Link Love : March

Travel Is from The Perennial Plate on Vimeo.

****** 

The Anatomy of Brave by Hannah Brencher
"... this email really bothered me. And it wasn’t her anger that bothered me, it wasn’t her mean words, it was just this: You don’t actually get to stand beside someone and tell them whether or not they’ve reached a level of bravery. You don’t actually get to determine what does or does not make a person brave, or lovely, or worthy, or good. That’s not your right. That’s not your calling. That’s just a tactic to try to keep someone else from reaching their full potential."

Employers: Here's How You're Getting It Wrong by Kate Swoboda via Medium

"It’s not employees who are missing the mark--it’s most employers. You aren’t seeing that you already have the most valuable assets you need, to make a company flourish. It’s as simple as this: treat people like you value them, and they give you value. Once you understand that and put action behind that, things will change."

Orange Almond Fennel Cake by Bird Is The Word
"You name it, I’ve screwed it up. And I think the best, most important thing I have to say to someone worried about and lamenting over failing are the words, “I’ve failed, too. Oh boy have I failed.” It seems every time I’ve swallowed my pride and thrown one of my flops out on the table for all to see, others suddenly feel safe to drop their facades and join in."   

Bed Head: Styling Next Day Hair by Cloudy Apples {video}
Kassie only washes her hair every four days, and she shares her routine and styling tips for each day. So impressive!

The Fit of Clothes by Lost in a Spotless Mind
While my style tends to be more loose and relaxed than this blogger's (though I have a similar figure), I found her breakdown of the fit, lines, and construction of two similar outfits interesting and informative.

How I Stopped Obsessing and Got My Life Back by Allison Vesterfelt
As a fellow sufferer of Analysis Paralysis, I liked this approach to decision making that encourages us to look at the motives behind our decisions as a way to give us some perspective.

Real Talk: The Time I Got Life-Changing Clarity From Using a Compost Toilet in the Desert for Four Days by Life Less Bullshit
I'm finding myself in a state of mind where I'm asking myself a lot of questions, so this post was perfect timing and I connected with all three of the lessons Nicole got out of her retreat.

Writing as a Spiritual Practice with Dani Shapiro by The Good Life Project {video}
Jonathan Fields' interviews are always insightful and inspiring; here, he interviews the author of Still Writing, which I read last month and adored.

Literary City Guides via Eat This Poem 
"Literary City Guides are a travel resource for bookworms who love to eat. Local writers and bloggers share the best bookstores, coffee shops, reading nooks, and restaurants to inspire your next getaway." I've bookmarked Portland and Denver for future visits. 

Kate Middleton is Really Just as Awkward as the Rest of Us via Buzzfeed
Even more reasons to adore Kate.

******

Happy April, friends!

March Rewind.

March in Photos

5 Things that Happened in March

1. St. Patrick's Day dinner at my mother-in-law's house. We feasted on the yummiest corned beef and cabbage, and Mark and I educated everyone about how corned beef and cabbage isn't really the most authentically Irish, but rather an Irish American dish that was adopted from Jewish communities in New York City's immigrant neighborhoods.

2. It still snowed. A lot. Blergh.

3. Mark played hooky from work one day, so we made a trip to a pleasantly-uncrowded Ikea for a curtain rod and had lunch at Sweet Tomatoes.

4. We finally forced ourselves to get back to the gym, since the weather hadn't been quite as cold as the winter months. Though we weren't always successful (see #2).

5. Mark got sick, and I didn't, and somehow that feels like a major victory (though in the hours after drafting this post, I'm feeling the tickles of a sore throat. Noooooooo).

Read in March

• Show Your Work by Austin Kleon : I thought this was a little too simplistic, and I was much more inspired by Steal Like an Artist.
• Love Does by Bob Goff : I don't identify as a Christian specifically, so I feel weird offering my review of a Christian book or explaining why I decided to read it. I will say I loved Donald Miller's "A Million Miles..." and Glennon Doyle Melton's "Carry On, Warrior" far more than this book.

Favorite Song from March

5 Things I Loved about March

1.  The Before Sunrise trilogy. Mark and I watched these movies for the first time, and we both really loved them. They ended up leading to some good conversations about marriage, love, and relationships.

2. Eating a ton of salads, as I mentioned in my "Currently" post a few days ago.

3. Getting this acrylic makeup organizer from Amazon. I really love it. It is so much better than having all of my makeup thrown in a big basket under the bathroom sink. And one organizer fits everything I own perfectly (except for eyeshadow palettes, which I plan to get a cute letter sorter for)-- and I think will be great motivation to avoid buying any more stuff.

4. Hanging curtains in the bedroom. I've had these freaking curtains for probably three years, and hadn't gotten around to hemming them and getting a curtain rod to hang them until now. It's so nice to have a darker room at night!

5. Initiating a date night again. After a winter where we were basically stuck inside most of the time, we realized we've gotten used to getting takeout and eating at home so much that it's been months since just the two of us went out to dinner together (birthday celebrations aside). So we decided to schedule a once-a-week restaurant date. We're also putting the names of all the restaurants we haven't been to in the area yet, and we plan to pick places at random to mix things up a bit.

What I'm Looking Forward to in April

Our annual trip to Arizona to see Mark's sister, brother-in-law, and our nephews! Family aside, Arizona is NOT my favorite place, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited to be somewhere warmer for a week. We might also road trip to Albuquerque during our stay to see Mark's grandparents, and hopefully squeeze in a visit to his aunt's fab restaurant.

