Today's Quote #1

“Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.”
by George Bernard Shaw

I am creating myself. Are you?!

Months ago I had a discussion with someone and she was worried I would fall into a trap of something. I don't even remember what she said or what word she used. This got me thinking. I wasn't sure what she meant. I keep busy during the day and I am busy during the day. I help people, I educate them, I support them, I put classes together, I study, and I am also a housewife who keeps the home clean, steady, happy and well fed. 

On top of all this, I am doing what I am meant to do. I follow my passion, I work hard at it and I am happiest. Do I see awesome income coming in every month? Slowly but surely, and I cannot be happier about that aspect. No one became a millionaire in a month or in six. Now that would be fun. Yet, I am creating myself and creation takes time. I am okay with that. So should my friend, and for whoever is reading this. All I want is to be happy, to be free, to do what I love to do, and to make others as happy and free as I am feeling today!!!

I have to be honest here, life is still about finding myself. Once you create your life and yourself, and follow that passion that drives you every day, that makes you wake up ready to go...then you have found yourself. You have to start creating the life you are supposed to be living and then you find yourself. 

For me, that is chemical free living! Did you know how much chemical stuff we use every day?! Think outside of your regular toilet cleaner!!! Yikes!!! Anyways, that is me. I have and still am creating myself so I can finally look at myself in the mirror and be proud because I will have found myself!

Silence is worse

“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” 

- Martin Luther King Jr.

I am having a rough week but that's okay. I get time to reflect on the last nine months, on my life, on friends, on family, on pretty much everything. I came across this quote and knew it was an appropriate one for today's Quote of the Day post. It fits so perfectly it's shocking. Silence is often worse than anything else. I have dealt with a lot of silence lately, and while I know that everyone lives a different life I feel a quick acknowledgement would be nice. It isn't that hard. At all. I appreciate the ones that do respond. Very much.

With that being said, the past nine months have been difficult. I am alone in this and wish I had a shoulder to cry on, or someone to distract me. I have two cats who keep me busy and entertained but to be honest, human interactions would be nice. Now you wonder, wait what, doesn't she have a man in her life? Yes, I do. It's not enough. Plus, he doesn't know how to deal with my loss. He deals with his losses differently and doesn't understand why it takes me longer, why I crave human interactions, friends, a routine, something. So, although I have him I am still alone. And when I reach out to people and silence is all I get in return it hurts. Deeply.

So, Martin Luther King Jr. was right. We will remember the silence of our friends rather than the harsh words of our enemies. Silence can be very loud!!

Promise Yourself

Promise yourself...

To be so strong that nothing

can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness, and prosperity

to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel

that there is something in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything

and make your optimism come true.

To think only the best, to work only for the best,

and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others

as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past

and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times

and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself

that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear,

and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world,

not in loud words but great deeds.

To live in faith that the whole world is on your side

so long as you are true to the best that is in you.” 

― Christian D. Larson, Your Forces and How to Use Them

Sometimes we need inspiration; to move on, to conquer a fear, to take the next step, or to even quit a habit. Books are inspirational. When you find a passage in a book that speaks to you and your current life it feels like a door full of opportunities opens itself up to you. This is what made me get up this week, and look at the positive side in life, cherish everything and not dwell in the past. This is what made me laugh. This made me nod, and look outside the box I am still trapped in. I love it. It fits and it certainly fits a Thursday morning! 

Am I the only one finding passages or just a sentence or two in books inspirational?!
I love books, their stories and motivational lines. Cannot wait to start my next book.

xoxo

Be Kind To One Another

I'm in awe what this community did for one man. This may be an add by Samsung but its meaning is fabulous. Plus, I loved the fact that it was shot in Istanbul {my second hometown, where my mom grew up} and I can hear bits and pieces of Turkish. Fun.

If you don't know the story...well, a few people learned sign language to be able to communicate with one specific guy. As this guy walks around town with his sister he comes across people who out of nowhere "talk" to him; as if it is the most normal thing ever. He is part of that community, that town, so since he can't hear and therefore communicate with anyone {unlike us} he was positively shocked and felt blessed to see that there are people out there that want to be part of his {quiet} life.

Just watch it yourself...I just loved the idea.

