The Bella Life

Shows Update List for Shows 4-6

2014-06-17T17:35:00.002-07:00

I am just going to list my shows update for now.

1: lydia Loveless

2: Howl at the moon

3:Uh Huh Her

Show #4: M and M's

Show #5: The Naked and The Famous

Show #6: The Mirows (Grand Lake Accoustic Festival-Daven Haven)

#7: Ingrid Michaelson

#8-#10: phish at Dicks

#11: blues band in Taos at the Taos Inn

#12: Wonderlic

#13: the California Honeydrops

#14: Grace Potter

# 15: Big gigantic

#16: Joe Russo's Almost Dead

#17: Wonderlic

#18: American Authors

#19 Magic Gravy

#20 Speedtrap Single musician -Name?

#21 Musical-How the Grinch stole Christmas

Show 3: Uh Huh Her

2014-05-10T19:17:00.001-07:00

Ok, I will start out by saying, this is not my preference for music. I prefer less house and more jam. I went to see Leisha Haley. And, for that, this show delivered. It was in a tiny venue (The Walnut Room-which by the way-your remodel sucks). The band had a DJ opening and she was actually entertaining. She danced behind her equipment (I am not even cool enough to know what it is called) and interacted with the crowd. Uh Huh Her had very little interaction with the crowd. Their playing was just so-so. The drummer was pretty awesome.

But, what they did that obviously takes skill is lay down tracks before songs on their keyboards, etc. For two people and drums, they actually accomplished a pretty "full" sound.

Next up: M & M.

Show 2: Howl at the Moon

2014-04-23T09:52:00.000-07:00

This is not a "show"-in the typical definition of "show"... but I am including it because the talent of the musicians was pretty shocking. First, there was a girl who rapped. Oh, and second, a white boy that could rap. Their transitions between songs were legit. I am pretty sure they end the evening on a Friday or Saturday night with house music that they play over because it seemed to be pretty typical club fare rather than things that people would actually request. I also heard instruments that no one on stage was actually playing. However, the raw portion of the evening was authentic and fun. I think it is worth a thumb up (not two), as it did give me a post-show glow. (Ask my partner-after a show I usually have a ton of energy)

Show 1: Lydia Loveless at Hi-Dive

2014-04-16T07:06:00.000-07:00

My goal for my 36th trip around the earth is to see 26 shows. Lydia Loveless was my first April Show. I took my 12 year old daughter to a dive bar to see her.

My first impression-which started with the opening acts- is that the sound in this place is horrible. It is so loud and lead guitar heavy. You couldn't hear the vocals of any of the bands. I was a little frustrated with this because Lydia Loveless can really belt them out.

Then, Lydia came on stage-she is so small but she makes up for it in attitude. That chick is ROCK. She threw a Fender on the stage with a thug, she made a few jokes-called her lead guitar player a socialite and bitched about not being able to leave the stage between the set and the encore.

Her husband looks like a long haired Will-Ferrell. Not kidding. But, he was also a rockstar. Probably one of the more talented bass players I have seen in a while. Can't say a "long" time because I saw Phish in the last year.

Anyway, great first show for my 36th trip around the sun.

February Happiness Project

2014-02-22T23:59:00.002-08:00

I decided that February my focus would be on relationships and my own personal commandments. I was going to force myself to sit down and write my commandments (which I have done and will share at a later day). Then, I would start some research on some of my more nagging relationship issues. The premise of the happiness project is that you cannot change someone else, you must only work on yourself. I decided that I would act "as if"... I am going to act as if my relationship is absolutely perfect. The response was amazing. I heard "I feel like we are doing so good and I am so happy" from my partner. I guess one person becoming happy really does impact the other person.

The other thing I decided to do was to stop looking at the facebook page of someone who has been hurting me. I don't think it is intentional on this person's part, and it isn't even really directed at me, it's just a lack of consideration for my feelings that has got me upset. This reminded me of a book I once read called "The Four Agreements." In the Four Agreements, one of the cornerstones is to not take anything personally. Things that people do towards you are not about you (good or bad), it's about them.

I decided that this would be one of my own personal commandments. I am going to live with as much integrity and love as I can and then if people hurt me or are disrespectful then it is about them and not about me.

'til next time, live a bella life,

jadi

My Personal Commandments

2014-02-06T13:42:00.002-08:00

This is my picture. It's who I am working on. It's not that I am unhappy. I just think that I am not realizing my full authentic life. Therefore, I am writing my personal commandments. I am going to say that for now, this list of commandments is a work in progress.

* Be Jadi
Jadi loves music and needs some alone time with music to rejuvenate her soul. I am a teacher. As frustrating and exhausting as that job is, for now it is who I am- even though it doesn't pay enough-it makes me happy.

