Yard Sale-ing & Flea Market-ing

Lately, I have been hitting up some local yard sales and flea markets on the weekends. I have a love/hate relationship with yard sales and flea markets. On one side, I love searching through the multitude of items with the hopes of discovering something exquisite. On the other hand, I tend to get discouraged after multiple searches through dishes, knick knacks, decorations, and books to no avail. However, I can usually convince myself to continue on my search for the perfect items for my home, crafts, and projects.

Lately, I have had some successes in the book department. I’ve always loved vintage books. There’s just something inspiring about looking at the books of our past. Recently, I came across an older copy of Dr. Suess’ Green Eggs & Ham.

Also, I found these darling “natural wonders” books.

And, my most prized book find – a dictionary from the 60’s! My first thought when I saw this baby was “Oh, the crafts I can make with you!” And that is fully what I intend to do with this book – make crafts.

Another delightful little find is this owl drawing – I simply adore it.

What are some of your favorite yard sale/flea market finds?

Simple Pleasures – Apple Nachos

The other night I was really craving something sweet. Because the husband and I have been trying to eat healthier, sweets are hard to come by in this household. However, I found some left-over hot fudge and caramel in the fridge from previous hot fudge sundae cravings. While there was no ice cream to be found, I did have a delicious gala apple. I simply used my apple corer to slice the apple, heated the hot fudge and caramel, and then drizzled both of the toppings on the apple slices. 

And voila! 

Deliciousness!

I highly recommend apple nachos as a slightly less calorie and sugar-intense option - sweet, scrumptious dessert.

This simple pleasure was tasty!

Magazine Love

Look what arrived in my mailbox yesterday!!

My October issue of Better Homes and the fall catalog for Restoration Hardware, accompanied by an extra inspiration catalog! [If you haven't checked out Restoration Hardware, you should head to their website immediately - http://www.restorationhardware.com/ - they have some amazing pieces for your home]

Needless to say, I am having some difficulty working on my schoolwork. I see some home projects in my future!

Fall Equinox

Saturday was the fall equinox, which marks the official beginning of autumn – my absolute favorite season! Even though I’m in Florida (where the high was like 92 degrees), I tried to get into the spirit of the season. I spent some time daydreaming about a place where cool, crisp air blows and I’m bundled up in a hoodie, jeans, and boots, hanging out by a campfire which is surrounded by yellow, orange, and red leaves, I’m sipping some apple cider and eating a pumpkin-flavored dessert….this is my fall. This is the fall that I always picture in my mind. Well, this coupled with pumpkin patches, hayrides, haunted houses, trick-or-treating, Halloween parties, pumpkin coffee, Thanksgiving dinner, football, and apple picking. For four years, I have been deprived of most of the staples of autumn because of my location. However, next year I’ll have my fall – the fall I always picture in my mind, the fall I’ve longed for throughout my time in Florida. The glorious autumn days will be all mine to savor! [Can you tell I’m a little excited?!]

For the time being, I’ll continue to drink my pumpkin coffee and apple cider, find a way to put pumpkin in almost every dish I cook, and burn my autumn scented candles. On Saturday, I burned a mulled apple spice candle and baked the pre-made sugar cookies with pumpkin faces on them. [I seriously love these Pillsbury sugar cookies – I think I could eat the whole batch in one sitting – eek!]

While it will never compare to the first day of autumn in Pennsylvania, it will do for now. Saturday was a good day.

Simple Pleasures - Pumpkin Scented Candle

I love autumn. All things associated with fall bring a smile to my face. Cool, crisp air. Evenings that begin a little earlier. Brilliantly colored leaves falling to the ground. Apple cider. Football. Snuggling up in hoodies and blankets. [just to name a few]

Unfortunately, living in Florida, I don’t get to experience much of the usual comforts of the autumn season.  Because of this, I usually begin yearning for fall much sooner than normal people.

So this weekend, I indulged myself with a little slice of autumn that’s available anywhere: a pumpkin scented candle. [spiced pumpkin pie to be exact]

I burnt the candle all weekend and our apartment smelled amazing, while the scent made me crave pumpkin-flavored desserts.  The smell of warm pumpkin makes any place feel cozy and ignites nostalgia of my childhood days – jumping in piles of leaves and picking out that perfect pumpkin from the patch. [Not to mention the romantic, inspiring look of a room lit only by candles]

This simple pleasure reminds me of wonderful times, makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside, and reignites my zest for life.

So I'm starting a blog...

So, I decided to start a blog. “Why?” you ask. That’s a good question. I can answer it with two main reasons: negativity and developing a craft.

Now before you leave my blog without reading another word, hear me out. I am trying to combat the constant negativity I’ve found in my head lately. You see, I live in northwest Florida because of my man’s military career. This has displaced me from the city I called home (Philly), my very best friends, and my family. Also, I’m nearing the end of graduate school, stressing about completing my program and, frankly, dismal career opportunities after graduation.  On top of all of this, I am a northern girl, born and bred, and I just do not fit in down here. I cannot stand the constant heat and humidity, I miss having four seasons, I miss living in a city, I miss my friends, I’m sick of being underemployed…the list goes on. Thus, the major sources of negativity in my life that I finally decided to work toward replacing with positive thoughts.

My second reason for starting a blog is to further develop my writing and creativity. One of my life goals/dreams is to become a published author. I’ve never told anyone that before (except the hubs, of course). I think it is because I’m afraid that my writing will be subpar, that no one would be interested in my ideas – basically, I’m afraid that I will fail. But I have all of these ideas in my head that I want to put onto paper and develop more. It’s a tug-of-war between my fears and my aspirations. But lately I’ve been hearing the phrase “dreams don’t work unless you do” playing in my mind, on repeat.  So, I spent a few days thinking about how to work on my writing skills, find my voice, and nourish my creativity, and I decided on a blog.

My goal for this blog is to help others who are struggling with negativity in their lives. I truly believe that one can find at least one amazing or excellent or beautiful or inspiring thing in every single day…if only one looks.

So, I am promising myself and my readers, that from here on out, I am looking. I am looking for that gleaming eye of a child who sees a balloon floating off into the clouds and wonders where it’s going. I am looking for that delightful flower growing in an unlikely place that puts you in awe of nature. I am looking for that perfect cup of coffee that makes getting out of bed in the morning just a little more pleasant. I am looking for the joy and elation in the faces of loved ones as they are reunited. I am looking for the little details hiding in the bookcases and on the walls that make your house a home. I am looking for that magical feeling that comes when a certain December holiday rolls around. I am looking for the little things, the simple things, which are brilliant, magnificent, and inspiring – these are the things that make our lives sparkle and our nights twinkle.