Tuesday Tip - Brunch!...

I can’t speak for the rest of the world; but this Winter has been a beast for the East Coast and downright miserable for us die-hard Washingtonians. We are done, done and all done with this cold, snow and frigid cold. It goes without saying that I have been inside without a break.  And after you have followed all my other comforting tips, you may need to just get out of the house, to kick the Winter Dull-drums to the curb.

So it was a delicious treat when one of my core life sustaining girls and fearless writer of  "A Parent in America", Jessica aka Cali Beauty and her man Chris; invited Team Fergie over for brunch last weekend.  All three of my Beauties skipped out of our house at 9:30 a.m. to party with Jess and her family. But Jess didn't stop with just us, nope she invited three other families to her home. Can I just say it was magic... A house full of kids. Adults all congregated in the kitchen, eating and sampling some delicious adult beverages (Mimosas and Bloody Marys). It was funtastic!

I don't know about all of you, but I'm soooooooo tired at the end of the day. On the weekends,  I just want to be able to spend time with my family. So this brunch was genius.  Everyone in the room was someone I was delighted to be with, happy to have an adult conversation, eat a fantastic meal and just delight to be in their company.

Jess and I are two extroverts, so I delight in her day or night. But what made brunch perfect was she got me at the best part of my day. And frankly it may be the best part of the day for all weary adults in our fast paced world. I don't know about you, but I crawl into my bed every night exhausted. But, because it was brunch, we got out the door early to start our day, not to mention my make-up was good, the kids were fresh and not exhausted from being tugged all over town. An additional bonus, we were all together, spending time with our best friends. Even with all the excitement, we still got home early enough to cross several things off our family to-do list, including thank you cards and a science fair project.

My Tuesday Tip, host a brunch.

At a minimum, pick up donuts or bagels and just get together with your friends. Everyone is less exhausted, the kids are happy and you get a two-fer. Time with your core sustaining friends and you still get to roll into your bed at a reasonable hour!

Many thanks to Jess and our  brunch buddies.... Look for an invite from us soon. It was a perfect day! 

Kathryn

photo credit: aliciagriffin via photopin cc

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Tuesday Tip: The Love Bag...

Since this week is the week of Love, I had planned on giving some love tips... 

But, my Tuesday Tip has taken a turn. While speaking with my dear friend who is recovering from surgery and gearing up for another procedure Thursday, she shared what she had in her hospital bag...  

It’s a little different from the one many of us took to the hospital when we had our beauties. The concept still holds; we need a go-to-bag for our many medical adventures. So thanks to my Colorado beauty; I've changed it’s name to the LOVE BAG and thought I would share what is in mine. 

My essentials for when I head out for my medical adventures. 

First off you all know what is number one in my Love Bag: ding-ding, gold stars Pilgrims.  My wrap (if you missed it here is the link to my first Tuesday Tip.) 

I also carry several other things to make me feel loved on my adventures, My chap-stick and hand lotions are also splurge items from Aveda (Santa always leaves a travel size Hand Relief and chap-stick in my stocking. I know so many of you will say, how on earth can you spend $8 on a chap-stick; well first off mine lasts forever, and second, we all need a few little things that make us happy... This is what works for me.  I refuse to share them; because the lotion and chap smell so good you wish you could eat them. These little treasures,  are a special love hug to myself on tough medical days.)

Always have a snack in the bag, if I get hungry waiting for the medical team. Of course some fancy writing pad to take good notes. Things don't seem so horrible if you take notes with a nice pen and paper.

Finally, I always carry a little treasure that makes me feel loved.  Sometimes it’s one of my rosaries; not that I'm praying; it just reminds me of the friends who shared them with me. My Colorado girl and I share the need to carry stones with comforting words on them. Mine say, “peace, joy, perseverance,” all good vibes when you are journeying through the medical maze. 

So that is what is essential in my Go-to-Love-Bag.

What is in yours? 