* Enjoy your home
Declutter, organize, clean and make shrines

* Enjoy your body
Eat good food, Exercise, and buy clothes that fit.

* Don't take things personally.
I am going to live my life with integrity and then I can know that if I acted with dignity and kindness then the way that other people behave is a statement about them not me. If it does happen to "be me" that did something wrong, I will apologize-sincerely.

* Trust
Have faith that my partner will stay. Have faith that my partner is closest to me, and believe the positive evaluations of the other person. I am going to act "as if" I already trust. Honestly this is not my partner's fault-I was given this pattern as a small child and I am working on it. Which brings me to my next commandment

*change
Life is about change. I need to make sure that I give life the intention of positive direction.

* Compassion for me
I am going to forgive my mistakes, excuse my negative thoughts, ask those thoughts to leave, and quit negative self-talk.

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.

-Dali Lama

Relationship Happiness

2014-02-06T10:32:00.002-08:00

I am continuing to work on my January happiness project-making my house more comfortable and organized-but, I am also beginning February's project which is doing things (not expecting things from others) that make me happier in my relationship.

First, I am doing 20 second hugs. Daily. I read an article that after 20 seconds of a hug, a dose of oxytocin is released in the brain. That makes me happier.

So far, this part of my project is well-received. The response from my partner was: "why do we have to limit it to 20 seconds?"

We have always done warm hellos and goodbyes. I am still thinking about some more things to add to my relationship portion of my project.

Here is a link for an article about 20 second hugs:

http://www.tydknow.com/did-you-know-that-a-hug-that-lasts-for-20-seconds-releases-oxytocin-which-can-make/

I Threw Out My Towels...

2014-02-02T21:52:00.001-08:00

I took all my towels and threw them out... In the garage. Every last one of them is now in a new home. These towels are for washing cars, dogs, cleaning, beach/swim. They are no longer housed in my house.

I have given each person one lovely bath sheet from Ikea and I am getting them embroidered with initials so we all know which towel belongs to which person.

Why? This is lunacy... Mad.... Craziness...

My theory is that we should have a clean set of towels for quests. Then, we should each have a towel. Although, I might go get regular towels to match for drying hair. But, having an abundance of towels has simply meant having an abundance of laundry and towels are heavy. My laundry is in the basement, my showers are on the second story. See... I am so smart. They don't give Ph.D.'s to everyone, as you know....

Happiness Project

2014-02-01T23:32:00.000-08:00

First, I should give a shout out to Gretchen Rubin. She wrote two books that have inspired my Happiness Project: The Happiness Project and Happier at Home. I am putting ideas together from both of the books to create my own happiness project.

Here are some of today's happiness project acts:

This is our downstairs bathroom. It is more of a powder room, but it is where my partner gets ready for the day. Yes, I am spoiled and get the Master Bath. But, I organized all of the things that we keep in there and I think I like that there is some space to "grow" should we need to do so.

On the left is my organized projects. I need to finish some keepsake books, photo albums, and I am making something with these ticket stubs. My other happiness generator is music and I have a plethora of music stubs. On the right is my supplies for those projects. I need one more of those bins I think. My craft desk is clear enough to work at now :)

Then I started to tackle the kid's room and bathroom. This is her storage area in her bathroom.

After we went through all of her things, she has room to spare. I like to have some empty spaces.

The Elfa system from the Container Store was a major pain to start, but once we got it in there my 12 year old daughter was able to put the baskets in herself. She will be happy that her board is in the shot :) .
And, Lastly...

Hello Kitty! This is the princess Mona.

Happiness Project

2014-01-31T21:40:00.000-08:00

I have decided to start posting some updates on my happiness project in my Bella blog. Ultimately, I hope to make my spaces in my house more boutique-like because that makes me happy.
January's focus: Make my home organized.

It's not cleaning... I hate the word cleaning-it sounds like a chore. But, when I focus on doing something because it actually makes me happier-I can do that.

I have started by organizing some of my "problem" places of my house.

The first space is a T-shirt drawer. I found a video that discussed using a flip and fold (from the Container Store) and then folding T-Shirts so that they stand up this way and you can easily pull them out of the drawer. I have been using this system now for over a month and it continues to function well and it is definitely making me happy.

This is my bookshelf. I have to have it in my bedroom because my house is tiny and we all have a lot of hobbies. I decided to color-code my books rather than other systems of organization. It is more visually appealing to me and I don't pull books off of this shelf often so it is working and I like it, it isn't feeling like more clutter in my bedroom, it is feeling like something visually "pretty"...

The white boxes at the bottom were purchased at IKEA years ago-they are magazine file boxes. I put anything with a flimsy spine in those so that they would look nice on the shelf.

