Friday, March 31, 2017

Friday Morning

Hey everyone, how are you?! If I could describe this week in one word, it would be obsessive. Tuesday was by far the best day of the week since it was the day that Serial Productions released their newest project, S-Town. A reporting endeavor that centers on one man and what exactly the point of the story is about; because there's a lot to take in in just seven episodes. The show was released in it's entirety which meant I binged the show in about two days. Believe me, I tried to justify a reason to take a day off just so I could listen to the whole thing in one sitting. I would love to hear your thoughts if you've finished the show. Find me here or here, so we can dissect every character and detail about the show. Oh, and about how interesting, John B. Mclemore really is. The librarian in me decided to start researching several things that are mentioned within the show. Without spoiling it, I'll leave it at that, but it has been an exhaustive week trying to find John's manifesto. And with a list consisting of four pages of tasks needing to get done this week, I've marked off nearly everything, so I've been in a pretty great mood. Before I decided to be crazy and host as many programs as we do for our families, I have had no time to research my collection. For almost the last month, I put everything aside so I could solely focus on certain areas of where we need to grow our collection. Needless to say, my current list for ordering material is over six hundred books. Have an excellent weekend!!!




Thursday, March 30, 2017

What I'm Wearing to Paris




I'm really into pleated skirts this season, so I plan on taking my two favorite skirts on my trip abroad and styling around them. Since I typically pack way more than I need, I'm sticking to the basics and focusing my outfits around a few pairs of jeans, (my favorite flats and heels) and my skirts. Oh and neutrals, which is really no surprise since I tend to wear a lot of black, grey, navy and pink. What are some of your tips when it comes to packing when traveling?

(1,2,3)

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

The Traveler's Book List

In the last five months I've been doing a lot reading for my upcoming trip. Now, I've spent the majority of my time reading books about French living, so now it's time to start reading up on Spain. I did just pick up The Angels Game (the audio-book) by Carlos Ruiz Zafan read by Dan Steven that I'm really excited to listen too, that should count for one! But in the meantime, here's what I've been reading if you want to follow along. 



Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Crostini Recipes

In an effort to eat healthier and a little more Mediterranean (and learning a few French recipes), I have been indulging in a lot of different crostini recipes, my current favorite being a Caprese like one,  which I eat in on the regular. I cam across this peach bruschetta recipe and it looks all sorts of delicious. 

Ingredients:
 For the goat cheese:
10 oz. goat cheese
2 oz. whipped cream cheese
salt and pepper

Bruschetta:
1 crunchy french baguette, sliced
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
2 peaches, sliced
1/2 cup fresh basil, roughly chopped.


Directions:
1. Crumble goat cheese into the bowl of a food processor and add cream cheese, salt and pepper. Pulse until everything has combined and you have a smooth, creamy cheese. Put whipped cheese in a airtight container and store in fridge until you're ready to use it.

Lay baguette slice in a single laye ron a large baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Bake at 375 degrees F for 5-8 minutes until bread is toasty and lightly browned.

Put balsmic vinegar in a small saucepan over medium heat and bring to a low simmer. Simmer for 5-7 minutes until vinegar has reduced to a thick syrupy consistency. Remove from heat and set aside.

To assemble, spread a spoonful of whipped goat cheese on each baguette slice, then add a small pinch of salt and fresh ground pepper to bring out the flavors.

Top cheese with one or two peach slices and a pinch of fresh basil. Drizzle a bit of ht balsamic reduction over the bruschetta and serve immediately.

Sunday, March 26, 2017

Poem of the Day

...Remember the old dogs
who fought so well:
Hemingway, Celine, Dostoevsky, Hamsun.
If you think they didn't go crazy in tiny rooms
Just like you're doing now
without women
without food
without hope
then you're not ready.

And I laughed out loud. Because it's always the way - when you're alone and feeling like could jump off the edge of the world, that's when they find you and tell you they all went through the same thing.
And it makes you feel special because you feel like of all the people in all the world, these yearsdead writers wrote whatever it was that made the blood run in your veins again, just for you. 
And you say their names out loud when you walk the city in the middle of the night, and you feel close to something timeless; you feel like someone just lay you down on your back and showed you the sky. 

