Rings

I love accessories.There's just something about an overload of accessories that makes me happy. If I'm feeling boring or bland I have a rather unhealthy tendency to throw on as many pieces of jewelry, scarfs, and hair clips as humanly possible. Coco Chanel once said, "Before you leave the house, take one thing off". Well, I couldn't disagree more! I may not be a style guru, but I'd rather add to my outfit than take away. I'll admit it, I march to the beat of my own fashion drummer, but I'm content to do so. I wear what makes me feel comfortable and I follow no rules. Of all accessories, my greatest love affair lies in the ring. But not just one ring- oh no, I'd rather wear as many as 5 at one time. Rings intrigue me.... do they intrigue you?

As you can probably already tell by my recent blog posts, I tend to draw inspiration from pieces of art that move me. My definition of art has no limits- it is boundless, free, and beautiful. I often find myself lost in a musical world one minute and taken ahold of by a great piece of literature the next. Inspiration may come in the form of a photo, cinematography, or even in a great quote. This morning as I sipped my tea and soy milk latte and lounged in bed listening to my latest and greatest obsession, Janis Joplin, I came across an article in a magazine about one of my favorite film directors, Jane Campion. I was captivated by Campion's sense of purpose and contentment. Her striking confidence, humble nature, and seasoned wisdom made me want to know what exactly she did and experienced in life to end up where she has. Even the photo of her was simplistic in nature yet powerfully mesmerising (pictured below). My favorite quote lied at the end of the interview as if it were a pot of gold beneath a rainbow-

"I see how joyous it is to be a woman in her 50's- so free. I don't need anyone to look at me."

Oh how I desire to be as comfortable and settled in my own self as she is in herself. I simply can't fathom the freedom that comes with whole hearted self acceptance.

"Magic is in all of us and in everyone who believes they can make beautiful things happen. It's in a first kiss, in fireworks, running with your girlfriends down the beach at midnight, screaming into the sky. It's falling in love and falling down the rabbit hole. It's in your dreams and imagination. We can all use magic."

~Unknown

Rambling Thoughts

Sometimes things fall apart. You spend your life building a world you think will last forever, you make friends you hope will never leave, you open your heart to love before you ever knew the pain of a heart break, and you somehow manage to place everyone and everything you cherish in a neat little box with a bow on top- not knowing the box was never meant to last forever. Mistakes are made, blindfolds are removed, and the harsh reality of brokenness begins to settle in. The walls you built fall down, the choices you made taunt you, and the truth you denied finds its way into your soul. New horizons bring with them the hope of a future, but fear of the unknown. This frightening reality of inevitable change scares the crap outta me- but turning away is not an option.

"If anywhere in your travels you come upon a man with guts, mark the place. I want to see him. I haven't seen anything but cowardice and expediency. This used to be a nation of giants. Where have they gone?"

~John Steinbeck

Beginning of the Week

Another week has begun and I'm feeling a little down in the dumps. Maybe its because I just got home from vacation and I'm realizing how much "real life" sucks. Maybe its because my best friend is moving next week and I know I'll miss her like crazy. Maybe its because I'm stressed and overwhelmed with school work and upcoming tests. Maybe its because my financial situation is weighing heavy on me at the current moment. Or.... maybe its just because I'm having one of those crappy days life is full of.

I could choose to blog about all the really wonderful things happening in my life right now- or I could sit and wallow in my unpleasant mood.... hmm, I choose the second option. So as I sit here wallowing, I'm going to leave you with my pick for this week's "Artist of the Week"....

Artist of the Week:

The Velvet Underground

A fabulous band from the mid 60's who unfortunately never gained fame until after they split in 1973. This American Rock band challenged conventional societal standards with their often controversial lyrics and nihilistic outlook. Rolling Stone named The Velvet Underground's album the 13th greatest album of all time and the most "prophetic rock album ever made".

Here is one of my favorite "bummer" songs (AKA: songs I listen to when I'm feelin' blue) by

The Velvet Underground

Artist of the Week: Music from the 60's and 70's

If I could travel back in time, I would kill to have lived during the mid 60's thru the mid 70's. During this period, the world saw an intense musical shift- producing some of my favorite artists such as Janis Joplin, The Who, The Beatles, The Doors, Grateful Dead, The Velvet Underground, The Clash, Joan Jett (of course!), The Rolling Stones, Queen, and many MANY more. Yes, women had finally found their place among the musically talented, rock and roll had taken the nation by storm, and history making concerts such as Woodstock shocked our world into a musical tizzy. It was a creative and inspired time. History was made and music was celebrated.

Speaking of Woodstock, featured below is a photo shoot I fell in love with that seems to capture the essence of Woodstock 1969....

And in the spirit of Woodstock, here is a little Janis Joplin for you to enjoy!

Picture of the Day!!

Hello Grand Canyon- you are very grand indeed!

Artist of the Week:
Joan Jett

Now I must admit, I wasn't always a Joan Jett fan- to be honest, many of her hit songs that catapulted her to fame status among rock and roll legends, were far beyond my time. But her classic sound, killer guitar skills, and honest lyrics have continued to ring true from generation to generation- earning herself the well deserved title of "Godmother of Rock and Roll".
Joan Jett fought hard for her place in the purely male dominated world of Rock and Roll, battling hostile audiences and more than thirty rejections from record label companies that refused to sign her due to the simple fact that she was a woman playing in a mans world. She fearlessly picked up the electric guitar and pathed the way for thousands of other women to do the same. Now, after millions of records and about a dozen hit songs, Joan Jett has become a music legend and an inspiration to women.

I often find myself engrossed in her music when I'm in need of a little pick me up- to quote one of her most famous songs, I love Rock and Roll!

