PrettyOddBird

Although I went in a different direction, I originally wanted to decorate my apartment in black, white, and red.

Amy Winehouse  The soulful, beautiful songbird who graced us with her rich voice for far too short a time. When I hear Amy sing, I feel that modern music still has a chance. The power and control she exemplifies would make legends like Aretha Franklin proud. Bull-headed and artistic as Amy was, she restored faith in today's music with her eccentric twist on the blues, topping charts and breaking hearts until the end.  Raw talent like Amy's is something to be treasured, and I can only be grateful it was shared with the world. 

“The greatest glory in living, lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” -Nelson Mandela

I know this is a super stressful time of year, filled with fun and joy, but can also be hard on the ole pocket book. For some excellent tips and tricks on how to stay financially fit throughout the holidays & beyond, check out the blog of Harry Campbell at mypfpro.com Happy Thursday!

Gatsby. Gatsby was a man who loved, Unrequited and limitless. His aching heart carried the burdens of all of his shortcomings The destitute past he could never escape. Despite his tireless efforts- Despite the unbearable sadness that encased his heart. While all the while he dreamt of her. Daisy...  That unattainable sparrow, that he held onto so tightly, so desperately.  He could never give up on her. He could never ignore the burning urgency  for which compelled him, To be hers. Gatsby only ever wanted to love her, give her all the shining pieces to adorn her delicate world. Daisy. Beautiful & small,  so treacherously unyielding to the whims of true desire. She loved him, too. Craved to succumb his longing But the muted green tint that obscured her sight, muffled her heart's soft whispers. Gatsby was a man who loved... Who ripped and tore at every version of himself Giving away each piece, to the outstretched fingers of the unworthy. In the end

From the beautifully decorated Marriott Residence Inn - San Diego

Karen O rocks. She is a goddess among rock stars, whose eccentricities and lyrics have earned her an irreplaceable spot on my playlist. From the high-pitched yelps to the melancholic moods, the Yeah Yeah Yeah's are one of my favorite bands. 

Never give up on yourself! www.divineglowinghealth.com

Today was an absolute joy! Had some superb dishes & desserts & spent some valuable time with loved ones. Also made my first turkey >.< I hope all of you had a beautiful holiday. Happy Thanksgiving! 

Re-discovered this piece I wrote at fifteen. It was for my cousin Donte.  Eighteen years of life, An eternity of smiles & laughs Fade into my past. My broken heart is screaming  And I can't heal it's pain. My soul is carrying a burden It bears a lonely stain. Just leave me alone, Just let me grieve. Faith has been shaken Not sure what I believe ..  Knob Creek 9yo (cheated on wine again)

If I could throw any party with a limitless budget, I would choose a Titanic theme (without the attached melancholia of course).

Lil Wayne. It's time I shed light on the ridiculous level of admiration I have for this man. He is witty, hilarious, and has been making HITS since his pre-teens. At seventeen, he was rhyming about the indistinguishable trials of facing stardom, supporting his young mother, and getting hit with child support demands. Today, Lil Wayne raps about whatever the hell he wants. Because he can. Whether he is spitting an explicit poem for the ladies, or spewing verbal bullets about shooting up your grandmother's house, almost all of the music has an undeniable uniqueness that challenges the up-and-coming entertainers to step it up. And for fiteeen plus years, no one has. Lil Wayne has his own projects - Drake (who will inevitably grace a future Music Monday) & Nicki Minaj - who have reached an ultra hyped level of stardom. Very few new rappers have brought any of the innovative style and lyricism he has. His puns, that infectious giggle, and his deeply-rooted Southern rawnes

9 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Scrimp On Sleep  1. Better health. 2. Better sex life.   3. Less pain.   4. Lower risk of injury.   5.   Better mood.   6. Better weight control.   7.   Clearer thinking. 8. Better memory.   9. Stronger immunity. www.webmd.com

The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,             And sorry I could not travel both             And be one traveler, long I stood             And looked down one as far as I could             To where it bent in the undergrowth;                     5 Then took the other, as just as fair,             And having perhaps the better claim,             Because it was grassy and wanted wear;             Though as for that the passing there             Had worn them really about the same,                     10 And both that morning equally lay             In leaves no step had trodden black.             Oh, I kept the first for another day!             Yet knowing how way leads on to way,             I doubted if I should ever come back.                     15 I shall be telling this with a sigh             Somewhere ages and ages hence:            

The classy, oh-so-charming Lauren Conrad (formerly LC of Laguna Hills from which I spent a summer obsessing over) provided inspiration for this week's post.  I've only recently started burning candles, but already am loving the scents and warmth they bring into a space. From citrus mint to wild orchid, any array of flavorful smells can make any room inviting.  Check out this article on how to make candles work in your home! http://laurenconrad.com/blog/2014/11/inspired-idea-how-to-decorate-with-candles/

So sorry!  Internet connection was iffy last night & post never updated. While cooking up some dinner of baked tilapia and mint risotto, I let the sounds of Iration flow through the house..

