Painted Pink Roses

#44: Cooking Up A Storm

2012-02-13T20:14:00.000-08:00

Because of last night's late night basketball game, we weren't able to cook our dinners for the week like we usually do. Tonight after the gym, we got to work on a really yummy looking stir fry that I found on Pinterest. It was delicious....I'm going to give it two thumbs up.

I have found so many good recipes on Pinterest lately. And, believe it or not, quite a few of them are healthy. Mmmm....

Source: sketch-freeveganeating.blogspot.com via Crystel on Pinterest

This is what we ate last week. It was also really good, although we might have added a little too much ginger.

Source: cookincanuck.com via Crystel on Pinterest

This meal is also on this week's dinner menu. We'll likely be making it on Wednesday.

Source: ecurry.com via Crystel on Pinterest

This is another meal on my radar. I wanted to make it last week, but Whole Foods hid the brussel sprouts from me. I found them this week, so we might try this one next week. I've never been a fan of brussel sprouts, but I'm willing to give them another chance.

Source: wholeliving.com via Crystel on Pinterest

Don't get me started on the not-so-healthy Pinterest recipes. I have quite a few of them saved as well. :)

#43: Tams

2012-02-12T22:15:00.000-08:00

No, we didn't get to the game early enough to score free Memphis Tams hats, but we did enjoy plenty of '70s throwback music and entertainment. Here is a guy dressed as Elvis dunking...

And here are the Grizzlies warming up in their lovely Tams uniforms. Yes, they are green and yellow, and yes, the hats have pom-poms on top. It's funny seeing a bunch of American men wearing Scottish hats.

The Grizz lost. I've decided the Tams uniforms are bad luck since they've lost both times they've worn them.

#42: Cottage Clean Up

2012-02-12T00:36:00.000-08:00

In March, we'll have lived here for four years. To mark this big anniversary, we've made a list of things we'd like to do to make our house look better. Since our home is 62 years old, there are quite a few things on this list. I'm sure we won't do half of them, but I'm glad we took the time to create our wish list and do a few of the easiest jobs. Jonathan fixed the screen door so it will close by itself, and he replaced the toilet seat (a really trivial thing, but it looks so much nicer than the old one). We also plugged one of our lamps into the outlet in our living room that is connected to a wall switch (we don't have any overhead lighting in the living room). I'm not sure why it took four years to do this, but it's so nice to be able to turn on a living room light before you walk into the room. Hey, it's the little things.

Other good things from today:

1. Homemade waffles

2. Snow flurries!

3. Perhaps the best workout of the year

#41: Breadmaker

2012-02-10T22:55:00.000-08:00

If you don't have one, stop by Williams-Sonoma's Outlet in East Memphis and buy yourself a Valentine's present. Fresh bread is so much better than the store-bought kind, and it's cheaper too. The only downside is that you have to plan ahead...we ate pizza at 9 tonight because the dough took an hour and a half to rise (most bread takes even longer). Still, it was well worth the wait.

It's a pretty affordable gift too...only $80!

#40: Friends and a Clean House

2012-02-09T21:13:00.000-08:00

Today one of my closest friends came back to work after two months of maternity leave. It was great to see her and catch up on all the silly stuff that keeps us giggling like school girls. I'm so lucky to have a great group of friends I work with every day.

We also cleaned the house tonight, which means no cleaning this weekend. Instead we're going to start some spring home projects....YES!

#39: Beach Pictures

2012-02-08T20:49:00.000-08:00

When you can't get to your favorite place, you have to be content with pictures... And Eli posing with Mickey and Minnie in Ole Miss uniforms. Nice.

#38: California Palm Tree

2012-02-07T20:12:00.000-08:00

It's not a secret that California is always on my mind and in my heart. Today those feelings were stronger than usual, as I received some depressing news. My palm tree is gone. I don't know why I am so crushed by this, but I am. I'm so glad I took a million photos of the same old tree. It grew from a seed to become a beautiful swaying giant in my grandma's backyard. Now, like so many things, it's just another beautiful memory.

After it's quarterly trim.

My mom taking a photo of it on one of our last trips.

Majestic.

Towering over the rest of the world, just like me.

From our last photo shoot.

I'll miss you, old friend.

#37: Mondays

2012-02-06T20:33:00.000-08:00

Call it a case of the Mondays, but I don't have much to share today. Instead of making something up, I decided to select a few of my favorite spring looks from Pinterest. That makes perfect sense, since it actually felt like winter today...Hey, I never said my timing was my strong point.

Source: southernpiphi.tumblr.com via Crystel on Pinterest

Source: vanessajackman.blogspot.com via Crystel on Pinterest

Source: m.anthropologie.com via Crystel on Pinterest

Source: stylemepretty.com via Crystel on Pinterest

Source: bourbonandpearls.tumblr.com via Crystel on Pinterest

Source: youaremyfave.com via Crystel on Pinterest

Source: everythingfab.com via Crystel on Pinterest

Classic cuts, stripes, neutrals with pops of color, a big clutch, caramel-colored shoes and messy hair. Let the spring shopping begin.

#36: Giants Go All The Way

2012-02-05T19:45:00.000-08:00

The Giants did it again, thanks to their Super Bowl MVP Eli. He was humble as always, even though he beat the Pats (again) in Indianapolis, Peyton's stomping grounds. He now has two Super Bowl rings in four years. Yay.

Congratulations to the Giants and superstar Eli!

The vegan stuffed mushrooms and facon-wrapped jalapenos were delicious. We'll definitely be making them again soon. Facon is darn good, especially when matched with jalapeños, Tofutti, Daiya and onions! Yum.

Great game, great food, but the one down side? No cable so we won't hear Boomer say GGGGMEN tomorrow. :(

#35: Lazy

2012-02-04T22:26:00.000-08:00

A steady drizzle meant we finally got the lazy Saturday we needed. We slept late, ate homemade waffles, went to the gym and Whole Foods, made hummus and then sat around on the couch for the rest of the day. We watched silly movies (Space Jam and Transformers)....that's how lazy we were -- we didn't even bother finding anything better to watch.

We can't be so lazy tomorrow....I have several recipes to make for the big game:

Source: cocodot.com via Crystel on Pinterest

Source: blogchef.net via Crystel on Pinterest

Source: annies-eats.com via Crystel on Pinterest

Plus this cheese sauce and some vegan hot wings...and don't worry, the above recipes will be veganized as well. I currently have two different kinds of "facon" in the refrigerator.

Go Giants!

#34: Pinterest

2012-02-04T00:40:00.000-08:00

Some days just don't work the way we plan. On those days we focus on small things like Pinterest pretties and a trip to the Petco for some toys and treats for Ollie and Porter. Regular Pinterest posts would actually be quite fun, I think. There are so many good things to share, and when you embed pins to Blogger, you get to revisit some of the best. Here are some of my favorite gallery walls. I'm hoping to create a gallery wall or two in our living room this spring.

Source: thehousethatlarsbuilt.blogspot.com via Crystel on Pinterest

Source: pleasesirblog.blogspot.com via Crystel on Pinterest

Source: forevercottage.blogspot.com via Crystel on Pinterest

Source: designismine.blogspot.com via Crystel on Pinterest

Source: citified.blogspot.com via Crystel on Pinterest

Source: littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com via Crystel on Pinterest

Source: transitoinicial.blogspot.com via Crystel on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Crystel on Pinterest

Source: retroscan.blogspot.com via Crystel on Pinterest

#33: Tony Allen

2012-02-02T21:32:00.000-08:00

I know, I know...my posts are always about the Grizzlies, but tonight they beat a 16-6 Atlanta team on the road. They hadn't beaten Atlanta since 2005, and they beat them by 19 points. These back-to-back wins are huge because tomorrow they'll play the team with the best record, the Oklahoma Thunder...the same team that narrowly beat them earlier this year and beat them in a best of seven series in the playoffs last year. It should be a good game, as the rivalry between the teams continues to grow. But this post isn't about the Grizzlies, its about Tony Allen. This guy is so incredibly inspiring. He is likely the hardest working guy on the floor (which is saying a lot when you consider how hard this team works), and when he makes a mistake, he doesn't quit. Instead, he's right back at it, making huge plays and helping his team mates. I wasn't a basketball fan before this year, but this guy makes you want to stand up and cheer for him. I have been cheering for him...LOUDLY and with purpose. I want a Tony Allen t-shirt or something. Seriously.

Also, on a side note, his Twitter posts are freaking hilarious. He has the weirdest punctuation in the world, and 90 percent of the time he doesn't make any sense, but it works. You have to like this guy. He's just that kind of person. He might be completely insane, but he's got some serious heart.

Or as we say in Memphis...serious grit.

#32: Running

2012-02-01T19:18:00.000-08:00

I don't like to run on our first gym night of the week, but tonight I decided to give it a shot. It was the first workout of the week after all (thanks to some technical difficulties on Monday), and the gym wasn't too crowded thanks to the storm that arrived just as I was leaving work (isn't that always the way?).

It wasn't a great run, but I did complete a mile without walking. I'm trying to build up to three miles again, but I can tell it's going to take me a while. I'm okay with that, as long as I continue to see improvement.

Thanks to our late gym start this week, we're trying to work out five days straight. I doubt I'll be running again for a while. I will be trying some of the new exercises I've found on Pinterest. Hopefully I won't be too sore from them!

#31: Grinding with the Grizzlies

2012-01-31T20:37:00.001-08:00

Perfect weather again today (70 degrees) and a big, BIG win for the Grizz tonight -- 100-97 in OT. It was an ugly game, but the come-from-behind win had so much heart behind it that we're all smiles around here. And, if that wasn't enough, Jonathan bought a Z-Bo headband. #TimetoGrind

Tomorrow marks month no. two of my daily blog posts. I'm doing it -- I'm really, really doing it!

#30: Spring-like

2012-01-30T19:18:00.001-08:00

Okay, so technically today wasn't such a great day. Even the Grizzlies (especially Rudy Gay who actually tried to get himself ejected from the game) would agree....today stunk.

The best part of today was the perfect, spring-like weather in January. Sunny and high '60s, it felt more like April than January. It made me wish I could plant my zinnias and prune my roses, but sadly, I won't be able to do that for a few more months.

I am so grateful for this weather, because I desperately needed some sunshine on my cloudy day. Here's hoping tomorrow is better for me and the Grizzlies.

#29: Weekend with Eliza

2012-01-29T19:46:00.000-08:00

1. My purple "Justin Bieber" nails, painted by Eliza

2. Ollie before the three of us (me, Ollie and Eliza) went to "Florida" for the afternoon. We packed our suitcases, got on an "airplane" and visited Disney princesses.

3. Jonathan and Eliza celebrating her sixth birthday at the local Mexican restaurant.

4. Jonathan and Anthony returning home after driving the Beetle around the block.

#28: Hanging with Eliza

2012-01-28T22:39:00.000-08:00

Today we spent the afternoon with our niece, Eliza. She's six and so much fun. We colored, put stickers in a sticker book, dressed paper dolls and read together. She also painted my nails purple. She's so smart and wants to learn about everything. She almost makes me want to be a mom. Maybe someday. :)

#27: Friday Night Pizza

2012-01-28T01:34:00.000-08:00

What's better than homemade pizza on a Friday night? Homemade pizza with dough kneaded by our fabulous bread maker and topped with veggie cheese, of course!

#26: The Club

2012-01-26T22:10:00.000-08:00

Tonight we saw The Club at TheatreWorks. Sometimes a little Thursday night date is just what you need to get the weekend started right...besides the play, additional highlights include candy cigarettes, mood lighting, wine and a post-play basketball game with the Grizzlies in LA.

