“I paint self-portraits because I am so often alone, because I am the person I know best.”
Frida Kahlo
Egon Schiele
Andy Warhol
Pablo Picasso
Salvador Dali
Francis Bacon
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One Word, Two Ways: Self
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Give It What You Got
Sell the Sizzle by Kasey McMahon
We’ve posted about spring cleaning a few times in the last couple of weeks (mostly, as it relates to de-cluttering and cleaning out closets). But what about the same concept as it applies to one’s ideas? When we hold onto things emotionally, they manifest as tention, tightness, aliments and disease in the body. When we hold onto objects we no longer need, they clutter our spaces and weigh us down. So when we hold onto ideas, it only makes sense that they would stagnate, instead of flourish.
We de-clutter to clear and make space. We take baths and get massages to relax and rejuvenate. And the natural circulation of our ideas best positions us to live freely, and with ease. To grow, to evolve and to improve. Or better said, in the word of En Vogue, “Free your mind and the rest will follow.”
Just Do It
As I have mentioned before, I love organization and while I was looking for some ideas for my accessories, I came across so many fun DIY tips and projects. I wanted to share some of my favorites with you.
I am pretty obsessed with sunglasses and have way too many of them. It is such a great idea to hang them on a string so you can see your options.
At the house I grew up in, we have so many board games with missing pieces. These coasters are a great use for old Scrabble pieces.
I have some empty tea cans that I don’t want to throw away and now I know what to do with them!
Having a hanging garden for your apartment is a great alternative if you don’t have a fire escape or backyard.
I have so many bracelets and have never had a good method of organization for them. I am going to try this for sure.
Homie of the Day: Kirsten from Triple Max Tons
Well hello, Sister Disco readers! Kirsten from Triple Max Tons here, and I am pretty excited to be today’s homie. When Farrell got in touch and suggested I share some of my spring fashion faves, I jumped at the chance. I hate to break it to you East Coasters, but we’ve been enjoying the sunny weather (with some pretty epic rain showers every now and then) in Austin for a while. Our boots and jackets long put away, the streets- and stores – are flooded with bright colors and bold patterns, and I am beyond smitten with everything I’ve seen cropping up this season. Add some girly lace and buttery leather into the mix, and you’ll likely see me doing a happy dance as I’m walking down South Congress in my color blocked frock. So, without further ado, here are some of the items that made my spring wish list!
(Click on the image to enlarge)
1 // Mara Hoffman Tiki Underwire Cami Bikini 2 // Need Supply Co. Lizzy Dress 3 // D&G Sunglasses Aviator 4 // AG Neon Stevie Ankle & Citizens Of Humanity Floral Thompson 5 // Bow Down Tank 6 // Levi’s Memento Scarf 7 // Madewell Colorblock Turnstile Tote 8 // Caudalie Beauty Elixir 9 // Tucker Smocked Collar Mini Dress 10 // Bubble Umbrella 11 // Boutique 9 Piraya Sandals & Madewell Sunnyday Sandal 12 // Laced Tie Top 13 // Striped Sun Hat 14 // Studded Bracelet Set
Namo… Namo…
I recently began taking yoga classes at a new studio, thanks to a Groupon I bought several months ago and finally redeemed. A lot of the teachers play music in the classes and one I was in last week started with Krishna Das’ Baba Hanuman.
Hanuman, Ravi Varma Press, 1910-1920’s
I was so pleased to be reminded of this stunningly beautiful track. I knew it first in its remixed version and in its original form second. Both are simultaneously powerful and peaceful. I hope you will listen and enjoy.
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“Let the river of these Names take you…
Let yourself float in the beauty of your own heart
into the ocean of Love that fills all space,
that ALWAYS is…
that ONLY is.
When we know ourselves to be That,
then we can be This too.
Then we can play,
We are free and bound in the same breath,
The breath of the One breathes in us.
It’s OK to be messed up, to feel small and sad and hurt
with no hope of ever seeing a good day.
It’s OK to forget, to be forgotten,
to be left behind,
It’s OK to be betrayed, strung out on everything
that everyone has ever done to us and we can’t ever forgive…
Because
The breath of the One breathes in us.
Breathes us.
Even when we don’t know.
Where is this One? How can we find that One?
The Saints say that the One is hidden in the Name.
The Divine Name. The name of Love.
And that by constant repetition,
gradually but INEVITABLY
the Presence that is hidden in the Name reveals itself!
Where? In our own hearts!
The medicine of the Name
hidden in the sugar syrup of music
begins to cure us of our sadness;
begins to cure us of our fascination with STUFF;
to cure us of thinking that happiness will come to us from the outside;
that if we have just one more hit; a better car;
a more beautiful lover, or more beautiful lovers;
a good relationship; a better relationship; ANY! relationship;
it will be enough.
When the Buddha came out of the jungle after His Enlightenment,
he said, “YO! Monks…guess what? Stuff doesn’t make you happy.
The nature of stuff is that it will be NEVER be enough!
