sunday sparkle

While I'm not a fan of glitter, my eyes light up when I see a pair of glittery sandals!  There’s something magical about them when the sun hits the tiny diamond-like insets and the shoes sparkle in every color of the rainbow and beyond. Now they must be tasteful or fun and well made for me to break out my credit card, so I was tickled when my slides arrived since I had ordered them online, sight unseen.

I first spotted a similar pair on an Instagram ad and immediately clicked onto a website that gave me pause, as many of those that pop up on my feed do. I checked the credibility of the company selling the sandals only to discover that it (like way too many others with questionable names, so be sure to investigate before you load up a cart) had a one-star rating. My disappointment was deep, though I wasn’t sure why except to say that maybe sparkle is my new pink! You see, when I was a young girl, I loved the color and would quietly get so sad if my sister got the pink or even red anything leaving me with a blue or green whatever the item might be, including jelly beans at Easter!  As I grew up, pink things were plentiful and available without competition however, my color palette had broadened and pink turned to fuchsia, orange, chartreuse, turquoise, and lots of black. 

Somewhere in between passing birthdays, I became fascinated with twinkling straps, shoe ornaments, and insteps. I love looking down at my feet to see those dazzling little lights blinking up at me and these new cuties are no exception; can’t wait to step out and sparkle so come on  summer! Until then…

keep your peepers open!®

#sunday #sacredsunday #wearewomenwriting #blogher18 #womenwriting #blogpost #blogging #blogger #blogalicious #inthemoment #photographer #photography #keepyourpeepersopen #peepthis #walkinginstyle #outandabout #sparkle #maddengirl #sandals #summer #insearchofspring #pink #instagram

sunday scenes

I was feeling a little blue, so I threw on a sweatshirt, leggings, sneakers, earrings, sunglasses, and a florescent pink knit hat, slapped on sunscreen and lip gloss and headed out with my camera. In search of spring, I found myself stopping to contemplate several neighborhood scenes and objects that caught my eye. I would get very still, quietly studying what was before me, not allowing myself to be distracted by people’s voices as they passed by, trained their dogs, or worked planting shrubbery. Later, while uploading and editing, I took into consideration how each image felt to me when I was standing in front of it along with how I viewed the actual captured photograph.

I relished the long leisurely stroll through my neighborhood, the cool air and warm sun keeping my body at a pleasant temperature. I was surprised to bump into an acquaintance from Howard U who, though living close by, has never crossed my path on the street, in the Safeway, CVS or a restaurant before; it was such a lift to get an unexpected (and much needed) hug. 

In search of spring, I got much more than anticipated when I first stepped outside my door including signs that warmer weather is just around the corner, 

so…

keep your peepers open!®

#sunday #sacredsunday #wearewomenwriting #blogher18 #womenwriting #blogpost #blogging #blogger #blogalicious #inthemoment #inspiration #motivation #wellness #mindfulness #solitude #photographer #photography #outdoorphotography #insearchofspring #HU #Uknow #keepyourpeepersopen #peepthis #SWDC #igdc #aCreativeDC #walkinginstyle #outandabout

sunday memory

When traveling with others, one has to find moments of solitude. Getting up before the rest of the world is awake is something I do when I’m at home, so no matter where I go, I keep to my routine. On the morning I snapped this photo in Sorrento, it had rained hard during the night, claps of thunder awakening me, the lightning strikes more electric than in the States as both rolled across the night water; eventually the storm lulled me back to sleep. I awoke just as the sun was trying to make its way through the fog, went out onto the balcony. A cool wet tickled my feet, blue fully opened my eyes. There was a freshness in the air foreign to my American in Italy nose and as it blanketed me with a cloak of dawn, I stood and gazed over the neighboring uninhabited balconies, thankful that no one was stirring just yet. In the distance the mountains continued to rest as the first ferry of the day was already in motion, though there was not a sound to be heard. It’s these moments in the morning as I travel that bring me back to center, allow a stillness to enfold before the exhilaration of what’s on tap for today begins, so be sure to go places and when you do… 

