Bringing in the Beauty
March 1st, 2007
I've had a strong urge to bring more beauty into my life lately. I've been treating myself to flowers and instead of letting them rot for months after they die like I usually do, I've been replacing them with fresh flowers. Fuschia spray roses, orange and purple tulips. At the grocery store, I spent a long time wandering around in the flower section admiring the delicate baby's breath, the soft blue hydrangeas, the splashy red gerber daisies...so much color. I have some pretty vases too as I just love colored glass, so it's good to put them to use. So now I've got some tulips that I spread out, some in the kitchen and some in the front room on a window ledge where my bad boy cat Tabbers can't reach or chooses not to try to reach (he likes to eat plants, so I need to keep them all up high.)
The morning after I posted the "Waiting for Spring" image below, I was writing my morning pages and heard a chirping. Looking to my right, out the glass door a couple feet away, I saw a bright red cardinal hopping around and chirping as if it was trying to get my attention. It made me laugh. He seemed to be saying, "hey! look! You don't need to tie red bird ornaments to trees! I'm right here!" There have been many other fun little synchronicities too, some which would sound pretty silly if I said them out loud (or wrote them here rather.)
Today was full of business-y things that needed doing. My office/studio space was such a disaster-zone, that I could no longer walk through it, so there was some major cleaning and then some major filing, then some computer work, and errands to pick up printer ink, working on a total re-vamp of my art website. I was getting all frustrated with it and then something clicked today and I'm really loving it. It's a lot of work and it's not as fast moving as I'd like as I'm not skilled in photoshop or dreamweaver. I only know some of the tools and the rest I need to figure out as I go, which involves a lot of trial and error...it's sort of like translating a passage of a foreign language you know only a little bit of, so you need to spend a lot of time looking up words to understand, which makes the process verrrry slow. Despite those frustrations, I'm moving forward. I need to have some patience with myself and what I can accomplish in a day.
I also went on my artist's date today, a trip to The Container Store. I've been feeling the need for some organization in my life and although I didn't know exactly what I was looking for, I decided to just go and wander. Plus I had a little bit left on a gift card from ages ago that I could use. I was most excited to look at their collection of boxes. I love boxes. I can't explain why this is, but I've always liked them, especially little ones. When I was a teenager, I had a top drawer of my dresser devoted to little boxes. They were all empty, I wasn't saving them for any particular use, I just liked them. When I moved, I had to get rid of them, I just didn't have the space in my first little apartment. But I've noticed recently that I've started, very slowly to collect little empty boxes again. Perhaps this time, I can put them to some use.
So, I admired all the container store's teeny boxes, clear ones in every color, others covered in rich tones of silk shantung, others made of paper, others in metallic gold. I didn't buy any little boxes, I prefer to keep them when they come to me for free (part of a gift or a purchase or something or someone's unwanted stuff), but I did get a portable file box for my art business files, some pretty files to spice things up, some acid-free archival bags and two binder type portfolios with acid-free sleeves to keep art in when it's not framed.
And later when I got home, I put one of my little empty boxes to good use as a business card holder for all the artist and crafter's business cards I've been collecting at shows, fairs, and open studios. Good stuff. Tomorrow night, the fiansor and I are going to our food tasting at the place we'll be getting married in October. This is definitely going to be one of the highlights of the whole wedding planning experience. Next, I need to sit down and figure out our guest list and collect all the addresses for save the dates. Oy! Not so fun. Ok, off to bed for me. Sweet dreams! Or as my mom would say, "Good night. Sleep tight. Don't let the bed bugs bite!"
17 Responses
Sounds like a terriff day, Leah. My mom said the exact same thing to me each night before bed, isn’t that funny? I guess people struggled a lot with bedbugs in the “olden days”
Posted by: Olivia | Mar 2, 2007 at 2:43 am |
I love the little synchronicities – and I understand the feeling as though others might think they were minor or silly – but all the little synchronicities, especially as they add up, can be so personally meaningful. I love when that happens. Glad you’re enjoying beauty and fun AD’s (I love little boxes and little drawers). Enjoy your tasting date!
