I am not organized. Far from it. I am clean. But I am disorganized. I appreciate things in their places, but should they go astray, I'm not terribly concerned. Though after looking at Things Organized Neatly I have the strangest urge to line up things that go together. Or maybe just knick knacks, like the I Spy books of my childhood. There are so many ways to organize: by color, shape, use, size. So here's to all you organized folks out there who love order. And to all of you who, like me, prefer ordered chaos.
Along with spring weather comes that itch to get outside and breathe deep, to feel grass under your feet and smell the trees. Thanks to a friend of mine living it up in Argentina on an eco-farm, I've been hearing and thinking about the simplicity of living in nature and been aching to go camping though so far it hasn't been dry enough to enjoy the outdoors. All this has led me to the ideal get-away: life in a tent. Not just any tent, mind you, but a solid, house-like tent. Not only do these exist, but have been used for years in places like Central Asia where they are known as yurts or gers. Here are some of the most luxuriously posh examples of the good life in the great outdoors.
For those seeking cultural authenticity, stick with the traditional yurt.
When I was little, I used to wake up in the middle of the night and sit on my front porch to watch the rain fall. I would sit by myself as the wind blew and listen to the pitter patter of drops hitting the roof. Storms have always comforted me and dreary days can be just as much fun or just as relaxing as a sunny day at the beach. So here are a few of my favorite things to do on a gloomy day:
Put on a pot of tea (my current favorite is Tulsi Tea from Organic India). Then curl up with a good book (or in the case of the photo below from Desire to Inpire, spend some time crafting a beautiful bookshelf out old wooden crates to house your most cherished reads) and delve into the world of literature.
If reading doesn't strike your fancy, try a pen and paper. Let your whimsy out- write, draw, or just practice your handwriting.
Dance around to some rain anthems, like Adele's Set Fire to the Rain.
Sometimes, staying indoors just isn't cutting it. No matter how stormy it is beyond your front door, there is plenty of adventure to be had. So throw on your largest comfy sweater and slip on some good wellies, like these vegetable print ones from Hunter and step into the storm.
If you're up for a challenge, try rain photography. Catching lightning is nearly impossible and mostly just a result of luck and patience.
And while you're out there, remember to let yourself embrace the weather.
I don't know why exactly I love the idea of ships and the sea since I've lived in a landlocked state all my life, but the image of a ship with sails never fails to inspire me. Maybe it's the novels I read as a kid or the thought of old fashioned travel or the stories of life at sea that intrigue me.
Regardless, there is something wonderful in the contradiction of paper sailboats. Ann Wood offers instructions on how to make these crafty paper mache sailboats along with the simple statement, "I hope you make boats."
Every now and then, spring rolls around with a fabulous display of my favorite color combination- green and gray. Very little can compare to the scene created when sunlight hits the vibrant green of nature just right to contrast it with the power of an ominous gray sky. Green and gray, when done right, can beome one of the most refreshing color combinations I know of. It also happens to be the title of my favorite song by Nickel Creek.
