Reflections

I'm not sure where I came across it... (lesbihonest probably Pinterest), but Jessica Alba wrote a book called "The Honest Life: Living Naturally and True to You."

I picked it up from the Library and was glad I did.  I've been recently trying to prioritize a more natural lifestyle.  One recent conviction revolves around some medical things that have popped up.  I've always felt better health wise when I make a priority to eat organic.

The book covers the following topics:

• food
• clean
• beauty
• style
• home
• baby
• inspiration

Her personal inspiration for living naturally revolves around her kids, and so does much of the book.  I still found a lot of it relevant, I think my mommy-friends out there would probably get more enjoyment out of it.

My thoughts ~ 

I appreciated how honest Jessica is (ironic?) and she doesn't come off as "I only eat organic, it's easy I have a errand boy to go to the grocery store and a cook to make it" but as a down to earth working mom with kids.  She also prioritizes each chapter on the most important things to be natural and "keeping it real" good second-choices for those times when it is too difficult/ short on time for the natural version.  The book is not written in a judgy voice, she presents ingredients to stay away from and tips on how to live naturally.  She also peppers the book with fun how-to's along with each chapter from how to host a dinner party to perfect red lip.

I think it's hard for anyone to write a book when you have a company in the industry.  She does have a plug for The Honest Co. often.  It is not over the top, but that is a pet peeve of mine :) Some of the chapters were not earth-shattering.  I would recommend this book for someone who is considering making some natural changes or wanting to learn about strategies for the first time.

The chapter that most convicted me was the beauty chapter :)  She does admit that a lot of times we expect to sacrifice quality or cost to get natural products, but more companies are entering the market.  I do agree I should be careful what's going on my skin.  The book was lacking in that she says moisturizer/base layer makeup is most important because it's right next to your skin, she says she looks up her products on a data base that gives safety scores (ewg.org/skindeep) and aims for a 0-2.  That's it. What?  For an informational book that's not a lot of information!  Hopefully the database is more informational.  The chapter discussed each type of makeup & may have a brand recommendation, but the practical application was definitely missing!

Take aways~

I'm glad I got the book from the library, probably won't buy it.  I will bookmark some of the websites :) I will start taking a better look at cosmetics... I knew this was the case for food- but the EU has much stricter regulations for cosmetics as well.  I looked up some of the products I use (in the above link) a little scary!

Estee Lauder BB Cream - score of 7 !!
L'Oreal Power Volume 24 Hour Mascara - score of 4
The Balm Blush - score of 2

I don't plan on going all crazy, but as I run out of products I plan to be more conscious about the ones I use to replace them.  My strategy is to look for European brands that meet EU standards.

I found these fun links to the best French skincare (who wouldn't want to look Parisian?):
Goop post "The French Pharmacy"
Refinery 29 post "Do French Girls Really Do Beauty Better?"
Vogue UK post "10 French Pharmacy Buys"
Birchbox post "Beauty Trip: French Skincare Favorites"

Good news is a lot of the same brands/products were mentioned many times.  Can't wait to try!

Padres Visit

This post isn't about baseball :)  Mamma Kay & Dad came to visit for a week!  My Dad had a week long work conference at The Firm, Mamma Kay tagged along.

It's always so great to have family visit!  Especially when you only get to see them a handful of times each year.

Here were the highlights:

They brought the rest of our wedding presents!!!  Yay!!  How fun!!  It felt so much fun pulling them out of the car, just as much fun as opening them the first time :)  Although now our jenga tower of presents we don't have room for has doubled....  Get me in a bigger place James!!!  (I'm working on this)

How precious are these monogramed pillows?

This was a highlight for James...  his fav wedding present - the longhorns - made the trip!  This was a present from my great uncle who is a real life rancher.  When he heard James wanted a pair of longhorns he thought to himself, "I haven't seen one of my longhorns in a few years, maybe I should go find her."  He found her in the field - skeleton style- and plucked the head off for James.  TRUE STORY!  The only better part of this story was he brought the thing into our wedding reception to give to James :)  The longhorn has been named "Bubba" and until we have room for him (see above) he lives on our balcony.  Yes, several neighbors have inquired.  I am the whiskey-tango neighbor.

