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Image via Degeniephotography |
NOW LISTENING: ILUKA
Friday, March 29
1 comment:
GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
Wednesday, March 27
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Affordable rug from Marshalls ($49) and Pillow covers from Etsy and OneKingsLane. |
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Mirrored console instead of dark wood one. |
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Can you tell how much we love COLOR? |
While I'm not looking to make any major changes, we're thinking of either getting a new cover for sofa or changing it up entirely. Below are some of our picks:
1. Thrive Taylor Sofa $1,899
2. JCP Happy Chic by Jonathan Adler $1,750
3. & 5. Ikea covers by Bemz from $179
4. JCP design by Conran $950
6. Thrive Sullivan sofa $1,399
7. CB2 Avec sofa $1,299
8. Room & Board Andre sofa $1,899
MEET PANTORA
Tuesday, March 26
See more on their website: www.pantorany.com
2 comments:
COLOR ME IMPRESSED
I don't normally do reviews (that should change) but I was quite excited about this whole thing (as seen on my feed), so let's take a look inside:
It comes with all these goodies. Products I already know and love, its supposed to be better for your hair as there's no ammonia or sulfates, certified Organic Natural. Still, its permanent color, so I don't think it's exactly the healthiest thing for your hair either.
Anyways, I know many people would ask "why black?" Your hair is already black. Actually its a very dark brown, lighter in the sun and I much prefer my hair jet black. I think it makes my hair look healthier.
The results:
I have to say, my hair felt soooo soft after the color. My hair came out great, I kept feeling it and loving it. I didn't want to rush into any reviews or grand conclusions cos I wanted to see how it would hold up.
First wash: quite a bit of color came out in the shower. Since going natural, my hair doesn't hold color, which is why I gave up on rinses and the like. I was surprised that a permanent hair dye would run, but run it did. I was so worried that by the time I was done I'd be back to square one. Thankfully that wasn't the case.
Second & third washes: there's still a little color coming off when I wash. I even tried Garnier's conditioner for color (that sucked). I have to admit it's definitely not as black as day 1, but it's still pretty solid. My hair feels a tad drier than before so I'm making an effort to condition more.
Anyhoo, I have 2 extra boxes of this stuff (both jet black) for anyone who wants to try them. Just enter using the raffecopter below. I'll select 2 names to mail them to. Heads up, one of the boxes was pre-opened by me, just so I could show you guys the pictures of what's in the box, but I promise you its perfectly perfect and you're getting everything. Well that was long and I'm out.
*Only using Rafflecopter for this one cos it makes it easier to pick randomly
28 comments:
HAPPY MONDAY: BLOG UPDATES
Monday, March 25
First up: Google reader is shutting down, I know I have a significant number of subscribers on Google Reader and I don’t want to lose any of ya. So pretty please, you can follow me using , unless you figured out a better way to do it. Thanks to GodsFavShoes for the reminder.
Another thing, last year I changed my blog header name to SimplyCyn (it has caused some confusion), because while this blog started as devoted to all things Etsy, it has evolved to where I want the freedom to talk about any and all things, so the blog address might be changing soon. I'll keep you updated on that.
Lastly, I've been wanting to do this for a while and I think this would be a perfect time to invite contributions from you guys (if u're interested of course). It could be anything but I have to say, I'm a sucker for reviews. I love reviews, in fact 80% of what I look for online are reviews. So, if you have a beauty product, travel (hotel/food), household items, tech, shoes, anything that you would like to review, that you think deserves to be shared, you could send it in for consideration. I will be putting it up by the end of the week, more deets on the side banner about how to participate, think Contributor of the week with your photo on blog (YEAH!!!).
I’m closing in on a million pageviews and I can’t believe it. Can’t believe that you guys are still stopping by and everything and I want to make it more fun if possible and grow the discussions we have on here.
Don’t worry, even with some of these changes, I’m still going to keep it positively bright, fun and a happy space.
Here's to a good work week. Laters.
Red on red.
Everything Zara (yikes!!!!) even the borrowed hubbys coat.
22 comments:
BEFORE THEY'RE GONE
Friday, March 22
You should know Hammocks and High Tea and this is a great time to.
Founded by the lovely Karen Young, she's got an amazingly modern and fresh take on textiles.
There's currently a Sample sale going on and it's quite the deal so don't miss it. Many pillows are currently only $20. Catch it before it's over or before your faves are Sold Out.
2 comments:
HAPPY MONDAY: DOUBLE TROUBLE
Monday, March 18
I'm being punked folks. Someone lied to me that Spring was on its way. Not quite. Anyways, this one was definitely for you guys cos it was freezing. Thankfully I had my coat and I took these pics close to home as I thought I might be needing your opinion. As an attorney, most people imagine I wear stiff suits to work all the time, but actually this is more along the lines of how I dress for work. Unless of course I have court appearances at which point, I will be in a stiff suit. Although, I do my best to jazz it up every now and then.
