Author: jplatt27

a new kind of christmas list

Posted on by jplatt27

christmas mug

Every year, Mike’s mom asks us for Christmas lists. They’re due before we head back to DC after Thanksgiving weekend. I always struggle with this activity–feeling like it’s forced and I’m listing things that I’m lukewarm about.

I decided to make my Christmas list a little differently this year. I was going to make an intentional Christmas list. And I did. I took great care in making my Christmas list this year. And the whole process of making the list was very enjoyable.

I started by asking how I want to feel in 2014. I came up with three feelings:

cozy, pretty, and abundant

Then I thought of things that would support these feelings.

On my list:

Cozy
tea
throw blanket
Bread & Wine: A Love Letter to Life Around the Table with Recipes by Shauna Niequist (this could also go under abundant)

Pretty
1″ curling iron
sleeveless blouses to go under cardigans
Sephora Favorite Sampler (hoping Santa can find this…I saw it in store but can’t find it online)

Abundant
Kate Spade business card holder
Godiva chocolate bars (the small ones they have at Barnes and Noble)
Vase (fresh flowers always make me feel abunant…and pretty too)
Josie Maran Body Butter

I’m really happy with my list. But also, I think this process was really good for me. I’ve been working a lot on valuing and taking care of myself (more to come on that later) and I think this was a great exercise in learning how it feels to take good care and value yourself.

How do you want to feel in 2014? 

What’s on your Christmas list this year?

How would your list change if you first thought about how you want to feel in 2014 and only put things that supported that vision?

 

 

how to keep the holidays joyful

Posted on by jplatt27

Mike’s aunt gave his mom some great advice for the holidays. She said “decide what you want to do and just do that.”

Simple. Decide what you want to do and just do that.

This time of year is crazy. There are lots of places to go and people to see. And a lot of tasks that need to be completed to go to those places and see those people.

For a time of year that is supposed to be about family, love, joy, hope, and peace, there are so many demands on your time and energy.

It’s easy to get burnt out and not enjoy the most wonderful time of the year. In fact, many times this time of year can be one of the most stressful.

I think that’s partly because we feel so many obligations. Feel like we have to do this or that to make someone else happy. And often we give in to those obligations and in doing so, we still a little bit of joy from ourselves.

But it really doesn’t have to be this way. We can start with the simple advice from Mike’s aunt. Decide what you want to do and just do that.

You can do it. Trust me.

I actually had a great experience with this last year. Last year, I mentioned that we were having a new type of Thanksgiving. But, I never shared how that went.

Long story short Thanksgiving usually goes like this: lunch at 1pm, dinner at 4pm, double food coma and complete exhaustion by 6pm. Last year, I said we’re going to do it different. I’d really like to take a nap after the first meal instead of rush around. So I told my dad that we’d come a little bit later. After the first meal at Mike’s parents, I took a nap. I woke up without an alarm and as soon as I woke up I wanted to go see my family. We got there around 6 or so and ended up staying and chatting for hours. I think we didn’t leave until close to 11!

In doing that, we got relaxed, quality time with both of our families. I was completely present and happy at both events and my family was able to have all of me, the happy, joyful Joanna. They got me. The Joanna I want to be.

So, I know from experience, you can decide what you want to do and just do that. And your holidays may actually be happier for it.

Tell me: what do you really want to do this holiday season? what do you want permission not to do?

P.S. Here’s a beautiful post about this same subject:

link love

Posted on by jplatt27

snow covered rooftops.jpg

It’s a snow day–for everyone in DC but me and my colleagues. I can’t believe the university I work for isn’t closed. Seriously, I can’t believe it. On the bright side: I’m glad I have new Hunter boots to wear and I’m taking this as permission to wear leggings to work 🙂

If you’re enjoying the beautiful snow fall from the comfort of your couch–maybe in your robe while drinking coffee with your Christmas mug (like Mike), here are some links to enjoy while you relax. Enjoy!

The salad version of comfort food. We’ve made this twice now. I’m obsessed.

As a book lover, I love this idea for a Secret-Santa.

Should is a warning sign. Yes.

Completely agree with this video about the best workout.

You’ve got to download this wallpaper. I couldn’t agree more.

