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...