twenty fourteen.

It's the first day of a new month of a new year. Today was drab; cold and wet. Almost as if this Florida sky could open up and start to snow. However, it was still a lovely day. A lovely little day you were, January 1st. 

2013 was so much of everything. Fun, trying, joyous. I could go on and on. I learned so much. I learned about grief and what it entails. I learned how it takes a toll on those who are experiencing it first hand and those who are there to support. 

I learned what it meant to stop caring about what others have said about you. What people will choose to believe about you without knowing you. To let it go and be at peace with it. I learned how hard yet how rewarding it feels to wish the best upon someone who doesn't do the same. 

I had fun mini day trips. I had weekend trips. I had vacations. I danced until the wee hours of the morning. I laughed until I couldn't breathe and I cried until my head wanted to explode. I worked and worked and I played and played. 

I lived. Which is all we can really aspire to do while we're here I suppose.

I'm hoping I can do more of it in 2014. 

I'd like to really focus on checking in with myself throughout the day to ensure I'm present and aware. I want to take more time to meditate. I want to not be so afraid to dive deep within myself and explore that. 

2014, I think we're going to be just great together!

thoughts and things.

I haven't really felt like blogging lately. The thoughts I do decide I want to share are not long and extensive and seem more for Tumblr.

If you have a tumblr you can find me here: Kindy, Alex.

Not sure when I'll be back in blogger land. I ended up getting super busy at work and stepping into a new role and with that came lots of feelings of being overwhelmed and doubt. When things finally started to settle down, it was no longer habitual for me to come here so I just kind of forgot. When I'd think about it, it would feel like work. And who blogs like that (a side from the people who get paid)? No thanks.

So, we'll see. 

Happy hearts. :)

A glimpse in photographs.

I've not been around lately. Blogging just isn't in my bones these days. Lots has been going on though. Here's some snippets through pictures. :) 

Our little secret.

An old friend came to visit late last week and wanted to take me to dinner. I wasn't exactly sure what I could eat at Tony Roma's. Vegetarians don't typically eat at restaurants known for their ribs. But I figured what the heck. When I looked over the menu, I was drawn to the peach and blackberry cobbler (yeah, I have a sweet tooth, ok). It's so, so, SO not like me to eat desserts like that. Cobbler is something I'd refer to as "old people food". I'm an ooey, gooey chocolate type of gal.

When it came time for dessert, I ordered it. I'm not kidding when I tell you after my first bite of warm peach and blackberry cobbler with a bit of cold vanilla bean ice-cream I felt the heaven's open up. And then without a breath, I ate the rest of it as if I was an emaciated, malnutritioned child from a third world country.

So, two days later I went back to have it again. Oh, and last night, too.

Don't judge me.

Now I'm on the hunt for the perfect recipe. The only problem is I'm not a baker. Like, at all. I'm an "eyeball it" person in the kitchen, and I know you can't do that with baking which is why it's not my forte. I'm determined to learn though.

My newest obsession with cobbler? Let's just keep this between us.

Funky nails? No thanks.

This is going to sound nuts, but I have never received a pedicure from anyone other than myself. Ok, well, once I let my childhood best friend do it when we were in 5th grade. And 3-4 years ago I allowed a spa therapist to give me a foot massage. But that is it. I'm just not into feet. I realize how ironic this is given I love and obsess over nail polish and doing nails. But feet? If I can pass, I will. So I totally understand when a student tells me they aren't looking forward to pedicures and I feel their discomfort when someone with funky feet comes in. 

What blows my mind is how many people are uneducated on what a foot fungus is/looks like and even more so that the amount of people who don't realize they have one. Or that people "gage" how bad their fungus is and if they think it's "not bad" they come in for a pedicure anyway. 

Uh. Hello. No matter "how bad" you feel your fungus is, doesn't matter. It's still contagious and it's still extremely gross (sorry). 

I can't say I've seen it with my own eyes, because like I stated, I've never had a pedicure at a nail salon, but apparently this is common at nail salons. They will take anyone and everyone no matter what. Just hand over your $20 and they'll risk contaminating the bowl, implements, etc. and passing it along to themselves and/or other Guests. 

It doesn't work like that in our school. We are a school, and we run according to state law. If your toe nails do not look healthy and show signs of possible toe nail fungus, we will decline the service. You are more than welcome to come back after going to your doctor and presenting us with a clean bill of nail health. 

