Beautiful Interiors

My love for design blogs waxes and wanes (mostly b/c the more I look, the more I want to redecorate, and that is baaaad), but when I stumbled across these images of the home of Jan Eleni on Holly's blog, I couldn't help but swoon.



I don't know why the pics are so small, but you can see bigger versions (and more!) here. I'm especially loving the daughter's room - twinkle lights on the ceiling and "Lola" spelled out behind the bed. And my fave? That heavenly white bed and the adjacent fireplace. *Sigh* One day...

{all images from decor8 / photographer Luc Roymans}

Good Karma Gift Swap

A few weeks ago, I signed for Kaileen's Good Karma Gift Swap. I *HEART* creating and sending packages, and I thought it'd be a great way to "meet" some new bloggers. I was so right!

First, the recipient of my goodie package was Jamie. I didn't know Jamie prior to this swap so I read through her blog archives (both of them - she's got 2 blogs), and I couldn't believe my luck. Not only is Jamie totally fabulous, she's also got an addiction to beauty products (particularly makeup!) on par with mine! Her beauty blog, Rural Glamour, is chock full of great reviews, tidbits, sale info, and more. I love it! Check out what I sent her here and also see her donning one of her goodies here. Gorgeous!

Now, the day after I saw that Jamie had received my package, I stopped by the leasing office after work and was handed a huge (and heavy!) pink box of sparkly goodness. Oh. My. I could hardly contain myself as I ripped open the packaging and dug for what seemed like hours, pulling out all kinds of goodness! Darling A from Immortal Birds' Memoirs totally and completely spoiled moi - just take a look!


She not only baked me cookies, she baked me TWO KINDS of cookies - one vegan (which I'm currently munching on) and one non-vegan! I couldn't believe it! Apparently in my survey I had mentioned that I was "considering veganism." Little did she know I made the leap only days before receiving these delicious cookies. AND - she included a recipe for a vegan fruit tart!


Her card was also super special - it was a "postcard" she literally made and it held all this fun sparkly confetti stuff. Um, I'm totally making one.



My absolute favorite part of the gift (and the reason it was so heavy) is that she made me my own lavender salt scrub. Um, yeah, you read that correctly. She MADE it for me, put it in a tub and slapped on these adorable handmade labels! I used it tonight in the bath, and ohhhmmyyyygoooshhhh, heavenly. Lots of yummy essential oils and uber moisturizing - my fave.



I can't even begin to tell you everything included in this package. Gorgeous papers, stickers, ribbons galore, vegan-friendly dark chocolates, an entire carton full of different teas... Oh and yarn! Maybe I mentioned that I had an upcoming knitting class? She's incredible! Merci x 100 to A for this ridiculously thoughtful and generous gift. You definitely have good karma coming your way. ;-)

La Jalousie

Raise your hand if you're a little jelly of someone right now. Come on, don't be shy! Can you honestly say you're not jealous of anyone? If you can, BRAVO to you! Come share your secrets! (Seriously!!!)

Jealousy is one of the hardest things I struggle with, and I believe many women to be in the same boat. So when I stumbled across this post by the beautiful Ashe Mischief, I was thrilled, relieved even, that someone as fabulous as she could experience those awful visits (or extended stays) from the green-eyed monster. And she brings up a good point - the internet has made it super easy for us to feel even more insecure. As often as I am inspired, I am probably equally as often discouraged. Well, I'm not doing that with my life. Or that. And I wasn't invited to that event, and nobody has paid me to do that.

But the reality is that very few people (except for me, HA) wish to showcase the not-so-shiny parts of their lives. That's not the point! I mean, just look at facebook. Facebook is a game - who can make their lives seem the most appealing to the most number of people? (For the record, I hate facebook.)

So, I've learned that you can't judge someone's life based on their blog or their facebook or their whatever. Everyone's got problems, and everyone gets a little jelly sometimes. C'est la vie. C'est naturelle. It's how you handle that jealousy that differentiates you from everyone else. Ashe Mischef takes that jealousy and spins it for the good. I think I might just do the same.

Also? Chances are someone somewhere is jealous of you and your life. Wha?? The first time I heard of anyone being jealous of me, I couldn't believe it. WHY? Why would you want my life when you have yours? Um, exactly. Jealousy is often a two-way street, and once you realize it, it becomes easier to digest and live with. One of my best friends from law school is a gorgeous, slim, tall, stunning woman. On top of that, she made excellent grades and comes from a wealthy family. Going shopping with her could be so depressing at times b/c in my opinion, everything looked good on her, and everything was within her monetary reach. And here I was, the frumpy, chubby sidekick who couldn't feel worse about herself. Pity party for 1, s'il vous plait.

