Happy Friday.

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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. 

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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.