on LATELY, LATELY

Instalife, over here. Lucky, lucky girl, I am.

Brooklyn Lunch / On the Hudson / Meditating / Henry Bear / Favorite Place

Reunited / Color Change / Girl Talk / Layla June / Stolen Toy

Follow along here.

on LIGHT

all found via pinterest

When I'm curating collections of images for personal inspiration, for blogging or for my work on other blogs, I am always drawn to light. Which makes sense because that's how it is in real life, too.

When I first enter a room, I'm immediately assessing how the light gets in. What are the windows like? When will the sun be there to spend time with me? I thrive off of light, and have to have it.

When I meet a new person, it's the same thing. Where's the light? How do they shine? What lights them up? (Does anybody else do this? Is it really just me?) There's something about seeking out the light within someone, while seeking out the light in the natural world, that fuels me.

Summer is slowly starting to descend, and as it does, I'm trying to soak up as much light, sun, time outdoors, water, sand, relaxing, and summer-only things that I can. And I'd surely spend any of these summer days in any of these spaces.

on MINE MINE MINE MINE (or; hello summer)

When I woke up, groggy, way past when I wanted to be up, she suggested that I go to the beach. I snapped at her, "I have to work, I'm so behind, there's a million things to do, so many emails to send, I can't just go to the beach."

Then it dawned on me: yes I can. Before I could change my mind, a swimsuit was pulled on, sunscreen slathered, hair up in a bun, sunglasses found, keys in my hand, and off.

The day before had been insane. An early trip to the city for an audition, an unexpected message from a friend on her way to save a dog on death row at the city shelter, facebook to text and back to facebook, strangers helping me help her. Barging into his apartment to borrow his computer when my phone gave out, kissing his face before driving back to NJ, with the knowledge that the pup was safe. She had saved him. Upon arrival home, an unknown car parked in my driveway caused quite a scare, until it was discovered it was just my aunt and some of my favorite kids in the world. Distractions, conversations, teaching runway walking techniques on the backyard deck, these things are important. Food was finally shoveled into my mouth, two sweet baby pups at my feet, ready for crumbs. And then.. I saw it. An email. An audition. In 73 minutes, back in the city, and I was at least an hour away. Back into my car and off I went, my second trip into the city (where I freaking technically live, mind you) on the same time, after such an emotional morning and afternoon, and I.. well, I was spent.

I feel like I am missing my summer. Do you know that feeling? Like you're missing your own life, in favor of promises and errands and emails and lists. This is not how I live. This is not what I believe living to be. And if living like this means missing my summer, then to hell with it. I was in NJ for the very purpose of getting to the beach, of being with my babies, of languishing on the couch, and riding my bike. But I hadn't been to the shore, and my bike sat in the garage, and my pups slammed their paws on my laptop as I shooed them away for just-five-more-minutes-mommy-loves-you.

So I went to the beach. And I said hello to the ocean, and I finally saw the beach house after Sandy made her way through it last fall, and I made peace with the fact that my uncle would not be coming around the corner any second as he headed into the garage, telling me there were cold drinks in the fridge. Even if he was still alive, the garage was taped up, waiting for construction. I had to go see things as they are, all with the power of remembering that our life is what we choose it to be. I really like my life right now. I love working so hard, I love the people in it, I love my apartment, and I feel overwhelmingly blessed. But if I can't go to the beach, I don't want it. That might just be my new life philosophy.

Hello Summer, I've missed you. Let's go to the beach.

on TAKE A DIP

oh don't mind me. i'm just lusting after some time spent poolside.

if you need me, i'll be brainstorming on how to get paid to travel and spend time at places like this.

HGTV? Travel Channel? I'm looking at you two, thanks in advance.

if you could go anywhere right now, where would you go? xo

ON #notestoself vol. 2

& that's about all i have to say about that.

leave a comment and let me know what you're giving thanks for right this minute.
keep up with all the #notestoself over at @kerryingon -- xo

ON Jenni's Challenge (in 15 words!)

Did you take part in Jenni's challenge for the first of May? She wrote her life story in 250 words and set out a challenge for others to do the same. I could've written a ton, but truth is, this is my story. 15 words flat, but an epic novel at that.

And for the record? Beach baby from day one. Some things never change.

Send me your links! xo

On The Beach (In My Mind)

today i am wishing i was on this beach, helping to clean it up and get it back to normal.

after all, it's important to take care of the places that have taken such good care of you.

since i can't be there, i'm delighting in being here. adventuring around, singing along to old crooners and showtunes from the 40's and 50's, snuggling with two sweet puppybears, dancing and cleaning.

where in the world is your favorite place?

happy sunday, friends :)

xo

On Life In Instagrams

   

On The Beach (& Little Feet)

on a Saturday at the beach, you are sure to find

lots of beautiful flowers, sand to sit in, a sun in the sky,

and lots of little feet running around (& even a few paws, if you're lucky).

on a Saturday at the beach, you are sure to find a whole lot of Love.

xo

On the water

{a smooth sea never made a skillful sailor}