Monday Motivation: "Stop and Smell the Roses"

This is a saying I remember hearing all the time as a little girl from adults around me and I recall wondering who wouldn't want to smell roses as they walked by them.  See, I was a very curious child and I would smell, touch, investigate and yes, even taste interesting objects around me.  My mom told me I once ate a snail because I was fascinated by it.  Stopping to smell the roses seems so obvious, but as you get older you realize time is a precious and valuable commodity (as we've all heard another very popular saying, "time is money").  Who has time to stop when our world is always on the go and there are so many obligations, demands and distractions.  This month has been a time of reflection for me and I have been so busy being busy that I often forget to focus on the simple pleasures and joys life brings. So this week, make time to stop and smell the roses.

Rosewater Lemonade

 I have been obsessed with all things rose lately.  I have a new spring rose scent, have been buying roses to adorn all the mason jars and vases in our home and have been craving anything rose.  Inspired by the warm weather in LA today, I made a batch of rosewater lemonade to enjoy with my husband after his week away.

 Ingredients:
1 cup water/1 cup sugar (boiled) to make simple syrup
1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice (about 6-7 lemons)
4 cups water
1 tablespoon rosewater
rose petals for garnish
Mix together and serve over ice.  *Can also add in gin or vodka for a refreshing cocktail 

Girl Crush: Clemence Posey

There really isn't much to say about Clemence Posey.  She is french, a model and an actress (loved her as Fleur in Harry Potter and as Chuck Bass' love interest in GG), she's a natural beauty and even her name is pretty.  That all combined with her new chopped do make her my latest girl crush.

Fun Find: Roses de Chloe

I have been searching for a new scent upon using Daisy for the past four years and Stella for the past two years during the winter/chilly nights.  I wanted something that represented me right now, a late twenty-something who is embracing each season life brings.  With spring just around the corner, I have been wanting something fresh and floral.  Roses de Chloe is the perfect scent for spring and is my latest fun find!

Tuesday Tunes: Cherry Blossom Girl

March makes me think of cherry blossoms in bloom.  Spring is normally my least favorite of the slight changes in weather we call seasons here in LA, but this year I am waiting in anticipation for all it has to offer and bring with it.  In Japan, cherry blossoms represent the fragility and beauty in life.  The group Air always makes me reflect back to Spring evenings leading to Summer nights in late high school/early college so it is quite fitting that they are this week's Tuesday Tune.

Monday Motivation: Shake it Off

Sometimes you feel like you are in a funk.  This can last for a day, a week or in my case, a few months.   When you feel like you have no time to do the things that bring you joy, it can be easy to find yourself in a low state of lethargy and self-pity.  Only you are responsible for standing up and shaking off the dirt, sludge and fear that hold you back.  So shake it off and start fresh knowing that you are capable and it is never too late for reconciliation.

LA Rain

As seen from my windowsill.

This weekend we had some much needed rain to make up for the lack of precipitation in southern California (I mean we are in terrible drought after all).  In addition to adding to our nearly empty reservoirs, the rain was needed to clean the smog-filled-allergy-inducing air, wash away the dirt and grime, and just leave the city feeling clean, smelling good and looking alive again.