As Ellen always says... be kind to one another! ;)

Spring Lusting

Wedges / flats / bracelet watch / necklace / infinity scarf / blush / cosmetic bag / nail polish / candle

It is March!!!
Spring to me starts March 1 and ends May 31. Simple as that. I know it's not official but that is what I have gone with for over 25 years so just go with it, okay?! I won't change my thinking in this department. :) 

With spring literally a few days old it is time to bring out the lighter, cuter, and more spring/summer clothes. If you are like me you won't go shopping this month {yes, I promised to myself not to buy anything until June - yikes!}...so, enjoying spring and its cuter more pastel sides will be hard. Luckily I have that nail polish at hand, a few lighter eye shadows, and some colorful bags. If I happen to come across extra money I will probably splurge on a new pair of flats or sandals because, well, my current ones are about to fall apart. Literally. They have seen better days. Next weekend I will rotate my wardrobe and put away those heavy winter sweaters {not that we had a heavy and cold winter here in California}, polish my spring/summer shoes, and take away a few items and donate those. It will be liberating to clean out the closet again, and it will be rewarding to see more space in it. Also, I will have a chance to reevaluate my current wardrobe and come up with some fun outfits, combos, and yes, future shopping dreams. I am a girl after all and need a few new items when June arrives. :) 

I am so happy March is here!!!

YES.

xoxo

Friday Five

throw blanket / mug {similar} / pillow / glasses / nail polish

Movie night is my favorite night. Whether it is with your best friend{s}, or with your date that night getting cozy on the sofa with a comfortable throw around your legs, and your favorite warm drink by your side...movie night is definitely my favorite night.

Last Sunday most of us watched the Oscars from our televisions but this time my favorite person and I decided to make Netflix night our special bonding date nights. So, I decided to come up with a few {creative and affordable} ideas to make those date nights special. I will get pretty by putting on some cute nail polish, find my favorite throw to use {it is somewhere, just where}, and maybe find a big fluffy pillow to lean on. It's that easy. No need to go overboard. Also, on movie nights I always wear my new glasses from Polette. I won those a while back though a giveaway hosted by Monic and I just adore my pair. That pair and some comfy cozy pants...I'm set for a fun movie night.

Also, we are still working on watching all films from this list, and so far we are doing beautifully. I am desperately trying to make my man watch certain TV shows with me but I have to come to the conclusion that he may never like those famous and well-known shows with me. I never give up so I am still holding onto a glimpse of hope here.

AND, hello, my food challenge this month will be over in two days. I am beyond excited. I so want to drink a glass of wine celebrating our 6-month anniversary. I mean, I just have to, no?! YES. Raymond wine get ready...

Happy Friday y'all!!

xoxo

P.s. Plus, House of Cards starts today on Netflix...so please excuse me...

Be Yourself

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” 

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

*****

This week has been a whirlwind of moments. Monday was very important to me and I absolutely thank you all for the positive vibes. They were greatly appreciated and came through. Thank you. Also, my favorite person may have gotten a new job where he will hopefully find himself happier and more appreciated as a hard working individual. I cannot stand places that promise you so much and then you don't get a thing in return. So, fingers crossed. Things are slowly falling into place and it will be a great year I can already tell. 

For over thirteen years the above quote has always been one of my favorites. It is inspiring and so true to my heart and soul. With that, I want some glitter in my life. I will find glitter in my life. Just looking at that image makes me happy - so I had to share this with you all. :) 

Be yourself!

xoxo

image via here

Happy Friday

Krysten over at Why Girls Are Weird shares her Happy Friday list every week and today I felt like doing the same. We all know we need positivity and I know that I need it more than anything these days. So, writing one and sharing it will help me stay focused on the good, the beautiful, and the inspiring. 

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

1. Cooler Temperatures

2. Christmas decorations in town

3. Feeling better and healthier

4. Gnocchi

5. Scented candles

6. Wrapping presents

7. Scandal

8. Hot apple cider spiced with cinnamon

9. Moringa scented body butter

10. Date Night

image via here

My love for Eggplant

Colors enhance our daily lives. I already share my love for gray and orange with you, so I thought I would continue this walk of color-love for this season. Eggplant, plum or dark purple are my second favorites for the fall. I love to see this color on nails. It makes fingers and hands look more sophisticated, and honestly speaking, any accessory added looks stunning when you see a spark of dark purple. 

New outfits are needed this month and while I cleaned my closet I learned that my favorite purple top just doesn't look perfect anymore. Needless to say I got rid of it. A new blouse or sweater in my favorite warm fall color is needed. Also, purple goes beautifully with orange. A touch of both makes for a perfect fall outfit.

Gosh, I love these colors. Perfect fall impressions making me all warm and fuzzy. Cannot wait to go out and find some pretty items for myself. Fall is definitely my favorite time when it comes to combining warm colors!

What are your favorite fall colors? Is eggplant or purple one of them?

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Orange Makes Fall Pleasurable

Fall always makes me more relaxed. It reminds me to slow down and enjoy the little things nature has to offer. I love to drive slower {still driving speed limit though} but not going crazy. If I find a street that says 25 or maybe 30 I am a happy girl. Driving through the neighborhood and looking for decorated houses, colorful leaves and more are my favorite moments ever.

