Prep School

Spring Cleaning.  For me it's not just about your home, it's about your life as well.  And a huge part of that I touched on yesterday when it comes to providing nutrients for your body through salads.  But as simple as salads can be they can take time to prep if you don't want to shell out for the pre-cut veggies.  Now normally we buy leaf lettuce, maybe some spinach and arugula and I chop and mix them.  But for ease, we've been buying the big containers of spring mix salad. 

Still, we like a lot of vegetables in our salad.  So, in order to kind of demonstrate the easiness of it, I timed myself last night while chopping and slicing up veggies.  In an hour I had this:

That is 4 large bunches of carrots (with the greens on top so you know they're fresh), a bunch of radishes, half an English cucumber, half a large red onion, 2 red bell peppers, and a tomato.  It just took me an hour to wash and prepare all of that, and some of it (like the onions, radishes and cucumbers) I was slicing paper thin!

After that I took the time to finish tearing up the chicken we roasted (putting the bones and the gelatinous stuff in the freezer to make stock later), and also cut up 2 pineapples and 3 bananas (mixing some of the pineapple with the bananas to make a simple fruit salad for a couple days).  That bit took me less than half an hour. 

So in an hour and a half I had fresh vegetables and fruit ready, along with some protein.  Simple, no?  And we have veggies for almost the rest of the week (I'll have to slice up more onion and cucumber).  I encourage you to take an hour or 2 on a night where you have some time and just prep produce for the week.  Makes it so much simpler for the day to day!

French Night Out

Last night on a whim, G and I decided to head out to a favorite French restaurant, Tersiguel's to use up a Living Social deal we had.  I booked a table using Open Table and in the special requests section I mentioned we had a 3 month old and that a table where we could get up to take her outside if she got fussy would be nice.  When we arrived, they had us in one of the smaller rooms (the restaurant is in an old, old house).  They made sure we were perfectly comfortable and let us know we were fine and to not worry about the baby being disruptive at all.

G bouncing Nora.

The night was great.  The chef had made up a special amuse bouche (translated to mouth amuser) of toast with a eggplant mixture that I actually liked (and sadly eggplant is the one veggie I normally am not so into).  We began with an amazing spread of hors d'oeuvres of calamari, mussels, clams and shrimp.  I ordered the frog legs and the tomato garlic mixture that was with them was heavenly.  G had a pot with a variety of ham and sausage and veggies with sauerkraut...a sort of stew that was incredibly tasty.

Grenouille!

All through this, Nora was pretty well behaved.  She's been very interested in our food lately, staring at it intently, watching us chew.  I've been holding up things for her to smell and she seems to definitely be our child, though she'll have to wait a few months to taste anything.  And the staff!  At one point the maitre d' came to tell us that the entire staff was in love with her, and that that was why they kept peeking in.  They were all incredibly friendly and did seem to want to come look at her and talk to her (complementing her leopard leggings at one point).  She did need to be held most of the time, but we worked it out.

We rounded out the night with coffee and their divine creme caramel.  Then the maitre d' brought us out some house made blueberry sorbet that he thought would be a perfect palette cleanser.  It was delicious as well.  We gathered our things up, Nora nearly asleep, the maitre d' helped us outside and told me that we had made his day.  I assured him that their excellent staff had made our night wonderful.

She couldn't quite make it through dessert.

It was nice to get out for a nice dinner in a place where they were more than accommodating, to sort of feel out how Nora would be.  It was different than it was when it was just us two, but we did still manage to discuss world events, political ideologies, the new church we're attending, etc.  At the end of the night the bill was more than we had planned on spending, but I assure you it was worth every penny.  In fact, I'd be bold and say the night was absolutely priceless.

Walkabout

Crocus already in bloom, and a cute cement snail.

It has been beautiful weather lately, and in keeping with my losing weight in a normal, natural way I've been attempting to have us walk to more places.  Unfortunately the days are still shorter, but when we do catch it right (particularly on the weekends), it's been great to walk the 10 blocks up to a favorite cafe or to the farmer's market.

Nora heartily enjoys it, because she gets worn in the sleepy wrap.  It's cozy, and she gets to nap curled up against her daddy.  It's a win-win. 

Painted ladies!

Two of the large art museums here in Charm City are not very far from my home and I'm looking forward to taking walks there later this spring.  It's nice to get out and stroll again like I did in England.  Walking is great both for taking in fresh air, and for exercise, as it provides great low impact exercise.

Alert but calm.

I encourage you to get out today and see what you can explore just walking about your own area!

Culture and Culinary Pursuits

This was when they were rehearsing before it began...much easier to snap a photo before the chairs all filled up!

