Current obsession: Block heel sandals

August makes it tough to look both professional and stylish, and far too many of my coworkers are wearing flip flops to get through these hot days. Besides investing in quality cotton and linen clothing, a solid, block heel sandal is on my current list of wardrobe obsessions.  

Clockwise, from top left, sandals from:

Steven, Ralph Lauren, Aquatalia by Marvin K., and Geox

Clockwise, from top left, sandals from:

 Cole Haan, Via Spiga, Calvin Klein, and Report 

I'm especially partial those black Geox sandals up top - they look sturdy despite their higher heel, the crossed ankle strap is flattering on any leg, and I think they'll go with everything. Guess I know what's coming out of my next paycheck!

Thoughts on happiness

Since this blog is mainly about my journey to find happiness, I guess it is not surprising for me to say that I am learning how to actively seek out and promote the joy in my everyday life. It is not always easy for me to be happy.

Self-doubt and self-criticism can fester in my mind no matter how strong I imagine my foundation of joy and happiness to be. The negativity can seep in through the tiniest crack in that foundation and leave me feeling uprooted and weak. And staying positive in the face of this self-imposed negativity can be a tremendous struggle.

I have always been hard on myself, and there is still a part of me that feels like I should have "figured everything out" about ten years ago. That I haven't done nearly enough good with my life already, and that I have wasted my intelligence and have so much more potential than you would guess from my accomplishments.

I have to constantly remind myself that I always tend to take myself far too seriously, and that no one has it figured out. Even the people who you think have it together are fighting the same fight. Even the most beautiful women in the world have self-doubts. Even millionaires struggle to find satisfaction. We all have room to grow.

But lately I find that the more I focus on the everyday small things that bring me happiness - a beautiful view, a gorgeous flower, a smiling face - the more I can dwell on how lucky I am and how wonderful my life really is, the easier it becomes to maintain that feeling of happiness. The big parts of my life like my career, my family, my vision of the future, all can still make me feel worried and frankly, lost. But I know that fundamentally, I am very fortunate. For that, I am happy, and I am lucky to be able to hold onto that happiness.

Hello!

Well, hello there! It's sure been awhile. Here's what I've been up to:

Working on my daytime, work appropriate cat eye with my tried-and-true Loreal Lineur Intense liquid liner in Black Noir

Planting an herb garden on my patio. I also planted a jalapeno to go along with all that cilantro I'll be harvesting for fresh salsa - ole!

Obsessing over California-fresh produce. It's out of this world good.

And dreaming of having my own backyard citrus. If you have never smelled a blooming citrus tree, you need to come visit me in the springtime, stat. When I step out for morning and evening walks, it smells like heaven in my neighborhood. Growing a huge one of these in my backyard is in my long term plan to happiness.

Post-workout recovery (bliss!)

I know it's been a while... so peek at this post-workout recovery (bliss!) post I wrote for HonestlyJamie.com

Shopping for: Office gear

Now that I have a new job, I have a new desk space to call my own. Nothing brightens up a dreary cubicle like having some personal items to help you really settle in, right?

Smartphone stand, $15

I definitely could use something like this - use your phone with only one hand instead of having to hold it in the other. 

Aroma2Go USB Diffuser, $25

This amazing little thing is a USB powered oil diffuser. Use your own essential oils or a blend of your own choice in order to clear away the smell from your neighbor's lunch, or just to create a relaxing space in the midst of a hectic day. Want! 

Making cocktails: The Shandy

I made this Shandy for queenofthequarterlifecrisis.com and never got around to posting it here!

Fitness gear review: Lorna Jane

I recently got treated to some new gear by Lorna Jane, an Australian based fitness and lifestyle brand. They've been producing women's activewear for 20+ years, but only recently became available in the US. I decided I needed to try their stuff out after I saw a student wearing a pair of super cute leggings from the brand.

