I recently finished putting together a new lookbook for Marble. I am so so so in love with how the jewelry looks against the white German pottery. Pretty!

Marble Fashion Boutique Lookbook

So, I admittedly drink way too much coffee. It’s my vice and I only have a few, moderately tame vices, so I think I am doing ok. That said, in an effort to somewhat curb my coffee addiction and still enjoy excessive hot beverages, I have been drinking a lot of green tea. Randomly, I stumbled upon this organic Ginger Green Tea purchased from Shoppers Drug Mart of all places. Yum, yum, is all I can say. Add a drop of organic honey and I am a hot-drink happy camper.

I can’t resist posting this ridiculously adorable (in my opinion!!) picture of Parker. Although, I have been complaining lately that he is becoming a bit high-maintenance (now that I am working from home, he is a total attention whore!), he is still the best cat I could ever hope to have as my furry life-companion.

Recently, while traveling, I popped into a Kiehl’s store to find a remedy for my uber dry hands.  It was such a pleasant experience!  The sales person was helpful and not at all pushy, which I very much appreciate.  I left with hand cream, a new lippy (that I am now seriously OBSESSED with) and free samples. If only all shopping included free samples!! Thanks Kiehl’s!

I heart cookies, especially chocolaty cookies!  Not usually one to chef these tasty treats myself, I decided to go out on a limb and attempted some baking.  I wanted to try something a bit more adventurous than the stand by chocolate chip, so I decided on an oatmeal, white chocolate, and apricot number.  And, boy oh boy, am I glad I did.  Not only did the cookies turn out (this in itself is a major feat for me), but they actually taste amazing. Moist and chewy, I am loving the white chocolate and apricot combination. Yum yum yum.

Trying to save money and avoiding the my favorite stores is hard.  To make the little bit of ‘fun money’ I have go the farthest, I often opt for a new accessory.  I love scarves and with the newest crop from Club Monaco I can feel my ‘no shopping’ conviction weakening.  Not to mention the ridiculous wonderfulness of this little yellow python coin purse.  Maybe not for me at $59 but you better believe I will be stalking this item until it’s marked down!

Club Monaco

I definitely inherited my love of interior design from my Grandmother.  In their old house, my Grandparents had an entire closet under the stairs devoted to excess cushions. Being easily accessible, the cushions could be rotated in and out with various color schemes.

Settling into our new house, I seem to be adopting this behavior myself and have been quite taken with the selection of cushions at Ikea. Right now, I am obsessed with black & white, and graphic prints. With such reasonable prices, I don’t have any anxiety about the cushions being tossed about, slept on, or used as a lap guard for a bowl of hot soup.

Ikea

I heart books about fashion, style and beauty. While I enjoying reading, and try to expand my horizons with various non-fictions and biographies, fashion publications are pure fun. Over the years, I have amassed a sizable collection. Most have been gifts from my Mom. They are perfect for taking on holidays, or cozying up with on a lazy Sunday. They are books that you can pick up and put down when the mood strikes.  

This past Christmas, my Mom continued the tradition giving me Influence by Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen. Years ago, long before the the twins reached fashion icon status, I will somewhat embarrassingly admit that I was a devotee of their tv movies (When in Rome was my favorite). I was looking forward to reading their book. Filled with interviews featuring the people who have influenced them, I was surprised to discover how much the book inspired me. Although, it does provide a glimpse inside Olsen-land, it is unlike other celebrity fashion books that are, while entertaining, rather self-indulgent *cough* Rachel Zoe, A to Zoe *cough*.

Once I started Influence, I really couldn’t put it down (heavy book + weak arms = tough times). Beyond the Olsen Twins, beyond the fashion industry, beyond creative pursuits, it is a book that celebrates embracing life and following your passions. How can you not be inspired by that?  For me, unexpectedly, it delivered much more than the usual bit of fun.

Influence for sale at Amazon