Here is one of my favorite Joan Jett and The Blackhearts songs "Crimson and Clover"

circa 1983 (ya gotta love the 80's feel of this video!)

This next video is of the same song, but I thought it'd be fun to contrast the 1983 version with a live version she did 2 years ago. You gotta admit she looks pretty darn good for 50 years old!

Ahh Love...

I always have been and always will be a romantic at heart. But as I wait patiently for God to bring along my husband, I'm finding myself captivated by the love all around me. I see it in the way my friends treat me, I feel in the way my niece and nephew bear hug me, I read it in John Keat's poetry and in Tolstoy's Anna Karenina, I hear it in some of my favorite pieces of music, I watch it films, and I see it in the old couple holding hands I pass everyday as I leave the gates of my apartment complex.... but most of all I feel in the depths of my soul when the Lord takes hold of my heart and speaks softly to me of his promises and His passionate pursuit of my heart. There is nothing greater than love. I can only promise to strive to love others as Christ loves me- and I will spend my life doing just that.

Song of Songs

Song of Songs is one of my favorite books of the Bible.

Its goes without saying that I love literature. But I especially love literature that isn't afraid to go against the grain. I respect authors who exploit topics of taboo nature and write with tremendous raw candor and emotion. I admire works of literature that dare to be a little dark, a little risque, and a little uncomfortable to the reader. And this is why I love Song of Songs. It was said that this book, one of a Biblical nature mind you, once made priests squirm and blush due to its explicit depiction of love and sex within marriage.

If you've never read this poetic, beautiful, and quite steamy book, I recommend giving it a read. It will inspire you.

Here is one of my favorite passages taken from the book:

Song of Songs 3:1-5

"All night long on my bed

I looked for the one my heart loves;

I looked for him but did not find him.

I will get up now and go about the city,

Through its streets and squares;

I will search for the one my heart loves.

So I looked for him but did not find him.

The watchmen found me

as they made their rounds in the city

"Have you seen the one my heart loves?"

Scarcely had I passed them

When I found the one my heart loves.

I held him and would not let him go

Till I had brought him to my mothers house,

To the room of the one who conceived me.

Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you

By the gazelles and by the does of the field:

Do not arouse or awaken love

Until it so desires."

Yoga Sisters

As many people may already know, my passion for living a healthy and balanced lifestyle runs deep in my bones. I strive to eat well, move my body often, and of course have fun while doing it. With my busy schedule its crucial for my health and well being that I take time out several times a week to quiet my mind and work out my body in my favorite yoga class. As I prepared to attend yoga this evening, I was overjoyed when my sister accepted my invitation to join me. I couldn't have asked for a better evening. Not very often do my sister and I have time alone together, so tonight was most definitely a special treat. Getting to share my passion for yoga with my sister was such a great joy! And to top it off- it turns out Bri is a natural born yogi!! I was beyond impressed with her ability to stretch, balance, and bend her way through the entire level 3 vinyasa flow class. I should have known she would be excellent- after all, she excels beautifully at everything she attempts in life.

Thank you sister for making my evening and joining me in my yoga jouney! It was a pleasure having you there. I love you.

"I met a lady in the meads,

Full beautiful- a faery's child,

Her hair was long, her foot was light,

And her eyes were wild."

~ La Belle Dame Sans Merci by John Keats

I'm Counting My Blessings

Sometimes its easy to get lost in the negatives life bring your way, but today I've decided to make a list of moments big and small that have brought joy to my life these past few weeks. Its nothing fancy- just a way to bring my focus back onto the many blessings I so easily breeze by.

Moments of Joy:

1. Reading Anna Karenina. Its been such a crazy adventure navigating my way through Tolstoy's portrayal of the most basic and complex of human relationships, interactions, deceit, and love. I've found myself captivated by his words, inspired by his depth of love, and fascinated by his views of society. I am a better woman for having read this incredible work of literature.
2. The winter rain here in Arizona has renewed my spirit and reminded me once again the joys of sitting by a fire with a mug of hot coco and a good book. Its been a cozy winter... my favorite!
3. Watching loads upon loads of movies with my girlfriends. Some of my recent favorites include... The Young Victoria, Bright Star, Chicago, Sweeny Todd, Rachel Getting Married, Grey Gardens, Pride and Prejudice (the new one- but I love the old one just as much!), Marie Antoinette, 500 Days of Summer, Amelie, Chocolat... and much much more!
4. Reading John Keats's surviving love letters he wrote to Fanny Brawne in the early 1800's. The honesty and vulnerability in which he writes to the woman he loves is nothing short of beautiful and wholeheartedly captivating. His words literally give me goose bumps as I read them.
5. My reignited yoga practice!! I finally bit the bullet and bought a membership at my favorite yoga studio. Despite the added expense, I have thoroughly enjoyed getting back into my practice. I now attend a 90 min heated Vinyasa Flow class 3-4 times a week, and it has continued to challenge me and reinvigorate me more and more each week. Doing yoga is like breathing- I forget how much I ache to do it until I'm no longer doing it.
6. The kids I'm a nanny for. Although my job is not always easy- it is always a joy to watch the children grow, learn, and change on a daily basis. Ever since I began working for this family, I've made a habit out of always playing music in the house while we're all playing. Its wasn't until last week when James* (*name has been changed) and I were dancing in the kitchen that he stopped and yelled "I LOVE THE BEATLES!!" It cracked me up that he knew I was playing the Beatles- I think I have a miniature fellow music lover on my hands :-) What a blessing!
7. Starting spring semester at school. While I may not always love attending class and actually working hard, I do thoroughly enjoy my Microbiology class. Learning about and working with live bacteria in the lab is absolutely fascinating!!