Step Stools and Sippy Cups

From Siosi Design + Build

I was telling my mother, elatedly, that I'd figured out a technique to keep me from losing my temper with my very, shall we say, spirited 2-year-old.  After I got her expected kudos, I finished, on a down and, 'realistic' note,

"Of course I'll probably still lose my temper a lot anyway."

And she said, "Why?  Maybe you won't."

The tiniest bit of thrill ran through me.  Maybe I wouldn't!  At some point, I'd needed a sippy cup to drink without spilling juice, a step stool to reach the sink when I washed my hands and a fire alarm ready and waiting whenever I cooked rice (true story: I set off the fire alarm at my dormitory during move-in day when everyone was halfway in and out with boxes and furniture.  Obviously, I never claimed the charred pot as my own).  The reasons are all different - I'm better at drinking juice now, i am tall enough to reach the sink on my own and my husband does the cooking.

Tony Robbins says that the past doesn't equal the future and that's a pretty liberating thought.  I mean, we never KNOW what will happen to change!  Sometimes it's so hard to see, not only in our own lives, but in the world at large, but things do change.  People used horses to get around town! Women never used to be able to wear pants.  Cell phones were a luxury a few power players could afford. 

So that thing?  That thing you always seem to do no matter how much you try or always seem to not do no matter how much you try?  You never know!  It might be next year's memory of a triumph - a growth that allows you to reach the sink now.

From Siosi Design + Build

Four Enjoyable Ways to Make the Earth Happy

This Earth Day I know we'll hear about changing out light bulbs and turning out lights which are, of course, very important.  However, I think there are some ways to make the Earth happy that also are, dare I say it, fun!  And isn't that the best?

Amanda Claire's photo "Open Window to Tuscany" available here

Open Your Windows

I know, I know, your view is possibly not the same as the above photo's view of Tuscany, but the majority of pollutants in your house are actually from inside your house!  So if you open your window, not only are you lowering your electricity bills, but you are cleaning the air in your home.  And this is the perfect time of year to enjoy the sound of birds singing, breezes stirring leaves and children laughing on the way home from school.

Host a Clothing Swap

Odds are you have a bunch of clothes (or even jewelry and decor!) you don't really wear anymore (not that you ever wore decor, but I think you know what I mean).  So rather than toss them out or let them soak up dust in the recesses of your closet, host a swap with friends!  It's the perfect time of year for a party (it's been forever since all the holiday ones!) and everyone could end up some great new-to-them clothes - no plastic bags or shipping necessary.

Go to Bed Early

I was reading through an article one day and read that some countries impose a lighting curfew so that people don't use so much electricity at night.  Now, as a die-hard night owl, the idea of having to go to bed early seems like a terrible idea but that doesn't mean that you can't take a night or two a week and just go to bed an hour earlier!  Think of the fun of reeeeeeaaally stretching out in your bed and daydreaming a little rather than conking off in two seconds because you're so exhausted.  Sounds kind of dreamy, doesn't it?

Wildflower Seed Bombs from Terrain

Plant flowers!  

They make bees happy and butterflies happy and people happy too!  These clay/compost/seed balls are so fun - just throw them in an abandoned field or dusty median or even your own yard to make wildflowers grow.  But really any packet of wildflowers or herbs will do - just pick out some hardy ones, sprinkle and wait for the magic to happen.



Any ones I've missed that you can think of?  Do tell!

It's A New Dawn, It's A New Day...

For the start of your first full week in March, here is some music to help you feel good.

How to Be Mozart

This is a guest post I did for the fabulous Michelle Ward a couple of months back.

I used to teach piano/voice/songwriting at a music studio.  At one point, I had over seventy students on my schedule.  Most of them, as you could guess, were children, but I did have a pretty sizable amount of adults.

Every time I had that first lesson with an adult, it was the same thing: they’d come in, kind of embarrassed, almost like they were apologizing for not being 20 or 50 years younger.  But here’s the thing: while Mozart gets all the press, I had several adult students that progressed and learned faster than most children.  Adults do have advantages, you know, they have stronger, bigger fingers, they understand that one-eighth plus one-eighth equals one quarter and they don’t have to sing the alphabet song to figure out what comes after ‘C.’

