Stressed Out Much?

When I saw this video, I could totally relate to The Grinch - not because of Christmas; but because of life. This is how I feel sometimes after a hard day, and I pretty much do the same thing...only in my car. I pay too much for yoga classes to get kicked out.
Namaste!

Read More

Happy Friday

"Sweet Toffee" by Moodorama

This is a great morning song, especially Friday morning! Sadly, I'm unable to find the mp3 download anywhere.

Read More

Pardon Our Dust

Please forgive me for the lack of posts the past two weeks. I'm working on a new and improved M&C (consolidating with another blog and a new look to come!). 

Look for new posts shortly.

Read More

Motivational Monday: Start Somewhere

Read More

Recently Discovered: Local Quarterly

Title:   Local

Genre:  Human Interest
Profiles of small town, USA (or unknown town USA)

Frequency: Quarterly

Read up on:
Local legends, oddities, traditions, hangout spots, and scandals

Submission Ideas:
Send them here

Found:  Atomic Books (Baltimore, MD)

Read More

Motivational Monday: The Creative Life

My goal with Motivational Monday posts is to encourage myself as much as others, especially since I thought it might be helpful to start a long work week with what little bit of enthusiasm we can muster to keep us going.

Today's little piece of inspiration spoke to me because I have creative goals and aspirations in my life - namely creative writing and collage art (and I hope to try my hand at book binding soon). I've found that when I set out to complete a project, I have a specific stumbling block, and I often wonder if anyone else has the same problem - analysis paralysis. Like most women (so research says), I am an overthinker. 

"...Overthinking has actually been shown to impair problem solving and rational thought, and interfere with initiative and motivation." (via Refocuser.com)

However, I only overthink certain things. Oddly, in some areas of my life, I am very spur of the moment, but when it comes to creative pursuits, analysis paralysis somehow takes over. And, as we know, overthinking is rooted in fear - fear of making the wrong decision. Compounding this fear is the bad habit of comparison.

Read More

Motivational Monday: Deferred Dreams

What happens to a dream deferred?

(Langston Hughes)

Does it dry up 

like a raisin in the sun? 

Or fester like a sore-- 

And then run? 

Does it stink like rotten meat? 

Or crust and sugar over-- 

like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags 

like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

Over time, I've noticed that there is considerable societal and personal pressure to accomplish goals by a certain age - and that age limit becomes younger over time. I became aware of the pressure to succeed at a particularly young age as my father was the youngest school principal in the city at that time. Lists like "The Most Influential ____ under 35/40" and "CEOs under 30/40" are further proof of this unrelenting pressure to "succeed" (whatever that means). And those are just the professional pressures. On top of that, there are the expectations surrounding when one should marry, when to have children, etc. It can all make one feel old before their time. And when we feel "too old" to do something, the negative self-talk begins, with self-fulfilling prophecies not too far behind.

I'm too old to do that now

Maybe I sh/could have in my twenties

"Youth is wasted on the young."

And then there are the negative comments from others.

You're not getting any younger

You are too old to {fill in the blank}

These are all comments I've heard from people under 40 (myself included)! There are far too many people feeling like failures who may very well have 40+ years of life ahead of them to accomplish their personal goals, and I find that mentality depressing. So, what do you do when you haven't accomplished that goal you wanted to reach by the age of 30?

Read More

Easter Outfit

This is the outfit I wore for Easter. I didn't really do it up this year because I'm on a budget. As I looked through pretty new dresses at the mall, I asked myself, "Tbyrd, is this a want or a need?" and that settled it. 

So I just threw together something weather appropriate (it was too chilly for me) that I already had in my closet. Anyway, a fashion debate arose when I added the pink belt. To clarify, I didn't wear the belt to church, but had I known of its existence, I would have (it's my mom's)! Instead, I wore it around the house for the rest of the day vowing to wear the ensemble one day (with high heels like these), despite the objections of 3 family members who felt it clashed (one family member disagreed with them). I think it makes the outfit pop. What do you think?

Read More

Weekend Music

Sometimes, my musical tastes are all over the place. There's the music that inspires me to write. Then there is the cathartic stuff. And then there's the party music. Here's what my playlist looks like tonight.  Next Friday's playlist might be more...sane. lol

Running Away - Roy Ayers

Locked in a Cage - Brick + Mortar

Make Me Say It Again Girl - Isley Brothers

Out of My League - Fitz and the Tantrums

Read More

Out and About: Food Truck Festival

This past weekend was chock full of activities. In addition to horseback riding, brunch in Georgetown, and an impromptu makeover (more on that in another post), we kicked off the weekend with Truckeroo Friday night. For those who don't know, Truckeroo is a monthly food truck festival held in D.C. April thru October. For me, it was the first chance I've had to partake in the food truck craze owing to the fact that I no longer work in the city. As a foodie, that is one thing I miss most now that I work in the 'burbs - the plethora of dining options. The beauty of Truckeroo is that it provides the opportunity to try a variety of cuisines in one place, once a month, until the Fall.

That being said, I was excited to finally chow down on some tasty street food. Our strategy was to eat a little from several trucks so that we could try different options without filling up too fast. To make a long story short, that plan was an epic fail.

Read More

Motivational Mondays

Read More

When a Dog is Fed Up

I fully planned on posting a cute pet photo today, or even a favorite music video - you know, to get the weekend off to a good start - and then I saw this. This dog made my entire week. Or as the kids say, this gave me life! I could see my dog pulling this stunt. Enjoy the antics (and turn down your sound).

more info

Sidebar: I'm a pet owner who loves animals, so I would never laugh if I thought this dog were in danger. Sometimes we do have to leave our furry friends in the car for a short period of time. Provided that it is neither hot nor freezing and they have proper ventilation, it is safe. Also take note, if it were hot, he would be panting.

Read More

Red Cabbage Recipe

So this deliciousness happened last night - sautéed red cabbage with balsamic vinaigrette. I made it for my family, but I could have devoured the entire pan myself. I enjoy a colorful plate, and what could be more colorful than red cabbage? First it's red, then purple, then blue! Not to mention, it is full of nutrients.

I borrowed this recipe from Epicurious and doctored it up a bit (my changes in orange). I can't speak for the original recipe, but we really enjoyed my version. You be the judge.

Wilted Red Cabbage with Balsamic Vinegar

Ingredients

10 red cabbage leaves (I did not count leaves)
1 small onion
2 tablespoons water
4 1/2 teaspoons balsamic vinaigrette
1/2 teaspoon sugar
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 tablespoon butter
freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
a skosh of chicken stock
lemon juice (fresh, if possible)
sausage (optional)*

Directions 

Read More

Tax Season is Upon Us

W2s,1099s, interest earned, income earned
blah blah blah
Yes folks, it's that time of year again - time to file your taxes! *dun dun dunnnnn*

Every year I vow to file my taxes early the next time around so that I will have a little extra money to spend (or at least know whether or not I will have extra money to spend - preferably in enough time to plan a decent vacation), but every single time, I wait until the last minute. Every. single. time.

Actually this year, it wasn't so much that I waited as much as I could not find form 1099g to save my life. W2 - check!  Last year's filing - check!  Mortgage interest info - check! But I searched high and low and the 1099 was nowhere to be found.

Read More

Work in Progress

Read More

An Envelope a Day Series 15

"I love eeeeggs from my head down to my leeeegs." Anyone else remember that jingle?

Read More

An Envelope a Day Series 14

Fresh from the Market

Read More

An Envelope a Day Series 13

Cake Cake Cake Cake...

Read More

An Envelope a Day Series 12

Read More

An Envelope a Day Series 11

Read More