A Chill In The Bones

I woke up this morning with a great chill deep in my bones. It's like over night we have shifted into the cold of winter. Perhaps I feel it more now that there is no hair on my head.. But I think our dear dark winter is on it's way in.

My mind and body are thinking only of cozy sweaters, warm drinks and fire places. The air outside was extra crisp, and the leaves had a louder crunch to them than they did yesterday. Both dogs hurried about their business so we could return home and snuggle under the covers again. We are all adjusting to the new city, and our new routine of lots of walks, but I will say winter will be hard for all of us.

All morning the radiator has been sputtering off steam, moaning and groaning, trying to heat my old apartment. I thought living above the boiler room would be nice, but I just couldn't seem to shake this chill that has been set in my bones.

Around 2 pm, I had had enough. It was time for a bath. I've never ever been a bit fan of bathing. In fact, I do not like water. I take quick showers when I need to. I never go swimming, and I never go into the ocean. But, my apartment has the nicest bath tub I've ever seen. It's surrounded by decorate tile from the 20's. It's deep, and the knobs squeak the perfect vintage squeak every time. Paired with some crystals, oils, salts and candles, I can safely say I enjoy bath time now.

I often set up a crystal grid at my head, and bring crystals into the bath with me. I love having candles, and heated oils near by too. I recently brought plants into my bath tub area as well. I have some hanging down, and some growing upward. I also burn incense while in the bath. The main reason that I bring all of these elements into my bath, is just that. The elements. I believe in balancing that water energy that scares the fiery me. I bring fire, earth, and air into my bathing ritual. It helps me relax more, and helps me feel grounded when I get out of the tub.
Sometimes when I don't have time for a bath, I will still light the candles and everything and just turn my shower on low. It's very peaceful.

After a nourishing hour in the bath tub, I can say the chill in my bones has subsided. I'm feeling clear, cozy, grounded and inspired. Inspiration has been fleeting these last few days, and that's okay. I no longer chase it. It comes to me when I need it most. Last night I finally saw a vision of my Suit of Cups for the Tree Talker Tarot. I haven't worked on my deck in nearly a month now.. and for those of you waiting, I apologize for the delay. But I can not rush this. A Tarot deck should never be rushed, nor should inspiration, or creativity. I now have clear vision of the next suit, and I know that I will now have the time to work on it.

I've been trying to take my days easier. I have so much on my plate right now, that if I do not slow down I will cause myself to get sick. I know that 2015 is going to be a big year for me. I know that there is a major shift in motion, and that too I can feel deep in my bones. But before any major shifts take place, I know I need to nourish myself. 

And now my day is coming full circle, as I sit in my spot overlooking the city...I'm wondering where my day has gone, and where the time goes. I'm watching the sun set, and that chill is starting to creep back in through my fingers and up my hands. They are starting to feel creaky, and stiff. The warmth of the sun is leaving, and the city is looking darker and darker by the moment. But as the sky gets darker the little flickering lights of the city are more noticeable and brighter. I too will turn on my studio lights and let the inspiration flow through my chilled bones.. hoping that will help keep me warm as I create the next suite for my Tarot Deck.

Thursday Threads - Before The Snow

My little town is now covered in snow. 

The golden glow of fall is gone. 

Replaced by the blues and grays of winter.

And the incredible chill. 

Don't forget that chill. 

My poor pups are practically pupsicles. 

Little miserable frozen pups. 

So, I brought out the heating pads, the sweaters and the little rice packs. 

Today's outfit post is brought to you by fall.

When the leaves were golden, and still falling

And I was a bit warmer.. 

Sweater - Nowistyle

Leggings - Nowistyle

Legwarmers - Selfmade

Boots - Nowistyle

Ring - XOEjewelry 

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The Little Things

It's odd how things work. Last week I was struck with a pretty bad cold. I compromised with myself and pleaded not to be sick because Halloween was coming up! "Don't be sick for Halloween!" I pleaded.  And then Sterling had 4 days off from work, and I would have hated to be sick during that, so I pleaded not to be sick for a 4 more days... And so of course, today I woke up really sick. Luckily last week when I was sick, I went out and bought sick items. Like soup, tissues, and crackers, but wasn't sick long enough to use them. Today I actually got to use them. I felt prepared. And I'm thanking my past self for getting my future self tea and tissues. Interesting....
But it get's better!

Because I really didn't know I would be sick today. But yesterday I felt compelled to finish all open orders in the shop. Seriously. over 20 orders went out yesterday. I only have one more order left to send. I worked like crazy yesterday, and when I woke up at 5:30 this morning because I felt sick, I smiled as I thought... I have no work to do! I'm all caught up! I could stay in my pajamas all day and drink tea in my purple sweat pants and Sterling's Hoodie. Which is what I'm doing in this very moment. (Though, I did just get a shipment of clothes to model and photograph... so I might attempt to look cute later.) So once again, I had planned for something to happen without knowing it would. And I'm very thankful for my past self for preparing for the future.