Yesterday we ventured out into the snow and ice to see the Peabody String Orchestra perform here at the Walter's Art Museum.  The music was beautiful.  They performed pieces by Vivaldi, Mozart and Tchaikovsky.  It was set up in this ancient Rome rotunda, with a ton of marble in the Sculpture Court, so the acoustics were phenomenal.

Then we ended up at home, and in between sparring with Scrabble, I threw together what turned out to be a delicious dinner.  First I used a small butternut squash, a acorn squash, some leftover onion, and some leftover broth and threw it together to form a curried squash soup.  Added some creme fraiche we had bought for a meal and ended up not using, and it turned into a soup we're already planning to recreate with some fresh pumpkin I roasted last night.  All of it were items I had on hand that we needed to use. 

For the main course I had purchased a lot of green beans, and instead of having leftovers, we decided to have huge bowls of roasted green beans for dinner.  But instead of simply roasting them alone, I tossed in minced shallot, cremini mushrooms and leftover ham.  So, so good we ate in silence except groans of pleasure. 

So far that's been our weekend.  Went to Williams-Sonoma because we had an $80 credit to use and picked up the Emile Henry ruffled pie die I've been lusting after for 3 years (I'm slow to buy things that are just wants), along with 2 Apilco cafe au lait bowls, which we're utilizing this afternoon because I just want to use them!  I'll be doing a post on coffee later this week, and I think those will be the star players (other than the coffee of course!).

Hope everyone has had a lovely weekend!

Using Your Best

I recently read Lessons From Madame Chic by Jennifer L. Scott (of The Daily Connoisseur), and loved it.  I read the posts on her blog, so knew what to expect, but I love the expansion on the topics.  For the most part, the life she describes is already the one we live, with the other things being ones we're working on.

One topic is about using your best items, rather than saving them for special occasions.  From dishes to dresses you should be enjoying the beautiful things you have, rather than tucking them away in a cupboard.  I have always kind of lived this mantra.  I don't save my pearls for a special event, I wear them with jeans and a t-shirt.  I don't have any special treat I make that I would save for guests...I make those things for G as well.  And I use my china daily, which recently got commented on.

My friend called it my "wedding china" on Friday while over for coffee.  I looked at her perplexed, forgetting that I had indeed gotten the china for my wedding.  To us, it's just the dishes.  Lovely and oft used, we had made the decision when moving back to the States to get rid of our huge cereal bowls and corelle dishes because we rarely used them, choosing to use our china instead.  Once I caught on to what my friend was saying I laughed a bit, because it's true.  Whether take-out or an exquisite meal, we use our china.  And more recently we've made an attempt to really use our silver for meals as well!

I feel strongly that your best should not be reserved for guests but rather used daily for those you love.  This means everything from your manners (we all know someone who people think is much nicer than they really are because of a persona they adapt for the public) to your home items.  And more than anyone else, your best should be used for you!  Everyday is a special occasion, and you and your loved ones should be the most honored people you know!

Bonjour Jamie!

Last night I went to our local Enoch Pratt library to hear Jamie Cat Callan speak.  Author of French Women Don't Sleep Alone (which I still need to read) and Bonjour Happiness, she's spent a lot of time really interviewing French women to find out their secrets for relationships and life.

I was one of the youngest people at the event, as many were of the 'femme d'un certain age' category.  Not that I mind in the least as I've found that some of my favorite people whom I admire fit that category, and live lives full of passion.  However, I do wish more younger women had chosen to attend, as I find that the information is so helpful now.  And as I find the lifestyle choices she has written about (and which I extol) to be the path to a better life, I really want more people to hear about them and make the changes needed.

G attended with me, and smiled at me often as she spoke, because as he said later, I already do so much of the things that she spoke about.  In fact when she spoke about using your good china, I laughed a bit because I have a post in the queue that is about a friend commenting that I'm the only person she knows who uses their "wedding china" and my thoughts on that.

Jamie was vibrant, and discussed everything from scarves and lingerie (matching always, something on my to do list...matching nursing lingerie), to dinner parties, dating, and living a slower life.  As I've been reading more francophile books (I just finished up Madame Chic and my review is to come) and re-reading others, this came at a perfect time.  It seemed almost fate that I found out about this speaking engagement in the wee hours of yesterday morning.  It was a delightful evening, and for those who have not read either of her books, I urge you to pick one up soon (or check your local library!).  Good reminders on why a slower, more intentional life is the way to go.

Parisian Fantasy At Its Best

Tonight G and I rented Midnight in Paris because I've heard so many good things about it.  I had no real idea what it was about, but we went for it anyway.  Which, not really knowing if I like Woody Allen films (and hearing that you either love him or hate him), was a bit risky.

It. Was. Magical.  We both loved it.  While I was worried about Owen Wilson being too goofy for the main character, he was fantastic in the role.  And with other cast members like Rachel McAdams, Carla Bruni (the French first lady!), Marion Cotillard, Kathy Bates, and Adrien Brody...it was amazing.  Never since Mean Girls have I disliked a Rachel McAdams character so much.  She's vile.

