Beauty Heals And Gives Us Wings
Happy Sunday, darlings! Every year, I wait until December to break out one of my all-time favorite songs. It seems just silly to listen to winter-themed songs at any other time of year!
I’m a fan of anything that makes me think of cuddling under a huge blanket with a cup of hot chocolate. And Sarah Vaughan’s version of “My Favorite Things” just symbolizes everything cozy about wintertime.
Her perfect vocals, the pared down instruments, and the timeless lyrics come together exquisitely. Enjoy!
I’m an August baby, and it’s taken me a long time to learn to love my birthstone. For years, I hated peridot, the bright green, “semi” precious gemstone assigned to my month.
But something changed when I became an adult. I realized how beautiful this bright green is, and how unusual it is to see people wearing it. I loved the uniqueness, so I started liking – and eventually loving – peridot.
So I started my hunt for the perfect peridot earring. I already have peridot rings and necklaces, but I don’t wear those items daily. However, I do wear earrings every day, so it only made sense that I would want a pair in peridot.
Finding my dream earring, however, proved to be a challenge.
I was pretty specific: I wanted peridot hoop earrings, similar to diamond hoops. I wanted a medium-to-large hoop, with lots of tiny peridot outlining the outer edge, preferably in the “inside out” style (where the inside of the hoop is also lined with gemstones). I wanted them in silver or white gold, and under $150.
I initially looked for earrings on Amazon, because Amazon has everything (normally). But, after looking high and low through their offerings, I realized my dream earrings weren’t there. I then took my search to Google. And I found a picture with my dream earrings, clicked on it, and was led to the godsend that it Overstock.
Here is the pair I selected:
(photo courtesy of Overstock)
This beautiful pair of earrings was less than $30. I’m so excited! They should arrive in the next couple of weeks: I can’t wait to share them with you all!
My literal expression when I write (photo courtesy of Clipart Library)
I got a book update for you all!
So, it’s December 1st, which means NaNoWriMo is officially over.
But (surprise, surprise) my book isn’t finished.
What does that mean?
It means I get to continue working on it through December LOL!
Now, I had every intention of getting 50,000 words in writing between November 1st and November 30th. But, life happens. I did get some writing done, which is better than doing nothing.
And, don’t forget: I’ve been posting here DAILY. So I’m writing, just not much in novel format.
However, I like the story that I’m forming in my mind, and I’ve written a lot more this NaNoWriMo than I did last year. So I’m celebrating that!
Anyway, enjoy your Friday, friends! I’ll chat with you all tomorrow!
I’ve collected Barbie dolls since I was a child, mainly because I couldn’t get enough of the glamour and fantasy that the Barbie brand epitomized. As an adult, I purchase both for nostalgia and for the beauty of the dolls. I don’t care if I ever get a financial ROI (by selling them at a later date); I enjoy them NOW, and every purchase gives me an immediate emotional ROI.
It doesn’t seem like this would qualify as an art post BUT the skill and artistry involved with creating Barbie is undeniable.
Check out some of the Barbies that will be available in Spring 2018. I’m drooling: I can’t wait to buy some of these!
(all photos courtesy of Mattel)
(from one of my favorite blogs, The Vivienne Files)
I’m unclear who said it first – Coco Chanel (the person that is more often credited) or Diana Vreeland – but it’s noteworthy that this simple quote has been attributed to two of the most stylish women in history. I often heed these words when I’m inclined to pile on jewelry, or add an extra-frilly accessory, or even opt for a print that outshines my personality.
I stop. I think about it. I refuse it. I am instantly more elegant.
Even my writing style has undergone some changes and leans more towards elegance nowadays. Sure, I still occasionally indulge in wordiness, but chances are, I’ve done some heavy editing before even the “wordy” stuff reaches your eyes.
I love words. But elegance is refusal, so I opt for simplicity more times than not.
The only place I don’t apply this particular stance is cooking. I believe that “just enough is enough”, and that doesn’t always mean refusal. I don’t oversimplify my seasonings, my effort or the number of courses for a fancy meal. I seek perfection. And yes, that can mean using less. But it must be perfect, or it won’t work. I’m picky like that.
Refusal: it is elegant. It’s also liberating. It’s simultaneously classic and modern, the perfect blend of seemingly opposing sides.
Refuse, and be free.
I’m just stopping in briefly to share this video, which touches my soul every time I watch it.
Sometimes, it’s so easy to think of love in terms of possession. We hold love close to our chests and, instead of keeping an open palm, allowing love to be free, we hold it in a tight grasp. Nothing crushes love faster than an unyielding clutch.
Love doesn’t smother or stifle.
Love liberates.
Enjoy, and I’ll be back tomorrow.
Happy Monday, friends! Can you all believe that we are just a few days away from the LAST month of the year?!?! I am in awe of how quickly 2017 has passed. This was a good year, but I’m excited for how awesome 2018 will be!
As part of the Preparing for 2018 series, I want to share a very powerful tool for clearing mental/physical/emotional “space”. This practice can really help make room for all of the good stuff that you want to come into your life.
