a shop sale

Sometimes we need a traveling companion to remind us to be present to the beauty and truth that surround us. We need to be encouraged to shine a light on what is real, to heal, to dance inside joy. We need an invitation to stand tall and give ourselves permission to rest. We need to be gently pushed to find our way to laughter and fill the cracks that life creates. 

My hope is that the talismans found at Soul Mantras and Other Stories will be companions on your journey as you open your heart to all that is to come...

Today only, I am having a 25% off all items in the shop sale! Just use coupon code HOLIDAY11 when you check out through my Etsy shop.

I am also delighted to announce that you can now customize your Soul Mantra necklace with your own phrase and choose your locket and even choose from a few bead options. All the customizable options can be found in the new CUSTOMIZABLE section in the shop! 

Holiday schedule: All U.S. orders placed by December 12 will be sent in time to arrive by Christmas. If you need something by a specific date, check in with me by email or Etsy convo. International orders will be sent out as well, but I cannot guarentee they will arrive in time.

And just remember that the HOLIDAY11 coupon code for 25% off is only good today!

edited to add: In case you are new to Etsy or new to coupon codes on Etsy, here is how you apply the coupon to your order. When you are on the shopping cart page, look for "Apply shop coupon code." It appears just above the Order Total area in your shopping cart. Click on "Apply shop coupon code" and then enter HOLIDAY11 in the box that appears. Click "Apply" and you will see your discount. 

right here.

do you see a car? yes! do you see little critter?

Books are a big part of our days over here this month. Goodnight Moon and a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse look and find book have been the main favorites, but a couple of weeks ago, I introduced Beana to Little Critter.

I showed her my favorite Little Critter book (that has moved with me from house to house over the years), Just For You, and talked about how I used to read it over and over again to myself and then to my little brother.

There is something about this story about a little one who wants to make his mama happy but somehow keeps getting distracted by living. My favorite scene is when he is taking a bath and water is everywhere because"there was a storm." Love it. And in the end, all is well as he successfully hugs his mama and heads to bed.

The day after we first read this book, Ellie brought it to me and we looked through it again. Reading mostly consists of her pointing to different things wanting Jon and me to tell her what they are. Then we ask her to find things on the pages. When I asked, "Where is Little Critter?" and she pointed right to him...well...I cried. Just like that. Because sometimes the love of those who came before you (who love you even still) rises up around you until little tears form. 

I told a certain grandmother about Ellie's new love of Little Critter and a box of books arrived from Amazon days later. Just like that.

(I will always buy you books, she would say for as long as I can remember.)

Ellie is reading from Just Me and My Mom in the photo above. I am someone's mom. So so crazy. She doesn't really call me mama yet. When she gleefully calls for Da Da! when she hears the front door open, I try not to let it bother me. Because the truth is, if she had a name for me right now, it would probably be "here."

Where is mama? I ask. And she points to herself in the center of her chest and then touches my chest.

Right here.

I love that. 

reaching for the camera

on this day...

as you open your heart to all that is to come,

may you always remember that beauty is waiting inside this moment

may your mind rest in the space you create with each breath

may you trust compassion when facing uncertainty

may your spirit feel the lightness of truth and love 

yes

yes

yes

the nine interview (with kristen perman)

Today's Nine interview is with Kristen Perman. From her self-portraits to her NYC fire escapes to the Los Angeles street art she captures on her photo walks, oh how this woman can use a camera! The simple truth is that the way Kristen captures the world through her lens deeply moves me. She was one of my first friends here in blog world and then we became friends "in the real world," and I am so grateful for the way she shows up. I am also so honored that she is one of the contibutors in my book Inner Excavation.

Come along today and peek into Kristen's story as she answers the Nine questions.

*****

Question 1: Who are you?

Question 2: In this moment, where are you?

Question 3: What are the textures of your corner of the world?

Question 4: If you had an hour alone to just play, what would you do?

Question 5: How do you seek joy?

Question 6: What nourishes you?

Question 7: When you need to simply take a breath and ground yourself, what do you do?

