Are you stuck?

Getting the word out on social media can be mind boggling. 

Thank goodness Launch Your Creativity is having a Mini Launch Soiree on November 7th at Paris In A Cup Tea Salon and featuring social media maven Kara Noel Lawson of Small Things are Big Things.

Read about it HERE

We know something you need to hear!

Do you ever wonder if you're on the right path? 

Wonder if what you're walking through is normal? 

Wonder if you should give up your dreams?
Well the Truth Over Tea panel is just what your heart needs and we cant wait to encourage you. You are beautiful and you are so loved and meant for so many good things! We will be sharing at Launch Your Creativity this weekend. 

Please join us! 

Register HERE

You are the master's canvass

Good morning blogland beauties! 

I wanted to update you a bit on my blogland absence...

I found it necessary to take a bit of a sabbatical. Taking time out for the big things in life is really important even though its not necessarily easy to find the time. 

Im glad to be back and have a new perspective!

 I've been talking with my closest friends about how as women that seem compelled to "do it all" we often feel overwhelmed but can't seem to stop the merry go round of life (sometimes we just need to give ourselves permission to soak in the tub and NOT answer the phone)!

You know the drill; kids, spouse, carpool, soccer, laundry, pets running a business and the list goes on and on. Well after a few giggles and laughs among us an amazing idea was born........as you know Launch Your Creativity is meant to inspire and encourage women to pursue their creative passions but its not easy for everyone to come to Southern California for the events,SO......I am so excited to tell you that "Truth Over Tea" a new video series is coming this Fall. More details will follow in the coming weeks. 

Im sure your heart will be encouraged as you hear what this amazing group of women have to say about juggling life! 

The amazing panel includes: 

Cheryl Turner, Paris In A Cup

Lidy Baars, French GardenHouse

Debi Ward-Kennedy, Author and Stylist

Sylvia Asmussen, Paris Cowgirl & Madam Palooza

Hey Beautiful Girl

An encouraging message for you,
 from my heart~

You are meant for great things!

Loved More Than You Know

My sweet friend Julie told me about about a book she is reading, "Grace: More than we deserve, greater than we imagine" by Max Lucado. So I thought I would take a peek at it. 

I have to admit there are so many sticky sweet books out there regarding the Christian walk that I had a bit of skepticism....But I must be honest with you and with myself. I only got a few pages in before I was suddenly taken (again) with the power of God's grace and how incredibly small I am. It touched so deep within my very soul that I had to stop reading it. You know why? 1. It scared me and 2. because Max Lucado gets it, its raw. He doesnt wrap up how hard it is to be human in this world (whether you are a believer or not) in a bunch of empty faith filled words. You know the kind, youve heard them before from well meaning friends even your pastor. But they leave you empty and hopeless feeling as though youve missed the mark yet again. Not this book. Its refreshing to know that we are all in the pressure cooker together, trying to navigate our way through life doing the best we can *and* we are all H.U.M.A.N.! God is big enough to deal with it all and more-so with each of us right where we are. We are enough, you are enough, I am enough. Say it to yourself, "I am enough". But it gets even better...God loves you right where you are. In the midst of your own personal storm. Ive been in one for months, like a boat on the ocean in the middle of a small craft warning, the waves are crashing over my head and Im bailing with a bucket that has holes. I used to have a boat and have been out during a small craft warning, its not pretty! But then again, in so many ways life isnt pretty. Its hard. Damn its hard. Ive always wanted to be bluntly honest about how I see things no matter how unpopular my take may be. Im finding that when I am honest its much better received than a candy smile. Do you remember those big wax lips from the early '70's? Thats is precisely the fake candy smile I mean!

Take heart precious ones, you matter and you are greatly loved.

XO

Hey Dreamers....

Hey Beautiful Girls! 

Yes, Im talking to you! 

Have you taken the time

 to dream a little dream today? 

Don't forget that your dreams are 

what make you YOU!

UNITE, LOVE, BELIEVE

Im choosing to unite, love and believe 

in our great country. 

The cost is too high not to!

photo: incourage.me

Wishing you great joy today.

You are Perfect

 For all of you that think you are not enough, you are wrong. 

You are perfect just the way you are.

The Resolution

I just returned from the bookstore. My heart had been hungering for something that would push me out of my comfort zone. I knew this was the book I wanted to read and I know I will be happy with where it leads me.

