quick link: slate picks for best books 2013

Slate published their staff picks for the best books of 2013! If I were rich, I'd buy this one for my dad. These illustrations look breathtaking. I'm hoping to read this one while on maternity leave but before baby girl makes her appearance. Because I won't have anything else to do, right?!

PS. A friend bought me this book and it's amazing. She's hilariously inappropriate and I'm a little more conservative when it comes to sexual stuff, and we both laughed a lot while flipping through this. I have a photo of The Husband reading it, but he absolutely forbids me from posting it here, unfortunately.

quick link: discount tickets to alton brown

Santa Barbarians! Groupon is currently offering discounted tickets to Alton Brown's live show at the Granada on October 23. The Husband loves Alton Brown because he is really into food science as well as general cooking information. I love Alton Brown because he's completely insane. The Princess Bride reference in his show description didn't hurt either.

Alton Brown tour website here. Sign up for a general Groupon subscription here.

quick link: masako miki

Masako Miki is an artist from Osaka, Japan who now lives in Berkeley, CA. I am in love with her offbeat, mixed media creations. 

(always together, source)

Her latest exhibition in Oakland just ended, but check out her website for any upcoming events.

quick link: bring your feminist self to work

(this photo has nothing to do with this post. but isn't my kitty adorable?)

I'm not feeling the slightest bit inspired to write anything lately, so check out Bring Your Feminist Self to Work (Every) Day, a really interesting article about being a feminist in a male-dominated professional space. 

First and foremost, you have to overcome your own inevitable sense of “imposter syndrome,” take up space, and speak up. When I’m at a meeting in an intimidating place with what I perceive to be lots of smart, successful people, especially if the room is mostly populated by men, I force myself to say something at least once. It doesn't have to be right away (sometimes I gain courage by listening and observing first), but I can’t leave the room without contributing something. That’s not just for my own advancement; it also helps the team get used to hearing women’s voices and perspectives, in general.

The above concept really stood out for me - the idea of making sure, as a women, to say / contribute something, especially when the environment seems intimidating. Not only is this good for being recognized professionally, this also helps others get used to hearing a woman voice her perspectives and opinions in a male-dominated professional environment. I have taken this to heart and have forced myself to speak up regularly at round-table meetings at my job. It's been less than three weeks and I already see a significant shift in how I feel about my own agency in my job, and how some of my colleagues perceive me and my contributions. People who used to act like they didn't find me particularly important or valuable are taking the time to engage with me on professional and personal levels. All that from less than three weeks of trying to get over my own sense of intimidation.

Feminism for the win (again).

quick link: meat free in australia

Next week is officially Meat-Free Week in Australia, but you don't have to be living in the southern hemisphere to participate in such a positive activity. The point of not eating meat for a week is not to convert anyone to vegetarianism, but to highlight how much meat as a society we really are eating - the short answer is, too much. It's drastically affecting our health and our environment. 

(source)

Sustainable Table has a recipe book of 21 meat-free dishes that is available for free download here. I already don't eat much meat at all, but am really excited to try some of these recipes. Zucchini patties for breakfast? Quinoa risotto for lunch? Yes please!

quick link: designlovefest desktop backgrounds

Designlovefest is awesome for a million reasons. One of them is their selection of free desktop wallpapers. They're sized for Apple products (iPad / desktop), but they transferred just fine to my Windows desktop with barely any cropping. 

I'm currently rocking this one:

Simple, happy, and modern. Oh, and yellow is my absolute favorite color, so that helps.

This is amazing as well:

And this one:

Now go and make your computer pretty.

quick link: makelike design studio

(source)

Makelike Design Studio & Print Shop is a design collective located in Portland, OR (love that town! got my back tattooed there!). I'm currently loving this cactus print and these cards.

quick link: everlane clothing

I'm super cheap but try to make a token attempt at looking, if not fashionable, like I looked in a mirror for at least five seconds before leaving the house. Popular fashion and I are not getting along lately (seriously, why is it so hard to find a skirt that hits below the knee and a shirt that isn't see through or cropped? I miss modesty and feminine clothing), so I've fallen back into the jeans and t shirt uniform. 

And you guys, I've found the best t-shirts ever. For fifteen dollars. They're high quality cotton and the fit is impeccable. Everlane is seriously the best. I have a couple of their v-neck tees, and they're so flattering and comfortable. They have fifteen dollar tees for men as well. The Husband is getting a couple of them whether he wants to or not.

They also have pricier items, including cashmere sweaters and weekender bags. The best part is, when you sign up (for free), they immediately send you a code for getting free shipping and returns for your first order. This helps ensure you figure out what the perfect size is. In my opinion, they run true to size.

Go buy yourself a damn t-shirt. You won't regret it.

quick link - my new roots

( photo from my new roots: roasted kale & beets with honey-horseradish vinaigrette)

My New Roots is one of my favorite healthy eating blogs. The author provides great recipes, as well the "science" behind why this type of food is healthy, the impact of processed foods on nutrition, etc. I am so grateful to have access to a wide variety of fresh, local, organic, and affordable produce, and My New Roots has helped me be braver with food and recipe choices, and thrilled with how tasty healthy food truly can be.