The Pursuit of Happiness

I think it's high time for a happiness list, don't you? It's 2010, a year so full of every possibility and eleven whopping months left! I have a huge amount to not only be happy about but utterly grateful for.

Here are just a few...

10 Things That Make Me Terribly, Wonderfully Happy

1. Weekly Sunday brunch/girl time with my best friends

2. Unspoken chemistry

3. Perfect knees (trust me, this is not overrated!)

4. Earl Grey martinis

5. The perfect haircut (and from an amazing friend at that)

6. The very distinct prospect of visiting England (and maybe France) this year

7. Sleeping in on a rainy week day when everyone else is at work

8. Warm from the dryer, clean sheets and flannel pj's

9. Feeling loved and perfectly accepted

10. My new job! I can't wait to start!

The Pursuit of Happiness

Erin's 10 Things That Make Me Terribly, Wonderfully Happy

1. Authentic British pubs & tearooms

2. The changing of the seasons

3. A good conversation with a good friend

4. Doing what I was created to do

5. Spending quality time with my husband

6. Coldplay

7. Finding something beautiful unexpectedly

8. Baking

9. Hosting parties

10. Spending time with friends & family

Thank you, Erin, for your beautiful list! I miss you so much and can't wait to visit with you! Happy Birthday soon, Dan, my birthday twin! 

My beautiful friend Erin and her equally wonderful husband Dan moved to Los Angeles last Christmas to chase their dreams of acting. I absolutely love hearing about all their adventures and you can too by clicking here and reading their blog. It inspires me to have two friends who are making their dreams happen! 

(Photo via Paper Tissue)

The Pursuit of Happiness

My absolute favourite blog posts on Ally Redhead have been the lists I have compiled from friends for The Pursuit of Happiness. There is so much craziness (stress, negativity) in a day that sometimes we all forget to reflect on the simple, good things that make our lives shine. Please feel free to keep more lists coming, including 10 more if you've already been featured. Email me at allytorn@yahoo.ca~ and thank you! Here are my next 10, because there are so many good things to be thankful for.

10 Things That Make Me Terribly, Wonderfully Happy Part 2

1. Falling in love with a song and listening to it a hundred times in a row, over and over (especially if it has lyrics that make me cry)

2. The stillness and quiet of walking on a snowy night

3. Lulu's toe hair 

4. Cuddling in my BFF's bed (so cozy) and talking all night

5. Sincere thoughtfulness (from loved ones or strangers alike)

6. Nicknames

7. The smell of Thierry's roasted cherries (eating them is even better)

8. Inside jokes/sayings with my best friends

9. Quiet, tree-lined streets where the boughs form a canopy over head

10. Waking up feeling that all is right with the world

Lulu's ridiculously long paw hair! It always makes me smile. 

(Photo 1 via Cupcakes and Cashmere, another favourite blog)

The Pursuit of Happiness

Tiffany's 10 Things That Make Me Terribly, Wonderfully Happy

1. Puppy licks

2. The smell of Paris at 6am when the patisseries are baking

3. My cozy, safe bed at the end of a long day

4. A day off with zero plans

5. Waterfront property

6. International airports

7. Health and family

8. The smell of a new car

9. Being free

10. Home decor stores

Thank you, my lovely Tiff! #2 made me so happy too! 

(Photo via Paper Tissue)

The Pursuit of Happiness

Lauren's 10 Things That Make Me Terribly, Wonderfully Happy

1. Crisp, cold medium thread count sheets

2. An agenda-free Sunday

3. My grandparents. There are not enough words, they could fill all ten spots.

4. Love- the kind that endures beyond the fear of morning breath

5. Books, especially having the luxury to buy and build your own library, no matter how small

6. Education- it is a true gift

7. Gastrointestinally speaking, regularity

8. Recognition

9. Being moved to tears (of joy)- empathy can only be considered a true gift once confronted by those who are incapable of that particular emotion

10. Awareness 

Thank you, Lauren, for this incredible list! #9 gave me goosebumps~ it's so true! 

(Photo via Paper Tissue)

The Pursuit of Happiness

Paula's 10 Things That Make Me Terribly, Wonderfully Happy

1. Writing outdoors

2. Independent boutiques

3. Random acts of kindness

4. People saying hi to each other on the street

5. Eating

6. Good coffee

7. Independent films

8. Traveling

9. Good conversation and white wine

10. Listening to indie music while I cook and clean

Thank you for your lovely list, Paula! I can just picture you writing on the NYC steps above! 

(Photo via Paper Tissue)

The Pursuit of Happiness

Chris's 10 Things That Make Me Terribly, Wonderfully Happy

1. My morning cup of coffee

2. The way the desert smells after it rains. The air is fresh and redolent of creosote. 

3. Reading aloud to my wife while playing with her hair as she falls asleep

4. A good book and a hot bubble bath

5. My mother's homemade sour cream enchiladas

6. Being published

7. Swimming laps in your own pool. There's nothing but the sound of your breathing and your heartbeat as you cut through the water. Very contemplative.

8. Successfully navigating a foreign country

9. Having your work recognized by people you admire

10. Wrestling with my Frenchie

11. Feeling grateful for everything I have because a friend asked me to write down what made me happiest

Thank you, Chris, for your beautiful and heartfelt list! I loved this one so much. 

ps- The above photo is not Alfie Lopez, but still pretty darn cute! 

