Photo: Isabel Lambert.
Photo: Alive To Live A Lie.
“Some stories don’t have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what is going to happen next. Delicious Ambiguity.”
-Gilda Radner
Photo: We Heart It.
“Success is not normally attained through sporadic bursts of effort. Rather it is in the continuity of the effort, the constancy of going on trying each day, each week, helped by grace.”
-Unknown
For enthusiastic people with slight ADD tendencies (*ahem*, moi), consistency and ‘staying the course’ can pose a challenge. I thrive on the excitement of beginning new projects, but often have trouble sticking with something after the initial glow and glamor wear away.
But I’ve learned that nothing worth having comes easy. To achieve meaningful goals, a healthy work ethic is an absolute necessity. So how do you get in touch with and channel the determination that will keep you plugging away, even when going gets tough?
Here’s what works for me…
1. Setting achievable goals
I’m all for lofty aspirations, but if you don’t break down your big dream into small, manageable tasks, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and give up all together. Make sure to set regular milestones, and don’t forget to reward yourself along the way! Got an A on a paper? Gave a rock-star presentation and impressed your boss? Go get a pedicure (or something equally delicious), STAT!
2. Sharing aspirations with positive and like-minded pals
When you feel like your progress is stagnating, look to your friends for support, and in turn, support them when they need it. It’s hard to achieve anything without a little love and encouragement, and in the words of The Beatles, “Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends”!
3. Saying affirmations
I know, I know, I’m becoming more of a woo woo Oprah wanna be with each passing day, but I seriously believe in the power of the occasional, “I can do it” or “I am strong” recited to one’s reflection in the mirror.
4. Practicing self-care and staying grounded
Never let achieving your goal become more important than your health, relationships, or values. In the words of Conan O’Brien, “If you work really hard and you’re kind, amazing things will happen.” I believe this with all my heart!
Go out and make things great this week!!
(Whew, now that that’s done, I think it’s about time to cuddle up in bed with a glass of wine and few episodes of the Vampire Diaries ;)!)
Yay spring is here 🙂 As you revel in the extra hour of light, why not…
* Throw on some brightly colored rain boots (and make a splash during April showers!)
* Exercise outside. Endorphins + fresh spring air = instant feel-goodness
* Plan a picnic somewhere pretty. Grab a blanket, a bottle of wine, munchies (cheese, crackers, & fruit), iPod speakers, and a group of fun people and prepare to enjoy a wonderful afternoon in the sun
* Spring clean your closet (and be sure to display your sundresses front and center!)
* Plan a weekend getaway
* Read up on Mercury Retrograde (non-astrology nuts feel free to skip this one!)
* Make a spring-themed mix CD
* Find a new signature fragrance (floral scents are great this season)
* Develop your green thumb. Plant an herb garden or (if that sounds a tad labor intensive) place a pretty potted plant or an orchid on your windowsill
* Try out a new hairstyle (but always think twice before chopping it all of or dying it a crazy color on a whim!). Take it from someone who has suffered the repercussions of what I like to call “mood hair” and don’t make any rash decisions (but if you still want a magenta pixi cut after a month, more power to you!)
* Break out the bike and go for a ride
* Run in a charity race
* Check out a farmers market (and don’t forget your reusable grocery tote 🙂 Yay being green!)
* Pick up a new hobby (I just started an art journal!)
* Blow bubbles (they’re not just for kids AND apparently come in edible varieties, who knew?!)
* Commit to either being barefoot or wearing really cute high-heeled espadrilles for the next month (except of course during aforementioned April splashing, outdoor workouts, charity racing, and bike rides. Gosh you’re gonna be busy!)
xoxo
Photo: Linizh Blog.
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
—Marianne Williamson
Have a lovely week and don’t forget to let your light shine!
xoxo
Photo: So Lali Dances.
“Life is an opportunity, benefit from it. Life is beauty, admire it. Life is bliss, taste it. Life is a dream, realize it. Life is a challenge, meet it. Life is a duty, complete it. Life is a game, play it. Life is a promise, fulfill it. Life is a sorrow, overcome it. Life is a song, sing it. Life is a struggle, accept it. Life is a tragedy, confront it. Life is an adventure, dare it. Life is luck, make it. Life is too precious, do not destroy it, Life is life, fight for it.”
-Unknown
Here are a few things that captured my fancy/made me happy this past week…
*This colorful graffiti
* Watching old Sex and The City reruns on the elliptical
* Slowly discovering just how bizarre and fabulous my co-workers really are
* These inspiring tips for adding a dose of spring to your interior decor
* This wonderful post by re-PSYCH about cultivating solitude
* Fantasizing about living in a delightfully pink apartment like this one
* Cherry blossoms EVERYWHERE!!
* Discovering this great list of DC area bloggers
* Looking at the lovely art journals of Lisa Sonora Beam, author of The Creative Entrepreneur
* Following the adventures of the The Brox Zoo Corba on Twitter all week (yes I do occasionally do real work!)
