. { ode to coffee }

People say I'm a fiend. People say I'm battling addiction. People say I'm indecently dependent. 

They are 110% correct.

I love coffee. I love it so much, I'm going to devote this entire post to it. Here's my top five on why I'm so obsessed with God's little gift of liquid happiness. What's yours?

1. It's multiplicite. I can drink it cold, hot, sweet, bitter, flavorful, alcoholic (or non), or with whipped cream. 

2. It makes me a better person. Without it, I am a crabby, cranky, slow, stinkerpants. 

3. It's overly available. I can find it anywhere. This universal existence doesn't guarantee quality - but, hey. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do, man.

4. It's a motivator. Can't find the energy to finish that project? Can't find a good reason to clean the dishes or scrub the dusty heat registers in your house? Coffee is the answer. Or, you can take it to the next level with coffee's extremely small but powerful cousin  ... add an espresso shot. 

5. It's a communal creature. There is nothing that I love more than sitting down and chatting it up with a friend or loved one over a good cup of coffee. I've had lots of good conversations with the people who mean the most to me over a cup of joe - that I heart.

With that little ode to coffee, I wish you a happy Monday morning (with some caffeine, no less)!

xoxo

H

.. { frosty monday }

Why these images you ask ... because I like pretty things and DMB. That's why.

What a gorgeous morning - fog, frost, a low and very pink sunrise. However, my fellow Mainers, do be careful on the roads this morning, it's wicked slippery. I experienced a typical non life-threatening slip this morning while approaching one of those stop and turns at the top of a hill this morning (just a little fishtail, Mom - nothing to worry about). Personally, I'm not a huge fan of my car deciding to take up interpretive dance during the morning commute. But, alas, we live in Maine. 

Even though the drive to work wasn't all that fun, it's still a beautiful morning. I do love quiet foggy mornings. Here's to hoping that it will translate to the rest of the day! Happy Monday!

xoxo

H

. { BOSS Orange }

{ Hugo Boss Orange line, Fall 2011 }

Something pretty and fun for a Monday morning, just because. Hope your Monday goes well!

xoxo

H

images via FGR

. { relax with a little ripple }

Sometimes Monday mornings are just innately stressful. Ever notice that? 

I am preparing to move (yet again) this coming weekend, and I must say, relocating your entire life is something I find to be extraordinarily stressful. I like things put away, organized, and looking good. That is so not what my apartment looks like right now.  The move is a positive thing for sure, but the process sucks (to give you the long and short of it!). 

So, this morning I was feeling a little harried, so I turned on my go-to destresser song. Now, maybe this sounds a little hippie and "hey man, it's all good"-ish, but the Grateful Dead always mellow me out. Unfailingly, I chill the ... heck out when I listen to the Dead. 

Here's a little Ripple for you ... who knows? Maybe it'll mellow you out too if you're having a crazy Monday. 

xoxo

H

(illustration via Shan Jiang)

. { Lottie Davies - North }

All of these fall colors are getting me excited for colder weather. I know, call me crazy, but I actually like living in a cold climate. Crisp mornings, cozy evenings, good breezes ... I love them. I could do without cleaning the occasional (and last winter - daily) 12" of snow off my car in the morning. Life in Maine would be much better if I had a garage, that's for sure.

This morning I stumbled on photographer Lottie Davies' collection entitled North. I love all of her collections, but this one especially. I thought I could share this quiet and still group with you for your Monday morning. 

xoxo

H