Inspired by Guitar Straps

Ben's guitar strap sitting on his music stand.

The music stand came back out at our house recently, and with it, my husband's vintage guitar strap which is dear to us both.  It just totally speaks to his love of 70s rock and the look of the 70s in general.  It always reminds us of the old days, when after every meal or get-together, the guitar came out and the music began.  Music has played an important role in both our lives and especially our relationship.  Our first conversation was all about music, in between singing songs, and about the songs he was writing and listening to.  When we were dating, we even had a weekly gig at a little bar across from our apartment in OKC.  Oh, the love and fun of those times.  Anyway, the cool guitar strap he keeps is just the coolest, and inspired by it, I found this belt for years ago - the one in the photo below.  I've always called it my "guitar strap belt".  I think it was a William Rast for Target find back in the day and I literally wear it with everything and it brings just a twinge of country and tad of 70s which I love, too.  The patterns on guitar straps are so lovely if you really look at them.  They could inspire an outfit, or even a room.  Here are some other cool guitar straps and music inspired things I've seen recently. . . . Here's to the 70s and a little music inspiration in style. xx - m.m.

guitar strap belt

guitar strap cuff

Guitar strap I want as a belt.

Beading pattern for a guitar.  Can we say "backsplash"?

OBSESSED with these found on Etsy.

Gone Junking

The wagon was a must-have.

Last weekend, we decided we needed to get out of town on the spur of the moment.  We were in need of a change of scenery, something to get us out of our daily routine and provide a little inspiration.  Without much time to plan, and little time period, we serendipitously realized it was the weekend of First Monday in Canton, TX.  We had never been, and having a bit of "junker" in our blood, we thought it would be fun.  Luckily Canton a short drive from Dallas and even with a coffee/bagel pit stop on the way, we were there in no time.  As first timers, we learned a lot and saw a ton of people and junk, and things.   Even so, we were literally only on the very edges of this massive flea market.  We'll probably take a different route next time considering we only saw a fraction of the place.  We did find a few things, had lots of moments of inspiration and had a great time.  Here's to not having a plan and lucky weekend inspiration.  xx - m.m.

Ben

What a cool horoscope calendar.

I loved this cart full of plants coming down the way.

Um, hello?

I loved this guy and his lighting junk-art.  He had a real point of view amongst the rest.

Homemade ice cream

I had to have this bentwood chair.

We couldn' t leave without capturing this -- camo bathing suits.  Yep.  I'll take my bentwood chair, thank you.

Embracing Crows Feet

Meryl Streep

I recently realized I respond more positively to women who aren't afraid to show their crows feet.  You know, crows feet, those pesky crinkles beneath and around the eyes of someone who has seen her share of days.  That is, when a woman in her 30s, 40s, 50s or beyond has decided to own her age, her life.

In the media in particular, where it seems that most women are freezing there faces whether they are 26 or 76,  I've come to even crave some crows feet.  Perhaps it's because, after an evening of taking in the smooth, frozen facades of, say, the Real Housewives (don't judge), one look in the mirror at yours truly is well. . . shocking.  I think, "who is that and why is that face falling?"   When did I become a 36 yr old mom with crows feet and a fading jaw line?  Why don't I look smooth like (the much older, if I do say so) Lisa Vanderpump?  Oh, that's right, because I have not had face injections (yet?) and I have (even at only 36) seen my share of the good and bad of life.

At other are times though, by the grace of God, when I come across an image, a scene, an interview with someone like Drew Barrymore, Caroline Kennedy, Meryl Streep, or Cameron Diaz, I perk up as I see them smile with hints (or more) of crows feet or lines in their cheeks.  When this happens,  I'm amazed by my own amazement.  Should it be so shocking to see lines on a face?  I think not.  It's nice to see their emotions.  I see a life lived in the lines, and why shouldn't I?  It's quite refreshing and still beautiful.  Same goes for real women in the mall or the grocery store. . . the ones without botox and facelifts stand out in a good way.  I feel more connected to them, as I know my own life (happiness and sorrow) shows in the lines on my face, too.

I love this song by Willie Nelson and it sums it up:

This face is all I have, worn and lived inAnd lines below my eyes are like old friendsAnd this old hearts' been beaten upAnd my ragged soul has had things roughThis face is all I have, worn and lived in

Look, I'm not saying that to look and feel young isn't a good thing.  Taking care of our skin, our bodies, our minds is important.  And help in keeping a youthful glow is not all wrong.  A bit here and there can really be helpful and quite nice. . .and I can't say I won't do something in the future when I have jowls and a constant frown.  But for me, right now, to see someone let their life and age show is inspiring and freeing. Life isn't always smooth, but that doesn't take away the beauty.  xx - m.m.

Elizabeth Banks

Caroline Kennedy

Natalie Maines

Cameron Diaz

Lauren Graham

Must Read for Creatives - Do the Work

This. Is. A. Must. Read.  Do the Work by Steven Pressfield is fantastic.  A quick, entertaining and even transformative read. I've recommended it to professor friends to use with their creative writing students, to other business professionals now using it to motivate teams, and to entrepreneurs battling self-doubt to get over the hump ("resistance").  The lessons are applicable for many types of endeavors, but particularly for a creative process.

Here are a few quotes that I love, but trust me, just get the book and Do. The. Work.  

“The opposite of fear is love - love of the challenge, love of the work, the pure joyous passion to take a shot at our dream and see if we can pull it off.” 
― Steven Pressfield, Do the Work

“The song we’re composing already exists in potential. Our work is to find it.” 
― Steven Pressfield, Do the Work

“A child has no trouble believing the unbelievable, nor does the genius or the madman. It’s only you and I, with our big brains and our tiny hearts, who doubt and overthink and hesitate.” 
― Steven Pressfield, Do the Work

“A work-in-progress generates its own energy field. You, the artist or entrepreneur, are pouring love into the work; you are suffusing it with passion and intention and hope.” 
― Steven Pressfield, Do the Work

Yo Monday

In. Yo. Face. Monday.  Grrrrrrrr. This is to be my new mantra. Does anyone else get the Monday blues?  I DO!  I think dreamers and seekers are susceptible to these feelings, particularly while we are just works-in-progress.  But I'm feeling like I should just kick Monday in the tush.  Kick the Monday blues to the curb.  Rid myself of the SNA-CKS (Sunday Night Anxiety Attacks).  Yep, onward and upward, as my husband says.  This quote is just right for all us dreamers, artists, entrepreneurs working towards something bigger on a Monday:

“A work-in-progress generates its own energy field. You, the artist or entrepreneur, are pouring love into the work; you are suffusing it with passion and intention and hope.”
― Steven Pressfield, Do the Work