MY NEW YORK

A little of this and a little of that.....

My late night dinner in-between classes.  A Classic Lobster Roll.

This sign says it all......

Nothing more NY than the Empire lit up in black and white lights.... my kinda night.

Xo
Meems

A VERY PERSONAL POST....

Last night in my Public Speaking class we were told to pair up with another student that we felt would be a good speech buddy, someone we felt we could help and vice versa. I approached a young man named Joseph. A reserved young man with a thick Korean accent, very smart and interesting. I was drawn to Joseph from listening to him speak in class and respected his demeanor in class. I chose Joseph.

He shared an outline of his speech  on his personal experience of poverty in North Korea. My ears perked up and I wanted to know know of his life in North Korea. I tip toed around certain questions about North Korea unsure of how much he wanted to share. Surprisingly, he was  grateful that I was interested. It was one of those moments that puts life into perspective..... 

I asked if he came to the US with his family and he just gave me a look, a look that struck my heart. He told me that if I want to hear his story I can see his speech on Ted Talk.

I was floored…. the classmate I chose in class that I thought I would be able to help has a speech that has been viewed over 1 million times.  I couldn't get home fast enough to  watch his video…. Joseph's speech moved me and brought me to tears. I am blessed to be able to study along with Joseph.

I highly suggest you watch this in its entirety. He talks about hope, and how hope helped him to survive. You never know who is fighting what battle in life, it’s one of those reminders sometimes we all need.

http://www.ted.com/talks/joseph_kim_the_family_i_lost_in_north_korea_and_the_family_i_gained.html

Joseph, thank you for sharing your story. It's a reminder that it is a blessing to those who don't need to worry about the next meal or have to worry whether or not their  family is safe. I pray that you are reunited with your family, and I thank you for courageous life. You are an inspiration to many. God Bless.

I will be posting on the charity that helped Joseph as information comes to me. In the meantime, please if you are interested in helping click here. 

xo

Marlena

MINIMAL MONDAYS

Living in NYC has made me learn how to truly simply my life and live more "minimalistically" if thats evern a word?

If  you’re a regular reader of this blog, you’ve probably noticed that my subject matter drifts from serious posts to the mundane, from the deep to the shallow. Some days I feel like pondering the meaning of life, and others just pondering how many shoes I own.

Today, I want to quickly tackle towels.Yep, towels. Ok, so this post is not a moving post just a quick share.

We have a linen closet, however we didnt feel it necessary to use it for linens so we converted it into a storage closet for cleaning products, our beloved dyson, and laundry essentials. For our bedsheets and extra lines we use a hanging shelf in the "his" closet because there is no room for it in the "her" closet. ;)

When we decluttered before our move, we found that we had somehow accumulated way too many sheets and towels for a household of two. We’re not sure exactly how it happened, but we ended up with quite a collection: “everyday” linens, “good” linens, “guest” linens, “emergency” linens, etc. Instead of decluttering an older set, I’d hold onto it “just in case. There was never a just incase. 

I made the bold move to get rid of the unmatching, "just in case" sets and before your knew it I had chucked out everything. I went towel crazy. 

Here is the set we, I mean I, chose - ok, we have a few others stationed in the bathroom but they are all part of the same towel family. Do your research & purchase on sale! Bloomies had an incredible "friends and family" sale and we hit jackpot! 

We have no need for a "linen" closet, I found this adorable metal basket from West Elm, and voila! A simplified "only keep what we need" towel set. Hudson Park Towel Collection in white and sand, both durable and attractive. No more using "good towels" for the guests. Why not use the nice towels everyday? We deserve it. 

I challenege you to go through your linens and toss out the unnessesary. Doesn't mean you have to buy new towels from Bloomies, but do you really need 20 unmatching towels? Do your laundry more often, take care of what you have and be happy with less. 

