Home Ideas - Modern Home Design: inspiration

Showing posts with label inspiration. Show all posts

writers block ...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1bTZtwjIkM2zeeL_1HM07oYtigdxnBUdEQLXtgTkwFxfbEDiZkP6bBQxeZ62inzsev9i4drru3mU9nX6uEM7PjQP-Iu8RjKUMrjNYS_SCbEQUFwdfOxXlf6OwpmiWB6ZO4xxg0mKwKgX/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-11-04+at+11.58.50+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1bTZtwjIkM2zeeL_1HM07oYtigdxnBUdEQLXtgTkwFxfbEDiZkP6bBQxeZ62inzsev9i4drru3mU9nX6uEM7PjQP-Iu8RjKUMrjNYS_SCbEQUFwdfOxXlf6OwpmiWB6ZO4xxg0mKwKgX/s320/Screen+shot+2013-11-04+at+11.58.50+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">– image that will be in an upcoming post –</div> Maybe challenging myself to write a complete post everyday was too much to ask? I did work on a post today, composed about two dozen emails, and tweeted a number of times ... must check word count on all of those combined ... For the aspiring novel writers out there, a twitter prompt is available for motivation – <a href="https://twitter.com/nanowordsprints">@NaNoWordSprints</a> – encourages quick bursts of unedited prose. Just like runners who push themselves to go their fastest knowing it will only be for a brief time, writers are coached to come up with 1,000 words in just 30 minutes. Topics are provided and the goal is to get word count as close to 1K as possible. Perhaps there is something to be said for putting a time limit on the writing process? I will give it a try ... tomorrow.

writers block ...

– image that will be in an upcoming post – Maybe challenging myself to write a complete post everyday was too much to ask? I did work on a p...

8:45 PM

A new approach for 2013

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdDA0PeIumqx1vk8yDVdsZvfO9LCrU7RGDMCW0Yhudfg8Uyk-jpvn0SZp86KpjSd80B3E9t-UZ2lVKjAsmhlSEZkxLIQ81aAlAvQYAJwRNmvp_NTXEjyD7mLCtVpC2Frrb9wt3EbcTiAU/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-12-30+at+1.23.34+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdDA0PeIumqx1vk8yDVdsZvfO9LCrU7RGDMCW0Yhudfg8Uyk-jpvn0SZp86KpjSd80B3E9t-UZ2lVKjAsmhlSEZkxLIQ81aAlAvQYAJwRNmvp_NTXEjyD7mLCtVpC2Frrb9wt3EbcTiAU/s800/Screen+shot+2012-12-30+at+1.23.34+PM.png" width="500" /></a></div><div class="p1"> </div><div class="p1">“Take a look at the assets you have and see how you can remix them to build something you are excited about. Experiment. Try new things. Tell a new story. It can make a huge difference.”</div><div class="p1"> </div><div class="p1"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4020vision.com/index.php/2012/12/dont-get-lost-in-transition/">quote via Christina Vuleta 40:20 Vision blog</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=67362646">art via designvignettes on polyvore</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div></div>

A new approach for 2013

“Take a look at the assets you have and see how you can remix them to build something you are excited about. Experiment. Try new things. Tel...

