So Much Love

~ Spring Cottage ~

~ Autumn Barnacles ~

 Carolyn Saxby - Mixed Media  

~ Christmas Star ~

 

first time in hundreds of years

read the article ~ here

The Grammar of Ornament

Owen Jones

Fairy Coffins

read the full story here

Chez Nicolette Owen

photos via Design Sponge

~ Transmute ~

Art & Astral Insights
~ Mystic Mamma ~

*NEW MOON* in Scorpio

teaches us about Life and Death,
the SEEN + UNSEEN,
the meaning beneath the words,
and the new life that awaits us
when we allow ourselves
to go beyond the Known.

Full Moon in Capricorn

*FULL MOON*

coming into bloom

in Capricorn brings core issues

to the forefront of our consciousness.

This is a time to strengthen

personal boundaries

and time to honor our feelings

as we carefully navigate

the delicate shores

of our relationships.

Time to send our roots

deeper into Mother Earth 

and call upon our unseen allies, angels,

and great Spirit within and around us 

to help us walk with grace and strength

through what could be some tricky territory

Blessings to our dear hearts~

MysticMamma.com

artwork & articles ~ MysticMamma.com

December ~ Compassion

photo & article

at MysticMamma

Lovely Apartment in Paris

via Interiors

Full Moon

 "As the Moon rises to her fullness, it’s likely we’ll feel the pull and tug of our hearts calling us to align with our deepest truth and encouraging us to bring forth the balance needed to embody it."

~ quote & artwork from Mystic Mamma

Mystic Mamma

quote & artwork from Mystic Mamma

 "Total Solar Eclipse ~ New Moon ~ SuperMoon ~ In the archetypal waters of Pisces, we are asked to step into the Dreamtime to reflect, feel it all, cleanse it all and draw forth from the ocean of the collective unconscious the new dream that wants to be birthed."

read their astral insights here

The Benefits Turmeric

"Besides adding flavor and incredible color to your food, just what is so special about this spice? Turmeric contains bioactive compounds (chemicals found in certain foods that promote health) called curcuminoids, the most powerful of which is curcumin. Curcumin is, essentially, the antioxidant to end all antioxidants. Along with being a powerful anti-inflammatory compound that can bring relief to people suffering from joint pain, studies have shown curcumin to be anti-tumor, antibacterial, and antimicrobial, as well as being a powerful assistant in liver detox, because of this, turmeric has been used for centuries to promote healing of the stomach, gut, and liver."

 Find recipes and read the full article on the Free People Blog.  If you're suffering from bursitis or tendinitis, try taking turmeric capsules, since you'll need more then a sprinkle to get this spice's health benefits. It really does work and quickly!

Creating Your Own Altar

 An altar is a sacred way to call spiritual energies into your home. It reinforces your intention to invite more peace, serenity, and love into your space. Create your own with three easy steps: clear a space, select sacred items, arrange. Make a daily ritual to meditate or pray near it. Use the sacred energy you've created to remind you of your highest spiritual intentions as you start or end your day.

from mindbodygreen.com

Photos by Eden Tyler

 photographs via Bohemian Diesel

10 Myths About Introverts

by Carl King

I wrote this list in late-2008. Around that time, I was lucky enough to discover a book called, "The Introvert Advantage: How to Thrive in an Extrovert World", by Marti Laney, Psy.D. It felt like someone had written an encyclopedia entry on a rare race of people to which I belong. Not only had it explained many of my eccentricities, it helped me to redefine my entire life in a new and productive context.
Sure, anyone who knows me would say, “Duh! Why did it take you so long to realize you’re an Introvert?” It’s not that simple. The problem is that labeling someone as an Introvert is a very shallow assessment, full of common misconceptions. It’s more complex than that.
A section of Laney’s book (page 71 through page 75) maps out the human brain and explains how neuro-transmitters follow different dominant paths in the nervous systems of Introverts and Extroverts. If the science behind the book is correct, it turns out that Introverts are people who are over-sensitive to Dopamine, so too much external stimulation overdoses and exhausts them. Conversely, Extroverts can’t get enough Dopamine, and they require Adrenaline for their brains to create it. Extroverts also have a shorter pathway and less blood-flow to the brain. The messages of an Extrovert’s nervous system mostly bypass the Broca’s area in the frontal lobe, which is where a large portion of contemplation takes place.
Unfortunately, according to the book, only about 25% of people are Introverts. There are even fewer that are as extreme as I am. This leads to a lot of misunderstandings, since society doesn’t have very much experience with my people. (I love being able to say that.)
So the 10 Myths are a few common misconceptions about Introverts (not taken directly from the book, but based on my own life experience).

