Do It Yourself Facial

If there's one thing I inherited from my maternal grandmother, it was the art of pampering. My grandmother was the queen of makeup, creams, nail lacquer and having the latest and greatest beauty items. Growing up playing in her bathroom drawers while she was cooking dinner, I've grown up to become exactly like her. And if I could afford to hit the spas on a weekly basis, oh believe me when I say I would be having massages and facials all day long. But until then, I am all about do it yourself routines. This Berry Yogurt Mask is one I have yet to try but sounds fantastic :) 

Step 1

In a blender, combine 2 tablespoons plain yogurt and 2 tablespoons honey, and pulse until fully combined.

Step 2

Add 1/4 cup mixed berries, pureeing until smooth, then add 1 tablespoon lemon juice.

Step 3

Using your hands, apply mixture to a clean, dry face. Let mask sit 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse face thoroughly with warm water and pat dry.

Age Avengers

Blackberries deliver even more antioxidants than blueberries do.

Main Squeeze

The vitamin C and natural enzymes in fresh citrus help brighten the skin.

The Bee's Knees

A mild antiseptic, honey gently exfoliates, promotes tissue growth, and seals in moisture.

 (image via parent pretty, steps via whole living)

Girl Talk

 

In hopes of getting a little more personal with my readers, (over the last four years of writing this blog) I’ve slowly opened up about my own life, nervous and a little unsure if it’s the right thing to do. In the world of blogs, I often come across sites with glossy pages, endless wish-lists of the latest beauty buys, the best shoes for summer and the perfect LBD as well as a handful of talented writers. However, behind that perfect layout (because they all catch our eye and you can’t help to check it out), I constantly question the reality behind some of my favorite blogs and bloggers!! Are these people really who they say they are, and their lives, are they really that fabulous?  I’ve had the pleasure to meet a few bloggers, some who are truly awesome women and genuine about their product and content. I have also met others who have unfortunately disappointed me, the blog goes straight to their head. It is one thing to be proud of your success but it’s quite another when you become arrogant and or fake.

Here, at Sit and Stay A While, I want my readers to know who I really am. I try to be real, honest and genuine with my content, I put my heart and soul into all my work. Being the passionate and enthusiastic person I am, when I graduated college I really wanted to create a safe space, a forum to discuss important (and maybe not so important) topics that revolve around what it means to be a modern woman in the most casual and comfortable way possible. With a degree in general history, women’s history and anthropology, I love the idea of creating table discussion with all of you.  Having been in the blogging game for nearly four years, I find that the more intimate and relatable writers engage more and create a very trusting dialogue and relationship with their audience. So in an effort to get know each other a little better, I want to start this hopeful series about being truthful and having a place for girl talk. So please, feel free to email or message me here or in social media, about what kind of things you would like to see here on my blog in Girl Talk. Our next discussion is all about the relationship you have with yourself  :)

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Weekend Wrap Up

 summer attire includes pink polka dots.

 this little guy just melts my heart.

 yin yoga class and reflection. 

 gloomy weather calls for lazy afternoons spent

at the library.

 dessert and new recipes this week. 

the perfect weekend includes an awesome 

summer rain storm. 

(images via instagram)

Saturday Happy

 

Going to the water park was a big treat for us growing up. Living in a small and rural community that meant driving an hour and half to Palm Springs and hitting up Knott's Soak City during the summer. I could handle most of the rides like relaxing and tanning on inner tubes down the lazy river and running back to the top to go down the winding and twisting slides over and over. There was one particular slide I just couldn't push myself to try. Once I got a little older and finally had the courage to go down that tall and intimidating slide, I wanted to go again and again. 

This artist, photographer Krista Long wanted to capture a particular moment for her I Love Summer photo series. You know that moment when flying out of the slide and catapulting into the air before hitting the water? She wanted to catch that frame!  Do you remember if you would purposely make a funny pose or did you just go with the flow?! I'm so curious to know! Here are a few of the images she pinned to her summer series :) So what's making you happy this week?

