List Your Essentials

{Laura Knight}

1. SUNSHINE, sunlight, etc.
2. AT LEAST eight hours of sleep per night (I know, I'm a freak)
3. Coffee in the mornings
4. Clothes that make me feel comfortable, whether they're cozy and warm or figure-flattering
5. A good balance of alone-time and social time
6. To bounce off of that, down time -- interneting, watching TV, reading in bed
7. Good food. I live to eat, rather than the other way around.
8. A clean house/space
9. Hot showers
10. A stimulating and inspiring surrounding... Flowers in my home, open windows, a city that has interesting things to offer.
11. My family and friends
12. A partner I can communicate with
13. Short-clipped nails... haha. I hate long nails!
14. Some sort of experience of spirituality
15. Escape through books, movies, TV. I love stories!
16. Trust and honesty
17. Communion with animals
18. Being outside, on my bike or taking a walk or sitting at an outdoor cafe, whatever
19. Learning, constantly
20. Treating myself well
21. Promoting good health... Eating fruits and veggies, moving my body, etc.
22. Self-expression through art, fashion, etc.

Thanks, Moorea!

10 things i like

1. These words

2. A.OK candles

3. This Vika Gazinskaya dress

4. Her style

5. Passionfruit and chocolate truffles

6. Michelle Williams

7.  Maison Martin Margiela metallic flats

8. Chanel couture 2013

9. This powder room

10. Lou Dillon

List Your Summer Goals

I'm going to only list five because a) it's more practical b) I'm limited on time this morning:


1. Survive the heat of New York City

2. Make art / Sell art!

3. Explore New York every damn day of the summer

4. Be a good support to Josh as he does a rigorous program at the Cooper Union

5. Keep in touch with friends and family

Part of the 52 Lists Prompt by Moorea Seal

List the Things You Want to Be Known For

1. My art
2. My heart for animals
3. My humor
4. In the future, I want to be known as a good mother
5. As a good friend
6. Sibling
7. Daughter
8. Girlfriend/wife (you're my future wife!)
9. My red hair :)
10. Good listener
11. Willing to help
12. Generous
13. A great cook
14. My uncanny knowledge of pop culture
15. Being an adventurer
16. Being the most beautiful girl in the world
17. My creativity
18. Independent spirit
19. Being HAPPY
20. Living a unique life
21. FEMINIST
22. Lighthearted and optomistic
23. A person who respects humanity
24. A person who desired to make everything beautiful... an artist of life
25. Magical, mystical

Part of the 52 Lists Prompt by Moorea Seal

List the Things That Energize You

Brigette Barrager

1. COFFEE!
2. Getting enough sleep
3. Talking with my friends about my passions, dreams, desires, and plans
4. SUNSHINE!
5. Exploring wherever I am
6. ME time
7. Flipping through books and magazines
8. Cooking
9. YOGA!
10. Straightening up the house
11. People-watching
12. Making (and completing) a to-do list
13. Showers
14. A cold drink
15. Color
16. Breakfast (I never skip it!)
17. The scent of citrus
18. Bike rides
19. Spontaneity
20. Pop-dance music

Part of the 52 Lists Prompt by Moorea Seal

The New York To-Do List

Josh and I found a place to stay in New York for three months. I think it's considered Morningside Heights, but I'm not sure. Anyway, it's in-between Upper West Side and Harlem, near the north end of Central Park. It's a really cute looking apartment, and I can't wait to see it in person in June. 

I've already begun a list in my head of things to do in New York, both imaginary and real:

IMAGINARY:

1. Help Detective Olivia Benson solve a rape/murder case

2. Become Lena Dunham's best friend

3. Nanny Tina Fey's daughters

4. Dress like Annie Hall

5. Go to the artsiest Brooklyn parties

6. Shopping spree at Barney's

7. Become Anna Wintour's assistant

8. Play a ukulele on a fire escape

9. Sing "New York, New York, a helluva town" in a sailor suit

10. Fake an orgasm in Katz's Deli

REAL:

1. Have a picnic in Central Park

2. Eat bagels

3. Visit the Guggenheim, the Whitney, the Museum of Natural History

4. Eat pizza

5. Walk the Highline

6. Eat pastrami sandwiches

7. Hang out with my friends living there: Daniel, Nick, David...

8. Eat at Milk Bar

9. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge
10. Catch a few shows

I also have a Pinterest board dedicated to New York. It's mostly just restaurants I want to go to. That's just who I am.

