What do you wear to bed? My current crop of pjs are worn and stretched out and need replacing. I've never been a nightgown gal - they ride up! I've done au natural, but
when I had young kids this wasn't a good option - too many calls for Mommy in the night or small visitors,unexpected, to my bed. I kept a robe handy, but decided I'd better find, and wear, pjs of some sort. Now that they are teenagers I suppose I could go that route again, but then again they are teenagers, and heaven forbid they catch wind of it:) I've been wearing a Carole Little set, found inexpensively a few years ago at Marshalls, pull on pants and a v neck top, that have now seen better days. I was never a fan of the top anyway as the v had a tendancy to move and expose me! So now I'm wondering what to wear to bed? What do you wear? Thanks in advance for sharing.
La
Monday, March 1, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Aldi's Lacura Face Creams
I've been using 2 creams from the Lacura line: Q10 Restorative, which comes in the pink packaging as shown and Hydra Complete, which comes in a blue jar. The Q10 is for mature skin and is intended to increase the skin's firmness and diminish fine lines. It has a light rose scent and is a fairly thick formula. Along with coenzyme Q10, this formula contains E, F and B5. I use it as a night cream. A small amount, gently massaged, absorbs quickly. I'm very happy with the texture, scent, price (USD $5 for 1.7oz)and, most importantly, the results. I think my skin looks firmer and smoother.
The Hydra Complete (comes in blue packaging) is now my daily morning moisturizer. Containing sea minerals and vitamin B5, this cream is much lighter than the Q10 and absorbs quickly. It's intended to moisturize and freshen the skin. It also appears to have some illuminating ingredients as it makes my skin brighter and glowing. I love this formula and find it compares favorably to the pricer Neutrogena Visibly Even daily moisturizer I've also been using.
I give both creams very high marks and have read that, when tested, they compared favorably with the much pricer Lancome brand.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Six Weeks of Lent
Kristi at La Bella Figura has posted about 'not a cent in Lent' - which I consider a clever way to confront this season. I am not a very strict Catholic, but I welcome the idea of backing off things a bit: less food, less spending, less alcohol.... and doing some things more frequently: complimenting my family, being more patient with them, spending more quality time with them. So I am hereby telling myself in print that I CAN DO IT. I have to remember that many of my ideals in terms of how I want to live my life are related directly to less is more anyway - and not to look at this as deprivation but as cleansing and reorienting.
One of my ideas is to reenergize with a new breakfast routine. This will start every
day off in the right direction. A member of the french chic group eats this: Greek yogurt(I like Trader Joe's) with some blueberries, a hard boiled egg w/salsa (love that!) a few almonds and a couple of prunes. I think that sounds like a delicious, well balanced meal that would stick with you at least till lunch.
So on Wednesday here we go......
La
One of my ideas is to reenergize with a new breakfast routine. This will start every
day off in the right direction. A member of the french chic group eats this: Greek yogurt(I like Trader Joe's) with some blueberries, a hard boiled egg w/salsa (love that!) a few almonds and a couple of prunes. I think that sounds like a delicious, well balanced meal that would stick with you at least till lunch.
So on Wednesday here we go......
La
Sunday, February 14, 2010
LACURA LIPS
Aldi's lip line includes lipstick, but I don't normally emphasize my lips with a lot
of color so I won't be reviewing their Lacura lipstick. I like a soft shimmer, somewhat pearly, but not super pigmented for my lips. I love Aldi's Gentle Lip Care - tubes that are similar to a lipstick - that come in 3 varieties:
Pink - which is the one I use and gives me just the hint of pink shimmer I like. Blue - which is unscented and uncolored and Yellow - which has a honey scent. These lip balms are a lovely texture (not chapsticky tacky), mineral oil and preservative free. They contain Vitamin E and B5, jojoba oil and (says the packaging) protect against harmful UV rays.