10:29 AM

Yin and Yang post of the week

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26OOBQmXLy-Um2H-ctU4wh2XkR5dGstiC6hRvYyScj4Pk4McC7KFoCg5A5cwxVeTl02qCghyphenhyphenjdlQZYohQKvKO3RWaNjPz1GFFsvr43ipSWFvLovby2ZorF2oUrgE29a3cF9DU5Jc_Jj9y/s1600/tubfiller%2540JLS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26OOBQmXLy-Um2H-ctU4wh2XkR5dGstiC6hRvYyScj4Pk4McC7KFoCg5A5cwxVeTl02qCghyphenhyphenjdlQZYohQKvKO3RWaNjPz1GFFsvr43ipSWFvLovby2ZorF2oUrgE29a3cF9DU5Jc_Jj9y/s800/tubfiller%2540JLS.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Guest Bath designed by Janet Marena of <a href="http://jtminteriors.com/">JTM Interiors</a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">for the Junior League of Boston Show House in Newton, MA</div> Raise your hand if you would like to end this week with a long soak in the tub? Being surrounded by water can soothe nerves and bring comfort unless of course the water isn’t where it is supposed to be. Living on the East Coast I have been following the updates from those affected by Hurricane Sandy. We were lucky this time. We did not lose power (been there before). A tree did not fall on our roof (been there, too). We never ran out of food (and to be honest I didn’t even stock up partly out of denial and partly due to being tired of <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2011/06/weathering-storms.html">being in a state of emergency</a>). My entire family was home on Monday – school was closed and work was put off until another day. We tried to ignore the wind outside our window (not easy) that was causing the tall pine trees surrounding our house to sway back and forth. On Tuesday the sun was out and life was back to normal for us. I am thankful. At times like these we are reminded that home equals shelter first and foremost. Clean fresh water, a well-lit path to light our way, a place to store the food that nourishes us, and heat to keep our families warm – these are necessities, not luxuries. Being able to stay connected via email, phone, texting, etc. is also becoming something we rely on day in and day out. We feel less alone when we know others understand what we are going through. Knowing that we can quickly reach out to someone – friend or stranger – when we need help is invaluable. While celebrating luxury, attention to detail, craftsmanship and creative vision is part of a design bloggers daily musings, I am sure we all respect the fact that we are drawn to interior design magazines and home decor eye candy out of sincere appreciation for the human effort that it takes to make our surroundings be not just comfortable and safe, but beyond our expectations. The art of imagination in the form of decoration is entertaining. When it is applied with layers of meaning based on the stories of those who live there, we are inspired by it.  I invite you to be inspired by the following: <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP6kP8hFf2Ble-lbT4zvhPiQqpL6SbamdrYdbtHirWK74E4ntMtg-IigzLD6kUiuLgU-P5pWTZpTHWr2YkUxpmryQZaaF2PQLF3KftsJTUzIjNkX2uWrRIJE5IBZub19doO6EsWDnWUhga/s1600/JuniorLeague+Program.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP6kP8hFf2Ble-lbT4zvhPiQqpL6SbamdrYdbtHirWK74E4ntMtg-IigzLD6kUiuLgU-P5pWTZpTHWr2YkUxpmryQZaaF2PQLF3KftsJTUzIjNkX2uWrRIJE5IBZub19doO6EsWDnWUhga/s800/JuniorLeague+Program.jpg" width="350" /></a></div> <a href="http://www.jlboston.org/jlb/npo.jsp?pg=detail52">The Junior League of Boston Show House</a> now through November 18th: a three-story estate filled with the imaginative designs of over 35 interior professionals with rooms dedicated to music, gardening, reading, conversation, game playing, and personal sanctuary. All proceeds will support the mission of the Junior League of Boston. Check out <a href="http://designerbath.blogspot.com/2012/11/modern-glam-for-vintage-bath.html">my related post on the Designer Bath blog</a> for more about the historically comforting spa-like bath above. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEian4qgknBGB9u-xINLAEU3Urg4he1jyJdr_iTg0gtvcfynbjkdac0FIOyDpmGIYnb_HYRMfCHM8drDjMELpxC3NCkrtDEFfkpZUT2cw12WymvIglPhzsSo15XcsRU_A127zJD2zgD72Pcq/s1600/MichaelNyeExhibit@EndicottCollege.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEian4qgknBGB9u-xINLAEU3Urg4he1jyJdr_iTg0gtvcfynbjkdac0FIOyDpmGIYnb_HYRMfCHM8drDjMELpxC3NCkrtDEFfkpZUT2cw12WymvIglPhzsSo15XcsRU_A127zJD2zgD72Pcq/s800/MichaelNyeExhibit@EndicottCollege.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">“About Hunger and Resilience” photography exhibit by Michael Nye  presented through November 4th at Endicott College, Beverly, MA</div> On the other end of the inspiration spectrum, I encourage you to attend the Michael Nye photography exhibit, “About Hunger and Resilience” on display now at Endicott College. Sponsored in part by <a href="http://gatheringchangeinc.org/">Gathering Change, Inc.</a> the charity that my friend Dorothy Goodwin started around the time of the last Presidential election, it presents the audio stories and arresting photos of thirty individuals who have all experienced hunger, homelessness, or lack of resources. Listening to someone share their personal story of hardship in their own voice is a very intimate and moving experience. Many of these storytellers were affected by events outside of their control. States of emergency so to speak. If you are unable to attend this event, learn more about <a href="http://www.michaelnye.org/hunger/abouthunger.html">the inspiration behind the exhibit here</a> and see more photos from <a href="http://returntothecenter.typepad.com/the_center/2012/10/michael-nyes-about-hunger-and-resilience.html">opening night of the Endicott exhibit here.</a> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ghgjbdgiJ_Jj5rm28MaoMLr7bNe3JhQtRozUHA282lIiAjC7x9cxfbSBtyVOzX0aJHFE9-qpt4FTReBuCHLU3m4MC2zVF4UW8RNzdTgAlWMrKphrWiM8pgWEvqe-6o0UPobHh_uEEYGW/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-11-02+at+8.03.56+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ghgjbdgiJ_Jj5rm28MaoMLr7bNe3JhQtRozUHA282lIiAjC7x9cxfbSBtyVOzX0aJHFE9-qpt4FTReBuCHLU3m4MC2zVF4UW8RNzdTgAlWMrKphrWiM8pgWEvqe-6o0UPobHh_uEEYGW/s800/Screen+shot+2012-11-02+at+8.03.56+PM.png" width="500" /></a></div> And because it is my bread and butter, I invite you to attend a seminar/panel discussion that I have helped to put together for Designer Bath. Called <a href="http://designerbath.com/passport/index.html">“</a><a href="http://designerbath.com/passport/index.html">From Studs to Stunning: Remodeling Tips from the Pros”</a> it is scheduled for Wednesday, November 7th from 6 to 8pm at the Designer Bath showroom in Beverly. Local design and renovation experts will share their tips on how to plan a bath remodel with confidence. Did I ever tell you about the day I went to help out on the <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2012/06/habitat-for-humanity-builders-blitz.html">Habitat for Humanity Builders Blitz</a> and just as I was preparing to leave I noticed that my ancient second floor bath was leaking buckets full of water into our first floor powder room? Fortunately the first floor bath was gutted at the time, but it was very unsettling and slightly ironic. Seriously, I had to laugh. What else could I do? I will be taking notes while sitting in the audience on the 7th. I wish I could enter to win the $20,000 Passport to Design Home Makeover Sweepstakes, but I promise I will be sincerely happy for the lucky winner. Visit <a href="http://bostonmagazine.com/passport">bostonmagazine.com/passport</a> for more details.

Yin and Yang post of the week

The Guest Bath designed by Janet Marena of JTM Interiors for the Junior League of Boston Show House in Newton, MA Raise your hand if you wou...

5:24 PM

Creating an inspiration board

<div style="height: 500px; position: relative; width: 500px;"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/inspiration_board_2012/set?.embedder=971780&.svc=copypaste&id=41665018"><img alt="Inspiration Board: 2012" border="0" height="500" src="http://embed.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/cid/41665018/id/FCWqyFk14RGEWb71f-hZgg/size/x.jpg" title="Inspiration Board: 2012" width="500" /></a></div> <div><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/inspiration_board_2012/set?.embedder=971780&.svc=copypaste&id=41665018">Inspiration Board: 2012</a> by <a href="http://designvignettes.polyvore.com/?.embedder=971780&.svc=copypaste">designvignettes</a> Instead of writing down what I want to happen in 2012, I put together a <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=41665018">Polyvore</a> set of images that mean something to me personally. I even kept a little white space in the bottom corner to leave room for the unexpected (the good variety, of course : ) What are you imagining for your new year? </div>

Creating an inspiration board

Inspiration Board: 2012 by designvignettes Instead of writing down what I want to happen in 2012, I put together a Polyvore set of images ...

10:42 AM

Back to school ...

