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September 29, 2013

Sunday Reflection.

Be Still.
I am working on creating stillness in my life. It's so easy for me to get caught up in a whirlwind (I feel like that is an over-used term in my life.) I get busy because I dream a lot, find ways to do the dozen or so ideas I have, over-commit, say yes to every grand opportunity, and then I suddenly find myself scrambling, trying to keep up with the incoming responsibilities associated with all my "yes-es." Am I alone in this? I know I can't be the only one with this recurring bad habit. And yes, too much of a good thing (or a lot of good things) can still be a bad thing. Because if the peace is lost, then, well, the peace is LOST. And I sort of crave a peaceful life environment. It's not for everyone, I suppose, but I want my mind to be still; my thoughts to be chaos-free, my heart to be serene and open. I WANT that, but I am not always living it. I don't think my circumstances should dictate my inner-peace. Shouldn't my inner-peace dictate my circumstances? I once heard a very wise woman say "Peace and rest aren't the same thing. Stop using those terms interchangeably." I think what she meant is that peace doesn't necessarily look like chilling out on a lawn chair. Rest looks like that. But peace can look different on different people. You can be running a country with the entire weight of your people on you, but maintain your peace. You can have every single minute of your day packed tightly with meetings and work, but still have peace. Or, you can do essentially nothing with your day, under the charade of "rest" but still not feel at peace.

This is less of a "Eureka, I've solved the problem for world peace!"-moment and more of a general meandering train of thought. My week has been crammed with wonderful craziness, and today I'm taking a deep breath (eating a few scones) and feeling the need for a bit of quiet, a bit of stillness. Today I'm creating space for peace AND rest, because I like them both a lot. They aren't coming naturally to me, based solely on my schedule and commitments, so I have to create time for them. Peace and rest. They deserve me and I deserve them. And, the good news is.. so do you.

Happy Sunday to you.

September 24, 2013

September 24.

"With mirth and laughter
Let the old wrinkles come."
- William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice


September likes Sapphires.
I gotta say. I love this day.

I stumbled upon this sweet blog post called The Cultureur about a gal who turned 28 and wrote her 18-year-old self a letter. She outlined a few "words of wisdom"; things she would tell herself if she had known then what she knows now. I thought it was an incredible concept, and I couldn't help but smile while I read a few of her pearls of wisdom that I felt were close to my heart, including:

- "Set your own goals, do not pay attention to the timeline of society"

- "TRAVEL TRAVEL TRAVEL. Learn about the world, different cultures, other ways of living, and more importantly, yourself."

- "Know your worth and act like it."

- "Never apologize for who you are and what you've accomplished."

- "Take risks and push your limits. If you do what you've always done you will only have what you've always had."

- "As Mark Twain said, 'Twenty years from now you will regret the things you didn't do, rather than the ones you did.'"

Today, I am reflecting on my journey thus far. My years. My curious experiences. This life has taken me on some windy roads that I wouldn't have planned or imagined, but I can say with full assurance that there isn't anyone else's life I would rather have. I love my life. To be honest, in my current season, I am a little scared. I am a little unsure. And I don't know a lot. I certainly don't know exactly what I'm doing. But I believe in me. I really do. I welcome my incoming year with open arms and a (semi-freaked) vulnerable heart. Let this 26th year wash over me with adventure, peace and grace to be dangerously courageous. And if you've got pearls of wisdom for my 26th year, hit me. All ears.

Much love.

September 23, 2013

TASTE: Pumpkin Almond Spiced Coffee Syrup (with a side of Biscuits!)


Fall is in the air. I love walking by someone on the street who has a coffee in their hand, because these days it almost always smells like pumpkin spice. Oh the blessed scents of autumn. I've been having tons of pumpkin fun in my kitchen, and I was feeling so inspired by my bff Natalie mentioning her pumpkin coffee that I decided to make my own coffee pumpkin syrup. I adapted this recipe from A Beautiful Mess by swapping out the sugar for agave and adding in almond extract. It gives the flavor a smooth, nutty hint. Just right for fall.