 

As you know I am getting rid of things this month and it has been a good challenge. Orange is not a color I have seen in my closet at all. I own a few reds {need to add one or two items}, a few greens, one yellow shirt, but definitely no orange. Granted, it is not the most flattering color on me. Yet, an earring or a soft orange sweater or shirt that I could combine with my favorite fall color gray would be fantastic. October just screams for this vibrant color, no?!

xoxo

images via 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |

All You Need is Gray {or Grey}

Fall has officially arrived. Cooler temperatures in the morning, earlier darker hours, and the smell of apple cinnamon and pumpkin wander through our streets and houses. With fall new colors enter our wardrobes as well. I usually go for gray {or grey}, brown, dark red, and occasional mustard. No matter what I feel gray calms and soothes me. It also refreshes me. Gray makes me feel sophisticated, clean {now, don't get the wrong ideas here, okay?}, makes me comfortable and loved. Weird, I know. It's what it does. This color is powerful.

You can combine gray with every color. Pink in the spring and summer, turquoise in the summer, red, orange and brown in the fall, and black and eggplant in the winter. Everything is possible. I like gray because I am not a huge fan of white {too see-through for me, and too delicate...sometimes I am clumsy when I eat}. Gray fits with everything, goes with everything, and make everything look pretty; even flowers, nails, and mugs. 

I own my favorite gray nail polish by Essie {ChinChilly}, I even own a light cardigan, but a mug, something cute to decorate the room, or/and a gray fall jacket would be just the perfect addition to my everyday fall life these days. Whatever I come across though I do not like. It feels weird, uncomfortable, or just unfit. If you have suggestions on where to go and to look for gray items, clothes, and whatever please let me know. I don't want to rely on the internet only. I would like to walk into a store and see, feel, and touch those gray items {and yes, this just sounded really weird, I know, sorry}.

Please excuse me while I am putting my old gray sweater on now.

images via 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |

The Happy Drug: Music!

Happy Friday!!!

You know, when you don't feel well you need something to cheer you up. Some people prefer to just simply keep to themselves, drink wine {or something else}, eat, read, go out and get distracted, listen to music or even work out. Whatever works for you when you feel down or sad, music and tv are my distractions. Sunday and Monday of this week weren't my happiest days...this stretched to Wednesday and even to today. I guess that is normal. You know what my man did? He created a radio station on his phone that literally plays music based on my taste of music. Guess what? Apparently, Maroon 5 rocks my world. They rocked my world when they first started over 11 years ago, and they rocked my world driving two hours over a pass to see his parents and back to our place.

Also, just knowing Adam is still as hot as ever {yum!!} made my sadness a little less dramatic. Plus, hello, they just announced the new tour dates. Hmmmm, yes please! 

Making me smile and feel slightly better was needed. So, I am choosing to share this video with you. I am sure most of you have seen it, if not, watch it all. To me, it is a reminder that nobody and nothing is ever perfect but we can strive to work hard on ourselves and believe in a positive and perfect world; don't judge, don't hate, and just accept and tolerate. 

Afghan Hands

Just yesterday I watched the news and then forgot to change the channel while I was cleaning our apartment, and Katie {the show} came up. I am not into daily morning shows unless it is the news. Yet, I kept watching. That is how I learned about Afghan Hands. 

Afghan Hands is a nonprofit organization and wants to give women in Afghanistan a chance for a better life, and show them that they can create objects of great beauty. The scars of great trauma and long-time abuse, and the loss of hope is slowly being transformed into something beautiful and good. Women learn to create embroidered shawls and scarves, and their exquisite embroidery connects them to a wider world - and to us.

As a scarf lover you can just imagine my instant happiness. I was blown away. Also, I like nonprofit organizations that help others in need and actually make a change. So I thought I would share this with you, my lovelies. These scarves are not cheap. Yet, we sometimes splurge on a big fancy bag, so why not splurge on a scarf - that is, if you are into scarves. I already started saving money and will order hopefully one by October or November. :) I don't want to spend any money on new clothing, accessories and all that for the entire month of September.  Also, I don't think my favorite person will enjoy to see another scarf in my already huge collection. At least this one will be beneficial to women in need. I also know how hard it is for women to grow up. It is far more difficult to be a woman. Maybe not in the western world, but once you learn about or hear of stories from women in the Middle East, Africa, or any other country not as fortunate and as open as others, you will agree with me. 

Anyways, here's a few scarves I loved when I went on their website. I cannot wait to splurge and wrap myself in a comfy, elegant, and just gorgeous, handmade scarf!

The last one is by far my favorite!