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZ728NDRRWuEZcUdxoHze46-q3BJPKv0WuQ3g6hADif-uUu-6MZhZnN98rl7byxvE-uaJU1TkCQuA-JSufeiaRX06DOq7BMYqz07fDpbAAzdhDu-BzbXTqoU6DEwiXOzcRobKFIGlxZ4/s1600-h/chinesetakeout.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429714021359004498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZ728NDRRWuEZcUdxoHze46-q3BJPKv0WuQ3g6hADif-uUu-6MZhZnN98rl7byxvE-uaJU1TkCQuA-JSufeiaRX06DOq7BMYqz07fDpbAAzdhDu-BzbXTqoU6DEwiXOzcRobKFIGlxZ4/s400/chinesetakeout.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px;" /></a>Art lessons as an adult: Week One I recently signed up for an adult art class at <a href="http://www.taggartstudio.com/Home_Page.php">TaggArt Studio</a> in Wakefield. Since I was an art major in high school and studied fine art all through college, I figured it would be a relaxing way to spend a couple of hours a week. A friend of mine from high school also signed up, so I imagined it would certainly be good for a few laughs! This still life set up on our first day back “in the studio” looked deceptively simple. After an informative discussion on what makes an ideal composition, we were ready to put pen to paper ... <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYMxX9FcMMfv9KQXeb0KuFsxteR_o3cYxAeUHxmK00NRu4SjR4z3dKolGSpXsiB-41FJIIJKJGpZa326jSGrJJwwjHqc_qaU4ZxZHkFoUZ68NWmKizghiwbeoRMp7ww8eDyIeJFGhBDes/s1600-h/chinesetakeoutlineart.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440107452866129714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYMxX9FcMMfv9KQXeb0KuFsxteR_o3cYxAeUHxmK00NRu4SjR4z3dKolGSpXsiB-41FJIIJKJGpZa326jSGrJJwwjHqc_qaU4ZxZHkFoUZ68NWmKizghiwbeoRMp7ww8eDyIeJFGhBDes/s400/chinesetakeoutlineart.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 357px;" /></a> We began by warming up with a few marker sketches. We were asked to look at the still life – but not the paper – while we drew the shapes in front of us. At one point our instructor asked us to draw with our non-dominant hand. Fun stuff! My brain was starting to hurt by this point! After struggling with “<a href="http://www.drawright.com/">drawing on the right hand side of the brain</a>” (it is an actual method!) we were then deemed ready to compose our first painting. The only catch was that we had to do it once again without looking at our paper, and without lifting our marker off the page. My friend and I both tried to follow the rules, but found ourselves cheating just a little bit so that we weren’t creating art that looked like our grade school renderings! </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZB4DejtnwOa8OZhpUeSkbfpOYwg0uwoNo1K18fQxCNjR7hCNPnyMUoc6mbWF5Uj4rEsZaU8oZPaxLDeWyZljzXMHaHxN8Iuw4Xwrd9CSSgISiENrp6YPIGopn5Wxbjt0fwMlFbzL2BY/s1600-h/watercolor.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429714025144751330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZB4DejtnwOa8OZhpUeSkbfpOYwg0uwoNo1K18fQxCNjR7hCNPnyMUoc6mbWF5Uj4rEsZaU8oZPaxLDeWyZljzXMHaHxN8Iuw4Xwrd9CSSgISiENrp6YPIGopn5Wxbjt0fwMlFbzL2BY/s400/watercolor.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 289px;" /></a> <div style="text-align: center;">With our teacher’s approval, we were finally able to use some water colors to bring our images to life. I am pretty sure this would have come out slightly better if I wasn’t talking almost the entire time to my friend in class (just like we used to do in high school!) Later in the day when I showed this to my husband, he asked if one of the boys brought it home from school : ( I hung it on the refrigerator with magnets anyway : ) Personally, I love the colors and the shapes, plus I had a lot of fun (even though I left with some serious doubts about my artistic abilities ... ) </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWppWFTjoDxAz6JdhZj7cQF3v6jOo5fb3YbaRlUFSdu4DPlwLvz3Hntg57bj0Q1uMKO8V7r3eYu740GEHwPvfIN6jGV3TgQ8W-qvYTmoAru1QN_6EYoKNRaAVu-gN_7N85HQep3jXkKA/s1600-h/butterflyflowers.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440096082658787106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWppWFTjoDxAz6JdhZj7cQF3v6jOo5fb3YbaRlUFSdu4DPlwLvz3Hntg57bj0Q1uMKO8V7r3eYu740GEHwPvfIN6jGV3TgQ8W-qvYTmoAru1QN_6EYoKNRaAVu-gN_7N85HQep3jXkKA/s400/butterflyflowers.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 282px; height: 400px;" /></a> <div style="text-align: center;">Week Two: Bright Floral Bouquet <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hfRIacCSsltli3jlFMMEeVbFpVJ-ANlss9ueUfoR6YVInS6MMtvUKq9Fv_t8pgFE6ogzcefw1QyVAfAaA4ShgNQEwXg4c4DrXXvq_WXvVmCtboUi1sgaMyF3H8ie_k2LTrjrJiJC1yM/s1600-h/largeflowersketch.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440106175168980018" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hfRIacCSsltli3jlFMMEeVbFpVJ-ANlss9ueUfoR6YVInS6MMtvUKq9Fv_t8pgFE6ogzcefw1QyVAfAaA4ShgNQEwXg4c4DrXXvq_WXvVmCtboUi1sgaMyF3H8ie_k2LTrjrJiJC1yM/s400/largeflowersketch.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 273px; height: 400px;" /></a> Warm-up sketch </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5uN9w4I5-zLXqeQVo3aAmv-WprByc31RqS94zLOLY_SQ4Xbua28CzZdVIgu8M7XuW5U_Z9F3lqb8Zr2lKP-mkPHNmSm2nuDHdQV70oDBsCJfgmL5nDCRNmCs7oelxrgz5i_6kHvdw5A/s1600-h/quickflowersketch.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440096594515784018" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5uN9w4I5-zLXqeQVo3aAmv-WprByc31RqS94zLOLY_SQ4Xbua28CzZdVIgu8M7XuW5U_Z9F3lqb8Zr2lKP-mkPHNmSm2nuDHdQV70oDBsCJfgmL5nDCRNmCs7oelxrgz5i_6kHvdw5A/s400/quickflowersketch.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a> Quick sketches to decide upon final composition </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidewTxPNI1mLUmvLJNGNCkaiMFoFUGxZEqwpaVjtu2nhUmMEdJkrvx_i-U2_xVhZ8lpc4r9CYQ-IHxZckkN3BGMZx6dHZHcen_Ut8oI8OeEhuOeLUzizvz3ztjOY9y4jIKHlM5cZFkQ4Y/s1600-h/wetwatercolor.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440096584436848722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidewTxPNI1mLUmvLJNGNCkaiMFoFUGxZEqwpaVjtu2nhUmMEdJkrvx_i-U2_xVhZ8lpc4r9CYQ-IHxZckkN3BGMZx6dHZHcen_Ut8oI8OeEhuOeLUzizvz3ztjOY9y4jIKHlM5cZFkQ4Y/s400/wetwatercolor.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 392px;" /></a> A wet-on-wet technique (wash paper with water, add watercolor, let it do it’s thing without trying to fix it!) </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh8DPXKPNL7F9zm-eMCdwBG4ppCNIRtSv71_4o1IVZ1JExKLSglnJ8tCPR3r_NU0sSmIYcT8TRieUl8Q2KiRsT2YR_DAzgyedx2xFu3ANcbBF69wMjEvZdrr6dcQbxB7owbCtu1QR7R-0/s1600-h/hazyflowers.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440096089466509330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh8DPXKPNL7F9zm-eMCdwBG4ppCNIRtSv71_4o1IVZ1JExKLSglnJ8tCPR3r_NU0sSmIYcT8TRieUl8Q2KiRsT2YR_DAzgyedx2xFu3ANcbBF69wMjEvZdrr6dcQbxB7owbCtu1QR7R-0/s400/hazyflowers.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a> This soft-focus photo actually looks surprisingly like the watercolor wash to me. At this point, I am beginning to think that it would be much easier if I just stuck with photography! </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNl0qffKL8eRm8CC37H6ME65lbh3DMX5vXqRRwxxWLjrDiDAE9bj5uVMvaISBa_BRmiZKzpryA9tMGJoq7EV8GRVsMH8us0lCjYl8da7C-eldDLdT80IQugo69emrQ_CAGFxnxWZIliZc/s1600-h/pearstilllife.