Live Love Life NOW™

Looking for My Groove

2012-01-31T00:02:00.002-05:00

Can a mid-life crisis strike at any age?

From personal experience, I’m going to have to say yes because I’ve felt like I’ve been in the middle of one for months now…sigh.

Growing up is hard isn’t it?!

Since before I started this blog, I felt like I had finally found my path…but lately I’ve felt like I’m way off course and struggling to find my way back.

Recently it’s gotten even tougher and I haven’t felt like writing much and I wanted to share the reason why I’ve been so absent lately.

I have lots of blog ideas though, so I plan to write when I can…but for now I have to focus on getting my groove back.

Petition for Cats in the Workplace

2012-01-23T23:28:00.001-05:00

The following video comes courtesy of The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Ellen proclaimed this cat as the “Cat of the Year” and I think she may be right – I mean it’s not every day you see a cat refusing the advances of a tasty looking parakeet!

Urban Outfitters Sells TOMS Shoes!

2012-01-20T21:19:00.002-05:00

Urban Outfitters is just one of those stores I always go into whenever I come across one because they always have fun stuff to look at.

So when I came across their Chinatown location recently, it was a no brainer to head inside…and I’m so glad I did because I discovered a huge display of TOMS shoes within!!

As you know, I love everything about TOMS (from their philanthropy goals to their über cute and comfy shoes) and I was so excited to find them in an unexpected place!

And even better than that, was the fact that I found a pair that features my favorite color – teal!! So if you are lucky enough to have an Urban Outfitters store nearby, head over there and get a pair for yourself!

You can thank me later.

Florence + the Machine: My Current Music Obsession

2012-01-19T22:06:00.002-05:00

Have you ever taken the long way home just to finish listening to a song?

I did recently when “Shake It Out” by Florence + the Machine came on the radio because I am OBSESSED with it!

The song is so unbelievably powerful and the words so incredible that it literally moves me every time I hear it.

What do you think??

Petition for Cats in the Workplace

2012-01-16T23:06:00.004-05:00

So you know my first blog post of 2012 had to include my favorite thing…cat pictures!!

And while I haven’t quite solidified my list of New Year’s resolutions, it appears (from the pictures below) that Wylie and Sami have resolved to “play nicer” this year.

The first time I caught Sami crawling into Wylie’s bed, I thought it wouldn’t last 5 seconds…but surprisingly it did! And then it happened a few more times over the next couple weeks!

They are so adorable and I loved getting to spend so much time with them over the holidays.

I hope your holidays were equally wonderful and your new year is off to a fabulous (and fuzzy) start!!

Sami even looks a tad surprised at being in Wylie’s bed!

So sweet, side by side!

Silly Sami literally laid on Wylie to squeeze in the second time!

My two peas in a pod!

Happy Holidays!!!

2011-12-24T17:45:00.003-05:00

Even though Sami and Wylie are content playing with paper balls and empty boxes, I couldn’t resist getting them a Christmas present.

And once I bought it, I couldn’t resist giving it to them early!

It is an adorable knit octopus-on-a-rope from Target and not only do I love the look of it, but the cats love playing with it!

And I think we’ll be playing with it quite a lot during the holiday break since I’ll be at home with them for almost two weeks – yay!!

So until I sign back in next year, I wish you and yours the happiest of holidays and a wonderful New Year!!

Wylie

Sami

Three Hundred is a BIG Number!

2011-12-23T18:55:00.002-05:00

Holy cow, this is my 300th blog post!

I was definitely surprised when I found out because I haven’t been doing that much writing these days.

And while I don’t feel guilty about that, because I’ve wanted to focus more time on myself, I do feel guilty about the fact that I haven’t been in better touch with all of my blogging friends. I miss checking in and reading about what you’re up to and I feel badly that somehow I’ve let you down by my lack of comments.

My hope is to do better in the New Year and to come up with a more balanced approach to this thing we call life (blogging included). I’m not sure if one really exists but I intend to do my best!

In the meantime, please know that I think of you all often and am grateful for your place in my life.

Local Tourist: Arlington National Cemetery

2011-12-22T19:23:00.006-05:00

Have you ever noticed that you never really explore your city until you have family or friends come to visit?

That used to happen to me all the time, but no longer! One of my resolutions for the New Year is to do more tourist adventures in and around DC, but I decided to start early with a spontaneous trip to the Arlington National Cemetery!

While it was a chilly day and the trees were bare, I still found the cemetery absolutely beautiful. It is a gorgeous, meticulously cared for and peaceful shrine to those buried there and I was really touched by my visit.

These pictures won’t do it justice, so if you ever find yourself in DC please take the time to go and visit in person!

Sign or no sign, you definitely feel that you are on hallowed grounds when you enter the cemetery

90,000 holiday wreaths had been spread throughout the cemetery by volunteers only two days prior to our visit…it was absolutely gorgeous!

I was surprised by how grand and beautiful some of the monuments were!

JFK’s famous quote overlooks the cemetery next to his gravesite

President J.F. Kennedy’s gravesite

JFK’s grave and eternal flame

The Memorial Amphitheater

The interior actually made me feel as if I was in Rome

Miguel with his trusty camera!

The famous Tomb of the Unknowns is guarded 24/7 each and every day

The changing of the guards is an honor to witness

Petition for Cats in the Workplace

2011-12-19T22:46:00.003-05:00

Guess what?

Christmas is less than a week away!!

I love this time of the holiday season…the countdown to Christmas Day, the anticipation of Christmas Eve, the last minute rush of shopping and all of the beautiful lights and decorations!

And in honor of my favorite time of year, I decided a few festive animal photos were in order!

Wylie – who was such a good sport!

Sami – who loves the Christmas lights almost as much as her mama!

Watson – a most forgiving and (fortunately) sleepy pup!

A Rave Review for Bill Bryson - Author Extraordinaire

2011-12-15T23:54:00.003-05:00

The next selection for our book club is Bill Bryson’s “I’m a Stranger Here Myself” and I can’t wait to read it!

I’ve heard adoring reviews of his writing for years but have never picked up any of his books, not even his bestselling “A Walk in the Woods” which my sister raved about.

But because I hate to read things out of order, I’ve decided to start with his book “Notes from a Small Island” which is a sort of love letter to the UK where he lived for +20 years and started a family.

He writes it because he’s preparing to move back to the U.S. where he subsequently writes, “I’m a Stranger Here Myself”, which discusses the many American traditions which suddenly appear so quirky after being away for 2 decades.

While it may seem a bit premature to write a book review when I’ve only read 45 pages…I can’t help it because it is that fabulous and hilarious! He’s definitely got a great sense of humor and I’ve caught myself laughing aloud at times because of how great his writing is.

Below is a brief excerpt from “Notes from a Small Island” which neatly summarizes the book and his (hilarious) reasoning for returning to the States:

“I had come to Calais because I was about to embark on a grand tour of Britain and wanted to reenter the country as I had first seen it, from the sea. After nearly twenty years in England, my wife and I had taken the decision to move back to America for a while, to give the children the chance of experiencing life in another country and my wife the chance to shop until 10 P.M. seven nights a week. I had recently read that 3.7 million Americans, according to a Gallup poll, believed that they had been abducted by aliens at one time or another, so it was clear that my people needed me. But I had insisted on having one last look at Britain – a kind of valedictory tour around the green and kindly island that had for two decades been my home.”

So if you’re looking for a holiday gift for one of your favorite readers, or you’re looking for books to read during your holiday break – I highly recommend checking out Bill Bryson!

Petition for Cats in the Workplace

2011-12-12T22:08:00.004-05:00

This past weekend was hectic – with two holiday parties a hundred miles apart, a trek to get our Christmas tree, a trip to the Arlington National Cemetery in 40-degree weather…oh and taking a lot of medicine to get over a nasty head cold.

So thank goodness I had the foresight to take today off from work! Even after sleeping for 12 hours last night, I still required a nap this evening. Fortunately, the fuzzies are always ready for a quick catnap so they joined me on the couch!

And how was your weekend?

Wylie

Sami

25 Holiday Songs…With a Twist!

2011-12-11T22:10:00.003-05:00

As soon as Thanksgiving was over, I handed my iPod over to Miguel so he could load it up with my favorite holiday songs!