Going Natural : Skincare Product Reviews

After my shopping binge for natural products over the past few months, I have stopped getting anything new so that I can spend some time and see what works for me. As I wrote about here, I'm not overly concerned with the natural side effects of aging like fine lines and wrinkles (or at least I'm trying not to be), so my main focus is on products that keep my skin clean, healthy, moisturized, and blemish-free. Today I'd like to share the skincare products I've tried and some brief reviews. If you want to cut straight to the point, I've bolded and asterisked the products I was most impressed with and would consider repurchasing in the future.

Before I jump into the reviews, I'd like to rave about a website: Vitacost! Many of the products listed below were purchased through that site, which I first heard about it through the natural/green beauty community on YouTube. Vitacost is like the lovechild between Whole Foods and Amazon-- a huge selection of natural products at FAR cheaper prices. Good-for-you food, natural makeup, supplements, you name it. I've placed a few orders and LOVE them. They offer very fast shipping, which is free with a $49 purchase. (Side note: If you'd like to try out Vitacost and would like $10 off your first order, feel free to use my referral link code!)

Natural Skincare Product Reviews

One Love Organics Easy Does It Cleanser (trial size, part of this kit) 
Gentle foaming cleanser with a lovely apple scent, and I've enjoyed using it with my Konjac sponge. However, I don't see any specific benefits that come from using this, so I wouldn't seek it out again. I'm interested in trying a cleansing milk instead to see if that helps my dry skin (probably the Avalon Organics Vitamin C Cleansing Milk).

* One Love Organics Skin Savior Waterless Beauty Balm (trial size, part of this kit)
Great product! First of all, it's a multi-tasker, which makes me feel like I'm getting the most bang for my buck. The company claims you can use it as a moisturizer, makeup remover, waterless face wash, cuticle cream, and even a deodorant. I haven't tried all the uses, but I love it as a dry spot treatment and the occasional overall moisturizer. It smells AMAZING (like tropical fruit) and the texture and weight of the product is extremely light.

One Love Organics Brand New Day Scrub (trial size, part of this kit)
This is a pineapple-enzyme based exfoliating scrub that can also be used as a face mask. I've only used this a few times because my dry skin doesn't like too much abrasion. It was fine, but not a product I need in my routine.

One Love Organics My New Best Friend Skin Shammy (part of this kit)
I'm not a fan. It has a very strange texture that is somewhere between a micro-fiber suede and rubber.

* Thayer's Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel
This product has been around forever (since 1847!), and for good reason. It is a wonderful toner, and does not dry the skin since it has no alcohol like many toners do. It contains rose water, aloe vera, and vitamin E, which are all wonderful and soothing for the skin. In the evenings I use it on a cotton pad after cleansing to remove any makeup residue. I liked it so much I put some in a spritz bottle so I can use it as a refreshing face spray in the mornings. And it's suuuuper affordable. There are many other varieties if you don't like rose.

* George's Always Active Aloe Spray
For me, this product takes the place of a makeup setting spray, and can be used to moisten makeup products for application. I also spritz it on my face post-cleansing as an odorless alternative to the Thayer's Witch Hazel. It is also very calming to the skin, and another affordable product.

* Konjac Sponge Company Red Clay Sponge
I reviewed this sponge already in this blog post. In short: it's awesome, it feels great, and it made me return the Clarisonic I was trying out. It's a much more environmentally-friendly option, and cheaper too. I will try out the charcoal or original version next.

* Desert Essence Jojoba Oil
I mostly use this as a makeup remover, and it works great. I also put it on the ends of my damp shampooed hair, and it makes my hair super soft. It didn't work for me as a moisturizing face oil though.

Sibu Beauty Sea Buckthorn Oil
This was my first face oil purchase, and I loved it. I either mix it with my night moisturizer or apply directly to trouble spots. Between this oil and the Pai Rosehip Oil, the cystic acne scars I've had for over 15 years have faded remarkably.

* Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil (part of this limited edition kit)
Amazing stuff. This oil slightly edges out the Sibu Sea Buckthorn Oil. I like the scent more, and I found it very effective at fading acne scars. The mask in the kit is nice too, and one jar will last me a long time.

Acure Argan Oil
This was recommended to me by many people. I like it, but not nearly as much as the Pai Rosehip Oil. It has a funkier smell, and I was disappointed that the company seems to have switched to a pump top instead of an eyedropper, despite what's shown on the product listing. The pump ends up dispensing more product than I need. But it is way cheaper than the Pai oil and moisturizes well, so it might remain in my routine.

* Soapwalla Deodorant Cream
I cannot tell you how happy I am to find a natural deodorant that works for me. It does not stop sweat (but that's not really good for your body anyways), but the scent is awesome and keeps me odor-free all day. I don't love applying it with my fingers, but oh well. I would repurchase it, but I might try this Primal Pit Paste next, as it comes highly recommended as well.

* Nubian Heritage Coconut and Papaya Soap with Vanilla Beans
I use this as my body soap. It has great clean ingredients, smells wonderful, and is very moisturizing due to the coconut oil and shea butter base.

* Maxim Hygiene Organic Cotton Rounds
Conventional cotton is the most heavily pesticide-sprayed crop, so organic cotton really does matter. These rounds are a great price point, and depsite the reviews of them fuzzing, I've found they stay together far better than the conventional ones I bought at Target.

