Health by Kate Brightbill

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The nice thing about having a blog about lifestyle is that when life hands you a day where you cannot even get out of bed, it totally fits the whole lifestyle theme.

Sometimes we get sick and there is nothing we can do about it. Literally nothing. I abide by the golden rule of eating BananaRiceApplesauceToast exclusively, taking tiny bites, tiny sips of water and gatorade, and powering through, but the sickness will need to run its course and debilitate me for a time. 

I thought a lot yesterday about the things that matter. I thought about how much I missed the little faces that I see every day, for better or worse that I could not see {special thanks shoutout to my mom, who kept them safe & happy and away from germs!}. I thought about the people who are in an uncertain place with their health, for whom the sickness doesn't only last one day. I thought about how little I consider those people. I thought about how long it's been since I have brought soup or groceries or anything to someone who cannot get them for themselves. 

It's both terrible and wonderful to have absolutely no ability to read, watch tv, peruse Pinterest {ack, I tried for a moment yesterday, and those food pins did nothing for my state of well-being!} or do anything at all. I need to do this sort of thing far more than I do, but under better circumstances of course. I read a great post from a friend about how little some of these distractions really mean. It is so important to become unplugged more often, and look at what is in front of us, and think about life, about others, about futures... with more clarity.  

Health is a gift. Today, I'm extra thankful for mine. I'm thankful that I can use my health to help others who do not have theirs. 

xo.

 

Notecard Lovin' by Kate Brightbill

I've been terrible at sending mail. Like, really terrible. 

Not anymore, I say... 

I ordered new notecards and the new leaf has officially been turned. I love writing notes. I love having the stack of notecards on my {newly organized!} desk. The colors make me smile, and the custom name at the bottom makes me feel so official.

My new resolution is one-note-per-week. When I was a kid, I absolutely loved checking the mailbox, because all of my mail was handwritten notes. As an adult, the bills and marketing mail heavily outweigh the handwritten note. Just a sweet note to say "hello!" and "I'm thinking of you this week," can make my day, so I'll be doing my part to make someone else's day!  

I think my friends will like it. :) 

PS. Minted has the best custom notecards AND adorable customizable Valentine's day cards

PPS. Top photo taken by Pictilio.

Thanks Minted for inspiring me and for the note cards!  All opinions and love of my new stationery are my own, obviously. 

Outer Sunset | Ocean Beach by Kate Brightbill

Beachside Cafe | StyleSmaller
Beachside Cafe | San Francisco

Yesterday we needed something to get our minds off of the tragic 49er loss {!!!dreadful!!!} , soooo: beach day!

Definitely did the trick. Seems San Francisco has decided to channel its best southern California and have perfect weather this year, and we're soaking up every bit until the mist and fog returns. I'm daily going back and forth in my mind about whether I'm happy or disappointed about that particular day being 75 degrees and not rainy, because obviously we need rain... but HEY! I'm choosing to be thrilled about the weather and enjoy every tiny bit.

Apparently the rest of the country is having beautiful days-- mostly WHITE and fluffy days, full of school cancellations and late-to-work mornings. Probably hot chocolate and moist chocolate chip cookies too... Equally appealing in different ways, of course. I love that there is so much variety around...

Does a place ever just jump out at you from nowhere and suddenly become a favorite? I grew up a few miles from this crazy delicious Beachside Cafe, and only discovered it this week.. voila! New favorite. This whole neighborhood is full of candy-colored pastel homes, and the cafe fits perfectly. Delicious! Fried egg sandwich, yes please.

And now: pictures!

Ocean Beach
Ocean Beach
Ocean Beach
I absolutely love this: A+ for effort, Maggie... on distance..... not so much! 

I absolutely love this: A+ for effort, Maggie... on distance..... not so much! 

Ocean Beach
Outer Sunset | StyleSmaller

ps. I'm sore from running around... a sure indication that it's time I get running or gym-ing or something

Day-to-Day Loving by Kate Brightbill

Photo by Pictilio

Photo by Pictilio

Valentine's day is coming. I have always loved Valentine's day... and I didn't have a Valentine until college. It was never about what we don't have, it's just a day reserved to show people you love that you adore them and are thinking of them. 

My husband and I don't go big for Valentine's day, but we like to let each other know the little things we appreciate about one another.

One simple idea is to keep tiny notes with kisses. I write things he does that make me smile, and keep them handy to drop in his bag for him to find at work, or place them by his coffee mug for him to find when I head out of the house for a run in the morning {REALLY trying to get better at taking those morning runs!! ha!}...

It's just a thoughtful way to remind him I care on a regular basis!

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Photos by my dear friends from Pictilio

xoxo,

Kate

 

Loving & Linking by Kate Brightbill

Photo via Moomah

Photo via Moomah

Simple tips for photographing your child. LOVE this.

Delicious.

The PERFECT cake for a kiddo's birthday party. Or mine. I love the cheerful simplicity.

If you are pregnant, listen up! I have my favorite ever picks for new babies on a Babyli.st registry! Very excited about it, so please take a look {ps. babyli.st is a spot where you can register for literally anything on the whole wide internet}. 

More for the new parents out there: making your own baby food... the simple steps with pretty pictures.

Kitchen time hasn't felt quite so terrible lately... I've even had moments where I've enjoyed cooking this month! I'm pretty sure my girls would love if I made these for them... 

Pretty earrings, and pretty shirt {and 40% off sale}.

For the creatives out there, a great video to inspire.

 

xo