And while he was at it, I asked him to put together a list of HIS favorite holiday music to share with all of you!

1) “All I want for Christmas is you” by Mariah Carey - Merry Christmas album

2) “All my bells are ringing” by Lenka - The Hotel Café Presents Winter Songs album

3) “Auld Lang Syne” by Salsa Celtica - El Agua de la Vida album

4) “Baby, It's Cold Outside (Mulato Beat Remix)” by Louis Armstrong - Christmas Remixed album

5) “Candy Cane Christmas” by Darius Rucker - Candy Cane Christmas album

6) “Carol of the Bells” by Celtic Woman - A Christmas Celebration album

7) “Christmas in Hollis” by Run-D.M.C. - Run-D.M.C. Greatest Hits album

8) “Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You)” by Nat "King" Cole - The Christmas Song album

9) “The Christmas Waltz” by She & Him - A Very She & Him Christmas album

10) “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy (Red Baron Remix)” by the Berlin Symphony Orchestra - Holiday Lounge - The Christmas Remixes album

11) “Deck the Halls” by Cuba L.A. - Latino Christmas album

12) “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Diana Krall - Christmas Songs album

13) “I'll Be Home for Christmas” by Katharine McPhee - unbroken album

14) “It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” by Michael Bublé - Christmas album

15) “Mis Deseos/Feliz Navidad” by Michael Bublé duet with Thalia - Christmas album

16) “Mistletoe” by Colbie Caillat – Mistletoe album

17) “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Brian McKnight - The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year album

18) “My Favorite Things” by Tony Bennett - Snowfall - The Tony Bennett Christmas Album album

19) “My Only Wish” by Jessica Simpson - Happy Christmas album

20) “Santa Baby” by Madonna - A Very Special Christmas, Vol. 1 album

21) “Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town” by Bruce Springsteen - Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town album

22) “We Three Kings” by Pink Martini - Joy to the World album

23) “What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? (Mangini vs. Pallin Remix)” by Ella Fitzgerald & Frank Devol Orchestra - Verve Remixed Christmas album

24) “White Wonderland” by Bing Crosby - Bing Crosby's Christmas Classics album

25) “'Zat You, Santa Claus? (The Heavy Remix feat. The Commanders)” by Louis Armstrong - Verve Remixed Christmas album

A Time-Lapse Voyage Into Outer Space

2011-12-07T20:25:00.002-05:00

Miguel showed me this video recently and I can’t get it out of my head!

It’s a time-lapse video of photographs taken by the crew aboard the International Space Station and it’s absolutely mesmerizing!

The clouds, the lights shining through from Earth…the whole thing is awe-inspiring and it really makes you realize how united we all are, no matter what continent we’re on.

I hope you enjoy!

Earth | Time Lapse View from Space, Fly Over | NASA, ISS from Michael König on Vimeo.

Petition for Cats in the Workplace

2011-12-05T23:20:00.003-05:00

I’ve seen a couple of articles touting the health benefits of owning pets and I completely buy in!

Not only do they bring peace of mind and happiness when you otherwise feel stressed, but they also seem to know when you’re not feeling well and become extra attentive.

This past weekend, Miguel stayed home sick while I went to visit college friends with my sister.

I couldn’t break my previous plans, but knew that Wylie and Sami would take good care of him while I was away. And they did! He spent most of Saturday in bed and they spent the entire time sleeping by his side…in their respective spots of course.

I know their sweet energy gave him the extra boost he needed to start feeling better…what good fuzzy nurses they are!

Wylie

Sami

A Music Video Inspired by Jellybeans!

2011-11-29T23:42:00.003-05:00

Kina Grannis is a singer/songwriter with a gorgeous voice. Greg Jardin is a film director who had an idea for a completely handmade and innovative music video for her song “In Your Arms”.

Inspired by jellybean art, the music video is comprised of 2,300 individual frames that were created out of 288,000 jellybeans, which were then compiled to create a stop-motion video.

It is UNBELIEVABLE!

It took over a year to shoot the entire piece and the work involved is awe-inspiring! I cannot believe the time, energy, commitment and passion involved in spending almost 2 years to create 3 minutes and 25 seconds of video.

Check out the final music video below to see the amazing end result and check out the behind-the-scenes video to learn more about the entire process – it is fascinating!

I LOVE it when people think outside the box!!

Petition for Cats in the Workplace

2011-11-28T22:49:00.005-05:00

It’s been a few weeks since my sister adopted her kitten, but the little dude finally has a name – Andy!

It came to me on Thanksgiving Day, which was lucky because everybody was teasing my sister about her kitten not having a name, ha!

Aside from having the pleasure of naming the fuzzy, I’m also excited because it honors our grandfather, whose name was Andrew.

I think it fits him perfectly…what do you think?!!

I think he looks like a lil bear in this one!

Awww this one just tugs at my heartstrings!

Another one that reminds me of Sami!

What a silly boy!

I could wake up to that face every morning…

and nap with this one every afternoon!

Purina Loves Pet Adoption!

2011-11-27T23:02:00.002-05:00

One of my favorite parts of Thanksgiving is watching The National Dog Show after the Macy’s Day Parade!

I love watching all of the different breeds and imagining all of my favorites running amok in my future house!

Since the dog show was presented by Purina, there were a ton of adorable pet food commercials during each break…but there was one in particular that caught my eye.

The commercial was promoting the Petcentric by Purina page on Facebook and encouraging viewers to “like” the page in return for a $1 donation to Adopt-a-Pet.com!

Well, enough said! Within a few minutes I had signed in, liked their page and then got Miguel to do the same!

I hope you will also take a few minutes to do the same and increase Purina’s donations to Adopt-a-Pet.com because every little bit helps!

I’m Thankful for Arts & Crafts

2011-11-24T14:04:00.003-05:00

I love hosting Thanksgiving dinner because I love having people over to my apartment. I also love to clean and have a special occasion to decorate and do some arts and crafts!

I don’t normally go crazy with making centerpieces and specialized holiday decorations, but this year I wanted to do something a little special for the dining table.

After some web surfing for inspiration and a trip to Whole Foods for flowers, Michaels for votive candles and Paper Source for fabric tape, I was ready to make a custom holiday centerpiece…and I love how it came out!

Below are the super easy instructions for how I made my custom votive candles! After a first attempt with some textured ribbon that didn’t want to stick to the glass votives, I discovered such a thing as fabric tape and am in love!

And the best part? You don’t need a separate adhesive – genius!

What You Need:
X-Acto knife
Votive candles
Fabric tape (or any kind of decorative tape)

My choice of festive red stripe fabric tape came from the Paper Source

The entire crafting process consists of three steps: 1) peel the backing from the tape and lay in vertical rows along the candle

2) start the tape under the bottom of the candle for a cleaner look and 3) trim the tape with the X-Acto knife when you reach the top of the votive

And voila – you’ll be done in no time!

Candle close-up

Finished candles surrounding a beautiful bouquet from Whole Foods

In addition to crafting, I am also thankful today for my healthy and happy family, friends and sweet fuzzies.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends across blog-land! I hope your day is filled with lots of love and lots and lots of turkey!

Petition for Cats in the Workplace

2011-11-21T21:11:00.004-05:00

The leaves are off the trees, it’s getting colder every day and our neighbors across the courtyard have their Christmas lights up on their balcony.

So it is definitely starting to feel like the holiday season now…which is good, because Thanksgiving is only a few days away!

It also puts me in the cleaning mood, which is good because Miguel and I are hosting Thanksgiving dinner again this year!

Fortunately, I am off from work this week so I have plenty of time to get the apartment in order...and perhaps sneak in a few naps with my favorite cats!

Wylie

Sami

A Wedding Gift Made With Love

2011-11-18T23:11:00.003-05:00

I’m a great gift giver with my family, but when it comes to wedding gifts I usually just get something off the registry...and I always wish I had done better!

So I decided to finally take some extra time and handcraft something for my good friend who is getting married tomorrow. He survived a bout of cancer at age 30 and his outlook on life has always been inspiring to me.

So I decided to gift him one of my Live Love Life Now paper art pieces. But to make it more unique and special to the couple, I used maps of their hometowns. I love how it came out and I hope that they love it too!

What’s the most unique wedding gift you’ve ever given?

The groom

The bride

The final product!

