jojotastic | category | deep thoughts

April 21, 2013

After the emotion and upheaval of last week, I think we all deserve a restful, peaceful moment. Glued to all forms of media for any update about Boston all last week, the relief I felt on Friday night cannot be described. I poured myself a glass of wine and pondered how we all need to be good to each other. That’s it: just be good to each other.

Headed into the weekend, I knew to surround myself with comforting things, things I love and that give me great joy. I went to Terrain again and devoured a lovely brunch with my friend Bekah. I basked in the excitement of seeing my chair front and center at Anthropologie. And I ate berries, lots and lots of plump, finger-staining blackberries. The simple things always have a way of centering my spirit.

plates by Suite One Studio

So tell me, what do you do to regroup and center yourself again?

photos by Jojotastic using Instagram — follow me here!

insta-week – no. 30

April 7, 2013

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deep thoughts, instagram

Writing this sort of feels like rejoining society. After a week of late nights and fast approaching deadlines, I decided to take Saturday off, a rarity for me. I just needed a day away from the laptop. It also doesn’t hurt that spring has officially started here in Philadelphia! It felt great to play hooky for a day and do things for myself: a sample sale, brunch at my favorite tequila bar, and a lazy nap in a sunny spot. I did have that voice in the back of my head worrying about how much I’d have waiting for me when I do plug in again… but you know what? It’s really not that bad. Proof that I need to unplug more often!

photos by Jojotastic using Instagram — follow me here!

two really good things

February 12, 2013

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art of all kinds, deep thoughts, two really good things

Things get tough sometimes… or maybe you just need a gentle (or not so subtle…) reminder. It’s all going to be alright and you just have to keep going. And maybe you’ll find cookies!

links: affirmation banner from Secret Holiday & Co. / print from Marc Johns

insta-week – no. 19

January 20, 2013

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deep thoughts, instagram

Work, work, and more work. Oh, and dogs! Seems like that was the theme of the past week. My photos don’t really tell the whole story though. Last week I took two huge steps toward being a happier and healthier person. Without going into too much detail, this was a long time coming and sometimes fear itself is too overwhelming and keeps you from doing what you need to do. But this week I was brave and, I have to say, I am very proud of myself. That being said, let’s see what the new week brings!

photos by Jojotastic using Instagram — follow me here!

a better me

December 28, 2012

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deep thoughts

I’m not one to make resolutions, but I really, really, really need 2013 to be an improvement from 2012. I don’t want to go into detail, but let’s just say the past year has been a doozy and I’m ready to start fresh. In the coming year, I resolve to…

Be more positive. For example, yes, 2012 was a tough year, but instead of thinking of it that way, I should rejoice in the fact that I finally launched this blog (something I’ve been wanting to do for years).
Take this blog to the next level. Better posts, more carefully thought out text, more original content.
Actually take care of myself. Full disclosure: I don’t work out anymore, I don’t eat enough vegetables, I drink too much soda, and I don’t sleep nearly enough. I haven’t had an acupuncture appointment in months and I can’t remember the last time I went rock climbing. I cannot go on like this.
Dress better. I totally believe that if you’re not feeling confident in yourself, putting on a touch of lipgloss or a nice pair of shoes will give you an extra boost. I need to push myself to spend the extra few minutes to do that for myself.
Write more. I used to be a daily journal keeper. Somehow, over the past year I have fallen out of this habit, but I definitely think it’s time to get back into the daily habit. It’s massively important for me to be able to mentally unpack the day and just put it somewhere else for safekeeping. Maybe this should fall under ‘taking care of myself,’ but it’s so important to me, that I wanted to give it it’s own resolution.

I didn’t want to go overboard with the resolutions, but these seem feasible. You’ve got to start somewhere, right? I’m off to Boston today to spend New Years with Dan and his family. I hope everyone has a wonderful new year with lots of sparkle and bubbles!

Glitter image via Pinterest

a room of one’s own

December 7, 2012

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deep thoughts

I have a confession to make: I’ve reached a lull in my creativity. My brain is drawing a big, fat zilch. My drawings look terrible, my ideas are stale, it’s just not working for me. Normally, I need quiet time to reflect and create, but right now I think I’ve had too much quiet time. I need to get out and explore. I need to break free from my self-imposed box and venture out, something I’m not always good at. Moving to Philly has brought out a different side of my personality that I didn’t know existed: I’m a bit more introspective and reserved now. I don’t adventure like I used to. Instead, I sit back and wait to be invited, wait for it to happen, wait for…? It feels like something is holding me back, but really it’s just my own trepidation about being in a new and, sometimes, scary place. I’m not very good at change and right now I am especially overwhelmed by it, even if the ‘change’ happened a year and a half ago. I know I need to get back to my adventuring ways, so now it’s just a matter of figuring out how…

PS – the title of this post is from a Virginia Woolf book, “A Room of One’s Own.” It’s a deceptively quick, but hugely impactful must-read.

left: a gorgeous Swedish villa from 79 Ideas
right: a romantic Anna Karenina photoshoot via Fashion Gone Rogue