MORE JOY, LESS BLAH

Happy Friday, friends!  Do you ever feel like you’re just in a funk?  Not necessarily in a “bad” mood, but just more feeling blah?  I felt like that the other day, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to share a few ways I like to experience more joy, and less blah.

Side note: I feel like it is really important to feel your feelings, and tap into what is really going on.  It’s one thing to need to delve deep and become introspective, and another to have a pick-me-up.  This list is for the latter.

GET OUTSIDE

This is definitely my go-to!  Whether it is going for a walk, taking a hike with a friend, or simply stepping outside for some fresh air, nature has a way of naturally perking you up.

SELF-CARE

We all know I am a huge proponent of self-care!  Some of my faves are: an at home spa session (manicure, facial, exfoliation, etc.), reading light material, getting a massage, meditating, simply sitting still and letting my mind wander.  Whatever you do, do it with love and care.

BE CREATIVE

Creativity is one of the most fun ways to experience joy.  Often times people correlate creativity with being an artist, and while yes, that is definitely a form of creativity, it’s not the only one.  For me, getting in the kitchen and cooking something nourishing is one of my favorite ways of expressing creativity.

CHECK IN WITH YOURSELF

Most importantly, check in with yourself.  Do you need more sleep?  Are you listening to your body?  Often times this will determine what I was talking about in the side note, too.

I hope this list was helpful for you.  What do you like to do experience more joy and less blah? I’d love to hear your tips!

xo.  Jen

SPARKLING EYES + GIVEAWAY GOODIES

 

 

Happy Friday, darlings!  The quote below really spoke to me, so I thought I would share with you.  What a great reminder as we go into the weekend!

Another reminder for you all, is that my GIVEAWAY with the Redmond Trading Company is still going on until the end of day this Sunday 1/25.  Below is info on how to enter!

Redmond Trading Company is so kind, that they will be sending the winner of this giveaway a box full of awesome stuff!  You have two chances to enter, so here is how the giveaway works:

1.  Fill out this form, and follow me (the follow button is on the right hand sidebar).  If you are already following me, leave me a comment telling me why you’d like to win!  🙂

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2.  For doubling your chances, you can also follow me on Instagram.

*You have until midnight on Sunday 1/25 to enter.  The only rules are you must live in the United States (due to shipping charges).

xo.  Jen

 

WEEKEND RECAP #5

Hello!  How is everyone doing today?  We took an extra long Veteran’s Day weekend, and went up to the bay area to visit Greg’s son in Berkeley, as well as my best friend and her family in Half Moon Bay. We had a wonderful time, and the weather couldn’t have been more perfect.

As opposed to posting a bunch of photos with people, I’ve decided to share a few photos of food, nature and our surroundings.

This is a view of the rugby field at Cal from our hotel.  What a difference three hours makes!

The photos above didn’t turn out that great, but the food was DELICIOUS!  We went to Taste of the Himalayas which specializes in Nepalese and Indian food, and is also is one of the restaurants that Karma Kitchen is held at.  We started out with lentil soup, and then shared a few vegan dishes with some garlic naan.  Lots of veggies, and LOTS of spice.  Right up my alley!  If you’re ever in Berkeley, you have to try this place!

We also went to the UC Berkeley Botanical Gardens, which was absolutely gorgeous!  If my memory serves me correctly, one area is 27 acres as has thousands and thousands of different species of plants, including a Chinese medicine garden, and a whole sections dedicated to endangered plants.  There is another area nearby that is much smaller, but equally cool.  It’s a redwood forest, where the trees were planted in the 1930’s, but at that time were already 70+ years old.  Seriously, it was magnificent!

All in all, it was a great trip with lots of fun times with loved ones!

See you tomorrow for a yummy recipe!

xo.  Jen