back from paradise

The contrast between the paradise I just returned from and the New England reality I actually live in, couldn't have been more drastic than it was the past two days. Alex and I returned from sunny, tropical Antigua, where it is always 85 degrees, and were greeted with an insane blizzard (I wish I had pictures!) that left us snowed in at my father-in-law's country house for 2 days. My body has been in a complete state of shock, attempting to be flexible and cameleon-like, but it feels more like confusion.

That sense of confusion is something I love about traveling though. I love to observe others' ways of life--the unique practices, thoughts, cuisine, conversations, landscapes, music and character that define a different culture and/or country. It's a total sensory confusion as you taste, see, hear, smell and touch a life that is foreign to you. And, in Antigua, the culture is rich and all my senses were in a state of bliss. I have so many stories to tell, but I'm going to leave it short and vague today as I attempt to re-acclamate to my life and unpack my chaotic-looking household.

merry christmas!

Photo by Natalie Schlegel (Connecticut 8/10)

Today is our last morning on the beautiful and tropical island of Antigua. We will enjoy breakfast on the beach, a long walk in the sand and maybe a quick swim before spending the rest of our Christmas Day on an airplane back to the States.

Happy holidays everyone! I hope all those who celebrate Christmas are enjoying a warm, cozy day filled with smiles from loved ones and delicious food!

winter picks from etsy

Short and sweet today: some of my favorite winter picks from Etsy. Some will help you survive the elements and some capture the beauty of the season to enjoy year round.

Twinkle by IS Photography

Up Above by Sherri Conley

Winter Moon by Dahlia House Art Studio

Heather Oatmeal Chunky Knit Ribbed Cowl Scarf by Laura's Lovely Fibers

Fresh Greens Handwarmers by Hillabalou

Blue and Cream Snowflake Mugs by Tulane Road Pottery

Salve-ation by Good 4 You

Nag Champa Solid Lotion by Epically Epic Soap

Indigo Blue Batik Quilt by Mary McNulty Design

winter scenes

I pulled these photos out of my archives from the days of shooting with a film camera. I'm excited to capture the snowy season with my digital camera this year, because my portfolio is largely lacking in winter shots (quality ones at least).

Winter is such a quiet, serene season in my opinion. There's nothing quite as comforting as watching the snow fall outside your windows, while you are cozy inside, curled up under a blanket with a warm beverage in your mug. I am obviously a New Englander through and through...I love winter! 40 degrees feels warm to me and I can't get enough snow. In fact, I am truly disappointed by the meager snow falls we get here on the Southern Connecticut shore. It's nothing compared to the blizzards and knee-high fields of snow I used to experience living in the Northeast part of the state, far from the ocean.

Here's hoping for a beautiful snow season! Bring it on mother nature! I've got some photogging and snow hiking to do!

my future Shangri-La: meditation/yoga studio

I've been reading a handful of design blogs lately, and now can't stop obsessing over the design of my future home. Alex and I won't buy a house until we've found our Shangri-La, but when we do I have big plans for it! It will most likely be situated on a plot of land with endless amounts of trees behind us, and a mountain somewhere in the distance (if my dreams come true!). We both desperately want to live in a more pastoral setting, where we are surrounded by nature, which is where my design inspiration originates. I will be bringing in as much of the outside world as possible.

Since I can daydream all the livelong day (and have been known to!), I've decided that I will share some of those daydreams of "my future Shangri-La," the home I hope will own someday. Right now I already have two "must-have's" for the home I purchase, which are a small space to convert into my art studio, and another small space for a yoga/meditation room. Ahhhhh, I feel the tranquility coming on just dreaming about it.

I have been practicing yoga and mediation at home for 12 years now, and have always longed for a peaceful place to do so (outside of yoga class). I've always used my living room for these activities, but the energy is all wrong with jagged edges of furniture leering at me from my headstand, and far too many visual distractions from my precious moments of zen.

So....the mediation/yoga room. I've always envisioned a relatively small room painted in a deep shade of indigo. Indigo is the color associated with the Brow Chakra or your third eye, so it is said to cultivate wisdom and intuition. I'm thinking something like this:

Or a more purple-y color palette like this:

Some ideas for art work to hang on the walls:

Winter Peace by Ancient Arti Zen

Abstract Paintings (Distance and Frozen Lake 2) by Maria Kitano

I'd also love to incorporate a small grouping of tree decals on either side of the entrance to the room, because I am so in love with and inspired by trees. The most peaceful place I can be is in the woods so I'd definitely want to bring some of that into the room.

Tree Decals by NouWall

Maybe a Buddha decal too.

Buddha Decal by Wall Star Graphics

I would love the floor to be pure bamboo hardwood....it's natural, earthy and feels so good against my bare feet. I'd also love a large urn or vase on the floor in one corner filled with bamboo poles, or a bamboo screen like this:

Natural Bamboo Screen by Gaiam

I'd put a daybed like this under a set of windows to lounge on while journaling or reading one of my lovely books about yoga or meditation:

Window Daybed by West Elm

I'd outfit the daybed with yummy organic cotton white sheets and blankets, and pillows like these:

Padma Pond Pillow by Pella Home

Pillow by Purple Pajamas

Alpaca Textured Pillows by West Elm

Of course, there'd have to be a meditation alter, which would look something like the larger bench in this picture:

Rustic Bench by Pottery Barn

It's so difficult to decide what I'd display here, because I'm sure it'd change pretty regularly. In general, it's nice to include personal items that you feel connected to along with candles, incense, a buddha, meditation stones, and such. I'd fill bowls like these with seasonal pieces of nature like leaves, flowers, dirt from the forest, and stones:

Bowls and Incense Dish by De Baun Fine Ceramics

Some other items for my meditation alter:

Pure Beeswax BIG Buddha Head Candle by Peace Blossom Candles

Singing Bowl

Oil Diffuser by DeBaun Fine Ceramics

Beach stones and shells

Drift wood....much smaller pieces though.

And other items for the room:

Rattan Meditation Chair by Gaiam

Ottomans by Gaiam

Zen Fountain by Gaiam

Chakra Yoga Mat by Gaiam

Bailywick Soy Candles in Zen and Daydream (so amazing!)

The Mystic Masala Soy Ayurvedic Candles in Vata and Tridoshic (so comforting!)

Oh, to dream! I love fantasies....but, I think that's because I insist on making them realities. I will have my mediation/yoga room someday....

Namaste.