What I’m Lovin’ Right Now

Posted in Series by C.

Spring header

Spring officially joins us tomorrow and I can’t tell you the joy this time of year brings. Though we’re nearly a quarter of the way through the year, it seems like it’s when spring arrives that I feel like something new is truly happening. With spring comes the dreaded but oh-so-delightfully rewarding spring cleaning; Sunday trips to the farmers’ market to stock up on the freshest produce; and an excuse to live in lite, bright clothing from now until October. Being that I’m your very cliché California girl, the latter is what I’m most excited about.

I’ve been spending the last few days thinking about my goals for this season, and perhaps I’ll delve into those for another post on another day. I can say, a good spring cleaning is in the works, as usual, but I’m aspiring to something even greater. Always one to feel most alive when I’m learning or experiencing anything new – I’ve been itching to take a class. I’ve always wanted to learn Italian, but have shied away from taking the chance. And I do love a good craft-based class to blow off some creative steam. We’ll see where the season takes me.

Here are a few things that are making me smile about this forthcoming development we call spring. Here’s what I’m lovin’ right now…

1-what i'm lovin' right now

Watermelon Breeze Mocktail | Drop Dead Gorgeous Daily

Kelly & Katie Ladylike Hard Form Satchel | DSW

Blanca Dried Flower Arrangement | Etsy

7 Questions to Ask When Cleaning Out Your Closet | The Everygirl

Classic Pave Link Bracelet | J. Crew

Black Polka Dot Journal | Sugar Paper, Los Angeles

Essie’s “Watermelon” Nail Polish | Target

Darling Daisy Dress w/ Belt | Forever 21

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20Jun2013

Results: The Spring Project

Posted in Cocktails, Explore, Fitness, Food, Fun, Life by C.

The last day of spring has arrived and I cannot believe how quickly the time passed us by. In retrospect, Spring was kind to me. Afternoons perusing museums, feeling the lightness after a good spring cleaning, celebrating a milestone birthday, and enjoying a final cup of tea at my favorite spot were just a few of the highlights. I’m pretty happy to be leaving the “June gloom” behind and head toward pure summer sunshine. As I look back over my goals to celebrate the freshness of spring, which I cheesily dubbed The Spring Project – I see areas where I excelled and others, well, let’s just say there was room for improvement.

Results: The Spring Project

closet purge

Goal: Out with the Old, in with New

Result: Pass

Spring cleaning went off without a hitch. My entire apartment got the complete scrub down (and that was a looooong day). I went through my DVD collection and traded in those purchases that at the time sounded good, but I knew I’d never watch again. And my wardrobe got a great sift through and my closets and drawers are now roomy and ready for all the great new purchases to come.

an instagrammed memorable day – manhattan beach, ca

Goal: Be Outdoors

Result: Semi-Fail

This is an admitted semi-fail. I did hit gorgeous Balboa Lake, Manhattan Beach, and strolled many a boulevards on a Saturday afternoon (Rodeo counts even though I was eating ice cream at the time), but I didn’t take one hike the entire season. No bueno. 😦

my first spring bouquet

Goal: Flower Friendly

Result: Pass

I’m happy to report that bright flowers were around me much of the season. I’m a huge believer (if you have the extra funds) to keep fresh flowers around your home when you can. Trader Joe’s is an excellent source to get this scented fix on the cheap. This tradition will continue well into summer!

off to yoga

Goal: Fitness

Result: Fail

The long and short of it: I’m still really consistent with my yoga practice (and being mindful of my diet) but I’ve been terrible at making time to hit the gym to work on a more solid cardio and weightlifting routine. Something to work on this summer…I know, I know.

Goal: Fruit Inspired Recipes

Result: Fail

Yes, I’ve been eating a lot of fruit. No, I didn’t personally make any of these recipes. Total FAIL.

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1. Spring Fruit Pizza

2. Fruit Pizza

3. Strawberry Basil Moscato Lemonade

4. Peanut butter, Strawberries, Bananas and Granola Wrap

5. Sparkling White Peach Sangria

19Apr2013

Highlights

Posted in Books, Documentary, Film, Food by C.

As I think about the last 7 days, I think about how all over the place it’s been emotionally. I’ve been enjoying the residuals of a good spring cleaning, yoga was a much-needed hour and a half of “me time” this past Tuesday, and I’m still thinking often of our friends in Boston and worldwide.

A few ordinary nights were spent exploring what’s new in cinema. I saw Robert Redford’s film, The Company You Keep (wait for Netflix on this one); and a new documentary, No Place On Earth, capturing the story of the Stermer family’s struggle to hide underground during World War II in a calculated effort to elude the Nazis. It’s a pretty amazing story. I didn’t particularly care of the use of re-enactments, but then again, I suppose there was no other way to tell such an incredible journey of living in a cave for a year and a half.

The good news? It’s going to be gorge this weekend in L.A.! Looking forward to a relaxing and fun-filled 2 days. I’m kicking it off by meeting a friend tonight for dinner at one my favorite places to indulge in. A visit to the farmers’ market Sunday morning is definitely in order, and I’m excited to start a new book. I’m going to keep it light this time with Rachel Bertsche’s memoir, WMF Seeking BFF: My Yearlong Search for a New Best Friend. I’ll let you know how it is.

