Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Mini Break



The other night I was close to tears from being so exhausted, these last seven months have been busy to say the least. I've tried very hard to keep up with everything from work projects, volunteering, tending to school after the work day, maintaining this blog and trying to have a little bit of fun. And until this point I thought everything was under control, then I started assessing my personal life and well being. Besides the stress, anxiety, not being able to sleep, feeling tense everywhere, (asking myself if I ate breakfast or if I washed my hair the night before) and little to no exercise, I'm beat. It's time to take better care of myself.

 There's no room for complaining here but I cannot remember the last time I took a personal day, I love my job too much and blogging has never been a chore. The last vacation I took was more than three years ago!!! So before I have a nervous breakdown, I think some time away is needed. In nearly six years of blogging (which is very hard to believe), I have not taken more than a day off and I think a mini break is long over due. I have been very dedicated to keeping this blog updated on a daily basis. Creating quality content, researching people, brands and companies, the collaborations I've worked on, I have loved sharing all that with you. I promise I will be back, I will work on a post (or two) a week for the next month or so. Please come back and see what I'll be sharing throughout the coming weeks, but for now twice a day everyday is on hiatus, at least until school is completely over. Have a great week and see you soon :)  

If you need a dose of Sit and Stay Awhile everyday,
 then make sure to follow here, here, and on snapchat: sitstayawhile. 

Always, Sarah

(1,2,3)

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

In the Kitchen

For Christmas, my parents gave me a nice set of pots and pans. I'm extremely proud of myself that I have been making dinner every night since then. When I started this blog, I was eating cup of noodle on the regular. My cooking skills were embarrassing, I ordered take out a lot or just popped whatever in the microwave and voila that was dinner. With a few desserts, soups and chicken recipes under my belt, I definitely feel more confident in the kitchen. Some times date nights are reserved for trying new dishes, prepping is team work and learning along side my guy makes for a fun night in. What are some of your favorite recipes? Do you cook dinner or go out more? Now that school is in the count down stage, I'm thinking cooking is a my new thing. I'm curious about trying so much, have any suggestions? Pleas share?

Monday, March 28, 2016

Weekend Wrap Up...

 saturday mornings are for yoga classes and 
serious grocery shopping...
 easter dinner with the family.
 beauty and the beast...
 an excellent and busy weekend. 
gallery art.

(images via instagram)

Sunday, March 27, 2016

Lessons We Learned From Mary Poppins



Five Lessons We Learned from Mary Poppins:
(and should not forget)

1. Strive to be practically perfect in every way. I'm not saying to be perfect but set the bar high for yourself and strive to meet your goals, both big and small.

2.  In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun.  Even if you absolutely love your job, there are going to be projects or tasks you don't enjoy. Change your perspective on whatever you are working on and make the job a little more fun. 

3. The importance of laughter. 

4. Use your imagination This one is really important especially for kids today. With so much information easily available, why bother?! 

5.You don't have to always explain yourself. Although a bold statement, you don’t have to explain all of your decisions and why you like certain things and dislike others. You get to be who you are without always explaining yourself.


(1,2,3)

Saturday, March 26, 2016

Saturday Happy

I started reading Traveler about a year ago while browsing through the travel and culture magazine section at Barnes and Noble. Up until then, National Geographic Traveler was at the top of my list. Now that I subscribe to the magazine, I'm just now learning they have a podcast!!! If you love all things travel and have a love for exploring new countries, Travelogue is a must for you. What is making you happy this week?! 

Friday, March 25, 2016

Friday Morning...


Cheers to the weekend everyone!!! I've been waiting for this particular evening for the past few weeks. My mom is treating me to the theater tonight, which is a nice distraction to the fact that I have a month left of school. Stress and anxiety have been lingering around for awhile, with so little time left and planning dates for a family grad party, I'm even more anxious and finding that I'm tired all the time. Nonetheless, I'm happy to spend some time with my mom because when it comes down to it when your stressed, not feeling so great or tired, you really just need your mom.   Since I have a busy weekend, I'll wish you all a Happy Easter :)




(image)

Thursday, March 24, 2016

Right Before Bed

Five Things I Do Right Before Bed: 

 Read (and not on a tablet). Whether it's a magazine, a children's book or a collection of short stories (I've been reading Sloane Crosley, Katharine Heiny, Amber Sparks and Lorrie Moore), I make sure to read right before going to sleep. It relaxes my mind and I usually fall asleep before the end of the chapter. 