***

That's it for skincare! I've also tested out some home remedies (coconut oil as a makeup remover, washing my face with raw honey, etc) which I can discuss if anyone is interested. I'm still searching for a good natural shampoo and conditioner, as the Giovanni products I have aren't working for me like they used to (and Burt's Bees shampoo was AWFUL). Acure is on my radar, and I'm going to check out the ingredients in Trader Joe's sulfate-free shampoo, but does anyone have any other recommendations for green/natural shampoos?

Currently {3.25}

LISTENING to the Philip Glass and Album Leaf Spotify radio stations, since I can't write (or read) to music with words. Explosions in the Sky was my go-to lyric-less music for ages, but I've been finding it brings out A LOT of melodramatic and nostalgic feelings, which isn't always what I'm going for.

READING Man's Search For Meaning by Viktor Frankl, Bittersweet by Shauna Niequist, and The Goldfinch by Donna Tarte. The Goldfinch is so good, but man, I feel like I've been reading it forever without much progress.

EATING salad, salad, salad and more salad. My body is craving raw veggies in what I believe is a desperate longing for spring.

WATCHING the Before Sunrise trilogy (for the first time!). I was lucky to come across all three at the library last week, and Mark and I watched the first last night. We both loved it so much, and it made us want to travel more together (not that we really needed a movie to inspire those feelings). 

LOOKING at snow outside my window. Both covering the ground and falling from the sky. On March 25. This graphic about the seasons has never seemed more true.

WORKING on two albums with our photos from Ireland and Europe, which I plan to order through Artifact Uprising.

COVETING some Everlane t-shirts, a pair of boyfriend jeans, these triangle rings, and this necklace.

JUST FINISHED WATCHING True Detective and GIRLS. True Dectective was getting so much buzz that we had to watch it. It was a bit cliched, creepy at times, and had a slower pace than I expected, but Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey have great chemistry together. And GIRLS was fun and maddening and self-involved, as expected.

SLEEPING so well. We finally hung curtains in our bedroom (six years after moving in), and the cat isn't waking us up three times every night anymore, so we're actually sleeping the whole night through. Combine that with a good vitamin regimen and I'm feeling like an actual human.

THINKING about how-- as a creative person-- I can better use my skills to serve a wider good instead of just creating for pleasure.

Project Life : Weeks 10 & 11

First of all, do any fellow Blogger users find that their photos look much duller when posting to Blogger than they do in Photoshop or Flickr? I'm getting annoyed that all of the photos I've been posting on my blog lately look desaturated and cloudy. The dandelions should be sunshine yellow and "Slainte" spelled out in Thickers should be bright lime green. Blergh.

Anywho, here is another Project Life combo spread for March 3rd through March 17th featuring a seasonally-appropriate color scheme of green and yellow-- though spring had decidedly NOT sprung yet, as we had single-digit temps and 4" of fresh snowfall. When I first started working on this spread, I almost panicked about my new format for the weekly title card since I didn't know how to modify it to represent two weeks. But these things aren't worth stressing about, and I simply decided to list the date ranges for both weeks.

I had a few events this week where I was enjoying the moment too much to stop and take pictures, so I ended up pulling a few of these photos from the internets. I used Flickr's Creative Commons search tool to find some general high-resolution photos, and I also used Facebook to download some family photos from our St. Patrick's Day celebration. That picture of my mother-in-law (bottom right) in all her ridiculous St. Paddy's accessories makes me laugh every time I look at it.

Items used: Photo Pocket Pages variety pack, Dear Lizzy Polka Dot Party mini kit, generic black ink pad, Canon Selphy printer, Sharpie pen, Smash date stamp, green Thickers (similar), Paislee Press Pictures & Words No. 9 digital templates, and a small "Simply Happy" pad of 3x4" journaling cards from Target by We R Memory Keepers (looks like this).

Custom Touches: Like previous months, the calendar card came from Oh The Lovely Things and was scaled down to fit the 3x4" pocket in Photoshop. The glittery shamrock was given to me by my grandma. 

Going Natural : The Lines of a Story

It was the first time the winter temperatures had climbed above 32 degrees, so I suggested to Mark that we take a little excursion to the Northside for some warm and spicy Ethiopian food.

Beams of light poured in through the windows of the El, bright and hazy, as January’s golden-hour sun tends to be whenever she decides to make a cheery appearance. I sat twisted on the bench, one leg propped up on the seat between Mark and myself, squinting out the dingy window as the train jolted past Wrigley Field. I remember saying something stupid about baseball, laughing at myself and my sorry knowledge of sports.

When I glanced back towards Mark, I noticed him looking at me with a crooked smile in that unnerving way where you instantly become aware that someone is not only watching you, but thinking something about you.

I blushed and furrowed my brows. “What?”

He reached a hand up towards my face, gracing his thumb along the top of my cheekbone.

“Your eyes-- I just noticed they crinkle a little bit at the corners when you smile. It’s like, we’re getting older together, and that’s pretty awesome, you know?”

***

Sometime last week, right after my 47th consecutive minute spent hunched over my laptop while staring at natural lipstick swatches online, this memory fell into my lap.

