If I had to pick my top four beauty items for the summer, this would be my list (well actually, I would include Tony and Tina’s Coconut Butter Bliss that I swear by, too…..)
Must Haves — every single one of them.
Summer Must Have Beauty Products
Josie Natori X Upstate
Ellenos Greek Yogurt
Last week when I was at the grocery store (my favorite hobby –> grocery shopping), I came across a new-t0-me product, Ellenos Greek Yogurt. It looked delicious and I liked the packaging, so I decided to buy one to try. At checkout, the clerk said to me “This stuff is crack. I have never done crack, but this stuff is what I imagine crack to be like, and once you start, you cannot stop.” I giggled and moved on.
Well what do you know, this stuff REALLY IS CRACK AND I CANT STOP EATING IT. Addictive, rich, amazing, delicious, and smooth. Currently, it is only sold at Whole Foods and random locations on the West Coast, but mark my word, this stuff will soon be sold everywhere in the United States — guaranteed. It is unlike any other yogurt I have ever tasted and really feels like a dessert more than anything.
Why buy one flavor when you can buy four?
Housewarming Gifts 101: Coffee Table Books
Last month while still in NYC, my West Coast biffle stopped in for a sleepover on her way through NYC. As always, she gifted us the most unique, thoughtful, and special housewarming gift: a collection of coffee table books. (Her last gift, which I also posted on, is here.) Each book is beautiful, interesting, and special, but what makes them even more special, is that they are so me! Take a look at the selection — I love the idea of presenting friends with a collection of books that they can flip through and read for years to come.
The large heavy stack!
Fun Posters- Renovation Hacks
Readers of the blog know we recently finished a major home renovation. One of my favorite hacks is in our laundry room, where we had an old-school (retro like 1960s) lobby intercom AND an electric wiring box that required covering up. Since we need access to the electrical box, we wanted something cheap, easy, and replaceable. The laundry room is fun and playful (my favorite room in the house), so we added to the fun by covering the wall with place posters and washi tape.
UGLY! HELP! SOS!
1st Week of Summer 2017 in Oregon
It is hard to believe that ten days ago, I was in NYC….it feels like I’ve been gone for months! My life in Oregon is quite simple, but it is easy, wonderful, and I love it. Here are some pictures of the past week – Enjoy!
We do a lot of biking in Eugene. My parents actually don’t drive anywhere. So we have fun biking around the river, picking the kids up from camp, or just doing errands. In this photo, I am with my daughter and my littlest niece, Nadia. (My helmet is from Sawako Furono Helmets)
Indian Wall Decor
The most recent decorative addition to our daughter’s room is this fun Indian tribal wall decor. It is colorful, bright, cheerful, and adds a different touch to the room.
Fun colors!
Summer 2017 Reading List
Pat on my back…..one of the few things I am good at doing over the summer is reading. (Forget about reading the rest of the year!) Check out my Summer 2017 Reading List!
Books to read….but not THESE math books.
Summer 2017 To-Do-List
Greetings from Oregon! The kids and I have officially relocated for the summer. Every year, I am a broken record with very similar summer to-do lists. It either means that I set the right intentions that I want to repeat OR that I have goals that I never end up accomplishing….I really hope that this summer, I am able to commit to my list and make it happen!
1. Learn how to breathe.
Waves = calming sound = meditating?
Sore Muscle Healer
For whatever reason, my body always feels sore. Maybe it is because I am getting older…..or maybe it’s because I run marathons…. but my body more frequently has aches and pains. I have used a variety of remedies: epsom salt baths, resting and massage, tiger balm etc….but I have finally found my go-to cure in this healing lotion.
A mixture of ingredients in the extra strength reliving body spray.
Pilates with Ashlee
Although I have never met IRL Ashlee Carignan, she is the new hot pilates teacher in LA. Strong, cool, motivated, interesting, and fun, we were put in touch when Ashlee agreed to participate in Natori Caftan Day (thanks Mary!). Always interested in health, wellness, fitness, and cool, I had the chance to interview sweetheart Ashlee, so take a look. Thanks so much, Ashlee, and I can’t wait to come to Los Angeles and take a class from you!
Beauty Ashlee of PWA (Pilates With Ashlee)
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Kid’s Jewelry Hanger- Woonwinkel
Last Fall when I visited Portland, Oregon for my sister’s wedding, I came across the hippest, cutest modern home decor store, Woonwinkel. Even though we were in the midst of our massive renovation, I wanted to buy everything in the store for the new house. I couldn’t justify buying a lot of the items (where to store them for 8 months?) but I couldn’t pass up this necklace holder for my daughter’s room. I lugged it around for several months, and finally got around to hanging it up. And I couldn’t be any happier!
So fun and whimsical.
10 Year Anniversary!
With a blink of an eye, Ken and I are celebrating our 10 year anniversary. Together, we have gone through a lot (fertility treatments, family dynamics, crazy New York, major home renovation, and all of the other normal life stuff), and through these ups and downs, we are constantly working together trying to try to become better people and a stronger couple. Ken is my favorite companion, and I love him up to the sky, down again, around the world and back again. I anticipate that there will continue to be other obstacles and challenges in our life, but I am also confident that we will work together as a team to get through anything in our way. To celebrate, here are some photos to walk down memory lane (and notice how young, thin, and carefree we once were! And how little we knew back then!)
