A Dose of Inspiration...

I've been a little under the weather for the last couple days, so I spent this afternoon nestled on my couch, with my laptop comfortably perched on my legs...while yet another gloomy summer afternoon rolled in (I think the powers-that-be are a little confused as to what season we are in!?!). Unfortunately, in an effort to try and create a form of balance into my life again (between work, wedding, relationships and the everyday tasks that seem to creep up more lately than ever before), I haven't spent much time on my computer when I'm not at the office...so my daily dose of inspiration that was pouring in for months (oh blogs, how i love thee...wedding/fashion/art/interior design/photography) came to a bit of an abrupt halt a few weeks ago.

So as the gray skies continued to thicken, I thought it would be a lovely time to take a peek at some of my faves...and oh, how quickly the inspiration, excitement and love of all-things blogs came back! My friend Brooke recommended I check out a local Manhattan Bch woman's blog - www.beachbungalow8.blogspot.com and I found it to be absolutely adorable!!! Below is a pic from her latest post...and I LOVE it...soooo dreamy. I couldn't imagine a more perfect place to spend an evening with good friends...and good wine. Man, I really want an Air Stream!!! How cool is that??!!

Happy weekend!

xoxox

The Bachelorette...

I'm a little fuzzy today...head is cloudy, eyes are sleepy and tummy just isn't quite right, but as I think back to what got me here, its all worth the discomfort that often comes with mixing too many glasses of champagne and vino after a long day & night out with the girls. With the wedding seemingly around the corner, it was time to celebrate my official countdown to our nuptials...starting with an afternoon at the spa, which was as relaxing as it was entertaining. Salt scrub and sauna...basically all you gotta say to get me laughing again.

After sipping too many mimosas, enjoying massages (South African??) and unwinding in the comforts of the oversized lounge chairs, we all piled into the locker room to get ready for the next half of our bachelorette celebration...dinner at Petros.

Perhaps I was pleasantly distracted by the fact that I was surrounded by some of my most favorite people in the world, but the night seemed to fly by as the food continued to appear in front of me, and the bottles of wine were neverending. I felt so incredibly blessed sitting there, knowing I was celebrating my future marriage to the man of my dreams, meanwhile endlessly laughing with a table full of my dearest friends - old and new - as we shared memories and stories and all-things that come out after wayyy too-many glasses of wine!

Although we were missing a few dear friends who couldn't make it, I had an ahhhhhmazing day and night with all of the lovely girls that I am so fortunate to have in my life. Can't wait to celebrate with everyone in October!

Time to go try and walk off the headache :)

xXo

Top Picks...Sunscreen

So, by now y'all know how interested I am in sun-safe rituals and the importance of taking care of your skin. I was recently chatting with a lovely (and beautifully pregnant) friend of mine about top-selling sunscreens and how much hype is around certain brands which, contrary to popular belief, are actually full of nasty, and even toxic, chemicals. Although many brands (Neutragena, Aveeno, Coppertone, Banana Boat and many more) claim they offer the best sun protection and are "safe for baby," the EWG (Environmental Working Group) has actually found quite the contrary. Along with the EWG, my dermo shared with me years ago - always opt for a sunscreen full of zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide - the mineral option for sunscreen - much more natural and a true physical sunscreen (vs the chemical options full of avobenzone, oxybenzone and other icky stuff the penetrates the skin).

I've spent years looking into various options, on a hunt to find the healthiest sunscreens for my skin, meanwhile trying to avoid the white barrier that the best/most natural choices tend to offer (full of zinc and titanium). Here are my top choices, based on data from the EWG and my personal experience...all of which you can find at Whole Foods or Mother's Market, or online. All options below offer both, UVA and UVB protection and are full of organic, mineral ingredients.

Devita - My fave!! I use their age defying moisturizer, sunscreen moisturizer SPF 30, and their solar body sunscreen...all sunscreens are full of zinc, but none leave any white residue!! And it makes my skin feel soft and nourished...LOVE these products!! Great for everyday moisturizer and body lotion.

COOLA - I love this product too! Just started using it, but like Devita, the product is all organic, vitamin rich, super moisturizing and feels great on the skin. It's light and is full of zinc & titanium without the white residue. Great for everyday moisturizer and all other activities.

Jason's - Another great choice full of healthy, mineral ingredients...great for all over body (and at a lower price) although some of their products do leave a heavy layer on skin, so it's not as "moisturizing" as the two above. This product is great for athletes, a long day at the beach and all-over body screen.

California Baby - For all of my prego friends (and my goodness, there are quite a few of you!) this is a fantastic option. Natural, healthy and non-chemical. Ok for sweet baby skin!

Also remember - regardless of if it's sunny, gloomy (like it's been for months now!) or you even if are going to be inside all day, it's still very important to apply SPF 30 everyday...especially on face, neck, chest and hands. Keep covered up and in the shade whenever possible, and don't forget your hat if you are planning on spending more than 30 min outside!



Happy Weekend!

xo

Green Tip...

When you run your dishwasher, if you only run full loads and don’t pre-rinse dishes before putting them in, you can save 7,300 gallons of water PER YEAR! This total is as much water as the average person drinks in a lifetime. If you hand wash dishes, please turn off the tap while you scrub.

Have a beeeeaaauuutiful Sunday!
xXo

Sharing the love...

I couldn't believe it when I saw this. All the words I've thought for almost 9 years have been written down by someone else...and I love it. It's sooo beautiful to know that there are others out there who share the same adoration toward the love of their life...

courtesy of Le Love Image

The Miracle Worker...

