Saturday, August 31, 2013

may this dress bring you YOUR love and affection!!

You
yourself, 
as much as anybody else
 in the entire universe,
 deserve your love and affection.” 
~ Buddha

true love for YOUR authentic self

I have recently discovered an amazing website, 
It offers thoughtful articles, inspiring quotes, 
forums and exercises to guide one on this journey we call life! 

I have found it helpful, insightful and accessible.  
Below an excerpt from their articles, 
This article spoke volumes to my heart and i wanted to share.

To read the entire article either click on the article title above
 or anywhere on the excerpt below:



The article also suggest that I post a picture of myself 
when I was really happy as a way to celebrate my authentic self. 
 My profile picture fits that criteria but those 
who receive this post in an email form you don't see it, so I will repost it here.  



This picture shows my authentic self.  
The picture was taken my David Lang, 
a friend and a person who celebrates my true self, even when I forget her.  
I am hanging out the window of my studio, 
most likely just after one of our mutual shop-talk talks. 
and I was heading back into my studio, tingling with inspiration.  

Because of recent life changes I don't have the freedom 
to be in my studio as I had been before, 
however I KNOW that I will get back there.  


I needed to make changes in areas of my life,
I wanted to be authentic in all aspects of my life.
This choice has definitely rocked my boat, 
but they were very needed changes.  

So right now I am focusing on righting my boat, 
and keeping me and my amazing girls safe and sound. 
During this time, I am learning more about 
how to be my authentic self 
in EVERY aspect of my life, 
before she basically lived in my studio!

The above picture is more recent, 
after my separation, 
and here I am tremendously happy!!!

Here I am embracing my girls AND my authentic self!!

So all is good!!!
peace

Thursday, August 29, 2013

may this dress bring you something complete and great to dissolve into ~


“That is happiness; 

to be dissolved into 
something
complete and great.

When it comes to one, 
it comes as naturally as sleep.” 


willa cather, my antonia
(a personal favorite, xxx)


Wednesday, August 28, 2013

may this dress bring you sunlight and sunshine . . .


Do not anticipate trouble or worry 
about what may never happen.  
Keep in the sunlight.  
~ Benjamin Franklin

For those of us, who are worried 
about what may happen in the
coming days . . 
(such as, knowing no one in their new class :) xxx

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

May this dress accompany you on your next adventure . . .



"The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty yes to your adventure."
 Joseph Campbell

For many this week is the beginning of a new school year - a definite adventure.

For me, today is my first official day as the substitute art teacher at the middle school @ Dana Hall, a big adventure as well as an amazing opportunity.

I am super excited to be back in the classroom, however this new schedule may affect my 'daily' posting, especially the morning postings :)

But know that my intentions are good. I love this practice, it has become my morning meditation of sorts.

In fact this past weekend I posted my 100th daily dress post, 100 in a row!!!!! :)

So im giving a bit of a heads up, in case I miss a day here or there. 
But know a dress will be on its way!

And now I'm off to say a hearty YES to this awesome adventure and meet some wonderful girls - peace

Sunday, August 25, 2013

may this dress help you 'becoming'


Life is a process of becoming. 
A combination of states 
we have to go through. 
Where people fail is that 
they wish to elect a state 
and remain in it. 

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Aligning ourselves back to our zone ~

Dear blog followers ~ today I have a follow-up to my daily post.

This morning I received that opportunity from life coach, Maria Salomão-Schmidt,  to share what I am thankful for.  This exercise is a chance to align ourselves with our life purpose, as Maria explains with her prompt:

WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR? 
(answer this to align yourself back to your "zone")

The power of focus is immense, and it is stated over and over again how the energy of gratitude is overwhelming and life affirming.  However in our current everyday high-octane life we tend to forget to be grateful.  This is one of the main intentions behind this blog, to focus on the positive, the good in us and our particular journey.

Also, today I struggled with which dress and quote to post. I eventually decided
to post this heart dress on a background covered with different ways to say thank you?! Coincidence?!? I think not ~

So considering the nature of this blog I felt that it was important to share this prompt as well as my response.

I encourage you to do this exercise yourself and I believe that you will be amazed at the power of it!!

Let's align ourselves back to our "zone"!
then go out into this glorious day and find more reasons to be thankful!! Namaste ~

I am thankful for my amazing daughters, my sweet angels who continually fill my life with awe and love. 