Steve Jobs: The Lost Interview

2011-11-17T22:29:00.002-05:00

Last night, Miguel and I went back downtown to our new, favorite movie theater to see a special showing of the 1995 lost interview with Steve Jobs...recently discovered on VHS after 16 years!

The interview in its entirety is being aired in special screenings across the country by Landmark Theaters, but I can’t wait to get my hands on a permanent copy because it was wonderful!

Steve Jobs was charismatic, witty and visionary. It was fascinating to learn about his pioneering days with Steve Wozniak and how a tour at Xerox influenced later Apple products.

The closing question asked him what he foresaw for the future of technology (which was interesting from the perspective of knowing what actually happened during the following sixteen years) and his remarks on what the Internet would do almost gave me the chills.

Steve Jobs was a genius who truly sought to make great and innovative products for the consumer. He said that the “way that we're gonna ratchet up our species is to take the best and to spread it around to everybody so that everybody grows up with better things."

And I think we can all agree that he certainly accomplished that – with his inventions of the iMac, iPod, iPhone and iPad!

If you’re a fan of Apple, Steve Jobs and/or inspiring people, this is a must see!

Petition for Cats in the Workplace

2011-11-14T22:35:00.004-05:00

The ninth episode of “The Sami & Wylie Show” features a meet-and-greet between Wylie and my sister’s new kitten – Sushi!!

And it is ridiculously CUTE!

The Sami & Wylie Show: episode 9 from Jenn on Vimeo.

(featuring “A-Punk” by Vampire Weekend)

“Being Elmo” – The Sweetest Documentary You’ll Ever See

2011-11-11T23:11:00.003-05:00

A few months ago, Miguel showed me a trailer for the documentary Being Elmo and I fell in love. Tonight, the film finally came to DC and we were among the first to see it!

It was everything I could have hoped for and more!! Well except that I wish it had been longer than its 85 minutes…because I didn’t want it to end!

The documentary chronicles the journey of Kevin Clash, the puppeteer behind Elmo, and how he never let anyone dissuade him from his dreams to work with Jim Henson.

Before Kevin, Elmo sounded like a caveman and was not a fixture on Sesame Street. But in Kevin’s hands, he became the loveable Elmo that every child in the world fell in love with. He is the voice and soul behind Elmo and they personify each other in a very magical and beautiful way.

It’s hard to describe how much this movie touched me, so go and see it for yourself…and then let me know what you think!!

P.S. Happy 11-11-11 @ 11:11pm!

Anthropologie Wish List!

2011-11-09T23:19:00.006-05:00

Sometimes a catalog makes all the difference when you’re sorting through an otherwise boring pile of mail and bills…and today that catalog was from Anthropologie and I saved it for last!

Aside from the gorgeous model shots in Peru, my favorite thing about the catalog was checking out all the new and unique accessories.

Here are just a few of the pieces I’m going to add to my holiday wish list…and with any luck I may find one of them under the tree next month!

What’s on your holiday wish list??

One-of-a-Kind gramaphones transformed into iPod speakers!!

Whimsical leather armadillo carafes!

Adorable papier-mache Sea Story ornaments

Beautiful and colorful gloves

Gorgeous necklaces - I want them all!!

Petition for Cats in the Workplace

2011-11-07T22:27:00.005-05:00

I have awesome news for a Monday – my sister adopted a kitten!!!

And it got even better when my sister went on a business trip last Thursday and asked me to kitten-sit for the long weekend!

His foster name is Sushi and his adopted name has yet to be decided, but Miguel and I have come up with a lot of great choices…like Wilbert, Sharkey (because of the biting), Panda Bear, Salmon Roll and Bob “the cat”.

The little guy is crazy adorable and brings back so many memories of when Wylie and Sami were that tiny. They finally started warming up to him last night and I think may actually miss him tomorrow when Melissa takes him home…well maybe for 5 minutes anyway – ha! I’ll miss him and his antics a lot longer than that, but at least he’ll be just a walk away!

So without further ado, meet Sushi!!

It’s crazy how much he looks like Sami sometimes!

See what I mean?!

When kittens nap, they nap hard – too cute!

Photo Album: NYC Shopping - Part Three

2011-11-02T22:24:00.006-04:00

Finally...here it is, a post dedicated to all the great finds from my NYC shopping trip!

Looking at all of these photos makes me want to do some more thrifting stat, ha!

a) Citra Sipper from KIOSK (when it works, it’s like drinking fresh squeezed orange juice straight from the orange!) b/c) Sweet prop from Film Biz Prop Shop d) Beautiful note cards from Papel e/f) Promotional tape measurer from my hometown found at Yesterday’s News

g/h/i) Details of a gorgeous 1933 vintage map found at the Hells Kitchen Flea Market j) Blue metal box from KIOSK k/l) Early 1900’s counter (notice lever on right side) found at the Hells Kitchen Flea Market

m/n) Vintage road map book found at the Film Biz Prop Shop and perfect for upcoming paper art! o) Pens from MUJI p/q/r) Vintage calipers, keys and miniature pulleys found at the Hells Kitchen Flea Market

Petition for Cats in the Workplace

2011-10-31T21:36:00.003-04:00

In honor of Halloween, I wanted to share a few pictures of my favorite trick-or-treater (and bulldog) Watson!

Happy Halloween!!!

The ‘great pumpkin’

A rare shot of Mr. Watson standing still

A water break is much needed after eating all those treats!

Not a Fan of Roller Coasters

2011-10-25T22:49:00.005-04:00

You know why nobody ever said that starting a business was easy? Because it’s not.

While the things on my To Do list aren’t necessarily hard on their own, it can be overwhelming to think about everything that needs to be done.

But the unknown is the hardest bit to get over. I mean it wouldn’t be as difficult if I knew that at the end of my To Do list I would have a successful and sustainable business.

But not knowing what is ahead can be unnerving…and lately it’s been keeping me on an emotional roller coaster.

And I think it’s the unknown piece that often keeps people from continuing on because you never know when all the sacrifice and risk will finally pay off.

But every successful person I’ve ever read about or listened to have one thing in common…and that is that they never gave up.

So when things get tough, I keep that in mind and commit to continuing on! It’s difficult to do sometimes but my secret weapon is my amazing family who carry me forward with their words of support and encouragement.

And because one of my goals for Live Love Life Now™ is to create an interactive community of people who support and encourage one another in pursuing their dreams, I’m asking all of you to share a similar story.

So, what are the doubts or worries that sometimes try to get in the way of your dreams? And what tricks help you to stay positive and focused?!

Petition for Cats in the Workplace

2011-10-24T22:46:00.004-04:00

Every morning is a battle against the alarm clock. Sometimes the snooze button wins, but on most Monday mornings I am able to will myself out of bed by the time my second (yes, second) alarm clock goes off.

And I am always rewarded for the effort by two sweet fuzzy faces greeting me as I open the bedroom door. As they race around and meow at me to feed them faster, I get a big smile on my face and it makes the morning that much brighter!

Another thing that puts a smile on my face? Finding Wylie and Sami napping face down – they are such silly cats!

Drowsy Wylie

Sleepy Sami

Photo Album: NYC Shopping - Part Two

2011-10-23T21:10:00.010-04:00

It was really hard to cut down the list of photos I wanted to share, but somehow I did! Of course, these only show where I went…a future photo album will actually highlight all of the goodies I found in these stores!!

Oh and a special thank you goes out to Homestilo!!! The fabulous design blog gave me the scoop on some of these amazing vintage stores in Brooklyn.

a) Yesterday’s News* was awesome! b) I fell in love with a cool vintage IBM wall clock at Brownstone Treasures* c) Papel in Brooklyn was so colorful and pretty d) Tacos California was an amazing find for a quick bite e) Close-up from a gorgeous typewriter (definitely a future vintage collection!) f) Gorgeous globes in a window display (I found the small one on Etsy!)

g) Gorgeous typography on a building in Brooklyn h) Sweet street art in Brooklyn i) Amazing Film Biz Prop Shop* j) Awesome neon sign at a drycleaner k) Inspiring wall poster in NYC l) Interior of the City Foundry shop which had incredible pieces but at unfortunately ridiculous prices…boo

m) The famous Hells Kitchen Flea Market in NYC n) Rickshaw Dumplings food truck o) Box of vintage printing blocks p) Jewelry shopping q) One of my favorite pictures EVER…courtesy of the amazing Miguel! r) You know I had to return the favor and take a matching portrait of Miguel…love these!!

