Happiness

Hey hey, 

Today, March 20th has been declared International happiness day by the United Nations. This is the world´s first international happiness day. I think this is such a wonderful idea. There are so many difficult things in life, and the world media almost exclusively brings us news of the horrible, sad things that are happening around the world. Therefor it is wonderful to be able to take a moment and even better to have a whole day to focus on the good things. The things that make us happy. 

Happiness to me is in the little things. The silver linings. You can always draw something positive out of every situation. Even if it is just something very small. I just have to believe it. 

so to honor this day, here are a few things making me happy these days....

......   The end of winter. It is such an amazing feeling being up at 8 am and the sun is already up. which leads me to the next one..

....being finally able to use sunglasses, not only do they shield my eyes from the sun but I somehow feel instantly more beautiful when I wear them.

.... floral dresses. 

......My wonderful friends. Meeting up for lunch or coffee instantly makes an ordinary day feel special. 

.......thoughts of summer. Having something to look forward to can bring you happiness. I look forward to summer. To the end of the school year. I look forward to long summer days. And I really look forward to my vacation in Greece and seeing my family in France. And that makes me happy. 

Have a very happy day

X

-A 

Resolutions

Hey guys, 

I have never been very good at following through with New years resolutions. On New Year´s Eve I get very motivated and inspired but nothing really ever happens after that. Then I spent a considerably large amount of time feeling guilty, when I realize I wont be able to cross everything off my list before the year ends. I read a blog post over at one of my favorite blogs, Cupcakes and cashmere that touches on this subject. There Emily writes about her own resolutions and how New Year´s resolutions don´t have to be huge, seemingly inachievable ones. Sometimes   it´s better to focus on the little things that count and lead you along the path to reaching the big goals. After all isn´t  beauty in the details? I think that those who truly enjoy life, are those that find happiness in the little things of everyday life. Therefore my New Year´s resolution is to enjoy the little things, be more positive and to make an effort to be truly happy.

 Here are some the things I plan on doing to enrich my life before the year´s end:

• Go to the theater more often. 
• Fill a jar with with written notes, about one good thing that happens each day of this year. 
• Read more books 
• Spend more time with my mom 
• Spend quality time with my friends and family
• Take salsa dancing lessons 
• Visit friends that live abroad
• Exercise more frequently 
• Get better at speaking french 
• Talk more often with my family in France 
• Skype with friends that live abroad
• Bake more(need to try all those recipe books I have at some point) 
• Take more photos 
• Have friends over more often
• Plan dinner parties

.....And then I will add more little things that make me happy as time goes along. I have some big resolutions as well but I will let this be a start and share them with you later. Baby steps. 

Have a great day!

X

-A

P.S. Please do check out Emily´s blog cupcakes and cashmere. You won´t be disappointed!