Happy Thanksgiving...

Have a wonderful weekend! 

Life is Short...

Words to Live By!

"This is your life. Do what you Love and Do it often. If you don't like something, change it. If you don't like your job, Quit. If you don't have enough time, stop watching TV. If you are looking for the love of your life, Stop; They will be waiting for you when you start doing the things YOU Love. Stop over analyzing; all emotions are beautiful. Life is Simple. When you eat, appreciate every last bite. Open your mind, arms, and heart to new things and people, we are united in our differences. Ask the next person you see what their passion is, and share your inspiring dream with them. Travel Often; getting lost will help you find yourself. Some opportunities only come once, seize them. Life is about the people you meet, and the things you create with them so go out and start creating. Life is Short. Live Your Dream and Share Your Passion."

Fall Inspiration...

It's always a beautiful thing to see the colors that explode out of nowhere this time of year. I've been rather busy as of late with shop-building and creating...all while I close my eyes tightly and say three times "Freelancing will work. Freelancing will work. Freelancing will work." It's funny to think about how things will come to fruition but I don't worry or hesitate at all.

With all the list making and checking off''s I've been doing I somehow made time to take a walk around my yard and capture the colors and richness I look forward to each fall.  

"Be the kind of Woman that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, the Devil says...

"Oh Crap! She's Up!!" 

 

Food for Thought

Breakfast...I'm in a very weird Asparagus and Egg mood! 

Filling up on Red Roobios tea; keeps me going throughout the day!

Dinner...lots of beans and brown rice, a Mahi filet and more beans (green ones!)

Just a quick food for thought post since I've been so busy this week working on wrapping up certain projects and beginning new ones. I'm happy with developments and wish I had an extra 12 (or 20) hours in the day to fit more things in. For now I'm trying to keep pushing forward and continue knocking things off of my list!

Today's goal is to get to the Post Office by 5pm so I can put the photos I shot for an event in the mail (all whilst fitting in other things of course).

I'll be back with more news and updates in a bit!

Be Happy :)

Quick Room Envy...

Ok. About to go on a walk to take some fall foliage shots with the bambinos but I had to share this quick room shot I uncovered. I'm currently redoing my screened in porch and if it ends up looking anything like this I'll be stoked!

Enjoy your evening!

Building the Business

Well, well, well...I'm steadily working on my "business development" list and it just keeps getting bigger!!! :)

I ordered new cards and what do ya know!?...I just spent part of this morning changing my name on this blog and my twitter; both of which are on my cards and now have new url's! My Etsy shop is up, but not officially running yet as I have had zero time to even begin a logo or start work on products however, I thought it best to open it and at least have that address (which is now also changed) on my card.

I'm trying to keep in mind the fact that I ordered these as an "in interim" card until I had my logo completed. The logo is high on the list of course because I can't create new cards, update/personalize the blog, have a banner for my Etsy, etc...if I don't have that completed.

*stopping to take three deep inhale/exhales...


So, with all of that being said, the list keeps growing and I continue to get more and more excited with what's to come. Diving in head first and staying on top of it all!

While everything will have to change, I'm still happy with the outcome of my card and will continue to use them until I've made dedicated time to la logo!  

 

Oh and two other things! First, I am eternally grateful and so in love with my office that I've been building in my home these last few months and things have finally come full circle. I don't mind (I actually love) sitting in here all day, at my desk and especially now since Rob bought me a brand spankin' new 27" iMac :) *insert scream here!*


It is the best gift I've ever received and, not only has it allowed me to run through my list of to-do's and my day more efficiently, it also reaffirms my belief in myself...knowing that Rob believes in me so strongly too. True Love at its finest!


So...here are shots from my world and you couldn't pay me (ha!) to spend my day in any corporate/union/legal office...and believe me, I've worked in them all! Cheers to self-employment and empowerment!

Designer Heaven!!!!

Feathers for home goods...

Inspiration board and to-do's...

Organized mess...

The space is huge and I've got other nooks that are functioning or will function (like a fabric station and cutting area for bags/screen printing). I'll get more shots up here as areas take on their personalities...for now, I'm just happy to have the space and the energy I've been needing in order to successfully execute my day!

And finally...I have been humbled by the presence of the most interesting preying mantis the last few days. She (I assume she is a she) popped up Wednesday or Thursday last week and each day I think she's gone and she shows up again. I looked up the history/symbolism of these intricately built insects carry with them and here's a tiny snippet of what I found (http://www.whats-your-sign.com/animal-symbolism-mantis.html):

"A quick-list of praying mantis symbolism:

• Stillness
• Awareness
• Creativity
• Patience
• Mindful
• Calm
• Balance
• Intuition

These traits have lead the mantis to be a symbol of meditation and contemplation. In fact, in China, the mantis has long been honored for her mindful movements.

The mantis never makes a move unless she is 100% positive it is the right thing for her to do. This is a message to us to contemplate and be sure our minds and souls all agree together about the choices we are making in our lives."
 
I thought this was very poignant; especially with everything I'm starting to build on. I feel Confident. Strong. Ready. Capable...

Good signs...

I've got more foodie and fashion mentions soon to come!! Until then...much love and success to you all!

Dreamin Big!

I've had an odd-yet productive rest of the summer and time has not been kind to me when it comes to blogging. I've got a lot of things culminating though and I'm looking forward.

