Gardening in High Heels

March 11, 2015

Time to be a “grown up”

March 11, 2015

At our Local Levo event on Monday, one of the articles that we read and discussed was the first time we felt like grown ups. I’m not sure if I’ve ever felt like a grown up. I’ve feel like Roger Murtaugh a hell of a lot, but not like a “grown up.”

#ImTooOldForThis~~Shit~~

But I’ve also felt like I’ve had a lot of moments were I was forced to be an adult before I ever was one. My parents always talked to me like I was an adult. None of this “Angelica, when I count to three, you better be sitting on your bum at this table” stuff. #ThatDidntHappenAtMyHouse

Compound that with my parents splitting at an early age, and I had to do a lot of growing up really quickly.

I think the first time I really felt like a grown up is when my mom moved to Virginia. I don’t care how old I get, I will always need my mom. To have her move seven hours away was a big adjustment.

It happened really quickly, too. In April she told me she and my step-dad were moving and on June 21st, they were out. #CouldntGetAwayFastEnough

So she moved pretty quickly and I had to adjust faster. She trusted me to handle myself and level with me as a mature adult and not like her child.

Another grown up moment coming quickly after that one was when I had to take care of someone else. Not a dog, or hamster, but a person (and a parent at that).

That’s definitely an eye-opening experience. I had to make sure bills were paid, surgical gauze was stocked, the house didn’t look like hobos were squatting in it.. #ResponsibilityIsFun

You go from protected to protector and if you aren’t careful, you could get whiplash it changes so quickly.

Of course there are the standards of getting up and going to work when it’s snowing really hard/you’re sick/the day is too beautiful to be inside, keeping food in the fridge that requires that you have some cooking knowledge, and purchasing real furniture. #MyPapasanChairIsTotallyRealFurniture #NoReally

There’s also the time I went to Target on a Saturday night and walked out with clearance lounge pants and Joint Juice. My fingers get really stiff when it’s very cold and the chondroitin helps with the pain. #OkayIReallyAmTooOldForThis

When did you first feel like a grown up?

I’m linking up with Life With Lolo and Genuinely Lauren for #HashtagHumpday!

March 9, 2015

Dessange Paris Unboxing and First Impressions

March 9, 2015

Out of all of the beauty-related items I have, haircare is probably the lowest man on the totem pole. I have enough makeup to Spackle an army, nail polish to paint another Sistine Chapel, and a fair amount of moisturizers, sprays, and perfumes to get the stink out of…well, I’m running out of analogies, but you get the point.

That isn’t to say I don’t have hair products that I buy time and time again, but I really don’t do anything outside the norm. Shampoo/conditioner (sometimes a conditioning mask), leave-in conditioner, and finally a shine serum after I blow-dry (that is if I blow-dry at all). And if I curl my hair, Hot Off The Press heat protecting spray. Dry shampoo if I can’t bring myself to wash (and subsequently dry) my hair.

So when Influenster sent me new haircare items from Dessange Paris, I was intrigued. I received the Dessange Paris Oleo Miracle Replenishing Line with a Replenishing Shampoo, Conditioner, and Oil. I could easily see myself incorporating all of that into my hair routine without a problem.

The whole Dessange Oleo Miracle line is infused with three natural oils: argan, camelia, and pracaxi – and yeah, I have no idea how to say “pracaxi.” The only oil I’ve heard of here is the argan oil. I LOVE argan oil. Josie Maran’s argan oil is usually what I put on my hair when I’m done drying it.

As you can tell, I can’t say Dessange without a funny accent. Oh, and a note in regards to the Replenshing Oil: you are supposed to use it on dry hair. It’s a highly-nourshing yet non-greasy leave-in treatment.

The first thing I noticed was the smell. It was pretty perfume-y, but thankfully it doesn’t stick around strongly. That said, Jonathan did mention he prefers what I was using before – good ol’ Pantene – to the Dessange smell.

When I hosted a French foreign exchange student, I did notice that most of the beauty products were heavily scented, so that must be the “thing” to do.

