Gift Guide #1 AKA...

... Things I bought for other people but then kept for myself. Whoops.

[Insert theoretical and poetic spiel about being a mindful consumer] OR rather, we all spend too much money on things we don't need. We might as well purchase high quality goods that won't hurt the world, and gasp, might even help someone else. AKA don't be an ass. Any little bit helps.

1. Grounds and Hounds Coffee Co. ($15) -> fair trade organic coffee. My favorite blend so far is, Paper and Slippers, a medium roast, with notes of chocolate and blackberry. 20% of proceeds go to no-kill rescue shelters. (I may have teared up reading their website.)

2. Juniper Ridge Campfire Incense in White Sage ($12) -> a self-named "wilderness distillery," all products are sustainably harvested. It reminds me of summers in the desert and oddly enough, my yoga studio. Perfectly calming and not sweet.

3.  Krochet Kids Headband ($24) - Besides being founded by three attractive males, the tenets of this company include empowerment and employment helping individuals in Peru and Uganda create and sell handmade products. They also help in mentorship and education.

4. Neal's Yard Dairy Cheese (varies) - My favorite dairy with my favorite cheese: stilchelton, but it's a seasonal cheese. I just picked up some Adrahan - a bold Irish cheese. Soft and stinky. Yum. (I just ate it for breakfast as my desk).

ALSO I REALLY REALLY WANT THIS vase + docking stand - THATS A HINT.

In other news, I'm trying out the Pomodoro Technique at work, deleted social media accts from my phone for the week - as close as I'm going to get to a cleanse, and have decided to not wear makeup at work when I'm not in court and don't have a depo scheduled. Caking my face with shit when all I do is stare at a computer is rather useless and I'm far happier naked (faced).

Sophie + Stick and Other Things I Love

Back to work after this weekend. Sophie and I were up early destroying pink porcupines and reading about juvenile justice. I'm heading to school soon for office hours and business associations. I would like to squeeze a workout in, but we'll see how it goes. A few pics from this morning and a few things I'm liking in addition to my babybear. (I need to diversify, or otherwise, I'll be completely anti-social.)

Sophie with my dad. She is as big as his shoe. Still about a pound underweight, but she's eating like a horse:

Love this new Dior doc.

 

 I want everything from Hello Pretty, a new online store, including these endtables and totebag.

Finally found my new bedroom inspiration from StyleFile via SFGirlBytheBay:

 All these dresses via Mint:

Pretty Clothes

Perusing lady-like fashions for my summer internship :-)

1. Pretty Penny's new line via Wit + Delight

2. Shoes to drool over via Ill Seen, Ill Said

3. Marion and Lindie Autumn/Winter 2012 via Lanalou

4. Junkaholique's new Opaque Rings

5. Current/Elliot Spring 2012 via CaliVintage

Help Me Pick Out My New Glasses?

Just came home to the OC for the night and my Warby Parker Home Try-Ons have arrived. Deciding which ones I want to order right now. Thoughts?

Beckett Revolver Black Matte
Webb Amber

Winston Revolver Black

Roosevelt Striped Chestnut
Colton Revolver Black Crystal

What did I do with myself...

When I didn't have exams? The last few weeks have been hectic with studying and writing and now I have a brief two day reprieve. But instead of relaxing, I've been mulling over where all my time went pre-studying. What was I doing for all those months? Obviously reading and going to class and such, but I definitely wasn't as productive. And now I just want to get back to work on something. Which is good, because I have three more exams.

But my day off was lovely. A breakfast date at Sweet, a meeting with my advisor and then a stroll down Oxford Street, where I found a couple of bathing suits for Ibiza, sheer blouses and some cute lingerie. Still on my list are flats, maxi skirts, a pink pencil skirt and anything with bows. Then I went to the gym and read Vanity Fair. So yeah, it was a pretty legit day :-)

On the itinerary for the rest of the week? Studying, gymming, lunch with Aniela, dinner with the girls, brunch to celebrate Alina's year in London (agh she is leaving us on Friday - no me gusta.)

I want to hit up Spitalfields this weekend to purchase some vinyls for my new player, which I am in the process of ordering - lol, I just have to commit.

Fun times, peeps.

{Music} The Black Keys and {Shopping} B&W Dress

Loving this song:
The Black Keys - Everlasting Light by burritotree

and just bought this dress:


Now I wish I was done with finals so I could wear it.

