Drum roll please...

It's official!  The Grateful Sparrow has a new home!

is your go-to place for daily inspiration and a community of 

joyful living.

I want to help you love the life you live and live a life you love.  I'm not talking about fake smiles and forced cheer, I'm talking about honesty and change and opening your eyes to the world around you and all that life has to offer.  I want to share my joys and my struggles with you, and I want you to share yours with me.  Let's inspire each other.

Check it out and let me know what you think!

Today I am so happy and grateful for this exciting new adventure.  

xo xo xo xo!  n.

Under Construction.

I know I have been absent a lot lately, but it's because I've got something exciting up my sleeve.

I'm creating a new & improved Grateful Sparrow site at a new home, and you're all invited!

It's set to launch next week, so I've got A LOT to get done; please bear with me and keep an eye out for the official announcement & link...  (might be announced on an affiliate site mid-week... hint hint...)

I'm super super excited about this; I hope y'all like it too!

Today I am so grateful & happy for big ideas and making them happen!!!

xo! n.

Heart a Flutter Friday - I'm a Fan

Dudes!  This week has just flown by!!  I can't believe it's already Friday.  I'm not complaining; I get a 3 day weekend!  Sorry for the sparse posting; it's just been one of those weeks (in a good way).
Today I want to feature the work of an artist I've been watching.  I'm totally in love with her creatures & have every intention of adopting some of them to fill my home with happy chatter.  I hope you love them as much as I do!

Peaceful

Pink Worm Listens to Some Jams

Everything Wonderful Happens Here

 Dubious Orange Kitty

Tiny Village

We Are Intellectuals

You're Doing Everything Right

High Tide

 

And this one is from me to you:

Things I'm Thankful For 

If you like what you see here, you can find much more in her Etsy shop and on her blog.  It's adorable and totally affordable!

Today I am so grateful & happy for:

~ all of y'alls awesome comments on Potential!  Thanks!

~ a 3-day weekend to look forward to!

~ totally rad mixed CDS

xo!  n.

Potential.

I sometimes whinge and whine about being single; most of my friends are in serious relationships if not married, and I sometimes feel like The Last Single Girl (hey, that could be a good title for a movie... cast me!).  But you know what's awesome about being single?

Dates.

Yes!  The actual act of going on dates almost always fades out of a long-term relationship, and even in those that deem "date nights" important, the need to impress each other fades.  Which is a nice thing, comfort is great, but sometimes it's fun to take a chance, to feel nervous, and to have no clue what you're getting into.

Especially when the date hits it out of the park.

Cut to my Sunday.  Now, y'all, I'm telling you this because I'm not embarrassed or ashamed, I'm just 29 and living in Los Angeles -- I'm on eHarmony.  And I'd been emailing with this particular guy, we'll call him B, for about a week.  I'm a big proponent of meeting relatively early on because there's only so much you can tell from emails and a few pictures; to feel someone's energy & real compatibility, you have to spend some time with them.

So I suggested meeting & he suggested LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art).  Perfect.

We met in the forest of streetlamps in front of the building; he looked like his pictures and bought my admission.  The museum was pretty full, which aided our mutual non-reverence; we weren't being disrespectful, but were there to enjoy ourselves & immediately feel into an easy dialogue making up silly stories about the Indian art we were looking at. 

We discovered a Jerry Springer plot in a painting of a nobleman with his handmaidens, and identified India's Siskel & Ebert of the 1700s.  We were cracking ourselves up.  We tried to be quiet, but noticed a few people giggling around us, and one couple even joined in & added to our story.

We stood for a while in front of this painting, imagining the dinners this very dysfunctional family might've had.

As we wandered around, we got to know each other better and the art helped us avoid awkward silences by inspiring questions like, what's your background, and where've you traveled?  It may sound like a stuffy location but because of its somewhat interactive nature, it was actually the perfect place for a first date - boys, take note!

When we got hungry, we headed to a shabu-shabu place down the street (if you don't know, it's a Japanese cook-your-own-food style restaurant), where we talked over the steam of seaweed water boiling our beef & veggies.  Dinner led to a discussion of karaoke (naturally), so we headed to a bar and picked each other's songs over the riot of a very large birthday party.

 very dark small pictures from my phone...

That's right, I said we picked each other's songs.  As in, neither of us knew what we were singing until we were standing up there with a mic in our hands.  So not only did I do karaoke on a first date, I did blind karaoke on a first date.  What am I, crazy???  Eh.  It's all part of the fun.

