Friday, September 7, 2012

"She Is Enough"


This has been an inspiration for me and I would like to share this with the beautiful women in my life!

She Is Enough by Roslyne Sophia Breillat
Throughout the mythology of ancient and Indigenous cultures she is Goddess, deity, cornucopia, spirit, wise and passionate womb of plenty. She is enjoyed as fulsome, celebrated as abundant, respected as wise, awed as untamed. Honoured and revered for her mysterious capacity for transformation, creation and change, her rhythmic dance flows wildly and freely from cycle to cycle, from lunar phase to lunar phase, from season to season, from birth, to death and beyond, an infinite circle swirling within an infinite universe.
The sublime integrity of her ancient wisdom and her wild, wild ways were never challenged, doubted or questioned, for the chaotic yet radiant beauty of her sacred essence was perceived and received in humility, awe and gratitude. Without needing to know anything, without needing to learn anything, the wise heart of her abundant womb always knows how to transform night into day, bring the buds into blossoming, sprout the fragile seedlings of the mighty forests, provide nutritious food, pure water and comfortable shelter for all, orchestrate her magnificent creation, every season, every cycle, every moment. The tribes and cultures who lived in sacredness and harmony with her inherent rhythms did not need satellite and computer technology to interpret her cyclic weather patterns and her seasonal transitions, for they were so deeply attuned with her natural ways. And those who loved her and lived in humble gratitude for her wisdom and her beneficence had no need for more, or for her to become more, for she was enough.
Ever since patriarchal civilisation deemed her as “not enough”, humanity has believed it is better, stronger, more important, more powerful, more resourceful than her. This ignorant belief of a society where knowing is more important than not knowing, thinking is more important than feeling, force is more important than power, doing is more important than being, busyness is more important than rest, mind is more important than mystery, intellect is more important than heart, has now seeped insidiously into the female psyche, creating deep wounding amid myriad layers of fear and doubt. Through forgetfulness and repression of their true nature, too many women now believe this untrue doctrine that emphatically declares, “I am bigger, better and stronger than you, my God is better than your Goddess, my wars are more important than your children, my technology is more potent than your natural healing, my toxic chemicals are more important than your humble herbs, my rape is more powerful than your lovemaking, my intellectual capabilities are far superior to your intuition. For you are not enough unless you become like me and the womb of your beloved Earth is not enough because I can do better than the Earth.”
The natural ebbing and flowing of a woman’s innately lunar cycle and her innately lunar essence is not enough for a world that does not acknowledge her need to turn inwards, to enjoy peace, rest, inner nurturing and the replenishment bestowed by her changing female consciousness during her sacred moon time. For, according to this world, her moon cycles and her womb cycles are not important, they are not worth honouring, they are not enough. Being a mother is not enough, for too many women must work long hours to support their families, because according to this masculine world, being a woman, being female, birthing and nurturing her children are not enough. She is expected to do more, to add to who she is, for she is not honoured as simply being who she is.
Her body, the abundant creative body of the Earth, is not enough, for it must be forced, dieted, starved of her natural flowing curves until she becomes too thin to be who she is and too gaunt to know who she is. Her nurturing outpouring breasts are no longer enough, for they must be enhanced, reduced, enlarged, reshaped and displayed by ugly synthetic underwear. The passionate life-giving wisdom of her female loins is not enough, for it must be suppressed by physical violation, interference, force, rigid timetables and toxic drugs, until she births her babies when and how others decree, instead of sweetly surrendering to this wise life giving and love giving power of her womb consciousness. She must aspire to become more, she must force herself to do more, she must accumulate more, for contemporary society perceives her as less.
The ancient powerful wisdom that choreographs her mighty menopausal metamorphosis from deep within her womb must be suppressed and denied by this mechanical, technological, linear world that thinks it knows more about the intrinsic, healing, cyclic ways of the female body and psyche than she does, for this world sees the menopausal woman as not being enough. She is not young enough, she is not fast enough, she is not beautiful enough, she is not useful enough. And so this world suffers by not receiving and enjoying and being grateful for the power of her wisdom, the passion of her transformational fire, the chaotic dance of her wise, wild ways.
Close your eyes… Remove your shoes, feel your bare feet merge with sand or rocks or dirt or grass or stream or lake or sea… Lie down with your bare belly resting gently against the Earth… Feel your sacred womb pulse as one with the sacred womb pulse of the Earth, feel her support, her power, her love… Breathe deeply and slowly and softly into the vast depths of your womb consciousness, into the stillness and darkness and peace of your deepest womb heart, into this heart and womb of the Earth… For in this vast and true inner place of your exquisite female essence, beneath and beyond the untrue ways of the outer world, you dear woman, like your beloved Earth, are enough… And this is more than enough…

