Summer Saturdays

The Summer Solstice

Summer wins. So many of my best childhood memories translate me back to grassy suburban yards, the tinkling sound of the ice cream truck, breezy car rides with the windows down, and long evenings in the warm, haziness listening to music and poking bonfire embers with the ever present neighborhood gang of friends.

Everything was perfect.

Now that I'm a "grownup" with responsibility and irons dutifully laid in the fire, rekindling the lush indolence of the summer vaca has required more effort.

I've had to make a mindful effort to enjoy summer life - here are three different ways.

The Summer Read

Ch 9

History + Fashion + Entrepreneurship + Visionary Lady = An Awesome Read!

I picked up The Gospel According to Chanel by Karen Karbo and LOVED it. Reading the adventures of a forward thinking visionary like Chanel who overcame abandonment, the male establishment, and multiple world wars to emerge radiant as a gleaming fashion god was inspiring to say the least. 

Here's one of my favorite "Chanelisms:" There is a time for work and a time for love. That leaves no other time. 

If you are looking for a sprightly, vintage tale filled with witty observations by fellow Portlandian, Karen, flip through this spledid peak behind one of the world's most iconic brands and the strong lady who forged it.

The Summer Garden

I got lost on Mississippi Avenue yesterday. Stumbling around look for some healthy sustainence, I veered into a Healthy Planet (thank god for the Cuban bowl!) to refuel. Swigging some fresh water to wash down lunch, I decided to march up to the corner before making the drive back into town. 

Passing by a tiny garden path snuggly tucked between two buildings, I ventured into what appeared to be a delicious urban nursery. Hark! What's this?! A tidy urban chicken coop complete with well-behaved little hens clucking softly. Had I stumbled into a Beatrix Potter story?

Nope! I'd found Pistils Nursery: the darling gem-of-a-garden-boutique.

Soaking in the quaint and unsual assortment of shrubs and perennials with the chickens chatting in the background I made my way in to the garden-shed of an office. Beautiful air plants dangled from tree limbs and sparkling glass terrariums filled with rustic wood shelves. You'll have to head in and check out the moss balls. Enough said.

Stunning, textural air plants

Pistils Store Front - South Park Style! :)

The Summer Song

Love haunting songs that make your heart lub against your ribcage and your pulse throb in your throat? Me too. I dare you to listen to this spectral melody around twilight when your neighborhood is quiet, warm and restful. Feel the lyrics tug at your spirit...as if to beckon you out into the night toward a midsummer tryst with the shadowy souls of the Victorian departed. Just don't let your evening candle flicker out! ;) 

Sliver of Coldplay's new "Cemeteries of London" lyrics

PDX Weekend Scavenger Hunt!

You Want Me to Do WHAT?!

Ever gone scavenger hunting??? How about SURPRISE scavenger hunting???? Yours truly did last weekend.

Last Friday I got kidnapped and sent into Portland for a mysterious adventure. :)

C - my love -  told me to meet him at a specific Fred Meyer after work and be prepared for anything - physically demanding activities, several days away from home, challenges, excitement, love, fresh perspective.

He met me inside the store and furtively told me to choose some wine and then wait out front for further directions. As I sat very uneasy on the front bench usually reserved for old folks waiting for their ride, I squinted. Suddenly a strong, friendly voice called out: "Hey, Tara!!!!" My heart squeezed out a tense beat: was it my Mom?? The Mom I love, but hate arguing with??

It was my sunshine friend M!!! She scooped me up and sped me into the city for for my previously scheduled chiropractic appointment at Root Whole Body. After getting my right shoulder and neck stretched and loosened (red, blotchy hickie included free of charge), me and M enjoyed some chips and cherry soda as we followed C's texted directions to my next location.

Note! Should really learn to read better....

Lan Sun Beauty!

"239 NW Everett St, Portland" - Lan Sun Chinese Gardens!! I quickly hopped out Michelle's care and headed into the office eagerly. After verifying my identity, I snatched up the tickets and raced into the garden. :-D As I started soaking in the chilly, tranquil beauty of the ornate plantings, C kept texting me little encouraging, cute messages like "Look out on all sides! You never know WHO you'll see!"

Soon it became apparent I gotten SEVERELY off track!!! In my haste to enjoy the exotic smelling flowers, I had failed to read the note on that C had left with the tickets. Pick up the tickets but don't go in! AAAAAAAAAH! Race...race...race...back to the entry attendant and foolish-faced explain my error and beg back my ticket.

Success!

Back on the curb, M swerved up for the second time with an even brighter smile and we spend on to our next destination: Pioneer Place!

With a texted pic of a pretty brunette named Lizzie, C sent me into Juicy Couture with a mission to try on three fantastic outfits and text him the pictures to prove my diligence. 