Posted by: tinker | Mar 2, 2007 at 3:25 am |
Hey Leah, it’s been a while since I stopped by here (I’ve switched to a new laptop). Last week I took an artist trip to Ikea, which was very inspiring. I love your flowers, and I think I’ll go out today and bring some colorful buds into my home today.
Thank you for the inspiration.
Posted by: bella | Mar 2, 2007 at 7:45 am |
My mom used to say that to me, too, before bed!
I love the pictures of your vases and flowers. What a great thing you’re doing for yourself, buying fresh flowers. They can really brighten a mood, can’t they?!
Posted by: Laura Bjerk | Mar 2, 2007 at 10:55 am |
I feel inspired by that vase of tulips on
your windowsill -
so pretty -
and yes it is so inspiring to bring color and
beauty into our lives.
magic post!
Posted by: sophie :) | Mar 2, 2007 at 12:23 pm |
Did you know that it’s been scientifically proven that flowers lift people’s spirits in a way that no other objects can? But who needs scientific proof when you’ve got the beautiful precious things right infront of you to enjoy and brighten your home? Thanks for sharing these images with us.
Posted by: Literary bohemian | Mar 2, 2007 at 4:17 pm |
Good move on the fresh cut flowers! I’ll think I’ll pick some up tomorrow. My husband says that same thing to my daughter each night, adding original rhymes, as well. Oooooh wedding planning is SO fun! People still talk about how awesome the food was at our reception. I loved how the bird called out to you – sweet! Please feel free to add me to your links. Peace.
Posted by: Eileen Miller | Mar 2, 2007 at 8:21 pm |
i love fresh cut flowers, it’s something to have them in your house. Great idea for your artist date. I love the Container Store and never actually think to go to the one about 25 min. from here. i also love cardinals and smiled reading about yours.
Posted by: kristen | Mar 2, 2007 at 8:31 pm |
I love wandering around places that sell things to help me organize. I actual enjoy organizing and clearing out…weird, huhh?
Posted by: violetismycolor | Mar 2, 2007 at 9:53 pm |
I love the Container Store. I can usually stay in there for hours! Alas, I’m still a disorganized mess! By the way I love the top banner on your blog. Enjoyed your photos! Can I count looking at them as an artist date!
Posted by: June Roman | Mar 2, 2007 at 10:26 pm |
Leah,
I have been thinking about you…know idea Why?! The red cardinal made me laugh, laugh, & laugh!! My bluejays do that to me:)
Have you heard of Jen Stark…check out her work, you will be inspired…happy weekend.
CARLA
http://www.jenstark.com
Posted by: CARLA | Mar 3, 2007 at 11:48 am |
It’s so funny – today I saw a combination of orange and purple tulips at the store and thought, how beautiful! And now I’m reading about them here with you today too. I hope it’s a sign of spring. I’m enjoying experiencing that vicariously through you as we’ve just had our biggest snowstorm of the year this week!
I hope that clearing your space, inviting in beauty and visits from the birds are all making your heart sing.
Posted by: Jamie | Mar 3, 2007 at 6:50 pm |
I’m so glad you’re bringing spring into your home and that you’re taking care of yourself and providing yourself with creative surroundings. Good luck with the Save the Date cards!
Posted by: Fran | Mar 3, 2007 at 8:06 pm |
Bringing fresh flowers into the house is good for the soul! Your artist’s date sounds fun and practical. I could use some organization myself! Thanks for the ideas.
Posted by: Laura | Mar 4, 2007 at 1:04 am |
blogtipped you today!
Posted by: tammy vitale | Mar 4, 2007 at 9:42 am |
Love this post, love your photos! I hope to have windows like the one you in my very own new (old) house. With fresh flowers everywhere.
Posted by: Carla | Mar 4, 2007 at 9:25 pm |
the need for more beauty in my life, that’s a familiar feeling. every once in awhile i’ll let things pile up around me and miss appointments and skip my workouts. and then one fine day i’ll feel the need for a cleanup.
and i’ll clear every pile in my room, eat fruits and salads in abundance with all my meals, workout delligently, meet every appointment, buy my room flowers, pray, read, create create create.
Posted by: mahima | Mar 6, 2007 at 11:50 pm |