This week was a bit busy but in the midst of it all I was able to sneak off to a movie. I saw Iron Lady, which I had been wanting to see for sometime. I love history and I am fascinated by strong women and their stories. Really, I just want to know what it is that makes them so strong. Is it something they are born with, a strong fortitude. Is it a disposition they have sought after and worked hard to accomplish. Or are they strong because they have manuaevered hardship and walk head on into obstacles and chosen not to sit down when it all becomes too much? I think, perhaps, it is somewhat all of the above. Our circumstances and environment surely mold us and there are those that are naturally stronger in personality yet, truly, there are very special and unique individuals that have a drive, a belief, a purpose that they must live and if they cannot, they find living anything but.
Whether you subscribe to Margaret Thatchers political policies or not she is one of these women and I find her to be rather amazing. I know the movie is just a movie and in some circles has stirred some controversy as it depicts her with dementia [she is still living and some find it disrespectful]. After all, it is Hollywood not real life we are watching. It is a script and much of the conversation surely is based upon interpretation. What it is was, however, was a story. A human story. A story of a women that wanted to see change and was determined to make change happen. Thematically throughout the movie I kept hearing things like….do something….Today people are more interested about feelings rather than thoughts……Being something rather than doing something. Perhaps it’s a generation gap that continues to widen? It seems in those days, and the days before, people were about taking action and making something of themselves and with their lives. Today a good number of people are so consumed with recognition and being famous for one thing or another and consequently famous for things that don’t seem to matter much. It is definielty an interesting conversation to be had or even some interesting thoughts to engage. The movie was full of thoughtful one liners and quotes that are worth a thought or two. Here are few of my favorites:
“Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your a words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”
“People don’t think anymore, they feel. Do you know what one of the greatest problems of our age is? That we are governed by people who care more about feelings than they do about thoughts and ideas.”
Other MT quotes [not in the movie that I liked]“
“To wear your heart on your sleeve isn’t a very good plan; you should wear it inside, where it functions best.”
“Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren’t.”
If anything, Meryl Streep was beyond brilliant. First Julia Child to a T and now Margaret Thatcher. I’m pretty convinced she is the best there is.
So tell me, what do you think makes a strong lady [or person for that matter]? Do you have any favorite strong women that are an inspiration to you or fascinate you? Lets start a conversation.
[google]
Are you a smiler? Isn’t life just better when there are things to smile about? And realistically, sometimes there is not much to smile about. Life can be hard. I find when that is the case. a smile or a laugh is what you need the most and although they can be hard to find…sometimes it is the little things, like watching a funny movie or making a list of the small everyday things that we often overlook but are definitely worth something. Today, for me, my Dunkin Donuts coffee pods + a baby smile full of new teeth are making my list. What is making your list today? I hope you find something to smile about today even if it is just the above pictures.
And... the winner of the Easy Canvas Prints Giveaway is Rene. Please contact me at trina [at] lalalovelythings.com to retrieve your prize.
*winner chosen by random.org
**a new winner will be chosen at random if current recipeient has not made contact within 72 hours
The other week I wrote a guest post for my long time friend Christina [see us in all of our high school glory, below]. Its a few thoughts I need to think and on an often kind of basis. I thought maybe you’d want to think on them too
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Do you ever think about NOW?
It’s usually always tomorrow and yesterday that take all of our thinks and thoughts. I wonder about tomorrow and what it will be. And I think about yesterday, what could have been and what was.
What will I do? Who will I be? I used to be her and am I NOW still me?
But today is today and here I am now.
Now can be so boring. Tomorrow is exciting and yesterday is comforting. Now can be hard and today can be tiring. And yet now was at one time a tomorrow and it almost always looked exciting. In days to come, it will be now that will fill your mind with happy thoughts of days gone by.
I’ve always been a believer that what you do today will have a lot to do with your tomorrow. I think today should be lived with intent, purpose, hope and sprinkled with love. I always hope that tomorrow will be better than today. And I even try (on my good days) to do a little more than hope. Make little choice here and another there that will be for the good of tomorrow.
But as for today . . .
I’m a stay at home mom with 4 little la la’s and the days can be long…. sometimes grueling. Most days I’m just trying to make it through the day. Wake up, make it to nap time, snacks, make it to bed time and start it all over again. But days are turning into years. Baby faces are morphing into actual little people and now is full speed ahead into tomorrow.
