I'm so in Love...

With my home that is, all of its magical nooks and crannies, all of its history (the two wonderful Buddhists who lived and past here at the age of 102) all of the wonder and life it holds, every crack and creek and smell of time. I love it all, I've never been so inspired and at peace in all aspects of my life, everything is just so right.

 I wanna share a few of my favorite things here that make this house the wonderful home it has become...

When I wake up the floors are still chilly from the night before, so I have to wear my fuzzy boots. And in my nightgown, I dance to get my heart going for the day!

My meditation room has my heart and soul within it. Its a place I come to reflect and let go, I chose to mount my favorite Georgia O'Keefe paintings from her desert series, The colors are perfect and a pleasure to look at. (PS- I made that large pallet)

And I realize this sounds weird, but if you know me, I tend to be a bit weird...

On this shelf in the meditation room where my first Reiki certificate for level one resides with my symbols from my second seminar there is an orb/swatch of purple and green residing. I questioned even sharing this, but who cares! Its a part of who I am and I'm not going to hide that fact on my own blog. Its in every photo, at all times day/night/darkness/light/even candle light or inverting the image to make sure its not dust or light (do you see it up there on the left). Even before the shelf or symbols were moved in I saw this colored light above the door to this room in photos, but chose not to post it, maybe I will on Flickr though. Green is the color that represents healing and the heart Chakra, and purple or violet is the crown Chakra and represents a spiritual consciousness. The crown Chakra is thought to be "open" while practicing Reiki...

I've just learned to welcome it, and know it probably means I'm on the right path in the healing arts. I like to think its the aura of my open crown Chakra or a guide who is pleased, whatever it is, its warm and loving so I welcome its presence and wanted to share. 

Okay enough with Metaphysical 101 and my orbs lol...

I have this spot on a throw rug in our bedroom that picks up the sunlight wonderfully, I love to sit here with coffee or tea and read and absorb... And yes that is one of my many scars and I'm okay with it showing if you are! 

We have so many nooks to fill still. These little caverns are what I fell for when we first saw this home, it gave it so much character. For now my favorite fall boots and sweater hang here, but I'll think of something else soon. Feel free to leave suggestions!

My pain from my accident is still chronic, but I'm happy here and find my surroundings soothing to my neck and back. Our big soft bed helps on days I need to just take it easy. I'm sure changing location, lifestyle, and people I surround myself with has helped but either way it is such a relief to me to have our bed back full of pillows and crisp white sheets.

Downstairs in the living room you can visually see me and Jeremy meld together in the details. There are always fresh flowers, this white bundle is in a cute thrifted dairy creamer (I found that for .25 cents!) the Candle sticks are also thrifted, they needed a good cleaning but for 2 bucks you cant beat it! We chose to display our engagement announcement interior with our favorite quote from Jack Kerouac's, "Dharma Bums"

This room wouldn't be me without Hitchcock books and a few elephants! The pillows I made from fabric from Ikea. And the marble "elees" are a gift from one of my Dad's many travels around the world. This living room is such a great mixture of memories, its sleek like Jeremy likes but cozy for me and full of personal touches. The wildflowers are in unmatched tumblers (also thrifted for .50/each) which make a wonderful stout little bouquet...

I took more wildflowers and the unmatched thrifted tumblers to use for our Thanksgiving centerpiece, I added our "Family" sign, a marriage gift, with the leftover gourds and pumpkins from Kristie's baby shower decor. Added a double wick pumpkin spiced candle to complete this for only 7 bucks total! I think it turned out good. I have some knitted place mats I have to finish up before Turkey day that will complete it.

Last Christmas we got this great espresso machine and I found these darling little cups and saucers at Ikea for only a buck for each set! I will be using a sharpie to write a little something for us both and baking them, as seen here on A Beautiful Mess... thanks for the idea Elsie :) My favorite picture (taken by Jeremy) of Rilo and I completes this dining room shelf and adds a personal touch.

I hope You enjoyed this short tour of why I love our new home so much! There will be more to come...

All of you guys have been so supportive during our move in comments and emails, I appreciate that you even find this outlet for my creativity interesting and wanna take a moment (with it being Thanksgiving soon) to tell you how incredibly grateful and thankful I am to have met such wonderful girls on this blog journey, whether I was dealing with rough waters or easy seas you were there to listen and give feedback. Thank you and I can't wait to share more of my journey with you.