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440106183917255170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNl0qffKL8eRm8CC37H6ME65lbh3DMX5vXqRRwxxWLjrDiDAE9bj5uVMvaISBa_BRmiZKzpryA9tMGJoq7EV8GRVsMH8us0lCjYl8da7C-eldDLdT80IQugo69emrQ_CAGFxnxWZIliZc/s400/pearstilllife.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a> <div style="text-align: center;">Weeks Three and Four: Formal Still Life <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBghJkXJbMjxsvqirLYM3BzUnj8BjH2jcNECWnpVjY6yoStG_gp1B9wDIUte-gl2lzlRoxkA3GlDv885YaD7Xamq7pNet4TlVl1OjBdiIANCYNk_at-MT2xZc4KH7wglfvDyZ2fz8mHBI/s1600-h/pearsketch.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440096597493694258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBghJkXJbMjxsvqirLYM3BzUnj8BjH2jcNECWnpVjY6yoStG_gp1B9wDIUte-gl2lzlRoxkA3GlDv885YaD7Xamq7pNet4TlVl1OjBdiIANCYNk_at-MT2xZc4KH7wglfvDyZ2fz8mHBI/s400/pearsketch.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a> Composition sketch <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWms02J9FpvqxaSgXcfTiXiSDJbd2ptbsJwc7VU9siez1hRf2esf6yOY5bcGJX_fNSE7WggMWzucx2C78jIFZeMi27_ZfiV6C2alskfM7_WW8GMKn-GF9sDtLSD-unKhA46CWzb6yU_RA/s1600-h/acrylics.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440096077228200562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWms02J9FpvqxaSgXcfTiXiSDJbd2ptbsJwc7VU9siez1hRf2esf6yOY5bcGJX_fNSE7WggMWzucx2C78jIFZeMi27_ZfiV6C2alskfM7_WW8GMKn-GF9sDtLSD-unKhA46CWzb6yU_RA/s400/acrylics.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a> Acrylic paints that I last used in college (we didn’t have enough time to explore oils during this first session) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibFyKojUrpqliJ5TBZfqVKTmvsRBZfbHGm9RLoQIFz7eAuwCwCFwkwgCuprH87TmYIaPjLOqvfDRuClGmSEGaZr_P-gAFLrTcgj7mbpugSwtI6EDW9KfofZu3RgKrm0jM06Nr_yXsP4AE/s1600-h/painttray.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440106180121125938" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibFyKojUrpqliJ5TBZfqVKTmvsRBZfbHGm9RLoQIFz7eAuwCwCFwkwgCuprH87TmYIaPjLOqvfDRuClGmSEGaZr_P-gAFLrTcgj7mbpugSwtI6EDW9KfofZu3RgKrm0jM06Nr_yXsP4AE/s400/painttray.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a> Some of my decades-old paint tubes had to be cracked open. Discovered that dried paint works, but not very well. Generous friend shared fresh paint with me. </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSr1SAzoflGiH4bV4-P0C7JepMspIztHaS9wsgklFqZT4VumCDkJr-Z6qd_UB4XVKuqUuu-LBAORL1GNGRZqQDq93rWTZe1kVwhy3p4aY-DjlFV-MEvh6COMw1AKUueNOyJnHQEeuvSE/s1600-h/pearphotocloseup.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440096616236867266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSr1SAzoflGiH4bV4-P0C7JepMspIztHaS9wsgklFqZT4VumCDkJr-Z6qd_UB4XVKuqUuu-LBAORL1GNGRZqQDq93rWTZe1kVwhy3p4aY-DjlFV-MEvh6COMw1AKUueNOyJnHQEeuvSE/s400/pearphotocloseup.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 283px;" /></a> Here is the section of the still life that I decided to focus on. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUezPKqxD3R5addG4jTAoD9eF2ZqIxxSiXeqAZ3_krcwEohD8lwnQOLck2KYdSPXc1gDHfApZGkoxLqNerdFmbSiQQfm-2q-3Y-V4o6UBH1egxAmFDJ-HuLi9TLajWP9Lr5crl9UpLfz8/s1600-h/pear-greenblue.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440096096270775330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUezPKqxD3R5addG4jTAoD9eF2ZqIxxSiXeqAZ3_krcwEohD8lwnQOLck2KYdSPXc1gDHfApZGkoxLqNerdFmbSiQQfm-2q-3Y-V4o6UBH1egxAmFDJ-HuLi9TLajWP9Lr5crl9UpLfz8/s400/pear-greenblue.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 326px;" /></a> We spent two sessions from beginning to end to create our “masterpieces.” Even though I wanted to finish mine off with pastels (much easier to work with) our instructor convinced me to push through my fears of finishing (always the hardest part for me to know when a painting is “done”). I am actually happy with the end result (not perfect, but at least recognizable!) <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlb-dg8FyPt8EhOWEl8NBxSqaiv380WNo6uZ3gj45m4PhDLuy1_pds_OzYSyr-I_ErSf2mfVaVwNUjjhvHNemyVrUrkGLMXWKqAC-rYIEmEzCom4-3Pl70JL1veuMe_KNvpwwo8s_qPII/s1600-h/MTpainting.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440825334827283954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlb-dg8FyPt8EhOWEl8NBxSqaiv380WNo6uZ3gj45m4PhDLuy1_pds_OzYSyr-I_ErSf2mfVaVwNUjjhvHNemyVrUrkGLMXWKqAC-rYIEmEzCom4-3Pl70JL1veuMe_KNvpwwo8s_qPII/s400/MTpainting.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 352px; height: 222px;" /></a> In case you are wondering how I have free time to take art classes, I have actually been helping my friend, instructor <a href="http://www.taggartstudio.com/About_Mary.php">Mary Taggart</a>, with her marketing materials and the website design for her studio, so I figured that sitting in on one of her classes would be valid “research.” I was able to learn firsthand about her warm and encouraging method of teaching, while reconnecting with my former fine art self. It was time well spent! <div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.taggartstudio.com/Home_Page.php" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440822415344582610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLHb30R3WoZO3NN5gnK_Ch4eIq5f_lPkpD4KbNfStgFuLLyT3JifaM6eana4VDI5F9ud3eQi-NUfWsZs50YWRn_U781vl6KN0UFCgHqv82lKjrxJngjLIEpgTs5DVz-YuTNJdUPSO3mp0/s200/TaggArtSignK.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 166px;" /></a><a href="http://www.taggartstudio.com/Home_Page.php">www.TaggArtStudio.com</a> To view additional student artwork (including my friend Cara’s beautifully rendered pears) visit the student gallery at <a href="http://www.taggartstudio.com/Student_Work.php">www.taggartstudio.com</a>. To sign up for classes (there are sessions for adults and children, plus open studio hours) check the <a href="http://www.taggartstudio.com/Schedule_of_Classes.php">studio schedule</a> (Spring session begins the week of March 8th).</div> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0aFaoq5OlBppbnX5UNVUrydNrzFa3TLaR7i39incTlCrzgoRjb71qZfMepJd2w3OmPVPwfMxpeFeUbZT3kabUybV2cnEvEF4LcAElaVqQdOJtgfU2kzD1PEC-d2Dc_qTltLuuk-HCXtc/s1600-h/inspirationboardMT.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440499028459299954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0aFaoq5OlBppbnX5UNVUrydNrzFa3TLaR7i39incTlCrzgoRjb71qZfMepJd2w3OmPVPwfMxpeFeUbZT3kabUybV2cnEvEF4LcAElaVqQdOJtgfU2kzD1PEC-d2Dc_qTltLuuk-HCXtc/s400/inspirationboardMT.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 273px;" /></a>I love this inspiration board at Mary’s studio. It says a lot about what influences her artistic perspective. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> A new favorite blogger of mine, Stacy Kunstel of <a href="http://stacystyle.wordpress.com/2010/02/10/inspiration-board-keith-wagner/">Stacy Style</a>, has been posting a series of inspiration boards that she has come across in her travels as a photo stylist for some of my favorite design magazines including <a href="http://www.nehomemag.com/">New England Home</a>, <a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/">Traditional Home</a>, <a href="http://www.bhg.com/">Better Homes and Gardens</a>, <a href="http://www.countryliving.com/">Country Living</a>, etc.! Visit <a href="http://stacystyle.wordpress.com/">her new blog</a> to get a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes of some great interior photography. What a fabulous way to make a living as an artist : ) </div>

