Book

BOOK LIST // Wild, Crazy Love, Silent Tears

April 26, 2013

april book list

I can’t tell you how excited I am for warm weather. I love love warm weather. They are getting our pool ready to open soon (yes that’s pretty early, but it’s heated) and I cannot wait! I will literally be waiting for them to open the gate on the first day. Pool time is my reading time. I read constantly in the summer and I always get through my magazines. I currently have a stack of magazines so high, it’s at least to my belly button if not higher, seriously. I’m just able to really relax at the pool (or beach) and read, and think, and I’m so excited for that relaxation, clarity and inspiration. My brain needs it.

APRIL BOOK LIST

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, by Cheryl Strayed — I recently finished this book and loved it. Anytime someone decides to do something crazy and goes for it, it usually makes a great story, and this is no exception. After I finished this book I was ready to book a hiking trip — not as intense as Cheryl’s hike — but it definitely gave me the adventure bug. I love how Cheryl made a decision, had no idea how it was going to work out, but it did, and she really learned and changed because of it. Having experiences like that are so rare and special.

Crazy Love, by Leslie Morgan Steiner — Wow, this book was hard to read at times. You just want to jump in and shake Leslie! But it does give you good insight into an abusive relationship, and definitely made me more empathetic toward abused women who have a hard time leaving their abuser.

Silent Tears: A Journey of Hope in a Chinese Orphanage, by Kay Bratt — Wow. I mean, wow. Another book that was hard to read at times (but those are usually good books). I’m not really a “baby” person and I just wanted to run to China and hold the babies in this book. Kay and the women who volunteer in these orphanages are just on another level. Extra karma will definitely come to them. A great eye-opener and makes me trust how resilient little babies and kids can be.

With The Great Gatsby movie coming out, I think I’m going to have to reread the book soon, and watch the old movie before I go see the new one. I cannot wait to see it. I mean, Leo. Of course Leo. It couldn’t have been anyone else, right?

What books are you reading/have you read lately/on your list?

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Link Love + A Gluten-Free Recipe Book

April 21, 2013

modern luxury book

Last week started off pretty crazy as we launched the Spring issue of to & from. After the launch I was able to start catching up on email and other projects for the rest of the week. Friday morning I had coffee with my friend Hilary and then strolled up Wisconsin Ave. in Georgetown because it was the first day of the French Market — so all the shops had sidewalk sales where I picked up Modern Luxury by Richard Mishaan for a steal!

Links for the week:

GLUTEN-FREE RECIPES // Lisa has released an eCookbook — Living Gluten-Free With Style & Grace. Gluten-free recipes for entertaining and everyday. If you struggle with gluten, Lisa’s new eCookbook and blog are full of recipes and shopping lists to make your life easier.

WILD MEASURE // My friend Megan over at The Fresh Exchange has some exciting news. I love people who THINK BIGGER!

NYC BUILDINGS // Taking a moment to know your city and learn about the history of it is just well, cool. I love this post Nicole did about the Socony-Mobil Building in which the exterior is stamped stainless steel. Pretty freaking cool.

SAN FRANCISCO WEDDING // My B Bar bartender-in-crime Victoria, had her gorgeous wedding featured on Style Me Pretty.

GET YOUR JUICE ON // Um, beauty juice — yes.

NYC STYLE WORKSHOP // My friend (and fashion blogger) Jessie of Style & Pepper is doing another one of her style workshops in NYC — Pepperologie! Get the details and date here.

SHOE DIY // Got a shoe problem? I recently learned how my friend Tammy solved hers. See if her DIY shoe rack will work for you!

PINNING WITH BAUBLEBAR // I’m guest pinning with BaubleBar for the next month! Check out my Pinterest board here.

SO NEWSY // Unless you are a news junkie (okay well who hasn’t been during this whole Boston ordeal) and you don’t want to sound like an idiot, then you need to sign up for theSkimm. A daily dose of news to your inbox each morning (I literally read mine while still in bed) to keep you updated on important things around the US and the world.

Have a lovely day — go outside and take a walk!

Photo via my instagram.