#25: Oliver, Baby Slippers and Bing

2012-01-25T20:29:00.000-08:00

It's hard for me to remember life without this cat. He came into my life as a tiny, two-month-old kitten in April 2003, just as my life was starting to change forever, and he's been there for me ever since. On her deathbed, my grandma described Oliver, the cat she never lived to meet in person, as a lap cat. He was only a few months old and hadn't fully developed his personality yet, but she knew. He is the sweetest, most loving lap cat you'll ever meet.

It sounds silly to ramble on about a cat, but he curls up on my lap or sits on my chest when I need to be comforted, he sleeps on my feet every night and he is right beside me every time I turn around. He looks at me like he knows what's on my mind, and he tries to do his best to make things better.

He's turning nine this year, and I pray he has many, many years ahead of him. He's such an important part of my life, and I love him so much. Here's Oliver checking out a piece of avocado that jumped off the cutting board. His favorite foods are chips, crackers, tofutti, tuna, biscuit crumbs and cat food. He has also been known to steal lettuce off an abandoned plate. Now changing subjects...

I had to share a photo of these adorable newborn slippers I bought for our neighbor's new daughter. Aren't they the cutest thing ever? ADORABLE!

Changing subjects again, we've been listening to lots of old standards lately -- Frank Sinatra, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Dean Martin, Billy Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole and Bing Crosby. To my great surprise, Bing's CD includes White Christmas. It's only mid January, and I'm already enjoying it again. The other songs are really good too. Standards feel classy, they make us happy and they're unbelievably calming.

#24: Getting with it

2012-01-24T19:38:00.000-08:00

Today I went to the doctor and had the misfortune of stepping on the scale. Oy. A scale will always bring you back to reality in a hurry. Despite four gym visits a week and making what I consider to be healthy choices 95 percent of the time, I'm still far from where I want to be. I think back to 2007, when I first set foot in the gym. Back then, I didn't have to work out, but now it is a requirement. Not that I mind, but it's still pretty annoying to try so hard and not see the results I want. I know I can try harder -- change things up, eat even healthier things, stop reading while I exercise -- but I also want to enjoy life.

What are you doing to make yourself healthier in 2012?

#23: Four Years

2012-01-23T21:05:00.000-08:00

Today marks four years at my current job. I have been there as long as I was in high school or college and twice as long as I was at my previous job. It's a little overwhelming to think how much this job has completely changed my life. It has allowed me to meet so many wonderful people, and I have learned so much about myself -- what I love, what I hate, what matters and what isn't important at all. It has inspired me, and it has exhausted me. Still, I have never been bored, and I rarely wish my days away. Habitat came into my life when I so desperately needed purpose, and it has given me that and so much more. The years, which I have captured with my camera and see on an almost daily basis, have flown by. Now as I mark yet another anniversary, I wonder what comes next. While the future is always uncertain, I know I will always be grateful for my Habitat world. I am forever changed by it.

#22: Giants Win

2012-01-22T21:38:00.001-08:00

So proud of Eli and the Giants...they are going back to the Super Bowl to play the Patriots on Peyton's home turf....how fun is that?

I'm also proud of the other former Rebels who played so well today...Michael Oher, Patrick Willis and Ben Jarvis Green-Ellis all started and made huge plays.

In the middle of the football antics we were experiencing very severe weather. It was 72 with very high humidity, and for a few moments, I thought Shelby County was going to see a tornado or two. Luckily it was a false alarm, but we were all pretty nervous for a while.

Tornados in January....

#21: Dresses and Basketball

2012-01-21T20:11:00.000-08:00

My mom, sister and I went wedding dress shopping today, and Lauren found "the dress." We weren't so sure our trip would be successful at first, but when you know, you know...and the one she picked is totally her. Just like I was, she knows exactly what she wants, and she is clearly going to be the bride and the wedding planner, all at the same time. Maybe we're just control freaks, but I think we just know what we want and how to get it. :)

I also found a dress...my first bridesmaid's dress since I was a flower girl in England. It's sixties inspired. Is anyone surprised? Now we're just trying to decide on the color...

No worry, this is not the dress. I wasn't supposed to be taking pictures, but I had to snap one. I'm a photographer!

After dress shopping, we headed back to Memphis, and I joined Jonathan, his brother and his brother's girlfriend for dinner and a Grizzlies game. We had FedEx seats on the 10th row, so my sister and her fiancé were able to use our tickets. Grizz fun for the entire family!

The view sure is different from these seats....

#20: Resolution

2012-01-20T23:35:00.000-08:00

One of the year's resolutions: Be hard to offend. Thanks to a dear friend for always making me see the best in people. It is true that most people are truly good at heart, but sometimes it's easy to forget. This year I will try not to let things get to me. This resolution might take a few years to master...

#19: Rings

2012-01-19T21:15:00.000-08:00

I picked up our freshly polished rings today during my lunch hour. They look brand new, and I am reminded of five years ago tomorrow when Jonathan asked me the most important question of all.

Five years. It feels like yesterday. We haven't changed much, have we?

There is never a day that goes by that I don't count my lucky stars that Jonathan and I found each other so early in life. I feel so blessed to have such a loving husband. Sharing each day with him is a gift. He has brought tremendous joy into my life.

Yesterday I was working on our website at work, and I had to upload his photo to our Heroes page (yep, he's a volunteer superstar among his many talents). Seeing that face makes me smile every time. I love him so much.

#18: Gym Time

2012-01-18T20:06:00.000-08:00

I'm proud to say that I've already hit my gym quota for the week. I have worked out every day this week because I know there's a good chance I won't be able to get back to the gym until Saturday or Sunday. It would have been very easy to skip a night or two because I'm a little sore. Instead I fought through it, and I feel better! Exercise has never been fun for me, but as I'm getting older, I find it to be great for stress relief.

Exercise is also addictive. Try working out four days in a row and see if you don't want to work out on the fifth day. Amazing!

#17: For the love of food

2012-01-17T20:16:00.000-08:00

I like food. A lot. Because I like food so much, I have to exercise. A lot. I'm also vegan, so that helps keep me on the healthy side. When you don't eat meat, cheese, eggs and milk, you cut out a lot of calories. Despite my diet restrictions, I'm always on the hunt for good recipes, and Pinterest is the best place to find them! Here are just a few yummy recipes I have "pinned" recently. If you aren't on Pinterest, let me know, and I'll send you an invite. It's chock full of inspiration. Also, just so you know, I will be veganizing all of these recipes. Stay tuned for that. :)

Source: whatmegansmaking.com via Crystel on Pinterest

Source: pinchofyum.com via Crystel on Pinterest

Source: cookincanuck.com via Crystel on Pinterest

Source: ohsheglows.com via Crystel on Pinterest

Source: kblog.lunchboxbunch.com via Crystel on Pinterest

Source: ecurry.com via Crystel on Pinterest

Source: thevanillatulip.blogspot.com via Crystel on Pinterest

Source: petitekitchenesse.com via Crystel on Pinterest

Source: yourcupofcake.com via Crystel on Pinterest

Source: sweetlifebake.com via Crystel on Pinterest

Source: kevinandamanda.com via Crystel on Pinterest

Source: pizzazzerie.com via Crystel on Pinterest

#16: Break

2012-01-16T20:46:00.000-08:00

I was off today, as our office was closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. Most of the day was spent catching up on chores, but I did take some time to enjoy just being home. I had the windows open, and Ollie, Porter and I celebrated the perfect mid-60s weather together. Porter scored two walks, and Ollie sat in the window for half of the day and on the freshly washed comforter the other half of the day. It's the little things that make our pets happy.

#15: Gentlemen Style, Bringing Breakfast and Eli Wins

2012-01-15T22:20:00.001-08:00

Today's pic wasn't taken today, but I stumbled across it as I looked for a photo of the muffins we took to Sunday School this morning, and I decided it represented this weekend better than any food picture. Dr. King is always on the hearts and minds of the people of Memphis, and as we celebrate his birthday, we remember all the good things he did in his short life. I always wonder life would have been like if he had lived -- how would our world have been different? It's a hard question to ponder.

Today's good things:

1. Jonathan found three sport coats worthy of a gentlemen on sale

2. We took our rings in to be cleaned and polished and remembered five years ago this weekend when we went shopping for our most important purchase. He proposed to me one week later.

3. Breakfast was a hit, thanks to the Bottle Tree Bakery's muffin recipe.

4. The NY Giants won, beating the Green Bay Packers in a big way. Now they're off to the NFC Championship game where they are playing the San Francisco 49ers. Another fun fact: all four remaining teams have a Rebel player on them. For this I am very proud. We may not be great, but our alums are!

#14: Estate Sales and Vintage Finds

2012-01-14T20:23:00.000-08:00

Today Jonathan and I hit up three estate sales, the Antique Warehouse and a couple of thrift stores. We found lots of goodies....

Jonathan also found some records and CDs, so don't feel sorry for him. :)

Then we had appetizers at The Majestic Grill (neat place, but the jury is still out on the food), and watched the Grizzlies beat the New Orleans Hornets. Now we're off to bake muffins for our Sunday School class...

#13: Where the Heart Is

2012-01-13T22:21:00.000-08:00

Tonight Jonathan and I watched the Pearl Jam Twenty documentary. Before Eddie Vedder joined the band, it showed some footage of him surfing along the California coast. It was PV, where my family made their home when they moved in California in the early '60s. It's funny, because I never lived there or stayed there for more than a few hours, but it has a deep place in my heart. I actually made the top picture the desktop wallpaper for my laptop last night...It is never far from my thoughts. What makes a place home? I have so many places I carry with me in my heart. I guess that's what happens when you have family and roots all over the world.

While I will never live there, I will always go back to this place again and again. My heart is there.

#12: Cold

2012-01-12T20:08:00.000-08:00

It felt like winter today with high winds and even a few snow flurries. Thanks to my temporary office relocation, I have an office with windows (yay) and was able to watch the snow fall while I worked on Habitat's 400th house logo and t-shirt design.

For a few moments, the flakes were falling pretty quickly....

It is so nice to have natural light while I'm working, even when it's overcast. I'm going to miss it...

My dream office will have windows that open....maybe one day!

#11: Wishing for Snow

2012-01-11T20:09:00.000-08:00

There's a chance of snow in the morning, but it's a slight chance with little to no accumulation. So that brings up this question...where is winter, and where is the snow? This was the scene on Jan. 10, 2011.... I miss the white stuff...

#10: Grizz vs. OKC

2012-01-10T20:11:00.000-08:00

It was a big time tonight as the Grizz played the Oklahoma City Thunder, the same team that defeated them in seven games in the playoffs. It was super close, with the Grizzlies leading the majority of the first half, and then with the Grizzlies down only a couple of points in the second half. Sadly, they did lose by five points, but they put up a great fight. I'm actually excited about Saturday night's game. That's saying a lot -- usually one game per week would be plenty of basketball for me.

#9: All SEC

2012-01-09T21:41:00.000-08:00

It was not the most exciting BCS National Championship, but it was pretty exciting to have two SEC teams in the big game. I also really liked the SEC commercial that highlighted our six consecutive national titles. This is history, folks. I am proud to be part of the SEC even if Ole Miss totally stinks at sports these days.

I'm also grateful for good food (homemade vegan pizza, and we made our first pizza dough in our bread maker) and our pets who enjoyed the game with us.

#8: The Little Things

2012-01-08T20:46:00.000-08:00

Some days, it's the little things that make a big difference...going to church, eating a giant veggie burger from Huey's, getting in a good workout, walking Porter, sharing some tender kisses and hugs with my sweet husband, enjoying a glass of wine while cooking veggies and tempeh for work-week lunches, texting with my sister about bridesmaid dresses, savoring dinner by candlelight and listening to John Coltrane and Miles Davis on the couch.

