S. I realize there are some wacky font changes going on - I've noticed blogger will do this on the occasional post. I hope it doesn't bother you as much as it does me! 

10/13/14

Anger + Love, My Authenticity

a little love note 

Being honest but reacting less.

Staying Authentic means having opinions that you don't agree with,

but being told I'm rude makes me question -

What is Authentic?

I don't want to hurt you, me...

I want to fight without anger, but anger is all I feel when

I'm passionate.

Too big for one room; too small at home.

How much of my personality is perfect? Enough?

Where do I find that peaceful balance and

how?

Sometimes I am perfect, enough...

With values for humanity, kindness, and love; with

fierce loyalty that bares sharp teeth in the best ways.

Movement of my body that is fed and watered well.

Edgy haircuts, nose rings, and a style exuding comfort and confidence.

A girlfriend I kiss every night. Warmth when I hold her hand. Steadiness in our relationship.

Sometimes I am empty, lonely...

Guilt-ridden for things I've said, fierce with anger; for irritability every period

with cravings that bring tears.

Feelings of doubt and hopelessness. Unworthiness -

followed by anger at the lies spinning round my head.

Anger.

So much anger.

Thrown at her. Blamed on the world; on my depression; on too much caffeinated coffee.

Yet so much love.

Love for life - my life - for this world, for her, for days spent in the rain under a blanket.

How do I find balance?

To live with both so strong...

I struggle to find balance.

To find my authenticity.

10/9/14

Review: The Body Shop Seaweed Skin Care Set







I've been using this skincare set for a little over a month now, and I am in love. Within a day of trying these products my skin was satin-smooth, + after a few days of use I saw a notable reduction in blackheads around my nostrils (where I get them worse). 

You can get each of these individual products in larger sizes at The Body Shop in stores and online, but I got a tester set since I had only sporadically used my girlfriend's face wash + was unsure of what I liked + would actually use. It cost 11 pounds (18 dollars) which I think is a great deal. 

All of the products came in the mesh packaging seen above - basically their own make-up bag! I find this handy to keep all of them together rather than spread across the bathroom counter or shuffled among my make-up in another bag. 

Ok, onto the individual reviews! 



One fault I find with The Body Shop packaging is that it really doesn't explain what a product is for + how to properly use it. And, being me, I'm too lazy to look it up.

So, never having used toner + having no real clue what it is, I just started throwing it on in the mornings before my moisturizer to freshen + wake up my skin.

Make-up remover cloths (just the cheap ones) work great to dump some toner on + pat it across my face. I tried my hands + a wash rag, but this method is the easiest without wasting product.

My skin feels so dewy + bright after I apply this toner rather than stiff + tight like it often does upon waking up or after a shower. I've gone through about half the bottle + I definitely plan on buying this in a larger size when I run out!

You can find this product here.


After the toner, I immediately apply this moisturizer. It's a very small tub, but a little goes a long way. It'll be a while until I run out of this, + I'm not angry about it.

This day cream is heavier than the night treatment (a little too heavy?), but feels so good right out of the shower + quickly helps even out my skin color.

I will say if your face is feeling oily + the toner doesn't ease that, you might want to go for a lighter moisturizer. This can make me feel a bit greasy on the days I don't shower.

This product is here.


Omg. I love, love, love this face wash.

It goes on very smooth with immediate relief as I scrub it into my face. This is great for sensitive skin like mine! It doesn't burn, pinch, or feel like anything really. A small pump on each cheek, my nose, chin, forehead, + temples, then I usually leave it on a few minutes before wiping it gently off with warm water. It's just like... ahh!

And blackheads? I was shocked at how fast they cleared up.

Get it here.


Once I've washed my face for the night, I eagerly grab this night treatment.

Washing my face usually results in drier skin, + this quickly soothes raw or irritated skin. In fact, I found the skin at the edges of my nostrils painfully raw for a bit, so each morning + night I applied this at the irritated areas. 3-5 days of applying it regularly, the skin was healed + new!

This moisturizer is very light + refreshing; I love applying it before bed!

Find this here.

I highly recommend all of these products. They have done wonders for my skin + I'm not sure I'll ever want to try another skin care product!

If you've tried these, let me know how you liked them! What skin care products are you loving or... not loving?

10/6/14

Flower Power + Boundaries







Sometimes one person's boundaries conflict with your own.

This is not a time to betray you + your values. Neither is it a time where you + said person can't find a grounds of communication, coincidence, + respect.

Have a fantastic week!

Outfit Details: Top/Store Twenty-One, Jeans/Target, Shoes/Primark, Socks/Topshop, Purse/Primark

10/4/14

Listen...



Listen.

To your teachers.

Who are they?

Where do they come from? 

How have their stories been created? 

What can you gather from these stories? 

What can you learn from 

These teachers?


Listen

To the ones whose voices are shunned by society.

Who are they?

Where do they come from?

How have their stories been created?

Why does society try to mute these powerful voices?

What can you learn from

The ones whose voices are shunned by society?


