And my wishes for the week...

Here we are for Weekly Wishes again! Thanks to the lovely Melyssa for hosting this community building link-up of wonderful ladies. I´m meeting tons of new bloggers and am so grateful for this :)

Here were my goals from last week and my progress...
1. Continue with previous goal #3  still working on meeting new people :)
2. Wash pile of laundry all clean and handwashed!
3. Look into more work options  it turns out I´m getting more hours with my job.
4. 20 minute quality time  Quality time has been good - we´ve been hanging out more time. It turns out it´s easier when I´m down my computer haha...positives and negatives to everything!
5. Publish new DIY video - complete video, publish (tomorrow´s the day!)

This week´s goal I want to relax a little bit and lay off the list. Sometimes simple is good and I need to remind myself that from time to time. I tend to try to take on lots of tasks, so this week´s goal is to simplify and focus. Something in particular I aim to focus on is being happy by smiling and making conversation with those around me. Good luck ladies with your week and live happy!

LIVE SIMPLY : SIMPLY LIVE

Tuesday Tunes #4

Hey there lovelies, I hope everyone is off to a great week! Maybe a little Tuesday Tune to start your day? I have a lovely woman (and her band) in mind for today...

I first saw Alison Harris and the Barn Owls in the North Bay, where I lived for several years during/post college. My girlfriend and I went to a cafe that has live musical shows. And I immediately fell in love with her voice and their sound. It´s so true and shows a natural beauty in the music. 

Also, while I was finding this video I found out that she is doing a harmonious collaboration with 3 women. They´re called Bootleg Honeys. Gorgeous. Find them on Facebook. And if you like them, they´re stationed in Northern California. 


What do you think? What style of music do you like?

Expat to Expat Q+A: Life on the Daily

Hey all, hope your weekend is off to a good start! Once again, I'm glad to hop on this Expat to Expat link-up train with Belinda and Bailie. This month's theme is about daily life in your country abroad...If you're just tuning in, I'm currently living in Lima, Peru. Thanks for stopping by! 

1. What is your favorite food store in your city and why?  
We've been getting the large majority of our food from the local market, called Surquillo.  I love it because I can bargain a little bit and everything is very fresh and not as imported from other places. Although I just went to the supermarket today and found out prices are slightly cheaper -  really!?! So maybe I'll be shopping there for somethings too...And I just found out about a weekly farmers market for special products which I may splurge for, like fresh milk, yogurt, honey. I'm excited to check it out tomorrow!

2. For your answer to number 1 is it ok to buy the store brand items or do you pay extra for a name brand?
I usually just opt for the cheapest. Except for juice which is usually worth a few more cents for the better one. In general there are way less brand options, making it a lot easier (and faster) to choose.

3. What do you think is the best way to get about your city? i.e. bus, bike, car, etc.
I definitely would NOT want to have, much less drive, a car here. Actually there's a TV show called "Don't Drive Here" and the city featured on the latest episode was -you guessed it- Lima! It basically shows all the crazy drivers and modes of transportation used. I take the buses (called combis) everyday, which are great because they're quick and cheap. I also wish I had a bike because there are some great streets you can ride on. AND every Sunday a street across the whole city is blocked off for cyclists. Cool!

A few of my combi tickets

4. Which store do you turn to for basics like toilet paper or cleaning supplies?
To buy in bulk I will buy at the supermarket, called Plaza Vea. It's kind of like Target because it has everything. 

5. Where do you think is the best place in your city to get a cup of coffee (or beverage you prefer) and catch up with friends? 
Good question! I'm still discovering a lot of things in the city so I'm not sure. But I really like that there are a lot of parks everywhere. Today we went to one called Mars Field - it was full of children flying kites, playing soccer, statues, a train, and doggies. It's a nice place to chat or read a book.

Extra questions from Emma, at Adventures of a London Kiwi:
1. What was your “eureka, I’m practically a native” moment? 
When the locals started asking me things. Sometimes I will get asked about a bus stop or where something is. That's the best. I hardly fit a ''typical" appearance of a local, but it feels good that I fit in and know my way around. I was really good at this in Cusco, but Lima is huge and quite new to me (for now). 

2. Does your real accent get in the way? 
I speak Spanish pretty well and get compliments on it. People are sometimes shocked that I'm from North America because my accent doesn't sound like it. Then, there's English...in the center where I teach, the director and books use British English. In this situation, I am learning some British expressions and also teaching the cultural differences between the American and British English. 

Reading & Street Art

Hey there! I hope everyone made it through another week and is ready for the weekend. My week has been pretty good, minus that my computer broke down :( It just turned off and didn´t start back up...ah! Hopefully it´s not the end of her! But one good thing from the week is that the sun is peeking through here in Lima. Spring is just around the corner, (next month) and I can´t wait for some sun and starry nights. (I really love this time of autumn back in the states, but I won´t complain if there´s sunshine).

So is anyone really into a book they´re reading now? I am! And a friend in my book club shared this post, which I really love. I´m fascinated by street art. AND reading. Here´s a few of my favorites:

City project: Ustroń Public Library, Poland

Artist: Jane Brewster. Powell Bookstore, Portland, Oregon.

Created by Donald Gensler, Philadelphia.

Art by Andreyante AO, in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.

Brian Goggin’s “Language of the Birds” installation, San Francisco

Tyumen art group "Color of the city", Russia.

Aren´t these clever?? Wishing you all an awesome weekend!

Tuesday Tunes #3

Hello all! I'm so ready for today because I get to start it with Tuesday Tunes :) Everyone is welcome to join in the link-up, just be sure to a) share a musical discovery b) link back to this page. There's no link-up listing but I'll try to figure that one out in the future. 

