Arriving in Belize

These shots are from the first 30 minutes I spent in Belize a few weeks month ago. We spent a week on Ambergris Caye, which is a 20 minute puddle jumper ride from Belize City. I instantly fell in love with the beautiful, clear water and endless palm-lined beaches. Our hotel was right outside of the main town of San Pedro, and it could not have been more beautiful. I could use a little bit of beach and sunshine right now, as the last few days in RI have been dreadfully dreary and cold {temperatures in the 50s are not what I have in mind for July}. These pictures will have to hold me over until our summer weather returns!

The Philbrook Gardens

These photos are from my trip to Tulsa back in April. I had a day to myself, so I spent it exploring the stunning Philbrook. The Philbrook is a gorgeous mansion of yesteryear converted into an art museum. My favorite part, though, was the gardens. How pristine and gorgeous are they? I spent a solid few hours wandering around, and even the gardeners stopped to talk to me for a while and tell me about the flowers. It was a truly lovely afternoon spent wandering the grounds. If you ever are in Tulsa, stop here and take in the beauty for a few minutes. You won't regret it.

The Sunday Currently

Hello, dear friends. Thanks for bearing with me for the last few weeks. I'm coming to you from the sweetest little tea and coffee shop in my new city: Newport, RI. Newport has been a frequent retreat and day trip for me every summer for most of my life, so when I had the opportunity to move here for a year, I leaped at it. Literally.

{Newport this past Easter. Note, the dreary skies pictured here are currently filled with sunshine and a few clouds}.

So now the moving is finished, and most of my things are unpacked. I'm still trying to get organized and settled into my new space, but it's slowly coming together. There are a few loose ends that I need to tie up {more precisely, I need more space for my shamefully large collection of clothes}.

Another Sunday, and my second link up with Lauren for The Sunday Currently:

Reading...all the blogs I haven't had time to catch up on over the last few weeks.

 Writing...little things to myself about what I've learned in life so far. Little lessons that have been eye-opening. Things that my parents always told me but I didn't believe until I discovered or experienced it for myself. I plan to share some of these on this little space soon.

Listening...to some very relaxing acoustic music playing in the background. My kind of music. Also, just bought Sara Bareilles' new album, which I can't wait to hear.

Thinking...Life is good. God is good. This is exactly where I'm supposed to be right now{figuratively and literally}.

Smelling...delicious tea leaves brewing. Seriously, I'm going to do a post on this place in the very near future. I'm already in love. 

Wishing...that there was one more day in the weekend. I'd love to soak up this beautiful weather just a little longer.

Hoping...for some rain to put me to sleep tonight. The sound of rainfall is like a lullaby to me. It's beautiful and familiar sound can always send me off to a peaceful slumber.

Wearing...a worn-in, comfy dress that I've had for a few years. Blue leopard print. I'm wild like that.

Loving...my new apartment. The second I walked in, I knew it was the place for me. Huge bay windows, hardwood floors, and a beautiful kitchen {in which I hope to teach myself to cook}. It is perfect. 

Wanting...to go to the farmer's market this week to load up on fresh goodness.

Needing...a pedicure. After moving and being on the go for the last three weeks, my tootsies are in desperate need of some TLC.

Feeling...nervous and anxious and excited to begin my new job tomorrow morning. I've been waiting for this day for the last six months, so it's a little surreal that I won't be going to my old office in Massachusetts. I am so eager to learn something new, though. 

Clicking...through websites of armoires that would be a good fit for my little place. I wanted something with a little character, and I'm beginning to think that consignment shops and antique stores might be my best bet.

Grand Central

Grand Central is one of those places where you have to pause a take a few moments to soak in your surroundings. It's easy to get lost in the grandeur. It's the gateway to endless possibilities. It leads you to the beginning of an adventure or the final moments of a chapter. So many hellos, goodbyes, hugs, kisses and tears. It's my favorite place to begin my trips to NYC because the moment you step foot off the train, you can feel the energy, excitement and anticipation of great things to come. 

The Sunday Currently 1

Holy Sunday, Batman! How is this weekend mostly over? This weekend has be wonderful, albeit oppressively hot and humid. That means hours spent at the beach with my beautiful little cousins and a few bowls scoops of ice cream here and there. 

I've been reading The Sunday Currently on Lauren's blog for a while now. It always seems like an appropriate way to end a weekend and begin a new week. To me, it's a recap of a specific moment{s} in time. A reflection of your current mood and actions. Bottom line, I think this idea is genius, and it's about time I joined the fun. So here is my first Sunday Currently.

Reading...

...Seating Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead. I'm only a chapter into it, but the writing is beautifully descriptive.

Writing...

...lists upon lists. To do lists. Grocery lists. Target lists. Packing Lists. You name it, I probably have a list for it at the moment.

Listening...

...to the sound of many fans trying to cool down our little cottage. The humidity and heat at the Cape this weekend have been unusually high. I do like the fans though because they give perfect white noise, which makes for a sound night's sleep. Who needs air conditioning anyway? {What you can't see is me raising my hand right now.}

Thinking...

...very few thoughts. There's something about heat and catching up on sleep that deprives the brain from any kind of profound breakthroughs and deep thinking.

Smelling...
Bagels and coffee from JoMama's. My brother and I have been making it a Sunday tradition to grab iced coffee and their "Feel Good" breakfast sandwiches. Their bagels are straight from Brooklyn and are baked fresh all morning. Mouthwatering.

Wishing...
...that the weekend wouldn't end. All weekends should be 3 day weekends. Right? Right.

Hoping...

...for a stunning sunset tonight.

Wearing...

...the thinest, coolest sundress I could find in my closet. 

Loving...

...the amount of time I've been spending with my family lately. Between my brother's college graduation and ceremonies and our family trip last week, we've had more quality time in the last three weeks than we've had together in the last six months.

Wanting...

...to try out hundreds of recipes from Love & Lemons in my new kitchen. Their recipes are so fresh and healthy, it makes me want to skip all the way to the farmers' market. 

Needing...

...to paint an old bureau that will be serving as my TV stand in my new apartment. Sadly, due to the heat and potent fumes, this project is constantly moved to the bottom of my to-do list. I can't procrastinate much longer though - only a week until my furniture will be moved!

Feeling...

...excited for the new changes that will really hit home in the next few weeks. 

Clicking...

...thorough furniture websites. It's time for a new couch, and it's been a little harder than expected to find the right one. I've found several designs that I really love, but after seeing them in the stores, I discovered their quality is not particularly high. I'm going to see a few more today, so maybe I will find the couch of my dreams? Fingers crossed!

The Fourth

Happy 4th, everyone!

I am back in the good ole US of A after a perfect week in Central America. Any guesses as to where I might have been? If you follow my Instagram, you probably already know. More on that very soon.

Today is a day for rest {because it's a well-known fact that you need a vacation to recover from vacation}, reading, writing, and soaking up the beautiful sunshine. It also includes packing for my move {!!!} in two weeks. I'm excited to share my new town with you next week, and also the most perfect little apartment that ever did exist. 

So for today, enjoy all the barbecues, beaches and cool beverages until your heart and tummy are full. Remember to give a moment or two of thanks for the wonderful country that we can call our own. We might not always agree with the laws, politics and decisions of our leaders. However, the fact that we can initiate change, share our opinions freely, and fight for our beliefs is, unfortunately, still a rare thing in our world today.  So many are silenced and oppressed because their color, creed, race, sex and religion. We should not take our freedom lightly, and today of all days is a time to be thankful that we have the liberties that so many have fought to give our nation.