Growing my business is my main priority for the beginnings of fall and I've got a very LONG list of to-do's, mainly:

Finishing illustrations
Designing a new logo and business cards
Updating my site
Maintaining this blog!!!
More freelancing hardcore
Getting product ready for my Etsy shop
Incorporate my business!!! 
.....I know there's more and I'll add it to my list soon!

For now I'm ending this with an image that I found today on Design*Sponge and it's going to keep me moving forward with all of this. My "office" isn't set up perfectly, but it's mine and I have space of my own. However, someday I would love to have mine look like this:

It's just so bright and colorful!

True Friend

This may or may not become an ongoing post theme...I'd like to start getting more candid images like this one with other people I hold near and dear.

In the meantime, I had to share this photo of me and my best friend/main man Roberto, i.e., my amazing boyfriend Rob. He truly is my best friend and, on rainy days like today, he can wipe away any frustration or bad energy I may have had going on...and believe me, this week's been a rough one.

So this pic is a toast to all of us out there in the Universe who may, or may not, have that special someone out there who can make you laugh and allow you to be yourself. If you have someone in your life right now let them know how much you love them. And if you haven't found that person yet, don't lose faith! They're out there...

je t'aime 

All You Need is Love xoxo

Snack Thyme!

My life's been completely crazy lately and sincere apologies for the lack of posting going on. Snacking and cooking have been a huge role in my day time activities and, although I've just started a very demanding job that I'm still feeling out, I hope I will still find the time and never loose the passion I have to cook and create.

Here's a few quick go-to snacks/munchies (or lunchies) I've been fixated with as of late:

lettuce wraps!

Lettuce wraps are so refreshing and easy to make up in a small amount of time. I'll have them for breakfast if I'm not in a juicy mood or for and in-between filler. It's also really easy to change up the fillers depending on your mood:

My fillers as of late have included tomato, avocado, apples (I like Fuji), and a little mushroom. I also add shredded carrots and additional red leaf lettuce. I usually pepper them and drizzle a little Olive Oil and Balsamic on top.

Wrap them up in Romaine (my preference because they're so meaty and roll well) and enjoy!

Voila!

Another favorite of mine has been fried rice. It's so satisfying, filing, and filled with yummy, hearty, goodness for your bod. I first started experimenting with fried rice after I read a recipe in Alicia Silverstone's The Kind Diet. I've been adding and subtracting to it ever since. 

Yummy Vegan Fried Rice 

All it takes is a good serving of brown rice, (I usually make 4-6 cups), and any veggies you like! I saute my onions and garlic first in olive oil (or safflower oil if you've got it handy) along with grey sea salt, and then add carrots, peas, a little more salt, and then add the rice. Add diced bok choy and any other leafy green that suits your mood, drizzle with soy sauce, (I use organic gluten-free Tamari), and enjoy. I usually make enough for  three-four servings because it's always nice to go back the next day (or next meal) and chow down on it again! 

I usually pair my rice with a nice side of veggies. This week I made stir-fried green beans:

And this snack is truly a snack...and the perfect bite! I don't even really know what to call it but just talking about it right now is making me salivate.

Here it is; the ULTIMATE snack:

Super Snack!

Take an apple and slice it about 1/4 inch thick-this is your base. Top it with avocado slices, and tomato. Pepper and drizzle with Olive Oil and Balsamic to taste and there you have it! It's the most delicious thing to bite into and it's very satisfying :)

Inspiration...

 I think we all have our list of women that inspire us! I have a top three and I am always checking in and on what they've been doing in their loves and in the world. Whether it be in business, fashion, spirituality, etc., etc. 

These images not only inspire me visually, but also creatively...they help me focus and validate my drive and purpose. 

The ever-fabulous Nicole Richie. She may have been obnoxious and snooty in her earlier days of Paris and The Simple Life! but her dynamic evolution and business success, along with her "somewhat" quiet life she leads now with her children and husband, (a good boy from Maryland). She's a pure fashionista and I think she's incredible! 

 

 

On top of fashion sense she's devoted to charities like UNICEF, The Art of Elysium, and her own charity,  The Richie Madden Children's Foundation. A happy family, successful clothing line, compassion, and life on the go is all I ask for!

My Mentor...even though she hasn't officially agreed to the personal commitment yet! I'm ever-grateful to have her be mine from afar for now. Diane Von Furstenberg is everything business and lifestyle savvy that I aspire to become.

"To Help, Give, and Inspire is a Privilege." DVF

I can't even begin to explain in too much detail how heavy of an impact she and her foundations have made on local and international communities. The following is a rundown of this funds she serves on the board of, has created herself, or is heavily involved in in some way, shape, ore form:

Vital Voices
Women for Women International
White Ribbon Alliance
Susan G. Komen
St. Jude Children's Hospital
Love Heals
amfAR
KIPP NYC
Teach for America
Village Care of New York
Friends of the High Line
MAS
CFDA
The DVF Awards
Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation 

 

Please visit  http://www.dvf.com/Philanthropy/philanthropy-landing,default,pg.html for more information.

Femme Fatale! I hope to have seen the success, love, passion, and commitment on some level closer to what she's been able to achieve when I'm rockin' stilettos at 64! 

And finally Rosario Dawson...her natural beauty, brains, and talent are unsurpassed in my humble opinion.

On top being an incredibly talented actress and singer, she has founded or supported the following charities:

Amnesty International
Artists for Peace and Justice
Declare Yourself
Global Cool
International Rescue Committee
Lower East Side Girls Club
Make-A-Wish Foundation
ONE Campaign
Oxfam
Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
Peace Over Violence
V-Day
Voto Latino