I had to sing Gwen Stefani, Hollaback Girl, and he had to sing Boys II Men, I'll Make Love to You (just because it's funny, don't go thinking dirty, it's a first date) - and we totally rocked it.

He was a total gentleman.  Besides a few "that's what she said"s (which, let's face it, I probably initiated) and a running Indian-exhibit-inspired joke about the kama sutra, he held doors for me, was hands-off, and even picked up the tab (which the Very Independent Woman that I am fought against, but he refused to budge).

I'm pretty sure it was the best first date I've ever been on.  That's what they all should be: fun, silly, spontaneous, full of conversation & laughter, not an awkward meal & silent movie, or some dude drooling all over you waiting for the end of the night to make a move.

So, I don't know, it may not go anywhere, but there will definitely be a second date and, hey, sometimes it's just nice to be reminded that dates like this DO exist.  :)

Today I am so grateful & happy for:

~ a fun day with a good guy

~ time to write

~ my new phone is working (and puuuurty!)

xo!  n.

Lovely Los Angeles

Yesterday I went to the farmer's market and hiking with some friends & then out for a 3 hour dinner with another friend; it's days like this that make me love LA.

Today I'm so grateful & happy for:
~ great friends
~ delicious fresh food (and eggs worth standing in line for)
~ a new phone!

xo!  n.

Heart a flutter Friday - Get Cozy.

Happy Friday everyone!!  It's been quite a week for me; being back at work after a long vacation is... well... uuuuhhhggg...  But we got through it, didn't we?  So now it's time to celebrate!

Here are some soft and fuzzy things to keep your imagination cozy this January weekend:

Boho Slouchy Cabled Hat by Knittingcate on Etsy

I love all the subtle colors in this hat and the thick cable knit.  Wearing this, you'd bring a little confetti splash of unexpected color to a grey winter day, while still keeping warm and looking cool.

Small Moon Jellyfish in Organic Cotton by Awkward on Etsy

Strange and wonderful.  How cute would this be in a bohemian beach bungalow?  Or just hanging in my window so I can imagine I'm in a bohemian beach bungalow...  :)

Hand Embroidered Pendant by Merriweathercouncil on Etsy

So pretty, simple and tactile.  Vintage inspired but kinda silly and fun.

Cowl Top by Replicca on Etsy

This looks sooooo comfy cozy; it bet it feels like a sweatshirt but it looks adorable!  And ladies, it's built in such a way that will flatter your boobies & hide that winter tummy... just sayin is all...

Campfire print by Groundwork on Etsy

It may be cold outside, but you'll feel warm and safe around this campfire.

Nero Square Crochet Ring by gitte on Etsy

It's like a sweater for your finger!  Finally a big ring I can't knock someone out with!

Well, there you have it; I hope you all have a lovely, cozy weekend and stay warm!

Today I am so happy and grateful for:

~ clarity

~ options

~ strength

xo!  n.

Holiday Recap

My 2010 Holiday season involved...

A fat cat sneaking under the covers, curling up soft next to my stomach and purring so loud I could hear it through my pillow.

Quality time with one of my favorite people, my momma.

All day Christmas eve cooking - homemade pierogies from my great-grandma's recipie, attempted from scratch for the very first time since she made them.

Giving up on pierogi dough & resorting to wonton wrappers with homemade filling. Still delicious.

Waking up on Christmas morning, looking out the window, and saying "aw it didn't sno-- IT'S SNOWING!!" and watching it flurry for a few hours without sticking.  The closest I've ever gotten to a white Christmas.

Sufjan Stevens & Manheim Steamroller & George Winston & Harry Connick, Jr. carols.

Relaxed laughter with family and a Christmas dinner that involved snoring dogs, bra ornaments, snacking for hours, and everyone feeling happy, thankful and loved.

Lots of movies.

Eleven hours driving down the east coast in snow, slush & ice the day after Christmas.

Singing loud to mom's old-school CDs - Barenaked Ladies & Counting Crows - to keep us from going insane stuck in the car.

Emotional upheaval (but ultimately, in a good way).

My brother dancing with my dad's dog in front of a crackling fire.

Re-exploring the town I grew up in and visiting our old house with new tenants, piecing together our family after big changes, thinking about the future and the past.  Bittersweet but calm.

