Simple Moments
August 20th, 2010
{With my boyfriend on top of Mount Tam}
I think it’s oddly more acceptable to complain about the trivial things that bother you than it is to take note of special little moments throughout the day. It’s even perpetuated by a lack of naming conventions since there’s no antonym of “pet peeve” in the dictionary (and yes, I checked). Until there’s a word that describes those simple things that make you smile, I’ve compiled a list of my top ten.
1. When my favorite song is playing on the radio as soon as I start the car.
2. When I find money in my pockets that I had forgotten about.
3. When I’m not feeling well and realize I have absolutely nowhere to be.
4. When my mom mispronounces technological devices.*
5. When drivers thank me for letting them pass or turn in front of me.
6. When I untangle a stubbornly knotted necklace.
7. When I catch my boyfriend smiling at me sweetly for no reason.
8. When I dress perfectly for temperamental weather.
9. When I climb under covers that have been freshly washed.
10. When the lights first dim at the beginning of a movie.
What are the little things that make you happy?
*She lost her iPod Shuffle a few days ago at the gym and (jokingly) considered describing it as a silver, miniature music box.
I love when my mom calls on my work phone and I know it’s her before I answer, and the smell of rain in the summertime.
The picture of you and your boy friend is so cute!
Your list was quite inspiring, i’m so busy all the time i rarely consider the little things.
Loves
fancyfashionfrenzy.blogspot.com
emily..
do tell us how you met your boyfriend ….:)
Reading through the commentators above, I was struck how many of us used the phrase “the little things.” Even though it’s not overtly positive, the cultural connotations wrap it in sunshine. That’s how I will be describing my favorite “little things”:
This blog of course!!
Sunshine
Trees rustling, one of my favorite sounds because it kind of reminds me of the shore
Sleeping with the windows open (in summer)
Starting a new book by a favorite author, combining anticipation and certainty of satisfaction
That thrill when a song come on the radio that is totally new to you and that you love . . . I first heard “Bloodbuzz Ohio” that way, and “Dog Days Are Over”
Dogs of course! Practically everything about dogs is wonderful. I love when our littlest dog rests his head on me
I take some of my favorite poetry with me on trips. When I am stressed, I read a short bit by AC Swinburne or Amy Lowell and I am transported into a calm place
I have to add . . . great creamy coffee and a decadent crumbly piece of dessert
People who smile at you, sometimes quite randomly
I also love the much-anticipated moment when the house lights go down in a theater
i have so many don’t even know where to start…
getting an unexpected hug from my boyfriend
coming home on the day my house cleaner has been there
when something i’ve been craving goes on sale… in my size
when something funny unexpectedly happens and you can’t stop laughing…
Cute, Em! Mill Valley love!
- http://www.21Arrondissement.com
Some things that make my heart sing:
- spending time with myself, listening and soaking up the world
- tremendous friends mixed with wine and summer evenings
- new leather journals that already feel like home
- writing that flows from beyond me
- an epiphany realized and smile suddenly felt
- my own dance party in front of a mirror
- an amazing pen of ink
- recognizing an old friend
- body-aching, eye-watering laughter
Thanks for sharing! It’s easy to forget about the good stuff, even if they’re simple and wonderful.
yes to all of these – but especially #9, that get’s a big YES!
katie
That’s a sweet picture. What an adorable couple~
http://www.frillsandruffles.com
Aw this post has made me smile! I love all the things you mentioned – reading this has stopped me taking them for granted
x
Very sweet post! I love the smell of freshly mowed grass!
Such a sweet post to get us ready for the weekend! I love a freshly made bed, a perfectly brewed cup of tea, opening the fridge and discovering that D has purchased one of my favorite foods, just for me.
Being a college student, I don’t have much time in the morning to properly get ready for the day. But when I have time to sit down, enjoy breakfast and my morning coffee, it just makes my day.
Also, having or making yummy desserts like cupcakes and sharing them with friends without the worry of calories or carbs.
Have you ever read The Book of Awesome? It’s full of sweet little things like this. There’s a blog for it, too (http://1000awesomethings.com/)! Reading other people’s lists of things that make them smile, and realizing everyone basically loves the same sort of things, always makes me smile.
Great attitude. Nice to ‘know’ somebody who aprreciates little and magic things, that makes a ding worth it. Love the blog! !
http://iambackstage.blogspot.com/
Great post! I’m sure I’m not the only one wanting to “see” your man, you guys are great looking together.
I’d add the first sips of hot coffee in the morning. Realizing that you are the first one up. Being treated to dinner.
Have a good weekend!
i heart this!
a few of my happy things:
-finding the perfect dress or shoes that fits like it was made for you, and at a great price
-finishing a great blog post and getting comments (giddiness!)
-seeing new posts on my fave blogs
-the bf surprises me with flowers
-a freshly painted mani and pedi
-the feel after a great run or workout
-the first bite of creme brulee!
http://asequindressatbreakfast.wordpress.com
Happy Weekend Emily! What a great list, those are all sing true for me as well! A few additons to the list… the smell of new shoes and waking up to my early morning alarm and realizing it is Saturday
http://dinnerclubmd.blogspot.com/
Such a sweet picture …
I feel happy when I get home and realize there’s just enough ice cream left for one bowl when I realize I’ve forgotten to pick up ice cream as I’m walking home from the grocery store.
