Every week, as part of our One Word, Two Ways series, we pick a word and each base a post off that word.  This week, the word is Smile.

(Source unknown)

This used to be the background picture on my computer. I was going through a pretty hard time and looking for pick-me-ups wherever I could find them. I just can’t look at the grin on this man’s face without cracking up a little and immediately feeling my mood improve

(Photo via here)

I have noticed lately that I can sometimes be a jerk to strangers. I think it is a mixture of living in NYC and being tired of people hustling me.  On our trip, people are always staring at me and on a bad day, your Insecurities can really get the best of you.  At times, I find myself feeling defensive and glaring back.

But since arriving in Cambodia, I have taken a new approach which is making me infinitely happier.  I constantly smile.  At first it can feel like a cheesy thing, but it always leaves me genuinely smiling.  I have ended up talking to more people and having better days because of it.

Instead of ignoring people asking you if you want to buy something every second, just looking them in the eyes and smile.  Annie was right when she said, “You are never fully dressed without a smile.”  The days will feel brighter because you did.

We pick a word each week and both base a post off that word.  Check out the whole series here.  This week’s word is Refresh.

There is an unspeakable freedom about being on a trip like this.  Any moment when you want a change, you can just refresh.  It feels like those old view master cameras where you change the image by pulling the lever.   If you don’t like where you are, change it.  It is a lesson that I hope stays with me forever.

(The View. Unfamiliar Objects Print Series by Kevin Tong)

(Mint infused ice cubes for inside out mojitos found here)

Yesterday I read somewhere that if you use boiling water to make ice cubes they will turn out clear, absent of the cloudiness that most ice has. While I can’t say I’ve ever been particularly aware of, or have ever even cared about the cloudiness of ice cubes, I found this to be an interesting tit bit nonetheless. All this thinking about ice got me to thinking about how refreshing infused ice cubes could make an otherwise pedestrian beverage. Luckily for all of us, Pinterest is unsurprisingly full of beautiful images for inspiration. I think I’m going to give it a try.

(Image found here)

(Mint infused ice cubes for inside out mojitos found here)

(Five more mouthwatering recipes via Brit + Co)

Every week we choose a word and each do a post based on that word.  This week’s word is New.

(image of Thai motor-tricycle driver found here)

I got to choose this week’s word and the word I wanted to choose was New. Mostly because of all the new things that I have been doing. Everything is fun when it is new. A pair of new shoes, a new love, a new perspective, a new interest. The list goes on and on. This week I have realized that sometimes when things are new they can also be scary, intimidating and confusing.  I’m finding the combination of all these things is what makes the natural balance and rhythm of life.

Check out these collages of old and new Hollywood icons merged together by George Chamoun. They almost come off like an optical illusion. Who do you see first, the old or the new?