"This is the way of peace:  Overcome evil with good,   and falsehood with truth,  and hatred with love."  .... Peace Pilgrim This miraculous woman travels the country by foot, surviving only on the food and shelter offered to her. And the most amazing part is - they are always offered.  Check out her page here for more info. She is an inspiration and a reminder that we are all connected and deserving of kindness. www. peacepilgrim .com

If you have ever had a phenomenal experience on a cruise, you can attest to how awesome they are. Cruises are a great, affordable way to travel, with most expenses included! The trips I have gone on took me to exotic destinations such as Catalina Island and several ports of Mexico. There are numerous activities to do aboard. There are casinos, live performances, bingo, and plenty of fun stuff for kids - including a day care on board. I also recommend getting those bathing suits ready for laying out, or making a splash in one of the pools or jacuzzis. Plus, the food is amazing! (And never-ending). You can order room service any time of day or night; there are three meals a day served buffet style, and various specialty restaurants throughout the ship. This is all included in the cost of your ticket. The only things you pay for out of pocket are your alcoholic beverages (which are reasonably priced), any souvenirs, and whatever activities you get into on your offshore excursions.

I hate my hair. Those damned kinky, clustered, bouncy curls That sprout out of my scalp  And spring spirals.  I can't stand those voluptuous waves that cascade, God-given and uniquely ours. Thick as princesses luxurious tresses Oh, how I hate them. With texture and shine  That speaks Of my style, And body that most girls would pay for. It's those baby nap edges, Tangled tendrils' caresses Delirious locks that shoot skyward That identify me As a glorified queen, That scream my uniqueness, And paints the portrait of imperfect Perfection. From my roots to my smile, I embody my power And my curls are the reason I am me.  Glenfiddich 12 (I cheated tonight ;)

Going green today concordlampandshade.com

I love all music. The only American genres that rarely make an appearance on my iPod are bluegrass and country. Although I do enjoy a lot of main stream country like Rascal Flatts and  Tim McGraw. Rap/Hip hop is my favorite music to listen to. Growing up in Southern California, I was introduced to all the classic West coast rappers of the 90's.  A lot can be said about how much hip hop music has changed over the last fifteen years. Too much, in fact. But, for today, I want to pay homage to Tupac Shakur - a rapper who gave life of the surrealist struggle of a young kid growing up in the ghetto. He painted a picture of the ugly realities, and elevated his music to relay deeper life lessons.  One of the many reasons I love hip hop so much is a rapper's ability to take poetry and infuse it with the raw emotions of surviving.  These lyrics give hope.

"The goals you set are in front of you, not above you." -Anonymous I met the most incredible individual today. A beautiful young lady, inside and out, who I'll call Summer, made the most poignant impression on me. Coming from a horrendous upbringing (a mother who told her she no longer had any interest in raising her at the tender age of 13 and a father who refused to play any part in Summer's life), this person has the most positive views on life. Living in various church-run facilities and public communes, Summer spends a large majority of her time volunteering and helping others in need, when she is not working diligently to earn a living. It is amazing to see someone so young (she's 20) dedicate so much of herself, and to have such substance instilled. She has overcome many trials, but is now ready to begin her next step in becoming the professional she has long envisioned. Because I work at a college, I am in a position to see people pursuing their

This piece is dedicated to Mr. A - one of the finest men I've ever had the pleasure of knowing.  I pity the poor, The broken and unfelt.  I sorrow my friend,  whose eyesight has been blurred blue.  Whose perception has been skewed  & who probably won't remember the swirling,  biting bitter episodes upcoming.  This is an unnatural truth, Solemnity of which can be no lesser burden to the poor. The world seems changed... I wish I could say 'Smile',   But Her heart was misplaced,  somewhere hardly found & uneasily reached.  But ever-present -  unbeknownst to the fragile,  weeping petals of children sorely missed.  Of that child,  whose wilted plea falls delicately upon her lips.. "Daddy". Who had left w us a sense of soul. A sense of self instilled in her, To be kind & worthy and to work diligently. She will forever shine bright in his eyes, Remember that on sight of starry sparkling nights.  Her f

