gray + yellow = love

I find it hard to resist the combination of gray and yellow. Maybe it's this time of the year- the sky is often gray, but a peek of sun coming through makes everything beautiful. And as spring draws closer, the bright colors bring hope, happiness, and signs of a new beginning. I think that's how I've been feeling lately: there are many moments, hours, or days where I feel sad and gray. But then I'll get a splash of yellow- a ray of hope concerning the future, a kind word, a prayer answered, a heartfelt conversation. Maybe the gray makes the yellow even more vibrant and happy, and the yellow shines a light on the gray which makes it look not so drab. But I believe the true beauty comes from the combination of the two.

Hello, Hong Kong

Decisions, Decisions... Chop-Sticking To My Story, Red My Fortune Cookie, or Dim Sum Plum? Coming soon to a salon near you, this new collection from OPI makes me want to travel to the Far East and wear these colors on more than just my nails. Who can resist Panda-monium Pink? Go here to get the full scoop and try them on your own fingernails. I have to agree, A Good Man-darin Is Hard To Find.

food for all

I watched this movie with some friends last week, and after being thoroughly engrossed for 90 minutes, decided this is a must-see not just for me but for every American. Typically, I've been pretty skeptical of "organic", "all-natural" etc labels on food- what's the real difference besides a marketing ploy? But this film really opened my eyes to see some of what goes on behind closed doors of the food industry. Maybe organic isn't just for hippies and elitist snobs. Maybe chemically altering food isn't such a good idea after all. Maybe we don't need 4,000 calories worth of corn for every American, every day.

I want to be an informed consumer and want to actually know a bit about the stuff I'm putting in my body besides the fat and calorie content. I also want to leave the next generation with a sustainable planet. This movie has really got me thinking.... As Americans, we (generally speaking) don't like to buy the cheapest cars, the cheapest clothes, the cheapest make-up, or cheapest entertainment options. We'll shell out top dollar for these disposable items. Yet when it comes to food, feeding the bodies that we want to last for 80 years, we want the absolute lowest dollar amount. Why??? It also seems ironic to me that farmers, farm land, and farming itself is a dying art even though the world's population continues to grow, increasing the amount of food needed worldwide.

I'm of the belief that one person can make a difference. So I recycle. I plant a garden. I try not to waste food. And last week I bought my first half-gallon of organic milk.

And now I'll get off my soapbox for the day.