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Less is Forever More

Happy Friday!

I’m about to hit the road for a weekend retreat at Yogaville.

My zen catapulted last night as I was getting ready to go out for a birthday party, but instead ended up staying in and cleaning out my closet.

As I called my roommates in to go shopping, I noticed my mind re-think giving away the items favored. It was quite silly, but it reminded me of 2-year-olds playing with toys. Why do we innately feel such a connection to our things?

Don’t worry roomies, I won’t be an Indian giver.

I discovered half of my clothes were either old, not fitting, or kept out of guilt. Excess makes it difficult to see the good. The hardest part is starting the cleanse, but the liberating feeling will keep you going. Simplify to uncover beauty.

Less is forever more.

I’m off to get my damn spirituality on. 😉

How do you cleanse your life?

Don’t Ever Stop

In honor of What I Ate Wednesday, here are some shots of what I’ve been lucky enough to nibble on inhale.

Layered salads delicately decorated in feta, avocado, roma tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, grilled chicken, flakey salmon, crunchy pita chips, and tossed in a silky vinaigrette.

And the best of dippers.

Chic falafel.

Compliments of the talented chefs at Basil, I dove into the salad above for dinner tonight. It’s coined the Belly Dancer. Perhaps it’s a salad fit for dancers. The artfully tossed dish certainly left me in the mood to dance.

I bet you never thought healthy food could look so desirable.

Maybe I spoke too soon. Don’t judge a leave by it’s cover. These guys taste like buttery hunks of spiced rice.

You can learn a lot from shooting pictures of food, like the more you’re around it, the more you want it. And it’s always sinful to skip dessert.

Sweater: Vineyard Vines

There were bites of tiramisu yesterday and baklava today. You know my sweet tooth can’t be tamed.

Layers of crispy fillo dough and sweetened pistachios. Irresistible.

A dessert a day keeps the doctor away.

I have one hell of a sweet tooth, but I’ll take that over a lot of other things.

Thank goodness for that gym flo and constantly challenging myself.

I’m embracing the handstand journey just as I’ll continue trying to make grape leaves look mouth watering in photos. Persistence is the name of my game.

What are you working on in your fitness routine? Handstands anybody? 🙂

Vineyard Times: The Good Life

It’s Marvelous Monday and I’m trying to refrain from crawling back into bed to doze off and make up for the hour we lost. Oh well, I’ll take this day light savings thing because more daylight is a plus.

Marvelous is a day spent with a shining group of gals nestled away in the stunning Blue Ridge mountains at a family-run vineyard.

On Saturday afternoon, we spent the day at Veritas Vineyard & Winery. The name is derived from the Roman historian Pliny The Elder’s observation, “In vino veritas,” meaning, “in wine there is truth,” and that truth comes from the grapes grown at Veritas.

The vineyard is carefully tucked away in the idyllic mountains of Charlottesville where a long road weaves through the fields of grapes, ending at a large and inviting tasting room filled with a musty, sweet and complex cork-scented aroma.

Upon arrival, the tasting room staff greeted us as we took in the elegant chandeliers, glossy wooden tables, tall stunning red ceilings, long velvet curtains, ample cushy seating, and the stone fireplace.

We ordered a few bottles of wine to share, selecting the “White Star,” a blend of Viognier, Traminette, Chardonnay, and Petite Manseng, with layers of peach, apricot, mango, pineapple, tangerine and coconut. It’s described as a complex but palate friendly style of wine, recommend in its youth to truly reap the tropical flavors and satisfy the taste buds.

The spirits and tannins were surely flowing.

Craving something to accompany the fruity wine in our bellies, we decided to order a tasty cheese plate. The plate came with 3 gourmet cheeses, homemade apple chutney and a warm baguette.

After noshing, we felt it only right to make our way to the cozy wooden deck to take in the luscious views, especially after weeks of chilly temps. The deliciously warm sun was the icing to our already decorated cake.

Floral cheers, warm weather
Inner bliss, nothing better

Dress: Nordstrom, Jacket: Free People; Earrings: Stella & Dot

A rejuvenating day at the vineyard with great company was the perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

What’s your favorite outdoor activity to do on a warm Saturday afternoon?