Their clothes have these cute little tags on them:



Here's the strappy tank top (with a polka dot sports bra underneath) after teaching a double last week:


(Can't find it on the LJ website!)
The tank top is made of a super light material. I cut out and threw away the tags already otherwise I'd tell you what they're made of. I know you can't tell from the pictures, but it has really beautifully done mesh inserts. It wicks sweat well and felt great on. It was the perfect fit - not too tight, not too loose, and it moved comfortably with me through my full range of motion.

Here are my new super fun neon! printed leggings:


Lorna Jane Dimension 7/8 tight

The leggings are a sturdier, thicker material than the top, but they still wicked sweat really well. The neon is super vibrant and the pattern is great. They were not see through at all, even in deep squats and full forward bends. They didn't sag or stretch out at all.

Here's the whole ensemble:



Don't mind the funny face.

After more than three hours in the hot room in this outfit, they were still mostly dry to the touch. Both the top and the leggings washed really well (with no fabric softener, and air dried, of course) and they seem like they will be durable, but only time will tell. Overall, I love the clothes, and I'll definitely consider more from Lorna Jane in the future.

I was told in the store that the material will stretch up to15%, which is so practical for the full extension and stretching of a good yoga class. It's also good if you're between sizes. I found them true to size and completely comfortable to wear. The brand offers new styles on a monthly basis, which means they also always have stuff on sale. Their mission statement is "to inspire women to live their best life through Active Living" which is something I can definitely get behind.

Making Cocktails: the Hot Toddy

Head on over to queenofthequarterlifecrisis.com today to see my recipe for the Hot Toddy!

Happy weekend

Here's some interesting reads I found this week:

Yoga

Everyone's going on and on in the internet yoga community about this article. The assigning editor wrote her response. Another writer from the same site gave her opinion. Personally, I liked this smart response. And now I'm officially over it, which brings me to...

Feminism

...this interesting piece on feminism's toxic Twitter wars. Luckily I mostly read, and not post on twitter about my opinion, but I could see how difficult it could be if you are heavily invested in the medium and receive a lot of backlash. 

Food

Are you a property owner in the LA area with fruit trees overburdened with their production? Sign up here to donate your excess to a good cause. If you don't have that particular blessing of too much fruit, but are still looking to give in another way, you can register here for various events to help collect and harvest fresh food. Food Forward is an amazing organization that rescues fresh, local produce that would otherwise go to waste, connecting this abundance with people in need. I plan on joining in myself.

The benefits of Food Stamps (definitely worth the click through)...

Which will be cut by $8 billion over 10 years by the recently passed farm bill.

Random

The Napoleon complex, explained. As a short person, this might explain a lot. 

This physical art is so beautiful.

Happy Friday.

Print by 55 hi's on Etsy, $25

I'm not going to lie. I'm feeling a little bit exhausted. Starting a new job and acclimating to a new space, new energy, new politics. It really has been draining. I'm extremely grateful to be where I am, and I'm definitely learning new things, which is all I really was hoping for this opportunity to be. And it's only my second day. After being freelance/unemployed/underemployed since October, it is a bit of a harsh shift for me, not even considering the fact that I was very spoiled with a cushy position in my last job. This is a whole new ball game. 

Print by TheMotivatedType on Etsy, $12 to $65 depending on size

And, speaking of ball games, apparently it's the Super Bowl this weekend. I won't be watching this year (!) since Rob will be working and I'll be free to watch anything I want. Most years we have people over and serve up fun food, so at least I'm paying attention to being a hostess, instead of the sport: last year we did quesadillas to order, one year we did a big batch of chili, and one year we did wine and cheese pairings. Because of course wine and cheese go with football - in my house at least. If you're going to make me watch a sport I'd better get to enjoy what I'm eating and drinking. Honestly, I don't think I've watched more than a few minutes of football over the years - and I like it that way! Well, anyway, If you're watching the game, have fun! and don't eat too much junk if you can help it. Think of me - I'll be spending my weekend sleeping late, doing yoga, and relaxing. And not watching football.

Gift Guide: Valentine's Day, part 2

Here's some of the things that I would love to get for Valentine's Day this year. Just in case you're thinking of getting me something.

This dainty hearts necklace, $23. 