I’ve approached this whole “going natural” project with gusto. I threw myself into research, adding green beauty blogs to my Feedly, watching countless YouTube videos, and making too many purchases for natural products. There is a high that comes with the swan dive into a new endeavor, an enthusiasm and obsession that makes you want to shout, “Why did I not know this whole other world existed?!” Now, surrounded by a small tower of empty cardboard boxes and crumpled snakes of packing tape, I find myself the owner of products that I never even considered I needed before-- face masks, eyeshadow primer, three different kinds of face oils, brow cream. Et cetera.

This stuff is fun, of course, and I’m glad I’m committed to transitioning to natural products, but it opened up a side of myself that has become consumed with “beauty” in a way I had never been previously. The conventional makeup products I used before were utilitarian-- they did a job I needed them to do, and that was that. It required very little of my brain power, mental space, or time. Now that I'm exposed to far more makeup and skincare product information than at any point in my past, I've noticed myself thinking much more about my appearance, finding a “need” for new products like makeup primer or eye cream. Buzzword-y skin issues like  “dark circles” and “fine lines and wrinkles” entered my vocabulary, along with a concern as to how to fight them like the unwanted intruders that they are.

I sometimes consider the conflict between self care/self love and the importance we place on our outward appearances. Don't we too often make enemies out of our own bodies and the aging process? Think about it-- can you see the beauty in your silver strands or the parentheses deepening around your mouth? Or are they something you try to smooth, hide, cover up, and erase?

We are given exactly one body during our lifetime, and I believe it is simply a container for our spirit. A spirit that needs to express itself through movement, labor, love. Even if that means we get a little worn around the edges, a little soft in the middle. While we should try to treat our one precious vessel the best we can (please wear your sunscreen, friends!), I want to welcome the lines deepened by tear-inducing, body-shaking belly laughs, the skin roughened and reddened by the air whipping along the eastern Irish coastline, the hands callused and blackened from digging down into the dirt-- the literal and metaphorical kind. The one-inch scar on my chin tells a story, and I can only wish to someday have red rivulets on my abdomen mapping the story of the baby that grew there.

My life etches itself into my skin, and to accept this as evidence of time's passage and a collection of experiences is one of the most profound forms of grace I could extend to myself.

Thank you, Mark, for the reminder. To grow old together-- yes, it is pretty awesome.

Crushing on : Marble Accents

In my recent Pinteresting, I've found myself completely digging marble accents. There's no chance that I'll be re-doing my kitchen with marble countertops anytime soon (I dream of sometime like this or this), but I've been pinning some small marble accent items and DIYs that would fulfill my craving for marble without the scary price tag.

My interior style favors natural elements like wood, iron, textiles, and lots of greenery, and I think these elements help soften the marble and make it seem less like something straight out of the late 80s (where I imagine it paired with shiny stainless steel, glass, and black leather furniture, *shudder*). From the look of the links below, it seems like I have to buy some marble contact paper and marbleize everything!

DIY Marble Laptop Skin via Designlykke

Mortar and Pestle via Provisions Food52

DIY Marble Pot via MyDubio

DIY Marble Notebook via Design and Form

Marble and Wood Cheese Board via Terrain

Ikea Table Makeover via Design and Form

White Marble iPhone Case via VooStore

Marble Manicure via Love Aesthetics

Seeking "Home"

One thing I find most interesting and maddening about life is when to make the judgement call to close a particular chapter. Right now, the question is directed towards our current locale.

The warning signs are there. The restlessness, the ennui, the emotional cabin fever only partially caused by the blanket of snow smothering Chicago for the past three months. What comfort I used to find in routine now feels worn and rutted. When I’m feeling cheery, I can pretend to be a tourist in my own town and seek out new sights, restaurants, and events. While that can be entertaining for a day, it doesn’t change the fact that the place I live doesn’t seem to support or cultivate my evolving spirit.

When Mark and I bought our condo, we planned on staying for about four to five years before making our way west. We’d set our sights on Portland, though we prepared to embrace the uncertainty that comes with trying to relocate without jobs in place to hold open the door for us.

Life had a different plan and lobbed a couple wrenches at us-- namely, the economic crisis, double layoffs, and a condo valued at a fraction of what we payed for it. Life is never too hard on us though, and gave us a kiss on the mouth in the form of an opportunity to live and work in Ireland and travel Europe for the majority of 2012. It was a dream of an experience that left us wild-eyed and bewildered: “Is this real life? How is this our life?”

I came home with seams bursting-- both my suitcase and my heart. Expecting to live off the energy of the memories for months or even years, it shocked me when it took exactly four weeks for my wanderlust to re-appear. To most wandering souls, travel is like a sip of crystal clear water on a parched tongue. I savor it, but in my bones I crave more.

I’ve spent some time thinking about why this is, and I’ve decided it’s because there is no better way to continue to meet yourself than through travel. It’s a rare chance to see yourself outside of everyday routines, surprising yourself with your ability to adapt while also discovering tender spots of resistance and discomfort. It’s witnessing growth in real time.  

Ireland in particular opened up a new side of myself. One who needs very little beyond creature comforts, and feels pulled to the outdoors in a deep longing kind of way, a craving for stillness and fresh air in my lungs. The Irish seemed to have an incredible connection to their country that extended beyond nationalism. There was a palpable respect and pride in the land. It sort of broke my heart that so many tourists-- driven by the understandable desire to see as much as possible-- experience Ireland from the window of their rental cars, with scheduled breaks for a photo of a famous landmark and a drink in the pub. Mark and I were blessed with weekend after weekend to climb mountains until we were soaked to the bone, trek the cliffsides lined with heather and sunshine-yellow gorse bushes, and spend entire afternoons feeling the grass between our fingers while gazing out at the ocean or towards the rolling hills painted hazy on the horizon. We did this until every breath became alternating tributes to joy and gratitude that our feet had the privilege of connecting with this earth. To do any less would have felt like dishonoring the most beloved gift.