*Discovered thanks to Homestilo!

Photo Album: NYC Shopping - Part One

2011-10-21T22:41:00.013-04:00

Below are a few pictures from my shopping excursion to Brooklyn and NYC a few weeks ago!

a) Hotel Le Bleu in Brooklyn b) The hotel gave us FREE snacks upon arrival – can you believe it? c) Random tire shop in Brooklyn – I love the piles of black tires against the blue storefront d) Water sampling station – love the typography e) Botanica garden shop f) Dekalb Market is housed in a collection of salvaged shipping containers

g) We walked all the way from the hotel to the Brooklyn Bridge…and over! h) Almost missed this shadow photo op i) Love this pic! j) Heading across the Brooklyn Bridge! k) Mig shooting from one bridge to another l) Literally walking the bridge…in my Toms!

m) Architectural shot of the Brooklyn Bridge n) A random collection of locks on the bridge o) Kiosk store in Soho p) Pens galore at the Muji store in Soho q) “But how else am I going to take all these sweet pictures?” r) View of Brooklyn

Byrd & Belle – Laptop Cases Handmade With Love

2011-10-19T22:41:00.005-04:00

I’ve had my eye on the beautiful handmade felt and leather laptop cases over at Byrd & Belle for a few years now. But since I almost never traveled with my laptop, they always stayed on my wish list.

But now with so much work to do for Live Love Life Now™, I’ve found myself taking my laptop with me more often…which gave me the perfect opportunity to splurge on myself!

So a couple weeks ago, I went to the Byrd & Belle website and finally ordered my very own “Gray Wool Felt and Brown Leather” MacBook sleeve! After a short wait, it was finally in my hands and I couldn’t be happier!

It is beautifully crafted by Angie Davis and is just as gorgeous as I had anticipated. I think all accessories offer the opportunity to show off a bit of your style and I think this one is a perfect fit!

I love having something unique and the fact that I was also able to support another small business made it a definite win-win!

Click here to check out all of the cases that Angie Davis hand makes with love in her Minneapolis studio.

Petition for Cats in the Workplace

2011-10-17T20:29:00.004-04:00

Last week Ellen DeGeneres (my favorite talk show host/animal lover/philanthropist) hosted her second annual Cat Week during her daily show.

And yes, I was excited!

So in my attempt to prolong Cat Week, I’m posting her video picks from Tuesday…one of which features an enormous Mastiff and the tiniest Chihuahua puppy.

Aren’t animals the greatest entertainment??

If you want to see more, check out her videos from Wednesday and Thursday too!

video platform video management video solutions video player
Courtesy of The Ellen DeGeneres Show & Warner Bros.

My New Collection Obsession: Vintage Globes

2011-10-16T21:36:00.004-04:00

While thrift shopping in NY, I came across the most amazing vintage tin globe. Unfortunately, it was extremely overpriced so I had to leave it sitting in the window!

But not to be deterred, I spent part of the drive home searching the Internet for another one in my price range – and I found it over at Vintage Cals on Etsy!

This amazing shop only sells vintage globes and I had to exhibit much restraint to only buy one! But I am beyond ecstatic with my choice – a beautiful 1934 Tin Globe being held up by Atlas.

It’s even cooler in person and adds just the right amount of color to my vintage camera collection!!

New Etsy Store Items: ONE-OF-A-KIND Paper Art

2011-10-12T22:06:00.006-04:00

After a very positive response to the vintage postcard paper art in my Etsy store, I have added more pieces to the shop!

Each one is lovingly hand-cut from selected vintage postcards that I found in local thrift stores and 10% of all profits received will be given to my favorite animal sanctuary, Rikki’s Refuge.

I hope you’ll take a few minutes to check them out and let me know what you think! And please feel free to forward the links to anyone you know that might be interested!

Live Love Life Now is on ETSY!
www.etsy.com/shop/LiveLoveLifeNow

See more pictures on Etsy!

See more details on this piece in my Etsy shop!

Petition for Cats in the Workplace

2011-10-10T21:31:00.004-04:00

After a long weekend of vintage shopping in NYC, I couldn’t wait to relax!

Fortunately, I took today off from work and was able to catch up on the sleep I didn’t get for the last few nights. It felt so nice to be home with Wylie and Sami and I think they felt the same way because they stayed by my side the entire day.

While taking a cat nap in bed…

…and while enjoying the gorgeously warm weather on the balcony.

It feels good to be home!

Steve Jobs: The Entrepreneur Who Changed the World

2011-10-05T23:09:00.004-04:00

Image courtesy of Apple

Steve Jobs founded Apple in his family’s garage at age 21. For all the success he must have dreamed of back then, there is no way that he could have imagined how his vision would change how the world operates and communicates.

My first personal computer was a tiny Macintosh and between Miguel and I, we have no fewer than 11 Apple products in our home. Many have been upgraded but we still can’t part with the old laptops and iPods because Apple creates amazing and beautiful technology.

Steve Jobs is an inspiration for all entrepreneurs and dreamers.

Jean Beliveau: A True World Traveller

2011-10-04T23:56:00.004-04:00

Today I came across an article about Jean Beliveau, a Canadian man who has spent the last 11 years walking uninterrupted around the world on a mission to “promote peace and non-violence for young children”.

The walk began in 2000 after Jean’s business was lost to bankruptcy and he left Montreal to escape looming depression. Not long after though, he decided to combine his travels with a mission to promote peace, which gave him a sense of purpose that he had been missing.

His story is absolutely incredible and the idea of walking 47,000 miles over the course of 11 years is inconceivable to me!

But it certainly proves that everything starts with that first step. And like any challenge or goal in your own life, you can’t focus and dwell on the big picture all the time because it’s easy to become overwhelmed. The idea is to focus on what you can accomplish each day and that every step counts – literally in this case!

His is an impressive story of what you can accomplish if you just take that first step and persevere. While he came close to giving up a few times when things got tough, he had the support necessary to continue on and stay motivated.

And while my story is completely different, I know exactly how that feels. I’ve felt overwhelmed lately with all that I want to achieve…and therefore with how much needs to get done…but I have Miguel, my rock, to bring me back down to earth and help me focus on what I can do NOW.

And for now, I can write this post which hopefully will inspire you to take that first step of many…or to continue walking down your path!

Petition for Cats in the Workplace

2011-10-03T22:40:00.004-04:00

Over the weekend, I added a new cat member to the household!

His name is Space Cat and I had to have him as soon as I saw him during the annual Crafty Bastards Arts & Crafts Fair on Saturday! Isn’t he just the sweetest?

I mean just look at those eyes…how could I resist??

Space Cat is the brainchild of artist Jason Thomas and the handiwork of the cooperative Red Rocket Farm based in East Atlanta, Georgia.

I love Jason's whimsical and cartoony style and was tempted to buy some of his robot pieces as well...but with little white walls left in the apartment, I resigned myself to just this one special piece!

And now Space Cat resides on my wall as one of my most favorite pieces of art - always at the ready to make me smile!

Crafting Business Cards

2011-09-29T23:42:00.004-04:00

In anticipation of some possible networking this weekend, I realized I needed to acquire some business cards asap!

And then during one of my frequent trips to the copy room at work, I had a brainstorm about upcycling used file folders into business cards…and voila, I now have 60 cards ready to hand out on a moment’s whim - for FREE!

(Pre)Book Review: “Start Something That Matters”

2011-09-28T23:41:00.004-04:00

Last week my sister gave me the book “Start Something That Matters” as a congratulatory gift for launching my Etsy store!

It couldn’t have been a more thoughtful or appropriate gift (thank you Melissa!) because it was written by one of my philanthropy heroes – Blake Mycoskie, founder of TOMS Shoes.

I’ve only gotten through one chapter, but I can already tell it’s going to be one of my favorite reads. It’s both empowering and motivating and makes me want to work double time to get Live Love Life Now™ to a similar place of giving.

Unfortunately, I haven’t come up with my own “One for One” giving idea but that has become a new goal of mine for the future! And aside from being an absolute philanthropic genius, the thing I like best about Blake is that he has made “giving” cool and brought it mainstream…creating “thousands of customer-philanthropists along the way”!

