Thursday, March 31, 2011

Natural Beauty: Exfoliation

I was struck one evening by a scary line uttered by my favorite jerk on Mad Men, Roger Sterling, something to the effect of "...after 30 women just seem to lose that glow."  Now, I'm pretty sure Roger was speaking, ahem, euphemistically, but he was pretty spot on in terms of glowing skin: at around the age of 30, cellular turnover slows down, and skin can start to look dull.

We can combat this dulling effect a number of ways, the most important being maintaining a healthy intake of fresh foods and moving around on a regular basis.  Sunblock is also another must in the holy book of great skin, sun damage is the number one aging factor for our skin.  Also, if you smoke, sorry, but you are aging your skin at an even more accelerated rate...if you don't believe me, just think of the people you know who are lifelong smokers.

If you have the basics of keeping your skin looking healthy, now you can move on to exfoliation.  Exfoliation is just a fancy term for buffing the dead skin cells off the surface of your skin.  When skin is younger, this process happens pretty naturally, but as we get older, it can help to give your skin a little "oomph" one or two times a week.

Enter the Boscia Illuminating Black Mask.  This is a crazy, but really effective, way to get some heavy duty exfoliation into your beauty routine.  It's made with clay, pine tar, vitamin C, and witch hazel to help clean the gunk out of your pores.  It also will take the flaky top layer of skin cells with it.  Slather this on, wait 20 minutes, and peel off.  It's like a Biore Nose Strip for your entire face.  The great thing about this mask is that it's free of parabens, dyes, and other artificial crap you wouldn't want to be slathering all over your body.

So try to incorporate a scrub or peel into your routine once or twice a week to help let your beautiful skin shine through!  You won't be unhappy with the results!

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

In which I find embarrassment is a constant state of being.

I am, if nothing else, an opinionated person.  There are very few things that fall into a purgatory of indecision in my life: I know what I like and I'm even keener at what I do NOT like.  The one glaring caveat is that saves me from utter jerk-dom is that I allow myself to change my mind.

At a recent book club, which deserves multiple posts all its own, I brought up the subject of books I had read as a teenager that really affected me and after rereading them as an adult, how much they (and I) had changed.  One utterly embarrassing example was The Fountainhead, by Ayn Rand. 

As a young woman, I identified with the protagonist, an architect named Howard Roark, who was true to his vision and creativity.  He would never be a part of "the collective" that stole the ideas of these creative few.  On the surface, I thought as a teenager, this book was a-maz-ing.  Be yourself!  Don't follow the crowd!  Middle finger to the man!  It was only after a reread as an adult, when the subtext of Rand's individualism and objectivism was fully realized by me, the reader. 

I was appalled that I had allowed this book into my favorites list as a kid!  The xenophobia and disgust with the "weak" in The Fountainhead really scared me.  I was utterly embarrassed to admit to my book club that this had been a book that I truly enjoyed the first time I read it.  Of course, my perspective and opinion of the book has changed, but it got me wondering: what other books (or movies) did I adore when I was younger only to be embarrassed or bored by now?

Do you have any books that you loved as a kid, but on the second read as an adult they just don't hold up?  I'd love to hear your opinions!  I promise I don't think all of my opinions are the right ones anymore! (Pinky-swear!)

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Happy Birthday to Sissyteef!

Today is my beautiful, amazing, and hilarious sister's birthday!

She is always surprising me with:

~ her generosity
~ her ability to find the humor in almost every situation
~ her loyalty
~ her creativity
~ her undying love of horror movies
~ her amazing bargain-hunting prowess!

I am pretty much the luckiest sister in the world!
Happy Birthday, S.!
I hope you have a wonderful day!

Monday, March 28, 2011

I don't care...

This is so sappy and sweet.
And I love it.

Friday, March 25, 2011

Elizabeth Taylor

It was a sad week to say goodbye to Elizabeth Taylor.

She has played so many amazing characters, 
one of my favorites being Martha in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

While that role was indeed "meatier" than Elizabeth's role in Cleopatra, I think I'll always remember her as the Queen of the Nile!  Her style and attitude may have been inspired by Cleopatra, but I can't help but think this is pure Elizabeth.  The eyeliner!  The bangs!  The color!  Perfection.

Do yourself a favor and watch this movie, you will be amazed at the artistic direction.  If you want extra credit, check out Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, too!  It's amazing to think these movies were filmed just three years apart.  It really speaks to Elizabeth's talent and commitment to her roles.

I hope you have a great weekend!
xo.

