A little bit of Gratitude

I struggle with stress. There, I've said it! Admitting the struggle was my first step, and was soon followed by me blaming all of the circumstances in my life that caused me to be stressed. Ironic how once you're stressed out, everything else finds a way to be stressful...even taking lunch breaks! Oh yes, the vicious cycle in which I have become a "frequent flier." Once I'd saved up enough frequent flier miles, I found I nearly had a free one-way ticket to not-so-Pleasant-ville. It was a scary realization, but I'm grateful to have made the discovery when I did. You see, my stress was not a result of my circumstances, but instead, my response to my circumstances, a mere symptom...not a sentence. I was choosing stress.

A week or so ago, my husband came home and told me that those who write down 3-5 things they're grateful for each night before going to bed, are less stressed. Woah! So, I've started a "Gratefulness Journal." So, for those of you who struggle with stress (or fear or worry...close cousins of stress), or even the absence of joy, I encourage you to take this simple step to write down the things you're grateful for every day (and don't do what I did and wait to start until you find a really cute journal...start now and write on a gum wrapper if you have to). Especially on the hardest days when we feel like there might be nothing to write down. Gratitude is not necessarily about those things that happen to us, but about our response to life.

I say this as if I've had some sort of victory. I haven't, and those who know me best are well aware of that. But I'm reaching, and stretching, and seeking...I'm determined to crush stress out of my life so that I may fully experience the joy that is under all these layers I've created. Yes, this is war!

If you'd like to join the fight, email me or leave a comment, and we can build each other up together.

You are what you think...

I've just listened to Earl Nightingale's, "The Strangest Secret," and was inspired to tears. Literally. I highly recommend everyone set aside the 31 minutes and 35 seconds of your life to soak up Mr. Nightingale's insights that will truly shape what you become...especially for those of you who have dreams bigger than your current circumstances.

If anyone is interested in joining me on the 30-Day Challenge he mentions, send me an email or leave a comment, and we can encourage each other in this journey together. Watch out future, here we come!

First Blueprint, then Cottage Living, and now...Domino. What is a girl to do? Well, honey, now you can't give me a hard time for archiving every single issue of Domino that has ever existed! Oh tear...

I like it a latte!

Did you know you can actually purchase a latte cup and saucer from The Beverly Hills Hotel without actually staying the night? Cute, huh? I think I'm going to fill the cupboards of my dream pink and black kitchen these little sweeties!

Rebecca Thuss

Most of you know about my obsession with Martha Stewart's work. Truth be told, I actually do know she doesn't come up with all of these wonderful ideas all by herself, but has an incredible team of people behind her who do. Can you imagine the brainstorming sessions that must go on in that place? I get all hot and bothered just thinking about it!

I just learned about Rebecca Thuss, previously a Style Director for both Martha Stewart Weddings and Blueprint (RIP). She has since joined her husband, Patrick Farrell, in their multidisciplinary photography and graphic design firm, ThussFarrell. I have inspiration journals full of her work, and so it was so exciting for me to put a name to the inspiration. So, I thought I'd leave some eye candy for you today of her work that has inspired me in the past.


















{all images are from www.rebeccathuss.com}

Lucky me! So, I was going about my business today, and opened up a daily email I get from Daily Candy. That is where I learned about Ecofont, a brand spankin' new typeface designed by Spranq that is actually kind to the environment! What? Yep, it's true! Each letter actually uses 20% less ink, which means fewer ink cartridges end up in the trash. Download Ecofont for yourself here...lucky you!

Fresh 2009 Calendar

No, you are not having a nightmare about your college Organic Chemistry class! To start off the New Year, I wanted to share a great printable calendar I discovered a few years ago in the now out of print Blueprint Magazine (tear!). All it takes is card stock, careful cutting, and some tacky glue (don't make the same mistake I did by using super-glue...you'll glue your fingers together, which is quite frightening). Download yours here. Happy New Year!