GOODBYE, WORDPRESS. HELLO, BLOGSPOT!

My free storage space is reaching it’s end, so I am moving over to Blogspot (a shame too because I was just starting to like and get accustomed to WordPress).

You can now find me and all content from here (including a new post) at: http://whatnaomiloves.blogspot.com/

THANKS WORDPRESS FOR 1 YEAR+!

*This site will not be shut down.*

3 HOUR MONDAY: PART I, LYNN’S PARADISE CAFE

Monday, Tova and I triumphantly crossed one thing off our summer to-do list: Go to Lynn’s Paradise Cafe. Knowing ahead of time what we were going to order – a plate of Paradise Pancakes to share – we headed on over to Lynn’s. Bright, colorful, explosive Lynn’s. Even though I’ve been there many times before, there’s always one change in the decor – another trinket dangling from the ceiling, another fun piece of artwork hanging on the walls. It’s a nightmare if your attention span runs short, a dream to the fantasy fanatical and eccentric. Pure, clean food fun.

It was our lucky day! We had the pleasure of sitting at the train table (unfortunately the train that frequently rides around the table was out of order).

Every table at Lynn’s usually has a cup of animal figurines to play with as you wait.

Art by Tova.

Things hang from the ceiling.

As well as the windows.

Flamingo glasses at the World of Swirl.

Stay tuned for Part II!

SATURDAY WITH TOVA AT THE NITTY GRITTY

The Nitty Gritty is one of my favorite stores in Louisville (even better it’s next to one of my favorite restaurants, Lynn’s Paradise Cafe). Located on Barrett Ave, this vintage store sells all sorts of goodies ranging from cat-eye glass frames to roller skates, gold beaded high tops to airplane and buggy shaped belt buckles. When I was living at home, it was always a treat to have my mother take me there and I always tried to go as much as often. Each time I’m there, I make it a point to buy a button (or several – my whole collection stems from there). One time I found a pair of gold shoes! They were practically glued to my feet all through junior year of high school. (Now they contently sit in my closet, proudly adorned with Clinton Kelly of WNTW’s signature).

For some reason, Tova had never been there before (!). So Saturday we grabbed our wallets and I grabbed my father’s car and we drove to the holy land of Louisville that is The Nitty Gritty. Tova was beside herself. I was smitten to be back. Even better, the owner, Terri, remembered me! I was happily surprised. With every store I enter, I enter with the hopes that I will someday become a regular; where all the workers know me by name and occasionally grant me a special gift. And it happened! Terri graciously let us take a button each, one that made my heart beat scary fast as soon as I saw it (Stay tuned to see).

The Nitty Gritty is not just a fabulous store, but my vintage-filled home away from home.

Thank you Terri! Going to wear it everyday next semester.

Success!:Tova’s rainbow bloomers and my Tina Fey button residing harmoniously in the grass.

What I Wore:

Second City tee: Second City Chicago
Cardigan: Banana Republic Outlet
Grey trousers: Urban Outfitters Surplus Store 
Flats: Macy’s 
Button: The Nitty Gritty 

SATURDAY WITH TOVA AT THE NITTY GRITTY

The Nitty Gritty is one of my favorite stores in Louisville (even better it’s next to one of my favorite restaurants, Lynn’s Paradise Cafe). Located on Barrett Ave, this vintage store sells all sorts of goodies ranging from cat-eye glass frames to roller skates, gold beaded high tops to airplane and buggy shaped belt buckles. When I was living at home, it was always a treat to have my mother take me there and I always tried to go as much as often. Each time I’m there, I make it a point to buy a button (or several – my whole collection stems from there). One time I found a pair of gold shoes! They were practically glued to my feet all through junior year of high school. (Now they contently sit in my closet, proudly adorned with Clinton Kelly of WNTW’s signature).