Now if I could just remember to photograph these moments...I will do better soon.

#7: A Clean Jeep and Sushi

2012-01-07T22:38:00.001-08:00

No pictures (must do better), especially since I have a spotless Jeep that is totally photo-worthy.

Today Jonathan spent several hours washing and waxing the Jeep. He even used rubbing compound on the headlights. They look brand new. Water spots from the sprinklers at our apartment complex (where we lived in 2006-2007) are gone. The interior literally sparkles, and it smells fresh too. Have I mentioned that my husband is a champion car washer? When he pulls out the bucket and water hose, he means business, but the results are amazing. It looks like it did when it only had 300 miles on it. Poor Jeepie is 10 this year, so she was definitely due for a face lift. :)

This evening we enjoyed sushi at Sekisui, one of our local favorites, with some friends. Good food and good conversation were much needed, and we had a great time. If you find yourself at Sekisui Midtown, check out the Project Green Fork and Qualls (created by actor DJ Qualls when he was in Memphis to film a movie) rolls. Yum, yum, yum!

#6: Sunny Spring Day

2012-01-06T23:06:00.001-08:00

It may be early January, but today it felt like late April -- it was 68 degrees and sunny, the perfect spring day. But wait, it's winter, right?

The top photo was taken Jan. 10, 2011. What a difference a year makes. Don't get me wrong -- as much as I like spring weather in January, I also enjoy a real winter. I love snow and snow days, and I hope we get both this year. But, in the meantime, I'm going to enjoy the spring weather.

Porter and Jonathan spent much of the evening outside while Jonathan worked on his truck, and when I got home from work at 8:30, Ollie and I sat outside with them for a few minutes. It wasn't cold, just breezy and very California-like. That was nice considering I've been wanting to plan a trip there lately. I also want to make it to Savannah, Ga. this year. We watched Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil tonight, and it always makes me want to go back for another visit (that's where we honeymooned). It's such neat place.

#5: Kate, Seaweed and Over the Rainbow

2012-01-05T20:06:00.000-08:00

One of my absolute favorite antique stores in Memphis is Toad Hall in Midtown. Inside the building, which was a grocery store in the early 1900s, are tons of great vendors. Of all those vendors, my favorite has always been Kate and Elise. I have mentioned them on the blog before, way back in the day, because I always found such great (and reasonably priced) stuff in their cleverly curated space. Anyway, Kate's daughter is connected to Habitat, and their family attended our big fundraiser back in November. Today Kate called asking about the band that played our event, and we had a great talk. I told her I was a huge fan of her shop, and she spilled some of her treasure-hunting secrets with me, which totally made my day. She also told me she loved our event, which is always nice to hear! The above photos highlight just a few of the goodies I've scored from Kate and Elise (the linens and the pillow).

Now to the seaweed! Yesterday while Jonathan and I were at Costco, Jonathan spotted big boxes of individually packaged toasted seaweed. It was only $9 a box, so we decided to buy it to use for sushi. Turns out, this seaweed is not only individually packaged, but it is cut into bite-sized pieces for snacking! It sounds weird, but we tried it tonight and loved it. Seaweed is really, really good for you too, so it's a snack you don't have to feel guilty about. I'm definitely going to freak my coworkers out with this one!

Finally, I heard this as I was walking into the gym tonight. It reminds me of my grandma and always lifts my spirits.

#4: Setting the Date

2012-01-04T19:29:00.000-08:00

My little sister marrying her college sweetheart. They were engaged the week before Christmas, but today they chose a date (April 6, 2013) and a location (Heartwood Hall). In a few weeks, I'm joining her and my mom to start looking at dresses. It seems like only yesterday that I was planning my own wedding, and I'm really excited that it is Lauren's turn now. Let the pinning begin (if you haven't discovered Pinterest, you should).

#3: Grizz

2012-01-03T20:11:00.000-08:00

Tonight's photos are courtesy of my first 2012 Memphis Grizzlies game. Okay, make that my first-ever Memphis Grizzlies game. As our halftime entertainment, two kids had to throw as many rubber chickens into big tubs as possible. It's always funny to see rubber chickens flying through the air, and the kids were actually really good at hitting those tubs, which I thought was quite impressive. More importantly, we won! Jonathan and I are splitting season tickets with some friends, so you can expect more Grizz posts this year. :)

#2: The Rose Parade

2012-01-02T19:12:00.000-08:00

Today's pictures aren't actually from today, but after watching this morning's Tournament of Roses Parade, I knew I had to share a few of my own Rose Parade photos from last year. Jonathan and I had such a great time in Pasadena, decked out in four layers of clothes and matching toboggans. It's crazy to think it was 82 degrees this year...

Crazy to think it's all organic material, isn't it?

#1: A New Year

2012-01-01T17:24:00.000-08:00

It's a new year, a fresh start, a clean slate. I haven't finished my 2012 New Years resolution list, but I have had one resolution in mind for almost two months now. I will attempt (fingers crossed) to post a daily photo every day this year. The goal is to focus on the happy moments of my daily life (those moments I often take for granted). This is obviously not an original idea. My friend Erin's blog follows this format, and for the last two years, I have read it almost every single day. My friend Amber also did this the first year of her daughter's life. There is something really special about having a year's worth of memories, and I love how it makes you focus on the good things in life. I was never very good about keeping a diary or journal, but I have managed to keep up when a weekly calendar agenda for three years in a row. Maybe that's a good sign. So here it goes...

Jonathan and I baked homemade bread last night. Clearly, we believe in crazy New Years Eve celebrations. :) This morning, we sliced our first loaf of fresh bread, and we enjoyed several pieces of it as we drove my dad to Nashville. Pesto bread is good, especially when shared in a rental car on New Year's Day.

Perfect measurements are very important.

Jonathan slices the perfect loaf of bread.

Oliver agrees that making bread is quite rewarding.

She Buys Seychelles

2011-10-18T20:42:00.001-07:00

My favorite shoes in the world are Seychelles. I bought my first pair from My Favorite Shoes in Oxford, Miss. in 2003, and I have been a big fan of the brand ever since. They walk that fine line between vintage and modern, and they last forever. I have worn this pair to death, and they are still hanging in there.

Funny enough, Seychelles is based in El Segundo, which is right down the street from Manhattan Beach. Go figure.

Anyway, in honor of my 28th Birthday this Thursday, I decided to buy myself some Seychelles presents...two pairs (I had to make up for the fact I didn't buy any when I was in L.A. earlier this month. I almost always buy a pair of Seychelles when I'm there. It has become a tradition of sorts). I probably should have bought this sensible brown color, but instead I went for the tan, which is always harder to match up with tights.

I just love tan.

With the second pair, I did buy the sensible black instead of the lovely sea foam. I really wanted that sea foam color, but I just couldn't justify it -- It's way too hard to match with tights, which means I wouldn't be able to get enough mileage out of the shoes during the cold months.

Pretty though, aren't they? :)

The details are incredible. Check out the flowers on the inside of the shoes! Ahh.

Let There Be (Vintage) Light!

2011-10-17T18:08:00.000-07:00

Tonight I hung my grandma's vintage chandelier in its temporary home, and for some reason, that inspired me to get on Ebay and look at other pretty chandeliers from that era...

They are super expensive, so I feel really fortunate to have inherited one.

Remembering Steve Jobs

2011-10-05T18:19:00.000-07:00

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” - Steve Jobs 1955-2011

Home

2011-10-03T20:08:00.000-07:00

I'm back in Memphis after several emotionally draining days. I have two diary posts that I will edit and share soon, but in the meantime, I wanted to share a few photos for posterity...

The sun sinking into the Pacific on my last day in California...

Roses from my grandma's garden. I've photographed them in April, July and October of this year, and they've been amazing every time.

And me looking a little worse for wear in my childhood bedroom, right before I said goodbye.

I'm still here

2011-09-30T09:32:00.001-07:00

The trip from Memphis to Orange County was one I'd been dreading, but I'm still in one piece and not feeling like a deranged person (which is a miracle considering I got up at 3:30 this morning). My heart hurts because the home I have loved since birth is no longer ours. I had my first baths in the kitchen sink. Literally every memory I have involves that house in some way. And although I never actually lived there, it feels like home to me. At the same time, I know this needs to happen. My family needs closure and stability, two things that have been missing since my grandma was diagnosed in July 2003. My mom needs to live her life and make her own dreams. It's time to let go. On September 10, my grandma would have celebrated her 78th birthday. I spent the day working at an event that ran much longer than we originally expected. As a result, I was given a day off. That day is today. It's funny how life works, isn't it? In closing, I wanted to share a poem by Annie J. Flint that the pastor of our new church included in today's daily email. It seemed very appropriate somehow. God hath not promised skies always blue Flower strewn pathways, all our lives through; God hath not promised sun without rain, Joy without sorrow, peace without pain. But God hath promised strength for the day, Rest for the labour, light for the way, Grace for the trials, help from above, Unfailing kindness, undying love. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Los Angeles, California

Lately...

2011-09-16T05:01:00.001-07:00

Sorry it's been so quiet around here these past few weeks. A lot has been going on in my world, and I just haven't felt the desire to sit down and write about it. Now that September is half over (!), I figured it might be a good time to step forward and say hello. In two weeks, I'll be flying to California to help my mom pack the remaining pieces of my grandma's home into boxes, and we'll watch as 35 years worth of memories are loaded on a truck for Mississippi. Then on Monday, we'll turn the keys over to the new owners, and we'll fly back to Memphis. I've been struggling with this because in many ways, this home is my last link to childhood. I have thousands of memories there, both good and bad, and a huge part of me doesn't want to let that go. At the same time, I realize that it's time. This is a good thing. But it still hurts. A lot. Jonathan and I have dreamt up a wonderful anniversary trip to give us something to look forward to in the coming months, as we deal with one emotional roller coaster after another. Let me put it this way -- the house is only the tip of the iceberg. We have a lot going on in our world right now. I'm not sure if planning a trip is the best way to deal with life, but it's my solution. Let's hope it's a decent one.

Fall 2011 Style: Yellow, Gray and Blue

2011-08-29T20:32:00.000-07:00

Banana Republic long day dress $150 - bananarepublic.gap.com

Marc by Marc Jacobs silk sleeveless blouse £220 - matchesfashion.com

Bow blouse $118 - anthropologie.com

Ruffle shirt $58 - anthropologie.com

J Crew sheer t shirt $35 - net-a-porter.com

Banana Republic long sleeve tee $35 - bananarepublic.gap.com

Ruffle pea coat $148 - anthropologie.com

J Crew long skirt $120 - jcrew.com

Polka dot tight $18 - anthropologie.com

Leather high heels $138 - anthropologie.com

Leather shoes $98 - anthropologie.com

Marc by marc jacobs handbag $400 - net-a-porter.com

J Crew leather handbag $325 - net-a-porter.com

J Crew antique bracelet $58 - jcrew.com

J Crew crystal bracelet $45 - jcrew.com

Chunky ring £37 - kabiri.co.uk

Miss Selfridge locket necklace £10 - missselfridge.com

Banana Republic polka dot scarve $40 - bananarepublic.gap.com

I've always been fascinated by the people who can stick to a clothing shopping list every season. If I were that type of person, this is what I'd buy for fall. Unfortunately, I'm much more of an impulse buyer, so to counteract that, I have been staying far, far away from my favorite stores. My wallet thanks me.

What are you wishing for this fall? Do you make a shopping list, or are you an impulse buyer?