Have a great weekend!

15Apr2013

Spring Cleaning 101

Posted in DIY, Home Decor by C.

This past weekend was all about hardcore spring cleaning, a huge milestone to The Spring Project that I happily crossed-off on my list of things to do. I’m one of those strange people that actually likes to clean (my own messes only – sorry, I’m not for hire :)). It’s therapeutic for me. You put on some music, zone out, and get the job done.

By nature, I’m a total neat freak – everything is always in its place, I rarely leave dishes in the sink, or let my place get too rowdy in general; but one always needs a good scrub down in the bathroom, an intense dusting session all over, floors need to be mopped, and the fridge cleaned out.

While I was completely exhausted after a day’s work, I’m already seeping the rewards (and the annoyances) of intense spring cleaning. Sure everything feels completely refreshed in my apartment right now, but it also upsets me how quickly the dust is settling back onto my furniture tops, and seeing small specks of dirt on my once immaculate hardwood floors…only hours later. 😦

I still have another phase to get to in my big project and that’s the purge portion. It’s time to delve into my closets, drawers, and shelves and say goodbye to what is no longer serving me. And I think this will feel even better than the “no germs” portion. Out with the old, and in with the new!

When approaching my big cleaning session, I had five basic principles that I thought I would share:

1. Work on one space at a time. It’s best to focus on one room at a time. It keeps things streamlined and less overwhelming. For me, I liked starting with the bathroom. It’s my least favorite place to clean and I’m likely to give it my all because I’m pumped and have tons of energy at the onset.

2. The iPod must be ON, LOUD, and playing all your favorite tunes. Yes, I’m totally admitting that I sang and danced…basically had a private concert with a mop and sponge in my hand.

3. No distractions. I became a hermit for the day so that I could focus. Once I’m in the zone, I just want to keep going. My thought is if you stop to take a phone call for 45 minutes, you lose motivation and momentum. Just push through it!

4. Wear gloves. I don’t know about you, but I HATE the residual smell of chemicals on my hands even after you’ve vigorously washed them. We want to keep our hands soft and sexy at all times!

5. Treat yourself after a job well done. Spring cleaning takes a lot of time and energy. Once you’re done, you deserve something special. I bought myself a gorgeous bouquet of bright flowers that enhanced my newly cleaned home AND treated myself to some take-out. Admittedly, the take-out treat was two-fold. One, I didn’t have the energy to cook or even push buttons on the microwave after I finished the big scrub down; and two, there was no way in HELL, I was going to dirty even a spoon after the day I had and ruin my pristine kitchen.

Happy spring, happy cleaning, happy spring cleaning! xx

18Mar2013

The Spring Project

Posted in Cocktails, Explore, Food, Fun, Treats by C.

I love a good project! And it’s extra fun when there’s a focused theme surrounding it to help you get the most out of what you hope to accomplish. For me, there’s nothing more satisfying than making a list and crossing things off as you go. It’s so satisfying, in fact, that sometimes when making a list, I add things that I’ve already completed, just so I can have the feeling of crossing it off. (I can’t be the only person that does this? Bueller?)

You can see my recent holiday themed projects for Halloween and Christmas here and here to give you idea of how much I love goal-oriented ventures.

In celebration of the changing of seasons making its official appearance on Wednesday, The Spring Project is a short list of must-do’s that I’ve created to get the most out of the longer sunshine filled days and the renewing feeling that Spring inevitably brings.

I’ll report back as we make our way toward the heated depths of summer. Here’s to Spring and accomplishing your goals.

The Spring Project

// OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW //

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Of course, one of the first things to do is a little spring cleaning. My goal is to finally get into my closet and toss those things that need to go. Next up, to go through my DVD library, pull those “what was I thinking?” purchases and head to Amoeba for a trade-in. Am I EVER going to watch Crossroads again? Yes, I actually own that on DVD, but to my credit I was just a ~~kid~~ college student (in film school, no less!) 🙂

// BE OUTDOORS //

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Naturally, the perfect temperatures and near constant L.A. sunshine make for the perfect recipe to spend as much time outdoors as possible. This Spring trips to Lake Balboa, lounging on the beach, hiking in Griffith Park and to the Hollywood Sign are on the agenda during most weekends.

// FLOWER FRIENDLY //

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I love flowers, plants, any sort of perennial – and try to have their beauty around me as much as I can. Unfortunately, whenever I cut back on spending – this is one of the first things to go, though it’s something that I am always happy to see when I walk into my apartment or sit at my desk at work. Spring makes me want to see blooming vivid colors and inhale the sweet fragrance of flowers, a must have to enjoy the riches of the season and the one thing that I hope to have more of.

// FITNESS //

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There’s no excuse not to get back into a more consistent workout schedule and now that there’s extra sunshine after work, I’ll be more motivated to hit the gym (rather than the couch). Even more motivating, Spring means dresses and shorts as fashion staples. It’s time to shed those winter developed pounds that can be hidden under a sweater no longer. While I’m a big fan of yoga, I need to incorporate more cardio and weightlifting into the routine.

// FRUIT INSPIRED RECIPES //