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Where has the time gone!??

I am quite amazed that as each year passes it seems to get shorter and shorter.  It also seems to take so much time to try and stay on top of things.  Life has been dealing a very strange hand recently and I am trying diligently to stay focused on the right path.  Where is everyone?!  Can I be alone in this craziness of daily routines and circles?    Is there a way to stop time so life can be enjoyed a little easier?

Thursday, May 10, 2012


Underscore® VibrAcoustic® Baths

Kohler has all the cool stuff...

Wow!  I would love to hear soft music and be softly massaged in this tub!  Check out the website:

http://www.us.kohler.com/us/Underscore-VibrAcoustic-Baths/content/CNT14200163.htm 

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Hello!

Here is a place you can check out kitchen designs, etc.  If you search me, you will find me under zip code :14031!  I met Max and Phil (owners) at KBIS in Chicago last week. Nice guys and I had a great time seeing new things and learning how everyone loves to party ;)

http://kitchenbathchannel.com/

Great place for ideas!

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Decorating for the holidays (inexpensively)

It is that time of year to start preparing for the holidays.  We have lists to make, meals to consider, cookies to bake, arrangements for visiting families, gifts to make, gifts to purchase, people to visit, events to attend, and finally get our homes in order via decorating and organizing.  Where do we begin? If you are like me, you will not feel ready to begin the craziness in the least until your home is decorated and organized first.  After knowing that is accomplished, I can start on the lists!
On a tight budget, there are many ways to give your home the freshly re-decorated look.  First assess each room that you want to freshen up. Starting with your family room, take out "seasonal" items such as pillows, throws, light window treatments (sheers, valances, panles) that feel summery.  Then change some of your furniture around.  Move chairs, tables, and lamps to a diiferent spot.  Take out unnecessary items like toys, old candles, stacks of books, papers, baskets, small chairs, and scale down on the number of family photos/pictures.  If you need to wipe down the moulding from hand prints and clean the windows, do so!  Once you have a fresh "pallette", then decorate with things like a couple of new seasonal pillows, slipcovers over the sofa and chairs, new valances or panels, a fresh warm throw to display over the sofa, new fragrant candles, and possibly new lamp shades.  If you have time to paint one accent wall, you will give the room a whole new look!

Monday, October 24, 2011

"New for Buffalo: A superiority complex"

Buffalonians, you should be proud of the beautiful city you have!!  Last week the National Historic Preservation Council held it's conference here and what a review they gave us!  I am so excited to express what I have known for so long,  we have beautiful architecture, theater, homes, restaurants, parks, waterfornt, etc.   I could go on and on but please read the article from our Buffalo News entitled:  "New for Buffalo: A superiority complex" (instead of "inferiority").   http://www.buffalonews.com/topics/preservation/article604173.ece  My husband and myself did the Museums by Moonlight Tour last Thursday evening.  As we stood in line to enter the Richardson Complex (the "Psych Center" as we know it), the rain was like a monsoon but it didn't seem to deter the many people who commented on how surprised they were at our city and said that they will have to come back and do the things they couldn't possibly have time to do in one week! At least they didn't comment on our snow ;)  Enjoy the article and be proud!

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

So you think you can decorate?!

