Flirty Spring Lashes; Easy Falsies with Kristen Packard (Video)
What is it about Springtime that always makes us want to add a little oomph to our daily make-up routine? Is it because Spring is always accompanied by a bright palette of fresh, cheery hues and a whole host of darling floral-prints? Or is it that we’re mammals and somewhere deep down in our DNA we’re all programed to become twitterpated this time of year (like Thumper and his lovely butterscotch-playmate)?
Whatever it is that makes us females want to add a little somethin’ somethin’ to our look, a couple weeks ago I caught that bug. Bad. So I turned to Kristen Packard (make-up artist-extraodinaire) for some tips on some simple ways to update my Spring look and she gave me three. Here they are, in purple:
1 – Nude lips and glossy pins are really popular right now. Try using your concealer to diminish some of the natural color in your lips and then applying a clear gloss over the top. It will give you a really natural-looking nude lip.
2 - Pastel eyes and cheeks are all the rage for spring. If your hesitant to cover your whole lid in light blue or green, try adding just a touch in the inner corner of your eyes by your tear ducks. It will give you a pop of color without looking overwhelming.
3 – Try false lashes, they’re so much easier than people think!
Many makeup artists say that a well sculpted eyebrow is the most important feature to frame your face, but I would have to argue that eyelashes are equally as important. False lashes and eyelash extensions have become all the rage this season- and for good reason! The right shape of lashes can really help open up your eyes and make you look more youthful and awake.
Enjoy!
Homemade Vanilla-Bean Kahlua (It’s Easier Than It Sounds!)
“I have measured out my life with coffee spoons.”
- T. S. Elliot
For Christmas this year my in-laws sent us a big bottle of homemade kahlua (much to our delight, I might add). It was lip-smackingly good, sooo much better than any store-bought version I’d ever tried and when I asked Mary, my mother-in-law, where she’d found the recipe she simply said, “online somewhere”. A quick Google search revealed hundreds of recipes and the following is a compilation of about four.
Many recipes call for instant coffee and white granulated sugar but we’ve found that using very strong, freshly-brewed coffee and a combination of light brown sugar and turbinado sugar (the sparkly ‘raw’ stuff) yields a delectably rich and carmel-ly flavor that will totally elevate you to ‘hostess with the most-ess’ status when you serve it to your guests with their after-dinner coffee…
I found my ‘Slom‘ bottles at Ikea (3.99 each) but World Market has some great bottles as well.
INGREDIENTS
6 Cups freshly brewed coffee (strong and hot!)
1 1/4 Cup light brown sugar
1 1/4 Cup turbinado sugar
2 Cups vodka
2 Tablespoons vanilla extract
Vanilla beans (1 for each bottle)
Combine both sugars in a large bowl and set aside.
Brew 6 cups of coffee (the stronger the better!). Pour the hot coffee over the sugar and stir for about 2 minutes, until the hot liquid has dissolved all the sugar.
Set the mixtures aside to cool.
In the meantime, use a sharp knife to split the vanilla bean. There’s no need to cut it in half, you just want to open the pod so that the miniature seeds can release into the mixture.
Pop one bean into each container.
Once the coffee/sugar liquid has cooled to room temperature add the vanilla extract and vodka. Decant the mixture into your glass containers.
Your Kahlua is drinkable right away but do keep in mind that, like so many lovely things, it only gets better with time!
Is it just me, or is making your own kahlua so much easier than you’d expect it to be?
No commentsMake Your Very Own Divinely-Scented Bath Salts
“There must be quite a few things that a hot bath won’t cure, but I don’t know many of them.”
- Sylvia Plath
A few weeks ago my little sister and I are were in a darling little gift shop where we both gravitated towards a row of beautiful glass milk bottles filled with scented bath salts. All five varieties smelled incredible but we were especially struck by the ‘De-Stressing’ scent which smelled delectably floral and feminine without smelling too perfume-y. The bottles were priced at $29 (yikes!) but they smelled so divine that I was decided to splurge until I turned the bottle over and read, “Ingredients; Epsom salt, Rose-geranium essential oil, Lavender essential oil”. That was it. Three simple ingredients…
Now, if you follow this blog (thanks, Mom!) you know that I’m not adverse to indulging myself every now and then. I have zero qualms about dropping $60 on a gorgeous candle or $50 on a stick of cream-blush but I can’t make my own candles or cosmetics. These bath-salts did not fall into the worth-splurging-for category so I placed them back on the shelf and decided to experiment with making my own de-stressing bath salts.