Or something like that…”
– Krishna Das via here
Picturesque
I had a very special birthday on Saturday and wanted to share a couple pictures of my day. I hope you enjoy them.
I bought this nail art at Sephora a long time ago. They didn’t stay on for the whole day, but it was fun while it lasted!
Birthday pants 🙂
In the morning, I went to my favorite coffeeshop and got a free americano and raspberry rose macaroon sandwich. It was delicious. If you are ever in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, please go here.
I was shocked when my wonderful boyfriend handed me a stack of newspapers as my present. My surprise turned to extreme excitement when I found Broadway tickets to see “The Newsies” inside.
My friend Lis suggested that I try these amazing doughnuts at Donewell Doughnuts. She was right, they were the best doughnuts I have ever had. The store was absolutely charming. I can’t wait to go again. It was a great birthday treat.
I had lobster tacos, ceviche and margaritas at a birthday dinner with friends and family. It was a blast.
It was an F themed kind of day 😉
Later that night, I had the best birthday party with some of my favorite people in the world in attendance.
This birthday was one of the best I have ever had. I have to tell you that the post that Lauren did for me was among the most thoughtful gifts I have ever received, because it included everyone I love. Throughout the whole day, people would ask me to guess the word they had chosen to describe me, or were otherwise so excited to tell me their word. I feel so flattered, and really lucky, to have a life filled with so much love and support. Thank you so much everyone! 27 is going to be a great year!
One Word: Farrell
Each week we pick a word, and both do a post based off that word. However, this week I’m sneaking in and changing it up because today is Farrell’s birthday!! I couldn’t have been blessed with a better sister and friend; and I’m so thankful to have the opportunity to celebrate her with you today.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, FARRELL!
I asked many of the people in her life to send me one word to describe Farrell. These are the words they chose.
*Thank you to everyone who helped out with this, especially to Teddy for the word layout. And no need to stop here. If you have a word you’d like to add, there’s plenty of room to do so in the comments.
Fee-Fi-Fiddly-I-O
It wasn’t until I was lucky enough to spend a semester in China that I was turned on to bluegrass music. Now of course I understand that Shanghai is no Appalachia, but it is true, China brought me bluegrass.
One of my good friends there was obsessed with all things banjo. I, on the other hand, thought I was the coolest kid in the world and would not entertain anything of the sort. But then, one night we went to one of the best shows that I have ever seen – Bela Fleck with The Sparrow Quartet. The singer, Abigail Washburn, mixed banjo with Chinese Folk in the most fluid way possible.
Ever since that night, there are days when I listen to Abigail Washburn’s music all day on repeat and am reminded of the unexpectedly life changing nights of the Shanghai skyline.
Here are some of my favorite Abigail Washburn songs:
Check out Abigail singing in Mandarin during her NPR Tiny Desk Concert:
Homies of the Day: domestic construction
Fellow Cleveland native, Maureen Walsh, and Trish Andersen are the amazing duo behind the multi-disciplinary design studio domestic construction (www.domestic-construction.com). We are totally inspired by domestic construction’s creations as well as the philosophy behind their work. So, we’re psyched to show you a sampling of their work below. However, make sure to head over to their website as well to check out the full range of projects.
domestic construction's loft photo: http://www.unusuallyfine.com
the brooklyneer bridge wall photo via New York Times
fit for habitation installation via domestic construction
custom exterior for neighborhood salon via domestic construction
grounded: a unique flooring alternative via domestic construction
Also, check out the video below to hear more about domestic construction in their own words!
Domestic Construction Artist Feature for mb! by Mercedes-Benz from Nicolas Doldinger on Vimeo.
Between the Lines
“Stories you read when you’re the right age never quite leave you. You may forget who wrote them or what the story was called. Sometimes you’ll forget precisely what happened, but if a story touches you it will stay with you, haunting the places in your mind that you rarely ever visit.”
-Neil Gaiman
As someone who generally likes to hold on to books I’ve read, my bookshelf serves almost as a photo album to me. Most everything on it, as well as the bookshelf itself, conjures its own story, or brings me back to another time in my life. Various books I’ve read remain forever connected with different periods of my life; looking back at their titles I can easily recall whatever it was I was experiencing at the time I read/bought/received each book.
I’m someone who reads in spurts. For a given period of time, I’ll constantly have a book I’m reading. Then, I’ll hit a down cycle and stop reading for weeks, or even months.
Several years ago, I lived in India for six months. I brought only two books with me. But as it turned out, I had a ton of time to read while I was there. So, I read anything other travelers left behind, along with a wonderful selection sent to me mostly by my father, and a few others. When I now look at the compilation of books below, most of which I did not select on my own, it serves to bring back so much more that what is written in their pages. I am equally reminded of the feelings and memories I have of being there. I can see the details of my open-air bedroom, recall the feeling of the ceiling fan above my bed and relive the escapism that the books gave me while trying to make my way through a world that was so clearly not my own.
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