The Blog
What to do if you are traveling with family, especially in a car? And say there's littles or teens involved? Well, since I don't have kids, I'll leave that up you (!) But, we can advise on how to keep your smiley, and, hopefully, make some memories that you will look back on fondly (at least one day!)
I was so excited when my friend Kat Yore found time in her busy schedule to come on over and shoot my apartment for Apartment Therapy (will post more photos from this great shoot soon!) But when she said, in the beginning of last week, "I can come over Friday," I thought I had several evening to futz about and get ready?
So, I was running late for a doctors appointment this afternoon, and after a quick jog up to the receptionist's desk, asked to use their rest room. As I was washing my hands, I glanced in the mirror: This was not the same me who had left the house this morning, with fresh make-up and softly brushed hair! NO! I looked all of my (blank number of) years; My hair suddenly looking both dry and stringy! What gives, I asked myself?
I have a pretty small, two-bedroom apartment. Recently, during the typical January de-clutter and purge session, (and doing a little January Cure from our beloved Apartment Therapy) I was walking through my little space, trying to figure out what to "Fix." And I realized, whoa, first of all, what an attitude! I actually love my "little" apartment. I find it charming and comforting and perfectly suited to my needs.
Have you ever been in such a rush to savor a sensation, quell your hunger, anger or boredom, that you hurry yourself even the most simple processes in life? I was making toast the other day (yes, it was avocado toast), and, after smearing some delicious ripe avocado over the Ezekiel bread, and cracking a little bit pink Trader's Joe's Himalayan sea salt over both slices, I bit down into one of them....And found the bread to be... cold! Like, really cold. (I keep the Ezekiel bread in the frieezer to keep it nice and fresh) So, what did I do? I was not, I must add, in a rush, as it was a weekend morning too. I think. I continued eating the quite cold toast. Yes! I did...
I waited to post in the New Year until now, because, primarily, there is just so much great stuff out there currently, and secondly, I wanted to candidly share with you how my year was going so far (I am writing this on Monday, January 8th.) Quite simply, I had a strange sort of holiday, and as such, did not want that feeling lingering into 2018.I also took yet another good look around my two—bedroom bungalow apartment...
I was SO excited. It was Cyber Monday, and I had literally just finished about 90% of my holiday shopping. I seriously;y felt it was some sort of personal world's record me- I had NEVER been able to accomplish a feat like this! And I was trying to stay on a bit of a budget, believe me, so I was extra-excited. I was prepared to have a relaxing first few weeks of the holiday season.. Then goes what? I started getting...stressed, that I wasn't so...stressed! Sadly, this was true.
Taking a leap is hard, and they come in so many different shapes and forms: Quitting a job you loathe, taking the plunge with someone you adore...Some chances hold great depth and meaning, others are things to be passed up, or not. The way we fill our space can sometimes help jumpstart us when we are starting to make real transitions in life...
Yes. It's the holidays, arghhhh! Yes, That is the usual response. And her is my usual way of dealing with them: Beginning of December. Week One: Feeling good! Loving all the little tweaks in the Starbucks menu. Holiday goodness abounds. Week Two: Start thinking about what I need to get my immediate family. But I still have time! Yes. Of course I do. Then, as each day drips by, the usual turmoil of head and heart, as my imaginings for the "perfect" holiday go out the door, without leaving their phone number.
This weekend, there will be no tidying of the pantry or decluttering of the spice rack, in preparation for Thanksgiving. Nom we have other beloved home sites for that type of advice...No, this weekend, we are going to really think about what kind of Thanksgiving Holiday we TRULY want to have, and what to do if we are stuck in a situation we wish we, well, weren't...
So, Apartment Therapy recently had a very interesting post on how you have to throw out your kitchen sponge, and change it out at least once per month. (!) I was literally, like, WHAT the hell are you talking about?!
But what if you suffer from, well, wanting things to be a CERTAIN WAY, all the time? Maybe it's not a type-A, Jackie Kennedy kind of perfection, but you just wish your husband or wife or brother or mother or father or family would act a certain way, achieve certain things, or just give your more space...
Look around your space right now, or in your mind's eye, if you at work or out and about. What strikes you the most, what feels the most "undone?" I can almost guarantee you have at least ONE thing that has not been hung up yet: That small mirror purchased at the tag sale or flea market, or a framed piece of art you love, but never got around to hanging...
Are you an introvert or an extrovert? An ambivert? Shy? Quiet? The retiring type, who is a secret powerhouse of sex and witty wisdom inside? I feel ya. I, too, am an introvert, truly, at heart. And it ain't easy, I know, especially living in Los Angeles, when it's very important tope able to articulate who you are and what you do at the drop of a hat.
Each Friday, we'll be posting a little Weekend Project to knock off something that has been lingering on your home's To-Do list...But, as Gretchen Rubin of the Happier Podcast once wisely said, why not call turn that To-Do list into a... Ta-Da list? Meaning, start a damn list of the sh*t you get done on a regular basis, and then CELEBRATE it by jotting it down.
Okay, yes, it IS a Monday. And I hate to complain, but it is unseasonably warm here in my un-airconditioned space in Santa Monica. And a pile of insurmountable "challenges" are demanding my attention-many of which have stayed unresolved for years. Oh, and I'm still single...And I need more money! And...!!! This is the loop that many Buddhists so correctly called the "Monkey Mind..."
Is it crazy to think that the outside is often a reflection of what's going on within us? We often worry that we have to set things in place before we embark upon some great creative or work or even home project. I find this personally to be true, and then tend to sort of chastise myself about it. It's interesting, this reverse sort of perfectionism, because it can keep one from finishing, or even beginning.
Fall is in the air! And it feels great here in Los Angeles! Here are a few things I like to prepare around my apartment. Switch out tablecloths. Clean out the pantry. Maybe hit the closet, and start switching around from summer-to-fall clothing. But fall is also a great, general time for renewal, I think. A second-chance New Years sort of feeling. And with your home comes the people you have in it. Who is gonna stop by for drinks? Is your bar stocked? Cheese at the ready? Then kids in school, new projects, Thanksgiving, work pressures building, holiday shopping...Ughh...Just. Take a breath, please.