Question 8: How do you nurture your creative dreams?

Question 9: Does your heart have a secret wish you want to share?

(all photos copyright kristen perman)

*****

Kristen Perman is a Los Angeles based photographer who is continually inspired by the urban suburban sprawl of her surroundings.

A tea-loving bookworm, a girl who chases light and shadows; always exploring, always a camera in hand.

You can visit Kristen on the web at Exquisite Corpse Collective and her Flickr stream, and find her Etsy shop here. 

*****

Nine is an interview series with creative folks that began in the Spring of 2009; the interviewees are asked to respond to the interview questions in photographs (or video). You can scroll through all the interviews here.

put the camera right on the ground (and discover joy)

new in the shop

A quick peek into a few of the new necklaces listed in the shop this week. Several new pieces in the "for layering" section, along with new beaded locket necklaces in a wide variety of colors.

I am also begining to add items to the new customizable section! So excited to try out this new way for customers to easily order lockets with their personal soul mantras inside.

today...

Today I let go of how I thought things would unfold and tried to just stay present amidst the grumps of a one year old.

Today I woke up almost choking on grief and missing after a dream about a house in South Carolina.

Today I called a friend just to hear her voice and I was gently held across the miles.

Today I wished for sparkly purple eyeshadow but settled for the dark blue with a few sparkles I found in the drawer even though it made me look more tired. 

Today I ate two meals while standing in the kitchen.

Today I watched my daughter point to the birds in the trees when I said, "Do you see the chickadees?"

Today I watched the eighth Harry Potter movie twice (during nap time and after everyone else was in bed).

Today I dusted off the altar in the family room and rearranged it and gave it a new focus as I burned the Earth candle all afternoon.

Today I received some truly beautiful emails from my Create Space students that reminded me that this work is what I feel called to do.

Today I stood outside under the blue sky and remembered to breathe.

Today I took photos of necklaces layered on Betty and began to upload a few to the shop.

Today I stained my fingers with frozen blueberries as Ellie and I shared a bowl to help the grumps.

Today I gave myself the gift of several mugs of tea.

Today I lived in big and small ways and somehow found my way to keep my heart open to all of it.

2012 Be Present Retreats

I am delighted to announce that registration for three of the 2012 Be Present Retreats began today!

Pen & Paper

Teachers: Susan Wooldridge, Kelly Barton, and me 
Dates: March 14-18
Location: Frog Creek Lodge in Lakebay, Washington
Find out more details here. 

The Midwest Retreat

Teachers: Jenna McGuiggan, Kelly Barton, and me
Dates: May 2-6
Location: Culver, Indiana
Find out more details here.

Your Story

Teachers: Ali Edwards, Kelly Barton, and me
Dates: June 20-24
Location: Lodge at Little Beach in Gearhart, Oregon 
Find out more details here.
(This retreat is already just about half full!) 

The site also has a new About page. And there are a few exciting details that will be a part of all retreats moving forward, including:

A kit for all the mixed-media workshops that will include everything you need to get messy with Kelly (she is coming up with quite a juicy list!)

AND

A take home self-care kit designed by me that will support you in continuing to create space for creativity and self-care when you return home. This kit will become a companion for you during the sometimes challenging re-entry experience after time away from your daily life.

(There will be a fourth retreat, Unearth, in the Fall of 2012 with Mindy Lacefield, Kelly Barton, and me. More details will be on the website early next year.)

*****

Chief Grounding Officer Announcement

I am over the moon thrilled that Kelly Barton has signed on as my "Chief Grounding Officer" starting this Fall. After she taught at and helped me with several retreats, it became clear to me that all the retreat participants moving forward need to encounter her special combination of joyful, real, sparkling magic as part of their experience. It also became clear to me that I needed this kindred spirit with me on the journey as she simply and truly invites me to stay grounded. I am delighted to share that Kelly will be teaching mixed-media workshops at each retreat in 2012. And she will be bringing joyful laughter with her. There is just something about her spirit that invites others to feel comfortable inviting in joy. (Thank you my friend.)