Imagine my delight when my $3.99 creation turned out to be just as posh as it’s uptown inspiration!
INGREDIENTS
Epsom Salts (I bought mine at the grocery store for $3.99, they should be near the pharmacy)
Essential Oils (I used Rose-Geranium and Lavender but use whichever scents you prefer)
Pour your epsom salt into a shallow baking dish and add oil slowly, a few drops at at a time. Stir the mixture together.
Your ratio of essential oils to salt will depend on how fragrant you’d like your bath salts to be. Start with 5-8 drops of oil for each cup of salt and go from there. (For reference, I prefer strong scents and so I added 1 + 1/2 teaspoons of rose-geranium oil and 1 teaspoon of lavender oil to four cups of epsom salt.)
Pour your mixture into the container of your choice. I used an old mason jar but I’m going to keep my eyes peeled for some really neat vintage jars, these might make nice birthday gifts.
For a soothing bath, pour 1/2 – 1 cup salt into running water. Enjoy!
Which essential oils would you use? Does anyone have any suggestions for what to blend with eucalyptus?
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Homemade Slow-Cooked Cinnamon Applesauce
“Goodness comes out of people who bask in the sun, as it does out of a sweet apple roasted before the fire.”
- Charles Dudley Warner
Store-bought applesauce is nearly always pale yellow but the really good stuff (the stuff from your own kitchen) is much darker, more like a rich buttery-brown caramel color. Gorgeous! I’m partial, of course, but I think it looks as lovely in a canning jar as it does set out in a bowl as a delectable side to your Winter feast (or hurried weekday dinner).
The process of making and canning applesauce is easier than you might expect, requires no special equipment, and makes for a lovely Sunday project!
INGREDIENTS
15 Pounds of apples (for best flavor avoid ‘Granny Smith’ apples and choose an assortment of pinks, reds, and yellows)
1 Cup sugar
6-8 Cinnamon sticks
1 Teaspoon nutmeg
Water
6-8 Quart-sized canning jars + matching lids
First things first, peel, core and chop the apples.
If you prefer smooth applesauce…. Cut your apples into sixteenths. The small pieces will break down during the cooking process and you can run the cooked mixture through a blender for a silky-smooth texture.
If you prefer chunky ‘rustic-style’ applesauce… Cut some apples into fourths (these quarters will end up as larger, bite-sized bits) and others into eights and sixteenths. Most of the smaller bits will turn to mush but the larger pieces will soften up nicely and diminish only slightly in size.
Put all the apple bits in a large pot and add enough water so that the liquid is nearly level with the pieces. Turn the burner to medium-high and cook for 3-4 hours, stirring every so often so that nothing has a chance to stick to the bottom and burn. Do not put a lid on your pot, you want the excess water to turn to steam and evaporate.
To sterilize your jars and lids, wash them well with hot soapy water or run them through the dishwasher and then bake them in the oven at 250 for at least 30 minutes. This “bake it clean method” is something I learned from ‘The Blue Chair Jam Cookbook’ and I’ve never had any problems with it. If you have concerns about food safety and would like to try a different method, Google ‘how to sterilize glass jars for canning’ for some alternate ideas.
Back to the applesauce… As the mixture cooks, the apple bits will darken in color and begin disintegrating into mush. (This is good! You’re doing great so far and your house probably smells fantastic right about now!)
Once your sauce is close to reaching your desired consistency, remove the glass jars from the oven and place a single cinnamon stick into each jar. Arrange the lids nearby.
Once your sauce is just right, turn the heat off, add the nutmeg and sugar and stir well. If you prefer silky-smooth applesauce, this is the time to pour your applesauce into the blender a few cups at a time and blend until the mixture has reached your ideal consistency.
