Instant Pick-Me-Ups… We all have those days, those weeks, those months. The ones that take all our energy and leave us feeling like we’re on empty. When I need to re-fuel my sprit I have a few go-to activities like: Bubble Baths!!! with scented candles, fruity smelling bath gel and a customized ipod play list. ahhhh. good clean fun. Baking Something!!! cupcakes, pumpkin chocolate chip bread, cookies…or trying out a new vegan recipe. fill your home with the smell of something good and you’re bound to start feeling better. Walk in Nature!!! not just a walk around the block, unless you live in the country. get out to the park, the beach, the lake…somewhere you can take off your shoes and feel the earth beneath your feet. reconnect with the source of all life…and you’ll feel revived. Phone a Friend!!! we all have that one friend that makes us laugh and tells great stories. when you’re feeling zapped give them a call! they will pull you out of your slump and remind you how awesome you are. Purge Your Closet!!! there’s something to be said for a clean slate. take everything of your closet and carefully select what goes back in. you will have a ton of stuff to give to your local goodwill or salvation army. and giving back always boosts the mood. not to mention how easy it will be to get dressed in the morning now that you know where everything is. YOGA!!! stretching releases endorphins. endorphins are our bodies natural high. who doesn’t want some of that! you can even do yoga in the quiet of your living room or back yard. although there are lots of free first-time classes offered at most yoga studios. I highly recommend giving one of them a try. who knows. you might find a regular outlet for stress and make new friends. Mani-Pedi Mania!!! nothing makes me feel better than a top notch mani-pedi. one with fizzy salts, rose petal water, soothing music, aroma therapy neck warmers with a side of cheese cake and greed tea. yes. this place exists. I try to make it there at least once a month. pure bliss. get on yelp and find the best nail spa in your area. while spa chairs are nice, they are highly unsanitary. try to find a place that doesn’t use them and does use a brand new emery board for every guest. What helps YOU recharge your spirit? Think about incorporating a few of those things into your weekly self-care regimen. You’ll be amazed at how shifted and lifted you’ll feel when you take care of yourself. You’ll have a lot more to give to others and feel balanced in your daily life. Love and Light… -Ariel Q.

Instant Pick-Me-Ups…

We all have those days, those weeks, those months. The ones that take all our energy and leave us feeling like we’re on empty. When I need to re-fuel my sprit I have a few go-to activities like:

  • Bubble Baths!!! with scented candles, fruity smelling bath gel and a customized ipod play list. ahhhh. good clean fun.
  • Baking Something!!! cupcakes, pumpkin chocolate chip bread, cookies…or trying out a new vegan recipe. fill your home with the smell of something good and you’re bound to start feeling better.
  • Walk in Nature!!! not just a walk around the block, unless you live in the country. get out to the park, the beach, the lake…somewhere you can take off your shoes and feel the earth beneath your feet. reconnect with the source of all life…and you’ll feel revived.
  • Phone a Friend!!! we all have that one friend that makes us laugh and tells great stories. when you’re feeling zapped give them a call! they will pull you out of your slump and remind you how awesome you are.
  • Purge Your Closet!!! there’s something to be said for a clean slate. take everything of your closet and carefully select what goes back in. you will have a ton of stuff to give to your local goodwill or salvation army. and giving back always boosts the mood. not to mention how easy it will be to get dressed in the morning now that you know where everything is.
  • YOGA!!! stretching releases endorphins. endorphins are our bodies natural high. who doesn’t want some of that! you can even do yoga in the quiet of your living room or back yard. although there are lots of free first-time classes offered at most yoga studios. I highly recommend giving one of them a try. who knows. you might find a regular outlet for stress and make new friends.
  • Mani-Pedi Mania!!! nothing makes me feel better than a top notch mani-pedi. one with fizzy salts, rose petal water, soothing music, aroma therapy neck warmers with a side of cheese cake and greed tea. yes. this place exists. I try to make it there at least once a month. pure bliss. get on yelp and find the best nail spa in your area. while spa chairs are nice, they are highly unsanitary. try to find a place that doesn’t use them and does use a brand new emery board for every guest.

