W. O. W

Wants on Thursday

Did anyone else experience Internet trouble yesterday? Well, because of the interruption I was unable to post this.. This post consists of my current craves for the new casita.. Slowly things are starting to come together and its looking more like a home. My couch actually arrived today (ahead of schedule) and Maddie is very thrilled to have a snuggle spot again.

 

Gordon Tufted Loveseat $850 (being delivered today, I'm so excited!!) Alligator Bookends $50 Coral $25

Silver Hamsa / Evil Eye Bracelet $5 Evil eye bracelet - sterling silver $16 Jellyfish Painting $160 Grasslands Throw $39 Bubble Ceramic Side Table $129 Sari Patch Throw $59 3 Square Shelves $25
 Pineapple Doorstop $29 Woven Accent Bench $100

have a happy [healthy] Easter

 

With Easter coming up this weekend, I think it's safe to say that most children will be suffering from a sugar high well into the first half of next week.

After talking with a friend last night, she told me how most of her friends have had babies and how they have taken over instagram. (Thanks Amanda!) With so many babies in the air, why not take advantage of all the new Mommies out there and offer some healthier choices for their little one's Easter basket. So instead of all the sweets and sugar- I thought of some creative ideas in an attempt to overhaul the typical basket.

Now if you know me, you know that I too love sweets!! But I think kids shouldn't love sweets as much as I do, and maybe I shouldn't have been given them as much when I was younger. So start them off on the right foot with some great alternatives.  enjoy xo

1. Freeze Dried Fruit- the Just Tomatoes brand is my favorite choice when it comes to fruit. The variety of flavors that they offer is fantastic and depending on the season you will get bonus choices, mango and blueberries are two of my favorites.

2. Personalized Key Chains- as a child I never really got the chance to have personalized items, because lets face it.. my name isn't that common. So when I recieve a treat with my name on it, I feel extra special!! It doesn't have to be Easter themed, that way they can use it all year long.

3. Mad Lib Books- I thought these were awesome when I was a kid... well, they're still pretty cool. The random, silly stories that you can create are endless and a great option when you need to keep your child busy.
4. Honey Bunny Grahams- These are so addicting, you will find yourself stealing them from your kids. Maybe you should buy a bag for yourself.. Now the real perks- sweetend with natural honey, excellent Source of Calcium, no Saturated Fat, no Cholesterol and they're made with organic whole wheat flour.  AND its eligible as an EcoBonus product- natural, organic, fair trade and sustainable!
 

5. Marbles- Ya, they might be a little old school.. but kids still really like them. You can play the original game with them or collect the really unusual looking ones. Plus, kids are creative.. they'll come up with a million other ways to play with them.
6. Temporary Tattoos- These are pretty rad all around. You don't even have to give Easter themed ones, they can be trucks or roses.. they're just fun.

7. Money- One thing that I always liked when I was younger was getting silver coins in my Easter eggs. It never has to be a large amount, but a little jingle in their basket goes a long way. So fill up some of those plastic aggs with a couple quarters and hershey kisses for a fun alternative.


6. Small Toys- Depending on what your child is into, the excitement of toys never gets old. Children like things that they can play with right away and Hot Wheels or Hex Bugs are always popular. If you want to fill the basket with girlier items maybe nail polish or hair clips would be a better idea. The dollar spot at Target has a really good selection.

8. Movie Tickets- When a child reaches 5 years old, they typically can sit through an entire movie. So why not give them some vouchers so they can pick when they want to go and what they want to see. This gives them a sense of independence and the option for a night out with you!! It's a win win.

9. Coupons- Giving homemade coupons is always a fun idea. All you do is write up some fun activities or special privelges on a peice of paper, cut them out and you're good to go. Some of my favorites are; stay up one hour past bed time, the child's choice for dinner, and skip chores for a day.. but you can make up whatever you like.

 

prickly pete

green sweater, plaid top - Jcrew, jeans- Urban Outfitters, boots- Steve Madden, purse- Vegan, snake bracelet- vintage

Things are coming together around the little casita (I decided that's a good name for it) As promised I will slowly start giving tours and first on my list is my garden. Now, I am not a fabulous gardener.. actually I wouldn't even call myself decent. I murder plants... and I have only the best intentions. So after careful thought, I decided it would be best if I stuck with something a little more tough. Insert the cactus, I have done my research on proper watering and I'm crossing my fingers. Wish me luck!!

hippie love

top- Target,  pants- Old Abercrombie, purse- picked it up in Mexico, shoes- Urban Outfitters, glasses- Electrics

Words to live by... Happy Weekend!!