Fill each jar with hot applesauce and use a clean rag to wipe the rims clean. Immediately screw the lids on until they are just snug and place them back into the oven for another 15 minutes. Remove the jars from the oven and set them on an even surface to cool for at least 6 hours. You should hear the jar-lids pop shortly, an indication that all has gone well and your jars have sealed properly (you are such a canning rockstar!) Once the jars have popped and are cool to the touch, screw the lid-rings on more tightly. Any jars that have not sealed properly can be stored in the refrigerator and eaten in the next few weeks. Yum-yum!
What’s your favorite thing to eat with applesauce? (I love it with potato pancakes!)
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Winter Resolutions…
Whenever December rolls around people start talking about all the extreme resolutions they’re planning to make for the New Year; ‘This year, I’m going to eat a minimum of nine vegetables a day’ or ‘I’m going to drop 15-pounds by February 1st’ or ‘This is the year I jog five miles a morning, five days a week’.
Sound familiar? Hmm… Maybe not to you but to me these lofty goals sound all too familiar. Eerily familiar, in fact. Like, maybe I just listed three of my own 2011 resolutions…
Upgrade to 2012; this year will be different. Instead of setting unrealistic (not to mention unpleasant) health/fitness-related goals for myself, I’ve decided to loosen up and list five varied but manageable resolutions that will actually be fun to fulfill!
RESOLUTION #1 – Try a new fruit or vegetable every season
I just tried a persimmon the other day for the very first time and it was delicious! Surely there are more fruits and vegetables out there that are unfamiliar to me and what better way to celebrate a season than sampling some of it’s new and novel bounty?
Other fruits and veggies on my list include Japanese eggplant, kumquats, and starfruit…
RESOLUTION #2 -Read more biographies
‘Enchantment: The Life of Audrey Hepburn‘ by Donald Spoto was one of the best and most inspiring books I’ve ever read and I look forward to learning more about the lives of those I admire. The new Van Gogh biography is out and it looks incredible. I just spotted it at Costco and am seriously considering snagging it for our permanent collection!
RESOLUTION #3 – Learn how to prepare a tasty broccoli dish
Word on the street is that broccoli can actually be delicious (gah, I know!). I’ve had plenty of broccoli in my time but I’ve never had a truly ‘delicious’ bite of broccoli in my entire life but the more I read about it the more I realize that this cuciferous wunder-veg is too healthy to ignore. This year I’m finally willing to put in the time and effort it takes to find and perfect a recipe. If you have any tips, please pass them on!
RESOLUTION #4 – Go to more museums
I absolutely adore museums but I seldom have a free afternoon to spend strolling through a local Art or History Museum. This is the year that I make the time to do that because ambling through beautiful and thought-provoking spaces stimulates my brain and refills my well of creativity.
RESOLUTION #5 – Learn how to make a smashing floral centerpiece
Our local Trader Joe’s almost always has a gorgeous selection of seasonal flowers at reasonable prices. Every few weeks, my sweetie will snag a big cheery bouquet of tulips or sunflowers for me and I just love how it seems to brighten up our whole house. Usually, I’ll just snip off the ends and plop them in a cup of water and while there’s something truly lovely about that kind of simplicity, I’d love to learn how to create an actual arrangement, something just a little more glamorous for special occasions (parties and the like). Too bad I don’t actually know how to do that…yet. But I will learn how and when I do, I will write a post about it entitled something like ‘Creating a Simple and Glamorous Flower Arrangment’. Stay tuned…
What are your New Year’s resolutions? I would so love to know!
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Extra-Fancy Candied Citrus Zest
Citrus-fiends rejoice, December is just around the corner and that means citrus season has finally arrived! Back in the day (circa The Crusades) oranges and lemons were incredibly rare and therefore prized as exotic novelties but thanks to the wonder of modern cultivation and transportation, it is now possible to purchase hefty boxes of mandarins, clementines, and naval oranges for a song at your local grocery store or Costco.
This recipe is based on one I found in ‘The Blue Chair Jam Cookbook‘ and the final product is pretty enough to package up and give away for holiday gifts. Plus, your entire house will smell absolutely amazing all day!
