a to z.

This has been posted to a couple blogs I follow (Dream Book Design and The Epper's Adventures), so I thought I would jump on the bandwagon and fill it out too!

A. age: 26

B. bed size: king

C. chore you hate: laundry, I always fail to put it away.

My Little Mountain Man- Riley

D. dog: Riley- best dog ever.

E. essential start to your day: coffee, coffee, more coffee

F. favorite color: green

G. gold or silver: gold

H. height: 5'10”

I. instruments you play: none- I wish I played the drums- maybe I will learn.

J. job title: Client Services Coordinator

K. kids: Not “technically” mine, but I consider Madison (my niece) my child.

Madison with a tadpole!

L. live: Phoenix, someday will move to the Pacific Northwest where the sun doesn’t shine and it rains all the time.

M. maiden name: Rohn

N. nicknames: Trace, Suzie, CiCi (my fav), twinkletoes

O. overnight hospital stays: oh goodness- when I had a concussion and cracked my skull rollerblading- always wear a helmet people.

P. pet peeve: ignorance, self-righteousness, sloppiness, narrow-mindedness

Q. quote: “Do what you feel in your heart to be right—for you’ll be criticized anyway.” Eleanor Roosevelt

R. righty or lefty: righty

S. siblings: Two Older Sisters, Two Older Brother—I definitely have the “youngest child” syndrome.

T. time you wake up: about 6 usually.

U. university attended: Graduated from Northern Arizona University.

V. vegetables you dislike: brussel sprouts- I tried them and ICK.

W. what makes you run late: my forgetfulness I must run back into the house at least 5 times before I can officially leave.

X. x-rays you’ve had: where oh where to begin—head, back, both legs, both arms, ribs…all except my back were broken (hence twinkletoes nickname above).

Y. yummy food: Mexican- I swear if it has cheese and a tortilla it’s going to be good.

Z. zoo animal favorite: monkeys.

Happy Friday!

things i need.

I am dreaming of cooler weather, unfortunately it is still 110 degrees in Phoenix...so while I am waiting unpatiently I decided to pick out the new things I will need to purchase for the upcoming season...

 Military Jacket from Banana Republic

Structured handbag from Michael Kors (my fav!)

Tribal Printed Scarves- Found at shopstyle.com

Classic Black Tory Burch Flats

A New Black and White Houndstooth Scarf (my old one has seen better days)

Some Navy and Bows

My best attempt at the poncho

Cobalt!

Chocolate Metals- this one is unrealistic, but hey a girl can dream

Ankle Pants

Skinnies (Paige of course!)

Leopard- Found at ASOS.com

Black Knit Riding Pants

Paige Flares

Thank goodness these are back in style!

Frye Shirley Riding Boots

(I have these already, but riding boots are a MUST have for fall)

make life beautiful.



I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. ––Audrey Hepburn

I cannot believe September is already here (it may have something to do with the fact that it is still 113 degrees outside), wow time flies! I have been through some pretty major life changes in the past year and recently sound out loud to myself “I need a life overhaul”. What a coincidence that while perusing the internet I came across a blog post titled The Charmed Life Challenge. The list gave me the push I needed to try new things and what better time to start than the first day of a new month. The goal is to find beauty and delight in every day. Every day for one month choose one item off the list. And for thirty days in September (or whenever you decide to get going)—feel life get a little more beautiful day by day.

