Let me tell ya: I'm all about the simple pleasures in life. I take great joy in the little things. And this week is no different. So here's a little list of the little pleasures I've been enjoying:
1. Frankincense & Myrrh Zum Bar
Whilst on a quick shopping trip to HyVee with the bf (things worked themselves out---but that's a whole 'nother simple pleasure!), the lovely scent of soap caught my nose's attention. I was drawn to a little stand at which were stacked foot-long logs of Indigo Wild zum bars. So many different scents! All made of goats milk! And there was a little soap saw thing nearby to cut your desired size. Lacking confidence in my own soap-sawing skill, I enlisted the help of said bf. He suavely sliced me off an inch-thick bar of soap---I picked the Frankincense & Myrrh scented one. The cashier girl wasn't sure what the soap was supposed to ring up, so let's just say I got the stuff dirt cheap and shoulda loaded up an additional ten bars. ;) Anyway... I rushed home to try it out. Let's just say: phenomenal. Smells soooo good. Definitely a different fragrance than I typically use, but I'm in love. I can't stop feeling and smelling my skin. :S Is that creepy?
2. Vanilla Silk in my Coffee
I've already dedicated an entire post to my new infatuation with vanilla flavored soy milk. But this stuff in coffee... (especially that coffee I recently picked up based on its pretty turquoise packaging) is delightful. I'm a hardcore half-n-half devotee, but vanilla Silk has won over my heart and devotion. (Plus, it's definitely skimming down on the calories!)
3. Mexican
I love tacos. Love love love. So stuffing my face with chips'n'salsa, delish tacos, and Mexican rice washed down with the perfect strawberry margarita with a good friend while talking about blogging and my recent horrid nightmare about being dipped into a giant deep-fryer (yea, I dreamed that...) not once but twice in one week: glorious. Tacos = glorious. Enough said.
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4. Open Windows
Spring showed its lovely face in Iowa early this year. The best part? Sleeping with my windows open. It's that perfect time of year where it's just warm enough that you don't freeze to death in your sleep, but just cool enough that you don't need to turn on the AC during the day. I love the outside sounds---cars driving by the nearby highway, birds chirping in the morning, crazy drunks coming home in the wee hours of the morning (ok, I could skip that noise...) but seriously, I'm really enjoying this open window business. I also like overhearing people's conversations from down below. I'm on the third floor, but the sound carries up and I eavesdrop some interesting stuff. ;)
5. Magazines
I know, I know. I've said it before. I'm a magazine collector. Junkie. Errr, uh.... Hoarder. Oh the shame! Not really. I have no shame. My job in magazine customer service is quite the enabler. Leftover surplus magazines get left out for the taking. They might be a couple months old, but you can bet that I get my grubby little hands on every decorating and fashion magazine I can. Note to self: buy more magazine holders so that I don't end up on an episode of hoarders.
6. Coconut Colada
Candles are such a great pick-me-up. Recently at Wal-Mart, I felt the need for a new candle. Yes, I do get the urge for candles. I just needed a more springtime-y scent for my bedroom since I was spring-cleaning it. I ended up with a cute little white jar candle in "coconut colada." For the life of me, I cannot find a link to these on the web. (When I do, you'll be the first to know.) Anyway... it smells heavenly. (And that says a lot coming from a Yankee-candle-devoted gal!) It reminds me of vanilla cupcakes made with coconut milk and sprinkled with shredded coconut on top of the frosting. My room smells good enough to eat right now. Yum! (And it set me back just $5!)
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| ^recipe here. (you're welcome!) |
7. Breakfast for Dinner
Biscuits and gravy. Southwestern-style shredded hashbrowns. Omelets. Fruit. Orange juice. I can say this in just a few words: breakfast for dinner is the best.
8. Cheap Wine
I like a glass here and there for dinner or with a friend. Sweet whites are my faves. Lately, I'm sipping on a super cheap sweet chardonnay. I can't remember the brand. Some random cheapo from the grocery store that just happens to taste good. ;)
9. Pink Flowers
Earlier this week, the bf surprised me with a small bouquet of pretty pink flowers. Pink flowers are my favorites. (I feel like I'm calling lots of things my favorite in this post... Oh well.) Back to what I was saying: I just adore pink flowers. Anything from roses to carnations, pink makes me happy. They've found a graceful home in my beautiful white porcelain vase atop my nightstand. So pretty. They make me happy and thankful everything I see them. "Just because" is the best reason to receive flowers.
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10. Going Home!
With the day off, I'm packing up and heading to my hometown to see the fam, dog, and cat for the day. This really doesn't need any elaborating. I miss them all---and the hometown antique and thrift stores---so this will be a much-needed visit.
11. Reader Emails
I truly love hearing from lovely readers like, through your comments and especially your emails. If you haven't heard back from, I do apologize! I'm setting aside some time just for responding to your lovely words. Hearing from you makes my day---I'm so glad to provide inspiration to making your lives lovely. Stay in touch. :)