And so for now, I’m trying to be more here today. To take a good long stare into little ocean blue eyes and see who they are on this day and to love in that moment.
It’s amazing what you will notice if you let yourself be where you are. On a walk you might notice the beautiful flowers you always passed by. Eating your ice cream you might actually taste it. Having a conversation you just might hear what the person is really saying. Their words may be the very thing that will keep you warm tomorrow.
Now here is that picture I was telling you about . . . Christina and I go way back. Like back to the days when we all wore clothes that were like 3 sizes too big and looked like they came from the men’s department.
Trina & Christina circa 1995
Christina writes a really thought provoking and honest blog called Welcome to the Laundromat where she shares her story and journey. She has overcome some pretty big things and in turn has a heart to help others. She is one of those ever giving, genuine kind souls (+ a funny one at that – we have had some really great laughs over the years). I’m beyond lucky to call her my dear friend.
Images 1 / 2 / 3 /
Want to know what I’m wishing for? Visit me over at one of my fave places, Reverie Daydream for my post on Wishful Thinking. What are you wishing for these days?
image | pinterest |
I la la L OV E
Roald Dahl. And
these words . . . I’m making them mine.
This photo sparked my intetrest and now I’m pretty sure I need this piece of art. I love the play on words. If you’re interested : SuagarBoo Designs.
Tomorrow | See what skincare I’m la la Loving at the moment
images | pinterest |
This my grandma. Isnt’ she a beauty? Today is her birthday and I’m so grateful for her. I don’t get to see my grandma often but when I do, our time together is precious. She was visiting a couple of weeks ago and I truly treasured our time together. I’m so grateful for the days we had together.
There are so many great things I could tell you about my grandma. For starters, she is one of the smartest women [people for that matter] that I know. She is strong, caring, loving and loyal. She is one of the best listeners that I know and always offers solid advice. Conversations with her are always intelligent and interesting.
Her story is one of hope. And her later years have been spent helping people in very bad situations. To say I admire her is an understatement.
People say we are a lot a like. And I’ve been told I do this or do that in the same manner she does without ever having known it. And I have to tell you, I take it all as a compliment.
Although, I don’t get to spend my day to days near my grandma. I hope that today she knows how very much she is loved and how very much I admire her.
Happy Birthday Grandma! I love you dearly!
images | la la |
Hi lovelies. What a week. I have to say the highlight for me was taking a trip into Chicago to attend the Decorate Book Tour at Anthropologie.
If you haven’t picked up a copy of Decorate yet, you are missing out. I’m sure if you are reading this blog than you love design books, yes? I do too. Some are good, some disappoint, some are pretty and some, a rare few, become instant favorites. And, Decorate undoubtedly falls into that category. You know, the type that you not only look to for a quick hit of pretty but the type of design book that you reference again and again for ideas, inspiration and trusted information.
Many of you probably already know the author, Holly Becker, as she pens the widely popular design blog Decor8. Not only does Holly author a major famous blog, a best selling book and articles for several online publications, she also teaches a course, which she founded, called Blogging Your Way. Blogging Your Way is an online course to help you better your blogging skills. I took the course last fall and enjoyed every second of it (and highly recommend it). Holly was one of the very first design bloggers on the scene and if anyone can answer an array of blogging questions, suggestions and proven practices it’s Holly. I found the course to not only be insightful and inspiring but full of detailed useful information. Things I had been wondering about and many things that I did not even think of were covered in the class. The course is equal parts inspiring and practical. I loved all of the pragmatic practices, programs and skills that were shared and introduced. But above all, I loved hearing Holly’s story and encouraging words.
So, Tuesday night, I was able to attend a little Mood Board Demonstration by Holly as well as a book signing. Holly was the very same person that she appears to be online. She is both lovely and genuine. I really appreciate that the voice she uses on her blog and the way she communicates with written word is the very same voice she speaks with in person (sometimes this isn’t so, friends). She’s the real deal. And don’t you just love those types the best? Me too.
One of my favorite things about blogging is the friendships and connections I have had the prividlege of making. So, if you are a blogger and you have an opporutnity to attend a meet up, a book signing or conference such as ALT don’t hesitate.
I spent the rest of my time in the city with my sister, Rocco and my dad. It was a pretty fab 2 days!
ps- I loved meeting Callie from Grayson : A Different Shade of Gray + Nicole from Making it Lovely!
images | la la Lovely |
