Che ore sono?

I'm getting super excited as our Italian vacation starts to near - we're T-minus 6 months, making it start to feel real. Recently, I've started mapping out our travels, we've booked hotels in both Venice and Florence, and have starting to of course think about what I'd pack. Seriously, isn't that sort of the best part of vacations? Plotting out all the cute outfits you're going to rock, AND some of the extra splurges because you definitely need them for your trip?

On that last note, I know I need to pare down my accessories to be a. easily transportable b. versatile and c. safe for travel. I know I wont be able to bring my beautiful engagement ring or the gold watch I wear every day without making ourselves a target for pickpocketing, so I've wisely invested in a more tame but equally as adorable watch for my trip. What I love even more, is it gave me an excuse to add a Philip Stein to my accessory collection. I think everyone could benefit from the brand's patented integrated frequency technology, which supposedly helps balance the body's energy flow and promote an improved sense of well-being. Hell yea, I need that. And honestly, I think it should be covered by insurance.



So while it's not covered even by Barack's new health bill, I've done a superb job in locating a Stein watch on a fab deal by scouring the interwebs (tooting my own horn while also comforting the hubs...). I love the neutral and durable silicon strap, and am equally as excited about the rose gold face - I feel like it's a good compliment to the two lovely watches I already own, seeing as they are yellow gold and a stainless steel.

See how I adeptly rationalize this unnecessary but wise purchase?

Check ebay and other online vendors for deals, or purchase from one of my favorite retailers, Nordstroms here.

Carbs and Black Eyed Peas = Prozac

It’s 5PM on Thursday, so officially (close enough) TGIF. This week hasn’t been bad, just super stinking sick of this cold Chicago weather, and busy as all at work, so I’m ready for the weekend. Who am I kidding; I’m always ready for the weekend.

Anyhow, back to today’s post… I work in the ad industry, so part of my job is to read magazines (I swear) and I came across an article in the April issue of Self that I actually cut out and now have tacked up near my desk. It’s all about food that is good for you. An no, I don’t just mean low-cal/fat/carb/taste, I mean it’s good for Y-O-U. Now I’m a sucker for all of this homeopathy mumbo-jumbo and I’ve jumped on quite a few supplement bandwagons. So yea, I ate (hardy-har) this info up!! There are actually 50 edibles that Self so kindly lists and details how they will help improve your mood, health, and even hair. Here are a few new tiddy-bits that I personally thought were surprising and helpful:

Pumpkin seeds. I love these suckers. But did you know they could also help headaches? According to the Headache Center in NYC (uhm, I think I might need to go there), 50% of headache sufferers are magnesium deficient. If you crunch on just 2 oz of toasted pumpkin seeds, you’ll hit your daily magnesium goal. Hells-to-the-yes! I have headaches so often my husband actually rations my Advil intake.

Coffee. I mean, do I need another reason to rationalize my intake? Yes I do. Ok, maybe notnot, but I’ve got one: Caffeine consumers make half as many errors in their day-to-day life compared to decaf fans. Take that you healthy freaks! Caffeine was also linked to lower risk for depression. Now if only I could manage to get in and out of a Starbucks without spending 8 bucks.

PMSing? Well apparently you should chug on some skim milk. Adequate amounts of calcium and D have been shown to be as effective at improving mood as hormones used to treat PMS.

And here are a few others… Almonds and Cherries can both help with relief of sore muscles. Oysters can help with dull hair. Shiny hair PLUS in da mood… wow, why don’t men take us to raw bars more often? And melon and bell peppers can help block the effects of UV light and combat wrinkles.

Anyhow, thought these were mighty interesting… and figured instead of just showing you the purse/blouse/chunky necklace I’m currently waffling over, I’d share some *other* useful info. Ta-daaaa.