7.09.2012

Blowfish Shoes Giveaway >>>

You know all of those cute Blowfish shoes Im always raving about????  Well, here is your chance to win a pair for free!  Just follow the steps below to enter.


For a bonus entry, visit the Blowfish website and tell me your favorite shoe!

Simple as pie.  Good luck!

*U.S. residents only*
*please leave your email address with your entry*

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Sacred Space >>>

This post is all about sacred space.  You might have noticed that the blog has a new look on the sidebars.  I wanted to simplify things a bit, and make it a little easier to find all of my links.  I really go back and forth with the simplicity thing.  I see alot of blog spaces that I truly love that are very clean, simple, white.  But anytime I think I want to do something like that with my own blog, my heart does not feel light about it.  Ive come to realize, its just not who I am, and I want this space to always reflect who I am.  There is so much talk going around the blog sphere about how your blog 'should' be.  I feel like that takes away from all of our individual ideas of beauty, and reflections of ourselves.  Id much rather my blog feel like a reflection of me, than a reflection of someone else's idea of pretty.  So anyway... yet again, I revamped my blog.  I tend to do this every so often.  There are still a few adjustments I would love to make, that Im still not certain how to do.  I learn as I go, and I dont know alot about design... So baby steps.  I dont like how the side bars dont go all the way down the blog... Things like that.  But Ill figure it out one day... (my favorite part is the 'visit the shops' link... click on it, youll see why).

Now, about sacred space... (my blog is just one of my little sacred spaces I believe).  Our latest activity in Intuitive Heart Sanctuary was to create a Sacred Space in our home.  Even though I feel like I have done this alot as I have decorated our home, those spaces always get run over with daily stuff.  But, in essence, my entire house is my little sanctuary and sacred space.  I really wanted to join in on this activity though, and have focused attention in one space, and Im so glad I did.


I chose my favorite window in the house.  I was a bit resistant, b/c this is the spot I use for alot of my outfit posts and creative photography... But then I quickly realized how in vein that idea was, and decided to use this space for my new spot of attention.  I first put on Joni Mitchell's Blue album to listen to as I created this space to give myself a sense of peace and focus on what I was doing.  That album instantly makes me feel connected to my mother's spirit, and to happy times.  I then cleared and cleansed the space.

The flag I made for our home had yet to feel like it found its space.  As soon as I started gathering things for this space, I knew right away it had found its home.  I hung my feathered arm band from my sweet friend Alana as a reminder of her brave spirit.  Then I spent some time finding just the right elements I wanted to keep in this space.  The little wooden statue was a gift from my friend Katelyn, and it is a fertility goddess.  I wanted it in my space to remind me of my journey I am working on emotionally with this issue. 

I added many little things that hold love for me.  Special stones that were sent to me from friends, sticks, seashells, rocks and mountain laurel seeds from my parents land.  Crystals that hold alot of meaning for me, including the one my mom held onto while she was leaving us, and the one my aunt gave me after that, one that she carried in her pocket for the better part of her life.  My moms little jadite buddha. Etc.

Then I added a few more elements, like this little blue vase my dad made, holding a huge beautiful feather, my incense holders, one gifted to me by my dear friend Rain, along with the best incense in the world.  The tapestry was also gifted to me, by my friend Staci, who always knows just what I love.  The wooden box that I used as a base, my dad made.  It used to be what we kept firewood in when I was growing up.  For the chair I kept near the space, to sit in and write, or look out the window at the birds, I used my two pillows that have birds on them.  I was very intentional about everything I brought into this space. 
To some, spaces like this may seem odd.  But for me, it does so much for my soul.  Taking the time to nurture a space in your home, carved out just for you, is taking care of yourself.  I instantly felt at peace once the space was created.  I laid on the blanket, put my feet up on the window seal, closed my eyes and let the sun wash over me.  It felt cleansing.  I felt wrapped up in the love of others, from choosing so many things that were given to me with love.


It does not take alot of room to make a space like this.  This space is only about 4'x4'.  Do you have any places you have created just for you in your home?  If so, what type of elements did you use?  How did it make you feel? 
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7.06.2012

Threads - Golden >>>

Just a little outfit post from the other day when we went to Kerrville.  I love having jeans for more than 10 years.  They get perfectly worn in, and kind of just feel like home when you put them on.  Even though my weight has fluxuated during the past 10 years (there was a time these would fall off, and there was a time they were too tight)... I still kept them, among many of my favorites, and Im so glad I did.  When I go through periods like that, Ill just pack up my favorites and still them in the garage for a while.  Then when I dig them out later, its like having all new clothes again!  And, if Im having an unwashed messy hair day, this is my go to hat.  I love this hat.  The beautiful trim necklace is from Bohemiantown on etsy :)

P.S. for all of you Blowfish Shoes addicts out there, they are having a massive sale through the 8th.  30% off everything, plus free shipping!  On top of their already drastically cut prices on many of the styles.  You cant beat it!  And today is Moorea Seal's sale on Fab.com!!!

