weekly musings #7: summer smash

             It's been awhile since I touched base with a weekly summary post, and admittedly this is more of an amalgamation of photos over the last two weeks.  I've been mostly just trying to enjoy summer and the brief intervals of warm days we get. This has got to be the worst summer we've had in like, a decade. For example, it's 12 degrees today and I'm wearing double layers and wool socks. What have Newfoundlanders done as a people to deserve this????

the boreal diner: So, Fixed Coffee Company from town has has got a couple people scouting out this area and they're going to be opening full time next summer. But, they've graced us with a taster opening all this week with the most amazing coffee (holla' @pour over) and delicious menu. Think blueberry & brie and mozzarella & pesto sandwiches and spicy black bean tacos. It's going to be such a great addition to the area and at least for a week I'm glad to have coffee that isn't instant shit. 

the gig life: This has been a good summer for me scoring gigs and I've been enjoying playing for artists readings and at art galleries. I keep meeting really incredible artists and getting showered in compliments is good for the ego. Also, bless good tippers. I've been stretching my repertoire to throw in songs I've always really loved but never took the time to learn and it's a really satisfying feeling to finally play them for an audience. 

honorable mentions: ● savoring the sun when we get it ● comfortable, cozy layers on rainy days ● sooky kittens ● bullet proof coffee ● singing duets that I've always wanted to do ● laughing to the point of tears with my sister and her crazy dance moves ● consuming so many podcasts (I'm 20 going on 40-something) ● less makeup days ● re-watching Twin Peaks ● therapeutic letters ● old ladies who give sweet compliments ● doodling future tattoos ● finally registering for ~official~ majors and minor classes (!!!) ● planning my autumn wardrobe ● also, planning the decor for my new room ● new beginnings in general, truly ● good eyebrow days ● quiet reconciliations ● tiny revelations from my nightly writing ● successful gin cocktail experimentations  

link love:  ● Criminal podcast - I'm just linking the whole page with all episodes because it is just so good. Since I finished Serial I was looking for something else to fill my morbid-fascinations void. Podcasts are now my thing to listen to while cooking or doing filing at work.  ● Here is a link you should check out after listening to Criminal Ep. 23. That will give you a more in depth story but these photographs and letters are worth reading for a peek into our weird compulsions surrounding guilt and the supernatural. 

● Truly digging this black summer ensemble. Airy whites, begone. 

● I'm not getting engaged/married any time soon but this ring is pretty much my ideal nuptials jewelry. 

So, that's all from me for now folks, just enjoying this (eerily fast) hazy summer days. Over and out. 

xx.

r. 

Weekly Musings #6: february blues

Hello again - a valiant effort to stay on track this evening with my review failed miserably since I wanted so awfully to touch base here and kind of just do a round up of the stuff that's been going on in my life recently. February hasn't been what I'll call overly kind to me so far, so it's living up to its cliche, one would suppose. Nothing in particular coming up on the horizon and its just felt a little down in general what with the butt-tonne of snow and lots of school work. To try and counteract these gloomy moments, I've been trying to actively write down or point out the more positive things that have happened thus far.

David's Tea strawberry rhubarb parfait // slippers at home for midterm break // bus stop loveliness // vegetarian meal prep

Midterm break-breather: Such as it always happens with me, I dip suddenly after a few weeks/month of being back at school. I know I've touched on how important home/family is to me a few times here and I doubt I'll stop bringing it up. A few days back around the blustery ocean to play scrabble and drink wine with my parents and sister was lovely. And catching up on sleep and work without feeling completely bogged down did wonders for my general sense of peace and mental clarity. Plus, time with my lovely cats is something I can never say no to. 

Contemplation: This one is vague and kind of abstract I'll admit, but I've just generally found the "noise" in my head is less of a flurry and more something I can actually manage and actually process recently. Of course, more often than not it's still all kind of overwhelming and harried, but I've been finding I've been having more clear days than anything else. Even if whatever I'm contemplating isn't the most lovely thought to be thinking, at least I'm being honest with myself, and that does a lot for my mental health in the long run.

homemade waffles (midterm break)

Honorable mentions: ● trying out new ideas for my weekly meal prep and having them be insanely delicious ● peppermint coffee ● finding long forgotten favorite novels ● new pillows ● toast with peanut butter and honey ● finding the time to actually do my makeup nicely and feeling like a total fox ● the lovely people I volunteer with ● safe spaces for critical debates and feminist fun ● prioritizing my yoga practice again and it not being about anyone but me ● a tidy bedroom ● getting into watching the old Twilight Zone ● earplugs (hallelujah) ● successful new note-taking methods ● days that feel like spring ● anticipation for treating myself to a new piercing ● more anticipation for an upcoming performance ● feeling in touch with music again  ● OPI's "love is hot and coal"; such a rad nail colour ● compliments on my Blundstones from a bus driver ● Binge watching How To Get Away With Murder

Link love: ● Someone please buy me these stunning white cat-eye shades for spring? (!!)

● Holla' at me for Valentino's Pre-Fall 2015 collection because oh my god, my obsession with astrology is soaring to new heights. (The capeeesss)
● I've also finally found a way I really enjoy eating salmon, so I'm telling you all to go try this now.