So here I am today, in the same geographical place that I was prior to Ireland. These pale green walls, the ceramic mug from which I sip my tea, this body-- they’re all unchanged. And yet I’m no longer the same, and have not been the same for the past year I’ve been home. It’s the same kind of sensation I felt when I returned to my childhood home for the first time after being away at college. To experience profound internal shifts and have your outer world remain static is disorienting and makes you question all sense of what defines “home.”

Of course, the best aspects of home are emotional: Mark by my side, a glass of wine at the end of the day, a place to stand barefoot in front of the stove, leaning forward over a gurgling pot of soup to steal a taste from a wooden spoon. Those comforts are with me now and will remain a constant regardless of the address on our utility bill. 

Yet the physical and geographic qualities of what constitutes “home” can shift over time, and while never perfect, some places can end up being more ideal than others. I still appreciate what attracted me to my current town-- the walkability, the old Victorian homes, the small shops and cafes. As the first suburb outside of city limits, we enjoy the pleasures of a quaint village and access to the city, but we still have to deal with the downsides of urban living. Noise, traffic (oh, lord, the traffic), and the spillover from the crime-ridden and dangerous city neighborhood that borders us. It’s best to be smart and on-guard while living here. Consider the local forest preserve and the largest park nearby, a place that could potentially be a small reprieve into nature for a walk or run-- I’ve been advised that they are no places for a woman to be alone.

Most of the time, I can’t shake the feeling that my wandering heart is being restrained here.

A few nights ago, a stunning blush-pink sunset splashed across the sky. From the corner of my living room window, I could see exactly five inches of it in the fraction of a space between neighboring buildings. The last time such a sunset appeared, I left the condo in a flash, running up the apartment-lined street in a desperate and fruitless attempt to bear witness to it as the street grew dark around me, along with my spirit. I want to drink up Koolaid sunsets; a sliver isn’t enough to quench my thirst. Logistically-speaking, there’s just nowhere to go nearby to find that kind of space and solace without resorting to climbing to the top of a parking garage.

I want nature to be a part of my life like it was in Ireland, woven into my everyday fabric. It’s a spiritual need as much as desire for movement: it is through nature that I am centered, grounded. Through nature, I am reassured that everything is as it should be. The deeper the breath, the clearer the mind. 

These thoughts make me recall this passage from Eat Pray Love: “... every city has a single word that defines it, that identifies most people who live there. If you could read people’s thoughts as they were passing you on the street of any given place, you would discover that most of them are thinking the same thought. Whatever that majority thought might be-- that is the word of the city. And if your personal word does not match the word of the city, then you don’t really belong there.”  

I can’t exactly pinpoint the word for Chicago-- Boisterous? Rowdy? Capricious? Hearty? But I can tell you that the vibration and values of this city do not match my own, and it’s come to the point where I am ready to discover the place that supports what I seek and provides a place to continue to meet the best version of myself.

Exploring. Seeking. Creating. Nourishing.
Vibrant. Progressive. Artistic. Natural. Relaxed.
Freedom. Community. Growth. Spirit.

Project Life : Weeks 8 & 9

Week 8 is in the books. I'd planned on a double-week spread for weeks 8 and 9 (like the last one), but it turns out I had more photos than I was expecting, so this blog post will be a two-for-one. I haven't been totally happy with the title card situation up until now. One, the inconsistency bugs me, and two, it's a pain to run cards through my laser printer on a weekly basis. I saw someone on Instagram (CayleeGrey, I believe) had used the this Paislee Press "Week of..." card, and I fell in love with it. I'll still have to print it myself, but I like that I can do 3 cards at once on one sheet of plain white cardstock. I'll probably go back and re-do the title cards on the weeks I've done up until now using this design.

After I decided on a title card, I ran with the black & white (and a little pink) color scheme and hand-drawn type. I'm still figuring out my Project Life style, and this feels a bit closer to something I can continue with. 


Items used: Midnight Edition Core Kit, Photo Pocket Pages variety pack, Dear Lizzy Polka Dot Party mini kit, generic black ink pad, Canon Selphy printer, Sharpie pen, Smash date stamp, Thickers (similar), Paislee Press Pictures & Words No. 9 digital templates, and a small "Simply Happy" pad of 3x4" journaling cards from Target by We R Memory Keepers (looks like this). The hand-painted stripe card is a freebie download from Big City Quiet. "Always enjoy the little moments" card via Shanna Noel.

Custom Touches: The white heart shows through from the last spread.



So, how many Project Lifers are going to include the infamous Oscar selfie in their Week 9 spread? I'm betting more than a few.

This spread is dominated by more black & white stripes and pink accents, with a little mustard orange thrown in, since I didn't want to waste the "I love you to the moon and back" card that showed through from Week 8. That winter photo was actually taken weeks ago, but given the snow that fell last week, it was still fitting. That just goes to show how I care more about representing the idea of the week rather than recording every detail chronologically.