BTS: the first and only time I have ever had curlers in my hair. Here is Olivier Echaudemaison, the creative director of Guerlain (and also a good friend of my mother in law’s) who came from Paris for the wedding and was kind enough to do my make-up.
Pamela Gold’s New Book
There you go; you set a goal, you work towards it, and you make it happen. I guess I try to do that as much as possible, but there are always roadblocks or excuses….which is why I am so intrigued by my good friend, Pamela Gold, who sets her mind to something and actually makes it happen. No ifs, ands, or buts. Pamela is Wonder Woman, and GETS THINGS DONE!!!! This year, Pamela wrote her own book — YUP — her own book. I am lucky to have read it in its first draft and have bought several copies of it now that it’s out (highly recommend it — buy it here). Here is an interview with the one and only Pamela Gold, enjoy!
1509 Perfume
And yet again…another essential oil to add to my list of favorite scents! This scent, 1509 Baby Breath Bud, is subtle, clean, and comforting. Each bottle of 100% pure fragrance oil is hand packaged and created. The healing oils (amber) are free of synthetic material and safe for your body. The smell is rich and soothing at the same time — a must for summertime.
Also comes in a travel size. Just as cute (with baby breath, too).
Cryotherapy
As readers know, I am “all about” wellness and health trends and exploring new treatments that work for me. Cryotherapy has been on my to-do list for the past year, but I just recently made it happen at my good friend’s suggestion… thanks B!
Looks like a spa treatment, right? NOT SO MUCH.
CFDA Awards, June 5th, 2017
On Monday, I had the privilege of attending the CFDA Fashion Awards. Although I am not a designer, celebrity, socialite, or someone that anyone cares about seeing, it was fun to get dressed up and attend. The CFDA Awards is basically the Oscars for the Fashion World. My mother in law, Josie Natori, has been a member for forever, but due to her travel schedule, Ken and I went instead. It was a fun evening with great people watching, flowing champagne, and an opportunity to get all dolled up.
My favorite celebrity sightings of the night were Heidi Klum (striking! Amazing) and Gigi Hadid (beautiful — resembles my daughter!)
Baba Tree Basket Company
I am all about random pops of color in our house, so I love the baskets from Baba Tree. They add the perfect touches in the living room and make me so happy.
Baskets at the edge of the chair.
Dear Evan Hansen
I have always categorized myself as “sensitive” and “emotional,” and for whatever reason, I am currently even more so this past week. During these phases, I am prone to feeling like an outsider… overlooked, unseen, and forgotten. At times, I have let those irrational feelings get me down. So yes, I am trying to look at the silver linings, and realize what is important (or not important), and to feel grateful for what I have and who I am. So it is no surprise that when I saw the Broadway show “Dear Evan Hansen” this week, it struck a chord… a number of them.
Currently Loving May 2017
With a blink of an eye, school is almost finished, summer is here, and we are 1/3 done with 2017. So here is what I am currently loving for May 2017!
1. Brunch / Lunch at Russ and Daughters at the Jewish Museum
Salad! Yes please! Delicious. And maybe I like it because it looks like a colorful rainbow.
Salad for President
I love browsing cookbooks so when Salad for President, came out I was ecstatic. This cookbook is full of recipes, interviews and contributions from creative artists / chefs / writers / musicians.
This book is the perfect hostess present (coffee table book?)
Gap Sunglasses
A chic friend (she is European, therefore, she is chic) was sporting sunglasses the other day. I loved them, and had to ask where they were from. And the answer…. GAP! Cheap and stylish! So of course, I copied her (thanks, Iva!)
Iva! Chic, beautiful, and oh-so-European.
Governors Island
I have found my new favorite place: Governors Island. What is it? I had no idea before 3 weeks ago when a friend mentioned to me that she went with her family. Since Ken has been traveling due to work, I decided to take the kids to Governors Island for Mother’s Day. It was such a huge hit that we went back this weekend.
Governors Island.
Broken Tart Cakes
In one of those cant-sleep-instagram-frenzy-rabbit-holes, I came across a bakery in Brooklyn with the most beautiful cakes; Broken Tart. I knew the minute I saw the cakes that (a) I needed to follow Broken Tart on instagram (b) I had to have a cake for Tusia’s 5th birthday party. The cakes are not only beautiful, magical, whimsical, and unique, but they are tasty and delicious. The perfect duo (pretty AND yummy).
The cake arrived in the perfect package. Who says not to judge a book by its cover?
Interview with Maisonette
Maisonette, founded by Sylvana Ward Durrett and Luisana Mendoza Roccia, two (beautiful) alums from Vogue, is the new (online) hot destination to buy anything KID. Everything on their site is perfectly curated and tasteful… it makes you want Sylvana and Luisana to be your new BFFs. They are certainly smart, creative, fashionable, gorgeous tastemakers, and their website offers the best of the best of children’s brands — think Net-a-porter for kids. I had the opportunity to interview them, so take a look.
Sylvana and Luisana, and their kids.
How did you come up with the idea for an e-commerce kids site? What was the inspiration?
