The First Ever Nourish. Create. Bloom. Giveaway!

Are you feeling lucky?  I hope so because one lovely NCB reader will win a $70 gift certificate to 200+ CSN Stores!  

I've been scouring the CSN sites and here are a few items on my wish list for our new Dallas home: retro kitchen tables, luxury bedding, colorful throw pillows, and a stainless steel cookware set.  I'm sure you will find something (maybe shoes, bags, or yoga supplies?) that will make your home or closet bloom!

It's easy breezy to enter: All you need to do is write a comment by midnight (EST) September 6th.  The comment needs to be ON THE BLOG (not on Facebook or via email).  The winner will then be announced shortly after the contest closes.  Be sure to check back to see if you are the lucky winner!

Thanks for reading and good luck!

Note:  The gift certificate does not include shipping costs but many items in the stores have free shipping.
And last but not least: a big thanks to CSN Stores for sponsoring our giveaway!

Embracing Change

The hubby and I are moving to Dallas in less than 2 weeks.  My mind has been swirling.  When I start to think about the move, my breathing becomes shallow and I start to feel anxious.  I haven't been inspired to write.  So, it's been a long time since I wrote my last post.  (Yes, I do realize my last post was about Jean DiGiovanna moving and how she found the courage to do so.  But even when we make a decision to do something, it's okay to feel a bit unsettled, don't you think?)


We've been in Atlanta for 2 years now.  And two years ago I was feeling this same way.  It was hard to move from Boston.  I was there for 10 years!  At the time I didn't know how much I would grow to love Atlanta and my friends here.  How this city would become my home.  I feel like I finally know my way around.  We've found our favorite coffee shops, vegetarian-friendly restaurants, and eco-dry cleaner.  I found my sewing circle, a Spanish tutor, Crafty Chick Night, and a great dermatologist (not an easy task).  It took me two years to get here and now we are moving again and starting over once more.  I know that I will make new friends, my old friends can visit, there will be new places to discover, and new opportunities.  But still, I feel a sense of loss.  It takes time to build a community.  And in the meantime, there will be some lonely times ahead.  I don't want to linger in the sadness.  I'm just acknowledging it and moving forward.  


So I've been practicing the breathing and stress management exercises that I teach to my clients.  I've been journaling.  And I've been reading this quote to bring me peace:


Change is not something that we should fear.  Rather, it's something we should welcome.  For without change, nothing in this world would ever grow or blossom, and no one in this world would ever move forward to become the person they're meant to be.  -anonymous


You know I love a quote that mentions blossoming!  I also discovered this beautiful art journal from Andrea Schroeder at ABC Creativity that's gotten me inspired:

The powerful words in her journal have encouraged me to embrace this move: 


i embrace change.  i am strong.  i am brave.  i trust life.  i trust myself.  even when it's difficult or even hard, i can dive into the unknown.  i trust the process.  i make friends with change.  i know that there are always gifts on the other side.  -Andrea Schroeder


So here I come Dallas.  I'm ready for your gifts.  I'm ready to blossom and bloom.  And I'm even ready to find a new dermatologist.