Happy New Year

I try to set goals for myself on a regular basis, but today, I'm tackling this list (found on one of my favorite blogs):

A bad habit I'm going to break:

Using my phone as my alarm clock - or ideally, bringing my phone into the bedroom, period. I don't want to be tempted with Pinterest when I should be getting ready to sleep.

A new skill I'd like to learn:

To play guitar. I have an appointment to set up lessons tomorrow!

A person I hope to be more like: 

It might sound cheesy, but I admire my husband in a lot of ways, and I'm trying to learn from his consistently positive outlook and his charisma.

A good deed I'm going to do:

Volunteer with Food Forward, an amazing local organization that coordinates help to harvest fruit from people who can't make use of their backyard abundance, and donates it to those in need.

A place I'd like to visit:

Local wineries! I've lived in California now for over a year and haven't visited any since being here.

A book I'd like to read:

I have Ann Mah's "Mastering the Art of French Eating" sitting here waiting to be read.  This is an easy one since I got a Kindle for Christmas. I can read all of the books!!

A letter I'm going to write:

Not just one letter - I'd like to send more things by mail to my ailing grandmother. I think she'd appreciate pictures since I don't think she'll get to visit me in California.

A new food I'd like to try: 

I got Ottolenghi's "Plenty More" for my birthday (an amazing gift from my husband) and I'm waiting for pomelos to be in season here so I can try one of the salads. I've never had a pomelo!

I'm going to do better at:

Staying in touch with old friends. Something I say every time I see an old friend!

Have you made resolutions for the new year?

Current obsession: Block heel sandals

August makes it tough to look both professional and stylish, and far too many of my coworkers are wearing flip flops to get through these hot days. Besides investing in quality cotton and linen clothing, a solid, block heel sandal is on my current list of wardrobe obsessions.  

Clockwise, from top left, sandals from:

Steven, Ralph Lauren, Aquatalia by Marvin K., and Geox

Clockwise, from top left, sandals from:

 Cole Haan, Via Spiga, Calvin Klein, and Report 

I'm especially partial those black Geox sandals up top - they look sturdy despite their higher heel, the crossed ankle strap is flattering on any leg, and I think they'll go with everything. Guess I know what's coming out of my next paycheck!

Thoughts on happiness

Since this blog is mainly about my journey to find happiness, I guess it is not surprising for me to say that I am learning how to actively seek out and promote the joy in my everyday life. It is not always easy for me to be happy.

Self-doubt and self-criticism can fester in my mind no matter how strong I imagine my foundation of joy and happiness to be. The negativity can seep in through the tiniest crack in that foundation and leave me feeling uprooted and weak. And staying positive in the face of this self-imposed negativity can be a tremendous struggle.

I have always been hard on myself, and there is still a part of me that feels like I should have "figured everything out" about ten years ago. That I haven't done nearly enough good with my life already, and that I have wasted my intelligence and have so much more potential than you would guess from my accomplishments.

I have to constantly remind myself that I always tend to take myself far too seriously, and that no one has it figured out. Even the people who you think have it together are fighting the same fight. Even the most beautiful women in the world have self-doubts. Even millionaires struggle to find satisfaction. We all have room to grow.

But lately I find that the more I focus on the everyday small things that bring me happiness - a beautiful view, a gorgeous flower, a smiling face - the more I can dwell on how lucky I am and how wonderful my life really is, the easier it becomes to maintain that feeling of happiness. The big parts of my life like my career, my family, my vision of the future, all can still make me feel worried and frankly, lost. But I know that fundamentally, I am very fortunate. For that, I am happy, and I am lucky to be able to hold onto that happiness.

Hello!

Well, hello there! It's sure been awhile. Here's what I've been up to:

Working on my daytime, work appropriate cat eye with my tried-and-true Loreal Lineur Intense liquid liner in Black Noir

Planting an herb garden on my patio. I also planted a jalapeno to go along with all that cilantro I'll be harvesting for fresh salsa - ole!

Obsessing over California-fresh produce. It's out of this world good.

And dreaming of having my own backyard citrus. If you have never smelled a blooming citrus tree, you need to come visit me in the springtime, stat. When I step out for morning and evening walks, it smells like heaven in my neighborhood. Growing a huge one of these in my backyard is in my long term plan to happiness.

Post-workout recovery (bliss!)

I know it's been a while... so peek at this post-workout recovery (bliss!) post I wrote for HonestlyJamie.com

Shopping for: Office gear

Now that I have a new job, I have a new desk space to call my own. Nothing brightens up a dreary cubicle like having some personal items to help you really settle in, right?

Smartphone stand, $15

I definitely could use something like this - use your phone with only one hand instead of having to hold it in the other. 

Aroma2Go USB Diffuser, $25

This amazing little thing is a USB powered oil diffuser. Use your own essential oils or a blend of your own choice in order to clear away the smell from your neighbor's lunch, or just to create a relaxing space in the midst of a hectic day. Want! 

Making cocktails: The Shandy

I made this Shandy for queenofthequarterlifecrisis.com and never got around to posting it here!