Quiet. Life. Style.

Well we didn't win the mega millions so it looks like I'll have to wait a bit longer for my dream house.  But at least I can have fun deciding which one I want.  Here's a collection of photos from Jordi Canosa.  Quiet and beautiful.

Freedom Friday

Happy Friday!  Another series of images I collected from across the interwebs.  Please enjoy.  Please be free.

 

Via billemory

Via tourist-destinations

Via freed-om

Elizabeth Gilbert on Nurturing Creativity

This video helps get me through. Her point is not much unlike some Taosit ideas. Writers, watch. Everyone, please enjoy.


 

Quiet. Life. Style.

A girl can dream can't she?  A lovely series of photos from Skeppsholmen.  This is a fabulous apartment.  My ideal design style is modern Scandinavian, I think because it's understated yet oh so stylish.  I like simplicity but I love modern.   I'm all about serenity and calm.  I don't like clutter or too many loud colors in my home.  Some people think mostly white is cold and sterile, but I find it fresh and relaxing.  I'm all about relaxing.  I'm all about Zen.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

All photos Via Skeppsholmen

Freedom Friday

Via newyorker

Happy Friday.  Another series of beautiful and powerful images that comment on what it means to be free.  Have a great weekend. xx

Via reneejacobe

Via reneejacobe

Via indeliblephotos

The most fundamental message of Gautama the Buddha is not God, is not soul... it is freedom: freedom absolute, total, unconditional. He does not want to give you an ideology, because every ideology creates its own slavery.  -- Osho

Via thefamouspeople

Quiet. Life. Style.

I love these photos from skonahem .  My idea of living quietly certainly does look like this --

Understated.  Minimal.  Old but so modern. 

I'd love to cozy up in this corner and read by the light of that tiny window.

Top 5 Reasons I Love Google+

I'm new to Google+ and after a few weeks of learning to maneuver my way around, I've decided that I like it.  I like it very much.  While Facebook is a great place to reconnect with old friends, that's about all it has really been for me.  I love that it's a contact book of everyone I've ever known and that I can reach out to any of them with a simple message.  But as something to do, as a way to spend time, it falls short.  Every hour I spend wasting on Facebook makes me feel less smart and more like  one of the dumb masses, exactly how watching some TV shows make me feel but far less entertaining.  Google plus however, has been much more challenging.  From figuring out how to maneuver around to figuring out its potential.  Google plus has simply been the most stimulating social networking experience as yet.  Here's why:


1. Kind Community
It amazes me how nice people are on Google+.  People you don't even know personally make it a point to reach out to you.  This feels like a genuine connection.  More genuine and more of a connection even than someone you know personally, "liking" a post on Facebook.  People on forums and chats can be downright mean to one another.  People on twitter also and if they are kind, the kindness feels contrived and phoney.  I spend an average of  about an hour a day a few days a week on the networking  sites, if that.  But in this time, I've made some really interesting connections.  I've had people reach out to help me figure out how to use Google+.  I've had people make suggestions to better promote my bog, I've had people make great recommendations.  The community on Google+ is giving and warm.  I'm not sure why, or what makes this site encourage more positive interactions amongst strangers, but it does and I love that.


2. Global
Google+ connects people globally in a way other networking sites don't.  Because of the overall openness of the Google+ community it's much easier and much more likely that your circles are comprised of complete strangers.  For me, many of those strangers are overseas.  Google+ makes for a more integrated global community and it's easier to see where someone is from as opposed to twitter which makes location easier to hide.

3. Thoughtful Posts
I really don't care about where you are or what you're doing as much as I care about what you think and what meaningful you have to say.  I've been thinking for a long time that in a society where people lack and need human connections, facebook and twitter are not the answer.  But Google+ might be.  Until recently, I've always had a strong dislike for social networking.  Everyone wants a voice and everyone wants to be heard but as I examine the role of ego  because instead of people posting random thoughts and doings that cater to those self indulgent, self righteous individuals out there.  Google+ seems to have attracted and encouraged more thoughtful, meaningful posts.  It seems to be more of a forum to share interesting ideas, rather than boast and banter about trivial things.  And I enjoy the trivial just as much as the next guy.  But I enjoy these things in the flesh.  I don't want to read about or see photos of the meal you're about to eat.  I want to invited over for dinner or out to the restaurant with you.  I simply don't care otherwise.  Luckily, on Google+ my stream is filled less with photos of lunch and more with thoughtful posts, political musings, community activism, or simply quirky interesting ideas.  I appreciate this so much I can't even tell you.

4. Artists
Google+ is a fantastic forum for artists of all kinds.  I love how so many visual artists share their work. From beautiful photography to innovative digital art, Google+ is an excellent way for artists and hobbyists alike to share their visions of the world.  I appreciate it for that.  I love to see what people around the country and around the world are creating, in a very non-pretentious, non-commercial way, people are simply sharing, enjoying and discussing.  And that's what art is supposed to be, in my humble opinion.


