Happy Birthday Martha and in your honor, Eat Dessert First!

Succulent readers!

First everyone go to google.com today and see the animation! It's amazing!
www.google.com

Secondly, in honor of Martha Graham's birthday, I wanted to post one of my favorites quotes EVER, written by the diva herself. Enjoy. Read over and over and then again.

“There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique, and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium; and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, not how it compares with other expression. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is on a queer, divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.”

-Martha Graham (May 11, 1894 — April 1, 1991) was an American dancer and choreographer whose influence on dance has been compared with the influence Stravinsky had on music, Picasso had on the visual arts, or Frank Lloyd Wright had on architecture.

Vivaciously,
RR

Holly's Flavor!

There's something about May that makes me want to start every day with a dance party. (and I have many mornings! hah!) It's also the time where we come out of our winter slumps and start doing something. The spark is ignited. The creation must be created--we are called to begin.

This is Holly. She's a real spark plug. Let's take a lesson from her book:
"My flavor has to be something wild and crazy! Is there such a thing as confetti, dark chocolate, and lemon sorbet? If so, that's me. I'm a combination of things. I love to be the center of attention and perform (I play the guitar) and I also love to sit back and watch the action happen. I am fun and crazy with my friends and I'm loving and patient with my brother and sisters. Now that I think about it, I'm going to say I'm an ice cream sundae. A sundae with a big fat cherry on top. ( I have red hair:) )"

Holly, from one red head to another, you rock. You are an ice cream sundae indeed! How much fun and light you must bring to your friends!

Go! Be Fabulous!
RR

Girls are cool

This weekend, I had the fantastic opportunity to hang with a bunch of young ladies while doing a volunteer project. I was so amazed by their positive outlook on life and friends. They had a wonderful perspective on issues facing teen girls and seemed to have a really grounded way of navigating them. So to these fantastic young women--Bravo for Being Awesome!

Not that I believe everything should be a lesson, but--
when you are feeling low and maybe struggling in your friendships, remember--THERE ARE AMAZING GIRLS OUT THERE! Be brave, make friends out of your comfort zone. You might surprise yourself and find life long friends!

to being bold. to reaching out.
xoxo,
RR

New Flyer!

Hello dear readers!
I'm so excited to unveil my new and improved flyer! What do you think?

This is the start of something good. I can feel it.
xoxo,
RR

Eat dessert first...(or quote of the day!)

"There's such a lot of different Annes in me. I sometimes think that is why I'm such a troublesome person. If I was just the one Anne it would be ever so much more comfortable, but then it wouldn't be half so interesting."
- Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

Doesn't this ring true? Sometimes I surprise myself with parts of me that just show up. Sometimes good, sometimes not-so-good. But it is all me and my job is to embrace and love all parts of me. To celebrate the good and learn from the others..

To falling in love with ourselves. fully.
xoxo,
RR

Addy's Flavor

"I'm some sort of swirled iced cream! I think the swirl is the glue that keeps me connected to all my friends. I am trustworthy and dependable. I also LOVE to have a great time. I guess I could say that my swirl in my backbone, maybe my desire to connect who/what I love..."


Thank you, Addy. Awesome.

xoxo,
RR

A Must See

Lovely readers,

Today's post was made possible by my lovely and amazing brother in law, extraordinarily talented, patient, and best dad in the world to my sweet nephews.

Thank you, Pete. The world needs more of "you".

Ladies, take 15 minutes today to watch this video. It came from the TEDwomen conference in Washington, DC. She will knock your socks off. Hold on...



Inspired,
RR

A break for creativity

Dear lovely readers,

I apologize for being MIA for the past week or so. I've been feeling the need to step back, look in, and create...

This is what I've been doing. Enjoy!

xoxo,
RR

Do What You Please...

Sparkly Kate, dear friend and regular contributor, sent me this and I LOVE IT. You will too.
Enjoy!

xoxo,
RR

Eat dessert first...(or quote of the day!)

The fancy and generous Elizabeth Taylor died today.
In her honor, a collection of my favorite quotes...

"I feel very adventurous. There are so many doors to be opened, and I'm not afraid to look behind them."

“I'm a survivor - a living example of what people can go through and survive.”

“It's all about hope, kindness and a connection with one another.”

‎"I call upon you to draw from the depths of your being — to prove that we are a human race, to prove that our love outweighs our need to hate, that our compassion is more compelling than our need to blame."

Ms. Taylor, you will be missed.

xoxo,
RR

Comfort

It is raining cats and dogs in Los Angeles and it's made me crave comfort. Comfortable clothes, couches, food...
It's also made me gracious and thankful for my friends with whom I can be myself; totally comfortable and at ease with all that I am (and am not). I say we take this time to say "Thank you" to our best friends, our confidants, and our secret-keepers. These are the women who provide our souls the comfort we need to be the bold, courageous women we are.

to molly ellen aliza
xoxo,
RR

Eat dessert first...(or quote of the day!)

A quote from my favorite author, poet, speaker, and a woman who knows how to live well:

"A Gift for You
I send you...

The gift of a letter from your wise self. This is the part of you that sees you with benevolent, loving eyes. You find this letter in a thick envelope with your name on it, and the word YES written boldly above your name.

My Dear,

I am writing this to remind you of your 'essence beauty.' This is the part of you that has nothing to do with age, occupation, weight, history, or pain. This is the soft, untouched, indelible you. You can love yourself in this moment, no matter what you have, or haven't done or been.

See past any masks, devices, or inventions that obscure your essence.

Remember your true purpose, WHICH is only Love.

If you cannot see or feel love, lie down now and cry; it will cleanse your vision and free your heart.

I love you; I am you."

— Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy (Make Your Creative Dreams Real: A Plan for Procrastinators, Perfectionists, Busy People, and People Who Would Really Rather Sleep All Day)

Happy 100th birthday to International Women's Day!

Let's be inspired, challenged, enraged, and empowered by the bold words of the awesome Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton:




Doing my part: Boldly & Proudly,
RR

Lauren's Flavor

This post is so important to me. Lauren is one of the most courageous, driven, beautiful, and staggeringly funny women I've ever met. Her flavor was a year in the making, and readers, it was worth the wait. Lauren, thank you for being you. My life is richer/better/simply more awesome for you in it.

"Guess what? I finally decided...
Although I of course would like to come up with something more original and clever,after much obsessive thought, coffee it is...
I'm an acquired taste, you get me or you don't. I'm not too much to handle but I can come across quite strong, and as of lately, I'd like to think I am. I will sit back quietly minding my own, or give you a robust opinion, if you ask for it. I can be terribly bitter, I'm better in moderation, but I will always be there to accompany you through an ucomfortable time, try to warm your heart and give you ALL I have to offer.
Yay!!"

Let this inspire us to fearlessly love and embrace who we are.

Thank you dear friend,
RR

Eat dessert first...(or quote of the day!)

"There is too much pain in the search for perfection.
Come into movies 5 minutes late. Leave some books half
finished. Add a smudge to a drawing. Find the beauty
in what is, not what could be. Don't allow "perfect"
to become a synonym for "beautiful"."
-unknown