This necklace is definitely dainty but links a series of hearts together, keeping it from being too clearly a heart-shaped Valentine's Day gift. 

A beautyblender, $15.50

I'm expecting the rave reviews to be true - that this blender beats out the others with quality material, shape, and durability. For me to practice my HAC-ing for date nights.

Kate Spade reusable tote, $17

A cute reusable tote like this one - because we can all use more reminders that we deserve to be treated well, and most especially to treat ourselves well.

And for a little romance (since it is Valentine's Day and all), this collection of love letters between my favorite poet, Rainier Maria Rilke, and Lou Andreas-Salomé, described as "remarkably rich and dimensional in its entirety, each of the 200 letters revealing a different facet of Rilke’s exceptional heart and mind, and of the universal commonalities of love itself."

Making Cocktails: the Lemon Drop

The second in my series of cocktails for my internship with Queenofthequarterlifecrisis.com, The Lemon Drop, posted today! It's a refreshing and delicious vodka cocktail, and I highly recommend it. It takes a bit more work than the Paloma, because it requires either a hearty shaking in your cocktail shaker, or a simple syrup - but trust me, it's worth it.  

Shopping for: the White Button Down

Today's my first day in my new full-time job (hooray!) and of course I've already planned what I'm wearing for my first week, since it's already Wednesday and my week's only three days long. I'm dreaming of a new perfect plain white button down blouse, and I'm loving these:

Equipment Slim Signature $204 

Equipment Signature $208

I worry that the Equipment blouses are a little sheer for a corporate professional environment. I also think the Signature is a bit loose cut to plan to wear with a traditional suit jacket, but I'd love it or the Slim with jeans or on a casual Friday.

BR White Silk Utility Blouse $90

This white utility blouse from Banana is a decent budget silk option, and keeps the double-chest-pocket styling and has a cut that seems right in that perfect space between fitted and loose. BR blouses tend to fit me really well, but in my experience, you're looking at a few seasons at best, which means you'll need to replace it and end up spending more in the long run anyway. For something that's as classic and timeless as the white button-down, it would be worth it (imo) to spend the extra cash for a higher quality version.

Burberry Brit Basic Button-Down $225

If you're looking for a more traditional fit, this basic button down by Burberry Brit is a tailored, slim-fit style, and you're getting the quality materials and durability you're probably looking for in your white-shirt wardrobe workhorse.

Joie Marru top $208

I know, this one's not your classic button-down style, but I had to throw it in because I LOVE it. Such an update on the classic, with simple, clean lines and the perfect balance between fitted and loose. 

Eat happy - choose good vinegar.

Did you know balsamic vinegar is sometimes called 'wine' vinegar? That's because it's made from grapes and the juice is aged in wooden barrels just like wine - the difference being that vinegar is not allowed to ferment. The longer your balsamic is aged, the thicker and sweeter it will be, and yes, the more expensive it will be too. 

Balsamic in barrels

You'll know a true, traditional style balsamic - or 'tradizionale aceto balsamico' - by the price tag. It's usually well over $100 for one 100ml bottle. That's because it's been barrel-aged for at least 10 years, and sometimes much longer than that. It will be stored in a traditional bulb-shaped bottle, and it's usually stored in its own wooden box. This kind of balsamic is painstakingly created to be valued and savored in special moments. Not necessarily what you'd want for your regular salad dressing. 

For whipping up an everyday vinaigrette dressing, you'll want something that's much more affordable, while still maintaining the taste profile of the quality balsamic flavors - that perfect balance of acidity and sweetness. 

I'm partial to We Olive's aged balsamic vinegar. It's delicious enough that I can eat it alone on greens and be satisfied. It's a great compromise of excellent flavor and high quality - at a fairly affordable price. Plus it's made here in California, so I can feel good about buying locally. 

If you're not sure about the quality of the balsamic vinegars available to you, a decent shortcut is to try a balsamic glaze. Basically, the glaze is a cheap balsamic vinegar, reduced for thickness and sweetness. Be careful of added sugars! But a balsamic glaze is generally inexpensive (easy to DIY, too), and can be used just like the high quality aceto balsamico, without breaking the bank. 

