Back to the yoga

Tomorrow marks the end of my intro to Bikram Yoga. For 7 of the past 9 days, I've gone into the 105 degree plus room with 50-60% humidity and performed the sequence of 26 postures... some days, like today, were great days and others were terrible days. Since last Wednesday was my first time to try Bikram, I feel as though I've come a long way. I already sleep better at night, my body is more hydrated with all the water I've started drinking, I sit straigher and I breathe better.

Another benefit is that yoga breaks down scar tissue and rebuilds, and boy, is it breaking down my scar tissue in my shoulder. Granted, my shoulder always aches. I have had to sleep with it by my side since high school because the pain would be to great if I stretched it out for long periods of time. But right now, my whole upper right side is aching... my shoulder, my back, my neck... I know it all stems from the one injury, but its amazing to see how much damage was actually done during volleyball.

I talked to one of the instructors about it last night and feel better about the pain. He said it's normal to have pain while the scar tissue is breaking down... but to make sure I know my limit and the difference between good and bad pain. I still think its good pain...

And with that thought, I bid you goodnight.

Roundup: This Week's Loves

Skout "Chateau de Versailles" pillow
(via One Kings Lane)

Tourneau Women's Oval Watch
(via Rue La La)

Faryl Robin "Plum"
(via Ideeli)

Laila Azhar Silk Front Drape Camisole
(via Gilt)

Laila Azhar Pleated Colorblock Dress
(via Gilt)

40 years.

40 years.

I wasn't even alive when this happened yet photos still give me goosebumps.

(image via Mail Online)

Invite-Only Discount Sites

I've always heard about the elusive, invite-only, steeply discounted websites for fashion and home decor, but had never managed to know anyone who could get me an invitation.

A couple months ago I stumbled across One Kings Lane, a home decor site that was newly launched at the time. It's still not invite only, but I love getting to see the decor every day as I gather ideas for my place.

One another blog I read, I saw an invite to Gilt, one of the more premier luxury discount sites. So far I've seen designers such as Fendi and Alexander McCall... tomorrow Kate Spade goes up! Not that I can actually afford much of anything there (yet!) but I did manage to find makeup (for a gift) for over half off retail price. So far I would call that a success!

Today I stumbled across a Rue La La invite! After Gilt, Rue La La is one of the other most desired sites and but less pricey. I swooned over Bottega Veneto earlier (I wish!) and Robert Rodriguez will be released later this week...

I am loving seeing the items that go through and am just waiting for the day I finally get to purchase! Unfortunately, it can't be impulsive (like I was thinking with this dress today), but sooner or later something I've been keeping an eye out for will come along and I can snatch it up at a wonderful price!

Are there are any similar sites that you love?

P.S. The links above are invites in case anyone is looking!

(photo: "Felicity" by Eva Franco)

I love Vanity Fair.

Here is an edited version (courtesy of Vanity Fair) of Sarah Palin's resignation speech. I didn't understand it then, but now it almost makes sense...

It's Bond. James Bond.

I've been checking out Amazon for the past few days because I'm planning to purchase a pedometer (lost my last one) and a cast iron stovetop grill (for $25 and free shipping!), but have yet to actually make the purchase because I'm still bargian shopping.

However, while adding aforementioned items to my basket today I noticed an item I've had in my "Save for Later" items for over two years: Bond on Set: Filming Casino Royale. This is a reward book I've been promising myself for some time... Since Casino Royale really is one of my favorite movies ever, this is something I've been coveting, but just haven't been able to bring myself to actually buy it.

At any rate, today I noticed that Amazon no longer carries it, except that I can get it from $60 from another seller. $60! It was roughly $23 last time Amazon was selling it.

So, I made an impulse buy... I went onto Half.com and found a used copy (the description swears the book itself is in excellent condition, just the dust jacket is a little worn) and bought it for under $20. Luckily, I have money in my budget for just this sort of thing! Finally the thought that an item I've been eyeing for so long might be totally unavailable to me just pushed me to make the purchase.

Now as to whether or not I need more books in my apartment is a whole different story... Have you made a purchase recently of something you've been eyeing for an unusually long amount of time?

Apt progress...

I've been straightening up my apartment since the incident Tuesday with the cockroach (ewwwww) because the apartment complex is coming to spray tomorrow. I finally hung up some pictures and paintings I've been meaning to get up for months.

One dilemma I've been facing is that I was unsure of what do do with the space over the sink... I discovered these Ikea postcards and frames I'd decorated my room with in Vancouver and thought they'd be perfect! They actually go with the hideous olive color the kitchen came painted in (and I don't care enough to spend the time or money to change it!), the same color is actually in the picture in the lower left.

Of course, they're not the most glamourous piece over the sink, but eventually I'll find something I like better to replace them.

If you have space for art over your kitchen sink, what did you put there for decor?

April, May, June, July...

Where does the time go? I feel like ever since I got here I've been in a constant state of static... go to work, come home, go to sleep, rinse and repeat.

I'm not sure direction I want my blog to take. It started out as my adventures in travelling and moving several thousand miles to a place I had no place to live, no job, no family and no friends. Now, I'm back in my home state with all of the above and it appears there's not much to write about.

I still have a life list of things I'd like to check off... I still like to keep tabs on things that inspire me.. I still will be the crazy plant lady with more plants than I know what to do with, I'm just not sre what I should be blogging about...

I started watching the BBC series Hotel Babylon and hav really become quite enamoured with it. I watched the first three seasons and loved, loved, loved the first two! I started the fourth season yesterday and since most of the original characters have left by now (or are leaving in the near future) and the writing has come pretty mediocre, I'm losing interested in the series. However, I discovered the series was based on a book! Hotel Babylon by Imogene Edwards-Jones and Anonymous received fantastic reviews, so for under $5 including shipping I received a used copy from Half.com.

It came in today and I am looking forward to reading it! I have a number of books lying around that I need to get through, but am doing so slowly but surely.

Green Party Dress by Bethany Howson

(via Creature Comforts)