A lover of fresh flowers, I recently decided to try some paper flowers in the home. Although not fresh, they are a close second, and I am so happy with my purchase!
These are made of paper!
Paper Flowers
Fun
Gymkhana Weekend at Thacher
This past weekend, the family flew out to Ojai, California, to be a part of the Gymkhana Weekend at Cruzzie’s school. This “Gymkhana” is the culmination of Thacher’s mandatory freshman horse program. As a freshman, you are given a horse for the year, where you are responsible for them, day in and day out. EVERY SINGLE DAY, the freshmen have to muck (before classes — rain or shine, Saturday and Sunday), feed (every evening), and learn how to ride (5 afternoons per week). This program teaches discipline, routine, courage, care, and skills. Gymkhana is one of Thacher’s central traditions where the ninth graders (and many upperclassmen who continue to ride) compete on teams in all sorts of horse races: barrels and poles, the rescue race, ring spearing, even the notoriously-difficult Silver Dollar Pick-up. It was a one of a kind weekend — so proud of Cruzzie, so proud of his classmates, and in awe with their hardworking, dedication, skills, and heart.
Practice on Friday afternoon when we arrived.
Doughy
As many of you know, one of my favorite pastimes is to browse gourmet grocery stores. Yes, I know, weird, but nothing is as calming and fun than being in a great grocery store! So it is no surprise that on one of my recent trips to a great grocery, I came across, Doughy. Doughy is a healthy cookie dough company, where you can eat the dough raw, or bake it like a normal cookie. This dough is vegan, gluten free, grain free, low in calories and sugar, and made only with 7 ingredients. WAAAAAAYYYY healthier than eating Pillsbury cookie dough (which I often do) and also, way tastier.
I fell in love with this company that I needed more than the little tub I got at the grocery, and went straight online, to their website and purchased a case of 3. I have yet to try all of them, but knowing that I finished a mini tub on my own, I have complete faith that I will be able to eat all this before summer time.
No Cap Candles Co.
Super cool, my bestie’s daughter created a candle company as a class project for her school, Girls Middle School (in California). The assignment was in her entrepreneurial class, in order to teach the students how to create a business from start to end. Rosie, along with three other friends, started No Cap Candles. This company is a brand of candles with trendy names, designed for teens.
As a supporter of Rosie, I of course, was going to buy at least one candle. But because the candles are SO creative, zesty, full of fun and spark, I had to buy one of each! How could I not! I am so so so impressed by Rosie, her dedication to this company, and how the end result is so great.
Flower Girl Workshop
Last week, I took my THIRD flower workshop, and I couldn’t have loved it more. In the past five years, I have taken three flower arrangement classes, all from the NYC florist, Flower Girl. Every time, I leave having more of a sense of how to create a beautiful creation. Trust me, if you have access to take a flower arrangement class, take it. So fun. So fun. And I love coming home with a new bouquet, too! WIN WIN.
Final Product!
Jesse Krimes at The Met
If you are in NYC before July 13th, I highly recommend stopping by the Jesse Krimes: Corrections exhibit at the Met. It is the best exhibit I have seen in a long time — and the story behind it is amazing. And even if you don’t have the chance to see the exhibit, I highly recommend learning more about Jesse Krimes (from this post, but also the other articles link, etc…) — he is someone to know of! Long story short, Jesse was put in prison for selling drugs, and during this time, he created art with the items he has access to while in prison.
This piece, called “Purgatory” is when Jesse was in solitaire confinement for a year (awaiting trial as he could not afford bail). He created this with bars of soap and decks of cards — and put the faces of people from the paper using hair gel to create an impression on to the soap.
La Veste Striped Pants
For the past several years, I have been following a European brand, La Veste, on instagram. But not until last week when in Paris, did I ever purchase anything. I happened to stumble upon the store, and instantly knew I had to go in and buy something. And I am so glad that I did. I absolutely love love love the brand, the style, the colors, and the brand!
I loved every part of the store — even the carpet! Look how beautiful the floral carpet is!
Catbird Rings
My 7th grade daughter, Tusia, has been on the search for the perfect rings for quite some time. Problem is, she has tiny little fingers, and we didn’t want to break the bank with a ring. So when I remembered Catbird — a Brooklyn based Jewelry company that I fell in love with two decades ago, I knew it was the perfect place for us to go look at for rings. And it was EVERYTHING and more than we had hoped for. The staff was incredible, all the jewelry beyond perfect, reasonable prices, and exactly what we were looking for.
