My Feel Good List

My mood has been lifting lately. I'm not sick anymore (straggling cough, but that's about it) and I am feeling more energized and motivated. I'm smiling more and being more productive. Yay!

Today I though I would share a list of things that put me in a good mood and have me smiling and enjoying my day. Maybe you'll find something to put a smile on your face as well!

via pinterest.

Opening all the windows and getting as much light into the house as possible.

Cleaning & organizing so that everything looks good and I'm not tripping on things.

Going outside! And doing anything while I'm out, just as long as I'm not in the house.

Listening to my No Doubt Pandora station.

Hooping while I listen to said station. (Extra points for hooping in a bathing suit/underwear)

Not wearing shoes. Don't get me wrong, I love shoes, but I looove being barefoot.

Reading a really good book, preferably something fantasy-esque.

Banana & avocado smoothies. Talk about delicious (and healthy, hurrah!)

Working out. I always feel great after a Jillian Michaels video.

What do you guys do to put yourself in a good mood? I'm always looking to expand this list so please share!

Manda Rave

Happy V-Day Lovers!

It's Valentines day! -throws imaginary heart shaped confetti in the air- Isn't that exciting? Holidays in general are exciting because they give us an excuse to wear holiday colours, eat candy, exchange gifts and cards, and make lots of homemade yummies.

If you're not a Valentine's day fan then I suggest you check out the post I wrote last V-day and then get back to me.

Buy print here.

You may have noticed by now (and I really hope you have) that I am a huge advocate for self-love and loving the things and people you choose to surround yourself with -in doing all things with love. I really hope that today especially you all remember how incredible you are and how much the universe loves you. Treat yourself to a nice bubble bath, a glass of wine, new perfume (or cologne for you men!), or whatever makes you feel good. Spend time with the people you care about, tell them how much they mean to you. Don't let a moment of your life be wasted and try to infuse every day with a big dose of heartfelt love and kindness.

That's what Valentines day is about.

Lady Unlaced

Soul Calls

source.

"The way to maintain one's connection to the wild is to ask yourself what it is that you want... One of the most important discriminations we can make in this matter is the difference between things that beckon us and things that call from our souls."

-Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Women Who Run With The Wolves

Something to think about for the day.

Lady Unlaced

Live Your Truth

This phrase has been popping up in my head a lot lately. I am only just realizing how important this concept is, the weight of these words is finally hitting me. I feel it sinking into me and changing the way I see things.

There are things I know in my soul, that vibrate my bones and are hot in my blood. They are not necessarily things that other people feel passion for or agree with, but they are mine, and I must stay true to them. They are my truths.

Love. Compassion. Creativity. Honesty. Wildness. Equality. Fearlessness.

Lady Unlaced

Sacred Life

Source?

Every. Single. Moment. This one. The last one. The next one. The one 5 years from now.

There is not a single moment in your life that is not sacred, that is not special and important. it's important to live as if every second of your life is precious -because it is. Don't bog down your existence with unnecessary hatred, unhappiness, or apathy. Take every chance to live it up, be positive, and embrace the good in life.

Lady Unlaced

I Am Grateful

I think Gratefulness will become a new theme on my blog. Making a post (or posts) about the things I am grateful for is something I have been meaning to do and I am done putting it off. I think I am going to try to make consistent posts of things I am grateful for every week or so.

If you want to get into the habit of being grateful then you should check out Marissa Moondaughter's new venture, The Grateful Project. I am not doing something this involved (it really comes down to time -I have no time for really getting into this project although I want to) but I think it's a great thing to do and Marissa is an absolute sweetheart.

Buy this print here.

 I am grateful for...

+My wonderful boyfriend and all the love and support he gives me

+My close friends and the connections I have with them.

+Well-stocked bookcases.

+Cats, specifically my cat, Eli.

+Autumn -it's the best season really.

+Warm coffee in the morning to wake up my bones.

There's a ton more things of course, but the list will grow in time. I feel better just thinking about all this stuff. I am so happy to have it all in my life. Despite some of the awful things I've gone through, there is still so much love and beauty in my life.

What are you grateful for?

Lady Unlaced

Interior Inspirations

I am a huge believer in the fact that your wardrobe and your living space should reflect who you are and should make your heart sing. Self expression is incredibly important, not just in writing or making art, but in the way you live and the things you wake up to see in the morning. Being surrounded by colours, patterns, pictures, furniture, and other things that you love is a wonderful feeling that can help you feel complete.

No, I am not saying you should be materialistic -but there is no denying that having things you love can make you feel good. Key word is love -not just like. The things you buy for you and your home should make your heart leap and your mind whirl with the wonder of it. That's the way to shop and to know if you have found something truly precious.

Interior design has been on my mind. No, I didn't mean for that to rhyme but I appreciate that it does it makes my inner poet smile, haha. Anyways, Pinterest is a gold mine for home decor pictures so I thought I would share some of my favourites, all of which can be found on my Decor Dreams Board.

