Weekly Cups of Tea (2/28-3/6)

Oh, do I have a variety of favorites for you, my readers, this week!  I hope you enjoy.

 

1. Springtime in Paris

With March having just begun, I am itching to get out and dig in the dirt, pot my tomatoes (don’t worry, I’m not putting them outside just yet), and watch the colors of spring reveal themselves.  And what better way to welcome the buds of spring than by starting in Paris.  Sasha of Everything Fabulous  posted some absolutely beautiful photos of the City of Lights that I just had to include this week.  Click on the heading above or the photo below to be taken to even more gorgeous shots, along with a lasting thought to ponder.

2. Terrific Tiramisu

Janelle of Talk of Tomatoes posted a recipe I can’t wait to try for making tiramisu with just six ingredients. Now, if that doesn’t make you want to bustle into the kitchen and whip up a decadent dessert, than the photo below just might.  To find the recipe and read her commentary as to where she found it (hint – a Tuscan road trip), click on the photo below.  Bon Appétit!

 

3.  Enthusiasm, Courtesy of Julia Child 

Speaking of bon appétit, Gretchen Rubin of The Happiness Project focused on Julia Child’s enthusiasm and how it indeed helps one cultivate more happiness in their lives.  Click here to read exactly how enthusiasm is something we all should include in our day to day routines.   

 

4.  Where to Find Inspiration  

As someone who enjoys writing, I find myself being inspired by the oddest things.  It may be an image I see plastered on a billboard, or a bull lazily soaking his feet in a river, or more often than not, an article or book I’m reading that sparks my thoughts.  But sometimes, for no reason what’s so ever, I have a hard time finding inspiration.  However, after reading Zen Habits’ suggested list of ways and places to derive inspiration, I am no longer worried that I will ever be at a loss for finding inspiration.  Click here to read his list so that you too will forever be inspired.

5.  Be Inspired! 

To provide a bit more inspiration, Kate of The Neo-Traditionalist posted a quote I immediately found myself writing down in my idea journal.  Click on the link above to continually enjoy daily quotes, lovely finds and daily inspiration at her website.

Enjoy a beautiful Sunday!

Weekly Cups of Tea (2/14-2/20)

What a week!  A short week in logistical terms, but it packed a full punch of meetings and long hours. Thankfully though, many positive moments were found amongst the chaos.  I hope your week, however long it was, was one that brought many moments of pleasure and optimism no matter how busy.

Through the hectic pace I wanted to make sure I caught glimpses of the many collections on display in New York.  It appears that it was a very successful week that has me itching and ready to get out and shake up my closet.  Can’t wait for my budget to catch up to my day dreams!

I am continually finding new blogs that bring a positive spin to this thing we call life in their own unique way, and I’ve included a few of their posts below.  I also repeatedly find inspiration in my go-to favorites, so what you will find this week is a little bit of everything.  Enjoy perusing through my selected favorites from this past week.

 

1. Moody Office Space

A Life More Fabulous posted an idea that I, when I have more time, am thinking about trying in my own office when it comes to the decor surrounding my desk. Especially for us creative types, we must be inspired when we sit down to write, and if the atmosphere is monotonous where does that lead us?  Click on the heading above to see how one artist keeps it fresh in her office.

 

 

2. French Bread Anyone?

At the beginning of the week Fabulously French taught me something quite interesting about the French culture.  Did you know that boulangeries are prohibited from using any preservatives in their bread?  It’s no wonder that delicious bread is innately associated with France.  Click on the heading above to learn a few more interesting facts about bread and how it is produced in France.  I think I will be picking up a fresh baquette with dinner tonight.  Bon soir!

 

3. Channeling Brigitte Bardot

Sticking with a French theme for another moment, Sasha of Everything Fabulous posted some fabulous pictures that are reminiscent of the ever beautiful Brigitte Bardot.  Adorned with the bouffant hair, headband, charcoaled eyes, along with gorgeous looks, it only seems right to wear the nautical navy and white stripes.  This is just one of the many beautiful photos. Click on the photo or header to view them all.

 

4. What Really Is Making Us Fat?

Struggling to be Stylish broached an intriguing question that has been floating around in the blogosphere, news media and conversational world lately, and I’d be curious to know what you think.  Do kitchens that open up to the dining room, living room, what have you, promote overeating?  Read her post to get the big picture, and I’d love to hear your opinion. It certainly gave me a moment of pause.

 

5. An Inspiring Thought

This week I’d like to end with a bit of inspiration from a fellow blogger.  Under the Sheets . . . shhh is a blog I recently came across, and am glad to have done so.  Her thoughts are positive and her insights honest. Click on the above heading or the photo below to read her inspiring words of optimism.

Weekly Cups of Tea (1/24-1/31)

1. Being Oneself

Sasha of Everything Fabulous, regularly shares with her readers posts that involve an abundance of lovely fashion, lifestyle, home decor and quite simply exquisite photography. I recently found a quote on her blog that was inspiring, and as I was reading it I found myself nodding my head in agreement. Take a peek and read for yourself.

2. Breakfast in Bed

Sunday morning, hopefully sunshine is streaming through your window and a delicious breakfast is on its way to your bed.  But what to make? Smitten Kitchen posted a recipe for sour cream pancakes that looks like it might just fit the bill. Yumo!

3. Happiness is . . .

Gretchen Rubin of The Happiness Project interviewed Hannah Seligson, author of A Little Bit Married and I found myself again, for the second time this week, nodding my head as I read along in agreement.  One comment in particular,

“Happiness is an improvisation.  You figure out what works for you.  It’s a process of tweaking.” 

Click on the heading link above to read the rest of the interview, I think you might just like it.

And speaking of happiness, Gwen of Ragland Hill Social compiled a bundle of reader’s mentions regarding what they felt was needed in order to live a beautiful, happy life. Each statement is paired with a photo (the photo above is one of my favorites) that correlates with its message. Lovely idea and sure to bring a smile and stir your creative juices.  Click here or on the photo to have a look.

4. Tote for Work

Okay, so Everything Fabulous has made the list twice this week, but I couldn’t exclude this simply beautiful, yet functional tote that is soon to be my future tote for work.  Banana Republic kept it simple, classic and large enough to be effective for those of us who are caring papers, lunch, heels (for happy hour of course!) and anything else we will need throughout the day and want to still let our outfit do the talking.

5. Simply Beautiful

Mary Jo Matsumoto of Trust Your Style, in an effort help relief efforts in Haiti, posted the photo below that I can’t stop gawking at. It reminds me of the Oregon Coast, yet with the fawn bounding along, it evokes a bit of a fairy tale quality. Along with the photo is a lovely list of simple things that make your soul sing. Take a peek, it will make you think.