However, this might be the most awkward thing EVER. It's gross for the student who has removed the polished to find a fungus (hope they were wearing gloves!) and then has to play it cool while they get an educator to come do a "check" before they can move on to the next step of the service. 

This is where they grab me and brief me that Susie or Tom has gnarly nails and they think it's a fungus and are freaked out. Wah, wah, wah. This is when I try to keep calm while I mentally prepare my speech to let this person know (in front of others mind you) that they appear to have a fungus and they have to leave (oh, and show their funk to everyone in sight because we removed the polish, sorry 'bout that)! 

You know your nails are funky. They are your's. If they appear unhealthy why are you going to subject them to someone else?! SO. GROSS. And SO. EMBARRASSING. On both parts. You are willing to rock out with your funk out, and I have to tell you straight up to leave because of it. It's awkward for everyone involved. We don't want your funk, and we aren't willing to spread your funk. So stay home or go to those nail salons we discussed earlier. But not here.

The moral of the story is. If you are questioning your nail health - get it checked out. And stay away from my school for a pedicure. :)

You're welcome for this public service announcement.

What's up, buttercup? Currently...

Instagram  >> 



Olive was in such a mood on Sunday. She wanted to be on top me, nuzzled at my side or on top of the laptop keyboard. I love the position she fell asleep in. So cuddly and cute looking.

In my ears >>

The National, Little Boots, Charli XCX, Emma Louise. I love it all lately.

In my library >>

I'm about to start the 21 -Day Consciousness Cleanse. I tried reading this briefly a few months back but just couldn't focus. I shall try again! Also, my usual subscriptions to Glamour and Allure. 

On my mind >>

I feel like my spirit is so restless and I'm on a quest to figure this out. I'm looking forward to taking some amazing classes at a spiritual community center. Also really starting to get serious about the idea of a new car. It gives me so much anxiety, but I feel like that time is coming and I should start budgeting. It's also kind of exciting to window shop for cars.

On the tube >>

I think I DVR everything that comes on OWN. I have idolized Oprah since childhood and now that she has her own network, I'm in heaven. Oprah's Next Chapter? On it. Master Class? Got it. Super Soul Sunday? So there.

Fingers and toes >> 

Seriously cannot get enough of neons and bright colors. Summer is here and all I want are happy, cheerful colors. I don't recommend Sally Hansen's insta-dri (the color is superb, the brush bugs me out like crazy). Orly has a neon collection that is to die for. It doesn't help when you're licensed and can buy polish at half price. Dangerous!

Obsessing over >>

Monday afternoon I started to get a headache and tried to sleep it off. When that didn't work I drank a ton of water, ate something, and then took meds. An hour later? Still pounding. It's now 24+ hours later and my noggin' still kills. Migraine?? Who knows, but Blue Oil helps for sure! I rub this amazing oil on my temples and take some deep breaths of it in and I get sweet relief for a little while. It also works for congestion, sore muscles, and if you're nauseous, btw.

Dosha.

do·sha  /ˈdōSHə/

Noun (in Ayurvedic medicine) Each of three energies believed to circulate in the body and govern physiological activity. I think I've mentioned this, but I work for an all natural (97% natural) hair school. Along with hair and skin, we also teach culture. How we started, what we believe, etc. etc. One of the things we teach and touch on are Dosha. If you're interested in finding out which Dosha is predominate in you, there's an awesome quiz here - Dosha Quiz

Both my mind and body are a Kapha through and through. Occasionally, Vata is in a close second. 

Kaphas are naturally calm, thoughtful, and loving. They have an inherent ability to enjoy life and are comfortable with routine. When in balance, Kaphas are strong, loyal, patient, steady, and supportive. People with an excess of Kapha tend to hold on to things, jobs, and relationships long after they are no longer nourishing or necessary. Excess Kapha in the mind manifests as resistance to change and stubbornness. In the face of stress, the typical Kapha response is “I don’t want to deal with it.”

I'm so out of balance right now. I've actively blogged about my struggles recently, and I'm starting to become more balanced. However, it is a struggle. A friend and I have discovered a center that is non-profit and offers all kind of classes through out the month at such an affordable price for spiritual living. There's an energy healing class, positive energy flow class, and a class to inner peace. This could not have come at a better time. 

I love when you're unsure of what to do and it literally just falls into your lap. 

:)