Ingredients
4 Oranges
4 1/2 Cup granulated sugar
2 Cups water
Parchment paper
First, cut the oranges is half and squeeze them. You don’t need the freshly-squeezed juice for this recipe so make a toast to your health and drink it up!
Toss the juiced halves into a large pot and cover them with water. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat before reducing the heat to a “lively simmer”. Cook for 10 minutes and drain/discard the liquid. Repeat this process two more times – my understanding is that this process eliminates much of the rind’s bitterness.
Cover the oranges one last time with water and cook them for 30-60 minutes, until they are tender.
Turn off the heat, drain/discard the liquid and let the oranges cool. Once they’re cool enough to handle, cradle one half in your hand and use a large spoon to scrape out all of the white pith and excess fibers (it should come out very easily). There will be a tiny layer of white left and that’s okay, just remove what you can.
Slice each hollowed-out orange into 1/4-inch strips. Toss the strips into a pot with 2 cups of water and 4 cups of sugar (reserve the additional 1/4 cup of sugar for dredging later). The pieces should be completely submerged in liquid. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat and then reduce the temperature to a slow simmer.
Cook, without stirring, for about an hour.
After an hour the underside of the peels should appear semi-translucent and the remaining liquid will be thick and syrup-y. Turn the heat off and let the mixture cool for 15-20 minutes.
Once the pieces are cool enough to handle, use a slotted spoon or spatula to lift them out of the sugar-bath and lay them on a large sheet of parchment paper to dry. Leave them in a well-ventilated place until they feel dry to the touch (the cookbook I used suggested 1-2 days but mine took 12 hours).
Once the pieces have dried, put then in a small container with the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar and toss carefully until they’re coated evenly with sugar.
What’s your favorite homemade candy/confection? Do you give away homemade treats for the holidays?
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The Basics of Style; An Interview with Four Fashionistas
“When we see a natural style, we are astonished and charmed; for we expected to see an author, and we find a person”.
- Blaise Pascal
A house is nothing without a solid foundation and, likewise, a functional and stylish wardrobe (whether large or small) is dependent upon a handful of versatile key basics. Since paring my wardrobe down to a total of 33 items last January, I’ve given this concept a great deal of thought. What exactly are those power-house basics that Hollywood stylists, super-chic Frenchwomen, and stylish class-mothers alike are always talking about? Are there truly ‘universal pieces’ that can flatter every figure (and complement every budget)? And what’s the key to turning a simple black dress into an event-appropriate outfit that really pops?
I turned to four of the most stylish women I know and asked them all the same five questions about basic style; you’ll find their answers and pictures below. Many thanks to Kristen, Chandler, Kelley, and Alexis who all gamely agreed to participate in my little style interview!
Kristen Packard
Field: Professional Make-Up Artistry
Kristen, my best mate, is an absolute genius with a make-up kit, makes the most beautiful cupcakes you’ve ever seen in your life, and is one of the most stylish people I know. She has made a number of appearances on television (doing make-up tutorials) and always manages to looks sleek, confident, and cool as a Summer cucumber. She claims that it’s her lucky Spanx that give her these super-powers but I’m pretty sure it’s just her innate awesome-ness…
What are 5 adjectives that describe your everyday style? Dressy, Bold, Comfortable, Feminine, Trendy
What are 10 classic pieces every woman should own?
1 – A pair of comfortable pumps- my favorite are grey with a gold strap and have a chunky heel. They look good with everything.
2 – A skinny belt- Banana has some really cute ones right now that are sparkly and black
3 – A black cocktail dress (of course!)- Mine has three quarter length sleeves, which I love.
4 - A pair of comfortable, ankle length leggings
5 – A pair of flats that can be dressed up or down, my favorite ones have a very small wedge (ie: 1/2 inch) to give a little lift to your step and make your calves look nice and toned.
6 – A classic tailored skirt that sits high on the waist (my favorite one is grey- it goes with everything)
7 – A turtleneck (I know this is old ladyish, but in Utah you can never layer enough. I put mine under my dresses, I tuck it into my skirts or even just with a pair of leggings and boots) My favorite one is silk and short sleeved.