Myth #1 - Introverts don't like to talk.
This is not true. Introverts just don't talk unless they have something to say.
They hate small talk.
Get an Introvert talking about something they are interested in, and they won't shut up for days.

Myth #2 - Introverts are shy.
Shyness has nothing to do with being an Introvert. Introverts are not necessarily afraid of people. What they need is a reason to interact. They don't interact for the sake of interacting. If you want to talk to an Introvert, just start talking.

Myth #3 - Introverts are rude.
Introverts often don't see a reason for beating around the bush with social pleasantries. They want everyone just be real and honest. Unfortunately, this is not acceptable in most settings, so Introverts can feel a lot of pressure to fit in, which they find exhausting.

Myth #4 - Introverts don't like people.
On the contrary, Introverts intensely value the few friends they have. They can count their close friends on one hand. If you are lucky enough for an introvert to consider you a friend, you probably have a loyal ally for life. Once you have earned their respect as being a person of substance, you are in.

Myth #5 - Introverts don't like to go out in public.
Nonsense. Introverts just don't like to go out in public for AS LONG. They also like avoid the complications that are involved in public activities. They take in data and experiences very quickly, and as a result , don't need to be there for long to "get it". They are ready to go home, recharge, and process it all. In fact, recharging is absolutely crucial for introverts.

Myth #6 - Introverts always want to be alone.
Introverts perfectly comfortable with their own thoughts. They think a lot. They daydream. They like to have problems to work on, puzzles to solve. But they can also get incredibly lonely, if they don't have anyone to share their discoveries with. They crave an authentic and sincere connection with ONE PERSON at a time.

Myth #7 - Introverts are weird.
Introverts are often individualists. They don't follow the crowd. They'd prefer to be valued for their novel ways of living. They think of themselves and because of that, they often challenge the norm. They don't make most decisions based on what is popular or trendy.

Myth #8 - Introverts are aloof nerds.
Introverts are people who primarily look inward, paying close attentions to their thoughts and emotions. It's not that they are incapable of paying attention to what is going on around them, it's just that they inner world is much more stimulating and rewarding to them.

Myth #9 - Introverts don't know how to relax and have fun.
Introverts typically relax at home or in nature, not in busy public places. Introverts are not thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies. If there is too much talking and noise going on, they shut down.
Their brains are too sensitive to the neurotransmitter, called Dopamine. Introverts and Extroverts have different dominant neuro-pathways, Just look it up.

Myth #10 - Introverts can fix themselves and become Extroverts.
A world without Introverts would be a world with few scientists, musicians, artists, poets, filmmakers, doctors, mathematicians, writers, and philosophers. That being said there are plenty of techniques an Extroverts can learn in order to interact with Introverts. ( YES, I reversed these two terms on purpose to show you how biased our society is.)
Introverts can not "fix" themselves and deserve respect for their natural temperament and contributions to the human race. In fact one study ( Silverman, 1986) showed that the percentage of introverts increases with IQ.

" You can not escape us, and to change us would lead to your demise " <- I made that up, I am a screenwriter.

It can be terribly destructive for an Introvert to deny themselves in order to get along in an Extrovert-Dominant World. Like other minorities, Introverts can end up hating themselves and others because of the differences. If you think you are an Introvert, I recommend you research the topic and seek out other Introverts to compare notes. The burden is not entirely on Introverts to try to become "normal". Extroverts need to recognize and respect us, and we also need to respect ourselves.