Kathryn

photo credit: ny156uk via photopin cc

We can stay in touch three ways:

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Second, speak privately to me by submitting your questions in the form on the right.
Third, get all the details from the road by entering your email in the box on the top, and receive each post in your email inbox (keep on eye on your inbox or spam folder to complete the process).
I NEVER SHARE YOUR INFORMATION, EMAILS OR CORRESPONDENCE with anyone. They are for my eyes only.

Sacred Space...

Tuesday Tip:  Sacred Space.

I love a tip that requires no money, no running to make an impulse purchase; this tip you can do right now, in your own home and spend zero dollars.  I promise you already have the ingredients in your possession.  

Today you will create your own sacred space. Sometimes, as busy women we don’t have anything that is ours, everything we own is fair game for others to “borrow".  The people we love most, touch everything; our phone, our lip gloss, our every possession is shared.  Some days it just becomes so draining not to have one small treasure that is just ours. 

That is how my sacred space was born. 

Now your sacred space can be as large or as small as you would like.  If you are lucky you have more than one spot in your home, depending on your mood. This is the spot where you curl up and pray, reflect, and recharge. 

For some, your sacred space may just be a simple candle. Any candle will do; sometimes it’s on the back of the toilet where you shut off the lights and close the bathroom door for silence, prayer and meditation. Some of us may be lucky to have a whole room.

Maybe it’s that little spot in the park that you head to all alone for lunch. That could be your space. In the summer, mine is outside on my screen porch, I have a beautiful fountain, a gift from my in-laws that creates such peace, you can’t help but sit and find the divine. 

The space may be some small treasures on a tray that you carry from place to place. Outside on a beautiful day or next to your bed on a day that has you resting.  You can keep this beautiful collection on your coffee or kitchen table. 

I think the basics include; a candle, an object from nature (orchid, dish of water, feather, stone, sand, sea shell) and some object that grounds you. For Catholics, we have our religious objects; a rosary, statue or icon.  Other faiths have prayer beads, or book of blessings. Perhaps a journal to write your thoughts, before or after. You will also need your holy book or the reading you want to meditate on. 

These are just suggestions, you will build your own space, and what works to center me may make you crazy.  That is so fine, focus and find the objects that matter to you . 

I find that most often my objects are gifts from the women I love most. For instance, a dear friend just sent me a rosary from the Church of the Holy Seplicur, from her recent trip to Israel. How amazing, my dear Jewish friend, sent her fav Catholic girl a rosary. Fantastic! That is on my desk right now, creating a sacred work space, with my candle and some roses. All gifts from the amazing women in my life.  

That is my sacred spot right this moment, as I write to you all. 

Your Tuesday Tip, make the time to create your own sacred space, fill it with a little silence, a little reflection, and you’ll be amazed how it can help you recharge.

Would love to see or hear about your sacred space, so send me your photos and suggestions and let’s continue the conversation.

Namaste.

Kathryn

P.S. Yes, that is the completed pink desk... You so knew I was going to get that desk painted!

photo credit: PilgrimageGal

We can stay in touch three ways: 

First, LIKE PilgrimageGal on Facebook and leave comments there (www.facebook.com/pilgrimagegal).

Second, speak privately to me by submitting your questions in the form on the right.

Third, get all the details from the road by entering your email in the box on the top, and receive each post in your email inbox (keep on eye on your inbox or spam folder to complete the process).

I NEVER SHARE YOUR INFORMATION, EMAILS OR CORRESPONDENCE with anyone. They are for my eyes only.

Bringing the Outside In...

Gift from my flower girl...

This is a simple and easy tip for everyone, not just our chronic disease friends. 

It is a simple tip to keep the sun shining warm on your face, by bringing the outside in...

Here in the DC metro area, we have what I call the winter blues. It’s the long days of gloom, cold and rain that face Washingtonians every winter, and makes us long for sunshine and dream of our sunny humidity filled summers.  I just want my flip flops, and to feel the sunshine on my toes.  

