Escape anyone?

Sometimes there are days...and sometimes, there are weeks...that you may wish for/need an escape. 

Maybe you need an escape from your loving, well-behaved children who always use their "inside voice" (there is sarcasm there, by the way) ...or maybe from your ever-constant dirty home that hangs over your head, berating your neglect...or maybe from the self-imposed, all-consuming hectic state that surrounds you wherever you go, like the dust cloud that envelopes Pigpen.  

For most of us, there will always be a reason not to, but what would if you could...how would you escape?

{ Would you go to a hidden room in your home? }

{ ... or a secret garden? }

{...would you choose to be alone? }

{ ...or lost in a crowd? }

{ Would you want to feel sheltered ? }

{ ...or unfettered? }

{ Would you want to concentrate on your breathing? }

{ ...or try your hardest to lose your breath? }

{ Would you take a mid-day nap? }

{ ...or stretch your legs? }

{ Would you treat yourself? }

{ ...or give yourself a treat? }

{ Would you want to commune with the earth? }

{ ...or indulge in a session of retail therapy? }

No matter what your escape may be...go and find it. 

Whether it be a deserted island in the middle of the Caribbean...or a beautiful cupcake right around the corner.  

Everyone will be happy that you did...Seriously.  

Every one : )

The Friday Five...

{ drinking freshly made lemonade on a warm day }

{ Finding perspective when you least expect it }

{ Loving my new muffin pan from IKEA...more of what I love most...the crust }

{ Finishing everything on my "things to do" list.  Sometimes, a check and a line through it are not enough...there has to be a scribble }

{ Two down... }

What are your Five?

My new favorite thing...Smash journals

I came across these K&Company Smash journals the other day and promptly fell in love with them. I am guilty of tearing out every picture in magazines or books that inspire me.  For years, I have pasted them in spiral bound notebooks or put them in 3 ring binders... never being truly satisfied with my unorganized attempt to keep my favorite images at my fingertips.  

Now, I see the perfect solution.  These Smash journals come in a variety of themes which are perfect to keep your inspirations organized.  Now you can have your recipes, interior design, wedding ideas, and your favorite memories preserved and easy to find.  All of the journal pages speak to the theme and make it easy for you to do justice to your favorite inspirations.

Here are a few pages from the Retro Style Smash Journal:

 ...and here are a few pages from the Pretty Style Smash Journal:

...and here are a few pages from the Wedding Style Smash Journal:

There are lots of accessories and tools carried in the Smash line:

{ caption tabs }

{ Sticky labels }

{ date stamper }

{ Smash list pads }

{ ...and each journal comes with a combination pen/ glue stick }

You can find these Smash journals at a variety of places, but I found mine at Michael's.  They are $12.99 each.  I don't think you could buy the paper for that much...it's a pretty good deal. 

I see these journals as my own pinterest boards come to life.  For anyone who still likes to pick up a book or wants to carry their inspirations around with them, these journals can fulfill that need. 

I can't wait to organize the immense pile of magazine pages sitting on my bedside table.  I am determined to reclaim order in my home and in my head...no matter how long it takes : )

 

 

 

DIY Body Scrubs: Salt and Sugar

Citrus Salt Scrub

1 cup of organic sea salt

1/4 cup sweet almond oil

1/2 tsp lemon zest

1/2 tsp orange zest

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl.  Pour mixture into an airtight container and store in a dry, cool place.

Directions for use:
Stir the salt scrub just before use.  Just before exiting the shower, apply the scrub onto skin in a circular motion.  Rinse off the mixture and pat body dry with a clean towel.

Toasted Vanilla Sugar Scrub

1 cup of organic cane sugar

1/3 cup organic sea salt

1/2 cup sweet almond oil

30 drops of vanilla essential oil

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl.  Pour mixture into an airtight container and store in a dry, cool place.

Directions for use:
Stir the salt scrub just before use.  Just before exiting the shower, apply the scrub onto skin in a circular motion.  Rinse off the mixture and pat body dry with a clean towel. 

These scrubs will soften your skin and give you that summer glow that we all love.  

Enjoy!

The Lowline...oh, the possibilities

Back in October, I visited New York and walked the High Line - it was amazing!   Now I have even more reason to be excited about another trip to New York.  Last time it was the High Line...next time, it will be the Lowline.

Where the Highline transformed an abandoned railroad trestle that ran a full story above the city streets...the creators of the Lowline want to transform an abandoned trolley terminal on the lower East side into the world's first underground park. 

The Delancey terminal is 1.5 acres or 60,000 square feet.  Can you imagine an underground park the size of Gramercy Park?  This project is still in the idea and fundraising stages, but I am excited about the mere possibility of this monumental idea. 

This is what the terminal looks like today...

{source}

 

...and this is their vision for it.

{source}

{source}

Check out the kickstarter website and the video below to find out more about the groundbreaking technology that will be employed in the building of the Lowline. 



Imagine the possibilities...the number of cities that can be transformed using this concept...it truly is mind-boggling.