UpScale Bohemian Living

"And the Pursuit of Happiness: E Pluribus Unum"

2009-11-19T06:50:00.000-08:00

The visuals and creativity that went into this blog post by Maira Kalman is just absolutely amazing and thought provoking. It starts off with lovely pictures, then on down in the post it features her illustrations. Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom to check out Kalman's previous posts links on American democracy. I really love this! To check it out, click on the title above or the link that follows: http://kalman.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/29/e-pluribus-unum/

Maira Kalman is an author, illustrator, and designer who lives in NYC and teaches courses on design at the school of visual arts. She has written and illustrated 12 children's books and her artwork is featured in a current edition of Strunk and White's "Elements of Style".

Kathryn Stockett, Author of The Help

2009-11-16T16:47:00.000-08:00

Kathryn Stockett, Author of <i>The Help</i>

Creating a mental sanctuary

2009-11-08T17:10:00.000-08:00

Even in the middle of stressful busy day, it is possible to take a few minutes for mental relaxation without ever leaving your work desk or home. You can do this by creating a mental sanctuary to retreat into in order to replenish your energy and relieve stress. To create a mental sanctuary to which you can return again and again, first find a quiet place where you can be alone to visualize and build your sanctuary.

Next, spend a few minutes relaxing, taking in deep breaths, then exhaling all negative thoughts and energy, releasing the energy out to a distant place in the universe where it cannot negatively impact others. Now create an image in your mind of a lovely, peaceful place. This place can be anywhere that makes you feel good and can be either indoors in a special room you erect and decorate to your taste, or it can be outdoors , such as a peaceful secluded cove at the beach, a cozy spot in the woods, or an area by a mountain stream. Continue breathing deeply and relax and think about what your sanctuary means to you as you build it in your mind. Feel it, experience it, and once you have the feeling of how you want your sanctuary to look and fill, imagine this place in your mind.

How does it look, feel, what smells are around you, what textures, sounds? If your sanctuary is inside, begin to decorate it in your mind until it is furnished to your tastes and comfort. Whether inside or outside, fill in all the details of your special place. Walk around your sanctuary, drink it in, make your chosen spot totally yours.

When you have your mental sanctuary constructed in your mind and you feel you have experienced the sensation of it enough to claim it as your very own special spot of calm and relaxation, perform a symbolic gesture such as mentally writing your name in the sand, or placing a vase of flowers on the table. View your completed sanctuary that is yours alone and take possession of it, knowing you can recall it when you need to relax and take a few minutes of solitude. Once you have done all this, continue to breath deeply as you leave your sanctuary and re-enter full consciousness in your regular life, but know you can now return to your sanctuary at will.

As my Grandma used to say: "Living the Life of Riley"

2009-11-08T08:39:00.000-08:00

My boho dogs have it made. "Living the life of Riley" was one of my Mama Sue's favorite sayings to indicate someone was having an easy time of life. Look at those two mutts--the saying fits, doesn't it? ...... Ok, so, what is wrong with this picture? I'll tell ya what is wrong with it: someone needs to send me a sofa so I have one of my own to sit on, since someone else seems to have completely taken over the one I have as their very own!

Dreamy little beach shack

2009-11-08T07:17:00.000-08:00

Oh man, I used to have one of those beach shacks and I have to admit that I still miss it sometimes. There is nothing more relaxing or exhilerating than breathing in a soft wind that smells of ocean salt. But I love my small town Georgia shack too, and I especially like the nice folk that live in the area. I wonder if I could buy a baby pool, dump in a few handsful of salt, then buy a coupla bags of sand and make myself a beach? Hhhhmmmm.......

Lion floorcloth, Heads you win!

2009-11-08T06:31:00.000-08:00

This is the left half of a floorcloth in progress. The floorcloth will measure 36" x 48" and is painted on a canvas painter's dropcloth. I primed the canvas, am using acrylic paints, and will finish it up with several coats of polyurethane. The floorcloth is hemmed with fabric glue. I love goofy looking cutesy animals and I think kids love them too! (maybe I am still just a big kid at heart!). I'll post the lost tail later.

Inexpensive, simple, non-toxic cleaning

2009-11-08T06:01:00.000-08:00

A “basic” natural green cleaning kit that will safely clean your home is made up of six ingredients:

(1) Baking soda

Baking soda is a n effective cleaner and deodorizer (it absorbs odors) and it is also effective as a mild abrasive.

(2) Liquid soap (vegetable oil-based Castile soap which can be found in a health food store under brands such as Dr. Bronner’s, Bio Bella, Desert Essence and Tropical)

Liquid soap dissolves oils that bind dirt to objects and is great for floors or as an all-purpose cleaner when combined with vinegar, or plain water. I prefer Dr. Bonner’s and it can be purchased mixed with tea tree oil, lavender, or other essential oils. I usually use the Tea Tree oil because of its antibiotic, antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial qualities.

(3) White distilled vinegar

Is an all purpose cleaner and is a natural antibacterial due to its high acid content, therefore it is an effective alternative to clean toilets and floors. It is also excellent for cutting grease, dissolving soap film, eating away lime deposits and leftover mineral deposits from evaporating water, washing windows, and is a powerful deodorizer. It can be used with essential oils such as peppermint or lavender to give it a more pleasant scent, although the vinegar smell evaporates quickly anyway.

