Rules For Living, In No Particular Order

I've been sick all week.  Really sick.  Hospital 2x, sleeping for 20 hrs. a day sick.  Do I feel like writing a blog entry?  Honestly, no.  But, if I didn't do something every time I didn't 'feel like it,' I'd never get anything done.  So, today's post is a simple quote from 'Mad Men.'  Yes, the TV show.  I read a great quote recently that was such a great advice that I thought it couldn't possibly have come out of the mouth of Don Draper.  Yet, I was wrong.

Over the past ten years or so, I've compiled these 'Rules for Living,' often taking them from interviews, books, poems, films, old quotes, etc.  When I came across this quote by Don Draper's character in 'Mad Men,' I thought that maybe I should actually write these down so I'll have some kind of record of all these jumbled ideas about how to live my life.  Most of them I don't have to explain, or just plain won't explain, but that's mainly because if you don't understand it, the rule may not apply to you or your life.  Well, here goes.  The most recent addition to my 'Rules for Living:'

MAKE IT SIMPLE, BUT SIGNIFICANT.

- Don Draper

My life should be simple, but significant.  What a perfect summation of something that Don wasn't remotely referring to: how we want to be remembered.  Simple, but significant.  

xoxo 

NWA Novice: Manifest(ing) Destiny For Dummies

NWA Novice.  It's a fairly accurate description of me.  I can get myself from Bentonville's 21C to the University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville, but I can't tell someone the best (or even a good) coffeehouse in Rogers...or Bentonville...or in all of NWA, for that matter.  My parents wanted to gift David and me a night out for Valentine's Day, but when asked where we liked to eat dinner I couldn't even squeak out the name of a chain restaurant; if I could, it wouldn't have been much better considering "Red Robin" is the only restaurant chain that comes to mind in NWA because of the gluten-free offerings, but it's not exactly romantic dinner material.  I need to up my familiarity with my surroundings if I'm to convince anyone or, more importantly, convince myself that I live in the area now.

So, I'm going to go out and get lost.  Really.  It's the best way to actually learn your way around and the method works particularly well in helping you to find place with which you fall in love.  I can't wait to fall in love with all new breakfast spots, vintage stores, art galleries, bookshops, tiny boutiques, local music, etc.  Bring it on, NWA.  I'm ready to gather some friends paint you red.        

Next post, I'm continuing the LBD 'miniseries,' with pondering/creating the perfect arsenal of little black dresses. Maybe I'll find a friend or two to talk LBDs with me!  Plus, March means the start of NWA Fashion Week.  I know...we have one!  Not the same as DC, but definitely worth the adventure into the fashions and fashionistas of NWA.  To see the full schedule of NWAFW events, check out http://www.nwafw.com/.  


For now, here are some of my favorite things about my old 'hometown,' DC (and more specifically, Adams Morgan).  It'll always be at the top of my most loved hometowns list, and these are a few reasons why:

My 1920s rowhouse with my lovely roommate Elizabeth.  We could walk to so many of my favorite places in mere minutes from our door, and still miss being in a city where that's possible.

Adams Morgan has a great festival called, creatively, 'Adams Morgan Day.'  Just two blocks from our old home, vendors line the streets selling handmade jewelry, paintings, adorable clothing, knick-knacks, ceramics, anything you can think of.  Food, ranging from healthy to 'funnel cake' category' and from varying countries all over the world (and actually being made by someone who has lived in the country of origin), is cooked and served fresh.  Live music performances that would make an ethnomusicologist shriek with joy.  Local businesses stay open later and offer great deals.  Performances happen all day, all weekend, by all different types of talented people, some some performers literally dancing in the streets.  Crowds of people turn out to fill the neighborhood with DC locals and not tourist groups.  One of the best parts of the fest: after taking in a long day of fun, I could walk back to my house and arrive in less than five minutes.  Perfect. 

The Newseum - no, it's not a museum that hangs framed newspapers.  Of all the major museums in the District, this one rotates in and out of my #1 spot and is always a favorite to show to out of town guests.  Most of the tourists coming to DC think Smithsonian when planning their dose of culture for their trips and who could blame them?  It's the name and collection that has become synonymous with the phrase 'DC museum' and, technically, it IS the US national collection (it includes more items, buildings and acreage than anything you can fathom).  However, if I had to choose just ONE cultural institution membership in DC, I would choose the Newseum...and I have art degrees!  This museum is one that I absolutely love spending time in and am always down for visiting with anyone, any day.  From a portion of the Berlin wall to the late great Tim Russert's desk at 'Meet the Press,' from 'Anchorman' the Exhiibit (yes, the FILM 'Anchorman!') to the 'Unabomber's' cabin - this museum doesn't just tell a history of newsmaking and reporting...it houses it!  Inside are collected and curated items straight out of the headlines, and it's the perfectly crafted theme for a museum because just like the news, the items on display are always changing.  That reinvention is what puts it at the top my cultural institution rankings and why it quickly earned a spot on my DC favorite places list.  The view from the patio (above) sure doesn't hurt, either!

