On the Hunt for a Home

After 3.5 months of unbearable noise, Justin and I threw ourselves into the home buying process a little earlier than we had anticipated. The past two weeks have been a whirlwind, and I am so saddened that I did not think sooner to take pictures of all the interesting things we have encountered on our many house tours. #Rookiebloggermistake. 

I can’t possibly expect you to believe that one house we walked up to had CDs, yes music CDs, hanging from yarn and string in all of their bushes (front and back yard). That should have been the first sign to run, run as fast as we could. Yet, we entered, with our realtor in tow, and all laughed hysterically as soon as we did. This one particular house is a prime example of how deceiving pictures can really be. When this house hit the market, I was convinced… CONVINCED, that it was the one. I already started decorating and doing renovations in my head, because how could we possibly choose any other house than this one. Well, if the CDs didn’t throw me off, the funeral parlor scent, lack of any living space and the sheer volume of antiquated odds and ends filling each and every nook and cranny, sure did. 

Then there was the house with unmade beds, and globs of hair on the shower wall. I am an HGTV pro, I can look past bad paint color, I can even look past a terrible kitchen and layout and see potential, but if I push back that shower curtain and see globs of hair, and toothpaste in the sink, no can do. You can have a beautiful home, but if you don’t take the time to wipe down your bathroom before a showing, you’re a dirty person, and that means you don’t take proper care of your home.

There was the short sale house that looked like it had been through an apocalypse and Justin held out hope for me to see the potential in the huge living space…  until we got downstairs and saw that it was plagued with mold and you couldn’t get us out of their fast enough. 

The one that made me laugh the most was the one with the warning in the basement, written on a piece of paper and aluminum foil, plastered on the cinder block that read “PLEASE ONLY PEE IN THE TOILETS”.  Ok, thank you very much, I’m not interested in a home that may have human pee stains throughout it. 

After 7 disappointing showings on Saturday, Justin and I ventured out to an open house on a home that we had both been eyeing, but after Saturday’s festivities, we weren’t holding our breath. YET, when we both walked in the door, we automatically sensed that feeling that we could live there. I mean, these people actually cleaned their home before their open house, and that is a step up compared to what we had seen the day before. Their quaint, cape cod style home was updated to an extent, yet still leaves room for us to put our own touches on. Three bedrooms leaves space for my family to stay and for our family to one day grow, and a partially finished basement with a bar, sealed the deal for Justin. Yet, when we went back a second time, Justin’s dad found mold throughout the foundation, and our first dreams were crushed.

But, as they say, what’s meant to be, will be. That same night, we found another house! Our last stop of the evening brought us to a beautifully updated ranch, with a finished basement, three bedrooms, a fenced in yard and my dream (first home) kitchen. Never did I think we’d be getting granite and stainless steel! It is most definitely move-in ready, I wouldn’t even change the paint colors! Of course there are things I’d like to explore changing over the years, (swapping the sliding door, for french doors, etc). 

Wednesday morning, we both decided that this was the one, and we wanted to make an offer!! We soon found out, after only 12 days on the market, it was a well sought after home and they had received an offer only two hours after we’d been there on Tuesday night. And to spare you the harrowing details of what went on from Wednesday, until now (think anxiety overload x 10), I am happy to let you know that as of 9am this morning our realtor called to tell us that...”WE GOT THE HOUSE!!!” As soon as I heard those words I screamed into the phone in disbelief. 

Now, I am a superstitious Italian, so I won’t share any pictures yet ... at least until we get through attorney review and inspections, but I can give you a sneak peek of the kitchen ... I’m too excited not to!!!

Justin and I are homeowners ... what an exciting thing for a lifestyle blogger - I’m sure I’ll have many more exciting stories and adventures to share throughout the process and once we move in!!! 

#livingforlove

“Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity. ”

— Martin Luther King Jr.

The ignorance I experience on a daily basis, whether in my personal life or while perusing the news, continues to frighten me. 

While I tend to over stress about the ignorance I experience in my own life, I have learned that I must start to let it roll off of my shoulders, otherwise it will start to effect my overall health. Yet, there is one incident that happened recently that I can’t quite seem to shake – Dolce & Gabbana. 