I bought several 3 packs of the Pink tubes when I discovered them in early December and passed them out to a few friends: RAVE REVIEWS! It's a wonderful feeling to find
great skin products that seem/feel/are luxurious for literally pennies. The 3 pack was $1.50 - that's right fifty cents a tube! (It's whats on my lips in my photo if you can see it - it's so subtle and the photo is not the best).
bisous,
La
Thursday, January 28, 2010
AN ALDI PRIMER
To begin my little series on Aldi here is some background on the store. Primarily a grocery store, Aldi is a European company based in Germany. Aldi has been operating in Europe for some time, but is fairly new to the U.S. The same company owns Trader Joe's, and many in the U.S. are familiar with their wonderful (and thoughtful - no high fructose corn syrup!) assortment of foodstuffs. Aldi (like Trader Joe's) concentrates on food, and also sells cleaning products (laundry and dish detergent), paper products (plates, toilet tissue etc.) and personal items (shampoo, soap, body lotion, feminine hygiene etc.)but Aldi also has weekly specials that have run from slow cookers to men's work boots to 400 thread count sheets (at $35!!)in the 3 years I have been shopping there.
I am an informed consumer,a foodie, a label reader who eats well and I love this store. The prices are very low and this is not because of inferior product but the structure of the entire process. For example, at Aldi there is only one brand of saltine cracker. This is the Aldi brand and the crackers are of the highest quality (obviously outsourced from a major producer as Aldi is not a food manufacturer). Offering only the Aldi house brand means lower prices. I have done my grocery shopping almost exclusively at Aldi for years, have never been disappointed in the food and love the savings! Before Aldi I shopped at 2 markets that are considered very nice - and I don't miss them at all.
Be aware that you need a quarter to unlock a shopping cart, but you will be refunded when you return the cart to the corral. At Aldi you bag your own groceries($avings!) but here's my tip on that: grab a few banana boxes while shopping (they are sturdy and have handles built in) and keep them in the trunk of your vehicle. After checkout - which is super fast, they are timed on this - take your cart to your car and unload (no bags!) sorting as you go. When you get home it's sort of like an old movie: groceries delivered in a box AND the stuff is sorted for putting away. Go on try the fresh mozzarella, dark chocolate bars or the chibatta bread and tell me this is 'generic, inferior' food. I dare you.
Do not be afraid of Aldi.
Disclaimer: I am not employed by or paid by or anything by Aldi. I am just a foodie on a budget who is happy that they are in my heighborhood.
And now they have begun shelving their Lacura line of cosmetics - which I will review in this series.
I am an informed consumer,a foodie, a label reader who eats well and I love this store. The prices are very low and this is not because of inferior product but the structure of the entire process. For example, at Aldi there is only one brand of saltine cracker. This is the Aldi brand and the crackers are of the highest quality (obviously outsourced from a major producer as Aldi is not a food manufacturer). Offering only the Aldi house brand means lower prices. I have done my grocery shopping almost exclusively at Aldi for years, have never been disappointed in the food and love the savings! Before Aldi I shopped at 2 markets that are considered very nice - and I don't miss them at all.
Be aware that you need a quarter to unlock a shopping cart, but you will be refunded when you return the cart to the corral. At Aldi you bag your own groceries($avings!) but here's my tip on that: grab a few banana boxes while shopping (they are sturdy and have handles built in) and keep them in the trunk of your vehicle. After checkout - which is super fast, they are timed on this - take your cart to your car and unload (no bags!) sorting as you go. When you get home it's sort of like an old movie: groceries delivered in a box AND the stuff is sorted for putting away. Go on try the fresh mozzarella, dark chocolate bars or the chibatta bread and tell me this is 'generic, inferior' food. I dare you.
Do not be afraid of Aldi.
Disclaimer: I am not employed by or paid by or anything by Aldi. I am just a foodie on a budget who is happy that they are in my heighborhood.
And now they have begun shelving their Lacura line of cosmetics - which I will review in this series.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Happy New Year
It's been ages! I didn't publish one whiny post. You're welcome:) And that was it for 2 months?