Boring Kitchen

In my career of over 14 years experience in the design/decorating field in Buffalo, I have had the priviledge of entering many, many homes to guide people with their design dilemmas.  First, let me tell you that for the most part, people generally have a good sense of furniture placement and organization.  After that it goes stale.
Yes, you paint and buy new accessories but somehow it all seems to be so blah.  Your furniture is boring (and possibly the wrong size or set up for the room), the paint colors you chose are just not right and your window treatments are hung improperly so they look like wet towels slung over a wash line.  Sometimes you wish that your house could look like the ones on HGTV or in magazines, right?   Well, the homes on t.v. and in magazines are professionally decorated and professionally lighted.  Not to mention that the accessories are usually purchased through someone who has access to everything at a trade price and an avenue of endless supply.  Unless you can devote many hours to scouring the internet, perusing magazines, and gallons of gas finding the right thing for that problem area, chances are you will buy something that everyone else has and now your home looks cookie cutter.
If you have an eye for design and decorating, you are one of the lucky ones!  There are not a lot of people who have the vision to see the space totally restructured or re-decorated.  Some people can't even visualize a different fabric on a piece of furniture or the way the furniture arrangement can be changed to make the space more appealing.  If you know this about yourself, hire a professional and feel better about your space.
For those of you who like to keep things fresh and are willing to refinish or reuse an object to change it up, good luck and keep the creativity going!  Never be afraid of color and never be afraid to ask a professional either! ;)
-R-
Poorly arranged

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Summer White Decorating

When living in Buffalo, we only have so many months that we can call "Summer".  So change it up for a small amount of time and money and decorate with the brightness of white!
White is an ideal color for a small space. The monochromatic palette opens up the room and bounces light throughout, visually expanding the perceived space. In a small nook, the contrast of textures -- chenille fabric, light airy drapes, and sparkling crystal -- pleases the eye. The beauty of decorating with white is that it changes shade as the light changes. A sun-bleached palette can become a warm and cozy ivory in the evening when lights are turned on.
Don't be afraid to get out the paintbrush. Any piece of furniture with a dark finish can be transformed with a few layers of paint and a bit of sanding that gives it a distressed look, will suit an all-white bedroom. Layer different shades of white to provide more texture and a sense of age to a room. Even an old metal chandelier can find new life thanks to white paint.
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Keep color to a bare minimum to bring furnishings of all eras and influences together with style. Creamy whites and taupe unify collected furnishings.
Slipcovers in white are easy on the eye and can be bleached when washed in case junior or fido makes an ice cream mess!
Use color as an accent and never be afraid of it!!

-R-

Friday, June 17, 2011

Need a Home Inspection??

Whether you are buying OR selling, it is almost a must to hire a home inspector.  Check out http://contemporary-estates.com/  Click on the link Services to see the list of 11 things you need to know to pass your home inspection.  Be informed, then give a call to set up your appointment!


Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Looking for furniture?

FWS in Buffalo, Orchard Park, and Williamsville has just listed new closeouts in their furniture section!  Closeout quantities are limited


Friday, May 20, 2011

This is the bathroom I want to be in!!!

"LIFE WITH A TWIST"!  the new Kohler Tresham Collection~ Classic Americana with a little modern eclectic sensibility.  http://www.kohler.com/tresham/

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Before and After Bathroom!

Bathroom before...

Bathroom after...

Better use of space, new shower with seat, and the color is invigorating to wake up to!

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Dreary days but bloomin' everywhere!

Oh My! More rain and more in the forecast.  But, look around...everything is so colorful, lush, and beautiful!  The grass is loving the moisture and so are the flowers and budding ornamental trees.  I have many Robins wandering around and happily chirping busying themselves on making nests. (My cats are going crazy through the windows watching!)  Soon people will be planting all of their Memorial day flowers and getting ready for vegetable beds.  The rain will soon subside and the humans will once again emerge with even more ideas on how to surround ourselves with the loveliness of outdoor living.