Items used: Midnight Edition Core Kit, Photo Pocket Pages variety pack, Dear Lizzy Polka Dot Party mini kit, generic black ink pad, Canon Selphy printer, Wacom tablet, Sharpie pen, Kelly Purkey acrylic stamps (from Simon Says, which are no longer for sale), Tim Holtz acrylic block set, Smash date stamp, Thickers (similar), and a small "Simply Happy" pad of 3x4" journaling cards from Target by We R Memory Keepers (looks like this), and this Oscar Ballot via How About Orange folded into the pocket.

Custom Touches: Nothing fancy, other than creating an Elise Blaha Cripe-style quote card featuring the line from Lupita's acceptance speech. I used my Wacom tablet to hand-write "valid," though you could just leave that spot blank and write it in after printing with a Sharpie. I also used the Wacom for the Love card on the left side, and "Sunday" on the right.

Listed // My Personal Podcast Directory.

I've mentioned my love for individual podcasts in many Link Love posts over the years, but I realized that I've never written a full round-up of my favorites and regulars. Podcasts were a total lifesaver when I was commuting the 14 miles/40-75 minutes each way to-and-from work. Now that I don't spend much time in the car and I spend a lot of time writing with no background noise, my listening tapered off despite my love for the medium. I've found that I have to carve out time for podcast-listening just like I would for reading, so I've been taking walks while listening to podcasts whenever the temperatures rise above 32°, and I always tune in when I'm doing housework-- podcasts are the only reason the dishes get done with any sort of regularity!

I found that I've been picking and choosing my episodes with some discernment since I don't have as much time to listen. I tend to pick a podcast based on my mood/interests at the time, and then select an episode depending on the topic or guest. The main qualities I look for in a podcast are: 1) Inspiring, 2) Intelligent, and 3) Humorous. This list looks huge, but I probably only listen to 5 podcasts a week on average.

What I listen to...

... For pop culture nerdery:

Nerdette - This is one of my newest podcast loves, and I'm OBSESSED. It's smart and lady-centric and full of pop culture and fandom. And the hosts assign "homework" for each episode encouraging listeners to explore new topics, which my school-loving heart adores. The Tavi Gevinson episode is an awesome place to start, and the discussion of gender and computer/robot voices in the most recent episode was really interesting.

Anatomy of a Movie or Filmspotting - I'm one of those people who really loves media analysis, so whenever I see a good film (which isn't all that often, in reality) I like to listen to people pick it apart and talk about the story and themes. I only listen to episodes for movies I've already seen and the year-end film roundups just to see what I may have missed.

... When I want to take my book obsession to the next level:

Book Riot - This is my favorite book podcast. The hosts are funny and smart, and I love that they cover literary topics and industry news in addition to talking about what books are hot right now.

Books on The Nightstand - I find the hosts of this one less engaging than Book Riot's, but I like how many episodes touch on a discussion topic-- how to find more time to read, whether audiobooks count as reading, how to cull your personal library, etc.

... When I want to explore the complexities of the human mind 

(and feel less alone in my struggles): 

Mental Illness Happy Hour - This one is heavy and often uncomfortable-- we're talking painful stories of abuse, addiction, and mental illness. However, I find many episodes to be interesting and honest, and I find the host's welcoming attitude uplifting. While I don't think my own struggles are particularly severe, I often find myself oddly comforted when I hear people share fears/thoughts/anxieties that I thought only I had. It's a podcast that shows you how complex we all are, and I find that endlessly fascinating. It's also helped make me a much more empathetic person towards others.

... When I want to pick and choose solid, thought-provoking interviews:

WTF with Marc Maron - Comedian Marc Maron will not be suitable to everyone's taste (he's crass, kind of a grump, and super neurotic) but he is one of the best interviewers I've ever come across. You can tell he really listens to his guests and is able to dig deeper than most. Many guests are musicians, actors, and fellow comedians, and I love the episodes that give insight to the creative process and how these people found their way into the business.

... For thoughts and interviews with creative entrepreneurs and makers:

After the Jump - This is the podcast of Grace Bonney, the woman behind Design*Sponge. Grace is very thoughtful and well-spoken, and I love hearing from her in podcast form. My favorite episodes are the ones where she deals with personal topics like work/life balance and where she finds inspiration.

Our Style Stories - {new to me but promising} I just started tuning into this podcast recently. It features conversations with creative individuals and cover topics like facing risk and overcoming uncertainty, entrepreneurship for artists, and pursuing your passion as a side-project. {See also: The Jess Lively Show. I enjoyed the episode with Erin Loechner, who has the sweetest demeanor.}

... For a dose of spirituality:

Tara Brach - This podcast is a collection of Tara's talks on Buddhist meditation and sprituality. Honestly, sometimes I listen to this podcast just to relax and fall asleep because her voice is so soothing. But the content is really thoughtful and insightful as well. {I also sometimes like On Being, but I haven't listened to it recently.}

... For real-talk about relationships:

This Feels Terrible - Conversations about sex, love, dating woes, heart-break, and awkward moments hosted by comedian Erin McGathy.

Savage Lovecast - Sex and relationship advice from Dan Savage. Not for the bashful, close-minded, or easily-offended listener. There are some legit criticisms of some of Dan Savage's viewpoints, but I still find his podcast to be engaging, funny, and smart. He definitely comes with a political agenda, but it's one that I stand behind, so I quite enjoy the first segment of the show where Dan rants about gay rights and feminist issues in politics and the news.

