Flowers To Brighten Up the Cold Winter Days

Most people usually think of flowers when the temperatures start to climb up the thermostat and the sun starts staying out later than 4:30pm -- myself included.  But this year, after purchasing a Paperwhite potted kit at Target, I started to take note and look around for flowering plants that can provide color to even the bleakest of winter days.  While my mind immediately went to the classic Christmas Poinsettia {not really a flower per se}, after doing some googling on the subject, I found some familiar names make their debut by peeking out through the snow or waiting for that colder weather, whatever climate you may be in.

Camellia

Crocus

Crocus

Cyclamen

Lenten Rose

Paperwhites

Iceland Poppy

Witch Hazel

Source

I just love how bright and cheerful these plants are!  Maybe spring isn't really that far away!

Until tomorrow . . .

Happiness: A Priority in 2012

I ran across this article while looking at one of the newer blogs on my blog reader Habitually Chic {where the link was credited back to photographer Sophie Elgort}.  It reminded me that being happy is not something that just happens but rather a choice that we all make.  It may not always be easy, but reading this reminded it really isn't that difficult.  Be happy my friends! 

12 Things Happy People Do Differently

Studies conducted by positivity psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky point to 12 things happy people do differently to increase their levels of happiness.  These are things that we can start doing today to feel the effects of more happiness in our lives.  (Check out her book The How of Happiness.)

I want to honor and discuss each of these 12 points, because no matter what part of life’s path we’re currently traveling on, these ‘happiness habits’ will always be applicable.

1. Express gratitude. – When you appreciate what you have, what you have appreciates in value.  Kinda cool right?  So basically, being grateful for the goodness that is already evident in your life will bring you a deeper sense of happiness.  And that’s without having to go out and buy anything.  It makes sense.  We’re gonna have a hard time ever being happy if we aren’t thankful for what we already have.
2. Cultivate optimism. – Winners have the ability to manufacture their own optimism.  No matter what the situation, the successful diva is the chick who will always find a way to put an optimistic spin on it.  She knows failure only as an opportunity to grow and learn a new lesson from life.  People who think optimistically see the world as a place packed with endless opportunities, especially in trying times.
3. Avoid over-thinking and social comparison. – Comparing yourself to someone else can be poisonous.  If we’re somehow ‘better’ than the person that we’re comparing ourselves to, it gives us an unhealthy sense ofsuperiority.  Our ego inflates – KABOOM – our inner Kanye West comes out!  If we’re ‘worse’ than the person that we’re comparing ourselves to, we usually discredit the hard work that we’ve done and dismiss all the progress that we’ve made.  What I’ve found is that the majority of the time this type of social comparison doesn’t stem from a healthy place.  If you feel called to compare yourself to something, compare yourself to an earlier version of yourself.
4. Practice acts of kindness. – Performing an act of kindness releases serotonin in your brain.  (Serotonin is a substance that has TREMENDOUS health benefits, including making us feel more blissful.)  Selflessly helping someone is a super powerful way to feel good inside.  What’s even cooler about this kindness kick is that not only will you feel better, but so will people watching the act of kindness.  How extraordinary is that?  Bystanders will be blessed with a release of serotonin just by watching what’s going on.  A side note is that the job of most anti-depressants is to release more serotonin.  Move over Pfizer, kindness is kicking ass and taking names.
5. Nurture social relationships. – The happiest people on the planet are the ones who have deep, meaningful relationships.  Did you know studies show that people’s mortality rates are DOUBLED when they’re lonely?  WHOA!  There’s a warm fuzzy feeling that comes from having an active circle of good friends who you can share your experiences with.  We feel connected and a part of something more meaningful than our lonesome existence.
6. Develop strategies for coping. – How you respond to the ‘craptastic’ moments is what shapes your character.  Sometimes crap happens – it’s inevitable.  Forrest Gump knows the deal.  It can be hard to come up with creative solutions in the moment when manure is making its way up toward the fan.  It helps to have healthy strategies for coping pre-rehearsed, on-call, and in your arsenal at your disposal.
7. Learn to forgive. – Harboring feelings of hatred is horrible for your well-being.  You see, your mind doesn’t know the difference between past and present emotion.  When you ‘hate’ someone, and you’re continuously thinking about it, those negative emotions are eating away at your immune system.  You put yourself in a state of suckerism (technical term) and it stays with you throughout your day.
8. Increase flow experiences. – Flow is a state in which it feels like time stands still.  It’s when you’re so focused on what you’re doing that you become one with the task.  Action and awareness are merged.  You’re not hungry, sleepy, or emotional.  You’re just completely engaged in the activity that you’re doing.  Nothing is distracting you or competing for your focus.
9. Savor life’s joys. – Deep happiness cannot exist without slowing down to enjoy the joy.  It’s easy in a world of wild stimuli and omnipresent movement to forget to embrace life’s enjoyable experiences.  When we neglect to appreciate, we rob the moment of its magic.  It’s the simple things in life that can be the most rewarding if we remember to fully experience them.
10. Commit to your goals. – Being wholeheartedly dedicated to doing something comes fully-equipped with an ineffable force.  Magical things start happening when we commit ourselves to doing whatever it takes to get somewhere.  When you’re fully committed to doing something, you have no choice but to do that thing.  Counter-intuitively, having no option – where you can’t change your mind – subconsciously makes humans happier because they know part of their purpose.
11. Practice spirituality. – When we practice spirituality or religion, we recognize that life is bigger than us.  We surrender the silly idea that we are the mightiest thing ever.  It enables us to connect to the source of all creation and embrace a connectedness with everything that exists.  Some of the most accomplished people I know feel that they’re here doing work they’re “called to do.”
12. Take care of your body. – Taking care of your body is crucial to being the happiest person you can be.  If you don’t have your physical energy in good shape, then your mental energy (your focus), your emotional energy (your feelings), and your spiritual energy (your purpose) will all be negatively affected.  Did you know that studies conducted on people who were clinically depressed showed that consistent exercise raises happiness levels just as much as Zoloft?  Not only that, but here’s the double whammy… Six months later, the people who participated in exercise were less likely to relapse because they had a higher sense of self-accomplishment and self-worth.

