{A Completely Self-Indulgent} Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful that I've been on such a fun hair journey for the past fourteen years.

I have learned SO much more from doing my own hair than I did at hair school. (Ok so I learned a bit at school, I'm thankful for that too- I better be, I'm still paying for it! :P)

I'm thankful that I can go any color I choose, experiment with as wild or tame a style as I please, and I always still look like 'me.' I can change it anytime- no waiting for an appointment or saving up. If I don't like something, there's nobody to blame but me, and I know how to change it back or tweak it to get it how I want. It's so empowering being able to do your own hair, and I wouldn't trade all of my oops's for anything.

Here's but a glimpse of my hair journey- these pics range from four years ago to last year. (As you can see, the asymmetric bang remains my fave.)

During my beloved Cyndi Lauper Phase
{pardon the crappy phone pic- this was before iphones!}

Fun grungy punk hawk

My Elfin look

Fire-Engine and Watermelon, oh my!

I liked strawberry blondish/light copper. Might go back soon ;)

Pretty

A good friend arranged these Bougainvilleas

{Yes I had to look up the spelling :P }



My youngest sister captured this while floating on a lake at sunset



My dear Auntie grew these Marigolds

Energy Well Spent

Every time you say, "I appreciate that. I really like that. I applaud that. I acknowledge the value in that."
Every time you do that, you spend some of your Energy, and it is the spending of the Energy that creates a vacuum, so to speak, or an attraction, so to speak, that draws more and more and more and more. ~ Abraham

They Draw and Cook

Thanks to paper n stitch, I'm loving this blog right now!

These illustrated recipes are so stimulating and fun..
I had trouble picking only a few to post.

Which would you put in your kitchen?

{Definitely check out the site if you have time~ it's updated regularly!}

Oh, Goodie!

I got a new Goodie in the mail (actually, a few goodies)!! From Dori The Giant, who just opened her Etsy shop. Check out the awesome stuff she makes from things she's taken apart! {she has some rad prints up too} Love her creativity. And so much better for the environment than the fun jewelry at the mall! (duh, I know..) She has a cute blog too. Just tons of cuteness and fun, I tell you!



She tied everything all cute with pink string..



and how often do you get a handwritten Thank You note?! Sweet!



Since I was her first customer (yay!) Dori sent me some
awesome earrings and a (yes, cute) magnet..



I am seriously in love with this necklace!
 I couldn't wait to show it off.



Yes! I have it!

{Sorry, no pretty pics today. I liked the goofy face the best :P}

{This last shot reminds me of that scene in Crocodile Dundee II where the tourists are all proud of themselves 
in the subway for helping get the bad guy. "Clint Eastwood! Clint Eastwood." :D}

Thankful Thursday: Earth Day Edition

What a perfect little coincidence,
that my Thankful Thursday should fall on Earth Day this week!

Thank you, Earth, for just a few of your many charms:

Colorful cliffs to scramble and play on

Quiet forests to reflect and reconnect in

Natural bridges to venture across

Vibrant flowers that intoxicate our noses and eyes

Gorgeous tree canopies to gaze up through

and Lost Lakes to wander around.

Dear Mother Earth,
You have been so good to us. We haven't always been as good back to you, but thankfully there are those of us who are changing that, and hopefully our numbers will continue to increase! Thank you for your patience with us, and for sharing your endless wonder and beauty with us all. We love you!
Love, Your Inhabitants

The Law of Least Effort

Something that is really resonating with me today:

"The fourth Spiritual Law of Success is the Law of Least Effort. This law is based on the fact that nature’s intelligence functions with effortless ease and abandoned carefreeness. This is the principle of least action, of no resistance. This is, therefore, the principle of harmony and love. When we learn this lesson from nature, we easily fulfill our desires.

If you observe nature at work, you will see that least effort is expended. Grass doesn’t try to grow, it just grows. Fish don’t try to swim, they just swim. Flowers don’t try to bloom, they bloom. Birds don’t try to fly, they fly. This is their intrinsic nature. The earth doesn’t try to spin on its own axis; it is the nature of the earth to spin with dizzying speed and to hurtle through space. It is the nature of babies to be in bliss. It is the nature of the sun to shine. It is the nature of the stars to glitter and sparkle. And it is human nature to make our dreams manifest into physical form, easily and effortlessly."

The entire post is thought-provoking, and well worth reading.

{Source: Univisions}
{Photo sources: Unknown}

Clothes Call, Tequila Sunrise, & Happy Holiday

I want this.

And this.


