Living Well: Surround Yourself with Beauty

As I sit here working at my desk and look around at the space I've created, I feel happy and peaceful. It's not perfect, rather a work in progress and it doubles as our guest bedroom. However, I've really enjoyed the process of surrounding myself with beautiful things. Pretty silver frames filled with beautiful patterned paper, a vase with pale pink peonies (my favorite flowers), the scent of a natural orange reed diffuser to lightly fragrance the room and a sparkly chandelier just to name a few.

Call me type A but I don't feel settled when I'm surrounded by clutter. Working at the kitchen table with  visible dishes in the sink only distract me as they beckon to be washed. Keeping up with cleaning, removing excess papers, clutter and unnecessary items from a space leaving just your favorites and the most practical and useful items creates a serene environment.

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There are so many ways to incorporate a little bit of pretty into each room of your home, even if you don't have a large budget. Whether it's a few fresh blooms in a pretty vase, a small piece of gorgeous fabric that recovers and transforms the seat of an otherwise boring office chair, beautiful keepsakes like sand and seashells displayed in apothecary jars that remind you of a favorite trip. Even an elegant mirror in your entry that you use daily to do a quick hair and outfit check on the way out the door. It's so important to feel good about the space you live in, whether it's a tiny studio apartment or a sprawling homestead.

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I couldn't agree more with this quote. A few weeks ago I wrote a post about saving your best for someday and how sometimes we keep items that are so valuable or beautiful to us that we forget to enjoy them because we get caught up in tucking them away for a special occasion. Since that post I've been using my new Potterybarn dishes regularly.

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I highly recommend donating or selling any 'ugly' dishes, glassware, cutlery and kitchenware at a yard sale and keep only the most beautiful pieces daily. Only keep and have on hand stain-free and lovely dish towels as well as plush bathing towels. Sleep in soft, luxurious sheets, the best you can afford. Carefully choose scented candles and room sprays that make you feel energized or are soothing and relaxing to set a mood. Wear your favorite perfume 'just because', even if you're spending the day solo. Add a few of your favorite potted flowers in a variety of hues to your balcony, patio or front porch to surround yourself with colorful cheer vs. the hardy green plants that require less maintenance and perhaps a bit less money. It's about joy, spring and summer always seem so short, the extra few dollars you spend will be so worth it!

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Pick one room in your home that is just for you-maybe it's the laundry room, a craft room (if you're lucky enough to have the space), an office or a teeny backyard that is filled with things that speak beauty to you. Surround yourself with colors that make you feel happy and inspired and scents and textures that make you feel alive! Even while you're doing the laundry, you can be surrounded with beauty and feel refreshed.

What lovely things have you incorporated into your home to surround yourself with beauty? What is your favorite room in your home?



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Your Greatest Beauty Asset

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We women spend a great deal of time primping ourselves to look good. I don't know a single woman that isn't trying to reverse the aging process in one way or another.

You could be the most well dressed, most fit and physically beautiful woman from the outside but if you are missing than inner sparkle that shines though, then you are missing the point of true beauty. The world wants to see your SMILE. It lets others know you are happy, that you choose to be content with who you are, where you are at in life and brightens the day and often the lives of others.

It's such a simple thing-it doesn't cost a penny, we don't have to search for it or try it on to see if it fits-a smile is the perfect accessory for every outfit. Don't let the stresses of  the day and your frustrations and worry cause you to hide your best asset. A smile can add a pep to your step and will cause others around you to wonder what you're so happy about. It really is contagious!

My hubby is good at getting me back on track when I'm in a funk. Sometimes when I have one of those days where everything seems to be falling apart, I forget to smile as I try to piece everything back together. At those times Paul will usually tell me he misses my smile and it's enough to make me smile and it's a good reminder not to take everything so seriously.

It's alright to be true to what is happening in your life if you're enduring a sad time or going through something difficult. Just don't live in that place. Sometimes we don't feel like smiling or don't feel like there is a lot to smile about, but that's just the time when we need to give it a little extra effort. Fake it until you make it, as they say!

Who in your life always looks beautiful, not because of their outer appearance, but because of their contagious smile? For me it's my hubby. I chose the photo of Tenley Molzahn above from The Bachelor, Bachelor Pad as she always has such a positive outlook on life and is such a warm person. While she is a beautiful woman in terms of her outer appearance, for me it's her huge smile that I find so endearing and gives her a real sparkle. She is a true classy woman.

Have a beautiful weekend ladies!

How to Apply Eyeshadow Like a Pro

Have you ever wondered how to apply eyeshadow like a makeup artist? I've always felt that blush, mascara and lipstick are pretty straight forward but somehow when it comes to eyeshadow, I've never really figured out how to create that all-out glamorous look or perfect smoky eye. I typically use neutral browns and a bit of shimmer in the corners of the eye area to create a wider-eyed look and try to keep my makeup very natural looking.

Growing up my mom never taught me how to wear shadow as she encouraged me to stay away from makeup to keep my skin as pure as possible. Once I did start wearing some, I wore mascara but never really eyeshadow for a long time. I've got the gist of which colors go where in terms of intensity on the eyelid area, but have always wanted a really soft, dramatic, blended look that didn't look so 'everyday' for special occasions.

If you've been trying to figure the eyeshadow thing out too, then you're in luck. One of my blogger friends Sarah Mae of 'Like a 'Warm Cup of Coffee' recently posted this video below wherein her sister shows us how easy it is to make shadow work for you. I hope you'll check out her blog, she's got a lot of other great posts too!



Do you have any makeup or skincare tips that you want to share with us? Oh, and let me know if you found the video helpful. :) I tried out the tips mentioned and while it just required a small tweek in the way I applied my shadow, it turned out really pretty!

Happiness is an Inside Job!

I came across this quote the other day and how true it is! Many people often look for happiness in things, people, their children or an event. The truth is that we cannot be happy until we make the decision to be just that. It's easy to get wrapped up into thinking, "I'll be happy when __________" fill in the blank, and miss the moment that we're currently in.

It's okay not to be perfect or have everything figured out, because the truth is that nobody else does either.

Try to quiet your mind today, be still and breathe in the present moment. Can you hear the birds chirping? Do you delight in the little squirrel on your front yard stuffing it's little face with nuts? Beauty is all around us if we simply choose to focus on it. 

I spent last week in the San Francisco bay area visiting my father and everyday I was overjoyed to take in all that I could whether it be a drive along the coast to inhale the ocean air, watch the sea lions flop around by the Pier in Santa Cruz or take in the beautiful redwood trees in Palo Alto.


Today I'm happy to spend the day with a dear friend who is visiting from out of town. While we have some loose plans in place so that she can make the most of her 3 day visit, we're both open to what the day has for us. We look forward to delighting in each other's company and having some girly fun.

If you are in a frustrating, winter season of your life and are  looking for inspiration I encourage you to read this post.

I hope you'll make your day a happy one, no matter what it holds for you!