Pin

Pin

Pin

Pin

Pin

I'm a big fan of colour as you can see. I also love filling up a space -I don't like bare walls or empty shelves. I'd prefer to fill up my home with art, teacups, books, dreamcatchers, lanterns, posters, and windchimes. I keep dried flowers in vases and statuettes of unicorns on my dresser. I hand my jewelry on the wall so that I can always look at it. I'm a very visual person and I want there to always be something beautiful and interesting to look at.

I also wish I could turn one entire room of my apartment into a fort but I doubt I could get all my housemates on board for it, haha.

What kind of living space resonates with you? Loud colours or muted tones? Clutter or minimalism? 

Lady Unlaced

I Promise

Originally posted on my Twitter.

Source?

I spend a good amount of time reading the love-filled and inspiring blogs of some seriously amazing people. Their words fill me up and have helped me to become firm in my love for myself. They are kindred souls who have made me feel less alone.

So I have made a promise to myself.

I promise to work hard at what I love & not listen to others who try to tell me what I "have" to do to be successful. I will make my own way

I promise to be myself in all aspects of Life. To practice my crafts, revel in love, and nurture my soul. To be strange and free and wild.

I promise that I will not let my past control me. I will not allow others to dictate my actions or emotions. I will not regret my life.

I promise that I will be true to love, the Universe, and most importantly, Myself. For I am the Universe and the Universe is me.

I am in control. No one else gets to hold the reigns. There is no room for negativity. My soul is honest & it dances with me upon the Earth.

Source.

What do you promise yourself?

Lady Unlaced

Things you should read:

• 100 Ways You Can Start Loving Yourself Right Now
• The Black Cell
• Heavy Metal Confidence. Want Some?

Strange Love

I love Rumi, okay? <3>

I came across this on Pinterest and it immediately spoke to me. It was the stirring feeling of when you read something or look at something and it just resonates with your soul. I love that feeling.

My strange love pulls me to green forests, rocky riverbeds, salty shores, and crumbling temples to long-ago gods and goddesses.

Where does your strange love pull you?

A Little Sunday Happiness

Happy Sunday :)

Lady Unlaced

Some Quick [Spiritual] Inspiration

I hope your day has been filled with light, love, and happiness.

<3

Lady Unlaced

Spread the Love

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Before you start moaning and groaning about how you hate Valentine's day and how commercial it is or how you don't have a significant other anyways just hear me out. I used to be just like that and I know how you feel. But it doesn't have to be that way.

So what if Valentine's day is a commercial holiday? No one is forcing you to buy fancy chocolate or Hallmark cards with doily hearts on them. Regardless of all the stuff people buy for others for this holiday, Valentines day is ultimately about love. And that's something I can get behind.

You don't have to be cheesy to celebrate today. You don't have to hand out cards and flowers and chocolate to all the special people in your life. And you certainly don't have to sit around moping about how you're not in a relationship and have no one to share a fancy dinner with. That's not what it's all about. If anything, today is a day to  think about the people and things in your life that you really love and appreciate. Give your mom a call and wish her a happy V-day and tell her how much she means to you. Give your best friend a hug. Snuggle with your cat. Curl up on the couch and enjoy your favourite book.

Just focus on the positive.

That's what today, and everyday really, is about. Why not embrace it? I bet you'll feel much better about yourself and life in general if you throw out all those negative feelings towards Valentine's day that you've had pent up for however long.

But don't limit the love to your friends and family (and pets)!

Valentine's day is a great day to focus on yourself as well. Self-love is so important and something I don't think people indulge themselves in enough! Loving yourself isn't vain or narcissistic, it's a beautiful, freeing experience that can really improve your life. I know I sound like some kind of self-help manual, but I'm speaking from my own personal experience.

I hated myself for a long time and that hate built up in me and tainted my view of the world. Because of my self-loathing I also disliked other people (often for no reason) and I was constantly pessimistic. Honestly, I was no fun to be around. But recently I've gone through a transformation of sorts where I have learned to love my life, regardless of all the crap that's been in it. I look in the mirror and I don't hate what I see. I embrace every little scar. Even on my bad days I don't think I would change myself. I might say that I would, but when it comes down to it, I don't want to be anyone other than me.

And if that's not something to celebrate this Valentine's day then I don't know what is.

So love yourself, be your own valentine! Indulge in chocolate from yourself, pour yourself a glass of wine, pick out your own flowers and spend some quality time with you.

And if loving yourself is still a foreign concept, take a look at Gala Darling's 100 Ways You Can Start Loving Yourself. The woman is a real inspiration.

Love is a powerful force in the world and people shouldn't be afraid to let it into their lives. Commercial holiday or not, take the opportunity to appreciate your life, loved ones, and yourself.

Lady Unlaced