A Day of Mourning

I am deeply saddened by the news I learned over dinner. My cousin and i were discussing Korean mini-dramas (i.e. soap operas) and how it's been so long since i've watched one (i used to love watching them with my Mom). The only Korean actress's name i ever could remember was Choi Jin Shil. She was in the first mini-drama i ever saw, way back in the early 90's. She's beautiful (as evidenced by her picture) and considered one of Korea's best actresses. (I'd say she was Korea's Julia Roberts.) Well apparently she committed suicide in October of 2008. As if that's not bad enough, she HUNG herself!! She has 2 little kids, and her mother was the one to find her. The news was/is shocking. Suicide is always difficult to understand, but i really don't understand the hanging... it's so brutal. My prayers (and apparently the rest of South Korea's) go out to her family, especially her children.

Love is Everywhere!

Bonjour, mes amies!! I'm having the loveliest day - how about you? Maybe it's because the sun is shining here in beautiful Austin, TX, and I spent the morning at a symposium focusing on women in leadership. The panelists were all incredible, and i just find it so inspiring to hear from such accomplished, kickass women. Also ran into my own mentor (also a superwoman in her own right.. partner of one of the major law firms, mother to a five-year old and twin 2-year old girls, etc.) which was a pleasant surprise. :-)

I'm back in the office now, trying to catch up on lost time, but i took a petit break to take a peek around Etsy. As i was browsing, i noticed that i had feedback (frequent buyer.. have yet to sell!) from all the sellers from whom i've purchased. And WOW what nice feedback! "Lovely customer... lightning fast payment... wonderful transaction.." Even in my private conversations with some of the sellers, they are always the sweetest, most creative women, and i just can't help but smile. What a delightful space Etsy has become for individuals to expose their creative pursuits to the rest of the world.

On a much lower note, i'm saddened to hear that Conde Nast has officially closed its doors on Domino Magazine. Quelle nightmare!! I just can't imagine a world sans Domino.. where else can i turn for fresh, chic and fun design inspiration?? The only other publication that rivals Domino, in my opinion, is the British magazine Living etc. It's FABULOUS, but also a bit pricey for moi to buy on a regular basis here in the States (yet another reason i miss my London life). Don't get me wrong, i enjoy House Beautiful, Elle Decor, Metropolitan Living, etc., but they don't have the same pizazz as Domino and Ideal Home. Ah well... thank goodness i have the wonderful blogging community to turn to in times like these. ;-)

Ok - back 2 work!

Sneak Peek

Eureka! I think i've got it!! Clearly the area above the TV needs a little love, but i am loving my mini library, reading chair, and new earthy elements (basket, coffee table, branch side table). And even though the rest of the apartment might be a bit chaotic at the moment, i am determined to make it as uncluttered, but still colorful and fun as my nouveau living room. Off i go!

Intentions

Bonjour, mes amies. I hope you all had a lovely, restful weekend. (Mine was way, WAY too short). I'm about to snuggle into bed with my precious Lola-bear, but first I wanted to share my intention for this week. I've started a new "Intention" column in my planner pad, and now that i have an awesome chalkboard door in my kitchen, i've started writing them there. Last week's was "Love your enemies" because well.. i always need to be reminded of that. I got this week's from a great daily devotional book - "Simple Abundance" by Sarah Ban Breathnach (i guarantee you'll find it at your local Half Price Books!). Her entry for January 23 is on accepting real life. Here's a snippet -

What is acceptance? Acceptance is surredering to what is: our circumstances, our feelings, our problems, our financial status, our work, our health, our relationships with other people, the delay of our dreams. Before we can change anything in our life we have to recognize that this is the way it's meant to be right now. For me, acceptance has become what I call the long sigh of the soul. It's the closed eyes in prayer, perhaps even the quiet tears. It's "all right," as in "All right, You lead, I'll follow."... Today, let go of the struggle. Allow the healing process of change to begin. You're ready to move on.

Fashionista No More?

This afternoon, as i was grabbing a cup of delicious corn chowder from my favorite little bakery - Bakermans Bakery for those of you in Austin - the sweet lady who's always there to greet me complimented me on my "always fun and interesting outfits". I was both surprised and grateful for the comment, as it's been a long time since i've felt trendy/funky/fun at all. And although i admittedly enjoy the semi-grown up attire i've had to adopt since starting my job, i desperately miss dressing like a young 20-something should (i.e. the kickass chick above!). So please indulge moi as i reminisce about some of the things i miss the most...

~microminis (or minis of any kind, really)
~rugged boots with flow-y dresses
~really, really big hair (work hair is only semi-big and only on special days)
~bangles covering my arms
~leggings
~colorful tights (these days i only wear black, navy, brown or grey.. aka BORING)
~knee socks and leg warmers
~wearing my Uggs with everything in the winter
~edgy denim shorts
~hot pink streaks in my hair
~hot pink anything
~sexy tanks (um, sexy anything?)
~bare shoulders
~glitter

On a brighter note, i do SO appreciate the awesome comments i've been getting lately! It inspires me to blog more regularly, AND i love meeting (albeit virtually) all you fabulous, creative women. The blogging world is so unique, n'est ce pas? I've discovered oodles of fun new blogs (and incredible women who write them!) and promise to post an entry sharing the love. For now, back to work and dreaming about strutting the streets of London in head-to-toe TopShop!

Domestic Goddess

After months of complete disregard for my home and especially my kitchen, i'm reconnecting with my inner domestic goddess and i'm LOVING it. Last weekend i made a delectable beef daube provencal (aka "stew") that i finally polished off tonight. Next i'm going to try to master chili and cornbread (have been inhaling Whole Foods version these days), and this weekend i might even give red velvet cupcakes a shot (i'm not much of a baker..). I've been playing around with my apartment and am happy with the progress, albeit slow. And today after work i stopped by Breed & Co., an Austin jewel, and picked up some chalkboard paint. I've wanted to include chalkboard surface in my apartment since i moved in but just never did it. Today at work i decided to give it a go and painted the pantry door. It's great! I hope to use it for inspirational quotes, recipes, grocery lists, etc.

I can't wait until i have a real home. :-)

Turning Inward

Oh how i wish (me and everyone else!) i could've been in DC yesterday. I probably wouldn't have enjoyed being cramped on the Mall (and unable to get to a decent bathroom!), but to be in in the Nation's Capitol on such a momentous day would've been incredible. I kept hearing about how "electric" the city was and was uber jelly. Instead i watched the festivities unfold on the TV in the lounge/break room of my office. Humph. Not the same thing at all, although emotions ran high, tears were shed, and hoots heard. It was a great morning.

The rest of the day, i found myself irrationally emotional. I felt like i was constantly on the brink of tears (mostly happy, some confusing) ALL day/evening. All this talk of change and the sobering reality of the state of the nation got me turning inwards and doing some serious reflection. Don't i always do that? Something was different about yesterday. The gravity of the economic crisis weighs me down more and more with each passing day. I'm inspired by our new Mr. President, and i am confident that he is most capable of paving the way to a better tomorrow. And i find myself wondering... how can i help?