But there are two big things that stand in the way of adult students.  One is the whole time/scheduling thing, of course.  Kids are used to having homework and practicing and they don’t have to worry about getting dinner on the table or taking care of sick relatives or anything like that.

But even putting that to the side, here’s the biggest thing: adults feel self-conscious about learning.  It’s true!  Kids make excuses about not practicing, sure, but they don’t apologize.  If children make a mistake or play a song wrong, I can just show them where they messed up and they will correct it.  An adult will actually say, “sorry” and then probably follow up with a reason why they made the mistake.  If a beginning adult was waiting to start their lesson while an advanced kid was finishing up theirs, the adult would always feel so sheepish, even if the child had been taking lessons for three years and the adult only three months.  And, while I have never had a child cancel a lesson because they didn’t think the song was ready and therefore “didn’t want to waste my time,” I think almost every adult student did at least once.

And I understand!  I feel shy when trying to pronounce a tricky word in a new language and get frustrated when trying to understand HTML coding.  “I should know this!” I think.  But WHY should we?  Even for the most accomplished person in the world, there are infinitely more things they don’t know than they do.

So here’s a challenge – embrace not knowing!  Embrace not knowing how to use Tumblr, or sketch a face, or diaper a newborn or start your business!  Learn like a kid – no apologies, no embarrassment.  If not knowing something is holding you back from doing something you want or living a life you love, think of it – Mozart would have no idea how to use a toaster oven.

But he could learn…

Caught!

Here is the feel-goodingest way to start off the week I can think of!  Hope this week is your best yet! 

A Little Dis-Dystopian Reading

musings and tidbits

I admit.  I have never actually read Hunger Games so I have no room to make a judgment of what it's like.  


BUT, I do have a pretty clear of what it's about and I am not really into of dystopian worlds and kids killing each other.  So.  Here are three mood-lifting blogs I'm reading right now where you can visit to get your optimism, the-world-is-a-beautiful-place fix.


1.  musings and tidbits (pictured above)- is filled with lovely photos and inspiring quotes.  The perfect oasis to recharge and feel happy.

2.  Just Add Glitter and Stir - I have posted about this blog only, hmm, a trillion times or so but she is hiLARious so totally worth reading. Here are two of her recent posts filled with helpful essential know-hows: One and Two.

3.  So Cute it Hurts - Fortunately, I have yet to literally be hurt by her cuteness but if one could, I certainly would.  Because her site is all kinds of encouragement, prettiness and, well, cuteness.  

What If We Really Could Make World News Good News?

As you may (or may not) know, I tend to shy away from news.  Too much bad, really.  I prefer my Cooking Channel, Disney films and classic musical comedies.  


But what if, instead of dreary, sad, depressing, the news made you feel excited about the world?  Happy about the current state of affairs?  


After reading/watching/hearing about the Girl Effect, I started to get really excited about the possibility of making the world a better place.  For real - not for platitudes!  


Watch these movies and spread the world!  If the word gets spread enough, maybe I won't have to watch that rerun of Giada de Laurentiis for the umpteenth time...

I did this post as a part of the Girl Effect Blogging Campaign!  If you want to read more posts about it and/or do your own post (which would be AWESOME), click here!

Very Very Extraordinary! Song Sketch

I don't have an accurate photo of me right now - partly because I am having a bit of difficulty fitting into anything. Alas. So this romantic picture (found here) seemed good for the song!

I'm in quite a glowy mood - Baby's coming soon, my favorite season (along with pomegranate availability) is on its way and pumpkin spice lattes are available at Starbucks. Life is good! So I thought I'd do one of those songs everybody loves (well, probably most everybody): L-O-V-E!

It's written by two songwriters I'm afraid I'm not super familiar with: Milton Gabler, Bert Kaempfert. Like most people, I associate this song with Nat King Cole.

I hope that those of you long weekenders have a wonderful weekend! And those who just have a normal sized one, still enjoy it as much as a long one.