P.S. It actually felt a little bit like fall tonight. Yippee!

Yellow, Blue and Gray: Fall 2011

2011-08-29T20:31:00.001-07:00

Yellow, Blue and Gray: Fall 2011 by crystelhardin featuring a ruffle shirt

Banana Republic long day dress
$150 - bananarepublic.gap.com

Marc by Marc Jacobs silk sleeveless blouse
£220 - matchesfashion.com

Bow blouse
$118 - anthropologie.com

Ruffle shirt
$58 - anthropologie.com

J Crew sheer t shirt
$35 - net-a-porter.com

Banana Republic long sleeve tee
$35 - bananarepublic.gap.com

Ruffle pea coat
$148 - anthropologie.com

J Crew long skirt
$120 - jcrew.com

Polka dot tight
$18 - anthropologie.com

Leather high heels
$138 - anthropologie.com

Leather shoes
$98 - anthropologie.com

Marc by marc jacobs handbag
$400 - net-a-porter.com

J Crew leather handbag
$325 - net-a-porter.com

J Crew antique bracelet
$58 - jcrew.com

J Crew crystal bracelet
$45 - jcrew.com

Chunky ring
£37 - kabiri.co.uk

Miss Selfridge locket necklace
£10 - missselfridge.com

Banana Republic polka dot scarve
$40 - bananarepublic.gap.com

Channeling Summer: The Style of Rachel Bilson

2011-08-22T20:33:00.001-07:00

Rachel Bilson: Channeling Summer by crystelhardin on Polyvore.com I think I've mentioned the love affair I had with The O.C. during my college years. Recently Jonathan added the first season of the show to our Netflix Queue, so we've been falling in love with the characters and their antics all over again. Although there wasn't much to Summer Roberts during season one of the show, Rachel Bilson was a real life style icon as soon as The O.C. hit the airwaves. I remember seeing her in issue after issue of Teen Vogue, which was my absolute favorite magazine throughout that period. This month, she's on the cover of the fashion makeover issue of In Style, my other favorite fashion magazine. I think you'll agree she's a fashion inspiration. She knows how to blend vintage classics and modern trends, and she's not afraid to pair neutrals and brights to create effortless, timeless looks.

Want to steal her look? Here are a few of her closet staples...

Inspired by Rachel by crystelhardin featuring a patent leather clutch

Talking Food

2011-08-17T19:23:00.001-07:00

I'm halfway through The China Study. After reading the first few pages, I realized I was ready to go back to my vegan lifestyle. If you haven't read this book, please do. It is such an eye opener. Author T. Colin Campbell's years of studying animal protein spotlight the protein's link to cancer, heart disease and a host of auto immune diseases. It is a truly devastating read for anyone who has lost a loved one to any of these illnesses. We always hear that the food we eat impacts us, and this book truly takes that mentality to the next level. Buy it. Check it out from the library. Borrow it from me. Just read it for you and the ones you love! While I'm on the topic of food, Jonathan and I have discovered some new yummy treats: Edward & Sons Rice Snax: These little crackers are the bomb. Seriously. Being an English girl at heart, I love salt and vinegar crisps (chips), but I don't like the grease and fat. I think these taste almost as good as Walker's, and with only 2.5 servings per box, I don't have to feel guilty when Jonathan and I eat the whole thing before dinner. Plus they are $1.79 at Whole Foods. Can't beat that price! Tabbouleh: Jonathan and I tried the store-made tabbouleh from Whole Foods last week, and this week we attempted to make some ourselves. Our version consisted of bulgur wheat, French couscous, cooked onion, tomatoes and avocado. It was a little bland, so next time we'll add some herbs and lemon juice. Overall, I'm a big fan -- it's light but filling and can be served hot or cold -- a perfect summer meal! Galaxy Foods Vegan Chive and Onion Cream Cheese: This stuff is sinful. At 9 grams of fat per serving, it is a treat and a darn good one! We like it on pitas, wraps or crisp bread. Rice Dream Ice Cream: I'm not sure how this post became treats-focused, but this is another good vegan treat. I like strawberry, but I haven't tried any of the others. The good news about Rice Dream is that they use brown rice syrup as their sweetener, so it doesn't make your blood sugar levels go crazy. Quick Banana-Raspberry Oatmeal: This is our very own recipe, and we love it! Put a kettle on to boil. Place 1/2 cup of organic rolled oats in your bowl (we buy ours in bulk from Whole Foods), and add organic raspberries (frozen or fresh). When the kettle is ready, pour water over the oats, but don't go crazy -- you only need enough to cover the oats. Place a lid/plate over the oats for a few minutes. Once the oats have soaked up the water, add the banana. Enjoy! Note: the oats keep their flat form, but we like that -- neither of us is a fan of mushy oats. You could also prepare this recipe by using the microwave or the stove. It's all about personal preference and how much time you have. Amande Yogurt: Made of almonds, this yogurt is a soy-free vegan alternative, and it's pretty tasty. Whole Foods carries the blueberry and cherry flavors.

I bought fresh mint this week, so hopefully I'll be back soon with a recipe for mint lemonade, which might be the perfect late summer drink!

Breathe

2011-08-12T15:48:00.000-07:00

It has been eight years since the last time I saw my grandma. In some ways, it feels like it has been a lot longer than that. So much about me has changed. I moved out of my parent's house and into a condo. I started my first year at Ole Miss. I became friends with my very cute but not available next door neighbor (Jonathan). I began taking journalism classes. I made the kind of friends I'll have for a lifetime. I fell in love. I turned 20, 21 and 22. I took Jonathan to California for the first time. I graduated from college. I moved to Memphis (Collierville) with Jonathan. I started my first real job on this day, five years ago. I got engaged. I was laid off from my first real job. I got married. I started working for Habitat. I (we) bought a house. I (we) adopted Porter. I (we) traveled to England and Italy and rediscovered my roots.... And I (we) went home to California. Again. And again. And again. I am not the same person I was at 19. At that time, my life was filled with unknowns -- would I end up alone, would I like Ole Miss, would I like journalism, would I make any friends? High school and community college hadn't been so kind to me. I was unsure of myself, and I didn't feel that I belonged anywhere. Those somewhat petty questions burned in my mind. I know the answers to all those questions now, eight years later. I am older and perhaps a little wiser. I realize my 19-year-old worries were silly. But I still miss her every day, and I still wish with all my heart that I could talk to her again. It doesn't seem possible that I won't get to in this lifetime. I have so much to share with her. Last week, one of my coworkers passed away very suddenly. He was only a few years younger than my grandma, and he was just as full of life as she was. Not surprisingly, his loss brought back all the memories I've stored away for the past few years. I realized that I can still remember every detail about that summer. It was such a major turning point in my life. If I've learned anything from these experiences, it is that life goes by so incredibly quickly. Every day is a gift, and it should not be wasted. We should enjoy each moment -- hug family and friends, play with our pets, eat good food, enjoy the outdoors, see the world, try lots of new things -- truly discover ourselves. We only have one life. I want mine to be a beautiful life that was filled with meaning and purpose. I want to be remembered like my friend was. He had done so much and touched so many people. Just like my grandma. When I was a little girl and we still lived in England, she would come and stay with us for weeks at a time. Before she would leave, I would hug her for a long time because I wanted to remember her smell. She loved Dove soap and O de Lancome, and I would breathe that in and hold onto it. Perhaps that's what we do when someone we love dies. We take a deep breath, and we try to absorb every memory we can. We're so afraid that we'll forget that person we love so desperately. Eight years later, I'm still treasuring the memories of that last moment with her. It wasn't a very good one, as she passed away one day later, and it was very early in the morning. But somehow my 19-year-old mind (suffering from incredible denial) knew that was goodbye. To this day, I continue to hold that in. It has become a part of me. Perhaps it was the piece that made me who I am today. Maybe it gave me the courage to take chances. I believe it made me stronger and more sure of myself. I know it allowed me to find true love and accomplish my dreams. If only I could share them with her. I wish she could have known who I've become.

It's fall and we're famous

2011-08-11T05:21:00.001-07:00

It's fall and we're famous by crystelhardin featuring a wool blend coat

I'm not usually one to want to rush fall as it's our busiest time of year at work, but the heat is starting to get to me. For a month, we've had day after day of 95 degree heat....or higher.

When the heat index gets to 120, you know you're in trouble.

To combat the dog days of summer, I decided it was time to imagine I was Jackie O. (or at least had her clothing budget), and it was October in New York, Paris, Rome or some other romantic yet cosmopolitan city. If I were to pick my favorite fashion designers, Chloe and Chanel would top the list. As I'm still digging a vintage vibe, Chloe's fall line was right up my alley. It has a 1970s Parisian vibe, making it feel very Jackie O.

The neutral palette allows for lots of mixing and matching, which is great for anyone on a budget or who just wants to maximize their wardrobe. To keep a little bit of a late summer feel, I threw in some yellow, and I had to include the orange coat. I still really want an orange coat, although it's completely impractical. I have tons of coats, and they are all perfectly wearable. I think I have a coat addiction, which is not so helpful when it's 100 outside. May there be cooler days ahead!

Recipe: Sweet Chili Lime Tofu with Wok Steamed Collards and Quinoa

2011-07-26T20:05:00.000-07:00

I didn't bother taking a photo of our dinner tonight, but it was delicious, healthy and filling. The tofu wasn't too spongy, which, in my humble opinion, is reason enough to rejoice! I despise soft, wet tofu. Just the thought of it makes me queasy. Ew. The recipe came from Vegan Yum Yum, a vegan website I discovered about a year ago. They even have an app! For the recipe, photos and more, you can click here. If you try it, let me know what you think!

California by iPhone

2011-07-17T16:53:00.000-07:00

Three weeks ago, Jonathan and I spent the week in our favorite city, Los Angeles. I blogged every day, and I hope to share those posts this week. To kick off the week of Cali-blogging, here are some random iPhone pictures from our trip...

Manhattan Beach Pier at night.

Margaritas! A veggie dragon roll and lettuce wrap from Whole Foods. You know how I am about salads...

Watching the fireworks from our spot on the sand...

A swanky chair and lamp in the lobby of The Belamar Hotel.

That sight still amazes me every time. I love the ocean so much.

We found FIVE sand dollars. I'm pretty sure I've only found one or two in my entire life.

An awesome Deco theatre in Long Beach.

Jonathan turned 32 and drank from a coconut, all in the same day.... He loves coconut water but not coconut meat.

More of the swanky lobby decor at The Belamar Hotel.

It's blurry, but I love this old sign so much.

The beach is this way...

A palm tree at sunset in Hermosa Beach...

Hermosa Beach at sunset...

Looking very serious...way too serious to be eating chips and salsa on the beachfront. Oh yeah, it was the last night before we came home. No wonder. :)

Thanks for letting me reminisce for a moment. It's been a week of ups and downs, and I needed that.

Stay tuned for more...

Jonathan's 32nd Birthday

2011-07-08T14:33:00.001-07:00

This post marks the end of my beach vacation blogging. Posted on August 1, 2011, it is dedicated to the memory of a dear friend and blog reader who passed away far too soon. He never forgot anyone's birthdays, and he always said such nice things about my silly ramblings. You will always be missed, Harold. We love you.

Jonathan's birthday coconut at Number Nine, Long Beach.

The five sand dollars we found on our trip. Retro Row, Long Beach.

The view from our table at the Gum Tree Cafe'.

Pretty flowers at Gum Tree.

More pretty flowers at Gum Tree.

My sweet birthday boy with our yummy breakfast.

Gum Tree Cafe', Hermosa Beach.

