Entre Nous.

Hear! Hear!

Pondering projects and goals for the new year always makes me reflect on the year past.

There was the re-launch of version 3.0 of Entre Nous, which took place in January. Also a memorable Altitude Summit occurred at which I met an array of uber talented gals getting their hustle on.

In February a relationship with someone from my past was rekindled. There was, as well, the celebration of my 9 year blogiversary with un petit giveaway. I also got my knitting on again after a hiatus of several years.

A monumental tete-a-tete with SJP, while she was on her whirlwind tour promoting her new shoe line, took place in March. Along with a jaunt down to LA for a girls trip with the Sophisticated Biotches (a gaggle of my besties).

In April I collaborated with the illustrious fashion illustrator Maya Beus on a piece I commissioned titled "Girl with Flower Crown". I also, monumentally (for me), eliminated gluten from my diet.

In May the illustration by Maya was showcased when my online shop, Life Styled, launched. Launching Life Styled was by far the highlight of the year. May was also my birthday month and there was a lot of fun had. But catching a theatrical performance of my favorite movie, 'A Room with A View', was one of the best moments. On the blog I launched my 'Behind the Scenes' interview series and 'Blogger Book Club'. In the realm of superficiality, I discovered the joy of lash extensions and nail art. Oh my poor pocketbook. Finall,y I received a promotion and raise at the 9 to 5. Stellar Birthday month to say the least.

June was a bit of a blur.

In July my little sister tied the knot in a gorgeous wedding. Followed by a girls road-trip to Cannon Beach, OR with the same gaggle of girls as the LA trip.

In August I took up Raku pottery and Pilates.

September's highlight was sailing aboard a catamaran.

In October I attended a Lena Dunham book reading which was brilliant beyond belief.

November and December were the usual swirl of holiday activities. Though I did conquer a fear of mine early in December. I gave a talk on history and art to group of 30 and managed not to faint once. Hooray!

Though 2014 wasn't all rainbows and unicorns, why bother giving another thought about those moments you'd rather forget? Alas, I had my fair share of tears and mini breakdowns. It was certainly a roller-coaster of a year, with more highs than lows thankfully.

2015 already has a few highlights and we're not even ten days in. I reconnected with a friend I hadn't been in contact with in 15+ years, oh the memories. Then I won a contest for a free hotel stay at a hotel in Seattle I frequent. I'm moving out of my current abode in May, the only question is to where. In regards to the blog, I'd like to add a few more regular series ala 'Behind the Scenes' and 'Blogger Book Club'. I'm contemplating monthly craft and cocktail features. The future of Life Styled hopefully includes a petite brick and mortar shop or a pop-up shop at the very least. I don't know about you, but I can't wait to see what 2015 holds.

Homeward Bound

a video by Fine Dining Lovers

I'm thrilled beyond belief for the success of my friend, James Beard nom, Blaine Wetzel and the recognition he's bringing to the island I grew up on. "The idea is that each days menu reflects almost like a moment in time in nature or on the island", what a lovely sentiment.

On another note, the radio silence on this blog of late was due to the fact that my blogging platform, Typepad, was hit with a DDoS Attacks, which started on Friday. Everything appears to be status quo at the moment and here's hoping it's smooth sailing from here on out.

   

Over the weekend I managed to attend a joint Birthday party for my Dad and sister in Seattle. While in Seattle I also managed to fit in a blowout at Swink Style Bar and snagged a limited edition Hi-Hat cupcake from Trophy Cupcakes (gluten free, naturally). Then on the drive back up northward towards home, we took a meandering drive trough the tulip fields in Skagit Valley. Whenever I'm living in Washington I try to always make a point of not missing this spectacular sight that occurs around Easter, when all the tulip fields seem to bloom simultaneously. Easter Sunday was comprised of church, treats, and a lovely dinner. All in all not too shabby of a weekend.

Summerland

Every summer I try to plan a few variations on the much needed summer getaway. This summer I managed to plan four trips out of dodge to a variety of destinations ranging from day trips to a week long vacation.