We ended up getting two rings so she could stack them. She wanted them on her pointer finger — and they literally had every size imaginable — so it was perfect.
Chocolate Croissants x 2
YUMMMMMMM. One of my family’s favorite food items is chocolate croissants — I mean, WHO doesn’t love chocolate croissants??? So when in the Flatiron area of Manhattan last Friday, I fell upon not one, but two, different bakeries, that were so beautiful and scrumptious, that I had to get something at each. First off….
The store looked like a museum. On the ground floor, there was a sit down cafe, and to order take out, you walked up the stairs to where the baked goods were all displayed and where you placed the order. Even the bags are beyond chic and beautiful.
Natori Peony Glamour Gown
In browsing the Natori website (which I do often, and you should too!), I came across the Natori Peony Glamour Gown and fell head over heels in love.
Isn’t this gorgeous? Also — I love this photo. Gorgeous model, hair, photograph and most of all THE NIGHTGOWN!!!!
Amazon Socks
I know that this is weird, but I discovered the best socks on Amazon, and I need to share them with you. 10 socks for less than 25 dollars. Not only is the price amazing (some times socks cost 25 dollars per PAIR!!! This is 10 pairs for 25 dollars!!!), but the socks themselves are the perfect sock. The colors, the fit, the comfort, the appropriate thickness — they check every box. Every time I reach for a pair of socks in my (unorganized) sock bin, I hope to grab one of these pairs. They are hands down the best socks.
Technically, they are men’s socks, but they are a perfect fit for men and women! I love the Fall color scheme of them, too.
Dried Flower Garlands
Recently, I came across a booth at a farmer’s market with the most incredibly happy and delightful garlands. Ever since I saw them, I am trying to figure out (a) how to make them (b) what I would do with them. Take a look at these insane beauties.
Ombre of colors.
Currently Loving November 2024
This morning when I was walking the dog, I was in disbelief that there were Christmas lights on so many of the stores along Madison Avenue….but then I realized, we are 2/3 done with November and it is almost December….how did this happen? In any case, Christmas light season here we are. And here is what I am currently loving.
When I went to visit Cruzzie, I thought it would be nice to bring him and his friends something from NYC to CA. It had to be compact, easy to travel with, and something everything would like — which turns out to be candy. Bonbon candy. It was a huge hit and worth lugging it across the country.
Eva Masaki Sunglasses
There is nothing more awkward than me taking a selfie, but here it is! Me and a selfie wearing sunglasses. I recently discovered Eva Masaki sunglasses and I love (that said, my daughter hates them on me and is not a fan). They are a statement, but sometimes, it is fun to change things up and have a different look, and these are definitely different than my normal sunglasses I wear.
Awkward photo. Cute glasses.
Jelly Shoes
Yes, I realize that this is a trend of the summer and we are now in November (but, hello it is in the 70s this week in NYC!), but when one of your most stylish friends tells you about her favorite shoe — you buy it. I would buy everything and anything she tells me to. And this time around — a pair of jelly shoes from AMAZON! Yep, AMAZON. Done, done, done.
Plastic jelly, so super comfortable. And fun to wear!
Pop Up Bagels
One of Tusia’s best friends brought over THE BEST BAGELS AND BUTTER I have ever tasted. Currently all the rage, Pop Up Bagels, is rumored to be one of the best (if not the best) bagel in NYC at this time.
They have a lot of locations in the tristate area — 3 in the city (UWS, UES, downtown) — Westchester, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. Every time I have walked by, the lines have been out the door. So when our bestie stopped by with bagels and butter for us, it was a win win HAPPY day!
Shabbat x Nobody Wants This
One of my favorite follows on Instagram is Erin Foster (and her sister Sara Foster). They are funny, witty, smart, quirky, beautiful, and real. So when they came out with a new show on Netflix “Nobody Wants This” — I jumped on the bandwagon to watch it. Sure enough, I binged the whole show over the weekend. I loved it so much — the jewish aspect of it (The main girl falls in love with a Rabbi so there are a lot of Jewish traditions throughout the show), the romcom, the humor, all of it.
HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND. Cute, easy, fun.
Tatter Textile — Basket Weaving Class
You know how small the world is? Small — but here is an example of how small it actually is. When we were trying to figure out if Thacher was the right school for Cruz or not, we were put in touch with a NYC parent who has kids attend Thacher. This woman, happened to be the owner of Tatter Texile. I had no idea what Tatter was, but when I told my mom, she explained that Tatter is a textile store / workshop / library that she takes a million of zoom classes from. So when this summer I became interested in basket weaving, my mom signed me up for a basket class AT Tatter. I loved every minute of it — not just making the basket, but meeting the owner (Jordana — lovely human), being crafty, and getting a taste of Tatter and its beauty! Tatter offers a slew of different classes in all different art forms — highly recommend checking it out!
The beautiful library – I LOVE the sofa.
Two Fun Games
It NEVER rains in Eugene during the summer. I mean, it ALWAYS rains in Eugene during the year — but NEVER in the summer. I can’t remember the last time it rained in June / July / August — except this past weekend, on Saturday, we had thunder and lightening and a downpour of rain. We could have easily just stayed inside and watched Emily in Paris, but instead, we ventured to a good childhood’s friend’s house to play games with the kids. What sounded like a boring day, ended up being SO fun. We played two new games — both huge hits and fun for the kids and adults, alike.
This is a Swedish game that is a lawn game (we played inside the barn). You have to aim to hit different sticks, but it also requires some strategy and thought. Fun game — Tusia ended up winning one round.
Not just about aim though — requires some thinking! Huge hit for the youngest to the oldest players. We are definitely going to purchase this game — so fun
Currently Loving August 2024 Part 2
Fall is around the corner, but still trying to soak up every inch of sunshine and moment of summer. Here is what I am currently loving Part DEUX of August 2024. And please share with me what you are loving too — I always love hearing what people are loving at the moment.
1. Tru Fru
HOLY CRAP THESE ARE ADDICTING. The best little bit of sweetness and dessert. We love them in both dark and milk chocolate — but especially the milk chocolate raspberries. You must get. To die for. Frozen raspberries coated in white chocolate and then milk.
2. Rafting
Blueberry Bake Off
Over the weekend, we went blueberry picking again, and decided to have a bake off that afternoon with the blueberries we picked!
The blueberry patch is located on the McKenzie River. It is a farther drive than the farm we usually go to, but they have 80 different types of blueberries and it is all organic and super beautiful, so it’s worth the extra drive.
Osea Oil
This could have been included in the roundup of my currently loving, but it is so good that it needs its own post. Osea oil! It is ridiculously amazing.
I bought it with a body dry brush too — and now I am obsessed with both. They are incredible and life changing. Yes, who knew that brushing your dead skin off your body could feel so good? And then putting this oil on afterwards? HEAVEN.
Currently Loving August 2024
Sorry for going radio silent last week — it was just one of those weeks! But I am back, and have posts don’t cha worry! Here is what I am loving this month! (And can you believe it is August?!?! How in the world did that happen?)
1. Seattle
Drove up last week to Seattle to visit my brother and his family. Nothing like jumping in to Lake Washington as the sun set….And no, I am a wimp. Only the brave people jump in — it was too cold for me.
Pickled Green Beans
Typically in summer in Oregon, I do a lot of fruit harvesting and cooking / baking / figuring out what to do with all the fruit. But this year, there are less fruit options due to a big Ice Storm that hit Oregon earlier this year. So instead of the normal peach picking I do around this time, we went green bean picking — yep, green beans! Despite not being the best treat to eat when picking, it was fun to be on the farm and collecting the beans.
I didn’t know what to expect — I thought the green beans would be on a bush — but nope, it is a plant that you have to squat to pick.
Basket Weaving Class
My mom is an avid crafter — even more so than me — so last week, she told me that she had accidentally signed up for two different zoom workshops at the same time, and so could I take one of them. Since I love crafts and had nothing else to do, I jumped at the chance. Basket weaving. A 4 (yes 4!!!!) hour zoom class where they taught you how to weave a basket. They sent a box with all the supplies – the needle, scissors, everything. The box is from Flax and Twine and I cannot wait to purchase more of these kits.
The box came with all the material.