Pumpkin Almond Spiced Coffee Syrup
Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups water
- 3/4 cup agave syrup
- 3 tablespoons pumpkin puree
- 1/4 tsp. almond extract
- A dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves & ginger *Go easy on the cloves, it's a very strong spice

Method:
1. Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir to combine. Continue to cook for 5-6 minutes, but don't allow it to boil.

2. Store for up to two weeks in an airtight container. Refrigerate. Use in your coffee and enjoy the yummy fall flavor!

We enjoyed our coffee this weekend with these delicious, super easy to make biscuits.



Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups all-purpose baking mix (I used Trader Joes)
- 1/4 stick butter, softened
-  3/4 cup cold milk

Method:
1. Combine all ingredients. Mix together thoroughly. Don't overmix.

2. Drop spoonfuls on a baking sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes. Voila! We enjoyed with yummy apple butter.

Heavenly tastes, you may commence.

Bon Appetit!


September 19, 2013

Alice's Teacup, Upper West Side

"'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves, did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves, and the mome raths outgrabe."

- Except from Jabberwocky, by Lewis Carrol from Through the Looking Glass*



Fancy A Scone.
My lovely cousin Amber came into town last week. We traipsed around 5th Avenue and did all sort of girlish things, but one of my most favorites was the dreamy afternoon we spent over tea. As an early birthday surprise, she treated me to an Upper West Side high tea service at the famed Alice's Teacup. Let me just say. It was quite the delight.

Alice's Offering.
Alice's Teacup is a fondly-known establishment in my hood, though I hadn't been there before. After stepping inside and letting our eyes adjust for a moment, we realized we were in a haven of fantastical fun. Teapots danced across the walls, charming silver spoons posed on the shelves. There was Alice in Wonderland paraphernalia everywhere and, for a gal with a deep-seated love for Alice and her posse of goof-off friends, I couldn't think of a happier place to be. We settled into our enormously overstuffed chairs and scoured the menu. And it was decided. The Madhatter's Delight it is. Which grandly included cucumber and watercress sandwiches, pumpkin and white chocolate scones, fragrant black tea and rich chocolate mousse. Oh, and tea cookies. Can't forget the petite, pretty little cookies that you can nibble with the tips of your teeth. The interior of Alice's is warm & intimate, set off by jeweled colors and topsy-turvy furnishings. It's was so comfortable, you could sit there for hours and get lost in deep conversation. And that's just what we did. Although, it was often interrupted by our deep-bellied howls of laughter that shook the room (and the teacups) and maybe caused a few annoyed glares in our direction. We are both quite the storyteller. And we are both rather loud.


Lets Talk. This wonderful place made me realize why I am so enchanted by the fancifulness of tea time. It's a frilly event that is really masquerading as quality connection time, enjoying delectable treats over real conversation. Finding out what's running deep along the inner landscape of the magnificent person sitting across from you; taking the time to understand their perspective, look in their eyes and grow with them. It's an enriching, enlightening experience that somehow always takes place over a hazy, heady cup of tea. I want to note that this is different than coffee time, people. Coffee time is also a sacred time, but in a completely different way. We will discuss that another day.



My day with this girl, ah, I'll never forget it. She's a treasured one.






*Also, this is the first poem I ever memorized. 3rd Grade poetry competition and I can still remember it, can still recite every word by heart. Nonsensical fun really does run deep.

September 17, 2013

1/50 NYC Adventures: Fifth Avenue


50 Adventures On Foot.
It's been weaved in the the fabric of all New York fantasies. Thoroughly Modern Millie belted, "So I can buy my clothes at Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman too." Holly Golightly nibbled on croissants and dreamily gazed into the glassy windows at Tiffany & Co. Eloise never failed to stir up mischief at The Plaza and Blair & Serena blew their vast trust funds at Henri Bendels. These events, while perhaps partially fiction, are forever emblazoned upon the impressionable memories of young, starry-eyed New Yorker-wannabes (believe me, I should know.) And these events all culminate on New York's famed 5th Avenue.