Source

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Music Thursday: Iron and Wine

 

Sam Beam's, of Iron and Wine, voice truly gives me goosebumps.
I get all shivery whenever I have the chance to listen to any of his songs.
And I love that he plays this song under the stairs in a wine cellar!

My grandma and grandpa used to live in a creaky old house that had a vast, damp basement.  My little sister and I would spent our summer days playing down there with old, faded toys from the 1950s, dress up with my grandma's hats and purses, and cook pretend meals on the ancient cast iron stove.

I miss that basement and this song's setting was sweet enough to remind of it.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Recipe of the Weeks: Egg and Asparagus with Gluten Free Pasta

There is nothing more difficult for me than to come home after a super-long day and get creative about what's for dinner.  I'm a little ashamed to admit that some nights, all our dinner consists of is cheese and crackers or chips and salsa!

This quick and simple recipe will have you enjoying a healthy meal in under 15 minutes!  Really!  It's filling, healthy, and can be customized for your resident wheat-eater (with regular pasta), carnivore (add shredded chicken breast or pancetta), or vegan (by omitting the cheese and egg and adding walnut pieces and nutritional yeast!) Shug and I, the culinary moderates we are, like the ovo-lacto vegetarian version of this!

Egg and Asparagus with Gluten Free Pasta 
Serves 4 hungries
Ingredients:
3/4 -1 pound gluten free pasta, any shape
Salt and pepper
Extra virgin olive oil
1 pound fresh asparagus, rinsed and woody ends trimmed
4 organic eggs
2 T butter
1/2 - 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Get a large pot of generously salted water boiling over medium high heat.  Add a squirt of olive oil to help the gluten free pasta from sticking to each other.  Once the water is at a full boil, add your pasta and stir well.

Take your trimmed asparagus and cut in half or in thirds, depending on their size.  You want easily munchable pieces!  When the pasta is about 3-4 minutes away from being "al dente," throw your asparagus pieces in to the boiling pot with your pasta.  Give the pot another good stir and get working on those eggs!

In a large saucepan, heat a generous squirt of the olive oil over medium heat.  Crack and add your eggs gently to the pan, making sure they don't run together.  While the eggs are cooking, test your pasta and asparagus.  The pasta should be soft, but not mushy and the asparagus tender-crisp.  Drain your pasta and asparagus, but leave about 1/2 cup of the cooking water in the bottom of the pan, this will help make the sauce!

Add the butter and 2 T of olive oil to the pasta mixture.  Add salt and pepper to taste and throw in your Parmesan cheese.  Be sure to reserve a little cheese for the garnish!  Your eggs should be cooked to your liking (we like sunny side up!)  Serve up the pasta and asparagus and top each portion with an egg, another sprinkling of Parm, and pepper!  Eat up!  You've had a loooooong day;)!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Gauzy

I am literally swooning over this airy, silk dress from Anthropologie.

I tried it on while on a little birthday loot search 
and it was even more beautiful in person!
Look at that shoulder detail! DYING over how pretty this dress is!

This is the dress I'll be wearing in my imagination 
when Spring decides to stick around!

Monday, March 21, 2011

Happiest

I had a birthday.  And it was so much fun!  

Even though I was crazy-busy with work stuff most of the weekend, I was able to spend a little time with some of my favorite people on the planet.  People that I am sure make me a little better of person each time I get to: listen to their opinions, watch them follow their own ethos, and watch them set their plans in motion, big and small.

I was spoiled rotten this birthday, but I feel most spoiled by the amazing influences I have in my life.  My parents and my sister being the people I STILL can't figure out how I lucked out so I get to have them as a part of my life.  My dear, dear friends, who are some of the most amazing and inspiring individuals I've ever had the luck to meet, support and challenge me.  And my husband, my sweet, strong, ridiculously creative husband...I am still reeling from the fact that I, ME, get to have him as my partner in crime.  I tell you, none of this makes sense to me, but you can be sure I thank my lucky stars for these people daily!

Oh!  And I got gluten free red velvet cupcakes, too!  
It really was a happy, happy birthday!

Friday, March 18, 2011

For Japan, With Love

Get involved here.

Sending love to Japan.

Amazing Amazingness!

 

This just made my hellish week sooooomuch better.
Fleet Foxes AND Grizzly Bear??
SWOON.


I hope you all have a lovely weekend!
Spring is almost here!
xo.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I hope you wear a little green today, I HATE getting pinched!  
Especially from obnoxious coworkers.

