Love Looks Like a Glitter Lava Lamp

Apparently all the red and pink in the stores this week inspired me to blog again. Twice in one week. Whoop, whoop! You go me.

Actually, the real inspiration came when my husband, Brian, gifted me with freedom. He took our daughter to school and took Disco to "the doggy spa." So I was totally free for 6 divine, uninterupted hours. 

And the whole time I was creating/writing/learning, I gazed at this lovely thing:

Brian gave it to me that morning for Valentine's Day. I could say that he got it for me because he knows me so well. But that's not completely true. Really it's because the last time I was visiting my BFF in Arizona, we saw this glorious, glittery, glowing thing and I asked her to text Brian right away and tell him to get me this. Since it's screaming, "KATHIANNE!" in big sparkly letters, I'm sure he would have bought it for me had he seen it on his own. But since he had to go to 4(!!!!) Target stores without success and then ended up buying this one online from Amazon, I'm guessing he would not have found it and I would not have it and thus you would not be reading this blog post right now. 

The morals to this glitter lava lamp love story?

1. Don't be afraid to ask for exactly what you want.

2. Enlist your BFF for assistance in gift-buying. 

3. Love is a verb. 

4. Persistance pays off.

5. Money cannot buy happiness. But it can buy a glitter lava lamp and for me that's pretty darn close.

Everytime I see this magnificent expression of his love, 😝

I will think of how he went to great efforts to find it for me. 

💖That's love with sparkles. 💖

Go Spread Love

My Dear Readers,

I'm sending you love. 

Texas-sized, sparkly love.  

From my home to yours.

It's LOVE Week! It's LOVE month! Even if you don't have a "Special Lady" or "Special Mister," it's no matter. Surely there is someone (ANYONE) who you love and someone who loves you. This is a great time to send them a 😘 text, a card via snail mail with glitter in the envelope (it's not too late, it's never too late), a 💖 posted on their Facebook page, or an extra long hug. You might even consider leaving a comment on a blog post (hint,hint.)

Send love to people (and animals) who really need a reminder that they matter: refugees, foster children, sick kids, the impoverished or homeless, injured veterans, abandoned animals, lonely old folks, and grieving families to name a few. Give a smile, money, hugs, prayers, your time, your gently used clothes and homegoods, and/or notes that say you care. Pick up garbage that you didn't leave to love our verdant planet. Practice self-care (NOURISH yourself with dark chocolate, blackberries, green tea, long walks, and bubble baths. Or gratitude-journal writing, time being creative, and 15 minutes sitting in silence so you can hear your soul.) Love yourself and then love others from your overflow! 

And who doesn't love this bunny who is obviously the life of the fiesta?

This world needs more love! So be a love spreader! Spread love like heart-shaped confetti blowing in a 55 mph wind gust. (Biodegradable confetti, of course, because we also love Mother Earth.)

Please keep me posted on ways that you are spreading love this month! 

↣↣↣💘↢↢↢

PS: If you have little ones at home, try this craft with them. It's super easy and fun.

I-Spy Sticker Cards

I save all of the stickers we accumulate (lots of $1 sticker packs from Target, it might be a problem) in a bin and then whip out the bin for projects like this. Just take a notecard and stick, stick, stick away. It's great for fine motor development.

We (and by we, I mean me because God gave me a daughter who is perfect as he made her except that can only sit to do craft projects for 3-8 minutes at a time) made these for some of our little friends that live far away. On the back I wrote: We made you an I-Spy! Can you find.....a strawberry, a squirrel, a teeny skull, and....... What else can you find? I sent the cards in envelopes to keep the stickers from falling off in the mail. A sealant like Mod-Podge would also protect them if you are more inclined to send postcards.

Go spread love Dear Readers!

A Woman to Admire: Kristen Roedner

Dear Reader, I'm so excited for you to meet Kristen Roedner. Can't you just feel the sunshine she radiates from her being?

Kristen is one of the most LIVE OUT LOUD women I know. We met in Boston, circa 2002ish, through our sorority alumnae group. Delta Delta Delta, y'all!

Kristen hosts "Spread Sparkle" meetings at her home. It kills me that I live too far away to attend. She's been on me to start my own chapter.  I'll keep you posted if I do.

As I mentioned in a previous post, she drives a freakin' pink flying pig.

And there's a rainbow painted on the hood. Of course.