For some reason, Tova had never been there before (!). So Saturday we grabbed our wallets and I grabbed my father’s car and we drove to the holy land of Louisville that is The Nitty Gritty. Tova was beside herself. I was smitten to be back. Even better, the owner, Terri, remembered me! I was happily surprised. With every store I enter, I enter with the hopes that I will someday become a regular; where all the workers know me by name and occasionally grant me a special gift. And it happened! Terri graciously let us take a button each, one that made my heart beat scary fast as soon as I saw it (Stay tuned to see).

The Nitty Gritty is not just a fabulous store, but my vintage-filled home away from home.

Thank you Terri! Going to wear it everyday next semester.

Success!:Tova’s rainbow bloomers and my Tina Fey button residing harmoniously in the grass.

What I Wore:

Second City tee: Second City Chicago
Cardigan: Banana Republic Outlet
Grey trousers: Urban Outfitters Surplus Store 
Flats: Macy’s 
Button: The Nitty Gritty 

THE HAPPINESS PROJECT

The Happiness Project (Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closest, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun) is a chronicle of author Gretchen Rubin’s year long quest in achieving greater happiness in her everyday life though the use of age-old wisdoms, current scientific research, and lessons from today’s society and popular culture.

Each month, chronologically from January – December, Gretchen focuses on a certain aspect of life: Vitality, Marriage, Work, Parenthood, Leisure, Friendship, Money, Eternity, Books, Mindfulness, Attitude, and Happiness. Along with these topics she sets a series of resolutions to tackle, going in-depth on her experiences with each and how they aide in achieving said themes. Her resolutions range from “Go to sleep earlier”, to “Go off the path”, to “Stimulate the mind in new ways”.  At the end of each chapter, Gretchen reflects on how these resolutions have helped in making her happier and gives the reader an update on whether she is in fact happier.

Before Gretchen begins, she lays down the twelve commandments she used when struggling with her resolutions. Principles such as, “Be Gretchen”, “Act the way I want to feel”, and “Let it go”. She also developed a list titled, “Secrets of Adulthood”, of lessons she’s learned while growing up. My favorites include “People don’t notice your mistakes as much as you think”, “You can choose what you do; you can’t choose what you like to do”, and “Happiness doesn’t always make you feel happy”.

I wanted so much to read The Happiness Project ever since I saw it in an airport last December. I am by no means a depressed person, but, like everyone else, can get a case of melancholy from time to time. Especially when I get bored. For some, happiness is not a key goal to strive for (surprisingly enough to me – still, they should read this book!). I, however, want nothing but to achieve true happiness, my only resolution with every new year, my key goal in life. Happiness is a feeling that can’t be beat. And while I know I will never be in a state of total bliss 24/7, I can sure as heck try my hardest. The days are long, but the years are short.

Here are a things I learned directly from the memoir:

• To help get more sleep and sleep better, get rid of all light; lights confuse the body’s circadian clock, so keep lights low before bedtime and block out all lights. I now hide my cell phone and cover up my clock/radio light.
• Exercise can delay dementia.
• Keep an empty shelf as a symbol of possibility and room to expand
• If it can be done in one minute or less, do it now.
• Don’t expect praise or appreciation.
• Don’t think critically about another and you will learn to like them. There is only love.
• The idea of who you wish you were obscures one’s understanding of who they are.
• Challenge and novelty are key elements to happiness.
• Enjoy the fun of failure.
• Sing in the morning.
• Be a treasure house of happy memories.
• Acknowledge what you enjoy, not what you wish you enjoyed.
• Start a “happiness box”.
• Strong relationships can strengthen life, boost immunity, and cut the risk of depression.
• Cut people slack: other people’s actions are not always reflections of their character – don’t forget that the power of situation can influence actions.
• Indulge in a modest splurge.
• Spend money in ways that support your happiness – it’s okay if it’s important to you.
• A modest pleasure can be a luxury if it’s scarce.
• Spend out – don’t save or hoard. Saving is another form of wasting.
• Trust in abundance of new ideas.
• Keep a happiness journal; note one happy moment of each day.
• Read about catastrophes so to learn and live in the present and appreciate it.
• Depravation sharpens pleasure.
• Accept your own nature.
• Make your goals your passwords so they become constant reminders.
• It’s easy to be heavy; hard to be light. 
• Find areas of refuge: distraction is a powerful, mood altering device and focusing on a bad mood only aggravates it.