Hennessey's, Hermosa Beach.

The Poopdeck, Hermosa Beach.

Hermosa Beach.

Awesome onesies, Hermosa Beach.

Today we had another lazy morning. Slept in a little, then walked down to this adorable cafe' on Pier Avenue called Gum Tree, where we had the most wonderful breakfast of salad greens (yay) and apricot preserves/Brie sandwiches. Delicious. The cafe itself is truly inspirational - it's a 100-year-old Craftsman bungalow (it turned 100 on 7/7, Jonathan's birthday!) that is painted pale blue with tons of white trim and hardwood floors. There's even a neat little Gum Tree shop next door. Very cute indeed. It also doesn't hurt that the owner was a very nice Aussie who stayed at First Congo about 15 years ago and spoke fondly of Memphis. After breakfast we walked to Redondo, and we found tons of pretty shells in literally every color. We also found two sand dollars (we would find three more the next day)! Jonathan is really starting to enjoy getting in the ocean, which makes beach walking a lot more fun. After our walk, we spent several hours on Retro Row in Long Beach. There are tons of great vintage shops there (massive amounts of dead stock - truly incredible), and we found several more treasures (t-shirts for Jonathan and an embroidered Mexican dress for me). All of our walking made us hungry, so we stopped for lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant on Retro Row called Number Nine. It was delicious. We had spring rolls wrapped in lettuce and herbs, and these great veggie and noodle bowls. Mine had the most wonderful tofu I've ever eaten on it, plus fried onions, cilantro, carrots, cucumber...you get the picture. So, so good, but we made a huge mess eating tiny noodles with plastic chopsticks. After our second great meal of the day, we headed back to the beach, walked some more and enjoyed a cocktail at an old bar on the Strand called The Poopdeck. They had this incredible collage of vintage Poopdeck shirts on the wall. The graphic designer in me wished for my camera, which I didn't bring...naturally. Dinner was at Jonathan's favorite pub, Hennessey's, where his food was on the house (Thursdays are birthday days). We ended the day with a walk on the pier and the dream of what life could be out here. The beach cruisers, the after work runs on the beach, the FOUR vintage VW buses we saw within minutes of each other... Life is good here. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Long Beach and Hermosa Beach

Going Home

2011-07-07T10:39:00.001-07:00

Photos from Olde Town Orange in the OC.

Today we headed to a new part of the OC, Orange. As soon as we pulled into Olde Town Orange, I felt like I was back in the South. OTC has the second-highest concentration of houses and businesses built prior to 1920 in the state of California. There were tons of antique stores, many of which were quite pricey, but Jonathan and I enjoyed the amount of Civil War relics that were available for purchase. Talk about irony. The highlights of the trip were Elsewhere Vintage, where I scored three very cute dresses, and The Filling Station, where we ate lunch. The whole afternoon was like going back in time. Apparently a lot of movies have been shot there, including That Thing You Do. After checking out some affordable (by L.A. standards) neighborhoods in Orange, we headed to Cerritos. A trip to Los Cerritos Center and a tour of my grandma's newly renovated house almost made us miss our trip to the cemetery. We arrived with three minutes to spare, and Jonathan told the guard we were visiting all the way from Memphis. I think the guy was a little skeptical, but he let us in. Afterwards we drank margaritas (again) at my favorite Mexican restaurant in the entire world, Don Jose. I was happily surprised to learn the first Don Jose opened in Orange on 7/7/72 - seven years before Jonathan came into the world. We concluded our night with a walk around the old neighborhood. It was hard to leave Cerritos. I'm so sad about that part of my life coming to a close, but now I just need it to be behind us. It gets harder and harder every trip. The house looks amazing though. I really hope someone who will love it the way we have will come along soon. It deserves to have 40 more years of wonderful memories. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location: Orange and Cerritos

Vintage Hunting and Margaritas by the Beach

2011-07-06T08:57:00.001-07:00

We were sad to leave our beloved Belamar today, because it basically marks the halfway point of our trip. Have I mentioned that I don't want to leave, and the trip isn't over yet? Today featured a drive to Echo Park, the home of Dodgers Stadium, to look for vintage goodness. I found two awesome purses but not much else. Apparently too many people love vintage here. Some of the highlights - Flounce Vintage, Tavin Vintage and the Silver Lake Goodwill. My biggest complaints: way too many "used" clothes and WAY too many costumes.... The evening was capped off with dinner on the beach with one of my favorite people from Memphis and my former life at Chandler Ehrlich, Shalishah Franklin. Shalishah grew up in L.A., and she just made the move back out here in May. It was great to catch up with her and hear that she's living her dreams. She has further inspired and motivated us to live for the moment and to take the time to truly enjoy life. Thanks, SF, for sharing your journey with us. The margaritas and band weren't bad either. :) - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location: Silver Lake, Echo Park and Hermosa

Beach Life

2011-07-06T08:45:00.001-07:00

Very blurry iPhone photo of Hermosa Beach on July 4, 2011.

Our nice spot underneath the volleyball net. Whole Foods' salad.

The veggie dragon roll and a lettuce wrap.

The South Bay area.

The Finding Roses Blouse I scored at the El Segundo Anthro on the 4th.

July 4th is always a special holiday, but Californians take their patriotism to the next level. I'm talking red, white and blue tutus, body lights, hats and sunglasses. It's crazy, but it's crazy in an awesome way. For our 4th, we trekked across Sepulveda Blvd to an outdoor shopping center with an Anthro, Banana Republic, J. Crew, World Market and Whole Foods. I found two shirts on sale at Anthro (one of which I almost purchased the day before - now on sale - yeah!), and a beach blanket and my favorite English candy at World Market. Then we ate lunch at Whole Foods - yummy salads, lettuce wraps and my first veggie dragon roll. So good. After a healthy lunch, we were in a swimming mood, so we went down to the pool for some late afternoon sun and some laps. The day was capped off by a walk down to Manhattan, and then down to Hermosa to watch the fireworks, which were shot from the Redondo Beach pier. Jonathan and I sat on our brand-new beach blanket, almost underneath a volleyball net so we didn't get trampled. Silly kids kept shooting off fireworks behind us, but other than that, it was really nice to stare up at the stars, the fireworks and PV with our toes in the sand. They weren't the best fireworks I've ever seen, but the atmosphere was top-notch. And, I really love the long walk from Hermosa to Manhattan. It's great for people/house/beach cruiser watching! - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location: Hermosa Beach, California

Beautiful Day

2011-07-04T10:53:00.001-07:00

The Mucho Margaritas. Yum!

Remaining photos taken in Palos Verdes Estates, California - July, 2011

Few things are as nice as waking up, showering and then walking a few miles to the beach. The air is "cold" by Memphis standards, but it is refreshing and free of the dreaded humidity that makes you sweat. After walking along the shore, we swam a few laps in the hotel pool. It's shaded, so I didn't have to worry about the sun. I was reminded of how much I love to swim and why we need to go to the DeSoto DAC every once in a while. It's great exercise, and it completely clears my head. The afternoon was spent driving down to the OC to Fashion Island and a few disappointing vintage stores. FI Anthro was also a rare let-down, but perhaps I'm holding out for better vintage. We saw so many awesome vintage cars and beautiful early '60s VW buses in mint condition (three of them!). We ended the day by driving up to my mom's childhood home of Palos Verdes to watch the sunset. My sentimental mind loves driving the same streets that my great-grandmother once drove in her Cadillac. We try to go up there every trip to take in the natural beauty. There's a brand-new Trader Joe's in PV, so we were able to enjoy a sushi roll as we watched the sun sink into the Pacific. What is it about the ocean? I cannot get enough of it. Jonathan and I walked back down the pier once we returned to Manhattan, and we marveled at it together. The waves were quite rough, and the sea spray was hitting the pier. The water was dark and ominous but so soothing. Dinner came late at a new, hip restaurant called Mucho, where we drank fresh margaritas and dined on vegan enchiladas (with coconut cheese - delicious!) and pan-fried sole (with cilantro mashed potatoes - also very yummy) and walked back to our hotel in the dark. It's very nice to feel safe at night, and it was good to walk off all that food. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Manhattan Beach, California

Touching Down

2011-07-02T17:32:00.000-07:00

Day one of our seven day trip to Los Angeles.

The Manhattan Beach pier at night.

The awesome blue chairs in the lobby of the Belamar Hotel.

It never gets old. It's only been two months since I was here, and my heart is just as happy as if it has been years. For all its negatives, it still feels like home. Even from a hotel room. This is the first trip in my almost 28 years of life where I will not be staying at my grandma's house. I'm okay with that, although I'm not sure where this sudden strength is coming from. Maybe it really is time to let go and move on. Jonathan and I are staying at the swanky Belamar Hotel in Manhattan Beach. Since landing at LAX, we've already made a trip to TJ's, and a trip down to the water is next on the itinerary. Why are we here? That is a question even I don't know the answer to. We were all set to go to Charleston and Savannah, and the plans just weren't coming together the way they should. And now here we are.

I didn't take my camera to the beach that first day, so I borrowed the top three photos are from my April 2011 trip.

Beauty Products That Make You Feel Like You're On Vacation

2011-06-30T17:32:00.000-07:00

No tropical vacation in your immediate future? That's okay, because there are tons of beauty products out there that will make you forget for a moment that you're sitting in the office instead of by the pool. Remember, I only said a moment. Still, that's better than nothing, right?

Alba Botanica Hawaiian: These products smell DIVINE, and they're good for the environment. What's better than that? I love the plumeria hair wash and the mango conditioner. I'm dying to try some of their body care products, but I recently made a pact with myself not to buy more than I need. Next month, perhaps. And, not that it's important, but the orange, yellow and green bottles look really colorful and summery in the shower! Maybelline Lash Stiletto Mascara: This was a freebie from one of my dad's music industry events, and I used it because I always use the free stuff he gets. The difference is that I'm usually very unimpressed by the products. This mascara is my current favorite. It's not Christian Dior level, but it's pretty darn great for under $10!

Revlon Minted Nail Polish: My grandma used Revlon Red her entire life. I'm not kidding when I say there were at least 10 bottles of it on her dressing table when she passed away. It was her color, but she only ever wore it on her toes. She preferred a natural tone on her hands, and I've taken after her in that respect. Most of the time, I wear red or an Essie neutral on my feet, but this summer I decided to try Minted because it seemed a little wild and fun. Plus, it was on sale at Walgreens. Three coats later, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it!

Trader Joe's Mango Honey Shaving Cream: If you're headed to St. Louis, Atlanta or Nashville anytime soon, you might want to visit TJ's and stock up on this. It smells so good, and it's another great natural product. You don't need much of it, and it's really, really moisturizing. One downside? I'm not sure if they're going to carry it all the time. :(John Frieda Gold Rush Beach Blonde Shimmer: This isn't really a fair product to feature because it has been discontinued and is currently selling for $50+ on Ebay! However, I am fortunate enough to have some from 2002, and I'm still enjoying it. It smells like coconut (one of my favorite summer smells), and it adds a little shine and wave to hair. I wore some to work earlier this week, and I could smell my hair. It reminded me of vacation, which is always nice. I guess I better start looking for a replacement...

What are your favorite summer beauty products?

What You Eat: Watching Food, Inc.

