I guess you could say I am a little obsessed with happiness, although I have a feeling that most people are. Even if they don’t yet realize it. And although I think thinking on happiness too much, like constantly wondering if you’re happy, is a great way to make yourself unhappy at times, I do believe that spending seconds or minutes every day noticing and possibly even vocalizing what is currently making you happy is super healthy practice. So, here’s a few things that are currently making me happy.
-Just finished listening to Amy Schumer’s book, Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo, and found it not only funny but truly inspiring. Kind of caught me off guard.
-Currently reading Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, and it’s probably going to go down as the longest novel I’ve ever read, but it’s basically Pride & Prejudice with magicians, so I LOVE IT SO MUCH. 😉
-Trying out Whole30 this month, and although I wouldn’t say it’s making me happy (ha!), one thing that is: black coffee. I usually drink my coffee black anyway, but now I look forward to it even more every day. Sort of love that, it’s like rediscovering an old favorite.
-In March Trey and I are going to spend the whole month working and living in Los Angeles. It’s one of my favorite cities, so I am STOKED. But also, I can’t believe that I’ve built a career that allows me to do something like that! It seriously feels like such a dream come true and a total privilege.
-Also really enjoying the random, but often sunny, weather we’ve been having in southern Missouri this month. Even if I only make it out of the house to walk to the mailbox, still always thankful for sunny days.
-Random but, we went and saw The Lego Batman Movie, and I thought it was hilarious! I had to go to the bathroom pretty much the whole time, but I couldn’t leave because I was too into it. (Also, I get anxious to leave theaters or get up on airplanes because I get nervous to annoy others around me. I know, I’m over 30 and should really get over that, but that’s how I am.)
Things that are making me happy right now:
-Reading before bed. This is a new habit I am trying out, and it’s really helping me zen out a bit before bed. I’m currently reading Skin Cleanse, which I started over a year ago and forgot to finish. It’s SO good.
-Projects for our nursery. These truly are my saving grace after eight months of paperwork… I am really happy to focus on fun stuff like rugs and light fixtures for just a moment. HAPPY!
-Collecting records on the weekends.
-Snuggling with our dogs.
-Planning a little haircut and new outfits for SPRING. It already feels like spring here in Nashville…. so nice!
xx! Emma + Elsie
Author: Emma Chapman, Photography: Janae Hardy and Amber Ulmer. Photos edited with the New A Beautiful Mess Actions.
31 Comments
Love both of the outfits. I have a pair of similar denim overalls as Elsie – definitely going to take it out of the closet!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
@Emma no idea why it makes me so excited to see you trying Whole30 this month, but I’m doing one as well so the timing is “fun”. (We can still use the word fun on Day 1 at least.) I first heard about the program when Elsie shared about it and I’ve done several since, but I’ve always kind of wanted to see what you would come up with on the recipe front so this was a huge boost for me this morning! I totally get you on the not being sure this will make you happy, but stay strong and good luck/good health with it…know at least one of your readers is totally cheering you on!
Love your vest/t-shirt combination Emma!
https://www.makeandmess.com/
Emma!! LA!! Welcome! Let’s hang out!
Emma, I’m totally with you about hating to go to the bathroom on planes/ during movies. I always love when I’m with my husband in a two-seat row on a plane, because I don’t feel bad for asking him to move. 😉 I’m glad I’m not the only one!
And I loved Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell too! If you like magicians + Pride and Prejudice, I think you’d like Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho. It’s a much shorter read, and it’s less about a fictional history of England (i.e. no footnotes) and more of a comedy of manners. I read it last December and really loved it, so I’ve been recommending it to everyone I know!
And Elsie, congrats on your adoption progress! My husband and I have always wanted to adopt (at least) one of our future children, so I’ve loved reading your perspective about the process! I hope you have tons of fun decorating the nursery!
