I love this editorial photographed by Nick Scott on location at the Swiss Grand Resort & Spa Bondi beach Sydney. The stylist is Jesse Hart and the model is Caris Tiivel for Shop till you drop Australia Sept2011. Perfect Styling.
Hello all! Happy Tuesday! I hope everyone is having a great one. Sorry for the delayed post, my whole day has been on delay and I've been doing a mad dash to keep up. Finally, catching my breath a little, I stumbled across these lovely rooms and as soon as I saw the turtle shell on the wall, I had to write about it. You might ask why? Well Meg Lonergan of LeSueur Interiors has incredible taste and she loves turtle shells. She has two on her living room wall, and they are pretty awesome. Anyway, Gregory Mellor is an interior designer in Sydney and South Africa, and he also happens to have a love for turtle shells. See the connection? I had honestly never really seen turtle shells on the wall before until I met Meg, and now I seem to be seeing them all over the place. What do you think? Would you want one on your wall? I think they're pretty unique... a very cool idea.
Biscoff. Yes, I am in love with Biscoff spread. Have you all had it? It's ridiculously good and a great alternative to peanut butter. You can put it on crackers, waffles, apples... or make cookies, pudding, etc. if you decide to be adventurous. Either way, Biscoff + graham crackers=love. Don't judge until you've tried it...
I talked to my friend last night, who lives in NYC... he had just gotten back from a business trip and in preparation for the hurricane, he said, and I quote, "I have nothing in my fridge, I have to go get some beer to get ready for the storm..." Some things in life never change. East coasters, stay safe and stock up on necessities.... beer, anyone?
I have to take a second to mention that Anna of Tulip Louise has been featured on The Glitter Guide. Pretty awesome, don't ya think? I mean she is from Arkansas, so not only does she have incredible style, taste and a magnificent eye for all things wonderful, she is sweet, gracious and incredibly delightful. If you haven't checked out the fabulous write-up on her yet, please do! She's a sweetheart you can't miss! You can check it out here: Glitter Guide: Anna of Tulip Louise
Girls have enough pressure in life to be skinny, but in New York it's magnified, especially if you work in the fashion industry. After quite a lot of time spent being in New York, (in the building of 4 Times Square) I became a spectator of girls who had perfectly manicured nails and coifed hair. They really added a whole new meaning to the term "put together." I had no idea how they managed to look so perfect every single day. My hair was/is always wildly flying everywhere and well, no matter what it seemed impossible to keep up. Plus, I wasn't sure I wanted to change myself to try to fit in, eeks. I wasn't even sure how to go about doing that...
But, I still admire those girls, and every once in awhile I miss being the less put together girl among them.
After having moved out of NYC, I had always thought that it must have been just me that felt this way about New York girls, until recently I read Garance Dore's post about being "New York Skinny". I died laughing. I feel like all girls can relate in some way... so I decided to share it with you.
Introduction:
Garance is from Paris, and having recently moved to NYC, she realizes that New York girls do lunch a little differently than they did in Paris and the level of "skinny" is on a whole new scale.
Whole Wheat Waffles. Yep, I love em'. Usually I buy these because I am too lazy to make these. Either way, I eat waffles for breakfast at least once week. Although, I don't use syrup, I do not skimp on taste. Agave Nectar with a scoop of Fage 0% Greek yogurt is delicious and maybe a little healthier? Eh, I'm not too sure... if not, oh well!
And here's a little sneak peek of what she says:
Remember that episode of Seinfeld when Jerry says that only 5 percent of the population is date-able? Elaine asks, "Then how are the other 95 percent getting together?" Jerry's response? "Alcohol." When I was single, I felt the same way...
