Peaches by Plums

Around the world in 30 minutes.

In any given day I could imagine myself living in five different countries. One day I want to live abroad. It’s been a dream of mine for quite some time. Me and my husband have talked about it and it seems like every other month we are moving to a new country but can’t pull the trigger. We have a comfortable life in the Boston suburbs but as soon as we settle down we get the urge to start on a new adventure. It’s a constant up and down in our life.

The other day my husband suggested that maybe he would like to do his Ph.D in Europe in a few years. That was all it took for my head to spin out of control with visions of my life abroad. Here’s a little insight of how my mind works when “on wanderlust.”

Wednesday I’m in Amsterdam

After watching Passport to Europe in Amsterdam and House Hunters International in the Netherlands I start to think about what it would be like to live in this city. It takes me back to when we were visiting during our honeymoon. I loved the beautiful buildings, the creative influence on the city and the tranquil canal lined streets. I began my research to see what it really would be like for an American to live here. The concept of work-life balance is prevalent in this city, I really like that. Let’s talk out about transportation. Like most cities it would be hard to have a car but most people bike here which makes for a fun way to get around that most US cities don’t have. What about the weather? Hmm, it seems to get a lot of rain. Would I miss the hot summer months? Perhaps. The great thing is that it’s so close to other countries and makes for easy travel where we could find some place warm to be! But there is the issue of learning the language. Okay, so Amsterdam is on the list.

Thursday I’m in France

After spending the entire day (and yes I mean the entire day) of reading the wonderful Lindsey’s blog, Lost in Cheeseland, I got the bug for France. Paris was another city we visited during our Honeymoon. I loved the wandering streets, cozy cafes and spirit of life in Paris. After reading Lindsey’s posts about her life in Paris I got a good sense of the city. But would I really like it? Perhaps it’s a bit too much. Maybe living a little further out would be better. Our time spent in Giverny (Monet’s Garden) was beautiful. Ironically House Hunters International focused their search on France today. I was glued to the tv for three hours as they went from Paris to Normandy to Provence and then to the Languedoc-Roussillon region. I tried to envision my life in each place. I have to admit, I was transfixed by the beautiful historic home that was once a convent in Normandy. The cozy secret corners and gorgeous kitchen was everything I wanted. I felt myself leaning towards this life but I’m not totally sold. Do I really fit in in France? It may be a little too much change for me. Maybe I need to try somewhere a little more recognizable for my first step outside of the states.

Friday I’m in England

Well it’s abroad, English speaking and you gotta love those stone cottages. I spent some time living in London back in College. I fell in love with the city. I think I would’ve enjoyed my time more if I was a little older and had someone to enjoy it with. Of course my mind starts in London. I love the parks and the ethnic diversity and neighborhoods. Again, with having a dog I think I should focus on the suburbs where you get the real England. So I pack my bags once again and take the train to Windsor. I love the community feel with lovely shops and pubs. Before settling down I take a trip to Somerset where big homes line the fields and quintessential England is before my eyes. Yes, I like the sound of this. Maybe England is the place for me.

After all of this “moving” I’m exhausted! Mentally I’ve lived in three plus countries (I didn’t mention my time in Belgium, Ireland or Sweden.) Usually once I am done on my trip around the world I get a little homesick and go back to Boston where I’m most comfortable. I think to myself, will I ever get the guts to move abroad and leave everything behind or will it always just be a dream where the thrill of the chase will be enough to satisfy my wanderlust.

Has anyone else made the leap abroad and had a good (or bad) experience? Any advice?

*all images via my personal collection

Sometimes you need to stop, look around and be in the moment. It’s time for me to take a creative hiatus from blogging. I promise not to be gone long!

(Source: brownbyrd)

I am back in the states after visiting my husband in Ireland. I miss him dearly and it’s incredibly difficult to be apart for so long.

The past year has been unspeakably hard but know that if we can get through this time in our lives, we will be able to sleep in a storm.

(via maryruffle1-deactivated20110309)

I need to be in a peaceful place like this right now. How do you escape?

(via kitsune-)

via Simple Lovely

Wow, this article by Simple Lovely based on Jason Schwartzman’s Interview about his childhood really struck a cord.

I don’t have children at the moment but this is exactly how I want to raise my family, full of life, experience and thought.

It is incredibly important to me to offer this humanistic approach to parenting and even to my life.

There are so many things that I think about doing; pottery classes, dance lessons, painting, etc. The list goes on. I desire a full life.

It then occurs to me, before I am able to lead, I must first do. This will be my new mission.

via That’s Happy

It was on a plane ride back from Italy when I would decide my fate.  I would one day be a wedding planner. I was only 15 years old.

