Reflections, gratitude and what to expect in 2018

2017 was a strange year. Among other things, I celebrated the 10th anniversary of my blog. 10 years ago I didn't even know what a blog was, and I didn't know what I was doing.  I still don't.

It occurs to me I say the same boring thing every New Year's Eve. Upon reflection, I realize that goals are futile.  Life is messy and keeps getting in the way.  Better to go with the flow. Instead I'm going to focus on where I am in the moment. And be grateful for the things I have rather than the things I supposedly lack.

Someone - either Betsy Ross or the Buddha I'm not sure which - said that happiness relies upon disposition not circumstance.  Instead of always wishing I were somewhere else, I want to stay in the moment and appreciate where I am and what I have.

In my younger days, I never would've thought I'd move so much in my life. Thank goodness I travel light. This year took me from Akron to Denver to Cleveland to Hudson and to Cleveland again. I planned to retire in Denver, because I love the mountains and weed is legal.  It was not meant to be, I could not find  affordable housing. This, as well as legalization of weed will be subjects of  subsequent posts.

Among many of the places I have lived this year, I actually lived on the street for three days in Denver. I hope to never experience homelessness again. This will also be the topic of subsequent post.

For today, I'd like to focus on the things I'm grateful for, rather than the things I supposedly lack. As I read blog after blog and watch vlogs on YouTube, I notice people constantly share what they bought, what's new, and the many things they want. Not a judgment, I'm guilty of the same. I wrestle with guilt over my obsession with what I sometimes perceive as trivial.  But damn humans sure make beautiful things don't they? That's why we should spread around the money in this country more equitably, because we'll just turn around and put it right back into the economy. A digression yes, but also the subject of a subsequent post.

I sometimes think about giving up blogging because I lack money, and must decorate on a shoestring.  I'm human and am sometimes envious of the homes of those with a lot of money to spend. In addition, I actually feel ashamed that I am poor, and not what America considers a success.  This will also be the subject of a subsequent post.

The thing I learned from homelessness is:  there is nothing like having your own roof.  If you have nothing else, you should at least have your own roof.  Even if you have to sleep on the floor, like I did for a couple of months when I returned to Cleveland.  I was damn happy for that roof, floor and walls.  Even though it was empty, I had my dignity.  I realized that a home that is empty of possessions is full of potential.  And I basked in that.

I cannot believe we have homelessness in the U.S.  Such a concept should be inconceivable.  Homeless people don't need your tiny gifts of food, money or blankets, they need homes.  A roof of your own is more important than art or furniture.  Again, the subject of the subsequent post.

That said, I love beautiful things. Just not too many.  Once you start downsizing, you start to realize the joys of living simply.  Enjoying living a simple, organized life will be a frequent topic on the blog this year.

I don't make New Year's resolutions, because I'm trying to be a better person everyday. But I'm going to make one exception, I hope to have my book finished by the end of the year.  To those friends who have been so supportive of this endeavor, I can never thank you enough.

Meanwhile my wishes for humanity this year are the same as always. I pray for peace, I pray for the end of violence. I pray for the end of war and poverty. And I pray that the pendulum shifts to a position of dignity in the White House once again.  Another subsequent post.

Happy New Year dear ones. As always, thank you for reading.  2018 is going to be full of writings about simplicity, organization, art, beauty and politics.  I hope you will follow along. XO

J Segal Design, Part II: The Most Beautiful Desk in the World

Hello dear readers!  Hope you are having a wonderful holiday season.  In the post below, I introduced you to designer J Segal and the beautiful bags he makes. Jeff is multi-talented, everything he touches turns to gold. Today, I'd like to show you an example of his hand made furniture.

The iLean desk!  The most beautiful desk ever!  Perfect in its geometry and balance, it's actually two pieces.  This desk would look fabulous in a mid-century, retro or industrial environment.

I would love to see it paired with a Charlotte Perriand bookcase.  I need to win the lottery so I can buy it.  I am obsessed!  And dig that ikebana vase, I need that too.  Humans make really beautiful things, don't they?

Design fans, stay tuned for my year end review which will include the most beautiful furniture ever designed.  This piece, of course, makes the list.

Contact Jeff on Instagram @JSegalDesign

Bag it!

Hello friends!  Hope you are doing well.  If you are a longtime reader of my blog (thank you xo), you know that I am a supporter of buying from local artisans.  In that spirit, I'd like to introduce Northeast Ohio designer/artist eoxtraordinaire Jeff Segal.

If you are a shopper who is thoughtful and likes to gift non mass produced objects, may I suggest one of Jeff's handmade bags?  You can never have too many bags, right?  Jeff's bags are all lovingly made by hand with exquisite attention to detail. They are beautiful inside and out, as well as being totally functional. Each bag sports niches and pockets which allow the perfect organization of those important digital devices we all rely upon.

And they are not just for women!  They are perfect for stylish men as well.  Each bag is unique and of recycled materials.

Jeff's approach to upcycling is non-literal.  To quote Jeff:  "I enjoy reducing items to their core, to reduce the superfluous and to amplify the common."

Common materials, perhaps.  Common bags, absolutely not.  Why not treat yourself or a loved one to a new and unique form of wearable art?  Here's a sampling. I apologize for not properly photographing the inside of the bags.  But believe me, they are beautiful inside and out.  All handles and clasps also made by Jeff.

If you are in Cleveland and attending the 78th Street Studios Art Walk this Friday, I will be sporting this bag.  Be sure to say hi!

This is one of my favorites, made from vintage fabrics.

Jeff is a multi-talented designer and makes many other beautiful things as well.  Stay tuned for more art from J Segal designs.  In part two of this series, I will be showing a sample of his gorgeous furniture.