~Niec

I'm Still Here!

 Temple Bell, I love the intricate carvings in the metal so I display it on my door knob.

This post is so long over due ladies, and for that I'm so sorry. Blogging has been taking a back seat to... well, life these days. So we are all moved in but still not totally settled we still have one room with boxes and stuff. As a matter of fact I'm typing this on the floor of a room full of boxes... our desk died in the room (RIP crappy ikea desk), so we have a nice thrifted one to rehab this weekend. I worked a lot on my meditation room, which I am in love with! Although it is not complete I've used it and the energy in that room is pretty amazing. I will be sharing a journal entry I wrote the other night when I sat on our steps and let the words flow.

 So in the mean time I have a few happy updates. The night before we were scheduled to move a got a call from Kristie (my sister) at 3:30am saying her water may be broken, I rushed over to find that she had in fact ruptured her water and was still passing it along with her plug. By my judgments she was gonna delivery that week based on a few natural things the body does while preparing moms for labor.

 Laboring in my family is a very natural thing, I helped and watched my youngest brothers birth, I remember my mother laboring for a few hours at home for Korey before going to a neighbors home. And my grandmother (wise with her age) delivered my cousin on the side of a road, because she's a female Chuck Norris!

 I was ready and willing to be a birth coach for Kristie from the moment she asked and will forever be grateful for her to have shared that experience with me. It was beautiful, an amazing and Kristie is a champ! She was able to lower her blood pressure and pulse during contractions using the hypo-birthing techniques we practiced and I did several Reiki sessions to ease the pain. It was beautiful, and honestly I don't know if seeing my nephew Noah take his first breath and carrying him to his mama for the first time will ever be topped! The experience changed me, I feel my heart softening more and seeking more of what is real and pure and saturated in love. It was a precious moment and I love that I was a part of it. We were close before but lately I have grown even closer with Kristie, she has been a rock these past through weeks. And with our new home, I am incredibly satisfied and looking forward to the future and what is to come. We have a wonderful thanksgiving planned with our closest friends (some new and some old) and family. I'm so excited to be a hostess this year. We also have the pleasure of going to the Grand Bahamas for Jeremy's birthday this year! We never took a honey moon because the car wreck happened 9 days after we were married, but this is going to be a much needed get away for the both of us. Jeremy's aunt lives in Switzerland and has a home in the G.B. with plenty of nature hikes and snorkeling and swimming with he dolphins, I'm so excited for this, and it'll be the first time Jeremy and I have traveled out of the country alone together! Aside from these travel plans and moving I've just really been trying to make this house feel like a home and juggle being a new aunt or "ti-ti" as I'm called and all things that the up coming holiday season entails. I haven't done my nails, they look like a mess! And I haven't done my hair in days (washed or styled lol) and I have a cold soooo, I'm looking pretty shabby, but according to my hubby I'm as beautiful as I have ever been, and inside I'm beaming with joy so who cares what the exterior shows! I am the happiest I've been in quite some time. This new place feels so right for us... Life is good and I am so grateful for it all. Here's a few pics of the still unfinished but getting there meditation room, I love it, and hope you enjoy...

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! 

Hope all of you are having a fun and safe evening! This week we've been packing and bringing over more and more stuff and bit by bit everything is falling into place. Saturday is quickly approaching but it looks like everything will be moving along smoothly. Today I headed over to the new place with Rilo on my own to get her acquainted with her new home and yard. Within minutes she had a boyfriend! A gorgeous and very sweet Husky/Wolf hybrid (I'll get a pic to post soon) named Toby. Toby lives next door, both of the backyards are fenced but open up to a big field for Rilo and Toby to play in!We're relieved and excited for her new friendship. 

She seemed to love the new house and even fell a asleep while I messed with my gardening beds out back (you can see one of the three on the right side of the backyard yard in the first picture, that will soon hold lots of yummy veggies, oh and that potty pad was not for Rilo it was to wipe off my muddy boots lol). I then smudged the house from top to bottom and lit a few candles and did a few other things I typically do to prepare a new place before we move in. Our new home is so warm and so light and everything feels so right these days... I feel so blessed with how things have played out, so very blessed.

I've been making myself craft or read (from an actual book) every night to unwind before bed, so of course most nights I knit! This was the last of Noah's hats, mitts and booties sets, this slouchy beanie set is by far my favorite, can't wait to see him looking all cool in it! Thank goodness Noah will be cousins with our kid so that we can get some of these nice things back as hand me downs...

