Every week we pick a word and each base a post off that word. This week’s word is Light

Twilight in India is like a dream. Right when the sun is setting is the best time of day. Not only are the sunsets phenomenal but the colors on the road really pop at that time of day. The saris on the women walking down the street are the most vibrant colors you could imagine. The flowers glow. It is breathtaking. But enough talk about India, take a look:

Namaste India from Burning Flag on Vimeo.

You just can’t beat the power of natural light. It is something that is so important to me, and my mental well-being. As the weather starts to get colder, I find myself trying to hatch all sorts of game plans for how I’m going to tackle the darkness of the coming months.

(via The Decorista)

Behold, the creative duo JIMMYnADI have come to my rescue. Their video’s message, delivered as a PSA, is directed to coach creative people on “how to beat the darkness.” I have watched it a few times now since I came across it last weekend on Art Hound and just really love it. Take a look.

Darkness from JIMMYnADI on Vimeo.

Surf’s Up

By Lauren

October 12, 2012

Inspired & Inspiring

1 Comment

Several years ago some of our family was trying to talk our grandmother, Nonnie, into buying a computer. She wanted nothing to do with it. They tried to sell her on the merits of keeping in touch via email and the breadth of possibility offered by the web. But she was obstinate in her refusal. Still trying to sway her, we asked her why she was so uninterested. With some aggravation and her characteristic quick-wit, she replied, “What am I going to do, sit around and surf all day?!”

(National Geographic image via Flickr)

Touche. But should you fancy a surf, I’ve put together some links below I think are worth a visit.

1. Design Love Fest filmed a marvelously spooky & stylish video tribute to Stanley Kubrick

2. A rundown of some humorous, quick truths about what it’s like to live in NYC.

3. The New Yorker quickly noticed that its readers differed in their method of voicing reaction to this week’s magazine cover based on political leanings. I think the cartoon is hilarious, while slightly irreverent.

4. I am definitely making this fabulously delicious looking Goddess Bowl with Tahini Sauce from Healthy Crush. So easy and perfect for fall.

5. Tig Notaro’s post-cancer diagnosis comedy set, LIVE, is so, so worth the $5 download cost on Louis CK’s website. Words I’ve seen used to describe it include honest, candid, raw, funny, relatable, open-hearted personal, brave, motivational and inspirational. It is so touching. You can also listen to an except for free at This American Life.

Have a great weekend!

Indian Antics

By Farrell

October 11, 2012

Travel

1 Comment

As I told you on Saturday, we are in India. In Chennai, India to be exact. We have been here at the Babuji Memorial Ashram for 2 weeks and it has been so wonderful for us to stay put somewhere that is so calming.

(via Pinterest)

If any of you have been to India, it can be kind of hilarious. Here are some hilariously awesome things about this place:

People here always refer to a man as a fellow. So they will say something like, “Don’t do that to me fellow,” or “He is just a young fellow of 18+.”
Albert has been working out at a gym down the street where the manager gives him ridiculous workouts to do in front of everyone, all while blasting Phil Collins and Ace of Base especially for the American in the gym.
When you meet someone they will ask you, “What is your good name?” For some reason, I always feel like I am lying when I tell them Farrell.
The Indian head bobble. Check out this amazing article about each kind of bobble.

Of course with all the hilariousness also comes chaos, frustration and waves of heat insanity, but the hilarious moments can make it all worth it.

Stuck In a Rut

By Lauren

October 10, 2012

Inspired & Inspiring, Personal & Interior Style

Leave a comment

Yesterday, I wrote a guest post over at WELL in L.A. about my efforts, guidance and inspiration for keeping myself from becoming – and staying – stuck in life. Today, I’m applying those same general principles to my wardrobe and offering you my top four tips to avoid getting stuck in a fashion rut.

(image via Buamai)

1. The clothes in my closet make me look and feel amazing

Imagine if this was your mindset before you even began to pick out an outfit. Personally, I know my thoughts fall far more often into the realm of I have nothing to wear or everything I own makes me look…[insert a slew of critical descriptions]. But if you can get on board with the idea that the energy behind your thoughts contributes to your experience, why not apply it to all things in life – big and small.

2. “Let yourself be silently drawn to the stronger pull of what you really love.” ~Rumi

I came across this Rumi quote earlier this year and it has been a continual source of liberating guidance for me. Though I hadn’t before thought much of applying these words to my clothing selections, I can’t really think of a better style tip. I know I have a bunch of things I love in my closet, yet I often return to the same few items over and over. Or, I don’t wear certain things because I have somehow categorized them as only for a particular season, or type of event. Dig a little deeper and reintegrate those items that have been forgotten.

3. Strut your stuff

I mean this one literally and figuratively. I think it’s hard to underestimate the psychological value of both getting outside to take a walk, and loving the shoes you’re in. Everything from the feet up can be the most basic of basic but feeling good about your footwear can do wonders for your overall look. So strap on a pair, stand up tall and take in the world around you.

4. Just get it done

Create the time and space to leave the house feeling good about the way you look. There’s no need to wait until you can afford a whole new wardrobe, have lost that extra weight or have somewhere exciting to go. You deserve to feel good, inside and out. Today’s the day.

*

Hop over to WELL in L.A. if you missed my post yesterday, and while you’re there, spend some time perusing all the goodness that Erin has to offer. The girl absolutely exudes motivation, inspiration and love.

