tukula head wraps

My package of head wraps from Tukula arrived! I have been pretty excited about these beauties. Just look at them, such wonderful patterns and colors! They come in a set of 3 random African prints, not knowing what would arrive was definitely part of the fun.

Tukula is a cause driven business dedicated to investing in Ugandan entrepreneurs. Artisans are paid an above average wage in return for quality handmade products which leads to healthier families, economic development, and responsible consumerism. Visit there website here and facebook page here.

I wore the orange pattern today, and in fact I still have it on! Sorry for the slightly creepy picture of me. I was trying to get a good angle of the head wrap, I usually squint in pictures and I am trying to work on that. haha.

I wear my hair up in a bun or pony most days so, having these bold and beautiful head wraps will make me look good and feel good with little effort, easy peasy. The one I'm wearing now has stayed put all day without the need for any bobby pins and it is so comfortable. Aren't new accessories fun?!

ced: history at the grand canyon

This month's creative every day theme is history, so, today I'll share with you some pictures from our trip to the grand canyon last week. The Grand Canyon reveals a beautiful sequence of rock layers that serve as windows into time.

From Wikipedia: The Grand Canyon is a steep-sided canyon carved by the Colorado River in the United States in the state of Arizona. It is largely contained within the Grand Canyon National Park, the 15th national park in the United States. President Theodore Roosevelt was a major proponent of preservation of the Grand Canyon area, and visited it on numerous occasions to hunt and enjoy the scenery. It is considered a Wonder of the Natural World.

The Grand Canyon is 277 miles (446 km) long, up to 18 miles (29 km) wide and attains a depth of over a mile (6,000 feet / 1,800 metres) Nearly two billion years of the Earth's geological history have been exposed as the Colorado River and its tributaries cut their channels through layer after layer of rock while the Colorado Plateau was uplifted While the specific geologic processes and timing that formed the Grand Canyon are the subject of debate by geologists, recent evidence suggests the Colorado River established its course through the canyon at least 17 million years ago. Since that time, the Colorado River continued to erode and form the canyon to its present-day configuration.

one moment: a grand day

My one moment this week was at the majestic Grand Canyon. Bert and I traveled north for an early celebration of our 10th wedding anniversary. Despite living in Arizona for 13 years neither of us had been and thought it was about time we went. It was magnificent. Truly a wonder to behold. I felt so tiny and insignificant in the presence of this massive canyon with its layers of time preserved in the rock. Sure puts things in perspective. My husband and I laughed at my ever increasing deep conversations that had us pondering everything that came to mind at that time and space.

I have much to be grateful for ... the cancellation at the historic El Tovar that allowed us to get a room right on the canyon at the last minute, my mother in law for watching the boys and our dog Chloe, the beautiful road trip Bert and I took there with stops for breakfast in scenic Sedona and lunch in downtown Flagstaff, and mostly for the soulful and loving memories the canyon brought to us in celebration of our 10 years together.

One Moment [OM] is a weekly meet up that promotes living in the moment.  Whether funny, sad,
ridiculous, or banal, looking for these moments can promote balance in our lives. I decided to join in the fun. You may want to too – you can read more about it here.

sketching mandalas

a peek inside my sketchbook ...

one moment: stomach pains

This cactus looks like my stomach felt - Phx Desert Botanical Garden

So after a very nice week of hitting the trail each morning my OM moment was being hit with stomach pains for 5 days. Out of nowhere I felt my stomach swell and a pain emerge on my right side and lower back. It was a pain I had once before, while vacationing in New York this past June. I thought the pain was from too many protein bars while traveling but, alas no protein bars where had leading up to this past Saturday. I found out that I have a family history of gallbladder issues and I think I am experiencing them too. On Sunday I started researching online and I found gallbladderattack.com. It has a wealth of diet information. Bert ran out for beets for me to eat to help my pain and it worked so, now I'm trying to change my diet to be gallbladder friendly. According to the website I should avoid eating greasy fried food, meat, dairy and gluten. Yikes!

I finally started feeling better Wednesday night and by Friday I was back to eating 3 meals. I am currently meat and dairy free. On a positive note, I lost 4 pounds this week making my total weight loss 6 lbs in 2 weeks. Sweet! I picked up a vegetarian cookbook at the library and made my first meal last night ... potato and peas in red curry sauce ... yum! If you have a veggie recipe you love, please share it with me. I'd love to try it.

One Moment [OM] is a weekly meet up that promotes living in the moment.  Whether funny, sad, ridiculous, or banal, looking for these moments can promote balance in our lives. I decided to join in the fun. You may want to too – you can read more about it here.

september biz goals

August was a great month of creative energy. Being an August baby, I always make sure to have a good time in August (no matter how stinking hot it is here in Arizona). The kids are back in school, they are really enjoying learning and the new activities they are experiencing. Ethan is learning the violin this year and Hudson is giddy about everything at school especially computer lab and P.E. I am enjoying everyone in the house being back on a regular schedule. 

