Beach Bum Book List

I am heading off to a beach getaway later today, and as a self-proclaimed bookworm, I always bring almost as many books on vacation as I do bathing suits.  So sit down in the sand under the sun, grab a cold drink, and enjoy one of these timeless summer reads!  Click here for a list of 17 great books you won't be able to put down.

Bonjour Tristesse by Françoise Sagan

The novel was originally written in French, and the title translates to "Hello Sadness."  It was published when the author was only 18 years old and was an overnight success.  Bonjour Tristesse is a sinfully glamorous story set on the French Riviera centered around the beautiful teenage Cécile as she struggles between the naivety of her youth to the difficulties and reality of adulthood.

"For what are we looking for if not to please?  I do not know if the desire to attract others comes from a superabundance of vitality, possessiveness, or the hidden, unspoken need to be reassured."

The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy

The God of Small Things was assigned during my senior year of high school, and although my literary taste did not usually line up with that of my school's English Department, I absolutely loved this one.  It's a novel about forbidden love, and the story delves into heavy topics such as child molestation, domestic abuse, and incest.  I prefer books that challenge the way I think, and The God of Small Things does just that.  

"Little events, ordinary things, smashed and reconstituted.  Suddenly, they became the bleached bones of a story."

Le Petit Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry 

Le Petit Prince, "The Little Prince," is truly a classic, and one of the most beautifully crafted stories I have read.  It is short and sweet, proving quality reigns over quantity.  I don't often cry during books, but this one is so poignant that even I shed a few tears.  The author drops golden nuggets of wisdom and worldly insight throughout the book - even though it might look like it is meant for kids from the cover, Le Petit Prince is tender and thought-provoking.

"The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched, they are felt with the heart."

Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Great Gatsby is F. Scott Fitzgerald's most famous novel, but my favorite Fitzgerald literary feat is Tender is the Night.  Tender is the Night is set on the French Riviera (everyone's dream summer destination) and features a young Hollywood star who becomes involved with several complex adult characters.  This novel is very psychologically intense, and two versions of the novel are in print - the original with flashbacks, and the revised edition in chronological order prepared and published posthumously by Fitzgerald's close friend, Malcolm Crowley. 

"I don't ask you to love me always like this, but I ask you to remember.  Somewhere inside of me there will always be the person I am tonight."

Yes Please! Apartment Edition

Everyone remembers their first apartment.  My dad fondly recalls his first apartment in Boston he shared with his college buddies that they lovingly named "The Dive," and my mom not so fondly recalls hers in Philly which was graced with the presence of unwelcome guests...roaches and rodents.  This week I signed the lease on my very own apartment!  It's perfect for a 19-almost-20 year old college student, and really cute to boot.  It's art deco style, complete with mosaics, fountains, and a pale blue and green exterior. 

Immediately I took measurements and started planning what furniture would go where, how I could possibly fit all of my clothes into the small excuse for a closet, and best of all, decorating!  I have been scrounging around the nooks and crannies of the interwebs as well as local stores, boutiques, and vintage shops for the perfect furniture, bedding, mirrors, art, and rugs.  I want to create my haven for studying, cooking, reading, working, and relaxing.  Below you can enjoy a compilation of my irresistible finds.  Happy decorating!

{ Fire Escape Wall Shelf, Urban Outfitters, $129 }

{ Mint Rivulets Quilt, Anthropologie, $288-$368 }

{ Plum & Bow Heart Toothbrush Holder, Urban Outfitters, $12 }

{ Pro & Con Notepad (for all of you terrible decision makers like me), ModCloth, $7.99 }

{ This Time Tea-morrow Set (for all of you tea lovers like me), ModCloth, $54.99 }

{ Mod Euro White Supernova Chandelier, Shades of Light, $169 }

{ Avocado Salt & Pepper Shakers, Pier 1, $10.95 }

{ Moonbeam Tapestry (used as a bedspread here!), Urban Outfitters, $49 }

{Lilly Pulitzer Sister Floral Towels, Garnet Hill, $38-$58 }

Yin & Yang

Image Courtesy of Instagram

"The heart of a human being is no different from the soul of heaven and earth.  In your practice always keep in your thoughts the interaction of heaven and earth, water and fire, yin and yang." 

-Morehei Ueshiba

Image courtesy of hannahrjones13.buzznet.com

{ Yin and Yang nail art }

"Everything in the world is dualism.  In it, you can always find yin and yang."

{ Parker Yin Yang Dress, Shopbop, $275 }

"Yin and yang are two sides of dualism.  It is the tail and the head of a coin.  The tail is yin, then the head is yang.  They exist alongside one another.  The head cannot exist without the tail, and the tail cannot exist without the head."

