helen loves: edition #10

It's been awhile since we've had a Helen Loves round-up. Here are some fun products on my mind this week... wallet, watch out!

The Honest Company's Aromatic Soy Candle sounds so calming.

Rifle Paper Co. is not only my favorite stationary company, but now they have gorgeous iphone cases! My favorites are the Spanish Rose and New York.

I've been wishing for a pair of tan Swedish Hasbeen sandals for years, especially as the weather gets warmer. One day I will invest in a pair :)

Now that we have a bike share in New York (hooray!) I'm thinking about purchasing a nice Bern helmet in turquoise.

I already have a yellow couch, but this Jonathan Adler couch in canary yellow is a beauty.

Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby is coming out in theatres, meaning it's time to brush up on my reading!

This double bar ring... enough said.

PS: Other Helen Loves collections

jonathan adler mug

I still haven't bought myself a present for my birthday which happened almost 2 weeks ago. It's funny -- even though I blog about inspiring, beautiful products, I can never keep track of a wish list! While I'm not a planner, my tendency to make spontaneous purchases counteract the purpose of a wish list... I guess I like the thrill! :)

Today I bought this Jonathan Adler Scale Mug and am so excited to see it pop on my work desk. One of many mini birthday presents to myself, I'm sure. Do you plan your purchases? Or do you buy on the spot, like me?

(Jonathan Adler Scale Mug - $14.40 via Casa.com)

words of wisdom: abandon impatience

I think this one was made for me...

"When you plant seeds in the garden, you don’t dig them up every day to see if they have sprouted yet. You simply water them and clear away the weeds; you know that the seeds will grow in time. Similarly, just do your daily practice and cultivate a kind heart. Abandon impatience and instead be content creating the causes for goodness; the results will come when they’re ready." -- Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron

we see beauty/ make cosmetics

One of my favorite new beauty companies is MAKE, a socially conscious cosmetics brand that sets aside one-third of its revenue to help women-led startups in the United States. (Finally!!) MAKE is the first beauty line produced by We See Beauty, which describes itself as "a marketplace of ideas, stories and products that support the cooperative movement."

Love that mission and those beautiful products! Must try the MAKE Matte Finish Blush in Cinnabar. Learn more about We See Beauty and MAKE products here, and let me know what suits your fancy.

my birthday!

This Sunday, I celebrated my birthday -- and what a fun, thrilling, and emotional weekend! My friends took me to delicious dinners and brunches (at Gemma and The Smith), Mary Kate came in from Philly, and many of my loved ones celebrated with me on the rooftop bar 230 Fifth where the view 20+ flights up was astounding...

 

I felt so moved the entire time by my incredibly generous friends who are my family. So thankful for the abundance of people in my life  (including my blog community) who make me who I am. Much, much love to you all xoxo.

words of wisdom: sail away from the safe harbor

I definitely needed to hear this....

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." — Mark Twain

(Photo via Pinterest)

living with purpose: why listening can change our lives

If anyone were to ask me one thing that I'm working on, it would be becoming a better listener. I am a naturally expressive and reactive person so it's challenging for me to be still and just listen. I have to work hard at keeping my mouth shut! But ever since I've willfully told myself to first listen before speaking and to always look for the lesson in everything I hear, my life has really changed.

First, I am so much wiser from listening to others' experiences and stories before sharing my own thoughts. I'm reading Lean In right now, and one thing that stuck with me is Sheryl Sandberg's quote that "advice is autobiographical." We all have the ability to grow in wisdom from listening to people younger and older, more professionally experienced or less. Everyone has their unique wisdom. I know I've been mentored by friends who are younger than me-- for example, my incredibly go-getter, entrepreneurial college friend Sam Smith who always motivates me every time we catch up.

Secondly, listening has developed my capacity to love in ways that I couldn't love before. I used to think that loving people is giving encouragement and lifting them up. That is still a loving approach, but I've found that actively listening is also a huge blessing in relationships. Whenever my friends simply stay on the phone with me while I cry or worry, they are showing me endless love. They aren't trying to "fix" my problems. They are quietly saying "I accept you for exactly who are you, even at your lowest." While I always appreciate their advice, listening is enough.

What have you learned from simply listening? Do you find it as challenging as I do? :)

PS: Previous Living with Purpose columns

(Photos from top: lampshade hat and ballerinas)

spring forward with shift dresses

Up until this week, NYC weather has remained stubbornly cool and still required wearing a winter jacket -- yuck! Today feels so much better with lots of sunshine, which instantly makes me want to do some Spring shopping. My favorite seasonal transition piece is the 3/4 length sleeve shift dress, which I like to wear in colder weather with tights and boots, or dress down in warm weather with sandals. The not quite short or long sleeves are adaptable to any situation and cover just enough skin. Pretty close to perfect, right?

Make a statement in a patterned shift dress...

Or keep it simple in white lace...



Or wow the crowd in an embellished dress perfect for going out

For a long time, I stayed away from dresses because I wasn't particularly "girly" growing up. Now, I rely on them all year long! What's your favorite transitional piece into Spring?

(From top to bottom: gorgeous shift dresses by Tracey Reese, Yoana Baraschi, and Jessica Howard via the Amazon Dress Shop)