-Kate Tempest

Saturday, March 25, 2017

Podcasts Recs





Billie Dove, Ida Lupino, Katharine Hepburn, Ava Gardner and Jane Russell, what do all these women have in common? One notorious womanizer, Howard Hughes. Listening to the most fascinating mini series on The Many Loves of Howard Hughes.

(1,2,3,4,5)

Friday, March 24, 2017

Friday Morning

Happy Friday!!! How was everyone's week? For the first time in months, I had an entire week to myself (besides the usual programming) and it was so nice to get a lot of work done without interruptions. I'm also over the moon that the temperature has dropped and I can now sleep under my sheets without sweating, seriously I don't need triple digits in March! And with my trip in less than a month, I'm getting a new hairdo because, well it was just time and I'm walking again so hopefully I will have shed a little bit of weight by then. Oh, and perhaps the best news besides putting all my energy into our local silent book club, my coworkers and I have a date tonight to start putting together our newest project. I'll keep you posted :)






Thursday, March 23, 2017

Top Five





Most all of high school and going into college, I stuck to wearing mostly Benefit products. And until my sister became my makeup guru, I only wore Dandelion, which if I'm being honest is still my favorite blush. My sister recently introduced me to Becca products a few months ago and I've been wearing this light pink shade which has a slight undertone of highlight in it and it is gorgeous. It goes  so naturally with my skin color. I recently ordered a few Canmake blushes, they're really fun and reasonably priced compared to the other four choices. 

(1,2,3,4,5)

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Morning Routines

When it comes to my morning routine, I'm not exactly thrilled to say it's a little chaotic. Lately, I find it hard getting out of bed. In fact I'm waking up only to have enough time to get ready for work, brush my teeth and head out the door. Translation: go to sleep earlier so you can wake up earlier. Are you an early bird or would you rather sleep in.

1. Actually make breakfast and sit at the kitchen table and eat. This pretty much only happens on weekends now.  Although, I set my alarm for six in the morning I actually get up closer to seven now, therefore I'm rushed for breakfast. Even if it's just yogurt or oatmeal give yourself fifteen or twenty minutes to sit down, eat your breakfast and read the paper or whatever book you're reading.

2. A little bit of movement. If you can get up early enough to add a walk or run to your morning routine, you are awesome. However if you only have a few minutes, add a little bit of stretching/yoga to your morning routine.

3. Clean up one area of your room before you leave for the day. If there is one thing I don't like, it's coming home to a mess or an unmade bed but sometimes it happens. So before you head out the door, clean up a corner that's been bothering you so you know you won't have to deal with it later. 

(image)

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

London: 3 Spots



 The first stop on the itinerary for our trip to Europe next month starts in London. My sister and I have a friend living and studying at a university in London, so we'll be staying and visiting with her for a few days and I'm determined to eat good food (my last trip abroad, I ended up losing weight mostly because I was eating at Americanized restaurants), especially loading up on pastries.  Since I mostly follow travel and traveler's instagram accounts, these are are few places on my radar. Don't worry I've provided a link to each of their pages so you can swoon over the gorgeous interiors as well. Have any other recommendations, they would be greatly appreciated.

Milk: A quaint but popular brunch place, it's famous for it's minimalist but chic style. I hear the pancakes are out of this world. Hello Belham...

Sketch: So I definitely saved these restaurants on my phone mostly because of the design. This place is entirely pink with some quirky looking bathrooms. An 18th century townhouse team room which turns into a cocktail lounge in the evening, now that's my kind of place. We will definitely be stopping in Wayfair to dine at Sketch. 

Aubaine: The first time I came across this restaurant on the gram it was because of the all white interior and hanging lavender. A stylish and French restaurant, I'll definitely be picking up some fresh baked bread and pastries. 



Monday, March 20, 2017

Weekend Wrap Up...

 a relaxing and cozy weekend.
 snacking lately consists of caprese like crostinis.
 this soundtrack on repeat literally all weekend.
 currently reading this beautifully illustrated book.
finally in bloom...

