Boot/Bag LUST!

Dear bag...
I watch you from afar..
I guess I am obsessed.
You awaken feeling inside of me
You bring my heart beat to rapid speed and
tiny little sweat drops to my face.
I want you.. I want you bad...
I have GOT to have you..
You beautiful bag...

MARC BY MARC JACOBS
Click for more info on this bag I am going after, till it is mine:)

Boots Galore from Piperlime

OOOH Gotta have these!!!
Click on the photos to go to the piperlime shop for more gorgeous boots and bags!

Effortless Prosperity- Day 14

14

I RECOGNIZE MY OWN BEST INTEREST

I am aware that whatever I see is only a small part of the whole picture. Because I cannot see the whole picture, usually what I think is good for me is not, and what I think will hurt me is actually helpful. In opening myself to this knowledge, I finally understand that I can let go ...of taking a chance at being right or wrong, because my own best interest is what is always being served in my life. Today I give up resistance and recognize my own best interest.

ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY 14
Hug someone you normally would not hug. This is to be a sincere hug, not a quick one. What goes through your mind and how do you feel about yourself as you hug this person?

Affirmation: Peace is all I deserve
Remember to keep your word today.

Finding time for YOU

We are sisters moms managers writers teachers nurses entrepeneurs pots cooks maids designers dreamers lovers and miracle workers How in the midst of it all, do we find time for ourselves? Making time to do, what keeps you balanced, and happy and sane, may feel self involved, but it is self development self-esteem is built with the little shiny blocks of self-love. Do you give yourself time to enjoy yourself, be with yourself, and love yourself! You will be a better person for it. What are some ways you spend time loving yourself? One of my favorites, is a hot bubble bath, with a DVD and a glass of plum wine. I spend all the time I want, grooming, pampering and treating myself, and just being alone with me. I allow all the stress to fall away and melt away and I just feel in love with the person, the being, the spirit, and the stillness within me.

Yoga

Let's face it, I am not the most flexible person on the planet, I am not even the most flexible person on my couch.
BUT I love yoga.
It loves me to, well it at least has a slight feeling similar to like, for me.

It is my quiet time to tell my body I love it. I love it enough to be centered within it.
I love it enough to stretch it out and open it up.
Yoga for me is almost emotional, it makes me feel grateful. Peaceful, and most of all I feel like I am being true -to - me when I practice.
It is my happy place.

Samarya Center

Quiet Reflection

A new year is upon us and in hind sight, atleast for me, this has been one intense year full of dreams, change, obstacles, strength and growth.

As I make my list of goals for 2011, I think to myself, how can I streamline and center
my priorities and my thoughts?
How can I organize my life to make room for my dreams?

REMOVE THE FEAR

that's the answer to it all......

Turkey- A beautiful adventure with my baby

TURKISH DELIGHT!! Yum yum

She loved this place, the ruins of Side, and this theatre has such amazing acoustics, that you can hear the stage from anywhere in the theatre, without a microphone.

She is my heart.

Teihani in Antalya and Attalia

The beautiful view from a yacht cruising past Kemer

Pool side chillaxin!
By far our favorite Turkish past time;)

I didn't take this photo, but I wish I could have seen Antalya from wherever this was taken!

Mustering up some "fashion-give-a-shit"

Thanks to inspiration from Ms. Mercado- I am going to devote an extra few minutes each day to muster up some fashion give-a-shit.

Cause I apparently removed my finger from the pulse of fashion quite some time ago, and replaced my give-a-shit edginess with

Umm- grey. Light grey, dark grey, black, dark blue denim, more denim, and more GREY. Some brown, some green, yeah….mostly grey.

My daughter kept saying to me that I needed to be more funky and my son told me to wear COLORS. I was like why? Then he said how about red Mom, or blue? I pointed to my stripe socks hiding under my wide legs, “there’s your red and blue”.

So I bought some converse, thinking that might add a little casual funk.

Didn't do the trick apparently. So I bought black casual boots, a couple belts to strap around and adorn my lose cardigans. But I never wear them. So, I bought some bright rain boots, a fedora and skinny jeans. Okay, so there is my start.

What about white cotton organic v-neck tees?

What about a cute green blazer on top of that organic v-neck tee?

What about some black skinnies and my favorite brown boots with that blazer and v-neck tee?