   

(images via my modern met)

Summer Nights

Every Thursday evening on the main drag, Palm Canyon Drive is filled with art sellers, food stands, musicians, jewelry tents and many more. It's kind of a big deal and it seems to be packed all the time. I recently went with a few friends and I couldn't believe how crowded the street fair was, it's mid July, people!! Let me just remind you, it's been brutal here for the last few weeks, it reached 113 this week! Nonetheless, people were out in the masses, buying popsicles, checking out art, stopping into the shops that stay open a little later and listening to Karaoke down the street at The Coconut Bar. Whenever you're out here, don't forget to check out the Thursday Night Street Fair :)

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Take A Hike

One of the best outdoor activities to try out when in the Coachella Valley are the hiking trails! There are literally hundreds of trails that take over the valley, as well as the high desert and the mountain towns up Highway 74. With miles of desert landscape, wild flowers and spotting all sorts of adorable little desert creatures, I'm warning you, you'll become an outdoor addict and explorer in my hometown. Although still popular to hike in our heated summers, hiking at sunrise in the middle of winter in Palm Springs is one natural wonder. A few my favorites include the cross hike and the bump and grind trails. Although I'd like to try out others like Palm Canyon, a few in Joshua Tree, and the most talked about and gorgeous Tahquitz trail. Get your weekender, appropriate shoes and phone, because you'll be taking lots of pictures!

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The 101 on Palm Springs

Growing up in the desert I never understood why anyone would want to live, vacation or retire to a community where there was more dirt and rock than grass in people's front yards. As Buzz explains to his sister in the film Home Alone, that Kevin is safe, he reminds of her of this, 'we live on the most boring street in the United States, period.' This is exactly how I felt about Palm Springs, I hated the desert landscape and the triple digit temp literally drove me two thousand miles away to the Midwest when I went away to college. But like the old saying goes, it takes living somewhere else to appreciate where you come from. So the desert can reach 117 degrees for three painstakingly months but the rest of the year, it is absolutely perfect. People from all over the world come to visit this charming little town, to simply enjoy the greatness of the desert. 

 We now are home to one of the biggest musical festivals, numerous hiking trails that fill the valley, strangely it is a beloved oasis for entertainment stars including everyone from past performers like Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Leonardo Dicaprio as well as presidents who have vacationed, retired and have spent a lot of time in our valley.  One of the biggest national parks is only an hour drive away in Joshua Tree, this place is basically famous for being one of the most relaxing communities in the world.      

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Saturday Happy

Last week I was invited to an outdoor evening yoga session. In the mood to try something new and meet a new crowd of yogis, I was excited but not all that thrilled about trying yoga in 100+ weather. I sucked it up and went anyway and this is what I got out if it. I ended up staying at the instructors home for about three hours and felt more than rejuvenated, I left with more energy and was going home and ending the day in high spirits. Try something new and step outside your comfort zone, even if its just a baby step. Yoga under the stars, yes please! What's making you happy this week?    

Friday Morning

Happy Friday readers, how has your week been going? Mine's been a good one, busy but long at the same time. I've been both over the moon excited and (secretly) counting down the days since last week for today! I'm spending an extended weekend away from the desert to head to the coast to celebrate two years of being with my guy :) We're on our way to Santa Barbara for a nice relaxing trip, we'll be hitting the beach and meeting up with good friends. So your enjoy the next few days, tell your partner how much you love and appreciate them and we'll catch up next week :)

(image via sulia)

Desert Pools

 Viceroy, Palm Springs

 Ace Hotel, Palm Springs

Sparrows, Palm Springs

If there is one thing you do when staying in Palm Springs, it's hitting the pool...perhaps for a few hours!!! 

Palm Springs is filled with an array of boutique hotels and I have yet to check them all out. This year, one activity I'm sticking too is trying out a stay-cation at a few places that have been recommended to me by friends who simply say there's nothing like the Desert's hotels, their intimate and full of life and character. I started my year out at the Sparrows Hotel, my stay was perfect to say the least. It was full of endless pool time, refreshing myself with a break from technology (no stereo and no tv), meeting lovely ladies from the bay area and talking books and literature and going out for an early dinner with friends. It was short stay but a great treat that was badly needed, I can't wait for the next one.   