Do you love scarves as much as I do?

Happy Thursday!
Cannot believe this week is almost over. Time sure flies.

images via 1 | 2 | 3 |

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own. I was NOT asked to write for Afghan Hands and was not gifted anything.

You Only Live Once

Happy late Thursday everyone!

Also, happy early weekend. It will be a busy weekend for my favorite person and I. We will explore the surrounding areas again, and hopefully experience a fun weekend. I'm so thrilled. We might have spent time away in Orange County {with me three days/nights away from him} but we still need to get out of our apartment more often and explore NorCal. Granted, by being homebodies we save money, and drama...but our tiny place cannot offer what the world has to offer. We only live once...we gotta lick the bowl. Trust me I am starting to lick {or shall I say devour} more and more. Sugared or not. ;)

Have a great weekend.
See you all Monday.

image via keep

Hold onto Dreams

“Hold fast to dreams,
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird,
That cannot fly."

  Langston Hughes

***

Blogging on a daily basis has always been helpful to me. It has helped me share my thoughts, my wishes and dreams, my life, my ideas, my frustrations, and many more things. Yet, there are times when I just don't know what to share. Call it a blockage or just an uninspired moment. Either way, I don't have that at the moment but I still feel at a loss. 

The quote represents exactly what I am feeling at the moment. Not just now, but this entire week. My dreams are still there, and I am trying to really hold onto them. Yet, I feel alone. I feel bored. I feel uninspired. Yes, I cook, and I kind of explore but there is so much more I would like to accomplish during the day. Having a steady job for once would be a grateful way to make myself feel needed and feel accomplished {not to mention the extra income}. I am so exhausted from looking, and applying, researching and all, and not getting anything in return. It is just a blah-week, and probably also a blah-month. I am driving myself crazy. Also, my favorite person doesn't like to see me this way. It pains him. He cannot do much to make me feel more myself - I just have to find that way out of my so-called crisis and learn how to fly; just like in the quote.   

Let's hope I find a way. 

Any suggestions on how to make me smile more?

Have a great weekend, my lovelies!!

image via tumblr

People

 {via}

God knows what is hiding in those weak and drunken hearts
Guess he kissed the girls and made them cry
Those Hard-faced Queens of misadventure

God knows what is hiding in those weak and sunken lives
Fiery thrones of muted angels
Giving love but getting nothing back

God knows what is hiding in this world of little consequence
Behind the tears, inside the lies
A thousand slowly dying sunsets

God knows what is hiding in those weak and drunken hearts
Guess the loneliness came knocking
No one needs to be alone.

Lyrics of "People Help The People" by Birdy

***

It's one of those weeks again. I blame it on the heat.
Even though it was a short one I was beyond bored. You could not imagine how bored.
Well...let's hope this weekend is a little more exciting...just a tad bid.

Have a good one.

xoxo

P.s. don't be fooled by the lyrics...I may be sad and lonely (haha) but these actually kinda give me hope...and it's so fitting with fall approaching.

Hurricane

Most of my favorite shows not only entertain me visually but musically as well. So, today's musical inspiration comes from Pretty Little Liars. Who would have thought that?! Well, it's obvious that this show has terrific soundtracks so really, I had to post this. However, I have to apologize for the video. Just listen to the song...the video to me is kind of disturbing and absolutely NOT MY FAVORITE. I'm not a huge video fan and this particular one really takes the cake. :(

Enjoy the song though.
Happy Tuesday.

xoxo

Quote of the Day #6

{via}

"You can't be happy unless you're unhappy sometimes" ― Lauren Oliver

***

Happy Thursday everyone.
Finally, very slowly however, the sky is clearing itself from those ugly and nasty gray clouds.

We hopefully can soon enjoy a better summer, with more sunshine and blue skies. 

So, while I am unhappily holiding an umbrella these days...I look forward to happier, ice-licking days filled with sunshine and colorful flowers.

xoxo

Almost Everything

This song is just perfect for today.

Happy Hump Day.

xoxo

P.s. I'll be working hard on three assignments, and hoping a friend of mine stays alive while he's having a blast this afternoon working/living his hobby!

Quote of the Day #5

{via}

“When people don't express themselves, they die one piece at a time.” - Laurie Halse Anderson

***

This quote feels appropriate for this week.

As I have introduced my friend A. to a church she actually started to like a lot, we all learned that this church lost one of his young members last week. I never express my beliefs on here. If you know me personally you know how I stand when it comes to religion, church, prayers and whatnot, but knowing that the place my friends call their church is now mourning with their pastor is just sad. Life happens. Death happens too. So we all should embrace what we have and live life to the fullest.

And quite ironically...we keep saying that but we don't live it.

xoxo