Stumbled on Elizabeth’s blog this weekend and am fascinated by her 30 Days of Hair Series. I’ve watched beach waves and blowout and can’t wait to watch more. I’ve recently been getting into beauty more and these hair tutorials are perfect. Not only does she have videos, she has a list of exactly the products she’s using right on the post. Brilliant! Don’t you love when exactly what you need/want shows up at exactly the right time?  I do.

Pretty sure this is the best Buzzfeed ever. As a huge Home Alone fan, I literally laughed out loud.

This question is radical and will change the way you think about goals. (Click this link and watch the video.) And then, if you’re in the DC area and want to be in a soulful book group that really gets into how you want to answer this question, email me. I’d love to have you.

Any links you’re loving lately? Please share in the comments!

a feeling yet to be named

Posted on by jplatt27

I’ve been doing something a little different with my Christmas list this year. Each year, Mike’s mom asks me for a Christmas list. And each year I put the same kinds of things: clothes and books.

This year I decided I’d make an intentional Christmas list based on how I want to feel in 2014.

The adjectives I came up with are

cozy | joyful | pretty | abundant.

But at the gym this weekend I realized there’s another way I want to feel in 2014…like me. But I haven’t come up with one word that sums up this feeling.

I was doing a strength exercise in front of the mirror and the song Mirrors by Justin Timberlake was playing on my iPod. When I locked eyes with myself in the mirror I felt…radiant, strong, beautiful, loved, appreciated. Like I was really seeing myself. Seeing the true me. I felt…like me. I adore that feeling. 

Do you know the feeling I’m talking about? What is it called? I’d love to add it to my list.

coffee date

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coffee edited

If we were having coffee today, I’d tell you I’m pretty much a genius (or a magician). Our kitchen sink wasn’t draining (probably because of bacon grease) and I put baking soda in and the water immediately started going down. It was like magic. I read somewhere a while ago about using vinegar and baking soda to unclog drains–the combination bubbles up like a volcano–so I was going to do that but we didn’t even need the vinegar. The baking soda alone did the trick. I did pour a little vinegar and boiling water in for good measure though. Anyway, so cool!

If we were having coffee today, I’d tell you I’ve been reading The War of Art by Steven Pressfield and it’s so good. Definitely a game-changer. He talks about resistance and how it comes up for all of us. Resistance especially comes up when you’re thinking about pursuing something that can have positive lasting effects for the long haul…

If we were having coffee today I’d probably rave about this kale salad. We made it for dinner on Friday and I’ve been thinking about it ever since. It was so delicious. So hearty and great flavors. We had some leftover and had it as a side with grilled cheese for lunch on Saturday. I keep asking myself when I can have it again. Mmm mmm mmmm.

If we were having coffee today I’d tell you about my birthday date. My birthday’s not til Wednesday but Mike and I celebrated yesterday. He bought me a beautiful dress that I’d marked in the Talbots catalog (you can see the top a bit in the picture above) and we got dressed up and went to brunch at the Tabard Inn.

And last but not least, if we were having coffee today, I’d probably tell you that Mike and I started watching The Killing this weekend and we’re hooked. I really enjoy having a series to watch like this, especially one that I can watch with Mike. It becomes our thing and we can spend quality time together watching. If you have suggestions for series we should put on our list for after this one, do tell!

What would you tell me?

P.S. Thanks to Emily for this post idea. I really love it!

caught between now and then

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We were driving back from the grocery store and I was daydreaming about when we have a house someday and have family and friends over for meals all the time. Our home is cozy and welcoming and we always have people around, always feel loved.

We drove by the Cathedral and I noticed a man taking a picture. I looked and saw the Cathedral lit by a setting sun. It was sad and beautiful. In that moment I got nostalgic for the life we have now.

I think the emotions of this moment were enhanced by this song that happened to be playing on the radio, Trace Adkins’ You’re Gonna Miss This:

Before she knows it she’s a brand new bride
In her one bedroom apartment and her daddy stops by
He tells her it’s a nice place, she says, It’ll do for now
Starts talkin’ about babies and buyin’ a house
Daddy shakes his head and says, Baby, just slow down

Cuz’ you’re gonna miss this
You’re gonna want this back
You’re gonna wish these days
Hadn’t gone by so fast

These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you’re gonna miss this

I know I’ll miss this place and this time when we move away. Miss the hustle and bustle of the city. The beauty of the National Mall and my favorite drive down Rock Creek Parkway along the water. I’ll miss the lazy weekend mornings at home, breakfast at the coffee table and the huge windows that greet me when I walk in the door. I’ll miss the days of just the two of us. I imagine I’ll look back on this as a time when life was simple and easy, when our cares were minimal.