Any other ideas, friends?

List the People You Admire

My Mom - Such a talented artist. An amazing mother. A woman who has been through a lot, but has chosen to start her life over with dignity and grace.

My little brother - I don't understand how he has suddenly become one of the wisest, most loving people I know. He's in the middle of a battle, and he's winning.

Moorea - My dear friend has built an amazing brand/business from the ground, up! Insanely talented. I'm so happy for her in all her accomplishments. 

Julia Child - Just. Absolutely. Inspiring. She found her life-calling in her 40s. It's never too late to find success! She was a pioneer in the culinary arts. 

Malala Yousafzai - A young girl who stood up to the Taliban for the right to get an education.

Kathrine Switzer - First woman to register and run in the Boston Marathon, in 1967. Got assaulted by the Marathon's director. She kept running.

Amy Poehler - Writer, comedienne, actress, activist for empowering young girls (Smart Girls at the Party!)

Beyonce - Beautiful, fierce, empowering, talented. Why WOULDN'T I admire her?

Lena Dunham - I love her voice and the way she represents young women of today. And her bodacious bod!

Grace Coddington - I love her vision and her creativity. So inspiring. 

I can't think of 'em all... Lynn Yaeger, Peggy Guggenheim, Harvey Milk, Conan O'Brien, Ruth Reichl,  Sally Field, Kristen Gillebrand, Tavi Gevensson, ALL of the amazing teachers I've ever had, Louise Bourgeois, Michelle Obama, Joni Mitchell, Shirley Temple Black, Tina Fey, Iris Apfel, Cher, Doris Day, Hillary Clinton, Coco Chanel, Carmen Miranda, Diane Keaton, Isabella Rosselini, Jenna Lyons, Katharine Hepburn...

Part of the 52 Lists Prompt by Moorea Seal

List Your Favorite Books

1. Still Life With Woodpecker by Tom Robbins
2. Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons
3. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
4. I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
5. My Life in France by Julia Child (I'm not even finished with it, and I can already tell it will be a lifelong favorite)
6. Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
7. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
8. Good Poems edited by Garrison Keillor
9. A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway
10. Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
11. 9 Stories by J.D. Salinger
12. The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
13. Paris to the Moon by Adam Gopnik
14. The Princess Bride by William Goldman
15. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
16. Garlic and Sapphires by Ruth Reichl
17. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

Part of the 52 Lists Prompt by Moorea Seal

List your favorite quotes

"Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray." -Rumi

"My mother was right: When you've got nothing left, all you can do is get into silk underwear and start reading Proust." —Jane Birkin

"When Fortuna spins you downward, go out to a movie and get more out of life." -John Kennedy Toole

"It’s not wrong to want someone to love you. Most people are together just so they are not alone. But some people want magic. I think you are one of those people." — Broken English

"How can a woman be expected to be happy with a man who insists on treating her as if she were a perfectly normal human being?" -Oscar Wilde 

"If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast." -Ernest Hemingway 

"Without you, today's emotions would be the scurf of yesterday's." -Amelie

"The bottom line is that (a) people are never perfect, but love can be, (b) that is the one and only way that the mediocre and vile can be transformed, and (c) doing that makes it that. We waste time looking for the perfect lover, instead of creating the perfect love." -Still Life With Woodpecker by Tom Robbins

"Go into the arts. I’m not kidding. The arts are not a way to make a living. They are a very human way of making life more bearable. Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow, for heaven’s sake. Sing in the shower. Dance to the radio. Tell stories. Write a poem to a friend, even a lousy poem. Do it as well as you possibly can. You will get an enormous reward. You will have created something." —Kurt Vonnegut

"Mrs. Dalloway said she would buy the flowers herself." -Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf

Part of the 52 Lists prompt

List Your Childhood/Current Dream Jobs

Basically, I just want to be Grace Coddington

Childhood Dream Jobs
Dancer
Singer
Actress
Archeologist
Marine biologist
Artist
Makeup artist
Private Investigator
Choreographer

Current Dream Jobs
Curator
Illustrator
Magazine editor
Creative director
Private Investigator
Caterer
Shop owner
Buyer
Fashion writer
Travel writer
Director
Elementary school teacher
Art teacher
Stylist
Blogger
Mom

Part of the 52 Lists prompt

List the Things You Want to Make

1. A 'zine dedicated to Seattle arts and culture
2. A postcard collection of illustrated recipes
3. Boeuf bourguignon
4. Souffle
5. A baby or two (AHHHH!!!! Someday.)
6. Pottery -- Moorea, let's do it!
7. Collages
8. Assemblages/sculptures
9. A children's book
10. Pressed flowers
11. My own beauty products
12. An online store of handpicked goods
13. Plush toys
14. Sachets
15. Yarn pom-poms
16. Candles
17. Embroideries
18. My own salad dressings
19. My own party-planning/philanthropy business
20. A vegetable garden


Part of the 52 Lists prompt

List the Things That Feel Like Home

Me and my dad at Disneyland

1. Listening to the sounds coming from outside

2. Sunlight through the windows

3. Pets hanging around

4. Coziness

5. Chilling out in bed

6. Boyfriend

7. Santa Barbara

8. The creek by my family's old house

9. My old house's backyard/garden

10. Being together, but not in the same room

11. Eating takeout food at the dinner table

12. Making breakfast on the weekends

13. All of my books

14. Candles lit in the evening

15. Summer barbecues at the Power House

16. My childhood neighborhood; having adventures with my friends

17. Forest Home

18. Disneyland

19. Afternoon naps

20. Daily routines

21. California poppies, tuberoses, succulents, bougainvillea

22. Swimming pools

23. The park behind my old house 

Thanks, Moorea!

List Your Essentials

1. Warm bed
2. Hot showers
3. Hugs and kisses from boyfriend
4. Coffee
5. A nice dinner out once in awhile
6. Exercise
7. Yoga
8. Winding-down time
9. Freedom
10. Books
11. Exploration
12. Friends that don't judge
13. Organization
14. Being able to cook a delicious meal
15. Water
16. A clean house
17. Staying close with my family
18. Creating -- anything!
19. Alone time every now and then
20. Enough sleep
21. Learning about the past
22. Animals
23. Treating myself with love and grace, physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally
24. Making plans for my future
25. Living in the present

Thanks, Moorea!

List the Ways You Can Cleanse for Spring

1. Quit my job and start a new career

2. Catch some rays in Hawaii (in 6 days!)

3. Clean out my clothes

4. File my taxes

5. Lots of Y O G A

6. Donate items to Goodwill

7. Take technology-free days once a week (or maybe month)

8. Eat less meat (especially if I don't know where it comes from)

9. Make money-saving goals

10. Make concrete goals for my art business

11. Set a curfew on the internet and TV and discover the natural balance between daylight and darkness, work and rest.

12. Walk more

13. Massage it out

14. Clean out my makeup

Thanks, Moorea!

