on my bookshelf: the happiness project.

about a month ago, a friend sent me a text message that read: "stuck at chicago airport, bleurgh. just picked up the happiness project and it made me think of you. have you read it?"

i was instantly flattered. never mind that i hadn't actually read the book, i had heard amazing reviews and it warmed my heart that my friend thought of me and happiness together.

needless to say, i picked it up, and read the whole thing in a matter of days. and i loved it.

as someone who believes that happiness is a choice, and requires daily effort, the book really resonated with me. that being said, i am, at my core, a generally happy person, so i loved that the premise of the book was that nothing needed to be particularly wrong in order for someone to seek more happiness.

the set up of the book is that author, gretchen rubin, spends a year experimenting with different happiness resolutions, and shares her insights along the way. they include singing in the morning, taking more pictures, meditating, eating more real food, and much more.

i loved the book so much, i'm even toying with the idea of starting my own happiness project... it would include resolutions such as spending less time online, (and also spending more time outside), being more patient, reading more non-fiction books, going (indoor) rock-climbing, and enhancing my dinner making repertoire. 

now i'm curious, have you read the book, or started your own happiness project? i'd love to hear about it.

maine living.

as i type this, the sun is setting over the lake (and confession: we are also watching a christmas episode of community. we are addicted.) anyway...  today, two pictures. 

one: this amazing little house is where we are temporarily living while we look for our own house.  it belongs to simon's parents. so, while we can't stay forever, we are loving it. where else can you go canoeing after dinner and roast marshmallows on a week night?

two: speaking of dinner, this was one of the first meals we ate in the lake house: lobster, avocado, tomato, and mango salad. i am not exaggerating when i say it was "summer in a bowl". 

conclusion: nina is officially a maine girl.

i belong among a field of wildflowers. i belong in a boat out at sea.

moving is a little unsettling. cardboard boxes take over your surroundings, and shit, where are your favorite worn-out, soft sleeping pants? (they could be anywhere.)

despite my valiant efforts to stay sane, which include listening to the good music while packing, and spontaneous bouquets of wild flowers, i've had a couple of melt downs. this is normal, no?

what are your secrets for staying balanced during times of transition?  

summer solstice.

the summer night is like a perfection of thought. --  wallace stevens

 

please join us, won't you?

the way life should be.

… and i’m back! how have you all been? what did i miss? can i tell you how much i appreciate that you're still here? oh so much.

my time away from this space was busy, but in the best possible way. we have some news! over the past month, simon and i have made the move from our bustling, urban lifestyle in boston, to living on a lake in maine. we are still getting our bearings, and adjusting to the quieter lifestyle. (i am also learning how to drive slower. ahem.)

in the evenings, we sit by the water and build a fire. it's hot and still, and the bugs are a welcome reminder that we are, in fact, in a whole new place.

as with any big life transition, there is some bittersweetness. boston is where we met, fell in love and where some of our family and friends still live. but we've been dreaming about making this move for a while, and it feels like the perfect adventure at the perfect time. together, we are figuring it all out... even how to drive on bumpy dirt roads with a car that is packed to the brim with boxes.

over the next few weeks, i am excited to share more about this new place we call home, and get back into the groove of using my camera every day. 

logging on here today felt like coming home, and i am so happy to be back.

post script:  while i was away, i also spent some time thinking about why i blog… or more importantly, why i want to keep blogging. a friend of mine said it best when he said: "life only throws you a handful of magical moments. some are big and obvious like weddings, graduations, births, etc. other times, those moments are quiet, subtle, and easily missed.”  blogging reminds me to step back and pay attention. hopefully, many years from now, i can read this blog and remember with equal gusto, the little things that happened as the days went by.

(photo credit: weepy hollow) 

a wee break.

my dear friends,
it's a thursday night, and i'm snuggled up under a blanket, thinking about this little blog of mine. as you've probably noticed, i haven't posted much lately.

it's hard to believe, but it's been three years since i started blogging. wow! this space has been such a gift in my life. it's provided me with a creative outlet, a community of so many amazing women (many of whom i consider to be my friends) and a place to document my life through words and photographs. it's been so special sharing so many moments with all of you.

that being said, somewhere in the last few months, something inside of me has shifted. perhaps it's the fact that when i close my laptop, i find myself being more present to what is happening in my life. instead of thinking about how to document everything, i soak it all up. or perhaps, it's just that my life off-line is oh-so-good, and i want to spend every free moment i have with my amazing husband.

or perhaps it's just that i need a little holiday. :) i'm not quite sure. either way, i've decided to take a little blog sabbatical. i hope you will all understand. i promise to be back some time soon (although i'm not sure when) and let you all know what i decide to do with this space.

in the meantime, know that i adore you all! and i'm so grateful that you've been here with me for so long.  all my love,
nina

(photo credit: marcos rivas)

markets of new england.

there is no doubt about it. i have the coolest friends. 

one of them, christine chitnis, recently published her first book, and i couldn't be more proud. it is a detailed overview of the fifty best farmers' and artisan markets in new england. 

as you all know, it is a subject i wholeheartedly believe in.* not only that, but markets of new england is the kind of book that catches your eye when you're strolling through anthropologie. when you get closer and start flipping through it, you realize you have to have it... the photographs are magical. 

on a personal note, christine is in many ways a role model to me. through hard work, determination and grace, she has created the life of her dreams, including this big one: becoming a successful, published author. she continually inspires me with everything that she accomplishes, especially because she stays grounded, humble and grateful in the process. 

christine has generously offered to give a copy of the book to one lucky reader of naturally nina. to enter to win, please leave a comment on this post, (tweet about it for extra entries!) and a winner will be chosen randomly on friday morning. 

* why are farmers' markets important? i look at them as a societal win-win. when we buy produce, dairy products, or bread directly from local producers, we allow them to maximize their profits (by skipping the middle men), we avoid processed food that is over-packaged and unhealthy, we can obtain locally grown, seasonally-appropriate organic vegetables, (which is better for the environment), and we can "shop" in a way that is more human, more interactive, and more fun. what's not to love? 

p.s. i wrote an official review of the book here, if you'd like to read it.


(photo credits: christine chitnis)

things i love thursday (the farmcoast edition.)

last week i took a little road trip to the quaint coastal villages of tiverton, westport and little compton. despite the rain, it was one of those perfect days. below, a few highlights.


flowers in bloom. everywhere. i love the moodiness of this photo. (thank you, big clouds.)

antique chairs in sweet little jewelry shops. this photo makes me want to learn how to upholster.

an artist at work. so inspiring.

behind the scenes at a flower shop. be still my heart. these colors are some of my all-time favorites.

an amazing old cash register at the cottage. (yes, i snuck behind the counter to get this photo. rebel.)

an adorable consignment shop called rummage. and rummage i did. :)

to see more photographs, you can visit my flickr account here.

farmcoast, i will be back soon.

afternoon.

i'm currently sitting in a comfy chair and the rain is pouring down outside. i decided it was time for a little break, so i brewed a pot of decaf and watched this amazing video. if you're in the mood to be inspired, check it out. 

my favorite line is: "i collect bad wines. because if the wine is ready and the person is there... i'm opening it. " isn't that great? :)


(photo credit: stephanie cb)

kitchen tulips.

when life gets really busy, i like to run away from my to-do list and head straight to the nearest flower shop. (who am i kidding? the first stop is actually a coffee shop. then, the flower shop.) 

as soon as i saw these sweet two-toned tulips, i knew i had to have them. i even spent time needlessly arranging them. oh, the simple pleasures. 

now, back to my to-do list. :) i hope you all have a beautiful, simple monday.