Petition for Cats in the Workplace

2011-09-26T22:10:00.004-04:00

I enjoyed a low-key weekend in preparation for a crazy week at work, but there was one reason why I was looking forward to today.

And that’s because Mondays mean cute pictures of the fuzzies!

Seriously, how can two cats be this photogenic??!

Wylie “big mitts”

Sami “cupcakes”

You Never Forget Your First...Sale!

2011-09-21T22:40:00.003-04:00

Can you imagine my surprise when I checked my Etsy account yesterday and discovered that someone had purchased one of my Letterpress Prints?!

I was in shock…I couldn’t stop smiling for five whole minutes!!

Upon investigation, I discovered that Sacha from Through the Orange Door had purchased the print AND posted a very sweet write-up on her blog!

The fact that someone had connected with my message and liked the design enough to purchase the print made my DAY. And that vote of confidence and validation gave me a boost of adrenalin last night that kept me up to 2am…which did not seem like such a good idea this morning when my alarm went off, ha!

At this very moment I am putting the final touches on the package and will be shipping it “across the pond” (as my mother would say) tomorrow morning. I can’t wait to hear that it got there safe and sound!!

The Etsy Shop is OPEN FOR BUSINESS!

2011-09-19T23:58:00.002-04:00

Yup, it’s official.

My Etsy shop is finally open!!

I am so unbelievably excited and proud at this moment (and just a wee bit nervous). I’ve dreamed about taking this next step for sometime now and I can’t believe it’s actually here!

And it’s great timing because I want to leave my job…like yesterday…and this Etsy shop is the first place where I can start showcasing and testing my business ideas.

And it means I am just that much closer to finally start giving back because 10% of each and every sale on Etsy will be donated to Rikki’s Refuge – an amazing animal shelter who rescued my precious Wylie and Sami and a lot of other deserving animals.

For years I’ve wanted to make a difference (especially in the lives of animals in need) and I am beyond excited for the chance to finally start doing that! And it’s only the beginning because philanthropy is one of the cornerstones of Live Love Life Now™ and I have lots of ideas for how to keep giving and giving…and getting others involved too!

I’m starting out slow with just a few products but I plan to get back into production mode soon and I can’t wait to start designing again!

Also, many thanks go out to you, my most faithful supporters and encouragers! Your amazing and motivating comments have meant so much to me and I hope to do you proud!

So without rambling on any further, please go check out the shop and let me know what you think! And I would be ever so appreciative if you helped me spread the word around the blog-osphere!

Pretty please…with a cherry on top?! xo

Quite Possibly the Coolest iPhone Case EVER

2011-09-15T23:43:00.003-04:00

I have yet to meet an Apple store that I didn’t like. Which means that I have to go into every one that I see…even though I’m usually not in the market to buy anything.

Or so I thought.

You see, I recently hit up one of our local Apple stores and instantly fell IN LOVE with an Uncommon iPhone4 case by GAMAGO featuring the most amazing Yeti.

I love it SOO much – it just makes me happy looking at it! The shiny case, the vibrant colors, the awesome graphics…what’s not to love?

Don’t you love when the small things make you feel good?!

FOUR days and counting!

Sneak Peek Into My Etsy Store!

2011-09-14T23:24:00.006-04:00

Due to a slew of last minute details, I’ve decided to wait to launch my Etsy store until this weekend.

But since it’s so hard to keep everything under wraps these days, I couldn’t resist sharing a little sneak peek into what I’ve been working so hard on!

FIVE days and counting!

“Craft Inc.” – A Must Read for Crafty Entrepreneurs

2011-09-13T23:13:00.004-04:00

My sister recently loaned me the book “Craft Inc. – Turn Your Creative Hobby Into a Business” by Meg Mateo Ilasco…and I can’t put it down!

It literally covers all the questions that I have about starting a creative business and is helping me put the finishing touches on my Etsy store!

Meg turned a hobby of designing wedding invitations while in grad school into a full-fledged company that eventually was featured on NBC’s Today show…which makes her highly qualified to discuss all the ins and outs of starting a creative business.

But what I love is that she doesn’t rely on her experiences alone and includes interviews in each chapter with other crafty entrepreneurs (like Jonathan Adler and Lotta Jansdotter) who share their stories and tips.

Here’s a peek into the Table of Contents so you can see for yourself!

Chapter 1: Your Creative Mind
Chapter 2: Your Business Mind
Chapter 3: Your Personal Style and Your Products
Chapter 4: Production and Pricing Plans
Chapter 5: Marketing and Publicity Strategies
Chapter 6: Making Sales and Order Fulfillment
Chapter 7: Ups, Downs, and Next Steps

This book is definitely a must-read for all creative entrepreneurs and anybody else who is thinking of turning their crafty skills into more than just a hobby!

Petition for Cats in the Workplace

2011-09-12T22:55:00.005-04:00

As a birthday present to myself, I took off Monday and Tuesday from work to relax with the family and put the finishing touches on my Etsy store!

What do Wylie and Sami think? Well they're too busy playing with the boxes from my birthday gifts to notice – ha!

Wylie and Sami playing hide-and-seek

Birthday Fortune

2011-09-11T23:46:00.005-04:00

I was at Anthropologie doing last minute shopping for my twin sister’s birthday when I came across the ”Fortune-Telling Birthday Book” by Arliene B Clark.

So, of course I had to stop and read what our birthday fortune was:

And while, like normal, the fortune/horoscope for a Virgo birthday was a bit boring…it totally compliments and supports my entrepreneurial aspirations! So thank you Chronicle Books for all your faith and support, it is very much appreciated – ha!

But on a serious note, I am very proud of myself for where I am after 31 years but I am very excited to see what I accomplish in my 32nd year.

I think it’s going to be BIG!

Cute Kitten Fix!

2011-09-08T23:04:00.003-04:00

In case anyone is in withdrawal of adorable kitten videos, I have come to the rescue!

G4’s “Attack of the Show” held their annual American Kitten Warrior showdown over the summer – pitting Claw Hammer against Dr. Thaddeus J. Fluff-N-Stuff - and it was too freaking adorable not to share!

Skip to minute 1:35 to get right to the cute kitten action...you're welcome!

Video Games - E3 2012 - AOTS Exclusive

I’m All a-Twitter!

2011-09-06T23:46:00.004-04:00

Two BIG back-to-back announcements…can you believe it?

Well believe it, because I am FINALLY on Twitter!

I had resisted for many years but over the weekend I finally signed up!

And I’ve only tweeted once each day since, which means I’m not fully obsessed...yet. But I’m definitely over my hesitance about twitter-land and I think it’ll be a great place to fully display my wit and charm – ha!

I would love if we could follow each other so please look me up and shoot me your handle (is that what it’s called or did I just embarrass myself?) so I can follow you too!

I promise not to post (too many) annoying and insignificant tweets…so how about it??

A Logo is Born!

2011-09-01T23:17:00.007-04:00

Today is truly momentous because I am finally ready to reveal the official logo for Live Love Life Now™!

And I am especially proud of the fact that it was designed a 100% by me! After years of struggling on and off to design a logo, I had started to doubt if my graphic design skills were up to the challenge.

But when this design came into my head I knew instantly that it was it! And then when I saw it on the computer (thanks to Miguel’s mad Illustrator skills) I was even more ecstatic!

I think it’s perfect because it’s clean, modern, emphatic and the exclamation point will allow me to play around with different ‘pop’ colors…especially my favorite electric blue!

What do you think??!

I Must Confess, I Am Obsessed with Needlepoint!

2011-08-31T23:34:00.004-04:00

Yesterday, I received my first needlepoint kit in the mail from Amazon.

After taking some time to wrap my head around the “continental stitch”, I spent the next few hours working on my practice kit and becoming more and more obsessed!

This morning I woke up jonesing to continue, but had to wait until lunchtime to satisfy the itch. And while I’m not at all ashamed of my newest obsession, I did decide to work on my kit outside in my car…you know, for the fresh air, ha!

And I got right back to it as soon as I got home tonight, though I did force myself to stop long enough to write this post…but my fingers are already itching to get back to work!

