Posted on 12/23/2010 by alli woods frederick

I am at work right now, counting down the hours until my winter vacation begins. To say I am excited is an understatement. There are big changes headed my way this coming year (fingers x’ed!) and I couldn’t be more excited. I still have a couple of holiday errands to run (the wrapping paper I bought is complete garbage…horrendous quality so I have to pick up more paper.) and a sick-but-getting-better kitty to take care of, so with all the rush and hubbub that is today in mind I bring you:

Things I Love Thursday:

the abbreviated edition

heart by seyyed mostafa zamani

Spending the holidays with my lovely new husband and my family * buying presents! I love it and, if I do say so myself, I absolutely ROCK gift giving. * Egg nog and pie. Be it apple, pumpkin, cherry or rhubarb, nothing beats a delicious slice of homemade pie. * Finally deciding to get a new phone. Now if I can just decide which one I want to go with. I’m on AT&T and have been looking at the HTC Surround as well as the Iphone. The HTC seems so streamlined compared to the Iphone AND they’re running a BOGO sale on them right now, which is VERY appealing…BUT Iphone has all the apps that I use and I am already familiar with them because I have an ipod touch. Any input, advice or reviews anyone has to offer would be GREATLY appreciated. I’m going bonkers trying to make up my mind. I can use all the help I can get. * Beach House’s “10 Mile Stereo.” I am obsessed with it. The second my eyes pop open in the morning it starts running through my head. It makes my creativity soar like its melody. I see the loveliest images in my mind’s eye. * My copy of Tim Ferris’ new book “The 4 Hour Body” arrived on my doorstep a few days ago. I’ve started reading it and I’m curious to try it, but am, admittedly, a bit skeptical. The proof will be in the pudding. Don’t let me down, Tim! * Actually having time to read all the books I’ve been neglecting during my vacation. Woohoo! * The Vicar of Dibley Christmas specials. I LOVE that show. “No, no, n-no, n-no, no,n-no, yes.” * Christmas crackers. I hope I get a good joke this year. * Spending extra snuggle time with the kitty while he gets better. Bless his furry little heart. * All of you!

Feel free to share your love and gratitude for all things yummy and lovely in the comments section.

Merry Christmas, my dears!

Kisses & Chaos,

Alli Woods Frederick

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Posted on 12/22/2010 by alli woods frederick

I Have A Confession To Make:

"TTV photograph of a frownie face drawn with marker on paper"

Bad Day by Alli Woods Frederick all rights reserved

I am a pessimist by nature.  I admit it.  I am not a bubbly, bouncing, enthusiastic person 24-7.  My natural tendency is to expect the worst and hope for the best.  I am prone to bouts of moodiness and sarcasm and my words can be cutting when I’ve been scorned.  Does this seem contrary to what I write about and focus on here?

I talk a lot about being and focusing on positivity but that isn’t me just spouting  garbage.  I’m not a hypocrite.  I work hard every day to be a more positive person.  Some days it’s easy.  Some days it’s hard.  Just like everyone else on the planet, I do the best I can every day.  Some days I am in a crabby mood.  I might wake up late, misplace my car keys, stub my toe while I’m rushing out the door for work, and hit every single red light along the way.  Other days things flow; everything comes easily, including the smiles.

Why Am I Telling You This?

I’ve noticed there a lot of people that write and talk about PMA (positive mental attitude) and make it sound easy, like some magical cake walk where all you do is “be positive” and *poof* you magically transform into a positive person.  I feel presenting positivity in this fashion is doing a bit of a disservice to those of us that find maintaining PMA difficult.  For some people (the affirmatively gifted, shall we say?) it is that simple.  For some of us, it is not, and when you’re being told “It’s so easy!” while you struggle…well…it makes you feel slightly less than.  It makes you feel broken and wondering “What’s wrong with me?  Why is this so hard when it seems so easy for everyone else?”

I am constantly working on my positivity; trying to control my thoughts and skew them towards the positive with ever greater ease.  It is challenging work for me.  It is hard to break those bad thought habits and quiet that nasty little chattering voice that constantly tries to undermine me and find, if not the worst, then at least the “not best” in a situation.

If It’s So Hard Then Why Bother?

I bother because, on the days when I successfully coral my stray thoughts and feelings and spend more time being truly present and self aware, I am happier.  I am the Uber-Alli: doer of good deeds, sharer of laughter, light and joy; a creative and clever powerhouse that is fun to be around; I am supportive and understanding…and when you spread that positivity around it is usually reflected back, making it a little easier to keep the positive momentum going, like a joy filled mobius strip.

So, if you aren’t one of the aforementioned affirmatively gifted and are,  like me, positivity challenged, it’s OK.  It’s OK to have a bad day…we all do.  It’s OK to struggle with those persistent, nagging negative voices you’ve been hearing most of your life.  It gets a little easier every day.  Just don’t give up.  You are the master of your thoughts and feelings.   You call the shots.  How you think and feel is entirely up to you.  You are in control…and you can do it.  Don’t be dismayed by crap-tacular days.  They aren’t the end of the world.  Besides, you have another opportunity to start fresh and try again tomorrow.

