Edison Rex

My New Obsession

I have a new iPhone obsession. And, I'm happy to tell you, it's not Angry Birds! Or Words with Friends!

I'm obsessed with streaming TED talks, those twenty minute talks from brilliant people on brilliant topics that just kind of blow your mind.

It's the perfect amount of time for mind-expansion and self-education. I pop on my earbuds for twenty minutes of cardio/TED at the gym. Or while painting. Or while rocking my son to sleep. Love, love, love TED talks.

My mind has been spinning!

I'm sharing a few of my most recent favorites with you today. Some are more recent than others, they are all good. If you'd like to explore more talks, go to the TED website. (I just noticed a "jaw-dropping" section, too--will have to geek out on that soon!)

1. Elizabeth Gilbert on creativity, the crazy fears and expectations we place on artists in our culture, and bringing back the idea of "having" (versus being) a genius.

2. Caroline Casey's powerful talk on accepting yourself in full and living your dreams. I won't say more because there is a little bit of a surprise at the start of this one.

 3. Alisa Vitti on loving your lady parts (if you got 'em), how she healed herself on PCOS, how balancing your endocrine system can change your life, and how each week of your cycle has its own super-power (my word!)

4. Lissa Rankin on the surprising truth on what really keeps you healthy above all else. Guess what? It doesn't involve brussels sprouts or weight reps, though those can help.

Enjoy!

xoxo Maeg

Make More Time

A couple weeks ago, I wrote this post about making time vs. having time. Thanks to the synchronicity of the universe (and Google reader), after I released that article I started coming across other great posts along similar lines.

Since my initial post got such a great response (thank you!) I thought I'd share these other inspirational "make time" goodies with you here. Enjoy!

Your writing doesn't take time, it makes time. by Sarah Selecky

Strike "overwhelmed" from your vocabulary by Danielle LaPorte

How being social helps you write by Sarah O'Holla

xo Maeg

A Meditation.

Have you ever avoided reading a book for a very long time, then cracked it open and found it is full of treasure? As if you were meant to read it, and finally the book had followed you long enough, worn you down, even if you really wanted to avoid its wisdom. Because, let's face it, sometimes we want to avoid the wisdom meant for us.

On that note, if my husband is reading this: Honey, I still haven't read The Power of One. Maybe someday. Keep suggesting it.

But there is another book that stuck around long enough to break my will. This book:

My mother in law bought me this book of excerpts from The Artists Way as a gift years ago. It's a sweet and tiny paperback, almost for-real pocket-sized. It got dusty, it got used as a coaster, it didn't get read. Until this summer.

What finally broke me was the fact that it fit in my purse. I could read it on my lunch breaks, bring it anywhere. And it was so good--any time I needed a little magic universe speak, I could pull it right out like a pack of gum. I loved it--it was exactly what I needed to hear at a time I was ready to hear it.

That's a long prelude to two things:

First, that sometimes the things we need to hear the most are right there, following us, waiting for us to receive them.

And second, I want to share this passage from the book with you. Know that when Julia Cameron writes about God, she does it in the broadest sense of the word. Feel free to substitute, if need be, whatever works for you. I do.

Please read it carefully. And more than once.

Wishing you infinite notions of what you can accomplish,

xo Maeg

Well Read // Creative Round Up

 

Hey there!

Autumn is my favorite time for tea, feety pj's, and curling up under a quilt for a good read. So as we head into the weekend, I thought I'd share some of my favorite creative blog reads from the past week or two. I think they will all give you something to think about.

Enjoy! xoxo Maeg

Addicted to Creativity? by Jonathan Fields on Crazy Sexy Life

An excerpt from his new book and a reminder that life feeds our work, but work alone might just cannibalize itself!

how i kicked my time management habit and became exceedingly more productive, profitable and thrilled by Danielle LaPorte on White Hot Truth

I love this call for more intuition and living, less quadrants.

How Do You Deal With Feedback? by Liz Kalloch on Scoutie Girl

Are you defensive? Do you fearlessly send your work out into the world? A group of creatives share their thoughts.

Sometimes I worry that the muse will slip away by Amy Oscar at AmyOscar.com

A soulful reflection on what I think is a common fear.

My opinion on dealing with copy-cattery by Elise Towle Snow of Argyle Whale

Elise is a practical voice of experience on dealing with potential copy-cattery whilst keeping your sanity...and not embarrassing yourself on Twitter!

Have you read anything good lately? Links and book titles in the comments are welcome!

xo Maeg

Well Read // Five Blogs I Love: Art & Lifestlye Edition

Listen, it's no secret that I'm a bit of a bookworm. My local librarians know I have books on hold before I even ask for them, and I know my library card number by heart. I love to read. Books, magazines, and oh, yes--blogs! Welcome to Well Read, a new feature where I will periodically (ha ha, pun intended!) share my favorite reads with you.  

Today I want to share with you five of my favorite blogs that I read just for pleasure. There's so many that I follow strictly for learning, knowledge, and growth, but for the purpose of this post, let me show you some of the most delightful art and lifestyle blogs that I read on a daily basis. I prefer to enjoy them as a little work-break, along with a cup of hot green tea and a smidge of dark chocolate. So grab a treat and indulge yourself. Here they are, in no particular order:

1. Pikaland: Amy curates this wonderful blog devoted to illustration. I love it! It's my go-to place to see new work and fresh ideas from artists I've often never heard of before. Not only that, but Pikaland offers great courses for artists over at Camp Pikaland. I took two courses last summer and loved not only the coursework but the friendships I made with other artists from around the globe. We're still in touch and keeping tabs on each other's work.

2. A Beautiful Mess: I'm a relatively new reader of A Beautiful Mess but Elsie's been blogging for quite awhile about "fashion, handmade, and pretty things." You're more likely to find me in paint-splattered jeans than anything else, so if this was only a fashion blog, I doubt I'd be hooked. What keeps me coming back is Elsie's branding genius (she makes it look so easy!) and business acumen as she blogs, runs a boutique, designs clothing, publishes e-courses, and more. All while looking sweet and chic in gorgeous vintage dresses. Love it.

 3. Katie's Pencil Box: I happened upon this blog via A Beautiful Mess. I was immediately taken in by the stunningly gorgeous, airy photography. And the lack of advertising, widgets, and buttons. There's nothing here to distract you from the eye candy, perfectly captured moments, and sweet glimpses into Katie's life. Reading this blog makes me exhale and relax. It just is. And I love it.

4. Smile and Wave: Another blog I originally found via A Beautiful Mess, and another blog about a creative mama. I love Rachel's honest, practical, and stylish approach to blogging. Not only do I learn how to transform old vintage into something new, but I also know that I'm not the only one creating in between changing diapers and battling laundry. And that is so comforting. And somehow Rachel also manages to have some killer home decor (and even an e-course about it)!

5.  My Love For You: Meighan posts about contemporary art, artists, studio visits, exhibits, and more. Whenever I visit I see things that I would not see anywhere else. Part of what I enjoy most about looking at art, especially contemporary art and illustration, is that I get to see people just making things how they make them. It inspires me to deepen my own, idiosyncratic way of making by doing what comes naturally to me. If you want some serious brain candy, head over to My Love For You.