IMPERFECT VS PERFECT

I read an article last week about imperfectionism (which apparently isn't even a word - how imperfect of them).

I don't want to say it bothered me, but something about it wasn't quite right. (read it yourself)

I'm sure you've noticed an upswing in "real life" posts on a lot of blogs out there, too.  The things I'm afraid to tell you craze that took off last year was a great reminder that the shiny and polished lives people instagram, tweet, and post about are only brief glimpses into very "normal" and imperfect lives.

Somehow, Jennifer Lawrence has become the unofficial spokeswoman of imperfection.

Did you know she fell at the Academy Awards?

(I sincerely hope you caught my internet sarcasm there)

Before I get ahead of myself, let me state very clearly that I think Jennifer Lawrence is beautiful, talented, and that her candid nature is very refreshing.

But I don't think that celebrating her unabashed openness needs to go hand-in-hand with bashing the more polished women in the spotlight.

I mean, in the same sentence that people praise Ms. Lawrence's foul language or, shall we call them, uncensored facial expressions, they feel the need to put down Anne Hathaway.

(note: I have noticed this in several articles, blogs, and other forms of social media - this observation is not isolated to the article I referenced)

Can we not celebrate both?

Can we not admire Jennifer Lawrence's free spirit and perfectly tousled hair and conversational tone and off-the-cuff interviews?

Can we not also admire Anne Hathaway's professional spirit and perfectly coiffed pixie cut and articulate interview responses and acceptance speeches?

Don't get me wrong - I love the notion that there is beauty in our imperfections.  My apartment is a little crazy right now.  But it's a little crazy because I had a fantastic weekend and I set chores aside in favor of a hike and a wedding celebration.  There is undeniable beauty in that.

But when I get home tonight I'm going to sweep and vacuum and finish the projects I started and do laundry and go grocery shopping.  And my apartment is going to be shiny and clean.  And my life is going to look pretty polished and professional.  And that is beautiful, too.

I guess what I'm saying is... celebrating imperfections and perfections doesn't have to be mutually exclusive. 

Let's continue to be honest and open and share our "real life" moments... but when you work hard and that hard work pays off and you have something shiny and perfect to share, you shouldn't be embarrassed or ashamed or afraid that someone will rain on your parade and call you a phony.

Let's not turn Anne Hathaway into a villain or an insulting name to call someone who seems to have it all together and Jennifer Lawrence into a hero for being "real" and sometimes behaving a little unprofessionally (there, I said it - it is, after all, her job to be in the public eye).

I, for one, embody a little bit of both of them (and I'm pretty sure everyone else does, too).

Imperfect and perfect can (and do) coexist.

I would love to hear from you on this issue.  What's your take on imperfect vs. perfect?

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MY WEEKEND

Nothing like a weekend recap on a Tuesday to make you feel stranded in an ocean of never-ending weekday workdays.

Anyway, I had a(nother) fantastic weekend.  I promised myself that March would be full of "me" weekends, because April is full of "everyone else" weekends (in a good, fun way).

Friday night my boyfriend and I had a delicious dinner at my friends' house.  I got to finally congratulate them in person on their (no longer) recent engagement.  Can't wait to celebrate with them on their big day in August!!

I also learned that I have a serious fear of birds going on.  They have chickens and I had a cow (couldn't resist a terrible farm animal pun, sorry).  But seriously... chickens in a coop are cute... chickens flapping wings around being offered to you to hold are terrifying unpredictable wild animals.

Saturday I finally started the project that I mentioned way back here.  This color is just so great:

Benjamin Moore - peony

I'm going to slap on a couple more coats of paint this afternoon (lunch break projects are stressful the best) and hopefully order some new hardware.  Finished photos in the next week or two for sure.

Then I went on a romantical date hike with a new friend.  We grabbed a couple snacks at Whole Foods and headed out to Tilden Park in Berkeley.  We made it to Inspiration Point just in time to enjoy the sunset.