I know I said I'd take a blog break. Then I posted and said well maybe I'll post sometimes, it clears my head. And then...,.nothing. It's a curse being born on the cusp of Gemini/Moon Child.....I really do have 3 (or more) personalities/ways to think about things.
Anyway -
Writing, regularly, was one of the primary reasons I started blogging - something I do for me. I started and found a bit of a rhythm over time. Then it became a chain. I'd like to make it
meditative, responsive and regular - just like my workouts/playing music/and other things I
should be doing for me.
With work, 3 teenagers and all the rest of 'my' life draining my essence I sincerely need to claim more of my own turf.
I have posted a picture on my blog profile. My upcoming series will be a review of Aldi's cosmetic
line Lacura and I want to be able to show some photos to illustrate my reviews, so I'm experimenting with self portraiture a la La Bella Figura and Euro Chic. I don't think I'll really be able to show makeup/skin in enough detail by photographing myself in my bathroom, but this is one of the test shots.
I know I said I'd take a blog break. Then I posted and said well maybe I'll post sometimes, it clears my head. And then...,.nothing. It's a curse being born on the cusp of Gemini/Moon Child.....I really do have 3 (or more) personalities/ways to think about things.
Anyway -
Writing, regularly, was one of the primary reasons I started blogging - something I do for me. I started and found a bit of a rhythm over time. Then it became a chain. I'd like to make it
meditative, responsive and regular - just like my workouts/playing music/and other things I
should be doing for me.
With work, 3 teenagers and all the rest of 'my' life draining my essence I sincerely need to claim more of my own turf.
I have posted a picture on my blog profile. My upcoming series will be a review of Aldi's cosmetic
line Lacura and I want to be able to show some photos to illustrate my reviews, so I'm experimenting with self portraiture a la La Bella Figura and Euro Chic. I don't think I'll really be able to show makeup/skin in enough detail by photographing myself in my bathroom, but this is one of the test shots.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Chic Sighting
I had the pleasure of seeing a very chic woman in her home this morning. She was slender, in slippers and yoga pants with a white cami/bra under, no makeup, rather large-ish dangly earrings, hair pulled back, green pashmina the same color as her eyes around her neck. Her home was equally stark, luxe and elegant: highly polished dark wood floors, immaculate white molding, colors of green and nature. I loved her laquered floors with lust!
She appeared to be a stay at home mom of 4 young ones(!) and was very gracious in conversation.
Nice to see a role model in everyday life, makes the day brighter.
cheers,
La
She appeared to be a stay at home mom of 4 young ones(!) and was very gracious in conversation.
Nice to see a role model in everyday life, makes the day brighter.
cheers,
La
Sunday, November 8, 2009
La Danse: The Paris Opera Ballet (2009)
This movie combines ballet and Paris. How can it not tempt me?
From the NY Times:
http://movies.nytimes.com/2009/11/04/movies/04danse.html?ref=movies
From the NY Times:
http://movies.nytimes.com/2009/11/04/movies/04danse.html?ref=movies
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Regime Fric Overdrive
The next few months (weeks, days!) are going to be interesting. In order to shore
up ourselves financially both Monsieur and I have taken on part time jobs. We've been thinking of doing so and suddenly a job each came about that seem to fit the bill (so to speak!). Within a week we've taken on 40 or so extra hours of work outside of our normal work/household life which is daunting and will be challenging no doubt. But the energy I feel when I think of how we're doing, instead of stewing, is intense and inspiring. Rudimentary calculations seem to point to 6 months.....we're going to give it that long before we even think about quitting and we should have knocked off most of our smaller debts (some medical, dental) by then and acquired some savings. We can then reassess our situation and move accordingly. Move is an interesting word choice as I've actually been proselytizing a possible move to a smaller home with a smaller mortgage. I'd also be happy downsizing to one vehicle - if we lived where that would be appropriate for us with jobs that didn't require solo transport such as we both have now.
