DISQUS

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Gardenias: soft, lush, crisp, clean, elegant, with a heady aroma

Teacher of the Year

Memories of great meals.

I really like Paula's Choice products. They are great for sensitive skin, as they have no fragrance. Go to www.cosmeticscop.com.

One thing to watch for: some people are allergic to avobenzone, an ingredient in many sunscreens. Read your labels!

Black wool wide-leg pants, new jeans, a cute little jacket or sweater from Anthropologie...and better posture.

The Key (And the Name of the Key is Willingness) by Cheri Huber
It's not about relationships per se, but it helps you learn to love and be kind to yourself, so that you can then love and be kind to others.

I don't need to be in the spotlight as much as I used to. I credit that to the love of a good man. I make better food choices. I am more responsible and humble. I feel the need to put down roots the way I didn't in my 20's. I'm starting to be able to relax and be kinder to myself -- doing so makes me able to be kinder to others.

Paris Combo at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco (a very cozy, jazzy venue), January '05

I always get complimented on my skin, but I really love my neck, upper arms, and waist, too.

I love still getting carded when I buy alcohol (I'm almost 33).

Absence of anxiety, tension, and general yuck in my gut. Right choices feel clean, authentic, and like they have the backing of the Universe behind them.

Le Petit Prince
The Alchemist
The Passion (Jeanette Winterson)
Interpreter of Maladies (Jhumpa Lahiri)

How would I change our work culture?
1. Teach everyone that what you do is not who you are. It's ok not to love what you do if you can be grateful that you are providing for your family.
2. One year maternity leave + on-site child care.
3. Pay teachers more (see: www.theteachersalaryproject.org).
4. Get rid of the weird Social Security requirement that you can't work more than a certain # of hours while collecting benefits (otherwise you are hugely taxed), because our mature citizens have so much to offer society.
5. 35-hour work week, 4 weeks of vacation
6. Have high standards for what we do, yet be satisfied with doing less: "Quien mucho abarca, poco aprieta." (He who puts his arms around much squeezes little.)
7. Daily yoga classes. (hey, I can dream...)

The August edition of Sunset Magazine (Northern California edition) has a fantastic spread on a one-block dinner party. Gardening tips & recipes are on their website www.sunset.com. It's very inspiring -- they even raised chickens!

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). Every week, I pick up a box of organic produce and eggs that comes from a local farm. I love being in tune with the seasonality of food. Now, I look forward to green garlic in the spring, tomatoes in the fall, and chard in the winter. And I feel really good about supporting a small farm.

Sophisticated Fresh

1. Notebooks & binders from grad school. I'm afraid to let go because it would feel like throwing away knowledge (and $40,000 in tuition). I keep meaning to go through them and type up the really important notes...
2. Head clutter. LOVED the metaphor about "renters in your head."

My husband and I moved in June, and we weeded out lots of stuff. We know we're going to move again in a year, so our motto for the year is "10% less." I plan to keep a box in my closet into which I toss things all year long. At the end of the year, I'll take it to goodwill. I just completed my Style Statement, and I think it will really help me reduce the clutter. Thanks, C&D!