Category Archives: Every day life

What’s in my bag?

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whats in my bag spring edition

whats in my bag spring 2

I got this upcycled bag as a present from my Mom a few years back. I think the pastel colors and cheeky geese on the front make it a great bag to crack out for Spring strolls and shopping excursions. Here’s a peek at what I’ll be carrying around this season.

1. iPhone My phone is pretty much surgically attached to me, sad to say. At least it looks cute dressed up in this mandala-inspired elephant case. I got this one on Amazon, and while it took nearly a month to ship, it was only a couple dollars.

2. Travel Umbrella Not the cutest print in the world but it will keep me prepared for any Spring showers that will no doubt pop up (or the MONSOON we had last week). Full disclosure: I took this little guy out of the Lost & Found at work because I wanted something small for my tiny backpack. Sorry, not sorry.

3. Burt’s Bees This Coconut & Pear variety was a total impulse buy but well worth it. Have you seen the documentary Burt’s Buzz? I loved it and it totally could have been the reason for the impulse.

4. Lip Color For when I want to look a little more vibrant and put together, I can throw on Mineral Fusion’s lip tint in “smolder”.

5. Granola I’m completely addicted to local company, Sweetgrass Granola. The miniature size of their products is perfect for snacking on the go. Pro tip: If I’m wanting to eat breakfast out at a coffee shop, a super cheap option is to just get a yogurt with my coffee and top it with some of this secret stash.

6. Reading Material Currently I’m hauling around this hardback copy of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt. The characters are delicious and it’s a magical escape during Spring afternoon sun worshipping and waiting room blues. My brother and his fiancee are getting married in Savannah in just a few months! I can’t wait to be in this city!

7. Notebook I love jotting down lists and blog ideas in my Baron Fig “Confidant” hardcover notebook. I opt for the dot grid pages. My boyfriend is slowly but surely turning me in to quite the notebook snob.

8. Pen Sharpie pens in fun colors are my newest kryptonite. They are certainly my favorite thing to write with and I always keep one on hand.

9. Change Purse Some adventures just don’t call for hauling around a giant billfold full of every rewards card imaginable and a checkbook. This dainty change purse does just fine holding a little bit of cash and cards. Bonus, it’s Fair Trade!

10. Keys If I could put everything I own on a carabiner I certainly would. Also, how cute is that little Radio Flyer keychain? I get tons of comments on it. The only keycards I keep on are my Good Foods Co-op owner card and my Lexington Public Library card.

11. Hair Ties You can never have too many. Especially in warmer months.

12. Allergy Tablets Allergens and I are not friends so I carry Allercetin Allergy & Sinus homeopathic tablets to help me breathe a little easier.

13. Shopping Bag This reusable bag stuffs itself into a handy little pod so it’s perfect for impromptu trips to the store or farmer’s market.

14. Tea There’s something quite spring-y to me about green tea.

15. Sunglasses The shaaaaaaade of it all! Buying prescription eye-wear on the internet was intimidating at first, but I’ve been quite happy with these white and pink sunnies from Lookmatic.

The Me-Time Tag

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The Me-Time Tag

1. What do you watch or read during me-time?

Like pretty much everyone in my generation, I love a good binge watch. When it comes to TV shows, I run the full gamut from critically acclaimed drama to trashy reality. Currently I’m marathoning my way through House of Cards (obvi) and season nine of Keeping up with the Kardashians. See what I mean? Highs and lows. I’m also watching How to Get Away with Murder in real time. As for reading, my nose is usually tucked in a book but  I also keep up with a pretty lengthy list of blogs over on Bloglovin’ and LOVE getting lost in a good longform article.

2. What do you wear during me-time?

My comfies! Usually some form of lounge-wear (read: PJ pants) or athletic-wear (read: running shorts) and t-shirts/hoodies. The former dancer in me has never let go of legwarmers. Frigid weather has me turning to my “sherpa-lined” bootie slippers more often than not. I wish I could have a dresser full of all this me-time apparel.

3. What are your me-time beauty products?

Lately I’ve been loving Yes To products. Specifically Yes to Grapefruit Correct & Repair Daily Facial Scrub and Yes to Tomatoes Skin Clearing Facial Mask.

4. Current favorite nail polish?

I’ll always love any navy blue nail polish but ask me again in the summer and my tastes may brighten.

5. What do you eat/drink during me-time?

Cheap red wine from Trader Joe’s, fruit, greek yogurt (the Greek Gods Original Honey kind is insane!!!).

6. Current favorite candle?

I’m a huge fan of Bath and Body Works Leaves and Eucalyptus Mint.

