Pilates

Do you ever wonder how ballerinas move the way they do? How they stand on their tippy toes and do amazing twirls and whirls. It's all about the Pilates, which is inspired largely by ballet training. A few years ago when living in Colorado I became obsessed with the aforementioned work out, namely because Lhira was the most hard core Pilates instructor ever. She worked her students hard and it made all the difference. Since being in Seattle I have dabbled here and there with Pilates but still haven't found the perfect instructor. I did just join Olympic Health Club though, hoping to meet the next Lhira.

 

Here's to a good Pilates work out.

Holiday Reading

I love this time of year with family, friends, and good books! This year D and I are spending the holiday in our new house, just the two of us, which is bittersweet. Bitter because we miss our families and friends; sweet because we get to stay cozy and read.

Here are my top holiday picks.

Satirical fiction based on Seattle culture 

Provocative mystery set in Missouri between a husband and wife

Memoir of Africa's first female PHD and leader of the Green Movement in Kenya

The Chosen Ones

After MUCH deliberation we have chosen colors for the house, in large due to Pamela Ellis of Ellis Design! We are going from rainbows to neutrals. Here is a preview:

Himalayan Treck for Kitchen and Living Room 

Plymouth Rock for accent walls throughout

Coastal Fog for hallway and bathroom

Limestone for bedrooms

Moonlight White for Trim

Rainbow Hater?

In the next couple weeks we will be painting the interior of our house. Currently, all colors of the rainbow have a place in our home. We are excited to get out of the rainbow and simplify a bit, by creating a pallet of intentional tones to set the mood. Don't get me wrong, I am not a rainbow hater, I just need a bit more complementariness in my life. Here are some colors I am thinking about.

Blue or gray for the bedrooms

Darker grey for living room

Bluish greens for the bathroom

 

Change Agents

I am so proud to graduate our 2012 EarthCorps cohort. These young adults have worked tirelessly to make the world a better place. Through adversity, commitment, challenge of the status quo, and courage to go farther beyond what they thought was possible, they have enabled themselves and others to activate and inspire needed change. The power of this group is unstoppable and has truly replenished my hope and love for humanity. 

Norway

Among the many places I want to explore Norway is near the top. With its natural beauty and idyllic social standards, Norway has got to be fantastic. By almost all social indicators Norway is the most successful country. It has remained EU independent, has universal health care, universal free education, friendly immigration policy, and rehabilitation centers instead of prisons. Not to mention some of the most rugged and majestic peaks, blue waters, and pastoral valleys. Sign me up!