This is my first installment in what could turn out to be a year worth of posts devoted to New York City adventures. My lovely cousin Amber was in town last weekend for a quick 48 hours of city bliss, and we took our time, laughing over manicures and toasting with teacups. Cheering to our frolicking, city fun. We took an afternoon to explore the darling, prestigious stretch of Fifth Avenue, which meant a lot of wandering through fahncy-schahncy stores, pretending to be wealthy ladies of leisure. It was a blast. On Fifth Avenue between 49th-60th Streets is a gallery of historic, fashionable New York centerpieces. All the luxury brands are neatly tucked in a row, from Louis Vuitton to Chanel, Gucci to Prada, almost too many to name. The iconic Apple Store, the Plaza Hotel, FAO Schwarz & Tiffanys captured our special attention for the afternoon. We wandered, took photos, snuck upstairs in The Plaza and lounged on a plush chaise lounge, whilst (obviously) pretending that at any moment, a prince would appear and ask us to dance.

// The Apple Store //

// Bergdorf Goodman //

// FAO Schwarz; yes, that is a man made entirely of Legos! My niece and nephews would have been enraptured. //

// The Plaza Hotel, under a bit of (frou-frou) construction. //
// The Plaza enjoys an array of chandeliers, FYI. //

// The Plaza; the grandiose entrance. //

// Tiffany & Co. Where I maybe tried on a $140,000 piece of jewelry. Maybe. //
// 5th Avenue, New York, NY //

City Walk.
5th Ave, you are one righteously treasured city street. You deserve a medal for achieving all-time dream status for millions of people all over the world. I will gladly pound your pavement anytime. Luxurious shopping spree, anyone?




 


*This post is part of a series of 50 New York City Adventures.

September 14, 2013

50 NYC Adventures

Adventures on Foot.
I've been trying to think of a way to encapsulate this incredible, vibrant experience of living in the greatest city on earth. How to blog about such a journey? How to simultaneously experience this monumental city and poetically write about it, fashioning it with my own mediocre words and dolloping it with a pretty "there you have it" bow on top? It's nearly impossible. No one can write about New York City wholly, fully. It's nearly impossible Then it struck me. When she gave me a present. (All good things that happen to me stem from getting presents, let's just be clear about that.)

My friend Meredith (who gets married in a month, woohoo!) gave me the sweetest gift when she found out we were moving to her hood: City Walks New York: 50 Adventures on Foot. It's a case of 50 cards, each fitted with a map on one side and a list of accompanying "must see's" on the other, associated with 50 spots in the city. From Battery Park to Greenwich Village to DUMBO, this little kit covers a ton of the famed spots that this city has to offer. This is it. This is the way to organize and cover ground in this fabulous not-so-little town. I'm thrilled to have a guide to the city and I'm even more excited to photograph it and share with you! So stay tuned.

September 12, 2013

My Merrell Challenge Gear

My Merrell Challenge Gear

My Merrell Challenge Gear by knhale
// 1. C9 Champion Sports Bra // 2. Eos lip treatment // 3. Women's Nike Tempo Track Short // 4. iPhone // 5. Reebok Zigkicks // 6. iTunes gift card // 7. Sport Arm Band for iPhone // 8. Gaiam Sublime Yoga Mat //

The Challenge Update.
I've been running. Getting my groove on, if you will. For those of you who missed it, I am partaking in the Mapmyrun Merrell Challenge, which means I am challenged to run 30 times in a span of 45 days. So far, I am on Day 9 and I've done 6 runs. On the Mapmyrun app, I am in the top 8%, but (wait for it), I am in 2574th place. Basically there are a LOT of people who are out there, dreaming of free tennis shoes. Which is what you win, IF (in my case), you go up over two thousand places. Awesome, huh? No really, though, it is kind of awesome.