Kisses & Chaos,
Alli Woods Frederick

PS-If you are new to the power of positive thinking check out Louis L Hay’s  “You Can Heal Your Life.”   It will get you started on the right track.  Is the concept of PMA old hat for you but you find yourself struggling?  Pick up a set of my Pocket Sized Positivity Cards to keep handy for days when you’re feeling less than stellar and need a positive thought (and lovely photography) to focus on.

"smilie face surrounded by frownie faces", photograph, positivity

Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life by John McGovern

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Posted on 12/19/2010 by alli woods frederick

"man walking in the snow", "man walking in the park", snow, park, photograph

Beating the Winter Blues

Winter: love it or hate it it’s here. So why not make the best of things? Not sure what to do with these cold, dark winter days? Well here are 50 ways to bring warmth and smiles to the dreariest of winter days (which, in case you wondering, I LOVE! Grey days? Bring ’em on!)

 
 
  1. Roast marshmallows. No fireplace? Use the oven! Are you a vegetarian? Don’t miss out on the fun! Check out these vegan marshmallows!
  2. Catch snowflakes on your tongue.

    "punk girl catching snowflakes" photograph "punk girl with pink hair"

    Zweiundreißig by Vanessa Yvonne

  3. Heat things up by watching the first 3 seasons of True Blood.
  4. Treat your skin and your psyche with a full body massage.
  5. Learn how to knit your own scarf. Or if you’re really adventurous (not to mention patient) knit your own sweater. Ravelry.com is an excellent knitting resource
  6. Wear mismatched socks simply because you can.
  7. Try a new lipgloss to keep your pucker picture perfect and soft. No one wants chapped lips when they’re standing under the mistletoe.
  8. Make haystacks…they are the easiest, most delicious and versatile no bake cookies EVER! (FYI – you can totally make these without the peanut butter and with any flavor chip you want…chocolate, white chocolate, butterscotch…)
  9. Want visions of sugarplums to dance in your head? Spray some of Bath & Body Works Sleep – Lavender Vanilla Pillow Mist on your pillow right before you hit the hay. Lavender helps you sleep and it smells absolutely divine.
  10. Read Phillip Pullman’s “His Dark Materials” trilogy (The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass). Don’t let the film version of The Golden Compass deter you. These books are outstanding and well worth the read.

    "alethiometer from the golden compass" ,"his dark materials", photograph

    Alethiometer by Krelic

  11. Have a Harry Potter film festival complete with Harry Potter themed snacks!
  12. Commit at least 5 random acts of kindness…and expect nothing in return.
  13. Tip your waiter/waitress 50%. It feels great and you know that it will make their day.
  14. Clean out your closet. Purging your life of things you don’t need feels wonderful.
  15. Donate GOOD sweaters and coats to a shelter or charity…and make sure they’re nice…no one wants your stained sweater that’s riddled with holes.
  16. Make gingerbread men…and then bite their heads off.
  17. Send a card to a complete stranger…just pick a name out of the phone book. Feeling extra generous? Put a gift card inside.
  18. Snuggle up with a stack of magazines. (My favorites are Juxtapoz, TAPS Paramagazine, Victoria, Nylon, Coilhouse and Artful Blogging)
  19. Browse Flickr’s Explore page.
  20. Donate your time to a cause like Big Brothers Big Sisters or…
  21. Donate your money to a charity like Stand Up To Cancer.
  22. Dance around like a fool.

    "girl in vintage dress spinning around", photograph

    Twirl by Hannah

  23. Sing your heart out.
  24. Go for a drive and look at Christmas lights…there are some, erm, interesting decorations out there…
  25. Make some vegetarian chili. It tastes better than you think. Honest.
  26. Expand your horizons without leaving your home…discover art! I’ve put a really interesting artist interview at the end of this post.
  27. Drink a cup of hot apple cider. Whether it’s spiked or not is entirely up to you.
  28. Appoint one day “Ugly Christmas Sweater Day” and rock the most hideous one you can find. There is an amazing selection at BuyUglySweaters.com.
  29. Check out Dr. Emoto’s images of water crystals. Is there any surprise that love water and hate water look so different? Check out the end of the post for an interesting video about Dr. Emoto’s work.
  30. Embrace your inner 11 year old and write a fan letter.
  31. Learn how to meditate.
  32. Can’t sit still long enough to meditate? Try yoga. It’s meditation in motion. It’s great for your health and your spirit.
  33. Draw a picture using one line and without lifting your pen. Yes it will look CRAZY but it’s fun! It also helps you let go of perfection.
  34. Give your dry hands some TLC. Give yourself an instant manicure. Just use a little Just A Minute 60 Second Manicure , rinse it off, slap on a coat of clear nail polish and slather your hands with lotion…Voila!
  35. Have a long talk with an old friend.
  36. Adopt a pet. There are thousands upon thousands of little furry fellas that need good homes and want nothing more than to love you. Adopting my Mischa was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The last 11 years with him have been an absolute joy and I look forward to 11 more.
  37. Write a gratitude list. It’s guaranteed to warm your heart.
  38. Try to watch as many Bruce Campbell shows & films as possible…in one sitting. He always makes me smile…but then again I’ve had a tremendous crush on him since I was 14 years old."Bruce Campbell as Ash in Evil Dead II: Dead By Dawn"
  39. Resolve to make resolutions that you WANT to do, not that you “SHOULD” do.
  40. Buy a bouquet of flowers.
  41. Have a themed tea party, complete with fancy dress.
  42. Organize your underwear drawer. We both know it needs it…and while you’re in there, throw away the knickers with the stretched out elastic.
  43. EGGNOG!!! Have a cup!
  44. Have breakfast in bed.
  45. Turn off the TV, the computer and put away that smart phone for a day. It feels wonderful to disconnect from the “hive” from time to time. After an hour you won’t even miss it.
  46. Try a new food. Variety is the spice of life, after all.
  47. Try acupuncture or reiki. You’ll feel lovely and balanced by the end of the session.
  48. Sleep in. This one is a HUGE challenge for me. If I’m not up and going at the crack of dawn I feel like I’ve wasted the day. But I am willing to give sleeping in the old college try. I’ll justifying it by reminding myself that sleep is good for me and, contrary to popular belief, you CAN catch up on lost sleep.

