Spotted and Random

Today's Shine Project challenge is about getting to know each other better by posting random things about ourselves. Stop by Ashley's blog to see more and check out her new store!

Shoes: The Shoe Dept./Cropped Pants:Ross/Tee:Target/Scarf:J.C.Penny/Gold Charm Bracelet:Lia Sophia/Bracelet:Gift/Earrings:Ruche/Sweater:H&M

So...here's some randomness.

1.Today is the first time I have ever worn an animal print of any kind! (what? what kind of style blogger is she?)

2.I am afraid of math and the dentist, they both make me want to cry!

3. My favorite meal is liver and onions! for real...my mom makes it for me on my birthday!

4. Sometimes, I will eat spaghettio's with meatballs...on toast.

5. I can swear like a trucker!

6. I can be reserved like a nun!

7. I hate talking on the phone! texting was the best invention!

8. I love people but I'm so uncomfortable around people sometimes and I don't know how to make small talk!

9. I love the movie "So I Married an Axe Murderer," Mostly because the Scottish Dad (played by Mike Myers) reminds me of my own family! "Head, Pants, Now!" (seriously, British families speak in sarcasm and ridicule!)

10. My favorite thing is a hug from any one of my 3 kids! But I don't like being touched!

Love notes

This week I was thrilled by the Shine Project! The goal was to leave sticky notes with positive messages in random public places. I was so excited that I made up sticky notes in advance and carried them in my purse waiting for the chance to use them!

1. says: "You are stronger than you know" and was posted at a local park in the shower stalls

2. I planted on the toll booth as I collected my ticket, it reads "Never, never, never give up."

3. Reads "Dream Big" and I placed it inside a bathroom stall in a county office building!

It was important to me as I did this to be as secretive as possible. I didn't want anyone to see me doing it, first reason being the obvious questions. But I truly wanted them to be a random surprise to a stranger, who would never know who left the note. At each location as I walked away I contemplated who might see it and be inspired, given hope, or just smile!

1. Reads "you are more beautiful than you know," I placed this on the mirror in the bathroom of my office building. Unfortunately my co-workers figured out that it was me!

2. Was placed in an elevator at a mental health services building and reads "I believe in you." There were security guards in the lobby and I was terrified I'd be caught and arrested! so silly!

3. Reads "You can do anything!" and was also placed in an elevator.

If you've ever gone through a rough period, had a bad day, or just contemplated a big decision, you may have wished for a message, a loving hand or even just a smile. I hope that at least one of these notes does that for someone in need of the message.

When my Director told me she had guessed that I left the note behind at our office she told a story she heard from a pastor. A man who was in need of human connection, a loving gaze, or just a nod of acknowledgment was so distraught that he decided to jump from a bridge in desperation. He wrote a note explaining his isolation and stated that if even one person smiled at him on his way to that bridge he would turn around and not go through with it. Apparently not one person smiled...all that was left of him was the note he left behind.

We never know the impact a simple smile, or a loving note or kind word could have on someone. If we embrace every opportunity for connection and respond to others with kindness we impact them and ourselves forever!

I think I'm going to continue to do this, I still have a stack of notes I want to use and more I'd like to write. Give it a shot yourself, it really is an amazing experience!

"Don't Stop Me Now..."

"...Im havin such a good time, Im havin a ball!" Yes, I am quoting Queen again! Life is just so sweet! I awoke early this morning, to this rainy, peaceful, quiet Saturday. No one else was up in the house and I sipped my coffee while listening to the rain hit the windows and the birds quietly chirping. It was such a peaceful morning! Then, at an extremely early hour for a Saturday, the mailman delivered two, yes two packages! One was my necklace from The Shine Project, the other a new dress from Rouche! It was wonderful! I knew immediately that today would be a great day!

See, here's my necklace! The other piece says FAB! Isn't that great. Tucked inside the package was Ashley's card and on the back it reads "Go ahead, let the world see you SHINE"! Truly, can you think of anything better? So, if you haven't, go visit the blog, and you can also stop by The Daybook, where there is a Shine Project Giveaway!

...And here's my dress! Isn't it fabulous?!!!! I have multiple ideas in mind for styling it through the winter! I can't wait to try it numerous ways!

Dress:"Thulian Pleated Dress" Ruche/Flower Pin (borrowed from another top):Ruche/Cardigan, Belt and Shoes:Target/Necklace:The Shine Project

So...really, I could not have been in a better mood today! That was just my morning! After I got ready, I took Savannah to get her hair done. She has been begging for years, and I've always said no, thinking she's too young, it's too costly, she'll ruin her hair etc...Savannah was starting to soften me to the idea when I saw this post from Keiko Lynn and I caved!

So,Savannah and I rode to the salon, singing to all my Queen favorites as she giddily anticipated finally expressing herself the way she wants to! Take a look at this!

My pictures don't do her justice! It looks amazing, and she even has a feather in it! I have to admit I'm jealous! I would love to at least have a feather put in my hair, but I think I'd quickly be unemployed and since I have to pay for Savannah's hair, that's probably not a good idea! Savannah was smiling from ear to ear in the chair, and everyone was watching in amazement as her hair was transformed! What a great afternoon! Thanks to Stefanie at Cristo Bello who helped Savannah decide what to do and then spent hours today creating this look! Incredible! 

So, I'm still singing Queen in my head "I'm floating around in ecstasy, so don't stop me now!" And Savannah is at the mall to debut her new hair to all her friends. I am either the coolest mom ever or a horrible parent for letting her do this. But I think Savannah and I are both voting for coolest mom ever!

A Changing Relationship

This is my first time participating in The Shine Project challenge.

This week it is to write about a relationship that has changed our lives. I struggled with this because there have been so many impact filled relationships in my life, from my kids to family, to friends to my partner James. The more I reflected the more I realized that the one relationship which impacted all of those and me in a significant was my relationship with myself! I know, you just threw up in your mouth a little. "Is the woman really saying that she is the most important relationships she has?!" Well don't stop reading...it will soon make sense, hopefully!

Shoes:Thrifted/Shirt and Scarf:Target/Pants:Kols/Necklace:Ruche/Earrings c/o:Lia Sophia (Natasha)

Once upon a time I was my worst enemy. For most of my life, I was my harshest critic, I beat myself up, I judged myself harshly and believed I would never be smart enough, pretty enough or good enough. Judging myself meant I also judged and compared myself to others. If you're busy competing with others to prove to yourself you're the best, it is very difficult to have really deep connection to others!

Eventually, thanks to a mentor and friends, I was introduced to some new ideas including non-violent communication, and my relationship with me began to change. I learned how to forgive myself and accept myself. When I could see the beauty in me, I was open to the beauty in others and it changed my world! I no longer needed to judge others, because I wasn't judging me (well, I sometimes still do, but then I forgive myself for it and accept my mistakes). This means that I can accept everyone else as they are and be completely open to everything they have to offer as the unique individuals they are!

So maybe it sounds cheesy, or even conceited, but it's one of the reasons I started this blog! we are all so beautiful, full of skill and passion and love and when we can see it in ourselves we let go of hate, competition and fear, and embrace the fabulosity that is in everyone! So, yes, the most important relationship that has changed my life is my relationship with me. I have become a better mother, daughter, partner, friend, sister... human being!