What helps YOU recharge your spirit? Think about incorporating a few of those things into your weekly self-care regimen. You’ll be amazed at how shifted and lifted you’ll feel when you take care of yourself. You’ll have a lot more to give to others and feel balanced in your daily life.

Love and Light…

-Ariel Q.

(via melodysblog) really. think about it.

(via melodysblog)

really. think about it.

(this post was reblogged from melodysblog)
Apples & Oranges We’ve all had that moment. We’ve all met “that” girl. The one who makes you wish your hair was some other color and you could wear those kind of outfits and get away with it. The one that gets all the attention and seems so comfortable in her own skin. As women I think we are especially vulnerable to comparing ourselves to other women. We know it’s wrong and shallow and in the long run is just going to make us miserable. But we’ve all been there. When I was 15 I spent my entire summer in the mountains of upstate New York at a gymnastics camp. I think it goes without saying that the watching hundreds of other girls flip around in leotards can certainly make you question not only your skills but your body shape. In gymnastics it’s desirable to be on the small side with every muscle in the human body visible through spandex. I was never going to be that. I had a butt. I was starting to grow breasts. And I stood about 3 or 4 inches above all the other girls in my skill group. Most of them trained at fancy gyms in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. But here I was. The “big” girl from Maine. The first few weeks were hard. A leader among the group emerged. And it wasn’t me. Patti was a mere 13 years old to my 15, but there was something about her that made her “in charge”. Maybe it was because she knew all the coaches and was friends with most of the girls already. Maybe it was her perfect and tiny made-for-gymnastics frame.  Or her always manicured red fingers. But she was cool. And I was not. This was my first exercise in comparing myself to another girl. Instead of making her the enemy I made her my friend. I really got to know her as a person. And as I did it made me feel better and better about who I was. I learned that she harbored many of the same insecurities as I did. We became best friends and were never without each other for the rest of the summer. Since then I’ve not done too much comparing. I learned at an early age that the women who seem to dominate a room with their presence are just like the rest of us. They have fears and insecurities. They make mistakes and they doubt themselves as much as the rest of us. They also need friends. I know now that what I have to offer the world no one else can. My history and life experiences make me ME. My face, my body and my mind are all unique to this world. Same goes for you beautiful girl. The next time you walk in a room, hold your head high. Walk tall and smile. Because you are “that” girl. We all are. Love and Light, -Ariel Q.

Apples & Oranges

We’ve all had that moment. We’ve all met “that” girl. The one who makes you wish your hair was some other color and you could wear those kind of outfits and get away with it. The one that gets all the attention and seems so comfortable in her own skin. As women I think we are especially vulnerable to comparing ourselves to other women. We know it’s wrong and shallow and in the long run is just going to make us miserable. But we’ve all been there.

When I was 15 I spent my entire summer in the mountains of upstate New York at a gymnastics camp. I think it goes without saying that the watching hundreds of other girls flip around in leotards can certainly make you question not only your skills but your body shape. In gymnastics it’s desirable to be on the small side with every muscle in the human body visible through spandex. I was never going to be that. I had a butt. I was starting to grow breasts. And I stood about 3 or 4 inches above all the other girls in my skill group. Most of them trained at fancy gyms in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. But here I was. The “big” girl from Maine.

The first few weeks were hard. A leader among the group emerged. And it wasn’t me. Patti was a mere 13 years old to my 15, but there was something about her that made her “in charge”. Maybe it was because she knew all the coaches and was friends with most of the girls already. Maybe it was her perfect and tiny made-for-gymnastics frame.  Or her always manicured red fingers. But she was cool. And I was not. This was my first exercise in comparing myself to another girl.

Instead of making her the enemy I made her my friend. I really got to know her as a person. And as I did it made me feel better and better about who I was. I learned that she harbored many of the same insecurities as I did. We became best friends and were never without each other for the rest of the summer.

