tea time

Now that it really feels like fall, my tea consumption is up.  My absolute most favorite tea in the world is Mariage Freres Eros tea.  I hear it's finally available in the US at Dean & Deluca.  I myself was fortunate enough to stock up in Paris at one of their glorious and whimsical tea shops on a trip there this past year.

Enjoy some of my other favorites!

 (Trader Joe's Chai tea bags)

 (PG Tips - a classic breakfast tea some Brits got me into when I was working on a movie)

(Rooibos from Tealuxe for us lucky Bostonians, or for those that want to order online)

body & spirit (& a bit of flair).

I did two magnificent things this past weekend - attend one of my most favorite fall activities, the 42nd Head of the Charles & also volunteer for the 1st Annual Team Elizabeth Road Race in Hull, which was inspired by my dear friend Elizabeth and supports the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

 (My cousin Arch rowing with the Austin Rowing Club)

  (runners/walkers at the start line)

After my active weekend, I sat on my couch Sunday to watch Chariots of Fire, an incredibly inspirational film (see it) about two men who run in the 1924 Olympics for very different purposes.  One of the most memorable quotes from the film comes from Eric Liddell: 

I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure. 

And aside from the heart felt moments, I forgot all about the dapper men's fashion!  The men at Cambridge college circa 1920 just looked so fabulous.  Check out the first 5 minutes from this clip and tell me it doesn't make you want to jump into a sweater vest, striped scarf, corduroy jacket and straw hat?

For all you mens that love it as much as I do, I put together a little collection for you:

Chariots of Fire by Arestia

an ode to notebooks

I am a meticulous time manager and am successful at work because of bound pieces of paper - notebooks.  I can keep a calendar, make lists, write notes, keep thoughts and I'm not sure how I would keep my life straight without being able to write my life down on paper.  I always have at least two on me.

(my moleskine calendar is my go-to old faithful; calendar on the left, space for other stuff on the right)

(my production coordinator gave me this Rite in the Rain notebook when I was working on MALL COP.  There was a lot of rain and these kept me straight even when I got wet - brilliant!)

(Sliced bread notebooks via Selectism)

 (Field Notes for your everyday life)

(love this visual notebook with a simple AM on the left and PM on the right from Muji via the improvised life)

fabulous autumn road trip

This past weekend, I went apple picking - in Sharon Springs, NY.  Why did I drive 3.5 hours to go apple picking you ask?  Because of a certain book called The Bucolic Plague.

For my book club this month, this is what we read and I loved it.  Gentlemen farmers, goats, simplicity and a quaint town.  I've also started watching their television show on Planet Green, The Fabulous Beekman Boys.  So we got a little crazy and decided to plan a day road trip.  We had a great lunch at The Black Cat, walked the single block known as Main Street, went apple picking, listened to stories by The American Hotel's innkeeper and took a drive by passed the Beekman Mansion, home to the Fabulous Beekman Boys themselves, Josh and Brent. 

My friend Deepa took some amazing pictures to capture our perfect fall day.

catalog living

Ever wonder who lives in those rooms that show up in your catalog?  Elaine and Gary, naturally.  To find out what I mean, head on over to Catalog Living to hear all about their fabulous life in your home catalog.

new shoes?

I am so digging this new pumpkin patent high heel from Emerson Made.  If I had the funds, they'd come and live with me.

typographic maps - too cool

My brother sent me an awesome link to Axis Maps on maps made by only using type.  I love maps and these are so intricate and creative.  There are only two cities now (including my very own), but keep an eye out for more!

happy list: lists

My sister did a post on this the other day where she listed little known facts about her and I thought it was too cute and inspiring.  So, you can take a little more of a look inside my world...


25 Things You Don't (Or, Maybe You Do) Know About Me

1. I used to devour books at an alarming rate as a child (a couple a day); because of this, I've read every Boxcar Children book.

2. When I am hungover at church, I like to think God thinks it's funny.

3. I am so mad at myself that I stopped dancing.  

4. My legs are often covered in bruises - 90% of the time, I have no idea where they came from.

5. Demi Moore once gave me the best beauty/medical advice I've ever received - she told me to buy arnicare gel to help my bruises heal faster. 

