Lauren is the question master this week, which means I have some things to share.

Q. What’s your favorite aspect of your new apartment?

A. More than anything, I love that I can make my own meals. I have been “on the road” as it were for almost a year and it feels amazing to finally be in my own home. I am loving having my own home again – down to the food I put in my body to the clothes I wear to express myself.

Q. Do you have a good dinner party recipe/meal recommendation?

A. Well, you all saw my citrus salad from Saturday. However, the BEST dinner party I ever threw was a pizza party. I had each guest bring their favorite topping and I provided the dough and sauce (both homemade). It was a such a great icebreaker and everyone was full!

Q. I know how much you like asking other people questions. What’s an answer you recently got from someone that surprised you?

A. If you know me, you know that I ask a lot of questions. Since being in a new place, I need to tone down the questions I have when I meet people because I have so many. I just want to know immediately, “Are you happy?!” I have come to realize that those questions can be really intense for people sometimes.

No matter what, I am ALWAYS surprised when people ask me the same question back because I always find it hard to answer. Isn’t that funny?

Q. What class from high school or college do you think back on most in your life?

A. Wow, great question sister friend! I took a class that was offered at my ALL GIRLS catholic high school called Dangers of Indifference. It was a highly reflective, intense and interactive class on the differences in cultures and the important of tolerance. It was amazing.

Q. How have you been liking Kundalini yoga class?

A. Oh boy! I went to my first kundalini yoga class this week and it is really a strange experience. In the class, you do a lot of chanting while doing certain poses. It is meant to clear blocks in your chakras. I found it more challenging than I expected. I am still interested and will go back again.

Thanks for the questions, Lauren. I miss you.

Picturesque

By Farrell

April 8, 2013

Pictures

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Hey everybody! It was my birthday on Sunday, so the weekend was filled with fun for me. I hope it was for you as well. Here are this weeks pics:

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Liz – Los Angeles, California

The SoCal palm trees make me smile. This image is so distinctly California and the livins’ easy.

Feeling like an official Santa Monica/Venice resident with my newly minted cruiser. Put my toolbox to the test putting her together. Now I just have to ride around with a screwdriver to keep her in once piece.

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Mary Clare – Eugene, Oregon

I took this photo on a bridge over the Willamette River. That is the Cascade Range in the background. Ah, Spring.

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Joy – Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, IL

Large Crab….yummy legs….

Beautiful Starfish

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Farrell – Los Angeles, California

My friend gave me tickets to the Dan Deacon show at the Natural History Museum as a birthday present. It was nuts! Dan Deacon throws a very interactive dance party and it was amazing. If you ever have a chance to go to one of his shows, please do.

One Word, Two Ways: Citrus

By Farrell

April 6, 2013

One Word, Two Ways

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I made the most amazing citrus salad for brunch the other day. Everybody loved it! I will be make this recipe for the rest of the season. Here is what you will need:

You can cut the fruit and avocado however you like. I cut them into slices. Then, thin the red onions. Layer nicely. Chop herbs or don’t. Pour EVOO and add a pinch of salt.

Enjoy!

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Well, great minds think alike, as they say. Farrell and I each do our own thing when it comes to these posts so I cracked up when I saw that we both went the citrus salad route today. Mine is inspired by a salad I used to eat all the time back in my waitressing days. It’s super easy to prepare: arugula, avocado, grapefruit and goat cheese mixed with some citrus vinaigrette dressing. Delicious.

Seeker

By Farrell

April 5, 2013

Inspired & Inspiring

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I am not sure if it is a factor of my upbringing, but I am a seeker. I am always trying to go deeper and deeper into myself. I am interested in all things personal and spiritual. I have been on many retreats, received endless treatments and have even seen someone “levitate.” I am drawn to all kinds of teachers and leaders. This fascination is what drew me to watch the documentary Kumare.

This documentary is about a dude who decided to be a fake guru, Kumare, and see if people would follow. As it turns out, they did. They followed so deeply with their hearts. In some ways, this movie makes me embarrassed because I myself have been in some of the same situations presented in the movie. However, the movie has a touching twist and I love that maybe Kumare was meant to be that leader all along.

The movie is currently streaming on Netflix. Also, read more from the director here.