  

Early in the summer I took a day trip to Vashon Island. I counted this as my “go someplace you’ve never been” excursion. Though my Mother, my traveling companion for the day, claims I visited Vashon when I was young. Since I have no recollection of said trip, I count it as a never been. In case you’re curious, one reaches Vashon by catching the ferry from West Seattle. I adore island hopping and checking out other San Juan Islands, it's such a traditional summer pastime. Originally my primary reason for visiting Vashon was to dine at The Hardware Store Restaurant, a place boasting an extensive number of options sans gluten. A good meal can be the greatest motivator. Unlike the SJI I reside on, Vashon, actually possesses an actual downtown. We first hit the farmers market, and I walked away with a gorgeous stained glass feather that now resides in my bathroom window. Then it was on to the Hardware Store, where I had the most delicious gluten free Fish and Chips. After lunch we strolled in and out of a few shops, my favorite being Giraffe,
from which I snagged a gorgeous pair of earrings. The owner of Giraffe directed us to The Vashon Island Coffee Roasterie, for the best cup on the island. There I indulged in a mocha with orange, despite the warm day. It was incredible and I savored every sip. Inside the shop the history of the coffee company became clear. Apparently the original owners founded Seattle’s Best Coffee. Adjacent to the coffee shop was also a petite ice cream shop. Both the Coffee Shop and Ice Cream shop were receiving heavy foot traffic. I couldn’t help but get a scoop to see what all the fuss was about, clearly I have an insatiable sweet tooth. The ice cream, was of course, top notch. From there it was onto the Vashon lighthouse. There one can rent out the lighthouse keepers quarters for the night or for events. I’m already planning my next excursion to Vashon to spend a bit more time meandering and exploring the island. Unfortunately though on that particular day the lighthouse was our last stop before heading back to the ferry.

Energizer

 

 

For the past few weeks I've been incorporating Jorge Cruise's recipe for what I deem "energy muffins" into my breakfast repertoire. These muffins are designed to provide sustainable energy that lasts through lunch, thanks to coconut oil - a healthy fat that’s good for your brain, fiber-rich flaxseed and egg protein. The brilliance of these muffins is the manner in which you make them.

Ingredients: 1/4 cup ground flax, 1 tsp baking powder, 2 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp coconut oil 1 egg, 1 packet stevia (makes 1 serving)

Directions: Mix all ingredients together in a mug and microwave for 50 seconds. Allow to cool to a safe temperature.

These muffins are the easiest thing to whip together and are surprising filling. Incorporating dried or fresh fruit into the muffin would be a another way to mix things up if you tire of them in their traditional state. I also substitute a sweetener by Wholesome Sweeteners called Zero, as I prefer the flavor to Stevia.

Enjoy!

Bring it on!

That's my motto for the new year. 2012 was the year a lot of definitive plans were set in motion and 2013 will be the year those plans come to fruition. I'm very fond of clean slates, resolutions, goals, and the making of lists and plans. So without further ado, here are the highlights of my resolutions for the year ahead.

New Year's Resolutions

1. Eat and drink more healthfully and exercise regularly. Eliminate the foods I'm allergic to from my diet and try going Paleo for at least a month. Mix it up on the exercise front; yoga, pilates, hiking, and tennis.

2. Devote more time to the care of my skin. I've discovered an incredible line of products from the dead sea that I can't wait to start utilizing on a daily basis.

3. Open my life style boutique. First online then of the brick and mortar variety.

4. Be a more attentive and present friend. Initiate phone calls and return calls in a more timely manner. Communicate via the written word and not only the typed variety.

5. Travel to more far flung locations and visit more new destinations. In two weeks I'll be checking off the "visit more new destinations" portion of that resolution by going to Salt Lake City, UT and Park City, UT.

6. Blog more regularly and purposefully. My intention is to walk away from Alt Summit with a clearer purpose of the direction this blog is taking.

7. Don't be so hard on myself. I'm my biggest critic and so this year I mean to cut myself some slack.

8. Get organized and stay that way. From my email inbox to my closets and every area of my life in between.

9. Do something creative on a regular basis. Put those pinned DIY projects on Pinterest to good use.

10. Take on the study of either a sport, language, or musical instrument. I'm thinking tennis, horseback riding, French, or the piano.

Bonus. Treat myself. As the French woman who rang up my bottle of perfume at the Chanel shop in Paris said, "you deserve it". She was right, I do. It doesn't have to be anything expensive or extravagant, a simple cup of tea prepared with thoughtfulness in a china tea cup would suffice.