... When I want to feel like I'm hanging out with girlfriends:

Slumber Party with Alie and Georgia - Alie and Georgia are pretty hilarious together (and just crass enough to make me love them), and they always have amusing guests on the show (Joy the Baker, Grace Helbig, Hannah Hart, Elizabeth Laime). The "slumber party" format is fun and just makes you want to hang out with them in their pillow fort.

Joy the Baker - I used to be a religious listener of this podcast when it first came out; now I just turn it on when I want to be mindlessly amused. It can make me giggle, but it's definitely... trivial.

The Sarah R. Bagley Podcast - Sarah is a blog friend who recently started a podcast about "a recovering perfectionist's guide to a B+ life" (which, as a former marketer, I think is a pretty brilliant tagline and branding angle). Sarah talks to fellow bloggers on the topic, and I love how natural the conversations are-- it really makes you feel like you're sitting down and having coffee with them!

*** 

That's my current list of podcasts, with the occasional random episode thrown in if it's been recommended or features someone I admire. Lately, I've taken to writing down at least one takeaway point from each podcast I listen to in a tiny notebook I always carry, and it's helping me keep better track of my inspirations and often provokes new ideas.

Do you listen to podcasts? What are some of your favorites?

Going Natural : Konjac Sponges (and Why I Returned My Clarisonic)

One of my goals for the year is to switch over from conventional to natural makeup and skincare products. So far, I've written about where my interest in this topic comes from, reviewed the book "No More Dirty Looks," looked at what natural makeup and body products I already own. and shared some brands and online resources.

***

At the same time I declared that I wanted to take a more natural and organic approach to my makeup and skincare, I decided I wanted to give the much exalted Clarisonic a try-- the Mia2 to be specific (in the pretty Amethyst Radiance color shown above).

Over the last few years, my face had become rougher to the touch and I developed a few dry patches. I could control these issues if I used all five of my Paula's Choice skin products every day, but whenever I skipped one of them, the balance was thrown off. I hated feeling tied to that routine, and I questioned why I couldn't find a healthier skin balance without relying on multiple chemical-based products. When I started researching natural products, I figured I could only benefit from the additional exfoliation of the Clarisonic. (In retrospect, I can see now that I had the assumption that organic/natural skincare products would not work as well as conventional products, and therefore I felt like I would need the extra power of the Clarisonic.)

I used the Clarisonic from January 2nd until February 28th, upon which I returned it to Ulta for a full refund-- hallelujah for Ulta's no-questions-asked return policy! Clarisonic also offers a 90-day trial period if you need an extra month to test the waters.

So many people love the Clarisonic that I'd like to offer a bit of an alternative view. Of course, everyone's skin is different and therefore your experience might not be anything like mine. I didn't hate the Clarisonic at all, but it just didn't work for me, a person with dry, somewhat sensitive skin.

When I first started using the Clarisonic, it made my skin feel the way everyone talks about-- soft, silky, smooth-- and I loved it. I only got one or two blemishes in the beginning, which isn't all that uncommon for me, so I didn't blame the Clarisonic for that. I used it once per day in the evenings for about two weeks and was happy with the results.

After two weeks, I noticed the Clarisonic felt scratchy and downright painful during use, especially along my temples. This happened no matter how lightly I held the brush to my skin. Afterwards, my skin felt tight and raw, and I developed a ring of flaky skin from the tops of my cheeks, up my temples, and across my forehead. No bueno. I transitioned to the most gentle, moisturizing cleanser I own to see if that helped and was still unsuccessful.

The only way I made the Clarisonic work for me was to use it only once per week, at most. And for a device that cost me $125 and needed brushhead replacements every 3-6 months at $25-30 apiece, it just didn't seem worth it.

The nail in the Clarisonic coffin was the Konjac sponge I bought towards the end of February. I had a coupon for an online natural & organic skincare boutique, and as part of my order I picked up a red clay sponge from the brand Konjac Sponge Company.

I first heard about these sponges through Shannon Sullivan on YouTube (mentioned at 7:40 in the video). Since I was still debating whether I was going to keep the Clarisonic or not, I decided to try out a Konjac sponge for myself and see which I preferred.

Konjac sponges are a natural product that comes from the vegetable fiber of a Japanese potato-like plant. Used on the face, they are an extremely gentle exfoliator and come in different varieties (red clay, green clay, charcoal, aloe) to correspond with different skin types. My red clay sponge is designed for dry skin; the red clay helps remove dead skin cells and accelerate skin regeneration. When dry, the sponge is solid and hard to the touch, but when you soak it with water it gets very soft and (surprise!) spongy. Using it on the face felt really nice and soothing and didn't cause me any problem spots even with daily use. It can be used with or without cleanser-- if you use cleanser you only need a teeny tiny drop because the sponge will make it lather and you don't want to get a buildup of product inside the sponge. It can remove water-based makeup, but it's best to use a separate makeup remover on your eye area.

You do have to care for the sponge-- it needs to be rinsed thoroughly and the water squeezed from it (but never wrung out, which can break it down) and hung to dry after each use. To sterilize, you can boil it for 3-4 minutes in a pot of water, which I plan to do every other week so as to avoid any potential icky issues with mold or mildew. 

The sponges range in price from roughly $8-10 each, and will last for three months with proper care. Since they are natural, they are 100% biodegradable and can be composted at the end of its life cycle-- quite a difference from Clarisonic's plastic parts and electronics. Aside from it feeling good on my face, both the price and the environmental impact were huge factors in my decision to favor the Konjac sponge over the Clarisonic as my physical exfoliator of choice.