For the past two years, Beni and I spent the last week of summer break with her and her incredible daughter, Rosa Jane. The notes Kristen taped around her house for RJ made my heart melt. And made me excited to do the same once Beni can read.

Kristen's home is filled with art, art supplies, and inspiration.  I took the below photos last August. Two glittering reindeers and a flying pig Christmas tree are on display year round. Because they make her happy.

(Side note: I've never met anyone with more colored pencils than me. Her stash blew mine out of the water. I'm pretty sure I'd take her on ribbon and glitter though.)

But why all the pink flying pigs, you ask? She wrote an incredible blog post to explain her obsession. After you read it, you will know why I love her so much.

Kristen oozes sparkle and inspiration. And you want to know the craziest thing? She says I inspire her.

Glittering Thanks

A Very Happy Thanksgiving 2013

Here's how we give glitter thanks at our house.

Turkey Craft Number 1: Glam Gobbler

Clockwise from top left:
1. We found the inspiration for our turkey on a window at Beni's preschool.
2. I'm teaching her early- you can NEVER add too much sparkle.
3. Turkey in progress…

And here is our Glam Gobbler making his internet debut:

We were both so happy with how he turned out. He's a keeper for sure.

Turkey Craft Number 2: Sending Gratitude

Clockwise from top left:
1. and 2. Making handprint turkeys with paint and glitter.
3. The finished product says: We are thankful for you.
4. Sending our love to Godparents, grandparents, and beloved aunts and uncles.

Celebrating Thanksgiving at Preschool

Clockwise from top left: 

1. Beni-Bird modeling her Native American headband.

2. The Williams family feather: what we are thankful for.

3. Side view of previously mentioned fashionable headdress.

4. A huge turkey of thanks at Beni's school (one feather contributed by each family.)

Thanksgiving Day Traditions

Clockwise from top left:

1. and 3. Watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

2. Our vegetarian meal.

4. One dessert for each of us. 

A Night of Thanks

Clockwise from top left:

1. Gratitude-themed books.

2. Sitting by the fire for story time.

3. My art journal entry for 11-28-2013.

4. I've been recording blessings in my gratitude journal since 2002.

And one more thing I'm so grateful for…..
 you, Dear Reader.

***

PS: Please forgive the funky formatting and the extra spaces. I swear, it doesn't look like this on my end. I spent over an hour trying to fix it and then decided to publish "as is" before I lose my good feelings of gratitude. What a relief it is to let go of "perfection"!

HaPpY LoVe DaY

Valentine's Day isn't just about romantic love- 

it's a time to share hugs, kisses, kind words, and glittery cards with those we care about. 

So here are a few random happy things I'm sharing with you, my reader, on this LoVe DaY.

Baby Girl never met a puppy she didn't like. 

So we sent out 8 vintage-inspired sparkling puppy love valentines 

to special little friends who live too far away.

  We went a bit overboard with stickers on each envelope.  

Check out the stud muffin sticker- doesn't it make your heart smile?

When I was little, I wished my mom would cut my sandwiches into hearts.  And guess what?  

Now I can be that mom.  Here I'm spreading love with a PB and banana sandwich.

And saving the best for last...

Wendell Berry wrote "The Wild Rose" for his wife.  

It made me think of my hubby, so it's the Valentine message I'm writing inside his card.

And it's just so beautiful, I wanted to share it with you too.

Sometimes hidden from me

in daily custom and in trust,

so that I live by you unaware

as by the beating of my heart,

Suddenly you flare in my sight,

a wild rose blooming at the edge

of thicket, grace and light

where yesterday was only shade,

and once again I am blessed, choosing 

again what I chose before.

It's Your Turn

Hey!  

In case you forgot:

I'll take tomorrow.

Temptation

Serious temptation.

It doesn't take much for me to get excited.

Baubles, buttons, and beads- oh my!

All that glittering goodness was almost too much to resist.

My inner conversation went like this:

Kathianne, you have enough glitter.

But it's 50% off!  Look at all those colors!

Kathianne, you have enough.  You're trying to live with less things.

But it's glitter!

Can you believe I left without a sparkling purchase?  

Me either.  I'm so proud of myself.

***

You can read more about my glitter addiction here: 
 Glitter is my Crack 

and here: Confessions from a Glitter Addict

Turning One

My dear readers, we've reached a milestone!  Nourish. Create. Bloom. is turning one today.  Last year on April 17th, I wrote my very first blog post and here we now are- 365 days and 75 posts later. 