Contact Jeff @JSegalDesign on Instagram.

Happy Holidays dear readers!

I

Going Home

Hello my dears!  How are you?  I've missed you terribly.  I have some great news!  I am writing a book.  It's the hardest thing I've ever done, just how do so many people write books?  SMH. Amazing.  Humans are amazing.

The other news I have for you is that I am moving to a cute apartment in Cleveland next week.  Yep. Cleveland, my old hometown.  Strange circumstance has led me back to Cleveland via Denver, lol. Lots more about Denver in subsequent posts and in my book.

Here's a couple of previews of the new apartment. It's small and has great character, including wood floors!  I can't wait to get in there! I have many ideas on decorating, but it will have to evolve slowly, will, of course, be simple and include a ton of pink!  This is it, dear friends, this is my retirement home.  I am never moving again. Hooray!

The place is quiet, clean, has beautiful windows and is just so.... me.  My personal space is very important to me.  Without it, I cannot maintain equilibrium.  I hope you will follow along as I make this place my home.

Always Loved Pink! Always will!!!

You've all seen the fabulous Betsey Johnson's pink apartment (see previous post here).  Here is an old place of hers, proving that she's always loved pink, and that she and I are sisters.  I've always loved pink and I could easily live here.  I love me a pink, industrial loft and I love minimalism.

Collected Not Eclectic

Update:  June 30, 2017

It might surprise you that this is my favorite bedroom of 2013, given my love for all things pink.  But here it is, the lovely bedroom designed by Jo of Desire to Inspire.  You've already seen the lovely bedroom of Jenna Lyons, a million times in the blogosphere.

Dig that lamp.  Dig that screen.  Dig that coffee table.  Please don't call it eclectic.  It's collected, by a woman with a great eye.  I would change very little.  Of course, I'd add a hot pink pillow.  Cuz you know every room needs a hit of hot pink.

Celebrating Color: Orange!!

I LOVE ORANGE!

Dig that painting.  Dig that chair.  Love periwinkle with orange.  Dig that table.  Love Hollywood Regency thrown in.  Need a disco ball for my new apartment.  But....don't call it eclectic...call it collected.  We are all complex beings.

Orange and blue.  Dig it.  Love that vase.

Togo sofa!  My favorite! Dig that Buddha. Dig that UFO lamp. Dig that sculpture - what is it?  A street light?  Dig the coffee table, brown walls and white vases.  See, minimalism can be sexy.

For my friends with green thumbs.

Drool.  Dig that white, textured paining on the orange wall.  Dig the purple chairs, the chandy and those metallic bowls.  Apartment Therapy Color Contest, can't remember the year.  Shoulda won.

ya'll know how to do a Google image search, right?  I have all links to artists, if needed.  I love to give artists credit.  if you are the artist, and want proper crediting please contact me.

The Most Beautiful Table in the World

Designed by Zaha Hadid?

325 Too Many, A Plea to Humanity

Image by Peggy

325.  That's how many people were killed by gun violence in the United States of America during the week of 11/1/16 - 11/8/16. That's 325 too many.

Even one is too many.  325.  In one week. There are 52 weeks in a year. My brain calculates quickly, almost without thought. I have to force myself not to do the math. Unspeakable.  But I can tell you one thing about it.  It's too many.  Even one person killed by gun violence - which is totally avoidable - is too many.

It is a turbulent time in the United States. Slow down. Read your constitution, study your history.  History repeats itself.  We are going down a path, and we can change our mind.  It's that simple. Not easy, but simple.  

Change is not hard.  The way we are living now is hard.  Young people feel helpless.  They ask me all the time, "What can I do?" The answer is easy:  Spread Love. Turn away from the ugliness and insanity.

And for goodness sake, it is time to lay down our arms.  It is almost 2017.  Not 1957.  

It is time to lay down our arms, because we are more similar than different.  We all grieve when someone we love is carelessly, foolishly and avoidably taken before their time.

It is time to lay down our arms, because the loss of even one is too many.

It is time to lay down our arms, because the loss of any human being before their time should be incomprehensible.

It is time to lay down our arms, not to make us great again -- but because we are great.  Great nations lead by example.

It is time to lay down our arms, because we refuse to live in fear any longer. Fear is a crippler.

It is time to lay down our arms, because it is the right thing to do.

Announcements and Social Media Update

Hi friends!  I know it's been a long time.  I just wanted to update you on what's going on in my life and how I am using social media.

First, and maybe most important, is that I am writing a book!  Yep it's true.  It's about my experience living in the sweet little beach cottage.  You can follow my progress at Instagram #sweetlittlebeachcottage.

Second, I am working on an installation piece honoring the Harvest Moon of October and the Supermoon of November 2016.  You can follow my progress at Instagram as well, but I am planning to post some pictures of this work here.

Here is an update of how I am currently using social media:

Facebook - don't like.  Too much drama.  Makes me sad and makes me feel excluded.  I have deactivated my account.

Twitter - use mainly for politics, but am giving up politics.  :)

Pinterest - I share designs by other artists I like.

Flickr - not currently updating, but parts of my portfolio reside on flickr,  (For my portfolio and links you can see my tab above entitled portfolio)

Instagram - is my favorite thing in the world right now!  I post my work in progress, the installation piece I am working on, pictures of my home, and of course urban photography.  All photographs are by  me. I also use IG to spread positive messages of love.  I hope you will follow along.

How are you using social media these days?  Do you also love the ease of Instagram?  I'd love to hear from you.

And remember my friends, during this tumultuous time to always choose love.  Whenever you think what can I do?  Spread love.  It's the only thing that matters.