I don’t think I can express how truly thankful I am that I can marry the person I love and receive full medical benefits and full legal rights. I could not imagine being denied my love by society or judged for loving the person that I love.

But that’s the case for a lot of people. It’s not fair.

Iman and I at LACMA Valentine's Day 2012

From Hot Mess to Organized Challenge: Week 4

Originally, I was going to post a recap on this challenge and miraculously show you how my life is organized in just one month. Then I realized that no amount of effort is going to take away the fact that I am a hot mess. I need to just embrace it. I simply enjoy doing and thinking so many things at the same time that I will always be a little bit of a hot mess.

However, I have made some major improvements in my organization that will hopefully stick. So instead of feeling bad that I'm a hot mess [which I was], I am now embracing the fact that I am a hot mess, but also embracing the part of me that loves to have things organized.

Empower yourself

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Thankful Thursday: BRAVE

B.R.A.V.E. women's retreat by Smitten By

I think that each of us, as women and as human beings in general, are brave everyday. We are always faced with some sort of a challenge. But while we are brave, I think that sometimes we lose ourselves in our courage and forget to value the good. 

The other day on Pinterest, I stumbled across an image for a women's retreat that is taking place in October called B.R.A.V.E. and I fell in love. It is hosted by Smitten By.

We are BRAVE Women when we look our deepest fears, insecurities, struggles and trials in the eye and say:

I am BEAUTIFUL.I am REAL.I am AMAZING.I am VALUED.&I am ENOUGH

Yes, I know that it is in Las Vegas, but doesn't it sound so amazing. A weekend to really value yourself for being B.R.A.V.E. and to grow as a person? This description alone might have me finding myself in Vegas!

Come look your fears in the face and realize your full potential!!!  Bring your girlfriends and be prepared for some  laughter, good food, great speakers,  and a whole lot of fun.  The theme this year is “Into the Fire” meaning this is the year to dive in and look fear in the face. Change the things in your life that need changing. Face your skeletons and find support from other women who are struggling too. We all have our challenges and trials, so now is the time to  head into the fire…coming out stronger, with more perspective on who you are the what you are capable of! There will be workshops on body image, parenting, marriage and real life (infertility,loss,etc) . You will leave  feeling inspired, loved, rejuvenated and ready to tackle life and all of it’s challenges! Come meet the Smitten crew and make some new friends while you are at it too.

 The retreat is what I would consider inexpensive as well, less than $100 if you book before April 10 and that includes food, a place to stay and all of the workshops. There are other options as well which you can find here.

Hope to see you there,
Raewyn

From Hot Mess to Organized Challenge: Week 3

I hope you have had better luck keeping your car clean than I have. It technically is an accomplishment since there is not very much in my car, and no trash but there still is a slight mess. My big problem is that I work 6 days a week and keep my work clothes in the car. Often I change in the car too, so I have about two outfits in my car. That's better than before!

This week, I wanted to tell you about how I keep my eating habits organized / healthy-ish, considering I work at a restaurant who mostly sells wings and other bar foods. The trick [for me] is to eat something healthy for breakfast.

Moving from Google Reader to Bloglovin?

I know I probably don't have much of a following (yet), but I do know that some of you that are following me are using Google Reader. Sad Face! I don't want to lose you (in fact, I really want to gain more of you!) So please head on over and follow my blog with Bloglovin!!

I was just getting into Google Reader (literally started using it earlier in the same day it was announced that Google was killing Google Reader. So we can stumble around together on Bloglovin (unless you already use it and want to give me pointers...actually any blog pointers are welcome!).

Previously, I preferred to read my blogs via email from my phone. If you like to do that you can follow me via email as well (check the side bar!). I use Feedburner. While you're at it, take a look at Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter.

Thanks so much Warrior Queens and future Warrior Queens!
Raewyn

Inspirations

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Thankful Thursday: Rightfooted

I don't think I've introduced to you what i call my Thursday posts. I like to think of Thursdays as Thankful Thursdays. 

On this day I like to post something I do to show thanks, use to show thanks or something I am thankful for.