What about colorful tunics galore to wear with my skinny jeans or thick pencil jeggings and my boots and long cardigan? I can keep my favorite color (grey) in the key pieces like the cardigan,

as long as I add some color to the top.

The idea here is color and contrast, complimentary contrast.

Bearing in mind that the clothes on those darn mannequins dont exactly fall that way on women with SHAPE such as myself.. I just have to find the right SHAPE of clothing.

Not an easy task I might add, but if you have a great 12 year old shopping buddy like my daughter, it helps to have a second set of eyes and some coffee:)

This is day one folks, work with me here:)

Vegetarian Tacos or Nachos

One of my very best kid-friendly recipes to date:

Vegetarian Tacos

1 Package of Taco Seasoned (Yves if you Please) Taco Stuffer
1 white onion
1 bunch of green onions
1 bunch of cilantro
2 limes
1 bag of mixed shredded cheese
1 container of sour cream

either corn tortillas or hard taco shells

To prepare your mix, chop up all your veggies (except for yourtomatos cilantro and avocado)

Put half of the chopped stuff aside.
Throw the other half into a medium heat skillet, sautee and then throw in 1-3 packets of Yves if you please

Cook until slight more browned and set aside

Really the rest aint rocket science, you warm up the corn tortillas or you warm the shells in the oven for only a few minutes at 300. Chop up your avocado to top your sour cream, and your good to go.

To make Pica De Gallo- chop up your tomato, and mix with two squeezed limes and cliantro, and all the chopped veggies you put aside earlier.

VOILA! You made some very meaty tasting meat free- tacos!
Ciao!

How To Be Alone

Oh yes. I love my alone time, those days that I dont answer my phone, or text, or email, I am celebrating me. I am not ignoring you, I am just giving my soul a hug:) I love my alone time, maybe because I actually, sincerely love me....

KNit Crazy

With the chilly season among us, it is tempting to wear the same three button up cardigans or drapey knits, over your favorite tee and jeans, but tis the season to be creative.

Check out these amazing knits that will update any outfit.

Think dark black leggings with your favorite black or grey riding boots. Softest cotton v-necks and thick chunky knits, something sexy like you would wear it with your sweetie around a camp fire.

All Saints.. Is not your average online store. Their pieces are funky, unique and just one piece can update your entire outfit.

GUESS WHO IS COMING TO SEATTLE! ALL SAINTS BABY! THe store will open right across from Westlake. I cannot wait!

Inevitable Boredom

You have me now
so what will we do?
Sing me a song
rub my feet
carress my back
read me your heavenly written words
scribble across the page in dull lead
kiss my cheek
you have me now
the time passes slow
still I dont go
still I dont go
For now I am yours
excited and intrigued
you are an adventure
you are a dream
I am ears wide open and eyes wide shut
You fill void
You pour divinity into my cup
If ever there was
a person more bright
if ever there could be a more perfect light
You are the beginning and the end and
all in between
but I will fly away inevitably

What is a dream if not be

the lonely call out to the

world one does not

know

the hope to live in a warm red place

a chance to breath in the pure beauty

that has no boundary

what is a dream if not the ability to face

you deepest fears

deepest needs

what lies within the conquered dreamer

other than

complacency

and or the fear of love

the fear of

self

New Website!

My darlings my dears, though few and far in between:)
I have three new websites for your viewing and reading enjoyment

www.prettypeepers.weebly.com
www.melleuxyelleux.com
www.lumpialady.weebly.com

Be sure to check my site out and stay tuned for new items and for the grand opening of the boutique! Ciao!

New Website and Blog is MOVING:)

www.melleuxyelleuxcom

It also has a blog section where I will most likely be creating all my new posts. I will see if there is someway to link this blog to that one.

I am officially 32 whoppin years old!

I can't complain:) I feel fabulously divine:)

Your own shoe stylist

I was flipping through magazines when I came across a little Kim Kardashian bit about a new shoe bizz she is endorsing calls Shoe Dazzle. It is a website that selects shoes for you based on your style and will ship them right to you each month after you have approved or changed the shoe selection.

I went onto to the Shoe Dazzle site and began to answer a series of multiple choice questions, such as who has better style, Rihanna, Jennifer Aniston, or Reese Witherspoon and questions where you have to select your favorite runway outfit and favorite shoe styles.

Within 24 hours one of the three stylists will email me when some shoes have been selected just for me! The service costs on 40 bucks a month!