So, with the help of a wise teacher; I learned the lesson of bringing the outside in. Whatever you miss when trapped for the umteeeth day inside, bring a piece of it inside... 

For me, that’s easy. I need the promise of Spring.

So over the years I have cultivated an orchid collection from my visits to Trader Joe’s.  Just today I had to walk away from the $2.99 potted baby daffodils. I just long for sunshine in a pot. How does that not make you smile?!  For me, it’s all about the flowers and an orchid can stay in bloom for months at a time.

I have lavender sachets that I have hidden in the sofas, closets, drawers and the disaster that is my mud room. I bring my seashell collection out in the late winter, a silent tease and symbol of summer. I put sand, or in a pinch, dry white rice in a dish, small round jar, old ash tray and then display my treasures from the sea. There is something so magical about touching sea shells, setting them on top of your favorite book or just running your fingers over the edges.  It’s relaxing. 

Anything from the outside world, brought inside, to keep my spirits lively till the first real signs of Spring, when I can leave my windows and doors open and experience the real thing. 

So today, do a little something to bring the outside in... 

You won’t regret it and it will bring a smile to your face. 

Kathryn

photo credit: PilgrimageGal

P.S. We can stay in touch three ways: 

First, LIKE PilgrimageGal on Facebook and leave comments there (www.facebook.com/pilgrimagegal).

Second, speak privately to me by submitting your questions in the form on the right.

Third, get all the details from the road by entering your email in the box on the top, and receive each post in your email inbox (keep on eye on your inbox or spam folder to complete the process).

I NEVER SHARE YOUR INFORMATION, EMAILS OR CORRESPONDENCE with anyone. They are for my e

yes only.

Tuesday Tip - Wrap Your Way to Comfort...

Since I got so many nice comments about my first Tuesday Tip on bedding and PJs, the theme will continue. But, I promise not every Tuesday Tip will require a hit to your pocketbook.

Today, I’m going to tell you about the most important clothing item in my wardrobe.

My cashmere wraps.

I know cashmere is pricy and it is definitely a luxury item. But, the little wraps are the yummiest, most beautiful things I own and worth every penny.

I wear my wraps with everything in my closet, from sweats and jeans to my fanciest of fancy.

The times they have mattered most is when I have used them as the equivalent of my childhood blanket.  I always wear them when I’m all but naked on the exam table of my favorite hospital or doctor’s office. The wraps I have are soft, warm and provide a little bit of love when I’m at my most vulnerable. When you are in one those stupid paper gowns that we are all so fond of donning, a cashmere wrap provides a gentle hug.

The DC metro area is a place of extremes, cold in the winter and hot and humid in the summer. So my wraps are a staple, I wear them all year round. I use them in church and the car as a blanket and cover my summer shoulders in the air conditioning tundra at the store. I’ve wrapped my kids in them as I carried them to the pediatrician’s office.

They are lightweight and delicate, but hold up well to my rough and tumble life.  All of them are still beautiful. I get compliments on them constantly.

You can find cashmere wraps a lot of places, but my go to source is Garnet Hill.

(Let’s get the disclaimer out of the way. GH has sadly paid me nothing, not even given me a wrap. Ditto on the friends and family, who work there.  Not a one, but wish I did!)

I have or should I say, my beloved husband, has given me a wrap for my Birthday, Christmas, Mother’s Day and one time just because I whined a lot.  That covers the four I have (pink, grey, blue and teal) and my collection will continue to grow. I hope they make a bright green one for my Irish national holiday!

GH makes cashmere wraps in a zillion colors, and I hear you, $178 is a little steep, but they do go on sale and I have never paid more than $120 sometimes right at $100.  So if you keep change in a change jar, or skip your lunch out for a few weeks you will have saved for the single best purchase in your wardrobe.

http://www.garnethill.com/cashmere-wrap/334124 They just rolled out the spring colors and with the 25% sale til the 20th, I’m seeing some new friends in my closet!  

So there you have it. Wraps, love, love, love.

Kathryn

photo credit: Garnet Hill