I continued my people and possessions purge this week, it was something I felt my soul needed. I got rid of things that I didn't want in our new home, some are actual objects but some were just attitudes, energy, and people, I don't need to have or be around or even exposed to. I will be posting a journal entry in the upcoming weeks about this change I've made, this conscious effort to stick to my instincts and not be afraid of the outcome, and letting go of all the other things that led to this so-called "purging" It has been an amazing experience and has given me a sense of peace I haven't felt in years... I wish I'd of done it sooner but, everything happens in its own time and in its own way.

Awesome album I can't get enough of this week. I've shared in the past my struggle with panicking whenever I have to pack so moving tends to be rough. As I'm sure it is for anyone that struggles OCD in any aspect of their lives. This album of native flutes and earth songs puts me in such a calm state of mind I found myself being relaxed and positive during packing! Listen to "Riding With Thunder" It is AMAZING and so empowering!

BOMW

This week has a bit of a warm one for October, I'm calling it our Indian Summer, amidst the mounds of laundry and packing I captured a few bits of my week...

Korey and Monica at a BBQ

Siblings connections are one of those things you don't understand unless you have it. It is a bond that is far greater than sharing blood relation. Korey has been my rock when I needed and we've grown into having a mutual respect and compassion for one another that is indestructible. That said, I received a text from him after we hung up from our daily convo, we'd been discussing philosophy and politics (Korey has his BA in philosophy and is one of the few that used it by attending graduate school for public policy and ethics, he is one of the smartest people I know). Anyways, we we're talking about ones existence and while looking back at our particularly "rough" childhood we discussed how it would be for one of us with out having the other, after wrapping up, I received the following text...

A Long One On Life As of Late...

 Eleanor Roosevelt via Pinterest

I'm such a bad blogger these days, I'm sorry guys, that is just the truth of it all. There is 

 a ton of things going on (explained below). I am still crafting and creating but it seems impossible to post regularly these days.

But tonight, I felt the itch to just write through my exhaustion here, instead of my journal. So here I am at mid-night with my favorite blue fluffy robe and and Jeremy's sweat pants with jasmin and rose hip tea in a silent house, full of night air and the sounds of crickets about to pour out whats been going on. 

Great Loves...

Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward 

This weekend I was catching up on some of the blogs I periodically check in on and saw the most moving series of posts over at {This Is Glamorous}. The series is a collection of 20 posts that share some of the greatest love stories in history, from Elizabeth Taylor & Richard Burton to Humphrey Bogart & Lauren Bacall. My personal favorite was that of Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward. Take a look, I promise you they are addicting to read and full of the serendipity that make epic love stories so perfect.

BOMW...

It has been quite a busy month so far, I feel like I haven't posted in ages! We had an immediate family member undergo surgery so we had our hands full helping out, and then I got sick so I spent about a week in bed with soup and crackers. I think sometimes it can be good to take a break when it comes to blogging, it allows us to take a deep breath and become inspired again. Although, next time I take a forced hiatus I think I will play around with scheduled posts so you guys aren't left wondering what happened to me. 

This weekend Jeremy and I took a trip to the mountains, which are by far one of my favorite places to be (next to the ocean of course). We stayed near Harpers Ferry out in Purcellville,Virgina and Oh my gosh! talk about a perfect place to be in the fall! We got our fill of little road side general stores, vineyards, and small cobblestone towns, it was perfect and much needed. We are hoping to make it back down for their annual Fall Festival.

Here are a few bits of my week, with highlights from our trip...

How beautiful is this place!?!

We had dinner at a pasta bar and OH MY WORD! this was the best pasta I have ever had!  

Stain Stain Go Away!

So sorry for my lack of posts guys, last week an immediate family member of ours had surgery, so it was all hands on deck around here for a few days, then I got some hellish stomach flu, complete with a fever  (probably from the hospital which had me knocked on my butt and in bed for the past week). I will still continue to post the remainder of the baroque mani-series along with some other fun things for October. But just wanted to thank all of you who still popped in to check Easy Peazy anyway. 

But enough with that, lets switch to some happier things! If you've been following my Baroque Manicure series then you have probably come to the same conclusion I did... Stains SUCK! As much as a base coat promises to keep stains at bay, there are some colors of lacquer that just don't budge. This problem is most prevalent in the jewel toned red/blue/green families of colors (which happens to be the Baroque pallet many of my manicures are inspired by). So, I thought I'd take a moment to share my mothers holy grail of nail stain removing.

