Book It

Guess who? 

When I was young there was a rule in our household. With toys and candy there were reasonable limits, but with books the sky was the limit. My mom couldn't imagine limiting our access to reading so she very rarely declined a  request to buy books. I remember waiting with bated breath each fall for the book fair at school. (Yes, admittedly I've always been a bit of a geek.) We were allowed to visit the book fair during the day at school, knowing that our parents could pick up our stack of books when they visited that night. It was heaven. I walked the rows - running my hands along the stacks of books. Admiring the glossy covers and flipping through some of the titles that had the best illustrations. I always walked away with a diverse selection.

I am now the proud owner of many of the books that I cherished as a child. They were passed on to me in musty cases and I painstakingly wiped each one clean a few years back when Emma and Sophie were ready to move beyond board books. While I love rereading my old books with my daughters I also want them to have their own sense of ownership and the pleasure of reading books that are their very own. I fantasize that someday the books they have chosen will end up in their own children's hands. 

I still love a good book fair but most of my book buying takes place at Diane's Books in Greenwich. Diane is truly unique. I can safely say that I have never in my life met someone more passionate about the written word than Diane. She has a book recommendation for everyone. Here in a new series called "Book It" is my favorite book of the moment. It was bought at Diane's and has been in full rotation since we brought it home. Allow me to introduce you to The Snatchabook, by Helen and Thomas Docherty.

I must admit I am a complete sucker for a well illustrated children's book. The images in The Snatchabook are divine. So precious and animated. You feel the character's emotions as you turn the pages. The words and pictures are in perfect sync.

Eliza Brown is a little rabbit who loves reading - as do all the other creatures who live in her hollow, Burrow Down. The entire neighborhood is shocked and horrified when someone starts stealing the books they are reading right out of their hands! Enter our unsuspecting villain. 

The precious little Snatchabook has some explaining to do and it is up to Eliza to help him come up with a plan to stop snatching! 

And with the help of little Miss Brown - the Snatchabook who is parentless and really just looking for reading companions - has found his answer. 

As you can imagine, all ends well in this sweet little holllow. Phew! I marvel over the minds that come up with stories that appeal to children. I fall in love with the characters right alongside my girls - often going back to a good book three nights in a row. This is one that I am sure will become a regular in your home. Enjoy!

#Funny

Jimmy Fallon, you're my hero. I love to laugh. This little clip literally had me guffawing out loud. It's the middle of the week. That requires a little levity. CLAH people, CLAH.

Good Jeans

I love wine. I love jeans. I love jeans and wine together. I am thrilled to announce a lovely little collaboration between The Sent, The Blues Jean Bar, and Le Wine Shop. Please join us for an evening of cocktails and shopping. Admit it. You hate shopping for jeans on your own. Now you can get an honest second opinion on how that pair really fits. Come find us Wednesday night right around the corner from Smart Kids off of East Elm Street. I've got my eyes on a pair of Joe's skinny jeans but I must admit I love Blue Pearl too. They are really channeling Isabel Marant these days... 

That night everything in the store is 15% off AND the Blues Jean Bar will donate 15% of the proceeds from the evening to the Little Wings Foundation. Save money, give back, get happy. 

And we are loving our sponsor the little wine shop around the corner. Not only do they have a fabulous selection of all types of alcohol - but they also carry the very miraculous Wine Away. It is unreal. I kid you not when I say I have seen it remove an entire glass of red wine from a white button down shirt with just a few sprays. My hubby was also very happy to hear they carry his all-time favorite brand of vodka, Tito's. And over at Le Wine Shop "le wine list" is excellent too. 

Friends welcome so please pass this post along!

And the inspiration...

Elle Strauss goes Moto

The Many Faces of Fashion

image: Grazia.it

Black and White Ideal

image: Tumblr

Runaround Chic

image: Tommy Ton

Virginie Mouzat in Classic Cargos

Emmanuelle Alt's Casual Cool

Olivia Palermo Distressed

The Paris Editors Kick Ass

image: Nam/Streetfsn

CHANGE

And it is that simple... Or is it? I seek the zen. I don't feel it all the time - yet - but I seek it. These days I try to portray a woman living a slow-paced peaceful existence each and every day. My insides might be moving at 100 miles per hour - but on the outside I strive to seem at peace. It wasn't always this way... For years I was the girl you didn't want to run into on your lunch break. One brief "How are you? " and I was off and running. "How am I? Let me tell you how I am. I have insomnia. Hate my job. Haven't been to the gym in weeks and I have I mentioned the migraines? Oh yes, I do go to acupuncture but it's just not enough. Now let's get back to the insomnia...." Ick. I am thankful for those who have stuck by me despite my ability to complain. All the time. A few years ago I looked that whiny lady in the face and said, "That's enough from you complainer. Focus on the good. There's lots of it out there if you really look for it." I'm still a work in progress but I am better.

Nowadays there is no bigger compliment I can receive than for someone to say, "Why Lindley, you seem so calm in the face of such a busy life." It's music to my ears. Well dear friend who has given me such a lovely compliment - I must admit that I am slightly "faking it until I make it". I, like you, hear my brain saying, "Move it sister. You have 10 million things to do today." My muscles twitch with the yearning to drag my child along and lift her into her carseat instead of letting her slowly climb in on her own. I believe in muscle memory and I am forcing my body to learn what it feels like to move at a slower pace. To check 2 less things off my to-do list each day and know they will eventually get done. 

This attitude is what I strive for but too often don't achieve. When I feel myself falling off the zen-wagon I reach out to those who ground me. I ask for help. I meditate. I do Qi Gong. I breathe until the anxiety passes. And I listen to music. Music that makes me smile and lose myself within it. Yesterday this playlist realigned my week. One of my favorite ladies that I interviewed here played it during yoga class. She rocks. The first song is good. And relevant. Be the change you want to see.

{Don't forget to scroll down to number 15}

And if all else fails - try meditation. Anywhere, anytime. This too should help.

Smooth Sailing

Wrinkles beware - Embryolisse has got their eye on you. This lightweight moisturizer absorbs quickly and smells heavenly. Its ever so subtle scent has just a hint of fresh flowers like gardenia and freesia. I swear by it, but don't take my word for it. The hottest model around, Karlie Kloss says, "Embryolisse is where it's at." The paraben-free cream is a major staple at fashion week - and models buy it by the truckload when they are in Paris. The brand was created in 1950 and rumor has it that back in the day Jane Birkin was also a fan. Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré, at just $28 a tube, is well worth the price. And then in the evening, after washing with Jurlique Foaming Cleanser, I slap on the Creme Rich Hydratante for a little more "oomph".