I don't want to ruin the movie for you, so I'll keep this brief.  Owen Wilson is a writer, in Paris with his fiancee and her parents.  He's a dreamer, who fantasizes about another time.  And as he strolls Paris he discovers magic.  The film is already on our list of movies to buy soon.

Oh, and bonus for my readers who watch a lot of French films...the actor who played the lead opposite Audrey Tatou in Hors de Prix has a bit role as a detective in this film.  No speaking, but an amusing part.

Moments of Luxury

Today was a beautiful day.  Slept in a bit (after not getting to sleep until 4:30), snuggled with Nora while G hit up the market for 3 dozen of the most orange-yolked eggs you can imagine (more on why so many later this week), and then got dressed and headed out for errands.

We hit up Nordstrom Cafe because I love their French dip and it would be the first time since before the pregnancy I could enjoy it's redness without having to have them cook it through.  N slept the whole time of course.  Then coffee at the Starbucks next to Whole Foods, which yes, it's Starbucks, but it's in an old mill building and is wonderful for relaxing. 

But my day got me to thinking about luxuries.  Little ones, big ones, it doesn't matter.  I hit up the La Mer counter at Nordstrom to pick up a sample of their serum to try.  It got me to discussing with G how I could care less how much the cream cost, it's a godsend to my skin.  He agreed wholeheartedly (which is why I love him) as he saw how dry my skin used to get when I tried everything under the sun.  Yes, it's pricey, but it is worth it's weight in gold to me.

We also saw some Voluspa candles and bought a black glass one in the scent black figue and chypre.  It's a sexy scent, and the black glass holder can be reused later.  We're saving it for later this winter when our bedroom is finished with new carpet and furniture as a special thing.  It was a little luxury, and one we'll enjoy (I've already admitted to being a candle hoarder!).

Via Spiga pumps   (see more via spiga shoes)

But luxuries aren't just things you buy.  Tonight I settled in with a glass (and then another) of bordeaux.  It was an $8 bottle that we've spread out over 3 nights so far (with some still left), but a perfect relaxer.  I also realized my feet were freezing and therefor not swollen at all and it would be the perfect time to try on my Via Spiga shoes I had purchased before I realized I was pregnant...the ones that last month I couldn't get on.  I was worried as I've never worn them and I love their sexiness.  Thank God, this time they fit and were super comfortable, so will get to stick around for a date night in the future. 

I think we need luxuries, both material and non.  It's the coffee break we make time for with a friend.  The pretty nail polish that makes us smile.  Even a flower you pick from your garden.  It's the things that make life better.  And a good life is a luxury indeed. 

Re-Styling

I've purchased items of clothing at thrift stores before for various reasons (other than to wear).  There's the white sweater I purchased to make the sweater pillow with flowers (yet to make, but it is absolutely getting done this winter), a silk shirt I picked up because it had a pretty pattern and I want to make myself an eye mask with it, and most recently a little dress for Nora.

I love girly ruffles so when I saw this dress from The Children's Place I got excited.  Super cute, with a little tulle flower and some tulle petticoat bit underneath.  But upon looking it over I found a small formula stain on the white material.  However, I had heard about the magical wonders of dyeing items of clothing and thought, for a few bucks I could give it a whirl.

It turned out beautiful!  I used a lot of dye because I wanted a deep purple, and got lucky because the tulle bits and even the buttons dyed a pretty pale lavender.  Unfortunately the thread did not dye too well clearly not cotton), but when the ruffles are right you can't see the thread, and the small bit on the sleeve is covered by a cardigan (because it's a sleeveless dress and it's winter). 

I also dyed a couple onesies the same purple, and have navy and kelly green dye for other items.  I'm now a dyeing convert!  It'll make it easier to keep on the lookout for second hand goods for Nora.  I'm a firm believer that babies are in clothes for short a period that you can find really barely used clothes easily, and it's a waste of money to buy everything new.  Now I can look and if something has a tiny stain but is in otherwise perfect condition I'll know that it probably can easily be dyed! 

Have you ever bought something to dye or otherwise alter?

New Normal

We've been hauling ourselves out for coffee lately.  Starbucks, local place, Einstein bagel bros coffee at the hospital.  Doesn't matter, as long as the coffee is fresh and hot and makes me feel normal again. And I think we've got to be doing this whole parenting thing wrong because I feel like me and I didn't expect that.  I wore jeans and a black sweater with my hair up in a messy bun and rocked some heels, and my Hermes scarf threaded through a fox fur collar. I really should have gotten a photo.