Baroque Manicure: Option 2

So its officially Fall!!! Thank goodness, I love this season! All the colors and the changes, its all just so beautiful and inspiring to me. Today I'm sharing option 2 of my Baroque manicure series. This manicure takes a little more time but is really fun to wear! Its based on a beautiful emerald green LANVIN dress (I promise not all the manis will be based on LANVIN lol). While we can't afford LANVIN jewels or runway clothes we can replicate it on our nails and rock the hell out of some high fashion.

This Dress...

Baroque Manicure: Option 1

Yep, you read right ladies, "Option 1"! I had so much fun creating ideas for baroque inspired manicures that I couldn't stop after only one. As I mentioned last week, I am currently obsessed with this trend (I even made a bronzed baroque-esq hair clasp seen in this BOMW post for an upcoming hair tutorial). Its just amazing how prevalent this trend was amongst the runway shows during NYFW and now I've seen it spill into so many other blogs (remember you heard it here first guys haha!). I did a total of 5 manicures, some are a bit over the top incorporating many elements and textures-but hey it's supposed to be over the top, right? I will be sharing them with you throughout the week. Also check out my "Baroque My Heart" board on pinterest (see if you can catch which pins inspired which manicures).

 The decadent colors and metals from the LANVIN show inspired this first look. Copper leafing, baubles, rose gold, and an intense royal blue lends itself to this whimsical, rich mash up of unique charm... 

I Abide In You...

A Journal Entry: 

"Every year that passes us, its crazy how time just marches on. The day we got married, it was so intense, so earth shaking, it was as though time stopped and every so often when I'm alone with you or its late at night and we're talking, I feel that time stops again. When the moon hits your face just right during a night walk, as the cigarette smoke billows and dances on the nights air from your hands. Everything is still. Sometimes we can look at each other and not speak but know what the other is feeling, thinking-without words. We are just so blessed to have one another. So few people meet their great love so young, God, we are so lucky. I love our life together, I love that we are lucky enough to be able to be married. The most significant vow we spoke that day was that we now abide in one another. That is just, whoa! To abide in something is to stay, remain, dwell, and/or to act in accordance with a decision. We have become one heart, one home, a solace for one another away from the chaos of this world." 

BOMW

Yummy Fruits used for a breakfast crumble

This has been a great week! We started planning our next vacation early to mid October, can't wait to share with you where we decide to go. We have our closest friends coming into town for the weekend and tomorrow is our anniversary! We've been married 3 years already! It has really gone by fast, whats even more crazy is that we started going out in 2005! That 8 years guys! 8 YEARS...But damn do I love my hubby! I'm going to do a special post about our engagement and eloping on the actual day (tomorrow) with pictures and stuff. I'm excited to share that part of my life with you guys. Oh, and small side note, finally after years of sharing one vehicle, I got a car! I doubt I'll use it much, (I've been kinda skiddish with driving since the accident). But, with a move approaching quickly and talk of starting a family soon after, it seemed about time, when we found a deal we couldn't refuse.

Anyways, here are a few bits of my week:

Why We Went Natural

SVPPLY

I've mentioned for months now about my love for natural products, when applicable I try to buy the best products for my family. Whether its my vegan deoderant by Soapwalla, Toms natural toothpaste, White Magick Alchemy Oils or South Austin Soap People Soaps (used in my basic manicure or for washing Rilo) or Solstice Scents for my apothecary needs. When it comes to the skin and health of my family I want the best! These days I feel like consumers are left in the dark about a lot of what goes into products. The sad fact is that big companies pump out "soaps" full of chemicals that are just too strong or bad for us. The viscous cycle ensues when these products are made and marketed so cheaply! For most families it seems unimportant to even think about switching to natural soaps. We are a nation obsessed with economizing and we're conditioned to believe that "common" skin ailments are normal. These are all common misconceptions, I will share links at the end for soaps that are around the same price as popular brands, are multitasking (for hair, face, shaving and body) and these large bars will last twice as long, they suds up the same as traditional brands, they don't leave any residue (another common misconception of natural soap use) and smell great without using harsh artificial perfume additives.

