Inspiration at Sunset

The sunset is by far my favorite time of the day. I'm starting think this could be mainly because I have a hatred for the slows of late afternoon, and the sunset seems mark the transition into evening ("hallelujah",is what I say to that). But aside from an introduction to a starry night, the colors in a sunset never cease to amaze me.  Inspired by the vibrance of the late-day sunshine, I mustered together some items I think  the bold sunset would approve of. Ha, what a personality that sun has. Happy Earth Day, everyone.
Love,
Jordan Leigh

      ___________________________________________

Neon pink tank (Forever 21), Flowy wide legged Patterned Pants, Detailed Roped Belt (Anthropologie),  Mexican Jute Backpack ( Picked this little baby up in San Diego from a mexican vendor in Old Town.I didn't have to pay nearly as much for it as I think I should have.Not only are these people incredibly talented and not payed nearly enough,but the bag has a million dollar value in my heart. Just saying.)
__________________________________________

Love Grows Here.

Love Autopsy: The Way I See It

This week I found some extra time to create a couple of new playlists for my car. On one playlist in particular, I compiled a bunch of songs from various movie soundtracks. Yesterday as I was driving to class I previewed my new tunes. The first song that played was an 80's inspired pop song from the movie, "Music and Lyrics". As Hugh Grant's singing voice blared through my speakers, he redundantly sang the lyric "figuring out... you and me... is like doing... a love autopsy".

  In my reflective mood, the cheesy song inspired me with thoughts about relationships. Sometimes we have confident reasoning to "end it, take a bow, exit the stage, and draw the curtain". But other times, we will remember a shared moment and wonder why things had to go wrong. A "love autopsy" would be handy in times like these. If all humans inevitably behave unfavorable at times, than flawed behavior can't possibly be the main "cause of death" for relationships. We "toe-tag" our past relationships and label them with a flaw to justify the "death". "But, what if flaws aren't the problem?" I wonder. I think it's possible that fate is our "silent killer".

Fate is like a cancer. It is almost impossible to avoid and very difficult to fight. It is the idea that everything that's meant to be will be. There is a Chinese proverb that claims there is an invisible red thread that connects you to everyone you are destined to meet. If this is true, than every personal encounter we have with another individual was a preordained experience. I love this. As I look back on my "first conversations" with different people, it's amazing to think that it was the result of life course (the red thread's direction) and mathematical probability. I can almost imagine God looking down and saying, "Yes! Finally! I've been waiting for this part!"



If fate is responsible for the result of our relationships, than maybe we are too quick to become bitter. Its okay to mourn a "death", but we must also celebrate the encounter. Our relationships form because our "life-threads" cross inevitably with another's. Almost always, it's only for a sweet moment and than our threads change course. But maybe once you meet your soul mate, your "life-threads" will continue to cross. It may take a lifetime to find that person. But, no matter how long the time gaps are between encounters or the barriers standing in the way,you run into each other. This phenomenon is called, serendipity.

Since "love autopsies" aren't real, we may never know the actual "cause of death" for certain relationships. But, maybe we can rest assured in the fact that fate is on our side and will allow us to "live" one day.

So,go with the flow......and run for your life!

All Things Red.

         For  as long as I can remember, I have always been attracted to the color red. As a kid I would always choose the red lunch boxes, the red playing-piece in Monopoly, and would steal my mom's red heels and attempt to clomp around the house without breaking a leg. The color red has been psychologically proven to stimulate energy and give one a sense of enthusiasm. This makes complete sense when you think of all the great red foods and objects that are in this world. With all things red in mind, I managed to get reacquainted with my 1st grade mindset and round up some of my personal favorite red things. Consider this my red-inspired show and tell!
                                      _________________________________________

  Red Vintage Polka-dot top from a vintage thrift store, Large Red leather tote bag, Red Geneva watch ,and a Red lip.

_____________________________________________

__________________     

Who doesn't love candy? Especially suckers from

Mrs. See's Candy?! The new red cinnamon sucker by See's is a make-you-weak-at-the-knees edition to her addicting line of flavors. 

___________________

                

               _______________________

Red Nails by Essie. Always a good shade of red for any season. Red fingernails always makes me feel empowered, like I am Carmen Sandiego or something.

________________________

_____

Strawberry lemonade.

Looks fancy with a strawberry on the glass rim, but really you are just a crystal light package away from creating this red beverage.