5. SEO
As I explore my own role here on the interwebs and finally succumb to what it means to connect this way, I'm having a great time as a new blogger and social networker.  I do look for ways that my blog can be read by more people.  I'm nowhere near an expert but from the little research I've done it seems Google+ has a handle on SEO in ways other networking sites don't.  Apparently the power of the +1 is more than the power of Facebook's like.  The jury's still out on that though.

Why do you love Google+?

Freedom Friday

For this week's Freedom Friday I collected a series of beautiful images that express freedom or lack thereof in some way.  I love the interwebs for the access to beautiful art and information.  It's my pleasure to share with you, a freedom curator of sorts.  Please enjoy...

I read somewhere that wild horses still exist in North America.  Is this true?

Via livingincourage

From a wonderful documentary called Freedom Riders.   A very important must see --

Via pbs Credit: Getty Images

Via ejc

I'm not sure what the artist intended for this picture but it looks like a heart busting out of a barcode.  To me, it symbolizes the importance of love over commerce.  The freedom loving kindness can bring fighting against the way money and materialism can trap.  What does this look like to you??

Via inspire.ology

Quiet. Life. Style.

I'm sleepy today, having trouble focusing on my writing.  So here I am blogging, yet another way to procrastinate.  But somehow blogging feels much more worthwhile than my other modes of procrastination.

I have dreams of living on a small tropical island, away from it all, embracing indigenous culture and the earth.  Today my daydreams are taking me to the San Blas Islands.

Via enjoypanama

Known as Panama's gold, emerald, coral and lapis lazuli necklace, the San Blas Islands is are a chain of 365 islands and keys along the Caribbean Coast from the Gulf of San Blas to the Colombian border. 

I have friends who visited and loved it.  Apparently the tourism industry there is run by the indigenous Kuna people and not some larger commercial or government entity.  

Via galenfrysinger

80% of the islands are uninhabited. The self-governing Kunas are zealously protective of their environment and way of life, one of the few pure races existing in the world. A people of great simplicity, pride and charm, they still conserve their traditions and beliefs foremost of which is "Gran Madre Tierra" or Mother Earth who guards, provides and keeps all in balance. 

Via calbo

I'll get there...

Making An Entrance

I think my love for interior design stems from a combination of my love for art and my love for family.  As I dream about one day having my own family, it's nice to imagine the place where we'll live.

A collection of beautiful hallways from Alvhem.  As much as I love Scandinavian design, you'd never know that I'm just a Brooklyn girl making a life for herself in Southern California.

Quiet. Life. Style.

Another series of lovely photos from photographer Jordi Canosa

My idea of living quietly looks like this:

  

So chill...

Warm and cozy...

I'd love this rustic cabin in the mountains, off the grid, away from it all, somewhere to escape to...

Where would you escape to?

Why I Don't Worry About My Future

I spend many hours working on my art.  I used to spend even more hours worrying about my art, my life, my future, my success, my health, my failure...

And then one day (after a breakdown of sorts) I realized that things have been working out for me fairly well thus far, there's no reason to believe they won't continue working out.  I realized that a little faith goes a long way and I surrendered my desires to the Universe, deciding not to worry or stress and to just keep working hard and go with the flow -- wu wei.

As a freelance artist it's hard not to worry though.  There are just so many things to be afraid of.  As I enter my thirties and as much as I just want to go with the flow and as much as I believe I'll make a lot of money in the future, I realize the need to plan ahead.

I just opened up an account with 4N1FUND which I'm actually excited about.  First time I can say I'm excited about saving money, but I am.  Even if I had the 401(k) option from an employer (which I don't) I think I'd prefer 4N1FUND.  It's fun!  It's like social networking meets finance. 

If I can just find a way to put away $100 a month, 4N1FUND will provide an annual tax-free income stream of $46, 210 (based on my age).  That's not bad.  If I can somehow afford a little more each month then those projections increase drastically! 

I'm taking the time to share this on my blog for a few reasons.  Mainly because I want feedback.  I'd like to hear from any financial experts out there or just ideas from regular people about the best way to secure my freelance artist future.  I'm trying to make my blog more informative.   I love collecting images and sharing my thoughts about life so why not include something serious and real that I'm dealing with.  Apparently blog readers prefer blogs with information and not just ramblings about yourself. (Go figure!) So I think I may chronicle my saving journey in this blog, maybe do a once a week post about it, we'll see.

Anyhow, this is my attempt to bring something timely and relevant to my blog given today's political and economic climate.  I know a lot of people worry about money and their financial future, so hopefully this can help.

Check out the 4N1FUND website.  See what your projections are.  Tell me what you think.