You've got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em

By now, you have probably memorized the bland, neutral-toned pattern on my workplace carpet by heart, but I am going to feature another couple of photographs right from where I'm at. Today, I feel like I'm from Texas. This might be quite a stereotype based on how I am dressed, but I'm going with it.  One by one, I am quickly running out of suitable, comfortable boots for this cooler weather.  Many pairs have received an unwelcome and not-so-comfortable crack along the sole, which allows cold, slushy precipitation to seep onto my socks.  Sounds fun, right? But, this is precisely the reason I was having quite a predicament on this jeans Friday. I really like jeans day, but that can be included a different post entirely.

I was scouring my closet for a comfortable, non-heeled pair of boots to tuck my favorite skinny jeans into-- when I looked up and saw my white, frilled boots that I had purchased from the Salvation Army at least three years ago.  Delighted, I put them on and continued to get ready. With the finishing touches, I found my pink vintage necklace and placed it around my neck. It always reminds me of Texas, and I only found out today that it reminds others of flamingos or Wonder Woman, but we will pretend that I didn't hear that. At the moment I put the necklace on, I realized that both items were from vintage or used clothing stores, and it reminded me of how much I love those places. My most beloved pieces are from shops like those, and I think people count out these places often.

"You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em,
Know when to walk away and know when to run.
You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table.
There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealin's done."

-Kenny Rogers

Music is an outburst of the soul

I have been preparing for the last couple of weeks for a show I am playing at this coming Saturday.  I'll be the opening act, and will be playing for between thirty and forty-five minutes.  I have previously performed on a somewhat regular basis at cafes and open mics, but have since spent quite a bit of time away from that circuit.  Because of this, one would assume that I would have spent the past three months preparing for the event, but, as is characteristic of myself, I waited until the two weeks beforehand to begin practicing.

I prefaced my current statement simply to point out that I think many of us procrastinate in this way, but once we actually get to doing what it is we need to do, we end up liking it.  I will be playing both guitar and ukulele, singing, and I will perform both cover songs and my own original tunes.  It has been an incredibly fulfilling experience to thumb through my old music folder, to strum and sing along to songs I wrote in 2004, pages yellowed and corners wrinkled.  Although it has been years since I have acted like music was one of the most important things in my life, it has continued to be so, and preparing for this coffeehouse has brought it back into my every-day reality.

I hope I continue this practice, because playing every day has brought me

to a place of self-evaluation, of peace, and of happiness.

"Music is an outburst of the soul." -Frederick Delius

"I've never known a musician who regretted being one.  Whatever deceptions life may have in store for you, music itself is not going to let you down." -Virgil Thompson



stripes or spots?

I adore animal prints. They were in style at some point in the 1990s and then became gaudy for the next several years. This was very disappointing to me, so imagine my delight when I started seeing stripes and spots appearing in department stores.  I was also pleased to find that designers had improved on their prior 1990s collections, which had included short, tight, sleeveless turtlenecks. 

As I often do, I was browsing through Would you wear these trends? segment in the fashion section of People.com, and I had quite an epiphany. I think many of us do not realize how much stuff we have, and how much we can also re-work into new styles. It is easy to just take out our credit cards and constantly purchase new trends, but often times, what we need is right in our own home. After seeing these wonderful leopard totes, I recalled receiving a medium-sized leopard bag as part of a beauty gift pack for a holiday.  As soon as I arrived at home, I dug through the bottom drawer in my tall, creamy white dresser, and immediately switched my essentials to the new purse. Thus, here I am at work, receiving compliments on a bag I already owned!

Here's to being fierce--without spending the money for it.

"Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening." -Coco Chanel

 

Goodness gracious...

...Great balls of fire!  In the midst of a somewhat uneventful day, I enjoyed a crunchy, leafy, balsamic-drizzled salad.  The taste was scrumptious, and it was very satisfying, until I realized what the after-taste was like.  Have you ever been there?  I quickly started to wonder if the delicious lunch was worth the price I paid--and I'm not talking about money. Without any gum or mints in sight, and devoid of any cash my my wallet, my friend, Kristen, graciously purchased a ten cent fireball for me, along with one for herself.  I think I am going to consider this our first date.

I am making this fireball last for as long as possible.  My primary concern is that my teeth will turn fluorescent red; I couldn't care less that my neighbors here in the workplace are probably starting to notice my partially eaten fireball on an open wrapper and a napkin on my desk.  I assume they have already started to give me a nickname, like fireball girl, or red hot, or something.  My newly red hair isn't helping, either.  But, the delectable taste of this fireball is incredibly worth it. 

I generally don't like spicy or especially hot foods; it is evident, however, that my life is very adventurous--and the best thing about my day today has been this Atomic Fireball.

I wasn't in the mood to find an inspiring quote about candy (if that exists), so here's something else:

"If you think you can win, you can win. Faith is necessary to victory." -William Hazlitt