August Goals

• promote etsy birthday sale - did this all month and had a few sales!
• finish "blue" bracelet I started - need to pick up crimps before i can finish
• creative every day challenge check in, theme this month is "red"- blogged here and here.
• create a 35 before 35 list - Fun! I tweaked it a bit all month and I think I am happy with the final list here. Now the real fun will be doing these things
• play with new watercolor paints and paper - this has been great 
• continue preparing for move - Put this out of my mind for the month, I needed a break.
• make time to move - family walks, yoga and dance - I started walking my myself in the morning and took the kids a couple of evenings. I hiked tonto natural bridge with my family and I joined a friend's yoga class one night which was wonderful.
• others things i accomplished this month ... opened a fine art america shop, although not ready to show it yet, posted new braided necklaces for sale in my etsy shop, made my first hemp necklace, created the teach play love painting for our dear daycare provider who we said goodbye too as our youngest child went off to elementary school and lastly finished commissioned painting for a baby girl's nursery.

 September Goals

• creative every day challenge check in, theme this month is "history"
• play with new watercolor paints and paper
• work on this blog pages: design, invitation and praise
• work on fine art america shop
• create necklaces with art pendants I made a few months ago
• outright accounting program
• pick up on preparing for move
• make time to move - family walks, yoga and dance

If you would like to join in the Meetup biz goals fun, head on over to Athena Dreams to read more about how we support one another and how to join in.

35 things to do before i turn 35

Most people do the "before I turn 30" lists, but since I'm a few years late for that (and a sucker for lists), I decided to create a wish list of things I would like to do before 35 to live my wonderful life.

35 Things To Do Before I Turn 35

1. have more fun

2. donate my hair

4. lose 30 lbs, maintain

5. have my work in an art show

6. go sledding

7. invest in a quality printer

8. have an emergency fund

9. fly in a hot air balloon with my husband

10. grow a garden

11. do art work for a charity

12. take an art workshop

13. play in the leaves

14. watch less tv

15. show those i love that i love them

16. create a vision / dream board

17. meditate and practice yoga on my own

18. own a hammock

19. explore art and nature with my kids

20. be a vegetarian for a month

21. go to a creative retreat

22. take a martial arts class

23. participate in the sketchbook project

24. visit a foreign country

25. begin my second gratitude journal

26. volunteer for a cause I believe in

27. paint with ochre rock dust

28. write a manifesto

29. create a real business plan

30. sell prints of my artwork

31. go to a yoga / spiritual retreat

32. live in the moment

33. read at least 25 books on my list.

34. visit the grand canyon

35. find the perfect place for our family to live

I might not love the idea of getting older, but I do love the idea of having 2 years to fill with the amazing 35 things on the list above.  

Tell me what's on your list. Have you created a wish list of your own?

one moment: hitting the trail

My OM this week is taking the time to explore a community trail. Trails that meander through our community are a nice perk that I have not taken advantage of until now. You see, I cancelled my gym membership this month and not having my zumba and yoga classes readily available has made me a little anxious (especially since I packed on some unwanted pounds this summer) so, I came up with a plan. After the kids get on the bus for school I would to take a walk, every day.  I decided to make the trail closest to our home my first destination. I walk to it, then do interval running/walking while on the trail and walk home. It takes about 30 minutes and has been really great to be outside each morning while its a cool 90 degrees. ;)

The quiet trail has been a destination I look forward too. I was sad about leaving my gym classes but, in hindsight I had become pretty comfortable and the shake up in my workout is just what I needed to re-motivate myself and I shed 2 lbs! Plus, I have been seeing bunnies each morning and they make me smile.

One Moment [OM] is a weekly meet up that promotes living in the moment.  Whether funny, sad, ridiculous, or banal, looking for these moments can promote balance in our lives. I decided to join in the fun. You may want to too – you can read more about it here.

new braided necklaces for sale

 These pretty braided necklaces are for sale in my shop. With three different vibes, you are sure to find one that is a perfect fit for you. Necklaces are 18 inches long and finished with a lobster clasp. Only 1 week left to Save 33% off anything in my shop. Simply enter code BDAY33 at checkout. 

Braided Cream, Yellow and Antique Brass Topaz Crystal Necklace

Braided Red, Copper and Antique Brass Bead Necklace

 

Braided Blue and White Bead Necklace

birthday treats

I was spoiled rotten with birthday cash this year. Some may think that sounds impersonal but, I love and appreciate it so much. Money is always tight and having spending cash means I can browse my ever growing wish list of lovely things and actually make a purchase! So what did I treat myself to this year?

This handmade hemp purse / clutch / wallet from Ickady Bag. I haven't bought a new bag in so long, I have been rotating the ones in my closet for awhile and now that my kids are no longer babies I wanted something small and I am in need of a new wallet so, this purse / clutch / wallet sounded perfect! It was shipped today and I can't wait until it arrives.

This bamboo/organic cotton shirt with a lotus flower that has been created and hand silk-screened by The Lotus Root. A bamboo shirt has been on my wish list for some time. They are super soft and are supposed help with sweat which is something I have a teensy problem with.This shirt arrived this week and I LOVE it.

Luscious Boca Red No Miss Non Toxic Nail Polish. This is my first time buying non toxic polish, it went on smoothly and looks great. It took longer to dry then traditional nail polish but, not much. Totally worth it!

Lastly, I bought a new address book, a weight loss/food journal and The Yoga Deck with a Barnes and Noble gift card. My address book is in desperate need of an update, I really need to keep myself in check with the journal and I am hoping The Yoga Deck makes it easier for me keep up my yoga practice at home.

I am so grateful for all the birthday wishes I received this year. I am feeling extra special and oh so happy! Thank you!!!

P.S. Don't forget I am having a birthday sale, save 33% off anything in my shop with the coupon code BDAY33, good through August 31st. Visit my shop now.