2011-06-26T08:17:00.000-07:00

Have you seen Food, Inc.? Jonathan and I watched it this weekend, and it definitely had an effect on us. If you haven't seen it, you should. It's going to make you think about where your food is coming from and what you're putting into your body. It'll make you realize that the food industry has been corrupting us for the past 60 years -- making us fat, polluting our environment, pumping plants, animals and the entire human race full of chemicals and killing us. This documentary is a call to action, a reminder that despite these super companies' incredible wealth and control, there are more of us. We can enact change.
There's a quote from Mahatma Gandhi that says,"Be the change you want to see in the world." We can have an impact by making smarter purchases -- shopping local, learning to cook at home and eating simple, natural foods. Enjoy beef, fish, chicken or pork? Find a local farmer who uses sustainable practices. You might pay more for it, but you'll be getting a much better product. The biggest argument I've heard is that it's too expensive to buy local and organic. Truthfully, it's all about perspective and what's most important. Sacrifice those giant Starbucks coffees for fresh, local blueberries. Stop eating MacDonald's every day for lunch, and you'll realize the effect it's having on your wallet.
The other argument is that you don't have enough time to prepare meals for yourself. In our modern world filled with deadlines, appointments and commitments, it's easy to put home cooked, healthy meals on the back burner. But by preparing meals ahead of time, you'll always have smart options ready to go. We cook brown rice, quinoa, beans and other staples on Sunday, and they last us the week. I also cut up vegetables so they're on-hand when we need them. We buy roasted almonds, sunflower seeds, baby carrots, hummus, dried fruit and other travel-friendly healthy snacks. Every morning I make healthy lunches for myself and Jonathan. The money we save by not eating out supports our weekly farmer's market trip and our organic groceries. We feel better, we look better and we're saving the world. It's so worth it.
The journalist in me can't sit back and pretend this isn't a global concern.
It impacts every. single. one. of. us.
I want to help affect change. By making more educated decisions, we all can be that change.
Want to join me? You can start here.

Summertime

2011-06-25T16:23:00.000-07:00

Summer is... A girl and a bug... Pretty flowers from my love... Romantic dinners at home... Lots of good, fresh food... Happy First Weekend of Summer!

Ten Summer Etsy Favorites...

2011-06-21T19:40:00.000-07:00

In honor of the first day of summer and the longest day of the year, here are some pretty Etsy finds for our mutual enjoyment. All are vintage goodies of course!

This awesome vintage picnic basket...

A pair of cheery bird prints...

This fun Hawaiian-print 1950s dress...

This Daisy Pyrex bowl...

This pretty vintage enamel compact with pink (!) roses on the lid...

These 1970s sunglasses...

These fun vintage glasses and pitcher...

Pretty dresses like this 1950s version...

This cute daisy set!

I still haven't come across a Samsonite hat box yet. This is a nice one!

Also, as if in honor of the first day of summer, we got a much-needed break from the 100-degree heat, and the weather here in Memphis was in the high 80s. What a difference 10 degrees can make!

Happy summering.

V-Dub Love

2011-06-15T16:47:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago Jonathan spotted a 1973 VW Bus on Craig's List for $1,500. He sent me the link with the question, "Should we buy it?" Here's the thing: we've never had a conversation about purchasing a vintage hippie bus. But both of us love old VWs. We point them out on the road, and I've wanted one since long before I could drive. Jonathan's dad drove a Beetle for years, and both of my parents had Golfs in England. So we seriously considered it...to the point that he went to see the thing and had multiple phone conversations with the owner about it. Then we went to Nashville, and the idea went away. We're fickle like that sometimes. Fast forward to yesterday at 4:45 p.m. Another email came through from my husband about a Craig's List VW. This time, though, it was about a 1972 Super Beetle. The location said Millington. The listing said the owner was moving and needed it gone by Thursday otherwise he was going to send it to be crushed. Jonathan's email said, "Should we save the little Bug?" Why not? On an end-of-the-workday whim, we drove an hour past Millington. We road tripped past Munford and several other small towns to a very rural area called Burlison. We drove all that way to see a tired old Beetle with hand-painted smiley faces and peace signs covering its body. Love is all it needs, and for some reason, we felt compelled to save it from the crusher. We bought it for $400. Tonight Jonathan and his dad drove back to Burlison with a wrecker to rescue our first vintage project car. We are the proud owners of a 1972 Super Beetle. It'll take lots of time and effort to make it a beauty, but I know it will be just that before we're through with it. Today we own one of the most beloved cars in the history of automobiles. It barely runs, and even if it did, I don't know how to drive it. Plus it has eyelashes!! It will run. I will learn how to drive it. The eyelashes will be replaced by new paint. We're crazy, but we don't care. We're super excited.

A Black Suitcase Never Inspired Anyone...

2011-06-13T15:52:00.000-07:00

Neat Samsonite ads found via Google images.

Since I was three months old, I have traveled by airplane. During my early years, I remember brightly colored suitcases...lots of them. We did travel from London to LA for six weeks at a time, so I guess multiple suitcases were necessary. Back then, our assortment of bulging suitcases were always easy to spot. It wasn't until the 1990s that it became popular to have a matching set of black suitcases. Classic, but so boring. And goodness, how many times have we gotten confused as to which suitcase is ours as hundreds of black suitcases go round and round on the luggage carousel? My grandma started a family tradition back in the day of tying ribbons on her luggage. We have continued that tradition, but sometimes even that isn't enough. If it was possible, I'd carry these babies on the next flight, and I wouldn't have to wonder which case was mine...

The vanity case that started my love affair with vintage suitcases. I searched for the right one for years and years before finding this one that came with the tray, mirror, keys and original luggage tag.

My off-the-curb suitcase, packed and ready for our Nashville trip.

This post is inspired by our new collection of vintage Samsonsite suitcases. The first one I found during my April LA trip, and the second was discovered by the side of the road during a walk around our neighborhood.

Although they aren't made for today's air travel, they are so fun to use during road trips. They have the neatest details, and the Man Men feel of them makes me happy. Plus, they force me to travel with less stuff, which is always a good thing. :) During our Nashville trip, we found several more pieces -- similar the blue and yellow travel bags featured above. I'm dreaming of an orange suitcase and hat box. They are so pretty!

'60s Sunday

2011-06-05T18:11:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we were in Nashville for a Jimmy Buffett concert. Since we've been on a vintage kick lately, we decided to check out some of the local vintage stores. Hands down The Hip Zipper was my favorite stop. If you are a vintage lover and you find yourself in Nashville, you must check it out. There are tons of fabulous vintage clothes and accessories from the 1940s through the 1980s, and everything is in great condition. Best of all, it's very reasonably priced. I tried on TONS of clothes, and I came home with three dresses, a slip, a reptile purse and a pair of sunglasses. Jonathan even found a vintage Hawaiian shirt for the concert. Let me put it this way -- it was better than the Anthropologie accessory store. Yes, it was THAT good. Today, I wore one of my dresses to church. Before slipping it on, I did some quick research on the designer, and it turns out there's quite a bit of info on him. He was a better sportswear designer, which explains why the dress is lined (most weren't). The 67 on the tag stands for the year it was made. How cool is that?

Here I am in my "new" dress with my "new" bag. The shoes are Steve Madden from 2006.

I used to consider them old. Now, not so much.

The back is scooped, and the flowers are so bright and summery. I've always had a thing for flower power. My fascination with it started in 6th grade when I found a set of '70s flower stickers at a store in California. Shortly after that, the flower power look had a revival at Gadzooks, and I started wearing lots of bell bottoms and polyester flower power shirts. The clothes I wore to school back then are long gone, but the flowery Doc Martens and stickers remain. A few of the stickers ended up on my dressing table. The others are hanging in my old bedroom at my mom's house. The Docs are in the closet there as well. Apparently they had an effect.

Vintage Estate Sale Loot

2011-06-04T16:32:00.000-07:00

The search for vintage Pyrex and other mid-century goodies has inspired us to start hitting the estate sales when we're in a treasure-hunting mood. Our first estate sale excursion (to a single home in midtown) yielded a vintage copy of the Joy of Cooking, an embroidered tablecloth and a few records. Today, we really got into it, and we visited five different sales in midtown and East Memphis. Jonathan found a bunch of records, and I found books, not-yet-opened 1970s bed linens (matching sheets and pillow cases), two additional sets of pillow cases, two vintage tupperware pieces and a bulb planter. The books included Betty Crocker's New Boys and Girls Cook Book (1957), Ghosts Along the Mississippi, Good Housekeeping Book of Home Decoration (1957), Roses for Every Garden (1948), a 1946 copy of Wind and the Willows, and Charles Dickens' A Child's History of England. The books and records ranged from $1 to $3 each, except for the Charles Dickens' book which was $5. The pillow cases were a dollar each, the Tupperware cost $.50 each, and the bulb planter was a dollar. Cheap thrills, but lots of fun. The best part is that estate sales allow us to peek into these incredible time-capsule homes and remember the people who lived there. It makes me feel good to treasure someone else's treasures.

If you can't tell, I'm especially pumped about the Good Housekeeping book. It's filled with awesome photos, and it looks right at home on my coffee table.

Want to check out some estate sales of your own? If you live in Memphis, here's a good place to start.

Daisy Pyrex Love: A Family Affair

2011-05-30T07:31:00.000-07:00

Last year I found a piece of Daisy Pyrex during a vintage hunting trip, and I gifted it to my sister, who had just moved into a new apartment and needed some bake ware.

Although she needed it and I didn't, it was really hard for me to pass it along to her. As you know, I love flowers, and yellow-orange is my absolute favorite color. Anyway, fast forward a year, and I'm in California, helping my mom go through 40 years worth of pots, pans, dishes and Tupperware in my grandma's kitchen. As we're digging through mountains of Tupperware (not the good, vintagey kind either), what do we find? Not one, not two, but THREE Daisy bake ware dishes. And they're different from Lauren's piece. I couldn't believe our luck. Apparently it's in my genes to love these things.

Here they are in all their pretty, sunny glory. We'd been using the middle-sized dish, but we had no idea it had the Daisy refrigerator lid. The smallest one's dish is missing, so we're on the hunt for a replacement.

And that is what brought us to the Tennesee Antique Mall in Nashville yesterday. I was on the hunt for a small Daisy Pyrex casserole dish, with or without the lid. No dish was found, but we did find lots of Pyrex in various colors - reds, yellows, greens....and then, just as we were coming to the end of our search -- Jonathan spotted two yellow bowls hiding on a cluttered shelf. He lifted them up so I could get a better look, and ta-da! They were Daisy bowls! Hurray!

They look right at home in our dining room, don't they? Ahh....I'm hooked on this stuff.

Check out pyrexlove.com if you have an interest in vintage Pyrex. There is a wealth of information to be found there, and the photos are so inspiring. I have been visiting the Daisy page since I found Lauren's piece last year, and now I'm on a mission to complete our family's set. Luckily for me, Jonathan has also been bitten by the mid-century bug. You'll hear more about that very soon. It involves everything from suitcases to cars to RVs...yes, you read that correctly.

Stay tuned...