We went out for a nice lunch, and Nora slept the entire time.  I ordered a petite filet sandwich with caramelized onions, provolone, and a chipotle aioli.  Of course the server asked how I wanted it cooked and with bloodlust I answered RARE (it nearly came out a growl).  Turned out the meat was extremely tender and easy to eat even as a steak on a baguette. 

A meeting for Common Ground, planning for an event in January about our gifts, and how you don't need money to help someone.  Talking about building a community and I realized that I am doing that here, slowly but surely. 

And dinner was a delicious ham roasted with a glaze.  It was my first ham and I wasn't so sure about it, but it turned out to be the best damn ham I or G had ever had.  Baked potato. Some carrots.  And we called it a night.

Now it's Tuesday and we're having ham and sweet potato for lunch.  However, currently, it's just a little before 2 and we're enjoying a glass of champagne while Nora sleeps in her napper. (It's a blessing, because she's had an upset tummy for a couple days and made setting her down for very long difficult.) We're learning a new normal around here, one that involves a little dictatoress who loves to sleep as much as her mama.  It involves late night rocking and lots of under-eye concealer and mascara to help me look awake.  But it also involves a wee one who loves (LOVES) kisses and the three of us snuggling and coffee and a delicious new way of life.

So we toast to this life we're eking out here and to drinking champagne at a ridiculous hour of the day.  But let's just admit it, bubbly-o'clock can be at any time, non?

Bubbly Friday

I welcome the return of bubbly Friday.  We grabbed a bottle of Moet, and I poured gently 2 glasses so that it didn't fizz up and lose my bubbles.  I just fed Nora and I feel like a little sparkle to celebrate a whole 6 days of no hospital, no insanity. 

This week has been amazing.  Monday was the insanity (mainly good) of her newborn portraits. Tuesday and Wednesday were spent mainly in bed.  Yesterday we went out for Greek food for lunch and I finally was able to eat feta! Then onto my 2 week midwife appointment where I discovered that I've lost 33 lbs since my appt. the week before I had Nora (which was the last time I had weighed myself).  Basically I've lost nearly all the baby weight already, and can soon get to start on making sure to gradually (while still being healthy and taking care of us two) lose the weight I had wanted to lose during G's deployment. 

And today we had our 2 week pediatrician appt where she didn't have to have blood drawn for the jaundice because she's finally looking much less yellow.  Then we went to a natural food store in order to pick up vitamin D drops for her (something recommended for babies who are completely breastfed), and we stumbled across sugar plums.  They are delicious!  Finally the evening was rounded out by dinner at an Irish pub and then meeting up with a friend for coffee (of which Nora slept through almost the entire thing).

Bubbly Friday signifies the return to normalcy for me.  Life is different.  I feel I have so much to celebrate, and there is nothing better than raising a glass of champagne and saying a few words of gratitude for this life I'm living. 

Capital H Happy

 *Warning: Lots of Nora pics, the cuteness might be overwhelming!*

 

I feel like me again.  We're home now, and it looks like for good.  She's back to being our turkey rather than a sweet potato.  I'm exhausted, and actually had to face it last night that I've pushed myself nearly to the point of being hospitalized myself, so I gladly let G take the duty of getting her to sleep this morning.  If she's not passed out completely she will not sleep in her newborn napper, and I needed to sleep without holding her for a bit.  Today we slept until 8:30, and then I've taken 2 small naps since, and it's only 1:30!

We sat outside and had coffee yesterday afternoon.  She was all bundled up in her car seat, with a thing over it keeping her warm and cozy.  So we sat and had a normal moment.  I've been lucky, and while my jeans from before don't quite fit with me being still soft, all my tops do, and in fact better than before.  My coat I could finally button up again easily, and I was wearing my leopard kitten heels (which I also was wearing 2 days before having her when we went out for a nice lunch).  I just felt like myself again.  I loved being pregnant.  But I also love knowing I can reach for something and won't knock something else off with my belly! 

I need to feel like myself, to still pay attention to how I present myself to the world.  I want her to know she can be more than one thing.  She can be mother, wife, and also woman.  That hats are fashionable and it's okay to wear many.

I'm not supposed to diet is what the midwife told me.  I just laughed and explained that I love food and it's the holiday season...diet is a dirty word all the time, but most especially now.  She laughed and agreed.  I look forward to working out, to toning up this body that is so strange to me (I'm noticeably thinner now than I was before, even if the jeans are not fitting).  To seeing how this new waist accentuates the hourglass even more.  And my arms should tone up in no time thanks to our chunky monkey! But I can't diet when my intake impacts her (and impacts my ability to eat delicious treats).

It's a weird place, to have been so happy you felt you'd reached the top only to discover a secret new level.  I am Happy.  I have spent the past few days looking introspectively at things, realizing mistakes I had made attempting to get here, and also seeing past hurts in new ways.  It's been wonderful.  I feel like this is both a continuation of who I am and a new start.

