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!

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!

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. 

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.

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.

Chic Monday

I'm finally beginning to feel like me again.  Whew!  About time!  I got up early (ahem, 11 a.m.) to run some errands.  I threw on some jeans, a simple black tee and added my Hermes scarf as a necklace (draped loosely around my neck) and a bracelet I picked up from Banana Republic a while ago (on clearance for $6!). 

Then I headed to my Common Ground meeting at church.  Common Ground is a group of 3 Catholic churches who are working towards inclusivity of anyone, regardless of their social/financial status, citizenship status, culture, or faith.  One thing we're involved with is immigration reform.  But it's also about including people of different faiths, inviting those who are homeless into our doors, etc.  Basically it's amazing.

And I found out that one of the churches has quite a few immigrants from Western Africa who speak French so our priest is hoping to eventually have 2 French masses a month.  I mentioned that I used to be fluent and am working on becoming fluent again.  My priest lit up, because that would come in super handy.  My goal now is to work to become completely fluent again so that I can be a go between with the language barrier. 

This is something that seems to be a Godsend for me.  Because I had spent some time when G was first gone thinking about how I might want to go into working in a job that would utilize my language skills.  Because of my accent I'm good at dealing with those who might have difficulty understanding the average French speaking American.  After we discovered the pregnancy it was mentioned that French language is becoming a bit more important to our government....precisely because of Africa.  But with the baby, I knew that that would have to wait for several years.  Now, here is an opportunity for me to really use this for the greater good and still keep me close to home.

Now it's Tuesday and I am trying to keep the chic streak up.  I'm off to beautify myself a bit and then head out for some coffee and Kindle time (haven't really tried it out much) before my bocce game tonight.  I'll try and snap pics of that so I can show you what it's like!

French Friday

Lunch today was a larger one, with a small portion of salmon, a pile of steamed broccoli, a small bowl of roasted red pepper and tomato soup, and a tiny little sandwich of fresh mozzarella on garlic parmesan French bread.  I finished that up with an apple.

I have to run some errands today (mainly a few packages to the post).  Dressed in skinny jeans and a simple black tee with a scarf and red flats.  I'm also stopping in at the local yarn place to sign up for knitting classes.  And then it will be home to indulge in a cup of coffee and curl up to continue reading The Help.

There are blue skies and a light breeze.  Perfect for a slow, take care of me day.

More Sleep

Something that was often lacking while G was home (for both of us) was a good amount of sleep.  I'm naturally a night owl, so my schedule wasn't in tune with his and he sometimes got so little sleep it was harmful.  Now, I try and make sure he gets 7, from thousands of miles away.  Without me right there next to him (he feels guilty if he leaves me up, even though I can sleep in if I stay up late and he can't), he's more willing to go to bed when tired. 

I'm still trying to figure out a schedule.  For instance I stayed up late last night watching The Fighter, and went to bed early this morning.  I had to wake up by 6:30 to get the trash taken out and move the car for street cleaning.  But now, almost an hour later I'm winding back down and will be putting my eye mask on and going back to bed.  I won't set an alarm and I'll wake when my body feels it's time (or the dogs become irritable). 

More sleep is beneficial to mood as well as weight loss.  Going to bed can help you not eat late at night.  The reason you crave food late at night is because your body is exhausted and food is an energy, so you crave it to get more.  But if you go to bed, your body begins to work on healing and sleep gives you energy. 

I'm trying to implement getting at least 7 hours every night for myself.  Lately that means I go to bed earlier because I'm exhausted.  But, like today, it can also mean splitting up your sleep.  I just always try to sleep in increments of sleep cycles (approx. 1 1/2 hours).  So, 3 hours and then 3 hours.  Or 4 1/2 and then 3.

Getting a good amount of sleep is chic.....and wearing a silky eye mask to block out the light not only looks indulgent, it actually helps you get better sleep.  Does anyone else wear one to sleep?