Are you thankful - regardless?

the lovely Tanya at KoFest

the lovely BBQ and noodles at KoFest

the handiwork of one creative child

one Filipina's humble attempt at frottage

our humble attempt to have an Abercrombie-esque photoshoot with Tanya and the Prince of Togo at KoFest

The FanMan and his associates livin' the dream

Finally, my art teacher lets us utilize color... After two years of fine arts class..I took a photo of my pencils in the middle of class. Yeah the sullen hipsters judged me...

The sign says "Beer" - what else needs to be said.

We are determined to get this Abercrombie-esque photoshoot done right! (even after 2 hours of shooting our "Man with No Dignity" short film...)

Oh fig season! It was too short. I already miss you. How am I supposed to garnish my crumpets?

Are you thankful - regardless?

Sometimes life happens so fast we forget to examine and rest in what is simple, joyful and beautiful. Be thankful for each day - regardless. Be thankful when someone you love supports you - regardless. Be thankful for authentic friends who take the time to listen to you - regardless. Be thankful for the praises and the critics - regardless. Be thankful for your joys and your setbacks - regardless. Be thankful for your life circumstances - regardless.

As we come to one of the most wonderful times of the year, I know a lot of people get really anxious, worrisome, and feel rushed. I've heard people just wish we could hurry up and be done with the holidays. Why do people set such high expectations on themselves?

What has happened to us? Why can't you just do three things: Be with good people. Eat some good food and savor a quality beverage. That's it.
What else is there really?

I encourage you to be authentically thankful - regardless.
How are you blessed, nourished, and supported?
And, how can you slow down to truly savor this abundant life you really have?
How can you truly examine what is unfolding, unraveling, and revealing to you?

Are you willing to make mistakes in order to learn and grow?

"To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong." - J.C. Pearce

Are you willing to make mistakes in order to learn and grow?
This is a question we face each morning. Our ego, inner critics internally, critics externally will force us to make a choice.
It's yes or no.

Sit still with this question. Let it make you think. Let it make you feel uncomfortable. Let it make you think. Keep breathing into this question. Try to clear your head and let go of the NO. And work towards the YES.

Your biggest enemy is often inside of you. It's often the negative self-talk, the negative criticism that someone you respected or loved told you. Be observant of the thoughts that come up.

Are you thoughts nourishing and encouraging?
Or are your thoughts toxic and destructive?

I've messed up. I don't claim to be perfect. You'd be surprised at how cruel, petty, hateful, and jealous people can be. Don't let the bastards grind you down.

Keep your spirit positive. Observe negative language internally and externally. Decide between you and your truthteller what is honest, pure, good, and true. Because you are the only person who decides YES or NO to the above question....

Ask yourself again:
Are you willing to make mistakes in order to learn and grow?

Your true self will give you the right answer if you listen to your instinct and let go of the lies, criticism and cruelty internally and externally.

Celebrate WonderFALL

Cheers to a WonderFALL! Put on your favorite scarf and tweed sneakers. Grab a crepe and visit your favorite barista. Sit down and savor your pumpkin pie latte and smile. It's fall. Draw. Carve a pumpkin. Visit beautiful friends. Be nourished in so many ways - spiritual, creative, and culinary. Enjoy the cooler temps. Go for a run. Call up a friend. The weather is shifting, and you are joyFUL and thankFULL.

Are Your Road Trips Adventurous, Peaceful, and Fun?

Mon petit ami Jacob is going to be an uncle! So, we planned a road trip to Dallas/Texoma for the weekend to attend a lovely baby shower (with good family and friends and CUPCAKES!).

When I go to Dallas, it is typically for work instead of for friends. I have it down to an art form. I like taking the 9am flight HOU/DAL, getting my Dallas-based cab driver to pick me up, hosting a business luncheon event at the Belo, getting my same cab driver buddy to drive me back to Love Field, and taking the 4pm DAL/HOU ( or using my Southern charm to get standby for an earlier flight). It's awesome like magic you wake up in Houston, conduct business in Dallas, and back in Houston all in one day. Bon temps, non?

But, this time I royally messed up my flight plans big time. And, we had to drive to Big D. So, how can you truly make your road trips more adventurous, peaceful, and fun?

1. Pack your elephants for Baby Taylor. Reason number one for going to Dallas, it's for a baby! hooray! I love making handmade artwork for babies and their awesome parents. Hooray for Aaron and Navvab!


2. Study the local art work. This one was curated by Bucee's in the ladies' restroom near Madisonville exit . Why is this place so awesome? Love, love, love me some Buc-ee's.


3. Carve in time for your own art and French homework. Yeah, the homework doesn't go away unfortunately. Learning and studying can be joyful wherever you are. And, play some Johnny Cash. He somehow knows how much it sucks to have to do work while on a trip.



4. Pack some candy, candles, and bubble bath. Sugar can help road trip fatigue. Candles and bubbles just make any bathroom more fun. And, make a pact with yourself that you will go for a walk, a run or a tranquil dose of yin yoga on your trip. Be sure to also detox with green tea, water, veggies, and yoga when you get back to H-town.



5. Admire your travel companion's rugged good looks and his ability to look pensive. Love this guy!


6. Admire the benefits of graduating from a small private liberal arts school. Your name is on the wall! Heck yeah! But, I already told you that how awesome being an Austin College Kangaroo really is.


7. Learn from a zen master in patience and play with kids. Mentor, listen, and love the ninos. And, teach children how to be a pool table hussla' in The Pub. Thanks Jacob for being an awesome boyfriend while I got to catch up with my Austin College girlfriends.

8. Visit and talk to good people: like Sandy and Kristin at AC homecoming, Lily at Cafe Brasil, Jonathan at the sickest Halloween ZaZa party ever and the many others I got to catch up with in the 214 and 903. Meet people where they are in life. It's important to visit old friends and keep in touch. The perspective you gain from a cup of coffee and a good conversation can be incredible. Accepting and celebrating where you and your loved ones are can bring so much peace and joy in your life and the lives of others. Recognize all the things you and your friends have already done. And keep going because life is beautiful and you are so loved!


9. Be able to laugh at yourself and remember to take photos of yourself in "nice clothes." Cos' you will never know if an old photo of yourself will end up on a wall somewhere when you go back for homecoming. Say hello to the person you used to be many years ago. And, dream about the amazing things you will be doing in the future. And, thank your mother for teaching you how to dress. Nelie Peralta, so happy you are my mom, first french teacher, financial adviser, life coach and style icon.

10. And if you ever see a Kangaroo or two, have your boyfriend and iPhone ready - even if you have to wait patiently while all the kids get their picture taken first. Why do lessons in patience always go back to those cute little kids? :)