Occasiotarian

Hi. I've coined a new term.

Occasiotarian: A vegetarian who occasionally lacks will power and thus partaketh in the forbidden flesh once, maybe twice, a week. Tops.

Let me just say this: I love animals. I always have. When I was a sophomore in high school I did a class project on PETA. During research for said project, I came across a video of the Chinese fur trade. Dogs, crammed one on top of another, in steel cages. Terror in their eyes. And then, one of them was skinned... alive. I started bawling right in the middle of the classroom. I'm honestly surprised I didn't throw up. That was the first time I was introduced to the real horrors of how animals were being treated.

But that didn't stop me from eating meat. Momma loves a good steak- charred on the outside, bloody on the inside.

Then I started getting into documentaries- particularly food documentaries. Supersize Me. Food, Inc. King Corn. Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead. After every movie I was inspired to change the way I eat. Especially Food, Inc. I'd give up on meat cold turkey (heh), and ultimately in a few weeks, I would cave and have a few bites of steak. In my mind, at that point, I had already failed in my mission, so I started to eat meat regularly again.

About 3 weeks ago, I was watching 30 Days, a TV show by Morgan Spurlock, the creator of Supersize Me. In that particular episode, a hunter moved in with a family of animal rights activists to see how they lived for 30 days. At the end of the show, he had rescued and rehabilitated a baby cow all by himself. That goddamn cow was so happy. And something about that just stuck with me. It wasn't gruesome. They didn't show much on how the animals were treated, but something about that cow just did it for me.

So I stopped eating meat. Almost. This time, I'm allowing myself to give in to temptation every now and then. I'm not beating myself up for eating meat here and there. Something about the psychology of allowing myself to "cheat" actually makes it much easier, because I know I can eat it if I really want to.

So far It's been 3 weeks, and I've eaten meat twice. That's pretty good for someone who basically used to eat meat at every meal- and I feel good about what I'm doing. I'm not the perfect vegetarian, chances are I never will be. So there you have it, I'm an occasiotarian.

Have you been inspired to drastically change how you eat? Got any great vegetarian recipes for me?

Pretty Palettes: Feather Hues

A pretty palette to perk up your Monday!

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This has got to be one of my all time favorite Design Seeds palettes!


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I'm drooling over that massive marbled canvas.

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I'm all about some sparkle!


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The tile work in this bathroom is insane!


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Yes. Yes. Yes.

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Cozy and chic.

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Sigh. This photo is just jawdroppingly gorgeous.

I've got this Monday (and the next 2 days) off. Yay! How are you spending this Monday?

OMG, Shoes.

Alternate title: I think I need help.

I've been on a shoe shopping binge.

In August, I bought these:

Steve Madden "Turnpyke" Sandal, Nordstrom

Mia "Quincy" Wedge, DSW

Nine West "Lecia" Peeptoe, Nine West

I was obviously on a nude(ish) shoe kick. The Steve Maddens are my favorite- super cute and shockingly comfortable. I haven't worn the Nine Wests yet, but they're the perfect nude for my skintone (not nearly as pink as they look in the photo), so I couldn't pass them up. I figure they'll be perfect for a night out... whenever that happens!

Then this month, I've purchased these (so far):

Plenty by Tracy Reese "Belle" Wedge, Nordstrom

 

Style & Co. "Utmost" Flats, Macy's

Steve Madden "Turnpyke" Sandal, Nordstrom

Can you tell I'm all about a wedge? I scored the Tracy Reese pair on sale, and I loved the cutouts and tassels, so I obviously couldn't say no. Then, I needed wanted a pair of leopard print flats, and these fit the bill perfectly- cute, comfy, inexpensive! Aaand another pair of the Turnpykes, but this time in black, so I can wear them to work. Clearly, I love these shoes.

So... that's six pairs of shoes in two months. I think I need an intervention.

And I'm praying to god my husband doesn't read this post...

A Day At Big Cat Rescue

So... it took me forever to post this, but back in January (see, told you, forever!) M and I went to our local kitty sanctuary. But not just any kitty sanctuary, a big kitty sanctuary.

First, we were greeted by peacocks upon our arrival. Why peacocks were hanging out around Big Cat Rescue, I have no idea, but they were.

Once we were inside, we got the rundown (i.e. don't put your hands in the cage because you'll get eaten, etc) and then it was on to the kitties!

 

First were the small cats. I just loved this little Bobcat! He looked like a snuggly housecat that was begging to be pet!

Next up was the Serval. Small, but not quite so snuggly. This little kitty was vicious- hissing and arching his back at anyone who passed!

Big Cat Rescue is also home to a rare white Serval. This guy was clearly much more docile than his sibling.

I was desperate to get a photo of the Sand Cat's face, because he was so tiny and adorable (the smallest cat they have at the facility!), but the little guy was about to be fed, so he kept circling his cage, never sitting still long enough to get a good photo.

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See?! Effing adorable.

I can't remember the name of this cat, but aren't his ears fab? I love that he looks like a goat.

Rounding out the wee kitties was the Ocelot. Such a gorgeous, regal looking cat, no?

Now it was time for the big part of Big Cat Rescue. First, Jaguars:

This big kitty clearly wants a belly rub.

They had both a standard and black Jaguar. If you look closely, you can see that the black one actually does have spots, they're just monochromatic. He was so, so beautiful.

They also housed a family of cougars. Three siblings, two boys and one girl, who were rescued from an animal hoarder. It was so sweet watching them cuddle and clean one and other.

A gorgeous (and huge- check out those paws!) leopard perching atop her "kitty condo".

Then came the Tigers...

 A beautiful standard Tiger who seemed to be sizing us up for his next meal...

And a White Tiger, who was rescued because he was one of the "ugly" ones in the litter.

Not many people are aware of this when they ohh and ahh over White Tigers at the zoo, but White Tigers can't survive in the wild, therefore, breeders must use a limited number of captive tigers to breed an unlimited number of offspring to sell to zoos. Most are born with deformaties and left to live horrible lives, while only the "pretty" ones about sold to zoos. Read more about it here.

Only fitting to round out our visit to Big Cat Rescue- the regal Lioness. She. Was. Massive. Standing on all fours, her head came up to my shoulders, and check out those teeth!

Overall, our visit to Big Cat Rescue was amazing, and I would highly recommend it to anyone living in or visiting the Tampa area. My only wish? To be able to pet the kitties, but that's because I'm an idiot.

Pretty Palettes: Candied Hues

A pretty palette to perk up your Monday!

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Bright, fun, and feminine!

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Uhm. Amazing.

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How adorable is this nursery?

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Mmmm, macarons.

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Love. These. Streaks.

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Happy Monday! I hope this is the start of a wonderful week!

Top Ten Tuesdays

Ten things I'm loving right this second.

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Note to self: Must have hot pink door. Must.

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I am so in love with this dress. The shape, the color, everything.

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Kind of an odd combo, but I would totally rock this necklace with the dress above.

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Reese Witherspoon has officially inspired me to get these bangs for fall. Love!

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I am so not a fan of the French manicure, but this, this I can get behind.

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How amazing are these booties from Anthro? The color is gorgeous and I'm a sucker for tassels.

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I have been looking for grey zebra print pillows for freaking ever. Found 'em! Finally!

{source}I am totally beating myself up for not discovering these before our wedding. So cute! {source}Check. Out. This. Chair. It's way too pretty to sit in, but I want it anyway. Crazy amazing. {source}I am totally obsessed with horses. I'll take this print from Z.Gallerie... and a real horse, too. Thanks.