(images via instagram)

Sunday, March 19, 2017

Spring Casual Wear





My kind of casual wear includes long sweater like and loose fitting dresses. I'm not necessarily ready for warm weather quite yet but I'm totally into these weekend approved casual dresses. Can you believe it's already spring, this year is flying by. What are you looking forward to this season? 

Friday, March 17, 2017

Friday Morning


Seriously, how often do you need to have a sore throat in order to get your tonsils removed? This whole swollen throat, congestion problem and ears being plugged business is extremely draining, especially when you have a full plate at work. However, I'll be celebrating Beauty and the Beast literally all weekend long. I'm going to the movies with a group of people, probably watching the animated classic for the thousandth time and will be enjoying a few Belle approved reads like this classic, this new one and her own little library book. If I wasn't turning thirty this year, I probably would have showed up dressed up as Belle because I've been in love with her character and the story since I was like four or five.




Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Life, Lately

 Mostly because of Pinterest and fashion crush Jenny Walton, I am all about the pleated skirt look. And it just so happens that H&M has a gorgeous Paris pink midi one that I spotted earlier this week. What fashion trends are you into this season?

If you didn't know or notice, I've been a bando girl for a few years now and with the sidekick finally out, it's just one more purse for me to take on my trip abroad next month. Can you tell I hate pink this month?!

Snack breaks includes these new blueberry almond bites and lunch breaks are for small family owned Chinese restaurants where they know me by name. Which kind of reminds me when I lived at Six Happiness while living in Manhattan. And for all rose drinkers, you may want this stemless glass

Only five years late but I've finally gotten around the watching the web series, Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. If you're a fan of Seinfeld and pretty much nothingness, this show is for you. With episodes ranging from ten to fifteen minutes Seinfeld picks up famous comedians, old and new in a vintage ride and make conversation over a few cups of coffee.

There's a new podcast by the same people who produced The Black Tapes Podcast and Tanis, and it is awesome. I've been waiting for months for the return of my favorite shows and luckily this new podcast keeps me occupied until the release of the third season of Black Tapes. Until then, you have to listen too Rabbits, a new story about the gaming world. Get back to me when you've listened!!!

Over the last few years I've tried a couple different foundations, from Makeup Forever and Stila but I have to say my favorite is still Philosophy's Hope in a Jar. I've been wearing their products for years so reverting back to an old favorite was painless. I much prefer the light coverage to the heavy anyway. Also, this blush!!

With Beauty and the Beast coming out this weekend and being crazy excited, I couldn't help but pick this book up when I saw it at the bookstore last week.  



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Monday, March 13, 2017

Weekend Wrap Up...

 pink pleats for paris...
 in the mood for homemade chocolate mousse. 
 less time for being a workaholic, more time for
planning trips and traveling...
 when you find your favorite candy, stock up 
and stumble across must have rose glasses.
lots and lots of reading to do.

(images via instagram)

Sunday, March 12, 2017

Torch Singers

 The Man That Got Away - Judy Garland
 I Fall in Love Too Easily - Carmen McRae
 So Tired - Kay Starr
 Black Coffee - Sarah Vaughan
Cry Me A River - Julie London

Since March is the official month of celebrating women and the fact that I just listened to the most depressing but superbly done episode on the life of Judy Garland (via You Must Remember This), I went down a musical rabbit hole.  Not necessarily forgotten singers, but when was the last time you listened to any of these women? Check them out from the library or download a few songs from wherever you purchase music. Also, you should probably read about a few other forgotten torch singers.

Saturday, March 11, 2017

this week's favorites...



 

Illustrators you should start following on social media, but especially Mari Andrew.

(image)

Friday, March 10, 2017

Friday Morning...

Can you believe it's already the middle of March?! I seriously can't, when my boss and I started starting talking about summer activities, it registered that it's only a few months away. It's been a busy season on top of working on side projects and I'm a little tired, not quite burned out but I could seriously take a break. Did I mention, my trip is just a month away and I'm stoked to see college friends I haven't seen since college and fall in love with Paris, especially after I just read this. What are your plans for the weekend? Anything fun and exciting? I'll be sleeping and prepping for Monday's Silent Book Club meeting, oh yea and if you're free and find yourself in Palm Springs, stop by and say hi. I'll be the one with the book :)





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...