There can't be any large-scale revolution until there's a personal revolution, on an individual level. It's got to happen inside first.

I  do my thing, and you do your thing. I am not tin this world to live up to your expectations, and you are not in this world to live up to mine. You are you, and I am I, and if by chance we find each other, it's beautiful.

-Frederick E. Perl

My advice to people today is as follows: If you take the game of life seriously, if you take your nervous system seriously, if you take your sense organs seriously, if you take the energy process seriously, you must turn on, tune in, and drop out.

Hippy is an establishment label for a profound, invisible, underground, evolutionary process. For every visible hippy, barefoot, beflowered, beaded, there are a thousand invisible members of the turned-on underground. Persons whose lives are tuned in to their inner vision, who are dropping out of the TV comedy of American Life.
-Timothy Leary



Simply Smile

Oh the weekend is upon us and I can't wait to enjoy it. The week was broken up with a beautiful rain storm and you know I sat by the window all night. I also got my Internet up and running.. which is a victory on its own- having never done such a thing. Lets just say I got very comfortable with the guys at Frys Electronics. I also have been decorating my place a little and found out that my couch has shipped! woohoo! victory dance time. Pictures soon to follow, I promise. These are a few other things that have kept a smile on my face. Have a great day, you're almost to the weekend.

Seeing a horse walking down the road is a liitle bit of a shock, but I guess you get used to it when you grow up in the country.

Sushi = LOVE

I love my San Jose Sharks and have gone to a few games where they won.. I think I might be good luck!

I seriously can't say no to Kettle Corn, it is my favorite Fair food

One day...

Tighten Up

All this gorgeous sunshine has got me thinking about the beach non-stop!! I can't wait to get out there and soak up the rays and jump in the Ocean... yes, I do actually go in the water. Even though it might not be sunny where you live, it is a great time to start thinking about that bikini body of yours. Have you neglected it all season or have you been staying in shape? Either way, here is a great workout routine from Fitness Magazine, designed to get you lookin' HOT!! enjoy xo

10 Reasons to Support your local Farmers Market

My sister and I had a fabulous time at the Japantown Farmers Market last Sunday. I always find everything I need, even though the size is a lot smaller compared to others. The produce is always fresh and I always get a better deal compared to the grocery store. To see a list of local Farmers Markets in your area,

 check it out here. Happy Shopping.

1. Taste Real Flavors

The fruits and vegetables you buy at the farmers market are the freshest and tastiest available. Fruits are allowed to ripen fully in the field and are brought directly to you—no long-distance shipping, no gassing to simulate the ripening process, no sitting for weeks in storage. This food is as real as it gets—fresh from the farm.

2. Enjoy the Season
The food you buy at the farmers market is seasonal. It is fresh and delicious and reflects the truest flavors. Shopping and cooking from the farmers market helps you to reconnect with the cycles of nature in our region. As you look forward to asparagus in spring, savor sweet corn in summer, or bake pumpkins in autumn, you reconnect with the earth, the weather, and the turning of the year.

3. Support Family Farmers
Family farmers need your support, now that large agribusiness dominates food production in the U.S. Small family farms have a hard time competing in the food marketplace. Buying directly from farmers gives them a better return for their produce and gives them a fighting chance in today’s globalized economy.



4. Protect the Environment
Food in the U.S. travels an average of 1,500 miles to get to your plate. All this shipping uses large amounts of natural resources (especially fossil fuels), contributes to pollution, and creates trash with extra packaging. Conventional agriculture also uses many more resources than sustainable agriculture and pollutes water, land, and air with toxic agricultural by-products. Food at the farmers market is transported shorter distances and is generally grown using methods that minimize the impact on the earth.

5. Nourish Yourself
Much food found in grocery stores is highly processed and grown using pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, and genetic modification. Some of it has been irradiated, waxed, or gassed in transit. These practices may have negative effects on human health. In contrast, most food found at the farmers market is minimally processed, and many of our farmers go to great lengths to grow the most nutritious produce possible by using sustainable techniques, picking produce right before the market, and growing heirloom varieties.