__________

                                                                            

A Sunny Disposition--My Happiness Tutorial

   This month I finished reading a book about one man's travel around the world to uncover the secret to happiness. He seeks a range of insight on the topic from Dutch drunkards in the pubs of Amsterdam,wise Gurus in the Ashrams of India,and local commoners. He wanted to face the demon of his unhappiness and discover his hidden joy."What exactly is it that allows certain people to obtain an effortless element of bliss?"I asked myself. Intrigued, I was led to swipe a paperback copy of Gretchen Rubin's "The Happiness Project". Rubin compiles a list of things that she believes will help her become more at peace with her life. This idea "stokked" a fire of thought about my own life. I know our journey is complicated,but it is also incredibly short. Why not strive to be happy ? I mean, sincerely happy. Perhaps we are afraid of the risks that lead to happiness sometimes.

Out of Inspiration (Thanks to Gretchen Rubin) I decided to make my own happiness list. This is my measly bullet note list of what I think helps pave a path to BLISS.

1) Happiness is A Choice-  You're driving to class or work and you spill coffee down the front of your shirt. You're already late and do not have time to change. Ah-ha! You have a Tide-to-go pen , but after using it your stain looks like a wet blob. "This is not exactly the fashion statement I was going for",you think to yourself. Than, you proceed to get a speeding ticket as the cherry to go on top of your magnificent morning. You feel like a grouch all day long and than end up wearing sweat pants for the rest of the week as if you're going on strike against being happy. Why do we do this?As humans it is true that annoyances can get the better of us, but they do not own you and they certainly should not own your mood. Burn the sweat pants. 

2)Happiness is Sleep--- Our moms told us to get 8 hours of sleep for a reason.Right when you feel as though you are becoming the span of Satan,try to go clock in about 8 hours of sleep. Whenever you wake up you will have a completely new perspective on life. I always forget this. I Guess sometimes humans need to be put on the charger,too.


3)Happiness is Purpose and People---you are on the phone with your friend and you say, "I'm so happy,__enter friend's name here__, I really think I have found my niche". This is the Best feeling when it happens. It seems as though it takes forever to find out who our real friends are and what our purpose is, but once it's discovered we appreciate life so much more. Its kind of like 
               finding all of the corner pieces in a jigsaw puzzle. You have something to work with finally!


4)Happiness is Spontaneous-- Most of the fun times that I have had in my life have been the result of a completely spontaneous situation. News flash, itineraries could never compare to sheer thrill of flying by the seat of your pants. "Wanna drive to Estacada,Oregon at 3 in the morning?" So-and-so asks, "Let's do it!" is what we should say. Maybe life would be more fun if we quit coming up with excuses for why we can't go do that one-super-random- thing.


5)Happiness is Chocolate and Coffee--- These two things have a magical way of lifting you up when you need a boost and winding you down when you want to relax. Occasional Indulgences can make life more fun and are always there at the end of the day to pat us on the back saying, "you deserve this one for being you. Congratulations on being alive. Enjoy every calorie."


6) Happiness is Letting Go--- Let go of your pride. Let go of your plans. Let go of your hatred for Crocks Shoes (Even though that's understandable). Forgive the people who have hurt you in the past and always try to move forward. Yesterday was our funk, but tomorrow could be the best day of our life. Life is unpredictable, roll with it. Take all of your problems out to dinner and break-up with them, because tomorrow has so much more to offer.

4 Things to like in March...

1) St. Patrick's Day-- The one time of year we get to honor the color green.

2) Green floral arrangement. ( Mums)

3)Chocolate covered espresso beans.

4) Blueberry Cobbler scented candle and a good book.

Artful Motivation

Letter writing.... this is a concept that  always seems great in theory,but sadly is becoming a dying trend in the 21st century. In effort to encourage myself to compose more handwritten notes, I chose to make an art project of it. Hopefully it will be good motivation to put down my cell phone and pick up a pen.

                                             

Step 1:

Find some card paper.

Cut out rectangular pieces.

Fold them in half.

Voila! You have a card

Step 2: Find some fine looking watercolors and paint your heart out!

Bohemian Inspiration

.

I may not be a world traveler yet, but I certainly have always admired cultural enrichment.A girl can only dream of one day experiencing the world from such a new and exciting angle. Perhaps I am biased due to my love for design, but my favorite thing about authentic culture is the abundance of bright color and unique textiles/fabrics. My (sort of) quirky obsession with ethnic crafts has inspired me to add some fresh bohemian touches to my spring closet. In this particular look, I chose to use a coral pink angle-cut skirt for my focus of bright color and then contrasted the garment with wooden boho necklaces.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Coral pink Mossimo skirt, Camel tone leather bag +Pearl shade heels by Urban Outfitters, aviator sunglasses, wooden beaded necklaces from Etsy.

 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -       Love,

Jordan Leigh