Fleeting worries melt into wonderous dreams. The world is fresh. A new dawn unfolds like crisp linens. Hope makes it home again.
Romance lives. Here in the work of photographer Christine Bauer, luminosity fills the void. Ahhh! Deep breath in. Cleansing.
Hope is alive, and It Is Worth It.
Thank you!
This week my hope has kind of waxed and waned. It's been a challenge to "hold on for one more day" (to borrow an expression from an old song). After a battle of the mind I came to the conclusion that I have to give myself another chance; a dose of grace. I'm fighting the voices of "Failure" pretty hard. Do you ever have those voices that sneak up on you when you least expect it? The year has barely just begun and I'm thinking of giving up already. What??!? Yeah. Crazy talk (inside my head). So I am here today with my frail heart to let you know that I am committing to the future. Looking toward New Horizons! Since I still have family here through the weekend I am giving myself til next week to put together a personal mission statement. And I tell you for accountability to hold myself to it in case the voices come back to taunt me. Here are some resources that I have been reading this week that have inspired courage to make my own:
and also I want to say Thank You to Claudia at (a place for Twiggs) who asked for my 2011 wishes and wrote a very sweet post with a few of my wishes (the beginnings of a true list / mission statement)
and Pugly Pixel for featuring some images of my home from Flickr.
images: heather s thompson for gathering spriggs and jesse gillespie for gathering spriggs
Friends, today I have a special treat for you from a good friend of mine: Brigitte of Covet Chicago who writes on living a creative, intentional life. She began a 6 week series last Fall called Warm Soft Money that is changing the way I think about money, budgeting and spending based on my core values. Brigitte offers up a "unique process for managing your personal finances that will help you save for your big goals and eliminate guilt in spending."
Here are some questions I asked Brigitte to find out how she personally felt about this captivating series:
1. As a writer and blogger on intentional living what ignited the initial idea for starting such a series?
The idea for Warm Soft Money rattled about my brain for nearly a year before I settled on the format for the series. My husband and I typically undertake the process in February, which is when he finds out if he’ll receive a raise for the year. Last February, I was still focused on interior design, so I wasn’t sure how to make the topic fit. When I re-imagined the blog this Fall, I spent a lot of time examining my life and what experiences have shaped my transformation from pessimist to optimist. Values-based budgeting was one of those things.
After a few false starts, I sat down and outlined the steps to the process. I’ve read a few personal finance blogs, so I knew it was unique. And I stand behind the central concept – a values-based approach to budgeting creates balance in your life.
2. You began the Warm Soft Money series by talking about values and assigning amounts to these core values/goals. How has this method proved affective in your own life?
I try to keep my core values central in everything I do. If you tease them out until you get at the very foundation of what you live for, it brings incredible clarity and comfort…a touchpoint if you will.
When our actions contradict our values, we create friction. And, especially in the U.S., nothing reflects what we value more than how we spend our most limited resources: our money and our time. Most values-based models focus exclusively on time, which, frankly, is a cop-out.
Ok, end rant! Warm Soft Money has helped me remove gushing cuts in my budget, places where I was spending money that didn’t bring any return of joy, and re-allocate my cash to support my priorities.
3. With a New Year upon us and many of us stirring with creative energy, how would you say Warm Soft Money works differently for creative (artistic right-brained) types than other budgeting strategies? What would you say are the advantages of a Warm Soft approach?
Gosh, what a question! Artists and creative types tend to have a very complicated relationship with money. But cash isn’t the enemy – mindless consumption is.
The Warm Soft Money approach to budgeting is different than your average bear, because it’s all about nourishment. I call shenanigans on the notion that “money can’t buy happiness.” Sure, money on its own, piling up in your bank account or in a tin can will never bring you joy. But, it’s a resource. One you can use mindfully to support your goals.