How timely, I just shared about finding your happy and my own little list over on my blog if you’d like to check it out. 🙂
https://wonderlandsam.com/2017/02/21/find-what-makes-you-happy-and-do-more-of-that/
Elsie, loving your overalls, and Emma, welcome to LA!! So excited to see what you’ll be up to. <3
You two are the cutest. Thank you so much for spreading your positive vibes when so much else I read these days causes stress.
I love Emma’s sunglasses.
http://goldclutter.blogspot.com
Those sunglasses are so fun! http://www.likehanna.com
Love this post! And I also totally stress about getting up in movie theaters and planes. You will see me BOOKING IT to the bathroom during a movie like straight-up hauling ass back and forth. World’s Fastest Pee-er over here.
Emma, I’m super curious about your whole30 and general pescatarian-ness! I did a whole30 in November and my ideal diet is close to paleo/primal/grain free. Not that we’re there, it’s just what makes it easiest for me to prioritize nutrient dense foods.
Love both these outfits! x
Izzy |http://www.pinchofdelight.com
I love Emma’s green pants! I need to get some for myself!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.com
Welcome to LA! Even if it’s just for a month! You’ve got to check out LACMA and the Hammer museum sometime while you’re out here. And give all the foodie places a whirl. ^_^
I think it’s great you think about happiness so much, both of you, and that you also consider other people’s happiness. Life is full of highs and lows but a little happy always helps!
Love your overalls!
http://www.petiteandhungry.com
Elsie, I really like your nursery wallpaper.
Emma, it’s obvious that you are a smart business woman. We knew when you made your first million because you posted about it. We know you are co-owner of a restaurant/bar so of course people work for you. We know how nice it would be to get to go to LA for a month for your job. Wearing that shirt along with your words come off as seeking public acknowledgement. Be proud of what you’ve achieved; stay humble.
LA (or any change of place to live just because you can for that matter :)) sounds so exciting, Emma. Would you mind sharing about the experience and explaining a bit about how you organised this? I’m working as a freelance editor and translator since last summer, but the husband has a permanent job, so I guess no such adventure in our near future, but I’d just love to read about yours. Oh, and Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell is so so good!!!
Love the “Babe With The Power” shirt! I have an enamel pin that says that, I think it’s such an empowering statement. Those lip shaped sunglasses are also awesome! They might even take over my affinity for heart shaped ones. Both your outfits are adorable ☺️
http://www.thesmalladventurer.blogspot.com.au/
Love Emma’s t shirt and love love love Elsie’s jumpsuit and sunglasses!
http://www.shopthecoconutroom.com
Meow Elsie, such a cute get up 😉
Come on out to LA! The water’s fine! 🙂
Book Recommendation: Lindy West’s Shrill. Hilarious self- reckoning!!
This is my first hey sister post. I love it. It’s refreshing.
Love the bracelet- giving me an idea for what to do with my copper choker now 🙂
Emma – me too about the bathroom on planes and in movie theaters! It’s such a mental hurtle that I have tried to get past, but have yet to be successful. I seem to mentally prep myself to use the airplane bathroom right when we are told to stay in our seats because we are landing and I’m stuck, having to pee, for 30 more minutes…
Great sunglasses!
Elsie’s look is so cute!
Hey Elsie,
I loved your blue overalls. It is very nice and also you are looking gorgeous in it. The bag adding too much charm in you style.
I think it’s so easy to get caught up in being happy like it’s a permanent state of being instead of little moments sprinkled in. Awhile ago I started keeping notes in the journal app called “One Day” at things that make me smile out loud. Tracking things made me really appreciate the moment more and take notice. It could be simple things like receiving a text or watching a little girl almost run over her dad with her power wheels.
Emma I am totally the same way with going to the bathroom on a plane!
Highly recommend Gretchen Rubin’s podcast, “Happier”, if you haven’t listened yet!
Emma and Elsie are both looking gorgeous in separate, and I’m also thingking about what’s making me happy right now ;D
Emma and Elsie, you both are looking really amazing and adorable. I must say, the dressing selection is the plus point! Keep on posting!