Month: August 2012

MindFULL LIttle Luxuries Under $20

How often do you treat yourself? I am a firm believer in the old adage, “It’s the little things.” See, I am one of those people who goes all out and then crashes. Knowing this, I am always on the lookout for little ways to sooth myself and bring energy back into my Spirit.

While I’d really like to go to a spa or lounge at a house on the beach, I have to bear in mind that that ways to fill back up need to be a little more realistic — and affordable. What’s affordable? Say…around $20. There is something about a $20 bill for me. If I see something I like and it is $20 or less, I don’t give it a second thought. If it’s more, I ponder whether or not I really want it. So, my list is made up of little things that I can do for myself that cost under $20:

  1. Good shampoo
  2. Body wash instead of soap
  3. Fresh flowers
  4. Manicures
  5. Hummus, olives and a glass of wine
  6. A makeover at Nordstoms and a new colorful lipstick
  7. Film to shoot
  8. Colorful underwear and socks
  9. A latte’ at the library
  10. Going to the movies in the middle of the day
  11. Really good hand lotion in a tube
  12. Getting my car washed and vacuumed
  13. A new journal
  14. A new playlist
  15. A large make my own frozen yogurt
  16. A used book from Powells

What do you MindFULLY do for yourself that costs $20 or less?Add to our list and let us know!

Eat, Drink and Read

This from the pages of MORE magazine; a great concept that I will bring to my book club this year – Eat, Drink and Read. Oh ya, we already do that. We actually have trouble finding time to discuss the books.

So, in the spirit of  keeping on with what you do best, I thought I’d share a great book and cocktail recommendation. Whether you are in a book club or not, I hope you find State of Wonder, by Ann Patchett, and an iced Blood Orange Cipirinha, an easy way to spend one of these warm summer days!

Blood Orange Caipirinha

1 blood orange

1 lime, cut into 8 wedges

4 tsp of super fine sugar

4 ounces Cachaca (Brazillian sugarcane liquor)

Cracked ice

Club soda

  1. Cut the blood orange in half lengthwise. Squeeze half, set the juice aside.
  2. Slice the other half into 4 wedges.
  3. Place 4 lime wedges and 2 blood orange wedges in each of  2 rock glasses.  Add 2 teaspoons sugar to each. Muddle the sugar and wedges. Fill each glass with ice to the top. Divide the blood orange juice between the glasses. Pour 2 ounces Cachaca over each. Transfer the contents of  each glass, one at a time, to a cocktail shaker; shake vigorously, and return to the glass. Top off with club soda.

 What delicious books have you MindFULLY read this summer?

Let us know!