I cant wait to see what they select for me. I will let you know how the shoes are, and whether or not they are good quality and comfortable.

Click here to check out Shoe Dazzle!

Dreams to Conquer- 2010

1. Move back to Seattle
2. Open up small store in the storefront space of new house
3. Finish up my novel and look into publishing
4. Lose 25lbs
5. Be consistent in yoga and capoeira if my body can take it
6. Get Healthy and strong
7. Write more poetry
8. Travel
9. Build my website
10. Make lots of jewelry
11. Love love love
12. Revamp my wardrobe
13. Remove the lump...
14. RUN
15. Master vegetarian cooking
16. Take my vitamins
17. Get my family to volunteer with me!
18. Send donations to my favorite charities
19. Take photos- of every beautiful thing I see
20. Plan and take atleast 2 trips
21. Push myself
22. check off everything on this list!

BOMB Garden Burgers

Do you have canned pinto beans just sitting in your cabinet? Who knew you could make heavenly veggie burgers with some pinto beans! And they taste amaaaazing!





Total Time: 41 min
Prep Time: 25 min
Cook Time: 16 min

2 can(s) (15-ounce) pinto beans
8 ounce(s) fresh white mushrooms, finely chopped
1/2 cup(s) shelled edamame
2 small carrots, finely grated
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 1/2 cup(s) panko bread crumbs
2 tablespoon(s) chopped fresh cilantro
1 large egg white
3/4 teaspoon(s) salt
1/2 teaspoon(s) freshl ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon(s) ground cumin
4 teaspoon(s) olive olive
10 English muffins

Directions
Drain and rinse pinto beans. In a medium bowl, lightly mash beans. Toss with mushrooms, edamame, carrots, onion, panko bread crumbs, and cilantro.

Mix in egg white, salt, pepper, and cumin. Form into 10 patties. Heat vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.

Fry patties in 2 batches until golden, about 8 minutes per side. Serve on an English muffin and garnish as desired.

Finger licken' gooood!

Not Your Average Big Banana Yellow Rain Coat

After searching and searching for rain coats that my Grandmother wouldnt wear:) I found some cute well cut coats that are flattering, tough and waterproof.

REI Raindance Jacket.

Click Here to visit the REI website.

This is the Stussy Structure Rain coat- comes in a deep indigo blue too!

Click here to visit the Stussy web site




North Face Grace Rain Jacket

I love the belted waist!



Click here to vist the REI web site to purchase yours.






The Soiya and Kio Double Breasted rain coat, from Nordstroms.



Click here to go to Nordstrom.com.


So there you have it, rain coats are no longer embarrassing giant yellow poncho looking hand me downs:)

See my next post about funky fashionable and trendy rain boots and You are all set to make a "splash" :)

Ciao!

Baby It's Cold Outside

Not sure how to "weather" this rainy weather? Well for starters, you need some

cute ass rain boots!

Tokidoki and Chooka created these fun and super funky boots below: You can find them on Amazon or Nordstrom.com

Click on the pictures below to check out more Nomad Rain Boots

Cowboy style rain boots by Nomad Click here to go SHOES.COM to check out their rain boot selection!

With some cute rain gear, and a good strong umbrella. Thats how.

Of course it doesnt hurt to have a couple move dates, your favorite scarf, and a hot cinnamon latte or hazelnut soy mocha.

You can also stick with the basic colors and more simple styles of Hunter rain boots. Also found at Nordstrom.com. Click her to check out ttheir Hunter selection!



Happy splashin' folks:)

Young Coconut Bowl

I recently tasted something similar to this and it was to die for! I simply added a couple little things to perfect it and I now have the perfect, halthy filling way to start your meatless day:)

Ingredients:

One Young Coconut

Some coconut flakes (about two teaspoons)

a couple apples of any kind

1 small bag of pecans

one table spoo of cinnamon

some organic maple syrup

Break open your young coconut and scrape out the meat, try not to srape the walls of the coconut.

Place all your coconut in a blender

Core and chop up your apples, you can leave the skin on if you'd like

Put the chopped apple in the blender along with your pecans

Blend well until smooth slightly lumpy

Poorinto a bowl and top with a couple dashes of cinnamon and a nice light drizzle of your maple syrup. Try it!

