practical and meaningful

identify your bliss and make that your life's work

Ask yourself these questions. What motivates me? What am I good at? What is important. What gives my life meaning?

My list is varied but you can see parts of it shining through every thing I do.

Building things. Shaping people's experiences. Providing jobs. Feeding people. Knowing. Working hard. Loving hard. Organization. Seeking. Documenting. Sampling. Doing good. Creating spaces. Encouraging others. Standing back. Family. Details.  Friends. Meeting people. Making a difference. Believing. Soul work. No regrets. For the long haul.

Identify your bliss and make that your life's work.

time stands still in travel

5.5 hours on the plane with no internet, no email, no phone calls. Nowhere to be, no car to drive, no one expecting me to respond. 

I have never enjoyed being on a plane as much as this one.

Lately, my head has been overstuffed with details, decisions, stress, business, life…. and I have barely had time to think my own thoughts.

On this plane, I have listened to my music, written blog posts, taken a nap, had a picnic, and watched a movie.

I literally could turn right around and fly home, and land feeling refreshed, ignited, and satiated.  Sometimes a little down time is all you need to start to feel like yourself again. Add in some music and some rest – and you have a vacation.

time stands still in travel....

Download 03 You Are the Everything

award speeches

The BEST speeches are the ones that SAY SOMETHING meaningful. When you win a big award, we know you have to thank the people (agent, manager, producter ,husband, kids) who helped you achieve the award - but on a televised awards show, the acceptance speeches should be based in something great to say.

I propose that each nominee submits a list of thank yous -and once the winner is announced - their list is projected on the screen behind them and posted on a website.  Let the winners have the time to say something important, speak from the heart and enjoy the moment - rather than wonder about who they are forgetting to thank, and outrunning the closing music.

Let the speeches be about something meaningful which also happens to be practical.

Affirmations

When I love everything around me, I am constantly inspired.
When I have money in the bank, I am more able to think, feel, and live life.
When I invite people into my home, I am more connected and loving in the world.
When I am taking care of myself and eating right and exercizing, I have more to give.
Creating jobs and making money connects me to my community and my purpose.
Appreciate your life, find meaning in everything you do.
Eliminate what does not support your true self.
Love your life, work hard, play hard, be AWAKE.

painting by Adele Sypesteyn

Happy New Year from Practical & Meaningful

Practically speaking, here are some resolutions for the new year.  Meaningfully speaking, here is what I loved most about last year. 

PRACTICAL Resolutions for 2012 - Tighten up my systems, simplify, & be more organized. Exercise regularly.  Take more photos. See more movies. Spend time with the people I love. Enjoy more music.

MEANINGFUL What I loved most about 2011 - My Think Days. our Valentine's Dinner Party. the movie Crazy, Stupid, Love. My daughter singing at David's 40th birthday party. Bring your dogs and parents to ART CAMP day. Moving Crafty. Hiking the Stairs in Culver City. All the great press I got through HARO. Being a moMPreneur. The Egg Project. my TWEEN.  Going to PSV.

Practical and Meaningful. Resolution and Review. Action and Appreciation. Work and Play. Friendships and Friends. Places and Memories. Systems and Recall.  Happy New Year!

trust

this film rocked me to my core. it is so real and raw and uncomfortable - everyone who has a daughter needs to watch it.

It is tough to watch, hard to take in - but so powerful and meaningful and important. My friend David directed the film and I predict there will be academy award nominations for all the actors and for the director!

spread the word. see the film. take heed. xo c

how do I know maya brenner?

My good friend Maya Brenner is incredible. I met her thru my friend Marika -many years ago when we all went to the korean spa together.

I have been her personal photographer of sorts for years and also her friend. I have had the honor of photographing her wedding ,her pregnancies, her first born, her family portraits - as well as catering parties for her. She is one of my favorite people in the world - and she has taught me so much.

She helps me see beyond my own ways to work smarter, be more current, and have fun.  She is a girls girl who is beautiful, brave, and so much fun to know.

She is the reason, I started to hire more people to help me with my catering jobs - which led to growing my company. She came to my house one day and I was prepping for a party - where I was doing everything myself. She helped me see outside of the day to day and look at the bigger picture.

She is the reason, I finally took a digital photo. I was dedicated to film photography and unwilling to go digital, until she needed a portrait for her book that she wrote and they needed the photo in London in one day. So I rented a camera and the we shot, downloaded, and emailed the photo with ease. I have never looked back.

This is one of my favorite photos from her wedding.

She is a jewelry designer whose work is amazing. This past year was a really great month for her business - after being featured on the today show, she received over 20 thousand orders.

She is one of my favorite people and I could not be happier for her success!

me and maya in Mexico this week!

500 days of summer

love this movie.

zooey and gordon are delightful.

it is raw and real and really good.

love that it takes place in downtown los angeles.

"This is fun...you are fun!"

meryl streep is amazing

kramer vs. kramer

falling in love

sophies choice

the hours

the devil wears prada

julie & julia

it's complicated

and so many more amazing performances.