Over the Weekend: Hushed Sway

Well it feels like it's been about a decade since I wrote any sort of over the weekend/life recap. In reality, probably December. The start of this year has been a quiet one, spending most of January getting life in order, most of February seeking health. I ended 2014 feeling haggard. I wasn't getting enough sleep, I had all but abandoned the gym, and my eating habits were showing all over my face and felt in my joints. So I've been spending the past couple of months resetting myself, getting back to health... sleeping so much more... not drinking (it's kind of incredible how awful alcohol makes me feel), finding the foods that make me feel the best, and reacquainting myself with the gym. My schedule used to be more flexible, so I've had to learn all over again how to fit these things in my life, and yeah, finding balance again after losing it is proving to be a difficult journey.

So I am welcoming March with open arms. I'm ready for this new month and (hopefully) a gateway into spring, Chris and I have been doing a lot of exploring outside of the city over the past couple of months. Focusing on all things free as he looks for a job, which pretty much translates to all things outside. And I'm totally OK with that. Chris starts his new gig on Tuesday, which means these impromptu road trips and weekend journeys will be fewer, or at least far more precious. Last weekend we headed up to one of my favorite PA state parks, Hickory Run, to use the gorgeous snowshoes my mom gave us for Christmas. It was what we both needed. An escape from the city for the day. Every few weeks, there comes a time when the city streets begin to close in around me. Suddenly, the beautiful brick row homes that line the streets feel more like barriers than my neighbor's lovely houses, like walls closing in. The icy, un-shoveled sidewalks a hindrance; the defensive attitudes of city-dwellers (city drivers) a splash of ice water on even the most positive mood. I found myself slipping into this funk last weekend, the drive to the grocery store and then home to my apartment after work had been a battle, and even though it was Friday night, the thought of going back out again felt like more than I could handle. When this feeling arises in my soul, the kind of feeling that's tough to describe but when attempted falls somewhere between trapped and cabin-feverish, I know it's time to get out. Growing up in the woods was an experience that I never expected to affect me so strongly. But now, on days when city living just gets to be too much, I long for the hushed sway of pine trees and infinite silence that only comes with deep, dark woods.

To stand beneath the forest canopy, basking in the joy of pure stillness, of nature just doing its thing.

A Walk Around The Wissahicken

Our hiking plans for the past few weekends have been thwarted by one thing or another. Car trouble, waking up late. General unpreparedness. We had big plans to drive further North, but ended up on a low-key ramble around the woods of the Wissahicken. Not exactly the all-day hike I was looking for, but gorgeous in the late-autumn sun nonetheless. My Amazon cart is now brimming with hiking and outdoor guides for Eastern Pennsylvania, because there is always next weekend.

I'm happy it's finally hat weather. Makes covering up the mess on my head all the easier, and thanks to Lyndsay from The Seam Designs, I can finally stop stealing Chris' red beanie. Because I'm in complete and total love with this one. Red hats, they're the best, right? Even better with a pom pom. I have another outfit post for this week featuring it, proving that red is far more versatile than one might think.

Outfit details: similar jacket, similar jeans, LL Bean hiking boots, The Seam Designs hat.

Forest Bound

 

 

Is there anything better than escaping the city in favor of fresh air, trees, and maniacally chirping birds? The short answer is: no.

While I love what I do from 9 to 5 (or, rather 10 to 6), lately, I've felt too much defined by my job. I allow it to exhaust me during the week, and by the time the weekend rolls around, I can't seem to get out of my own way. In order to succeed professionally and remain creative, I have to get out. To live less for sleeping in and lazy Saturdays and more for hitting the road, exploring, and getting those big gulps of fresh air. Chris and I have been making an honest effort to get out of Pittsburgh and into the woods.

This past Sunday, we woke up to blue sky and sun. As much as I wanted to just hit 'snooze' one more time, I dragged us out of bed and we were soon on the road to McConnells Mill State Park for our first hike of the season. While I typically prefer my hikes to be a little more challenging -- I love climbing up and having something to look out on -- this was a great start after a rather dormant winter. Sort of a mini hike. Next up, I'm looking forward to making a trip up to Allegheny National Forest and, eventually, taking a trip down to Asheville, NC. I can't wait to get out and on the road!

I definitely would have been fine wearing jeans, but even for a moderate hike I find them to be too constricting and stiff. Instead, I opt for soft things that I can move in and lots of layers. This tank from Cory Vines is nice and long and light weight, and I love how it allowed my floral bra to peek out. It provided the perfect base layer, and I'll admit to also liking how it matched the frames of the 'Hall' glasses from Warby Parker. Fun workout/weekend gear is where it's at, when I feel good in what I'm wearing, I'm that much more likely to actually get my ass in gear and out the door.

Wearing: Jacket: Obey // Sweatshirt: Forever 21 // Tank c/o Cory Vines // Sport bra c/o Aeropostale // Yoga leggings, sneakers, & long sleeve: TjMaxx // Sunglasses c/o Warby Parker // Hat: Analog

Over the Weekend: Mt. Davis

Chris and I dragged ourselves out of bed woke up at the crack of dawn yesterday to drive out to Mt. Davis and meet-up with an outdoors group for a hike. We've been members of this group since last November, but to be honest, this was the first time we were actually able to go on an outing, and I'm so glad we did. Mt. Davis is the highest point in Pennsylvania at 3,213ft., and a hike in mid-October was the perfect time to see it, the trees were gorgeous and the drive out there was absolutely beautiful, And the weather! It was supposed to rain but the conditions ended up being perfect (and made me glad I dressed in layers, by the time we were at the top, I had shed my fleece and windbreaker and was starting to regret not wearing a tank top). The loop we did ended up being around eight miles and was a mixture of rocky paths, fire trails, and a short stint on a back road. It was great to meet a few new people (one even from New Hampshire!), get outside, get exhausted, and see a bit more of the state we now call home.

Did you have a nice weekend?

(if you're curious, my hiking boots are from LL Bean)