How anyone can take the miracle of life, and the amazing technological advances that are present today, and stomp on it in a national publication, is beyond me. I chalked up their horrific stance to jealousy and bitterness, since the couple themselves had, at one time, been publicly considering adoption or surrogacy. What most offended me was a particular person that came to their defense and supported their “right to be stupid”. No, I’m not joking, someone actually used that phrase. Never in my life, throughout my catholic school education, public high school or four-year Jesuit University, was I taught that we, as individuals, had the RIGHT to be stupid. Yes, people can be stupid, yes people make stupid decisions or say stupid things, but supporting those stupid decisions, and standing up for someone's right to make those stupid decisions, is why our country is in the state that it is. In my mind, if you find it ok for people to speak hateful words, bully innocent victims, make fun or exclude those who aren’t “cool” enough for you, you are even worse than the people who are performing those actions. 

I am not sitting here saying that I am losing sleep over their outlandish comments - that gay parents having a child, or anyone born through ivf or surrogacy, is unnatural, synthetic and chemical; but I am saying that I support anyone who stood up to them, and I would not, by any means, support them and their work, or purchase anything they produce if I had the means to do so. 

Who are they to diminish the value of a precious child’s life, whether they were conceived naturally or through the miracle of science; and who are we as a society to accept those views and even support them? What we are becoming as a society tends to frighten me, and I only hope that there are enough good people in the world who are willing to make a difference, so that my children do not grow up in a world that is continually filled with hate, violence and bigotry. 

There is an old saying that my mother has used quite frequently, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all”.  The fact that they made their views quite clear, in a national publication, and are “shocked” at the backlash they have received is dumbfounding to me. Madonna was quoted, coming to Elton John’s defense, as saying, “Every soul comes to us to teach us a lesson. God has his hand in everything even technology! We are arrogant to think Man does anything on his own. As above so below! Think before you speak.” She also started the hashtag, #livingforlove, which I find to be a tad bit more graceful than #BoycottDolce&Gabbana, because although I will be boycotting them myself, I think an experience like this one should be a learning experience for everyone, and we should all be living for love and to love.

So starting today, I challenge all of you, as well as myself to start #livingforlove. One person at a time, one day at a time, I believe that we can make this world a better place!

The Story Behind the Blogger

Our first blog introduced you to the Story Behind the Peacock, so I thought it might be about time to introduce you to the person behind the blog, me, Alexa! Some of you may know me very well and some of you may not know me at all - so I took it upon myself to interview, the one and only ME.

So here it goes... 20 interesting facts about me, Alexa Leigh. Enjoy!

1. Where were you born and when? - Brooklyn, NY; July 24, 1987

2. What nationality are you? - 50% Italian, 50% Lebanese

3. Do you have any siblings? - Yes, two sisters. Ages 14 + 16 (and yes, we have the same parents)

4. What is your favorite city? - Paris!! After all, "Paris is always a good idea!".

5. Where else have you traveled outside of the United States? - I've been to Paris four times (I told you it was my favorite city, and I'd live there in a heartbeat). I studied abroad in Florence, Italy and traveled throughout the country for 4 months. I recently went back with my boyfriend (Justin) almost two years ago. I've also been to the South of France (Aix-en-Provence, Nice + Cannes). Oh, and there was that one time my dad thought it would be fun to go to Tijuana for the day while we were vacationing in San Diego. Let's just say it ended with my crossing the border with a broken flip-flop ... it didn't go well. Aside from that incident, I LOVE TO TRAVEL!! :-)

6. What do you think is your greatest strength? - My writing, sense of humor and sarcasm ;)

7. If you had chosen a different major, what would it have been? - If I could go back in time, I would go to FIT for Fashion Journalism and minor in Interior Design. I can't draw or cut in a straight line to save my life, but I'm pretty good at styling, fashion pulls and decorating spaces.

8. What is the coolest thing you have done for a job? I have had some pretty amazing experiences through work. I experienced the Kentucky Derby, front row, on the finish line; I've pulled for fashion shows with stylists, which led to me pulling and styling for fashion shows on my own; I met Rebecca Minkoff and Stella McCartney, the STELLA MCCARTNEY, as in Sir Paul McCartney's daughter and helped to pull off a 50 person seated luncheon in a "NYC Penthouse" that was built directly on the 2nd floor of a department store; and I stood center ice at Madison Square Garden. I'd say those were among the coolest things I've ever done for a job. 

