Inspiration

Let’s all try to remember this: other people’s choices are not a commentary on ours (and vice versa).

Mmm, a beautiful video on the power + practice of making things.

Consistency and regular practice have been themes for me lately.

Choose just one thing (at a time) to simplify your life. Lovely.

Marie Forleo at it again with exactly what I needed to hear this week (and every week).

Great post on redesigning your life, especially the tip about simplifying the steps.

Lena Dunham and Jenny Konner started a feminist newsletter and they interviewed Hillary Clinton!

Re-work your negative thoughts with the three column technique.

I can’t link to the newsletter articles themselves, but I really enjoyed both the Reading My Tea Leaves and Braid Creative newsletters this week.

***

This week I made Thanksgiving dinner for my boyfriend’s Ecuadorian family, which was stressful but ultimately so much fun. They had never had our Canadian Thanksgiving flavours before and had never participated in our traditions, so it was such a treat to be able to bring one of my favourite holidays to a new country.

This weekend, we are hosting yoga in a nearby park, and hoping that new friends will show up! I also hope to do a lot of reading and writing, watching Masterchef (some things never change) and avoiding our now-daily afternoon rainstorms. The leaves aren’t changing colours here in Ecuador, but at least it’s the perfect fall weather almost all the time! Have a lovely weekend.

Last night my boyfriend and I started watching the Netflix Original Chef’s Table and were both so inspired. I can’t wait to watch the whole series – so many thoughts on passion, creativity, work ethic and motivation.

I’m really excited about the offerings of The Mindfulness Summit, there are so many important thinkers and inspiring people giving talks. Planning to sign up right after I finish writing this post!

Loved these 10 lessons learned from a year of productivity. His website looks like a treasure-trove of awesome information too, especially these 100 “hacks”. (Spoiler: productivity does not equal working so hard you burn out, his philosophy + the science indicate that it’s all about balance and working smarter.)

I really enjoyed and was inspired by two episodes of the Tim Ferriss podcast: one with Brené Brown and the other with Tara Brach.

Fellow Canadians: the election is coming! I love the CBC Vote Compass to see how your beliefs match with those of the parties. I also recently heard about the idea of strategic voting, and I find the idea fascinating (it sparked some great conversations in my family). Last thing: did you know that you can vote at any Elections Canada office at any time from now until the actual election day? That’s what I did before leaving for Ecuador. More info here.

Some wonderful ideas in this old (but new to me!) article from Brain Pickings.

***

So I live in Quito now! When I arrived on Tuesday and was reunited with my lovely aforementioned boyfriend, we both felt like zero time had passed. We are living in a beautiful apartment with a gobsmacking view (though to be fair there’s a beautiful view from almost everywhere in Quito) and are very happy.

I hope you’re having a wonderful weekend! xo.

The truth about uncertainty. This one really hit home for me.

Liz Gilbert + Marie Forleo = (big) magic! I adore them both, and this interview was jam-packed full of awesome content.

How have I never read Ask Polly before? Powerful words about “success” and “failure”.

Gorgeous pictures of New Orleans and gorgeous words about marriage.

This post should be required reading about love + ‘The One’. I love it so much I revisited it this week.

I read Rising Strong this week, took copious notes, and felt like a much better person afterwards.

I read a lot about commonplace books this week and was so inspired to start keeping a more structured one. I especially liked this article and this one.

I love these beautiful sunglasses made from recycled nylon fishing nets.

Ryan Adams’ cover of 1989 is so good.

One day, I’ll make this quilt of my dreams.

***

So here’s where I tell you about my next exciting adventure: I’m going to Ecuador for the next few months! I’ll be living in Quito, teaching yoga, working remotely with The Red Tent Sisters, producing the podcast, and most importantly spending quality time with the wonderful man I met in India.

I wasn’t planning to leave home again so soon after so long of being away. But that’s the funny thing about life…you can’t really plan it. If I’m honest, I’m nervous – this is the first decision I’ve made that factored in another (awesome) person and I have no idea how it’s going to go (although, do we ever know how anything is going to go?). But I’m trying to live with an open heart and an open mind and trying to embrace all the new opportunities that come my way. Wish me luck!

I’m flying out early next week and will be back mid-December for the holidays. This time at home has been just the perfect amount to reconnect with all my loved ones, spend some good solid quality time, eat my favourite foods, read and relax. And now that it’s back-to-school season, it feels like the perfect time to start my next great safe adventure too.

Have a wonderful weekend! xo.

I downloaded the Paper app this week and the calligraphy tool is AWESOME. I just drew a word using my finger and it looked so beautiful. I’m excited to try out the other functions too.

My friend Jess started a beautiful basics company called Free Label! I’m so excited about their gorgeous, bamboo cotton shirts.

A simple but probably very difficult to implement practice that I want to try: the 50 minute phone rule.

Elizabeth Gilbert interviewed Brené Brown on Magic Lessons this week and it was so wonderful.

I discovered the (now closed) blog Young House Love this week through Jess Lively’s podcast and loved seeing all their past house tours. Also, the episode was all about walking away from “success” because it doesn’t fit with your true values which I found very inspiring as well.

Such a lovely closet.

I put all five of these books on my reading list.

Last weekend we went to the Toronto Veg Food Fest and it was so great. We recapped our favourite presenters and food on the podcast here.

***

The days have been quiet around here lately, and I’m not complaining. I like to walk up and down the long driveway and around the house, stopping to pet the cat sometimes or harvest any new cherry tomatoes that have come in. I listen to podcasts while I make my lunch and work on my computer at the sunny kitchen table. I have dinner with my family every night and then spend the long evenings reading. This time at home, especially during such a beautiful summer, has been so special to me. I’m off on another adventure shortly (more on that soon!) so having this simple, normal, lovely time with my family has been a gift. I’m trying to savour and appreciate all of it.

This weekend my sister and I are taking a roadtrip to spend time with our grandparents, which should be great. I hope you have a wonderful weekend too!