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Leading Ladies

Five Things You Must Know About Helen Craig

1. Although mostly known for her career in illustration, Helen Craig is both a renown Children's Author and Illustrator. 

2. Her first authored and illustrated book, The Mouse House ABC was was published in 1977.

3. Her break out book (one she authored and illustrated) was in collaboration with Sarah Hayes, where they co-authored the book, This is the Bear. (Her creation of 'Bear' started attracting an audience who simply fell in love with your illustration style and characters).

4. You simply know her as the famed illustrator of the beloved book series, Angelia Ballerina. 

5. Born in England, Craig comes from a family who worked in theater production and acting. Her father, being the creative man he was worked in film design for many years and went on to write and illustrate books.

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Weekend Wrap Up

 old college shirts tend to be the weekend uno

thirty day challenge with a little help from yoga journal.

 never get rid of college books, continue to teach

yourself something. love my art history books :)

 indulging in doterra bath salts and loving my 

just because little present from my guy. 

 getting into juicing with kale, spinach, blueberries 

and acai juice. 

spending the day at the lemon lily festival this weekend.

(images via instagram)

Books and Snacks

What is your favorite classic read? 

To a voracious reader, asking someone what their favorite book is, is not only upsetting but nearly impossible to answer. You'll get a response of at least ten books and even at that point, you will go back and forth ranking those top ten. That is why I got a bit more specific and want to know the classics you've perhaps read more than once? While they are many great works, there has to be one that really just stands out to you. For me, it is The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. I loved imagining the detail in the grand estate that was Gatsby's home. And I dreamed about the beautiful and gold fringed dresses (you see the '20s are my favorite decade, all the more reason to love Fitzgerald's work), long gloves, affairs and handsome and perfectly suited men with jazz music playing in the background. It was not only the first book I read and hated the ending, it was the first novel I fell in love with really analyzing character development and only wished I could pick at Fitzgerald's brain. I was used to reading happy endings. Up until high school I was reading and rereading Harry Potter, good conquers evil and being introduced to chick-lit, translation: male lead comes and sweeps girl off her feet to happily ever after! The Great Gatsby will forever be my favorite and the only book that stands at being read 11 times. Sure Daisy leads a miserable life but I will still never get over the fact she basically get away with murder!!! 

What's your favorite snack food? 

I love a good Mediterranean plate! An assortment of feta, nuts, olives, cucumbers, red peppers and hummus is the closest thing you get to something tasty, flavorful, not too fatty and filling. You can seriously never go wrong with this dish! 

Silver or Gold? 

While I've certainly gone back and forth throughout the years, I always seem to come back to gold. Going to an affluent public high school where Tiffany bracelets seemed to dangle around every girl's wrist, silver was certainly the color to wear . However, once I started college I quickly transitioned back to gold. There's something classy and strong about gold, and the fact it just looks more natural and becoming with my pinkish tan skin (really rose gold goes better with my skin tone). What about what you, which do you prefer? 

(photo via daniella marie)

Summer in Stripes

I've always had a thing for stripes, they're timeless and a statement all on their own. Due to my body type I tend to stray away from stripes, but the must have pieces I do own are always fun to haul out around this time of year. Being short, curvy and constantly dealing with fluctuating weight, this look is not always flattering on me so I envy those who can rock the the style and look like a million bucks. Isn't this adorable red striped dress perfect for a summer getaway? Pull out whatever stripes you have and embrace them today :)

  

(image via love you, mean it)

Weekend Wrap Up...

 weekend attire includes mint tops and coral toes.

 ending sunday with a root beer float and light reading.

 preparing to lead book discussions for the children's  

summer reading program at the library. 

 chalkboards are perfect for words of the week. 

 red, white and blue breakfast (complete with goat

cheese spread). 

bits and pieces of my newly organized desk. 

(images via instagram)

this week's favorites...

How do you prefer your pool? Would you like to step into the pool right outside your room, or would you rather a simple deck or one placed in garden? What about a string of lights to gaze at when you want to lay back on a raft at night? Or walk down a staircase to meet your indoor oasis? In my mind my pool would be pieces of each of these :) Happy Friday and Fourth of July!!!

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