If you would like a copy of this song for you, just let me know in a comment! If it's your first request, please leave your email address as well.

Feel free to follow me! I promise only ever to lead you to bright, sunny places!

P.P.S. I have a brand, new original album out! If youdownload it and looooove it, please write a lovely review on the site from which you purchased it!

Validation

You absolutely must watch this video - I implore you! It is quite long but 100% worth it. I found it at gimundo.com (a wonderful site, by the way).

P.S. Feel free to follow me! I promise only ever to lead you to bright, sunny places!

P.P.S. I have a brand, new original album out! If you download it and looooove it, please write a lovely review on the site from which you purchased it!

Take the Scary Out of Life

I was running behind on my blog post tonight! Working on a potential grand-opening-to-my-currently-open-Etsy shop thing... But I thought we could all use this bit of happiness. I think there's a deep meaning hidden in this cutie pie commercial. Along with meercats.

This one came up during the search and is totally adorable too!

P.S. Feel free to follow me! I promise only ever to lead you to bright, sunny places!

P.P.S. I have a brand, new original album out! If youdownload it and looooove it, please write a lovely review on the site from which you purchased it!

One Small (Green) Step...

I know there are many, many things we can all do to help the planet - from recycling to switching light bulbs. But, due to my husband, we've been doing this little step for a while now and it has made a marked difference in our electricity bill!

Here it is: we turn off the water heater. That's it! We find the breaker switch for the water heater and always have it turned off. When we're going to run the dishwasher or take showers, we turn it on about a half hour before, sometimes earlier in the winter and I've turned it on only about ten minutes earlier in the summer! It keeps the water heater from heating and reheating water that we're only going to use a small amount of. Even if you forget to turn it off (which you may in the beginning!), and leave it on for hours, or even a whole day, that's still 1/30th or less of what the normal usage is!

My husband said that his family grew up doing that and I had never ever heard of it! And even now, when I read articles about being eco-friendly, they'll recommend replacing your water heater, but no one suggests just having it off.

Any unusual ideas you have for responsible environmentalism?

Guilty Pleasure

Okay, this is a bit of an editorial about the use of the phrase, "Guilty Pleasure."

I hear it a lot when I say I love George Michael: "Oh, he's my guilty pleasure" as though, somehow, his music is less worthy of being liked than, say, Bob Dylan. Same thing with liking a comedy like You've Got Mail versus liking Atonement. But why is liking something happy or fun or popular less worthy than liking something down and depressing or complicated? Why should someone feel guilty for liking something optimistic but not for liking something "realistic" and "gritty?" No one ever says, "Oh, yes, I love watching Saving Private Ryan. It's my guilty pleasure." But tell someone you love Fred and Ginger movies and it's brushed off like fluff.

That could even be applied to fashion blogs and such - if you write a news blog, you're legitimate, but write a cheerful blog filled with beautiful fashion or photography and you're just a guilty pleasure. My favorite blogs to visit (well, the only blogs I visit!) make me feel more glad about the world after I leave them, encouraged that lovely things exist. And isn't that a worthy addition to the blogosphere?

I wish that happy, positive, optimistic art, music and film were appreciated as much (more, even) than the darker, heavier stuff.

What do you think?

Kiki and Coco in Paris

I found this bit of happiness via the marvelous blog Design Mom. It is for everyone who loves Paris and happiness! I promise this adorable slideshow will make you smile.

P.S. Feel free to follow me! I promise only ever to lead you to bright, sunny places!

P.P.S. I have a brand, new original album out! If you download it and looooove it, please write a lovely review on the site from which you purchased it!

Do You Remember the Famous Men Who Had to Fall to Rise Again?

I've been quite overwhelmed with several sections of my life... baby planning, music, etc., so often what's in order is a good Fred and Ginger moment. This moment is particularly inspiring! *

And here is the completely perfect dance that follows (and how adorable is her dress?!).

*For those of you who haven't seen this gem of a film, Fred Astaire has just signed up with Ginger Rogers for a dancing lesson and is pretending he doesn't know how to dance...

