Gardening in High Heels

cultivate a beautiful life

Sunday Lately, 40

So Sunday Lately is apparently the only thing I write anymore when I’m not bragging about being covered in spray paint.  I am okay with this.

Pumpkin latte from Coffee Buddha

Completing

My About page is getting a makeover!  It’s seriously about time.  It hasn’t reflected me in a while.  Actually, I don’t know if this space has reflected me in a while.  I’ve been doing such a good job of making sure that I’m presenting a nice, opinion-and-feeling neutral space that it’s lost all flavor at all.  And that just ain’t cool, y’know?  Who wants to read that blog?

Visiting

I’m writing this in my favorite coffee shop, tucked away in the corner.  I haven’t been here in a while and it’s one of my favorite “me” places.  I’ve been trying to do things that bring back the root of who I am.  I feel like I lost my way over the summer and let myself get swept up in other people’s shit that I lost the things that I like about myself.

Something that Molly Mahar includes in her Holiday Council program is a page of things that bring you back to you.  It’s titled something like “Magic equations” or something like that.  But it’s basically a list of things that you like to do that ground you and that you’re supposed to visit when you’re losing sight.  I didn’t fill that sheet out last year, so I’m making my own for the last three months of 2015.

Repeating

So I’ve had Twenty One Pilots “Tear in my Heart” stuck in my head and it alternates with that Macklemore “Downtown” song and Lady Antebellum’s cover of “Any Man of Mine” by Shania Twain.  I am all over the place this week!  But it’s what’s repeating in my head right now.

I’m also finding a lot of flowing and pulling imagery around lately.  I started Emily Cassel’s Freedom is Sexy program this past week and ever since then, I’m pulling Goddess Cards that focus on calm energy, forgiveness, and an easy flow.  I know this sounds super woo-woo, but I’ve always been a believer in trusting the Universe and guidance from a higher power.

Applauding

I’m applauding all of you for getting this far in the post.  I’m getting all kinds of weird up in here today.

Scheduling

I’m trying to make a map for myself for the end of 2015 and to set me up for the next year of my life (Freedom is Sexy ends right around my birthday, so it’s the perfect time to launch myself into something new).  And I hate feeling like I’m always behind and just kind of bouncing around, spinning my wheels, and having to play catch up.  That feeling makes me crazy.  So scheduling is necessary to figure out where I’m supposed to be and when.

I also bought a Happy Planner this week and I have yet to dig into it.  It’s so much bigger than my easily-transportable Moleskine planner, so I’m trying to figure out how I want to use it.  If I want to use it.

What have you been up to lately?

Sunday Lately is a weekly linkup with Katy, Nicole and Meghan. Use their themes or use your own. Just remember to link up with them so we can see what is happening with you lately!

Sunday Lately, 39

Sunday again?  Where does the time go?

Cute Fall Starbucks cups

Don’t mind me, I’ll just be over here drinking coffee + PSL syrup out of these cute little fall Starbucks cups.  FYI: the Starbucks barista totally affirmed my choice to just put the syrup in the coffee instead of ordering a latte because that’s the best way to drink it. #justsayin..

Updating

So I jumped and got a new computer.  I was stupid and spilled iced coffee all over my keys a few weeks ago and of course fried the keyboard.  I tried using an external keyboard and that was fine but wouldn’t fly long term.  It kinda sucks that I have to rebuild some files (my Photoshop didn’t transfer and neither did Microsoft Office….wth?), but I did get lucky in that the time machine backup and Apple ID mostly synced everything as normal.

Reminding

I need to remind myself of plans and things that I have to do, so I’ve been writing things down a lot more.  I seriously am losing my mind; if I don’t write something down, I’ll lose it.  The thought just..poof..flies out of my head.  So I’ve been using my trusty Moleskine notebook/planner a lot more.

Needing

Support.  I am so so so so so happy to be starting Emily Cassel‘s Freedom is Sexy program this week.  I have a goal that I want to hit by the end of October and I need someone to push me to get there but also provide structure and helpful insight.  I know I have people I can lean on, but sometimes you need that objectivity.

