Kalyani Deshpande

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Five February Favorites

Happy March! It’s been a while since I’ve written. Life got a little crazy, as it does sometimes but I’ve missed writing on my blog. So, I thought I’d get back into the groove by sharing some things I enjoyed last month.1. Gratitude Practice: I started a gratitude practice with my kids a couple of years ago. At bedtime, we share at least one thing from our day that we’re grateful for. We’ve discovered that some days we’re grateful for the big things (field trips, vacations etc.) and on other days, it’s the little things (a meal we had, a book we read). At the beginning of the year, we tweaked our practice slightly by writing down our “gratefuls” in our journals. If inspired, we draw too. This past month I've learned that the very act of writing things down has made me more mindful as I go about my day.2. Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person by Shonda Rhimes. Written by the creator of Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal and How to Get Away with Murder, this book is an intimate look at how Rhimes faced her fears over the course of a year and transformed her life in the process. What I like most about this book is that the author is forthcoming about her insecurities, despite being a famous personality. If you’re looking for an inspiring read, I highly recommend this one!3. Happier podcast. I’m a big Gretchen Rubin fan and discovered this podcast late last year. Gretchen Rubin co-hosts with her sister, who’s a screenwriter and they talk candidly about everything from organizing your closet to parenting dilemmas. In this February episode, Happier listeners shared an app to organize kids' artwork, which is something I'm definitely going to check out.4. Paneer Butter Masala recipe. O.M.G. I discovered this little miracle-in-a-packet from Raju tai (who's a friend and on my brother-in-law's side of the family). This has been my go-to recipe when entertaining. It’s soooo easy and the curry tastes like it’s been simmering on the stove for hours.5. Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black and White perfume duo. I hadn't heard about layering perfumes until I came across this duo which I wore constantly last month. It made me feel like I was floating two inches above the ground! Although this is a duo (which is how I wear it), these scents can be worn separately too. The White has floral notes while Black is muskier.So, those are some of the things that I enjoyed in February. What have you been into lately? I'd love to know so please share in the comments. SaveSaveSave