6 Things That Make Me Happy + 7 Interesting Things

Recently I was tagged by two friends to answer a few things! Sarah at Haute Design has tagged me to list six things that make me happy, while Stephanie at Style Odyssey wants to know seven interesting things. I thought this would be a fun way to sign-off for the weekend, so here goes!

Six Things That Make Me Happy:

1. Travel

I am head over heals, crazy in love with travel! Meeting new people, learning new languages, experiencing new cultures, and seeing new places is what makes my heart skip a beat and when I feel closest to the essence of me! I thank my parents for fostering this appreciate in me by exposing me to new places at a very young age and always promoting the education value in traveling. 

A little anecdote I've never told anybody: The first time my parents took me to Venice I was 11 yrs old. I saved an Italian newspaper from the trip and brought it back with me. When we arrived home, I went upstairs to my bedroom, unpacked the newspaper, and spread it out on my floor. I marveled at the funny looking words I couldn't understand and so desperately wished I could read them as a way of staying close to the country I had just fallen in love with. I vowed that one day I would be able to read every single word and kept the newspaper hidden safely in my 'memory box' as a reminder of this promise to myself. Sure enough, 15 year and many trips back to Italy later, I'm fluent in Italian :)

2. Coffee

I know it sounds silly, but I thank the skies above for coffee each morning! The heavenly smell, taste, and warmth are what get me out of bed in the morning with a jump in my step. One of my favorite parts of the day is rolling out of bed, pouring myself a big cup of coffee in my Starbucks mug and writing my morning post while still in pajamas. I take it with a tablespoon of sugar and a generous splash of nonfat milk :)

3. Beauty

Beauty in all its forms makes me happy - whether in a breathtaking interior, the perfect color palette, an enviable outfit, a tear-jerking poem, a heavenly voice, or a touching act of kindness - the things that remind us that divinity can be found all around us!

4. Running

Nothing makes me feel stronger or more beautiful than my long runs outside. For me running is the ultimate form of exercise. When I am out there, I feel healthy, invincible and alive. It also allows me to have time to myself to think and be surrounded by nature (gratefully I live just 3 blocks from the Lake Michigan shore). Running is also my best beauty secret. It wakes up my skin and leaves me with the prettiest glow. 

5. Being Loved

There are those few special people in my life that 'get me' and 'get through to me.' I couldn't imagine journeying through life without them. They are my compass when I get lost, my safe harbor when I am afraid, the biggest cheerleaders of my accomplishments, and the nurturers of my self-esteem. 

6. Wining & Dining

Some of my favorite memories and happiest times have been made over a delicious meal with friends and family. It's funny how we all have those monumental meals in life that were so exquisite that we never forget the taste or where we were when we enjoyed them. For me those meals happened in Boston, Gimmelwad Switzerland, Teramo Italy, New York City, Venice, and Steamboat Colorado. Good food and wine is always worth the extra little splurge in my opinion!

Seven Interesting (or maybe not so interesting) Things About Me:

1. I have two older brothers and am the baby and only girl of the family. 

2. I was captain of the cheerleading squad and class treasurer in high school :)

3. I lived in Italy for 3 years (Perugia for 1 and Rome for 2).

4. I majored in English Literature and minored in Italian Studies at university.

5. I've had celebrity run-ins with Tom Cruise, Ethan Hawk, Bill Clinton, and Mark Wahlberg :)

6. I very much enjoy being alone and look forward to 'me' time each day.

7. I have a (closet) fascination with Kate Middleton :)

I'd love to learn more about all of you, too! If you'd like to do a post on six things that make you happy and/or seven interesting things, then consider yourself tagged by me! Have a great weekend! See you Monday. xoxo Crystal

*images via ryanwynncreative, Simply Seductive, Enrique Badulescu, Makeunder My Life, Lazareva Valeria, From the Right Bank