Tons of sweet tea, cookies, pie, wine, specialty beers, and a homemade salad dressing that involved lots and lots of bacon fat.  Mmmmm...

Gathering around the kitchen to watch my brother's awesome knife skills & cooking talent.  Beautiful food.  Needing to audibly groan with every bite, it's that delicious.

Anticipation & disappointment (people, not things), tears, full-on honesty, acceptance, letting go, moving forward from here.  A resolution of communication.  A fittingly big ending on the last day of the year.

Balloons covering the ceiling, streamers covering the floor, vintage covering me.  Champagne, dirty martinis and the people that always make everything better.

Staying in PJs for hours under blankets, watching the Rose Bowl Parade and playing a ridiculous giggle & fake vomit -inducing game of "would you rather."

Delicious, nutritious & charmed Hoppin' John and wassail for 2011 luck.

"The Office" Clue game,  old-school Monopoly, "Fantastic Mr. Fox," rocky road ice cream and staying up too late, sleeping in too long.

Rainy day laziness, holding hands, free lunch and new friends (including a puppy!) on an almost-24-hour-long date.

All in all, it was an appropriate ending to 2010 and a really wonderful beginning of 2011.  I hope y'all had the same.

I'm back, and I promise that not only will I be writing more often, I also have a big announcement up my sleeve this month, so stay tuned...

Today I am so grateful & happy for:
~ spending time with people I love on both coasts
~ beginnings
~ silliness & laughter

xo!  n.

5...4...3...2... Happy Heart a Flutter Friday!!

Holey moley, I am not so great at keeping up my blog whilst traveling - especially when it's family time.  I apologize for my week's absence.  I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday (I will update you on mine this week) and are celebrating tonight!

I like to sparkle on New Years Eve; there's no better time to rock sequins.  In honor of bright and shiny new 2011, here's a bedazzled Heart a Flutter Friday!

Giselle Silk Clutch by Julia Sherry Designs on Etsy

This is beautiful.  Wintery & simple, with just the right amount of bling, and the perfect size for your camera, phone, card and lip gloss - because what else do you need on NYE?

Peacock Pumps by LaPlumeEthere on Etsy

I'm quite sure I would ruin these immediately, but oh lordy it'd be worth it.  Funnest.  Shoes.  Ever.

Lace & Rhinestone Tattoo Tights by Lalilouche on Etsy

I don't know that I have the legs to wear these, but what an unexpected shine these would bring to that perfect LBD.  And what better time for sparkly tights than while you're cheersing bubbly?

Vintage Rhinestone Bracelet by LilahBelleVintage on Etsy

I am diggin' gold lately, and you'd be sure to feel rich with this on your wrist.  Also, if any bar fights break out, this looks pointy and heavy enough to use as a weapon.

Onyx Black Glass & Rhinestone Drop Earrings by AngelPearls on Etsy

Gor-ge-ous.  I would feel like a glamorous international spy at a cocktail party in the 1950's with these on.  I think they'd improve my small talk skills.  Seriously.

LA Woman Upcycled Vintage Cocktail Ring by TheBlackSwanTheory on Etsy

How FUN is this!!?  And I am an LA woman, so it's totally made for me!  It's like a badge of bling for your hand, or a sparkly curtain for your knuckles.  Also, you can use it to blind people with its shine.

Ball Drop - Gold Cascade Headband by deLoop on Etsy

I look like a 12 year old in headbands, but they look fab on my friend Chick & I know she could rock this one out fo sho.  Maybe it's even rad enough to look good on me, too.  It's like golden fireworks in your hair, but a hell of a lot less painful.

Vegas Baby - Vintage dress by Chloezilla on Etsy

OK let's just talk a second about how insane & diva this dress is.  And about how really, the only time most people can get away with wearing it is on NYE.  I would shimmy and shake all over the place like a flapper; I bet it jangles so wonderfully.

I have had an AMAZING 2010 & am looking forward to an even better 2011.  

Happy & healthy & better than you can ever imagine New Year, everyone!!!

Today I am so grateful & happy for:

~ the awesomeness that was 2010

~ the brilliance that will be 2011

~ holidays with family

~ my big big joyful life!!

xo! n.

Heart a flutter Friday: Silent Night

It's Christmas Eve!

I'm not going to tempt you with images of things you could've gotten, now that it's too late to shop, and besides, what's making my heart flutter today isn't things, it's my family's love and the joy of Christmas.  And peirogies.  Yum.

