Color Block: Yellow

mug, dress, shoes, sunflowers, ottoman, swimmie, place setting, rose

Hammerpress' Thanks Diamond Card

Geometric shapes are awesome, especially when the overlapping colors correspond so nicely like on this wonderful card from Hammerpress.  :)

first seen on Paper Crave

Turkish Towels

I love these Turkish towels! I think they are beautiful and so practical. They can be towels, a picnic/beach blanket, a dress or skirt, a table cloth, a window covering...

I love this Etsy shop ran by a retired couple in Turkey. The husband hand makes them on a traditional Turkish loom! How cool is that? I wonder if he would teach me how to make them if I traveled to Turkey? I would love that! I've wanted to learn how to use a loom. 

Photo Sources (clockwise): 1, 2, 3, 4

Inspired by: More Design Please

Emma Thompson on having it all...

 

from Hip Hip Gin Gin via A Cup of Joe

Meditation Challenge

 Meditation is a wonderful way to clear your head and relax. There are many benefits from mediation, including reducing stress, increasing blood flow while slowing the heart, and more self-confidence. However, anyone who has ever meditated will tell you, it's hard. It seems like it's easy but it can be incredibly hard to sit, breathe, and just be.

I've dabbled in meditation off and on for well over a year now but I can't seem to get in the habit of meditating everyday. Seriously, it's so spontaneous I hardly count it as true meditation experience. I always say that I am going to get up 10 minutes earlier and do it....and then I just hit the snooze button again!

We went to Boemeosa temple in Busan last Sunday. It's the most famous temple in Busan and it's comprised of many buildings, all beautifully painted. There is a mediation area with cushions to sit on and a big gold Buddha against one wall. There are prayers hanging from the ceiling and incense burning. Sometimes there is chanting or singing too. It's a very relaxing and spiritual place.

We sat there for about 10 minutes and I meditated.  

It was the best meditation experience I have ever had. 

I felt such peace and love. It was a level of relaxation and comfort I'd yet to feel since moving to South Korea. I know this is a bit strange, but I felt like I was connecting with my soul. I was whole and one with myself. I was so happy and completely in the moment. I felt that natural high throughout the whole rest of the day!

While we were walking down the mountain away from the temple, I thought to myself, "I need to stop making excuses and meditate more. I am the only one holding me back." I figured what better way to hold myself accountable than to blog about it. Instead of just keeping it to myself like I had always done before, I decided to tell everyone I know of my plan.

So here it is:
My very own meditation challenge!

I've read up on meditation and it's not something you can see results from right away. Meditation takes patience (which I need to work on!) and dedication. Just meditating for a week won't be worth it. That's why I've decided to make this a three month challenge. Then I will re-assess myself -- see how I feel and if I want to continue with the practice. 

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Here are the deets:

meditate every day for 10 minutes a day for one week (August 17-24)
increase to 15 minutes for two weeks (August 25-September 8)
increase to 20 minutes for two weeks (September 9-23)
increase to 25 minutes for two weeks (September 24-October 8)

change to twice a day, 15 minutes each for two weeks (October 9-23)
increase to 20 minutes, twice a day, for two weeks (October 24-November 7)
increase to 25 minutes, twice a day, for two weeks (November 8-22)
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I will be blogging throughout the challenge on my various experiences. I hope to write about difficulties and challenges as well as accomplishments. I know there will be days that I just don't want to meditate or think I just don't have time and I'll write about that too (and hopefully still meditate!). I'm serious about starting a practice of meditation but I know meditation doesn't always have to be serious so I hope to find some humor in this experience too!


If you've always wanted to start meditating and need a sign, THIS is it! Do this challenge with me! 

I would really love to have some buddies to share experiences with so if you're interested, please email me at maggieehigh (at) gmail (dot) com


much love and namaste,

Maggie


p.s. If you are very new to meditating, here are some links to guide you through the basics: Meditation 101 from Yoga Journal, How to Start Meditating from Big Happy Buddha, new to meditation...some basic questions from Reddit

You're Never Too Old....

The Greek Isles

I've been loving Jordan's posts on Oh Happy Day! about her sailing trip in the Greek Isles! She and her husband chartered a sail boat with some of their friends and spent about a week island hopping. They could stop anytime they wanted to explore, rent scooters, and eat delicious Greek food. They even stopped once to cliff dive with some local youngsters! Doesn't that sound wonderful? 

Head over to Oh Happy Day! to see more photos are read her account of their adventures. She has posted about two islands they visited, Mykonos and Syros and I hope to see more soon!

photos from Oh Happy Day! and flag image from Wikipedia

The Hong Kong Flower Market

We had an amazing time in Hong Kong for our summer vacation--I didn't want to leave! The city is a remarkable metropolis filled with just about everything you could ever hope for. I saw a sign that dubbed it "Asia's International City" and I could not agree more. There are all types of people, food, and events in Hong Kong. We ate some of the most delicious food I've ever had in Asia and met some really fun expats to go partying with. We explored many street markets, ally ways, parks, and tourist attractions. My favorite market was the flower market. It was a beautiful array of fresh flowers, plants, bonsai, and even some silk flowers. I was warned that some vendors won't let you take pictures of their goods but I was only told to not take photos once.

Tell me, dear readers, have you ever been to the Hong Kong flower market? Or any flower market? What was your experience like? I would love to know.   

p.s. click the links to see more pictures on our Flickr! :) 

Colorful Building

I love this huge building in Gwangju. The colors are phenomenal!

This structure is quite impressive on the inside too. It is a bus station, shopping mall, IMAX movie theater, and houses multiple restaurants, including a TGI Friday. It looks and feels more like an airport than a bus station. 

Korea is full of wonders and crazy/lovely things! It's so fun to explore and discover gems like this.

Date Night Style

Since I recently moved to South Korea, I've been checking out the local street styles. Some of the girls have very cute style and I wanted to make a post that would translate well both at home and in Korea. 

First of all, Koreans loooove short skirts but I have never seen an adult woman wear anything less than a two inch wide tank top (and that was only once). I don't think they even sell tube tops here. Seriously. 

Secondly, Korean girls love cute things, like that adorable Kate Spade elephant belt and beautiful Ruche earrings. I just love the color of those earrings--gorgeous, just gorgeous! 

Lastly, when they go out, they wear heels. No exceptions. If you are Korean and have any kind of night life style, you're wearing heels out. I love this pair of Calvin Klein nude pumps and the chunky heel will make it easier to walk on the not-so-even sidewalks in South Korea. 

 

• Ruche florette petals earrings in tangerine
• Ruche vanilla sky buttoned top 
• Kate Spade elephant belt
• Zara accordian pleat skirt
• Calvin Klein nude pumps
• Ruche blushing traveler pink convertible purse