Dream a Dream of You, California

2011-05-16T15:30:00.001-07:00

I'd like to rest my heavy head tonight On a bed of California stars I'd like to lay my weary bones tonight On a bed of California stars

I'd love to feel Your hand touching mine And tell me why I must keep working on

Yes I'd give my life To lay my head tonight on a bed of California stars

I'd like to dream My troubles all away On a bed of California stars

Jump up from my starbed Make another day Underneath my California stars They hang like grapes On vines that shine And warm the lovers' glass Like friendly wine So I'd give this world Just to dream a dream with you On our bed of California stars

I'd like to rest my heavy head tonight On a bed of California stars I'd like to lay my weary bones tonight On a bed of California stars

I'd love to feel Your hand touching mine And tell me why I must keep working on

Yes I'd give my life To lay my head tonight on a bed of California stars

I'd like to dream My troubles all away On a bed of California stars

Jump up from my starbed Make another day Underneath my California stars

They hang like grapes On vines that shine And warm the lovers' glass Like friendly wine

So I'd give this world Just to dream a dream with you On our bed of California stars

by Wilco Club Videos via You Tube

It's in my blood. Despite my best efforts, I find myself drawn to it again and again. I go, and I return home feeling the need to go there again. As time passes, the feeling only gets stronger and more urgent. My heart is there. It's my history. Everyone I love has been drawn there. My great-grandmother moved there in the late '50s from her family home of Ohio, and my grandma followed from Alaska with my mom in 1960. My dad, raised in Naples, Italy, chose Whittier College for his degree. He spent the late '60s only a short 30-minute drive from where my grandma and grandpa would build their dream home in 1974. That home is the very one that I have called my second home for nearly 28 years. It's the one place I can go, and my troubles feel as though they're far away. When I walk down that stretch of sand between Manhattan and Palos Verdes, I feel completely at peace. My great-grandmother, grandma, great aunt and my mother all lived in Southern California, and my great-great-grandmother even visited there. It has such historical significance for my family, but strangely enough, I never really made all these connections until my last trip in April, when we were going through ancient boxes of projector slides, all from their time in California in the '60s. No wonder I love it so. It's in my genes. My heart is in California. It's truly in my blood, in my soul.

Fortunately, Jonathan understands my urgent need to be there, and he lets me live that dream over and over again. Thank you, my love, for allowing me that dream. Thank you for sharing it and understanding why I love it so much.

This song, recorded by Wilco and Billy Bragg, was written by Woody Gurthie. You can read about Woody's sad story here. If there was ever a song that sums up my family's connection to this state, it is "California Stars." It makes me cry almost every time I listen to it.

Hiding Out and Smelling the Roses

2011-05-11T16:26:00.000-07:00

Wow, it's been a while since I posted. Since April 19, I've prepared for a trip, gone on a trip, recovered from a trip, visited several doctors (regarding my side that won't stop hurting) and worked like a mad woman. I have much to share, but I've been so exhausted that I haven't felt much like blogging. I know that will change soon. I have many pictures and stories to tell. In the meantime, please enjoy some photos from my trip. I live for the California sun and the roses that grow in it. These are my grandma's roses, the ones my mom and I continue to love eight years after her passing. They are huge and so beautiful. And the best part? They smell as good as they look. I just saw a bumper sticker that said "Wag More. Bark Less." Awesome motto, right? Porter thinks so.

How Does The Garden Grow?

2011-04-19T15:46:00.001-07:00

I loved Mary, Mary as a child. It was my favorite nursery rhyme, hands down. Does that surprise you? Probably not. After church on Sunday, we worked in the yard. Jonathan mowed and edged, and I worked in the flower beds. My herb seeds were planted, and I removed diseased leaves from the rose bushes. I also pulled an incredible amount of grass out of the flower beds. I guess that's the price you pay to have nice grass...you get grass in the beds as well.

I'll take grassy beds. It's so much better than the dirt that we had last year!

Lucky Anthro Day

2011-04-14T22:02:00.000-07:00

It was a good sale week at Anthropologie. I've been on the lookout for skirts for a while (two of my weekly staples are Banana Republic classics from 2005. Classics are great, but I have worn them every week for six years. When I say every week, I mean every week. My coworkers can attest to this. My camel and gray skirts take me from spring to winter. They are that classic. However, I've lost a few pounds in the past year or so, so they're on the big side. Plus they're ancient and could stand to enter semi-retirement. I don't think I'll ever retire them completely. I love them that much. I guess I'd have to -- I've worn them weekly for six years. :) Sadly, I'm not sure today's BR could handle six years of weekly wearing...

Anyway, after a great Youth United meeting, I headed straight for Anthro to check out the sale skirts. Several skirts that I had tried on over the past few months were on sale, so I tried them on again to see if I loved them enough to add them to my closet. These babies came home with me:

This one wasn't on sale, but for me, it was worth the full price. It has butterflies on it, and it fits like a dream. I had to have it. Plus it can wear it everywhere (work, dinner, church, the mall) from spring to fall (not sure about winter though). Click here to see the butterflies up close. Love!

I think I'm done shopping for skirts for a while. I'm still on the hunt for the perfect cork wedges, but that's about it. Fashionwise, what do you have to have this spring?

Flowers Everywhere!

2011-04-11T15:32:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a fun weekend! Friday night was spent catching up with old friends at Anna's pre-wedding party. Saturday was Youth United's Battle of the Bands. In case you're wondering, Youth United is Habitat's program for kids, teens and college students. I'm not kidding about this -- working with Youth United has been the highlight of my five-year career. The energy, creativity and tremendous work ethic that these kids bring to their work reminds me that the future is going to be bright because they'll be in charge. If you're interested in learning more about YU, check out our website.

Okay, enough plugging my program, and back to Anna's wedding festivities. They were truly lovely. The bride and groom were so happy, and they threw an awesome party at the Hi-Tone Cafe, which was the site of their first date. They even hired the band they saw on said date to play at their reception. As if that wasn't enough, Anna's very creative friend, who formerly worked on the visual team at Anthropologie, did all the decor. The whole thing was so pretty, personal and fun, and it had midtown Memphis written all over it, which I loved.

I also loved that I was the lucky recipient of Anna's wedding bouquets. At the end of the night, they needed a good home, and I happily obliged. We've been enjoying them so much. I love having fresh flowers in the house (I just have to keep them a long way away from Ollie).

Finally, guess what's blooming? Here's my first bud of the year!

Other happies? The Memphis Farmers Market opens this weekend, and our new office signs are going up!

It's the first building signage I helped design/coordinate, so I'm especially excited.

Putting A Little Spice In Your Life...

2011-04-07T17:06:00.001-07:00

Penzeys Spices has a store here in Memphis, but you can also buy their stuff online. Jonathan recently picked up three of their salt-free blends, and they are amazing. If you're going for a healthier, low-salt lifestyle, herbs and spices make all the difference in the world. While we're talking about them...Fresh herbs, anyone? It's almost planting time!

Polyvore Post: Slightly Groovy

2011-04-05T17:25:00.000-07:00

Slightly Groovy by crystelhardin featuring high heels

I haven't been a big fan of 1970s fashion since I was 13 years old and obsessed with smiley faces and Dr. Martens. I'm 27 now, so it's been a while. At first I wasn't too sure about the fashion world's love affair with that decade, but I'm starting to fall for it. I'm not sure if it's braids, the feathers or the more forgiving jeans, but I feel like buying some platform sandals and a maxi dress. I want to listen to James Taylor and Fleetwood Mac and wear my hair like Stevie Nicks.

Okay, maybe I won't go quite that far, but you may spot me with a braid in my hair before spring is over. I'm also on a mission to find round velvet pillows in green, orange and blue for my couch. My mom has some that belonged to my great-grandmother, and I want some as well. Gotta love the velvet....

The Downside of Twisty Yoga and Other Facts of Life

2011-04-04T18:31:00.000-07:00

Hello friends! Sorry for the break in blog posts, but last week was a doozy.

It all started last Saturday with our third trip to the yoga studio. It was a great class, but it involved A LOT of twisting.

Apparently I am not built for that much twisting.

Day one, I was a little sore. Day three, my left side was tender to the touch. By Friday night, my left side was constantly aching. I actually thought I was coming down with a bug. It hurt that bad.

Then I remembered the twisty yoga, and I started to wonder if there was a connection. Today I visited the Walgreens Take Care Clinic, and I learned that I do have inflammation. It's not a hernia. Yet.

Ouch.

I'm supposed to take 800 mg of Advil every eight hours, and I'm supposed to take it easy.

Double ouch. This isn't going to be fun at all. I've been working out four times a week. I've been feeling really good about myself for the first time in years. I've been on a roll with the healthy eating. I don't want to stop.

Ugh, ugh, ugh.

I don't want a hernia either, so I'm just going to feel a little sorry for myself. Is that okay with you? My mood fits today's weather perfectly. We had strong storms and high winds all day today. There are trees down all over the city, and more than 60,000 people are without power. We do have power, and we didn't lose any trees. Our gate did suffer some damage, but that's it.

Thank goodness. Gut damage + gate damage = quite enough for one day.

To end this post on a happier note, here is some good news to start the week:
-My friends Anna and Kevin are getting married on Saturday.

-Ezekiel 4:9 tortillas taste amazing and are super healthy too. Find them in the frozen foods section of Whole Foods.

-After three years of sore tushies, we finally bought cushions and throw pillows for our Adirondack deck chairs yesterday evening. The cushions are green, and the throw pillows are beige with blue and green flowers. We also bought a string of paper lantern lights to accompany our colored Christmas lights. Jonathan and I tried everything out last night, but then we had to store the whole lot thanks to the 40 mile per hour winds. The winds were insane all day yesterday (and today as well), but the 82 degree weather felt incredible. I spent most of the afternoon in a shady spot on the deck (pre-pillow purchases) with Porter and Elizabeth. I also dug up a few weeds and contemplated a possible deck extension (pre-gate damage).

-I picked these (in beige) up at Urban Outfitters on Friday night. I have dreamed of feather earrings for oh-so-long, and now I have some!

-I also scored this from Burke's Books. Lots of lovely inspiration!

-Finally, I bought my first herb seeds of the year. So far, I have basil, oregano, chives, cilantro and lavender. I am happy to report that my thyme plant survived the winter. I may attempt to start my seeds this week, now that the gym isn't an option. Maybe there is a silver lining after all! :) Wishing you a happy Tuesday...

Remembering Elizabeth Taylor

2011-03-24T05:27:00.000-07:00

Well-behaved women rarely make history. -Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

Elizabeth Taylor passed away yesterday, which reignited interest in her storied career, eight marriages and very interesting life. I must admit that I haven't seen any of her movies, but I do have one of her biographies. Last night, I picked it up and started reading. It's sad that it takes the death of a person to realize how incredibly talented they were. Elizabeth, of course, is remembered for her beauty (she was considered the most beautiful woman of her day), her jewelry (it's a collection fit for a queen), her work with AIDS research and a career that spanned decades. Her death marks the end of an era in a way. There isn't another Elizabeth Taylor. She was the original celebrity.

I wanted to write about Elizabeth's style, but I couldn't find much about it. I think her look transcended clothes because of her beauty (so maybe that's why her jewelry had to be so big). To channel Elizabeth, put on your diamonds, a dress that shows off your curves, add some red lipstick and practice that come-hither gaze. Confidence is key.

If you're interested in reading MSN's top-five Elizabeth Taylor movies, you can find them here.

I will be watching all of them.

All images found via Google.

Try it: Allegro Tea

2011-03-23T05:38:00.000-07:00

I've always been a tea drinker. Maybe it comes from eight years in England, or maybe it's just because I hate coffee. Who knows. For years, my tea of choice was Celestial Seasonings. More recently, I've been venturing out into the English tea world, drinking lots of Earl Grey, English Breakfast and Lady Grey.

Jonathan recently picked up several boxes of Allegro tea (my man likes to buy in bulk) at Whole Foods. While CS has flavors (Blueberry, Lemon and Orange are all favorites), Allegro has interesting combinations of flavors. I can't really describe it -- it's just that good. It tastes summery, and the names are cute as well. Okay, there's your description. :)

This morning I'm drinking Engage Your Brain, and Lord knows, I need it. Their nightime version, Peaceful Slumber, is also good.

Anyway, if you're a tea drinker, I highly recommend Allegro, which can be found on the tea aisle at Whole Foods. Just in case you are wondering, Allegro is also available at WF's cafe, but the tea flavors are of the simple variety -- like white tea, green tea, chai, etc.

