Now

Right now, tonight, I am so happy for the amazing + beautiful friends in my life. I know I have said it before, but I just want to say thank you, once again.

There are never enough "thank you's."

Sometimes, I am just so surprised at the support this world has given me.

I had so much fun tonight. I learned the true art of subway surfing. I saw old friends, neighbors and met some new ones.

And,
the world is softer
when you share it with people who really care
back.

xo,
kat.

shadow boxes on my mind

I am thinking about stories found in small enclosed spaces. Here are a few that caught my eye from fellow etsy artists.

Shadow Boxes

etsy image here

etsy artist here

etsy artist here

etsy artist here

etsy artist here

sweet little pockets I fill

The most nerve-racking things are often the sweet little pockets I need to keep on filling. I am doing something brand new these days just for me. And, I like keeping it on the down-low for right now. But, what I can say, is it has been freeing + creative for me. It has me thinking a little differently and moving with my own come-hither-swagger.

I did something I didn't think I could do. Go Kat.!

I am at a point in my life. This year of 32 is more than half way through. I am taking, doing, participating in worlds that are brand new to me. And, I am happy I have the wit to keep shaking + taking the lead of some really frankly creative folk.

These are my ways to keep happy > by being new + fresh. How do you keep happy?

Tuesday Tune

Life

Feeling grumpy all of a sudden and am trying to get past it.

My phone just rang. I got asked if I would be interested in joining a band.

I feel better now.

beautiful weekend

Store Re-Opening in Chestnut Hill
Time with new friends
Cabrio convertible open + full all weekend long
Cousins, dinner, wine, laughs + warmth
Family
Beach + Bathing suits
Great connection and easy conversation
Losing the car for hours...and simply laughing about it
Crafting my secret project and feeling good about its progress
Dog laying next to me
House cleaned and so clean!
Seeds growing big
Flowers blooming
New terrariums shiny + bold
Hot
hot
hot.
Feeling hot, hot, hot!

More Terrariums + Containers

I went to a great little terrarium demo on Wednesday night at The Random Tea Room and Curiosity Shop with the great botanist of such Lord Whimsy. He is quite a humorous and sweet man. I enjoyed his lecture + stories. I have been making these little buggers recently and am addicted to the world they create. I find myself getting really lost in their mystery + staring at the changes and progress. A terrarium allows me to daydream. I even have one on my desk at work. I get a ton of compliments + questions about it daily.

I found two great little glass containers at a local Marshalls for 10 bucks each! You can't beat that! I whipped these up tonight. One has some free moss I was given during the demonstration.

Happy Planting!
kat.

Updates To My Gardening Projects

Well, it has begun, the gardening journey, that is! And, I couldn't be more excited. Let's see how the flowers behave this summer...

there are TONS more on my flickr

The Hippie Band

Hmm.

Yard MakeOver

I want to do somthing like the few images below for the summer months in my small south philly yard. How cute! I want to figure out how to build a wall on the one side of my yard that looks into my neighbor's dysfunctional space! It interferes with my magical garden that I use for journaling, sunning + hiding away.

Image unknown

Image Here

Image Here

Image Here

Last summer (BELOW: one angle of my yard). I get great sun until about 3 pm and then it shifts to the front. I planted all flowers, but this year I will have some herbs and veggies, maybe (?):

Any ideas for this half wall? I know lattice could be a cheap and easy option, but I might lose the ledge - unless I install it from the Boy Neighbor side? I don't think he would care...hmm.

Any ideas?

inspiration

Coat Racks

I took my parents way old coat rack out of their basement and into my home. I just reassembled it tonight and contemplated over the placement. I started looking at some other displays out there in crafty homes. I decided to display it in my bedroom, but I move things a lot...

image from cafemom

image here at apartment therapy


My Bedroom Placement:

I am enjoying the washed out image so much so!

something new

image

I went here last night. And, a few details of the lecture and concert are below. It was great to be somewhere new + listening to something fresh! The music, space, people and company were inspiring. Oh my goodness, I love the tabla!!!! I closed my eyes and peaced out.

Friday, April 10 Time: 6:00-8:00pm
Venue: Harrison House Rooftop Lounge The Contemporary Relevance of Ayurveda
Details and ticket information: Student Ambassadors of the World, the Health and Societies Department, Department of South Asia Studies, the South Asia Center, and Pratit: An Association for Change.

Friday, April 10 Time: 7:30pm - 11 pm
Venue: Penn Humanities Forum, 3619 Locust Walk Free and open to the public
Shahnai concert: Ustad Ali Ahmed and party and with Subhen Chatterjee on tabla
Details: Part of the South Asia Center's Mehfil series

Today, I dive into the world of partner yoga at Yoga Child on South Street and will get all bendy + twisty with a friend. I hope she doesn't kill me! It is a two hour workshop exploring traditional asana postures with the support + assistance of a partner you can trust + communicate with. I think there may also be Thai massage. Or maybe I am imagining that part! I am excited for more exploration...

And, this evening onto the road to North Jersey to enjoy traditions with the family.

namaste,
kat.

Reiki 1 Completion

Yay to me!

I have received my Reiki 1 certification!

And, I have a few more projects up my sleeve...

journal sample from my collection

I have been journaling forever. Maybe I have been since 1994. Is that 15 years, yes, 15 years at least! It got more creative as the years passed... I saved things from people: emails, photos, notes, tape, paper and combined it with my words, drawings and songs. Scribbles. Pencil. Pen. Color. Tears. More tears.

I made a life story in imagery. And, I am happy it ain't going anywhere.

Tell me your story.
k.

I want to Say

that I am tired tonight
that I am struggling with my no dairy + soyfree diet
that I didn't realize vegan cheese was a soy product + I learned quickly
that lactaid milk's first ingredient is milk
that I was re-attuned tonight
that I Reiki-ed my teacher tonight
that I feel really quiet
that I am going inward
that I don't want to have to be at work at 8 am tomorrow
that I am simply hungry + don't know what to eat anymore
that I made quinoa and rice cheese "mac + cheese" and I will learn to fancy it up
that I think this is where I am supposed to be
that I really need to get totally back into the shape I was in 6 months ago
that I will do it
that I am signing up for Latin dance classes
that I will be taking more yoga classes
that I will be doing Reiki this weekend at BrioVim's opening party
that I will see two movies before the film festival is over
that Javier makes me smile silly
that my jewelry studio space may be reconverted to create an altar + yoga/reiki room
that I have not been making earrings lately
that I will be a part of a cooking party this weekend
that I was so happy to hang out with my old + dearest friends last weekend
that I had no reason to be nervous reconnecting with them
that I am so lucky to be surrounded by people who really care about me + my happiness
that I need to find someone to fix my back + neck as I have lost my range of motion
that I don't get why 60 days of physical therapy couldn't fix me! (okay, that is a lie)
that I need to go pour myself a red glass of wine
that I need to get off of this computer
that I will be breaking my rules soon
that I swear.