To believe that one can avoid all of the "bad" chemicals is unrealistic, its doing little things that make a huge impact, like buying a natural product when you can or telling a friend why you would like to buy natural. If you only take one thing from this post, please watch this video The story of cosmetics it is incredibly informative and really made me think about what I put in and on my body. Why it is incredibly ignorant to think I can escape all products that contain unhealthy/harsh chemicals, being informed is a step in the right direction. So I ask you guys to watch and read, and above all be informed consumers...

Fall DIYs: No Sew Cowl

This weeks been full of cooler days. I thought no better time then now to share this DIY fall favorite of mine. Fall is one of my most crafty times of year, I tend to create more as the months get cooler. So, to kick things off I thought I'd start with something easy. I've seen different variations of these with fringe, but I never got into the whole fringe thing myself.

I love this DIY and have done it the past 2 years, Its also a great way to use old things that would otherwise be tossed out. I had a great light sweater that Rilo clawed on near the neck, so I made a cowl and its like it is brand new again. I also used an old t-shirt of Jeremy's that shrunk, its got really great soft cotton and was big enough to double around. With being 100% cotton the striped t-shirt snood would be great for the gym on chilly mornings. As the weather cools down more and more I'll be sharing a tutorial on knitting cowls the old fashioned was as well.

5 Books Every Woman Should Read Before 30...

reading, reading, reading 

I've noticed a lack of book lists lately, I don't know if we've all gotten caught in the mindsweep that is youth fiction novels lately (no offense, I love me some Hunger Games) or if we just aren't reading as much, as often as we used to. Whatever the reason, I've decided to put together an arsenal of 5 books, I think every woman should read before 30. If you have any good add-ons feel free to chime in. This list is tentative and growing, if you have a book (or a few) that changed you, share it in the comments below. I'd love to circulate this as a tag, actually I am making this a tag, if you read this, consider yourself tagged.

Savory Citrus Salad

I've noticed since I've began this blog I have a habit of posting salad recipes more than any other type of recipes. I think I may set a little goal for myself to share more than these in future posts. Salads are by no means  my culinary strong point, As a matter of fact I hardly ever make salads for company, but I think they are simple, and while my ultimate goal here is to share the wonderfully simple things that make up the overlooked minutia of our lives, I could throw in some savory dishes to boot.
This is one of those quick meals that I love to make during that time of transition between summer and fall. You could substitute almost any ingredient for what is locally in season- strawberries for instance, could easily replace the blueberries. But, remember to keep those earthy staples of  crumbled goat cheese and hazelnuts/pecans, its what keeps the salad substantial enough for an entree as oppose to a side dish or starter.

BOMW

This past week has been incredibly busy, I didn't even realize that in all the commotion I forgot to post these "bits of my week" When I remembered today, it was during a mid-morning crisis and I thought- wow! this blog really is a place to appreciate the little things in the midst of a life's chaos, at least for me it is.

After a crazy week these are the bits that made it all worth it...

 The Vogue skull-crusher! When Daniel was in college we'd call one another no matter where we were mid September, and page through this thick issue together over the phone.

A new bakery opened in our neighborhood, so we had to check it out...

Baroque Trend...

From top left:  shootstyle, FreePeople, Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2012, zszywka

 

As a history buff I tend to admire several design elements from the past, but lately, on pinterest and several of the 2012 Fall runways I've been noticing a trend I'm a little in love with. Baroque Style. Rich in textiles with details to the max, the result is a color story of rich wine reds and gold leafed floral with embellished head pieces. I'm not sure how this will trickle down into the everyday, but for now I'm so enamored with it, I'd be willing to take it as is! Most of the models have rocked a bare face and simple hair to let the clothes (and head gear) speak for themselves, but I'd probably do a dark vampy lip with one of these embellished jackets or sunglasses with jeans and little else. There is something so fresh about how opulent it all is, I've made a little collage to show off some of my favorites, although I think I may need to make a pinterest board as my camera roll is filling up rather quickly... 

Being inspired by these looks got me brainstorming, A Baroque influenced hair/nail tutorial will be coming soon!

Till then here is a bit more Baroque inspiration...