This is the first St. Patty's Day that I can actually say 
I have had a little taste of the luck o' the Irish!
(And a taste of corned beef and cabbage!)

Shug and I were so lucky to have traveled to this beautiful country in September.
The greenery and rolling hills looked more like paintings than "real life."
Everything truly looked like a set of a movie!

We also enjoyed the company we were able to travel with!
Shug and I felt so lucky to have traveled to such an amazing place!
 Our last evening in Ireland, Shug and I enjoyed a pint of Carlsberg and a glass of wine in the pub connected to the B&B where we stayed.  The large windows looked out over the ocean and the gusts of wind rolling off the water shook the panes in their sills.  We talked about returning to Ireland, even though we hadn't even left yet.  It was the most surreal experience and if you ever have the chance, go to this charmed and lovely place!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Am I Missing Something??

These are HORRIBLE.

I honestly and truly do not get why these are growing in popularity!

Ankle-breaking.  Check.
Heavy.  Check.
Obnoxious.  Check.

I get trying to wear larger shoes to make your ankles and calves look dainty, 
but seriously?!
Tell me, please, what am I missing about these?

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Pretty Sure I Belong in the 60s

Oh, and Europe, too.

GIF amazingness here, you won't be able to look away!

Monday, March 14, 2011

Brief Moment

 

This is a beautiful collection of moments caught while Marco Aslan was traveling in Europe.  It's a beautiful and quiet way to start the week.

After such a long weekend, I'm actually glad Monday is here!

Also, if you can, please donate to the relief effort in Japan.

xo.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Sending Love...

My heart goes out to the people of Japan.  Much like Chile, they are more prepared for earthquakes, but it doesn't take away from the damage and loss this earthquake caused.

As a resident of a place that also is more prone to earthquakes, this is a good reminder for Utahns to prepare as best we can for an earthquake in our area.

Along with sending your thoughts and prayers (if you pray, of course!) to the people of Japan, you can donate to the Red Cross, an organization that sends aid to areas in crisis all over the world.

Have a safe weekend.
xo.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Sponsor Post: Baby Bond


How cute is this mumma and her bean??  My lovely new-momma-friend, Cami, and her baby, Lennon (how amazing is his name!?!), decided to give this Baby Bond nursing accessory a try!  Cami is committed to breastfeeding Lennon and the little guy gets hungry about every 45 minutes, so sometimes she's caught out and about when Lennon's tummy grumbles.  Baby Bond was sweet enough to send me a sample for someone who could use it!

The Baby Bond is a way to cover-up while breastfeeding the baby without covering the baby up!  Cami gave this a whirl and while Lennon preferred bare boobage, Cami found the Baby Bond Flex to be a pretty rad sling to tote Lennon around!

So, for all of you shyer Le Leche Leaguers, the Baby Bond could be a great way of feeding your baby in public without having to cover up your bundle of joy!


THE LEGAL JUNK:
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Native American Inspired Style

I've fallen hard for some of these amazing Etsy finds!  
This drapey tee is tough and sweet all at the same time!
These seed bead earrings could take an everyday outfit to the next level.
This slim turquoise ring is so chic!
I love the organic roughness of this dream catcher.

I've always had a thing for feathers, even if they aren't in style for the season!
Do you have any fashion loves, regardless of what's "en vogue"?

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Music Tuesday: Gang Gang Dance

 

It snowed about a million feet last night here in Salt Lake City.
Grumble.

But as the saying goes around here in March, 
I just need to wait 15 minutes and the weather will change!

But, something that is making my almost-spring a little warmer
is the new single Gang Gang Dance dropped!

It is crazy and all over the place, just what makes this band so amazing.
 This is a long song, 11 minutes, but just hang in.
Their album, Eye Contact, will be out May 10th.

I'm SURE it will be warm by then, right?

Monday, March 7, 2011

Because This Is Important



{via The Daily What}
        {via eject}

"This Is Heartbreaking, You Should Watch It of the Day: Palm Springs residents Ed Watson and Derence Kernek have been in a loving, committed relationship for over 40 years.

Recently, Ed was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and the disease appears to be progressing rapidly. The couple want nothing more than to be able to get married before the Alzheimer’s wipes away Ed’s memories of the life they’ve shared.

With the help of the Courage Campaign, Ed and Derence have submitted this video plea to have California’s ban on same-sex marriages lifted until the state’s Supreme Court makes its final decision on constitutionality of Proposition 8. “If the California Supreme Court is going to take its time,” Ed says, “then we deserve the dignity of marriage…before I can’t remember what marriage is.”