After one day using this, I did notice my hair had more life. I recently got it cut, which always brings out a little more volume, so we’ll see if the volume is due to the Dessange or the fresh ‘do.

Dessange seems to be all about adding nourishment and shine to hair without weighing it down. Like I said in the video, my hair is thick and heavy and it just hangs unless I take time to style it.

Truth be told, after one wash, I can’t tell much of a difference in texture or softness. It did seem like it got “bigger” and had to brush down some frizzies that I don’t normally have, but again, it could just be thanks to a recent cut.

I’m interested to see what happens with continued use. I think the biggest obstacle to using this is going to be getting over the smell in the shower – it’s just so heavily perfumed, like Great Aunt Bethany – but I do like the volume.

What’s your miracle hair secret?

[disclaim]Influenster sent me these products to test and review. My community means more to me than some shampoo, so you can bet I’m going to tell you my honest opinions.

Want to be an Influenster? Join me here! Yes, it’s a referral link.[/disclaim]

March 8, 2015

Sunday Lately, 10

March 8, 2015

Guys, I feel like every week I sit here and go “ugh, this has been such a hard week,” but this was another hard week. I was texted on Monday saying that the real estate agent wants my father’s house to be ready to put on the market by the end of the month” and it just started things off on the wrong foot. I’ll save that story for another day. But suffice to say this week has been another week where I just want to stick my head in the sand and pretend like this didn’t happen.

You feel me?

Completing

I feel like a lot of things right now are in progress with very little completing happening. I need to start getting back into my to-do list making game. When I feel like I’m floundering and don’t have direction, a to-do list always helps to clarify what needs to happen and allows me to prioritize.

Visiting

My father is still in the hospital, but now it’s a rehab hospital. It’s a step up. (Thank you to everyone who’s taken the time to comment with well-wishes. It means a lot.)

Applauding

Gonna toot my own horn here – I’m applauding myself for making my work week rock. We have a function on our website where visitors can chat with a Marketing Consultant for help – LiveChat. It isn’t my favorite thing, but I sucked it up and had it turned on for my computer for most of the week. I started to look at my ratings toward the end and it seemed like I did a good job.

I don’t know about you, but I’m learning that it’s important to recognize the good things I do (not to be cynical here, but if I don’t, who will). This month’s Local Levo meeting is an article club (like a low-commitment book club) and one of the articles is about how to share accomplishments with co-workers. It’s some good food for thought.

Repeating

I’ve been trying to write down three things that I’m grateful for every night before bed. It doesn’t always happen, but I’m trying to repeat that as much as possible.

Scheduling

Trying to look at March and April and think about Levo events and blog posts, packing dates and fun time. I love having plans, but I’m not gonna lie, I’d love one more snow day with no obligations to do anything.

What have you been up to lately?

March 6, 2015

Creative soup for the soul

March 6, 2015

I’m a fan of coloring. When I was younger, one of my favorite things was my big-ass box of Crayons. I still have it to this day. My neighbor and I would start with a blank page and she would make a line, then I would make a line, then she’d add to what I did, and we’d go back and forth collaborating on this picture.

Then in high school, my best friend and I would totally color, too. Yep, 17 years old and I broke out the ol’ coloring books. I’m not ashamed.

I love actually making something with my hands – making a #30Lists book* (btw, there’s totally still time to get in on the action this month!), putting together a photo album, coloring, even reorganizing a bathroom feels good to me.

The other day, I saw an article about coloring being good for the soul. It stimulates parts of the brain related to motor skills, senses, and creativity.

And it has serious de-stressing power. I don’t know about you, but I find it incredibly relaxing. The other night after a long day of work and finding out some news that immediately turned me into a ball of stress, I colored. I found an old geometric coloring book that I think I stole from my mom and sat down with my big ass box of crayons and colored.

I was so relaxed, I fell asleep right where I was.

I am realizing the importance of taking time to do things that feel good and are good for me. I think it’s our natural tendency to say, “Other people are asking me for my time and I feel obligated to give it,” and it’s hard to say no and take care of yourself, but if I don’t take care of myself, I’m not doing anyone else any favors.

