Abundance

As I opened my journal tonight to write my gratitude list (yeah SWIM goals!), one of the things on my list was abundance. Abundance of food is what I initially wrote, but then I started thinking about how much we have of everything. We are a society of too much, although that is quickly changing thanks to the recession. I have always been someone with waaaayyy too much stuff. My happiness used to be measured in how many shopping bags I carried through the mall (see photo above from Clueless), and although I'm glad those days are behind me, I can't help but think that "too muchness" has since transferred to my love of paper products, apartment decor, and even books.

At the beginning of this year, I claimed "Simplicity" as my theme for the year. As Fall nears and students pack up their bags and head back 2 school, I find myself remembering that theme and spending some time with it. Abundance is a blessing, but too much can get complicated and weigh you down. I want to free myself of too much and learn how to live with less. In short, I want a simpler life.

Remind me of that next time I "ooh" and "aah" over a must-have, okay?? ;-)

Le Fin

Ah yes, this is that bittersweet feeling of "oh no, my lovely long holiday weekend is coming to an end." Luckily I'm not feeling terribly depressed about having to go back 2 work tomorrow. I had a wonderful time in Canada, but am quite happy to be back in my comfy bed avec Lola. I will write more of my trip later, but in the meantime, I want to leave you with this gorgeous picture. This was on Friday morning before the wedding. The weather was so perfect in Agassiz that I insisted we steal one of the hotel blankets and spread it out on the lawn in front of the water. The weather was absolute perfection, and I even got my mom journaling a bit. ;-)



P.S. Merci BEAUCOUP to the uber-fabulous guest bloggers: City Girl, Nina and Kiki!!

Yogademia: Bittersweet Inspiration

Bonjour, mes amies, and Happy Labor Day! Voila Hang On Little Tomato's final guest blogger: Kiki of the wonderful Yogademia. Kiki always presents relevant and thought-provoking material, and I just knew you guys would love having her here. Enjoy and see you soon!!



as autumn draws near
our hearts feel closer
to this small tearoom
-Basho, Japanese poet (1644-1694)

Because autumn is a time of reflection and drawing inwards, tea on an autumn day reminds me of my past autumns spent in different cities and countries. These are sometimes wonderful memories, and sometimes very difficult to think about. Perhaps the memories and ideas autumn evokes for you are nostalgic, perhaps they are bittersweet, or perhaps they are more bitter than sweet.

When we talk of inspiration, often it is a powerfully joyful and positive feeling. Given how bittersweet autumn can be, this might not be a feeling you use for creative inspiration. Because of its vaguely negative tone, "bittersweet" might not be the inspiration you expected, or are used to. But rather than running away from it, stay with it, and savor it for a change.

Instead of turning your ideas and memories conjured up by autumn into personal drama, use them to fuel your creativity. "Bittersweet" is a powerful feeling to express in your writing, collaging, jewelry-making, painting, cooking, blogging, or whatever you do. There is nothing wrong with bittersweet inspiration; we're just not used to how strange it feels at the start.

Sipping tea outside on a crisp autumn day can help you see the sweet in the bitter, and the poetry in your difficult memories. Take the time for a single cup of tea outside to see what thoughts and feelings come up. The bittersweetness of autumn might just be the inspiration you need to expand your creativity in a completely new direction.

All it takes is a single cup of tea.

[Image credit: here}

Naturally Nina: You've Got Mail

Another fabulous guest blogger, dear readers. Check out Nina's beautiful, sweet blog here. And if you haven't already, please congratulate her as she is recently engaged!




Confession: One of my all-time favorite movies is You've Got Mail. Not only because I met my own love online (yes, that's right!) but also because of that little scene when Meg Ryan is walking to work (a bookstore) in Manhattan on a perfect fall day. I just adore the fall, and I always want to jump up and down when that first perfect autumn morning arrives. And who doesn't love the idea of "bouquets of sharpened pencils." Ahhh, I need to go turn on my DVD player...

So, now I'm curious, what's your favorite fall movie?

Nina

City Girl: Happy September!

Bonjour, mes amies! As you know, I'm leaving today for beautiful Vancouver, and although I'm sure I'll be tweeting like a maniac, I don't think I'll have time to blog. As such, I've decided to take this opportunity to do something a little different here, and without futher ado, I am SO excited to introduce you to Hang On Little Tomato's first guest blogger - City Girl a la City Girl Lifestyle!! CG is a dear blogger friend, and I knew she'd make an excellent guest blogger. Stay tuned for a couple more guest bloggers in the next few days. Enjoy her wonderful post below, and au revoir! Will see you soon. :)




I love September and it is not just because the air is ever so slightly cool and the shelves are bursting with back-to-school supplies. Yes, my addiction to notebooks is well-documented and, like a crisp new notebook, September and back-to-school time feel like a new beginning. A blank page full of possibilities. I get that feeling so much more this time of year than in January, though some of it might also have to do with the fact that my birthday is in early October. September is really a time of reflection, which culminates in my birthday and sets the tone for the rest of the year. Ironically, it was the year that I graduated from law school that I really realized that this back-to-school feeling can be mine any and every year and for the last four years I have embraced it every fall.

