A Spattering of Fashion

Lusting over clothes is not a virtue but it does cheer you up. Thus, at Lucky Magazine OnlineI find myself in eye candy paradise.

I am curious about the floral trend. I am not a pattern person and I wonder if I would dare wear a floral dress. I think I would like to branch out in the cardigan area-maybe mustard. That seems to be my favorite color right now.
Are you pushing the envelope on any fashion trends this season? Or are you creating your own?

Anyway, check out my finds from my hour of imaginary power shopping.

 

Love this dress by Issac Mizrahi as seen here

 

A cardigan is always needed. This is at the The Gap

 

Shoes! Naot Shoes. Not affortable but so cute.

 

Pencil Skirt by Current/Elliot.



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A Sliver of Sun

 

Inspirations
1. This article full of home office ideas over at Real Simple made me perk up this morning. I needed to make my little work area a bit more functional and attractive and this was full of ideas.
2.The sun shining(just a bit). It never gets old.
3.This tender article over at Christine Kane's Blog. Christine is full of advice about the creative life. More and more I notice that people who are practicing their creativity are really just seizing the moment. I think creativity at its heart is a participatory relationship with life.
4.This song by Natalie Grant . This song is currently on repeat. I love part that says- "I won't be swept away by every changing tide/ I believe in a deeper life".
5.Pomegranate Plum Green tea. Heaven in a bottle.
6. Fellow list lovers here


Photo credits:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sweet_child_of_mine/ / CC BY-SA 2.0

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A Splash of Poetry

Here is a little quote from American poet Maya Angelou.It is from her poem Brave and Startling Truth. For some reason today I had snippets of it in my head. Enjoy.

Brave and Startling Truth
When we come to it
We must confess that we are the possible
We are the miraculous, the true wonder of this world
That is when, and only when
We come to it.

This poem was written and delivered in honor of the 50th anniversary of the United Nations.

© Maya Angelou, from A Brave And Startling Truth
Published by Random House




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Meditations on Connections

Out of any darkness and intertwined with every light is the need to be connected. Not only to other people but to our experience, our past and the very air we breathe. Poets know life is real.Every angle matters. Light hitting the side of your leg marks a moment.

Mostly, I think writers grounded in real life know that connections erase and create boundaries. As much as we love to "create" ourselves -is that effort the furthest thing from good or what? As I notice, most of the world seeking -secrets, answers and three easy steps- is this all there is? Nothing ever seems to get solved for all the self improvement(or is that too offhand to say).

Recently found a book of poems by Sonia Sanchez. I had forgotten how much I love her reflections on culture, love and womanhood in America.

Stumbling upon her book and reading her prose about life as she knows it really made me think. I thought about how our experiences inform our "work" so much. Mostly, I thought-how the craving for truth and beauty shoots from within and storms our heart.I thought about her connection to her community(my community in a sense) and how that penetrates her work.

Knowing the problems of pre and post segregated America(that Sanchez poems chronicle and comment on) I don't feel that she is giving easy steps to overcome obstacles of love or injustice.Instead she is connected to the life of her community. Her work is centered on knowing and loving ones self and others within a community.

I don't think we solve ourselves. I think we experience and reflect on life. That at any moment things can and do change but our mental prowess are only a small factor in that process. Our connections are what center our soul. In connectedness we are ourselves. I am not speaking of superficial connections but of an emotionally responsible connection to others and one's self.Instead of running away or doing some steps we can lean in and embrace our lives. We can do our best and do what we can. We can accept that change is a way of not life. Moreover, mindfulness of this can open us to the connections between what we fear and loath and our deep joy.


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Meditations on the Meanwhile

Sometimes...
We have to be kind to ourselves.
We have to ask for help.
We have to smile.

Sometimes...
Life is beautiful.
Pain is optional.
Flowers are in bloom.

Sometimes...
The s**t hit the fan.
Kindness kills.
You reap what others sow.