About 3/4 of a mile walk from my front door was an amazing upscale chocolate shop that imported chocolates from all over the world.  You could walk there on a beautiful Saturday with a friend, create a mixed box of say, five pieces, that includes anything from dark rum chocolate screen printed with skulls like above to chocolate flavored with tobacco or bacon (yes, they're both actually delicious), share your box with a friend on the way back home and you would have a) taken in a scrumptious custom dessert, b) enjoyed a lovely walk outdoors and an always hilariously fun time checking out the world of upscale chocolate designs and chocolate combos and c) both eaten and worked off your dessert by the time you arrived home.  A decadent and harmless treat, at least one visit to this chocolate shop was on my 'must' list for any out of town guest we entertained.

xoxo

"It's time to take a risk, sweetheart"

Pulling Weeds

 "You have made a place in my heart where I thought there was no room for anything else. You have made flowers grow where I cultivated dust and stone."

 - Robert Jordan, The Wheel of Time

If this blog is a garden, it is definitely be full of weeds by now.  I haven't been kind to it, and to be completely honest...I've forgotten about it on numerous occasions and for long periods of time.  I know there aren't hundreds of people reading this; I mean seriously - five people checking out this site would be a good day.  But, being read by others is not really my intended outcome or achievement here, and I know that sounds ironic seeing as this is a public space and not an ongoing private word doc.

I do 'journal' on actual paper at home, and I fill it with mostly found objects, photos, quotes, etc. that inspire me in some way.  In fact, it looks a lot like this site in that it's mostly a record of what I'm feeling, loving, missing, wanting, and needing, shown through the images that I choose to post plus a written thought or paragraph from me.  Having a public space vs. my tangible notebook, however, keeps me accountable to the invisible few readers who happen to stumble across this site.

So, I'm going to try to spend more time in this garden, nurturing the inspirational blooms, the beautiful, the items and ideas which provoke thought and essentially, growth.  To that same end, I need to constantly be pulling the weeds, the empty spaces, the negative energy that can slowly take over if not tended to swiftly, and let it go.

Nurturing the growth and pulling the weeds -- maybe that's the purpose of this blog.  Constant care.  Consistent inspiration and ambition.  I can wander with purpose.  I can adventure while carrying 'home' with me, refuting the idea that 'peace' means I have to stay still.    

  


 Goodnight from this blogger/soon-to-be constant gardener.

xoxo

A

Always Plan Your Life In Pencil - Never Pen

Plans change.  And though the plans that change sometimes involve the smallest of details, I've found it best to just accept that I should always use a pencil while planning.  The last several weeks have brought on a significant amount of decision-making and changing of plans, most having to do with our wedding in December, but it's all worked out better than I imagined.

My original Wedding Inspiration Board...Things have definitely changed!

For instance, I've been looking for a wedding dress over the past few months.  I knew what 'look' I wanted, I was up for doing something daring with the cut and especially the color and I had my photos of my favorite dresses cut out and pasted into my personal 'lookbook.'  However, most of the dresses were nowhere to be found and those that were ended up looking not quite as nice as I'd hoped.  By the time I got to my third dress boutique, I was exhausted and not expecting to find anything I hadn't already seen.  I was almost ready to give up and just order the Jenny Packham gown in my size straight from the designer, using about 1/3 of our wedding budget to do so, just to be able to end the process.

Five star rating in Rogers for this shoppe!

All I can say is THANK GOD for our wedding planner Heather at Inspired Grace Weddings who knows us as a couple (David and me) inside and out, has memorized our thoughts and expectations for the tone of the wedding, which would include the tone of the dress, and was able to bring excitement to the experience that day so I could really enjoy being with my mom and my aunt.  My consultant at She Said Yes
Bridal was also amazing; she was a sweet and very intuitive girl who really loved her work and made sure to pull dresses with Heather that incorporated elements in the dresses that I highlighted heavily in my book. Admittedly, I didn't end up buying any of the dresses I had pasted into my 'lookbook.'  However, I WAS able to buy all of the beautiful attire that I'll be saying my vows in and also have a first dance my new husband and celebrate all night long with my best friends. 

To check out more updates on our wedding (sorry, no sneak peeks at white wear), fun photos of the wedding party, beautiful images and info about the unique venue and historic accommodations, and little humor from the groom, go to www.InventingTheEngles.com

This is one of my favorite quotes, and I've been having to learn it over and over recently.  It's going to continue be a challenge for me to not just accept where I am but try to grow and flourish while I'm here.