As Britt Reints acknowledges, creative spirits need a little nurturing. And she’s doing just that in her Creative Soul Connection Weeknight Retreat on March 26th.

The whole night is centered around nurturing our creative spirits – talking about how to overcome obstacles that get in the way of creating and the benefits of creating things on a regular basis (aside from having new Pinterest-inspired artwork).

I cannot tell you how much I’m looking forward to playing with other creatives. I’m a huge believer that you need to change your surroundings if you’re feeling stuck and actually going somewhere and being given permission to get hands-on and messy..oh hello, I’mma be all over this.

A little recap of what the night will include:

– Emphasis on importance of ~~Being Ernest~~ making stuff regularly
-Hands-on art project with Little House Big Art
-Creative panel discussion – so far it includes a musician, seamstress, writer, graphic designer/art camp director
-Sponsored by Little House Big Art, Pittsburgh Glass Center, and I Made It! Market
-Heated mosaic tile floors at the Irma Freeman Center for Imagination

A while back, I sat down and had coffee with Britt and another writer who felt stuck like myself. She told us about artist dates that she’s trying to do regularly with herself. She gets out of her house and does something that feels good to her: go to a museum, paint by the river, etc. So even if you aren’t in Pittsburgh and can’t come to the CSCWR, do something for a few hours that night that feed your creative soul.

Did I convince you to come? I sure hope so! You can grab tickets for the Creative Soul Connection for $25 and I’m thinking it’s probably going to be the best $25 you spend all week.

[disclaim]Britt asked me to spread the creative love and in exchange offered me a free ticket to this event. You can bet your bottom dollar I already was going to buy a ticket and go anyway![/disclaim]

[disclaim]*The 30 Days of Lists link is an affiliate link.[/disclaim]

March 4, 2015

Two word advice

March 4, 2015

Earlier this week, Emily Levenson posted in the Propelle Rock It Facebook group asking, “If you could write a note to your younger self, what would you say in only two words?” I must have typed out and deleted them so many times because I had such a hard time finding the right two words.

Don’t stop and be yourself seemed too generic; it wasn’t specific to me. Try harder makes it sound like I wasn’t trying my best. Don’t be complacent and everything will be okay are more than two words.

When someone asks the advice you’d give your younger self, I always picture myself as a little kid because those are my “formative years” and there are things I wish I would have known.

I still insist that, as a kid, no one could tell me anything I’d listen to. I thought I knew pretty much everything and no one could tell me otherwise; all the advice was well-meaning but they didn’t know what I was going through!

No, I won’t get over this crush. Yes, it is the end of the world and the biggest thing that ever happened to me.

I know when you’re going through something, it seems like the end of the world and it just consumes you and then you can look back and be like, here’s what should have happened.

I think I would have listened to myself, though, because I could say to myself, “Hey, you, listen to you. Here’s what’s up,” and I’d have to take that advice because I’ve been there and now I’m here on the other side.

Also, it’s specific to me Advice never felt specific enough when I was a kid. I wanted someone to tell me, “This is what you need to do,” instead of guiding me with well-meaning cliches.

When I think about how I was as a kid, I was quiet, pretty timid, and unless I was in my comfort zone, I didn’t venture out too much. So that was what I thought I’d take into consideration when giving advice to tell my younger self.

Get outside.

Get outside of everything. Your comfort zone, the house, the books you read, the music you listen to, the friends you play with, the people you talk to.

Trying something new is scary and you may disappoint your parents’ expectations or get into a hairy situation with your friends, but it’s better than not doing what you want because you’re afraid of the outcome.

Try getting out of your own way, trusting your instincts, finding something new to occupy your time instead of the same old stuff.

Even in college: get outside. Sure, study hard, but have fun. Don’t try to pack all the fun of four years into a few weekends when you’re finally free. Savor the moment and be present to what is happening around you.

And don’t be afraid to get a little messy. That’s definitely good advice, but much more than two words.