{MM}: 9.17.2012

Happy, happy Monday.

I’m in a great mood.  I got 7 hours of sleep last night, started my morning with yoga, some personal reading, got ready for the day, all before the kids were up.  Getting some time in before the day really starts rolling is a wonderful thing.

Here are a few things I’ve been wanting to share with you.

♥  Have you ever had reality fall short of your expectations?  My college girlfriend, Elise, share’s a hilarious experience about trying to duplicate one of Bakerella‘s recipes for her daughter’s birthday.  If you want a good laugh, you must read.

♥  I’ve added a blogroll.  I used to have one on my old blog, & just barely got around to putting a new one together for this site.  I read more blogs than are listed here (55!  insane, I know), but these are just some of the blogs I’m currently loving.  One of the funnest parts of blogging is reading other blogs & connecting with other bloggers.  There are so many amazing individuals in this world of ours, & blogging helps bring all this amazingness (is that even a word?) together.  FYI:  I’ll update & rotate new blogs onto the list, so if you have a blog & you’re not on the list (but wish to be) or if you know of a blog that you’d think I’d like, email me (don’t be shy!) & let me know so I can check it out.  I’m always on the lookout for new reads.   Hope you enjoy some of my recommendations.

♥  You know I’ve been pinning a lot more of late.  I like to pin things to my stylish board.  I don’t consider myself one who’s in the know when it comes to fashion, & I don’t have the budget to support designer style, but I do appreciate a confident elegance & a defined sense of style.

One thing I’ve noticed (I wonder if others do too), is that the majority of women’s fashion pins are of females that are 10-20 (or more) pounds under what would be considered a normal, healthy weight.  It’s one thing to be thin, but all bones & sharp angles on a woman’s body is not normal.  I know this body type (10% body fat, no curves) is nothing new to the fashion industry, but the fact that I’m personally supporting it via pins, well, it’s caused me to think.  I find it a little disturbing, that so many women are holding up the no curves/rail thin body image as something to be desired.

So, with this in mind, happy was I to come across this image the other day.  A healthy dose of old-fashioned goodness.

Let’s remember that curves are a beautiful, womanly thing.

Image from:  Celebrity Culture & the American Dream

♥  & while we’re on the subject of body image, an interesting perspective on exercise & weight.

♥  & while we’re on fashion,  an honest recount of NYC’s fashion week, from Paige.

♥  If only I could have one of these in my town.

♥  Another installment of one of my favorite series on couples.

♥  If you have sleepy kids in a booster seat, you know how handy this (DIY) seat belt pillow could be!

♥  Why some people fail when they go veg, & 10 tips for staying happy & healthy on a vegan diet.

♥  As cookie/cupcake decorating season is upon us, here are some natural sprinkles from Williams-Sonoma.  No artificial dyes here.

♥  A new blog I found to get ideas for kid’s activities.  I especially like this post.

♥  10 meals that are easy to veganize.

♥  DIY texture words book for Salem.  Perfect book for a baby or toddler.

♥  A free printable for a super cute ice cream chore trainer–especially great for pre-K kids.

♥  Bought this necklace for my sister, for her birthday (don’t you love how personal it is?).

♥  Do you ever find yourself a bit depressed or down after checking your fb page because your life seems “less than”?  Here are some words of wisdom to remember, from my life board:

to pin:

nutty quinoa energy bites
raw cacao truffles
cheddar apple muffins

gf plum olive oil cake (not oil-free)
cherry chia jam
squash carob brownies

pav bahji sloppy joes
chickenless cabbage salad
smokey tempeh sliders (wheat-free)

I just have a good feeling about this week.  I know it’s going to be better than last (you guys really are so awesome–thank you for all the kind notes).

I hope you make time to try some new recipes, get in lots of hugs & kisses, & enjoy a few moments amidst life’s chaos to be present & grateful for what is.

♥♥♥

Thanks for coming to Bring Joy today!

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