Kismet & My Story

Last week I ordered a necklace from Allison over at two leaf clover, and WOW! This little piece of heaven is absolutely perfect! Its understated, and ultra-feminine, I'm usually a bit leery of ordering jewelry online, I tend to like making my own things like bracelets and earrings , but when I saw that Kismet was the product of such passion and that the meaning behind the namesake was "destiny, and fate" I was just blown away by it all. Allison personalized my necklace with impeccable craftsmanship and made sure to ask which color beads I wanted and what metal to use, it was just so personal. Allison had no clue why I am skiddish when it comes to necklaces but I figure now is a better time than ever to share- Back in 2009 I got into a really bad car wreck, that resulted in multiple surgeries on my neck/spine, I was left with several scars, one large one on my neck, unfortunately the scar is still visible, before the accident I loved necklaces and wore them all the time, but after I became kinda self conscious about it, like it drew more attention if I wore accessories, even here on Easy Peazy it'd be almost impossible to find a pic from my right side where the scar is, I don't feel ugly because of it, I just have a reminder of how scary that accident was any time I see it...

Anyways, This necklace makes me feel that my neck is beautiful regardless of my scars, and that my neck is worth adorning with pretty things! I know this probably sounds dumb to all of you with flawless necks but dealing with a visible scar can be really tough on ones self-esteem. So Allison thank you! I will be wearing your wonderful masterpiece with my scar proudly! 

On a rainy day like today...

 Our 2009 elopement announcement with our favorite Kerouac quote

Today is filled with that wonderful rainy day beauty, you know when your bed needs to stay unmade, sheets stay crisp, and tea and a big soft sweater is the only thing you want. I love these types of days, where its so quiet and calm, all you can hear your tea kettle whistle and the water dancing alongside the curb in response to passerbys. Everything gets that haze, that beautiful and romantic rainy day haze to it, you finish your books and crossword puzzles, and perhaps visit the memories of significant rainy day of the past.

Jeremy and I got married on a day like today. As our third anniversary approaches, I took a minute to reflect on that day and how much it felt serene and calm like today. I think I love rainy day beauty more than any other type of day.

Over the Weekend...

Grandmothers vintage watch, and jewelry I made after my outing to the bead shop

 

This weekend was not only Labor day but both of my in-laws birthdays! We had a blast from Friday to Monday (people just don't party like folks from New Orleans). My mother-in-law and sister-in-law and I went antiquing and had a yummy lunch in Old town. I had the best sweet and savory salad of my life and ice cream from one of my favorite parlors after. Then it happened! I fell in love with an old inkwell in the window, and when we walked inside I fell in love once more with the most beautiful iron chandeliers... Sometimes I really feel like I was born in a different time and just woke up here!

After lunch we went to a local bead shop, I've been trying to branch out from my jewelry and be open to new things, like black and pink and silver, maybe even a little rose gold in the future! I didn't intend for the the amount of beads I ended up purchasing but I figured it would get me to make/wear new things...

 Update: As requested I've added a bit more in my about section, so feel free to check it out up top or here. I've also added a few new peeps to my blog roll.

I'd like you to meet...

Save The Redwood League

Ursus the Moon Bear

  

Hopefully all of you are knee deep in ocean/pool water soaking up the last rays of summer with bbq in hand! I wanted to stop in real quick and introduce you guys to a new friend of Easy Peazy that will be a staple on the blog. A few weeks ago I raved about Nancy Upshaw and her shop White Magick Alchemy, well I'd like to make sure if you all are ever interested in buying essential oils (or natural soaps from fellow store Solstice Scents) that a few things will happen soon after your purchase.

But first, Id like to say- I know in the blogosphere a lot of us advertise for monetary reasons, I'm not knocking that, if you make money from blogging and its a brand you love go for it! BUT, I have always promised to never endorse or advertise a product I don't use myself, and believe in.  I am never rewarded on the fact that I push a product. That, said I'd like to tell you more about Nancy and her shop, White Magick Alchemy. Nancy gives a large amount of her own revenue to several charitable organizations. She truly is a modern day Robin hood! She is passionate about animals so a lot of what comes from you or I, she gives directly to animals in Asia to stop Bear bile farming. She also donates to save what I believe to be  a national treasure, our redwoods, through "Save the Redwoods. She also is a silent donator to private/personal charities, Nancy is the type of person that sees a need in someone she passes on the street so she'll give them the proceeds from that day to help them get on there feet. she gives the best way possible, without recognition or merit. She doesn't even realize I had planned to write this up! Her passion is people and animals, the oils/shop (although an excellent product) are a means to do so, its never been about the money for her. This is why she is not only a friend of Easy Peazy ( now displayed on my side bar) but why she is a personal friend and hero. Thank you so much Nancy for all you do!