I've been doing yoga on and off for ten years. And since I've been stressed and have had a hard time getting to sleep, ten to fifteen minutes of a nice Ashtanga Vinyasa (the first sequence shown, if you really want to know) sequence puts my body at ease. I get in bed, roll over and I'm out. 

Take deep breaths!! I read this article about the 4-7-8 Breathing Technique over a year ago, I swear by this mini breathing routine. It takes a few days for your body to get use to it but afterwards, you will fall asleep quickly and sleep soundly. 

Ted Talks. I've recently started listening to Ted Talks again. I downloaded the app, so it's easy to just open it up, find something I'm in the mood to learn about or need to get motivated and chill for second. The great thing, you don't have to watch it! If you want to close your eyes and listen, go right ahead.

The one thing I'm really looking forward to about school being over is disconnecting from my devices when I get home from work. I'm on the computer practically the entire day unless I'm in the stacks studying a collection. After three emails about a grade, my professor had to tell me to chill out and be patient. I've been coloring and sketching and it's really helped with my patience.

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

The Impeccable Style of Jenny Walton





From her taste in home decor and impeccable fashion style, Jenny Walton is the definition of classic. Known for her work with The Satorialist and Illustrations, her chic but modern style and hair always pulled back, her signature chandelier earrings, Jenny is the queen of dress. Achieving her effortless look, she mostly shops for vintage pieces and layers Zara and J. Crew to create that signature look of hers. She repeats often, sports that long Gucci skirt like nothing and has a serious love for big and chunky earrings. What is there not to love about her, follow here

(1,2,3,4,5)

Monday, March 21, 2016

Weekend Wrap Up...

 pink, gold and velvet pillows...
 planning story times for the next month :) 
 date night with zpizza...
 obsessed with these boots.
between school and sleep, I sketch. 

(images via instagram)

Sunday, March 20, 2016

A Spring Collection





Blush and chunky knits, open back dresses, striped tees, early mornings at the farmer's market, high waisted shorts and panama hats, freshly squeezed lemonade, washed out jeans, knotted shirts, flower picking, legs for days, denim jackets and bandanas, these are a few of my favorite spring things.

(images)

Friday, March 18, 2016

Friday Morning

Happy Almost Spring!!! I don't know about you but my week flew by. Between program planning, goodbye parties, school assignments being due, abnormally large story times and a few too many kids programs all crammed within a couple weeks, I'm zonked. My weekend includes starting a tea detox (more on this in the coming week), hanging new art, indulging in a few Irish recipes to celebrate St. Paddy's Day (I'm a little late but I did treat my story time kids with three leaf clovers and Irish Soda Brad the day of) and the usual, tending to school. What are you up too this weekend? Have an excellent one!!!



 

Thursday, March 17, 2016

Color More Often



I know many of the kids who come to my story times are between the ages of three to six and most of them are in preschool (keyword being preschool), it really frustrates me that whoever their preschool teachers are, are clearly not teaching their kids how to color. Whether it's the on the lap story time or the toddler story time, coloring is involved. Crayons, markers, colored pencils and painting are used every week. I know art is no longer an emphasis in school but kids really need to know how to hold whatever it is they are using. At five years old I was able to hold my crayon the proper way and color inside the lines, I'm positive my mother taught me how to color. Frustration put aside, I've been making more of an effort to teach my little kiddos how to hold crayons and color. And since I've been teaching the basic of art, I've gotten back into the habit of coloring as a way of destressing before going to sleep at night. How often are you coloring?!
 

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

My Beauty Uniform





Have you always worn makeup?
Honestly, I didn’t even take an interest until college. In high school I stuck to the basics, a little mascara, barely there blush and Vaseline for a glossy look. Fortunately, I have a fair complexion and mildly dry skin. With a little moisturizer, there was no need to wear makeup. And only when I started noticing my friends wear makeup did I take an interest, my mom was not thrilled but at least she introduced me brands that catered towards a natural look. To sum up my beauty routine with less than five brands, I’d say Benefit, Neutrogena, Philosophy and Kiehl's were favorites.  

Now that you’re into makeup, what products do you use every day?
When I first started wearing makeup in high school, it was a battle. I was fifteen and my mom didn’t allow it, so if I wanted something I would have to pay for it. Since Neutrogena was the only drugstore brand my skin would take (I’d break out or get a rash from everything else) and there was no Sephora around, Saks and Macy’s were my only options. I was already use to wearing expensive skincare and I didn’t want to risk a cheap makeup brand so my skin would have a weird reaction, I started with a lot of Benefit products. Over the years I’ve found that Philosophy’s Hope in a Jar is the best facial moisturizer and Lancome Facial Toner, the most refreshing toner.  I use Make Up Forever HD Microfinish concealer for a sleek dewy finish, Stila blush/bronzer duo and Clinique Everlasting Mascara.  

