Gardening in High Heels

cultivate a beautiful life

Sunday Lately, 41

If I’m writing, it must be Sunday Lately.  Like I mentioned last week, it seems like the only time I post anymore is for Sunday Lately.  I swear, I have the best of intentions to stick to the posts that I say I’m going to write.  I’ll get there.

The Plague - Draai Laag collaboration beer

Friday night, Draai Laag released a sour stout in collaboration with Caliente.  It definitely didn’t have the same feel as a stout (and it’s listed as a sour ale on Untappd) but it was definitely different and worth waiting in line to try something new.

Planning

A big revamp/comeback.  I want to have a bunch of content lined up, a new home page, a fun giveaway.  I’m also planning a big blog tour with Katy (you know, the maker behind this awesome shirt/hat combo. And a third of the Sunday Lately group).  It’s a mashup of fashion bloggers and sewing bloggers.  We’ll give you an occasion to dress for and you put together an outfit, either sewing or styling.  Let me know if you want to join in and we’ll hook you up.

Loving

The feeling of a clean house.  Sadly, that feeling is few and far between lately.  I don’t know why, but there’s something so satisfying about a clean kitchen and a freshly vacuumed floor.  My kitchen seems like it always has something in the sink or sitting on the stove.  I’m in the middle of a big baking kick.  I’ve tried Jana’s coconut muffins and I’ve modified these chai pumpkin spice kiss cookies from Pass The Sushi over the years to get them to a juuust right place.

Reading

“Big Magic” by the incomparable Elizabeth Gilbert.  I’m not as far in as I’d like to be, but I know when I finally sit down to read and get into a groove, I won’t stop.  I love her writing style.  Her podcast is just as incredible as her writing.  Speaking of podcasts, have you caught up on Nicole Antoinette’s first season of the Real Talk Podcast?  I read she’s recording her second season and I can’t wait!

Wishing

I’d love a few more hours in my day.  Or someone to help with my to-do list.  I know people have offered to help, but a lot of what I need to accomplish is up to me.  I mean, I can outsource the creation of a menu of services page, but I want to do it.  Because I’m stubborn and it’s important to me that I do it.  Because I’m a control freak like that.

Feeling

We had our first Freedom is Sexy Sister Circle call on Wednesday night and it was wonderful to feel connected to the other people in the program.  Since then, I’ve been feeling all the emotions; it’s been a rainbow of emotions this week.  I’ve been overwhelmed, energized, lethargic, exasperated, anxious, happy all within the span of a few minutes.

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!

When Things Get Messy

When I was in college (and even high school) and I was struggling through a math problem I couldn’t solve, I would get so upset.  I would crumple up my paper, cross things out really hard so the paper tore, throw my pencil, and generally melt down.

And once I did that, I felt better.  I was able to refocus and 9/10 times, I would figure out the problem.  I’m not the best at math, but that’s a pretty good track record.

I’m really not a person who cries at the drop of a hat.  Usually I can keep things in check until it’s more appropriate.  Like Kelly Cutrone says, “If you have to cry, go outside.”

But like when I was trying to work through a hard math problem, I still have some moments when the stress and frustration gets too much and I want to sit down, get a carton big bowl of ice cream and just pout/whine (I originally wrote “wine,” which is totally acceptable, too).

Again, I get up and feel better and move on with clear eyes.

When this happens to me, I like to turn toward certain ladies who are so motivational and inspiring.

Inspiring resources for when life gets messy.

Molly Mahar‘s Stratejoy is fantastic.  I signed up for The Joy Equation course and I know I will love it based on the past Holiday Councils that I’ve attended with her.

There’s something about the way that she speaks to me that just touches something that both calms and energizes me.  And her Instagram is insanely beautiful/adorable/unapologetically, “Hey this is life,” which I love.

Along the same lines is Nicole Antoinette from A Life Less Bullshit.  Her energy is totally different than Molly’s, but she’s still a huge proponent of accepting that things get messy, not showing a Pinterest-perfect facade, and saying, “Listen, life gets sucky, get up, show up, and do the work.”

And her No BS Lab is fantastic.  It’s where I got all of the podcasts I listened to going to Virginia (that you can read about here and here).And finally, I love Marie Forleo‘s coaching.  She’s more business focused than life focused, but there are still gems that are applicable to everyday life.  Her personality is like sitting down with that friend who will tell you, “Get over yourself and do the work or stop whining about it.”

Of course, there are friends who will listen and commiserate.  I love those people in my life.  But I can’t share them with you (well, I can tell you about them, but I can’t say, “Here’s my best friend’s number, call her if you need someone to make you laugh.”)  These ladies..these I can share with you.  They’re great people to follow.

Who gives you inspiration when you need a reality check?

Sunday Lately, 21

This weekend, I’m spending some time with my mother in Williamsburg. It’s about a six and a half hour drive, so before I left, I loaded up some of Nicole Antoinette‘s No BS Lab podcasts and made it through about 5 of them. OMG. I wish I could have taken notes while I was driving because they fired things off in my brain that were spot on.

Like Samantha Bennett saying, “Well just try it!” when her friend was waffling between two choices. And it clicked with my why I have no patience for people who need constant hand-holding..you’ll never know if you talk about it, so just try it already!

So who’s ready for some Sunday Lately?

What have you been up to lately? This is week 14 of Sunday Lately link up with Katy, Meghan, and Nicole!

Planning

I have so many more No BS Lab podcasts left to listen to, so I’m planning on listening to those on the drive back home. I’m tempted just to have an audio note-taking app on the whole way, but the podcasts already play through my phone, so I don’t think I can pause the audio, switch to a new app, say something, and go back without running myself off the road. Best not to even try.

Loving

That I’m getting a bit of a tan (only on my upper body and feet, though, because I’m an Oreo – dark on the top and bottom, light on the inside). Also loving the perfect weather to be spending outside. Yesterday, we went to a seafood festival in a small town about an hour away and this morning we’ll be spending some time in the garden before we go about our day.

Reading

Finally finished Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin for Birchbloggers and now I’m focusing on People Over Profit by Dale Partridge. And then probably back to Julia Child biographies for a bit because I think I may want a break from self-help.

Wishing

I’d love just a spare moment to relax between driving back to Pittsburgh and jumping into my workday, but that won’t be happening.

Feeling

Tired, man. I was listening to one interview that Nicole did with Jeff Sanders about his “thing,” The 5 AM Miracle. He gets up and starts his day at 5am. When he was working, it gave him just enough time to get something meaningful done and could still be at work on time. I have inadvertently been doing that (lookin’ at you, dude revving outside at 5:30a). I need to work on my coordination because I can’t even fill a K-cup successfully this early, but it has real potential.

What have you been doing lately?


Let’s Play

           

People Really Dug These

We Belong in the Garden Together