Organization is key, now more than ever. I've seen in one week how the added
work has had me overeating. So before it gets out of hand I'm mentally reviewing my french chic attitude bank and start today to make sure I employ all the trucs so that I can reach my goals (and the end of the holiday season) in jeans that fit! Of course the mindset/organization/dedication that the french chic lifestyle requires
will not only assist me in areas concerning la cuisine, but throughout the home/life continuum. Weekends (in my case F/S/Sun) are, henceforth, primarily for getting laundry, grocery shopping and week ahead planning/stray appraisals done. I will chop celery and carrots in a quantity for the fridge - great snacks, starter course and starts to soup/stir fry etc. I'll munch those, with fruit or a few olives, instead of cookies/chips/candy etc (horrible time of year in an American household with Halloween candy ubiquitous). Make a big pot of rice, a pot of soup or stew....clean some lettuce. I ordinarily bake some bread, but that's one thing I'll give up for now as we've got options for good bread. I'm considering adjusting my mealtimes to 10 - 4 - 10 to accomodate my schedule, keeping the rest of the family on 6 -12-6 because of school etc. Usually I hang lots of my laundry - and put it straight into the closet on the same hanger - but weather changes and time constraints may cause more frequent dryer use than I like. We have an excellent aluminum rack from Aldi and a short line in the basement, but nothing beats the backyard when possible. My teenagers, as they do, have lots of things going on in their lives, including some jobs of their own, but they are aware of increased responsibility looming! They have their chores and are old enough to do many things - including cooking, as they all have skills/experience.
I'm going to take my weekly allowance out on Friday. Keeping it in an envelope and placing receipts inside as I go thru the week, marking the amounts spent on the outside. Very good method for me. We'll gas up the vehicles on Mon/Tues when it's lowest price usually.
I am realistic enough to know that this regime will require some cash outlay - most notably for a cleaning lady. I'd been researching this but put it on the back shelf until today. Only one day a month, she won't do the kids bedrooms - that's their responsibility - and it'll be worth every penny.
Of course you may recall I am starting my own business and, bien sur, I've got some work coming in. This is good, but requires my attention!!
Another big item is that we are starting to liquidate/assess our rental properties. The condo has an interested buyer. As we move closer to college/retirement we are
not poised exactly in the catbird seat so the regime is tres important for yet another reason. We can make some good decisions, not panicked ones, concerning the properties.
As you can see, I will still post. It clears my head! If you have any good ideas for
me, bring 'em on!
Optimistically, La
up ourselves financially both Monsieur and I have taken on part time jobs. We've been thinking of doing so and suddenly a job each came about that seem to fit the bill (so to speak!). Within a week we've taken on 40 or so extra hours of work outside of our normal work/household life which is daunting and will be challenging no doubt. But the energy I feel when I think of how we're doing, instead of stewing, is intense and inspiring. Rudimentary calculations seem to point to 6 months.....we're going to give it that long before we even think about quitting and we should have knocked off most of our smaller debts (some medical, dental) by then and acquired some savings. We can then reassess our situation and move accordingly. Move is an interesting word choice as I've actually been proselytizing a possible move to a smaller home with a smaller mortgage. I'd also be happy downsizing to one vehicle - if we lived where that would be appropriate for us with jobs that didn't require solo transport such as we both have now.
Organization is key, now more than ever. I've seen in one week how the added
work has had me overeating. So before it gets out of hand I'm mentally reviewing my french chic attitude bank and start today to make sure I employ all the trucs so that I can reach my goals (and the end of the holiday season) in jeans that fit! Of course the mindset/organization/dedication that the french chic lifestyle requires
will not only assist me in areas concerning la cuisine, but throughout the home/life continuum. Weekends (in my case F/S/Sun) are, henceforth, primarily for getting laundry, grocery shopping and week ahead planning/stray appraisals done. I will chop celery and carrots in a quantity for the fridge - great snacks, starter course and starts to soup/stir fry etc. I'll munch those, with fruit or a few olives, instead of cookies/chips/candy etc (horrible time of year in an American household with Halloween candy ubiquitous). Make a big pot of rice, a pot of soup or stew....clean some lettuce. I ordinarily bake some bread, but that's one thing I'll give up for now as we've got options for good bread. I'm considering adjusting my mealtimes to 10 - 4 - 10 to accomodate my schedule, keeping the rest of the family on 6 -12-6 because of school etc. Usually I hang lots of my laundry - and put it straight into the closet on the same hanger - but weather changes and time constraints may cause more frequent dryer use than I like. We have an excellent aluminum rack from Aldi and a short line in the basement, but nothing beats the backyard when possible. My teenagers, as they do, have lots of things going on in their lives, including some jobs of their own, but they are aware of increased responsibility looming! They have their chores and are old enough to do many things - including cooking, as they all have skills/experience.