It's been an eventful year.  For sure, it's been the most challenging year of my life and I'm still in the midst of a lot of uncertainty.   But I've made it thus far through this (in)fertility journey; mostly by being grateful for all that I do have, practicing extreme self-care, and learning (and relearning and relearning) to surrender to what is.  It's been a year to put all of my self-help reading to the test.  And I (toot, toot) am very proud of myself for maintaining my sanity.  And growing. 


It's also been another opportunity to learn who the Wonders are in my life.  There's nothing like troubling times to make it crystal clear who is going to always be there by your side.  When I started to lose faith, my Wonders reminded me they believed in me and my dreams. Often it was just what I needed to keep on keepin' on.


Now- major change in gears- a few random thoughts....


I'm planning some giveaways to those who comment on the blog.  More details soon.  I'd also like to know: What are your ideas for the next year of N.C.B.?  What would you like to see more (or less) of?  


Earlier this Spring N.C.B. got a new look.  What do you think?  (If you get N.C.B. email subscriptions delivered to your inbox, you can check out the new look by clicking on the post title -Turning One- above in your email.)   


Several readers have asked, so more of you may be wondering.  Yes, it is my own artwork that I post.  If I've ever posted a collage that's really colorful (and usually quite busy), I made it.  So, if you happen to need a personal and unique gift idea, let's talk. 


I'm tickled pink to know people are reading the blog consistently.  I have no idea who is reading, unless you leave a comment or tell me.  I've had some surprises.  My best friend from 7-9th grade (hi Kerry!) and I have reconnected through my posts and her thoughtful responses.  And yikes!  My first true love also found N.C.B. and sent me an unexpected email.  That one freaked me about a bit.  I know that when I write a post the world can read it, but I still kinda hoped ex-boyfriends weren't going to be reading my personal thoughts and struggles.


And finally, THANK YOU for reading, commenting, and sharing N.C.B. with your friends over the past year.  I heart all of you.

An update. (And yes, even more glitter.)

It's been a while since my last post.  Since then, I've been focusing on taking extremely good care of myself.  Lots of yoga, meditation, visualization, tea, acupuncture, and even wheat grass shots!  I'll do just about anything to become a fertile Myrtle.

Here's something else I've been up to:

Getting crafty is always nourishing to my soul.  And I love making Valentines.  My two favorite colors are red and pink AND I have an excuse to use hearts with abandon, be extra girly, and use glitter.  (Although I'm pretty much doing that the other 364 days of the year too.)

  This year making Valentines was even more special as my sorority sister, Tracy Duncan, mailed me the above glitter heart set.  It was an unexpected gift in the mail, and it brightened my world.  

(Thank you Tracy.  Delta love and all of mine too.)

You'll have to come back on February 14th to see my Valentine's creations!  Although, some of you just might be getting one in the mail.

Happy Holidays!

Here are some holiday photos to get you in the spirit!

I took them At The Collective, the artists' cooperative 

where I sell my artwork.

Greg from Forrester's Greenhouse, did an amazing job with these decorations.

I love this glitter reindeer and vintage Santa!

Just one of the ornaments I made this year.

Each year I make a few (and break a few.)

...and Happy Hanuakkah.  

I hope your holiday season is filled with love and laughter!

Confessions from a Glitter Addict

On Saturday a friend texted me this quote from Drew Barrymore: "You know you're putting a good thing out into the universe when you put on glitter." My philosophy exactly Drew!  If only I could convince my husband.  He can't seem to leave the house without some stray glitter (from my crafty projects) sticking to him.  Personally, I think if you have to leave the house with something stuck to you, glitter isn't a bad way to go.  Cat hair would be much worse.  


Speaking of my glitter addiction, my sister has been enabling me.  She recently purchased me the complete Martha Stewart glitter set.  Now I have two drawers full of glitter.  Can you really ever have too much glitter?  I think not.

You should have seen my eyes light up when I opened this gift! I put the glitter to use right away on her baby shower invitations.

Glitter is my crack

Glitter is my crack. Nothin' gets me goin' like the glitter aisle at a craft store. So much raw potential. Red, blue, pink, silver, green, gold, oh my. Someone hold me back- I've got a drawer full at home already and I still want more.

Hi, my name is Kathianne and I've got a glitter problem.