You Complete Me

I heart homemade Valentines. Does anyone make homemade Valentines anymore?

Here's one that I really love (found on Etsy here)

New Book: 'My Life in 23 Yoga Poses'

Today's Downtown Women's Club blog post led me to check out this new book by Claire Dederer.

I investigated further on Amazon and liked the first review:

"The thing I liked best about "Poser: My Life in Twenty-Three Yoga Poses" is that Claire Dederer explains a lot about yoga without making it sound like some type of mysterious cult type pursuit. I was drawn to the book because I've been thinking for years about attending some yoga classes but somehow never seem to get around to it. Is it exercise? Is it a religion? A little bit of both? The author discusses these very questions throughout the book. Her sense of humor and sometimes irreverent remarks had me laughing, but at the same time understanding just what draws so many people into the yoga experience. Her book is as much a book about life as it is about yoga."

Although I do not take a straight yoga class (I take this wonderful class that kicks my butt called Centergy) I appreciate yoga. Centergy is made up of yoga and pilates rolled into one and set to an amazing soundtrack. I had one yoga class that I loved. It was taught by this lovely woman named Rose. It was taught in 2002 at Mass Bay Community College. Rose was the only yoga teacher I've ever had. She was well into her 60s at the time and looked amazing. To this day I tell myself "that's what you'll look like in your 60s if you keep taking Centergy or if you pick up Tai Chi again!"

Do you do yoga or some variation of yoga? Do you do Tai Chi (lovelovelove, but my new gym does not teach it). My Centergy instructor put it best the other night at the end of class (which ends with a round of applause each night) "I feel 1000% better." I agree. 1000%.

The KISS Method

There's some good ideas in this post regarding keeping things simple.

They are:

"Know your values and make good decisions based off them."

For me, it's balance. I really take pride in not letting my day job take over my life. I've been at jobs before where you are at the office until 9:30 at night and you can't go to the gym, out with friends, spend time with your spouse etc. Never again!

"Make space by decluttering"

So true. Yesterday I finally cleaned up some piles in my office and put them in bins. These piles have been there since I started in April 2010. They belonged to the guy that had the office before me. I even labeled the bins. Now I'm happy to spend time in my office.

"Find a mentor"

I have been a mentor at the Center for Women's Leadership at Babson for a while now. I love it and I'm so proud of my mentee (she's graduating this year!) It's really an amazing opportunity and I'm excited to be a part of the program.  

"Sit in silence. Ponder quietly. Just be with yourself"

Great advice. I often encounter folks that complain of how bored they are at home. I've never been bored at home and I'm looking forward to a day off from work tomorrow just to enjoy being snowed in! For anyone that has ever said "I'm bored!" pick up a book, a craft, a new recipe. Give yourself a fun project. Or not. Just sit there and stare out the window (not at your neighbors). :)

So excited about the storm

Am I the only New Englander that LOVES snow?






What's on your Amazon Wish List?

I love my Amazon Wish List. I add things to it from other sites (Etsy, Modcloth) as well. I often add things to remind myself of an artist/author/style that I enjoy (or read about). All of the things are items I would gladly take as a gift (hint hint my b'day is 1/18). Most of them I will never purchase. Some of them I'll purchase with my spare change (Coinstar, I love your 0 processing fees when used for Amazon!).

So what is on your Amazon Wish List?

I'll give you a sample of a few things on mine:

(went to a Slow Food Boston event, added this after hearing the top bean expert in the world speak).

(Because honestly who does not love a red purse, below...tea for one by Bodum)

Weekend Blogroll

Here's some blogs that I think are really well designed, fun, and informative. I enjoy blogs with good comments, feedback, and just an overall good vibe. I really appreciate blogs where the owner gets right back to you with feedback or an answer to a question. :)

Effortless Anthropologie
-All things Anthropologie. Allows you to sell your Anthro clothes or to post when you're looking to buy something in particular. I really enjoyed a recent post with the discussion about Urban Outfitters possibly buying JCrew.


Daily Garnish
-Cooking, health, fitness, adventures, marriage, travel, dogs...
(photo credit: Daily Garnish)

House of Turquoise
-Design. All things blue.

(photo credit: House of Turquoise)

Webcams

I know there's webcams all over the world where you can look at things that interest you.

I checked out this one that came in the Icelandic Tourist Board's newsletter. I really wish all e-newsletters were like this one. It's always informative and sometimes even humorous. Since it is winter a much of the focus was on things like the Blue Lagoon. Now I've only had dinner there but it's a pretty neat place. The spa experience there sounds like something you will not get anywhere else. A floating massage? Interesting...

I am treating myself to the spa for my birthday. I normally do not get pedicures in nice spas because the pedicure with the hot stones for under $30 always does the trick at a place in my town. I'm going to the Aveda spa/salon in Bedford (where I get my eyebrows done--love that place). That should be nice because I always like my feet to look good in Centergy class. Anytime you have to show your feet in public (for me 2-3 times per week) you can't have them looking gross.

Do you have a favorite spa or spa service? Is there a webcam that you have bookmarked that you enjoy looking at (I mean something more exciting than the Cape Cod Canal one)?