The Happiness Project

I’ve been overwhelmed with sadness. On a global scale, my small life is inconsequential, of course, but that doesn’t help me this minute.
I’ve been shaken to my core by petty betrayals, harsh words, misunderstandings, real and imagined. Also, I’ve had it with cold grey days. I’m bored and boring. I’m feeling my age. It brings me back to my belief (BLEAKNESS ALERT: I have a dark soul, descendant of windswept plains, isolated valleys, enigmatic artists and authors) … where was I, oh yes, we enter the world and leave it alone, we are each given a life, it is all we have or can hope to control.
So. It is Saturday morning, kind of a brighter grey outside. I’ve decided to give my wounded self a guilt free day or two to indulge in things that will set me straight. I take inspiration from my great grandmother, a young widow living in North Dakota with 3 children to support. She ran a hotel on her own. It has been said, that she scrubbed floors to chase away her sadness. There is much wisdom in this.
If you by chance are in a similar predicament, join me in this quest for happiness, let’s see if it works.

THE LIST
Go for a long walk with Barkley
Get some tulips
Take some photos
Paint a picture
Make garden plans – more roses, ornamental flowering trees, vines, sculptures
Get a message
Light candles
Study the newly delivered Heirloom Modern, a lovely new decor book that is the beginning of a new style direction I think…
Take a break with a nice white wine, with salty chips
Get lost in a Scandinavian mystery
Be kind to people I encounter. In many ways we are not alone, we all share the same fate.

Paris Colors.

In need of a little respite from grey, the shop windows provide color therapy.

Mara-Mi.

I am happy to promote the Apartment Therapy workspace tour this week, featuring Mara-Mi, written by Liz Giorgi.

Snowy Paris.

I had never seen Paris with snow. I just assumed Paris never got any snow. The morning I arrived in January, there was lots of snow. I took the metro from the airport to the neighborhood I was staying. Jet-lagged and lost, I dragged my suitcase through 6 inches of still falling wet snow, finally figuring out that rue or quai in front of St. Michel* is an important, destinational** clue. The discomfort and disorientation makes the experience more vivid, in memory it was all fantastic. Shakespeare and Company is an iconic, Left Bank book store, sadly closed for inventory during this stay, but a one of a kind gem that is worth a special trip.

* I can’t really take credit for that, iphone gps

** “Any word which conveys the intended sense in the right way is a right word”.

the internet

Studio shots.

I am so delighted with my wedding ring, it is vintage, petite, and has triangle shaped side stones.

Trend board featuring current inspiration. I LOVE Wes Anderson movies, found an article suggesting how to bring a little of that style into your wardrobe. Apparently, you can find after market team Zissou Adidas. Also in love with Dansk magazine, such stylish people and images.

I am slowly reconnecting with my neglected paints. While traveling, I spent some evening down-time painting, while listening to German soap operas. So dramatic!

True romance

In honor of St. Valentine, I will share a secret. On December 17, 2012, I married my feisty Spanish boyfriend Jose Magallon. We’ve been together for quite a long while, but decided for reasons practical and sentimental to make a statement. Well, sort of a secret statement. We have been selectively revealing the big news to friends and family.

We chose a Monday afternoon, (I like 2s and 7s) downtown St. Paul City Hall, strangers as witnesses. It was fun, and irreverent, but I must admit, I feel the need to celebrate. I think a little party is in order. With cool outfits, lots of champagne, possibly a crown, and general misbehavior.

Photos from Paper Mâché

Sparkly Kate Spade shoes

Going to Paris today.

I thought I was leaving tomorrow, but after casually reviewing my check-in email, I am leaving today. Disturbing as it is to have nearly missed the flight, I must now get moving. I am committed to traveling as light as possible, 1 carry-on, 1 half empty bag to check. I will wear the same thing everyday and use hotel soaps. We’ll see…