Summer Reading

I have realized that since I am not taking public transportation back and forth to work I have not been reading as much. When I'm at home I am usually organizing, unpacking, running, cooking, cleaning or going to bed. By the time I sit down in bed I fall right asleep. I have a pile of books by my bed and I'm dying to finish them by the end of this summer.

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin - I got this as a gift before I moved and in the card it said, " this book is for the beginning of your own happiness project". Yep, so cute!

Men May Come and Men May Go But I've Still Got My Little Pink Raincoat: Life and Love in and Out of My Wardrobe by Gigi Anders - Just the title alone is so cute!

Tranquilista, mastering the art of enlighted work and mindful play by Kimberly Wilson - I went to Kimberly's book signing a few months ago and have been dying to open this book up. I am sure you have seen from past posts that I absolutely adore her! Her thoughts on yoga, life, finding what you love to do, I heart her.

Belle in the Big Apple by Brooke Parkhurst - She writes about her life moving from the South to the Big City and food and writing. A little Carrie Bradshaw and food writing! But I must read it now! Ok, I think I had this on my reading list last year. It is such a cute book and her new blog about cooking, writing and her hubby and baby are so cute!

CHANEL: A Woman of her own by Axel Madsen - This has been on my reading list for months! I received in the mail as a gift the other day and was so excited! Chanel lived such an amazing life and I am glad to finally start reading it.....if I can keep my eyes open when I crawl into bed;)

the vegan way

So last week I was reading an article about Food Inc. I had already watched the movie and it had really made me start thinking about what we eat and what we put into our bodies. I thought to myself, "hhhmmmm, could I really be a vegetarian, could I really be vegan?". Working in the catering business I am faced with dietary requests daily. I have an event for 1,000 guests and I will receive a request for one gluten free, one no seeds, one vegan no sugar. There are so may requests recently it is a daily task for me. Now a days there is about every thing you can think of! I have always considered myself a fairly healthy person. I try to eat locally and organic when I can. I have tried over the past year to really cut out a lot of processed foods and health "junk" (Pirates Booty is not good for me, just because it is Organic!). So as Easter is creeping up on me I thought, well why don't I try out a vegan diet for a week to see how it feels. So here I am...Day #4.

Ok, I am not writing and saying that I am going to practice a vegan d

iet moving forward, no. I enjoy a nice cheese with a glass of wine, I love a nice filet and some great grilled fish, however I do understand the principle behind it. I can understand why people do not want to eat all of the food that is produced in industrialized food manufacturers now a days. Did you know that there are now 10 billion animals raised and killed in America and nearly all of them are inhumanely treated. Hearing this does not quite make me want to go out and have a chicken barbecue.

I believe that supporting Local Farmer Joe and his practice to humanely and fairly kept produce and animals while keeping up his organic farm is the right way to go. It makes me feel better knowing where the food on my plate comes from. I am pretty sure that I can not eat this way every day, but I believe if we make a conscious decision as much as we can, maybe it would change the ordering in the fast food industry, the Walmarts, the delis, everywhere. The past few days I have had to stop, read the nutrition labels and say, "nope", this contains or MAY contain animal products. I have actually become to like my vegan diet and can see how it can give you a kick of energy. Here is sampling of what I have been eating....

- Hummus and Carrots

- English Muffins and Peanut Butter

- Irish Oatmeal and Blueberries

- Mixed Nuts

- Brown Rice

- Whole Fruit

- Kashi Crackers

- Whole Fruit Sorbet

- Wine (always!)

-Sweet Potatoes (roasted and baked)

- Roasted Beets with Roasted Garlic and Pine nuts

- Salads with Roasted Veggies

- Alternative Baking Cookies - Pumpkin Spice, yum

See, the list sounds yummy doesn't it! Alicia Silverstone (yep, fabulous CLUELESS star) just wrote a NY Times bestseller about her Kind Life book. The book is full of tips regarding the Kind Life, be it health, fitness, fashion, decor. The book is really informative on the Vegan way of life.

I think I will crave a burger and a bowl of real ice cream, but I am looking forward to seeing how I feel after this week. I see my requests at work through a different eye now. I can agree after reading up on the Vegan way why people may not want to eat animal products. hhhmmm what are your thoughts? I could write for days.

Off to enjoy a cup of tea. xoxo~ Becca

I heart Blogs

Pink Lemonade. Cute Name. Cute Blog. Pink Lemonade is a cute blog written about fashion, decor and books. I love a blog that makes me smile as I browse through it.

{Favorite Books are always posted. Audrey, Sigh....}

{I love beautiful bookshelves. I have a thing for them with color coordinate books. I long for a large wall of built in bookshelves.}

{The blog writer has her first book coming out this Fall. J'adore New York. I do J'adore chick lit.}

{Pretty flowered shirt with pretty flowered necklaces.}

{The author is always writing about books she loves. Books to read. I can not wait for the Sex and the City prequel to come out by Candice Bushnell. I think it will be a fun look into what Carrie's life was Pre Mr. Big, Pre Vogue, Pre fabulousness. The Carrie Diaries.}

Keep blogging! xoxo~Becca

Summer Reading

I always have so many books on my bookshelf to read. I told myself that I am not allowed to buy ANYMORE until I get through what I have. There are so many fabulous books out there! I have been SUCKED into the Twilight series the past few months and I am almost finished the last book. I am sad to be finishing the series and like all the other Twilight fans, I hope Stephenie Myer will think about another book:) You get really sucked into Bella and Edward and almost feel like the whole Vampire thing is real! So needless to say, while I am sad, I am little excited to start my other books. Below is my list of books I must read and books I want to start after this pile is complete. Please post your suggestions on what to add to my list! I know my girlfriends always have the best books to suggest.

I hope everybody has a good book, a big pair of sunglasses and a nice place outside to relax and curl up with a good book the summer.

xoxo 

1. Twlight Series - Stephenie Meyer You have to read ALL 4! 

2. L.A. Candy - Lauren Conrad - I figured after 4 books about vampires I could use a little nonsense. I kind of can't believe I bought it! But I bet it will be a GREAT beach read!

3. Bella in the Big Apple - Brooke Parkhurst - Southern Girl moves to NYC. Shares recipes and life in the city. Also has a great blog.

4. The Sharper Your Knife, the Less You Cry - Kathleen Flinn She quits her job, moves to Paris and enrolls in Corden Bleu. Sounds a little scary and also like my dream!

5. Entre Nous: A Women's Guide to Finding Her Inner French Girl - Debra Olliver - LOVE the French Life! Nice read. 

6. Pretty in Plaid - Jen Lancaster If you haven't read her other books...do! This book is based on her sorority life. She is a riot.

7. Marie Antoinette, The Journey - Antonia Fraser 

8. Jack's Widow - Eve Pollard 

Rainy Day Reading

I woke up this morning to thunderstorms, rain and lighting. All I wanted to do is stay in bed and finish reading Eclipse! I am SO almost close to being finished. OK, so, I did not think I was going to be into this whole TWILIGHT  craze. Teenagers were going crazy over these vampire books, I found it weird. However.. things have changed.....I'm obsessed. If you have not read the first book of the series....go out and get it today! Edward, sigh, please, how can you not want to put the book down when Stephanie Meyer's describes his beautiful self so well. Like the vampires do, they suck you in! I am onto book #4 this weekend and can't wait! Read it. It is a fabulous series, and great for a summer read. I am SO looking forward to this Fall so I can throw a party for New Moon! (this party is fabulous!)

...thought I would add a little pic of our favorite boy Mr Pattinson for a nice Thursday morning eye candy;) 

xoxo