Merely days after finishing the book, I find myself repeating Gretchen’s mantras in my head and passing along things I’ve learned as advice for friends. Be Gretchen. Do it now. It’s easy to heavy; hard to be light. Indulge in a modest splurge. Depravation sharpens pleasure.

I hope you read The Happiness Project and let me know if you do!
Feel free to comment back with book suggestions for me.

THE HAPPINESS PROJECT

The Happiness Project (Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closest, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun) is a chronicle of author Gretchen Rubin’s year long quest in achieving greater happiness in her everyday life though the use of age-old wisdoms, current scientific research, and lessons from today’s society and popular culture.

Each month, chronologically from January – December, Gretchen focuses on a certain aspect of life: Vitality, Marriage, Work, Parenthood, Leisure, Friendship, Money, Eternity, Books, Mindfulness, Attitude, and Happiness. Along with these topics she sets a series of resolutions to tackle, going in-depth on her experiences with each and how they aide in achieving said themes. Her resolutions range from “Go to sleep earlier”, to “Go off the path”, to “Stimulate the mind in new ways”.  At the end of each chapter, Gretchen reflects on how these resolutions have helped in making her happier and gives the reader an update on whether she is in fact happier.

Before Gretchen begins, she lays down the twelve commandments she used when struggling with her resolutions. Principles such as, “Be Gretchen”, “Act the way I want to feel”, and “Let it go”. She also developed a list titled, “Secrets of Adulthood”, of lessons she’s learned while growing up. My favorites include “People don’t notice your mistakes as much as you think”, “You can choose what you do; you can’t choose what you like to do”, and “Happiness doesn’t always make you feel happy”.

I wanted so much to read The Happiness Project ever since I saw it in an airport last December. I am by no means a depressed person, but, like everyone else, can get a case of melancholy from time to time. Especially when I get bored. For some, happiness is not a key goal to strive for (surprisingly enough to me – still, they should read this book!). I, however, want nothing but to achieve true happiness, my only resolution with every new year, my key goal in life. Happiness is a feeling that can’t be beat. And while I know I will never be in a state of total bliss 24/7, I can sure as heck try my hardest. The days are long, but the years are short.

Here are a things I learned directly from the memoir:

• To help get more sleep and sleep better, get rid of all light; lights confuse the body’s circadian clock, so keep lights low before bedtime and block out all lights. I now hide my cell phone and cover up my clock/radio light.
• Exercise can delay dementia.
• Keep an empty shelf as a symbol of possibility and room to expand
• If it can be done in one minute or less, do it now.
• Don’t expect praise or appreciation.
• Don’t think critically about another and you will learn to like them. There is only love.
• The idea of who you wish you were obscures one’s understanding of who they are.
• Challenge and novelty are key elements to happiness.
• Enjoy the fun of failure.
• Sing in the morning.
• Be a treasure house of happy memories.
• Acknowledge what you enjoy, not what you wish you enjoyed.
• Start a “happiness box”.
• Strong relationships can strengthen life, boost immunity, and cut the risk of depression.
• Cut people slack: other people’s actions are not always reflections of their character – don’t forget that the power of situation can influence actions.
• Indulge in a modest splurge.
• Spend money in ways that support your happiness – it’s okay if it’s important to you.
• A modest pleasure can be a luxury if it’s scarce.
• Spend out – don’t save or hoard. Saving is another form of wasting.
• Trust in abundance of new ideas.
• Keep a happiness journal; note one happy moment of each day.
• Read about catastrophes so to learn and live in the present and appreciate it.
• Depravation sharpens pleasure.
• Accept your own nature.
• Make your goals your passwords so they become constant reminders.
• It’s easy to be heavy; hard to be light. 
• Find areas of refuge: distraction is a powerful, mood altering device and focusing on a bad mood only aggravates it.