The practice is, of course, releasing tolerations. This involves removing anything that doesn’t enhance your life or boost your energy. The energy drainers may be physical (living with lots of clutter is a good example), emotional (perhaps some unresolved issues around self-worth) or mental (maybe a colossal to-do list that never seems to shrink). Additionally, this is a way of “clearing the deck” so you have more energy to focus on the things that you enjoy. If you’re curious about learning what tolerations are, check out this post and this one, over at Good Vibe Blog. Jeannette Maw has done an excellent job of explaining tolerations and how they affect your ability to create the life that you want.
To prepare for the upcoming year, I’m going to work on clearing my physical space even more. I have some big plans for the upcoming year and reducing my possessions is one thing that needs to happen in order to best realize at least two of those big goals (I’ll share more about those goals in 2018).
I’ll be doing the 30 day challenge as mentioned by Terri Savelle Foy in the video I’m linking below. Information about the challenge is at the 21:30 mark (start at 19:35 for all of the tips related to releasing tolerations):
Every day in the month of December, I’ll discard an item corresponding with the date of the month (one item on the 1st, two items on the 2nd, 3 on the 3rd, etc.,). I will keep going until I reach December 31st, by which point I would have eliminated nearly 500 items from my life. Some items will be thrown away, while others will be donated to charity or given away to family and friends. In any case, the items will be leaving my space for good.
You can either try this particular challenge, or maybe try one of Jeannette’s recommendations. No matter what you decide to do, eliminating tolerations is a great way to prepare for the upcoming year.
Have you missed the other Preparing for 2018 Posts? Check them all out here:
Preparing for 2018: Before Setting Your Goals …
Preparing for 2018: Commit It In Writing
Preparing for 2018: Listening to Your Intuition
Preparing for 2018: A Resource for Developing Your Vision
Preparing for 2018: Prioritizing Fun
I mentioned my Boohoo hauls in two previous posts (this one and this one). I’ll be doing an update on how those pieces are holding up in a few weeks. However, this post is all about my favorite piece from one of those hauls.
I was surprised that this one was my favorite: after all, I got a LOT of dresses, and each one was adorable. I also tend to favor bright colors that really make my complexion POP: a neutral dress isn’t normally my first choice.
So, this was an unlikely winner, but just look at it:
The Eloise Dress by Boohoo has stolen my heart! Now, I know you’re thinking: it’s navy, and it’s cute, but WHY is it your favorite?
Uhm, are you all seeing the CURVES this dress creates?!?! Putting this dress on is like slipping into an instantly hourglass-y body. It looks chic, classy and still a bit sexy. I wore it with a tan shawl and I looked like I belonged in a different tax bracket!
Also, there are gathers in the dress’s waist, which helps disguise any bloat or poochy tummy issues. The dress hits right at the knee, and the slightly flared sleeves are a godsend for those of us that aren’t enslaved to tricep-toning exercies.
Here’s a link to the dress for your convenience: Eloise Dress. Right now, the dress is only $10, but it’s selling out fast. I bought another one in black, and I barely even wear solid black dresses. That’s JUST how much I love this design.
Go ahead and get your Eloise dress. You deserve it.
With this recent string of cold days (what other weather would I expect in November in Virginia? I digress), all I’m thinking about is getting away to somewhere warm and sunny. Somewhere like . . . Costa Rica.
(photo courtesy of Expedia)
I’ve dreamed about a Costa Rican vacation for well over a year now. Aside from the tropical weather and beautiful water, I really want to see the sloths.
I mean, what’s cuter than a baby sloth?
(photo courtesy of Dailymail.co.uk)
The Sloth Sanctuary of Costa Rica makes it possible for visitors to tour and learn more about sloths in a safe, protected environment. I can’t wait to visit!
I won’t be going to Costa Rica this winter, but I may make it happen during the early months of 2019. I have a different adventure planned for this upcoming year (specifically, February 2018). I’m staying mum on the details of trip until after I’ve purchased the tickets, hotel rooms, and travel visas.
I can’t wait to share that with you! But in the meantime, just dream of Costa Rica with me . . .
Talk to you all tomorrow!
If you have never felt despair, frustration or sadness, then you may not need this post. In fact, if you’ve never felt these feelings, please leave a comment below: I’d love to know how you make that happen!
However, if you have experienced those emotions – or some other unhappy feelings – you may be able to relate to what I’m going to write.
Sometimes, you need QUICK relief. A temporary shot of relief can give you the boost that you need to keep going. It won’t take away every pain, but at least it’s a sort-of bandage: it’ll mend you for the time being.
In the midst of one of these dark times, I created an emergency self care kit. The idea behind the kit was to put things in it that can give me relief when I need it most.
I made sure to select a beautiful box that would bring a smile to my face as soon as I saw it. I also wanted to make sure it would be large enough to accommodate all of the items that I intended to put inside.
My kit contains tissues, a journal and pen, chamomile tea, hot chocolate, a mug for my tea, a copy of “Rejuvenate: It’s Never Too Late” by Eartha Kitt, some crystals, and photos of loved ones. There’s a lot of empty space in my box: I have plenty of room to add additional comforting items.
Funny enough, I find that just looking at the box can create feelings of calm and relaxation. Crazy how that works.
Would you ever consider making a self-care kit? Let me know in the comments below!
Bronze Butterfly 