Sometimes...
It's just words.
It's just food.
It's just stuff.

Sometimes...
You wait.
You wait.
You wait.


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Book Love: A List(1)

This a list. A first of many, I hope about books I love. This list is a bit heavy on religion/theology but that is what I read and what I love.

* Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within by Natalie Goldberg. I remember picking this book off the shelf at the bookstore. I was bored and working the cash register. This book opened life up to me in a new way and made me crave wholeness. I knew I would never be a great mediator or even another N.G. but I knew that it mattered what I did and that I put effort towards my dreams.
*The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron. This book has become such a tool. Periods of life when I am sluggish, I return to it. The essays are inspirational and kind. The task require us to make an effort towards good.
*The Long Loneliness by Dorothy Day. I wanted to read this book forever and when I did it sat inside me and ripped my heart open. Day is one of my heroes. Her passion for Christ is so extended belong church , race or class. It marked her life is such a profound way.
*The Seven Story Mountain by Thomas Merton. Merton is a great thinker and I stayed away from this book for a while. However, when I read it. I was ready for it. The craving for Christ, the failures and the passion towards humanity is something I cherish in Merton's writing.
*The Life You Save May be Your Own: An American Pilgrimage by Paul Elie. This book features the life, literary work and passion of four great American Catholic thinkers. Dorothy Day, Walker Percy, Flannery O'Connor and Thomas Merton. I had read a little of each of these writers before I read the book but this books gave such a wonderful insight into religious call, devotion and life as pilgrim.Plus, it shows how these four thinkers life intersected. Beautiful.
*The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radicals by Shane Claiborne. This book is hard to read because it hits you at the gut. I love it for the challenge to complacent and greedy religion. Instead, Claiborne challenge us to think about life and the call of service to the "least among us".
*Blue like Jazz:Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality by Donald Miller. Donald Miller is one of my favorite modern writers. He is funny and honest. He gets to the "heart of the matter" and I love his writing because of that.
*Sex God: Exploring the Endless Connections between Sexuality and Spirituality by Rob Bell. A beautiful book about sex and religion. I enjoyed it because of its candid look at the relationship between the topics. A very inspiring read.
*Astrid and Veronica by Linda Olsoon. I read this one winter. I think I unconsciously compare every modern fiction book to it. It is luscious and beautiful.The story is simple: the friendship between two women but the writing is like a good bath.
*Illuminata: A Return to Prayer by Marianne Williamson. This was a book that really helped me through hard time. I like the prayers but it also encouraged me to say my own prayers. The prayers are beautiful.
*Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Austen is one of my favorite writers. I suppose I just adore Elizabeth Bennett because I see some of her in me. The prose is elegant and the story manages to keep me engrossed time and again.
The Message Remix 2.0-The New Testament in Contemporary Language by Euguene Peterson. I have this in red leather. I love it and not just for the modern element. I agree about the need of a standard translation of the Bible but the message is a great alternative or back up.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/missturner/ / CC BY 2.0

Photo by Miss Turner


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The Brightness of Winter

 

I find it hard to like winter and I am happy to note I am not the only one feeling this way. 3191 Miles Apart has a post about surviving winter dullards. I liked the idea and decided to make a small list about appreciating winter. Mainly, centering on what things that make winter lovely in my eyes. Note: Most of these things take place indoors, I am that kind of girl.

Things to indulge in this winter.