Since then I’ve not done too much comparing. I learned at an early age that the women who seem to dominate a room with their presence are just like the rest of us. They have fears and insecurities. They make mistakes and they doubt themselves as much as the rest of us. They also need friends.

I know now that what I have to offer the world no one else can. My history and life experiences make me ME. My face, my body and my mind are all unique to this world.

Same goes for you beautiful girl.

The next time you walk in a room, hold your head high. Walk tall and smile. Because you are “that” girl. We all are.

Love and Light,

-Ariel Q.

OBSESSION Humans are interesting creatures. For thousands of years we’ve managed to maintain this character trait that can be so destructive…but on the flip side can be extremely productive. Obsession can lead unimaginable works of art. Obsession can also lead to death of the person obsessed, or the person they are obsessed with. Or even the death of innocent bystanders, such is the case in the movie pictured above. We’ve all experienced it to some degree. Maybe it was a pair of shoes you saw on sale but didn’t buy. Or a boy in high school that wouldn’t give you the time of day. But when thoughts of any one thing dominate your life…I must say…it gets a little creepy. As a bride to be, I am completely opposed to allowing myself indulge in thoughts of wedding planing for more than a few hours a week. As the date nears…I may up that to a few hours a day. And yet, millions of women fall into wedding obsession mode moments after that ring is on their finger. Their every waking moment is devoted to floral arrangements and seating arrangements. Why is that? Is it that same mechanism that drives eating disorders and over-cleanliness? When is does it cross the line into Obsessive Compulsive Disorder? I do think our society is too quick diagnose and medicate many people who just need counseling and to be given some tools on how to self-monitor their behavior. But when does it cross the line? When does passion for a particular activity or person turn ugly? I believe we are witnessing a new era of subtle and secret obsession. One that does not kill bunny rabbits and may not cause any harm at all to anyone other than the person experiencing the obsession. And they may not even know that it’s gone that far. But the definition of obsession (according to Merriam-Webster) is: a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling ; broadly :compelling motivation I have been reading an assortment of blogs the last few weeks…and found some that are updated almost every few hours about food and exercise. Now, I’m certainly mindful when it comes to what I put in my body and how often I move it around. But some of these blogs are so consumed with how many calories are in each recipe they create and how many miles they ran in what time frame. Are these women obsessed and/or suffering from eating disorders camouflaged beneath the slick and glossy veneer of their blog? It certainly makes me wonder. And if you think about it a step further (and this very well may be a giant leap)…with the ease and availability for just about anyone to create a blog these days, is it possible that an entire generation of youth is slowly becoming self-obsessed? Relaying everything you do each day in excruciating detail is not the same as keeping a journal (something kids in my generation did and I still do). When you start sharing your everyday life with the abyss of the internet you may start to live your life in a different way than if you were not reporting to twitter and facebook and tumblr. You may experience anxiety about it. (Have you ever seen a teenager’s cell phone or mobile device taken away? Talk about and unreasonable and disturbing preoccupation.) I believe that even ones behavior may shift when you know or feel that the world (or your small group of friends) is watching. All this can not be a healthy. All the internet dating and updating statuses. All the “what I ate” and “what I wore” and “what I said”.  What about your thoughts? Your ideas? Your dreams? Your goals? The internet can be used as a powerful tool to inspire and help people. But it’s also a detriment to people who live their life feeling as if they must produce “content” for their various modes of blogging. I hope I’m wrong. I hope people who are constantly updating their blogs and checking their emails every 2 minutes are living lives beyond what you see on the screen. I hope they keep some things private and have a great balance in their lives. It’s a slippery slope. And it’s important to get your bearings every once and a while to make sure YOUR life is not filling up with any one thing. I have found taking a month off the internet at times very helpful. Just as it can be helpful as a writer to not read anyone else’s work while you are working on your own. There is no real moral to this story. Just a reminder to check in with yourself every now and then. Check in with your friends. Call them on the phone. Don’t text. Shut down your computer for the rest of the day (if you’re not at work). Eat whatever you want. Exercise and don’t time yourself or count your repetitions. Spend an entire day with yourself and leave all your electronic devises at home. Take a note book instead. In other words, check yourself before you wreck yourself. “O, happy the soul that saw its own faults.” - Rumi Love and peace to all, -Ariel Q.

