*source*No matter the playlist, these words get me every time...but your soul you must keep totally free.... 

Hello February,You've been unseasonably warm, but I won't complain, it's nice to wear dresses year-round. I enjoyed the few snowflakes we had and expect we'll have more according to Punxsutawney Phil.You gave me a cold (boo), but I stayed in bed for two days watching Downton Abbey (so, so good).I had Butter Lane in good company and my loud laugh carried through a silent film.My schedule finally aligned with my fellow list lover and we drank chai tea and laughed about broken charger cords.<3 

There are times when I wish I could be a kid again. To have a seemingly simpler life. All of the excitement and disappointment over the smallest things. But I'm sure when I was that age, I did nothing but wish away my youth and there are times that I do that now (27 years is not that long...).But life is hard!It's hard to think about dreams for the future and lessons from the past, when you're trying to stay 'present' and get through the day-to-day of life.As one wise lady said, "Life just sort of happens."very true.I hope some day I can look back on this blog, random scribblings and notes and realize that I knew more than I thought. That I was more okay than I thought. That as life happened...I lived it the best I could.** love fiercly. love freely.remember compassion. 

Things have been a little quiet on this corner of my world, but I've been busy making unicorns, eating cupcakes, seeing films (you must see The Artist and Chinatown is  s u c h  a great classic), painting, getting lost in pretty things, and hand-washing tie dye shirts for some eager (and deserving) children in my Saturday Art Explorers class.2012... So far, so good.

 

It's quite grey in New York today. The buildings, the sky, the sidewalk.grey, gray, grey (both are acceptable spellings, you know...)but i've already noticed the shift of light. the days are starting to get e v e r - so - s l i g h t l y   longer.yup. they are.microscopic seconds longer - yes - but longer.Hope you are all having a wonderful, wonderful day!

The years seem to go faster, don't they?They almost seem like months. Months seem like weeks.Life is just happening. Right now -- as I write this -- life is just happening.People are thinking of clever status updates, people are dancing in the street, they are loving, they are sleeping, they are kissing, they are fighting, they are typing, working, reading, dreaming, thinking and so much more.This life is just here. This life can be complicated - don't be fooled, young children. but I promise pinky promise even - that it's wonderful.it's beautiful.In all it's whirring madness with those days of quiet, days of stillness, days of joy, lazy days, painful days, bored days, whatever they may be...this life is lovely.Especially when you live it.And that is e x a c t l y what I intend to do.Here's to a New Year and what it will bring:more art. more love. more painting. more music. friends. sunshine. pretty things. glitter! learning. listening. being.But you can't start the year without having some nostalgia for the last one...so many fun times with friends. yay! yay! yay! yay!jazz parties with waldo. furry fluffs. making a difference. key west.visiting my favorite georgian peach.learning those same lessons over and over again.family. going home.art **photo mosaic made with this awesome free download by andrea mosaic

You must be decked out in sparkles and look extremely over-the-top.This Christmas I participated in one of the most moving, volunteer experiences ever. I was part of the entertainment for a Christmas Dinner.The event was amazing and I'm already planning a costume for next year.Here are some photos from the day courtesy of Michael McTwigan and Amy Drucker.

Happy holidays friends!Whatever you celebrate, wherever you are... I hope you have a super, lovely day!Love,Me and the kitties

 

Hello December,Your days are shorter.Your prefer the dark and the sun on the side rather than hanging right above our heads.Your temperature is erratic. (climate change anyone?)But there's always good music to listen to.  

I have been with the darkest parts of myself.

The parts filled with self-hatred, the ones that can't find kindness. The parts that think no matter what, I'm just not enough. Not creative enough, Not thin enough, not smart enough, not aware enough, not caring enough, not there enough. Just not enough.

These parts care far too much about what they, he, she, and you will think....But we all have our parts. They are what make us ... well us. They are raw. They are real.

And maybe...just maybe, it's better to stand face to face with these parts. To really sit with them, to hold their hand and remind them of kindness and light.

Tell them to grasp something...anything...and just hold on. Just be.

And maybe...just maybe, with enough   s p a c e  that tiny, stronger voice will come back. It will say, enough to those harsh voices and it will be okay.

**Love,

a stronger you from another moment in time…

That makes you laugh.Dancing snitches + broomsticks + fearless people not afraid to get hurt (they are running with broomsticks!) + very busy paramedics + butter beer (actually, they were out but the idea is lovely) + friends = a super awesome time at the Quidditch World Cup 2011! The walk from Randall's Island back to Manhattan was also an adventure.Thanks friends! For a very fun time!

I can't believe it's November.Soon it will be 2012.!?!?!This month usually brings me a little down, but this month I choose happiness.But if that sadness perks it's head up, I'll let it flow through me because I know that it will pass. That those uncomfortable feelings and loss will ebb and flow and that I'll be alright.and music always mends the soul...*direct link*

A friend of mine needed some business cards, so I decided to make some out of watercolor. I think they turned out nicely! (minus the fact that they are all slightly crooked! I can't cut in a straight line, but it gives them character.)Pardon the grainy photos, I took these on my phone a few minutes before meeting her to hand them over.Good luck at the conference friend!xoxo

My cousin from Germany and her friend came to visit me last week. Ten days with the Germans (yes, they have names, but it was fun calling them this) was a total riot.

• Their love for Colby jack cheese was funny. Apparently this cheese is not available where they are from.
• I remembered more German than I thought and we had many conversations (although, my cousin would beg to differ) in this foreign tongue.
• I ate too many sweets.
• The night of dancing til 3:00 am was very memorable, especially at the point when one of the girls asked, "Where are the Germans!?!" Where were they? Taking pictures of the very large mirrors in the bathroom area.
• It was fun introducing them to all of my friends.
• Francesca, I want that hipster hat!
• We laughed a lot.
• There was one bad cooking incident and our house was full of smoke. I still plan on writing a letter to the store about the bread without cooking directions!
• The cats were slightly jealous of the company, but were sad when they left. I might have even shed some tears with them.
• We had a sing-a-long that last until 1:00 am. My gosh, my friend Katy really does have the loveliest voice ever.
• The inside track of the Wonder Wheel at Coney Island really stirred up my motion sickness, but watching the girls reactions made it well worth it.
• Did I mention how awesome the German chocolate was? Schoko-bons=heavenly
• Despite the technology of Google translator, Hayden's random questions to the Germans were still confusing. The Kase frage about Colby vs. Jack was especially tricky.
• Coffee and lazy mornings=bliss
• Katy Perry Pandora is pretty great for getting dolled up.
• Our corner store must really think we are crazy.
• This list could go on and on. But I'll end it here. All in all, a wonderful trip.

Liebling cousinne! Du felst mir sehr! Und Steffi auch! Jetz, wir besuchen oych!(to the grammar sticklers: it's all about making sure you are understood, so HA! That said, I'd love a language buddy!)

xoxoxsee all images 

These two are adorable.That's all.happy Wednesday!

We grow a lot faster than trees, he said, so we miss a lot of stuff.-brian andreas