6. I don't like running, but I do love it.

7. I look exactly like both of my parents - try to figure that one out.

8. I was a pole vaulter in high school.

9. I make friends easily, but I don't think I easily keep them.

10. I'm dying to go to Iceland and I have no idea where that came from.

11. I am intimidated by blond and Asian women.  Steep competition.

12. I like popcorn far more than any human should.

13. I killed more hamsters as a child than I'm comfortable admitting.

14. I am a volunteer rape crisis counselor and am constantly awed by others that do this work, too.

15. If it doesn't come easily to me, I don't really like doing it.

16. I wish I had the type of brain for medicine, computer engineering or something super brainy, but I was never good at science or math.

17. I always ask for exceptions or try to figure out a better way of doing things.  My mother tells me it's because I don't think the rules apply to me.  She's probably right.  She often is.

18. I can crochet and knit.

19. I have a gift for time management and am so glad I do.

20. I love birthdays because they celebrate life and that's worth celebrating.

21. I was on an improv team in high school.

22. I used to have a speech impediment as a child - I couldn't properly pronounce "S" sounds.

23. I always sing in the car, regardless of passengers or not.

24. I always greet dogs on the street; I rarely acknowledge their owners.

25. I love lists.


*Images courtesy of bippity, boppity, boo, we heart it & kykywoodwood

Fashion Risks

I think it's important to take a fashion risk every now and again.  Get creative!  Spice up your look!  You might surprise yourself on how you feel.  Last spring I purchased a silk flower to wear on Derby Day, but I ended up wearing it a la Emerson Made over the summer and got so many comments.

Today I decided to wear shorts with tights and boots - not a typical look, but not unheard of.  And you know what?  I think I'm pulling.  It.  Off.  Just ask Kate Moss.

Next, I'm not normally one for bold jungle prints, but I have a beautiful leopard print scarf I don't want to be afraid to wear more often (but probably not as often as Nicole Ritchie).

I didn't forget about the mens.  My favorite fashion risk a man can make is a bold pop of color, like this NY guy from The Satorialist.

Another fun risk I like for the fellas?  Going uber classic country club, like they could in this Brooks Brothers sweater.   It's like Don Draper has a tennis match!

Go ahead and put on that piece you've been too afraid to wear.  We're all so worried about how we look, we probably won't even notice what you're wearing. 

What fashion risks have you taken lately?

bizarre comics

I came across a website - http://asofterworld.com/

It has really bizarre, very melancholy, but some funny photo comics.  I didn't like them at first, but I found myself continuing to click to read more and more, so I figured if it got my attention, it must be good.  Like art that you hate, but you can't stop thinking about it until you realize it must've said something right because it got you to feel something for so long.  Click through, or just read some of the ones I liked.

great race!

Fabulous weekend at the Maine Half Marathon!  Beautiful course, great friends to run with, fantastic roommates to cheer us on and perfect weather.  Best part?  Personal record - 2:07:38! 

P.S. You better believe we dove into lobster rolls after.

books never go out of style

I have a confession - I can't get into kindles or reading books on iPads or anything of the sorts.  As someone who wishes to be more like a computer nerd, this is one area where change and me just have to disagree.  I like the feeling of the pages, being able to underline and write in the margins in case I want to go back and remember something, loaning or giving books to friends because I want to share a secret with them.  I love books - the tangible kind.  And I think having books in your home is special - there are your interests, sitting there, reminding you about the things you love in life. 

So, where to put them?  For me, it's a bookshelf.  Jamie Meares over at ISuwannee sent me this picture a long time ago for inspiration while I was trying to figure out how to arrange my ladder bookshelves.

(girlfriend KNOWS her bookshelves)

This was what I came up with for my room:

(not bad; books, memories and my framed inspirational quote in the middle)

Other things I like:

(framed art on top)

(window sill pop)

(unexpected places)

*Images courtesy of Bippity Boppity Boo, Hey Gorgeous, From Me to You, Elle Decor & ISuwannee