OBSESSION

Humans are interesting creatures. For thousands of years we’ve managed to maintain this character trait that can be so destructive…but on the flip side can be extremely productive. Obsession can lead unimaginable works of art. Obsession can also lead to death of the person obsessed, or the person they are obsessed with. Or even the death of innocent bystanders, such is the case in the movie pictured above. We’ve all experienced it to some degree. Maybe it was a pair of shoes you saw on sale but didn’t buy. Or a boy in high school that wouldn’t give you the time of day. But when thoughts of any one thing dominate your life…I must say…it gets a little creepy.

As a bride to be, I am completely opposed to allowing myself indulge in thoughts of wedding planing for more than a few hours a week. As the date nears…I may up that to a few hours a day. And yet, millions of women fall into wedding obsession mode moments after that ring is on their finger. Their every waking moment is devoted to floral arrangements and seating arrangements. Why is that? Is it that same mechanism that drives eating disorders and over-cleanliness? When is does it cross the line into Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?

I do think our society is too quick diagnose and medicate many people who just need counseling and to be given some tools on how to self-monitor their behavior. But when does it cross the line? When does passion for a particular activity or person turn ugly? I believe we are witnessing a new era of subtle and secret obsession. One that does not kill bunny rabbits and may not cause any harm at all to anyone other than the person experiencing the obsession. And they may not even know that it’s gone that far. But the definition of obsession (according to Merriam-Webster) is:

a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling ; broadly :compelling motivation

I have been reading an assortment of blogs the last few weeks…and found some that are updated almost every few hours about food and exercise. Now, I’m certainly mindful when it comes to what I put in my body and how often I move it around. But some of these blogs are so consumed with how many calories are in each recipe they create and how many miles they ran in what time frame. Are these women obsessed and/or suffering from eating disorders camouflaged beneath the slick and glossy veneer of their blog? It certainly makes me wonder.

And if you think about it a step further (and this very well may be a giant leap)…with the ease and availability for just about anyone to create a blog these days, is it possible that an entire generation of youth is slowly becoming self-obsessed? Relaying everything you do each day in excruciating detail is not the same as keeping a journal (something kids in my generation did and I still do). When you start sharing your everyday life with the abyss of the internet you may start to live your life in a different way than if you were not reporting to twitter and facebook and tumblr. You may experience anxiety about it. (Have you ever seen a teenager’s cell phone or mobile device taken away? Talk about and unreasonable and disturbing preoccupation.) I believe that even ones behavior may shift when you know or feel that the world (or your small group of friends) is watching.

All this can not be a healthy. All the internet dating and updating statuses. All the “what I ate” and “what I wore” and “what I said”.  What about your thoughts? Your ideas? Your dreams? Your goals? The internet can be used as a powerful tool to inspire and help people. But it’s also a detriment to people who live their life feeling as if they must produce “content” for their various modes of blogging.

I hope I’m wrong. I hope people who are constantly updating their blogs and checking their emails every 2 minutes are living lives beyond what you see on the screen. I hope they keep some things private and have a great balance in their lives. It’s a slippery slope. And it’s important to get your bearings every once and a while to make sure YOUR life is not filling up with any one thing. I have found taking a month off the internet at times very helpful. Just as it can be helpful as a writer to not read anyone else’s work while you are working on your own.

There is no real moral to this story. Just a reminder to check in with yourself every now and then. Check in with your friends. Call them on the phone. Don’t text. Shut down your computer for the rest of the day (if you’re not at work). Eat whatever you want. Exercise and don’t time yourself or count your repetitions. Spend an entire day with yourself and leave all your electronic devises at home. Take a note book instead.

In other words, check yourself before you wreck yourself.