If you're interested in knowing more about charities Nancy Upshaw helps check out her Moon Bear Candles, proceeds go directly to Moon Bear Rescue.

If you would like to make donations straight to the charities Nancy donates to, or just find out more about them visit Animals Asia, More about Moon Bears and the Bile Bear trade, and Save the Redwoods.

28 for 29 Web Series

 I hope everyone is getting a head start on Labor Day weekend, soaking up these last bits of summer! Earlier this week I mentioned I was asked to participate in a genius web series called "28 for 29" brainchild of the lovely and talented Julia C Smith, fellow alumni and singer of all dark room tunes! Well, today my interview was published so I had to share, you can check it out here along with the rest of the series. I tried to be very open, and talked about some things I haven't yet mentioned here on Easy Peazy, which was a little frightening because I do tend to be private, but if I can share myself without a stitch of makeup on in this post, I think I can get through opening up about anything! I want to say thank you again to Julia, it was such a pleasure working with her and hope we can do it again sometime! It is my hope that this interview inspires women to not fear age! Fear stuff that is scary! And as always remember to take in the beauty that this life has to offer, even if it means slowing down enough to see the little things.

Have a Great Weekend!

BOMW

This has been a great week, I have met some great new friends through Easy Peazy, started a few new projects, and finished some others up. I'm looking forward to Fall, my favorite season! Sad to see summer go but man do I love crisp air, and the crunching of fallen leaves under my feet, days of hot chai lattes, and huge chunky knit cowls, ahhhh, just the thought! What signifies the return of cooler days for you? Jeremy says its the smell of the fallen leaves and my ginger cookies baking.Hope, you're having a great week! Here are a few bits of mine...

Knit on!

 A new (possible tattoo) art project with toothy paper and my favorite micron pen...

Kristie's Maternity Shoot

Over the weekend I had the pleasure of working with my sister-in-law Kristie again, on a small maternity shoot. We had a blast and giggled more than we probably should have, she was glowing with excitement that day, as we planned a special Halloween bash together. We are all so incredibly excited to meet Baby Noah this November!!! I will be doing a full-term shoot with Kristie and Josh later in the fall, and will share those pictures when I can, but for now I had to share some of these candid out takes of her warming up, is she not just drenched in joy!?!  Seeing Kristie so happy makes Jeremy and I a little eager to get our "baby ball" rolling! I was asked to participate in the birth of Noah so I think all this will gear me up for when its time for our little bundle of joy to come.Thank you Kristie and Josh for allowing me to be a part of documenting your pregnancy, it was/is an honor to be asked to photograph it...

30 Approachs & Looking Back

Julia-Goolia

Last week I was asked by the beautiful and talented Julia C. Smith to participate in her ongoing web series "28 before 29". I'm so excited to be a part of this series. The whole projects aim is to give someone entering this "tumultuous" time a construct that they may not have. I think its important to look at age positively and celebrate it, not fill it with negative connotations. My interview will be up sometime this week (I just finished it over the weekend), I urge everyone to read through if your approaching this time in your life and see how other strong women survived it. Collaborating on a project with Julia (Julia-goolia as she was known in high school) got me thinking about the past and I got a bit nostalgic...

White Magick Alchemy...

Yesterday afternoon I received a lovely package in the mail that smelled so amazing I had to drop what I was doing and take a moment to appreciate the sweet smell emanating from my mailbox. Its no secret that I'm in love with essential oils and natural soaps. One of the first things I learned in organic chemistry was how to make soap, I've since had an intense appreciation for the work and care that goes into essential oil blends and the art of simplicity that goes along with its use in soaps. Fast forward a few years and while at a Reiki workshop I was given a book on aromatherapy and started using scent as a form of healing and relaxation, the book basically told me what I had known for some time-scent plays a role in mood. Since, I have been on an endless search for the perfect calming blend . I am pretty sure I found it...

  You'd be amazed at how hard it is to find blends of oils in good condition, some go rancid quickly and require delicate care, some cannot be exposed to light, and some need carrier oils before application. White Magick Alchemy is one of those few places that uses excellent ingredients and exemplifies the care and time needed to create the perfect blend. Nancy Upshaw is a genius! Not only was my Frankincense and Myrrh oil packaged to perfection but she also sent a huge blend of dried sage, lavender, and rose hips as a free gift, a beautiful post card and handwritten note. I'm so excited to try her other blends. If you are interested in trying out oils for general well-being or just want a personalized perfume alternative (that last longer than most department store brands and doesn't contain additives) then check out Nancy's website: White Magick Alchemy I recommend all of her blends but my favorite would have to be the Frankincense and Myrrh. Both of these ingredients have been used for centuries to promote relaxation, and reduce inflammation their scent  is a sweet earthy blend that is reminiscent of aged leather, vanilla and musk, with a very light note of citrus. Its complex and melodic scent will be a staple of fall for me.