4. What was your favorite part of the series as a whole? What did you learn from presenting it in this way on your blog?
The reader participation, absolutely. When people started sharing their personal mission statements, I was totally blown away. I ended up writing additional posts to highlight readers…what they learned, their fears, their values. Reading through it again now gives me the warm fuzzies.
But, I also learned from the feedback that came in. To me, the initial portion of the process is the most difficult – sussing out your values. But I found that readers responded to that part more enthusiastically and shied away once we started talking numbers. I’m currently looking at the last two steps to see how I might enhance them in some way to ease that tension, which I’ll offer in a free PDF.
5. After a well planned and carefully orchestrated 6 week series, where do you find yourself now with Warm Soft Money?
Aww…thank you! I’m stepping back from it, so that I can look at it with fresh eyes and see how I can make the final PDF even better.
6. Can we expect any more from you on this subject?
Absolutely! I have a list of related topics that didn’t quite fit, so I’d love to continue writing about using your cash to nourish your values. I think it’s an important message, especially here in the U.S., where we’re constantly bombarded with messages that tell us to consume, consume, consume. Sure, buy away…but there’s power in aligning your budget with your core values.
(For more insight you can read this article Brigitte wrote this week for When I Grow Up Coach)
image: via sfgirlbybay
Do you have favorite books lining your shelves that you enjoy keeping around for good company? Curling up in a chair with one of these dear friends is a perfect way to spend the afternoon in winter. Over the weekend I perused the shelves of a local used bookstore and found these two treasures (for less than $2). Flipping through their fragrant pages, I stopped at the copyright page with astonishment to find these books were published ten years ago! Fascinated by this strange attraction (I rarely can stand to look at decorating books more than 2 old), I began musing over what makes a good design book have staying power through trends and fads. Well, for me, in this case,its Atlanta Bartlett one of my current design icons, and Ryland Peters & Small the publisher of both these books: The Comforts of Home and Floral House.
Its compelling that each book is filled with light, pastel hues, white washed flooring which seem to put these ahead of their time. Or maybe its my fascination with simple, modern romance and touches of feminine florals that feeds my attraction for these timeless treasures.
What is your take? Can you read past issues of magazines or design books past their prime? What is your attraction to good reads that never fade?
images: heather spriggs thompson for gathering spriggs
You know one thing I love doing more than most anything else? I love helping people. You need something? I'm on it. I'll sacrifice myself any day for you. So let me help you! Do you have a small business that needs a boost? I would love to write up a post to highlight your products. For just $20 a month Gathering Spriggs will promote your shop with a 145X100 ad. Or you can step it up a notch or two with skyscraper ads at only $30, $40,and $50 per month!
I would love to have you or your friends. Be sure and let them know how to get some loving exposure!
______________________________________________________________
SkyScraper Ad: These are the top ad spots on the blog, considered premium placement as they're always seen "above the fold" – which means they are viewable without scrolling down.
145x300: $50/month
REGULAR SPOTS: These rotate randomly below the top spot.
145x100: $20/month
145x150: $30/month
145x200: $40/month
or book quarterly and save!
145x100: $55/3 months
145x150: $80/3 months
145x200: $110/3 months
Banner info: Ad banners can be gifs, jpgs. All ads must be under 65k.
All ad rates payable via Paypal.
email me at gatheringspriggs@yahoo.com to get signed up for the new year!
Friends... do you ever hear the whisper in the wind? or a song in your heart that keeps the music alive?
On New Years Eve my younger sister and I watched the newest movie in the series -The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader based on the book series by C.S. Lewis. There is something in these movies that stir a sense of adventure and mystery in my soul. Of course it is visually stunning and fortunately amplifies my own imagination after reading the series. There were moments in the film where I wanted to take off my 3D glasses and write furiously notes in my journal. For fear of embarrassing my 16 year old sister with my nerdy habits I just let the themes soak in. And walked away with a hopeful resounding "Yes" crying from within.
Yes. We are living in a magical adventure. Yes. There will be danger and resistance along the way. Yes. We have comrades alongside us to encourage and support us. Yes. There is a Great Story at play. We are not alone.