Article Credit

Until tomorrow . . .

Finding Fabulous Things . . . butter LONDON

While I love a relaxing manicure and pedicure, sometimes I feel like the expense starts to add up.  It especially gets to me when my polish starts to chip, sometimes only hours after I leave the salon!  So one of the things I have been trying to do more often lately is paint my own nails at home.


Over the years I have accumulated a number of nail polishes, but after I found butter LONDON lacquers almost all of the others were destined for the trash can. {I say almost because you just can't throw out Chanel - and I still love Vendetta}


butter LONDON was founded in 2005 by Sasha Muir when she worked with Nonie Creme, one of London's heralded manicurists, to develop a line of luxury nail polish.   The products themselves are non-toxic {without nasty things like formaldehyde and parabens} and the lacquers come in the most amazing colors!


I have started my collection with Nail Foundation basecoat, the Hardwear Quick Topcoat {both a necessity} and two great 3 Free lacquers: 

Toff

 and

Come to Bed Red

They have almost 60 colors and each one has a fun name and unique description.  Who wouldn't want to have this on their fingers:

Chancer

"Wear this deep, "crushed glitter" red when you are feeling particularly out of his league.  He doesn't deserve you anyway."

They also have pre-selected packs with great complimentary color combinations that make great gifts.   

The Fash Pack

Baby's Breath Collection

Heavy Metal Trio

 With so many fun products available, I have no doubt my collection is going to grow exponentially.  And I am going to have to find a way to make a trip out to their flagship store in the Seattle Tacoma Airport.


What do you think of butter LONDON?


Until tomorrow . . .

Snowflakes

Not having grown up {for most of my life} around snow, it feels like as soon as the magic of the holidays are over, all of the happy snowflake imagery disappears.  Gone are the majestic scenes of people skating on ponds or images of children, eyes shut tightly, sticking their tongues out as far as they can go, catching snowflakes with huge smiles.  It all turns to shut down airports and people bundled up tightly, fighting to walk in the wind and snow while passing in front of temperature gauges that say no more that 15 degrees.  