8 – A comfortable boyfriend cardigan (I probably have twenty different cardigans in short sleeve and long sleeve, I wear them ALL the time)
9 - A blazer. Mine has faux fur trim around the collar, and can be removed by unsnapping some buttons. It is olive green and I love it!
How would you dress up an LBD for date night? I love to wear my LDB with a pop of color. My favorite thing to do is add a skinny red belt, and red pumps. I sometimes even add a red lip to match! I like to show up in style
How would you dress down an LBD for Sunday brunch with your girlfriends? I actually dressed down my LBD dress this weekend when I was out with friends. I wore chunky gold jewelry, added a short sleeved cardigan, and a big, casual turquise scarf. I wore black flats with it and I felt soo comfortable.
What advice would you give to those who want to accessorize but don’t really know how? Where’s a good place to start? Don’t fret! There are really no specific rules. If you keep it simple, you will always look nice. Something I like to remember is this- choose one bold piece for your outfit everyday and let that piece shine. Whether that be a bright belt, a colorful scarf, or a bold necklace, having one focal point paired with a simple/classic outfit will always end up looking polished.
Do you have a signature or favorite piece of clothing? My signature item in my wardrobe would have to be my fedoras. I own a straw one for summer, and about 10 different colored ones that I love to wear throughout the winter. I make colorful clips out of feathers and old vintage jewelry, and I love to clip them onto my hats. If I’m not wearing a hat, I clip my broaches into my hair. I love them!
Chandler Bonney
Field: Design + Architecture
The first time I saw Chandler (my sister’s best friend) she was wearing a white v-neck, brown pencil skirt, big sun-glasses, and leather sandals and I thought to myself, ‘Dang, that girl is the definition of California-cool’. I’ve only spent time with Chandler a few times since then but I have seen countless pictures of her and she always strikes me as stylish in a remarkably unstudied sort of way (like she never over-thinks her choices or tries too hard). She grew up in coastal Florida and now resides in sunny San Diego so it seems reasonable to assume that all that warm sea-air and sunshine has helped shape her breezy, beachy-cool style.
What are 5 adjectives that describe your everyday style? Complimentary, Composed,
What are 10 classic pieces every woman should own?
1. Little Black Dress – OF COURSE! A staple in both my work and personal wardrobe!
2. Skinny Belt – It will dress up, add depth, and definition to a simple outfit.
3. Sunglasses that compliment your style – An everyday accessory that many don’t consider a part of an outfit, but it is!
4. Dark Wash Skinny Jeans (I actually prefer the straight cut) – Dress up or down. It’s most important that they fit around the waist!
5. Ballet Flats – functional, comfortable, and more sophisticated than sneakers.
6. Loop Scarf – I love scarfs that act more of a necklace than a functional winter essential.
7. Strapless Bra – Make sure it fits correctly! A good fitting strapless is a staple that many miss.
8. Flat Leather Sandals – Flip-flops are great, but invest in a pair of nice leather sandals for more versatility. The can be paired with anything! Jeans, a skirt, a bathing suit…
9. A go-to pair of Pumps- Can be paired with black, brown, and most importantly you can wear them all day and night with comfort!
How would you dress up an LBD for date night? Pair it with a bracelet or bangles, a black skinny belt to accentuate the waist line, and pair of pumps with some detailing.
How would you dress down an LBD for Sunday brunch with your girlfriends? Black ballet flats, a full scarf, and hair up
What advice would you give to those who want to accessorize but don’t really know how? Where’s a good place to start? Save up for pieces that you LOVE. Check out farmers markets and clothing fairs to find one-of-a-kind pieces that are made by skilled jewelers and tailors.
Do you have a signature or favorite piece of clothing? My favorite everyday piece of clothing is a (white or black) V-neck Tee and Jeans. It acts as a great base to be paired with so many different layers and accessories.
Kelley Petersen
Field: Marketing
We live in a small seaside town that boasts a number of large eucalyptus groves, a bustling main street (between the hours of 9 and 2), and an astonishing number of friendly and active retirees. Our retirees are a joy but, needless to say, nobody would ever describe our little town as ‘fashion-forward’ so when Kelley (who heralds from Seattle and is young, stunning, and always looks like she just popped out of a J. Crew catalog) moved into the house down the block our neighborhood’s fashion cred went up like, 5000%. No, wait, make that 50,000%. I’ve gotten to know her a bit since then and she is a lovely person, both inside and out, and I look forward to getting to know her better.