P.S. Feel free to follow me! I promise only ever to lead you to bright, sunny places!

P.P.S. I have a brand, new original album out! If you download it and looooove it, please write a lovely review on the site from which you purchased it!

Rock-a, Rock-a-bye, My Baby... Song Sketch

`

So, I guess you can see... I'm expecting my first baby at the end of September! Hooray!

I actually wrote this song around three years ago for my niece before she was born, but I have yet to write my upcoming baby's lullaby... It's on my mind!

If you want a copy for yourself, just leave a comment and let me know! And if it's your first request, please leave your email as well.

P.S. I've entered this in Anna's MuchLove post - I have much love for my new, growing belly!

P.P.S. Feel free to follow me! I promise only ever to lead you to bright, sunny places!

P.P.P.S. I have a brand, new original album out! If you download it and looooove it, please write a lovely review on the site from which you purchased it!

I'd Say That I Have Spring Fever

Robin photo from here

I know it's already hot many places but I have to tell you, this winter was soooo wearing on my soul that I'm ecstatic at the very ability to feel "too hot!"

This Spring I'm loving all the blooms, the birds making a racket every morning and having the wind knock my window shades around through my open window.

What's your favorite thing about Spring?

I'm Dreaming of a Warm Summer...

Photo from here

As a Florida girl, I usually relish the winter's relief from the oppressive summer heat. Fashion-wise, it's hard to be inspired to wear much else than a tank top and shorts. Or a summer dress. Or a tank top and shorts. It's really hot.

But this winter has been cold! It's been colder than San Francisco practically every day! And I barely care about my cute woolen skirts anymore! I want to wear a tank top and shorts! Wah!

Ahem. So I was dreaming about my favorite summer drink - lemonade. The best I've ever had is from McCormick & Schmick's: they make it with ten cubes of sugar and three lemons. It's perfectly tart and impossibly refreshing. Ahhhhh.

So what summer drink are you dreaming of?

Photo from here

P.S. Feel free to follow me! I promise only ever to lead you to bright, sunny places!

P.P.S. Thank you to everyone who participated in my giveaway! I'll be drawing the name tonight and I'll announce it on Thursday!

Seven of a Million Things...

I hope everyone had a marvelous Thanksgiving in the States and a wonderful Thursday everywhere else!

I am very thankful for many things including (but not limited to):

1. My wonderful family

2. Being able to do what I love every day

3. Music: Sting to Cole Porter to Feist to...

4. Spice bread and tea

5. Sleeping in

6. Disney

7. And you, you wonderful readers/listeners/bloggers, for inspiring me in everything (style, music, food) and commenting and encouraging me - making being on the internet some of my favorite hours of the day.

Gift Ideas and Inspiration: the Art of Sam Battersby

I recently discovered the work of Ms. Sam Battersby of Matou en Pelouche - artistic genius. I tagged her earlier as the creator of one of my favorite blogs and, looking at her art (created by charcoal and pastel), you can see why! It took me forever to choose just five pieces from her etsy shop for the collage because it's all just gorgeous! I love the colors, the shapes, the sexiness and the whimsy.

I may have to redecorate my studio so I can paper it with her marvelous prints.

Christmas Card Swap!

I have an unquenchable passion like Winnie-the-Pooh; his for honey, mine for stationery. Now, combine my passion for stationery with my passion for the holidays and it's an irresistible cocktail called Christmas cards! All that to say, I have a pile of Christmas cards and, happily (though sad for my holiday card collection), most of my friends and family that live down the street.

I thought that maybe there were others in a similar predicament - lovely holiday cards and nowhere to send them - so I wanted to open up a Christmas card swap. I was imagining the joy of receiving cards from all over the world from my delightful bloggy friends!

There aren't any rules, really, just send me an email with your mailing address and leave a comment below. It's open to international readers too, of course! I'm going to see how many people respond before I determine how many people to put in each group, so if you have a limit, let me know.

I won't be collecting addresses after December 1 so that we can all receive our holiday cards in enough time to incorporate them into decorating. Hooray!