The Pursuit of Happiness

My Mom's 10 Things That Make Me Terribly, Wonderfully Happy

1. The orange cat crawling into my arms at night, happy and content

2. Happy, healthy children

3. Candlelight dinners outside with friends

4. A good book, a rainy day and a sofa

5. Coffee dates (morning, noon, night) with friends who listen

6. Beaches, lakes, rivers, puddles

7. The crispness of the air in fall and bundled up in a cozy sweater

8. A job I love

9. Giving

10. The day after Christmas when I can finally put my feet up!

Thank you, Mom, for your list! Your child is happy and lucky to have you! 

(Photo via Paper Tissue)

The Pursuit of Happiness

Nic's 10 Things That Make Me Terribly, Wonderfully Happy

1. Pastries- the sugary kind, not the buttery kind

2. Puppies with paws and ears that are too big

3. Walking in the rain in my rubber boots

4. Shopping at Christmastime

5. Catching people performing random acts of kindness

6. Sharing an inside joke through a glance

7. Wearing something new and knowing you look fabulous

8. Themed parties

9. Crying during every movie ever made- it makes me aware that I have feelings!

10. My besties- I heart you and would die without you!

Thank you, Nicole, for your beautiful words! This one made me cry! As for #10, the feeling is very mutual! 

 

Nic, I couldn't decide on just one photo so here is my montage! xo

The Pursuit of Happiness

Chloe's 10 Things That Make Me Terribly, Wonderfully Happy

1. The serenity of a beach

2. A coffee and croissant in the morning

3. Perusing bookstores

4. My cat's purr

5. A new dress that fits perfectly

6. Airports (especially when I'm off to somewhere exciting)

7. Laughing till it hurts with good friends over a glass of wine

8. Surprises

9. Sleeping in

10. The first winter snowfall

11. My boyfriend's ridiculous and quirky sense of humor

Thank you so much for contributing, Chloe! I wouldn't have been able to eliminate one either! 

Make sure to visit Chloe's amazing blog My Favourite Things. She is truly a beautiful and talented writer!

(Photo via Paper Tissue)

The Pursuit of Happiness

Kayli's 10 Things That Make Me Terribly, Wonderfully Happy:

1. When Kupo wags his tail and smiles at me, my heart is his

2. A delicious meal enjoyed with friends

3. Dark chocolate with raspberries

4. Sleeping in on rainy days

5. Drinking coffee and talking with girlfriends

6. When Chris gives me neck massages

7. Shopping alone

8. Looking at beautiful pictures

9. Feeling warm from the sun

10. Music that moves you

Thank you so much for this sweet list, Kayli!

To see photos of Kayli's ridiculously sweet dog, Kupo, click here. Yes, he has already been an Ally Redhead feature! 

(Photo via The Rockstar Diaries)

The Pursuit of Happiness

Berg's 10 Things That Make Me Terribly, Wonderfully Happy

1. Undying true love- the kind that aches (Chris Richards!)

2. Laughing so hard that I cry

3. Forever friends that I can't possibly live without (I love you, Nicole!)

4. A hot new dress that fits like a glove

5. Reading a good book while swinging in a hammock on a beach

6. The smell of an ice rink (and skating on a fresh sheet of ice)

7. When the underdog wins

8. A song on the radio that takes me back a lifetime

9. Fluffy snowflakes on my nose

10. SHOES! (Any kind, anytime, anywhere)

11. (Bonus round just for you, Berg) Pedicures and cocktails with my best friend, Nicole

Thanks for your beautiful list, Christina! 

(Photo via Paper Tissue)

The Pursuit of Happiness

Ashley's 10 Things That Make Me Terribly Wonderfully Happy:

1. Letters in the mail

2. A perfect cup of tea

3. Yellow Labs or Golden Retrievers

4. A hug from my Mum

5. Freshly baked cookies

6. The sounds of the ocean

7. Warm sand beneath my toes

8. Car rides with good soundtracks

9. Foot massages

10. Sipping wine with my best friends

Thanks for playing, Ash! I love your wonderful list! 

(Photo via Paper Tissue) 

The Pursuit of Happiness

Leah's 10 Things That Make Me Terribly Wonderfully Happy

1. Rainy days, on second thought, cuddling on rainy days!

2. You <3

3. German Riesling

4. Watching someone smile when looking at a stranger's baby

5. The feeling of home, whether it be someone or somewhere

6. Wearing heels

7. The colour pink

8. Getting flowers

9. The smell of fresh peaches

10. Greg's laugh :)

Mmmmmm.... I love #4 and 5 especially! Thanks, BFF! I love you! 

(Photo via Paper Tissue)

The Pursuit of Happiness

10 Things That Make Me Terribly Wonderfully Happy

1. Pink sunsets

2. Red Vines licorice

3. Lulu biting my nose (or purring)

4. Leaves turning gold in the fall

5. Awesome mixed CDs

6. Rainy days when I don't have to do anything

7. Butterflies in my stomach

8. Chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter frosting

9. Perusing used bookstores

10. Black and white photographs

The Pursuit of Happiness is going to be a regular post where myself and the people I love pause to reflect on the good things in life. Please feel free to email me 10 things you love at: allytorn@yahoo.ca

Thank you! 

This feature is inspired by my new favourite blog The Rockstar Diaries. It is amazing! Check it out here. 

(Photo via Paper Tissue)