7. Do you ever have outdoorsy me-time?

Absolutely! I adore really long walks and usually listen to podcasts as I go. I have a hard time switching off my overly expressive face so I often wonder if I look a little looney tunes giggling and crying along to my dude Ira Glass’ voice…but whaddaya gonna do?

8. Would you ever go see a movie alone?

I would and I have. Sometimes sitting down to watch a movie by yourself AT HOME can be a little guilt inducing–at least for me. Like, should I be doing something more productive? I guess I could check my e-mail while this is on? That litter box isn’t gonna scoop itself! Going to the theater is a great way to just let everything else on your plate go and enjoy getting lost for a little bit. Pro-tip: Unwrap that Jimmy John’s sammy BEFORE the movie starts.

9. Favorite online store? 

Other than Amazon, I’m not sure I really HAVE a favorite online store. I prefer to online window shop over on Pinterest. ; )

10. What else do you do during me-time?

Snuggle with Wink. Loom knit. Blog. Watch YouTube videos. Do yoga.

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Over to you! Pick a question and answer below! I’d love to know how you’re spending your precious me-time. 

Current Obsession: Loom Knitting

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scarves photos

I was the happy receiver of a Martha Stewart Crafts Knit and Weave Loom Kit this Christmas and I’ve finally cracked it out. After making one scarf I am completely hooked (pun intended)! Like any good obsession, I’ve found myself looking up all sorts of new projects and watching tutorials on YouTube. I think the biggest appeal for me is the turn around on completion is quicker than regular knitting or crocheting and it’s a little more mindless so I can easily watch trashy reality TV while I’m working some yarn. As someone who loves to have busy hands, I really enjoy having a second activity available for when I’m watching TV, on the phone, or listening to podcasts. I would highly recommend this kit for anyone who would enjoy some quick weekend projects, whether they have experience with knitting/crocheting or not! This weekend, I kicked off a second scarf and am trying my hand at a hat. Being stuck indoors during this yucky winter weather has a few perks after all!

What I got for Valentine’s Day.

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This Valentine’s Day, Chet surprised me by having a package sent to my doorstep. We waited until the night of the 14th to open our gifts to each other, as my Louisiana-love had a Mardi Gras parade to attend (of which he sent me lots of videos and pictures so I could feel like I was there, too). I sent him a little care package complete with loose tea, Sharpie pens and other bits and bobs. While I was the recipient of this adorable bento box!

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The dividers inside each box can be moved around to create a number of different configurations or completely removed, so it’s quite customizable, and the whole kit and caboodle packs up in to this matching drawstring bag. Wouldn’t it make even a simple packed lunch feel fancy?

If you’d like to learn more about bento, watch the BEGIN Japanology episode on the subject here. Then, search “bento box lunches” in Pinterest and say goodbye to the next 30 minutes or so!

I hope you all had a lovely Valentine’s Day! How did you celebrate the day? Did you exchange gifts with your sweetheart?

January favorites.

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jan favorites 11. Wild 

The book was a huge favorite many months ago and I couldn’t wait to see it come alive on the big screen. Reese Witherspoon was fantastic as Cheryl Strayed and it was fun to revisit the story. I still, in my heart of hearts, desperately want to be a long-distance hiker. I also believe stories like Strayed’s matter and am happy for it to be told in multiple forms so more people see it.

2. Bath & Body Works 3-Wick Candles

I’ve been having a bit of a candle moment lately and Christmas hooked me up with a supply. Nothing beats a trips-wick from BB&W. My favorites include; Endless Weekend, Eucalyptus Mint, and Leaves.

3. Malbec

I am by no means a wine snob and have trouble making decisions. So when this book, which I gifted my mom for Christmas, suggested January was a good time to give Malbec’s a go, I just went with it. My mother has been comparing Malbec’s from different countries and regions. I on the other hand went with the cheapest option at Trader Joe’s. Gradual refinement is fine with me.

4. 30 Days of Yoga with Adriene

Daily at-home yoga practice works so well to counteract the negative physical aspects of my desk job (not to mention my natural inclination towards tension headaches and racing thoughts). It’s also such a wonderful excuse to unwind and unplug.

5. Virunga

Nominated for an Academy Award, this touching documentary tells the story of a National Park, one of the most bio-diverse in the world and home to the last of the mountain gorillas, and the people working vigilantly to protect it from those who seek to destroy it. It’s available on Netflix so do yourself a favor.

6. YOU with Jamie Oliver

Jamie Oliver, who I’ve loved for ages, is the guy behind this fun new app. It’s kind of like Instagram with a purpose. Each day you’re given a micro-action to complete which you snap a picture of and explain in the description. The prompts range from noticing nature’s beauty to intentional snacking. It’s fun to see what other people come up with and it’s a great reminder each day that small actions matter and add up to a more purposeful life. P.S. It’s free to download.