James & Bubba at our wedding reception

Mamma Kay & I ventured to South City to visit the Women's Closet Exchange!!  They are designer resale & currently have a reality show on the Style channel.  Mamma Kay was sweet enough to buy me a fun dress (BCBG), linen blazer (boutique label) & work/play dress (Rebecca Taylor)!  My in-person experience was different than the show, but I feel in a good way.  The show leads you to believe they ONLY take high designer pieces.  My experience was 25-30% of the merchandise was high fashion & the majority was expensive labels like J.Crew, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Coach, etc.  I will be going back more often because although snatching a great designer resale item (*cough*LVpurse*cough*) would be très fabuleux, it's much more likely I will buy a variety of higher-end pieces.

We ate some delicious French food!  It was dessert or I'm sure Dad would have objected.  (Don't get him started on French jokes...)  If you are in Creve Coeur make sure to stop by the pâtisserie La Bonne Bouchée.   Everything is so pretty you don't want to eat it!  (yeah right)  I had some lovely macarons, every time I go I make sure to try a new flavor.  My new flavor this trip was apricot!

Mamma Kay & me

Last but not least, my parents don't feel good about a visit without helping, they put up backsplash in our kitchen!!!!  I am so in love with the final product :)  It's black.  Surprise, right?

Work in progress

Finished Product

Celebratory Coupons

One of my favorite Birthday traditions is spending the coupon that Anthropologie sends :)  Although their clothes are rarely my style I love a lot of their house & home items.  The books this year are fabulous!!!  Here are some of my top choices...

1. Foiled Dot Napkins
2. Eiffel Tower Ring Dish
3. Parisian Chic: A Style Guide
4. Fleur De Lys Teapot
5. 100 Years of Fashion
6. Tall Mercury Glass Jar
7. Monogram Keychain
8. French Flair: Modern Vintage Interiors
9. Hobnob Parlor Smoke Hurricane & Parlor Smoke Hurricane

So many fun options!!!  What to choose??? 

Time Well Spent

With all my free time not wedding planning I am wholeheartedly enjoying getting back to my favorite hobbies (notably reading, cooking, shopping & entertaining).

Reading ~ 

These two books I've read recently I would say are a must read!

The Paris Wife by Paula McClain:  written as mostly historical/biographical with fiction filling in the cracks.  It is about Ernest Hemmingway's first wife Hadley & their years in Paris.  Beautiful & tragic at the same time.

My Life in France by Julia Child with Alex Prud'homme:  Autobiography based on letters written by Julia & her husband during their time in Paris.  The book focuses on her love of all things French & her journey of being an acclaimed chef who pioneered the revolution of cooking in the US (away from TV dinners).

Both of the books were wonderfully inspirational.  Especially since both ladies found the adventures of the lives in their late 20's/ early 30's.   And I am now obsessed with Paris.  Trip anyone?? :)

I would not say it is a must read because everyone does not appreciate Russian novels (the Russians don't like them either), but I am re-reading Anna Karenina after seeing the movie.  I would not say the movie is a literal adaptation, it was beautiful and fascinating in its own way.   If you do decide to read it, do get the P&V translation!

Cooking ~

Thanks to Julia Child for the inspiration & for my sweet friend Erika for getting me a new cookbook (a good friend finds a classy way of finding a birthday present for you that says "I know you like to eat, enjoy!" haha).   I made a recipe from Sunday Brunch by Betty Rosbottom.

Berries with Lemon Creme Fraiche!  (it's French & fabulous)
The bacon is there because I live with a man now.  Apparently fruit & creme isn't "breakfast".

We tried to make our own copy-cat recipe for the BLT & Peppercorn salad at Pi Pizzeria!  It turned out really good despite James' heavy hand with the red onions ;)  

Entertaining ~ 

On Friday evening some lovely ladies came over to eat desserts, drink champagne & watch Liz & Dick.  Yes I DVR'd a Lifetime movie... but I really love Elizabeth Taylor!!!   The company, cookies & champagne were fabulous... the movie was lacking (probably acting ability).  But I did love all the fur coats :)  And I do feel inspired to use a red lip / heavy eyeliner look soon!   I used my new Neimans + Target dessert plates!!!  And made Laura Bush's Cowboy Cookies.  Always delicious!

Shopping ~ 

... more to come soon!! :)