Concrete Bed

Happy Fucking Friday! I don't know about you, but this week seemed to last a lifetime. But here we are, Friday at last. I am, of course, wearing my Friday uniform (black tank top, skinny jeans, black flip flops), which as it turns out, is my every-day-of-the-week uniform. Weird. Anyway, I'm experiencing a case of the Universe giving me exactly what I needed today in the form of my morning album selection. As I've said before, I believe everything happens for a reason, there is no such thing as a coincidence. So when I left the house this morning and selected The Weight Is A Gift by Nada Surf, I just thought it was because I hadn't listened to it in awhile. Turns out there was much more to it than that (duh!). "To find someone you love, you've got to be someone you love..."

The weather is perfect today in NYC (warm, but not sweltering, cool breeze blowing) and the air actually smells good (as opposed to the usual, pee and garbage). I took a moment to realize how lucky I am for a multitude of reasons and just went about my merry way with a smile on my face and a song in my heart. Time to refocus for the last six months of the year and really make the best of this life or at least this year. And there is my hippie thought for the day...

Hope you all have a great weekend!
Peace, love and beach weather,
{PL}

"Concrete Bed"

The world's locked up in your head
You've been pouring it a concrete bed
Your habits ossify
You don't realize you're fried
To find someone you love
You've gotta be someone you love
The reason's somewhere in the din
But it takes years 'til it sinks in
You've used up the easy streets
And you lost your taste for treats
So fried
Stay high if you have to
Do whatever it asks you
You've got another calling
Don't let it pass you
You know it coz you wrote it
You just didn't think you'd actually do it
It's just another wish you wished 
In a very long list
To find someone you love
You've gotta call your own bluff

Vision of Love

I understand the concept of a vision board but haven't been capable of building one I could really connect to. *This is going to be some hippie-dippy shit, so if you're eyes are already rolling I implore you to hit close on your web browser and continue on with your day.* The items on your board are supposed to invoke inspiration for things you are currently doing or things you want to do in the future. The idea is that if you see what you want, truly focus on what you want, you can manifest it into being. The power of attraction. Bringing positive things to you, instead of waiting for them to just happen.

Thursday I checked Facebook while drinking my morning iced coffee and saw a post by a friend of a friend. She posted an article she had just written for DoYouYoga about how to attract positive energy with vision boards. Something I did not see as a coincidence (everything happens for a reason, whether you choose to believe it or not). About two months prior to her article, the friend we share had given me some instruction on how to build my own vision board and I did, but it didn't feel right. It felt like what I should want my board to contain. I had no real connection to it.

Nicole's article came at the right time (again, everything happens for a reason). As I was reading, it was as if someone just switched on the light. The bulb above my head was illuminated. Yes I'm being overly dramatic, because it literally seemed to happen in seconds. I knew exactly what my vision board should look like and I went into work knowing what I would print out and what I would pin to the board when I got home that night.

I've stopped asking why and just accepted that this stuff just happens when it's supposed to because that's the plan. No over analyzing. No wondering. No wishing. Just accepting that little nuggets of wisdom and inspiration come when they are supposed to. When the time is right and you are in the right place to use the wisdom and inspiration to the best of its uses...

Enjoy my vision board below and please click the link to Nicole's article to gain your own inspiration!
Peace love and doing what makes you over-the-moon happy,
{PL}

Side note: Yes, that is a picture of Hilary Clinton, I don't really give a shit about your political preference, this is my vision board and she belongs on it. So suck it...

It's all happening...

I've always been a little hippie deep down inside, but recently I've stopped suppressing it. If you're my friend you've probably been on the receiving end of my suggestion of yoga for whatever ails you. Feeling depressed? Do yoga. Sad about the current state of your relationship? Do yoga. Not sure where your career is taking you? Do yoga. I get a lot of eye-rolls, but my response is, try it. If after the first class you don't feel like you have a greater insight into your problem, then I'll shut up and never mention it again. I've also started suggesting meditation. This suggestion gets me even more eye-rolls and a few groans as well. Again, just try it. If it doesn't work, never do it again. But the not trying part is bullshit. It may not solve your problems in one sitting, but I promise, you are more likely to find what you are looking for at the end of a meditation than at the bottom of a bottle. Trust me. I've done the leg work.

Since the unofficial start of summer is next weekend (Memorial Day), I have decided I am going to let my hippie flag fly; the Summer of Love 2014! I am taking on a new mantra {I have enough, I am enough}. I am going to be positive. I am going to smile, a lot. I am going to manifest the shit out of this summer. Good things are coming...it's all happening.

Peace and love,

{PL}

Mind Over Matter

I've been on an inspirational quote kick lately. I'm going through a Spring Awakening of sorts. Trying to figure out some pretty key aspects of my life. As cheesy as it sounds, quotes really do help. They motivate. Inspire. Provide a little bit of encouragement. It's like having a cheerleader on retainer. Any time I feel my spirits falling a little, I tap this never-ending resource. They're everywhere. No matter what ails you. A plethora of "go get ems!" and " you can do its!" at the click of a mouse button.

We all need a little encouragement sometimes and there ain't no shame in it. Find what motivates you...

Almost the weekend!
Peace, love and shoes,
{PL}

Fat Bottom Girls

I have a huge problem with yoga tights. Mostly because I don't feel comfortable wearing them in public. While in the confines of my yoga studio or spin class, I'm fine. Walking to the train, not so fine. But I am determined to be ready for a bikini by the end of May, so bring on the tights. In lots of colors and patterns. As long as they make my ass look good...

Enjoy this beautiful weather!

Peace, love and shoes,

{PL}

Etsy {no longer available}

Alo 

Fabletics

Teeki

Onzie

Photos care of respective websites

Get Healthy Plan for 2014

Every year I make resolutions to get healthy. Lose weight. Eat right. So far I am not off to a good start, but that is about to change.

In a week, I am leaving my job. I gave it three years and ten pounds. But life is too short to spend eight hours a day in a place that makes you unhappy. So, it's time to move on and figure some shit out.

Since I will have some time on my hands, I have decided to put a Get Healthy Plan into action.

I took my first Soul Cycle with one of my best friends on Thursday and loved it so much, I bought a class pack and am fully prepared to be this sore forever, if it means I am finally doing cardio that I actually like. I used to run, but after a few injuries I had to accept the fact that running long distances was no longer an option. Soul Cycle is perfect. Loud music. 45 minutes of balls to the wall, sweat your face off cardio.

Another weapon in my Get Healthy Plan is Physique 57. Strength training for ballerinas. Integrating dance moves and stretches with strength training. I want to awe people with my killer arms and I know this class can get me there...

The glue that keeps me together. Yoga. I have been doing yoga on and off since my senior year of college, 11 years ago. I took a class as my physical fitness requirement in my last semester and fell in love. The physical benefits are amazing but it's the emotional and spiritual benefits that really hit the home run for me. Yoga keeps me sane, quiets my NYC brain and is the answer to every question in my life.

The final piece to the puzzle. Diet (rolls eyes). I hate restricting what I eat, but I love to eat. SO clearly I have to strike a balance, otherwise I would be shoving cupcakes in my face hourly. Oh, did I mention I love to bake? It ain't easy being me. But I have decided that I need to go all in to make this year my healthiest ever. The older I get, the more weight I gain and the more I feel it. Sluggish. Tired. Occasionally blue. It's time to step it up, cut the excuses and finally put in 100%.