I'd ramble more but I have chicken noodle soup to cook and banana bread to make and a tiny face to kiss.  Suffice to say, this is a delightful holiday season.

*Wrote this yesterday afternoon, ended back up in the ER for ridiculous reasons (even the ER docs weren't sure why the pediatrician had us sent in for such a small thing), so have not yet made soup or banana bread...we're determined to get to it today.

Niche

*First I want to say a huge thank you to all of you for your lovely comments and e-mails these past few days.  You all are fantastic and you cannot even imagine how much the support and shared stories have meant to me.  Merci beacoup!*

I'm currently reading Lunch in Paris, which I picked up about a month ago and promptly left it in the bag as I pushed through older classics.  So, knowing I was going to be enjoying dinner outdoors at a cafe tonight I threw it into my bag to read, and though only 100 pages into it, I love it already.  A line hit me as she was describing her childhood that "my worst fear, even then, was to be ordinary."  I can completely relate, as I think most people secretly can.  I don't think anyone sets out to be described as "ordinary" but too often as we meander through life, staying in safe routes, we find ourselves feeling very ordinary.  Because let's face it, when we step off the well beaten path we're often looked at as if we have 2 heads. 

I've found that in this last year I basically decided that I would warn my friends that if they didn't want to hear my honest thoughts on any subject they should warn me ahead of time.  Clearly this is sometimes a judgement call.  If a friend is bemoaning her stomach as she tries on a bikini top (completely unwarranted bemoaning at that) it isn't the time to tell her to just go and work on crunches then.  But I might suggest we start walking after meals together.  However, if you complain that you can't eat anything because you're trying to lose weight, but I see that you use faux food and low-fat everything, prepare for a lecture on why that sort of American eating doesn't help anyone, unless you're okay with starving yourself.  On another topic, if you are whining about finances but spending unwisely in an effort to cheer yourself up, well,  it depends entirely on our relationship.  If you're just wanting someone to say "that sucks" I can do that, but if you want advice on how we make it work on one salary, I can give that aplenty. 

Basically I've begun to feel very sure in the life decisions that G and I have made.  We choose quality over quantity.  We eat less but eat better.  We buy a good prosecco and choose a good French champagne only for special occasions.  We take in beautiful walks and free art museums, spending only enough to grab coffee at an outdoor cafe or a paper to sit on a bench and read in a little haven park in the middle of the city.  We split a croissant and mmm at the buttery flakiness that is a well made pastry.  And more than anything I've learned how to cook things that anyone could learn to cook, but which look like a meal from an upscale restaurant.

I've found my niche.  I've learned that apologies for life choices that have nothing to do with another person are sad and come across as unsure.  And I'm not unsure about my life.  I lead an extraordinary life as a general rule.  Certainly I have days that are less so, but in choosing to live a life true to my own self, those days are very few and far between. 

The greatest truth I can offer anyone is that you must remain true to your own beliefs and not be swept away in a tide of other people's opinions.  Find that port in the storm.  For me, it's finding other women who fight the norm and live in a similar manner to myself, a network of resources and support.  It's my husband who has turned into a cafe-sitting-city-dweller in the blink of an eye, who supports (more) expensive purchases because he believes as I do that you get what you pay for, and we buy less to compensate. 

For you it may be people who get together and create delicious canned goods or beautiful art together.  Or a moms/wives group of women who hold similar beliefs and support even the differences.  Your niche is your own, and once you've found it you'll find others notice your blossoming.  You'll become the one they describe as self-assured.  It's a balance of beliefs and respect for others that will earn you high approval even from those who have different niches. 

So, in fair warning I do plan to censor myself less here and to voice my opinions truthfully on some topics.  You can mainly expect this to be on topics such as food, health, beauty, and culture.  But really, it could be anything I happen upon.  A chic life is not happened upon, it is cultivated through an attention to the details that matter to you.  Welcome to a much more outspoken chic life. 

Day of Indulgence

I rolled out of bed this morning and threw some clothes on (skinny jeans, navy tank, grey cardi, silver chains and leopard kitten heels). I made a point to try and do a bit more eyeliner (my favorite make-up item) and some taupe shadow (NARS Corfu) with lots of mascara.  I've been watching youtube videos like crazy, trying to learn to do some of my favorite looks.  Then it was off to the land of happy (a.k.a. the salon).

*Now, before we continue I think it should be noted that I apparently have no shame.  I found the whole process highly amusing and at one point was trying to figure out if I should whip out an eye pencil and draw a big mole on the side of my face because I was pretty sure that for a half hour I looked like something from the powdered days of France... you'll see.*

I went in at 1 and left at 4 and that alone is insane.  My next appointment is for a cut and color and I'm thinking that I'm going to be there a while.  I rolled up to the gate, beeped in, and then as soon as I entered the salon got some ice water and stalked the coffee percolator, waiting for my caffeine fix.  Made some coffee and settled in while Oriel mixed up the colors.  I went for a glaze base, then highlights and lowlights.  It's subtle, it looks natural, but a little less "cute" and a little more "badass."

