Link Love and Lovelies

Hooray!  I actually made it to my vacation!  It was a pretty great week for me: I gave my notice at work and I feel a huge weight lifted off my shoulders.  I kicked off my vacation last night with some friend time with Bestest Best and wine, natch!  I feel really grateful because I've had the opportunity to hang out with her twice in a week!  This is actually us at the Fleet Foxes show just last Friday, pay no attention to my awesome hat-hair.

I think Shug and I are going to try to make it up to Park City this weekend for our staycation.  The puppies can't wait for us to leave because Grandma and Grandpa 'Teef are going to hang out with them while we're away!  They are going to be SO spoiled by the time we get back!

Here's some loveys for your weekend:

~ Good thing I'm already married!  *Swoon*!

~ Listen to this album, it's how I'll remember her amazing talent.

~ This guy's got the right idea.

~ So perfectly pretty.

~ Adore these shorts.  So sweet!

~ How chic is she?

~ Every one of these looks inspired by Charlotte Gainsbourg is legit!

Happy weekend!

A Movie to See: Midnight in Paris

 

After seeing this movie I basically floated out of the theatre!

Midnight in Paris takes everything that is attractive and lovely about Paris and distills it down to 94 minutes of cinematic magic.  It sounds so cliche, but this movie can only be described as magical.  The casting, the story, and the setting (obvs) make this one of the best movies I've seen in awhile!

I was a little worried about Owen Wilson, being, well, Owen Wilson, but he is the best incarnation of Woody Allen yet!  His nervous existential angst is endearing, not annoying.  And the casting of every other character in the movie (I can't tell you exactly who, or it will spoil it!) is nothing less than perfect.  From the epitome of the "ugly American" to an iconic author, every role was filled exceptionally.

If you are missing Paris *ahem* or just want a snapshot of what the big deal about Paris is, see this movie!  You get to see all of the things that make this city one of the most loved places on earth.  My heart literally ached watching characters walk in the rain or visit a Parisian outdoor market.  Cheesy, but true.

The movie was such a hit with friends, it's now part of our next reading assignment for book club!  So, I'm giving you an assignment, too: go see Midnight in Paris!  As soon as you can!

Natural Beauty: Natural Moisturizers

When perusing the local Whole Foods for an all-over moisturizer I could use in the arid Utah climate I came to two conclusions: 1) paraben-free moisturizers are spendy and/or 2) natural moisturizers are kinda goopy and sticky.  I neither like goopy or spendy, so I decided to move a few aisles over to the cooking oils to see if I could find a better alternative to moisturize my whole body.  I was pleased to discover nature already has my back: there are quite a few oils typically used for cooking (here in the U.S.) that are amazing for keeping your skin moisturized and glowing!

Enter the holy grail of oils, coconut oil!  This versatile oil not only is an amazing moisturizer for your entire body, it's great for your face and hair, too.  Coconut oil has antibacterial properties, so slathering it on a blemish or scrape can actually speed up the wound's healing time.  Coconut oil absorbs rather quickly, so it doesn't leave too much of a residue behind after application.  Coconut oil also naturally smells amazing!

Coconut oil is solid at room temperature, but it quickly melts when applied to the skin.  If you want to use it in your hair, I recommend melting a little in a bowl in the microwave and letting it cool before application.  Coconut oil really has a ton of beauty uses!

Another great moisturizer is sweet almond oil.  It is quite a bit more viscous when compared to coconut oil and is commonly used as a massage oil.  I love it as an all-over moisturizer, except for the face.  With a light hand and applying right after the bath or shower, your skin will be glowing for the rest of the day!  Sweet almond oil doesn't have a smell, which can be considered a good and a bad thing.  If you want your skin to be lightly scented, you can add a few drops of essential oil to the large container of almond oil and mix well.  Be advised that some essential oils can be irritants, so if you have sensitive skin, I'd stick to fragrance free!

The last natural moisturizer I love is grapeseed oil.  It shares many of the same properties as sweet almond oil, but is just a tad "lighter."  I like to use grapeseed oil in the summer, while sweet almond oil is what I use for the drying winter months.  Grapeseed oil is scentless, so if you want to add essential oils for fragrance, that's up to you!

Another way to moisturize we really don't think about is from the inside out!  Taking 2000-6000mg a day of fish oil can up the moisture content of your skin.  Vegans and vegetarians report that taking flaxseed oil can help in moisturizing the skin.  Drinking water throughout the day is also an effective way to keep your skin glowing!

Paris vs. New York

I have been addicted to Paris vs New York, a tally of two cities, for close to a year now.  The clever comparisons not only make me laugh, but could be hung on any wall.  Here are a few of my faves!

Music Monday: (More) Fleet Foxes

 

YOU.  GUYS.

Friday's show was so ridiculously amazing, 

I kept reminding myself to just pay attention to everything because I

knew it was one of those shows I would remember for, well, forever.

It was too, too lovely for words to even begin to describe.

The mountains, the music, the company, 

everything combined made for a perfect experience.

I hope, if you ever get the chance, you will see Fleet Foxes live.

