04/12/12

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Friday Favorites

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It's Friday! My gosh, did this week fly by for anyone else? It feels as if I lost a day somewhere in there! It was a week full of painting, sketching, packing, shipping, and planning. We are so looking forward to spending sunny days and pleasant nights out on the deck, another perk of living in the new house. We'd like to paint the wood railings white (like the house) and stain the floor. It'll be a lot of work but so so worth it. We just need it to be a little warmer before we dive in. And yes...I'll be blogging the entire process! From sanding and priming, to finishing and decorating! And of course celebrating our hard work! :) Soon soon! :)

Okie Doke... How about some Favorites?!

How adorable is the above polka dotted number? It's by Sonia Rykiel and the cartoon-ish bow is what stole my heart! I'm on the shorter side (5' 2") so it would hit a bit lower on the leg for me....which I like! I'd love to pair it with a cute black cardi. And Oh my gosh...I have a few ideas for shoezies! Love it!

Next, is this super cute golden heart ring. I had one just like it as a little girl. It is so so sweet! I love when the accessories of childhood cross the bridge into real grown up life. Gold, hearts...two of my favorite things! And it's on SALE! :)

Alright...how amazing is this sofa? It features 14 different shades of blue-green linen! It reminds me of a paint sample color card. Except you don't have to narrow your color choice down to your fave...you can have them all! The price is pretty much cuckoo...but we can dream right? I did the conversion...it's around $7,000!

I am a Salt & Pepper shaker nut! I have been collecting them for over 18 years...I have cupcakes, pianos, bunnies, teapots, and cakes. I love these for their color and feel! I adore mixing mid-century pieces with cutesy and fancy. The pink, aqua and gold just makes me melt!

I am a big fan of the vintage Cathrineholm lotus pattern. Being a pastel type of gal, I've never really been able to incorporate pieces with those colors into our home. But when I saw these bowls in black & white, I immediately started envisioning my kitchen shelves of pinks and aquas paired with them. I will be adding one of these Arne Claussen classics to our list of must haves.

If you have some favorites you'd like to share...leave me a link! I'd love to come see! :)

Alrighty, Let the weekend begin!

Love ya!

xo Jenny

Take Me Away

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This fabulous coastal hideaway caught my eye when flicking through Vogue Living. This idyllic getaway is located in a secluded spot on the famous Spanish island of Ibiza. Here, the air is heavy with the fruity scent of fig and carob trees that surround what was once a rustic peasant home left in ruins, deep in the countryside. It was love at first sight for this interior designer and her photographer husband. They have lovingly restored it blending traditional Ibizan style and architecture with a modern sensibility. I love the rustic, honest feel to the place with it's white washed walls, hand crafted timber ceiling and cane pendant lights. I also like the quirky touch of the brightly coloured, hand woven, folksy fabric on the armchairs and scatter cushions. A simple, relaxed wardrobe is all that's needed in this remote, rugged location!

Melissah xox

Images via 1, fashion 2 (all images have been edited by Coastal Style)

Check out Coastal Style on tumblr and Pinterest

If you want to prevent diabetes and obesity, get enough Zzzzzzzzzzz's

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I often label myself an "old woman" (some may say "lame") because I like to be in bed by 10:30 pm and have to get at minimum 7-8 hours of theoretical sleep time (ideally I would have 9-10 hours). Some Sunday nights you may find me in bed by 9:30 pm if it's been a tiring weekend. In college and grad school I NEVER pulled an all-nighter and I always told my friends that sleep was my #1 priority and I would perform better on an exam being well rested rather than over-studied and lethargic. While I might not have had the same college experience, nor been as cool* as the kids that pulled all-nighters, at least it helped me keep a slim bod and reduced my diabetes risk... according to recent studies.

* The reason I wasn't cool just being that I didn't stay up late on school-nights, not because I'm really a nerd ;-)

Brigham and Woman's Hospital just reported the results from a study where they kept 21 participants in a controlled sleeping environment and monitored diet and exercise habits. Initially, they had them sleep for an ideal 10 hours, but then over the next three weeks had them only sleep a total of 5.6 hours, at random times during a 24-hour period to simulate a rotating shift-worker's sleep schedule. By doing this, the body's natural circadian cycle- the biological sleep clock- was completely disrupted.

The results of the study showed that prolonged sleep disruption and deprivation decreased participants' resting metabolic rates and increased blood glucose concentrations because insulin secretion was reduced by 32% after eating (insulin regulates blood sugar levels). This study shows that people that are pre-diabetic and happen to be shift workers or have inconsistent sleep patterns may be more inclined to become full-blown diabetics as opposed to people that get enough sleep consistently.

In addition to increasing your diabetes risk by decreased insulin production, lack of sleep can cause a disruption in the hunger hormones, causing ghrelin to increase (which makes you hungry), and leptin to decrease (which signals fullness). The change in hunger hormones can cause a sleep deprived person to overeat. Findings from a study on this topic were reported at the American Heart Association's Epidemiology and Prevention/Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism 2012 Scientific Sessions. The researchers said that in their study, a lack of sleep caused participants to consume 500 more calories each day compared to the control group that slept for 1 hour and 20 minutes more, which is quite significant!

Another obvious point to mention is that if you are sleeping less, you have more time to eat.

MY RECOMMENDATION: After dinner, brush your teeth and use mouthwash. Go to bed early if you are only staying up for the heck of it, and especially, go to bed if you are night-time snacker. If you are staying up to watch TV, you are more inclined to want to eat some Ben & Jerry's and chips than if you are in bed dreaming. Sweet dreams!!!

References:
1. Buxton OM, et al "Adverse metabolic consequences in humans of prolonged sleep restriction combined with circadian disruption" Sci Transl Med 2012; (4)129ra43.
2. http://www.brighamandwomens.org/about_bwh/publicaffairs/news/pressreleases/PressRelease.aspx?PageID= 1117
3. http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-04/bawh-lsd040612.php
4. http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/04/11/lack-sleep-may-boost-diabetes-risk/
5. Calvin AD. Abstract MP030. Presented at: the American Heart Association's Epidemiology and Prevention/Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism 2012 Scientific Sessions; March 13-16, 2012; San Diego.

ALSO CHECK OUT MY LATEST POST ON PHILLY HEALTH WATCH:
http://phillyhealthwatch.com/2012/04/02/eating-more-fruits-and-veggies-can-make-you-more-attractive/