Happy Monday! I hope all of you had a wonderful weekend! I finally made it to a much needed yoga class on Saturday, that left me with the biggest smile on my face. Allow me to sound like a yogi for minute when I say that, there is definitely something about the flow of yoga that allows for certain anxieties and fears to be released. It creates time to focus only on the space that you have on your mat and nothing else. It always brings me back to center. It is very easy to get wrapped up in our lives. We get consumed with our careers, relationships, family... I don't know about all of you, but since I was young, I have had a list in my head of things that I've needed/wanted to accomplish and when it comes to the big things sometimes it's easy to become very invested in the outcome which leads to an undeniable amount of stress. It's easy to put a lot of pressure on ourselves. Our lists stack up and it's easy to become focused on something that is very outside of ourselves. I always want to know what to expect, will this be great? Will this be a disaster? Whether it is in relationships, your career, projects, or family, sometimes it's best to let go of the outcome or the result. Life leads us down a lot of different paths, and it's always nice to turn back to center and to let go of everything else.
With that said... Let go of the outcome and enjoy the week! : )
I am so excited for a weekend, sans traveling. As much as I love my weekends away, I love my weekends at home. I can't wait to relax, hang out with my pup and catch up on a few things that I haven't gotten to do this week.
Wishing all of you a great one! If you're in CO this weekend, you should probably hit up Red Rocks where Yonder Mountain String Band and Railroad Earth will be playing. If I wasn't here, I'd be there!
PS I only wish my kitchen really looked like this!
My friend Sharon is turning 26 in a few short days and since she will be here relaxing on her bday, we are celebrating early. : ) Happy 'Early' Birthday to a very wonderful friend!! So happy I somehow ended up in the same city as you!
Good Morning my dears. Happy Tuesday! As I've been looking through September issues, I can't help but notice and love all the colored pants. It makes me want to run out right now and buy everything from pale pink to emerald green.
Alas, as my meltdown (see previous post) subsided I went for a long run and magically it turned into a glorious Monday and I thought I would share this recipe. My favorite thing to eat this summer has been by far this kale and avocado salad. It's quick, easy and healthy. I love it.
Kale & Avocado Salad Ingredients
1 small bunch kale
3 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
¼ to ½ teaspoon sea salt
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 tbsp diced red onion
2 tbsp hemp seeds (optional)
1 ripe avocado
½ cup diced cucumber
Chop the kale into bit size pieces or thin ribbon like pieces and place in a bowl. Place ina large bowl and sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon of salt. Using your hands, massage the saltinto the kale. This is the secret. If raw kale is a little much for you, this softens it. You’llnotice it starts to wilt because of the salt. Add olive oil, lemon, garlic and onion to thebowl and continue to toss with your hands Add the hemp seeds, avocado and cucumberwhen you’re ready to serve. Hemp seeds are optional. I also like adding pumpkin seedssometimes.
This salad recipe was how I converted from hating kale to loving kale… and now eatingit 4 or 5 times a week. If you’re still skeptical if you’ll like kale you could try this saladmixture in a whole wheat pita which breaks it up a bit.
Sorry for the late post today! I had a mini-meltdown last night and couldn't compose myself enough to write to you all until now. Alright, I'm being dramatic, but honestly... Have you all seen Jerry Maguire? Tom Cruise gets fired and as he's walking out of the office he says, "I'm not going to do... what you think I'm going to do. I'm not just going to flip out," and he says this as he's flipping out. Well that was me last night. I have been out of town and upon my return I had an eviction notice on my door for failure to pay rent. And yes, I flipped out. I spent the morning dealing with the office and when I told the woman who sent me the notice, that I had paid, all she could say was "Oh, I'm sorry. We overlooked it." So, long story short, I am not being evicted. Thank God. Sometimes, I wish I was a home owner and speaking of, congratulations to my friends Katie and Robby who became one this weekend. I can't wait to visit them in Colorado and return back home hopefully without an eviction notice. PS did you know that they only have to give you three days notice before evicting you in Texas? Yep, learn something new every single day.
Happy Monday all! Hope your week started out better than mine and if you find yourself having a meltdown just remember, they happen.
Yep, it's Friday. Woohoo! What are you all up to? Tonight, I am going to drink some wine with friends and relax. I'm excited to put my computer away for a little while, and have some fun. I hope all of you have a great weekend.
P.S. Isn't this table setting a cute idea for a wine party? It's so clever, eh? I love it!