“O, happy the soul that saw its own faults.” - Rumi

Love and peace to all,

-Ariel Q.

the 80’s was the golden era of sweaters. this one is proof! heymonster: want.

the 80’s was the golden era of sweaters. this one is proof!

heymonster:

want.
(this post was reblogged from heymonster)
but really. lets talk about megan’s yellow jeans. want! omgvintage: This cropped little number is super special. Click pic to bid! Click for high-res photo

but really. lets talk about megan’s yellow jeans. want!

omgvintage:

This cropped little number is super special. Click pic to bid!
(this post was reblogged from omgvintage)
omg does not even begin to describe this top. omgvintage: OMG. Floral print made with sequins. For serious. Scalloped edges too. This top is so dreamy! Click pic to bid. Click for high-res photo

omg does not even begin to describe this top.

omgvintage:

OMG. Floral print made with sequins. For serious. Scalloped edges too. This top is so dreamy!

Click pic to bid.

(this post was reblogged from omgvintage)
You can say what you want about the king of pop…but today I feel such great loss in my heart for the world of music. His legend will transcend his tabloid history. His voice will forever be the bench mark for greatness. His style, his talent as a dancer and his over-the-top presence will never be forgotten and never be duplicated. My heart aches today. May his memory forever influence the future performers of the world to strive for originality and sincerity in their craft.

You can say what you want about the king of pop…but today I feel such great loss in my heart for the world of music. His legend will transcend his tabloid history. His voice will forever be the bench mark for greatness. His style, his talent as a dancer and his over-the-top presence will never be forgotten and never be duplicated.

My heart aches today. May his memory forever influence the future performers of the world to strive for originality and sincerity in their craft.

Seriously. There are some awesome bags up for sale. Go get ‘em people! omgvintage: Get a GIRP! On some of these bags! Classy, colorful and kooky bags are for sale now at on the ebay store. Click for high-res photo

Seriously. There are some awesome bags up for sale. Go get ‘em people!

omgvintage:

Get a GIRP! On some of these bags! Classy, colorful and kooky bags are for sale now at on the ebay store.
(this post was reblogged from omgvintage)
Dear Jason, We’ve known each other for 15 years. We’ve been through so much together and apart. Even though we’re not that close anymore…you will always have a place in my heart. Happy Birthday. Love, Me (photo taken by me at Ocean Beach S.F. in 1998)

Dear Jason,

We’ve known each other for 15 years. We’ve been through so much together and apart. Even though we’re not that close anymore…you will always have a place in my heart. Happy Birthday.

Love,

Me

(photo taken by me at Ocean Beach S.F. in 1998)

dollfaceddarling: I confess… friendship jackpot! just got back from girl time with the best girly ever… ariel, the femme phenom behind OMG! Vintage… look at the amazing present cornucopia she presented me with… love, love, love…. Jennifer is amazing. She likes many of the same things I do…so she’s really easy to shop for. I feel like the universe has played a divine roll in our meeting, and I’m SO grateful for it! Click for high-res photo

dollfaceddarling:

I confess… friendship jackpot! just got back from girl time with the best girly ever… ariel, the femme phenom behind OMG! Vintage… look at the amazing present cornucopia she presented me with… love, love, love….

Jennifer is amazing. She likes many of the same things I do…so she’s really easy to shop for. I feel like the universe has played a divine roll in our meeting, and I’m SO grateful for it!