The Gear.
I created a round-up of the gear I've been using during this particular season. Anyone else fancy a run every now and then? You will like all of this stuff. Seriously.
1. C9 Champion Sports Bra: The best sports bra ever. 'Nuff said.
2. Eos lip treatment: I also really really love my Eos lip balm. Have I shared this with you before? OH THE GLORY. I especially love the honeydew honeysuckle and passionfruit flavors. They're a little elusive, but you can usually find them at Walmart or Target (check the ends of the aisles in the beauty section.) Seriously. This is a worthy three bucks spent. It's like your lips go on vacation...
3. Women's Nike Tempo Track Short: These are just the best shorts! They're the perfect length, never feel too tight, and always let enough breeziness in for, um, leg breath-ability? And they have some pretty wild colors... which I really dig.
4. iPhone: Bless you, dear Steve Jobs. I looooOOOooovee my sweet white life accessory. I run with this bad boy and listen to tons of inappropriate rap whilst doing so.
5. Reebok Zigkicks: The Reebok zigs are a wonder (and isn't this color to die for? I feel like I light up the dirt path when I run!) My dear friend Carrie introduced me to the world of Reebok, and I am forever grateful. Their gear is awesome and these shoes especially fit my large feet oh-so well. (For those of you keeping tally, I am only 5'4 and wear a size 8.5 shoe. I think I drank too much coffee as a 13-year old.) 
7. Sport Arm Band for iPhone: My precious little stylish sis got this for my birthday last year. It holds my phone in so I don't have to actually hand-carry it around (I would surely drop it) and therefore listen to the above-mentioned tunes.
8. Gaiam Sublime Yoga Mat: When I finish my run, I like to cap it off with about 10 minutes of abs or some pushups mixed in with some yoga stretches. Makes me feel all "Ommmm" inside.

The are the glories of my running world. Please enjoy. Do you have any gear that helps in your workouts?

September 11, 2013

Oy! Updates

// 42nd Street. Where it all goes down. //

Auditions!
Hello, dear ones. I've had my nose in the books for the past few days, reading monologues and memorizing commercial copy and attempting to wrap my head around the "business" of this crazy entertainment industry. It's a whole lot to take in but I am up for the challenge! I had a few auditions this week, one for an intensive acting program that I'm hoping to get into and another for a casting director who casts for shows like Celebrity Ghost Stories. Yes. You read that correctly. The best thing I can do for myself is to keep auditioning. The more I do it, the easier (ish?) it gets. Have another one this evening... got any words of advice? Because I've been doing a lot of self-encouraging lately!

Oy! Updates.
The blog is getting a few tweaks here and there, many thanks to Savannah at Maiedae. There is still some construction going on, so bear with me as the dust settles a bit, but feel free to take a peek at my Portfolio page (located up top) and browse through the new Eurotrip Gallery (located on the right.) Soon I will have all the links up for "Taste" a series on recipes/food/drinks/dining and "Guides", which is my take on how to explore a city in 1-2 days. Also be on the lookout for a quick link to the most popular Oy!'s posts!

Just wanted to let you know what was happening here. Many more updates are coming soon (including apartment pics!) Thanks for being awesome.


September 8, 2013

Sunday Gratitude (for naps)

// 1. My Sound Career has arrived. As has the fear. // 2. This pigeon escort me to the park. // 3. Bowl of morning joy. // 4. Enjoyed Korean treats at a Parisian bakery. Yes, you read that right. // 5. Family wedding in Chicago. // 6. Reverent, whisical church windows.
Happy Sunday People.
I honestly didn't realize it was Sunday until about an hour ago. This week has been BUSY and this weekend we took a whirlwind 20-hour trip to Chicago for a family wedding (congrats, Sean & Nicki!) Hence the disorientation on the day/time. Oh hence. This was a grand day for a nap.