(4) Lemon juice

Is a powerful, natural acidic cleaner that cuts stubborn grease stains, mineral build up, and tarnish. It also is a natural bleach. It makes your home smell fresh and will get rid of odors such as fish odors.

(5) Salt

A natural abrasive, natural anti-bacterial, and a powerful cleaner that is a grease buster that readily absorbs oils. It works well for cleaning ovens, soaking up fresh carpet stains, and when it is combined with water it can destroy bacteria through a dehydrating action.

(6) Water

Water is used to mix many of the above ingredients and is the most basic cleaning ingredient of all. However, if you have “hard” water it can inhibit the cleaning action of any soap or detergent, so if possible use purified water or distilled water.

The above ingredients are used alone or mixed into various recipes for cleaning. In addition to the above ingredients, Murphy’s oil soap can be used, as can palmolive dishwashing detergent, and Washing Soda which is an old-fashioned laundry booster. Olive oil is also an excellent cleaner as it can be mixed with lemon juice to make a furniture polish, in addition to many household or beauty uses

Laid Back Nude

2009-10-30T20:19:00.000-07:00

I have loved to draw since I was a little girl. Lifes demands seemed to get in the way for ages so I rarely took time to draw and paint. Then I realized if I don't take the time to do what I really love now, just when will I take the time because it isnt like there is a rewind button on the clock of life? This is a charcoal and pencil drawing I had alot of fun doing the other day. I don't have a digital camera handy (or even a cheap disposable one) at the moment, so what's a gal to do but prop the drawing up against a chair and snap it with the cell phone camera. I don't think it turned out too shabby considering, but maybe I'll post it again on down the road with digital. Anyway, hope you like it!- Cynthia

The yin and yang of patterns

2009-09-26T10:02:00.000-07:00

You can influence the atmosphere of a room through color, and you can also create an effect through the use of patterns. Patterns on wall surfaces through painting techniques or wallpaper, patterns on furniture or even the patterns of garden paths can have a yin (calming) or yang (stimulating) effect on us. The simplier and more repetitive a pattern, the more it will stimulate the atmosphere through a yang influence. An irregular pattern created through techniques such as sponging or rag rolling will create a more calming atmosphere as it is a more yin influence.
Yin-------------------------------------Yang

wavy…………………………………..circles
floral…………………………………...stripes
brushing/combing ……………….diamonds
ovals…………………………………...repeating patterns
random patterns…………………..rubber stamping
rag rolling/sponging……………...stenciling
mottled………………………………..printing

As my garden dies down...

2009-09-24T01:43:00.000-07:00

I decided to blog about it. I have a rather rich fantasy life of dreaming about the lifestyles I either cannot afford or would not really want to "do" for any length of time in real life. So this past summer I decide to pretend I was a farmer on a ante-bellum plantation. Then I decided to turn that fantasy into reality and become a real life organic farmer to be exact--the farming part I mean. To date, I still don't own a plantation, but I did have a good time pretending (fantasy hoop dress, bonnet, and all--doesn't everyone garden in hoop dresses?). I would have posted pics, but I just got around to buying a new digital camera. Next growing season, I will definitely post pics as my garden progresses, especially because the 2010 garden will be hosted in the fantasy land of the south of France. Yep, you heard that right: next year I plan to be a French gardener. Blame it on my reading the book "The French Gardener" which turned out to be more of a love story than a book about gardening, but hey, the title did start my fantasy garden wheels turning in my brain.

So back to this years garden. Well, ok, my "plantation organic garden" was only about 4 feet by 6 feet, but it still counts as farming. Yes, yes, it does! (don't dare argue this point because I was darn proud of that little organic gardening spot and would be tempted to flame you). I started off trying to dig and till the earth by hand using my shovel. I do not own a tiller and do not plan to buy one. I read they are not good for the soil anyhow. So I decided to suffer and toil and sweat in my hoop dress. Did I mention attempting to dig through Georgia clay in my yard is like trying to dig through granite. (my hometown of Elberton, Ga. is considered the granite capital of the world, btw, so if you purchase a tombstone there is a good chance it came from there). Ok, off the subject of death and back to gardening. Then one of my neighbors took pity on me and suggested a technique she had seen where you place newspaper or cardboard on top of the ground, pour on a bit of dirt, then plant. This meant no more digging. God bless, Marcie, for that suggestion!

In my humble garden, I got quite a nice crop of cucumber and squash and eggplant. There is nothing prettier than a purplish eggplant that is growing right there in your own yard garden. The eggplant was so pretty and fascinating to me that I would tie on my bonnet that I don't have and go out and just stare at it several times per day. My zuchinni did not do quite so well and off my two plants, I ended up with only two zuchinni. My tomotaes were attacked by this HUGE green monster who took a bite out of each and every tomato on the vine. I mean why couldn't the little sucker have been happy eating the entire tomato instead of being so wasteful? I finally spotted his fat little a@@ and by the end of the growing season did have a few other tomatos I could eat. Fried green tomatoes are my fav!

I have started a lasagna type compost on the other side of my house and that is where I plan to plant my "French Garden" next spring. Stay tuned for pics and updates from the south of France. There really is nothing more satisfying or thrilling than walking out to your garden and picking veggies you have grown yourself. My small garden yielded a surprisingly good crop, so next year with an even bigger garden, I expect to really cut my grocery bill. I highly recommend getting into backyard gardening.