Go Finding

My mind was paralyzed from emails, calls and commitments. It was one of those days when I felt consumed by my own thoughts. Change of mind I thought. Things just seem to fall into place after that.

I had been looking for some bolster pillows. So walked over to Home Goods. No better place to look

If I can’t find the right pillows I am sure I’ll find a pretty something to cheer me up

It’s an ‘And just like that…’ place as Carrie Bradshaw often said in Sex and The City. And it is.. just like that you are transfixed pretty much as soon as you walk in. Before you know it you’re decorating a room that needs nothing new or a home you don’t really have. You’re suddenly living your future self seeing pretty things all around daydreaming the perfect kitchen while looking at amazing gadgets and brightly colored bakeware ‘I thought I was a neutral colors person’ I say to myself. ‘But these colors are so nice’ I answer

I walk by a set of Dresden blue dishes. So romantic. ‘Miss minimalist’ I hear myself saying. ‘When did you get all maximalist. Colors. Prints Who are you?’

Well I wasn’t the person who walked in all worry and stress. Retail therapy. Works wonders

Home Goods recent commercial calls it ‘Go Finding’ I call it ‘Go Forgetting’

Gone are the challenges of life you walked in with. Of course they aren’t but they have lost their edge. Instead of that email you should get to you now have been inspired by new bath items which may have you pretty up yours a bit or inspire you to try a recipe for dinner from the many you have filed away - maybe even put out the nicer place settings you’ve been saving that special occasion.

As I walk around I see lots of shoppers wrapped in their daydreams . The commercials are very busy- actors dancing their way grabbing the perfect find. I think of it as being more contemplative- everyone in their own head moving through aisles eyeing this or taking a closer look at an item that caught their attention.

What we are really doing is connecting ourselves, each in our own way, to our need for everyday beauty the simple stuff dreams are made of.

Whether it’s something we need or just discovered we would like to have we’re just suspending time -a momentary change of pace.

Next time you need a quick break from your world - Go Finding. You may or may not find that perfect thing But most likely you’ll find yourself forgetting, refreshed and inspired.

A treasure drove awaits. Happy hunting

Bag Love

No. Not another bag.

Why me?

Why did I have to walk into that store? See that bag.

As Bogart says in Casablanca ‘Of all the bars in all the world…’ I say about bags. Of all the stores in all the world….

But honestly if t wasn’t this store it would ne another. Bag obsession most would say. Bag love I say

Most people fill their ‘carts’ while online shopping..and every time they log on it’s like Christmas all over again.

Mine is a more visceral interaction. I see it physically in front of me. It’s a heartfelt moment. And in a swipe at the register it’s mine. Love and immediate gratification. My heart swoons.

Of course the real me ask is this something I need? ‘No.’ I say

My parallel self, who is always eyeing what I want but don’t need, says ‘Yes’ ‘Yes, of course, for that meeting you will be going to’ she says. ‘Or that outfit you had in mind’ ‘Or that seminar where everyone always looks great and amzing’ ‘I am cleaning out’ I answer. ‘I want to minimize not maximize. Plus it’s a bucket style bag. Meaning everything goes in and gathers at the bottom. No pouches or pockets too help organize the maelstrom a bag holds. It’s all in and best of luck digging it out. And you’ll agree with me it’s always a limited love affair. It’s love and devotion until the next one comes alone after which it will live in the back of the closet. No problem with that if I had a walk in closet’

‘Well, she answers, you know how I feel about it. Gorgeous. Need I say more’

I secretly nod in agreement. In the war between the rational and irrational self she always wins.

There are many problems in our world more sierras that this.

But I write about our everyday -itsy bitsy in and outs.

We tend to dwell on all the panic and negativity we see. We often find ourselves wrapped up in saving the world one news report at a time.

Maybe suddenly finding this bag or those shoes is really a lifeline. An escape to everyday happiness. A way to remind or acknowledge, as fragile as it seems’ it’s still an adventure being here- alive and spreading beauty one devastatingly pretty handbag at a time

Happiness

When I spotted this coat-that was wasn’t even looking for- I knew my happiness was wrapped up in it.

Did you ever feel like that?

Of course it isn’t

Happens often. Especially with fashion and shopping. And often with nature - the balance makes me feel less guilty

Happiness isn’t an outside job as they say

So i’ve dubbed it Moments of Joy.

Finding these in everyday pleasures

I’m so happy someone designed a coast I love. Its warm. Its cozy.

Recognizing happiness is the inside job we do

Wearing happiness is its manisfestation

Gone In Sixty Seconds

Gone already.One by one the New Years Resoultions become victims of real life. Like comfy slippers or an old sweater they're tossed aside. One minute they are there steadfast.  Next gone. 

I walk into Macy's. See a cute bag. I mean really cute. It's cute and adorable and everything I ever wanted.Don't bother to ask how I got to bag department considering  my resolution -no buying of bags. not even super cute ones-. Next thing I know it's mine.  Resolution gone. It was on sale I think. Resolution gone. Whatever the excuse. Score 1 for the 'other side' I dont't care what you say. I love my bag. And the world loves my shrinking wallet.I know.

Not too long after I wore my very cute bag to dinner with friends. Happy as happy could be I was. So much so ,excuses I'm sure, I break another cardinal resolution. The no eating from the bread basket even at great restaurants where the bread is delicious. I did argue that one when I wrote it. I mean really? as I said than and still think now. That is crazy. I'm not even a bread eater.  But good bread has to be eaten. Right?  And I was even drinking the wine as a distraction. And conversing. And it was all going really well. But like a thief in the night the my hand went to the bread and the bread was eaten. Resolution gone. I'll double up on my exercise I think. Likely story I say. But the story stays the same.Dinner with friends is fun. Bread basket included. And Henry's End in Brooklyn has amazing bread and great food.  Another resolution gone.

Since than ,which is not really so long ago, countless resoluions have been broken. I've brought earrings that I  swore would be the answer to everything and would bring me eternal happiness.  At Sephora I couldn't decide between  Clinique's Matte Crimson lipstick and Nars' Red Square and got both. I spent a few more cold Feburary nights  then I would like to admit watching mararthons of missed shows rather than go to the gym  only to turn around the very next day  window shopping  at Zara's hoping my couch potato past would stay there  in the past and  not annouce itself in my dress size.

  Anyway even in breaking resolutions I still believe in making them. What they really do is give you pause. Standing still for a few minutes they let you tune in to see that maybe what you're needing to do is take stock. A year is a good gauge for accomplishments. Resolutions are written testimony of that. They help remind you that you have plans.  You may not complete all of them. But you can always revisit and start again. And when all else fails there is  always shopping. 

AND HERE WE ARE....SAME AS IT EVER WAS

Dinner with friends. Packed restaurant. Great atmosphere. If you closed your eyes you could easily have been in a movie about friends at a festive dinner … in a cool city restaurant. But more than that, for a second, images came rushing at me. Pictures I have seen or I might even have of my parents with friends celebrating at a crowded table all grouped together smiling. Small square snapshots white bordered testament to a time both lived and now passed.

There has always been something fascinating about the photos. Everyone was there. Present and in the moment. No idea most likely that it would be one of many going quickly to reveal another and on and on. Pictures and memories as proof of time passing

And so it was here. One of many memories of times with friends. Here. Going. Gone. Vanished. Fragments woven together. What we call a life. Memories already lived. How many more to come? Not much thought given to that.. Its all part of what is. And we enjoy. Take pictures everyone smiling. Happy.. Commenting on time and place. Circling the moment. The Now. Fleeting. Steady. Running ahead of us. And so here we are…. same as it ever was.