Gratitude.
It was a joy to see some extended family this weekend. I've been living in NYC for a month now (can you believe it?!) and I've largely spent my time alone. Not in a creepy way, but I'm just new in town. I've been attempting to get a lot of things off the ground, work-wise, which often feels like a lonely kind of hustle. I'm thrilled with it, but it's also a strange experience, being in this city brimming with bodies and spending a lot of the day not speaking to anyone. Seeing family this weekend kind of filled in the gaps a bit. Stevie's cousins are so funny and silly and just COMFORTABLE and I love spending time with them. You know when you can just be yourself with some people? Well, it's hard to be anything else with these folks. Hence the adult-sized Christmas onesies, any of you remember?

Now I'm off to babble monologues to myself. Wish me luck in my attempts to memorize. I've got some casting directors to wow (?) this week!

September 6, 2013

The Merrell Challenge: 30 Runs in 45 Days

// My new running trail: Jackie O Reservoir in Central Park. //

Mapmyrun.
I've been meeting a lot of people lately. New city, new friends. It's been grand. One common denominator amongst a lot of these new friends is their athletic ambition: TONS of people are training for a half marathon this fall. It's intimidating. And impressive. And just plain intimidating.

I am not a true runner. A true runner needs no music, no external motivation. They feel the (intangible to me) heartbeat of nature as they fling their long lean limbs through the air, resisting gravity and all temptation to STOP RUNNING. Maybe they don't even have that temptation. I'd like to wave a Twix in front of their noses and see if any pupils dilate. These people are impressive. These people are disciplined. Beautiful. Lean. And possibly have extra motivation genes. These people all look a lot like my hot athletic sister-in-law Lauren. She's one of this elite breed. Multiple triathlons under her belt. I have accepted that I am not one of her kind. I would need some genetic engineering to yearn for the pavement in this special kind of way.

However, I do sort of like running. Even though it hurts. And I get cramps. And even though my inside thoughts are only whines. But really, I do like running (well, we should call what I do jogging), because it makes my lungs feel fly and my legs wake up. When I run I feel grateful that I can.

Enter the Challenge.
I came across this challenge on my Mapmyrun app: Merrell's Feel Your Run Challenge: 30 Runs in 45 Days. I am not much of a quantifier, so I've never really sat down and counted the number of workouts I do in a month of two. But this kind of made me ponder. How hard would it really be to run 30 out of 45 days? So before I could talk myself out of it, I joined this challenge. Am I crazy? I wonder if there are any bonus points for doing more than 30 runs in 45 days... If you want to join me in this endeavor, sign up here!

If you haven't used Mapmyrun before, you should definitely check it out. It's a free app that calculates all your workout metrics: calories burned, distance, speed, elevation, etc. It's pretty spectacular. It's super easy to use and sort of makes you feel accomplished.

So far, I've completed 3/30 runs and I have until Oct. 17. I'll keep you posted on this! You can follow my Instagram trail pics here. Wish me luck!

September 4, 2013

September Delights List

September Delights List

September Delights List by knhale
// 1. Kate Spade Seaport Grand Two Tone Watch // 2. BCBGMAXAZRIA leather handbag // 3. 'Design Sponge' Home Décor Book // 4. Someday, Maybe, Someday by Lauren Graham // 5. Dogeared Elephant Stud Earrings // 6. Report Slip Ons // 7. Attingham Tea Set // 8. Capri Blue Candle // 9. Sparrow Fiemme Cardigan // 10. Gorjana Honey Comb Lariat Necklace // 11. Happ & Stahns Perfume

September and Such.
Mmm September. I truly can't get enough. This magical month is just my Achilles Heel, in a way. And there are just so many pretty, craveable items out this month, thanks to the wonderful school year kicking off. I don't boast to be a fashionista, but any fashion instincts in me definitely surface during the Autumn months. I dress mostly like a slob for 9 months a year, but when September hits... well, I just have too much respect for this grand season. You can see the full amount of fun on My September Pinterest Board. These are all items that get me excited for fall. Especially that Design*Sponge book, since I've been in apartment-decor mode for weeks. Ooh la la.

