for all the real girls.

Our baby is going to be so stoked when she’s old enough to...

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:26:16 -0700

Our baby is going to be so stoked when she’s old enough to understand that her uncle Mike has a hello kitty pro board.

This is going in her room as soon has she has one.

Good thing I just decided today that the color scheme for her room will be red and white with a sprinkling of orange, green and pink.

this is the proud papa and his cousin. a love of ink runs in the...

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:52:09 -0700

this is the proud papa and his cousin.

a love of ink runs in the family.

this is what 25 weeks of pregnancy looks like on me. so far only...

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:50:35 -0700

this is what 25 weeks of pregnancy looks like on me. so far only only 13 lbs gained. it’s all baby.

one gigantic photographic hint as to the name of the baby coming...

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:54:59 -0700

one gigantic photographic hint as to the name of the baby coming this winter.

she is going to be an aquarian.

we could not be any happier.

Today is the 33rd birthday of my dear friend, Stevie Journey....

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 10:35:48 -0700

Today is the 33rd birthday of my dear friend, Stevie Journey. Words can never express what a wonderful friend he’s been to me since we first met over 13 years ago. When I was just a lost little girl he was always there with kind words and big hugs. His joyful spirit contains so much wisdom…I am always amazed by him. He’s been a huge supporter of my writing and of my life in general.

I am so grateful for YOU Stevie.

Happiest Birthday to you.

Love always,

Ariel

i seriously cant wait to see this woman in my thrift store...

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:42:09 -0700

i seriously cant wait to see this woman in my thrift store find…it’s that crazy pink thing on the hanger behind her. amazing or amazing? the anticipation is killing me.

omgvintage:

OMG guys! Get ready. Get set…to see what magic happens when Gala Darling styles up that sequined dress from none other than OMG Vintage.

If you don’t know about her blog…you should. It’s full of fun fashion, great girl-friend advice and tips on how to live your best life. She’s a modern day fairy princess. We love her!

xoxo

-ariel

I’ve never watched “So You Think You Can...

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:53:26 -0700

I’ve never watched “So You Think You Can Dance”…but as a former gymnast and dancer I can appreciate the concept. I never thought I’d see such beautiful choreography in prime-time…combined with the beautiful love story enclosed in my friend Jason’s song “If It Kills Me”. But here it is. I dare you not to shed a tear. So beautiful. Congratulations to the dancers and to Jason for creating a song that inspired the dancing.

Let it Go...Meditation for Cutting Energy Cords

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 09:47:38 -0700

I have done this…and it really works. Only try it if you are ready to let...

Receiving

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:28:51 -0700

from the blog of my fiance…words of wisdom: yourknowledgeispower: Description:Let-go of...

my kitty was adopted. she’s the most special little being....

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 14:16:21 -0700

my kitty was adopted. she’s the most special little being. please, always adopt. dont purchase animals from pet stores or breeders.

dollfaceddarling:

I confess: Adopted animals are sooooo amazing….so is this story!

Lancaster County, PA the epicenter of puppy mills now finds its name is in the news for a more noble purpose. Jack is a terrier mix who in 2004 was abandoned in a dumpster. He was found and brought to the Humane League of Lancaster County. The old adage ‘timing is everything’ really held true because at the same time the Pieter’s family was looking for a dog for their daughter, Maya.

Maya is quite special, too. She is a beautiful girl with a rare neurological disorder called congenital bilateral Perisylvian Syndrome. So rare that there are only 100 - 200 known cases in existence worldwide. Perisylvian syndrome effects speech, swallowing and chewing and can also cause epilepsy.

Maya was three years old when her speech therapist suggested a dog may benefit her. The Pieters took their time in searching out the perfect pet for Maya. So when Maya and Jack bonded at first sight Maya’s mom, Michelle Pieters knew the extra time spent was worth the wait.

Last year while Jack was sleeping in his crate he suddenly got up and ran for Maya’s bedroom where she was in bed, sleeping. He frantically pawed at the door until the adults opened it. Maya was having a seizure – her first one.

It is now common for Jack to sense when Maya is going to have a seizure and has been known to block her fall during the event, lay on top of her to quiet the convulsions and then lick her tears away. The family have started to call Jack “Maya’s guardian Angel.”

Jack was nominated for “Valor Dog of the Year,” by the Humane Society of the United State’s (HSUS), an award to honor dogs that have performed extraordinary acts of courage. Jack didn’t win but was voted the “People’s Choice Award” by online voters.

"loving who you are means being true to yourself, your values and beliefs…even when you fall..."

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 11:22:12 -0700

“loving who you are means being true to yourself, your values and beliefs…even when you...

The artist. Chase Tafoya. I simply adore him. He’s one of...

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 10:26:00 -0700

The artist. Chase Tafoya. I simply adore him. He’s one of those guys with a heart of gold and a talent like no other. Keep your eye on him. He’s going to be one of the most prolific artists of our time. No doubt.

The exhibit was spectacular. There was a huge turn out and some really epic decks were on display.

I love skateboard culture.

Your first look at the Where The Wild Things Are series from...

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 10:21:16 -0700

Your first look at the Where The Wild Things Are series from Girl Skateboards. Can’t wait to see what Spike did with one of everyones favorite bedtime stories!

Tonight Greg’s* new company, PMA, is having a sneak peek...

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:47:13 -0700

Tonight Greg’s* new company, PMA, is having a sneak peek showing of a few of the decks they have created. Mind you, this is just a taste. There are so many more that I’ve had the pleasure of seeing. The artwork will not only be on skateboard decks…but t-shirts, posters, stickers and tote bags (that last one was my 2 cents). He and his two partners in crime, Chase Tafoya and Courtney Smith, have been working hard on this project that will be donating a percentage of their profits to organizations devoted to cultivating peace and creating a clean earth. I could not be more proud.

The show tonight is wwwwaaaayyyy out in Walnut Creek at The Bedford Gallery. But if you can make it…come say “hi!” Oh, and Greg’s good friend Mike Giant will have some amazing art on display too. If we’re really lucky, Mike will actually be there.

*my fiance and EMB skateboarding legend

best lykke li remix to date!

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 08:58:35 -0700

best lykke li remix to date!

Instant Pick-Me-Ups… We all have those days, those weeks,...

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:01:35 -0700

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.

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 06:18:20 -0700

(via melodysblog)

really. think about it.

Apples & Oranges We’ve all had that moment....

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:32:24 -0700

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...

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:13:00 -0700

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...

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:56:49 -0700

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

heymonster:

want.