Midway through. At one point he said I was like Lady Gaga to which I responded "that b**ch ain't got nothing on me."  There were also plenty of jokes about trying to hide from aliens.

I made this super weird expression. We dyed my eyebrows too (which I love because it really defined them and I think I like them for the first time in my life!)... hence wanting a mole.  I looked super pale with super dark hair and eyebrows.  Wish I knew how to photoshop better...

View from my cafe at lunch.  Love the Mount Vernon neighborhood.

Toulouse sausages, spiced lentils and grilled baguette with a parsley puree. 

Delicious berry tart.

Wait, what?  You wanted to see my hair?  Oh, sorry...

As you can see, it's not really as dark as the pics make it look.  Though it does look dark in person, nothing too drastic.  

Super shiny and had very little body thanks to how sleek the whole process made it.  We also put moroccan oil in it, and I bought some (holy moley it's expensive!) to use at home.  My hair felt so much like silk I kept running my hands through it.  And my lovely stylist spent the time kind of instructing me on how to dry it to get my bangs trained and to get some more fluff.  I'm going to be trying to make some sexy waves in it this weekend to see how that goes.  It's still long enough for a chignon and a ponytail for the heat.  

I'm in love with the color.  I'm even more in love with my eyebrows.  This was exactly what I needed when I'm feeling so frumpy.  Next on the list is going through my wardrobe, switching seasons out and re-visiting my Planned Purchases Database.  I really feel the need to hunt down the motorcycle boots soon.  Because my hair finally looks like "me."

Ch-Ch-Changes

I went tonight to my salon to have my hair cut.  It was bugging me with the length and the fact that the layers weren't really there any more, and it was just blah. Case in point... me having lunch today:

Delicious lunch.

Not so delicious hair.

My stylist rocks though, and as soon as I told her what I wanted she went to town to give it to me.  (side note, my salon rocks and they have things like coffee and soda and wine available to enjoy while you're there... I may or may not have had about 1/8 cup of red wine.)  As we cut into it, we chatted about vacations and such.  Then moved onto coloring it to cover my shocking white-as-snow hairs that have been popping up (thanks Grandma!)...which I'll be doing tomorrow afternoon.  And we discussed how we're both kind of in love with makeup tutorials on youtube.  But anyway, in the end she kindly snapped a photo for me since it was so humid I knew as soon as I left the salon the body would fall.  So, voila:

Looking at this photo, I kind of love my natural color.  However, the white hairs have to go.  She suggested a subtle ombre coloring, but after looking it over online tonight I think I'd prefer just some dimensional shading with some deep chocolates and some lighter browns to define all the layers.  We'll discuss as she's doing my eyebrows tomorrow...the dang bushes!

So, what do you think?  I'm loving the longer, messy bangs.  And the length gives me just enough to pull back on hot days.

The Company You Keep

Having spent the last 3 months living completely on my own has actually not been a bad thing.  People were shocked before he left when I said I had helped plan out the fact that he was deploying at all.  People have been shocked since that I've had one afternoon of sadness when he'd been gone a week or two, but it was over in less than half an hour.  I talk to my husband nearly every day.  And more importantly, being alone does not have to equal lonliness.

It helps that I enjoy my own company.  I'm rarely bored, because there is always a book to read or something to tidy up.  I make a point to meet with friends for meals and coffee.  And I'm busy with classes, bocce league, and grocery shopping (which seems to be a constant thing lately for grapes!).

But I also have found I have no problem going to lunch by myself.  Or sitting at a cafe and reading or knitting.  I don't find the silence heavy.  The weather has been glorious, not too warm, not too breezy.  And one lunch out I spent it eating... and writing a somewhat risque note to my husband on my new Crane letter paper.  It felt deliciously fun to be doing so while sitting in a cafe full of "ladies who lunch."

Tonight, I plan to spend the evening sitting at an outdoor cafe enjoying a simple ham and cheese sandwich and some iced tea.  I've finished Jane Eyre and am in the middle of The Picture of Dorian Gray, so that and my scarf should keep me busy.  But I refuse to act as a recluse when the weather is beautiful.  Life is too short to not learn to enjoy your own company.  After all, it's the company you always keep.

Supporting The Community

I will be the first to admit that I love things from France, England, and Italy (depending on what we're discussing).  Our favorite brand of pasta is Italian, our favorite breakfast addition is Heinz baked beans (a British thing, and yes we make people try it!), and France has too many things to name.  And that's just food.  I also love products from there (clothing, jewelry, kitchen items).  I think in the end if you are as careful with your purchases as we are, you will be attempting to get the best item you can afford that will last a long time. 