I think I have an unhealthy addiction to Sephora. Seriously. Over the past few years, I could probably fill up an entire house with the amount of skin, hair and makeup products I've gotten there! You name it, I've tried it. And after years of washing, slathering, moisturizing, masking and peeling, my favorite little "miracle" product that truly provides immediate satisfaction and is a must next time your skin needs a "pick me up" is Philosophy's Microdelivery Peel. Oh man, it's the best!

I can honestly say that, after countless pricey facials (which I think are totally overrated but for some reason I still go back for more??), it only takes 3 minutes of using this deep exfoliant and my skin looks better than after spending an hour at the spa. The pigmentation is lighter, skin is evened-out, wrinkles are less obvious and it's is softer than a baby's you-know-what! It's aaaahhhhmazing.


And...they have "shop for a cause" - when you purchase certain Philosophy products, 100% of the net proceeds go to charity's including Women's Cancer Research and Joyful Heart Foundation :)

Happy Weekend!
xxo

More Wedding Stuff...

Further to my earlier post, I put together a basic "idea" of what I'm thinking for our flowers. Unfortunately, I didn't have the billy balls to add to the white floral arrangements to give the "pop" that I want, but it's a start! I soooo wish peonies were in season in October...LOVE them...

Wedding Inspiration...

Ok. So, I'm still trying to figure out our floral arrangements for the wedding...

I'm set on succulents, billy balls and in-season white flowers...but I'm struggling with the "presentation" of them. Soooo many options...clear glass...white...gray pots...mason jars?? I love soft and romantic (which means glass vases and mason jars)...but then also want to incorporate a more "modern/contemporary" twist that is not as common when it comes to wedding flowers (which would be white vases and stone pots). Incorporating both styles has been a bit tougher than I thought it would be! Decisions, decisions. It's particularly challenging because we have two totally different venues to think of (for our 2-day celebration)...but I'm sure it will all come together fine. Just gotta make a choice and stick with it! Through all of this wedding planning, I have realized I am the most indecisive person ever. Evveeerrr. So many beautiful things!!

Here's some pics of what has inspired me, starting with the most modern down to the most romantic...

Hope you had a lovely holiday weekend!

xx

Green Tip...

In every two minutes of taking a shower, you use 10 gallons of water. The average person in Africa uses only 4.5 gallons of water per day for drinking, bathing, cleaning and cooking, together. If everyone in US saved just one gallon from daily shower, over the course of a year it would equal twice the amount of freshwater taken from the Great Lakes every day – the world’s largest source of freshwater.

Whenever possible, please take a shorter shower, turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth and turn off the water while you shave.

In the kitchen, do your best to not run the faucet when it's unnecessary - just lightly/quickly rinse dishes (if you have a dishwasher) and don't let the faucet run while you do other kitchen tasks (washing counters, loading dishwasher, cutting veggies, etc).

To rinse fruits and veggies, I usually just fill up a bowl with water and wash them in the bowl - saves gallons of H2O! And then I use the leftover water to feed my lovely little succulents around the house :)

Yummy little morsels...

Matt and I had a lovely evening last night, spending it BBQing with friends, keeping things mellow.

As I often do (knowing I was going to be with friends who share my passion toward whole living), instead of picking up a delicious pre-made dessert from the market, I spent the afternoon creating "healthy" cookies to share. My taste buds are pretty used to eating little goodies made with whole wheat flour, oats, agave nectar and all other natural/whole baking additions, so I enjoy them...but for many, I'm sure my baked goods would probably taste a bit bland and boring (although, last night, I think even the boys enjoyed!). For those of you who want to make a nutrient rich "goodie" to help curb the sweet craving (without the guilt!), I've included my recipe here. No butter, no oil and no eggs! :)

*I use organic products whenever possible

1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick-cook)
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnimon
1 cup plain nonfat yogurt (I use European-style but you can use any plain)
1/2 cup agave nectar
1/4 cup honey (or 1/2 cup if you would like sweeter)
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup dried cranberries
3/4 cup dark chocolate chips or semi-sweet

Mix all dry ingredients, except chocolate chips & cranberries, in a large bowl with a wooden spoon.
Mix all wet ingredients in a separate bowl with spoon - yogurt, agave, honey.
Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients.
Add cranberries and chocolate chips, stir.

Drop batter by tablespoon-fulls onto a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake on 350 degrees for 10-12 min. Make sure to not over-bake...they are best when there are just slightly undercooked (which I actually think is the key to almost all extra-yummy baking).

*save energy by turning on oven late in the game...wait until you have prepared both bowls full of ingredients and turn on oven when you are ready to start putting batter onto baking sheet.

Now, keep in mind...I basically make up these recipes (with a little direction from a bunch of "regular" baking recipes I have collected through the years) so these are not "gourmet" by any stretch. They are tasty, nutritious and are great when you just want something a little sweet but without the guilt. The consistency is more of a breakfast-style cookie...similar to a scone but a bit softer and even more dense. Matt enjoys them in the morning with his coffee, and they hit the spot when I need something sweet at the end of the day.

Also, you can add flax seed, almond butter and/or a banana....and even substitute the chocolate chips with walnuts if you want to make it super, duper healthy. I bet you could even add flax oil to the wet ingredients, but I haven't done it yet...

Basically, I just throw in anything that sounds yummy and nutritious. People have always told me that with baking, unlike cooking, you really have to get measurements correct...well, I disagree. When it comes to creating my healthy goodies, I just modify here and there, and it almost always comes out just fine. The consistency might be different and the recipe is always evolving, but they get eaten nonetheless!

Happy Sunday!
xoxo