Atiliay noun, a play off the French word “atelier”; a workshop/studio, esp of an artist or designer; my creative space

Notes plural noun, a brief record of facts, topics, thoughts written down as an aid to memory; a short informal letter

 

Where did the last 30 days go?? I didn't get a chance to send out this month's mantra so I'm including that along with the shares for August below! 

These words have really been resonating, especially when you don't really want to hear that you need to be more compassionate, kind, patient, etc. because you already know that and have been trying and it's just not exactly working out, ya know what I mean?? 😅 So I offer you these 3 words for some comfort, peace of mind, and encouragement:

This was a good reminder to myself for both the tough, annoying, harder times as well as the good, happy, joyful times: things are always changing, the hard times will pass, live in the present moment and when it's good, embrace it and take it all in. 

 

For the artwork I used tape to block out the words (a temporary placeholder) then wrote the mantra on top in black marker, colored pencil, and crayon. Each mark turned this piece into something new--there were so many temporary iterations. When the page was covered in writing, I peeled the tape off. While this piece will now stay the same, every time I look at it, it will be with new eyes in a new moment and wherever I am in my experience, these words will continue to be a good reminder. You can watch a short process reel on IG or TT.

This was a good reminder to myself for both the tough, annoying, harder times as well as the good, happy, joyful times: things are always changing, the hard times will pass, live in the present moment and when it's good, embrace it and take it all in. 

 

For the artwork I used tape to block out the words (a temporary placeholder) then wrote the mantra on top in black marker, colored pencil, and crayon. Each mark turned this piece into something new--there were so many temporary iterations! When the page was covered in writing, I peeled the tape off. While this piece will now stay the same, every time I look at it, it will be with new eyes in a new moment and wherever I am in my experience, these words will continue to be a good reminder. You can watch a short process reel on IG or TT.

Throughout each month, I collect things that I think you might like--articles, ideas, quotes, songs, etc. then create a list to share with you. I hope you find something you connect with, is helpful, inspiring, fun, or interesting!

🌈I've been playing Hued pretty much every AM since Claire told me about it! It's a daily game (like Wordle) where you have to match the color to the prompt by swiping in the round color swatch. The creators are kinda wild sometimes with prompts like Skype and NASA Launch Suit! 

 

💡 Creative idea for making your own stamps: get a kneaded eraser (which is pliable) and a permanent ink pad. Press the kneaded eraser into different textures or patterns OR press items into your eraser then apply ink to it and stamp! It's a cool way to document your travels (plaques, gates, etc.), here's an example. I tried it by pressing pasta and other foods into my eraser then stamping it (top row, right image.) Thanks Faith for sharing this idea with me--I love it!

 

❤️ This is the most beautiful and heartbreaking poem I have ever read. I was sobbing as I read it again but I couldn't stop because it's so so good. (TW: death, loss.) Love Letter From The Afterlife by the late poet & activist, Andrea Gibson.

 

👂 "At the end of the day nobody else has to deal with the decisions you make in life more than you. They have to deal with maybe the consequence of a moment but only you have to deal with the consequences of all the decisions you make in life. Only you have to go to a job or wherever company you don't want to work in. Only you have to live that day. Only you have to be with a partner if that's the reason you chose is because everyone else is saying that. Only you have to do that. Only you have to grow old with the memories or what coulda shoulda been and live with the what if." Nischa Shah is a finance expert who was recently on the Diary of a CEO podcast. While I liked what she shared about finances, it was the part at the end where she opened up about her personal life that I really enjoyed. 

✨ International friends, the Creative Spark Deck is now available in a PDF format! International shipping costs are unfortunately so high that I wanted to offer this other alternative. After you place your order, you immediately get the PDFs that you can print and cut out at home. (And if you're interested in the physical deck, you can find it here.)

 

🎵 BACKSTREET BOYS AT THE SPHERE!!! I had such a fun weekend with Jessica seeing BSB in Vegas! They put on an amazing show (as per usual) but venue definitely added another layer to it. AJ SOUNDED SO GOOD! I highly recommend. More dates got added for the end of Dec, early Jan, and Feb! (If you can't make it, you can relive it with me over in my Instagram highlights where I posted 18247 videos and photos lol.)

 

😋 A few food recs: there is not one person that I have shared Bamba w/hazelnut creme filling who didn't like it! It's like, not too sweet, crunchy, creamy, the perfect snack! I also have been loving this tofu for it's protein content but also because it's not packed in water and crumbles perfectly for scrambles (this recipe is great, thanks Faith!) and other dishes without having to press the water out! I also have been enjoying Aloha vegan protein powder because it doesn't have stevia in it! (I don't like the aftertaste.)

 

 🖼️ Happy World - Scattered Crumbs by Ik-Joong Kang at the Detroit Institute of Art is a display of 225 wooden blocks covered in small paintings and everyday objects collected by the artist. I loved learning more (there's audio & a transcript in the link provided) and wish I could see this in person! Thank you Aubrey for sharing this with me!

 

🖌️ I wanted wrap this list up with a really sweet video I saw! Boston based artist Nicki Xu is challenging herself to draw 100 strangers. She gives the drawing to them and asks them to write a message on the canvas for the next stranger she draws. It's such a kind gesture and I love the message idea!

Have a good start to your month and happy birthday to my fellow September Virgos! :)

 

Take good care and talk to you soon,

PS: A few more pics from BSB concert trip! Have you been to Seven Magic Mountains? It's just outside of Vegas and although it was really hot, it was a fun stop!

PPS: The concert was to celebrate 25 years of their Millennium album! They dressed all in white for the original album cover with hints of blue so that's why they asked concert goers to wear white--BSB fans understood the assignment! Not only did people wear white but they also brought things back from the 2000s like the little butterfly hairclips, futuristic glasses, baggy white cargo pants, it was amazing lol. I loved having blue hair!

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