This week I chose a band that I just recently stumbled up. Maybe I saw it on the YouTube sidebar of recommendations. They're music leaves a taste of wildness and freedom lingering in your ears. I previewed several of their songs, but this one really stuck out to me for several reasons: 1) deep respect for nature 2) spiritual and mysterious elements 3) an alligator sliding down sand dunes! 

Artist: Le Loup

Song Recommended: "Forgive Me"

Weekly Wishes #2

Happy new week kiddies! Who else is shocked at how fast August is flying by?! Well, I love that I'm starting Weekly Wishes with The Nectar Collectives. It's always good to define the direction you want your week to go.

1. More chia experiments: Definitely did! I've tried several different recipes with these little guys and am loving them still more. You can look forward to some posts this week!
2. Update blog design: Did you notice?
3. Meet up with some new people: Well, I've reached out to some people so this one is in progress. I definitely need some girlfriends here! 
4. Go to a cultural event/museum/show: My husband and I went to the Natural History Museum. It fun such a fun day learning about animals and rocks/minerals. We even made a birthday video for my mom there, which she really liked :)
5. Cut out sweets everyday: I did pretty well here. 

And now, my goals for this week! 
1. Continue with previous goal #3
2. Wash pile of laundry: Why is it so daunting? Here in Peru I wash most of my clothes by hand. And really I don't mind it. It's actually meditative for me. It's just taking the step to start it. But this week it's happening!
3. Look into more work options: Yep, I need another part-time gig.
4. 20 minute quality time: Spend at least 20 daily minutes of quality time with my husband. This doesn't sound like much but the key word is quality here. We're together quite often but not necessarily spending quality time. 
5. Publish new DIY video...get your plastic bags and iron ready!

I hope you all have a good week and things transpire for you :)

Liebster Award again :)

Super excited for my number 2 Liebster Award, from Leia! She's got a adventure-filled blog and is another lady traveler, currently in Tennessee. I love reading her travel, food, and life adventures on her blog Latitude Adjustment. 

So this award is given to new and upcoming bloggers who want to build their audience and exposure, which is just what I'm working on these days! If you want to see Part 1, it's right here.

11 Random Facts:
1. I love world music - from African drum beats to Irish tin pipe and Andean flutes! 
2. I was in Central America 2 times, both in Costa Rica. Love that place!
3. One day I'd love to have a large garden and teach about herbal remedies.
4. Dr. Seuss(Theodore Gissel) was a genius! One favorite of mine is The Lorax.
5. I haven't shampoo'ed my hair in over a month {read about that here}
6. I feel lucky that my husband is my encyclopedia on all wonderful films :) (ok maybe not all)
7. Currently loving: almond extract and chia seeds (not together...but I should try that too!)
8. I could really go for some deep bass dub step these days. Oh, South America, can you provide this?
9. I can't wait to bring my husband to the US for his first time!
10. I'm reading a historical novel called Pope Joan. It's about a woman in the priesthood who pushed the social norms back in the day. It's really good.
11. I like insects. 

11 Questions Given:
1. What do you do to make yourself feel better after going through a hard/tough/sad situation? Make sure I've had a good cry to get it out. Remember than things are always changing is a reassuring thought. And going out in nature or being with girlfriends helps too. 

2. What are three songs you absolutely love & would listen to over & over again? 
     Enya, just so relaxing :)
     Ootischenia - The Be Good Tanyas
     The Trapeze Swinger - Iron & Wine

3. What is your idea of THEE ultimate vacation?
 That would be a day filled with nature adventure, finding a little quirky local place, and eating some delicious food. Somewhere tropical :)

4. If money & jobs weren't a factor, what's one place in the world would you live?
Maybe in a jungle of Thailand - I'm dying to explore Asia! 

5. If you had to watch one television show for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I haven't watched many shows since Boy Meets World and Sister Sister days (oh, classic 90s shows!). Actually I hardly ever watch TV. But...a friend did recently introduce me to How I Met Your Mother and I'm guiltily loving it.

6. What is something you can do really well?
I'm told I'm really good at listening. 

7. Where in the world would you NOT want to live? Why?
I don't think I'd like to live in a very isolated place for too long. Hick towns that consistent of gas stations and WalMart. To me it's important to have the aspect of community and be close to natural beauty. Plus, WalMart is just awful and I would be horrified to have to only shop there!

8. What is a craft/hobby/interest you wish you were good at?
I like this question...I'd love to learn to be skilled at card and paper making :)  

9. If you could have dinner with any 4 people, living or dead, who would they be?
I'd love to meet some of the classics: Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Ella Fitzgerald...and Savion Glover, tap idol!

10. What is the best food you have ever tasted?
Holy moly. There's such dee-licious food out there. I love love love the taste of sweet coconut curry. Pretty hard to beat.

11. What do you do with “me” time?
I love "me" time! It's when I will watch said TV show (my husband teases me about it), read, work on a project, or blast some music. 


My Questions for Others:
1. What's your middle name?
2. What's the newest blog you are excited to read?
3. What's your favorite dessert?
4. What was your best costume (Halloween or otherwise) EVER?
5. If you could speak another language what do it be? Why?
6. Your dream vacation:
7. Share one aspirations you want to complete in your life.
8. Where are you most content?
9. What song makes you really happy?
10. What song is playing now or the last song you listened to?
11. Where do you prefer: city, country, mountains, or beach? Why?


This time I'm tagging:
Megan @ Neither Here Nor There
Kerry @ Till Then Smile Often
Whoops, who else would like to join??