Wherever you are, whatever your holiday plans, whatever you celebrate,

may your Christmas be merry and bright

...and may you be just SO grateful & happy.

All my love, 

xo! n.

[image from weheartit]

What is love?

Is it heart-pounding, spine-tingling, butterflies & stammering; craving someone like an insatiable hunger in the pit of your stomach?

Is it wanting to curl up inside someone, closer than skin, so deeply that they become a part of you and their actions are an extension of your own?

Is it trusting someone with your only, fragile heart, taking walls down block by block and being honest, no matter how hard or how many times you've been hurt?

Is it comfort, feeling accepted as your real full self, warm fuzzies and a soft feeling of prevailing happiness?

Is it laughing with someone, feeling they enrich every experience & simply just wanting them around?

Does it hit you like a lightning bolt, scorching, or does it creep up and around you like a slow-growing vine?

Is there a right person or just a right time?

...don't go getting your panties in a twist, I'm not in love, I've just been thinking about it a lot.  It's the holidays, there are engagement ring commercials all over the dang place, and I'm remembering the last (and only) time I was in love, how dramatic it was, and wondering if I will ever feel like that again or if the next time will be completely different...

What do you think?  Is love the Aha! moment it's depicted as in movies?  Or is is an ebb and flow of feelings?  Those of you in love, did you just know or did it grow over time?  I'm in a listening mood, tell me your story!

Today I am so grateful & happy for:
~ a fat soft kitty
~ coooooooold Christmas weather
~ talking about the elephant  ;)

xo! n.

[photo from weheartit]

20SB Blog Swap!

I participated (a little late) in the 20 Something Bloggers 2010 Blog Swap & got paired with the lovely Linda!  Below is her guest post, and mine is on her blog,  I'm a Big Girl, I can Handle It.  Enjoy!

Action: What will you do next year that you’ve been putting off for too long!?!?
Since this is an article for the 20 Something Bloggers (20SB) blog swap, and this post is currently on Nikki's blog, I will introduce myself. 

My name is Linda and I am a 23yr old black African lesbian...living in London. I just finished uni and I am currently searching for a graduate job...my blog is pretty much my online diary...it tells a story about my life as it happens...it tells a story about me and topics I am passionate about...things that make me happy...and things that don't...it shows how much of a contradiction I am sometimes!!
So now I’ll stop blabbing about me...and get right on to the topic at hand...what will I do next year that I have been putting off for too long!?!?

Now I hope I don't sound too cliché...but something I have been putting off for too long is losing weight...and keeping it off for good!!!
When I came to the UK for my studies, I was a perfect size 12 and now I am somewhere between 16 and 18...no jokes :-(
The weight gain started in my first year of uni...when I became solely responsible for my food...I was the queen of takeaways, fries, pizzas, chocolates, desserts, you name it!
I was in food heaven cause I didn't have anyone hovering over my shoulder...reprimanding me for eating such bad food!
The summer holidays after my first year...I went back home to Nigeria a size 18...and was immediately put on a diet/exercise program by my Dad....I returned for my second year a size 12.
Pity Daddy was not there to count the calories cause by my 3rd year...I was back to size 18...again!
My fourth year of uni was spent working as part of my degree...and I successfully managed to drop to a size 12/14 on my own...by being a gym junkie and calorie counting...
Unfortunately, I still had one year of uni to go...and it all went downhill...yet again!!!!
I finished my first course a size 16...went on to do another masters for one year...and finished that a size 18...and that is where I am at the moment...5years of uni...and 1year working...
i find it funny that whenever I am away from uni I seem to be able to lose weight but reverse is the case when I still have coursework to hand in...I am so sure that being at uni is a major cause of my weight gain because I have lost 10kg since I left in Sept!!!
I used to think it was stress-induced...but the year I spent working was mega-stressful but I lost weight...the life I have at the moment after uni is mega-stressful but I am losing weight...and this is the reason why I am never going back to uni...because it is a danger to my health :-P

