Raining on Sunday

Friends, there's something you must know about me...I'm a total sucker for rainy days. They make me straight up giddy for so many reasons. 

I have a playlist exclusively for rainy weather. I have bright red rain boots and they're amazing. That puddle on campus everyone is struggling to avoid? Please. Imma strut right through it. Also, seeing another person wearing rain boots is awesome. I swear, it's like being part of a secret society. You look at their boots, then glance at their face. They do the same to you, the slightest head nod occurs, and then you're on your way. RAIN BOOT SOCIETY. Such a thing. 

             

                                             

It all just slows me down. Rainy days make me pause and look up at the ever-changing clouds. I see reflections in the wet ground. It's literally a breath of clean, fresh air. Rainy days make me want to wear my comfiest sweats, put on my fuzziest socks, pull my hair up, and make things as simple as possible.They make me thoughtful. I feel the need to sit by a fireplace and journal all my thoughts, write a letter to someone I miss, or read a book. They make me want to buy flowers right that very minute. And naturally, rainy days make me wanna cuddle up with someone or slow dance in the kitchen. They make me want to turn on jazz music and light a candle. It just gets to me. Isn't it romantic? 

To me, it feels like the world should stop and responsibilities should be put on hold when it rains. I just want to be still and take it all in. I would be content to stare out a window all day long and just watch the whole scene unfold every minute. Watch people jump puddles with their kids, see the businessman hold the newspaper above his head, grin at the couple huddled under a single umbrella. I love seeing people who don't let the rain bother them. I love it when this weather humanizes people on the bus or when they finally let out a laugh when they can't get their umbrella closed as they get on the train. I love witnessing the fall of that barrier and hearing the nervous giggles. 

It's just dreamy. Next time you get caught in the rain, try pulling out your rose colored glasses and looking again. Don't focus on the inconvenience it may cause for your newly washed car or how much your hair is frizzing up. Look around. It's all kinda beautiful.

Call Me

I may sound like an out-of-touch grandma when I say this, but we live in a crazy digital and technological age. It seems that we’re always finding a new reason to be on our phones all the time, without using it for its original purpose—calling people. We are so accustomed to texting that the idea of speaking to someone on the same device has become, dare I say, uncool. “I don’t want to bug them,” or “my voice sounds weird on the phone,” or simply “what if they like…answer?” And, I dislike small talk as much as the next person, and a phone call seems to mandate it. Are you really gonna reply with anything but “fine” or “goodhowareyou”? Anyway, let’s move on.

Since we are so terrified to call each other, why on earth would we visit? Yes, I mean driving over there, knocking on their door, them answering the door, and going inside to chat or eat or watch the game. As nerve racking as it can be, you simply can't beat face-to-face interaction. It does our souls good to see their facial expressions and funny gestures, hear their voice, and, heaven forbid, hug them once in a while. Furthermore, as much as some people claim they hate surprises, you can make someone feel so special and important by showing up at their door or calling them at 2pm on a Tuesday just because you were thinking of them. 

How I wish it weren’t such a faux pas to tell someone they’re wonderful or handsome right when you realize they are. When someone is great, I think they ought to be told. We tell little kids all the time how cute their clothes are and how sweet they are. We’re constantly telling them how much we love them. Why does that change when we grow up? Why can’t we tell her how pretty her dress is, or how nice his haircut looks? The same goes for house calls and phone calls—I don’t see why we can’t call our Grandma when she comes to mind or call our friend when someone at work says something that sounds just like your inside joke.

We rarely know the whole story of what even our closest friends are dealing with, and your genuine efforts to tell them you think of them could make a world of difference. Your words and actions, though seemingly small, could be just the boost they need that day. Helen Keller said: “So long as you can sweeten another’s pain, life is not in vain.”

Next time you’re wondering how your friend is doing or you realize you still haven’t seen their new place they love, or whatever it may be, don’t hesitate to call them. You never know the good that could come from it. I leave you with the words of Ellen DeGeneres by saying, “be kind to one another.” 

That person you were thinking of while you read this? Pick up the phone. You can do it.

One-Two Step

You know what doesn't get enough love? Our feet. They are nothing short of spectacular. Sometimes they’re smelly, aching, and without pedicures, but they're still spectacular. Today I’d like to focus on the beautiful fact that they eventually stop growing. What a dang blessing. I’d like to think of it as a “good for you” reward for making it through the teenage growth spurt years. *shudder*

They just…stop growing! You no longer have to worry so much about them. You don’t have to buy new shoes every four months following growing pains. One of the beauties of adulthood is buying your own shoes; and, hopefully, your style is improving and solidifying with age, so you are putting some serious thought into your footwear. You aren't buying flimsy, throwaway shoes anymore. (Exception: those crap rubber flip flops. We all seem to have a pair.) Now, you’re buying those pumps that are built to last, those hiking boots for years of future adventures, or Allen Edmonds dress shoes as you leave the homework behind and enter the corporate world. You can drop $100 on a pair of shoes knowing you'll wear them at least 100 times. I think it’s a lovely coincidence that by the time we’re investing in quality shoes, our feet are ready for them, and will stay that way. Grown-up world is so weird and tough in many ways, but at least we can count on our feet staying the same size for a good long while. It’s these little (odd) things, folks. Let’s smile about ‘em. 

