Quotes I Love

This is a week of goodbye and lasts as my parents pack up to move cross country. It is bittersweet. I am excited for them and look forward to visiting them in the beautiful Arizona desert, but sad at the thought that they are no longer just a short drive from my house.

Someone gave my dad a parting gift with this sweet quote from Winnie the Pooh. I love it!

"Promise me you’ll never forget me because if I thought you would I’d never leave.”

                      -Winnie the Pooh

Perfectionism

Hi. I am Lauren and I am a recovering perfectionist. As a recovering perfectionist it has been so hard to shut off my self-criticism for the lack of posts on The Zoo the past few weeks. In fact, I have been avoiding not just my blog but blogs all together because that nagging feeling of guilt, shame, whatever was just there whenever I thought about blogs.

I hoped that starting a blog would be a practice in letting go of perfectionism. So often in my life I have talked myself out of doing things by telling myself,"Well if I can't do it perfectly, I just won't do it." The Zoo was a way to take the next step and do something even if I didn't know what the three month or six month outcome would be. My perfectionism can really manifest itself in over planning, so I have really resisted the urge to plan out every single post in advance, instead trying to let The Zoo evolve organically and write about what interests or inspires me on any given day.

The truth is, I have been tired and uninspired lately. I have been living out of a suitcase the past three weeks or playing catchup from being out of town. When I have had down time, the last thing I wanted to do was spend it on the computer.

Today, I looked back at my very first post where I outlined what I hoped The Zoo would be. This is a nice reminder that my intention for blogging wasn't to achieve a new level of perfection but to slow down a bit and appreciate the beauty of everyday life. Happy Friday!

Welcome to The Zoo, a blog about STYLE (fashion, art), DESIGN (interior, table, floral), TASTE (cooking) and anything else that makes the world and every day life more beautiful. My hope is this blog will be a form of creative expression for myself and a resource of inspiration for others. I look forward to sharing this adventure with you.

P.S. I have been reading a fabulous book my friend recommended to me about perfectionism:
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown. I highly recommend it!

Style: Winter Essentials

I am a big-time homebody, so the winter months don't bother me. In fact, I really relish the time to spend at home with a fire cooking, reading, watching movies or just hanging out with friends and family.

For me, winter is the time when I catch up on sleep and let my body rest. One of my favorite articles about taking it easy this time of year is written by Adele Reising, a New York acupuncturist, for a past GOOP newsletter: "Living According to the Season".

I like the idea of taking a cue from nature and hibernating. However, I do find myself relying on some trusty essentials to stay warm and cozy and well-hydrated through these months. Here are some of my winter essentials. Do you have any?

Cashmere wrap from Nordstroms

I am crazy about this cashmere wrap from Nordstroms that my mom gave me two Christmases ago. It feels like wearing a soft blanket. I wear it as a wrap for dressy occasions, as a scarf with a coat and sometimes just hanging around the house.



Mossimo Leggings

 Love these Mossimo leggings from Target and they are only $8.00! They are perfect for layering and lounging.

Ugg Slippers

The shearling in these slippers keeps my feet warm and cozy and the rubber sole is nice in case I need to run outside to get more fire wood.



Rosebud Salve


I received my first tin of Rosebud Salve as a bridesmaid gift several years ago and I was instantly hooked. This salve really is a cure all. I use it as lip balm, cuticle cream and anywhere else I have really dry skin which is definitely more frequent in the cold months.

Aveno Stress Relief Lotion

 I have tried all types of expensive lotions, but I have really sensitive skin and my dermatologist recommends Aveeno. I love this "Stress Relief" version which has hints of lavender and chamomile.


And if I have to venture outside, warm cashmere-lined gloves and furry ear muffs are a must!
 

J. Crew Gloves and Saks Fifth Avenue Ear Muffs