If you're interested in a Konjac sponge, check out Dr. Sponge on Eco Diva Beauty, The Konjac Sponge Company on Spirit Beauty Lounge, or even My Konjac Sponge sold through Amazon.

Here are some other posts about Konjac Sponges, some with comparisons to the Clarisonic:

- My Konjac Sponge Review via LoveLipGloss
- Kuu Konjac Sponge: Better Than My Clarisonic via BeautyholicsAnonymous 
- What on Earth is a Kuu Konjac Sponge??? via Makeup and Macaroons
- Clarisonic vs Monster Konjac Sponge via Gymba24 {video}
- My Konjac Facial Sponge Review via Phyrra

***

Note: I have no affiliation with any of the companies listed in this post and am writing purely from my own experience in hopes that it might help someone else looking for alternatives to the Clarisonic. 

February Rewind

It occurred to me that as much as I'm documenting for Project Life, not many (any?) of those stories and photos are making their way onto the blog. I think I assumed that posting these photos would be redundant since they already appear in spreads in my Project Life updates, but I honestly doubt that any of you are going through the trouble of examining my pages that closely. And if you are, I want to spare your eyesight :)

I do plan to start posting more heartfelt and personal stories on the blog, but until I get my writing act together, I'll put together this monthly rewind post (based off of similar posts by Jamie at The Perpetual Page Turner).

February in Photos:

5 Things that Happened in February:

1. We attended the wedding of my step-brother-in-law (pulling into the church parking lot with exactly one minute to spare before the ceremony), and had a nice time celebrating right on the shore of Lake Michigan in Wisconsin.

2. Mark and I found someone's wallet on the sidewalk while taking a walk on one of the few nice days in February. It belonged to what looked to be a college student with an out-of-state home address, and had quite a bit of cash inside. I've been in that position before, and it was nothing but stressful, so I wanted to see if we could get the wallet back to him. We did our best to track him down without a phone number-- a Facebook message, calling the land line associated with his home address-- but no luck. Before going totally amateur detective and calling his school for contact info (or to contact him on our behalf), I dropped the wallet off at the police station in hopes that they have some way to access his cell phone number or find him locally.

3. My DSLR camera fell off my tripod and busted my favorite prime lens, booo hooo. And then I discovered that the 1-year warranty on the lens had expired exactly 10 days before.  I'm currently waiting on a price quote for repairs and I'm afraid :( Nothing is cracked or cosmetically wrong with the lens, but I currently can't adjust the focal distance at all.

4. We had a very sexy Valentine's day with House of Cards Season 2 and takeout lobster rolls (which are basically my new delicious obsession). Did you see the article where Kevin Spacey said that political insiders have told him that House of Cards is "basically 99% true"? That makes me want to CRY.

5. We finally got our local friends together for dinner. Ages ago, 5 or 6 of us used to meet for dinner weekly and try an new restaurant downtown each time, but life happened and we stopped getting together regularly. It had been six months since we last met up, and it was great to see everyone, despite the frigid temperatures. Unfortunately, the restaurant we picked had a decidedly young vibe and became too loud to hear each other by the time it hit 7pm. You know you're old when you will only go to restaurants and bars where you can hear each other talk from across the table without shouting.

Read in February:

• Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell - It was fun, but I didn't love it as much as everyone else seems to. Read my thoughts here.

• Still Writing by Dani Shapiro - I loved this book! It felt like it was written for me personally, and yet it was comforting to know she was addressing a wider audience of writers. It made me think quite a bit about how lonely writing can be and yet all writers (and creators) seem to have a shared experience when it comes to the process.

• Show Your Work by Austin Kleon (in progress)

• The Goldfinch by Donna Tarte (in progress) - So far, it's so good!

Favorite Song from February:

5 Things I Loved About February:

1.  Oscar Season. Mark is a big movie buff and tries to see all the Best Picture nominees before the awards show each year. This year he managed to see 8 out of 9, and I saw 5. I'm not as into movies as he is, but I love that his interest exposes me to some great films I wouldn't have otherwise seen. Our mutual favorite was "Her." We also have an annual tradition of filling out Oscar ballots together and seeing who guesses the most winners-- I guessed all the major categories correctly and beat Mark by 1 point on the full ballot.

2. Healthy eating. While my gym attendance record was pitiful this month thanks to the cold weather and snow, I did get back on the healthy eating train. Smoothies and vitamins almost every morning, meal planning, and including lots of veggie-heavy meals with clean and lean proteins. I made this Power Green Salad from Sprouted Kitchen twice in one week.

3. One Love Organics. I placed FOUR orders for natural skincare and beauty products this month (I kept coming across really great sales! As a result, I have instated a shopping ban for the next month). I'm still testing the products out, but my first impressions of my OLO Essentials Kit is pretty positive-- the packaging is totally adorable, and it all smells really good. I'll keep using the products for a while longer before giving my official review.

4. Fresh petite pink roses on my coffee table.

5. How warm 32°F felt after weeks of below freezing and below zero temperatures. We took walks each time the temps reached 32 or higher, and it felt good to get outside and get moving.

What I'm looking Forward to in March:

SPRING. Disappearing snow, daylight savings, asparagus season, getting back to the gym, more fresh flowers in my living room, brighter lipstick colors, taking walks, 50-60 degree days (PLEASE?!).