Mirror this 13 second video to show your new found appreciation for your feet...and I dare you to not smile.

Favorites

MOVIE: Father of the Bride 

                I’ve seen this movie too many times to count, but I never ever tire of it. I’m a daddy’s girl, and it gets me every time. I can only imagine how many more happy tears I will shed when I’m actually getting married! It’s funny, sweet, and charming.

STORE: HomeGoods

 I quite literally give myself an allowance of trips to HomeGoods because I know I will find the perfect dish towels or throw pillow or knick knack for a gift and spend all my monies. Oh, and it’s on sale? I’ll take three.

DESSERT: Chocolate Milkshake or Mom’s Chocolate Chip Cookies

                I don’t need four mix-ins. Just gimme a chocolate shake. I’m a chocoholic like my momma. Her cookies beat out any dessert ever, though. Seriously, ask anybody who’s ever lived near us—she’s famous for those babies.

SPORT: Basketball (is it March yet?)

^A senior picture.^

                March Madness Day is held annually with some of my very favorite people. We forget our lives for a day, all responsibilities are set aside, and we sit in the same spot for hours watching day one of the tournament. The night before, there’s dinner at a mediocre, 24-hr diner with credit card roulette (thanks Daniel!). I’m telling you, it’s as happy as a holiday. I love this game.

TV SHOW: Barefoot Contessa

This show on the food network is done by the wonderful Ina Garten. If I could meet one celebrity of my choice, I would meet her. Even before meeting Henry Cavill (AKA man of steel), so yeah, I really do love her. Her blissful life in the Hamptons makes me giddy. The linen button-downs with the collar popped…the same haircut all these years…”how bad can that be?”…the fresh floral arrangements from one of her many connected friends…Jeffrey…her tablescapes…swoon. I love it all so much.

RESTAURANT: Chipotle

                Ask anybody that’s been out to eat with me…Chipotle is always an option. It’s consistently delicious. Hats off to you, my friends.

MUSIC: Country

                George Strait, Alan Jackson, Martina McBride, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney (his old stuff), and so many more. These songs have real meaning, the artist is an actual musician who doesn’t need autotune, and an acoustic guitar just melts me. Gah. I mean, just listen to I Lost It by Kenny Chesney. If you don’t at least grin or "aww" or something you have no heart. Go see a doctor.

What are your some of your favorite things? (Raindrops on roses is obviously an acceptable answer around here.)

That One Old Song

What kind of a blog name is that? Does she even wear glasses? Give it a chance, won’t ya? It stems from my very favorite song, “La Vie En Rose” by Louis Armstrong. Now, I don’t know any French besides this phrase, but it happens to define me. Translated to English, it means seeing life through rose colored glasses. I know what some of you are thinking…“so, you want me to go all Elton John?”  Quit it with the literal view! It means seeing the good in people, the happy in every day, and the sweet moments that too often get pushed aside. Through these new lenses, we can see the good that has been around us all this time.  It seems so simple and cliché, but so am I! I’m stubbornly, sometimes naively optimistic, but I can tell you that I wouldn't have it any other way. Nobody wants to be around a negative person. Even if you’re faking a more positive outlook for a while, you will radiate—as the hipsters would say—“good vibes.”  Wanna know why kids have it made? Why they’re so happy? They get all excited about the smallest things; things you and I don’t notice anymore. For example, little boys squeal with delight in a bubble bath, and little girls notice how pretty the sky is today. Meanwhile, we’re holding their hands and complaining about work, school, and the hassle of scheduling all our activities over the weekend. When’s the last time we thought about how great it is to be able to pay our bills, how amazing it is to receive an education, or how wonderful it is to have people in our lives who want to fill up our weekends? Don’t just stop and smell the roses. Look at your freedoms, your health, your family. (But definitely smell the roses too, because they’re lovely.) Don’t take this life for granted, we only get one. Give it a try and you’ll see what I mean. Today, try putting on those rose colored glasses and look for the good in everyone and everything around you. I promise you will feel better, brighter, and more excited about your life. After all, “life doesn't have to be perfect to be wonderful.”

Give it a listen:

La Vie En Rose by Louis Armstrong

 Doesn't it just make you grin?