Merely days after finishing the book, I find myself repeating Gretchen’s mantras in my head and passing along things I’ve learned as advice for friends. Be Gretchen. Do it now. It’s easy to heavy; hard to be light. Indulge in a modest splurge. Depravation sharpens pleasure.

I hope you read The Happiness Project and let me know if you do!
Feel free to comment back with book suggestions for me.

WHAT I WORE: GRADUATION, MAY 30

Purple tee & red striped skirt: American Apparel
Watch: Asos
Gold t-straps: Blowfish
Rose headwrap: Belt from my grandmother’s robe
Gold clip: H&M 

Wednesday I tagged along with my friend Adrian to see her boyfriend graduate from high school. She and I are graduates from the same school, so it was a pleasure to run into past teachers, classmates, and friends. I got a little sad when it was over as my nostalgia started kicking in; I happened to enjoy high school immensely and miss and think about it everyday. All post-gloominess aside, I had a lot of fun with Adrian trying to find a seat in the ugly mass that is Freedom Hall and hanging with Tova beforehand.

Congrats, grads!

*Click image to enlarge*

WHAT I WORE: GRADUATION, MAY 30

Purple tee & red striped skirt: American Apparel
Watch: Asos
Gold t-straps: Blowfish
Rose headwrap: Belt from my grandmother’s robe
Gold clip: H&M 

Wednesday I tagged along with my friend Adrian to see her boyfriend graduate from high school. She and I are graduates from the same school, so it was a pleasure to run into past teachers, classmates, and friends. I got a little sad when it was over as my nostalgia started kicking in; I happened to enjoy high school immensely and miss and think about it everyday. All post-gloominess aside, I had a lot of fun with Adrian trying to find a seat in the ugly mass that is Freedom Hall and hanging with Tova beforehand.

Congrats, grads!

*Click image to enlarge*

WHAT WE WORE: MEMORIAL DAY MONDAY, MAY 28

I apologize for the lack of posts recently. Not too much has been going on; mostly staying close to home and watching a lot of The Real Housewives of NYC (In fact, I think I’ve been watching a little too much – last night I had a dream about going on a trip with Jill, Countess Luann, and Sonja).

In the beginning of the week, however, I was quite sociable. Monday my best friend, Tova, and I ditched both our prior plans and went shopping on Bardstown Rd (a street in Louisville filled with a bunch of local shops and restaurants). We were not successful.

Polka dot tank: Urban Outfitters
Navy shorts: Forever 21
Heart headband: Forever 21
Gold flats: Goodwill 

*Photos by Tova*

I snapped some photos of Tova’s outfit as well:

We ended our day trying Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt and watching Mean Girls.(Tova’s pomegranate and peach masterpiece: Instagram @whatnaomiloves)

*Click photos to enlarge*

WHAT WE WORE: MEMORIAL DAY MONDAY, MAY 28

I apologize for the lack of posts recently. Not too much has been going on; mostly staying close to home and watching a lot of The Real Housewives of NYC (In fact, I think I’ve been watching a little too much – last night I had a dream about going on a trip with Jill, Countess Luann, and Sonja).

In the beginning of the week, however, I was quite sociable. Monday my best friend, Tova, and I ditched both our prior plans and went shopping on Bardstown Rd (a street in Louisville filled with a bunch of local shops and restaurants). We were not successful.

Polka dot tank: Urban Outfitters
Navy shorts: Forever 21
Heart headband: Forever 21
Gold flats: Goodwill 

*Photos by Tova*

I snapped some photos of Tova’s outfit as well:

We ended our day trying Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt and watching Mean Girls.(Tova’s pomegranate and peach masterpiece: Instagram @whatnaomiloves)

*Click photos to enlarge*