You won't be sorry.

Link Love and Lovelies

SO glad it's the weekend finally!  Instead of boring you with more mopey work talk, let's talk about the Fleet Foxes show we're going to tonight at Red Butte Gardens!  We have a whole crowd of good friends coming with us, so it really will be an amazing time, even if the band doesn't show up.  I'm home stretchin' it with the ol' job and every day I feel a little more weight lifted off my shoulders.  I'm not on call this weekend, either, so I am just excited to get to have a little time with Shug!  I kinda miss my husband, sometimes.

Here's to a long, lovely weekend, wherever you are!

• Prettiest at-home dye job!  Amazed!
• A new take an Marie Antoinette. 
• YES.  All of them.
• She couldn't be any cuter.  SRSLY.
• The lingerie bedspread is just ridic.
• This DIY honeycomb paint job is blowing my mind!
• THIS.

If you can, enjoy some of your free time looking at the sky this weekend,

I can't remember the last time I looked UP.

xo.

Be Brave.

So very true.

Seaworthy

Very.

Very.

Needed.

Natural Beauty: Yogurt Face Masks

Mmm!  I love Greek yogurt and honey for breakfast and, as luck would have it, it also makes a phenomenal face mask!  Yogurt has been used for hundreds of years for beauty, so why stop now?  The lactic acid in the yogurt can help calm inflammation and redness, while the probiotics are amazing for cleansing and battling acne.  The fat in the yogurt is also really moisturizing, but it won't clog pores, so it's safe to use on all skin types.  With a few tweaks and added treats, you can personalize your yogurt mask to target your own skin's needs.  I really like to use Greek yogurt, since it's really thick and doesn't drip off of your face, but any plain yogurt will do!

Great Basic Yogurt Face Mask
Take two heaping tablespoons of full fat or 2% plain yogurt and add to a small bowl.  Add a large teaspoon of honey and mix well.  Slather on your clean face and let it sit for 20-25 minutes.  Rinse off the mask with warm water and a washcloth.  Moisturize immediately after.  Your skin should be glowing!

Green Tea and Lemon Face Mask
This mask is great for congested or acne-prone skin, sensitive skin peeps, please omit the lemon juice!  The green tea and lemon fight bacteria and discoloration, leaving blotchy skin soothed and smoothed!  Add two heaping tablespoons of full fat or 2% plain yogurt to a small bowl.  Add 1/2 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice and 1/2 teaspoon matcha green tea powder.  Mix well, apply to your clean face and let it sit for 20-25 minutes.  Rinse with warm water and moisturize immediately.

Honey and Carrot Face Mask
This is a great mask for sensitive or dry skin.  Take two heaping tablespoons of full-fat plain yogurt and add to a small bowl.  Add one tablespoon finely grated fresh carrot and one teaspoon of honey to the bowl and mix well.  Slather or your face and let it sit for 15-20 minutes.  Rinse off with lukewarm water and moisturize!

There really are hundreds of variations of this amazing mask, so find one that works for you!

Music Monday: Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings

 

I can't get over how amazing Sharon Jones' voice is!

Last night was one of the first shows of the Red Butte Concert Series!

While I wasn't able to attend last night's show to see Sharon and the Dap-Kings play,

this Friday I get to see Fleet Foxes at Red Butte!

I'm looking forward to wine with my favorite friends and beautiful music outside!

Friday Link Love and Lovelies

Well.  I have had a horrible, no-good, very bad week at work.  I feel I'm usually more resilient to the ridiculousness there, but this week my defenses were down.  The whole office (save for a bare-bones skeleton crew, including your truly, to stay and run the entire agency) went on a company-funded river trip.  Entire cases were dumped in my lap with a Post-It note of information to see me through the weekend.  To add insult to injury, cell coverage is non-existent where the whole crew is floating the river, so any questions or crisis have to wait until Monday.  Oh yeah, and I'm on call this weekend.  SO MUCH FUN.

Man, sorry I'm such a downer!  I will try to have a better weekend, and it will be impossible not to, because I get to spend Saturday evening with some of my most favorite of favorites in the world for book club!  I also get to have coffee with Bestest Best today, someone I never get to see enough of, really!  Shug and I also get to plan our staycation this weekend, and I am so grateful I have PTO to burn, now!  See, I am just a whiner, really!

Here's some loveliness for your weekend!

~ Oui, oui, oui!

~ Love her take on natural-looking beauty.

~ This airy living space is calling me!

~ Love this girl's style.

~ I need to read this 1000 more times this weekend.

~ So bright!

~ Love these Swiss posters.

I feel better already!

Have a lovely weekend!

And Then...

Solid.

Straw Hats

There's some type of allure that straw hats have held for me for a long time.

I don't know if it's because I was obsessed with Ann of Green Gables when I was little

or I had found a perfect straw hat that my American Girl wore often,

but I love them!

 They are so sweet looking and functional!  Save that skin from a sunburn!

I'm pretty sure this is Anne, herself!

Lovely!

Vacation Stress...It Exists!