I am thankful for my creative drive and the overwhelming desire to create. 

I am thankful for the ability to pursue my life purpose, even though I am not sure of exactly what that purpose is, however I do know I love to inspire people and share the many wonders I experience.  And I am so thankful for those who support and encourage my creative endeavors as the role of the artist can demand one to go into dark and lonely place.  

I am thankful for the roof, under which my girls and I can safely lay our heads, and for the certainty of food in the cupboard.  And for the opportunities offered to me that I allow me to financially maintain these blessings.  

I am thankful for my health and the resources that support me in my pursuit of self care.  

I am absolutely grateful and thankful for the amazing community of loving family and extraordinary friends, new and old, far and need, who continue to support me during my ups and downs and in joy and sadness.  Who stand with me, either spiritually or physically, as I ride the rapids of this glorious adventure that we call life.  

I am so blessed by the many phenomenal souls that have come into my life and added their unique marks.  

I am truly thankful for life in it's fullest.  
And I am truly thankful to Maria Salomão-Schmidt, for asking!!

peace & love


more blessed than i can say!! XXXXXXX <3

if you have received this post as an email click here to visit the entire blog, thank you & peace 

may this dress bring you wisdom and love . . . .


“Our purpose in life
 is to grow in wisdom 
and in love.” 

Friday, August 23, 2013

may these dresses remind you of dear friends . . .

i would rather walk with a friend in the dark,
than alone in the light. Helen Keller

once again, yesterday, i was reminded of the wonders of friends ~
I am always amazed how an old friend, 
who i haven't spoken with for 
a time, can be present and so supportive 
and say the exact right thing that 
my heart needs to hear!!
 For this I am tremendously thankful!!!

xxxx


Thursday, August 22, 2013

may this dress make you happy . . .



“Now and then 
it's good to pause
 in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy.” 

guillaume apollinaire*

* i am a fan of guillaume apollinaire, one of the most popular members of the artistic community of Paris in the early 1900, an era that i have studied extensively!  apollinaire held company with the likes of Pablo Picasso,Gertrude Stein, Max Jacob, André Salmon, Marie Laurencin, André Breton, André Derain,  Marc Chagall and Marcel Duchamp.  he was poet, writer and art critic, being instrumental in many artists' careers.  

apollinaire is famous for his calligrams ; a poem, phrase, or word in which the typeface, calligraphy or handwriting is arranged in a way that creates a visual image. The image
created by the words expresses visually what the word, or words, say - 

an image and a poem, how can you go wrong?!? 

if you have received this post as an email 
click here to visit the entire blog, 
 thank you & peace 

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

may this dress bring you LOVE!!!!

Love one another 
and help others 
to rise to the higher levels, 
simply by pouring out love.

Love is infectious 
and the greatest 
healing energy. 
Sai Baba 

Sunday, August 18, 2013

may this dress remind you just to ASK . . .


“You need to trust
To surrender
To ask for guidance
Go within for the answers
They're within you
You have the answers
All you need do is ask” 

another post inspired by Maria Salomão-Schmidt
who reminded me of the power of asking, 
of opening up to the universe 
and asking for what you need.
For some of us asking is hard! 
but it is important!!

“Ask and it will be given to you; 
seek and you will find; 

Saturday, August 17, 2013

may this dress help you to let go . . . .

“It’s time to let go! 
Everything’s going to be all right.” 
~ Dory, Finding Nemo

This scene from Nemo, of Dory and Marlin in the mouth of the whale,
 has been endlessly replaying in my mind for days.  
Also the universe has been sending numerous messages to me about 'letting go'. 
I received this one last night ~ 
"LET IT ALL GO!!!!!!!! 
IT WILL BE WORTH IT! It is worth it!"

I am not completely sure what exactly I am holding on to, with such a death grip!
 there are definitely some challenges that I am facing presently; uncertainty, financial insecurity . .  

However I intend to live my life in such a way as not to let fear and anxiety rule me, 
so the time has come to walk the walk ~
I do know the I feel stuck! 
so the idea of releasing and letting go is highly appealing!!
peace

DORY 
He says, "It's time to let go!". Everything's going to be all right.
MARLIN 
How do you know, how do you know something bad isn't gonna happen?!
DORY 
I don't!

