Saturday, October 31, 2009

Sometimes we forget how to appreciate ourselves

1. Fall in love with yourself. Think about what makes you You. Just like a flower that needs watering to grow, learn to nurture yourself in every way. Love yourself for all the good that you see and accept your flaws and the fact that you are imperfect. This does not meant that you do not learn to change from your shortcomings; instead, you are being gentle and kind to yourself for all your flaws. Look in the mirror and fall in love with the reflection that is You.

2. Eliminate Self Criticism. Do you often berate yourself over the tiniest thing? Is there a little voice inside your head that often tells you that you are no good because you are stupid or make mistakes. If you find that you criticise yourself often, make an effort to stop the self criticism.

3. Be Kind And Positive. When you start to think kindly and positively about yourself, the love you have for yourself just grows. Make it a habit to praise yourself everyday, while in the front of the mirror. Because of such thoughts, you naturally undertake empowering actions that support your development.

4. Acknowledge Your Effort. It’s not always about winning or having success in everything that you do. Many times, it is the effort that counts! Acknowledge that you’ve done your best, even if you have failed to produce tangible results.

5. Let Go Of Worry. Loving yourself requires you to let go of your worry. It is a horrible way to live a life filled with constant worrying. I can attest to that! Worry does not help in any way. It cannot, on its own, make things happen. Only wise actions can! So instead of worrying, spend time thinking about what you can do to help in the situation. If the situation is beyond your control, then ask the Universe for your desired outcome and let things work out on their own. Things will come to be, if they are meant to be.

6. Trust Yourself. Have confidence in your abilities. Know that you have the ability to make important changes for yourself, for as long as you put your heart to it. You can also support yourself by visualizing desired outcomes.

7. Forgive Yourself. If you have made mistakes in the past that had caused you to feel less worthy, then you need to forgive yourself. All of us make mistakes; so there really is no need to beat yourself up over them. Or if you’ve been carrying around a baggage of emotional hurt because of a childhood trauma, learn to forgive yourself that it is not your fault.

8. Be Truthful To Yourself. Loving yourself requires you to be truthful about your own feelings. If you are happy, acknowledge the joy. If you are sad, acknowledge the sorrow. When you are truthful about your feelings, you do not try to lie to yourself or seek to bury your negative emotions. Instead, acknowledging what you feel provides a good guide to what your thoughts are. And as we all know, thoughts can be changed, so that healing and self growth can take place.

9. Grow Spiritually. When you spend time growing spiritually, loving yourself is an automatic thing. You become more peaceful, connected, kind, loving and compassionate. You nurture a mind that grows more beautiful by the day. How to not love yourself in the process?

10. Make Positive Affirmations Everyday. Post affirmations that can help raise your self esteem everyday. For instance, say this to yourself “I love and accept myself completely and unconditionally.” Read your affirmations out loud several times a day.

11. Express Gratitude. Express gratitude for the person that you are. For instance, cultivate an appreciation for your strengths and gifts. Also, feel a sense of gratitude that you are alive and well, and fully capable of making a difference in your life.

12. Nurture Your Dreams. Why deny yourself your dreams? When you nurture your dreams, you would love the life that you are leading. Every moment that you live is a joy because you are expressing yourself fully.

13. Boost Your Self Confidence. Make a deliberate attempt to look for opportunities that can help improve your sense of Self. For instance, if you are particularly good at doing something, set aside more time to indulge and improve your skills on it. Knowing that you have particular gifts can boost your self esteem.

14. Relax. You need to give yourself space to take breaks every now and then. If you spend your time working, without paying attention to your health, it also means that you do not love yourself well enough to take care of your own body. Fill your time with silence, soothing music and visions of beauty; anything that nourishes your Soul.

15. Have Fun. Inject some fun into your life. Life is meant to be an enjoyable. Don’t take life or yourself too seriously. If you can think of life in this manner, you automatically relax and quit worrying over things that do not matter.

16. Look After Your Body. It is important that you strengthen yourself with proper nutrition and regular exercise. Your body is a temple and you should treat it with respect, love and care. It has been found that the lack of self love is often the root causes of conditions like eating disorders, obesity or even terminal diseases.

17. Learn To See Beauty. When you learn to see beauty in every thing, you will also see beauty in yourself. Hence, stop to smell the flowers. Notice everything. Feel everything. The pink blush of the flowers in your garden, the greeness of the plains, the whisper of the gentle wind, or the myraid hues of an evening sky.

via Evelyn

Dark Fairy

So, I realize these are pretty bad pictures...ok, awful, but I'm still working out camera issues. 

Anyway, here's my costume:


 

The dress is from Modcloth.
Boots are from Parade.
Belt is from TJ Max.
Necklace is so old that I can't even remember.
Wings are from the local Halloween store.

All in all, I absolutely loved the costume.  I can see myself reusing the black dress for a number of occasions (trip to Vegas anyone?).  And even for more costumes.  Soooo many possibilities. 

Monday, October 26, 2009

Please excuse the delay...

