(My beautiful succulents. Some of these didn’t survive a recent freeze.)
Happy New Year! I hope you had a restful holiday break. Ours was quiet, and the temperature was very warm, but it’s getting cold again and we’re expecting a freeze tomorrow. We had a hard freeze in early December (hard for central Texas is 29 degrees), and I didn’t take the time to cover my outdoor plants. That was a big mistake, and I lost a few that I’ve had for several years. I spent a few minutes today bringing in pots of newly-purchased elephant bush, and I won’t let them get frostbitten this time around. The end of 2016 was busy, as I’m sure it was for you, and I just had to let a few things fall to the wayside, like my poor plants.
I’m not one to make resolutions, and I’m feeling very content with my life these days. I’m not blogging as frequently, but I’ve had other things to focus on, which is nice, too. I’m keeping a running list of topics to write about, and I know that there’s a season for everything. After I finished graduate school, I didn’t write for years. But blogging became a daily routine when my boys were very young and I desperately needed a creative outlet of my own. Now that both of my little guys are in elementary school, I have more time to myself each day. The hours go quickly, with errands, appointments, volunteering, and the crazy afternoons of homework and after-school events. Sometimes, I wish I had more time to write, but it will come when it’s time.
In October, we adopted a young dog, and she has brought so much happiness to our family in two short months. I never considered myself a dog person before, and we joke that Marnie is part cat because of her size and agility, but now I understand the devotion so many people have to their animals. Marnie quickly won my heart, and I spent much of the fall outside, working to housebreak her. She has adjusted to our home and family very well and we are definitely her pack now. I even cut my hair into a blunt bob, like a new mom, because it’s easier to maintain when I’m outside in the heat and humidity.
(Miss Marnie.)
Over the holiday break, I read a few interesting books and watched some fun documentaries, and I hope to write about them soon. I’m making a real effort to buy less clothing this year, and I’ve got my daily uniform perfected. But I love supporting ethical brands and learning about sustainable trends, and I’ll be profiling some as we move into spring. I’ll also continue to review beauty products for EcoCult, and I’m hoping to write a series about my personal favorite products, too. All in good time, I guess.
I hope your break was restful and your January is off to a good start. See you soon.
If, like me, you’re horrified by the atrocities in Syria and the current humanitarian crisis in Aleppo, there’s a small way you can help today. Austin-based non-profit Circle of Humanity International, dedicated to the health of women and babies, is working to support the last remaining hospital in Aleppo, which will close at the end of the year if its monthly budget of $40,000 is not raised. Iman Hospital, originally an obstetrics and pediatric clinic, is now the last source of hope for injured civilians and they are treating all injuries, as well as delivering babies daily. Financial donations are desperately needed and a small amount can help make a difference for the citizens unable to flee this terrible war. Please consider donating today.
For more information, here’s an informative interview with COHI’s deputy director.
Here’s the website and Instagram account for COHI, which is updated regularly.
Here’s the direct link to the donation page. (It’s my understanding that all funds donated now will be given directly to Aleppo, though COHI also supports efforts in other areas, including Standing Rock.)
And here’s a current link to The Guardian’s coverage of the crisis in Aleppo. It is updated in real time as the evacuation continues.
Update, January 2017: The hospital has been forced to evacuate and the care providers are using mobile clinics throughout the city. They are still in need of donations.
I have vivid childhood memories of borrowing my mom’s Adrien Arpel style books and pouring over them for hours. These days, I’m more likely to follow style and beauty bloggers, but I absolutely love it when one decides to write a book. Two new releases caught my eye recently and I’ve been perusing them this fall.
Estée Lalonde, the beloved vlogger, has been hard at work on her book, and Bloom: Navigating Life and Style debuted in October. I ordered a copy as soon as it was available in the United States, and I loved it so much that I sent a second copy to a friend. Reading Bloom is really like reading Lalonde’s private journal, and she shares an openness and vulnerability that doesn’t always come across in her videos. I admire her casual style and share a love of beauty products, so I loved indulging in this book in one sitting. The design and photography are beautiful as well, and it’s an inspiring story that’s perfect for young women.
Lalonde actually mentioned the second book in a recent vlog, and I was intrigued. The New Garconne: How to be a Modern Gentlewoman by Navaz Batliwalla of Disneyrollergirl focuses on a specific aesthetic that is always in style. It’s a great alternative to more mainstream style blogs, and I’m enjoying its profiles of “gentlewomen.” This book is currently on the top of my nightstand and I hope to feature a more in-depth discussion about it soon.
Next, I’m planning to dig into Deep Run Roots, the new cookbook and more by Vivian Howard. Ryan and I have watched several seasons of A Chef’s Life on PBS, and this book, which is as big as a college textbook, is filled with stories of Howard’s life in North Carolina, as well as many of her delicious recipes. The upcoming break will be the perfect time to curl up and enjoy it.
What are you reading lately?