I'm going to be perfectly honest with you if you don't mind. Some of you will understand, even identify with the journey I'm about to embark on. Others will pass over what I share because its not their thing or they disagree and that's OK. This isn't for everyone. 

I have strong convictions about what I believe. I believe in God, I believe in family and I believe in this country and the freedom it represents. I can be quite stubborn too. If I say "no" I very rarely change my mind. If I say "yes" I honor my word. I long for the old days when a deal was made on your word and a handshake. 

I think they used to call it honesty or was it integrity?

So back to the journey, my journey, which I will share with you in bits and pieces as I read this book, meditate on it and apply it to my life. I will not be preaching at you or telling you to do this or that. I will be gravely honest with where this takes me. I'm not a sit on the sidelines kind of girl. I'm not satisfied with good enough, never have been. 

This book will be a challenge, it won't be easy. 

Ive always wanted to use my blogs as a way to inspire others, offer friendship and life experiences. I hope you will find something here that makes you smile or comforts you during your day. 

Wishing you great joy!

Follow Your Rainbow

Its been a rainy day here in So Cal., the perfect weather for curling up with

 a good book and hot chocolate.

This is the hillside across from my house, I love the way the 

evening sunset casts is golden glow on it.

So I was driving home from shuttling the kids around and saw this beautiful rainbow. I was driving straight towards it and for one magical moment I was lost in childhood memories of chasing rainbows. I can remember riding my bicycle and really believing that somehow I could catch it. 

I remembered the joy and excitement of the chase.

And then there was dissapoinment

until the next time it rained and I would try all over again.

My friends, as you know I want my blog to encourage you and 

inspire you to chase your dreams.

DREAMS unlike rainbows can be chased and can be caught.

As you start on that journey of pursuing your dreams stop and ask yourself, "What am I chasing? Is it worth catching? Will I be satisfied once I have it or longing for something else? What do I need to let go of in order to catch my rainbow?"

Only You can answer those questions. Only You can define what your dream 

looks like when attained.

My sweet friends I wish you days filled with magical rainbows.

Spread Your Wings

 

Just when the caterpillar thought she came to the very end of her life a miracle happened and she flew away. 

Spread YOUR WINGS dear ones.

My first article, Published!

Have you ever done something that you didn't think
you could do?
Well that is exactly the case with the first article I wrote. Thirty years ago when I was in high school I took a journalism class and fell in love with writing. Unfortunately my family life was unstable and I was shuffled between my parents and there wasn't any room in life for pursuing dreams so needless to say those things were locked away deep inside me. Recently I was asked to submit an article by Kiki Nakita for her new online magazine, "My 365". My heart raced at the idea and my head was filled with all kinds of questions; should I? What if my article isn't good enough? I decided to put on my brave girl face and try my best. I submitted the article and crossed my fingers. I could not believe the response, Kiki was so sweet she said she loved it and wanted a picture of me to put in the magazine too!

Girls you have to put yourself out there even though its really scary. You have to be you and follow your creative dreams no matter what anyone says. Don't let doubt win. I could have passed on the opportunity but I would have regretted it and wondered what might have been.

What will you do today that you didn't know you could do?

Season of Change

I love Fall and all it invokes; the cool evenings, comfort food,

the leaves turning and the sun sits lower in the sky. Im not sure which is my favorite season, it seems I'm always ready for change when the calendar beckons though. Lately Ive been thinking a lot about change as shared in this post. Its interesting how many times someone has said to me over the years, "there is a season for everything". I'm sure you've heard that yourself but how do you really know when one of those seasons is over and you shouldn't hang in there?
That's one of those nagging questions that most of us have a hard time answering. 

You know what Ive come to realize in my 45 years of(insert sarcasm) brilliant wisdom? 

Trust your gut!

MmmHmmm, that's it girls. Trust yourselves. 

You've learned how to do a million things from changing diapers to changing a spare tire, you really can do anything, so why can't you trust your hunches, your gut, that funny feeling you know all the way down to your toes?

You know when its time for a change. If you're anything like me you can certainly see it a mile away when its someone else's season to change. You've helped your friends, co-workers, children, spouses and the list goes on, now its time for you. 

Do that thing whatever it is that you know you need to do. The sooner you do you'll see it wasn't so hard and you will learn more about yourself than you ever expected. Take it from me the fraidy cat!

XO~