I finally had a chance to get my hair cut and highlighted a couple of weeks ago. It was like a mini vacation! Sitting with nothing to do but relax, read my magazine, and eavesdrop on all the other conversations around me… heavenly.
The stylist had this mission statement framed right at her station and I had to snap a picture of it because I loved it so much! (Apologies for the poor quality.) SoK is the name of the salon.
I recently posted about this new e-zine that I LOVE called “Play Grow Learn” from Christie Burnett at Childhood 101.
Here is the announcement that issue #2 is available. I just bought mine and I’m off to look at it!
In this issue…
With the help of a giftcard and of my parents (for childcare), we recently escaped to The Houstonian for a one night staycation. The ground rules: I would not bring a book or my laptop; hubby would not touch the remote control and would put his phone in the safe. Our goal was to unwind and to focus on each other. We did just that and it was heavenly.
I arrived mid-afternoon, checked in, and headed to Trellis, the spa. I sipped a cup of tea and gazed at the fireplace. Then, I had a massage to soften those golfballs in my shoulders. (The massage therapist kept urging me to relax and I honestly thought I was!) Finally, the Tranquility Room, where low lighting, a chaise lounge, and a soft blanket threatened to usurp dinner with my love.
On my walk back to the hotel in the dark to change for dinner, there was this stunning view of the moon through the trees:
The lobby was decked out in holiday cheer, complete with a train circling the houses above the huge fireplace.
* * * * *
After one of the most amazing breakfasts ever,
we took a long walk on the jogging trail around the hotel, encountering gorgeous homes and scenery along the way. All in all, a beautiful way to spend 21 hours!
William Henry Channing was a 19th century Unitarian pastor and writer. Here he describes the life he aims to live:
“To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not, rich; to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart; to study hard; to think quietly, act frankly, talk gently, await occasions, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common–this is my symphony.”
Drooling over these things from the latest uncommon goods catalog.
In case you are wondering, uncommon goods didn’t ask me to recommend their products. I just want to remember these lovely things, even if I don’t own any of them.
“Four Seasons Mugs” are handmade, one for each season, even a special indentation for your thumb. $98
“Hidden Message Jewelry” are beautiful handcrafted hinged pendants. $175
“Mother and Daughter Letter Book” – there are others for couples, sisters, and friends too. $35
“Hand-Painted Ceramic Vases” $28-$32
“Tree of Life Globes” are hand blown of recycled glass in Canada. Each features an interior glass trunk that branches out to support vibrant splashes of color. $45
“Handmade Glass House Mezuzah” OK this one I’m thinking about purchasing. New house, new mezuzah? I love the colors. $50
“You Keep Me On Course” necklace has two charms. The first is the image of a sailboat. The second charm displays the message, “You keep me on course,” engraved in clear, cursive script. Hand cast and crafted in Maine. The problem with this is that I would want to give it to my hubby, who totally keeps me sane. I doubt he would wear it though! There is also “you are my anchor” and “you are my shining star.” $95
“Loved Locket” $40
Uncommon goods’ products are handmade and recycled and made by artists. They are a B Corporation, a non-profit that helps you understand the social and environmental impact of your purchases. At checkout, you can select a non-profit (American Forests protects our trees and plants new ones; AmeriCares supports victims of disasters; City Harvest strives to end hunger in NYC; RAINN is the largest anti-sexual violence organization) and they will donate $1.
I bought an e-book recently by Ev’Yan Nasman called Sex, Love, Liberation: A Manifesto for the Bold at Heart, and it included daily e-mail prompts to keep me mindful in my self-actualization practice. Entitled 30 Days of Sensuality, the prompts were helpful in remembering to be kind to myself and remain/get centered. (The book itself was awesome too. “It’s for anyone that craves beauty, pleasure, lightness.”)
