Saturday, June 2, 2012

Act the way you want to Feel!

Though I wasn't as diligent about reading it quickly, I finished The Happiness Project last night. I have to say I really thought it was wonderfully written and the concept is just so fascinating. 


If you've never read/heard of the book before, the book documents the journey of its author, Gretchen Rubin, as she spends a year making different resolutions each month on how to be happier, without greatly making any big changes in her life. It covered everything, from how she approached food and how she had energy, to organizing her closets (and then becoming obsessed with it!), to how she fought with her husband, to reconnecting with old friends, how she started a blog, how she spent money, how she became spiritual, and how she had more fun. She said right off the bat that she really always was a happy person, but the concept of happiness and being happier spoke to her, so she researched and researched and found that she could change in her life without changing her life to become happier. After all, she figured that the days are long, but the years are short and she did not want to waste any time (because really how true is that!).

I won't give it all away, but it definitely got me thinking as I read how I approach all of those everyday situations. I became more conscious of my own habits and because of her book, I think I am going to walk away with a few tidbits, one of the biggest being Act the way you want to Feel and Be Susan (hers was Be Gretchen, but you get the idea!). I've always been a really happy person, but I think that if I take these little resolutions with me, I'll be even happier and can help people more than I do now. 

So go pick it up at your library! If you read it, what did you think about it?

Happy Saturday!

~Susan

Friday, June 1, 2012

Friday Fancies: White Party

When I think summer, I think white. White is just so clean, crisp, and effortlessly gorgeous on anyone who wears it and styles it well. You can never really have a faux paw with white! So that being said, I couldn't help but embrace this theme.

I don't know if anyone of you ever watched Gossip Girl, but our favorite episode has always been The White Party. It takes place in a beautiful garden and all in attendance had to wear white. Well, the gal who stole the show was definitely Miss Blair (Leighton Meester). Her whole look was stunning. The show was years ago, but yet this image will always stay classic with my sisters.




I know, gorgeous right? Here's my spin on it:


Gossip Inspired White


















White 1


Ok, and then I styled another white outfit just for the heck of it! This is what I'd love to be sporting this weekend!

Here's to white! What a wonderful start to summer! Who can believe it's  June 1? Jeez where does the time go? Go check out more white fancies at Long Distance Loving!

Have wonderful weekends! I can honestly say that I'm not doing too much (nice right!). Hope you all can stop and smell all the June roses!

~Susan

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Thursday Thoughts: Beautiful Things



Yes, you do. Any shape, any form. The power's all yours. Go make it happen!

Don't forget it!

Happy Thursday!

~Susan

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

On days like today...

Source: purlbee.com via Susan on Pinterest


I wish I was in a light tee, jeans, and this scarf, well either one. Aren't they awesome? It really does not look too difficult to make and could definitely go right into summer. I just love the Purl Bee blog. If you've never seen it before and you want to try to be a little bit more DIY (like I'm trying to do!), it's the perfect source of inspiration.

Happy Wednesday!

~Susan

Monday, May 28, 2012

So 'Nuts!








Delicious, handmade doughnuts are few and far between, but thanks to Glazed and Infused I now know where to find them! I visited this cute 40s inspired doughnut shop that opened last week on Halsted in Fulton downtown Chicago. I walked in and just saw rows and rows of beautiful, round pieces of heaven and the girls working there could not have been nicer.




If you're a Chicagoan and want a new place to go get doughnuts in the city without a line around the block, I highly recommend coming to Glazed and Infused. Of course I couldn't try just one! So I tried the pink raspberry glaze with homemade raspberry jam infused in the glaze. YUM!!! It tasted oh so fresh and I could taste the jam in the glaze. I also loved the lemon glazed cake doughnut with lemon peel. Ohm'gosh if you love lemon, grab it! And then I'd be silly if I didn't try a chocolate. Both the chocolate cake and the chocolate x4 as the sales girl called it had me at hello.

Don't worry, I didn't devour all of these. I had some help from Ellen, my mom and my Grandpa!

If you want a new doughnut hangout in the city without the usual doughnut guilt (these are the only trans-fat free doughnuts in the city!) head to Glazed and Infused. Trust me, it will become your new favorite neighborhood place for coffee and a doughnut!




Happy Memorial Day! My thoughts and prayers go out to all of those who are currently serving and those who have served us. God Bless the Good US of A!

~Susan

Friday, May 25, 2012

Friday's Fancies: American Pride

memorial day



Happy Friday my friends! And Happy Three Day Weekend! Wow, how awesome is this? I don't know about you, but Chicago is looking like a beautiful weekend ahead, so why not celebrate with a Memorial Day BBQ sporting the red, white and blue? I honestly find our nation's colors to be such a fun color palette with so many possibilities and I definitely think that this is a great option. I love this dress! Where can I find myself one? With the red sandals and white accessories, it's a great stylish way to show American pride. Something about red, white and blue just screams summer to me!

No bbqs are on the horizon yet for me this weekend, but I sure will be taking in some sun. How about you? I hope everyone has safe and happy holiday weekends! Check out the other fancies over at Long Distance Loving!

~Susan

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Thursday Thoughts: tests



Just a little bit of my life of late. Has anyone had this feeling lately? Or ever? I mean it's such karma isn't it?

All we can do is just breathe and keep going. So that's what I'm going to do.

Happy Thursday!

~Susan