Some of the things I am looking forward to about September and this fall in general:

* Reflection time with my journal

* Fall colors everywhere - whether it is the leaves, the makeup or the clothes

* Renewing my yoga practice, as I tend to have longer practices in
cooler weather

* Squash and pumpkin and cooking wintry stews and soups and curries

* Wam beverages - I become a strictly ice tea gal in summer, so it is
nice to want to have warm beverages again

* Weekend days out and about exploring Washington, DC

* Planning - I become such a planner in fall. I am eyeing yoga
workshops for the next few months

And

* Notebooks, of course

{Photo credit: D Sharon Pruitt}

Ideal Job Description

Last week, Jennifer asked me to write my "ideal job description." After telling her that would be near impossible (I have no idea!), she told me to write a completely ridiculous fun one. Oh well... that was easy. :)

"Seeking an energetic, creative and passionate individual who wants variety everyday! This job involves personal blogging, developing relationships with other fabulous women, finding and playing with beautiful paper/stationary/journals/stickers/crafts/books/etc, and oodles of other exciting activities! Dress how you please (the funkier and funner, the better!), tease your crazily highlighted hair, paint your nails any and every color you can imagine, and never EVER be boring. Within this position, you have the ability to work from home or from a fabulous studio that you can design in any way you wish! Listen to music, dance, sing, practice yoga, take a nap, indulge in a massage, and do whatever you can to get your creative and happy juices flowing!! Position also includes attending wonderful women/creativity/yoga retreats ALL around the globe, all expenses paid (of course). This job pays you to become the best possible you. :)

Tell me, what would your ideal job description be??

{Photo credit: flickr pink sherbert}

Bonjour, September!

How sad is it that this under 100 degree weather we've been having in Texas makes me think Fall is actually getting nearer? Ha. The fact that I don't go outside and immediately break out into a sweat is a miracle. Vancouver's 60-degree highs for this weekend will be a HUGE shock to my system, that's for sure.

On another note, can you believe it's September?? I've said it before and I'll say it again, 2009 is FLYING by. Soooo I guess it's time to see how I did on my August goals, oui?

AUGUST GOALS:

*Stick to cash-only envelope system - YES! This is, by far, my greatest success. I've been sticking to my budget, and it's amazing. I have... excess! Yay yay yay, absolutely love having control of my finances for the first time in my life!! Merci beaucoup to Jennifer! Without her, I never would've gotten here.

*No clothing purchases - This was mostly a success. I made 2 exceptions to my no-shopping rule: (1) I bought the TranquiliT leggy because they were 40% off, and I'm in desperate need of new yoga pants/leggings. (2) Bday shopping at Anthropologie with my 15% discount. I'm OK with those exceptions and was tres good otherwise. :)

*Bring lunch to work 2X/week - FAIL. I think I only did this one week.

*C25k 2X/week (Couch to 5k running program) - SEMI-FAIL. I def. did it at least once a week, and maybe 2x a week for a couple weeks.

*Bed by 11 p.m. and other Abundant AM's steps (micromovements to a morning ritual) - COMPLETE AND UTTER FAIL!!! This has been sooooooo unbelievably hard for moi. :(

*Complete 2 lessons of Rosetta Stone French - Also complete and utter FAIL.

*Ignore inner critic and squash judgmental voice (more on this later) - Sort of better, but still struggling beaucoup.

*Embrace 26 - YES!! This birthday was one of the best. I felt OODLES of love and support, and I think 26 will be a wonderful year!

I know my September will be busy and full of a lot of non-negotiables, like work. In anticipation of that, I want my goals to be a bit lighter this month. And now, without further ado, voila my

September Goals:

~ Improve/reduce dining out spending (this is where I have the most trouble, surprisingly)

~ Love my body as it is RIGHT NOW, not 5 years ago or sans 30 lbs, etc. (this will prob. be an ongoing goal, but thought I'd put it in here anyway!)

~ Finish book club books before book clubs meet (The Lovely Bones and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society)

~ Create and stick to my Balancing Rules, aka the rules I have implemented in order to maintain balance in my life. As a dear friend said, I. Come. First.

~ Work on my morning ritual

~ And most importantly, DO NOT FEEL GUILTY! I have a major problem with guilt over the stupidest things. I want to learn to let go of this guilt, it has no positive effect on my life.

What are your September goals?

{photo credit: NixieMichelle on flickr}