List the Places You Want to Go

1. All over England for some major nerding-out on English literature, history, and pop culture
2. Back to Paris because I left my heart there... Maybe even stay here, once it's reopened
3. Italy with my mom... particularly Tuscany. I'd love to take a cooking class there
4. Egypt (as long as it's not plagued by locusts when I'm there!)
5. Turkey
6. Greece
7. Costa Rica
8. Volunteer Park (one of my favorite places in Seattle)
9. Neverland! (or Kensington Gardens, at least)
10. The San Juan Islands (Josh and I want to live technology-free for a couple months, and it would be awesome to find a yurt or cabin to hole up in)
11. Santa Barbara because my family is there
12. Portland for the fooood
13. New York City because I thrive there
14. The Paramount and 5th Avenue Theatres to see musicals
15. A ceramics class
16. Morocco
17. Bali, maybe for "the honeymoon," or maybe just to chill out for a year
18. Disneyland!!! AKA my second home :)
19. More workshops at Kaleidoscope Vision
20. Chez Panisse, one of the best restaurants in the country (with my mom)
21. Animal shelters so I can love on some sweet souls
22. Vintage shops around Seattle
23. Hawaii (going at the end of this month for my friend Laura's wedding)
24. The Ace Hotel in Palm Springs
25. Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon
26. Back to the Sierra Nevadas, where my family used to vacation
27. The tattoo parlour
28. Thailand with Josh for some adventure
29. Fun vacations just with my girlfriends
30. Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
31. The fjords of Norway
32. The Getty Museum in LA
33. Mexico for some margaritas, relaxation, sunshine
34. An evening boat ride through the ship canal in Seattle
35. Amsterdam
36. Salzburg, Austria for the Sound of Music tour


Thanks, Moorea!

List Your Favorite Albums

1. Blue by Joni Mitchell - My favorite Joni album
2. Born to Die by Lana Del Rey - Instant classic in my opinion
3. Rushmore Soundtrack - I love/worship Max Fischer
4. Rumours by Fleetwood Mac - Every song is amazing
5. Visions by Grimes - Also an instant classic
6. Sleepless in Seattle Soundtrack - I used to listen to this as a kid a la my mom; still love it
7. Rockin' the Suburbs by Ben Folds - A big part of my angsty teen years
8. Body Talk by Robyn - Dance dance dance forever; reminds me of my wild girlfriends
9. The Royal Tenenbaums Soundtrack - Such a great compilation
10. The Essential Billy Joel by Billy Joel - I went through a huge Billy phase in my teen years
11. Come On Feel the Illinoise by Sufjan Stevens - My favorite of his albums; thanks to Leslie for showing me the light
12. Amelie Sountrack - Makes me relive the movie
13. Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall by Rufus Wainwright - I love him in general, but this specifically is so enjoyable to listen to
14. Little Voice by Sara Bareilles - I love singing along to this album
15. Pride and Prejudice Soundtrack - So sweepingly beautiful; I was obsessed my sophomore year of college
16. Hell on Heels by Pistol Annies - Also love singing along to this; a small part of my heart is dedicated to country
17. Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys - As a Southern Californian, this is a given
18. Shrines by Purity Ring - Instant classic; so trippy
19. Two Way Monologue by Sondre Lerche - Senior year of high school was all about this album
20. Back to Black by Amy Winehouse - She captured such an important style in this album
21. Thinks of Her by Andy Davis - College. Period. Thanks to Stacey for introducing me
22. Merriweather Post Pavilion by Animal Collective - I have to thank my ex for introducing me to this
23. Be OK by Ingrid Michaelson - post-college in a big way
24. Waiting for my Rocket to Come by Jason Mraz - Ohhh high school; I know every word to every song
25. Room for Squares by John Mayer - I admittedly still love listening to his stuff
26. Tim's House by Kate Walsh - Post-college moody stuff
27. Barton Hollow by The Civil Wars - Amazing harmonies that I can't help but sing along to
28. Begin to Hope by Regina Spektor - This was like... junior year of college; reminds me of Britta
29. Born This Way by Lady Gaga - I bought it; I love it
30. I Am... Sasha Fierce by Beyonce - I mean, for the album cover alone... Gorgeous
31. My Aim is True by Elvis Costello - For "Alison" alone
32. The Best of Emmylou Harris by Emmylou Harris - Thank you to Liz for spurring my love while rambling down a mountain in Germany
33. The Immaculate Collection by Madonna - Elementary school. Choregraphed dance numbers after school.
34. Every Breath You Take: The Singles by The Police - Thanks, Mom, for always playing this in the minivan when I was a kid. It got under my skin.
35. Marie Antoinette Soundtrack - Oooh the best Sofia Coppola soundtrack
36. Interscope by M.I.A. - I think my pre-drugs moodiness really got me into this
37. A Hard Day's Night by The Beatles - Another album I'd dance around to after school with my friends


I'm always embarrassed by my taste in music. I never feel cool. Also I'm more partial to a smattering of songs rather than giving my allegience to full albums.