Listen

To your dreams.

What are they?

Where do they come from?

How have these desires been created? 

What craving is at the root of these desires? 

What can you learn from

Your dreams?


Never stop

listening.

Never stop

questioning.

Never stop

dreaming.


10/1/14

5 Goals for October

Happy October, friends!

I say this every new season, but Fall has to be my favorite season.

Except I totally do not say that about winter.

Surprisingly here in England, it is not feeling exceptionally fall-y! Sometimes it's chilly, sometimes it's downright hot, + it still remains very green.

With the new month coming in, I want to set some goals.

Goals make me excited, but they can also make me feel pretty crappy when I don't excel in the ways I hope. So, I set these goals with relaxed intentions. Aka: it is NOT the end of the world if I fall behind or scrap them all together.

Though, I must say, these goals are pretty fun.


1. Do Yoga Every Day

Simple, I miss it.

Inspired by mynameisjessamyn and her #SizeDoesntMatter yoga challenge, I want to start making yoga a daily practice again. Even if it's one pose.

2. #lovetober

I'll be joining with hundreds of others in Gala Darling's October Instagram challenge, #lovetober!

It's Time for Another IG Challenge: Let's Go, #lovetober! By GalaDarling

This is not my first Instagram challenge, but I hope it is the first that I COMPLETE.

Follow along on my IG, @evecalian!

3. Go to a Pumpkin Patch

+ not just any pumpkin patch - an ENGLISH pumpkin patch!

I haven't been in years, so this needs to be remedied in this new country.

4. Carve a Pumpkin

You can't go to a pumpkin patch, purchase a pumpkin, + not carve it. Ok?

5. Organize this Space

In the next few weeks a new about page will appear, the tags will get cleaned up, + I'll become more familiar with the new layout. Hopefully, this will make navigating this space easier for you + create a homier environment for us all.

What are some goals you have for the coming month?

9/29/14

Knee Highs in the Woods





The best part of living with locals for three months is visiting both the tourist must-sees + the lesser known spots.

Windsor Great Park has been one of my favorite local joints. It's a beautiful walking trail around Virginia Waters (the lake) that includes a waterfall, Roman ruins, and many hiking trails that weave off into the woods. It is absolutely gorgeous (+ massive)!

If you are a dog lover, go here. You will see almost every breed of dog on this earth at Windsor Great Park. I even saw a German Shepherd puppy + almost died of cuteness.

In case you're curious, these shoes from Primark are the best hiking shoes I've had. (Not that I do a lot of hiking...) I found this out only by accident (I thought we were going to a large garden...) + now I wear them everywhere we go even when Katelin's parents urge me to wear good walking shoes. They are honestly better than tennis shoes. Uh, unless you're running.

Outfit Details: Dress/H&M, Cardigan/New Look, Socks/Gift, Shoes/Primark, Purse/Thrifted

9/24/14

5 Things Making Me Feel Really Good Right Now

For a long time I lost touch with myself. 

Without even realizing it. 

It was just a few weeks ago that I recognized it. It was in the feel of my body that wasn't being fed both what I wanted + what it needed; the feel of my gut that wasn't being checked in with on decisions; + the overall feel of agitation. 

Add into the fact that I had traveled to a new country with a new (or lack of) routine + I was feeling disconnected. Extremely so. 


Then I read a post by the awesome Mara Glatzel encouraging me to sit down with this feeling of disconnect + ask myself... What is one thing I can do right now to change this? To bring myself closer to my intuition + feelings? To feel calm again? 

Here are some things that are making my feel really good right now: 

Routine

This is my number one! It fills me up + calms me when I begin to feel lost. 

Routine doesn't mean my day is planned from 8:00AM to 10:00PM but that I have security check-points to meet back with myself. Making sure I have a planned breakfast and lunch, tea + cookies, time with the entire household, + time with just Katelin and I. 



The in-betweens are up to me + how spontaneous I'm feeling (or not). And these moments feel a lot better with a routine set up around them. 

Drinking Tea

At least once a day! 2:00-3:00PM is my designated tea time during the week. I brew my favorite cup of chamomile with honey, add three tea biscuits on the side, + let the feel goodery-ness commence. 

Tea makes my body feel warm, cozy, + clean. 

If I manage to get another cup in before bed is just an added bonus. 

Doing Laundry

It smells good, adds a bit of productivity to the day, + I love looking out the back conservatory to see cloths hanging on the line. So British! 

Reading Fashion Magazines

Fashion + my name have never been two words easily put side-by-side. But lately... I've been fascinated by it! It intrigues me. I love watching make-up gurus on YouTube, + I love reading about the latest trends no matter how much I hate those oversize knits.

Looking at the street style from the various Fashion Weeks inspires how I go shopping + put outfits together in my mind tenfold. (If only I had more money for more shopping!)

Also, England has the best fashion magazines for the best prices. Just saying. 

Petting the Neighborhood Cats

No explanation needed. :) 


What about you? What are some things making you feel really good right now?