I hope all of you are having a great Thursday. I am ready for the end of the week... and a breather. Last night was the first night I've gotten to sleep before 3am since Monday and I'm just about out of steam. But, I did take time to go see The Help. Have you all seen it? It is such a great movie. It gives you a little peek into a different time. Although, there are some hilarious moments in the movie, there will also be moments that break your heart. Ah, but what's a good movie without a little of both? Go see it... even if you haven't read the book. You will love it.
Good morning my dears! First of all I want to thank all of you for stopping by this blog. I love writing it everyday, and it is something that I always look forward to! Last week, I had a lunch meeting with my friend Kate, who writes a bobo mess, if you haven't checked her out yet, I highly suggest you do! Anyway, Kate and I sat for two hours talking and talking and since then, my wheels have been spinning. Many sleepless nights have been occurring, and I find myself waking up in the middle of the night to write, read or stare at the walls... thinking and thinking. Perhaps there comes a point in life, when you become ready to whole-heartedly give everything you have to accomplish your dream. Sometimes it occurs quickly, and for others it occurs over time. It's hard to put yourself out there- in work, relationships, all of those things. As humans we so often fear failure, rejection... but sometimes you just have to go for it. When those wheels start spinning, I guess it's time to start moving. Cheers to that.
The song above is Lost in my Mind by The Head and The Heart, I am loving it right now... and the rest serves as a little inspiration.
Hope you all have a wonderful day! Go out. And Do.
images via Walking Around Where The Sidewalk Begins
After a really wonderful weekend of seeing old friends and making new ones at the wedding of two native Arkansans... it is back to the grind and when I woke up this morning, I realized I was suffering from a weekend hangover. Since, I have to face the fact that it is Monday and have a to-do list a mile long, I thought that I should mix it up for breakfast with a smoothie. To get some protein and more nutrients than I usually have, I am adding in some kale and spinach. Here is a great recipe for a green smoothie recipe from Whole Foods. I swear it's good. You have to add the banana though... I thought I might skip out on it one morning (because I don't love bananas) and I regretted it immediately. The banana tames the flavor of the spinach and kale. Add whatever else you want, just don't skip the banana!
When you hit those sweet spots in life, when you know that everything is exactly as it should be, even though you didn't plan on it... those are some pretty good moments. You kick off your heels and start dancing, because the music is good and you feel it. Enjoy all the moments. Be present.
"Presence is a gift- staying fully present for friends, family, ourselves, other people's lives and ours. So often we've learned out of habit or fear, to be only partially present, partially conscious... There's another way, a better way. One where we keep our hearts open and know what we feel. We take the risk of being vulnerable enough to share who we really are and to allow others to do the same. We become fully present for each moment and each person..."- Melody Beattie
My summer reading list has been a little all over the place. I picked this up yesterday, and read it last night until I could not keep my eyes open any longer. It's a true story recounting the lives of three boys raised by Sudan's Dinka Tribe. Well written, and often keeping time with a lyrical almost poetic tone,They Poured Fire on us From the Sky, will have you turning page after page. Some other reads from my summer list include French Lessons, which is a nice sultry read and Last Night at Chataeu Marmont, which is a quick read (well, for me--not for you guys who may be reading this) written by Lauren Weisberger, the same author of The Devil Wears Prada. I know, my list is pretty random. All good reads though! I suggest any of them, if you're looking for one last page-turner.
Sometimes people come into your life to open you up again, to introduce you to things that you normally would have never known, to share with you who they are and to show you how to love and trust again. They may not stay forever, because they simply are not meant to. They are part of a healing process. As they give something to you, in return you give something to them. You learn what love looks like and feels like again. You hold onto the gift that they have given you, and even when it's time to say goodbye, it's sweet. Just because it it may not be forever with that person, doesn't mean it didn't work out. It worked out in exactly the way it was supposed to. And through the process you learn more about yourself, and take into account that the person who does stay forever has to have qualities that you just experienced. So take every person that comes into your life as a a gift to you from the universe. Learn to receive love and the sunshine on your face as they kiss you goodbye. Send them back to the universe with love and thank the universe for sending you someone so wonderful. Because it is truly wonderful when someone comes into your life, that doesn't try to take anything from you. They give, you give... and that's all.
Enjoy the process. Every moment of it... Because the universe is always teaching.... You just have to be patient and follow it's lead.
