Happy Sunday! Welcome to another Small Collection, a series I started to help me focus on the things that bring me joy.

I’ve been doing this exercise for two solid months now, and I have to admit that I notice a big difference. I feel much calmer and more grounded. I’m officially a believer in the power of gratitude. I may even keep this up after summer. We shall see…

Here are a few things that brought me joy this week:

1.) The other day, I saw this random  purple feather at the gym where I do pilates. It totally made my morning.

2.) It’s just starting to sink in that I’m heading to Boston in a few weeks for a fun event at the Newbury Street Athleta store. When I was first brainstorming and reaching out to local vendors, mid-August seemed sooo far away. Now it’s right around the corner.

3.) I’ve been reading and writing a lot about breakfast lately, which has inspired me to shake up my own morning routine quite a bit. Of course, because I live alone and don’t have to worry about impressing anyone with my mad culinary skillz (yes, with a “z”), many of these creations are translated into dinner versions. Up until a year-and-a-half ago, I had oatmeal for breakfast pretty much every day. That had been going on since college, so I guess that makes about…6 or 7 years of oatmeal—more or less every.damn.day. Until late 2012. Change is good.

4.) Thank god my crappy old desk chair is big enough for me to sit cross-legged in while I work. Eli likes to lie in my lap while I type stuff on the computer, especially at night when I’m drafting blog posts. It may not be the best habit to get into, but sometimes it’s the only way stuff gets done.

5.) I’ve seen this a few times now, but it always cracks me up:

What’s brought you joy recently?