An ear infection, art and books

As the title suggests, last week I had a nasty ear infection that lasted me 5 days to heal so, my life hasn't been that interesting lately. Being an entire week sick means a lot of things to organize afterwards. However, I had some time to paint - Halloween themed paintings - to drink lots of hot chocolate and catch up with some of my favorite series like Once Upon a Time and Reign. Books have been a frequent company also and I'm loving Quiet, The Power of Introverts In a World that Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain; I'm still half way through but it's so enlightening by breaking many concepts in our society, an extrovert society, that sometimes judges too much, and mistakenly, those who are quiet and soft spoken, among other things. Overall, those we call, introverts. The book exposes, essentially, interviews and lots of psychological studies and tests made in the 20th century showing how introversion seems to be a fundamental feature for creativity despite the requirement for extroversion in many fields. But, I'll talk more about the book, once I finish it. I think it will provide some good discussion for a blog post.

Recalling more good things:

- It's been raining cats and dogs lately and I'm loving it! 

- Ordering vegan pizza and garlic bread for dinner in a self-indulgent moment;

- Going out with lovely ladies to the cinema. We watched Crimson Peek! I was expecting something different but I loved it anyway! The scenery was classy, decadent, dark and, of course, creepy! Perfect for Halloween! 

- Running out of foundation - not one, but two! - and loose powder, meaning shopping soon! (Love the feeling of getting through products til the very last drop! Is it just me?)  

This is it for now. I'll see you soon on a next post! 

Happy weekend and Happy Halloween!! 

Lots of Love, Helena

Happy things lately and ending procrastination

It's Sunday! Blessed happy Sunday, the last day of the week, the sacred day. I love Sundays, they have become my favorite day of the week. Sundays mean silence or soft music, resting, baking, candles, pajamas, a nice book and, when I'm inspired, some drawing and painting. 

It's no lie I'm a homebody and not because I've got loneliness issues or something, as many may think, but because I really appreciate spending time alone and need to isolate myself from the world, from time to time. Well...very often, to be honest. For me, crowded places, loud sounds, people running or even listening people's futile conversations on the train or the bus, can drive me mad and easily give me headaches. Adding to that, there's work, cooking, laundry and people wanting my help and attention. It can be truly chaotic, sometimes and you find yourself needing an extra strength to not loose your peace and your good temper. So, that being said, I love the moment when I open my front door and put my tiny tired feet inside the house, where comfy food, fluffy pajamas and two nosy cats await me. Oh...and a sweet boy - my son - full of energy (how does he manage that??) demanding kisses and hugs. It's not until Sunday that I really have the chance to recharge batteries and remind myself of the blissful things of life. When everything is peaceful again, I can look back to my week and still find,  in spite of the pressure and of work, some good moments and little goals that I have achieved.

Goals achievements... this is a subject that made me happy this week. They were small but made all the difference; my driver's license for instance. I've been avoiding to go to my classes for months but, this week I finally did so and I just want to finish it quickly and I don't want any more delays or excuses on my behalf. And this is what I mean by the title of this post. Another small thing: this blog. Finding the time to take some pictures during the week and being able to sit down and write this post.

On top of all this, something else makes me really happy: Autumn in all its glory! Finally it's chilly enough to return to layers and cute jumpers and to drink epic amounts of tea, read a nice book for endless hours with a cat on your lap and enjoy the pleasant aroma of a scented candle! It doesn't look like an original scenery but, what's not to love about it? Autumn is a favorite season for many and I'm no exception: it's just magical with its crunchy, flying golden leaves and golden light, and it almost forces you to slow down a bit and pay attention to what really counts.

Everyday, on my way to work, I pass by a beautiful old garden, and that's where I took the pictures below. Hope you like them!

So...this is it; enough of ramblings. I wish you all a happy Sunday night (it's getting late here, it's almost Monday!)  and may this upcoming week be full of happy moments. Well...forget about it...it is already Monday! 

Lots of Love, Helena

Finally a blog and a First post!

I really don't know what to say in this first post but I think the best way to start is to be spontaneous. 

I can't believe I'm actually writing my first post! 

It's been so long since I wanted to start a blog but never got the courage (the web and the exposure to it can be frightening, sometimes), never got the time or found the will to do it. About three years ago I discovered a few lovely blogs that were my comfort at the end of a tiring day and that I still stick with until this day. I was in college by then and was going through some emotional healing and even self-discovery and reading those blogs really helped me to become more me; finding out that there's real simple and beautiful humans with flaws and quirky tastes out there without being afraid of showing who they are to the world led me to a path where I started to love myself and to be more open to the fact that it's OK not being OK and it's OK to make mistakes: it can be rather lovely just being human. You don't have to be extraordinaire at something to count, to matter. When you go easy on yourself and more conscious of your actions you end up being more generous and less judging towards others and above all...that makes you happier and you wish to share that happiness, even if it is something small, with those similar to you. After all, you do find happiness in the smallest things. So...this is what this blog will be all about, the simple things, the simple me and what I love to do and, hopefully, I will find lovely readers! 

Oh...P.s.: I'll  try to post at least two times a week so let's see if I'm a good girl and if I can accomplish this rule of mine ;)

Lots of Love, Helena