Happy Weekend

What are your plans this weekend? I'm wrapping up a bunch of work, cooking and prepping for the upcoming week, and apartment hunting. Here's some interesting reads I found for your weekend:

Environment

This collection of photos is worth seeing - photographers traversed the Marcellus Shale formation documenting what they could of the effects of fracking. My father previously owned a house with a beautiful waterfall and river on the propery in Pennsylvania, and sold it right before the fracking boom there. It's too bad the photographers weren't able to get any shots of the workers, more of the industry and all the promise it does provide, in order to provide more of a counter to the arguments against the environmental devastation and health risks.

Yoga

After the NYTimes has reported so. many. times. on the perils of yoga, it seems other news agencies are trying to get in on the scare tactics. My advice: Listen to your own body, honor your limitations, and be patient with your practice. You can transcend boundaries as long as you're careful.

Feminism

This collection of covers comparing the Hillary Cover to images for other (mostly male) politicians basically speaks for itself. What were they thinking? Not that I'm a huge Hillary fan, but that's no justification for that type of absurdity.

Mike Huckabee (former Republican Arkansas governor) said the government shouldn't provide co-pay free birth control to women who "cannot control their libido or their reproductive system without the help of government." He says this to argue that Democrats feel that women are "helpless and hopeless creatures" who just want government-provided birth control, and that women should be empowered to be "something other than victims of their gender." This isn't surprising considering he supported Akin's "legitimate rape" comments.

Food

This is an interesting article on intermittent fasting, a form of dieting which is touted as a healthy choice for dieting, the best lifestyle to stay healthy over time, but also a worrisome choice to those with possible histories of disordered eating. A scientist is currently doing an NIH-funded study comparing people doing six months of every-other-day dieting, as compared to six months of every-day calorie restriction. I'm curious to see the outcome.

Self-love and skin care

I'm starting a new full-time job next week (yay!) and so I'm planning on a bit of a spa session for myself today in preparation.

I got this sample of Shu Uemura's Fresh Pore Clarifying Gentle Cleansing Oil when I bought my eyelash curler, and haven't used it yet. I'm honestly not even sure that I know what to do with it, but all the reviews rave about how great this stuff is for oily/combination skin. I'm planning on doing some research and trying it out.

Got this Brazil Nut Beautifying Oil from the Body Shop for myself recently. I'm a HUGE ran of their Brazil Nut scent line of products, and I was so happy when they brought it back. I used to slather on the whipped body lotion on a daily basis until they discontinued it - I think that was back in 2011 or 2012. I've been waiting and waiting to get it back. The oil is not quite the same as the whipped lotion, of course, but I mix it with an unscented body lotion and it adds a gentle sheen and that lovely scent. I'm thoroughly enjoying it, especially because the combination allows a little to go a long way.

I think I'll treat myself to a mani-pedi, do some yoga, and try like always to hit the farmer's market. If you're not busy this weekend - Check in with me tomorrow for your dose of recommended reads.

Eat more salads.

Just a quick post today. I've been running around shopping for a new car - you definitely need one living here in California. And lately I've been craving and throwing together a Greek salad, and it tastes amazing for something that's just a simple twist on your traditional vinaigrette dressing.

For a single salad, start with one freshly chopped garlic clove, and a bit of grainy dijon mustard. Add the juice of half a lemon and a few dashes of white wine vinegar. Throw in about a half a teaspoon of dried oregano. Slowly drizzle in your olive oil and whisk together, tasting until you like the blend.

I threw in some leftover quinoa for protein, greek olives, and feta cheese. It really hit the spot today for lunch - so tasty, quick, and filling. 

Gift guide: Valentine's Day

Even though I don't usually get things for Valentine's day (the ultimate Hallmark holiday) it's still fun to think of excuses to buy things for the people I love. Here's what I'd get:

For my fiancé, this camo vest to keep him warm on cool nights (You know how much I love camo)...

By Levis, At Macy's, $80

...Or a pair of his favorite boots in a fun color to keep him from wearing out his other pair.