And it really does keep getting better. The way the universe works that is... For example, you all know my heating problem. One meter on this house, but two units. And I'm the one who is supposed to pay... even though it IS illegal. Then my house sold, and the new owners think it's okay to raise the rent on top of all that... This entire thing freaked me out a bunch! Should I move? Should I stay? Should I fight it? I know I could.. So, I fought it. I told the new Rental Agency it was illegal to raise our rent, and it is illegal to have me pay for the gas meter. Of course she said it was in MY contract to do so.... And then I mentioned well, if she is going to follow that contract, she will need to follow it to the word. Because my contract says rent can't be raised for a year.  Bam. I won. Well sort of. She called back a few days later and said they were willing to negotiate the contract and the gas bill and all that. And they were trying to make the house better for me... and for now I can stick to the old contract, and they want to figure something out in the future, but we can negotiate things. I felt better.

Because my biggest problem was that I was paying for the downstairs neighbors showers, laundry and heating. SO not fair. And I can't believe the original owner slipped that into my contract and didn't tell me about it. (I have the legal documents showing it's illegal, think I can still fight it?) Anyways.. that's my biggest problem is that the downstairs neighbors get a free ride this winter. Last winter the bill was over 200.00! There is NO insulation in the attic, and they think they can raise rent if they put insulation in.... It's pretty interesting stuff. Anyways, I would feel better if I wasn't paying for the neighbor's heat. Then something miraculous happened. They moved out! They mysteriously packed up and moved out. I don't think they told the rental agency about it... They didn't even clean it. Or lock it for that matter... Because I'm pretty sure a homeless guy snuck in and slept in there. Pretty unnerving to be honest. But it's amazing that I'm no longer paying for their heat! Exactly what I wanted. They only lived in the basement for 2 months. Long enough to get Meko, decide we was an untrained puppy, get frustrated and give him to me! Then, they moved out without notice! Funny thing with Meko, I got him about a month after I had to give the little white puppy up... But, if I didn't have her, I wouldn't have been prepared for Meko. I already had the things I needed, and the things he needed. The gates, the sprays, and the knowledge of how to puppy proof this house.
See? Interesting.. I wish you could hear my voice as I said interesting.. cause it's kind of like a whisper, where I hold out the inggg part. I wonder if it's from a movie or something. But in my head it sounds real cute. I should do more videos for this blog.

 I've been meaning to, but my computer seriously can't handle such a task right now.
I'll get a new one soon.. after I buy a new printer. Maybe I'll get myself an ipad. But for now, I've got to wait and see how much that heating bill will cost me. It's been getting real cold out lately. It's even snowed a little bit! I don't want to use the heater, but I kind of have to. I've got 3 little animals that need to be warm. So, I have it set to low, and we snuggle under a heated blanket when we can. I know I'll look back on this little bit of my life and laugh.
I'll laugh because right now it seems like a disaster. But, everything I've mentioned in this post is about preparing for the future some how, without even meaning to. Everything does happen for a reason. I know that right now, during this cold bit in my life, I'm learning things and preparing for future events. The future is so liquid, that we really can't get too good of a grasp on things. It's full of surprises. Sometimes it's dogs, sometimes it's stocking up on warm clothes and heated blankets. The little things we do today have a huge impact on our future... so it's important to listen to our intuition. If you get the feeling to go out and get a heated blanket just in case the winter is cold. Do it. Because that  is your future self, thanking your past self.. And you being the past self, (and the future self) you already know yourself so well... you can already feel it.

And now I may have confused you. Sorry.




















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Thursday Threads - Fall Layers

I only have a few more weeks to show you some of my favorite outfits from the summer before it's fall time! But I'm already feeling fall so much... I don't really even care! Fall is my favorite time of year. I love the smells, layers, colors and the feel. Ah! So, this is a fall inspired post! I love layers. Even in the summer. This outfit was taken a few weeks ago, before I put the pink back in my hair.. but right after I found an amazing skirt at the thrift store.

Outfit Details : 

Black T-Shirt - Charlotte Russe 

Lace Sweater - nowistyle

Woven Bag - nowistyle

Watch - nowistyle

And some of my favorite shops are having their fall fashion lines on sale! Check out Romwe's sweater collection. They are having a 48 hour sale. Their beautiful sweaters are on sale for 19.99! (With freeeee shipping!) I said that last part with my teeth clenched cause it's exciting.
I need to snag one up real quick to wear with leggings and boots!

And eShakti has introduced their lovely fall collection too! If you've never tried anything from eShakti, you should. Their stuff is customizable. You can change sleeves, lengths, and necklines. I love it.

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Perfect Fall Day

The early part of today was spent at the coffee shop with familiar faces,

playing with leaves and shopping for art supplies.

I took down most of the Halloween decorations. 

The skulls and bones stay up. Always. 

And the rest of the day will be spent in my studio.

Painting, watching some Doctor Who and watching the leaves fall from my big window. 

Happy day.

Lesson Learned

Mowgli and I go on walks everyday. Sometimes 3 short walks, sometimes one big long walk.
He loves them as much as I do.

Lately the wind has been blowing the leaves all around us as we walk. I think it looks magical.

Mowgli thinks he should chase and catch each leaf. 

Oh, I love him.

He always stands with his feet pointing out like that.. What a silly guy.

I was trying to give him a leaf hat.. he didn't want any part of it.
Just as we were going inside he ran back and grabbed a leaf from the ground.

He brought the leaf in, and to my confusion.. he began to eat it.
Normally he just shreds leaves and paper all over the house.

He was actually consuming it and crunching it like it was a delicious treat,
and growling at Fungus when he got too close.
I wasn't sure if it was bad for him, so I took the leaf from him. 

This is Mowgli 5 hours later, with an upset tummy. He had just thrown up that leaf.
Lesson Learned?


Probably not.