Back to school ...

Art lessons as an adult: Week One I recently signed up for an adult art class at TaggArt Studio in Wakefield. Since I was an art major in h...

9:15 PM

Inspirational posts

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5i85BCK3t00A8vEx76fkcM4nvux5W8sLFUcyd1g3r95HxvHpaj8mM2mC3BJKBGzRozuzIAPWCHeIkYahhweXKEpyUSQodT4Mzp_pUS8pF_5End6hOHjYMyGPalGopPlEnOQ46s6p36u4/s1600-h/littlevignette.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421266174861410274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5i85BCK3t00A8vEx76fkcM4nvux5W8sLFUcyd1g3r95HxvHpaj8mM2mC3BJKBGzRozuzIAPWCHeIkYahhweXKEpyUSQodT4Mzp_pUS8pF_5End6hOHjYMyGPalGopPlEnOQ46s6p36u4/s400/littlevignette.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 310px;" /></a>A tiny vignette of child-attracting objects features a glass “wish” ball and a sparkly fairy. For my third resolution going into 2010, I have decided to write an inspirational post each day and post it at home for my kids. Today I brought them over to my friend Beth’s <a href="http://www.bethhylan.com/">Design Studio</a> which is now officially closed. It was only a nine-week “pop” shop set up for the holidays ... I am so going to miss it, as it was a pretty – and quiet – place for me to escape to! I sat all four of the boys down in my corner of the store so that I could pack up remaining inventory to bring home. I figured they could at least help carry pillows to the car without the likelihood of doing any damage. While we were there, I grabbed the <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2009/10/first-weekend-at-design-studio.html">chalkboard frame</a> off the wall with the intention of using it at home for my “words of wisdom” idea. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmijJgIAe3h9YHczIALm7gysDcqmdXF3LDBZlZiLnBpYIGdseZ9gKNJU7MQQ0TgJ-6KW7I2PvMe3TyprQiEuo4V4AI_EFgmO2vNND2e6kJ0-mk_Xj5Qe_g2p7urOKOsT2zAlsnmP22TCQ/s1600-h/quoteboard.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421266169766948626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmijJgIAe3h9YHczIALm7gysDcqmdXF3LDBZlZiLnBpYIGdseZ9gKNJU7MQQ0TgJ-6KW7I2PvMe3TyprQiEuo4V4AI_EFgmO2vNND2e6kJ0-mk_Xj5Qe_g2p7urOKOsT2zAlsnmP22TCQ/s400/quoteboard.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 400px;" /></a> When we returned home, I found a prominent spot to hang the chalkboard. It is at the bottom of the stairs in the foyer, a place where every family member can see it as they come downstairs to begin their day. Even my husband noticed it right away (and he rarely notices anything without my having to jump up and down and point out “look what I did!”) With the exception of my youngest, who is just learning to read, each of my boys asked me about the quote and why I had written it on the board. I was surprised at the conversations we had! As a mom I feel some days like I am constantly repeating myself with advice on how to behave and why ... now I will just let the chalk do the talking! And when the words come from someone else, sometimes they are more likely to be heard and believed. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmN2U9A-iqj7klevl4tdu8Ng4mKPWEPJ2BkqCrLuyyXZhCTzkkppW942CpeuTgQNd8lxlHgWVSyct2lKsUK-eM6-5mJ6-2CvcB6N2RtGvnv2hSSYIn6ZkxjEUAhbS1SHgafrYP7qeL2SE/s1600-h/inspirationalbooks.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421286579977601122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmN2U9A-iqj7klevl4tdu8Ng4mKPWEPJ2BkqCrLuyyXZhCTzkkppW942CpeuTgQNd8lxlHgWVSyct2lKsUK-eM6-5mJ6-2CvcB6N2RtGvnv2hSSYIn6ZkxjEUAhbS1SHgafrYP7qeL2SE/s400/inspirationalbooks.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a>I like to collect the inspiring words of others. I chose the first quote from Walt Disney (someone famous that they could relate to) as a New Year’s reminder that each of us has the power to accomplish whatever we set out to do. You would be surprised at some of the long-term goals that my boys believe they can achieve ... they always start out with “I want to be a famous ...” They remind me of when I was 100% certain when I was little that I would sing “Feeling Groovy” on the television show Community Auditions, the late 70’s version of American Idol! Not sure where I got the idea – and I never did make it onto the stage – but I told a lot of my playground friends that I was going to do it at the time! My mom probably said I would be just as good as any of those kids up there (she still tells me I should sing every now and then!) and I just believed her because she believed in me. Funny how that works, huh? I am really looking forward to this new resolution to inspire – and to believe in – each other as an important part of our daily routine. I might even let the boys choose favorite quotes of their own to post on the board, or they could post a few words of encouragement to someone else, or write a simple line of gratitude. I will let you know how it goes ... On a less-than-perfect side note, my youngest picked up the glass paperweight that I named “the wish ball,” closed his eyes tight, and then proceeded to wish for Call of Duty 5 (if you don’t know what it is, consider yourself lucky!) I guess we have a long road ahead of us! I think the next quote will be the Chinese saying “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Have a safe – and inspiring – New Year’s Eve! xo Yvonne </div>

Inspirational posts

A tiny vignette of child-attracting objects features a glass “wish ” ball and a sparkly fairy. For my third resolution going into 2010, I ha...

9:20 PM

The gift of relaxation ...

