I met Meredith because she is a friend of Peg, my Mama. Meredith is a truly gifted artist who creates amazing jewelry.

I am very excited to share that we are going to be collaborating on exclusive pieces for TGHR. Specific colors, specific words, absolutely inspiring and amazing, guaranteed.

Meredith can be found on Facebook, on her website and on Etsy.

Enjoy the music while shopping - it's a favorite of mine.

I found this quote months ago. 

It seems to fit this morning.

Thanks to the wonder that is Pandora I was introduced to this gorgeous piece of music. It goes where my wandering heart is.

As a little aside, sometimes I decide on a post topic the night before, which is the case today.

If you weren't able to actually SEE the sunrise today, you missed something amazing. And of course, I choose this song last night. I love that.

This is a post for a fabulous woman. She had me load this song onto my iTunes library as it is one of her most favorite songs ~ and one that has helped her get through this past year.

For anyone who has journeyed through hard, yet ultimately remarkable self work (it's hard, draining and yes, worth it) - give a listen.

Lyrics HERE.

Years ago, when I was a demonstrator for Stampin' Up! quite nearly everything sparkled with "Dazzling Diamonds" ~ the clear, uber fine glitter I used on as many projects as I possibly could. 

I distinctly remember baby Samantha all sparkly. I recall she was less than two weeks old.

Don't give someone permission to tarnish you.

It is up to each of us to provide our own sparkle and shine. Sometimes we need a cloth to shine us up. Sometimes we need to add some glue and glitter. Sometimes we need a glass of wine, a soak in the tub and a really good book.

I love this song by Pink. Truly honestly love it. I wrote of fear on Monday and sparkle today and I am always writing about love in some form. She hits on all of that. Plus, this performance is art.

On Saturday, I met a friend who was visiting from Texas, in New York City. We were going to see the Broadway play,  "The Other Place." It is playing at the Friedman Theatre on West 47th St. (Go see it, it's amazing.)

As I was looking for the theatre I looked to my left. THIS is what I saw!

We all know victims. I suspect at some point in our lives we've all played that card.

I love the idea of being the heroine of my own life. Winning, if you will, at the game of life.

It isn't always easy and it isn't always pretty. But it is attainable.

Perhaps you needed a sweeping soundtrack to make it easier. Give it a listen.

This is such a hard thing for so many of us to do. Simply relax. 

Today, I am giving us all permission for 15 minutes of uninterrupted "me" time. Hide all the electronics for 15 minutes and just be. 

Please share if you manage to accomplish this.

As I was looking through Pinterest one night this sign caught my attention. The quote seemed familiar... Ah, of course, the Dead.

In the late 1970's I was introduced to the Grateful Dead. I would venture a guess the first song I can remember hearing is either "Friend of the Devil" or "Bertha." I would never call myself a "Dead Head" but there are certain songs and certain lyrics that hit you right in the heart or head.

I listened to a lot of new (OK, seriously, old Dead songs, but new to me) throughout the summer. I could write, at minimum, five separate blog posts on five separate songs, but for now, I will stick to "Scarlet Begonias."

In my case, light shined towards me due to a simple email. That single email illuminated my world and really made me look at ME. It was unexpected and as such, I will qualify it as having come from the strangest of places.

Perhaps you have already experienced this? Did it stop you in your tracks and make you take an inventory?

I look forward to hearing YOUR stories.

Yesterday, I had the remarkable experience of having a true spa day with my mama and my sisters. It was relaxing and indulgent. Seriously, a mimosa while getting a pedicure?! We shared a great meal at The Cheesecake Factory, a place I have never eaten at because the menu intimidates me. (I ate off the skinny menu - the holidays are done so the mimosa was my indulgence.)

I am...who I am because of where I came from. I have always been surrounded by women who embody all of the statements on the left.

We are family, and so, of course, like every family, we have our "moments."

BUT, through thick and thin, the three women who I grew up with (and the brother, of course) have helped to shape me into exactly who I am.

Yes, friends, co-workers, acquaintances play a part in who we become, but those people who knew us when...well, let's face it, they mold us!
Here's to who you are...

Fabulous, fantastical YOU.

After eleven and a half days home from school and work, the normal routine was supposed to kick in this morning.

I overslept.

The straightener broke...a calamity every mother of a teen girl knows. AND, the new boots are squeaking, like the cart in the supermarket, and as such, they are making the wearer more than a little crazy. She yelled. I yelled. Her brother laughed.

There is no half 'n half in the house. I could have sworn there was some downstairs. Now I am the irritated one.

Apparently, the quote I had for today, will happen a little later on.

This afternoon I will be pampered, courtesy of my mother, with my two sisters, at the chi-chi, fru-fru Ritz Carlton spa to a day of delightful decadence. Honestly, I can't be cranky for very long knowing I've got a massage, scrub and pedicure coming up in a few hours.

I will order a new straightener. (Where's a groupon when you need one?)

I will call Steve Madden, personally, and ask him to fix the squeaky boot.

I will run to the corner store and buy half 'n half while still in my jammies.

I will be fiercely kind about it all.

UPDATE: the straightener was under a two year warranty. They are shipping a new one. The boots were still in stock - getting a new pair and returning the squeaky pair. I used skim milk. It wasn't nearly as delicious, but it got the job done.

I wrote this on my personal Facebook page last night. As of this morning, it still holds true.

2012 was *quite* a year. 

Good. Bad. Ugly. Frightening. 
Horrifying. Gorgeous. Beautiful.

Politics. (ugh) Robo-calls on our cell phones. (double ugh) 

It was filled with Random Acts of Kindness.

People died. Babies were born.

And yet, despite the sheer exhaustion that was 2012, it is ending filled with promise.

I know *my* people are all trying to be just a little kinder. A little nicer. A lot more patient.

As Margaret Meed said so eloquently, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” 

Here's to 2013. 

Let's ALL do just one thing, every day, that makes our world that much better.

Music is Awakening ~ many of us will be doing that in 2013.

xo ♥