keep your peepers open!®

#sunday #sacredsunday #wearewomenwriting #blogher18 #womenwriting #blogpost #blogging #blogger #blogalicious #inthemoment #inspiration #motivation #wellness #mindfulness #solitude #photographer #photography #sorrento #travel #artist #keepyourpeepersopen #peepthis

sunday wishes

each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, 

no solutions are searched for. - maya angelou

This quote was posted on Instagram last week; I’d never seen/heard it before and was compelled to snap and send it to some of my friends who just can’t seem to shut it down even when their mind, body, soul and hearts ask them to. Over a year ago, I put an appointment on my calendar under the entry “sacred sunday”. Almost every Sunday since that moment, I’ve made sure fresh flowers are in my home, gotten up as early as my body wants to (usually in the dark), lit candles, put on a pair of earrings, meditated, sometimes have tea or latte as dawn arises, and taken the day to just do whatever comes up…even if that means absolutely nothing. More often than not, I read, write, collage, listen to music, cook, go out with the camera when it’s warm or snowy, watch old B&W movies, nap or, on occasion, brunch with a friend. With the exception of posting my blog, more recently I’ve stopped turning on my laptop and have slowly started to refrain from checking social media, emails, and even answering the phone (though I do take a look at least twice during the day to be sure I’ve not missed anything family or friend urgent). 

Sunday is and has been my day away for awhile now, I am better for the time taken. So on this Sunday, I’m wishing you sacred moments whenever you can find them or better still, make a date with yourself and when you do…

keep your peepers open!®

ps - I know an entire day is not doable for many, so find an hour if you can.

#sunday #sacredsunday #wearewomenwriting #blogher18 #womenwriting #blogpost #blogging #blogger #blogalicious #inthemoment #inspiration #motivation #wellness #mindfulness #photographer #artist #keepyourpeepersopen #peepthis #belifted #eye4thejewels

sunday signs

There are moments in time when I am left without words as I observe the happenings of the world in which we live, times when we just need to pray.  

May the signs of the time encourage you to determine how you can make a difference as you…

keep your peepers open!®

collage print by tina scott lassiter, entitled “…in the balance”

#sunday #wearewomenwriting #blogher18 #womenwriting #blogpost #blogging #blogger #blogalicious #inthemoment #inspiration #motivation #wellness #photographer #artist #keepyourpeepersopen #peepthis #belifted #StopSchoolShootings #StopGunViolence #MillionChildMarch #makeadifference #inthebalance #signofthetimes

sunday thought

Wednesday is Valentine’s Day and the choice to celebrate it is a personal one. Whether you do or don’t, do let it serve as a reminder for heart health, remember to love yours, and as you do…

keep your peepers open!®

#sundayvibe #sundaymusings #sundayflow #sundaythought #sundaymoment #belifted #wearewomenwriting #blogher18 #womenwriting #blogpost #blogging #blogger #blogalicious #inthemoment #inspiration #motivation #wellness #photographer #keepyourpeepersopen #peepthis #valentinesday #healthyheart

sunday moment

treat yourself like the guest of honor in your own life…

I read this phrase somewhere recently, for some reason shouted out loud, DAMN RIGHT, and then immediately knew I had to spread the words!! 

Each of us deserves to be treated well however, being well treated starts with treating ourselves well, so ponder that for a moment, have a spectacular Sunday (or whatever day you happen upon this), and…

keep your peepers open!®

#sundayvibe #sundaymusings #sundayflow #sundaythought #sundaymoment #belifted #wearewomenwriting #blogher18 #womenwriting #blogpost #blogging #blogger #blogalicious #inthemoment #inspiration #motivation #wellness #photographer #keepyourpeepersopen #peepthis #laduree #guestofhonor