Anyways, I was suffering from a little bit of indecision but at this point, I think I made up my mind. One print feels more modern, the other seems tribal (slash even African). Was really hard picking one to keep but I did.








Guess which?
HAPPY MONDAY!!!!
Wiggle Dresses ASOS collection: $71 $49
Zara sandals: actually picked up in Barcelona $39 previously seen here
Vince Camuto Sandals previously seen here
C. Wonder sunglasses: was gifted a wallet and did store exchange
J.Crew bag: gift
Earrings: C. Wonder and H&M
UPDATE: Have to say a major Thanks to my girl Brenda of CanNeverBeASkinnyB*@
for showing me so much love today.
for showing me so much love today.
54 comments:
NOW LISTENING: YADI
Friday, March 15
Can't thank my friends over at AfroMuzik enough for introducing me to this one. There's something quite addictive about "Blow", the first track I listened to. So much so that I had to see what else she had out there. I can't say this enough, there must be something in the water over there in the UK. Its also nice to listen to something that has not been played to death on the radio. Can someone who works in radio please explain to me what they play the same 15 songs all the time? Maybe I'm just naive about how it all works. But I digress. Point is there's some pure pop goodness here and Yadi knows how to deliver. I can only think her unique heritage (Algerian, Norwegian and Italian) and growing up listening to all kinds of music adds to that. She recently admitted working with some Algerian artists and I can't wait to see what comes of those collaborations.


Check out the videos for Blow (filmed in Casablanca, Morocco) and Guillotine below:
1 comment:
JUST MORE STUFF
Tuesday, March 12
I recently read the NYTimes article "Living with Less" by Graham Hill and it struck such a chord with me. It's crazy how easy it is to accumulate so much stuff, not all of it necessary, so much of it soon to be crap. I don't consider myself a big spender and by that I mean I rarely, if ever buy big ticket items, designer stuff etc. However, I am a sucker for a good deal. Unfortunately, it's really easy how quickly you can have too much of a deal. Even the 99cents store can become a thing.
So that's me on one hand. On the other hand, Ihate abhor clutter and things. I hate being surrounded by too many things, especially in NYC which feels tight and a battle for space all the time. In our homes, offices, on the street, in trains, buses, so on and so forth. I try to do little things like clothing swaps, give up things I may have once loved, the semi-annual Salvation army run.
Which brings me to this. There seem to be 2 schools if I had to simplify. Those who keep everything (hoarders and I don't mean at the level of the TV show). Their reasons are many and well meaning and include everything from: "I might need it; Someone else down the road may find it useful; I don't like waste; I paid so much for it, so I should keep it; there's sentimental value and I can't let go etc etc...) Then there's the other group (the purgers): they usually don't like clutter, they get bored and tired quick of things, they like change and new shiny stuff, they tell themselves I've enjoyed it enough, it's all good as long as they got a buck for it when they sold it on Ebay (yeah but you paid $50), or someone at Salvation was able to benefit from it.
The challenge for both groups, is finding that balance between wanting, buying, and keeping STUFF. Constantly doing math about free space under one's bed, purchasing space bags, storing stuff at mum's might be an indication of too much stuff. Always purging, swapping and stoop sales, might also be an indication of too much.
I guess I'm not really offering solutions or saying I figured it all out. I'm just pointing out that I know there are areas of my life where I could be better and I have to make an effort. I have 10 pairs of jeans but I only really wear 2. I love books and used to read all the time, so I bought so many books from bargain bookstores (patting myself on the back cos they were under $1) and filled up my bookshelves. It made me feel happy and good. And now I sit here staring at them. cos while they make for OK decor, I don't know the last time I cracked open any of them, with Kindles and iPads, I don't even know when next I would. Should I purge myself of them too? Am I just filling up space?
I'm not one to tell people to limit themselves to only what they NEED. Needs are always a first but I think its really important, especially if you've done your numbers, to get things you love and to make room for them. Be it that guitar, that bag, that perfume, that table, upgrading that old sofa, those things bring what I call little "happies". That shouldn't be considered shallow or materialistic. But when you're surrounded by so much noise, by so many things, can you really appreciate any of them. I thought I wanted the other 8 pairs of jeans, but I am in reality living without them, I just have them taking up space. I might purge and get new ones OR I might store them in a space bag.
All I got right now are tricks. I've tried tricks like waiting for weeks to see if I still want something; I have weekly, monthly shopping freezes (I cheat); I resell when possible; I ask myself if this wasn't on clearance, would I buy it? Those little tricks help but definitely aren't a solution. Cos as the saying goes, prevention is better than cure.
So, I'm asking you guys: How do you make sure (tricks included), that you only purchase what matters, what gives you real "happies", so that you don't end up with JUST MORE STUFF?