But I still yearn for a future time when I don’t feel as isolated. When our weekends are filled with family and friends around our table and our house is filled with the warmth that comes with a home-cooked meal.

And so I feel sad. Sad because in yearning for that, I’m wishing this time away.

But I guess the good news is that now is good and then will also be good.

 

link love

Posted on by jplatt27

Coffee and cinnamon buns

 

Happy Friday! Hope you had a good week. I did. I’m looking forward to a nice relaxing weekend before we hit the road for Thanksgiving travel next week. I’m also looking forward to celebrating my birthday with Mike on Sunday. I’m not sure what the plans are–it’s a surprise!

Alright, onto the love!

1. I loved this honest post about starting a business. Good things to keep in mind.

2. A friend sent me this post yesterday about the question you should ask yourself. It was a perfectly timed read for me.

3. I can definitely relate to this post from Emily about how life is messy sometimes.

4. We made this soup for dinner last Friday…mmm…mmm…mmm. So good, so easy, and quick too!

5. I haven’t been making it to the gym recently so I was excited to see this at-home workout Kristen shared in one of her Friday Favorites posts. I’ve done it twice and it’s a good one!

Have a great weekend!

5 ways to value myself

Posted on by jplatt27

During our coffee date the other day, I shared that I’m reading Money: A Love Story by Kate Northrup. I’m actually doing the exercises in this book and they are SO powerful. I’m still processing a lot of my responses both on my own and with my coach. There is just so much good stuff here, it’s a lot to digest. To be honest, a lot of my realizations make me feel really vulnerable. I hope to have the courage to share more of my responses, realizations, and takeaways here but we’ll see.

For now, here is one piece that really stuck with me.

In Money, Kate emphasizes self-value and self-care and how they relate to money. She says:

Self-care is about loving yourself. If you can’t learn to put energy toward your own care and feeding, who else will? If you can’t value yourself enough to put yourself first from time to time, how the heck do you expect to be valued in the world?

Money is about what we value. We pay for what we value. We pay attention to what we value. This is an issue of valuing yourself.

This makes total sense to me but it’s not something I’ve thought about before. Of course, self-care and money are related. One way to show that you’re worth financial abundance is to value yourself, to love yourself, and to treat yourself kindly. In doing so, you send a message to the universe, you show the universe how you want to be treated.

To be truthful, I haven’t been sending exactly the message I want to send so I’ve been focusing more on that.

Here’s my response to the second part of a two-part exercise about self-love and self-care.

Part two: Make a list of five ways that you can care for yourself, value yourself, and/or love yourself more this week.

My answers:

  1. Always have fresh flowers at home.
  2. Eat a really good salad. Bonus if you make it yourself.
  3. Curl my hair once this week.
  4. Say no. Without guilt.
  5. Blog: write and publish

And another to add that I’ve been practicing this week unintentionally but it’s a big piece of self-love for me: spend your mornings doing what feels good (something I did for a little while last year).

So what do you think? How do you show yourself love and care?

coffee date

Posted on by jplatt27

coffee

If we were having coffee today, I’d tell you that I’m working on my relationship with money. I’ve been reading Money: A Love Story and absolutely loving it. I’m actually doing all of the exercises as I go through. It’s a total game-changer. I want to tell everyone about it. And I kind of want to buy my siblings copies for Christmas (guys, if you’re reading this, let me know if you don’t want one).

If we were having coffee today, you’d probably tell me that you love my nail polish. I painted my nails before work the other day (great morning activity for me), and I’ve gotten SO many compliments! I bought the polish because I loved the color and because the name, Big Spender, goes so perfectly with some of the realizations I’m having from Money: A Love Story. I think all the compliments are the universe telling me that I’m going in the right direction.

If we were having coffee today, I’d tell you that Talbots is my new favorite store. Their clothes are so well made and fit me perfectly. And, on sale, fit my budget perfectly.

If we were having coffee today, I’d tell you how excited I am about the holidays. Not really much more to elaborate on that subject but I’m looking forward to this cozy holiday season.

What would you tell me, or ask me, if we were having coffee today?