In The Details

I was explaining my typical day to a friend earlier.. 

It goes something like this: Wake up, take the pups out, make coffee, answer emails, clean the house,  take pups out, take a shower or bath, eat something, paint, do paper work, take out pups again, scan in items, work on orders, create something new, keep working on projects.. scan, paint, print, rinse and repeat. so much work.

 Oh my goodness. I love it. I really do. 

I love getting things accomplished.

 Looking at my checked off to-do list is my favorite thing ever... 

but that's not what makes my day great. 

It's the beauty within all the details of this work that makes my day great. 

Because mixed in that to-do list there are opportunities to find something beautiful. 

I've been enthralled with the beauty of my surroundings lately.. especially within those "take out the pups" moments. Watching their joy as they run around in a field. Witnessing their delight in all of the sounds and smells that surround us. Seeing Meko jump for joy at strangers.. watching their reaction as they see this bright shining doggie soul beaming at them... People go about their life with their eyes forward, not noticing the beauty that surrounds them.  

My favorite thing about walking the dogs is how often they stop. 

It used to drive me crazy, especially in cold weather.. 

but pretty soon I learned that if a dog stops to look around, smell and notice life, I should too! 

Dogs are constantly taking in their surroundings, smelling other dogs, people, food, memories.. they watch birds, squirrels and gawk at the tall trees. 

If you ever go on a walk with me and the dogs, be prepared to stop often and hear me say, 

"Don't tug on the leash just yet... Let's look around at all the details here."

Defining Beauty

It's been over a week since I buzzed my hair off, an it's been incredible so far.

I've had a complicated relationship with my hair. I gave up on the idea of  long lustrous hair when I was 16 and my pony tail was thinner than my pinky finger. I chopped it off into a pixie cut when I was in high school and kept it fairly short ever since. It's pretty thin but makes up for it with some curls and waves.. but I haven't seen the waves in years.

A few years ago I decided to bleach it blonde and play with color for a while. It was a lot of fun. All of the little girls wanted to ask me about my hair. I was asked if I was a fairy all the time. I loved having fun colored hair.. but after a while it was sad seeing the dead hair fall off in the brush, or my poor hair would just frizz up. I missed being able to just get out of the shower and let my hair curl.

Buzzing it was a bit dramatic, I know.  Sterling told me that sometimes I do dramatic things and it doesn't seem like I think about them first. But I did. I thought about this decision for at least 3 days.
I couldn't wait any longer for it to grow. I needed change. And it's been fantastic.

I've learned a lot about what makes me feel beautiful.
Because I haven't always felt beautiful. In fact my ex told me I wasn't beautiful so many times I believed it. But the thing is, there is beauty in everyone. We just need to define it on our own.
And I must tell you, buzzing my head has finally made me feel beautiful.

A lot of times when someone sees a woman cut off all her hair, there must be something wrong with them. Maybe they are sick, went through a hard break up or are going through a trauma, or even trying to be rebellious. It's like women need to be attached to their hair. It's one of the biggest signs of femininity there is.

When I buzzed it, I looked in the mirror longer than I had in a while. I rubbed the back of my head and felt my head's shape and my fuzzy hair. I suddenly had more confidence in my appearance than I had had in years!

Because I didn't buzz it because I was sick, or going through trauma. I wasn't trying to be rebellious, or to renounce my femininity. Instead I chose to shed the vanity from my hair, and discover what it is what made me feel feminine. I can't rely on my pink hair to make me feel feminine, and I certainly can't rely on my curves, as I'm all bones.
Buzzing my hair has made me feel comfortable in my own skin, confident, raw, and authentic. And that's what makes me feel both beautiful and feminine.


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To Listen

“The quieter you become, the more you can hear.”
― Ram Dass

Exploring the beauty of nature is a favorite of mine.

Sitting in serenity, listening to the trees, the wind and the birds.

Dipping my toes in the cool water.

Walking barefoot.

Connecting with the Earth

A sacred work of art.

We are so lucky to be here. 

Giveaway With Topsy Hair!

Today's giveaway is brought to you by Laura from Topsy Hair. 

Fun fact: I've known this pretty lady for quite a while now. 

We both went to college together, and had mutual friends.. 

though I never got to know her like I should.

I think blogging has helped me get to know my old friends better than I would have.

It's a little sad, but also pretty fun.

Laura is a hair stylist, and is working on opening up a hair salon in my home town! 

Every time I pass by the location I get excited for them. 

Anyways..

Laura has ever so graciously offered this beautiful prize.

For hair:

Paul Mitchell: Awapuhi Moisture Mist

Super Skinny Relaxing Balm

Extra Body Sculpting Foam

Round trip (all Paul Mitchell products).

For nails:

Essie: Haute As Hello

Essie: Mint Candy Apple

(Perfect for spring!)

For face:

Glitz and Glam Lashes + Glue.

Smashbox Eyeliner: Emerald

Smashbox Eyeliner: Sapphire

Rimmel: Jet Set Lipstick (Red)

All in an adorable Betsy Johnson Bag! 

Here is how to enter:

1. Follow this blog,

And leave me a comment letting me know.

2. Follow The Topsy Hair Blog

And leave me a comment letting me know you did.

3. Follow Topsy Hair on Twitter
and come back here and let me know you did it! 

4. Tweet OR facebook this giveaway! 

Be sure to mention @TopsyHendricks  and me @talk2thetrees in the tweet!

(Example:  Check out this sweet giveaway with @talk2thetrees @topsyhendricks! http://talk2thetrees.blogspot.com/2012/03/giveaway-with-topsy-hair.html )
Go ahead and copy and paste it too! 

You can do just one, or all four.

There are 4 ways to enter this one, so be sure to leave 4 separate comments.

The giveaway winner will be announced next Monday. (March 26th)

So you've got one week!

This giveaway isn't international.  

And now for last week's winner!

And now for the winner of last week's giveaway..

Congrats Nicole from Knit, Nicole, Knit! How fitting you won some yarn!