I don’t know about you, but I LOVE working with my hands…I find it so peaceful and satisfying. And I’m looking forward to incorporating my new skill into future products for my soon-to-be-open Etsy store. But you’ll have to wait to see how I do it!

Have you ever tried your hand at needlepoint?

My first needlepoint kit!

Almost done!

Petition for Cats in the Workplace

2011-08-29T22:13:00.004-04:00

Inspired by recent viewings of American Ninja Warrior, Sami and Wylie were excited to hone their own ninja skills against the ultimate competitor – the GO-CAT Feather Toy!

P.S. Thanks again to Aunt Nicole for the bestest kitty gift ever!!

The Sami & Wylie Show: episode 8 from Jenn on Vimeo.

(featuring The Fray’s rendition of “Mahna Manha” off of the Muppets: The Green Album)

Batten Down the Hatches!

2011-08-26T23:55:00.006-04:00

Miguel and I have been watching the Weather Channel a little obsessively since it became apparent that Hurricane Irene would indeed be making landfall along the East Coast.

While we won’t be nearly as affected as those directly along the coast, we are still taking precautions by filling our bathtub with water, clearing off the balcony, purchasing extra flashlights…oh, and cleaning the apartment.

Huh?? Yes, I said cleaning.

I’ve been so busy working on projects lately that I haven’t been able to get my regular cleaning done and it’s been driving me crazy as the apartment has been getting more and more out of control.

So with the threat of possible power outages looming on Sunday, I plugged in the vacuum after work today and cleaned this place like I’ve never cleaned before.

Yes, that’s right. I even vacuumed the window blinds.

After five years, my bedroom blinds were covered with a thick dust layer from constant cat shedding and a ceiling fan that runs 24/7. So embarrassment aside, I am posting this picture as a warning that this too can happen to you.

Picture does not do it justice but you get the disgusting point - dirty on the left vs. sparkling clean on the right!

I mean, when is the last time you checked the underside of your blinds??

Exactly! So the next time you take out your vacuum, I encourage you to put on the dust brush and wreak havoc on those dust balls!

Now it’s time to hit the hay and rest up for tomorrow and more storm preparation. I mean the bathrooms aren’t going to clean themselves – ha!

Can You Ever Have Too Many Lamps?

2011-08-24T21:59:00.005-04:00

Have I ever mentioned that I’m a little obsessed with lamps?

Well it’s primarily because I hate the harsh glare of fluorescent lights, but I also love accessorizing my home with gorgeous lamps!

Which is probably why I have no less than 17 lamps in my 1,100 square foot apartment.

What?? I already said I was obsessed!

I even work by lamp light at work. As soon as I moved from a cubicle into an office of my own, I permanently cut off the overhead fluorescent lights and brought in 2 lamps.

It made an immediate difference and, aside from people occasionally teasing me about working in such a ‘dark’ space, I still get compliments on how nice my office feels.

What is your design obsession??

One of my favorite birthday presents EVER from my mom – a gorgeous red-corded lamp from CB2!

My newest lamp from Crate & Barrel – thanks to my sister’s keen eye!

The blue cording is what sold me …gooorgeous!

One of my bargain finds; I scored this lamp base on clearance at Urban Outfitters!

I moved this lamp to the top of the fridge when I brought home the new lamp and I love the added light in the kitchen!

This office lamp is actually the larger version of one I already had in my home and I love how it casts a glow over my menagerie of paper calendar animals!

Miguel and I made my second office lamp years ago after I couldn’t find a lamp I liked enough at a reasonable price! The base is actually a vase that I filled with acrylic pebbles in order to hide the cord. I’m pretty proud of it!

An Unexpected Day

2011-08-23T22:26:00.003-04:00

Today the nation’s capital experienced something pretty unexpected and rare in these parts…an earthquake!

At about 2pm this afternoon, a 5.8 magnitude earthquake originated in Mineral, Virginia about 90 miles from DC and where I work outside the city.

Originally hailing from California, I remember running earthquake drills in school but none of the quakes I ever experienced back then were that powerful and I was never truly scared – being either too young or naïve to understand what was going on in the first place.

But as an adult, I can readily admit that I was a bit shaken by the one today. Fortunately, we are blessed by the reports of minimal damage and no injuries.

But it makes me wonder if DC is really the weather bubble that I thought it was?! In the past 18 months, we’ve experienced a blizzard that dropped 40 inches of snow, a snowstorm that shut down the city, the hottest summer on record and now the second strongest earthquake in recorded history (for our area). Oh and Hurricane Irene is headed to the east coast this weekend!

So I don’t know about you, but it really makes me want to live life to the fullest…and kiss my kitties even more!

I hope everyone in blog-land is happy and safe tonight!

Petition for Cats in the Workplace

2011-08-22T18:08:00.008-04:00

One of my favorite moments from the weekend happened yesterday when I was working at the dining table with the balcony door open.

A lovely warm breeze was wafting through the door and I could see Wylie and Sami sunning themselves in the late afternoon sun.

It was such a beautiful moment.

I hope your weekend was just as lovely, relaxing and productive!

Wylie and Sami in their ‘duplex’

A Patron Saint You Don’t Want!

2011-08-18T22:42:00.008-04:00

Has anybody else also had an unusually large number of never-ending projects on their plate recently?

Man oh man, I do not knowwhat is in the air these past few weeks but it seems like a lot of seemingly simple tasks have spun out of control. You know the ones that should be resolved with an email or two…that then turn into 30 over the course of a few weeks?

Yup, that’s what I’ve been dealing with at work lately…which is why Google’s tribute doodle from today made me laugh:

Well not so much the doodle, but the fact that it was in honor of Pierre de Fermat, a famous mathematician of the 1600’s who is also known as “the patron saint of unfinished business” after stumping mathematicians for 358 years with an incomplete formula.

While I’m not working on anything quite so complicated, it has started to feel as if some of my tasks may take 358 years to complete!

Ironically, I saw the doodle while helping my mother sort through a printing project that had spun ridiculously out of control!

While she’s a big believer in patron saints (constantly invoking St. Anthony – patron saint of lost things), I don’t think she’ll be requesting Pierre’s help anytime soon.

Here’s to a Thursday filled with peaceful resolutions!

P.S. Ironically this post messed up my blog template yesterday after I posted it! Thank goodness for Google so I could figure out what the heck happened...phew!

Petition for Cats in the Workplace

2011-08-15T22:14:00.003-04:00

I can’t believe it’s already Monday again!

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend and enjoyed the same beautiful weather as we did – upper 70’s is absolutely heavenly in mid-August!

It was so seasonal in fact that I broke out Wylie’s favorite blanket on Sunday night to enjoy some quality time with the fuzzies…

Sami launches a cleaning attack on Wylie

…and then gets distracted

…which causes Wylie to reciprocate!

New Addition(s) to the Blog Community

2011-08-09T22:39:00.002-04:00

My dear friend Katie – who you may recall from this post – just launched her own blog last week called bks-rule!

And then she went and had a baby boy yesterday!

Sooo I’m not sure when she’ll be updating her blog next, but I have offered my assistance to help keep the ball rolling while she has her hands full with the new little one.

But from the looks of her inaugural post, it’s going to be a fun and witty blog and I hope you will show her the same love that you’ve so kindly bestowed on me!

Congratulations Katie on your newest addition(s)!!!

Petition for Cats in the Workplace

2011-08-08T22:00:00.004-04:00

Monday sure comes fast after a weekend, doesn’t it?

Especially when it’s such a lovely one filled with laps at the pool and games with friends!

And I also worked hard putting the final touches on another product for the Etsy store and I can’t wait to show you!! But alas, it’s not quite ready to be revealed…yet!

But what I can reveal are some more adorable pictures of my sweet fuzzy faces.

I hope your weekend was lovely and your week is even lovelier!

Wary Wylie

Sleepy Sami

Photo Album: Short Film Day Two

2011-08-04T23:31:00.006-04:00

Here are the photos from day number two!

One of the highlights for the cast and crew was getting to play with Rex, our film mascot and the friendliest butterfly on the planet. It seriously kept flying from one person to the next…though I noticed it spent way more time with Miguel and the other boys as opposed to the girls!

Photo Album: Short Film Day One

2011-08-03T21:45:00.006-04:00

Following is a photo collage of our first day shooting the short film! The highlights of the day included:

Filmmaking Is Not For Wimps!