What are 5 adjectives that describe your everyday style? Basic, Easy, Comfortable, Casual, Classic
What are 10 classic pieces every woman should own?
1 - Dark skinny jeans (my current favorites are J Brand and AG high-waisted)
2 - Black fitted blazer (great for work, or with a white tee and jeans on the weekend)
3 - Brown/black riding boots (Corso Como’s are crazy comfortable and I love my Fryes)
4 - Pashmina (I wear them as wraps with dresses and as scarfs almost daily)
5 - Over-sized button-up (J. Crew has great ones - you can wear them as a cover up or belted with skinnies)
6 - Comfortable black/nude flats
7 - Black/nude heels
8 - Basic thin black v-neck sweater
9 - Black pencil skirt (again, great for work or a nice dinner with a silk top)
10 - A great versatile coat that suits the climate you live in (for Seattle a wool coat is key…for PG I just got a black oil cloth coat that is light-weight and works with almost anything)
How would you dress down an LBD for Sunday brunch with your girlfriends? Nude flats, a long cardigan and a scarf/pashmina.
Do you have a signature or favorite piece of clothing? Honestly, I think my black v-neck sweater from J. Crew gets the most wear (read: boring). But it’s super-comfortable and I can easily dress it up or down.
Alexis Liimatta
Field: Architecture + Design
Once upon a time my little sister LOVED wide headbands, saddle shoes, and a tattered ‘California Raisins’ sweatshirt. That was twenty years ago. Since then, Alexis has developed a stream-lined, grown-up style that is at once professional and accessible. She wears mostly neutrals but the few brightly-colored pieces she does wear look absolutely stunning with her dark hair and warm olive coloring. It’s no wonder I’m always trying to steal her clothes…
What are 5 adjectives that describe your everyday style? Simple, Clean, Neutral, Versatile, Modern
What are 10 classic pieces every woman should own?
1 - LBD
2 - Grey v-neck cardigan
3 - Fitted white (v-neck) T-shirts
4 - Fitted dark denim jeans
5 - Silk blouse in your favorite color
6 - Cashmere scarf (in a color that makes your skin glow!)
7 - Gold hoop earrings
8 - Sexy night gown
9 - Comfortable pair of closed toe heels
10 - “On-trend” pair of heels.
How would you dress up an LBD for date night? By pairing it with a long necklace, some tall boots, and pulling my hair up.
How would you dress down an LBD for Sunday brunch with your girlfriends? By adding a v-neck cardigan, some chunky bracelets, a pair of fun sandals, and loose hair.
What advice would you give to those who want to accessorize but don’t really know how? Where’s a good place to start? Quality over quantity; if you can’t afford the real deal, don’t wear anything at all! Purchase a few items that will last and are timeless… a pair of pearl earrings, gold hoops, or save and splurge on a great watch you will wear with everything.
Do you have a signature or favorite piece of clothing? What is it and why do you love it? My size 30 jeans. Now that I’ve embraced the fact that I am no longer (or really, never was) a size 29, I can sit pretty, climb stairs, bend down, and wear my jeans with confidence knowing they are comfortable and will hide my panties through the day.
What about you? What are your 10 pieces?
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Neom Luxury Scented Candles; A Breath of Fresh Air
“How far that little candle throws its beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world.”
– William Shakespeare
In general, I’m not a person prone to extravagant indulgences (I don’t treat myself to spa-weekends in Taos, two-pound boxes of artisan chocolates, or weekly shipments of exotic orchids) but I’ve always felt that an occasional indulgence is good for morale. Luckily, I’ve just discovered an indulgence that’s as good for my morale as it is for my mood and health; Neom Luxury Organics Aromatherapy Candles.
Unlike many traditional candles, Neom candles burn clean. They do not release harmful pollutants into the air as they burn; they’re completely non-toxic, soot-free, and eco-friendly. They feature pure therapeutic-grade essential oils, 100% vegetable wax, and lead-free cotton/paper wicks.