Wearing

Scarves.  Gotta bust out scarves this week.  To me, sweaters and scarves and booties are true fall-weather gear and I can’t not embrace that any longer.

Being

I’m being antsy.  I hate not having a direction.  But I think it’ll be there soon enough (see Needing).

So what have you been up to lately?

 

Sunday Lately is a weekly linkup with Katy, Nicole and Meghan. Use their themes or use your own. Just remember to link up with them so we can see what is happening with you lately!

How to: use manifesting and affirmations

Today’s Blogger, May I prompt is what are you learning?  It’s the perfect time to share this post.  I love Britt Reints, Emily Levenson, all the other women in the Propelle community who are believers in manifesting their dreams through intentions and affirmations.

I am a little skeptical.

Manifesting is an interesting idea that's getting a lot of attention in empowerment groups. Here are a few resources to learn about manifesting your dreams.

I am learning about it, though, and it’s fascinating.  My mom is a big believer in listening to your intuition; I am getting there, but I’m still having a hard time recognizing what I’m consciously thinking and what I’m hearing “the universe” say to me.  That said, I usually am pretty good at following my gut [insert joke about needing to tone my abs here].

A little over a year ago, I did Emily’s Project Miracles and had a great experience.  Based on Melody Beattie’s book, you write down your goals and what you want to and in 4o days, poof, it should be there.

It did take some time to get into the groove; I had a hard time trying to figure out where it was all going.  It was about a year after I did it that I finally saw some of the miracles I wanted to manifest take place.  I’m so impatient that I expect to work out once and see results, so manifesting and positive affirmations are as much an exercise in patience as they are in faith for me.

If you’re into manifesting and using affirmations, here are a few things that I’ve found to be helpful.

One is setting the intention.  I received an email from the Propelle ladies that had this specific intention: I am open to receive.

That’s perfect.  How can you manifest anything if you aren’t open to the experience?  If you aren’t sure if you’re listening to your gut, tell yourself that you’re open to receive and just wait to see what vibe you get.

Second, believe what you’re manifesting is possible.  In another Propelle email, they wrote this:

Manifestation is not only about envisioning what you want to happen happening but it’s also believing it’s possible and that you’re capable and worthy.

There’s also a fun letter to the universe you can use.

Three: get specific.  That’s another theme throughout my research that I’ve noticed.  Propelle recommends getting very specific.  Marie Forleo talks about it in conjunction with a gratitude practice.  My mom would always tell me that, too.  Tell the universe very clearly what you want.

How’s this for specific: tapping for $50,000.

Lastly, meditation.  It helps to have a clear headspace when you are manifesting.  I love this practical guide from A Daring Adventure.  Britt Reints also has many helpful affirmations if you sign up for her newsletter!

Everyone says to “sit with it.”  This is something I hear all the time, most recently from a Google Hangout that Emily Cassel hosted.

I’ve come to learn that I need help just marinating in things.  I definitely trust in feeling out a gut reaction, but sometimes I have a hard time knowing what the universe is saying to me and what am I consciously thinking.

If you’re looking for more information about manifesting, here’s a seven-step process from Kate Northrup.  And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Gretchen Rubin, too!

What are you learning?  Would you ever try manifesting?


Need the prompts for the Blogger, May I challenge? Gotcha covered. Want to use your own prompts? No problem! Just grab a button to show that you’re linking up with myself, Katy, and Meghan. Oh, and use #BloggerMayI on Twitter/Instagram to keep the fun going even after you hit Publish!

Five questions (plus six more)

If you don’t know who Emily Cassel is, you really should.  She’s all about taking your passions and making them into your job.  You’d think the market would be saturated with that by now, but it isn’t!  I’ve been loving her blog for gentle-yet-no-BS inspiration and I found something fun.

She was nominated for not one but two Liebster awards.  Emily wrote a post and asked for her readers to respond with answers to her questions.  So naturally, I just had to write my own post answering them.