* Stumbling upon this epic failure of a marketing campaign, Oh Turkish Airlines…
* Attempting to cook something resembling a “real meal” Monday night and failing miserably…fortunately for me (and perhaps unfortunately for my kitchen utensils) I shall try again! There is a domestic goddess somewhere inside me just waiting to break free, I’m sure of it!
*Going to two movies in one week (Limitless = great, Red Riding Hood = ridiculous…am I surprised really?)
* Getting a deep conditioning hair treatment while munching on Tootsie Rolls at The Shop in Bethesda
* Indulging in delicious Indian food at The Bombay Club…so yummy!
* Looking forward to volunteering with PALS tomorrow morning and checking out the Cherry Blast Saturday night!
Have a lovely weekend friends!
xoxo
Photos © 2011 Rebecca Rubin.
“Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party!'”
-Robin Williams
“It’s spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you’ve got it, you want – oh, you don’t quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!”
-Mark Twain
Photo: Inspiring Fearless.
“This is your life. Do what you love, and do it often. If you don’t like something, change it. If you don’t have enough time, stop watching TV. If you are looking for the love of your life, stop; they will be waiting for you when you start doing the things you love. Stop over analyzing. All emotions are beautiful. When you eat, appreciate; every last bite. Life is simple. Open your mind, arms, and heart to new things and people; we are united in our differences. Ask the next person you see what their passion is and share your inspiring dream with them. Travel often. Getting lost will help you find yourself. Some opportunities only come once, seize them. Life is about the people you meet and the things you create with them so go out and start creating. Life is short. Live your dream and wear your passion.”
-Unknown
I stumbled upon this beautiful quote today and was so moved. Hope you are too 🙂
xoxo
“Keep away from people that try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you too, can become great. When you are seeking to bring big plans to fruition, it is important with whom you regularly associate. Hang out with friends who are like-minded and who are also designing purpose filled lives. Similarly, be that kind of a friend for your friends.”
-Mark Twain
“Each friend represents a world in us, a world not born until they arrive, & it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.”
-Anais Nin
Sending heaps of love to all my wonderful friends! You continually bring so much love, happiness, and inspiration into my life and I feel incredibly blessed to have met each and every one of you 🙂
xoxo
Photo: The Electric
Want to add a dose of grunge to your wardrobe but fear looking more frumpy than fabulous? I’m right there with you! While I’d in no way classify myself as a hipster, I’ve begun to lust after that increasingly popular “messed up” look (which I’ve dubbed, “Disheveled Chic”). Through trial (and lots of error!) I’ve picked up a few tips in my quest toward disheveled-chicdome which I will now share with you..
1. Select a Disheveled-Chic style icon (ideally someone who’s body type resembles yours). Look at photos of them and notice what elements of their outfits appeal to you. Then slowly begin to incorporate them more in your day to day style. My personal disheveled-chic style icons include The Olsen Twins, Sienna Miller, Blake Lively, and Johnny Depp (yes, fashion inspiration can absolutely be derived from dudes!).
2. Go a little crazy when it comes to jewelry. Mix colorful bangles, leather cuff bracelets, and large cocktail rings to create your own unique blend and resist the urge to match! Over-coordination is the antithesis of the disheveled-chic chick!
3. Invest in one overpriced “It Girl” bag and wear it frequently to achieve that oh so perfectly scuffed look. (Check out E-bay for great deals!)
4. Don a pair of large dark sunglasses to add an element of old Hollywood glamor (you want to be a classy mess obviously!).
5. Think contrast when applying makeup and focus on one feature (ie. ruby red lips or smokey eyes with an otherwise bare face).
6. Combine multiple textures. The disheveled chic fashionista is known for paring a leather bag with a fur vest, suede boots, and slightly ripped jeans. Again, think contrast!
7. When it comes to hair, less is more (so lose the flat iron and wear your tresses down in natural waves or thrown up in a messy bun).
8. Borrow pieces from your boyfriend/brother/guy friends (particularly oxfords and blazers). Just be sure to pair baggier pieces with more feminine fitted items to achieve a sense of balance).
9. Develop an adventurous attitude and willingness to take risks! Personal style should be a fun and ever-evolving process!
Bon chance, you glamorous mess, you!
Photo: We Heart It
“What you resist persists, and what you stop resisting, stops persisting.”
Whether you’ve been fighting asking for help, taking a risk, admitting responsibility, falling in love, stepping up to the plate, expressing uncomfortable feelings, asking for support, admitting the breakdown of a relationship, grieving, or even eating chocolate icing, why not cut yourself a break? Life happens and things change whether we like it or not. Whether we’re ready for it or not. There is only so much we can control, and after that we have two choices: to let go or needlessly suffer. I’m setting a new goal to live with less resistance and more loving acceptance, and I invite you to join me 🙂
