homemade holly daze

So in order to make this upcoming month more meaningful and fabulous for myself, I decided to invest in a couple of classes in December. Sometimes, when my schedule is erratic and I don't have a good routine, the holidays can make me a bit sad. Plus, the craziness with dealing with stores, too many parties, and ridiculous antics, can also put me in a mood. For the holly daze, I'm going homemade just because I love to be crafty.

The first class I signed up for is the Truffles, Truffles, Truffles Class at Central Market. I've been going through a big cooking phase since the summer. I've gotten hooked on those cooking shows, and I've really enjoyed experimenting with new recipes. Reading Julia Child's book,"My Life in France," has also got me very inspired. So, I'll be taking a class on how to make truffles which I'm really excited about (especially since I heard making chocolate can be challenging). Plus, I'll be able to hopefully learn how to do them well enough to give them as gifts for the holidays.

The other class I have signed up for is the Quick Gifts Workshop at Sew Crafty. I haven't taken a sewing class in years, and I'm excited to get over to the studio and give it a whirl. I am hoping that I get inspired with some ideas for holiday gifts for family and friends.

Plus I think the classes will help me stay a little motivated to keep up with my creativity throughout the holidays, and it will also be a way for me to provide more homemade and meaningful gifts in the coming weeks.

vision: change-dream-journaling-rest-travel

What is it about vision boards that I love so much? I think it's the time that we take to let our minds wander, to be playful, and to dream. A couple weekends ago I was able to check out a vision board workshop at Yoga Ananda, and it was so fun. It was a great way to get together with a few like-minded women, talk, dig through magazines, cool paper, and just be arty. Plus, there was some awesome hot tea to sip on while we were creating. The leader of the group says that a girlfriend of hers hosts a party similar to this towards the end of the year. So, people can start looking forward to their goals and dreams and get re-focused.

I would like to host a similar thing sometime in the coming weeks. It just sounds a lot more meaningful than the typical holiday gatherings. I need to display my vision board somewhere that I can see it more often to help me be surrounded with more encouragement and wishes.

The biggest themes I noticed in this most recent one were:

"Change" - I am so ready for a change, and I often struggle with what that honestly means in my life. I need to start with little dips in the pond so I can eventually just take a big plunge!

"Dream" - I also need to continue working towards my dreams: my art, my continued search for culinary adventure, my passion for health and exercise, and a peaceful/happy life.

"Journaling" - I honestly feel that journaling is essential to my sanity and balance. There are always these fleeting thoughts that collect and if I don't do my morning pages things seem to float up when I'm supposed to be present in my daily activities.

"Rest" - In order to be in tune with what we dream about, we have to always carve out that space. Thanks to my candlelit sessions in a bubble bath, a walk with a good friend, or even sipping a cup of hot tea can be considered rest. I woke up with a very, very sore neck this week, and I had to give my body the rest and care it craved. I also thought that if I had just scheduled in the monthly massage or more rest, I wouldn't have put myself in such a situation.

"Travel" - I am getting that travel bug again. It's been too long since my summer trip, and I really want to go to Paris, France. I have a map of Paris on my bulletin board and reading Julia Child's autobiography is very enticing and inspiring. Oh la la!

November Dreams

November Dreams
I love the cooler weather. I think it always inspires a new change in me: cute socks, fun boots, and sassy cold weather clothes. Running outside is much more bearable. And, there is a certain coziness that you look forward to when you come home on a cold day.

So, here are my November Dreams!

1. More art studio/creativity time- Just like last month, I'd like to continue doing more art work. This month is Art is Everyday month. I want to visit Texas Art Supply. Go to the art studio once a week. And, perhaps, I'll host a girls' afternoon in the studio.

2. Finish Crucial Conversations training - We are more than halfway through with the training. I think it will be nice to have a new toolkit of options when I communicate with others!

3. Continue my workouts with a side of spirituality- We finished boot camp and Melissa and I earned our BON Running Club shirts. I'd like to do cardio 3x times a week, yoga 2x a week, and athletic conditioning 2x a week.

4. Try out Yoga Ananda studio- I bought a first timer's drop in pass, and I would like to try out their unlimited studio pass this month. I visited the studio the other day, and I love the cozy and refreshing vibe.

5. Plan and go on some Artist Dates- I snagged some $2 Mr. Bubble. So, I will plan on getting at least one hot bath a week. I still haven't been to a movie yet! I'd also like to hang out in a cafe and read, do some journaling, and bookstore browsing. This Saturday, I plan to go to a Vision Board class at the yoga studio. Hooray!

5. More blogging and reflecting- I am definitely in need of some morning pages this month. And, I have three blogs now. This one, one on food (http://tastelivecreate.blogspot.com), and a brand new one on arts (http://artfullyluxe.blogspot.com/). Whew! I know a little insane, but I just have so many fun projects and it's nice to finally be able to pin my ideas and thoughts down.

6. Spiritual/ Alone Time- I have been really wanting to get some alone time and read James. I think some time at a cafe is keeps coming up in my future. We are also coming up towards the holidays and craziness. So, it is good to have some time on my own. Meditate and read scripture x1 a week.

7. Plan and do some meaningful and fun events at my job- I have a handful of events this month, and I would like to keep the momentum going from October. Hopefully, they will all go well.

8. Work on skill development and my career- I really want to make more headway in yoga training, SEED, and Sacred Commerce. I have also made a commitment to continue looking towards my next step in my career.