7. Zen

A new-to-me sushi and sake bar in town. Sometimes you just want a little pomp and circumstance with your meal and I’ve found that places specializing in sushi are the best at this.

8. High Maintenance 

I may or may not have watched all available episodes of this web series, about a pot dealer and his various customers, over the course of just two nights. I found it laugh out loud funny. My friend Adam liked it too and I don’t think we’re usually wrong, soooo….

9. Roasted Jalapeno KIND bars

Sounds crazy but actually crazy delicious.

 

Life Lessons: Handwriting

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writing

I still remember the exact moment I decided to have good handwriting. I was in middle school. Self-aware, I came to the realization I could do better. Chose. Thought about how I wanted to make each letter. Practiced a little, sure, but not a lot. And then it was done. There was something I wanted to change about myself and so I changed it. There was never even a shred of self doubt. No inkling of an impossibility due to ill-equipped genetics. No voice in my head ushering in defeat before I even saddled up to a starting line.

All these years later, I don’t have the best handwriting in the world by any means but I think that’s a pretty cool path to self-improvement. What if we could always just decide? What if we could say, “Well, I guess I could be a better listener,

oboe player,

power point maker,

driver…

more outgoing,

compassionate,

organized,

trustworthy…

so I will.” and just…

leave it at that.

 

Gratitude Journal.

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thanksgiving sunshine

I keep meaning to start a gratitude journal. I’m generally bad at sticking to that sort of thing so I never even start. But today, on Thanksgiving, no excuses. I have so very much to be thankful for…

Happiness and health. A family of superbly special individuals who are creative and caring. An amazing boyfriend who loves, supports and challenges me. A fantastic job with fantastic people at a place that feels like a second home. A home. An insatiable appetite for knowledge. Dreams for the future. Memories of the past. Friends to laugh with. Friends who are doing the most wonderful, awe-inspiring things. The fuzzball cat sitting next to me. Yoga poses. Local food. This blog. All of my mistakes. And the times I got it right. This life.

I am grateful.

Movies for the whole family.

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juno

home alone

groundhog day

‘THE BREAK-UP’

Let’s talk movies! For a lot of families, Thanksgiving (and the days surrounding it) can mean a lot of together-time with your kin. And what easier way to keep each other entertained than busting out the DVD player or popping on the ‘flix? A Thanksgiving feast induced coma is NO time for chit-chat with the relatives! I can remember, in middle and high school, escaping to our basement during holiday madness for some much-needed moments of quiet in front of an MTV marathon. However, not everyone shares my love of hyper-competitive D-Listers and loosely-scripted baby mama drama, so… What should you turn on for Thanksgiving family viewing? Huffington Post just did a list of 13 Netflix Movies to Watch With Your Family This Thanksgiving, and here are 10 (not necessarily streaming) movies that I think would do the trick, too (and by trick I mean get everyone to sit down and shut up for an hour or so)…

*Juno

*Finding Neverland

*Home Alone

*Ghostbusters

*The Royal Tennenbaums

*Groundhog Day

*It’s a Disaster

*The Break-Up

*Speed

*Evening

Plus, four binge worthy TV shows (if that’s more your style):

*How I Met Your Mother

*Arrested Development

*House of Cards

*Mob Wives

What do you think? Which movies or TV shows do you like watching with your family? More of a football crew? Board games? I’d love to hear!

Manhattan Short Film Festival–my 2014 picks.

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manhattanshort

Last night, I attended the Manhattan Short Film Festival at The Kentucky Theater, one of 120 art house cinemas across the United States participating in the event and one of many, MANY more screenings across the globe. The event featured ten films and at the completion of the last film, viewers submitted cards casting their ballot for top film and top actor. The films were a range of languages, styles and subject matter. I love how in a short film the suspense is intensified to make it work in the tiny time frame. Every minuscule detail is important. Here were my votes:

Film

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The Fall

Country: Norway

Synopsis: Two mountaineers depend on each other during a climb but one has a secret that puts trust to the test.

Best Actor

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Sameerah Luqman-Harris

Film: The Bravest, The Boldest

Country: USA

Synopsis: A mother tries to avoid two army officers ready to deliver the worst news of her life.

I also really enjoyed On the Bridge about two men debating the merits of jumping off London’s Waterloo Bridge, La Carnada about border crossing, and Mend and Make Do which provided super creative animation as illustration for a voiceover interview with a WWII bride.

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Have you ever been to this film festival? Do you like short films? Can’t wait to find out the winner on Monday, October 6.