Choosing The Life of Our Dreams

 " We are all infinite choice makers and our lives become the string of choices we make every single day that either support who we are and what we want in this lifetime or not. I believe that dreams, goals, visions, talents or gifts that burn deep within us are not accidental. We as a society are so quick to discount these aspirations and almost laugh them off to ourselves and to one another saying, 'in our dreams!' Our dreams are the paths that lead us to blossoming into the people we are being challenged to become in this life! Whether we one day achieve that dream or not, we cannot fail, because the journey of trying is what opens us up to becoming more than we ever were before."

~ Gretchen Bleiler

read her full article on the Free People Blog

Spider Plants

Lush and Fast Growing
article via Tipnut

Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) have long been popular because they’re so easy to grow (both indoors and outdoors). If you’re looking for a lush, fast growing houseplant that’s fuss-free, this one’s for you. Here are a few tips to get you started…

Appearance:  Green leaves with either a white or yellow (or cream) central strip or along the outside edges (it can also have ones that are all green). It looks similar to thick, wild grass and there are several different varieties found that have different features: leaves that curl, are very short or very long.

Watering:  They like an evenly moist but well draining soil, allow the top of the soil to dry between watering. Slow down watering a bit during the winter months. It doesn’t care for fluoride usually found in tap water (the common cause for brown leaf tips). Use distilled water or water that has sat for at least 24 hours. If you have an aquarium, it thrives on that water.

Humidity:  It will grow heartily in both humid and dry air but let it sit in the bathroom for a day or two once in awhile so it can get a nice dose of a humid environment–your plant will love you for it. You could also occasionally mist the leaves with distilled water using a spray bottle.

Growing Tip:  Rotate it occasionally so it will grow evenly rather than lopsided.

Lighting:  They’re happy in both full sun and shade but if plantlets fail to develop it’s likely because they’re not getting enough light or too much light. An ideal location would be somewhere it will receive lots of natural light but not in direct sun.

Fertilize:  You can feed it during Spring and Summer (every two to three months or so), but don’t fertilize during late Fall and Winter when it is typically dormant.

Outdoors:  Can be grown in a hanging basket or in flower beds for edging and ground cover. They can spread up to 3 feet so make sure you choose a spot that will accommodate their growth. If you’re moving it outdoors for the summer, first acclimate it by starting it in a shady spot then slowly moving to a sunny location.

Plantlets Tips:  The plant will develop long stolons that will grow flowers and then plantlets (offsets) or even seeds if pollinated and keep producing them until they trail several feet (stolon–>plantlet–>stolon–>plantlet–>and on and on for up to six feet). These look like “baby spiders”. The plantlets are what you want to snip to propagate and multiply. Young plants won’t produce plantlets. If it’s not growing “babies”, it could be because it isn’t mature enough (around two years old), it’s growing in too small a pot or overcrowded, receives too little sun or too much sun.

How To Propagate:  Snip off the little plantlets to root in compost or rooting medium, or you can divide the whole plant. Tip: you can propagate while the plantlet is still growing on the “mother” plant–just press the “baby” plantlet into rich potting soil that’s kept moist–it will root and then you can snip it off the mother. You can also root plantlets in a cup of water then transfer to soil once roots develop. As you can see, they are so easy to propagate!

Troubleshooting Brown Leaf Tips:  A common problem with spider plants is that they can develop brown leaf tips. There are a few reasons why this happens: Either it’s not getting enough water or it’s receiving too much water. The browning could also be caused by too much salt in the soil (from fertilizers, etc.). To avoid this occasionally flush the soil with lots of distilled water (until it runs out the bottom of the pot). You might also want to use distilled water only to water since tap water usually contains fluoride levels that it doesn’t like. You can remove the brown ends by snipping them off with sharp scissors (Tip: Cut the ends in points so the leaves look more natural).

Did You Know:

• Spider plants are believed to improve indoor air quality.
• It’s also known as “Ribbon Plant” or “Airplane Plant” (because the little plantlets look like airplane propellers) and is part of the lily family.
• They originate from South Africa.

"Abilolado Ufólogo"

more photos and article here

Feel Beautiful This Summer

read full article here ☞ Free People Blog

~ Decorating With Plants ~

book by Terence Conran

 photos via Moon to Moon