Day 230: Book club selection!

In an effort to read more, I started a book club!  Our first selection is a lengthy one - Donna Tartt's The Goldfinch.  This Pulitzer Prize winning novel stretches to almost 800 (!) pages but I'm hoping to have some meaningful discussions about it.  More to come after I finish...

Day 229: Hit the barre!

Today I discovered barre3.  I've taken barre classes before, but never something online or through a video (or without a barre!).  Founder and instructor Sadie Lincoln uses a simple kitchen counter to go through a sequence of moves that not only breaks a sweat, but tones your butt and thighs.  If you think by looking at this video it looks easy, trust me, it is a challenge!  One that I intend to take tomorrow!

Check out this video which is a 10-minute barre exercise that you can do every morning in your kitchen.  If you like what you see, you can find a barre3 studio near you, or join on-line to continue the workouts from the comfort of your own home!

Founder and instructor Sadie Lincoln.

Day 215: Another preview of India trip!

I am in love with these cushions!  Another find on my trip to India!  The red gives such a pop of color on the dreary grey.  It compliments my couch fabulously.  The bigger one has a vespa on it, and the smaller one has two rickshaws on it.  I have another bigger one with a red bicycle (not pictured).  Such good quality, and the prices they were at, they really were a steal.  And did I mention I love them???

Check them out at www.masalaworks.com

Masala Works cushion covers.

Day 212: A preview of shopping finds from my India trip

I just got back from India, and boy, did I do some shopping.  I even got to use this new clutch last night.  More to come!

Bag from Karishma Shah Bags

Day 200: Conceal yourself

I was never a big fan of concealer.  It always looked chalky and unflattering.  But then I had children, and found that concealer could very well be my best friend.

On my search for the perfect tinted moisturizer, I stumbled across this gem.  Laura Mercier's Eye Basics Concealer is quite simply the quickest way to wake up my eyes.  It's soft and creamy texture is light on my skin and takes but a moment to apply.  It's a definite must in my daily 2 minute make-up routine.  

Laura Mercier Eye Basics Concealer in Wheat, $26 on Amazon.com

Day 181: Travel jewelry

When I travel, I like to keep my wardrobe (for the most part) color coordinated.  Meaning I'll stick to mainly neutrals with a few accent pieces and accessories.  I do the same with my jewelry.  I believe that just as much as your clothes and shoes are important to pick appropriately for trips, so are your purses, scarves and jewelry.

For a recent trip, I decided to go with a gold theme of mainly fun, but wear-with-anything pieces.  I call it my "Mall Collection."  They are just simple pieces from the mall and they are all in the color (not material!) gold.  Now I'm a fan of good quality jewelry, but I was going on a touristy family vacation where I was not going to be going out to swanky parties, or posh lounges.  I believed my Mall Collection would be sufficient, and I was right!

It included:  a glass stoned and satin weaved bracelet from The Limited; bell earrings from J.Crew that I got on sale around Christmas time; a bar ring from Pull & Bear (it came as a set of four stackable rings, but I opted to only take one); a $10 bird necklace from H&M that I always get many compliments on; and a monogrammed necklace from Urban Outfitters which is probably the most expensive but cheaply made piece which goes to show you a high price tag doesn't necessarily mean quality!

I put them in a convenient burlap bag I got with a ring I ordered online from Giles and Brother.  I have a jewelry roll I usually use, but it's nice to change things up a bit!  These were the perfect accents to my casual American Boho style as I toured Central Europe.

Day 161: Simply THE BEST Chocolate chip cookie recipe

It has been my purpose in life to make the best chocolate chip cookies for my kids.  It is my duty!  Luckily my kids love to help, so it has become quite a bonding experience in the kitchen.  Though with them, I tend to have all my ingredients out and ready so that I can move fast.  Who knows what mischief can happen when my back is turned while getting something?  I tend to mix all the dry ingredients together first, then the sugars, and then the wet ingredients.  Wet ingredients go in with the sugars and then slowly mix in the dry ingredients.  I've grouped them as such.  

Dry ingredients

1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

Sugars

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup sugar

Wet ingredients

1 egg

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup coconut oil

1 1/4 cup chocolate chips

1.  Mix all the dry ingredients in one bowl, the sugars in another bowl.

2.  Mix the wet ingredients quickly, so that the coconut oil doesn't solidify.  Add the sugars to the wet ingredients.

3.  Slowly add the dry ingredients in, mixing thoroughly.  When the dough is nice and stiff, add the chocolate chips last.

4.  Spoon onto an oiled baking sheet at bake at 350 F for 10-12 minutes or until the tops are firm.  

5.  Cool for 10 minutes on baking rack, and then enjoy!