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXXmgqOx3wY1KhFW9eTZNnTL5IZTmtX9PmC_LEax9xZ_TBvHZ7XXRvAkPP8A5_QDK8dEMqL7ZoSnHdsodxyGgal1wX2Ddk9u5UzWn_0b3-5KgQbwUvIxJ5mtsa2kT4jKhFzQF0qL-dk0s/s1600-h/buddhaYE.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416219289044201906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXXmgqOx3wY1KhFW9eTZNnTL5IZTmtX9PmC_LEax9xZ_TBvHZ7XXRvAkPP8A5_QDK8dEMqL7ZoSnHdsodxyGgal1wX2Ddk9u5UzWn_0b3-5KgQbwUvIxJ5mtsa2kT4jKhFzQF0qL-dk0s/s400/buddhaYE.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 296px; height: 400px;" /></a>A calm and collected Buddha sits peacefully at the front of the Yoga East studio. Raise your hand (and take a series of deep, cleansing breaths) if you are in need of a little de-stressing at this point in the holiday craziness. With Christmas just one week away (and I should know since my youngest has been asking me “How many days ’till Christmas?” since about December 1st!) I am starting to feel a little twinge of “I should be closer to being done with my holiday *...* ” (Insert one of the following: shopping, baking, decorating, organizing of the house in order to find room for new toys, ... ) <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNzsJkNOFvXsrHQeGNh0raWBvmiO0xwy-5JSq412rsECKMt2cVHL0R2JM3B8gI7H4eH7-x-AOjHvhm2HRNN7-1cnY7x05T7m0MsS0gVI9G3oIjTzvlUOApSTNt3AiIu_RYpQS4DUIzto/s1600-h/twistMT.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416220017276354210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNzsJkNOFvXsrHQeGNh0raWBvmiO0xwy-5JSq412rsECKMt2cVHL0R2JM3B8gI7H4eH7-x-AOjHvhm2HRNN7-1cnY7x05T7m0MsS0gVI9G3oIjTzvlUOApSTNt3AiIu_RYpQS4DUIzto/s400/twistMT.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 315px; height: 400px;" /></a>Inspiring artwork adorns the walls of the Yoga East studio like this twist portrait by Mary Taggart Fortunately, I have a close friend, Mary Taggart, who is a yoga instuctor at <a href="http://yogaeast.net/index.htm">Yoga East</a> in Reading, MA (and also an art instructor at her <a href="http://www.taggartstudio.com/">own studio</a> in Wakefield.) I visited her in the yoga studio yesterday morning and enjoyed an hour of restorative yoga to stretch the tension out of my body and get my mind back “in the moment.” Although I have to admit, it was a challenge for me to stay focused when the whole time I was doing vinyasas I was thinking about how great the interior of the yoga studio would be as a design post! Starting with the ceiling ... </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-VrwkvrA4wTkBIRQPh-jJQmhu_ZYtciCP7DUp5v6jwf0lKqVviRM8TvJs-IVsNrju0LpRQbP13O33YFiuydYgHNdP_4Ku3SndtfYOWV-7UBPDxJEpYc3X0X-sYNmi-tYWgiTTWexduNE/s1600-h/ceilingYE.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416219297535424802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-VrwkvrA4wTkBIRQPh-jJQmhu_ZYtciCP7DUp5v6jwf0lKqVviRM8TvJs-IVsNrju0LpRQbP13O33YFiuydYgHNdP_4Ku3SndtfYOWV-7UBPDxJEpYc3X0X-sYNmi-tYWgiTTWexduNE/s400/ceilingYE.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a> <div style="text-align: center;">While on the floor in bridge pose, I noticed how attractive a painted drop ceiling can be. Why keep it white? This one is a warm taupe with a mind-focusing medallion in the center. The black track lighting looked like designer trim from my vantage point. </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3oVYDUlAdyYeUAp0dYrTBQEePVjiJApiv2xh14h31OPjbpFu_93TZ1lJNdbA5bWLrE-ZAHZNcTQHDJ5RGlBpYRzo4MUI0RHMW2Q64cKW421_TZGKijJSIoQ6OD9GXdqXHjmWvAm4f-9M/s1600-h/redgreenstatueYE.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416220012034670322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3oVYDUlAdyYeUAp0dYrTBQEePVjiJApiv2xh14h31OPjbpFu_93TZ1lJNdbA5bWLrE-ZAHZNcTQHDJ5RGlBpYRzo4MUI0RHMW2Q64cKW421_TZGKijJSIoQ6OD9GXdqXHjmWvAm4f-9M/s400/redgreenstatueYE.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 400px;" /></a>I thought this statue was particularly beautiful dressed in the reds and greens of the season. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZw7GkLeFO99SmrreDAEw2jhDCoBxNzWAgUMFPaMiAa_nzEFLa-Xx85E_shmhFpYANEbln1mIwFuM8qQ-fWjVi3J82sMMNaAElW8rCzDE9ObBh8XkR6mKBvCSfC1nhXixyF_M2I_CrRs/s1600-h/redgoldYE.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416220006798882866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZw7GkLeFO99SmrreDAEw2jhDCoBxNzWAgUMFPaMiAa_nzEFLa-Xx85E_shmhFpYANEbln1mIwFuM8qQ-fWjVi3J82sMMNaAElW8rCzDE9ObBh8XkR6mKBvCSfC1nhXixyF_M2I_CrRs/s400/redgoldYE.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a>Thought provoking art and sculpture was everywhere... a great starting point for the journey into meditation. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8kwYavZPCNjtWwsO8YIF7p4D8kOgerXJoUepzi4oDuCwNBcZpMTbG-E30RNFNVv9HBFSeC5HZOVl6zV3exDUzRe5JIFc_toJUIxZFhqVOjL42d-lWFmFjRtj6E_O_B6-9iqSbp3av3NY/s1600-h/papercranesYE.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416219550794208050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8kwYavZPCNjtWwsO8YIF7p4D8kOgerXJoUepzi4oDuCwNBcZpMTbG-E30RNFNVv9HBFSeC5HZOVl6zV3exDUzRe5JIFc_toJUIxZFhqVOjL42d-lWFmFjRtj6E_O_B6-9iqSbp3av3NY/s400/papercranesYE.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 284px; height: 400px;" /></a>A collection of paper cranes hang from a piece of wood suspended from the ceiling. I love how the bright colors contrast with the earthy brown of the walls. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVwHGfTEEo9NedZuWfE-S4JjIavgREfaJnBiJJMrqqnV92hSpytdY4cM8YJcmk3VmsPA33DOwtd23vx6VqdPgtMwNNjbsaUDjraKCXhkctZvBb5npklQuBT5_GLUXWKc35RBTsPRXKg8/s1600-h/mobilewindow.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416219544406193186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVwHGfTEEo9NedZuWfE-S4JjIavgREfaJnBiJJMrqqnV92hSpytdY4cM8YJcmk3VmsPA33DOwtd23vx6VqdPgtMwNNjbsaUDjraKCXhkctZvBb5npklQuBT5_GLUXWKc35RBTsPRXKg8/s400/mobilewindow.