friday link love

Any fun plans this weekend?  I have a JAM packed weekend - yoga teacher training until 4 pm each day.  After class I'll head to Loufest, our local music festival.

A song to kick off the weekend....I am completely and totally obsessed with this chick's album, it's pure pop gold.

I absolutely need this t shirt - for all those of us who are barely runners, pace wise.  Seriously, I once almost got beat in a half marathon by a speed walker.....she may have had the right idea.

Why women start sentences with "I feel like."

I've heard amazing things about this nail polish.  After I gave it a swipe in Sephora today and saw the shine for myself, I think I need a bottle.

On Monday, me and Darrell are starting a month of vegan eating, and I've been pinning recipes like crazy.

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

photo credit to garance dore

on being well dressed

"Being well dressed is a beautiful form of politeness."  

Even an exhaustive query couldn't tell me who came up with those words, but either way, it's long been one of my favorite statements about clothing.  I've never been a fan of people who can't seem to put on a nice enough outfit to save their lives - yes, I understand not having style, but there are a fair amount of people I could name who can't seem to get on anything but jeans and a t shirt for church, or actually bother changing out of pajamas for class.  IN COLLEGE.  Seriously.    

But yesterday, something struck me that made me think of the other side of this.  I was reading Lucky magazine's September issue (which I just have to say is much improved with Eva Chen at the helm) and got stuck on a line from an article profiling the model Hilary Rhoda at home.  

She said "my mom taught me not to focus on a particular style but to work with your environment."  I think that's a wonderful approach to take.  I've always believed there's no need to pigeonhole yourself - just because I wore a white peasant dress and clogs yesterday doesn't mean I CAN'T wear a tweed jacket and trousers today - and I like the idea that dressing appropriately goes both ways!  

For example, if you meet a friend for Sunday morning coffee, isn't it kind of annoying when she shows up in a pretty little dress and pearls, and you're in a sweatshirt and jeans, a la the top left photo?  

Or at a bachelorette party if you show up looking drab in a plain black dress, no accessories & honestly no effort?  Put on some leopard or sparkle, as in the bottom right photo.  You're celebrating your friend's last single days, and your clothes should reflect the occasion!  Lastly, the job interview, of course.  I had the pleasure of interviewing some lovely freelance design candidates for my job a while back.  It was mildly horrifying.  Yes, we work in a creative field, but there were girls who showed up looking more ready to tend bar than interview for a job.  An outfit like the bottom left, even with the funky necklace and clutch would have been a welcome surprise.  

I just thought it was lovely advice, and I wanted to share it with you.  Throw out "it's better to be overdressed, than underdressed" because you know, sometimes it's not.  Sometimes, it makes people feel self conscious.  

"Don't focus on a particular style, and work with your environment."  

making the switch to natural beauty

Any of my friends would tell you that I'm a bit of a hippie when it comes to my home, food, and health. I use The Honest Company for home cleaning products, eat a vegetarian & (mostly) whole foods diet, and I generally believe nutrition is the best medicine.  However, I had been totally failing with my beauty routine, which was basically full of cancer causing chemicals.  NOT GOOD!  

After reading THIS post from A Blog About Love I started to consider making the switch.  I knew this wasn't something I could do all at once - beauty products are expensive!  I've been trying to transition some of my things for a few weeks, and I wanted to share some of my favorites so far.  

1.  Bare Minerals Mineral Veil.  This was actually something I already used - I used to be religious about using Bare Minerals, and Mineral Veil is still a really great finishing powder.  I don't use this every day, usually just when I'm going out.  

2.  Bare Minerals Well-Rested - another product I know and love.  This pretty much conquers all undereye issues.  I'm still finishing up a tube of Chanel concealer, but when I do I'll be making the switch back to this.  

3.  Yes to Grapefruit CC Cream.  This is one of the new things I picked up.  I LOVE BB creams, but my two favorites were out of the question, chemically.  I'll be honest - this doesn't quite live up to how well my Garner & L'oreal favorites did, but it's pretty awesome considering its ingredient list.  

4.  Yes to Tomatoes Daily Balancing Moisturizer.  This product I'm loving, and actually, I would pretty much recommend anything by the "Yes to" brand.  I'm using the entire "Yes to Tomatoes" line for skincare.  

5.  Jurlique Purely Bright cleanser is super gentle, and I use it first thing in the morning, and before bed.  You can't wash your face too often if you're using this stuff, it's crazy gentle.  

6.  Caudalie Beauty Elixir is another product I had already been using, and I still love it.  I spray it on throughout the day just to refresh my skin, plus it smells fantastic.  This makes a great replacement for a toner as well.  

7.  Josie Maran Cheek Gelee.  Such a pretty wash of color, and it comes in fantastic colors.  All the Josie Maran products are wonderful, honestly, but they are pretty moisture heavy so I prefer them in the colder months.  

Also, all of these products are devoid of these harmful ingredients, and I would recommend keeping this image saved in your phone to reference while shopping!  

Now on to the next challenge: finding a half decent eyeliner/mascara combo.  I've heard this is a tricky area with natural products.  Any suggestions?  

creamy asparagus soup

So, I wasn't the only one who overindulged on BBQ & beer this weekend, was I?  

Yeah, I wasn't too terribly happy about my holiday-weekend eating choices.  To get myself back on track yesterday, I decided to make something with asparagus, which is one of those magic foods that makes you shed excess water weight.  It's also delicious, so yay for health food!  Well, if you don't count the heavy cream & butter.  Moderation, people!  

What You'll Need: 

3 tbsp butter

1 bunch of asparagus, woody ends snapped off

1/2 bag of frozen leeks, or 3 fresh leeks trimmed & chopped

4 garlic cloves, minced

3 cups of vegetable broth

salt & pepper

1/2 cup heavy cream or greek yogurt

1/2 cup shredded parmesan

Directions: 

1.  Turn your burner to medium high, set on a medium saucepan, and melt the butter.  

2.  Add the garlic and leeks, and stir until the garlic is a little browned up.  

3.  Add the vegetable broth, bring it to a simmer, and let it get infused with the garlic and leek flavor for about 10 minutes.  Season well with salt & pepper to taste.  Don't be shy!  

4.  Toss in the asparagus, and boil for 8 minutes.  

5.  Throw the soup in a blender along with the cream or yogurt, and blend to the consistency you want.  Since there's no real thickener here (i.e. no potatoes) I left it a tad chunky, but whatever you like!  

6.  Divide into bowls and top with parmesan, and serve.  

labor day weekend

Quick life update!  With actual photos of us!  

Birthday outfit, birthday lunch.  No really, I just had cake for lunch, I mean it WAS my birthday!  Today, though.....probably kale.  

Last Thursday was my birthday, and so began our lovely long weekend.  I turned 25, which just felt right at this point.  I'm married already, and to be honest, my age of 24 was feeling a bit off.  Strangely enough, I was carded more this weekend than I have been in the past month - perhaps it's the shorter hair?  Whatever, I'll take it.  

We had a lovely weekend in our hometown, visiting family.  I think we were home by 10 every night, and to me that's pretty much what Labor Day weekend is all about.  Sunny busy days, and lots of sleep!  

Most importantly, my cousin's baby was in town.  Could she be any cuter?  The answer to that is no, no she couldn't.  Also, how good does my husband look with a baby?!

I mean, right???

More cuteness: 

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!