I found my Neom candles at O+N Collective, a new ‘sustainable beauty apothecary’ devoted to organic, fair-trade, safe/non-toxic, and cruelty-free beauty and lifestyle products (all things that are very important to me as a consumer trying to make more responsible, ethical decisions about the brands and products I support with my dollar). My entire experience with O+N Collective from start to finish was a positive one and I cannot say enough about how sweet and helpful Michelle, the Collective’s owner, has been. To read my recent interview with Michelle, click here.
Because I tend to be picky about scents, I decided to play it safe and order the small, travel-sized versions of ‘Restore’ and ‘Bliss’ (retail $21, burn time 20 hours). My experience with both scents went so well that a month later I threw caution to the wind and purchased the full-sized 3-wick ‘Real Luxury’ candle ($60, burn-time 55 hours).
‘Restore‘ was my hands-down favorite scent. It’s described as “the perfect feel-good fragrance” and with it’s gorgeous blend of fresh ginger, jasmine, and sandalwood I would say that this claim is no exaggeration and I hope to have the 13.4-ounce size very, very soon (Sweetie, er… Santa, are you reading this?). This particular aromatherapy blend is said to soothe nausea and mental fatigue, making it the perfect candle to burn alongside your laptop when it’s 11:29PM and you’re working under a deadline.
If you love the scent of pure unadulterated rose, you’ll find ‘Complete Bliss‘ to be just that; complete bliss. It’s described as “an unmistakably soft scent, created especially for those indulgent moments and soothing treats. Utterly gorgeous and perfectly pampering”. This aromatherapy blend is said to be perfect for “sexy nights in, headaches, stress and hay fever” and while I’ll keep mum on the whole ‘sexy-nights’ bit, I will vouch that it’s the only scent I’ve ever found soothing when dealing with a migraine.
‘Real Luxury‘ is scented with lavender, jasmine, and Brazilian rosewood and is a “woody/spicy floral scent” that’s perfect for burning anytime, day or night, and has been making our entire house smell incredible. Recent guests have commented on how good our house smells which, given the fact that we have two big dogs who have recently taken up dragging ‘treasures’ of dubious origins into the house, makes me feel pretty darn good!
What about you, do you have a favorite brand of candle? What’s your favorite scent?
* Oh, and by the way… As always, my reviews are a reflection of my honest thoughts and opinions. I never accept payment or compensation for these posts. I never give bad reviews because, well, why review something mediocre? I’d rather save my reviews for truly excellent, swoon-worthy products!
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Interview with Cindy Walter of Passionfish, An Advocate for Sustainable Seafood
Cindy Walter is one of the neatest people I know. She and her husband Ted own and operate Passionfish (Monterey’s first ‘green’ restaurant) and they are both out-spoken and articulate advocates for sustainable seafood. Cindy, a popular speaker at eco-conferences and community events alike, has even spoken with members of Congress about matters relating to the ocean’s health and the sustainability of various fisheries around the world.
On December 3rd, the Walters will be hosting a benefit dinner to promote awareness for the plight of the bluefin tuna (which are disappearing at an alarming rate due to high demand for sushi). They are auctioning off 12 pairs of tickets to the ‘Dinner for Giants’ and 100% of the auction’s proceeds will benefit Tag-A-Giant Foundation, a non-profit devoted to researching and conserving northern bluefin tuna and other apex marine predators. This will be the first of many events to promote awareness and garner support for the causes they believe in.
Since getting to know Cindy and Ted earlier this year, my husband and I have started thinking more critically about the kinds of seafood we purchase and have made a pact to adhere to the Monterey Aquaruim’s Seafood Watch List (we have the app).
I thought an interview with the lovely Cindy might make for an interesting and thought-provoking post. I hope you’ll agree!
What exactly does the term ‘sustainable seafood’ mean?
Well that’s a really tough answer actually, because if you took 10 people who were involved in the issue of sustainable seafood and asked us this question you would get 10 completely different answers. Passionfish’s definition is ‘seafood that is harvested in a manner that does not harm the habitat of the ocean floor nor result in the by catch of another species’. We also consider social sustainability. Are our dollars impacting a local community in a positive way? Are we supporting a community and, by doing so, allowing them to continue to sustain themselves? Many small family fishermen have been unable to compete with large global/international ships that are transient through their communities, so finding these small communities that still fish in the manner that they have for multiple generations is very important to us.