This week, I am thankful for my arms and hands! I don't really sit back and appreciate all that I can do because I have them. I have never broken a bone or been unable to use my arms, knock on wood. I am a writer, and a baker, a craft lover, quad writer, driver and server. I use my arms in everything i do.

From Hot Mess to Organized Challenge: Week 2

The weekend before last, the fiance and I took what we called our "One Last Big Adventure" before spending all of our money on wedding stuff. While we were gone his dad decided to give my car, Daisy, some TLC. 

I call this part "Being Forced into Keeping My Car Clean and Looking Less Like a Hot Mess."

I always try my best to take care of Daisy mechanically speaking. I get the tires rotated and change my oil and filters when they're due, etc. But I am horrible at keeping my poor Daisy clean - interior included. Let's just say that my car is a mini example of my bedroom.

While my messiness may be a bit extreme in my car, I know I am not the only one with a messy car problem.   Under duress [aka guilt that my future father in law saw my messy car and cleaned it], I have come up with a system for keeping my car clutter-free. 

Inspire, Motivate, Do

Good morning Warrior Queens,

I thought we could start out each week with some words of wisdom - found all over from Pinterest, Tumblr, Instagram, etc or maybe even some made by me when I'm feeling particularly wise. These were rounded up from online. Print them out. Pin them. Feel them.

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Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!! 

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Happy Week! Don't forget to stop by tomorrow to hear about this week's From Hot Mess to Organized Challenge!

Raewyn

Tut: Letters from the Universe

Tut-Tut is my black cloud.

He used to hover nearby and when things would be stabilizing in my life, he'd come over and sprinkle me with weird luck. I can't say bad luck because it never was something horrible, just annoying. Like the time my spark plug died on the freeway turning my truck off on an uphill off ramp on my way to an internship interview. I had to come to terms with the fact that I would be late to the interview. Then the tow guy got there, fixed it in five minutes and I was early to my interview.

So not bad, but annoying. It never downright poured...just had a "tut tut looks like rain" moment. That's how he got his name.

Then I kept seeing on Christina Perri's instagram emails from the universe with daily inspiration, motivation and affirmation. His name was Tut.

From Hot Mess to Organized Challenge

If you know me (or have read through my posts) you know that I'm not exactly the most organized person on the planet. In fact, my side of the bed looks like someone took a wrecking ball to my closet, and Iman's side is absolutely spotless. Granted, I do have the million pillows we have on my side, too. But I know. I know I am a mess.

 Since it extends beyond just having messy things and living areas, it is safe to say that I am a hot mess - but not for lack of trying to be organized. I am always, always trying to be organized. Lists are my best friends. Planners are like my cup of coffee in the morning - necessary, but still I manage to forget it.

 So, since I'm back blogging, I thought I'd do a little challenge for myself. Feel free to join in if you are also a hot mess or just want to look at the cool things I've found that I'm trying to use to keep me organized.

 This week, we are going to start with leading organized days. As in, not rushing out the door to be almost late to work.

A weekend reminder...

While I haven't necessarily been blogging myself, I've recently begun to follow a gajillion blogs - on food, wedding, life, crafts, etc. Earlier in the week, this post completely inspired me, and I'm here to share it. Be sure to follow the link to get her beautiful printable!

Glamorous, Affordable Life: { Make Today Wonderful... }: Here's a little mid-week inspiration! I came up with this quote last week and loved it so much I made a printable to share with you all...

Welcome Back, Warrior Queens

Image compiled by a friend, from images found on google. 

Today, is Self Injury Awareness Day, a movement that is very close to my heart. As you may have noticed over the years, I have a deep commitment to helping, understanding, supporting and loving those who self- injure. TWLOHA is my favorite organization to support and align myself.

I must say, and you probably have noticed, by my lack of posting, that I've been a little caught up in my own life lately. Not that it is necessarily a bad thing, but it's not a very Raewyn thing to do. So much has been going on (like usual) but instead of turning to my WQ's, I've chosen the reclusive path. This path is not always negative, and can often lead to self-discovery. At some point I needed to put myself back out there and stop thinking about me, my life, my bad news, my good news, my plans, my friends, my family, etc. I'm the type of person who doesn't function well like that, and by helping people, I always help myself.