My life is boring

but early morning gym session with leiley and settling into a long day of studying. ordered the following dresses on asos... excited for them to arrive... other than that, nothing very new in my life, lol... xoxo

LibraryLatteLibraryLatte

Browsed the Angel vintage market yesterday with Alina and found these gorgeous silver rings...
finishing up some straggling work from back home and then time to study for finals. yay. kind of. but with a latte in hand and jetlag at bay, I'm feeling pretty good :-) (And I have my appt on Wednesday :-) )

Jeffrey Campbell Love

So I totally fell for these shoes ages ago, but couldn't find them in the UK and they were sold out when I got back to the States. But while shopping in Downtown Santa Cruz with Tawsh yesterday, I found them and am over the moon :-)

Mucho {Inspiration}: Amelioratic, Miss Clash and Shopping

I'm totally avoiding doing work. I can't help it.

From amelioratic:





from miss clash:



Shopping inspiration: bathing suits from Anthro, this dress from Dolce Vita

{Inspiration} S'More Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies, Jello Shots, & Succulents

Coffee and an almond croissant in the library. Just ordered another air mattress for my guests! Counting down the hours till I get to see Lexi and looking forward to a shopping trip tomorrow. Still working on my annotated bibliography and recovering from reading" The Hidden Face of Eve." I can believe I'm headed home in two weeks and I get to see all my loves! (Also looking forward to posting my birthday wish list - you guys are going to love it :-) )

Jello shots in a strawberry? yes please

Source: livlifetoo.blogspot.com via Amber on Pinterest

I have an obsession

Source: etsy.com via Amber on Pinterest

and finally the newest recipe I need to try: smore stuffed chocolate chip cookies! DELISH

Source: picky-palate.com via Jessica on Pinterest

S’mores Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies from Picky Palate
2 sticks softened butter
1 Cup granulated sugar
3/4 Cup packed light brown sugar
2 eggs
1 Tablespoon vanilla
3 1/2 Cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 Cups semi sweet chocolate chips
24 graham cracker quarters or 12 full sheets separated at perforations
3 Hershey Bars, broken into rows of 3 bars
12 large marshmallows cut in half lengthwise
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and line a large baking sheet with parchment or a silpat liner.
2. In a stand or electric mixer, beat the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, continue to beat until well combined.
3. Place flour, salt and baking soda into a bowl; mix to combine then add slowly to wet ingredients along with the chocolate chips.
4. Layer a graham cracker quarter with 3 Hershey chocolate squares and 2 marshmallow halves. Close with another graham cracker. Top s’more with a large scoop of cookie dough. Place in hands and place another large scoop on bottom then front and back sides as needed. Form dough around s’mores. Will get messy, but stick with it, it does not have to be perfect. S’mores will move around but it’s no big deal. Place large cookies onto prepared baking sheet and bake for 15-17 minutes or until edges are golden and centers are cooked through. Let cool for 10 minutes before transferring to cooling rack or serving plate.
Makes 12 large stuffed cookies.

{Inspiration} Birthday, Death Cab, Bukowski & Britney

This sums me up in a just a few words and would be the perfect birthday present (hint, hint)

This $25 print by Jennifer Ramos found via Grey Likes Weddings

This poem from Charles Bukowski:

I will remember your small room
the feel of you
the light in the window
your records
your books
our morning coffee
our noons our nights
our bodies spilled together
sleeping
the tiny flowing currents
immediate and forever
your leg my leg
your arm my arm
your smile and the warmth
of you
who made me laugh
again.

Charles Bukowski

The new Death Cab for Cutie found via my friend, Karly. Sometimes, when I listen to Death Cab, I just want to cry. I'm really liking Codes and Keys.

NEW Death Cab For Cutie by

Till the World Ends by Britney Spears: I love her and its co-written by Ke$ha. I like.

This dress from miss clash... or rather this life

This poncho as worn by Emma at From Scratch:

Monday Morning!

I should be working on blogs for work and catching up on reading, but first my lovely weekend update!

I caught up on American Idol on Friday and fell in LOVE with Steven Tyler. I mean, I always had a little bit of a crush, but he is just amazing. And hilarious and sweet. And hilarious:

"Shit fire and save matches, fuck a duck and see what hatches" - love it.

Late start Saturday, but a much needed respite. Went to brunch at the Modern Pantry with Maya. I love this place. We ordered lattes (of course) and I ordered the Vattalapam spiced French toast, apple & tamarind puree, maple syrup, bacon while Maya got the scrambled eggs and toast with smoked bacon, slow-roast tomatoes, and buttered mushrooms.

Afterwards, we went shopping which was probably a bad idea. Because I bought the following from this boutique called Sublime.

Then we stopped by the stores in Angel and Maya picked up shoes from All Saints and an adorable lilac top. We finished off the evening being wooed by old Italian men at an Italian restaurant in Exmouth Market.

Sunday, I ran to Hyde Park and met Maya, Mollie and Erica in Hyde Park for a late lunch of gruyere cheese burgers for them and a butternut squash and basil sandwich for me. The weathers and the lattes were perfect. Then I ran back home and worked until the wee hours of the morning. And now it is Monday and I feel rested and happy and ready to get working!

:-)