I've been reading
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert and I love it! She's a beautiful writer and I feel like I couldn't be reading this at a better time in my life. For starters, I've barely read any book in the last three years just for fun. I used to be a voracious reader, but the intense reading load in grad school just took all of the joy out reading. Every time I pick this book up I don't want to put it down!
In the first section of the book she travels to Italy in pursuit of pleasure. I was particularly excited about this because Jake and I are going to Italy this summer with another couple and I'm looking forward to relaxing. But as I read further into this section I came across the following excerpt, written by the author when she was trying to "learn" how to relax and take pleasure in doing nothing:
"...many Americans feel more happy and fullfilled in their offices than they do in their own homes. Of course, we all inevitably work too hard, then we get burned out and have to spend the whole weekend in our pajamas, eating cereal straight out of the box, and staring at the TV in a mild coma (which is the opposite of working, yes, but not exactly the same thing as pleasure). Americans don't really know how to do nothing. This is the cause of that great sad American stereotype - the overstressed executive who goes on vacation, but who cannot relax."This really hit a nerve for me. From the time I wake up until I go to bed I feel like I'm constantly working. The only time I even watch tv is if I'm folding cards at the same time! The fist thing I do when I wake up on Saturday is check my email and I can't even seems to make time to go to a yoga class once a week. How is this possible? How am I going to be able to go to Italy for two weeks without my cell phone or computer? I'm taking this excerpt as a sign that I need to prioritize a little bit of time for myself every day to do something (or nothing) without feeling guilty. With that in mind, I'm going to make a real lunch (no Cheetos) and read some more of this book!
Abbey Hendrickson's originals and prints are for sale at The Shiny Squirrel!
The Visual Studies Workshop silent auction is March 7 from 6-9 pm. The work above is by the talented Kris Merola.
I'm having a show with Nancy Topolski next week at Studio 354 {in the Hungerford Building}. Opening reception is March 7 from 6-9 pm. It's the same night as the VSW auction, so if you're close to Rochester stop in to say hello!
I love this print of a collage by Dollface Design. I think it would be great to reflect on this during those days where I don't feel like making decisions! You can learn more about Layla on her blog and Flickr.
And my second piece of fun news is that I have a new card design in the shop. I love lace and blind embossing, so this card is the perfect fit for me. I'm also working on incorporating this pattern into a wedding invitation, which I think will be quite beautiful!
Yesterday marked our one-year anniversary of losing Tipper. I can't believe how quickly this year has passed and how much we still miss him. But, if this hadn't happened our ladies would never have been brought together, and they love each other more than any two dogs I've ever met. And every so often I'm lucky enough to have a vivid dream about my boy.
In the first section of the book she travels to Italy in pursuit of pleasure. I was particularly excited about this because Jake and I are going to Italy this summer with another couple and I'm looking forward to relaxing. But as I read further into this section I came across the following excerpt, written by the author when she was trying to "learn" how to relax and take pleasure in doing nothing:
Equally tasty and awesome, chocolate bubble-wrap from DeLessio Bakery. I think Jake would also love this, although it might not give him that satisfying pop that real bubble-wrap does!
Well, after many long hours I finally finished binding a set of beautiful save-the-date booklets. I printed and bound 80 booklets (12-pages each) for an upcoming wedding and I couldn't be happier with how they turned out! And this whole experience has reinforced my love for my guillotine paper cutter, which was one of my best studio investments ever!