Image from City Paper... this is only one room of the restaurant

But, I'm also huge into supporting local businesses.  I've gotten to the point where I really prefer local coffee houses, restaurants, patisseries and bakeries (still searching for an excellent bakery here).  I'm not a fan of chain restaurants, since I find that the food is generally not as thought out or exciting...large bland portions are not where I want to spend my money.  Our first love here, Clementine is not just a restaurant that uses as much local produce (and now eggs) that they can, but their meats are usually done in house, since they are also a charcuterie.  Their bacon is delicious.  The owners are fantastic people--- it's a husband and wife who really care about their food.  And they serve our local Zeke's fair trade organic blend of coffee cheap... $1.50 for unlimited refills! 

The tree outside the yarn store!

I also have been trying to give my business to locals when I feel they are offering just as good of a service.  My knitting classes are at a local place called Lovelyarns rather than going to a place like JoAnn's.  What I love about this place is the friendliness of the owner and her teachers, and that she has quality yarn... including some locally dyed and spun!  I'm still on the hunt for other local places for things like pet care (Audrey needs to be groomed and after asking a bunch of people and no good recommendations, I'm gonna have to break down and take her to PetSmart soon), furniture restoration (we're having my grandmother's dining table restored before the baby comes), and I'm on the hunt for a bicycle shop to restore a couple old bikes that a friend's mother (after I offered to buy them) is graciously giving us. 

And then there is food.  One Straw Farm is our CSA and I will stick with them unless we ever reach a point where we're not in the area.  They have been absolutely fantastic, and I cannot gush about them enough.  Through their links we've also contacted a couple other farms: one to try and get into their chicken co-op for next year ($200 upfront, but 2 chickens a month that are outside, on grass, no hormones or antibiotics...and we love some roasted chicken!) and another farm to stock up a deep freezer with pastured beef, pork, lamb, and goat (we may need 2 freezers!).  And of course we try and get local, truly free-range eggs when we can.  Our milk situation is a bit tricky, but currently we're drinking grass-fed organic milk from the store until after the baby comes. 

I think supporting your local farms and small businesses is an excellent way to keep the area around you chic and more economically sound.  And remember, places like that will remember you, you will form relationships, and you will be the better for it.

Goal Changes

Obviously with the new petit addition to our family coming, my goals for this time away from G have changed majorly.  (Oh, and for those who are curious, apparently the escargot is the size of a key lime!)  Here was what I had planned for this summer, and how that is now changing:

* Losing the last 35-45 lbs.-- It would have put me at my perfect medically healthy weight, however, I'm now looking at gaining 25-30.  Joy.  I'm not really concerned though, hopefully the breastfeeding will take that off pretty quickly.  And it's all for a good cause, right?

* Dyeing my hair-- Um, yeah, I have grey hairs, have for years.  Now they're beginning to bug me.  I say they either need to come all in and have me chic with a silver white shoulder length bob, or they need to go away.  I'm still looking into options for this, since I know they recommend not dyeing your hair while pregnant.  (But let's face it, I'll probably work something out with my stylist about ventilation and do it anyways....I'm a risk taker like that.)

* Putting extensions in for volume-- While I have nice thick hair, it's also super fine, and with the hard water I've lost quite a bit of it.  When you move back from England and your stylist gasps and asks what you've done you know it's bad.  I'm supposed to be installing a water softener, but have been too tired to deal with setting that up.  I'm not sure whether I'll be bothering with the extensions now or not, seems like a lot of a hassle for a pregnant woman.

* Eyelash extensions-- My eyes are my best feature....random strangers comment on them frequently.  But I'm so tired of dealing with the eyelash curler and mascaras.  I need to look into whether or not I can get this done while pregnant, but I don't see why not (in fact, you have to keep your eyes closed while they do it, so it might be a nice nap).  It may be my little treat before G comes home.

* Running-- I was going to be continuing with my goal.  I still plan to walk briskly and jog throughout this pregnancy (once I can go more than a couple hours without needing a nap), but running is kind of out for the moment. (We had a bit of a minor scare when we first found out we were pregnant and so I don't plan to do anything to risk my lower abdomen getting injured.)  Look for next year's post on how to go running after having a baby when you're not a natural born runner.

* Lingerie-- Specifically French and Italian luxe silk and lace lingerie.  Hmmm....this is about as out as our trip to Paris.  I'm currently looking into the fun world of nursing bras and hoping to find some pretty/sexy ones as well.  Keep your fingers crossed for me.

* Jeans-- I had planned as one of my final rewards for the weight goals to buy a pair or two of nice designer jeans that fit me perfectly (I'm a fan of J Brand).  The closest I am coming to this is Joe's Jeans maternity jeans, and I'm only considering those.