Have a good day, everyone!

Spring Eats and Fashion Inspiration

2011-03-21T19:02:00.000-07:00

I didn't plan to take a two-week break from blogging, but unfortunately, work and life stepped in, and the blog took a back seat. Spring weather also got in the way. Isn't it nice that warm weather and more daylight arrived at the same time? It's such a treat to open the windows, cook a nice dinner and listen to WEVL while there's still daylight. It just makes me feel better. I love springtime. I'm also thrilled that the farmers market opens in less than a month!

This weather makes me want to eat my veggies. We have been trying tons of different veggies lately, including daikon, collard greens, water cress and baby bok choy. Leafy greens score 1,000 on Whole Foods' scale of 1 to 1,000, so we've been trying to add them to most of our lunches and dinners (we've been eating salads for lunch and greens for dinner). We've also been doing a lot of stir frys in our new Williams-Sonoma Outlet wok. It's on the small size, but it was only $40, which is a great price for such a high-quality pan. We've also been making lots of sushi and Mexican veggies, beans and rice. If you haven't tried making your own sushi, here's a helpful hint -- add a few table spoons of brown rice syrup and rice vinegar to your cooked (and cooled) sushi rice. It gives the rice a slightly sweet taste, and it neutralizes the vinegar. We add four tablespoons of each to our rice, but it really depends on your taste. We haven't been able to buy brown rice syrup locally, but you can find it on Amazon.com. It feels very posh to order food from Amazon!

To end the night on a spring fashion note, here are some pretty things that are currently inspiring me...

I love this Anthro cardi...

This Free People eagle necklace is so cool and different...

Two more breezy Anthro tops...

This is my favorite. To off-set all the white, here's a bright blue Anthro top!

More Free People pretties...1...

2...Apparently this is one '70s trend I love...white peasant tops! 3... 4...Apparently I also love birds this spring. Plus some J. Crew pretties too. These would be perfect on Capri!

I love the orange and gray of this J. Crew skirt...

These are perfect for a rainy day...

And this is perfect for the farmers market!

I'm loving all the blues, greens, whites and oranges this spring.

What's on your spring radar?

Mad Men Style: Joan Holloway

2011-03-05T08:27:00.000-08:00

Here's the second installment of Mad Men style featuring Christina Hendricks' character, Joan Holloway. Joan is pretty predictable with her style -- she tends to favor form-fitting dresses and skirts in bright, solid colors. Her heels and purses often match her outfits, and her hair is usually in a french twist. She finishes off her look with red lips, red nails and a come-hither smile.

Joan's look translates really well in today's fashion world, so break out the bright pops of colors and your favorite red sky-high heels. Now practice that Joan Holloway shuffle while wearing those heels, and you'll be good to go.

Joan Holloway Style by crystelhardin on Polyvore.com

Alexander mcqueen dress $1,120 - net-a-porter.com

Alice by Temperley cap sleeve dress $355 - net-a-porter.com

Jersey dress 345 GBP - suzannah.com

Theory dress $315 - theory.com

Paul Smith bow blouse 159 GBP - paulsmith.co.uk

Fendi tweed pencil skirt 585 GBP - brownsfashion.com

Diane von Furstenberg style pencil skirt 400 GBP - net-a-porter.com

Isabel Marant suede pumps $620 - net-a-porter.com

Kitten heel shoes 359 EUR - veryeickhoff.com

Suede shoes $120 - topshop.com

TopShop red suede heels $90 - topshop.com

Chanel vintage leather handbag $1,990 - amrag.com

Clutch $42 - senseofashion.com

Amrita singh jewelry $20 - amritasingh.com

1928 Jewelry vintage style necklace $20 - 1928.com

Signature Hydra Lustre Lipstick - 35 Rich Red ( Unboxed ) - ESTEE... 17 GBP - strawberrynet.com

THE COSMETIC MARKET :: Makeup :: Nails :: OPI You Rock-apulco Red! thecosmeticmarket.com

Halston boatneck dress lunapic.com

What Would Joan Holloway Do? whatwouldjoando.tumblr.com

Joan Holloway junesix.org

Lydia Hearst channels Joan Holloway > Fashion Ad Campaigns fashionising.com

Joan Holloway marieclaire.com

Three Pretty Things for Friday

2011-03-04T05:30:00.000-08:00

Because it's March and it feels like spring, here are three pretty things to make you smile this glorious Friday morning....

Anthro's Fountain of Youth dress, which is safe enough for work when worn with a cardigan....

but it also has lovely shoulder cut-outs and a pretty bow. I'm quite proud of my shoulders, so I'm considering this dress....

The Shaggy Bouquet clutch (also Anthro) is way outside of my price range but lovely to look at. And most importantly, these darling Nelumbo Kitten Heels by one of Anthro's house brands. I'm in love with them, but they aren't very practical. However, if they hit the sale rack, I'm snagging these babies. This is one of the only times it pays to have big feet! Have a great Friday, everyone! In an Anthro blog note, check out Anthromollogies, which is a great new blog for anyone who loves Anthro-inspired fashion. It's one of my faves.

Michelle Williams' Vintage-Inspired Style

2011-02-28T20:17:00.001-08:00

Michelle Williams' Vintage-Inspired Style by crystelhardin on Polyvore.com
When it comes to style, I am always drawn to people who are able to balance vintage and modern day style while keeping everything very age-appropriate and fresh looking. Michelle Williams is one of the few celebrities who does this well. I love her pixie cut, smart pops of color, sky-high heels and her feminine, 1960s-inspired mini dresses. She clearly has a thing for bows, lace and ruffles, and you know how much I love bows, lace and ruffles.
She also appears to be a kick-butt single mommy who has handled a very sad situation with the upmost grace, while continuing to pursue a successful acting career.

You go, girl.

The (Almost) Vegan

2011-02-23T18:51:00.000-08:00

My lunch. It's all in the presentation, people.

Hello there friends!

This makes two blogging nights in a row. Jonathan is studying for the last part of the CIA (Certified Internal Auditor) exam, and I have been filled with bloggy thoughts.

Tonight we were eating a dinner of salad and Amy's burritos, and I thought it would be fun to share some of the foods we've been eating lately.

First up, I am not 100 percent vegan anymore. Although I enjoyed the effects of veganism, it was really hard for me to be vegan all the time. This change was really more about convenience than anything. I grew tired of worrying about whether I was eating food that was made with eggs. I don't like the idea of eggs, but I honestly don't care if I eat a cake made with them.

To save myself this headache, I decided to try to be vegan most of time. There are two "meat" products that I do eat occasionally (well besides accidentally eating eggs) -- cheese and fish.

I love cheese with a passion. It's not a healthy passion. At that same time, I couldn't bring myself to divorce real cheese for life. It is just too good, and vegan cheese is too darn bad. To make me happy and more healthy, I decided to have the real thing occasionally. I eat pizzas with real cheese, I have burritos with cheese and sometimes we'll have cheese for an appetizer or snack. It's not a daily thing, but I will eat it a few times a week. This helps with my calcium and vitamin D intake (which I was deficient in long before veganism), and it gives me a lot of joy. Joy and vitamin D are both very important!

Although a lot of people have an aversion to fish, I have never been one of those people. While beef, chicken, pork and turkey always made me feel a little icky, fish never did. It's weird, but true. Like my relationship with cheese, I eat fish in moderation. We cook scallops, make tuna burgers and eat tilapia, salmon and shrimp. I enjoy it for its health benefits, as well as for its meaty taste.

Anyway, enough about cheese and fish. Here are some of the store-bought vegetarian-friendly foods we've really enjoyed lately:

Dr. Praeger's California Veggie Burgers: We first discovered these at Costco more than a year ago, and they continue to rank as my favorite veggie burgers. This weekend, we lit our grill, and I had a veggie burger, half a vegan sausage and homemade fries. I put real cheese on the burger, and I dressed it with lettuce, Roma tomatoes, grilled onions and horseradish mustard. I did not miss the meat at all. FYI, if you are looking for these, you probably won't find them at Costco anymore (for some reason they have stopped carrying them), but you can find them at Kroger and Whole Foods.

Field Roast Grain Meat Company: I am crazy about these vegan sausages, which also happen to be soy-free. The flavors are Italian, Mexican Chipotle and my favorite, Smoked Apple Sage. Again, the salt is a little high, but they are a treat and a much better choice than a mystery meat hot dog! You can find them at Whole Foods. They are a little pricey at $6 for a package of four, but they are well worth it! Another cool fact: FR has recipes and a blog on their website. Check it out!

Amy's Burritos: I love Amy's burritos when we need a meal in a hurry. Although they're better when you cook them in the oven for an hour, you can cook them in the microwave in 3 minutes. Like most of Amy's foods, they are a little high in sodium. Sadly, I have yet to find the low-sodium versions at Whole Foods, Target or Kroger.

Besides the store-bought stuff, we try to buy lots of fruits, veggies, whole grains and nuts. We do tend to get in a rut, but shopping at Whole Foods has helped with that a little bit. We look for the sale items....

Whole Foods shopping: My hairdresser calls it "Whole Paycheck." Yes, WF can be pricey, but only if you fall for lots of specialty items, such as FR sausages. If you stick to bulk items like beans, oats, rice and nuts, you can actually save some money. We try to buy the fruits and veggies that are on sale, but we always get our staples: apples, a big box of spring mix lettuces, baby carrots, bell peppers, tomatoes, avocados, corn (sometimes fresh, sometimes frozen), onions and bananas. I try to buy organic if the prices aren't too outrageous. In the middle of winter, some veggies (in particular tomatoes, peppers and avocados) are really pricey. I always get the store brand lettuce and carrots, both of which are organic and really cheap. In addition to these goodies, we try to find one or two special fruits and veggies such as strawberries, blueberries, pears, oranges, kale, bok choy, squash, etc. I strive to fill our cart with a variety of colors. In addition to bulk oats and beans, we buy rice milk (store brand), cranberry juice (store brand), pita bread, whole wheat pasta, cereal, the aforementioned sausages, burritos, veggie burgers, beans and oats. Sometimes we'll pick up wild caught fish, freshly baked farm bread or some artisan cheese for a special treat. We supplement our WF trips with monthly visits to Costco.

Costco: Another good place for bulk brown rice and unsalted nuts? Costco! This store has a ton of bulk items, many of which are organic and natural! Always read the packaging, but I buy brown or wild rice, quinoa, low-fat granola, hummus, salsa, Greek yogurt (for Jonathan), almonds, walnuts, oranges, apples, sweet peppers and other various fruits and veggies from Costco. We get fish from Costco but only if it's wild caught. We also buy sparkling water here. Random fact: I really like sparkling water with a splash of cranberry juice. It feels special.

For me, eating healthy is a no-brainer. My mother is a total health nut, and I have been eating this way my entire life. That being said, Jonathan and I do have a weakness for Mexican food (particularly guacamole, salsa and chips), Italian food (pizza, pasta and bruschetta) and BBQ. We restrict our bad eating to the weekends, and even then we try to make our meals as healthy as possible by using lots of veggies. Since becoming vegan, we rarely eat out. Personally, I think that's because the veggie options in most restaurants aren't so great. A few good ones: the black bean burger at Houston's, the portobello mushroom sandwich at Central BBQ, the margarita pizza from High Point Pizza, sushi from Sekisui, the veggie nachos at Cafe Ole', the veggie wrap at Trolley Stop Market and the Gandhi wrap from Republic Coffee. Each is delicious and comes highly recommended!

Not surprisingly, we're working to recreate most of these yummy treats in the comfort of our own home....

On a side note, I can't wait to go to the farmer's market!