I'm going to take my weekly allowance out on Friday. Keeping it in an envelope and placing receipts inside as I go thru the week, marking the amounts spent on the outside. Very good method for me. We'll gas up the vehicles on Mon/Tues when it's lowest price usually.
I am realistic enough to know that this regime will require some cash outlay - most notably for a cleaning lady. I'd been researching this but put it on the back shelf until today. Only one day a month, she won't do the kids bedrooms - that's their responsibility - and it'll be worth every penny.
Of course you may recall I am starting my own business and, bien sur, I've got some work coming in. This is good, but requires my attention!!
Another big item is that we are starting to liquidate/assess our rental properties. The condo has an interested buyer. As we move closer to college/retirement we are
not poised exactly in the catbird seat so the regime is tres important for yet another reason. We can make some good decisions, not panicked ones, concerning the properties.
As you can see, I will still post. It clears my head! If you have any good ideas for
me, bring 'em on!
Optimistically, La
Sunday, October 25, 2009
I love Peter Mayle
http://tinyurl.com/yf7oj2w
fun article from the ny times, ends with a yummy looking recipe for pumpkin risotto. looks like
you could use your day after halloween jack o'lantren for this recipe too!
fun article from the ny times, ends with a yummy looking recipe for pumpkin risotto. looks like
you could use your day after halloween jack o'lantren for this recipe too!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Inspire: Stylish Videos
Ines de la Fressange
http://www.rogervivier.com/en/#/ines
Love the literary french woman -
http://www.france5.fr/la-grande-librairie/index.php?page=article&numsite=1403&id_rubrique=1406&id_article=12638
both so very inspirational!
http://www.rogervivier.com/en/#/ines
Love the literary french woman -
http://www.france5.fr/la-grande-librairie/index.php?page=article&numsite=1403&id_rubrique=1406&id_article=12638
both so very inspirational!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
La Rentree
For me the Fall season is all about la rentree, the reentry into worklife. Fittingly I have just formed an LLC with an appraiser I respect and enjoy spending time with.
Laying the foundation for a business model, we have followed the conventional rules and have a business plan. Real estate appraisal is anything but glamourous so I am keeping my mind focused on making this business chic enough to speak to me while making a nice living from it.
First was partnering with B., for the above mentioned qualities plus the motivational factor of mirroring a hard working professional. We can support one another as appraisers and spend quality time doing so as friends as well. The fact that we met as appraisers (not as friends first) seems important.
Our client packet was fun to assemble, including cover letter, resumes and sample appraisals along with new business cards. I wrote/designed the cover letter and business card, both are simple and classic. Following my 'hit list' of local prospects I hand delivered one of our packets with a simple bouquet and 2 bunches of concord grapes (both just picked from my potager) to an aquaintance we're hoping to do business with.
I'm looking forward to the simple touches we can add to our sales presentation and client relationships to elevate the interactions.
I see working from home as a huge bonus to the daily chic factor as I have control over lighting, music, meals, taking breaks to stretch and do a quick household task, sometimes watching an inspirational video in another window on my computer screen.
No snacking is a worthy habit when you are 15 feet from the kitchen and developing a dinner plan as you work thru the day. Makes the yummy petit and grand dejeuner imperative!