So many things to create in this artistic wonderland >.<

This Music Monday I was inspired by the chilling fall classic film, The Nightmare Before Christmas. I was terrified of the "Boogey Man" when I was a kid! So I absolutely love this funky, jamming version of him. I've often wondered if Jack Skellington is Tim Burton's characterization of himself. Jack, an optimistic undead skeleton from Halloweentown, grows restless with his lifestyle of fear-inducing haunts, after stumbling upon the land of Christmas. There, he finds laughter & joy with no trace of the paranormal gore he is accustomed to. Jack is deeply enamored by the ideal of Christmas, and devises a plan to build his own version - in which he is the new Santa Clause. However, Jack finds that it's not so easy to deviate from his usual ways, and the darkness of his imagination simply follows him.  Perhaps Burton alludes so often to the wicked side because he finds it inevitable. I can only wonder if he, like Jack, is someone who craves goodne

Liked v. Likable Instead of worrying about being liked, nurture the components of yourself that are likable. For me, it's kindness, respectfulness, and gratitude.  #BeYourself 

Yay! It's almost time for my all-time favorite holiday. The mystery, the spookiness, and the opportunity to become anything from your childhood superhero to a sandwich condiment. All creativity streams unleashed. Pumpkins & parties & candy galore - the night is yours for the reaping. Happy Halloween!

So soothing a burning fire, How flaming embers can evoke such warm affections, Placating the passion for solitude. So fine is fire that we feel so deeply, Half so smooth as wine that taste of bitter nostalgia.  Crackling calm that spritely dances, Not to ponder but to know All the comforted offerings of celestial night... 2012, 14 Hands Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

Always inspired by the beautiful, vibrant decor of this loving home. <3

Last night, I ended an already incredible weekend by attending a  Matisyahu concert at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach. This is one of my favorite San Diego venues because of its acoustics and excellent location. Solana Beach is a beautiful quaint city on the coast, and the Belly Up Tavern is just two blocks from the beach. I highly recommend having dinner and perhaps a pre-game cocktail at a nearby restaurant before hitting a live show.  Matisyahu , although far from the traditionally clad Hasidic Jewish performer I had long envisioned, put on a stellar show. His vocal range and quick-spitted lyrics left me buzzing. My hands flew skyward as I felt the powerful surge of reggae vibes penetrate the air.  Matisyahu , with his grey hair, white pants, and funky dance moves, left me smiling and deeply satisfied. Many thanks to him for a great performance!

But I have found that in the simple act of living with hope, and in the daily effort to have a positive impact in the world, the days I do have are made all the more meaningful and precious. And for that I am grateful. Elizabeth Edwards

Along with every other fun-loving person on the planet, I have a deep obsession for the desert paradise of Las Vegas, Nevada. My affinity for the place began when I was a kid. My family would take trips to visit my grandparents, who lived near the Strip.  From the "ding! ding! ding!" of colorful slot machines to the rumbling rattles of quarters hitting metal (a sound sorely missed), to the dry, hot heat blowing through my hair, Las Vegas has always been a city near to my heart. Below are some of the things I like to do when in town: Food :  Ferraro's Italian Restaurant (phenomenal) *Earl of Sandwich inside the Paris - affordable & delicious for a quick bite! Activities:  Circus Circus (a childhood favorite) Liquid Pool Party at Aria Fremont Street/Downtown Las Vegas - Always a treat to stop in for some zip-lining or a fried Twinkie Shows: Cirque du Soleil (I've only seen Zumanity but would absolutely love to see more)

Pinecones Fat, round, delicate wooden flowers, Robust with rigid petals. Cloudy-scented memories of autumn, The taste of butterscotch in the frigid air. Pinecones dance a free-fall jig, rapturous & free. Before found desolate, serenely on the forest floor. Proudly beautiful, Each thorn-tipped ridge an echo of perfection. From bright umber to deep brown, Each wooden bundle a reflection of the fall.

It took me a while to embrace my quirky eye for unique patterns & colors, first with clothing and then with interior design. I have a strong appreciation for an individual's style in their most intimate settings, and I love seeing beauty inside a home. I am currently on the mission of re-decorating my place with warm, fun colors, with a touch of chic pizazz. Current colors: dark brown, mauve, teal. New wall fixture. (Thinking of adding some photos)           Inspiration <3    

As a self-proclaimed music buff, I had a thought for a hip hop collabo I would love to see. Iggy Azalea, a deliciously feisty bombshell from Australia, has exploded onto the scene. I'm loving the sexy, spicy style Iggy's bringing to the table - not to mention - the music is good. The street lyrics of a hardknock life combined with a catchy beat & girl power attitude - the ladies are eating it up, myself included. So, a popular comparison between Iggy Azalea  & the legendary Gwen Stefani  has arisen, which sparked my need for these two to make a song together. Gwen set the bar for hardcore hot chics, along with creating a tornado of amazing music that bordered alernative, pop, & rap. Now we have young Iggy, explosive and sexual but brimming with potential, with a similar sound & style. This should totally happen! MIMS.. Happy Monday =)

If I could feel everything, I would take it all. Retrace every moment until it tasted electric on my tongue. Feel every urgent drop of life Fill me up from the inside out.