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Monthly Archives: November 2011

Lately, my skin has been looking and feeling like a crocodile.  I decided that enough was enough. I needed to make hydration a priority!  Here are 3 steps that I took to help my thirsty skin:

1. Dry Brush: Before you shower dry brush your entire body starting at your feet and moving upward toward your head. Always brush TOWARDS your heart, never away from it.  Here are some benefits of dry brushing:

  • Removes dead skin cells
  • Tightens skin and reduces cellulite
  • Increases circulation
  • Stimulates your lymphatic system in order to drain toxins
  • Helps nutrient absorption by eliminating clogged pores.

If you don’t already have a dry brush, you can buy one at any drug store or Whole Foods for under $10.

More information on how to dry brush.

2. Exfoliate:  After you dry brush but before the shower, its time to exfoliate. Let me share this PERFECT home-made exfoliation recipe. I used it last night and I just had to share it with you. Not only did my skin feel so moisturized, but my makeup went on like butter! Try this:

Mix ingredients to your desired consistency. Make sure to be gentle on your face, as your skin is much more sensitive there.

3. Water, water, water:  I know now as the seasons are changing, we feel less compelled to constantly be drinking water.  The Institute of Medicine recommends between 3-2.2 liters of water a day. Your skin needs H20 the most during the dry months. If you up your water intake, not only will your skin be thanking you, but the rest of your organs will as well.

Lets be honest, healthy and breathing skin contributes to your overall health. Yay!


“When you have to choose between getting it done and getting it done perfect, get it done.  Don’t let the desire for perfection be an excuse for never finishing.

Do your very best with the time and resources you have.  Even if the results are not perfect, they will nonetheless bring great value.

By all means let perfection be your goal.  Just be sure not to let it become your excuse.

Be true to the highest standards you can envision, while at the same time being realistic about what you’re doing.  Your magnificent vision will be of no use to anyone unless it is expressed in some specific, tangible form.

Even if you can’t get it perfect, go ahead and get it done.  Achieving ninety-five percent of what you envision is much better than holding out for one hundred percent and never getting it done.

Though it won’t be perfect, and not everyone will like it, go ahead and deliver the value that you create.”

Ralph Marston

Top and Bottom images found here
Center image found here

Every week we choose a word and each do a post based on that word. This week the word Rigmarole was suggested to us by Farrell’s boyfriend, Albert.  Here’s what we came up with.



“This might not come as a big surprise to those of us who read the op-ed pages every day, but most commentators are not accurate prognosticators. New analysis of pundits’ statements during the 2008 presidential race shows that while a number of the fared better than a simple coin toss at predicting outcomes, most were reliably inaccurate. Which talking heads got it right occasionally – and which stopped making sense?”

(via GOOD)

I’ve watched this video several times and get more out of it with every viewing. It makes an almost a subtle point that I find very profound. Perhaps it is human nature to see others as separate from ourselves – whether it be those from different countries, ethnicities and religions or, closer to home, those from a certain neighborhood, floor in your building or branch of your family. It seems to me the more we recognize and challenge this behavior in ourselves, the more we evolve as a species.

Many of you probably already know about the amazing French music blog, La Blogotheque.  If you haven’t heard of it, check it out as soon as you have about 8 hours to kill.  It mainly features musical artists playing their songs while walking through the streets of Paris.  Delightful!

I was recently on the site and found an awesome video featuring Tinariwen. They are a group of Tuareg rebels from northern Mali. The band has been together since 1979 and gained popularity in refugee camps in Libya until they returned to Mali after the cease fire in the early 90’s.

Click the picture below to see the video and read more.

Tinariwen is playing in NYC at Webster Hall on Saturday November 19, 2011.  Who’s coming with me?!

It takes some effort to incorporate green into your life in New York City. I love the use of moss as art in the top and bottom pictures below. I’m also totally into these other creative ways to incorporate plants and herbs in an urban environment. I’ve been wanting to make my own window farm (middle right) for some time now. Maybe a good project for this Fall.

Top: The Big Bang by Anna Garforth
Middle Left/Middle Middle/Middle Right
Bottom: Street Art by Mosstika Urban Greenery

More info on DIY moss graffiti and window farming.

This is one of my favorite and simple quinoa salad recipes. This salad is perfect for lunch or dinner as it’s light but extremely satiating. You can enjoying it warm or cold.

Ingredients:

2 cups of water

1 cup of quinoa

1/4 of a chopped white onion

1/2 diced avocado

1/3 cup of minced parsley

1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

Bring 2 cups of water and 1 cup of quinoa to a boil. Cover pot and turn burner to low. Set timer to 18 minutes and continue to fluff with a fork. Prepare ingredients. Mix all together.

Enjoy! You will not be disappointed!