On the subject of farmed fish, Passionfish considers sustainable aquaculture to be land based, closed, contained systems that do not impact the surrounding environment, farms that do not employ the use of antibiotics, herbicides, and pesticides, and also farms that grow fish that can be fed directly from other things growing in their ‘ponds’ and therefore minimizing the need for ‘fish meal’. It doesn’t make much sense to us to purchase a farmed fish that needs a pound of wild fish to grow a 1/2 pound.
Why are you so passionate about the health of our oceans?
I am the daughter and granddaughter of fishermen. My father and grandfather primarily fished to support our family and so my earliest memories are of fishing, cleaning fish, and playing in the ocean. Many of the creatures that I interacted with daily are rarely seen now and I missed sharing that with my children and now my grandchildren. Besides the very simple fact that the ocean produces 70% of the worlds oxygen. If we don’t take care of our oceans we’re really not protecting the future for the generations that will follow.
The average person is the consumer. They vote with their dollars. If they refuse to purchase something then they limit the market for that commodity. Yes, the bluefin is already harvested, sold, cut into chunks and for sale, but if you buy that bluefin tuna you perpetuate the market for more to be harvested. If people stop purchasing it, then the restauranteur stops purchasing it, or the retailer stops purchasing it, because it goes bad and they’re just throwing it away and then the vendor doesn’t sell it to the retailer, and so forth. It’s an upside-down pyramid and the consumer really has all the power.
The most important thing: reconnect the young people in your life to our environment. Take your kids to the farmers market, take them to the beach, take them on walks. Point out things they might walk past without noticing. Help the next generation become caretakers of the earth because they LOVE it.
As a business person, why do you think it’s so important to support and raise awareness for organizations that represent causes that are dear to you?
It would be so simple for me to just serve the items that most guests want (because they don’t understand the issues), but I definitely sleep better at night because I’ve taken the time to educate my staff and they, in turn, educate the guest. I haven’t met more than a small handful of people who, once they understand the issue, don’t become as passionate as we are. Extinction is forever.
Now that’s a loaded question, because honestly, yes, I feel discouraged sometimes. Every single day there is a new story of a fishery collapsing. But those stories help us with our purchasing, and from one day to the next something that is sustainable becomes unsustainable. But we’ve seen collapsing fisheries rebound because people acted quickly, retailers stopped purchasing and more and more people are becoming aware of all the problems the ocean faces. In the beginning when I asked my vendors for ‘sustainable’ seafood and gave them my buying guidelines and the questions I wanted answered, they literally laughed at me. Then some started to listen and we would work only with them which limited our purchasing, which caused frustration for Ted, which caused the consumer to ask why we didn’t serve some things. Now every single vendor has a ‘sustainable’ list. Most follow the guidelines published by the aquarium. Its gotten easier for us, so if I let my discouragement get to me I’d have quit a long time ago, and if I think back, we’ve come a really long way.
What kinds of things do you do to help the ocean and environment? Have you heard of the Seafood Watch program? (I’ll admit that it’s pretty new to me…)
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25 Ways to Tie a Scarf; Wendy’s Genius How-To Video…
“The only thing that separates us from the animals is the ability to accessorize.”
- Robert Harling, Steel Magnolias
Since paring down my wardrobe to 33 items last year, I’ve been looking for ways to liven up my neutral basics with a handful of bright and versatile accessories. A few weeks ago my sister-in-law sent me a link to a web video entitled ’25 Ways to Wear a Scarf in 4.5 minutes’ with this message; “Isn’t this clever? Great for aspiring minimalists with shrinking wardrobes!”.
Megan, my sister-in-law, is so right and this video (by Wendy of the stylish and delightful Wendy’s Look Book) is as clever as it is darling!
I contacted Wendy through her blog and she graciously allowed me to re-post her video on Rose Taffy. Thanks Wendy!
So far, ‘The Bunny Ears” and “The Magic Trick” are my favorites, which are yours?
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