life lately + a beautiful mess iphone app

Two weeks ago I stumbled upon the A Beautiful Mess app and now I am addicted to doodling all over my photos... perfect timing to showcase them and also share an update on life! And not just the usual yummy dinner photos...

One big piece of news is I started a new job 3 weeks ago! It was such a crazy and amazing experience because I wasn't looking at all. Getting recruited was such a pleasant surprise, although at first I was like, wait... what? 

But then when I received the offer, I never felt so sure about something in my life. As noted in my previous post, timing can really be quite perfect. Over the years, I've learned to trust my heart and instincts... so I accepted! You can read all about the details on my LinkedIn, but I'm now working at a subsidiary of Amazon and still located in NYC. I had a great 1-week orientation where I fell in love with the startup company culture and was awestruck by the Kiva robots in action at the Pennsylvania fulfillment center -- Amazon technology is just incredible!

Another fun update is I went intense hiking for the first time ever this past Saturday! Through a Living Social deal, a few of us went on a Catskills hike with Destination Backcountry Adventures. It was AMAZING. We left Manhattan at 7:30am and hiked in the Catskills until sunset, climbing Indian Head and Twin mountains. Our guide Dave said we hiked for about 9 miles up and down 2000+ ft of elevation! (Crazy!) After the workout, we treated ourselves to a very calorific dinner at Hickory BBQ. So grateful for that awesome day.

Have you ever hiked before? I think I need to do it again soon, but I'm really excited to chill out for Memorial Day weekend. Any fun plans?

(All photos by Helen Hearts, edited via A Beautiful Mess)

living with purpose: the best advice I've ever heard

What's the best advice you've ever heard? Today I had phone conversations with friends in which I literally raced to grab a pen to jot down their wisdom (thanks Neetu, Emily, and Jasmine!). Here are some favorites pieces of advice that I'm treasuring in my heart...

From Neetu on taking risks and living fully: "Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards." This is Neetu's favorite quote and really resonates with me because how often have things only made sense in hindsight? So why not take risks and live boldly-- knowing that life will all make sense someday?

From Emily on faith: "God's timing is perfect." Relating back to the previous piece of advice, wouldn't it be amazing to not only believe that we'll understand things in hindsight but also that timing is absolutely perfect? As I grow in my faith, trusting in God has given me such an amazing feeling of freedom and hope that everything is going to be okay, and all will happen in its perfect due time.

From Jasmine on relationships: "Don't focus on the leaves and the branches. Focus on the roots, because when the wind blows, the leaves and the branches will inevitably fall. Only the root will stay firm and secure throughout the storms." To break down the metaphor: the leaves and branches are superficial ideals (how often have we heard "I only date men over 6 feet" or "he needs to have so and so job"). But all of these things will fall away -- beauty and success are temporary. Look at a person's roots: his/her heart and character.

So thankful for my wise, encouraging friends. Any words of wisdom on your mind that sticks out? What I most often tell my friends is to be unconditionally gentle and loving with themselves, as one would love a child... and as God loves us. (Cheesy, but I think it works :)

(photo sources: 1, 2, 3)

helen loves: edition #10

It's been awhile since we've had a Helen Loves round-up. Here are some fun products on my mind this week... wallet, watch out!

The Honest Company's Aromatic Soy Candle sounds so calming.

Rifle Paper Co. is not only my favorite stationary company, but now they have gorgeous iphone cases! My favorites are the Spanish Rose and New York.

I've been wishing for a pair of tan Swedish Hasbeen sandals for years, especially as the weather gets warmer. One day I will invest in a pair :)

Now that we have a bike share in New York (hooray!) I'm thinking about purchasing a nice Bern helmet in turquoise.

I already have a yellow couch, but this Jonathan Adler couch in canary yellow is a beauty.

Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby is coming out in theatres, meaning it's time to brush up on my reading!

This double bar ring... enough said.

PS: Other Helen Loves collections

jonathan adler mug

I still haven't bought myself a present for my birthday which happened almost 2 weeks ago. It's funny -- even though I blog about inspiring, beautiful products, I can never keep track of a wish list! While I'm not a planner, my tendency to make spontaneous purchases counteract the purpose of a wish list... I guess I like the thrill! :)

Today I bought this Jonathan Adler Scale Mug and am so excited to see it pop on my work desk. One of many mini birthday presents to myself, I'm sure. Do you plan your purchases? Or do you buy on the spot, like me?

(Jonathan Adler Scale Mug - $14.40 via Casa.com)

words of wisdom: abandon impatience

I think this one was made for me...

"When you plant seeds in the garden, you don’t dig them up every day to see if they have sprouted yet. You simply water them and clear away the weeds; you know that the seeds will grow in time. Similarly, just do your daily practice and cultivate a kind heart. Abandon impatience and instead be content creating the causes for goodness; the results will come when they’re ready." -- Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron

we see beauty/ make cosmetics

One of my favorite new beauty companies is MAKE, a socially conscious cosmetics brand that sets aside one-third of its revenue to help women-led startups in the United States. (Finally!!) MAKE is the first beauty line produced by We See Beauty, which describes itself as "a marketplace of ideas, stories and products that support the cooperative movement."

Love that mission and those beautiful products! Must try the MAKE Matte Finish Blush in Cinnabar. Learn more about We See Beauty and MAKE products here, and let me know what suits your fancy.

my birthday!

This Sunday, I celebrated my birthday -- and what a fun, thrilling, and emotional weekend! My friends took me to delicious dinners and brunches (at Gemma and The Smith), Mary Kate came in from Philly, and many of my loved ones celebrated with me on the rooftop bar 230 Fifth where the view 20+ flights up was astounding...

 

I felt so moved the entire time by my incredibly generous friends who are my family. So thankful for the abundance of people in my life  (including my blog community) who make me who I am. Much, much love to you all xoxo.

words of wisdom: sail away from the safe harbor

I definitely needed to hear this....

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." — Mark Twain

(Photo via Pinterest)