Cole Haan, at Zappos, $230

For my dad, who's stuck in the cold New York winter, these large mugs with a handle big enough to stick his whole hand inside, stuffed with his favorite Jasmine tea...

Marin mug at Crate & Barrel, $8

...Or a super warm sweater with a high neckline for when he has to shovel snow, in blue to bring out his eyes.

Hugo Boss, at Bloomingdale's, $215

For my mom, this rock-chic skull scarf by Alexander McQueen, for staying comfy in that unpredictable San Francisco weather...

At Net-A-Porter, $300

Or a fun new long-lasting lipstick, in a sultry shade.

MAC cosmetics, at Nordstrom, $20

For my quirky and stylish best friend, this perfect animal-print shoulder bag, to carry with her on a hot date... 

At Saks, $400

...Or these fun heart sunglasses to wear after a late night.

At Bloomingdale's, $200

Shopping for: Yoga mats

A studio I taught in once had a sign hanging that read, "When you commit to your practice, commit to having your own mat." 

Lots of mats

I totally agree. It's more sanitary to have your own mat than to rent or borrow one from a yoga studio, and it also means you're investing yourself mentally (and financially, of course) into the practice of yoga. It becomes easier to dedicate your time and energy to a practice when you care enough about it to commit to it on a regular basis.

It would be easy to commit to a practice with this view every day.

A lot of students who are new to yoga ask me what type of yoga mat they should buy - a good question, because there's a lot of variety, and it can be a bit overwhelming to the unprepared.

Here's important considerations before you buy:

Your style of practice
I personally have two yoga mats - a cheaper one I replace regularly (it gets smelly after a while) for hot, sweaty yoga, and a more sturdy, higher quality one for room temp classes. I would never use my regular mat for hot yoga, and I would never use my hot yoga mat for an Iyengar or a regular Vinyasa class either. If you're practicing outdoors on a regular basis, you'll want to consider that your mat will get dirt on it. If you're practicing at a studio, you'll want to consider the weight of the mat you're carrying around, which won't be as important as if you're developing a home practice. 

Yoga on the beach

Price
Yoga mats can range in price from a cheap-o mat under $20 you might find at Target to something that might cost well over $100. It's worth it to do your research to decide on one before making your investment.

Material 
Many if not all of the cheaper yoga mats are made from vinyl or PVC. PVC is a very inexpensive but hard plastic. To make yoga mats phthalates and other additives are commonly added to the PVC, making the material soft and pliable, but also creates carcinogens as manufacturing byproducts. Phthalates are suspected endocrine disruptors and these yoga mats can off-gas and leach during use. Not pretty when you're face down on top of one. These materials are also not biodegradable and are very difficult to recycle. This EPA page is a hazard summary for vinyl chloride, and is worth glancing at. If you can stomach it. 

Brands I'd recommend
There are two brands used by almost all students of yoga that I know: the Jade, and the Manduka. Both brands have various styles of mats ranging in price from around $50 to over $100. They're both environmentally friendly in different ways. 

Manduka offers a lifetime guarantee - and they're manufactured in Germany without emitting any toxic gases. The Mandukas are FAMOUSLY heavy, but they offer a lot of variety, so you could probably find one you'd be comfortable toting around if you wanted to. The traditional Manduka mats have PVC in them - but they do offer a rubber Eco style as well.

Manduka mats

All the Jade mats are 100% natural rubber, and are sustainably made in the US. Natural rubber is a renewable resource and their mats are made in the United States in compliance with all environmental laws. They contain absolutely no PVCs. Jade also will plant a tree for every mat purchased.

Jade mats

I personally have a Jade, and it's lasted years, wearing well without losing any stickiness or grip over time with steady, regular use. I liked the rubber smell, which has faded almost completely away. In future, if I needed a new mat, I'd most likely buy another Jade.

The Manduka Pro Squared mat

Unless I have a spare room in my new place to make into a private yoga studio. Then I might have to buy myself this giant square mat from Manduka. And then never leave the room.