Thanks, Moorea!

List the Things That Make You Feel Healthy

1. Finding a yoga practice that I adore
2. My love for kale
3. Getting my heart rate going
4. Never skipping breakfast
5. Grapefruit
6. Getting enough sleep (I've really never had an issue with this)
7. Meditating
8. Investing in my relationships; cultivating them
9. Taking me antidepressant medication!
10. Taking the time to tidy the space around me (I'm not always very good at this)
11. Taking the time to be alone (I'm an introvert at heart)
12. Creating a restful environment in my bedroom (clean sheets, candles, soft lighting)
13. Cooking for myself and others (rather than going out to eat or getting delivery too much)
14. Sunlight! Warmth!
15. Eating when I'm hungry -- and not overeating -- rather than eating to fill a void
16. Not drinking too much alcohol (finally at a point where I'm truly noticing the repercussions of going overboard with booze)
17. Taking a break from media every now and then
18. Drinking more water and less sugary beverages (I've completely cut out soda)
19. Walking/biking places rather than driving (admittedly, this is harder in the winter months)
20. Setting goals for myself
21. Staying present, but moving forward
22. Having a positive outlook on sex and my body (Goodbye, religion-driven guilt!)

Thanks, Moorea!

The Ways I Can Love Others

1. Give gifts often "just because"

2. Wrap my arms around my boyfriend

3. Random acts of kindness

4. Let people know I appreciate them in my life

5. Compliments, compliments, compliments

6. My language of love: cooking food for people

7. Make dates with friends

8. Dedicate my yoga practice to loved ones

9. Be available to friends in need

10. Volunteer

11. Be gracious and kind

12. Tip tip tip those who work in the service industry

13. Remember that we're all human

14. Choose words wisely

15. Put myself in someone else's shoes

16. Act without expecting anything in return

17. Honor other's decisions and opinions

18. Really listen

19. Check in

20. Love myself first (I am worthy of love; we are all worthy of love)

Thank you, Moorea!

What I Am Grateful For

Mirai-chan by kotori kawashima

1. My boyfriend, whose shoulder I constantly lean on

2. A steady job/income
3. Kind people in my life
4. Inspirational friends
5. My creative abilities
6. Laughter and silliness
7. Family
8. My brother's journey to wellness
9. My mother's strength
10. Sunshine
11. My health
12. My comfy bed
13. My hilarious pets
14. My happy childhood
15. Good food
16. Freedom as a female to get an education (Malala, you are my hero)
17. Seasons
18. Learning from my past
19. Learning to love myself more
20. Encouraging words
21. New beginnings
22. Art
23. My travels
24. Sleep, sleep, sleep
25. A nice glass of wine at the end of the day
26. My yoga practice
27. An open mind
28. Good films and books
29. My independence
30. Growth

List Your Current & Future Goals/Dreams

1. Create lots and lots of art forever and ever
2. Get married to the one I love
3. Have a few bebes with the one I love
4. Figure out my dream career is and GET IT
5. Do a perfect crow pose in yoga (I'm so close!)
6. Get a tattoo
7. Go hang gliding
8. Host a Thanksgiving dinner
9. Live for a few months without technology
10. Pay off all of my college loans
11. Write a screenplay or just a play
12. Travel to: Morocco (with Moorea), England, Bali, India, Egypt, Costa Rica, Nepal, Amsterdam...
13. See Saturday Night Live LIVE
14. Go abroad with my mom
15. Live in Bali for awhile, maybe have a bebe there
16. Move back to California for awhile (gasp! it's true)
17. Own a few animals (ducks, bunnies, chickens, etc.)
18. Write/illustrate a children's book
19. Collect lots of books, jewelry, oddities for my future grandchildren to keep themselves occupied with
20. Keep practicing yoga for my health and wellness
21. Visit Kensington Gardens in homage of Peter Pan
22. Age gracefully
23. Ride atop an elephant in a jungle
24. Be fearless, be spontaneous, be open, be curious forever!

Thanks, Moorea