PEACE,
Laura

7.05.2012

Shake Challenge >>>

Here is the beginning of our shake journey.  So far weve only made fruity ones.  I dont have amounts, just ingredients... I usually just throw things in, so Im not sure real amounts anyway.  I love the way each of these came out though.  So yummy.  And photographing them really does help as a log to go back to!
 oatmeal - blueberries - orange juice - flax oil - ice

 orange juice - dash of milk - frozen bluberries - frozen banana - raw honey - flax oil - flax seed - ice

 cranberry juice - frozen blueberries - frozen cherries - yogurt

 orange juice - vanilla chai tea - frozen banana - frozen peaches - peach sorbet

vanilla chai tea - almond milk - frozen banana - frozen peach - peach sorbet - flax oil

PEACE,
Laura

7.04.2012

Soulful Threads >>>

Its not very often that I share my custom orders here on the blog... but this one is so dear to my heart I felt a yearning to.  I made this little tattered flag for a friend, and it simply turned out to be my favorite flag Ive ever made.  Every inch of this creation is so 'me', and coincidentally was so 'her'... Amazing how two souls can collide over a piece of art.  It has been so long since Ive made these flags... this was an inspiration to me to take the time to create some more.  Once I get past my wholesale orders and can find my way back into the studio with a creative mindset, I intend to.  Ive been itching to do some good soul work in the studio for a while, but I can't allow myself to without squirming until all of the 'business' is taken care of first... And sometimes that is never-ending.  Do any of you ever feel that way?  Im starting to think I should set aside a time amount each day just for new creations, regardless of what else is going on...

Im so honored to know that this little flag sits in a home where it is looked upon with such loving intention and meditation.  Not only is this a compilation of old fabrics, sticks and feathers, it is being a catalyst for spreading love and light onto its beholder, and I couldn't ask for more in any of my creations. 

PEACE,
Laura

7.03.2012

Artisan Love >>>

Im here today with a few shoutouts for support of some of my favorite, well respected artisan friends...  First, is The Art and Found.  These two lovely ladies are in the process of opening a store front in Ithica and need as much help as they can get.  Read all about their journey here, and watch their truly creative video!!!  You will also see on their page all of the different donation options.  They have cooked up some sweet rewards for your donations too!



Also, Id love to give a shoutout to sweet Alana Rose of Run With The Tribe for being the current featured seller on etsy.  She is such a good soul and is truly deserving of this spot.  Read her beautiful interview here.

One last shoutout, my friend Moorea Seal will be having an off the wall sale on Fab.com on July 6th.  Tons of her beautiful work will be on super sale!!! Dont miss it. 

PEACE,
Laura



7.02.2012

Hello July >>>

Hello July.  This is the month I marked on the calendar for some (hopefully) life changing goals.  Or if not so life changing, at least small habit changing.  For the year of my 30's, Im going to be choosing a new 30 day challenge each month.  The first one, my husband and I are doing together, a smoothie challenge.  This is a fun and easy one... Something to ease me into this whole challenge thing, which quite honestly, Ive never been good at.  Maybe I should come up with some sort of reward each month to keep my mind on the goal?  Im hoping that most of these challenges I put myself up to, continue to be a part of my daily life afterwards...  Ill be sharing my progress along the way too!

I am also going to do my first 365 photo challenge.  I haven't quite decided yet if I want it to all be self portraiture to allow myself to get creative in that department again, or just a photo a day... The photo above is my first one.  Day one I had company and had to do something quick, so its a rather simple simple photo, but I loved the colors in it.  So, well see where this leads me, and see if I can keep up with it!  Ill be gone almost all day today, so its going to be a challenge... Ill be posting them in my new flickr account as I go.  

Today, I am being treated like a princess from one of my girlfriends.  For my birthday, she is taking me to yoga class, then to get a massage, and then to sushi!  Ive been looking forward to today with so much excitement.  And after getting to see my Nanna, and some other very special family yesterday, its sizing up to be a good week already!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

I cant say who, since it is not live yet, but when etsy's featured seller switches over at noon today, it will be a dear sweet new friend of mine... I am sooo wildly happy for her.  Please be sure to check out her shop and leave her lots of lovin' on her interview.  I cant wait to read it when I get home.  This girl is so deserving of this beautiful light shining on her.

Thank you to everyone who purchased a sponsor spot during this sale!  So excited to have all of you in my sacred space.  Today is the last day to get in on the sale, so check out my last post if you missed it.  Some of the spots are now on a waiting list, they are going fast!

A dear friend of mine is now helping me list some items in my etsy shop.  I am sooooo ever grateful for her.  So, thanks to her, there are some new pretties in Roots and Feathers!

PEACE,
Laura