Style Symmetry

Hi All,

I have been quite busy in life lately so I thought I’d give you an update.  Firstly, I am halfway through a cleanse that I am doing with one of my book clubs. The rules are NO gluten, NO dairy, NO sugar, some fruit sugars are okay.  It was fairly easy the first five days, eating lots of protein, Vega smoothies, rice and vegetables.  Traveling for two days was a big challenge as there was so much wheat and even the pink sushi ginger soaks in sugar, soy sauce has wheat and sugar too. In Horseshoe Bay, a small ferry community I ended up accidentally eating msg when the Chinese restaurant was the only place I could find steamed rice as apposed to a sandwich, pasta or pizza. Now that I am home again choices are easier as I can mostly cook for myself.

Also I started a new more serious daily plan for health and happiness which I made into an acronym Y.A.L.E.S I have been biking everyday for a few weeks now, eating very well for two and it’s time to work a bit harder everyday I will; do Yoga stretches, Ab strengthening, drink 8+ cups of Liquid, Exercise and Sing. To do all the things on this list takes around three hours so obviously it is a big part of my life and I am hoping to continue to incorporate it long term but for now the plan is twelve weeks. There are more things I plan to add eventually such as meditation, journaling and volunteering.

Apparently I am in three book clubs now.  Most recently I read inside by Alix Ohlin, Blind Crescent by Michelle Berry and am currently reading Non Violent communication and Good Omens.  Really book clubs are an excuse to get together and chat informally about the books and a variety of other topics while you drink wine and have snacks.  This is how the cleanse came about, we decided on it at a book club meeting.

My maintenance routine has also evolved, for three weeks I have been on the ‘NO POO method meaning I no longer use shampoo and conditioner. I use baking soda and apple cider vinegar and the results are amazing. Hair is shiny and manageable and stays clean an extra day. Though smelling vinegar in the shower takes some of the luxury out of nice hot shower. My method is 1 tablespoon of baking soda mixed with 1 tablespoon of water mixed in the palm, then scrubbed into the scalp for 1 minute and rinsed. Then 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar mixed with 1 cup water in a squeeze bottle (mine is meant for ketchup) squeezed onto hair, massaged into ends, left on for 3 minutes and rinsed. Does anyone else do this? I’ve also been using baking soda as my face cleanser and exfoliant and it’s cleared up my dry skin.

I’ve also been helping people sell worldly possessions, pack, clean (eww) and move. I’ve been dancing, enjoying meals with friends, having my first alcoholic beverage of 2013, watching design shows while I bike and clothing swapping. I’ve been loving the Starbucks card mom sent, leaving my bag precariously under a candle, studying Yoga Nidra, going to plays and soaking up the sun.

2013 is shaping up very well!

Have you heard the news about Google Reader closing down?

There are probably many of you, like me who use Google Reader as the tool to manage your favorite blogs new posts. I have been using GR since 2008 as a way to manage the 500+ blogs I’ve read, perused and glanced over the past five years. Now that I need to move to a new reader tool like Feedly I’ve been pruning that 500+ blog list. It’s amazing to note how many blogs on this list are no longer posting. What ever happened to The Owls Are Not What They Seem, Leproust, Milk/Singe, Our Paper Moon and The Ongoing Project? And noting how many blogs that I don’t always the time to read anymore, Rebecca’s Clothes Horse posts, Hel Looks, Dearilou and Face Hunter; I am just so behind.  The plan is to par down the blogs I read list to just the absolute favorites and that chimes in at less than 50 (and that includes the four mentioned above). I am certain this new list will be manageable and leave room to add new blogs from time to time.

This got me thinking about outgrowing the blogs we read, my life has changed so much from five years ago and the things that draw me now are so different. No longer am I looking at office wear and ‘polite’ business outfits, I am drawn to street style, fashion that is comfortable, art and interior design. I spent the last couple months going through the entire Apartment Therapy ‘small space’ archives while I was home. And I’m dying to know…

What inspires you now?

What have you outgrown from five years ago?

Okay this is unrelated, but I found this photo of me from when I was 13 – wowza!  I don’t remember much from this day other than this dress was itchy polyester, I felt so shy in front of a camera and the stylist manhandled my bushy brows to carve out perfect eyebrows.

Yes, the difference is my teeth!  I finally took the plunge.

My dentist told me about composite veneers and I decided to go for it.  I didn’t even know an alternative to porcelain existed.  What always turned me off about porcelain veneers is that teeth have to be shaved down to bond the veneer and I just didn’t want to destroy the integrity of my teeth.

The pros of composite veneers are the procedure is quick and easy, it is completely reversible and it’s affordable costing just $350 for two teeth. The cons are the material can be prone to chip and may yellow over time.  I am quite happy with the results, I can’t believe how huge of a difference it makes to my smile!

Next on my list?  Might be eye surgery.

And Denise you already know, so no guessing!

For Halloween this weekend I was cookie monster, it was quite easy and affordable to make; only $17 since I already owned the hoodie and pants.  I purchased blue fun fur, mesh, styrofoam balls and felt. There was quite a bit of sewing a gluing involved.

In case I got quite overheated I also added felt cookies to a t-shirt so I could pull of the arms of the sweatshirt and still be in a costume underneath.

This all started with a friend who wanted to be Bert and Ernie and then he recruited a few more for a Sesame Street group costume.  Here is the whole gang from Friday!

What’s your costume?