And then, one day, I decided to bring it up. I said, "Pony (our nickname for each other), love. I'm jealous of you. It's hard for me to go shopping with you. I feel ugly and fat and poor." And you know what she said? "WHAT? I'm jealous of YOU! You're so trendy and fabulous and everyone loves you." Threw me for a WHIRLWIND my friends, I had no idea what I was hearing. But you know what? It made me feel better. It made me feel better because: (1) I was reminded yet again of why Pony was/is my best friend - because she always sees the best in me and loves me and makes me feel beautiful and wanted; and (2) Even the girls who seem like they have everything feel like they are missing something. Which brings me to my favorite quote:

"To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable

part of happiness."

- Bertrand Russell

Clogs: Yay or Nay?

I'm no slave to trends, but when I like them, I run away with them (much to the dismay of my mother)! One recent trend spotted on the Chanel runway? CLOGS! Big chunky wooden studded clogs. Naturally, I love them, but I have a feeling most people wouldn't. Whatdoyathink?

{image: style.com}

If I run with this one, I'd definitely go with the Jeffrey Campbell version, as they are much more affordable, although not affordable enough in my opinion.

{image: freepeople.com}

Eating Animals: A New Blog

So, I decided to start a new blog to chronicle my "vegan adventure." Why? Because I know a lot of you don't care and/or don't want to hear about it, and I completely understand. I have and will have a LOT to say about this whole vegan thang, and I don't want to overrun Hang On Little Tomato with all of that. SO, if you're interested in reading about what I'm eating, and especially if you have awesome answers and feedback to the MANY questions I will inevitably pose to my dear readers, please head on over to vegan tomato. :)

Le Weekend!

Bonjour, guys and dolls! How is your Friday going? Mine has been FANTASTIC despite the surprisingly cloudy/misty weather (it's been gorgeous - 60's and sunny - my fave!). I'm meeting up with mes amies from NYC for lunch, and I can't wait! Last night I busted out my Fuji Instax at dinner, and they were tres impressed. ;) Oh how I wish the city were closer!!

As for le weekend, it's filling up pretty quickly. Here's what I have planned:

- getting dolled up for a fun dinner tonight with my boys @ 34th Street Cafe, followed by drinks here with two fabulous & tremendously succesful women

- YOGA in some shape, size or form! it's been way, WAY too long

- reading this and planning next week's menu

- listening to this mix

- quality time with my Matty

- SLEEP

What're y'all up to this weekend?

P.S. I realize all my vegan-y posts and tweets might be annoying to some of you, and for that, I apologize. I will be sure to include lots of fun and non-food related posts! Promise!

{image spotted at gala darling}

February Playlist

One of the best gifts a friend can give me is a mixed CD (if that friend has good taste in music, that is). I love making mixed CD's for my friends, and I especially love tailoring it to their individual personalities. Two of my dearest friends from law school are in town this weekend from NYC, and I whipped up this February Mix for their listening pleasure.

1. Tik Tok by Ke$ha - She may prance around New York Fashion Week sans pants, and you may not be the biggest fan of her glitterific makeup, but she sure knows how to deliver pop music. Upbeat and cheerful, this song is best listened to in the car, with windows down, and with your best girlfriend (or gay boyfriend) bopping along in the passenger seat.

2. The Party by St. Vincent - One of my faves by St. Vincent (aka Annie Erin Clark). Her voice is addictive AND she toured with Sufjan Stevens, which makes her extra cool.

3. Horchata by Vampire Weekend - I'm new to Vampire Weekend, but I am seriously digging them. I have fond memories of the first time I heard this song because I was in the middle of kicking my friend's ass at Scrabble during my trip to D.C.

4. These Friends of Mine by Rosie Thomas - My favorite thing about this song is how it begins.

5. Set the Fire to the Third Bar by Snow Patrol feat. Martha Wainwright - You may recognize this song from the Dear John preview, but I swear I had it before it came out! (Btw, if you're new to Snow Patrol, download "Run" ASAP.)

6. Need You Now by Lady Antebellum - The lyrics are pretty awful, but I still dig this tune and can't help but sing along. (Plus, let's be honest, we've all been there.)

7. Roslyn by Bon Iver & St. Vincent - Yes, this is from the New Moon soundtrack. Yes, it's still a really really good song despite that fact.

8. Possibility by Lykke Li - Yes, this is ALSO from the New Moon soundtrack.

9. Hallelujah (feat. Charlie Sexton) by Justin Timberlake & Matt Morrisson - Um... gorgeous/will-bring-you-to-tears/who-is-this-Matt-Morrisson-guy-cause-he's-got-an-AMAZING-voice kind of good.

10. Jackson by Hem - One of the most incredible covers I've ever heard.

11. Safe and Sound by Azure Ray - FAVORITE NEW BAND!! Can't stop listening to this album (the "Azure Ray" one). Sweet and melancholy and perfect. "Love is how it's lost not how it's found." LOVE IT.

12. Dream by Priscilla Ahn - The first time I heard this song was when I watched this video. Um... I want to be her. Just a little bit.

13. We Are the World 25 for Haiti by Artists for Haiti - Yeah yeah I know it's nothing compared to the original, and I know the rap is questionable, but I still get all warm and fuzzy when I hear it, AND it's for a good cause.

Happy listening!