-hot baths. I love baths but winter makes more sense for a hot bath(lavender scented) and a book.
-catching up on magazine reading. I am always behind on my subscriptions and winter is a time to stop and flip the pages(so to speak).
-hot chocolate. Liquid chocolate is there anything better.
-baking. When you have a teeny kitchen and a mid size apartment- a oven can be a furnace. In the winter it would be a welcome warmth and who does not love the smell of fresh bread? I can not vouch for the taste but it will smell incredible.
-cinnamon. I love the smell and love the flavor of it in baked goods.
-organizing things. It sounds like something to run from but I have so many things crammed into the apartment it would be nice to do some deep cleaning and de-cluttering.
-letters. Winter screams long Virgina Woolf type letters.
-mending. Every one of my coats needs some gentle button threading. It is not a hard thing to do and there is not time like the present to get it done.
-cooking. Warm food always makes me happy.
-knitting. A winter sport. I love the yarn here and here. This place is not bad, either.
-blog hunting. Love to find good blogs. A new favorite here.
-yoga. Movement is good for the mind.
-Coffee with friends here or here.
-Long phone conversations with people I love.
-Cardigans. Perfect year round. Love this one. I would never pay that much for a shirt. I can only hope someone gives theirs to Goodwill and I can snatch it up.

Are you indulging or loving anything about winter?



Photo: Wicked Soul

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dorotka/ / CC BY 2.0

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A Little Refresher

A good friend reminded me that my boundaries spill was starting to sound a wee bit like martyrdom(not that I am retracting those ideas).Ultimately my goal is not to erect a wall but to live deep.
I don't think being reactive is working out for me. So pro-active thing for me to do is be grateful. One way to remind myself of all that I am truly thankful for is to make a list. I love a good list.

Things/People/Places I am loving at this moment.

-J---Thanks for always bringing me from the ledge and laughing with me.For sharing so many crazy years and fun times with me and being first on my call list.
-R and B for being such sweethearts even when I am a bunch of hot air.
-pillow mist from bath and body works
- This social networking site
- Au Revior Simone. Simple and lovely music.
- Hershey's pot of gold. I am a sucker for chocolate and caramel.
-Olive Garden's house wine. It packs a punch.
-Man Vs Food.
-Hermies.
-A new cuddle bear(yes, I am like a 5 year)
-purple eyeshadow
-Grace. Sometimes, we can feel far from it but it is never far from us. The amazing thing about God is God never gives up on us.

Happy Valentines Day!!






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A Little Mental Cleaning

I have a confession. Lately, I have been up in arms and feeling a little invaded by people and their agendas. I wondered where all my anger and resentment was coming from and it was from a sense of violation.
I think I have talked a lot on here about people wanting other people to be who they need them to be and how that creates tension. For a few weeks, there has been such a disconnect and I wondered why.
So I did some mental cleaning. Here are some conclusions I have made.

- Boundaries are Good. They really are.
- People don't get a intimate relationship with you based on proximity but on true heart connections.
-I am not responsible for other people's feelings or putting people together.
- I don't need to explain my NO
-I can not expect others to do for me-what I should be doing for myself.
-Others can not expect me to do what they should be doing for themselves.
-You disappoint people and that is okay.
-Living for the approval of others will always leave you frustrated.
-My needs matter.
-Formulas are not for real people.
-I can walk away at anytime.
- If someone withdraws I have to trust that it will be okay and not enable.

Alas, it is a continual process and I don't have these down to a science. I do think that it is too easy to get wrapped up in other people's agendas and throw your own life to the back burner.



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Life Tonic

Remember when I made my 2009 Goals
Little did I know that I would do all except one(in some shape or form)-the road trip. I think I actually said I was not longer trying to achieve my goals. I am not a fan of the law of attraction. I think sometimes life happens- good or bad but I am curious about the power of grace to carry us to our heart's dreams.

Someone(once)said that our dreams and yearning are from God. That we are creative creatures reflecting the ultimate creator. I think that is true. I think that we are meant to live deep lives beautifully live and be authentic. I don't think that means we don't experience anything bad but that something holds us together, whispers in our ears and walks through the rough patches with us(carrying us if need be).

I have learned that it is impossible to do it on your own. As Romans(NIV) says, "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do". Beauty, truth and faith are a intermingling mystery and running through life guiding us to our deepest dreams and holding us in our sorrow.







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