Studio 4:13

Spice Girl and I Say "Crap" A Lot...

Food:  Still enjoying that instapot/pressure cooker!  Hubby is now infamous for his mashed potatoes, which went perfectly with this steak last night!  I've been in a creative (creating "things") rut and I think my creativity is being expressed in the kitchen lately.  I normally haven't been a very good dinner planner (which makes the InstaPot perfect), but the past couple of weekends I scan my Pinterest feed for a few new dinner ideas for the coming week.  So far this week we've done the steak mentioned above, and Lemony Chicken Soup in the InstaPot, both winners!

Podcasts:  On the rotation this week are Happier with Gretchen Rubin and Magic Lessons with Elizabeth Gilbert.  Liz's book "Big Magic" has been on my library wait list for what seems like an eternity, SO, that said, I am committed to purchasing it because based on listening to the podcast conversations, I have a feeling I'll need a copy to highlight the crap out of!

Feeling:  In my previous post I highlighted the Golden Lotus Healing Center.  One visit changed so much and has put me on a quest to learn more.  I've enrolled in Natasha's August workshop and am excited and open to learning and applying all of it.  (If you're nearby, I highly encourage going to their Open House next Wednesday, August 10th, and see what it's all about!

When I look back at life so far, even the past year, how one thing leads to another and another.  How maybe you can fall out of love with something - a hobby, a relationship, a career, whatever, but not ever say "I wish I hadn't done that" because it often leads to discovering other interests and loves.  I see and feel so many who afraid of change, or quick to cast judgment based on a single experience or someone writing the 'wrong' thing on a Facebook post or whatever.  But you be true to you.  For so long I worried about what others thought, like, here's this girl and she makes jewelry.  Oh wait, she's no longer making jewelry and now she's selling candles!  Oh wait, now she's advertising her sign business.  Oh wait, what IS it she does?  Who cares!  What I do or create or live has nothing to do with you and what you create/live/change has nothing to do with me!  (insert Oprah aha! moment)  Can't live your life feeling stuck based on what others may think of you or being afraid to try something new.

Starting to experience the benefits of energy healing, I'm also speaking the truth a bit more.  For so long I practiced KMS (keep mouth shut) and hoped what I was feeling would disappear.  But that mentality is toxic.  But I digress...anyway, when you try things and discover what you DO like, often times people or things will start appearing in your path and amazing crap can happen.

So here's to another great week and wishing everyone experiences some amazing crap!

Sorta Creative

I've discovered podcasts.   I know, welcome to 2016.  What started out as listening to some company training via podcast became an exploration of "who else is talking about stuff out there?"  

Earlier this year I binged on Serial, season one (never got into season two).  I remembered that one of my favorite former bloggers, Hollywood Housewife, participated as a guest every once in a while on a podcast called "Sorta Awesome".  Probably because "Totally Awesome" sounded too 80's, but it is pretty descriptive because I'm finding these podcasts totally awesome.  With well over 60 episodes to catch up on, you'll find me listening to these and asking my girlfriends "have you listened to this?!"  I would say it's geared toward women, there's laughter, there's seriousness, topics from favorite books, how to throw a great party, to anxiety and friendship break-ups.  It's all out there and it's awesome.  Totally.

Last year I found myself in a creative rut.  No desire to take on custom orders, no desire to make all the things I've jotted down in my notebook.  No desire for any creative element.  So I've been working through that because it is a big part of me.  I've missed painting, cross-stitch, candle-making, writing, all of it.  Baby steps in getting the creativity flowing again, I've been reading and listening to podcasts, I've got a couple custom orders in the works this month and a vacation up to the cabin away from technology to hopefully re-connect with my creativity.  Oh, and I'm getting my chakras balanced today.

Recommendations:  listen to the Sorta Awesome podcasts, and sign up for Laura Tremaine's (Hollywood Housewife) "Secret Posts" - while she's retired from blogging, these Secret Posts are jam-packed with greatness!

What are you listening to or reading these days?