Things that just plain rock

One Favorite Thing:
The Sartorialist


Sartorial: of or relating to a tailor, tailoring or tailored clothing.

I will let the pictures from this blog speak for themselves:

This blog has influenced how I view fashion around and within myself. It is my daily dose of inspiration. Thank  you, Scott Schuman.

Things that change

One Favorite Thing:
New locks


All right, I'm calling on all you fashionable, fun & sassy people out in the blog-o-sphere .... should I or shouldn't I cut my hair? Right now, I have long, slightly wavy brown hair. Below is a picture taken just a couple weeks ago.

And it's been this way for years. The last time I've had anything but long, wavy hair was about four years ago. I'm ready for a change. But conflicted, because I know that natural long hair is fabulous. What do you think about a short-medium bob? 

I would want the cut to be long & sleek on one side and have shorter layers on the other. I wouldn't go short enough to where you could see my hairline on the back of my neck, probably just short enough that the long part on one side would graze my collar bone. What do you think?? Should I take the plunge? Or will I regret it?

Photos: Zimbio & Voila (Rihanna & Lauren Conrad)

Things that smell good & look pretty

One Favorite Thing:
Peonies

As fall pervades our lives up here in Western Washington, thinking about luscious fragrant flowers brightens my day. There is something magical about peonies, those bright orbs of aromatic petals. Apparently my fascination with peonies is shared by many and goes back thousands of years. 

La Pivoinerie D'Aoust spells it out: 
"Arguably the first use of peonies by people was for their medicinal value. There is evidence that peonies were used extensively in both the Far East and Europe as long as two thousand years ago. Many parts of the plant are purported to have medicinal properties. Roots, bark, seeds and flowers were all believed to be of some medicinal use.

In texts describing Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) three peony preparations are well known. The first is Mu Dan Pi, which is made from the bark of tree peonies, and is said to cool the blood as well as have antibacterial properties. Chi Shao Yao is made from the root of the herbaceous peony P. lactiflora and is also said to cool the blood and relieve pain. Bai Shao Yao is made from the same roots but with the bark removed and is said to nourish the blood.

Peony seeds have been swallowed whole to prevent bad dreams or used in a poultice to relieve stomach aches. Flower petals have been dried and used to make a tea that was reputed to soothe a cough. They were considered a panacea. In the middle ages there where not many ailments that peonies were not thought to soothe!"

There is something so understated, simple & elegant about a bundle of peonies in a simple glass vase. What is your favorite flower?

Photos: The Growspot, Oh Happy Day & Shades of Chic

Things at Goodwill

One Favorite Thing:
A shopping spree at Goodwill


I just found out what happens when I'm let loose in Goodwill with unlimited time & an unlimited budget. It's both amazing and awful. The good news: I can share beyond fabulous Goodwill finds with you for the next year. Almost. The bad news: Apparently there is such a thing as spending too much money at Goodwill. Maybe? The jury is still out on that one.

Today, I'd like to introduce you to this vintage globe with a stand I found for $9.99. Just a few days ago, I was *this* close to buying a nearly $40 vintage globe on Etsy. The only reason I didn't go through with the purchase was because I got distracted & the session timed out. Shiny things! Needless to say, I'm darn glad I got distracted. Because this vintage globe is ten times cooler. And four times cheaper.

Goodwill, I love you.

Things that nourish

One Favorite Thing:
Pumpkin Spice Lattes


When the air starts getting crisp and its officially sweater season, the first place my mind goes is to pumpkin spice lattes. I broke in fall by getting my first with a Venti nonfat Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks. How good it was. I have since moderated down to a normal beverage size and have branched out to the local coffee stands that dot every street corner in Western Washington. We are the home of Starbucks, after all. I'm pretty sure that most of us will need caffeine intravenous drip when we reach old age. And I'm plenty ok with that. 

The Kitchn has a great DIY pumpkin spice latte recipe that tastes as close to Starbucks as you can get!

Pumpkin Spice Latte
makes 1-2 servings

Ingredients:
2 cups milk
2 tablespoons canned pumpkin OR 1 teaspoon of Torani Pumpkin Spice Syrup (your choice)
2 tablespoons sugar or sugar substitute - you can halve this amount
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1-2 shots espresso (about 1/4 cup of espresso or 1/2 cup of strong brewed coffee if you don't have an espresso machine.)

Directions:
In a saucepan combine milk, pumpkin and sugar and cook on medium heat, stirring, until steaming. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and spice, transfer to a blender and process for 15 seconds until foamy. If you don't have a blender, don't worry about it - just whisk the mixture really well with a wire whisk.

Pour into a large mug or two mugs. Add the espresso on top.

Optional: Top with whipped cream and sprinkle pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, or cinnamon on top.

Yum! What's your favorite fall treat?

Photo: Thyme for Wine

Things at Goodwill

One Favorite Thing:

A mystery blazer

At Goodwill a couple of weeks ago, I came upon this mystery blazer for $4.99. No tags, no brand & no clues as to its origin. Which leaves me dying to know - what is its story? Where is it from? Regardless, I love it. It's a chic & sassy addition to my wardrobe that goes with many a things and spruces up an outfit with its texture & pop of burnished gold from the buttons. 

Oh Goodwill, how I love thee. Any good vintage finds lately?

Things that just plain rock

One Favorite Thing:
Newspaper Association of America's new campaign

"Be able to find Iran on a map. Know what the city council is up to behind closed doors. Find out how to make an icebox peanut butter pie from scratch. Get it all in the newspaper, print or digital, because a little depth looks great on you."

News isn’t really news anymore. In fact, news has become something else entirely. Talking heads pass as news. Sound bites pass as news. Opinions pass as news. Snazzy graphics pass as news. It’s time to make a stand for the one place you can still get ‘news news.’ The kind with substance. The kind that makes you feel smarter when you finish reading it. The kind that makes you a more interesting person to talk to, a savvier shopper, a more engaged citizen. That’s the kind of news we’re talking about. The kind that’s written for people who want more than just a headline. The kind you can only find in newspapers – print or digital.

The Newspaper. Get it.

Because Smart is the New Sexy.

Well played, Newspaper Association of America, well played. Here's what the NY Times reports on this campaign. So, do you want to go out & buy a newspaper now?