That's all from your slightly forlorn blogger for now, folks; back to the books - has February likewise gotten you down? What silver linings have you found? Much love!

r.

Weekly Musings #5: Fresh Fallen Snow & Good Vibes edition

coffee date with J

Hallo meine leiben!
My first week back into the semester is almost at an end and I wanted to touch base since I've been at a pretty good place since I got back in town and back to classes. Just decompressing by writing this up before I hit the books to do some light work. Keeping ahead of my studies has been a resolution of mine but more on resolutions later.

No math classes: Yes, ladies and gents for the first time in my academic career thus far I am doing NO math related courses of any kind. This is a pretty huge deal for me since I've had to haul ass to do okay in math since I can ever remember. Not having to devote so much more time and energy to that subject area gives me so much relief and I'm feeling like I'm going to be focusing on my other courses so much better this term, because well, no anxiety from maths. (?!)

General feel good vibes for life: Not a big specific event or anything but despite a few setbacks mentally and feeling pretty damn homesick for time with my parents and cats I'm feeling pretty darn good overall. I've been prioritizing the things that keep me if not happy (because constant happiness isn't like a thing and it's not achievable or realistic anyways???) but very content. Re: keeping my room clean and lighting rad candles, keeping up with my bullet journal, making baby-steps in establishing healthy habits and prioritizing school work and me-time equally. I'm hoping I'm going to be good about keeping this up because I've been digging this mentality.

honorable mentions: ● walks with J under fluffy-falling snow ● having J back after the holiday spent apart ● white christmas lights to decorate my room with ● again, yes scented candles (so good) ● Mac Demarco; seriously, I'm just really digging his music and I haven't resonated with new music in a long time so this is loverly' feeling ● my Blundstones (doing a seperate review post of these because damn such a good investment ● vanilla bean lattes ● re-watching House M.D. ● feeling enthusiasm towards all my courses this term ● sleepovers and cuddles ● being better at staying hydrated ● bullet journal good-vibes ● getting back at the workout grind ● similarly, that sore muscle feeling ● nifty new practical bags and totes ● my general sense of gratefulness ● plans for drinks with rad people this weekend ● new calendars ● crosswords on the bus home ● my supportive amazing parents ● oversized knit infinity scarves ● feeling inspired writing-wise ● new workout kicks ● blue sharpie pens

link love: 

campus in the snow

● I wasn't kidding about Mac Demarco; this song is currently on repeat as is Blue Boy! 
● New hair goals! 
● This lovely website, run by the darling Kat; such an amazing, motivational and useful resource for all students - hello tried and true study tips!
● Linking you this tag on my tumblr for movie master-posts because what's better than curling up with tea or coffee, snacks and kick-ass movies?

That's all for now folks; what have been the highlights of your week been?                               r.

Weekly Musings #3: volunteering and spotify addiction addition

I know I usually do these on Fridays but this has been a pretty hectic week/weekend so I had to push it off until I had some time to myself. I'm in the two weeks of midterm exams here at uni so things have been more than a little rushed and overwhelming the past few days, so taking a break with some tea and catching up on posts is just a good way to decompress for me.
So, without further ado!

Volunteering: A couple of weeks ago, I sent in my application to volunteer at the Women's Resource Center on campus and I sat an interview and got selected! It's been a whirl-wind of getting familiar with my duties and such but it's essentially a really amazing group of feminist ladies providing a safe space, information & resources and peer support as well as a bunch of other things to the campus.
I really struggled my first year meeting like minded people and it is beyond lovely to be able to hold conversations with like minded women and take part in organizing events that are relevant to the beliefs I hold strongly. It's just been excellent for: my sense of self and mental health.

Spotify addiction: Not quite as intrinsicly meaningful as aforementioned volunteering but still something that's been making me über happy. Living in Canada, Spotify isn't a huge thing here but J got an early invitation and of course, sent me an e-mail invitation so I could peruse the amazing music libraries and playlists. I've always been a fan of music platforms like this (re: 8tracks), and it's definitely way more efficient and streamlined and has been treating me to an abundance of new songs and artists, which, is really what I'm happy about because music is so important to me and how I feel.

honorable mentions:

• Night Vale • baby biceps forming (!) • acai tea • weather finally being cool enough for scarves and boots • lovely messages from people on tumblr • vigorous debate • calls from my dad • baked goods • post run feelings • buying new school supplies • chatting with lovely girls at my bus stop • warm laundry from the dryer • collecting pins for my school bag • awaiting stuff coming in the mail • sleep overs with J • mexican food dates • massages • bright fall days • happy dogs • cross words • holding hands • finally being over my ridiculous head cold • good hair days • smiling at strangers •philosophy class  • helpful, kind customer service workers

link love:• Michelle's TilT for all things fall related - I am so here for this.
• I am so in love with the photo's Amy share of her beautiful King's College dorm.
• The Beauty Department serves it up again with this hella cool upside down cat eye makeup look.
• The Pomodoro Technique for studying is proving super effective for any other students out there!
• This stunning botanical illustration; I wish I had a hundred of these for my room. • This snarky comic totally firing some shots on this pertinent issues.

So darlin's, what made this week wonderful for you? (p.s. all photo are indeed mine)
r.