I'm working on some upgrades and content focusing for the blog.  It may take a bit.  In the meantime, please enjoy the following:


Thursday, October 22, 2009

Autumn is when I miss home the most.


  


 


Besides the autumn poets sing,
A few prosaic days
A little this side of the snow
And that side of the haze.
~Emily Dickinson

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Mr. Bailey Bear

I have the most perfect, adorable dog that ever existed.  See pictures below.

 
 
Sooooo, when I walked into NorthPark Mall last night to finally get the Snow Leopard upgrade for my not-so-secret-love, I was in complete and utter heaven when I walked into the sparkly new Henri Bendel store.  Ok, (theoretical) readers, I did not know about Mr. Bendel.  For some reason, I thought he only sold candles (tragic, right?).  Between work, dating, socializing, etc., I miss a few good stores.  But no worries, I have discovered Mr. Bendel and will love him oh-so dearly. 

First, there this snazzy little umbrella I am definitely a fan of.  All of my rain accessories are pink, and I think the handle will match perfectly and is just delightful.  Yes?




And my remaining Mr. Bendel loves are on Mr. Bailey Bear's Christmas/birthday/whenever-because-I'm-a-bona-fide-doggie-rock-star wish list:
 
 
 

I like the orange/brown/white combo a lot.  Mr. Bailey Bear, Bailey for short, is in fact a mister.  However, because of those gorgeous red locks, he is often confused for a she.  Makes me want to ask the people referring to my very manly, ferocious, tail-wagger just how they think other cute little tail-waggers come into existence.  Not all fuzzy dogs are girls.  Instead, I usually politely correct them with an appropriately placed HE.  Ok, off the soap box and back to my new favorite accessory store. 

I'm not going to pretend these items aren't pricey, the bag itself is ON SALE for $298.  But, a few coupons, holiday sales, and a little saving could make this collection actually palatable for mi pooch favorito.  

Oh, oh, oh.  I forgot to mention that there is a matching collar IN-STORE.  Perfection!!

There are many great little accessories in this store and I am so looking forward to our future years together. 



Monday, October 12, 2009

Louboutin Fail




Christian Louboutin is the latest designer geared to give Barbie a makeover, with three dolls he’s conceived top to toe due to be released over the coming months. Louboutin has reshaped the dolls’ figures as he doesn’t find the classic Barbie figure flattering.  “He found her ankles were too fat,” said a Louboutin spokeswoman.

I love you more than any other shoe designer.  Ever.  I even visit your shoes at the local Neiman's.  But, this, my dear Christian is a fail.  Of epic proportions.  

Friday, October 9, 2009

Book Tour of The Sartorialist










 
Dallas TX
Tuesday October 20th
7-9 pm
Barnes & Noble
7700 West Northwest Hwy

The Satorialist has been selected as one of Time Magazine's Top 100 Design Influencers.   All the pictures above are from his website, which you can visit here.   Rest assured, I have already scheduled this time on my iPhone, work computer, and Mac.  Barring any unforeseen consequences,  you will find me in line, camera in hand, eager to meet this brilliant photographer and blogger on October 20th.  And I can't wait!

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Etsy Acquisitions

I am a complete art fanatic...really, it's an obsession. Kinda like my obsession with music, food, fashion, and office supplies. Yes, you read that correctly, office supplies. The best part of starting a new school year for me was picking out which folders, highlighters, pens, and paper I would get to use that year. To this day, I cannot resist pretty paper and smooth pens. But, I digress. We'll save that posting for another day.

Today, I bought art. And lots of it.

First up:






It is letterpressed by hand using vintage wood type blocks on 110lb, 100% cotton Lettra Pearl White paper with soy-based ink. It's very eco-friendly. I have taken up recycling and walking to work, so it meshes quite nicely with the new, greener theme in my life.

No real explanation needed for the message. I'm at a crossroads in my life and this is the message I want to tell myself everyday. It will be appropriately placed in the one room of my house I am in every day. The bathroom.

Next up:




These are signed 5" x 7" prints centered on 8.5 x 11" Premium Paper. The artist is Mike Best. He has art in a few galleries here and there. Not super famous, but I liked them.

So, I do realize these prints are a little darker than the others I purchased today, but I do have an eclectic apartment. And, art should be thought provoking at times. These will fit very nicely above my guitar.

And then...




These fun Goddess illustrations were created with a black Sharpie pen & Watercolor on foam core board. The artist, Kathy Morton-Stanion, specializes in illustration and graphic design. I'm obsessed with illustration right now. So many great pieces out there. But, these were affordable on my limited budget. They are a little more girly than today's other acquisitions. I have no idea where they will go, but I absolutely adore them.

Lastly:




These are my favorite. They're original watercolor and acrylic on paper. They're by an artist named Vincenzo Rizzo from Italy. Definitely for the bedroom. I cannot wait to hang them up!!

More art will come, but for now, these Etsy acquisitions will add a little flair to my current photography collection and maybe even start a few thought-provoking conversations.