contrasting the distorted view imposed on us by media

Waffle bum.

I recently discovered "Reality Project". Click here to learn more (and make sure you read all the disclaimers). Here's a little blurb about it, directly from the website:

Nowadays, we are surrounded by images of bodies seemingly perfect.
But is that real beauty?
The images that we experience every day impose a standard of beauty that is very far from reality.
You have to be tall, thin, with smooth skin, big breasted or show a perfect six pack.
When these features are not natural, it's "normal" to abuse photoshop to achieve this "ideal".
The intent of "Reality Project", as the name suggests, is to photograph normal people, real and nude, letting their body show their natural beauty, with no tricks or retouch, in all its shapes and sizes.

never lose sight of what you cannot see

So, my husband recently got glasses and even though I have vision insurance through my job, glasses are damn expensive. He was lucky enough to find some very fashionable rims that were on the affordable rack, but quickly realized after he went outside on a bright sunny day he needed prescription sunglasses, in addition to his regular glasses. Luckily I work directly across the street from one of the many Warby Parker stores in the world. Although this particular one is located in a fancy-ish neighborhood of Manhattan, their glasses - both reading and sun - are really affordable. That combined with the discount I get from work made them his best option for protecting his eyes against those solar rays. It is a great company, doing great things, who provide an alternative to those expensive designer glasses. He stopped by two weeks ago and they are ready to be picked up tomorrow. Click here to learn more about the company and see how cool their shades are. Shop away!

lay thee down and rest, may thy slumber be blessed

I haven't had any trouble sleeping lately (knock on wood) and attribute it to having a good balance of work, play, chores, and fun. I have also minimized my traveling substantially, which means I am allowing myself time to get used to the sounds in and around our home on weekends. As expected, there is one sound I just can't used to no matter what and that is the highest pitched dog bark in America and beyond. We are surrounded by dogs, which for the most part is great. (We are getting closer and closer to joining the dog party ourselves, but need to work out a few more details before actually obtaining a furry friend - fence and doggy daytime-care.) However, one of our new canine neighbors has the loudest bark that sometimes begins pre-7:00 a.m. - not okay, not even a little bit. If your dog needs to go out that early, for the love of all that's sacred - let the thing out, but if it yips and yaps, quiet it down and get it back inside your house! 

I mention this because although I don't have trouble falling asleep at night, I sometimes have difficulty falling back asleep once I am woken up by this dog. Today I read something that discussed the benefits of the "4-7-8" breathing technique and how it can be used to fall back into the land of slumber. It is pretty straightforward - you inhale for four seconds, hold your breath in for seven seconds, and exhale for eight seconds. I have yet to try it, but I am excited to see if it works. While I hope I don't get woken up, I can rest easily knowing I have a simple and easy to use trick in my arsenal for getting back to sleep. Click here to read one of the many articles about it.     

a scent that whisks you away into the forest

When I think about Stonewall Kitchen I normally picture food items (blueberry jam, bourbon molasses mustard, lemon curd, etc.), but we recently purchased some of their hand lotion and it smells incredible. If you are not a fan of fragrance, or are not able to use products that contain fragrance, then this is not for you. However, if you love woodsy, spicy scents I recommend you run out and purchase one of their Maine Woods products. You can choose from a soy candle, dish soap, hand soap, or (as I mentioned before) hand lotion. The description says it is made with black pepper essential oils. I'm not sure if that's what is contributing to my obsession with this scent, but whatever it is I like it and recommend sticking your nose in it. It reminds me a little of Williams Sonoma's Winter Forest products, but this smells even better. Although it doesn't really scream spring and summer, I had to share because I've been meaning to write about it for a few weeks and keep forgetting. Buy it and use it.  

I choose to chew and chew and chew and chew...

so slow...webs are forming

One of the ways I am trying to be healthier is by becoming a slow eater. I inhale food. If there was a contest for being the fastest eater, I would win by a landslide. It is going to be a hard habit to break, especially because I am starting off in the negative; my goal was to begin today and I was running so late this morning I had to skip breakfast (even though I pre-sliced all of my English muffins for a faster, more streamlined run around the kitchen) and then I realized at 1:30 p.m. I still hadn't eaten lunch and had an errand to run at 2:00, so you guessed it, I inhaled my salad, cottage cheese, and pineapple in under ten minutes. Ugh. This is going to be really hard. 

Someone I went to dance school with took this to an extreme (not surprising when talking about dancers and diets) and made an effort to chew every bite eighty times. She didn't eat with the rest of us because it took her so long - she ate by herself in the privacy of her dorm room. It honestly did wonders. She lost so much weight her face practically shrunk in half. I am not looking for anything that dramatic, I just want to eat a little less, get more nutrients out of my food, and actually taste my food (novel idea!) instead of mashing it up really quickly and swallowing. I am thinking about trying for a rate of twenty to thirty chews per bite. In researching this notion, I came across an eye-opening article and learned there are multiple benefits to eating slow. Click here to read the article, which is also where the photo above came from.   

take time for yourself and find some sunshine

I am using this as inspiration for my weekend and getting back on track with writing next week (and a whole slew of other things). Be safe, be happy, and breathe. (And thank you pinwheeldesigns for the image, quote, and inspiration.)

what am I going to do with my hair darling

Terrifying, I know.
Just look at the hair.

I am getting my haircut this weekend and I want something fun. It has taken me a long time to grow my hair long & all one length, and every time I cut crazy layers I always think to myself "why did I do this; all I ever want is one length of hair". Well, I have reached that point and (I think?!?) in addition to cutting off three inches (it needs it to be healthy) I want some major layering. The sad thing is I know I will regret it, but I am still going to do it anyways. I want an actual hairstyle damn it.  

My hair regimen is pretty complex. (Read slowly.) I never ever blow dry and I only run a comb through it in the shower - never after the shower and never a brush. Once I am dressed and ready to go, I scrunch it and it magically turns into beachy waves. My hair is presently at a length where it is so long and heavy that the waves are no longer holding, so something must be done. Can you say partial waves, partial straightness, and frizz? I have been frequenting a hair salon in our area and it is the first time I have gone somewhere and been happy with the results. The people there actually listen and do what I ask. I am going to bring a photo in with me on Sunday and pray to the good lord (who ever that may be) I walk out looking like it. Although I am not a fan of the actress the hair is on, I want her hair and think it will work with my hair type. Here's hoping I am not bitching about it in a week or two - let's at least try to make it a month!