No, she didn’t nominate me nor am I claiming I was nominated for this award.  I’m just responding and sharing a little more about myself. (Who doesn’t want more Angelica?)  Think of it as, “If we were having a drink together, here’s what I’d tell you…”

If we were having a drink together.... #askmeanything

What is your favorite place you’ve ever visited in the world & why?

My mom’s kitchen, hands down.  It’s always warm and smells great.  It’s totally one of my happy places.  I haven’t seen her since Thanksgiving and I’m totally missing her cooking.  And her dog.  Clipper is the best.

Who is the most inspiring person in your life right now?

I’d have to say my best friend.  She’s graduating with her masters in a few weeks and then getting the hell out of Pittsburgh.  D has known for ages that she isn’t staying here; in the past, she didn’t know where she’s going or how she’s doing it, just that she is.

I’m happy to say, she has a plan now, though.  I so admire that courage to leave what you know for something different.

If you could choose only 3 foods to subsist on for the rest of your life, what would they be?

Barring the fact that they aren’t nutritionally sound at all….. Anything from a Pittsburgh food truck (definitely Oh My Grill‘s sandwiches, Steer and Wheel‘s burgers, and Leona’s ice cream sandwiches), my mom’s homemade pierogis, and cinnamon rolls.

Ooh, and good beers.  And pie.  I can’t decide.  If only I were Leslie Knope and I could answer, “Waffles, waffles, and waffles.”

I think that covers most bases, right?

What is your dream career? If you already have your dream career, what’s your alternate dream career?

Writing.  I’d write all day in cute coffee shops, on my back pork with a glass of wine or beer, curled up on the couch with a blanket and coffee.  I’m getting there.

What’s your favorite/most-played song at the moment?

I’m sooo sick of everything on the radio.  That said, I discovered The Griswolds last summer and still can’t stop listening to them.  And anything Fitz & the Tantrums always gets me going.  And y’all know Anberlin is hands down my favorite band ever.

What do you purely because it brings you joy?

Sleep.  Kidding.  I love making things tidy.  Weird right?  Especially since my house is kind of a disaster.

I also love creating things just because I want to, not because I have to write a post on it or I signed up for a class.  Just sitting down to make something and not knowing exactly how it will turn out is fun.

If you could choose one responsibility in your career or life to eliminate, what would it be and why?

Making decisions.  I hate making decisions.  I also am not a fan of customer service, but that’s kind of my whole job, so I can’t really eliminate that.

If you could choose one super power, what would it be and how would you use it?

I’m so torn between flying and making time stop.  Or turning everything into ice cream.

I’m sure if you asked me a few years ago, I’d say turning back time or reading minds.  I’m happy to say I’m more confident now, so I don’t think I’d need those super powers anymore.

What’s your favorite room in your house?

My entire house is kind of in transition.  I think the winner goes to the kitchen.  It’s the most complete of all of the rooms and my mom installed seriously awesome appliances before she left.  I LOVE my stove/oven.  Gas stove with a convection oven and warming drawer/mini oven in the bottom.  It’s a baker’s paradise.

Post your favorite photo of yourself and tell us the backstory. Do you remember what you were thinking, doing, or experiencing that day?

I scrolled through some photos but I really don’t take pictures of myself, so I didn’t see much I wanted to share.  Sorry, guys.  I still love the photo here with the duck (and Jonathan) though.

I think it’s the stigma attached to “selfie.”  Ugh I hate that work.  I used to take pictures all the time with me and my best friend just being goofy and making silly faces, but we haven’t taken a single picture of us since she’s been home.

What’s your go-to order at a coffee shop?

It depends where I am, but 99% of the time, I’ll get regular coffee.  I’ve been going to Coffee Buddha a lot more recently (it’s another one of my happy places) and I usually just get regular coffee but an iced coffee with Vietnamese Spice syrup is so refreshing for summer and their Peanut Buddha latte rocks, too.

So tell me about yourself today. Pick one of these questions (or all 11) and answer in the comments!

Oh!  If you have burning questions you want me to answer in a future Ask Me Anything series, leave them below, too!

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