1.  Give something broken a new life.

2. Put something beautiful on a bit of blank wall you see every day.
3. Wear something you love that you think “just isn’t you.”
4. Send a thank you note, for anything.
5. Spend an afternoon reading.
6. Cook in a vintage apron.
7. Have luncheon: a slow midday meal with cloth napkins and wine.
8. Go out of your way to do something kind for a stranger (offer a seat, hold the door, leave your copy of Us Weekly on the elliptical).
9. Donate five items from your closet that don’t make you feel unstoppably gorgeous.
10. Take care of a nagging life admin item (a trip to the post office, filing an insurance claim, making a doctor’s appointment).
11. Buy an utterly frivolous piece of lingerie.
12. Invite friends over for cocktails, dinner, or brunch.
13. Wake up an hour early to have a leisurely morning.
14. Try something that looks like pure fun (accordion, crochet, burlesque).
15. Dance. In public, in the living room, with a partner, with yourself.
16. Flirt with a stranger. (Smiling counts.)
17. Get rid of five things in your home that don’t bring you pleasure.
18. Go to a perfumery or department store in search of a signature scent.
19. Buy flowers for your home or office.
20. Make a recipe from a fruit, vegetable, meat or fish you’ve never cooked before.
21. Walk barefoot in the grass or on the sand.
22. Have a media-free day.
23. Write down everything you feel grateful for.
24. Hold a baby.
25. Pet a puppy.
26. Ask someone to tell you their life story.
27. Read a biography of your favorite glamorous screen star, or the bravest, most badass real life heroine.
28. Eat fresh berries, straight from the green paper pint.
29. Create an occasion to wear your most impractical pair of shoes.
30. Write down your wildest dreams.
31. Take one itsy-bitsy, teensy-weensy step to make one real.
32. Have a proper weekday coffee break: ceramic cup, idle gossip, and staring out a window.
33. Visit a playground and swing.
34. Make lemonade. (Literally or figuratively.)
35. Go to a junk or antique story; consider what your favorite object has seen in its life.
36. Jump in a body of water. Float.
37. Give someone a hug; let them let go first.
38. Look at the stars.
39. Replace one utilitarian item you use every day––a measuring spoon, a file folder, a key chain––with something really, really beautiful.
40. Pamper your body with a massage, an overdue haircut, a trip to the sauna, or a soak in the tub.
41. Research something that sparks your curiosity (Arthurian legend, photosynthesis, investing). If you’re still curious after a 15-minute google session, dive deeper.
42. Make a collage of beautiful images that resonate with you.
43. Read aloud to someone you love.
44. Forgive yourself.
45. Forgive someone else.
46. Spend an hour in silent reflection.
47. Dine by candlelight on a weeknight.
48. Take a walk after dinner.
49. Wear your no-fail, cheer-me-up lipstick.
50. Give a genuine compliment to an acquaintance.
51. Have a glass of champagne, just because.
52. Spend one day taking pictures of everything you find beautiful.
53. Describe your perfect day in writing.
54. Block out an afternoon (or day) on the calendar to make some (or all) of it real.
55. Select one drawer or surface and organize it.
56. Write a love letter.
57. Do something you loved as a child.
58. Upgrade your sleep wear, or go Marilyn Style.
59. Do the one thing you were relieved/sad wasn’t on this list.
60. Pretend for one day that you are as confident and amazing as you want to be.

Please visit The Life Seduction Challenge for more information

arugula.

Lately I have been having an Arugula obsession; I don’t know why.  Maybe back to my younger years working in the French Bistro and eating hamburgers with Arugula piled on top.  That was my first exposure to the lovely little green lettuce.  It has been popular in Italy and France for ages, but caught on in the US and Britain somewhat more recently.

Arugula is a spicy little leaf, some may describe it as bitter, but I consider it to have a "peppery" flavor.  It is a very aromatic salad green and like most salad greens—low in calories and high in vitamins A and C.  A half cup serving is only 2 calories- who can complain about that!

Here is a very simple recipe I found on Trader Joe’s (my favorite place to grocery shop) website:

This salad really doesn't require measuring, but I included some measurements below. If you love pine nuts, add more pine nuts. If you love Parmesan, then load it on.

Arugula Salad with Pine Nuts and Parmesan

Ingredients
- 1 bag Arugula
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts
- 3/4 cup shaved Parmesan
- Salt
- Juice of 1/2 lemon

Instructions:
1) Toss the arugula with the olive oil till coated.
2) Add the pine nuts and Parmesan.
3) Add a little salt to taste and the lemon juice. Toss lightly and serve.

If you want to make this salad into a light meal, boil some pasta (say half a bag of penne) and toss it all together, allowing the arugula to wilt slightly.