Home Office Storage Idea: Vintage bread box with roll top to hide small desktop supplies, and old metal lockbox for  current files, and painted antique suitcases for older files and miscellaneous items not needed within reach.

"Have nothing in your home you do not believe to be beautiful, or know to be useful." - William Morris, Father of the Arts & Crafts Movement

Forgive everyone for everything. Forgiveness is for you. It is what allows you to stay sweet and open in the world. 

Practice forgiveness of yourself too. the yoga mat is a perfect place to explore this. don't be afraid to go inside. 

inside is only good, as Russell Simmons once said. love...

There's Something profoundly Exhilarating and profoundly humbling about travel....to EMBARK ON A JOURNEY. 

THe excitement of an adventure unfolding, or the sparkle of awareness that wafts over you when you realize you are experiencing something you may have never expected, and may never experience again. 

...to allow people, cultures, languages and the beautiful land, sea and sky called earth into our hearts, is a blessing beyond measure...

it has been a while since i've had the inspiration to write. i've been tending to my sweetest friend, tucker, in his last days. 

it's interesting to be with a being so evolved, and yet so completely oblivious to technology and gadgetry. 

as usual, he helped teach me something nearly every moment of every day. 

forever in my heart, and all of those hearts he touched. tucker thomas "Bootsie" Bowden...yoga dog.

I am honored to have have been a graduate student, and later an adjunct professor, in the department of interior design at florida state university (recently ranked first in the nation by deans and department chairs of 122 colleges across the country). a grand achievement! 

in my time there, the one thing i learned that stays with me more than any other thing is a guideline i use daily in my home and the homes of my clients. a quote by william morris, considered the father of the arts and crafts movement. 

"...have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful." 

"imagination is the beginning of creation.

You imagine what you desire,
you will what you imagine,
and at last,
you create what you will."
                                       
               -- george bernard shaw

ok, feeling overwhelmed by expectations in the new year yet? holy moly, I sure have been! 

I really reveled in it for a few days -- had two (or was it three?) magnificent naps, some dazzling hot baths, then got up, kicked my own butt a little...then rolled up my sleeves and tackled about 20 little tasks that have been stacking up. 

some were as menial as organizing a drawer, others more arty like framing and hanging up these lovely southern landscapes in my new office (gifts from a dear friend several years ago). all of it made me feel happier, more optimistic. step by baby step...

it is true that "motion creates emotion," to paraphrase tony robbins. that said, allowing myself (with the loving support of my husband) to take these days and simply feel sad and overwhelmed, and take naps and hot baths -- without beating myself up for not "accomplishing" something...that was pretty key.

so back in motion i go for now, outside to gather sticks for the fire. then to sit, and rest, and nap again...