Love This {six}

And now for my monthly (ish) round-up of the things I’m loving these days.

But first, a quote for my girls. School starts tomorrow for all three of my kids. My son is entering third grade, one daughter is entering sixth grade at the middle school, and the oldest is starting ninth grade at the high school. Three different schools and three different phases in childhood. I love quotes, and I scour Pinterest quite often for a good quote that might help a situation that they are going through. Sometimes I even make quote collages for friends to cheer them up or make them laugh. Today’s quote is specifically for my girls, because my son is eight and still so authentic. But the girls are in their tween and teen years, straddling the line between wanting to be cool and mature, yet yearning to be young again so that they can just be themselves. I want to send them off with these words from Robin S. Sharma, an author who wrote a popular self-help book. I find that this is sort of a version of the “do unto others” golden rule. But it’s a bit more zen and more about your spirit than about your behavior. Be positive, accepting, and inclusive and you will get back that same energy from others. Show kindness and compassion, and you will create a grateful life. Diminish the drama and you will find a better connection with your friends and a more simplified existence. There is so much to teach them about life from this little quote. It’s a good one.

Love This {six}

1. Winter is right around the corner (noooooo!!!!). We are totally doing this to fill some long, dark, cold afternoons. Genius!

2. If you have flat hair that is thick but not curly or straight, just kinda frizzy and blah (moi), then this tutorial for 5-minute beach waves is for you! I tried it, and it kind of looked ok.

3. Read this brilliant re-branding of the world failure.

4. My new favorite artist.

5. Sit down with your lunch and watch this video (10 minutes). Filed under “amazing” and “inspirational”, there is a 100% chance it will make your day. This one boy’s creativity filled my eyes water, because he is just that incredible.

6. I love this drawing game for a group of little kids.So simple and super fun. Cue the giggling!

7. I am totally saving up for this cool shelf for my son’s room. So rad!

8. I could be very happy in this renovated Barcelona loft. Especially since there doesn’t seem to be any room for kids. Sorry guys!

9. These paper balls are so cool. I’m thinking craft night and garlands!!

10. Just when you think it is not possible to be original as an artist, that everything has been done before…you see this. Unbelievably cool.

Cheers to the last day of summer vacation…always a little bittersweet.

xo, Bar