(this post was reblogged from dollfaceddarling)
How a good man is like a good hair cut….sort of. After a wonderful girl-date with my newest bff, Jennifer, I got to thinking about my hair history. And my man history. Here’s what it’s like inside my head: You know when you’ve let your hair grow out? Too long. And it has no shape and you just want it cut asap. You have a great hair guy, but it can take weeks to get in with him. And you’ve had a few glasses of wine with lunch. And you get to yelping…find a girl up the street that has some great reviews and is crazy cheap. In your hazy mind you tell yourself “even if she’s not that great…it’s okay, cause it’s just hair…and it’ll grow. I just need a trim anyway”. No. Stop. You know the outcome already. She cuts way too much of your hair off and then you have to wait months for it to grow and you are kicking yourself for not just making an appointment with YOUR hair guy. But it’s too late. The damage is done. But it is the last time you do something so foolish. Such is with men. I know how it is. Sometimes, you haven’t been on a date in so long. You just want someone to hang out with (ok, cuddle with). You know that you should wait till you meet someone who you really connect with. But, there’s that guy (read, looser) you went on a few lame dates with…and he’s been calling you. A lot. And you cave. You know its bad. You know its not getting you any closer to finding a healthy relationship. But you do it anyways. Let it be the last time. You wouldn’t mess around with your hair like that more than once. So give yourself one lesson-learning opportunity, and never do it again. You are so worthy of a healthy and successful relationship with someone who knows how to treat you right. Just like your good hair guy does. Love, Ariel

How a good man is like a good hair cut….sort of.

After a wonderful girl-date with my newest bff, Jennifer, I got to thinking about my hair history. And my man history. Here’s what it’s like inside my head:

You know when you’ve let your hair grow out? Too long. And it has no shape and you just want it cut asap. You have a great hair guy, but it can take weeks to get in with him. And you’ve had a few glasses of wine with lunch. And you get to yelping…find a girl up the street that has some great reviews and is crazy cheap. In your hazy mind you tell yourself “even if she’s not that great…it’s okay, cause it’s just hair…and it’ll grow. I just need a trim anyway”.

No.

Stop. You know the outcome already. She cuts way too much of your hair off and then you have to wait months for it to grow and you are kicking yourself for not just making an appointment with YOUR hair guy. But it’s too late. The damage is done.

But it is the last time you do something so foolish.

Such is with men. I know how it is. Sometimes, you haven’t been on a date in so long. You just want someone to hang out with (ok, cuddle with). You know that you should wait till you meet someone who you really connect with. But, there’s that guy (read, looser) you went on a few lame dates with…and he’s been calling you. A lot.

And you cave. You know its bad. You know its not getting you any closer to finding a healthy relationship. But you do it anyways.

Let it be the last time. You wouldn’t mess around with your hair like that more than once. So give yourself one lesson-learning opportunity, and never do it again. You are so worthy of a healthy and successful relationship with someone who knows how to treat you right.

Just like your good hair guy does.

Love,

Ariel

ch-cha-ch-changes...

turn and face the strange.

and not so.

my life is changing is big ways.

one of them is that i feel less inclined to share things on the internet.

that are personal.

so, this space will be changing. less about me. more about you. more about things i find or things i’ll write that i think are relevant to a girls life.

the single girls. the coupled girls. the young girls. the young at heart girls. the super fit girls. the wanting to get fit girls. the working girls. the what-am-i-doing-with-my-life girls. the open hearted girls. the broken hearted girls. the real girls.

you know who you are.

or maybe you’re trying to figure it out. 

but there is something inside you that knows that your authentic self is an amazing woman.

maybe you’ve already unleashed her and you are living your dreams.

or maybe you are waiting for that cosmic push to figure out what your dreams are.

where ever you are in your life’s flow…

i hope to find some info or write something that feels important to you.

love,

me.

church. iampirate:

church.

iampirate:


(this post was reblogged from iampirate)
Yesterday was mostly all about this. over and over again. with lots of crashes and lots of screaming fans. Luckily Greg knows everyone, so we didn’t have to stand up the whole time. We got the deluxe vip laminated passes. Around 6:00 I was so sleepy that I went to the car to nap while Greg watched Bad Brains rock out. Kind of bummed that I missed that…but the sun took all the zip outa me. And i’ve got the burn to prove it.

Yesterday was mostly all about this. over and over again. with lots of crashes and lots of screaming fans. Luckily Greg knows everyone, so we didn’t have to stand up the whole time. We got the deluxe vip laminated passes. Around 6:00 I was so sleepy that I went to the car to nap while Greg watched Bad Brains rock out. Kind of bummed that I missed that…but the sun took all the zip outa me. And i’ve got the burn to prove it.