Who knows, maybe you can find the meaning of life in that after all. 

xo

Meems

FRIDAY IS HERE

My style maven, Olivia Palermo

Happy Friday my loves! This last week had me spinning.... Thursday was tough for me, there wasnt  enough coffee in the world to wake me up, I felt like I was floating through the morning. Today however, Im ready to tackle the weekend and find some time to squeeze in a new book, Entre Nous. Have you read it?

This past week I shared some personal finance posts with you  I hope you were able to take something out of them for yourself. If you missed, here they are:

Trimming Down

How I Trim Down

oh & some

Words to inspire....

I came across a few articles that have inspired me this week. Id like to share them with you......

~ A beautiful post and poem on one of my favorite newly found blogs....

~ A simple and delicious Roast Chicken Recipe

~ Swooning! Check out Cameron Diaz's NYC Apt... Her kitchen is a dream!

In the meantime, I hope you find some time to relax, rejuvenate and savor some simple yet meaningful enjoyments this weekend. Until Monday.....

Xo

Meems

COO COO for COCONUTS

COCONUT OIL

Back in 2013 I posted on my natural hair DIY which included Almond Oil and Peppermint Oil for a hair and scalp treatment. I just recently added a new oil to my hair routine, Coconut Oil, and I want to tell you all about it. 

Coconut oil has a plethora of uses, here is how I personally use the oil in my beauty routine:

• Hair treatment -  melt 2 tablespoons apply  as a hot oil 
• I also used it straight from the jar and combed it through my hair for an overnight treatment along with almond and peppermint oil routine - click here for post
• Rub the oil straight from the jar onto your cuticles for a hand and cuticle treatment
• Use the oil as an overnight under eye cream and lip balm
• I also use it in my decollete and neck at night for an overnight moisture surge
• An all over body moisturizer straight from the shower when you are still wet  (my skin hasn't been this smooth in ages)
• Facial Massage, Cleansing & Overnight Moisturizer (using the Clarisonic) - lather your face with water and gently rub your entire face with the oil (the coconut melts instantly when placed on skin). No need to wash it off, keep it on as a deep moisturizer for night.

Coconut Oil has endless uses, not just for a beauty routine. You can use coconut oil ....

• As an eye-makeup remover
• To lighten age spots when rubbed directly on the skin
• To prevent stretch marks during pregnancy
• As a naturally SPF 4 sunscreen
• It’s high Lauric acid and MCFA content helps boost metaboism
• Mixed with equal parts sugar for a smoothing body scrub (use in the shower)
• Topically, can help skin heal faster after injury or infection
• Can help sooth psoriasis or eczema
• In a filling and energy boosting Smoothie
• Rub coconut oil on the inside of your nose to help alleviate allergy symptoms
• Blend a tablespoon into hot tea to help speed recovery from cold or flu
• As a replacement for vegetable oils in any recipe
• After initial heat is gone, can help speed healing of sunburn
• Is an immediate source of energy when eaten and isn’t stored as fat
• As a natural personal lubricant 
• As a naturally antibacterial skin cream
• As a natural shave cream and after shave lotion
• Can reduce the itch of mosquito bites
• Can help resolve acne when used regularly
• Can be rubbed into scalp daily to stimulate hair growth
• A small amount can be rubbed into real leather to soften and condition (shiny leather only… test a small area first)
• Mixed with salt to remove dry skin on feet
• Can help improve sleep when taken daily
• A tablespoon melted into a cup of warm tea can help sooth a sore throat
• For pets struggling with skin issues when used externally
• Can be taken in warm ginger tea to sooth heartburn or nausea
• Naturally clears up cold sores
• Ingesting coconut oil daily can help with allergy symptoms
• Ingesting coconut oil daily can increase mental alertness (via wellnes mama)

Not bad right? Purchase a jar of refined organic coconut oil (comes in a solid form) start with a my  hair treatment and see what use you get out of your jar. If there is something else you can add to my list Id love to hear! 

Click here to read about my previous natural hair routine

xo

Meems