Stop by and stay a while at
http://xoxoebony.blospot.com
I have sooo many of these. Slipping into freshly washed sheets is one of my simple pleasures as well, but taking a pan of cookies that are absolutely PERFECT is definitely up there on my list!
xo Josie
http://winksmilestyle.blogspot.com
Love Mt. Tam & this photo is adorable. Think I migh thave to steal this idea for a future blog post. Love your positivity
Is that the H&M dress from your previous post? Love the way it looks on you~
http://www.frillsandruffles.com
Love the pic of you and G! Too cute!!
I love when I see one of my children being kind to another person without being asked.
When I get a compliment on my hair or clothes or children.
When I husband pinches my behind and tells me he loves it!
awww what a great post to end the week at. i love everything in the simplest of forms and my list can go on and on. ur blog is awesome and it’s my morning coffee to jump start my day. thanks for being part of my everyday life!
1. treating myself to a nice dessert when im having a bad day
2. cuddling with my dogs
3. drinking a nice warm cup of coffee (starbucks!)
4. watching my favorite show on tv
5. finding money in my pocket or purse
6. running into someone i haven’t seen in awhile
7. when my sheets are nice and cool before i get into bed
8. getting in an afternoon walk or bike ride
9. shopping sales at the mall
10. taking a cold shower after a long day at school
When you walk by Starbucks and can smell the fresh coffee from the street. My first sip of coffee in the morning where it doesn’t feel like I’m drinking it so much as inhaling it.
Hi Emily!
I’m form Brasil, and i love your posts, and your photos, and recipes, and everything else =)
this blog is really nice about this, have greats pictures, beautiful clothes, recipes that look amazing ^^
xoxo
I love this list!!! Sometimes we DO focus on the little annoying things in our day & we should focus on the good stuff much more!! I am going to add a similar list to my blog…if you don’t mind;) maybe it will start a trend!! LOVE your blog…it makes my day!! Happy weekend!
Oh my god you and your boyf are disgustingly cute in that photo. It is just too romantic and sweet. And the little sweet things in my life that make me smile?
Chocolate chip pancakes made by my sister
When my mom kisses my forehead in the morning before she leaves for work
The way my puppy follows me around aimlessly
The way my boyf looks at me for no reason (I love that feeling, too) and when he offers to blowdry my hair when I’m too lazy to do it myself
- Sharon
http://closethound.blogspot.com/
This is the sweetest picture! It’s the simple things in life that are most often looked over.
I just bought Essie’s Chinchilli off ebay because they were sold out at Ulta! Thanks for the twitter update as to what it was!
http://daswhatshesaid.blogspot.com/
Great idea!
One that would be on my list: when the last one in the store is in your size!
Very sweet pic of you and your beau.
You of my favorite things also has to do with my own mothers cute little quirks. When she leaves me a voicemail she ends it always the same. She says, ” Love you ,”(pause) “Mom.” Just like a letter, it’s pretty cute.
And ditto on our pets meeting us a the front door, tails wagging back and forth…. it’s pretty great.
My number one little thing would have to be waking up in the middle of the night, looking at the clock, and realizing I have a few hours left to sleep before I have to get up for work!
this is one of your best posts and the list was hilarious. i really love the way you organize your blog, i find your posts always interesting and never boring or bland.
the picture is great, the two of you seem very happy together.
love the first pic!!!
one of my favourite things is listening to a song for the first time and inmediately falling in love with it.
I recently started following your blog and I have to say that reading something sweet like this post makes me smile!
LOVE this post. Such a cute idea!
xo,
brittney from http://www.hushnwonder.com
Pingback: BussBuss.com » Kelly’s Klicks: The Sweetness of Doing Nothing
So we finallly get to see the boyfriend…and what a hottie he is.
The “sweet smile” just adds to it. Looks like he’s a keeper.
Angela
-smell of coffee
-hearing an accent
-a good hug (a real one, not a half-ho-hum kind)
That is a great photo! I also am happy with fresh linen!
http://itsmyprettyworld.blogspot.com/
best picture ever
so sweet!
so cute!!! i love when i find money in my pockets too!!!
thelibertybelleblog.blogspot.com
That pic is so adorable!! I agree. I have been thinking a lot about the small things lately.
-I love the when my bf starts dancing in the living room for no reason
-the smell of products in wet hair
-sitting on the couch and watching my dvr shows
-finding one piece of gum in my purse when I really need it
-seeing my parents laugh
This post reminds me of a website that I’ve been viewing more frequently lately because of the good feeling I get after skimming the “awesome” things that surround us everyday that we often fail to recognize…
http://1000awesomethings.com/the-top-1000/
Ah! Such a cute pic of u and ur boyfriend!
Everything on your list makes me happy too!
Some other little things are:
- Reading your blog everyday!
- Taking a hot shower and when its cold and rainy
- Feeling sunlight on my face
- Sitting on the edge of my pool on a hot day with only my feet in the water.
- Drinking ice-cold peach ice tea with fresh lemon wedges on a hot day
- Taking my doggies for a walk
- The smell of pine trees from the forest near my house
- Sleeping in
- Holding my boyfriend’s hand while we’re walking
- Shopping!
- Spending time personalizing a gift or card for a some one, and then watching their reaction!
- Eating any baked goods when they just come out of the oven
- I once found this room spray that smelled like a french bakery!
- Singing out loud in the car to my favourite song
- Watching Gossip Girl! I am addicted to the clothes!!!
Have the loveliest weekend!! Can’t wait to read your blog again tomorrow!!
xox
that is a really cute picture of you and your boyfriend.
little things that make me happy:
-sunny days
-rainbows
-running into old friends while out and about
-tea
-any holiday
-my pets
-when i positive comments on my blog
xoxo
http://sweatshirtdressshirt.blogspot.com/
i meant to say, “when i *receive positive comments on my blog” haha