6. Discover the Spice of Life: Variety
At the farmers market you find an amazing array of produce that you don’t see in your average supermarket: red carrots, a rainbow of heirloom tomatoes, purple cauliflower, stinging nettles, green garlic, watermelon radishes, quail eggs, maitake mushrooms, and much, much more. It is a wonderful opportunity to savor the biodiversity of our planet

7. Promote Humane Treatment of Animals
At the farmers market, you can find meats, cheeses, and eggs from animals that have been raised without hormones or antibiotics, who have grazed on green grass and eaten natural diets, and who have been spared the cramped and unnatural living conditions of feedlots and cages that are typical of animal agriculture

8. Know Where Your Food Comes From
A regular trip to a farmers market is one of the best ways to connect with where your food comes from. Meeting and talking to farmers and food artisans is a great opportunity to learn more about how and where food is produced. CUESA’s seller profiles that hang at the booths give you even more opportunities to learn about the people who work hard to bring you the most delicious and nutritious food around. Profiles, articles about sellers, and a map of farms are also available on this website.

9. Learn Cooking Tips, Recipes, and Meal Ideas
Few grocery store cashiers or produce stockers will give you tips on how to cook the ingredients you buy, but farmers, ranchers, and artisans at the farmers market are often passionate cooks with plenty of free advice about how to cook the foods they are selling. You can also attend free seasonal cooking demonstrations by leading Bay Area chefs and evening classes on food preservation and other kitchen skills.

10. Connect with Your Community
Wouldn’t you rather stroll amidst outdoor stalls of fresh produce on a sunny day than roll your cart around a grocery store with artificial lights and piped in music? Coming to the farmers market makes shopping a pleasure rather than a chore. The farmers market is a community hub—a place to meet up with your friends, bring your children, or just get a taste of small-town life in the midst of our wonderful big city.

source

Funny for your Monday

Most of you know that I adore my dog, Maddie... but there are some times when you have to punish them and their reaction can't help but make you laugh.. This clip is a perfect example of that moment. enjoy xo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t25GyPENGBo&feature=player_detailpage

get your weekend on

Flea Markets have always been my thing. I love to stop when I see them randomly or plan a trip for a specific one. But either way they always catch my eye, because I love the surprise of finding something from decades past. Something that tells a story or has a meaning that is linked to my childhood or a memory. This weekend I am going to go to a local flea market in my area, in order to check out the selection of stuff. now sometimes you hit the jackpot, and sometimes you leave empty handed.. but I'm willing to take a chance. Hopefully, I can show you some of my winnings next week. Do something for yourself this weekend!!

 

Also on the Agenda...

Free donuts at Krispe Kream on Sunday March 10th from 12:00 am to 11:30 pm in honor of Daylight Savings Time.

The 408K is on Sunday as well. It's a really fun 8K race that stretches from the HP pavilion to Santana Row shopping. This is the 2nd annual, so go out and support. Or, head to Santana Row to cheer on the runner as they pass the finish line. And enjoy the after party too!

Cinequest Film Festival is running untill Sunday March 10th so its your last chance to check out some films. And this year was amazing, my favs were The Great Journey and David Sedaris's The Learning Curve 

(who was one of my favorite authors in College)

California Theatre

345 South 1St Street
San Jose, CA 95113

San Jose Super Comic Book Show is going to be held at the Santa Clara Fairgrounds this weekend from 10:00 - 3:30 both days. Admission is $3- $15 and there will be a ton of vendors. You'll never know what you will find, especially if you like collectibles and vintage reads.

have a great weekend!!

ciao xo



15 Minutes to Fit

Did you know that exercise makes you happy?

 It's true, it has actually been proven by numerous studies worldwide; here, here and here. If you want a quick boost of joy- go for a jog or walk your dog or lift some weights.. I'm telling you that you will feel better after. Don't have the motivation? Just get yourself there. Studies have also shown that after ten minutes of you working out, it will propell you to finish your workout because of the endorphine release. Physical activity is known to give a powerful "feel-good" effect, brightening mood and enhancing mental health. Some have even said that regular exercise may be as effective as medication for some people with depression.

"We found that people who are more physically active have more pleasant-activated feelings than people who are less active, and we also found that people have more pleasant-activated feelings on days when they are more physically active than usual," study researcher Amanda Hyde 

The importance of physical activity is not only for our physique and health..but also our mental health.

I have attached a great Womens Health short workout, for an instant mood boost.. now you have no excuse not to kick it into gear!!

some great fitness tool to invest in

while on a walk

sometimes Sunday Mornings are meant to be filled with banana pancakes, trips to the coffee house for soy hot coco and a walk to nowhere in particular. Those slow paced mornings, are what I wait for all week. Do you have a special day of the week, that you look forward to?