{ Homemade Yin and Yang cookies, The Pescetarian and The Pig }

"All life embodies the yin and embraces the yang.  Through their union achieving harmony."

-Tao Te Ching, Chapter 42

{ Yin Yang Penny 3/4 Bell Sleeve Dress, Lauren Moshi, $123 $57 }

"In the black, there is some white.

In the wrong, there is some right.

In the dark, there is some light.

In the blind, there is some sight."

{ Fun Stuff Yin Yang iPhone 4/4s Case, Urban Outfitters, $16 }

"Everything has a yin and a yang side.  Day fathers the night which gives birth to a new day.  Remember this in your darkest hour."

Hellenic Hipsters

Try as I might to fight it, I am hopelessly mainstream.  I definitely have a personal style and sometimes make some questionable wardrobe choices, but no one will ever call me a hipster.  But don't worry, this site won't be lacking in hipster inspiration due to my personal limitations.  Life size, lifeless, and perfectly sculpted classical Greek statues are taking over that trendy responsibility.  

Even thought it would be awesome if these classical statues were actually wearing contemporary clothing, these images were made with photomanipulation and computer graphics by photographer Léo Caillard and photo editor Alexis Persani.  Watch a video here about the process of altering the images.

A Daddy is a Daughter's First Love

{ Daddy and me, 2/11/1995 }

Happy Father's Day to all dads out there!

Aspire to Inspire

Today marks six months since the horrific shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.  The massacre that left twenty children and six adults dead cast a shadow on our nation and prompted passionate debate about gun violence.  Today is a day to remember, grieve, and remind our loved ones how much they mean to us.

If you're like me, sometimes it gets hard to keep everything in this kind of perspective.  Work, school, commitments, hobbies, relationships, friends, family...it all begins to add up to a packed and often extremely hectic schedule that can become stressful and sometimes overwhelming.  It's important to remember that most of our stressors are blessings, even though sometimes they wear a disguise. Take a few minutes to read though the 53 Quotes That Will Make You Rethink Everything here, and you will do exactly that.  These five quotes were the most meaningful to me:

1.  "Everything you can imagine is real." -Pablo Picasso

12.  "The things you do for yourself are gone when you are gone, but the things you do for others remain as your legacy." -Kalu Ndukwe Kalu

22.  "Dwell on the beauty of life.  Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them." -Marcus Aurelius

46.  "That's how stories happen - with a turning point, an unexpected twist.  There's only one kind of happiness, but misfortune comes in all shapes and sizes.  It's like Tolstoy said.  Happiness is an allegory, unhappiness a story." -Haruki Murakami

52.  "Let yourself be open and life will be easier.  A spoon of salt in a glass of water makes the water undrinkable.  A spoon of salt in a lake is almost unnoticed." -Buddha

FENTON 2014

Dana Lorenz really outdid herself this time.  The founder of the FENTON/FALLON jewelry collections produced the most stunning line of necklaces and bracelets I have seen from her yet (until next season, I assume).  FENTON embodies pop culture inspiration, and each creation is a piece of statement jewelry.  Beautifully crafted metal, crystals, and chains are twisted and wrapped together, which is FENTON's signature aesthetic.  I previously featured FENTON/FALLON on my blog in the post Shine On You Crazy Diamond here!

Enjoy a little peek at some of the pieces from FENTON Holiday, Resort, & Pre Spring 2014.

A Closer Look

À mon avis...In my humble opinion

Each FENTON/FALLON creation is more gorgeous than the next.  Every piece of jewelry is a pristine piece of art, crafted with love by the brilliant Dana Lorenz.  But my absolute favorite piece is the divine combination of pink and black shown below.  To my friends and family - hint, hint!

Peace, love, & watermelon

Happy Sunday from my brunch to yours!

C'est Parfait

Not to be cliché, but breakfast is definitely my favorite meal of the day, and my favorite breakfast is yogurt parfaits.  All you need is some yogurt and as many toppings as your heart desires. I like Voskos Plain Non Fat Greek Yogurt because it's rich, creamy, and full of protein.  So mix away and make your perfect parfait!

  

{ Colorful berries }

{ Mango chunks}

{ Strawberries }

{ Banana slices }

{ Cherries - preferably pitted }

{ Pineapple chunks }

{ Grapes }

{ Organic honey - this honey is from Thomas Honey Company, a farm in my local area }

{ Granola - homemade if you can }

{ Dry cereal or oats - I always use Grape-Nuts because it adds crunch and is loaded with fiber }

my top 3 parfaits

{ Breakfast is beautifully served }

{ Breakfast for two }

{ Breakfast in bed }