Black Lace Dress from Juicy Couture. Love!

From this point on, C continued to send pics from glamorous or sporty or playful storefronts with a mission to find and try on all pieces. Pictures to him were mandatory. You'd think a striped, blazer from Forever 21 would be EASY to see on the floor....NOT SO! :) After much scrambling and searching, I met all of the clothing challenges - without being distracted by shopping!

Notorious Blazer!

BGBC. Yes, please. I will wear this always. <3

With all this running around PDX, I was thankful C gave me a relaxing challenge next - a 30 min foot massage! I don't why I've never paid for one of these before!!!!!! Somebody needs to beat me if I don't go at least once a month.

I knocked out a few more cinchy challenges, and then C through me for a loop: "Get the cute guy at Billabong to take your picture on a tiny skateboard!" 

Shit. I hate this kind of thing. I'm shy. Practical. Serious. Not to mention, tired and hungry! 

"Fine. Don't do it. But you'll miss out on the surprise I have for you back at Juicy Couture." 

Double-shit!

Sigh. Ok. I summoned the last remaining bit of my outgoing persona and tentatively asked....

Knocking DOWN insecurities!

Here's the proof, folks! :) Unfortunately, I didn't get a pic of the guy....just imaging if Drake had a look-a-like little brother. That would be him. 

WHAAAAAHOOO!!!! 

Back to Juicy to claim my gift and find my love! The smiling girls handed me my giftcard as I fell into a big embrace from my suit-wearing, handsome guy who walked in beaming. Deep, deep appreciate and gratitude filled my heart.

 How can I ever complain that my life is harsh when I have a girlfriend and a lover who will spend an entire Friday afternoon creating a cute, engaging adventure for their girl?! 

Seth Godin's Version of Art and Some Yoga

Challenge Me

I'm reading. Alot. And I'm counting listening to audiobooks on my way to and from work as "reading." You would be proud of me: I've picked a tough topic. The book is called "The Icarus Deception" by Seth Godin. When I find two seconds, I must must MUST look up this dude's background to find out the following:

1. What kind of childhood produced him?

2. How did he become such a badass?

3. Why the heck does he get off on challenging the HECK out of me????????? :)

Wanna know the topic that has me so fired up?

Art.

Seth is teaching me about the new "connection" economy. The one that measures connections with people. Sharing. Including. Creating. Taking risks. Breaking rules. Making ART. Not touchy-feely finger paint B.S......but uncomfortable, challenging, "gee, will everyone laugh at me after this" kind of art.

 If your're confused about the use of the word "art" here, so was I. Seth means connection, between you and your audience/customers/client. By making "art" he's referring to the service you offer, the time you spend, and the connections you make. This concept of going out on a limb to appeal to a niche is freaking scary. But Seth insists it's the only way to be "safe" in the future. The old way of Industrialism - build a cheap product and continue to reduce the overhead year after year - is dying, along with many 9-5 jobs. 

I'm being challenged to say what I need to say. Build what I need to build. Take a deep breath and reach out to another human being to forge a new connection. Risk rejection. Pick myself up. Make more Art. If it fails, make better art.

This stuff is aweful. It makes me all sweaty and uncomfortable. I'd rather take orders then be different and expose myself to ostracism. I don't LIKE to raise my hand and propose a new idea. I'd rather someone ELSE took the blame. 

I want to change.

Basically, Seth is my trainer - inspiring me to BE different and risky, not for the sake of ego or adrenaline thrills, but for the sake of giving and impacting the environment of those around me in a new and generous way. As only I can. That is the soul of my new business mindset!

The Icarus Deception. Here it is. Read it if you dare! :)

Oh! And I'd like to point out that the word "god" is in Seth's last name...so....ya know....that's gotta mean something! Lol!

Let it Go!

After defying my comfort zone and making scary art, I find my shoulders tight and hunched. My neck sore, my wrists cramping, and my breathing shallow. My mood pissy.

"Deep Stretching" by Yoga with a View is my new evening (or morning) ritual. Just try it! You'll find muscle tension in places you didn't know could be accessed! My girlfriend tried it too and freaked out on it. :) You'll LOVE it. Limbs all supple and flexible. Oxygen and bloodflow revived. Brain cleared. Aah!

At the end of the practice  I'm trying to take a moment and set a goal or purpose to my day or evening. But always, I use it to affirm myself and to listen.....listen to any fear or anxiety or anger that may be dwelling inside and adding to the ugly snarl of tension. Once I let the bad air out I say something like "I am a strong and confident lady whose energy expands to fill the room." Sort of self-fulfills itself.....

What do YOU like to end your yoga session thinking about?