Shug and I are in the middle of trying to plan the littlest getaway before school starts up for me in August.  We are low on the fun money, so we have been trying to get creative as to how to actually "get away" without feeling the guilt of spending money we don't have.  I totally understand how privileged I am that I even get to talk about a possibility of a vacation, but doesn't it stress you out sometimes to get all your plans locked down for while you're away and at your destination??

We've been talking about how stressful some "vacations" have been, with a jam-packed itinerary and not any down time.  Add the stress of not speaking the local language or worrying about your bag constantly being pickpocketed and you've got yourself a full blown vacation stress situation!  Now, I wouldn't trade a single vacation experience I've had, but I will say upon my return, I've needed another vacation to recuperate from my vacation! 

This time around, Shug and I are trying to keep this little escape as low-key as possible.  We still haven't really figured out where we're going, but we DO know it will have a wide open schedule...and sunshine!  Do any of you have creative ideas for "staycations?"  Bonus points of you live in Utah or the Salt Lake Area;)!

Music Monday: Thulebasen

 

These Danish kids definitely were raised on Nirvana and Pearl Jam.

It's like all the good stuff from the 90s filtered into Thulebasen.

Love these guys!

Friday Link Love and Lovelies

I thought I'd share a little "family portrait" that our good friend, BBF, took a couple of weeks ago.

Shug and I are so very proud of our little family!

We love our puppies!

I'm excited to have a BBQ this weekend with my Mom and Dad!  My sister and her husband are coming, too!  I'm thinking we'll have pulled pork sandwiches and coleslaw.  Mmm!

I feel like my weekend already got off to an amazing start, because yesterday I was lucky enough to get some dinner and have some great conversation with two amazing women!  There is something to be said for having just "girl time," you know?

Here's some loveliness for your weekend!

* Light and symmetry.

* I want a vacation here!

* LOVE these modern wedding invitations!

* Love this garland idea for your hair.

* Such a sweet summery look.

* Amazed at her consistent elegance!

* DYING over this find!

Have a great weekend!

Geodes, Agates, and Chains

Love the natural beauty of the geodes against the industrial smooth chain.

Angular and organic.  Beautiful!

The different chains make this interesting and understated.

In LOVE with this local artist's work!  Go to Nobletown Vintage and get yourself some treasures!

Natural Beauty: Stress Less!

I have realized the less I take care of my stress levels, the more I can see it in my skin.  I am sure that turning 30 also got the lackluster skin wheels turning, but my skin is the true teller if I am having a stressful week (or month)!  I've talked before about my issues with crazy skin issues as an adult after years of pristine teenage skin, but I've come to realize I wasn't stressed AT ALL in high school!  I think that's a huge reason my skin looked so good: I couldn't be bothered by anything, much less stress!

The awesome thing about being stressed out is that is usually comes with its two BFFs: lack of sleep and poor eating choices.  I don't know about you, but as soon as my daily sleep drops below 7 hours, I not only turn into a hosebeast in regards to my personality, but my skin starts to looks dull and bummed out!  Ditto for the junk food comfort I seek in times of high anxiety!  Not having time to prepare a healthy meal for myself or even demand thirty minutes away from work to grab a nourishing lunch does a number on my skin in no time.

I have started to notice that if I'm feeling consistently overwhelmed, my skin gets overwhelmed.  It starts to look dull and lackluster, there are breakouts galore, and fine lines get deeper and more noticeable.  No amount of creams or concoctions could help this situation, it's all stress-busting that needs to happen!

Some people really like yoga to get rid of stress and anxiety and I went to Bikram yoga for awhile to help with my crazy anxiety.  It really, really, really helped!  I don't even think it was so much the yoga, but the 90 minutes of ME time where I got to clear my head and not worry about anything!  I wish I had that kind of time in my schedule now!

I have found that exercise has really helped me deal with my stress, too.  A tough workout doesn't allow me the time to worry about stuff at work or at school!  I am forced to concentrate on just the movement and my breathing and that is really restorative to me.  After a couple of weeks of consistent exercise, my skin always seems to get back on track!

What do you do to deal with stress?  Some people use prayer or spend time with their pets to deal with life's craziness.  Others volunteer or spend time with people that support them.  I'd love to hear what you do!

True. Love.

Don't Ruby and Tucker look so austere?

I'm in love with these pups!

And with Shug, who took these great shots of our family!

Link Love and Lovelies

This long weekend couldn't have come a minute too soon.  While my week has been pretty lousy, the silver lining has been the almost constant affirmation that I have made a good decision by deciding to go back to school.  I know it will be another crazy two years, but it will enable me to provide for myself, Shug, and my puppies.  And do what I love!

I feel really lucky to live in a country where, as a woman,  I am free to make the choices I do.  I am grateful to be an American and am hopeful for the change that needs to happen to make this country all it can be.  I hope you have a lovely long weekend with those you love!

~ YES.

~ Mmmmmm.  Making this!

~ Secrets to an amazing cat eye.

~ LOOOOOOVE this entire blog!

~ Could rock this look all summer.

~ Wish this wasn't sold out!

~ How do I get here?

xo.