Being Well

By Farrell

April 3, 2013

Holistic Living

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Now that I have stopped traveling and am back in the real world, I have started to take better care of myself. It feels fantastic! Here are some things that I have been doing to help me feel my best self:

Level Eucalyptus Lime Body Polish

OMG, this product is awesome. It smells amazing. It is all natural. It leaves my skin feeling amazing after the shower. I just LOVE it.

Fresh herbs and fruit

I have clementines, apples, basil and mint all around the kitchen. Not only are they beautiful to see every day, but they give me constant ideas for what to make next (fresh mint tea!).

Green Smoothies

I know I have mentioned them over and over but green smoothies are the bomb. Whenever I feel gross from being on the computer all day or eating too much crap, my body screams for these.

Keeping up with my daily inspirations

I am constantly connected to positive people and spiritual leaders through Instagram, blogs and e-mail. My favorites lately are:

Marie Forleo, Gabrielle Bernstein and Mastin Kipp

Ironically, you can see them all three of them on Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday here.

Morning Meditation

No matter what, I keep a calm and lovely morningtime routine of tea and mediation. It’s really the only way for me to function as my best self.

(Images via Pinterest)

Picturesque

By Farrell

April 1, 2013

Pictures

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Hey ya’ll. Here are this weeks photos:

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Clare – Eugene, Oregon

Saturday night was the 25th Annual Jello Art Show in Eugene.

These are all Jello art photos.

Yes, truly, all made from Jello.

Dddeani – Cleveland, Ohio

Spring Lake

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Joy – Chicago, Illinois

The Bean at Millennium Park Chicago

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Albert – Los Angeles, California

It’s not a Hollywood dinner part without male models.

A man’s best friend.

One Word, Two Ways: Stretch

By Farrell

March 30, 2013

One Word, Two Ways

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I listened to the May Cause Miracles conference all week and it really introduced me to some new people. One of the people that I learned more about was famous yogi Elena Brower. I felt really inspired by this video she made to introduce her new book. I think it is visually so soft and powerful at the same time. If you are interested in yoga or have your own practice already, give this video a quick watch.

Art of Attention from Michael Chichi on Vimeo.

(image via Pinterest)

I know that invisibility or the ability to fly are well worth considering but whenever I’m asked what super power I’d choose for myself, if given the option, it’s hard for me to look past Inspector Gadget’s capabilities. And by that I primarily mean the “Go, go Gadget arms” command. It’s just one of those phrases from childhood that made such an impression that it still comes to mind on a fairly regular basis in my adult life. Sure there are lots of things we can imagine being able to do but don’t tell me stretching your arms like a tape measure from your torso isn’t one of them.

WANTED

By Farrell

March 29, 2013

Personal & Interior Style

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I don’t want to sound like a greedykins (yes, that is a word in my head), but sometimes I just see something online and WANT it. Like, uh, all of these:

Windsor Top

This ring was posted on Cupcakes and Cashmere and I have no idea where to get it. Do you?

Rag & Bone Jeans

No idea what brand these shoes are, but I WANT them.

Coast to Coast

By Farrell

March 27, 2013

Coast to Coast

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We started this new Coast to Coast series as another way for to keep up with each other now that we live so far apart. This week, I am up!

1. What do you consider to be essential groceries to keep in your kitchen?

Oh, girl! This question just makes me feel super excited! I love that I have my own kitchen again and I love that you asked me about foodems!

* Brussel Spouts – my go-to veggie. I have a small love affair with these little guys.

* Quinoa – This grain has completely replaced rice in my life.

* Black Beans – SO good and so versatile

* Tea – I quit drinking coffee (yikes!) so we have been chai’ing it up in this place.

2. What’s the last thing that made you laugh?

I just had a job interview and I wasn’t nervous, but my body kept thinking I was. I made myself fake laugh until I was actually laughing just to get the butterflies out.

3. If you had to get a tattoo today, what would you get?

Something to do with our family. Maybe McGillicuddy (a flying horse that my dad told us stories about when we were little) wings on my back. It is too cliche now.

4. Do you have a product that you’re really loving lately?

When I was in Boulder, my most dearest loveliest friend gave me this bottle before I left:

It is a vanilla scented oil that I have been putting on every day since. I look forward to it every morning. The funniest part is that I have no idea what it is. I promise I will report back.

5. What is something you’ve learned over the past week?

Your own perspective is so important in life. If you think you can’t do something, you can’t. If you think you can have your dream job, you can. It is all about your outlook on life.

Also, constantly looking at Google Maps while I drive around in the blazing sun makes me carsick, every time.