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a>This delicate mobile looks like a gentle reminder to stop and take a moment to get centered. </div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ztVEiG1cccAQzcUlNAMfBRWKOSXlT336iIg48UvOPJJUlo17EsBINUrUN6yn3w2588a8p74cg2n0uXjypaU8ShKMEI9JKL_jgGdHnvH4GV9-E5GePn2b8CPirdGZvcMDd19X50fYQyM/s1600-h/buddhawbooksYE.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416219286556969202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ztVEiG1cccAQzcUlNAMfBRWKOSXlT336iIg48UvOPJJUlo17EsBINUrUN6yn3w2588a8p74cg2n0uXjypaU8ShKMEI9JKL_jgGdHnvH4GV9-E5GePn2b8CPirdGZvcMDd19X50fYQyM/s400/buddhawbooksYE.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a> <div style="text-align: center;">For those of you who are local, the <a href="http://www.yogaeast.net/Products.htm">Yoga East store</a> has a lot of great statues, books, cards, yoga props, beautiful gems, inspired pendants, and so much more. Class gift certificates are also available ... just in time for those New Year’s resolutions! </div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9bxd7PXKrOz1-nI6u73lk4J2XUKPZjhU9f3pogJ8bQCRQ6B-WE8je2y8Bb3D0SZl5UbiMKExS55KDioyjISnUMUIstvi3po3aLU6VnJLYmzNhM_jnrUGIYdx2RqnLZD11JaLvcCjeKFo/s1600-h/jewelryYE.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416219538644668978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9bxd7PXKrOz1-nI6u73lk4J2XUKPZjhU9f3pogJ8bQCRQ6B-WE8je2y8Bb3D0SZl5UbiMKExS55KDioyjISnUMUIstvi3po3aLU6VnJLYmzNhM_jnrUGIYdx2RqnLZD11JaLvcCjeKFo/s400/jewelryYE.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 284px;" /></a> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3dUpOIFStksmTAxBhwazHBZIXXnoubpVE0G3kpAwiWmNrwqy8ma7Cne3Kiqu2aHqRwlGswraMTDYjLcmcuOX2_RE_OLtn8lhtwXm_kIEZv45SGGSqj0kJbYcWkv-NkFF9cnUOPO-Pi0/s1600-h/necklacesYE.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416219546560103474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3dUpOIFStksmTAxBhwazHBZIXXnoubpVE0G3kpAwiWmNrwqy8ma7Cne3Kiqu2aHqRwlGswraMTDYjLcmcuOX2_RE_OLtn8lhtwXm_kIEZv45SGGSqj0kJbYcWkv-NkFF9cnUOPO-Pi0/s400/necklacesYE.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 317px;" /></a> A piece (or two or three) of yoga inspired jewelry would also make a great gift ... even as a reminder to yourself to “keep calm and carry on.” If you aren’t close enough to make the journey to Reading, there is a lot of great yoga-inspired jewelry to be found on the web. Let me know if you have any favorite links of your own. I am in awe of <a href="http://www.mandalanv.com/diamondbezel.asp">this piece</a>. Om-MG! </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP8AkQdFxhYkWPBIp8irl8_1nSo-Mg414uqB2TmJ1NpZjpS67c6JqCGuezZwHGn903qcWTEU2B0_xRGd0nshFujiaKl2vG3p-GIwNw387CZpS25_OvtjHazNltwLZ9vBwaqN-C0Fpl7D8/s1600-h/beadsYE.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416219278513564882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP8AkQdFxhYkWPBIp8irl8_1nSo-Mg414uqB2TmJ1NpZjpS67c6JqCGuezZwHGn903qcWTEU2B0_xRGd0nshFujiaKl2vG3p-GIwNw387CZpS25_OvtjHazNltwLZ9vBwaqN-C0Fpl7D8/s400/beadsYE.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 289px; height: 400px;" /></a> It was difficult for me to walk away without purchasing a tasselled set of meditation beads (I am trying to behave and only buy for others). However, I will most likely pick one out after my <a href="http://www.yogaeast.net/Classes.htm">next class</a> (a good reason to get back to the studio!) Although I could have used one yesterday when I came home from my travels and discovered my internet was down! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVpeV6nVgoRRydbsBS1tG23Yk4_YPcCuWoqBxNiKCtlbaWUu9-YsOwPv42Sit6RoDJtiggGEEZDtCJUEnR5MtPzVbiBrWUUBJ15uwcCDR8jrUJxmniJaNwV_R6dHHKU3WOHUpvlgOhTE/s1600-h/yogasignYE.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416335968771137314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVpeV6nVgoRRydbsBS1tG23Yk4_YPcCuWoqBxNiKCtlbaWUu9-YsOwPv42Sit6RoDJtiggGEEZDtCJUEnR5MtPzVbiBrWUUBJ15uwcCDR8jrUJxmniJaNwV_R6dHHKU3WOHUpvlgOhTE/s320/yogasignYE.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 302px; height: 320px;" /></a>Repeat after me ... Everything is as it should be. I must confess, I did not react well to being disconnected, as my co-dependency on the computer has become somewhat of an issue around here. Besides using the computer for actual graphic and interior design projects, I truly look forward to sitting down to write/blog about the stories behind good design, and to check out posts by people who have similar interests. It has become my own form of meditative relaxation, emptying my mind of all the visual references that I accumulate in the course of a day (and maybe a little bit of an escape, too ; ) <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrp6hD3oIRrHnobkgfOeqmbHcn7_-rpchyphenhyphenq6ye0OFC2CXGzB5oqgCcClbcD2p_5R2xUrLTj5Y7mfjVxbMXprPO4VkSy9nZkmIYBeAFpOyr6o9VR9f4Vh3emBcT6dv5dmlb5WugKOL_pZA/s1600-h/light+a+candle.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416368043088671698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrp6hD3oIRrHnobkgfOeqmbHcn7_-rpchyphenhyphenq6ye0OFC2CXGzB5oqgCcClbcD2p_5R2xUrLTj5Y7mfjVxbMXprPO4VkSy9nZkmIYBeAFpOyr6o9VR9f4Vh3emBcT6dv5dmlb5WugKOL_pZA/s320/light+a+candle.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 252px; height: 320px;" /></a>As a wise teacher of mine used to always say, “Don’t curse the darkness, light a candle.” After having a virtual tantrum, I locked myself in the laundry room (for a self-imposed time out of sorts) and organized shelf after shelf of the boys jeans/sweatpants/t-shirts, etc. This morning I felt so much better ... my internet was restored, and it was relatively easy for the entire family to find clean clothes (including socks that matched) as we all prepared to start a new day. And I vowed that I would try not to have any meltdowns today (just to be sure, I poured myself a cup of tea instead of having that 3rd cup of makes-me-jittery-coffee). <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkq5dG7x5uo4wZdGTc-SlCQdiShUgnexhw-hDlFuD4qag4n9H7lz7qGcr6bCQikRWi8ehBg4mS72yKFN1kJD3sioiU_FtQpcJX7cMSqwaO8md0WhyxaWUwvEmQ6eH0KyUoJXX5ZQzuS0/s1600-h/bendMTsig.