THINKING
My husband’s grandmother passed away earlier this month at the age
of 103 (I chose the picture above because lilacs were her favorite flower).
He flew back to Oregon on Saturday to give the eulogy at her memorial
service and to spend the week with his family. As I read what he
had written about her, I was reminded all over again what an incredible woman
she was and I felt so fortunate that both of my kids had the chance to know
their great-grandmother. She would walk 2 miles to volunteer at the local hospital each week,
she donated thousands of dollars to charities without a second thought and she
was one of the most joyful women I’ve ever met (you can watch the news story
about her here). She provided us with such an
amazing example of a life well-lived & one that was focused on serving
others.
of 103 (I chose the picture above because lilacs were her favorite flower).
He flew back to Oregon on Saturday to give the eulogy at her memorial
service and to spend the week with his family. As I read what he
had written about her, I was reminded all over again what an incredible woman
she was and I felt so fortunate that both of my kids had the chance to know
their great-grandmother. She would walk 2 miles to volunteer at the local hospital each week,
she donated thousands of dollars to charities without a second thought and she
was one of the most joyful women I’ve ever met (you can watch the news story
about her here). She provided us with such an
amazing example of a life well-lived & one that was focused on serving
others.
WEARING
This blouse was the very last purchase I made before starting my
Winter Shopping Freeze – I was browsing through the extensive amount of sale
items online at H&M and decided to add it to my cart along with this camel coat (seen here). It’s a perfect example of a classic piece with a modern twist…and
the fact that it’s 100% silk in the prettiest blush/nude made me love it even
more. Thankfully, we’ve continued to have unseasonably warm weather, so
I’ve already had the chance to wear it – once with white denim & lace-up flats and once with black cropped trousers & gray suede pumps.
Winter Shopping Freeze – I was browsing through the extensive amount of sale
items online at H&M and decided to add it to my cart along with this camel coat (seen here). It’s a perfect example of a classic piece with a modern twist…and
the fact that it’s 100% silk in the prettiest blush/nude made me love it even
more. Thankfully, we’ve continued to have unseasonably warm weather, so
I’ve already had the chance to wear it – once with white denim & lace-up flats and once with black cropped trousers & gray suede pumps.
MAKING
A big part of my journey
to health has been
adjusting my diet, but I’ve also begun making changes to the regular household
products we use, in an effort to minimize our exposure to harsh chemicals.
Instead of throwing everything out & starting from scratch, I’ve simply replaced products with less harmful substitutes as we’ve run out of them. I’ve
been using (& loving) Norwex
cloths for well over a year
and finally decided to give the laundry
detergent a try after hearing
such great reviews from friends & family. It’s definitely more
expensive than what I was using before, but I can happily report that it works
just as effectively and I feel better knowing that it is a safer option for me
& my family.
to health has been
adjusting my diet, but I’ve also begun making changes to the regular household
products we use, in an effort to minimize our exposure to harsh chemicals.
Instead of throwing everything out & starting from scratch, I’ve simply replaced products with less harmful substitutes as we’ve run out of them. I’ve
been using (& loving) Norwex
cloths for well over a year
and finally decided to give the laundry
detergent a try after hearing
such great reviews from friends & family. It’s definitely more
expensive than what I was using before, but I can happily report that it works
just as effectively and I feel better knowing that it is a safer option for me
& my family.
LOVING
For the last few years, I’ve been storing my rings in a vintage
cut glass dish that belonged to my grandmother. And, while I loved the
nostalgia of having it on display, my collection has grown considerably
since then and it was no longer a functional option for me. Every
time I needed a ring, I would have to either dig through to the bottom or dump
them all out on top of my dresser to find the one I wanted.
Thankfully a reader shared with me about a ring organizer she found at The Container Store and I quickly
picked it up (I bought the 25-section divided tray). For those who are
looking for other jewelry storage solutions, I also have these acrylic stands that I use
for my bracelets & watches.
cut glass dish that belonged to my grandmother. And, while I loved the
nostalgia of having it on display, my collection has grown considerably
since then and it was no longer a functional option for me. Every
time I needed a ring, I would have to either dig through to the bottom or dump
them all out on top of my dresser to find the one I wanted.
Thankfully a reader shared with me about a ring organizer she found at The Container Store and I quickly
picked it up (I bought the 25-section divided tray). For those who are
looking for other jewelry storage solutions, I also have these acrylic stands that I use
for my bracelets & watches.
READING
I’ve mentioned here before that I am a recovering people-pleaser.
For me, it was something that began in adolescence and, regrettably, I have carried it
with me into my adult years. While I feel that I’ve done a better job in
my thirties of stepping away from those tendencies, there are still times when
I fall back into old patterns and need to adjust the way I connect with &
respond to others. This article was such a good read and provides both
helpful & practical tips for ways to avoid this trap, while keeping a firm
grasp on your self-worth and maintaining healthy boundaries in relationships.
For me, it was something that began in adolescence and, regrettably, I have carried it
with me into my adult years. While I feel that I’ve done a better job in
my thirties of stepping away from those tendencies, there are still times when
I fall back into old patterns and need to adjust the way I connect with &
respond to others. This article was such a good read and provides both
helpful & practical tips for ways to avoid this trap, while keeping a firm
grasp on your self-worth and maintaining healthy boundaries in relationships.
CRAVING
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and I told my husband the
item that was at the top of my wish list this year is a simple classic watch. I’m
finding that I hardly wear my chunky metal boyfriend style at all anymore so I
would love something that’s smaller and more wearable for everyday. This one has a minimalist face & neutral
leather strap, which would make it perfect for wearing with everything from
tailored separates to casual basics. It also comes in sleek black and soft nude…now the hardest part is
deciding on which color!
item that was at the top of my wish list this year is a simple classic watch. I’m
finding that I hardly wear my chunky metal boyfriend style at all anymore so I
would love something that’s smaller and more wearable for everyday. This one has a minimalist face & neutral
leather strap, which would make it perfect for wearing with everything from
tailored separates to casual basics. It also comes in sleek black and soft nude…now the hardest part is
deciding on which color!
A Healthy Balance
Pastel Pink
Birthday Wish List
Outfit with Leather Jacket for Date Night