This Must Be What Love Feels Like

The tiered clouds made of pillows. The white washed walls. The invisible taped rug. The pendant lamp. The no. 18 chair used as a night stand. The bird house. The attic feel of the vaulted ceilings. The superfluous posters and signs. I don’t have words to describe how much I covet this dreamy bedroom!

This Week I’m Lovin…

… it. No, not McDonald’s. But I have a lot to love this week, for starters-  the 50 degree weather! It’s put an extra skip in my step. Which is why I’ve been putting a lot more thought into ways to make myself feel good all the time. For example…

The wake up light, set on a timer to simulate the natural rise of the sun each morning.

Metromint water. I don’t do processed food, or bottled water for that mater. So you have to know I am serious when I mention this product. It’s that refreshing.

Feeling good can also come in the form of helping others. Unpluggd gives you the lowdown on where to donate your funds for the Japanese relief.

I snuck out of the office today and went to the gym on my lunch hour. Have you ever? The gym was dead- I had it all to myself! And I returned ready to take on the world.

The idea of winning! Today I entered to win this beautiful Tivoli stereo via Lucky Magazine‘s daily giveaways.

And lastly- multivitamins. I’m bringing them back into my life. According to Michael Pollan’s Food Rules there is no scientific proof that multivitamins are beneficial however studies have shown that people who taken them are, in general, more conscious of their health and well being. Which makes these people healthier. Which means healthy people take vitamins, however vitamins may not make healthy people. Is you mind spinning? It’s okay, pop a One-A-Day and go for a quick jaunt around the block while you think it over.

Oh, and have a happy day!

Hard Boiled Love

In the spirit of Valentine’s day I’ll be posting a number of love-ly ideas today. My first find: heart shaped eggs via Anna The Red’s Bento Factory.

Thankful For Thanksgiving

I wouldn’t call Thanksgiving my favorite holiday, but I do like it quite a bit. A couple of reasons…

1. I love the fact that its a holiday developed for the purpose of being thankful.
2. I love that the only thing we do on this holiday is eat.
3. I love the fact that of all hoopla and money that goes into other holidays, this one can be extremely inexpensive… a couple of potatoes, a can of pumpkin, and turkey (which is currently on sale for $0.30 per pound!)
4. And I love that, unlike Christmas or the 4th of July, on this day everyone in America eats the same meal. With minor alterations and substitutes, we get the majority of our nations citizens to sit down on this one day, eat the same thing, and hopefully show some gratitude. What are the odds of getting a nation of people to do this- ever? It’s pretty fantastic.

Also fantastic (and kind of disgusting) is this Thanksgiving Cake pictured above. {CHOW}

Squashed!

Have I ever mentioned how much I love squash!?

The color… the texture… the flavor… the shape… wonderful.

I just happened to get a new coworker in my office and this new coworker just happened to mention that her family owns a pumpkin farm. What sweet music to my ears! The farm is out in the middle of nowhere. And apparently they sell their product for next to nothing. We are talking $0.25 per squash. So this coworker, the sweetheart that she is, said she would be happy to place an order for me and bring it to work this week. It feels like Christmas already!

I have 3 dozen squash and 1 white pumpkin coming my way. It’s going to be a great fall!

PS- I just stumbled across this recipe for roasted kabocha with sausage and cheese today. How fantastic does that look?

National Coffee Day

The internet just told me it is National Coffee Day! I don’t know who makes up these arbitrary holidays but this one I accept. In fact, I am willing to throw in the towel on my no caffeine challenge for the sake of a good holiday celebration. I’ll be honest, I have been looking for a reason to stop using my will power for 2 weeks now!

Myyy PRECIOUSSS…

Girl Crush Janelle Monáe

While I am on the topic of music, let me tell you about my my breakfast this morning. I was sitting at my kitchen table early this morn,  slurping my cereal milk, and listening to The Current when Janelle Monáe comes on. 2 live performances and 1 interview about her musical motivations later, I know I am in love.

I love her look, androgonous but completely female, classic yet modern hispter all at once. I love her sound, soulful and jazzy, yet punky and pop as well. I love her motivations, deeply independent and individualistic, with conviction towards success of the underdog and the wonder that is music. And I love her reputation, classy and age appropriate but with comparisons to James Brown and other iconic male vocalists.

Her radio interview was insightful and gracious and literally made my morning! I’ve got a new girl crush.

Cake of Cheese, Not Cheese Cake

Nothing says love like cheese. There is nothing I love more than cheese. So what I would really like to do (some day) is celebrate my love with a cake made of cheese- and a pumpkin on top. Found on A Cup of Jo, from the cheese shed, and definitely worth sharing with you!

The best part is, if push came to shove, I could make this myself!