2011-08-02T23:20:00.004-04:00

Even though I’ve helped out with Miguel’s documentary for the past three years, I'm still plenty naïve when it comes to filming actual movies.

Case in point: the first day of filming for the short film lasted fourteen hours. It was all exterior shots and did I mention the humidity made it feel like 115 degrees?

Yup, it was certainly one of the longer Saturdays of my life…to be sure!

The second day lasted nearly as long and was almost as hot but after you’ve been outside for a few hours you start to lose your sensitivity to the heat…though not that gross, sticky feeling that comes from the combination of bug spray, sweat and sunscreen.

Wow, I’m not painting a very pretty picture am I? Well let’s just say that I won’t be posting a lot of pictures of myself from that weekend – ha!

But all in all, it was an absolutely amazing experience with so many creative and wonderful people…and I’m truly grateful for the opportunity. I really proved to myself that I was up to the design challenge and everybody had such wonderful things to say about what I put together – it made me feel so great!

So while the weather didn’t cooperate exactly as we would have liked, it made the weekend that much more memorable! And while I joked that I may not help my friend out again with his future student films…now that I knew what was involved…I didn’t really mean it.

I’m definitely looking forward to the next challenge!

The movie slate…cool huh? And no, those aren’t their real names!

Petition for Cats in the Workplace

2011-08-01T22:15:00.004-04:00

It’s the first day of August and my first post in some time.

The road has been bumpy lately and I’m looking forward to starting this month fresh and finally getting back on track with the blog and Live Love Life Now®!

And I figured the best way to do that was with a few of my favorite photos of the fuzzies…because they always make me smile!

Funny Face Wylie

Silly Sami

Art Director? Who Me?!

2011-07-20T23:17:00.003-04:00

So I had every hope of getting back on track with my blog last week…and then I got a call Friday asking if I would take on the role of Art Director for a friend’s short film.

After initial hesitation, I said yes and jumped in full tilt! But did I mention the film was being shot just one week later?

Yup, not a lot of time for me to learn exactly what it means to be an Art Director and then do it...but so far it has been amazing!

You know how sometimes things come together so nicely that it just has to be destined? Well that’s how I’ve felt about this ride so far. I spent most of the weekend sourcing for props and calling friends to borrow their old school items …and everyone has been so accommodating and willing to loan everything I’ve needed (special thanks go to Nicole and her parents)!

Fortunately the script doesn’t call for a ton of props, but everything has come together really well and I’m so proud of myself for what I’ve managed to pull together in five short days!

If I hadn’t been on this journey to Live Love Life Now, I never would have accepted the responsibility because I would have been too intimidated and fearful. But I am so happy that I volunteered for the job because it has given me so much pride and confidence…and I can’t wait to start putting the set together!

We’ll be filming through the long (and very, very hot) weekend so I may be a little MIA yet again. But I will be checking in every so often and as soon as the film wraps early next week, I’m jumping full force back into the swing of things!

What's the last thing you did outside of your comfort zone?

Petition for Cats in the Workplace

2011-07-18T22:42:00.004-04:00

Sometimes Wylie and Sami surprise me with a little extra loving.

And I savor that time for all its worth...they are such sweethearts!

Wylie cuddling

Sami snuggling

Breaking Point EQUALS Starting Point

2011-07-14T23:55:00.003-04:00

Is it a red flag to spend the first ten minutes of your day looking up anxiety attack symptoms to see if they match what you’re going through?

Yeah? I thought so too, but unfortunately that’s how my day started.

For awhile now I’ve felt like I’m just barely keeping up with all of my responsibilities at work and with Live Love Life Now® and it’s made me feel a bit frenetic and on edge. And ironically, my frustrations at the office make me feel even more stressed about moving too slow with LLLN because that’s my ticket out.

So after a rough 24-hour period (highlighted by the fact that I started crying last night while brushing my teeth for no good reason…yikes!), I was very much anticipating my yoga class tonight because I needed a major dose of relaxation and calm.

But my “breaking point” came when the class was cancelled yet again without apology or notice (I will not bore you with all the details, but these persistent problems go back almost a year!) and I finally decided that I was going to stop the cycle and take control over my sanity by getting myself out of these high stress situations (i.e. my office and the gym).

So "THE PLAN" is to cancel my gym membership and work really hard on my Etsy store so I can accomplish my goal to leave my job by the end of the year.

Those are scary words to write but it’s also thrilling to finally make some decisions and put a deadline out there finally! It’s time that I again take back control over my life, my stress level, my happiness and turn my “breaking point” into the starting point of my life!

Have you ever experienced a breaking point that turned into the beautiful start of something else?

P.S. I apologize for being so absent on your blogs. It is yet another thing that has been weighing on my mind and stressing me out…but you all are always in my thoughts and I will be back soon!

Words to Live By

2011-07-12T23:40:00.002-04:00

The following values were engraved onto a plate that my stepmother gifted my father for their wedding anniversary last year:

Achieve happiness • Believe in humanity • Celebrate life • Discover the moment Embrace diversity • Find love • Give unconditionally • Have patience
Inspire others • Judge no one • Keep goals • Laugh often • Manage anger
Notice modesty • Offer understanding • Play for fun • Question everything
Realize dreams • Speak truth • Trust yourself • Understand differences
Visualize peace • Wake curiosity • XXXOOO • Yearn for progress
Zealously live life

She felt that the plate exemplified the way that my father chooses to live his life everyday and I couldn’t agree more! But I also think that they are values for everyone to aspire to embody.

For me, I aim to work on the “have patience” value…I seem to be lacking it more and more these days. Perhaps I’ll post this list somewhere visible so everyday I can be reminded of what to work on.

Which value would you put at the top of your priority list?

Petition for Cats in the Workplace

2011-07-11T21:15:00.002-04:00

I still haven’t decided whether I’m offended by the fact that my friends thought of me when they watched this…but seriously, who wouldn’t cry when picturing a basketful of bowtie-wearing cats?!!

Saving the Planet One Grungy Sock at a Time!

2011-07-07T22:58:00.006-04:00

I am a HUGE proponent of recycling, repurposing and donating in order to keep as much “stuff” as possible out of the landfills.

So when Miguel and I cleaned our closets recently and filled an entire garbage bag with clothes that were too worn for donation, I was adamant that they not go into the trash.

After much online sourcing, Miguel discovered that Goodwill runs a textile salvage operation where they bale and sell clothing that won’t sell in stores to salvage companies. This keeps the clothes out of landfills while also earning the organization revenue to support their training and placement programs for people with disabilities and disadvantages.

I was so excited by this discovery that I had to share it with all of you! You can find your local Goodwill location here and if you don’t have Goodwill in your area, check out Earth911.com for other organizations that can recycle your old clothes and belongings!

And please encourage others to do the same! We all need to work together to keep our “stuff” out of landfills and preserve our beautiful planet!

Boxed up and ready to go!

The Turning Point!

2011-07-05T22:46:00.002-04:00

About a month ago, Miguel and I had dinner with a local artist to talk about a collaboration idea for Live Love Life Now®.

We talked and brainstormed for hours and I left on such a high after receiving his amazing feedback and support.

But the incredible thing is that the feeling has yet to subside! That meeting was truly the turning point in my (entrepreneurial) life and ever since I have felt super motivated and driven to push my dreams into reality.

Since I initially started this blog in order to overcome the procrastination that was holding me hostage in my own life, I feel kind of strange writing that last statement...but in a really good way!

I still can’t believe that the laziness and procrastination hasn’t overcome me in the weeks since our meeting, but I truly just feel a constant push to move forward.

Alas, there are quite a few particulars to still work out…including the not-so-small detail of finalizing a logo...but every day I am getting that much closer!

Have you ever experienced a ‘turning point’ moment?

Petition for Cats in the Workplace

2011-07-04T16:24:00.003-04:00

While Wylie and Sami aren’t fans of the Fourth of July because of the loud fireworks, I think they enjoy having me home for the long, holiday weekend.

And you know how much I love to have a Monday off from work, ha!

So in honor of the extra day at home, I am posting two of my most favorite pictures of the fuzzies ever…courtesy of Miguel’s master photography skills!

Happy Independence Day!