Throughout high school my obsession continued.  I started an inspiration book, cut out hundreds of photos and began my extensive research.

When it was time for college my pursuit to become a wedding planning expanded. I convinced the dean of my school to let me start my own wedding planning major. I worked with the faculty to create a program designed around this venture. Eventually this evolved into a hospitality degree in special event planning.

From here we moved to San Francisco to begin my career. I worked at a hotel planning events while interning with top wedding planners and floral designers in the city to gain experience in weddings. I was that much closer.

It was in Boston where it all happened. I was hired as the Wedding Specialist at The Boston Park Plaza Hotel. This opportunity was invaluable to my future. It gave me the courage to start a blog, plan weddings of up to 500 guests and gain tremendous insight into the industry.

I am thrilled to announce that after 10 years of following my dream, I am officially a Professionally Certified Wedding Planner! I’ve finally arrived…

What will cure my unsatisfied creative obsession?

I have a constant urge to create and as my husband says “get outside of myself.” Some days the desire is stronger than others. Today was definitely one of those days.

To help satisfy this pull I look to things to help pull myself “outside of myself.” I recently started painting but can’t quite put my vision on canvas. I’ve thought to start dancing or perhaps a pottery class. It’s wonderful and all but doesn’t quite seem to be enough.

My concern is this…what if whatever I try to do doesn’t satisfy this incredible hole? Will my schizophrenic thoughts be finally filled? I then think to myself, maybe it’s not so much about finding a way to be creative but finding a way to truly show the world who I really am. Is it even possible?

(via neonlightthatsplitthenight)

via sycamore street press

Very true. Keeping a blog is very personal yet very public. There is a fine line between expression of yourself and keeping a distance from your readers.

I treat this forum as an outlet. It is a way to express myself openly and freely but sometimes I forget that people I know read my blog and get slightly embarrassed. They see a side of me that is often locked away.

C’est la vie. 

what’s an hsp?

(via tweexcore)

Hi, my name is Abby and I’m an HSP (Highly Sensitive Person.)

I’m not the same as everyone else. I can’t stand being around large crowds of people, hate small talk and love being tucked up away by myself.

I have a super sensitivity to everything around me, lights are brighter, sounds are louder, temperatures are colder….the list goes on.

Growing up, I knew I was different. I was much more introspective then anyone else I had known. I wasn’t bothered going out with my friends and found pleasure being in my room drawing, writing or simply drawing.

College years were much of the same and I had to constantly explain why I didn’t always want to go out. See, being an HSP means, you can’t handle as much external stimulus as everyone else. You tire easily and need time to unwind and regain balance. This train of thought is really the opposite of what every college student adheres to and thus, I didn’t always fit in (not that I wanted to.)

Around the time I graduated college, me and my husband (then boyfriend) moved to San Francisco. I had thought that maybe it’s just the city that I don’t belong to, maybe San Francisco would be my place and I would finally be able to flourish here. Ultimately that wasn’t the case. This huge shift in my life really took a toll on me. I quickly realized that I was just running away from myself. It was a huge awakening.

It was on a Sunday that I walked down to the local book shop and came across “The Highly Sensitive Person” book by Elaine Aron. The moment I picked up that book changed my life. I started reading pages after pages agreeing with everything it was saying. Finally, someone understood me and I wasn’t alone. I was normal.

Upon this discovery, I went through many emotions. I was elated to know that I wasn’t the only one, I was sad because it confirmed how different I was, I was frustrated because I would forever have to “manage” my life in order to protect myself,  but most importantly I was proud to find out that I could use this to make such a difference in my life and perhaps in others as well.

Today I stand here more self aware and in control of my life. And as Bill Murray said in Lost in Translation, “The more you know who you are, and what you want, the less you let things upset you.” I now have direction and with that, I move forward. 

the perfect dream

via bluepoolroad

This person’s life looks perfect right about now.

I need to know, does this sort of thing happen in real life or is it all just a staged photograph?

The dreams I have are extraordinary and feel much like this photo. Why don’t I live this? It seems too wonderful to let it be just a passing thought. 

Is it that I don’t act on my make believe world because I’m too afraid it won’t be as perfect as what I dreamed it to be?

maryruffle:

via {wit + delight}

canopy dreams

via delight by design

When I was young I had a canopy bed. I felt so safe by it. It covered me like a blanket every night.  I lay awake with inspired ideas waiting for the day to fulfill them.

specifically kyoto.

via unruly things

These are very Japanese to me, specifically Kyoto. I’m reading a book about a women who dropped everything to pursue her calling in Japan. My body aches for the same.