Learn more here."
 

Friday, March 4, 2011

Recipe of the Weeks: Broccolini and Spinach Frittata

We have been in need of some super-quick and easy to make meals these past few days and one of our favorite go-to recipes is frittata!  Frittata is essentially a fancy-schmancy omelet that can handle more savory add-ins like potatoes, broccoli, and whole asparagus.

The 'Teef household really likes to up the veggie power in our frittatas!  One of our favorite combinations is broccolini, spinach, onions, and sun-dried tomatoes!  You really can't mess up with whatever you want to throw into your recipe!

Broccolini and Spinach Frittata
Serves 4-6 starving students
Ingredients:
6 eggs, cracked and beaten
1 T extra virgin olive oil
1 small onion, peeled and diced
1 bunch broccolini, cleaned and bottoms of stems trimmed (don't cut off the whole stem, they are yummy and tender!)
1 big ol' handful of fresh spinach, rinsed and dried
Salt and pepper
1/3 cup sliced sun-dried tomatoes, we like ours packed in olive oil
Parmesan cheese for garnish
Balsamic vinegar for garnish 

Preheat your oven's broiler.  Make sure you use a saute pan that has an oven-proof handle, since it will need to go under the broiler for the last bit of cooking.  I use my 12-inch, nonstick, oven safe saute pan and it works like a charm.

Heat your saute pan over medium heat and add the olive oil.  Add the onions and saute until the onions become translucent.  Add the broccolini and saute until the long stalks begin to get tender.  Add a little bit of salt and pepper.  While the broccolini is working, add a little salt and pepper to your eggs.  Throw in the spinach just before you pour the eggs over the veggies.  I like to let the spinach wilt just a little before I add the eggs.

Now here's the trick: arrange the veggies evenly in the pan before you add the eggs.  You aren't going to get to stir the pan after that!  Once you get the veggies arranged evenly, poor the beaten eggs over the entire pan.  Tilt the pan whichever way you need to evenly distribute the awesome eggs!

Before the eggs set, sprinkle your tomatoes over the mixture.  It's ok if some of the veggies poke out and are not completely covered by the eggs.  Once the bottom of your frittata is set (you can check carefully with a spatula) put the pan under the broiler for about 3-5 minutes or until the top is set and slightly browned in a few spots.

Remove from the oven (don't forget your pot holder!) and garnish with Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of Balsamic vinegar and serve along side a fresh green salad with a little olive oil and a squidge of that Balsamic you were just using...!  Enjoy!

Hope you have a lovely weekend!
xo.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Drunk Babies...Funnier Than It Sounds


This had me rolling!

And if you have forgotten the glory of "The Landlord,"
here it is for your viewing pleasure.



P.S. The Landlord's Language is NSFW...!

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Oh, P.S.

Spring and Fall are my favorite times of year in Utah.  I think there is something about the excitement of change and transition, with Spring especially...

The sun begins to peek over the mountaintops just a little earlier each morning.  The crocuses and tulips, most certainly frozen and fossilized in the botanical ice age also known as winter, stir.  The tiniest shards of yellow-green grass begin to pepper the brown thatch that is my front lawn.  And the birds, oh the birds!  Those little devils are back, pecking holes in my house, screeching at each other in excitement, but also making the shrubs and bare tree branches dance with their winter-leaned forms.

Spring has also been the harbinger of graduations.  With my master's degree so close to completion, this last semester has been the. longest. ever...!  I am excited, too, for Bestest Best to complete her graduate degree!  She had always been my partner in crime in the spring, where in high school, we couldn't manage the thought of being indoors alllllll day, so we'd wake early or skip the last class of the day to hike up into the foothills and rock climb, even if it was for just half-an-hour.  I miss being a kid with her: not having to check our bloated schedules to see if we could fit in a quick cup of coffee or a blessed glass of wine.  I am excited that we won't have school dictating our lives (or our budgets) any longer!

Spring also holds new importance in the 'Teef Household: readying ourselves for the planting and gardening season!  Our first year harvest was pretty successful, even as newbies to the gardening scene.  Shug and I are committed to sticking to the organic way of growing food in our little backyard.  We've even been toying with the idea of getting a couple of chickens to keep Ruby company...!

Even though it's not "officially" spring yet, what are your plans for the warmer, glorious weather?

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Messy Buns




I love this messy hair!

I was soclose to being able to pull off this look,
but then decided to cut off all the hair that wasn't grey!

I am determined to have a messy bun by fall this year.

Do you have a favorite, easy hairstyle?

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