Food Swings: Cambodia and Vietnam

By Farrell

October 9, 2012

Travel

1 Comment

It seems like time is moving so fast. We’ve already been in India for over three weeks but I had to write about all the crazy, awesome (and not so awesome) stuff we ate while we were in Cambodia and Vietnam.

The best thing we ate in Cambodia was Kumer Curry at Khmer Kitchen Restaurant in Siem Reap. It is a coconut based curry with sweet potato, carrots and onions. It was so delicious. When our Cambodian friend, Sombum, invited us to his village, we spent a day eating all the wonderful local food they made for us. The desserts made from all kinds of rice and potatos were our favorite.

In Vietnam, obviously Pho is where it’s at. Though I haven’t really been eating meat all too much since I have been here, I did get Chicken Pho and it was seriously amazing. The flavors of Vietnam were all in there. Lime, anise, lemongrass and chilis make for the freshest bites of your life. Al ate a lot of Banh Mi. His favorite was this one from Nha Hang Ngn Restaurant in Ho Chi Minh. I had their amazing spring rolls.

There is no way I could write this post and not mention the Vietnamese coffee. Can I just say, DANG! So good. Also, when we were on the old junk boat in Halong Bay, we made fried spring rolls. They are so easy to make. Roll up some carrots, onion and mushrooms and wrap em up!

And lastly, there was this…

Yum.

Picturesque

By Lauren

October 8, 2012

Pictures

Leave a comment

We had the first real feelings of fall in NYC over the weekend, without it being too cold. Just how I like it. Hope you had a great weekend and are ready for the week ahead. Enjoy this week’s round of photos. I certainly did!

Andrew – Huron, Ohio

*

Helen – Queens, New York
Making new friends at the Queens Zoo

*

Natalie – Harriman State Park, NY
Hiking at Lake Skenonto

*

Katy – Donnelly & Purcell Funeral Parlor, Brooklyn, NY
On set crafty table, properly labeled.

*

Lauren – Long Island City, NY
After brunch on the Brooklyn Grange Rooftop Farm

*

Hollie – Cleveland, Ohio
You can learn so much from the innocence of children. Remember being 10 yrs old? Before we ever worried about what others thought, we made our own cakes, our own ways, with our favorite colors and our favorite candy…and everyone loved it!

Thank you so much for the pictures everybody!!

*
Send us one of your pictures for next week; it can be of anything.
Just include a little description of the where & what.

Email to Lauren @ sisterdisco dot com

Sundays

By Lauren

October 7, 2012

Inspired & Inspiring

Leave a comment

(photo via here)

One Word, Two Ways: Jingle

By Farrell

October 6, 2012

One Word, Two Ways

3 Comments

Every week we choose a word and each base a post off that word. This week’s word is Jingle.

I went to a bachelorette party over the summer in Mystic, CT. The weekend was a total blast and we were able to fit so much into just two days. One of these things was an impromptu stop at this incredibly alluring shop called MINE.

(photo via Mine)

More than your typical vintage/antique shop, MINE also offered an array of crystals and a number of other unexpected finds. The owner of the shop, Michael Walsh, was so friendly and engaging and only added to the overall appeal of the experience. Though I didn’t go into MINE with the intention of really buying anything, I ended up coming away with three incredibly clutch items.

1. Bob Dylan’s Greatest Hits Vol. I & II on vinyl
2. A fools gold pendant
3. An antique bell I wear as a necklace and feel so happy when in jingles with my every step.

(photo via Pinterest)

We are in India! I can’t believe I’m back here after just seven months. It all might sound very cliche, but ever since I walked into the ashram this time around I have been hearing the chorus to this song in my head over and over. There are moments when I am in my meditation and the sounds in the song jingle across my brain. It all feels very epic at moments here. So, I thought I would give you a taste of my mood with this video. Plus, this song is the jam.

Happy Saturday and, as my big brother would say, take it easy 😉

Gimme Five

By Lauren

October 5, 2012

Inspired & Inspiring

Leave a comment

Ahh, Friday. Nice one. This was a long week, for me anyhow. Not even for any real reason but I’m still ready for a little downtime (also really looking forward to the weekend which is to include a visit to a rooftop farm and seeing my wonderful friend in her first appearance on Boardwalk Empire!). In the mean time, while we’re here for the moment, if you’re over 30 yrs old and have never had cancer, please join me below. If you’re anyone else, please come as well.

The American Cancer Association is looking for people ages 30-65 without a personal history of cancer to enroll in a groundbreaking study in cancer prevention. See if your state has participation locations here; you can decide if you want to enroll while you’re checking. It’ll take five minutes or less.

If research participation doesn’t feel like the right thing for you right now, you can Like or Share this information to get it out to others.

Happy weekend.

Five Elements

By Farrell

October 4, 2012

Travel

Leave a comment

While we were in Halong Bay one of our guides told us about the significance of the five Chinese elements in the lives of the Vietnamese. Depending on the year you are born, you are characterized by one of the five elements. For instance, I am the element of wood. In Vietnam, when you are thinking of getting married, you first visit a fortune teller to find out if you and your partner’s elements match. If they don’t match, the relationship ends. It sounds so incredibly final, yet as Miss May reassured me, “They will still be friends. No problem.”