What about your lips?
I go between a nude to pink lip during the day, a plum lip for dates and a red lip for a bold or classy look.

What do you use to care for your hair? And how do you style it? 
I swear by Kiehl’s Amino Acid Shampoo. I rarely use products for my hair but I do love dry shampoo. I’m lucky I have thick and shiny hair (thanks to my mom), why mess with that! I also have a nice natural wave so I strut that often. 

Favorite Date Night: 
There's two in particular. Anytime a music artist my boyfriend and I like are touring through L.A. we always go see them. One weekend we saw one of his favorite artists and then met him after the show when he was packing up the band's equipment. I'm pretty sure my boyfriend was freaking out inside when he shook hands with Ben Sharp. It was a perfect sunny and breezy (and a few raindrops)  L.A. weekend, we spent the trip talking about the show, walking around L.A., watching the sunset and dining out at our favorite restaurant. 
 
When my sister and I moved to New York five years ago, we hit the ground running. Since it was only a temporary home for me, we packed as much as we could into our time living in the city together. It was literally our first weekend in Manhattan and since we didn’t have a lot of money, after a great comedy show we walked more than fifty blocks down 3rd Avenue. We ate pizza at midnight, laughed and marveled at the city that became home...at least for a little bit. 

Do you have any tricks for getting dressed up?
A simple dress, statement jewelry, a messy bun and a bold lip.

What is your signature scent:
Tender Touch by Burberry but of course it’s discontinued. If you find it let me know, asap!

How do you relax at the end of a long day?
Organizing (the librarian in me), bubble baths and wine.

Do you have any rituals that help you feel great?
I have never been an athletic person. When I started high school, my parents wanted me to be active (since my siblings were star players in basketball and softball) and since I grew up in the pool my dad suggested being a part of the swim team. I’ve been swimming laps on and off for over ten years, I’ve even considered teaching swimming lessons but I just can’t seem to find the time. There’s something so relaxing and eternally summer about hitting the pool.  

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

The Librarian Suggests

What I'm Reading: Collections of short stories and essays. I just recently finished, I Was Told There'd Be Cake by Sloane Crosley. This woman is a genius, maybe my favorite writer at the moment. It was fantastic, as soon as I put it down I ordered The Clasp  (which I cannot wait to get my hands on). I just started reading, Single, Carefree and Mellow by Katharine Heiny. I love everything about her characters. How this book found me I cannot remember, but I definitely picked it up at the right moment. It speaks to me on so many levels. Also 750 Years in Paris by Vincent Mahe is a beautifully illustrated account of one building's transformation from Medieval Paris to present. I read Make Good Art by Neil Gaiman in twenty minutes, buy it!!!! Do not borrow it or get it from the library, BUY IT!!!

What I'm Listening Too: Music or Podcasts first?! Well ok, since I cannot shut up about Pacific Northwest Stories, I hope you are already listening to The Black Tapes and Tanis. Tanis maybe better than The Black Tapes, which I listen to over and over. Mystery, conspiracy and history, what is there not to love!!! After six years, Corinne Bailey Rae has finally released her first single (Been to the Moon) from her new album, The Heart Speaks in Whispers. It comes out in May, so pre-order it now.

What I'm Watching: Lately, I have been tuning into Amazon's Original Shows like Mozart in the Jungle and The New Yorker Presents. Come Tuesday evening, I have to watch The New Yorker Presents before I get started on school related projects. (Other things I'm watching: The Nanny)

Monday, March 14, 2016

Weekend Wrap Up...

new ice cream joint, my new favorite hangout. 
 designing infographics for class projects and a 
clean organized desk.
 homework attire: no make up and cute sweatshirts.
 work space and windowsill gardens. 
pieces of home...

(images via instagram)

Quote of the Day

"And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places." 
-Roald Dahl

Sunday, March 13, 2016

this week's favorites...





In winter, the change in temperature and strong winds cause the frozen surface of this lake in Siberia to crack forming strange shapes of turquoise ice, its breathtakingly beautiful and somewhere I'd like to see firsthand. Lake Baikal is one of the largest and deepest lakes on Earth and holds 1/5 of the world's freshwater.

Leading Ladies

Five Things to Know About Bernadette Marie: 1. Trained and completed two degrees, an AAS in Communication Design and BFA in Textile S...