-A 

Kerouac quote

Kerouac quote by asebourn on Polyvore

American Dream - Fashion Editorial - Profile with models, designers...
fashionmodeldirectory.com

Lost Highway Kati Nescher and Garrett Hedlund Go On the Road
vogue.com

Baby Love for "Baby Watson"

I love when my friends have kids. I get to spoil the parents and I get to spoil the kiddos! I don't have any siblings so I don't have actual nieces or nephews, which means I get to love on my friends' kids like they're my family. Here's to the newest member, the sweet (yet to be named) "Baby Watson!" I'm excited to meet you!

Spring Cleaning for Your Body: Eating Seasonably & Sensibly

{My dress closet is always in major disarray!}

Out with the old, in with the new

Usually during this time of year, I've got my Spring cleaning routine set:

1. I go through my closets & give away a few items I haven't worn in the past two years
2. Store my winter clothing
3. Insert my S/S 2013 wardrobe into my closet

 Simple,  and a sense of accomplishment, checking off that list, right?



Well, I decided this year that I'm not going to shed the old and make way for the new with just my closet space: I'm going add on some Spring cleaning for my body as well.  If I spend even half of the time on bettering myself as I do on arranging my clothes and accessories, think what a difference that could make!  For example,

40 min. of sorting old S/S clothing = 20 min. of yoga.  

60 min. of ironing and hanging the wearable S/S clothing = half an hour catching up on a book or maybe making a Springtime healthy & delicious lunch.

Making time to maintain yourself and your healthy lifestyle - I think that's some pretty necessary Spring cleaning, don't you?  And don't forget: a new season comes with new fruits & veggies to eat.  Check out what's in season right now so you can eat seasonably AND sensibly! 

{Isn't this guide handy?  Kudos to stylemegreen.blogspot.com!}

 xoxo,

A

A Passion for Compassion: Give Your Heart This Valentine's Day, No Roses Included!

I've had a longtime love affair with Heifer International, and Valentine's Day is one of the best opportunities you have to use Heifer to show unconditional love to your sweetie!  Most Valentine's Day gifts involve chocolates, roses, romantic date nights, etc., but I dare you to give an unconventional gift...something you'd never think could be even remotely romantic: a goat.  Or, a cow.  Hey, even a chicken!

Give a gift that's life-changing this Valentine's Day.

As wacky as this seems, I believe there's no better way to show love for your valentine than honoring that person by giving a gift in his or her name that could not only improve but possibly save the lives of a family or an entire community of people you've never met.  Have a passion for compassion this holiday by checking out this amazing organization and giving what you're able.  I promise, ladies like a man who has a giving heart!

Gift Different.  Give Heifer.

XOXO,
A


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Change your thoughts

It's true, ya know.  Your world is not reality.  I'm not talking Matrix-y stuff here, I just mean that how you see the world is based on your thoughts of how things are, as opposed to how things ACTUALLY are.  Your thoughts play such a huge role in your life; so much so that they produce a world.  So if you're in a rut, things aren't going well, etc., yeah it stinks, but change something.  Change something you're thinking about negatively into a positive, and all of a sudden you've taken a huge step toward changing you world!

And it doesn't mean that something upsetting hasn't happened to you, or that you should deny a major life change or setback.  It just means that you can acknowledge it, think a little differently than you would normally think in this situation, and everything around you changes.  You can make that happen.  I've always wanted to change the world someday, just like everyone else wants to change it.  I'm taking baby steps, though...I'm just trying to change my world for now. :)

Ciao,
A

Change your thoughts by asebourn on Polyvore

Think happy...Be happy!  (great sign from Altar'd State)

A sneak peek into my next post.  If you're guessing it's about an obsession with blazers, then you're right!

My Mixtape

  I love a good mixtape. . . 

Hello, there!

The first post is always the most difficult, isn't it?  I have to decide how exactly to introduce myself, this blog and its purpose.  Introducing myself, well I'll just leave that up to my blog.  What someone loves defines the person, or at least gives a roundabout definition.  To know what I love is to know me.  Now, on to what this blog is about: what I love.  I've always been an overly involved person.  I love watching, wearing, reading, listening to, and being with a myriad of things and persons.  It's a little bit of a problem, because loving so many things makes one exhausted at the end of the day.  I can't keep these loves to myself and they've always spilled into conversations with friends.  

Life is a mixtape; this blog is playing my tracks.

After becoming sick, I've found it harder to go out and spread the news about a new designer, an exciting book or a great nonprofit that's getting started.  What good are your loves if you can't share them?  If you love something on here and you don't see a link to where you can find it, let me know and I'll try my hardest to help.  I give credit whenever I can to the the people who are or create the things I love and post here.


For those around in the mixtape 'era,' you can understand when I call this blog my own personal mixtape.  I'm recording it for my own benefit as much as anyone (if anyone) else.  The point is in the constant recording.   

Ciao for now.


 

Retro Poster Quote art print design poster music print mixtape art for... (clipped to polyvore.com)