Friday, August 16, 2013

May this dress bring you passion!



“Let passion be your muse.

Let her guide and teach you

to trust your instincts.”

― Sarah Breathnach

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

may this dress bring you some GOOD therapy . . .


The greatest healing therapy 
is friendship and love.
Hubert H. Humphrey


This quote is SO true!!! 
Thanks to my dearest friend and his family!! 
Harriet and I  have escaped to 
the Green Mountains of VT 
to relax, rejuvenate and revive!!!
Seriously great therapy!!!
peace 

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

may this dress remind you of your inner strength!

'spark of the divine'
“You are one thing only. 
You are a Divine Being. 
An all-powerful Creator. 
You are a Deity in jeans 
and a t-shirt, and 
within you dwells 
the infinite wisdom of the ages 
and the sacred creative force of 
All that is, 
will be and ever was.” 

Monday, August 12, 2013

may these dresses celebrate friendship, far and near! XX

“True friends are always together in spirit. (Anne Shirley)” 
― L.M. MontgomeryAnne of Green Gables

“A messy house is a must - 
it separates your true friends from other friends.
Real friends are there to visit you not your house!” 
Jennifer Wilson


 A big 
thank you 
to ALL my wonderful friends, 
far and near, 
who celebrated my birthday with me, 
and made it a lovely, lovely day!!!

And all those cherished peeps 
who will take me as I am - 
messy (among other traits!! :)
xxxxxxxxxxx

Sunday, August 11, 2013

may this dress celebrate YOU and your precious life!!

'ribbon dress' (2008) part of the collection at the Dana Hall School
"What will you do with 
your one wild and precious life?"
Mary Oliver

for today I picked one of my favorite 
dresses from my dressproject, 'ribbon dress'
to create the skirt I stamped 
positive and inspiring quotes 
on ribbons and strips of fabrics.
this was a time-consuming process, however
I loved the meditative process of 
individually stamping each letter of these 
words of wisdom.
this dress contains many of my favorite quotes ~
from Mary Oliver, Kiki Smith & 
Thoreau, to name a few.
(a bit of a precursor to my dresscards)

this dress is part of the 
Dana Hall School's art collection, 
it is exhibited in their library. 
I feel that it is a perfect home 
for this dress, 
as it emanates  positive and 
affirming ideas.

 I wish to share my favorite poem by Mary Oliver ~ 

Wild Geese

You do not have to be good.

You do not have to walk on your knees

for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.

You only have to let the soft animal of your body

love what it loves.

Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.

Meanwhile the world goes on.

Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain

are moving across the landscapes, 

over the prairies and the deep trees,

the mountains and the rivers.

Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,

are heading home again.

Whoever you are, no matter how lonely, 

the world offers itself to your imagination,

calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting 

over and over announcing your place 

in the family of things.



from Dream Work by Mary Oliver 

published by Atlantic Monthly Press

© Mary Oliver

Saturday, August 10, 2013

today, be a lion! (for all my fellow Leos)

'i don't lie to dance'*
"Better to be a lion 
for a day 
than a sheep 
all your life."
Sister Elizabeth Kenny

This illustration was inspired by a folktale about a peaceful resolution. 


LEO: 
The Lion is considered the king of the jungle, and likewise you Leos have an air of royalty about you. Some Leos even have hair resembling the thick mane of the Lion. But Lions are more than roar, for they are truly magnificent beasts. The Lioness proudly cares for the young, hunts and takes care of survival with relentless intent and ferocity, when needed. And proud are you Leo! Perhaps that's why Leo often chooses work that puts you in the center of stage or in the spotlight of appreciation.

Leo are warm of spirit, eager for action and are driven by a desire to be loved for what you bring to others. Leo are a magnanimous leader and a faithful servant. Once scorned in love, however, Leo will withdraw your affections and the light, once brilliant, can go cold. 

Leo motto might be "What you see is what you get." You tend to live your live straightforwardly and with a flair for drama. In fact, many Leos are attracted to the theater, the performing arts and public relations, for you truly understand the importance of putting on a good presentation. As you blaze gloriously through your life, remember to take time to acknowledge the feelings of those around you. If you forget, you could unconsciously hurt someone you love. But, if you remain aware your impact, others can benefit from your presence. 


if you have received this post as an email click here to visit the entire blog,  thank you & peace