“By many accounts, you and I have every advantage to be happy, healthy, and deeply fulfilled. 
Somewhere else…
: Are you gay? If you’re found out, you will get jail time.
: If you were unfaithful to your spouse, you would be stoned, likely by your neighbors.
: Want to convert to a religion other than the one you were born into? That would warrant execution.
: Thirsty? Clean wateris five miles away. Walk to get it. You have one bucket.
: You may want to play soccer with the other boys your age, but you have weapons training.
: Have you complained about the government in an email? You’re going to court.

Women…
: Long to be thin, to run in the sun? Forget it, men in your village like large women and you are force fed.
: Raped? Refuse a marriage proposal? If you’re lucky, they won’t kill you, they’ll just throw acid in your face.
: Long for erotic pleasure? It’s difficult since your grandmother cut out your clitoriswith a razor blade when you were twelve.
: If you’re menstruating, you will miss school rather than face the ridicule.
: You can’t get a job because by law, women are considered “half the value of men.” Hell, you can’t even vote. You can’t even look a man directly in the eyes.”

Spring has sprung, and is positively abloom (word?) with new trends.  I’m over the moon about…

*Headscarves (I’ve recently decided to classify my personal style as “Haute Hippie” so these feel totally appropriate)

* Punchy pink lipstick a la Blake Lively

* Bibs! No longer just for toddlers AND they sparkle!

Maxi Skirts (LOVE the mint color here…though if you’re not a 6’2 waif perhaps skip the belly shirt.  Just saying.)

How are you celebrating spring through personal adornment?

“Although I have no statistical evidence to prove it, I’m convinced that when you start practicing yoga and meditation, you invite major changes into your life. Those changes start from within: Maybe your practice alters the way you define personal integrity; maybe it unleashes deep longings in your heart, or shows you truths you’ve been hiding from yourself. Soon, these inner shifts seep into your external life. They make you question the way you do things, and then nudge you to live life differently. You might notice that your practice has triggered a mysterious process that I call “karmic acceleration.” In other words, having a yoga practice tends to speeds up the way your relationships and life scenarios play out.”
-Sally Kempton
Yoga Journal

The past weekend offered some MUCH-NEEDED relaxation. Highlights included…

* Teaching 3 yoga classes to my fabulous PALS ladies

* Running through my newly discovered neighborhood park (I basically just ogle all the cute puppies)

* FroYo date/stroll in the sunshine with one of my best girlfriends

* Indulging in a magenta manicure

* Stella & Dot trunk show where I snagged a few sparkly spring statement necklaces (wine + amazing jewelry + me post break up = serious damage!)

* Quality time with my roomies

* Restorative yoga class at Tranquil Space

* Reading, blogging, catching up on my favorite CW shows and playing on Pinterest all Sunday afternoon from the comfort of my bed 🙂

Hope your weekend was lovely and your Monday is off to an excellent start!
xoxo

“I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they’re right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.”
― Marilyn Monroe

Have a fabulous week!
xx

This blog has been a bit quiet lately because, to be terribly honest, I’ve been less than my sparkly self. Due to a heart-wrenching break-up, the past three weeks have been some of the most painful, lost, guilt-ridden and confused I’ve felt in a long time (if ever). I’ve been forced to draw on all of my coping mechanisms: self-help books (I’m now the proud owner of “Better Single Than Sorry”, don’t judge), yoga, journaling, loooong talks with girlfriends, (many) Sex and The City re-runs, bubble baths (and a few less than healthy things I won’t mention here). As much as I’ve resisted, I am starting to see a few positive changes coming out of what I’ve deemed “Awful April”:

1. I’ve never felt closer to my girlfriends, mom and sister. In times of crisis, we have no choice but to open up and rely on people in ways we don’t normally. Interestingly, it seems to be through that totally uncomfortable vulnerability that real closeness and intimacy are achieved. Also, friends give wise & funny advice. For example, the following exerpt from a recent discussion about weekend plans:
Me: “I’m not doing bars these days”
Friend: “That’s definitely for the best. Nothing good ever comes from upset girl at a bar.”
TRUTH.

2. I’ve begun feathering the nest, totally de-cluttering my bedroom and closet and investing in a new mattress (If your going to be up all night crying, you better damn well do it somewhere comfy!)

3. I’ve been more creative and I can’t stop journaling. The (mostly dark) thoughts just keep pouring out of me and and are gradually becoming more positive.

4. I’ve been more active, doing heaps of yoga and running..it’s an awesome release and the endorphins aren’t so bad either.

For any readers who are also going through a scary/painful life transition, I’ve found the following quotes to be helpful:

“Life is divine chaos. Embrace it, forgive yourself, breathe and enjoy the ride.”

“Life can only be understood backwards but it must be lived forwards”

“When we are shaken out of our everyday experiences by intense emotions, we have an opportunity to rededicate ourselves to spiritual practice, and to come to terms with our lives, our relationships, and our experience of the world.”

Sending lots of love to all of you.
xoxo
Rebecca

Photo: Pinterest.com