9. What are some of your favorite things? - The color pink, peonies, summer, the smell and sound of the sea, Nutella, Paris, peacocks, gelato and macarons. 

10. Do you have a favorite sports team?  I am a diehard NY Rangers fan, and always will be!  

11. What is your favorite love quote? " I didn't fall in love with you. I walked into love with you, with my eyes wide open, choosing to take every step along the way. I do believe in fate and destiny, but I also believe we are only fated to do the things we'd choose anyway. And I'd choose you; in a hundred lifetimes, in a hundred worlds, in any version of reality, I'd find you and I'd choose you." Kiersten White

12. Who do you idolize? - Audrey Hepburn. "Forgive quickly. Kiss slowly. Love truly. Laugh uncontrollably and never regret anything that made you smile." The epitome of style and grace!

13. What is your favorite novel? - The Great Gatsby

14. What are your pet-peeves? - People that don't step on the gas, especially when the light turns green (I'm from NJ, sorry); ignorance; self-pity; when an entire family goes grocery shopping together (really, do Mom, Dad AND your five children really need to be running up and down the aisles!?); dirty dishes left in the sink; and dirty dishwashers (yes, you can eat off of the dirty plates in my dishwasher, and I wouldn't have it any other way).

15. Are you close with your family? - Extremely. I talk to my mother 50 times a day, everyday. Home is where your family is, and I always feel at ease and happy when we are all together (for about three days and then I go insane and say I can't wait to go home, but I don't really mean it). 

16. What is the weirdest thing you have ever eaten? - I am a major foodie and Justin is a lover of exotic meats - so our freezer is always filled with interesting things. The most daring I have ever been was to taste a few bites of the camel burgers he made. Although, with my Lebanese background, I felt like I was doing something sacrilegious .

17. What is the best meal you have ever had? - This is very difficult to decide on, as I said previously, I am a major foodie. Two meals that stick out in my mind the most are: One in a small town in Tuscany when I studied abroad, fresh pasta, wild boar, every bite was to die for!

Second, when Justin and I were in Amelia Island, we did a chef tasting at Salt in the Ritz Carlton. Hands down the most exciting and creative meal I've ever eaten. Each course was paired with a special wine, and they were all better than the last!

And of course I can't forget, anything my Mom has ever cooked me <3

18. What is your guilty pleasure? - I am a closet General Hospital junkie. I think I have seen every episode since I was in my mother's womb; and although she no longer watches, I never miss an episode. It is always on my DVR and if I had a busy week and couldn't watch it at night, I binge watch on the weekends.

19. Hobbies? - I love to read and write, and I also love photography. I took classes all throughout high school, as well as a course when I was in Italy. I also love to shop, of course and cook! I horseback rode from when I was 2 years old, until I was about 15 and always wish I could take it up again, but my back injuries prevent me from doing so. 

20. What are your goals for the next ten years? - In the next ten years I would like to be married with three children. I would like to be living in the South and to have built my blog to a place where it serves as a source of income. I also would like to have traveled to many new places around the world and eaten my way through some of the best restaurants. We'll see what happens!!!

The Art of the Co-Wash

If you have a thick, curly mop on the top of your head, like I do, then you may not wash your hair every day ... or maybe not even every other day. In fact, if you are anything like me, you will let a good blowout last as long as it possibly can ...

I was blessed to be born with long, thick locks - enough to be presented to my mother with a bow in my hair (thank God, because she woke up from her C-section thinking she had a boy).

You can enjoy the gallery of my hair over the years, below. And yes, I left out a few questionable and rather embarrassing haircuts ...

I have finally learned to embrace my curls and depending on my mood, prefer to leave it curly more often than not. Sometimes it will air dry to perfection and others, I wake up looking like Howard Stern with a halo of frizz. This incredibly long, dry winter hasn't helped one bit and in a desperate plea to my mother on the phone, as I screamed about how my hair felt like a combination of hay and rubber, she told me to try the "co-wash". The "WHAT!?" I asked ... enter, the co-wash. Curly hair wearers, rejoice!!