This is my linen closet which has been useless since we moved in the house. It is TINY. I am still figuring this out but I took all of the towels out of here and have decided to keep a box of cleaning towels and then only purchase each person a body sheet and a hair towel and I am going to find someone to embroider our initials on them and each person is then responsible for their own towel. This one is still a work in progress.

Dillards Sale!

2013-08-10T23:00:00.001-07:00

Just a quick update. Dillards is having a sale today. A LOT of stuff at 65% off!

Plus Size Swimwear... Um Beautiful!

2013-07-10T00:13:00.001-07:00

Robyn Lawley has launched a beautiful plus-sized swimwear line. It's gorgeous! I love this one. It's perfect!

Check out the website for the full line.
http://www.madisonplusselect.com/collections/robyn-lawley-swim/products/cosmic-libra-adjustable-bikini

Laurie Maves' Art Gallery Opening

2013-06-28T22:01:00.002-07:00

Tonight we had the pleasure of attending Laurie Maves' Art Gallery Opening. I just get so happy when I see her work. I get it now. Now that I have been in her physical presence, I can honestly say that she has an amazing, loving energy. I bought a piece of her work tonight, a small section from a larger piece that she cut up from the larger picture.

I love the song, love the artwork. Glad to have a piece of it.

Love....

And a video of her creating it...

http://youtu.be/pXkDabY9IlU

Keep Castle Rock Weird

2013-05-17T11:16:00.002-07:00

There are some things that I really love about Castle Rock...

The Smells Good Store

Go in and chat with Vicky. If you are lucky, you can meet her dog. He is about the sweetest soul to ever wander the earth!

http://store.thesmellsgoodstore.com/

It's the kind of place where you can cut your own soap... She carries ZUM and other brands but she also makes her own. I like the poppy seed soap because it feels like a scrubber!

Vicky carries a product called Trap A Crap. You spray it in your toilet before you "go" and it works way better than a air spray.

Michelle Obama IS the best dressed first lady.

2012-08-14T19:53:00.000-07:00

I don't think she is the top ten, I think she is the top ONE!

I stole this from this:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/02/08/michelle-obama-fashion-top-10-best-dressed-first-ladies.html

But, I am taking a stand. I think she beats Jackie O. She way outshines Nancy R.

Target Find!

2012-08-05T22:10:00.001-07:00

Curvy Ladies. Target has some very cute casual shirts right now. I usually skip their clothes because I find them sort of .. how to say this... grandma-ish. I found this boat neck T today. love it. Yes.. I am being a risk taker and showing a picture of myself. Be gentle!

2012-08-04T01:41:00.001-07:00

Queen Grace Collection - The Kara Blouse - Yellow

2012-08-03T22:35:00.001-07:00

I love this picture it makes me happy. I think it is all the yellow. Maybe it is the beautiful curvy woman clothes?

Queen Grace Collection - The Kara Blouse - Yellow

Blinging out Jeans

2012-08-03T22:02:00.003-07:00

I decided to bling out some jeans to make them look a little more like Miss Me Jeans (Since they aren't curvy lady friendly).

Beautiful Clothes for Curvy Girls

2012-08-03T22:01:00.001-07:00

I have hit the payload folks! I found the most beautiful clothes for curvy gals. Check out this New York line called Queen Grace. I found them because they were part of a plus-size fashion show in NY. I am loving everything I see! I also just ordered it and will update how much I love it when I get it.

Miss Me Jeans? Plus-sized version

2012-07-18T11:09:00.002-07:00

I am taking plus-sized jeans and blinging them out for my own plus-sized version of Miss Me Jeans. I will probably end up selling these in my boutique.

Curvy Lady Friendly!

2012-07-15T19:46:00.001-07:00

I love this dress:

This dress is from designer, IGIGI. Her clothes are fashion forward for curvy ladies! Love it!

Oh, how I miss the summer......

2011-09-26T18:08:00.000-07:00

Spending a leisurely day at the boutique...But I am happy that fall is here because it is time for fall fashion!
According to Elle Magazine... Colors this fall are Orange, Mustard and Camel... Enjoy friends! Just don't look jaundiced!

http://www.glamour.com/images/fashion/2011/02/0217-04_fall-2011-fashion-week-rust-colored-coats-dkny-jill-stuart_li.jpg

Getting back on track :)

2011-07-12T22:36:00.001-07:00

I have had a few things happen this summer that stunted my blogging!! I am getting back on track ASAP. Sorry!!

Perfect Summer Dress?

2011-06-07T23:40:00.001-07:00

JJill says this is the perfect summer dress. I don't know about that. But, I love her hair!