You’ve probably heard of the website Goop, which is a “digital media and e-commerce company” where Gwyneth Paltrow curates “all of life’s positives”.

Huh?

In layman’s terms, Goop is s a place where Gwyneth Paltrow tells us all what we should wear, cook, have and do.

You may also have heard that Gwyneth tops my own personal list of “People who like themselves enough that I don’t have to.”

 

Now, I don’t want to go all Orlando Bloom/Justin Bieber here… mostly because Gwyneth could wipe me off the map without messing up her $3,000 manicure… but the fact is that adopting the Paltrow style of life is probably out of reach of most people.  If you don’t believe me, then log off, go buy yourself a pair of $425 gold-tipped lulu oxfords, and we shall never speak of this conversation again.

But, some people agree with my point of view that there might be an opening in the world of life coach gurus.  For instance, Blake Lively decided to start her own website, Preserve which is supposed to have a decidedly more “realistic” flavor.

Now, I like Blake Lively.  She seems like a lovely person.

She is also also a 5’10”,  native-Californian blonde who is married to Ryan Reynolds.

 

I’m sorry, but my guess is that her lifestyle is probably just not “realistic” to me.

Which brings me to my new venture:

Laura’s Guide to Life:

I am going to start using my blog to share things that make me happy; things I find interesting; things I want to share with the world and have them share with others.  Now, shockingly, my taste may not be to everyone’s liking.

(I know, I know… but just try to believe that could be true.)

But, here are a few things that I’ve seen, done, bought or experienced over the last few weeks that have made me happy and I hope they make you happy too.

Blue Toenail polish

Let me be very clear in telling you that I’m not sure whether blue toenail polish is currently in style.  I let my subscription to Sassy magazine lapse somewhere around 1994 and I still ask for stirrup pants when I go to a department store.  What I can tell you is that blue polish makes my feet happy.  I’m currently wearing Savage by Sinful Colors which I bought at Rite Aid for about $3.00.

Top that, Gwyneth.

 Rob Thurman’s Cal Leandros book series

If you’re looking for something to read and you enjoy supernatural/urban fantasy, you can’t miss with author Rob Thurman.  Tomorrow, Thurman releases Downfall – the eighth book in her popular Cal Leandros book series.  While I’m super excited for the new release, if you aren’t familiar with Thurman’s world yet, I suggest you start with the first book in the series:  Nightlife

There are two great things about Nightlife.  The first is the relationship between the Leandros brothers, Cal and Niko.  It harkens back to the early days of Supernatural when the Winchester brothers actually liked each other.  The second reason I recommend this book is that you get introduced to Robin Goodfellow.  Robin is easily one of my favorite characters in modern fiction.  He is unapologetically self-absorbed, vain, rude and oversexed;  but he is also the most loyal friend and warrior to ever stand beside you in time of battle.

The Kindle version of Nightlife is available on Amazon for $5.99

Cherry Tomatoes

The tomatoes I planted a few months ago are starting to ripen!  I have a ton of baby green tomatoes on the stalks, and every night when I go out to water the garden, a good handful are ready for picking.

My favorite way to enjoy fresh garden cherry tomatoes is a very easy recipe:

1. Pick tomatoes
2. Rinse with hose
3. Pop in mouth
4. Repeat

Occasionally I’ll mix it up a bit and make a mozzarella/fresh basil salad with a balsamic vinegar drizzle.  I also have a great recipe for a ricotta cheese/goat cheese/roasted tomato dip that I’m happy to share. Usually, thought, it’s all about the tomato.

And maybe just a sprinkle of salt.

I bought 6 cherry tomato plant seedlings at Home Depot for about $4 each.  You can get a pint in the grocery store for about $2.00.

 Northshire Bookstore

If you’re looking for an independent bookstore that has the space, selection and event calendar of a huge national chain, you need to go visit Northshire Bookstore in Manchester Center, Vermont.  My sister and I took a weekend pilgrimage there last year and look forward to the next time we can schedule a visit.  Northshire is staffed by people who love books and can speak knowledgeably about many different genres.  The building is huge, but there are countless cozy nooks where you can bring a pile of books to peruse and whittle down your selection to a small armful.  If you’re a serious reader, please add a visit to Northshire to your bucket list.

The cost of a visit to Northshire will vary depending upon your own personal shopping list, but I’d be surprised if you make it out spending less than $50.

Until next time…

That’s probably a good start for now.  I’ve given you something to read, something to eat, somewhere to go and something that makes me feel happy when I look at my toes.

If you don’t like my choices or find that I’m hopelessly unhip and out of style, I can live with that.  Find what makes you happy and buy or do it for yourself.

Then tell me about it so I can buy/do it to!