What a wonderfully poignant way to start a new year... with a spirit of hope, forging into an unknown land ready for what lies ahead!
What adventures are you seeking or looking forward to in your own life this coming year??
images: madame cupcake, i. anton, scout and catalogue
Happy 2011!! We made it friends! Here we are together starting anew. Fresh. Hopefully refreshed with great expectations for tomorrow.
There is a tea party (of the traditional brewed type not the political variety) happening here at Gathering Spriggs and you have been invited. I've laid out my finest linens, polished the silver, baked an array of deliciously fragrant treats, plucked fresh roses for the table, brewed my finest blends and found a beautiful gilt trimmed vintage teacup... just for you. You are the guest of honor this year at my table. Won't you take a seat ?
What's on the menu, you ask? Oh, Im blushing. I thought you'd never...
- creative connections
- crafty projects
- colorful quests
- candid dialogue
- commitment to pursuing purpose
- copious images of modern romance
Although you may see some visual changes and a new web address soon, I am committed to maintaing my relationship with you. And look forward to a year of creative, engaging dialogue around this table. Thank you for being my guest this year. Your presence is my greatest present.
Cheers!
image: sarahs party perfect
Thank you friends for your kind words, your continued support and for just taking time to hang with me here. This week feels like a dream, a walk in slow motion, adjusting the eyes. (not to mention the sketchy internet connection). My sister came back with me from Texas to stay for a couple of weeks. I'm hovering in a crossroads of desire to make this a fun trip for her and work on my own future plans....but I am not fully recovered from our whirlwind trip.
My brain has been a bit dried up like a raisin and inspiration drained.( not to mention the fact that I am trying a new diet for health purposes that excludes caffeine, sugar, dairy and gluten. OMG! Its hard. I miss my morning black tea!
So... blah, blah,blah. Here is my tribute post to my favorite color this year. A color of controversy and situated between desire and fear. We don't want to resurrect our mother's decorating mistakes of the 80's but long for a world of soft, dreamy sun-kissed pleasure. You may remember my original peach post. I think we have come a long way this year to embracing this pretty pastel with new arms in design, art, decor, fashion, etc.. Have you been aware of the power of peach this year? What is your gut reaction? Love or Loathe?
I have always loved peach, since 5th grade! You can see how I have used it as my theme color in my home and work this year.
Thank you Peach for inspiring me in 2010! What has been your color muse this year???
images: cream colored ponies, creamy life padgett hoke, img. ffffound, raliegh vintage 1. bp. blogspot, remodelista , audrey hepburn complex
Have to say I am still recovering a bit from our travels and busy holiday with the family. Here are some pretties I pulled together last week that are calling to me to tack up on my inspiration board for next years' style files. A little exotic, a little rough hewn vintage and a little modern all at once.
How about you? Are you still chillin' in holiday mode or ready to look forward to a New Year? I think I'm a little of both this week.
images: elizabeth demos, a life's design , lisa warninger , beautiful paper design box
Greetings dear friends! How was your weekend of festivities? Back to work already or still recovering? I am still traveling today on a whirlwind trip. And there is much to share with you this week but for now I wanted to create a conversation with some thoughts I've had on these long stretches of open Texas highway.
After a road trip inspired conversation I began thinking about what I've been holding onto that has been holding me back this year. You know, those little things that seem to go unnoticed in the daily bustle of busyness? For example, I think I tend to hold onto the small lies that sneak in and tell me that I am unworthy or unacceptable. Without realizing it I am subtly buying into them and thinking that I don't have what it takes or that I am not enough for the people in my life.
So realization is the first step to recovery right? So I am acknowledging here in front of you and making a pact to be alert in 2011 and watch for the little things that I hold onto that can hold me back.
How about you? Do you struggle with this ? Are you holding onto things in your life that might hold you back in the coming year?
image: holli
Artist/Designer,Vintage Housewares Shop Keeper
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