~Birthday for L'il Cakes~

I have a beautiful niece "L'il Cakes" and she will be a 1 year old soon.. She will be getting tons of great gifts from everyone I'm most certain. I'd like to get her something she can have forever or that her siblings can use later on. Here are some adorable things that I've seen while shopping...

purple mocs

rainbow pulltoy

crochet campfire playset

                                                           

Mini-Suzette the Fox

Pigeon Book Collection
I know she is too tiny to understand these right now..but they are the best!

~Old Friend~

 I started having grand mal seizures at 19. They were infrequent, unpredictable and made me very uncomfortable, confused and exhausted for sometimes a week afterwards. After I was scanned, probed, sleep tested, studied, and made miserable I never got a definite diagnosis.They guessed it to be epilepsy but weren't certain..with no certainty I refused medication and dealt with the seizures on my own. Occasionally, I still get that feeling that I may have one. Being in loud places with lights and great music seem to trigger that feeling in my brain. I've been lucky enough to not have one for a long time. I do wake up some mornings or in the middle of the night feeling like I may have seized while asleep and will wake up sometimes very nauseous. Along with these curious seizures came anxiety. Wow. What a horrible creature anxiety can be. Anxiety can be different for people. For me: vertigo, vomiting, and other disabling reactions. I don't "feel like I'm dying" or the other clique terms people tend to associate anxiety with...I just feel like I have the worst flu you could ever imagine. Any kind of stress(good or bad) can trigger my seizures and feelings of anxiety. I haven't had an anxiety attack in almost 4 years and happy to say its been 8 since my last known seizure. I still go to concerts, places where there are gatherings, etc because I truly LOVE going...but I know that by avoiding them I'm guaranteed an anti anxiety/seizure filled evening.  I do not take medications and I tend to avoid stressful or exciting situations. Maybe one day if I feel like I can't manage it anymore i will start looking into medical options. I stay well rested, try to avoid alcohol, eat well, stay balanced, meditate on my blessings and gratitude, use some aromatherapy, and do different mind distractions to refocus: reading, walking, get focused on a project, write obnoxious to do lists, and fold laundry( i know its awfully lame but it helps). I try not to be bitter when I hear of adventurous 5 day music festivals some of my friends go to or when I'm celebrating with family or friends and everyone is drinking except me.  Adopting the process of babying my brain has kept me healthy for a nice amount of time and hopefully my "old friend" will stay just that....an "old friend"

~Alphonse Mucha~

         I'm heavily influenced by my emotions. My emotions are heavily influenced by what I take in (visually, physically, spiritually) Whenever I need some good mind clarity or refocusing I like to look at art. Its usually online when I'm in bed... not as amazing as I like but its quick and easy. I can see photography, sculptures, paintings, graffiti, etc. and I can transport myself. One of my long time favorites and always will be is Alphonse Mucha. He has influenced a lot of artists and I commonly see hints (and the occasional tacky copycatting) of his work in others. His life is just as interesting, mysterious and magical as his work. Going to Prague and seeing his museum will always be one of the things I wish to do... maybe one day my wish will come true..maybe..

to learn and see more.....http://www.muchafoundation.org/

~Birthday Wishes~

My sweet boy turned 15 yesterday. We had a nice day that started with homemade cinnamon waffles and ended with a wild evening of bongo playing, camping out and too much junk food. Safe to say it was a really good birthday. And I'm looking forward to a more quiet evening tonight..

~Oakworms and other seemingly negative things that could happen~

Sometimes things are perfect... sometimes. A lot of times people say "Margo, you smile alot." or "It seems like you are always happy!" This could be construed that I'm a simple idiot bubbling through life... Untrue. My smiles come from embracing my Oakworms and finding some purpose for them in my presence. An oakworm essentially devours the leaves of a strong beautiful oak tree. Does it kill it? No. Does it cause some damage? Usually. Benefit it in the long run? Sometimes. You see..I like to think of myself like a strong oak. I'm growing, evolving on the surface and underneath. I've been thru some bad storms, been baked in the sun, went through some droughts, been shit on by "birds", etc. I've also gave some shelter, provided shade and swayed in the breeze. Occasionally, I have an oakworm find me... They nibble on a leaf and sometimes devour it. Sounds shitty? Um kinda.. But sometimes that leaf needed to go. Sometimes by getting rid of that leaf I grew a better one in its place. Oak trees NEED Oakworms. By realizing this you can continue to grow and keep yourself in check. If you have something eating at you... Let it go. Drop the leaf. Find out why it hurts. And realize sometimes that it truly is just a lowly worm and you are the tree. Plant your roots and wave your branches and let the sunshine in. * We came home from a wonderful weekend family visit and found these dirtbags on our lovely trees this evening. Brian got out the tripod, had a glamour shots session, and took this fabulously creepy photo...kudos to you dear husband...

~Something Old but Something New?~

Hi guys, 
                     You may have read previous posts or have heard about me decluttering and downsizing our things and freeing up space in our home. I have decided to bite the bullet and although it may be temporary.... I've opened an Etsy store. You can click on the link on the right or check it out here. This won't be anything serious and it's just to get rid of some things I'm never going to use but need a good home. I will be adding more things in the next few days. Feel free to check it out....

                                                        ~Bohemian Hillbilly~  
                     
                    
                      
                          

             

~Take Care of That Hair~

Have a great Weekend friends!

~Thrifted Style: Skirts&Belts~

 I use Pinterest as outfit inspiration and look for pieces at thrift stores or on clearance. I really liked the simplicity of a plain skirt with a belt in the top picture.  All of these skirts were new with tags still on them and only $1.50 a piece. I can mix and match them, pair them with plain tanks or tees, throw on some sandals and I have some easy outfits for fall.You can call me cheap...I like to think I'm just shopping smart.

Style Inspiration

Salvation Army~ skirts $1.50 belts $1.49 a piece