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The B Bar is Officially Open! (+ 22 Tips for Bloggers)

April 8, 2013

shopthebbar.com — downloadable resources for bloggers
I’m so excited to tell you that The B Bar — Cocktails and Cure-Alls for Blogs and Businesses is officially open for business! And it’s always happy hour at The B Bar!
We’ve got six downloadable resources related to blogging and social media (or as we like to call them, ‘cocktails’) to start. But don’t worry, we’ve got more cocktails we’re mixing up on the quick to serve you soon!
Victoria and I are so thankful for all your excitement and support of this new venture. We hope you love the cocktails as much as we do, and that you find them immensely valuable for your blog or business! Books like Accounting for Bloggers to How to Build and Use a Media Kit — find them all here. To read about how we started The B Bar click here. Keep up with The B Bar on Twitter, Facebook, or our newsletter for additional content and announcements about new cocktails.
To celebrate the grand opening of the bar, if you purchase any cocktail today through April 17, you’ll get The Ultimate Resources Guide for free with the promo code CHEERS (see additional details below*). Just add in the Resources Guide cocktail to your shopping cart, type in the promo code when you checkout, and you’ll be good to go.
To celebrate the launch of the bar we’ve asked some of our amazing blogger friends for their best insights, tips and advice to wet your palette. If these 22 blog tips don’t quench your thirst, head on over to Victoria’s blog where she’s got even more tips from bloggers that you don’t see below!
victoria of sfgirlbybay

VICTORIA SMITH  // SFGirlByBay

My new motto is based on a Zig Ziglar quote I heard recently from Jordan Ferney of Oh Happy Day!: “The chief cause of failure and unhappiness is trading what you want most for what you want right now.” That’s very thought-provoking advice, because all kinds of perks are offered to bloggers and these sponsorships and freebies may seem really tempting, but they’re not always in your best interest. I think it’s important to ask yourself if the sponsor is right for you, your brand, and most especially your readers. Follow your gut instincts — you’ll know in your heart if something doesn’t feel quite right to you and you should pass on those kinds of offers. Your credibility and authenticity is one of your most valuable assets. It’s more than fine to have sponsors — that’s why it’s called a business, but be transparent about it. Be honest with yourself and your readers. Continue reading…

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March Bookshelf // 6 to Add to Your Book List

March 21, 2013

march book list

I cannot believe that 2010 was the last time I did a book post (besides coffee table books). I still highly recommend all the books in this post. If you are looking for some to add to your list. I enjoy reading so it’s time we made a book post a habit. My mom gave me a kindle for Christmas two years ago and it has really helped me read more because I can read in bed without disturbing my husband with each page turn (the new kindles can also be read in the dark, mine can’t, so that would be even better). I still buy books that I want the actual copy of, but I definitely read my kindle more. It’s so tiny I can easily take it on trips, etc., without lugging several books around with me.

THE BOOKS

Half Broke Horses: A True-Life Novel, by Jeannette Walls — This is sort of a sequel yet prequel to The Glass Castle. Jeannette wrote it about her grandmother Lily. If after reading The Glass Castle you sort of hated Jeannette’s mother (I did), this helps explain her by the way she grew up and what her mother was like.

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close: A Novel, by Jonathan Safran Foer — Anything that has to do with 9/11 is fascinating to me. I definitely want to see this movie, but Jonathan Safran Foer has an interesting writing style. Some love it, some don’t. I liked the story, but not the writing style. Still worth reading in my opinion.

Breaking Night: A Memoir of Forgiveness, Survival, and My Journey from Homeless to Harvard, by Liz Murray — Another book (similar to The Glass Castle) where you just want to smack the parents. Liz is one amazing girl. Basically living on the streets in her teens she made it through and ended up at Harvard. One of those amazing stories that make you grateful for what you have, and also make realize what you can accomplish if you put your mind to it. Continue reading…

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Last Minute Gifts // Coffee Table Books

December 17, 2012

booksIf you haven’t finished all of your holiday shopping yet, you can always count on books for a great gift. Head over to your local bookstore or order online, and you definitely get your loved one something special. There are so many amazing books out right now. These are just a few of the ones I’ve got on my list (I like books).  Continue reading…

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