It is gooooooooood!!!!! Very filling too:) yummmmy

Learning to Face Risks

It is a part of our nature to learn and to grow. And one way we do this is by taking risks. When we learned to walk, we risked falling down. We are constantly striving to better ourselves and our lives, and we can't do that by standing still. Our instincts urge us to move forward, to see what is ahead, to peek around the corner not knowing for sure what we might find.

Take a chance. The biggest rewards also had the biggest risks.

Getting Ready for Our Big Move

Granted, I havent even SEEN our new place in person yet, only pictures and paperwork with our new address sprawled across the pages. Having been inspired by the thunder storms, rain and winds, and eclectic vibe of downtown San Francisco, and all of its ethnic diversity.

I have begun to shop for home decor, trusting my gut instincts and a few great photos of our soon to be home.

My new goal is to try to decorate the whole place organically. Both in concept and in materials.

Firt thing first!
I need more inspiration.

A combinationof Ikea, and the photos on the Room Decorating Ideas website, and voila! I may have got something here.

I am going to try to give our living room an organic and meditative outdoor feel, with a deep rich colors balanced light shades of grey and cream.
Think, deep rich vibe of Indian nights meets breezy relaxed Fiji.

Our front room, bathroom and bedrooms, are all very earthy colors. Sage green walls, dark bamboo flooring. This is our new master bathroom. In an earlier post I talk about vinyl wall decor, which I am definitely going to use, in the bathroom (white birds on the wall) and trees/leaves on living room wall.

Calla Lilly decals on the bathroom wall.

Something like this in the master bedroom-

Living room:

since there is an oversized window and soo much natural lighting, this would be a nice addition behind the couch

Needless to say I am more than excited to decorate our new home:) I willlikely spend a day at Ikea, shoot, if I could I would spend the night and keep on shopping the next day:)

Boys play house, men make homes:

Boys bring stress

Men bring comfort

Boys make a mess of things

Men bring everything together

Boys point out your flaws and fears

Men help you face and overcome them

Boys start fights

Men create solutions

Boys make matters worse

Men know what matters

Boys are looking for someone to take care of them

Men treat women with the same respect as they treat their mothers

Boys party all the time

Men celebrate the moments that are worth celebrating

Boys strive on hurting others

Men strive on helping others

Boys like to be flashy and materialistic

Men find their pride in the stability of their families and homes

Boys jump from job to job

Men strive for their dreams and goals

Boys jump from girl to girl

Men cherish a good woman and hold on tight

Boys play house

Men, make homes.

Volunteer Opportunities

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, to be gorgeous, talented, and fabulous. Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that others won't feel insecure around you. We are born to make manifest the glory of God within us. And as we let our light shine, we consciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear our presence automatically liberates others. - Marianne Williamson

In each of us shines a great light, it is up to us to allow that light to shine to it's fullest capacity. That being said I was thinking this morning of ways to help others internationally. Then it reminded me that so much help is needed locally. Plus the Center for international disaster information also states that volunteers will not be accepted to travel overseas for disaster relief efforts unless they have prior volunteer experience.

In what ways do you step out of your comfort zone and help others in need? Make no mistake, there are a million ways in which you can be of help or comfort to another person. You can volunteer at your local shelter or church, to serve meals, bag lunches, hand out clothing or blankets, you can round up peoples unwanted household items and donate them to a battered women's shelter, you can have a toothbrush and sock drive, and then donate them all to a local shelter, you can volunteer at the SPCA if you love animals, you can volunteer at a local childhaven and help children in need. There are hundreds of ways to volunteer, and

shine your lovely light.

At the end of they, day what makes you feel better, knowing that something you did, really warmed someones heart and made a difference, or all the other trivial stuff that you usually come out of broke or unhappy or both?

Something to think about 'eh?

Make a difference in your community and give your life some true meaning and purpose.

http://www.volunteermatch.org/

www.redcross.org

http://www.helpnow.org/

Or google your local churches or shelters for more opportunities. You can also volunteer in other countries with your entire family (age requirements apply). Costs on average which includes room/board/food is about 2500-3000 per person for 10-14 days.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO.

To make a donation to the rescue and emergency efforts in Haiti visit

www.redcross.org

H1N1 Shot Fatal for 28 Pregnant Women!

OH MY GOODNESS! Get the full story by clicking on the link below:

http://www.womensenews.org/story/health/100106/h1n1-flu-fatal-28-pregnant-women