* Green silk dress-- My final, kept the weight off for 2 months reward was going to be a custom fitted one shouldered green silk dress from Europe.  I've been in love with this piece for ages.  However, it's obviously out for another year.  Instead I'm hoping to have a silk dress made for my final month of pregnancy, because I am not giving up on my goal to see The Nutcracker in D.C. this year.  It might be our final nice date out before the little one arrives. 

* Make-up lessons-- One of my goal rewards was going to be to find a place and take some make-up lessons.  I'm a failure at blush, and I feel so lost trying to do my eyes.  I think I'm still going to be doing this as a reward for being pregnant while G's gone (I love making up reasons why I need to do this).  My reasoning is that if I don't find the time to do it now, I sure as hell won't find the time later.  And as much as I love make-up it would be a worthwhile investment of time and a little money. 

Yes, most of these goals had to do with outward appearances.  I was planning to shock the hell out of my husband when he came home.  I think a basketball on the front of my body will be shocking enough, though.  The things like working on my French and learning knitting I'm still doing.  And I would still love to work on my violin.  If I can get my fingers flying again then I plan to begin searching for a new violin (I still have my student one I've had since I was 10), an antique preferably with a deep sorrowful tone.  I plan to have my children learn music (strings, piano, and percussion as a nod to G), so it will be good for me, and eventually good for them (I'd also like to learn the cello, an instrument I used to be able to play a bit on). 

It's been a hard week for me.  I've finally hit the point of mild panic where I've had to mourn what I'm giving up to have this child.  Not that I've had any second thoughts, simply an acceptance of what will be changing.  I think too many women say to themselves, "Oh, get over it, it's all worth it."  But I think to be mentally healthy you need to also acknowledge that the changes are going to be big, and may not all be as welcome as you'd like to pretend.  It's about accepting them, realizing you don't have to lose you, and finding new goals for the interim.  Chic is not about life being perfect, it's about accepting all of life and finding your niche to love.

French Friday Mini Adventure

 Blue necklace from 31 Bits, made by women in Uganda....I get compliments on it everywhere!

Yesterday we were out of power all day.  All the dang day.  It came on at exactly 3:25 this morning, waking me.  What a way to start the day! 

However, yesterday I had gone for coffee and window shopping with a friend.  At an antiques store I had spied a milkglass crucifix candle that was beautiful, but didn't pick it up.  It called to me last night and so today I spoke with G about it and decided to go back and get it before it was snatched up.  Luckily it was still there, and now is sitting with a beeswax candle in it (so I could show G).

Then I stepped in next door and found a carved wood frame that suits our home perfectly.  We're not shabby chic, and in fact, our home certainly has more of a chic with antiques, but not too worn look.  However these pieces are excellent to make it look a little less stuffy.  Look for it when I finish up one of our art walls.

And then I stopped for lunch at a little place called Soups On.  It was pretty good food.  The asparagus salad with chopped eggs was delicious.  And they served Kerrygold butter with the bread, which took this place from nice to wonderful in 2 seconds flat.  These stores are in old homes with front porches (much like the homes a bit north of us).  So I sat outside on the porch to eat and watch the world pass by. 

A simple day, I'm home now browsing etsy for other pieces for our home.  I keep an eye out for chalkware statues of saints, antique christening gowns, and even came across a carousel horse G and I have both decided is a necessity for a future playroom (who doesn't want their own actual carousel horse?).  Life is beautiful.

Chic Just Isn't

I think sometimes as a society we can try and categorize everyone.  Put everyone into little boxes.  We even do it to ourselves, trying to check off boxes for a certain category, even if they don't work for us.  That's why as much as my style tends to lean towards european chic, it also has a bit of 1940's glam and rock n' roll badass.  And I'm perfectly okay with being less in a box and more the center of an awesome venn diagram.

Because being chic, well, it's about being you.  It's not about fitting into a category.  It isn't about being someone you think you should be.  It's getting up in the morning with an "I rock attitude" and throwing on an outfit that makes you feel beautiful, confident and strong.  It's about feeling comfortable in your own skin, rather than feeling like you need to slather another one on. (not to say you can't wear a bunch of fun make-up, because that can completely rock!)

Chic just isn't about a certain look or way of acting.  It's about being you, and loving that.  And if you're a reader coming here for a daily dose, I hope I deliver most of the time.  But really, this is my place to just type.  To be authentic.  To be my version of chic.  Yours can be completely different and just as amazing.

Chic stops people in their tracks.  It's a way of dressing with care to look like you.  It's a way of holding yourself with calm confidence.  Chic doesn't have to be loud or showy (but we all have moments where that is precisely what chic is).  Chic is being comfortable in your skin.  Get that down and you may have off days, but you will not falter on this path.

The one thing chic is, is this:  Lemmings need not apply.