Also read below some interesting excerpts from the article:
"Our fondness for stuff affects almost every aspect of our lives. Housing size, for example, has ballooned in the last 60 years. The average size of a new American home in 1950 was 983 square feet; by 2011, the average new home was 2,480 square feet. And those figures don’t provide a full picture. In 1950, an average of 3.37 people lived in each American home; in 2011, that number had shrunk to 2.6 people. This means that we take up more than three times the amount of space per capita than we did 60 years ago."
"I like material things as much as anyone. I studied product design in school. I’m into gadgets, clothing and all kinds of things. But my experiences show that after a certain point, material objects have a tendency to crowd out the emotional needs they are meant to support."
So that's me on one hand. On the other hand, I
Which brings me to this. There seem to be 2 schools if I had to simplify. Those who keep everything (hoarders and I don't mean at the level of the TV show). Their reasons are many and well meaning and include everything from: "I might need it; Someone else down the road may find it useful; I don't like waste; I paid so much for it, so I should keep it; there's sentimental value and I can't let go etc etc...) Then there's the other group (the purgers): they usually don't like clutter, they get bored and tired quick of things, they like change and new shiny stuff, they tell themselves I've enjoyed it enough, it's all good as long as they got a buck for it when they sold it on Ebay (yeah but you paid $50), or someone at Salvation was able to benefit from it.
The challenge for both groups, is finding that balance between wanting, buying, and keeping STUFF. Constantly doing math about free space under one's bed, purchasing space bags, storing stuff at mum's might be an indication of too much stuff. Always purging, swapping and stoop sales, might also be an indication of too much.
I guess I'm not really offering solutions or saying I figured it all out. I'm just pointing out that I know there are areas of my life where I could be better and I have to make an effort. I have 10 pairs of jeans but I only really wear 2. I love books and used to read all the time, so I bought so many books from bargain bookstores (patting myself on the back cos they were under $1) and filled up my bookshelves. It made me feel happy and good. And now I sit here staring at them. cos while they make for OK decor, I don't know the last time I cracked open any of them, with Kindles and iPads, I don't even know when next I would. Should I purge myself of them too? Am I just filling up space?
I'm not one to tell people to limit themselves to only what they NEED. Needs are always a first but I think its really important, especially if you've done your numbers, to get things you love and to make room for them. Be it that guitar, that bag, that perfume, that table, upgrading that old sofa, those things bring what I call little "happies". That shouldn't be considered shallow or materialistic. But when you're surrounded by so much noise, by so many things, can you really appreciate any of them. I thought I wanted the other 8 pairs of jeans, but I am in reality living without them, I just have them taking up space. I might purge and get new ones OR I might store them in a space bag.
All I got right now are tricks. I've tried tricks like waiting for weeks to see if I still want something; I have weekly, monthly shopping freezes (I cheat); I resell when possible; I ask myself if this wasn't on clearance, would I buy it? Those little tricks help but definitely aren't a solution. Cos as the saying goes, prevention is better than cure.
So, I'm asking you guys: How do you make sure (tricks included), that you only purchase what matters, what gives you real "happies", so that you don't end up with JUST MORE STUFF?
Also read below some interesting excerpts from the article:
"Our fondness for stuff affects almost every aspect of our lives. Housing size, for example, has ballooned in the last 60 years. The average size of a new American home in 1950 was 983 square feet; by 2011, the average new home was 2,480 square feet. And those figures don’t provide a full picture. In 1950, an average of 3.37 people lived in each American home; in 2011, that number had shrunk to 2.6 people. This means that we take up more than three times the amount of space per capita than we did 60 years ago."
"I like material things as much as anyone. I studied product design in school. I’m into gadgets, clothing and all kinds of things. But my experiences show that after a certain point, material objects have a tendency to crowd out the emotional needs they are meant to support."
15 comments:
HAPPY MONDAY: STRIPED
Monday, March 11
Heya, Wasn't that nice. NY-ers, we got close to the mid-50's there. So very happy, unfortunately the numbers go back down, but this is when I get excited, when Spring is right around the corner. I have to do my Spring Cleaning, which means Salvation Army runs and maybe clothing swap with friends. I also started unloading some stuff on Ebay. It doesn't matter how pretty it looks and how much I think I love or need it, if I'm not wearing it.... I need to just get rid of it. If there's a word for opposite of hoarder, that would be me.
This weekend I thought I could be a bad-ass so I threw on this pair of waxed denim from H&M. They almost look and feel like leather so that's pretty darn cool, especially for the non-leather price. I love the fit, they hold most everything in (its all about the hold and squeeze people).



Alrighty folks, thanks for stopping by and hope you had a nice weekend.
HAPPY MONDAY!!!
UPDATE: The great team at HartlynKids featured me today. So nice of them. Check it out.
Blouse: Nastygal $19
Sunglasses: Fredflare $9
Waxed denim: H&M $49.50
Sandals: Aldo seen before here
Jewelry: F21 and H&M
Bag: Baginc
30 comments:
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