Wylie

Sami

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

2011-07-01T23:29:00.010-04:00

Following is a photo collage tribute to my time at the beach! The highlights of the trip included:

John Hung Ha

Is It Friday Yet??

2011-06-29T22:25:00.001-04:00

This week has been so busy, I can’t believe it’s only Wednesday!

And admittedly, that hasn’t left me time to blog properly as I had anticipated…sigh.

But I did just make a list of great ideas for upcoming posts and hopefully I can get to at least one of them this week – cross my fingers, ha!

In the meantime, it is back to work for me! I’ve been making amazing progress with Live Love Life Now™ and am working furiously to get the Etsy store open soon.

I can’t wait to share it with all of you!!

Petition for Cats in the Workplace

2011-06-27T22:18:00.003-04:00

To be completely honest, my vacation was absolute loveliness but my first day back at work was really rough.

Fortunately, Wylie and Sami were there to greet me when I got home and instantly made me feel better!

So for anybody else out there who experienced a particularly tough Monday today…here’s something to brighten your day!

Wylie

Sami

Relaxation Here I Come!

2011-06-17T01:07:00.002-04:00

After weeks of counting down, we are finally packing for the beach!

While I won’t be away from home the entire time, I will be enjoying 10 glorious days away from the office in order to truly unwind after months of running to and fro.

I’ve also decided to take the week off from blogging in order to spend a lot of my free time focusing on Live Love Life Now™ and getting the Etsy store closer to its grand opening!

But not to worry…in no time at all my rejuvenated self will be back to posting those adorable cat pictures and videos we’ve all come to love!

Living Life All the Way to Portland, Oregon!

2011-06-14T23:24:00.008-04:00

After months of begging (semi-joking), my sister has finally agreed to guest blog about some of her recent adventures (sans moi)…and give me the night off from writing. Thanks Melissa and enjoy!

First off, hello! Jenn’s alluded to this mystery twin sister of hers before and here I am – I do exist!

Though many twins don’t necessarily have similar journeys in life, Jenn and I have often found this to be the case for us. On one hand it’s great because we can commiserate about life, but less great in that we can’t necessarily provide “been there, done that” advice! Jenn’s beautiful blog though, has been a source of inspiration and motivation for me as we both continue down our respective paths and I’m happy to share a little of my journey here as well.

Taking time to travel has been on my “important – must do” list for many years…as one of those items that gets routinely postponed for lack of money and planning! Fortunately, my job provides a small loophole in my procrastinating ways because it provides many opportunities for travel throughout the spring and fall. And if I’m particularly on my game, I’ll jump at the chance to tack on some personal time at the end of a conference…which is exactly how I came to FINALLY visit Portland, OR last month when work took me nearby to Palo Alto, CA.

Ah ha, victory! I’ve been pining to see this city for years and was fortunate that a friend of mine offered her services as my tour guides during my 3+ days there. Her company also happily included the company of her younger sister and their pup!

From the photos below you can see I had the loveliest weather while there! My friend calls it “move to Portland” weather as it tricks folks into thinking it is like that year round. And while the weather may not always be ‘this’ perfect, I can see why people fall in love with this city…I can’t wait for my next visit!

~Melissa

The largest independent used and new bookstore in the world, Powell’s Books, is located in Portland and I scored a used copy of our last book club selection while shopping.

Portland has over 200 food carts available at any time and most are grouped together around a city block. YUM!

Oregon has more than 300 wineries – who knew? Not me! We stopped at Sokol Blosser Vineyard to enjoy a tasting and their view!

I love to climb and was thrilled to discover that Portland has not one but TWO gyms devoted to bouldering. Check out a Circuit Bouldering Gym – they are phenomenal!

Folks, that peak is where we were headed (note the top of our car at the bottom). Luckily the view motivated us to keep going the whole 1300 feet UP to Mitchell Point!

Our reward, the beautiful Columbia River Gorge.

Petition for Cats in the Workplace

2011-06-13T22:17:00.004-04:00

While I wish Wylie and Sami were lap cats, I have come to terms with the fact that they aren’t.

But they do have their moments.

Of course, it sometimes hinders my productivity when Sami curls up on my lap when I’m trying to do work at my desk or Wylie lays down on his favorite blanket right before I’m about to get off the couch, but I treasure those moments.

They are my favorite part of the day!

Wylie on his blanket

Sami in the office

“The Stylist’s Guide to NYC” – Sibella Court’s Latest Literary Masterpiece

2011-06-10T22:34:00.006-04:00

If you love styling, decorating, collecting or interior design then you must buy this book…right after you buy her first bestselling book “Etcetera”.

My sister introduced me to Sibella Court last year and I immediately fell in love with her passion for details and her enthusiasm for collecting and her multitudes of curiosities. I wanted to live inside her book “Etcetera” because of how beautifully curated her living spaces are. Others may see clutter, but I see lovingly displayed oddities and curiosities.

I was reminded yesterday that her latest book, “The Stylist’s Guide to NYC” had been released just a few weeks ago and immediately went across the street to my local Anthropologie (best place to find it stateside) to get a copy for myself…and my sister.

I read two chapters at the pool this afternoon and am beside myself to share this book with everyone! In the book, Sibella shares a listing of her favorite stores culled together after living and styling in NYC for 10 years. But the details are what make this book a collector’s item.

Words cannot do it justice though so I am sharing a few pictures below. But trust me, you need this book in your library! And when you do get it, drop me a line and let me know what you think!

And if you happen to be lucky enough to find yourself in Sydney, Australia – check out her hardware and haberdashery store and props salon and then send me some pictures!

The Society inc.
18 Stewart Street
Paddington, NSW 2021
AUSTRALIA

The gorgeous (and surprisingly) embossed cover!

Each chapter is theme based and begins with a listing of Sibella’s favorite respective stores…

…followed by a map of a perfectly laid out ‘loop’ in order to see the shops in the most organized and efficient way!

Stunning pictures abound in the book and make me want to grab a bus to NYC in the morning!

Surprises abound everywhere, so make sure that your copy isn't missing anything under the cover!

Jessi Arrington: Color-Obsessed Thrift Shopper Extraordinaire

2011-06-08T20:52:00.010-04:00

Jessi Arrington is a Brooklyn based, color-obsessed designer and founder of the design firm WORKSHOP. Her favorite color is rainbow and she’s made a hobby out of wearing nothing new because it’s healthier for the environment, her wallet and offers her the opportunity to indulge her unique fashion sense!

She recently gave a lecture for TED and I was so fascinated by her personal style and spirit that I wanted to share her thoughts with all of you.

If you’d like to read more about what she thinks about color and design and thrift store shopping, check out her blog at LuckySoAndSo.com!

I just did and came across the most eloquent and insightful post about her struggles with perfectionism and procrastination, which just so happen to go hand in hand...something I never actually realized until tonight!

One mental epiphany later, I had to share the link to the post because it so perfectly articulates how I feel inside.

Room & Board Shopping Spree

2011-06-07T22:29:00.005-04:00

While waiting to meet up with a friend last Friday night, Miguel and I decided to kill some time in the gorgeous Room & Board home design store.

While we primarily went in because we noticed they had a rooftop patio area, I quickly found a handful of things that I wanted to take home with me!

Alas, the store’s prices didn’t agree with my wallet so I only left with these pictures…but I plan to do a little research on eBay to see if I can snag some of the vintage finds myself!

I loved their window graphics…and the reflection!

I dig rooftop shopping!

And the view of a nearby rooftop garden – awesome!!

I am a huge fan of botanical art and this vintage Dr. Auzoux Botanical Chalk Plate is a must have…for somebody with an extra $999 in their pocket!

I found this adorable mustache pillow in the kids area but I wanted it!

I thought this a beautiful and refined way to show off Alexander Girard's illustrations!

I found this a gorgeous alternative to the usual juvenile children’s art! Each Vintage Toy Block assemblage is one-of-a-kind

I’ve recently fallen in love with vintage maps and these one-of-a-kind French School maps are gorgeous!

Petition for Cats in the Workplace

2011-06-06T20:06:00.002-04:00

I truly, truly, TRULY wish every Monday could be a repeat of today: sleeping in, going for a swim, doing a little work in between and hanging out with the fuzzies…

Wylie

Sami