Frankly, I think all of this takes the fun out of snowflakes!  While I'm not a fan of the 32 degrees it take for snow to fall, I think snowflakes themselves are absolutely beautiful and just because Christmas is over, I don't want to forget that. 

Photo

Photo

 A fun way to combine a love of Star Wars and snowflakes!

Photo

Photo

Photo

And if you are curious, a link to the biography of William "Snowflake" Bentley -- the first man to photograph a snowflake in 1885


"Under the microscope, I found that snowflakes were miracles of beauty; and it seemed a shame that this beauty should not be seen and appreciated by others. Every crystal was a masterpiece of design and no one design was ever repeated., When a snowflake melted, that design was forever lost. Just that much beauty was gone,without leaving any record behind."  - William A. Bentley


Until tomorrow . . .

Finding Fabulous Things. . . C. Wonder

This holiday season I spent quite a bit of time shopping, and during one of my trips to Garden State Plaza in December I stumbled upon a fabulous new store called C. Wonder. 

C. Wonder

Since then, after doing a little bit of digging, I've seen a number articles and a handful of posts on various blogs about this new venture.  The stores are the brainchild of Chris Burch {Tory Burch's ex husband} and the first store launched in mid-October 2011 in the form of a 5000 sq-ft SoHo masterpiece {all locations}.  While the brand is not associated with the Tory Burch line, I don't think it will take long for devotees to be mixing and matching products from each of the lines along with many other of the favorite NYC preppy staples.


I've only been to the Paramus, NJ location {so far} but wandering through the store is a very "bright" experience.  There is color everywhere you turn and a staggering array of products throughout the store; everything from cute shoes and purses to household items and unique gifts.

And my personal favorite - DIY Wine bags:

It is a great shop with reasonable prices and I highly recommend that you drop in if there is a store near you or you check out the C. Wonder website.  


Over the next year I have a feeling I will be finding many of the gifts I give here.


Until tomorrow . . .

Wishing. . . for a roaring fire

On {38 degree} days like today, where the television is filled with nothing but images of {85 degree} Pasadena, I have to admit I am really questioning my move from the other coast.  But in the absence of higher temperatures for the next three months, I really would be happy with a roaring fire to sit by.  The thought of a nice chair, good book and hot cup of tea while sitting in front of a nice warm hearth just can't be beat.  

But until I buy my dream home I will have to be content with looking at the pictures and imagining how I will decorate.

Aspen

Biltmore

A Cozy Fireplace

Southern Living

Restoration Hardware

Southern Living

And for those of you who can go outside to enjoy:

Photo Credit

What are some of your favorite ways to stay cozy during this chilly winter?

Until Tomorrow . . .

Happy New Year!!

It's resolution time!  I am not usually very good at making and keeping my resolutions but this year I am hoping that if I write them down and pick some examples for each one, I will be more apt to keep them.  

1. Accessorize more

{I feel like it is the little things that will make me feel like I have a whole new wardrobe and sort of class up my act.  I'll be on the look out all year for unique inexpensive ways to add a little flair}

Bella U - Thanks to Particularity for showing me where to find this jewelry designer online!! 

Eliza B

Lemon & Line

Timex Weekender

2. Use nicer pens

{While I love my trusty PaperMate blue plastic pen, there is something special and grown up about using a "real pen"}

Waterford

Vera Bradley

3. Take lunch to work

{this will help me save money which I feel like I am constantly throwing away.  I'm hoping finding a cute bag will make it more fun}

LeSportSac

Roxy

Sachi

4. Put more time and effort into decorating my apartment

{and find my unique personal style}

The Old Try

The Foundry

The Foundry

6. Write more letters
{Mom always said you had to send mail to get mail. . . and I love getting letters!}

FineStationary.com

Target

And some resolutions that don't lend themselves to pictures:

7. Open myself up to more new experiences
8. Don't pay any more ATM Fees 
{I just hate how much money I end up throwing away by not thinking about when I need to take cash out}

9. Be more impulsive

What are some of your resolutions?

Until tomorrow . . .