micaela's rad summer: el paso

Though it feels like summer is coming to an end, I'm going to keep it going here on the Sadie blog a little longer with a few more Rad Summer posts. This week the wonderful Micaela from Dolce Vita is bringing us along on her relaxing summer adventure. Micaela was also part of my previous guest post series, A Day in the Life. Her blog continues to be one of my absolute favourites. She is the kind of writer that you feel like you know personally after just reading a few of her posts. So enjoy her post and be sure to visit her blog today, too.

After spending an exciting summer traveling with my twin sister and girlfriends from one coast of the county to the other (NY & SF) and then spending two blissful weeks home in Wichita Falls, TX (that included watching my little sister marry her high school sweetheart), it's nice to soak up the end of summer lazily.

There is nothing like your husband gently waking you up at 4:30 in the morning just so he can take you to watch the sunrise with him at the scenic drive overlook (he even stops at Starbucks so he can get you both a Pumpkin Spice Latte to keep you warm). The lights of El Paso and part of Mexico is enough to take your breath away. 

I snapped the above photo of my husband while saying a prayer of thanksgiving that I get to look forward to endless more sun rises and sun sets with him. 

"The greatest gift is a passion for reading. It is cheap, it consoles, it distracts, it excites, it gives you knowledge of the world and experience of a wide kind. It is a moral illumination." 

-Elizabeth Hardwick

I enjoy spending delicious hours in a sea of stacks at my favorite used book shop. Admiring beautiful album covers like the above of Carly Simon's Boys in the Trees in boxes of vinyls that seem discarded to the side. As evidenced by my pile to be purchased, I can never leave empty-handed. random: I consider it a gift when I find an inscription in another's handwriting from years ago. A private note, a window to the past though it's not my own.
 

And no summer would be rad without enjoying copious amounts of frozen yogurt. Mine is never the healthy kind either... chocolate on top of chocolate!

xo Micaela

Thank you so much for sharing and being part of this series, Micaela. I also love spending hours in used bookstores and I, too, never leave empty handed! If you'd like to see the guest post I did on Micaela's blog you can take a look here. The next Rad Summer post will feature Chelsea and Charlotte of There & Here. Looking forward to it!

a day in the life of micaela from dolce vita

I am so happy to continue the day in the life series with this week's post from Micaela. I think I must have discovered Micaela's blog through Danielle, and as we've gotten to know each other it turns out that we have a ridiculous amount of things in common with one another. The list of similarities just keeps getting longer and longer and I love following Micaela's blog to learn more about her. I know you'll enjoy getting to know her through this post, too!

my day always starts with copious amounts of coffee and cuddles from my puppies (this one is stella, the baby of our puppy family. her sisters are maverick and bubbles).

we'll go outside to our back porch, welcomed by the beautiful sky and mountains of el paso. i always read a daily word of encouragement from "365 day brighteners," a present from my parents. breakfast usually consists of oatmeal with honey, cinnamon, and apples. i always get ready using my favourite vintage mirror.

i'll spend the morning replying to emails/blog reading, chatting with my twin sister while she's at work in Wichita Falls (my home) and reminding myself i need to water our geraniums i'm trying desperately to keep alive in this desert climate. all of this to U2 shuffling on my ipod in the kitchen.

on a free day, i love nothing more than going on a thrifting date!

i could spend hours searching for gems or presents. these are two of my latest finds: vintage genuine leather crested mocs and a wood stand candle holder that goes well with the candelabra we have on our bedroom wall. i love nights my husband and i stay up laughing and talking while the candles glow...reminds me of Jane Austen novels.

i'll meet my husband and our friends for a lunch of Thai or Indian (our fave!), clean up around casa di M, and on certain days of the week around 7:30 i'll grab my yoga mat and head to my pilates/core class at the gym.

in the evening after dinner, i'll create postcard collages of images and typed quotes that have stayed with me to send across the miles. i'll change into one of the vintage nightgowns hanging inside my bathroom and try to read whatever book i'm in the middle of (right now it's a birthday gift, Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers) before slumber.

but usually my day ends the way it began...out on my back porch, but with a glass of wine.

Thank you, Micaela, for sharing a day with us! Be sure to go and check out Micaela's blog, Dolce Vita! Next week I'm psyched to a) have less than a week (!!!) left in my master's degree and b) to share a day in the life of Gale from Wichser Studio, who's been a friend of mine almost since I started this blog. Wow. Less than a week. Okay. Let's do this.

generosity

I got something wonderful in the mail last week and I wanted to share it with you all. My friend Micaela, who I've met through the blog world, sent me a beautiful handmade postcard that I will most certainly be putting up above my desk. It was so thoughtful of her to write to me and send me well wishes for my final weeks of school. Isn't this postcard so adorable?

Speaking of generosity, in light of the recent earthquake in Japan I just wanted to take a few seconds to encourage everyone to consider supporting the relief efforts of organizations like MSF and the Red Cross. I know sometimes it's hard to donate when you don't get to be involved in the results of your contribution directly, but giving is good for everyone. In fact, it's been proven. Have a great weekend, everyone!

five friday favourites

This is going to be a quick post this week because I'm not free from overwhelming school obligations until tomorrow, but here goes...five favourites for mid-February.

1. Dolce Vita

Micaela's blog is one of my new finds and instantly became a favourite and must-read. Her posts are personal and inspiring. When she told me that she jogs to Nirvana I knew we'd get along! Make sure you go take a look at her blog and enter her giveaway!

2. These amazing Bowery Lane Bicycles

the broncks black

Made in the USA with American steel (sounds good to me) and super affordable. I wish they shipped to Canada and that I could justify the purchase of a new bike. Alas, my vintage cruiser (the "Commuter Special") and Lemond road bike will do for a while now. 

breukelen white three speed

3. Chocolate Arts

If you live in Vancouver you should go to Chocolate Arts. Try the lemon and basil truffle. Enough said.

4. FRIDAY NIGHT! That's right, tonight tonight. Because it is finally the night before reading break officially begins and we have a big presentation today and then...a week off! Well, sort of off, a week without classes nonetheless. I'm looking forward to celebrating with my classmates tonight and I can't wait to grocery shop, do laundry, clean my house, update the Sadie shop, and so on. FREEDOM!

5. You.

As a special Valentine's Day thank you to all of my blog readers I'm going to have a sale in the Sadie shop this weekend. Coupon code BEMINE will get you 20% off until Monday. Anyone using the coupon code will also get a special Valentine's Day gift along with their package. By the way, this photo is one I took of the Science Centre here in Vancouver and it made me kind of love my mom's camera.

Take a peek at Mucho Mucho Bueno Bueno today and have a fabulous Friday! Check back later this weekend to see the new Cave Explorers!