Fade Out French Nail DIY

This nail DIY was inspired by the the Pamela Love runway show at the 2012 Mercedes Benz NYFW. The original Ombre look used brown and gold resembling an edgy dirty look, I chose to make it a bit more sophisticated by making the base a rose gold metallic with the faded out black french tip. I think this is an easy edgy look to pull off for fall...

My Signature Hair

As I posted yesterday, I'm trying to answer the two most popular subjects I get emailed about, yesterday was our marriage secrets, and today is my hair. My hair has underwent quite an evolution over the years, but for the most part I have kept three things consistent, the first being length. I am a very small 4'10 and weighed about 95lbs for most of my life I was insecure about my size so my hair has always been my security blanket. Aside from length my other rule of thumb is, I never blow dry, EVER! I don't even own a blow dryer to be honest, while some girls need a blow dryer I have always (like my grandmother and mother) air dried over night in a "plop". And last but not least I style with the season, I keep my hair naturally curly in the summer months, and in the fall and winter I style it depending on my mood, but more than likely as it is below. The summer is a time of rest for my curls, I do a lot of hot oil treatments and keep it in all its big curly glory. I usually have one haircut a year in the spring and I trim my ends on my own if they need it. I do not color my hair, although I do have a few gray, I cannot get over the chemical smell or feel of dye, Ive tried it 3 times in my life and absolutely regretted putting ammonia and god knows what else on my head. I just tweeze the random greys I can see and when my whole head starts to grey, well... I guess I'll rock the hell out of that too! That said, here is my signature hair, I keep it center parted mostly but still do a deep side part when I want it to be a little more sophisticated. 

Our Marriage Secrets...

The majority of emails I receive from you guys are questions regarding my marriage and my hair, The next two days I'm going to try and answer these questions to the best of my ability. I'd like to feel like I can share candidly with my readers in an open environment, but up until now I've been a bit uncomfortable in answering questions regarding my private life. My blog is new and I'm sometimes unsure what is appropriate to talk about. Usually, I'm am a very private person when it comes to my marriage but I have tried this week to be a bit more open, a testing of the waters if you will. I feel now I am ready. By far the most common question is,"whats yours and Jeremy's secret?"

So, while we vacationed I came up with a set of 10 things that we keep paramount in our marriage, the keyword being "our" These things will not work for everyone, we are all different, so take what you want from my humble list, and feel free to email privately with any other questions regarding any/all of these.

BOMW

 Campfires at the end of summer are the best.

After vacation Jeremy had the rest of the week off, it was so nice to have him all to myself everyday without the interruptions of life. Today was my first day back to normal and I must admit, me and Rilo were a bit lonely. We had a relatively busy weekend, the fair was in town so we had to go and realized that rides have gotten way faster than they were when we were kids, we both laughed/screamed so hard on the tilt-o-whirl that our abs ached the next day. On Saturday we recovered from our carnival food coma (I'm talking funnel cakes, corn dogs, candy apples, kettle corn, and cotton candy to top it all off with... side note- did you guys know there are deep fried candy cars?!? This is not an urban food legend, they exist, I have seen them in their battered flesh!). I met a donkey at the fair and me and Jeremy talked about the real issues having a pet donkey would pose, we decided against it in the end, but I went back and fed Don (I named him) a second bag of feed just to be sure, we also met a VERY friendly alpaca who gave everyone the stank eye but me, I named her Stank. Saturday night we had a campfire sleep over with Daniel and Carly, it was so nice to see them again, I had a campfire heart to heart with Daniel that was extremely therapeutic, and put a tired issue to rest once and for all, lately I've been turning to him a lot for comfort and reassurance, its always nice to have a life long friend present that can push all the meaningless stuff aside and replace it with love, positivity, and big hugs. I think we all need some of these every now and again. Daniel, if you're reading this, I don't know what I'd do with out you sometimes, I love you to bits guge.
Here is a few pics from my week. Be back soon with some fun DIYs for hair!