The downside is the temptaion to loll about in pjs...which happens I suppose. My 'secret' weapon is dressing the part and lately when I've worn my uniform of pencil skirt, slim tank/athletic top, cute jacket with either pointy toed kitten heel pumps or Clarks slip on sandals I've been and felt "good to go" all day long in all my daily situations. I may have to break out the boots/keds when appraising some properties .....but those can go in a box in the car that holds my appraisal gear.
Second 'secret' weapon is music. I am listening to Big Star and Elvis Costello - my own soundtrack in other words - or french radio streaming live on the net.
Both clothing and music have been very effective in motivating me this rentree and I think it's a good thing.
Le regime fric:
Been serious about this for at least a year now. Very limited/controlled spending, very limited income.
Applying for part time work. Would be hard, but will make the winter go faster and smoother. Will necessitate participation in the housework from children.
Will focus me on income production for right now. Another year or two of this, plus Jake's prep for his career change and in over a year or so...we should be doing well. In the spring I think we should think about selling this house and perhaps renting or downsizing in some way, especially if we haven't sold the condo. Homes are selling in RR.
I hope to be able to keep up with occasional posts - they help me to focus on what is really important/necessary to my life - but realistically I will be busier than ever, so this blog will be last on the "to do" list, as it has been lately. I also love reading the blogs of others - inspirational and comforting at the same time as so many of us deal with the recession and living a full, chic life: so if you have the time keep on posting!
Laying the foundation for a business model, we have followed the conventional rules and have a business plan. Real estate appraisal is anything but glamourous so I am keeping my mind focused on making this business chic enough to speak to me while making a nice living from it.
First was partnering with B., for the above mentioned qualities plus the motivational factor of mirroring a hard working professional. We can support one another as appraisers and spend quality time doing so as friends as well. The fact that we met as appraisers (not as friends first) seems important.
Our client packet was fun to assemble, including cover letter, resumes and sample appraisals along with new business cards. I wrote/designed the cover letter and business card, both are simple and classic. Following my 'hit list' of local prospects I hand delivered one of our packets with a simple bouquet and 2 bunches of concord grapes (both just picked from my potager) to an aquaintance we're hoping to do business with.
I'm looking forward to the simple touches we can add to our sales presentation and client relationships to elevate the interactions.
I see working from home as a huge bonus to the daily chic factor as I have control over lighting, music, meals, taking breaks to stretch and do a quick household task, sometimes watching an inspirational video in another window on my computer screen.
No snacking is a worthy habit when you are 15 feet from the kitchen and developing a dinner plan as you work thru the day. Makes the yummy petit and grand dejeuner imperative!
The downside is the temptaion to loll about in pjs...which happens I suppose. My 'secret' weapon is dressing the part and lately when I've worn my uniform of pencil skirt, slim tank/athletic top, cute jacket with either pointy toed kitten heel pumps or Clarks slip on sandals I've been and felt "good to go" all day long in all my daily situations. I may have to break out the boots/keds when appraising some properties .....but those can go in a box in the car that holds my appraisal gear.
Second 'secret' weapon is music. I am listening to Big Star and Elvis Costello - my own soundtrack in other words - or french radio streaming live on the net.
Both clothing and music have been very effective in motivating me this rentree and I think it's a good thing.
Le regime fric:
Been serious about this for at least a year now. Very limited/controlled spending, very limited income.
Applying for part time work. Would be hard, but will make the winter go faster and smoother. Will necessitate participation in the housework from children.
Will focus me on income production for right now. Another year or two of this, plus Jake's prep for his career change and in over a year or so...we should be doing well. In the spring I think we should think about selling this house and perhaps renting or downsizing in some way, especially if we haven't sold the condo. Homes are selling in RR.
I hope to be able to keep up with occasional posts - they help me to focus on what is really important/necessary to my life - but realistically I will be busier than ever, so this blog will be last on the "to do" list, as it has been lately. I also love reading the blogs of others - inspirational and comforting at the same time as so many of us deal with the recession and living a full, chic life: so if you have the time keep on posting!
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