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416221657012207410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkq5dG7x5uo4wZdGTc-SlCQdiShUgnexhw-hDlFuD4qag4n9H7lz7qGcr6bCQikRWi8ehBg4mS72yKFN1kJD3sioiU_FtQpcJX7cMSqwaO8md0WhyxaWUwvEmQ6eH0KyUoJXX5ZQzuS0/s400/bendMTsig.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 303px;" /></a>Another great gift idea: Have a photo of yourself in a favorite yoga pose turned into a fine art portrait. E-mail Mary at mctpaint@yahoo.com for more information. I guess that’s why I appreciate the philosophy behind yoga. It’s all about accepting yourself and your body in the given moment. Not looking at the past or worrying about the future. Not to mention, a <a href="http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/491">downward-facing dog</a> can do wonders to relieve the stress of a bad day! </div> <div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVBBxFIk4P_vARbtOuqWtYbcnb2Q-GLQuJiXDzTDUx9lR6ocQeCxzCP7uHfaDnMLBcbE1YP0RNbld9a35c__Vw-Bc-27dkNfUPf7H6nfTLyKqFPleAR7whpgroWVbkp1rYKUqFdSu6Ts/s1600-h/inspirationboardMT.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416220024718974034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVBBxFIk4P_vARbtOuqWtYbcnb2Q-GLQuJiXDzTDUx9lR6ocQeCxzCP7uHfaDnMLBcbE1YP0RNbld9a35c__Vw-Bc-27dkNfUPf7H6nfTLyKqFPleAR7whpgroWVbkp1rYKUqFdSu6Ts/s400/inspirationboardMT.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 277px;" /></a>An inspiration board at TaggArt Studio in Wakefield For another great way to unwind, visit Mary online at <a href="http://www.taggartstudio.com/">TaggArtStudio.com</a> for a schedule of her upcoming adult art classes for 2010 (children, too). I am helping her out with the design of her new website, and expect to have it updated soon. For information on attending her yoga classes, visit the <a href="http://www.yogaeast.net/Schedule.htm">Yoga East</a> website. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoIHKpvdgk2EZ-pavH_71lDLs5FJ-xvE-2ArL0ukEllt30Zwd7llz_DFZQkqbE_8In9LIWoHvEFTmO4PO-ANhv8C8ot6Dg3R2ujVB7onJJbn2bmbSlGOeYYcBWQtNAciHItdr8LBMpLk/s1600-h/lotusblossomMTsig.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416220256616266210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoIHKpvdgk2EZ-pavH_71lDLs5FJ-xvE-2ArL0ukEllt30Zwd7llz_DFZQkqbE_8In9LIWoHvEFTmO4PO-ANhv8C8ot6Dg3R2ujVB7onJJbn2bmbSlGOeYYcBWQtNAciHItdr8LBMpLk/s400/lotusblossomMTsig.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 303px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6uH8Bgqpy6FzDhQHzejUoyjJ0ViKHhCwEUBJm0Di7CnIyINEKzAELE5aQLuh7oCXAlmREBtHR2nqlp9l1Yc9ZSag12A-2s2ycD1i2eieUE1Ajm-rT9_TB9JcJpzNNCIAYtpBmZHS9bJ4/s1600-h/pinkbuddhabox.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416324123600373362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6uH8Bgqpy6FzDhQHzejUoyjJ0ViKHhCwEUBJm0Di7CnIyINEKzAELE5aQLuh7oCXAlmREBtHR2nqlp9l1Yc9ZSag12A-2s2ycD1i2eieUE1Ajm-rT9_TB9JcJpzNNCIAYtpBmZHS9bJ4/s400/pinkbuddhabox.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 342px; height: 400px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFM4T_Me4EMcFBoNsDO0enMaw7FJUf_dLR00-SjfBpW39NkDDeWr8wZmh7JZ3cHwe_FWXe6v0JtmYXkzvNGgtGm716c_5eEy2AEu3gwTxTdt7UfjhPIuFtg9HS7jDu2_Gz-MB-65gdDi4/s1600-h/buddhabox.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416324128151705986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFM4T_Me4EMcFBoNsDO0enMaw7FJUf_dLR00-SjfBpW39NkDDeWr8wZmh7JZ3cHwe_FWXe6v0JtmYXkzvNGgtGm716c_5eEy2AEu3gwTxTdt7UfjhPIuFtg9HS7jDu2_Gz-MB-65gdDi4/s400/buddhabox.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" /></a> And for a little self-guided meditation, take home this Buddha-in-a-Box by <a href="http://mariannesnow.com/">Marianne Snow</a>. It will be available (along with other inspired art and collage pieces) this Friday through Sunday at the final pre-holiday weekend at the <a href="http://www.bethhylan.com/Guest_Designers.html">Beth Hylan Design Studio</a>. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to those who have made it to Reading to visit my corner in the design studio (and to those who have been there in spirit). It has been a creative journey of my own, helping Beth out with <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2009/10/first-weekend-at-design-studio.html">her new venture</a>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivtS7Zog2IAixOfmFuVPCa35ZMhXRdSZIWp7BIM30Cq-tvx34kavqxC24WtaoSGHyb3BPfknOAZlm2VnXRw1wfU9VPC9zymIzvq03vc74zf7vIX-v7c4qYjqv7ebfDpwIyExHHzXaBcgk/s1600-h/twistMTsig.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416221661679041042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivtS7Zog2IAixOfmFuVPCa35ZMhXRdSZIWp7BIM30Cq-tvx34kavqxC24WtaoSGHyb3BPfknOAZlm2VnXRw1wfU9VPC9zymIzvq03vc74zf7vIX-v7c4qYjqv7ebfDpwIyExHHzXaBcgk/s400/twistMTsig.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 318px; height: 400px;" /></a>Namaste, Yvonne Public Service Announcement </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gatheringchangeinc.blogspot.com/2009/12/one-size-fits-all.html" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416307343501579570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZcv8rU0Z5rCqakdiD0sdKMCdFivMWRsJi0tx-9QzsqQXxEk3oDvMOJIXA3mJA0jfjkHfBZXii5CzKop3XdX4MhzGkawU73P7Vhe7LTtkZPY6e9VCyW0SFYkwwq1EQVrY4qbYjs3a3cU/s400/gcbannerholidaycards.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 143px;" /></a>To order holiday greeting cards, In Honor Of cards, and In Memory Of cards, visit <a href="http://gatheringchangeinc.blogspot.com/">www.gatheringchangeinc.org</a> </div>

The gift of relaxation ...

A calm and collected Buddha sits peacefully at the front of the Yoga East studio. Raise your hand (and take a series of deep, cleansing brea...

6:55 AM

Home Ideas - Modern Home Design