That's all. :D

P.S. Happy 4/20 Everyone! ;)

Thought for Today: Don't Look Back

 

 
{print by maddoxandklaus, via design is mine}

 

{image by andrea hubner}

You are freaking out.. Man (& Single Ladies Devastation)

This hilarious video of some kid throwing a tantrum gives the word 'spoiled' a whole new meaning.
{The brother cracking up makes me crack up even more.}
*Possibly NSFW. He's loud and there is an.. 'incident' with the remote :B

This one's even better, Joanna posted it on A Cup of Jo recently. I'm still laughing! {Gotta love the title too!}

{The First} Thankful Thursday

{Who said playgrounds are just for kids?}

Gratitude is something I constantly want to demonstrate more in my life. It just feels good to look for things to be happy about. And there is definite power in writing something down. In that spirit, I've decided to dub every Thursday 'Thankful Thursday' and make a point of looking for and expressing appreciation for all there is to be grateful for in my life throughout that day. And I'm going to share it with you, starting today!

P.S. I know Thankful Thursday is a cheesy name. That's ok, I love cheese, in many forms :P

Today I'm Thankful...

{One of my mom's adorable teacups}

For my morning cup of tea.
I can't believe it took me twenty years to come around to the pleasures of teatime.

For my ability to analyze my own work performance, so my superiors seldom have to.
Even though it can feel like a burden to come home after a long day and rehash everything in my mind, rehashing it helps me to release it and set my intentions for a better next time.

{on top of our rock on Helix}

For my messy, forgetful, dorky, awesome, genius, sexy, loving man.
'Nuff said.

That even when I have an 'early' morning at work I can sleep in til ten if I really want to.
It will be even nicer when I can set my own hours :D

For my health.
And my ability and desire to improve it.

 

For all the people who inspire me to enjoy the process of life, to enjoy the moment, to look for things to be happy about.
You guys are awesome :)

"Don't you think Daisies are the Friendliest Flower?"

I do. ;)

Spring Fedora

How cute is her springtime outfit? And she seems so friendly and springy herself...

{I've always wished I could pull off a Fedora.}

Wandered onto court + hudson and found all sorts of cute offbeat outfits.. Don't you love blog wandering?

March For Babies

 
{Levi James, just after birth}

In my last post I shared some pics of my gorgeous little niece, Skyla. The last pic showed her meeting her new baby brother Levi.

Little Levi was born six weeks early and had to stay in the hospital for what seemed like forever. He's home and healthy now, thank goodness!

Our dear cousin started Team Levi for the March For Babies. The San Diego walk happens Saturday, April 24 at 8am in Balboa Park. If you live in SD and want to come out, don't be shy!

Why March for Babies:

When you walk in March for Babies, you give hope to the more than half a million babies born too soon each year. The money you raise supports programs in your community that help moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies. And it funds research to find answers to the problems that threaten our babies. We’ve been walking since 1970 and have raised an incredible $1.8 billion to benefit all babies.

What are you waiting for? There is most likely a walk in your area, and if not, or you don't wanna walk, you can easily donate money to the cause. Every little bit will help more babies! :D

Look, Ma, I Found my Toes!

My adorable niece
{Her name is Skyla~ how much more adorable can you get?!}
discovering {or counting?} her toes on the family deck up in Idaho.



On the Lookout.
{She probably sees a Moose out there.}



Meeting her little brother for the first time.
{Look at those cute little toofies!}

Holy Crepe!

{Babbo Grande Strawberry Nutella Crepe~ image via}

Last night for dinner Shawn and I went to our new favorite restaurant to get some crepe action. (The name means 'Big Daddy' in Italian- gotta love it.) We've been going to this place pretty much every week like clockwork for the past six months since that fateful morning another breakfast spot was too packed and we decided to venture round the corner. I swear to you, this place gets better every time we go. If you live in SD try it out! The staff is awesome, no matter how picky we are, and the crepes- WOW.

{Babbo Grande Lumberjack Crepe~ image via}

My man loves the Lumberjack crepe.. Scrambled eggs, cheese, ham, (no sausage, double bacon.) Extra extra Mornay and Hollandaise, please. MMM-mmm.
{Note: yes, I know Mornay is supposed to be more cheesy than theirs is. Trust me though: get the Hollandaise too and they make a perfect pair.}

Another fave of his is the Strawberry Nutella crepe. How can you go wrong with a nutty chocolatey spread, I ask you?

Or how about nice sweet ripe strawberries wrapped in light fluffy crepe goodness and then drizzled with raspberry sauce- the two berry flavors just POP off each other!

{Strawberry Crepe~ image via}

Now imagine the best pesto sauce you've ever tasted (I've never had pesto with mushrooms in it!) smothering a crepe stuffed with tender chicken breast...

{Chicken Pesto Crepe~ image via}

Are you hungry yet?

I am. I'm going to go heat up some Chicken Pesto crepe leftovers. :)