Infusing grandeur into otherwise drab Monday mornings with five things/ideas/events for the week:

I.  Whenever I walk by Z Gallerie on Union Street, I can’t stop myself from going inside.  My apartment needs absolutely nothing more for decor, but that reasoning doesn’t preclude me from window shopping, right??  On a recent journey through the bi-level store, I found this phenomenal pointe metal sphere.  The Kelly Wearstler-esque industrial vibe simply had to go on top of my coffee table books.  Head over to the store to take advantage of the post-holiday sale.  I’m sure there’s something you equally don’t need there too…

II.  Bar Carts were ubiquitous this holiday season.  From wood rollers to metallic butler tray stands, everyone seemed to have one featured in their home.  Now that party season is over, there is no need to put away the fun.  I love the idea of draping your cart with a citrus garland (real or faux) to freshen the aesthetic for everyday use.  To kick it up a notch, here is an adorable DIY lemon leaf garland with step-by-step instruction.

III.  Last night, like most, I couldn’t sleep.  Perusing Facebook, I stumbled upon a friend’s blog piece “When Our Relationships With Ourselves Get in the Way of Our Romantic Relationships.”  I’m not one for self-help (or even much self-reflection), but I decided that reading the advice would either help me or put me to sleep: win-win.  Fifteen blog posts later, I realized that Relationship Coach and Wellness Adviser, Sara Plummer, had a lot of great tips for people looking to better themselves.  Though I never went back to sleep, I did find myself with a lot to think about and a grocery cart filled with ingredients for green smoothies, lean proteins, healthy fats, and vitamins (all recommended by Sara).  I can’t imagine a better time than the beginning of a new year to start following Sara’s blog!

IV.  With healthy recipes on my mind, I remembered that my Butternut Squash Soup (made with apples and curry powder) is almost entirely fruits and veggies - no cream and very little butter. I’m making a batch of it to keep in the fridge for when I’m craving something slightly sweet this week.  Tip: you can make the recipe even easier by skipping the food mill and using an immersion blender in the stock pot that the ingredients cooked in. 

V.  I’m delighted to co-chair ArtPoint’s Annual Gala at the de Young this year.  On February 7th, we will celebrate lauded artist Keith Haring by throwing a gigantic party inside the museum in his honor.  Performances by Tainted Love and DJ Matt Haze, plus surprise guests, will make this a truly special evening.  Black Tie Optional/80’s attire encouraged (and who can resist a neon formal?!)  Buy tickets here before they sell-out.

Have a wonderful week!  xx tt