Currently...
Listening // The peaceful tuneage of John Mayer's "Paradise Valley" & Bethel Music's "Tides"
Watching // White Collar Season 1 on Netflix (Since Burn Notice Season 7 has yet to come to Netflix... Or finish its current season on TV :)
Reading // I know it's sort of trashy, but I'm relishing, "Nemesis: The True Story of Aristotle Onassis, Jackie O and the Love Triangle that Brought Down the Kennedys" It's a guilty pleasure.
Craving // Mom-Sister time. I miss that goofy girly trio.

What's on your September desires list? 




September 3, 2013

Hello September!

Don't you love New York in the fall?
It makes me wanna buy school supplies.
I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address.
On the other hand, this not knowing has its charms. 

- Joe Fox, You've Got Mail

So We Meet Again.
September is absolutely, hands-down my favorite month of the year. And it only mostly has to do with the fact that it's my birthday month (wink wink.) I love the subtle transition from lazy, late summer to watercolor hints of autumn. The trees begin to turn up their crisp noses at the air's humidity, and in timely obedience to the magnificent weatherman in the sky, the temperature drops accordingly and the boots march out from their safely-tucked hiding places to do some walking. I am just captured by the colors: evergreen, scarlet, marigold, auburn and amethyst. These coy shades manage to catch me off-guard every year, and yet I relish the moment because it feels so good to be, yes, seduced by the luxe wonders of fall. Walking down the street and watching a gently falling leaf from an old oak tree; you can't make this stuff up. Well, you could, but I wouldn't because it sounds all-too cliche. Yet there it is, you can't help but spot it: that petite brittle leaf, aimlessly letting go, falling, and papering the bustling streets with its chilled quiet.

Labor Day.
We went on a bike ride this weekend along the West Side Highway from the Upper West Side down to Chelsea, had a taste of brunch and traipsed around the uber-hip Chelsea Market for a bit. We stopped midway to gaze at the Hudson, and stayed resting in the grass for a long time, enamored at the fact that someone was swimming laps in the river. Yikes. That's bravery.


City Garden.
I had to halt our bike ride once again when I came upon this fantastic little garden in the middle of Riverside Park. The Garden Peoples' Garden is a mesmerizing little treasure trove, perfectly manicured and stocked with giddy, mismatched plants. It was such a lovely way to spend the first day of the month, biking around our new town and sensing that the joy would only increase with the coming months. I realized that September was back again, ushering in her charms of fall. I am so ready for you, September. Let's have a whirlwind month, shall we?

September 1, 2013

Sunday Gratitude.

// When hydrangeas wilt you know it's summer's end. Oh Labor Day. //

Sunday.
Today I woke up to a hilarious text message from my sister. I guess she knows I've been a bit homesick (our recent snapchats have consisted of me, sending puppy faces, mourning faces, and fake-crying faces. Often these go without response.) However, she texted with a sisterly, all-knowing, "If you're homesick, here ya go!" The text included a video of my family at home on this fine day. My mom making breakfast, my Dad misunderstanding everything she was saying, and my cousin (who is pretty much a sister), glaring at Rachel, inquiring, "Why are you video-ing this? Are you taking a video??" Pretty much priceless. That kind of chaos is specifically Spencer-branded. There is no other family (that I know) that scrumptiously blends sarcasm, compassion, movie quotes and fervent prayer into such a wonderfully warm haven of laughter. It was just a comforting way to wake up. Realizing that even though I'm far away from "home" these days, the same kind of pattern is still happening there... and that just makes me happy. My goofy insane family is the same as ever. Somehow it cured a bit of my home-sickness. How? I have no idea. Sometimes the heart just needs a tiny taste of home.

Thankful for my sweet family today. What are you and your family up to this Labor Day weekend? I hope you are able to spend time together (labor-free), grilling out and laughing to your heart's content. Enjoy this end-of-summer celebration weekend!