Sunday I sang at church, took a killer class at the exercise studio, and went to my boyfriend's brother's wedding.  Love me some weddings.  The bride was glowing, the weather was perfect, and neither the groom nor his brother could hold back their tears.  So, so, so sweet.  And then it was lights out by 8:30.

How was your weekend?  Has it already faded into the past?

BELIEVE

It's Monday again.  Funny how that happens on a weekly basis.

I must confess, I fall victim to the Sunday blues all the time.  That sinking feeling.  That impending doom that is Monday morning.  The start of another week.  Didn't I just finish a week?  Do I really have to start another one?  Can I possibly trudge through it all again?

The quote above pretty well summarizes how I manage to persevere.

I've mentioned before that I'm less than thrilled with my current job situation, and that I'm in the planning stages of some major changes.  I truly do believe that I have a purpose that is personal to me.  It isn't my sister's, my best friend's, or my neighbor's purpose.  It's mine.

I have a unique set of talents, skills, and experience that allow me to contribute exactly what I contribute to the world around me.

You do, too.

So, yes, it's Monday.  But you were made to do something.  And you will do it.

So keep going, okay?

The world needs you to.

GOOD READS AND GREAT WEEKEND

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Spring is just about to, well, spring.  We had some gorgeous weather this week and, despite the fact that my work has now flagged Pinterest as a malicious URL... they haven't yet taken away my blogs.

Some of my favorite reads this week include:

- Kenzie (Cave Girl in the City) put together a festive, yet normal looking and super cute outfit to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.  Lovely day for a Guinness!!

- Jenna (Eat, Live, Run) became a Noonday Collection Ambassador.  I'd never heard of the company, but their accessories are lovely, affordable, and support an amazing cause.

- Erin (Apartment 34) put together a fabulous round-up of Kilim Rugs.  Love this trend.  It is such a great way to bring some warmth and rich color/texture into otherwise modern spaces.

- Last, but not at all least, Hayley (The Tiny Twig) wrote some beautiful words about not being able to do everything... and accepting that.  My favorite part:

That means I'd have to admit that I'm not good at everything

and I can't do it all.

And that stings.

And, I even hate that it stings.

Of course, I want also to be awesome at humility.

I want to be good at everything,including but not limited to humility.

I can relate to that post all too well.

And with that, I'm off to try and accomplish too much this weekend ;)

(recap next week...)

THE LITTLE THINGS 03/17/13

Okay, this week was a doozy.

And, to be perfectly honest, I was this close to writing a bitter version of TLT (oh my gosh I just created an acronym.  I must be cool) of all the stupid small things that pissed me off this week.

But that really isn't the point, now, is it?

It's the opposite of the point.

So, without further ado, here are the few bright spots in a dark, moody, stressful, frustrating week:

- Pi Day.  Heck yes that picture is of me.  Heck yes I have a tattoo of pi behind my ear.  If I weren't eating like a cave lady right now (more on that another day), I would have made a pie.

- Hard cider.  Getting gluten free people drunk since... I don't know when.

- Getting RSVP's for my best friend's bridal shower.  I love weddings.  Good thing, since people love having me in their bridal party ;)

- Food bloggers.  Inspiring me with recipe ideas on a daily basis.  Paleo petite vanilla bean scones?  Why thank you, Slim Palate.

- Gorgeous weather.  73 degrees when I was driving home from work on Wednesday.

- The Biggest Loser.  Honestly, if happy tears were worth money... I could retire.

Hope your week was better than mine.

HAPPY FRIDAY!!

GET ME OUTTA HERE

I want to go to there.

I want to escape to a place with swirling seas on jagged rocks, tall trees, cliffs, and radio silence.

No more text messages.  No more emails.  No more phone calls.

Just some peace and quiet.

Obviously I'm having a rough week...

What are your tactics for finding peace in the midst of total chaos and stress?

I'd love to hear them.  And try all of them instead of going to work tomorrow.

SURE IS MONDAY

Good morning.

Pardon the radio silence this morning.

My brain is still asleep.

And I didn't have any coffee this morning.

Double whammy.

Happy (Daylight Savings) Monday.

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