Favorite Finds: Productivity, Paper & Pinot

A lot of various articles and websites grab my attention as I spend so much time online all day, for work and play. I often save these to read later at night when I have some free time or end up emailing myself links to read eventually, as I sometimes can’t find time to read longer length articles in the middle of my busy work weeks. 

While some articles are simply read, acknowledged and I move on, there are others that I thoroughly enjoy, that I’m eager to discuss, that I'd love to share with others.

And since I also love classic lists, here is a collection of some of my recent favorite finds that I’ve discovered and read lately:

1. Continuing with my belief in being more efficient with your time instead of just putting in the hours for hours sake: New York Times article “Relax! You’ll Be More Productive"

2. Motivation to not give up: The Power of Persistence from The Now Stylebook

3. After reading this piece on Jennifer Lawrence, I was even more excited for her Oscar win last night: Vanity Fair’s February 2013 cover story

4. Because anytime we take the characters out of Downton and into modern age, I’m amused: Downton Abbey Alive on Facebook 

5. One of my favorite weddings sites branching out into home style and including my favorite stationer:  Style Me Pretty at Home with Stationery from Cheree Berry Paper

6. Stumbled upon a gem of a site, immediately adding it to my Daily Reads: Note to Self

7. I heart cupcakes, I heart wine, and I heart Cupcake Vineyards, mostly due to their cute label designs. Doesn’t hurt to brush up on some vino basics either: Wine Education & Tasting 101 on The Everygirl

Ginger Ale & Downton Abbey

Since departing for NYC last Thursday evening, 

I have gone through a complete sickness lifecycle. 

I woke Friday morning with the beginning of the flu 

and it proceeded to worsen during my stay in the city. 

With a blizzard hitting the northeast, making me unable to travel back home earlier, 

our weekend went a little different than planned, 

and I camped out on my girlfriend’s couch, 

as we immersed ourselves in tv, 

lots of (non-alcoholic) fluids, 

and lots more girl talk. 

I returned home Sunday night, 

stomach feeling better but sore throat and cough just getting started 

and not until today, 

a week later, can I say that I finally feel well. 

I don’t know if I had the official flu, 

but I also don’t know the last time I felt this sick, 

this sort of exhaustion, these body aches, and so, 

next year, I’m getting the shot. 

But last weekend in NYC wasn’t a total fail. 

In the midst of feeling like complete crap, 

and being away from the comfort of your own home, 

I was reminded of the amazing friends I have. 

They surrounded me with reassurance, love, care 

and lots of sherbet and ginger ale. 

If I couldn’t be at home, they were the next best thing. 

And so this week, I continued to rest. 

To recuperate. 

And then finally was able to taste flavors again, 

with the boys latest creation: 

buttermilk biscuits stuffed with barbecue pulled pork.

I snuggled with my cat 

and soaked up some reading 

and Downton Abbey catch-up.

I returned to work mid-week 

and caught up and got organized. 

It’s back to reality, 

back to to-do lists, 

to errands, to exercise.

Waking up this morning and finally feeling well, 

felt so, so good. 

photo via Tumblr