Co-washing is short for "conditioner-only washing". Yes, it means SKIP THE SHAMPOO! If your hair is dry, thick, curly or wavy, I believe that you will benefit from co-washing. Shampooing our hair every day can strip it of it's natural oils, and according to recent studies, it's not even needed! You can co-wash with your every day conditioner, or you can look for something called a Co-Wash Cleansing Conditioner. These contain more cleansing ingredients than typical conditioners, but through all natural ingredients that wont strip your hair; such as coconut or aloe vera. 

Once again, if you are anything like me, and too impatient to order a product online and need instant gratification, it may take some searching in your local CVS or Rite Aid to find a Co-Wash Cleansing Conditioner, as the trend is just starting to take off. Alas, after scouring Target and Walgreens, I finally found a Coconut & Hibiscus Co-Washing Conditioning Cleanser by Shea Moisture. 

After only one washing, I instantly saw a difference in my hair! This is one trend I definitely recommend! If you're reading this and still asking "Why Should I Co-Wash?", here's why:

• Preserve the natural oils in your hair, while still gently cleansing
• Increase hydration for super-frizzy and dry hair
• Overall healthier hair 

Try what works for you! If you have ultra-dry hair like me, you can probably get away with only co-washing. Other people may choose to shampoo once a week or once every other week. 

Co-washing requires A LOT of product, you want to make sure to coat every strand from root to tip and leave it in for about 3-5 minutes. There are several brands that have cleansing conditioners out right now including L'Oreal, Head & Shoulders, Shea Moisture, Wen and V05 Herbal Escapes.

I hope your dehydrated strands benefit from this trend as much as mine have. Good luck and research Co-Washing 101 tips and tricks. Hopefully in a few weeks I have beautiful, shiny, bouncy, frizz-free curls, that everyone is envious of!

A First Birthday Celebration!

This weekend I was blessed to celebrate the 1st birthday of my wonderful godson, Jake! I will always remember where I was when his parents asked me to be his godmother, the honor and excitement was overwhelming. The thought that an amazing friendship that was formed in college during an adventurous semester in Florence, Italy had evolved into a lifelong friendship and an inseparable bond is incredibly special! From hiking the hills of Cinque Terre to graduating college, a wedding and the birth of a baby, I can't wait to see what the next 60 or so years have in store for "Lucy and Ethel"!

Our years of friendship led us to Friday at 9p.m., after Jake had gone to sleep for the night, and the troops were rallied to put the finishing touches on the next day's event (Yes, even Justin participated)! Jake's 1st Birthday was themed around John Deere and around 11p.m. we may have been second guessing the ease of creating Mason Jar Cookie Mixes, but they turned out amazing, so  the blood, sweat and tears were definitely worth it (disclaimer: no blood or sweat made it into the cookie mix, so no worries)!! If you've ever wondered how to create one of those cookie mixes you see on Pinterest, here's how:

Gather all of your ingredients:

1 1/3 cup all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup old fashioned cooking oats

3/4 cup m&ms

3/4 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

1/2 cup white sugar

Start with a 1 quart mason jar. Layer the ingredients into the jar like this:

1st: Flour, baking power, baking soda, and salt

2nd: oats

3rd: m&ms

4th: chocolate chips

5th: brown sugar

6th: white sugar

Make sure that you pack each level down very tightly. If you don't pack each individual layer down, it won't fit in the jar (trust us, we learned the hard way)! The ingredients should be flush to the top of the lid when it is time to seal it up, like so:

When you are ready to use the cookie mix, all you will need to add is 1 egg, 1/2 cup of butter (melted slightly in the microwave) and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Roll the cookie dough into 1 1/2 inch balls, place on a parchment covered baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes in an oven that has been preheated to 350 degrees.

To decorate the top of the mason jar, we had stickers with the recipe to seal on the top of the lid, twine, fabric and little "thank you" hang tags. Cut the fabric into 6" squares. The length of the twine is your preference, depending on how far you'd like the tags to hang down. Our finished product wound up like so:

And with the favors completed at 11:30p.m. on the dot, we went to bed, ready to celebrate in the morning! Jake's "John Deere" party was a hit, from the themed food to the green and yellow decorations, it's a day we will always remember!! Happy 1st Birthday, Jake! I wish that every year is as carefree as the first, filled with health, happiness and adventure. Xoxo Auntie Alexa