    "Apple tree bed by antila design" "white tree four poster bed" photograph

    Under The Apple Tree by attiladesign

  49. Have a dinner party. Are your cooking skills less than stellar? Is the thought of preparing food for a large group too overwhelming? Then whey not try a Chinese takeout potluck?
  50. This one needs no explanation: Snuggle!

Is there anything you would like to add to the list? How do you have fun when winter weather strikes?

Mistletoe Kisses & Wonderful Wintertime Chaos,

Alli Woods Frederick

Kinetic Art:

Dr. Emoto’s Research

Posted in LIFESTYLE, TIPS + TRICKS | Tagged , | 9 Comments

Posted on 12/18/2010 by alli woods frederick

The Christmas Spirit

Is this honestly what Christmas has become?  I was shocked and completely disgusted when I came across this ornament in Hobby Lobby the other week:

"the worst christmas ornament ever", sarcastic ornament

Am I the only one that finds this absolutely appalling?  Those of you that know me know that I love a good dose of sarcasm and humor as much as the next guy, but this?  This is just wrong in so many ways.  It’s just gross.  Funny that I can simultaneously be so liberal and so old fashioned…I’m just a walking contradiction, I suppose.  C’est la vie.  I think I need some eggnog ice cream to put myself back in the holiday spirit.  Eggnog ice cream and wrapping presents?  Yes please!

Kisses & Chaos,

Alli Woods Frederick

Posted in LAUGH, LIFESTYLE | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Posted on 12/16/2010 by alli woods frederick

"painting", portrait with spiders and feathers, flapper

The Girl Without A Name by Mia Araujo
*********

I should really buy stock in Kleenex with as much as I have been sick the past two years. I honestly think that ever since I moved here this state has been trying to kill me…but it shan’t succeed I tell you! So we returned from our trip south (which, hand to god, I will post photos of this weekend) and I promptly came down with a seriously butt-kicking cold. It’s still kicking my butt as a matter of fact. But as I am no longer contagious I decided to head back to work. Then my precious kitty (who is trying to climb in my lap as I type this) had an odd reaction to something or other which caused his face to swell up like a balloon (we suspect a spider bite) which in turn caused us to take him to the kitty ER where he was given shots…and then back to the vet yesterday morning for yet another round of shots. To say it has been a hectic week of healing is an understatement…66.66% of this family is currently feeling crumby, but the important thing is we’re on our way to recovering! Woohoo! And with recovery in mind I bring you this week’s:

Things I Love Thursday:

The Sniffles & Sneezes Edition

My husband forcing me to stay in bed to get better * Mischa, the best four legged furry nurse a gal could ask for * Snuggling with said nurse while we both get better * Celebrity Ghost Stories…some of their stories are fascinating! * Ordering Tim Ferris‘ new book “The 4 Hour Body” and getting a free digital copy of the book (Thank you!) I can’t wait to read it! * Fever dreams…aren’t they the wildest? They’re right up there with melatonin dreams. * Hedwig from Harry Potter * Sleep, sleep, sleep * The brilliance that is Conan * Aziz Ansari. Good God that man is FUNNY! * Kind Over Matter. This is, hands down, one of the most inspiring, uplifting and positive blogs out there. I highly recommend it. It’s chock full of yummy art and goodness! * Feathers…maybe that’s Hedwig’s influence… * Giving my kitty extra love so he gets better uber-fast * health…mine, my family’s and yours *

Until next time…

Kisses & Chaos, my dears,

AWF

"portrait with feathers", analogue photo, light leaks, feathers, photograph

warelephant by Ann Wayman
*********

"feather headdress", portrait, "nude portrait"

Untitled by Neil Krug
*********
"punk girl with fauxhawk", portrait, photographFree Children of the Revolution by Sharon Pruitt
*********

"portrait with feather headdress", portrait, feathers, headdressfeathers by Laura Gommans
*********

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