It’s what gives your day a little extra something something. The things that put a smile on your face and an make your heart race an extra beat. With the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it’s so important to keep hold of the reins of your life. We tend to think that stress is natural during the holidays, but high levels of stress hormones are meant to be released briefly. And if they continue, say for one month straight (Thanksgiving to New Years) without enough time to recharge, our resistance levels are substantially lessened. The more we take care of ourselves, the less we will suffer from relentless stress and the effects of exhaustion.
By all means, its equally important to indulge in that extra gingerbread man and stay up a few hours later watching holiday movies with your family. Really bask in your holiday–it will only happen once in 2012. But find that perfect balance so that “you do you,” as one of my friends says (heyyy Robbie 🙂 )
So let’s get to the good stuff this week:
1) Listening to my body. Yoga is what I needed, and I needed it badly. Started my morning with a slow flow. Met friends for one of those butt-kicking prana flows that leave you bathed in sweat, or more like in the very sweaty man’s puddle next to me. And then finished off my night with a mediation class. Exactly what I needed that day
2) Enjoying 65 degree weather and the simplicities of the day
3) New, PINK running shoes. They really were the only color my Asics came in, and I haven’t switched shoes since my marathon. All you runners know that that is just asking for an injury
4) Moleskin Calendars. This week, there are work lists, personal to-dos, Christmas lists, reminders, and so on. Keeping me sane and organized
5) Tea and lots of it. I have a current obsession with Trader Joe’s Peppermint Green tea. Are you even surprised? I should probably be a store marketer. It helps the work day go by. Tea=stamina…and warmth, now that it is again 30 degrees
6) Front page stories of the WSJ. A cup of tea while reading the most ground breaking news of the day
7) Sweatyyy spin classes with good friends. Those ones that make you question your ability to do cardio. We both ran a marathon (hi Courtney) yet cringe in fear before we step foot on the cycling bikes
8) The newest addition to our house. Our little love fern Christmas tree–all decorated and gleaming. Cinnamon scented broomstick in the house, dozens of cookies made last weekend, and Pandora Glee Holiday blaring from my computer. I think it’s that time of the year
8) It’s almost Friday
What made you smile today?
How do you do you?
Practicing Grace 
I kind of want a moleskin notebook, would make all my sticky notes a whole lot nicer. I wish I had time for yoga, I feel like I need it in my life right now more than ever.
Moleskins > iPhone lists
Your day full of yoga sounds so relaxing and wonderful. It makes me want to take a yoga class! Studying with friends today has made me smile even if the actual studying part isn’t that fun.
Well it makes studying enjoyable!! Nothing like a few laughs to break up the monotony
LOVE those pink shoes!! Cute.
I need more yoga in my life.
The pretty weather and sun out there made me smile 🙂
They’re bright but I like it 🙂 Enjoy your beautiful day!
I love starting the day with a hot drink and the WSJ… but I don’t know how you do it with that bowl of Kisses right in front of you!
All I can say is that there is a layer of M&Ms under there….Christmas torture
Shout out!
I also love the HP meme
Don’t have to worry about being hit by a car/bike wearing those bad boys…
So what is the financial impact of Prince William visiting Kate in the hospital?
Waiting for you to respond to your claim to fame. They’re not your grey New Balances but I have to start somewhere
Yay for yoga! Seriously I’m in love with it. I’ve been 4 days a week for a few weeks now. So excited to go again tonight! Love those running shoes… I almost got them but went with mizuno HOT PINK AND LIME GREEN shoes instead. Only because I like the way mizunos fit me better. I do choose my shoes based on colors though. Some people judge, I instantly befriend anyone who likes colors as much as I do 😉
Wow girlllll that’s a lot–good for you!!! I saw those mizunos! They looked so cute, but I get nervous switching between brands. I need to man up.
Love pretty much everything in this post…as I kept scrolling down I was like oh I love that! Love that too! New running shoes, planner/calendar, an adorable little Christmas tree. And you’re totally right, changing your running shoes is just asking for trouble. I need a new pair desperately, I’m gonna hit up the running store after the holidays!
Eeee so glad you liked it all. I feel like my good stuff has got to translate to someone else too!! Yeah those shoes were a big purchase that I didn’t want to spend right now, oh well
Great looking shoes!! I love the hot pink
Love the shoes and the smile 🙂
Love starting my morning with a cup of coffee and protein bites by my side 😉
Those shoes are so cute! My brand, one of my favorite colors. Think I need to look into them!
And yoga! I haven’t joined a new gym since moving, but I desperately need yoga in my life again.
I have enjoying the same Candy Cane tea. It’s yum, yum, yummy!
It’s that tea amazing! I need to stalk up before winter ends and they stop selling it.
Had no idea you were training to be a yoga teacher, that’s so cool! I’m definitely interested in doing it, I want to teach classes at my school’s gym. Love the bright running shoes 🙂
I need to figure out if/where I’m going to teach once training is done. It’s been amazing so far! And definitely a challenge
You should, especially since you’re in the DC area. Preferably a time when I’m not in school 🙂
I love those pink shoes, and OMG the picture of the kids in Dupont is freaking adorable. I love it when I walk around downtown and see all the daycare places taking the little ones for a walk – it makes DC seem so very human. 🙂 Hope you’re having a fabulous day!
I completely agree. It’s such a serene perspective to a often chaotic city. Glad you enjoy it too!
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Thank you! That means a lot–I”m so happy you’re enjoying my posts.