I’ve been working on a few new projects, finishing up some other big ones and preparing for NYC. You could say I’ve been busy!! I’m super excited to be hosting The Sweet Spot event with Megan Halsey. It’s going to be a ton of fun. 

So, I thought I’d share with you a picture of what my studio has been looking like lately. And yes those are 3 Pringles tubes in the background on my desk. They aren’t my normal choice for a snack, but I needed the tubes for a craft project so no sense letting the chips go to waste ;)

Keep the good vibes coming, share your good karma moment in the comments for all of us to see. :)

A little of this a splash of that. There’s been a lot of making going on around here for the book I’m working on. Coming up with the ideas, writing all of the copy, creating the projects and designing all of the additional illustrations that go with every project. It’s been a ton of work but definitely super enjoyable. I have a month left to wrap everything up and I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s funny some how the closer I get to the end the faster time seems to speeds up. I’m looking forward to finishing. To having a break and to starting something new again. To picking up where I left off with a project that had to be put on the back burner while I work on this book. Gosh I can’t wait till I can share with you everything I’ve been working on!! xo

Me and my sister, Ava Blu right after her new haircut.

So it seems I took a little blogging break without even meaning to. I’ve been so engrossed in working on my book, then Spring Break snuck up on me and we made the trek to Tahoe to enjoy the last bit of snow for the season, there was Easter and then I came down with a killer cold that had me laid out for a few days.

And in the midst of all of that I took Ava Blu to get her hair cut. She’s been asking for bangs for quite a while and I’ve been resistant.  I really didn’t have any real reason to say no other than my own personal preference. So I finally gave in and you know what she totally looks adorable!! Now that I think about it, it’s almost a right of passage for the girls in my family to get bangs!

It’s amazing how such a small change can make such a big difference. 

Can I just tell you I’m still totally Crushing on Karma! I mean how could I not be :) Here are 20 more ways to indulge yourself in the arms of Karma.

1. Explore- Spend some time in an unfamiliar neighborhood you might just find the perfect coffee shop.
2. Visit a friends church-  And keep an open mind.
3. Say it Out Loud! - Instead of just thinking it use your voice. Speak up and be heard.
4. Truly Listen - When you ask someone a question listen to their response. Don’t worry about what you are going to say next. Truly Listen, they actually might have something interesting to say.
5. Believe in Something! - Be it miracles, magic or unicorns, everyone needs to have something to believe in.
6. Let yesterday and tomorrow go - You are HERE right now!
7. Don’t waste anything.- Be it resources, time or knowledge.
8. Say “I Love You” to someone you love-  Those 3 words never wear out and there’s no such thing as too much love!
9. Result-based thinking isn’t the only way - Do something without knowing or caring about the results.
10. Teach - Share your knowledge with a friend without expecting something in return.
11. Relax - Sometime you have to put the check-list away and just chill.
12. It’s never too late - Try out a hobby or activity that you thought you might be too old for.
13. Accept Criticism with Grace- Take a step back. Take a deep breath. Don’t react, listen instead. Learn from what you can and leave the rest on the floor. Rise above and say Thank You.
14. When in doubt just be Nice! - Being nice is always better than being mean.
15. Stop Blaming Yourself - You have the power to change your day just by changing your mind.
16. Be Still- find a park, sit and close your eyes. 
17. Make the Time- Make the time to be with your friends and family. Make the time to stop and help someone else. Make time for the little things that matter.
18. Share a Meal- Cook dinner for a busy family member or friend. When we share a meal it not only provides nourishment for our bodies but also our souls.
19. Say Hello! - Introduce yourself to that person you always see around town.
20. Give the gift of reading - Donate those old books collecting dust on your shelf to your Local Library.

Won’t these just look darling in a kids room? And what a fun way to keep track, right?

They also have a ton of other cool designs available. Gosh it’s such a easy and wonderful way to customize your space!!

Stop on by and take a look!!

http://www.muralsyourway.com/cindy-ann-ganaden-prints

Spilled with love! <3

Keep the good vibes coming, share your good karma moment in the comments for all of us to see. :)

I’ve been seeing this famous failures image being passed around the webosphere and find it quite inspiring, though I do wish they had included a few more women.

We all fail but the thing that make these folks different is that they didn’t let that stop them. They got up dusted themselves off and tried again. Maybe it should be retitled to say:

Failure is just one moment in time, isn’t it? May we all be so lucky to fail famous!!

Here are a few of my favorite stories about determined and resilient women:

Vera Wang

Failed to make the US Olympic figure-skating team. She was an editor at Vogue and was passed up for the editor-in-chief job. And thank goodness she was! She then decided to start designing wedding gowns when she was 40. And now there isn’t a new bride that wouldn’t die to be walking down the aisle in a Vera Wang gown.

Lucille Ball  

  She was sent home from drama school because she was “too shy” and for years was regarded as failed “B list” movie star. She was told by her agent to pursue a new career! Well, that is until her big break staring in I Love Lucy.

Barbra Streisand

Her mother tried to persuade her NOT to pursue singing since she wasn’t pretty enough. She had her first stage debut in a show that opened and closed in the same night. She battled debilitating stage fright after forgetting the words to a song during a 1967 free performance in New York’s Central Park. After that she  avoided live performance for nearly 3 decades! But some how despite all of that she’s still one of the most successful female singer in the history of recorded music. 

“Fall down seven times, get up eight.” – Japanese proverb

I ran across this article and was totally captivated by the back story around this amazing video, a moment that captures her encounter with a long lost lover at her exhibition in 2010 at the MoMa.

Have you seen it? It is so emotionally charged and quite beautiful. I really must learn more about this woman. There is a biography of her out that I puton my “to read” list. 

Just wanted to share! 

Keep the good vibes coming, share your good karma moment in the comments for all of us to see. :)