Anyway...now I am determined to change my ways...and live a healthy lifestyle...I don't just want to lose weight...I want to be able to run up the stairs without panting...I want to be able to "run" the 2011 race for life...and I particularly want to beat one of my friends top scores on my Wii Fit...after all it is mine :-P
I don't want to be a "fattie" anymore...I don't want the love handles anymore...and I certainly don't want the "chicken wing" arms anymore :-(
I mean absolutely no offence to any full bodied women reading this...I believe that one should settle for the body size that they are comfortable with...if a woman feels good being a size 22...then by all means...that is the size that she should be...but I don't want to be a big girl anymore..I want to be slimmer...and most importantly I want to be healthier!!
I know that I can lose weight...that is not my biggest problem...the main issue is keeping the weight off...I don't want to go through the burden of losing weight and then undoing everything I have laboured for...I am not going to do that again...2011 is going to be different!!!
My plan is to get into a healthy routine...although I really want to lose weight...I want to develop a lifestyle that I can stick to...so I am not going to crash diet...or drink slimming tea...or starve myself...I would rather eat healthy...and exercise...
I want to lose weight the healthy way...and although it might not be the quickest way...I would rather do it this way than any other which would lead me to more weight gain eventually!!
So....that's it...that's my main action for next year...my goal is to be a size 12 by my 24th birthday in July...that gives me seven months to drop three dress sizes...is that unrealistic, do you think!??!
To be honest, I just want to feel better you know...so if I get to a 12...OK :-)...and if not...life goes on...as long as I feel happier and healthier :-D

Hope you all have your actions for next year...I am so excited about mine...I cant wait to lose all this weight...don't worry I'll put "before" and "after" photos for you to see :-)
I have also made my list of resolutions...and although the year is not over...I am already trying to make the much needed changes...
Isn’t it great when a new year is around the corner...I just love it...hope you do too ;-)
OK...I’ll go now...cause I could honestly go on forever...and we don't want that now...do we!?!? :-P 

Happy holidays people...and I hope the new year is all you want it to be!!
Linda xx
I'm a Big Girl I can Handle It
20SB
Twitter

PS....Thank you Nikki for being my first ever blog swap partner :-)
{picture from weheartit}

Reverb10 - Release, create, love

To participate in the Reverb10 prompts, reflect on 2010 and manifest for 2011, check 'em out here.

December 5: Let Go.  What (or whom) did you let go of this year?  Why?

Control.  I've always been an over-achiever and a worrier; I've always had a pretty tight hold on what I expect and how I'm going to get it.  This year taught me that I can't control everything; I've learned I don't even want to control everything because it often turns out SO much better when I just allow things to be what they are.

December 6: Make. What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it?

Besides my writing... :)  the last things I made were banners and signs for an event at work; I designed them in Photoshop & then the company printed them & they looked really good.  But the last things I made without prompting from anyone were the art pieces I made for the last Side Work show.  I sculpted wire hearts and made a lotus out of cardboard, newspaper and watercolors - picking only the positive, celebratory newspaper articles (which are really hard to find).  They all sold, which was such a great feeling.  I would like to do more projects like that; I always have a million crafty ideas, and I'm pretty good at executing them, but I don't put it at the top of my priority list, generally.  I would definitley like to carve out more time for creating physical, beautiful things, because it gives me an instant feeling of achievement.

December 7: Community. Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011?

The Stratejoy community has been THE most amazing, unexpected support group for me this year.  To those of y'all that found me on SJ, thank you, from the bottom of my heart; you've made the experience of writing cathartic, meaningful, and so very joyful for me.  In 2011 I really want to connect more deeply with that community and with similar people; I want to create an inspirational community (plans are in the works & expect something new & shiny to be revealed in January!!!)

Also, my LA "family" of friends has been an amazing, supportive community for me through this year of ups and downs, lefts and rights, confusion and clarity.  Through each step, they've said with a laugh, "we can't keep up with you, but we love you and are so excited for you."  On Thanksgiving, I looked around at a living room full of friends and thought: I love ALL of these people.  So much.  Thanks, y'all.

Today I am so happy & grateful for:
~ catching up  :)
~ Christmas champagne
~ a busy busy week/weekend with friends

xo! n.

[photo: my art display at Side Work]

Heart a-flutter Friday

Happy Happy Happy Friday, Lovlies!  It's only one week til Christmas Eve!

If you still need some last-minute gifts, I hope this inspires you to get out there & get your shopping done; Christmas isn't meant to be stressful!  Finish it up so you can celebrate. 

Recycled Hanging Pendant Lights by BootsNGus on Etsy

I want these in my future home.  They're funky & repurposed & retro & adorable; how fun would a grouping of these be over a dining room table?  Girly nesting sigh.

Feather Earrings by MetalWendler on Etsy

SO FUN.  I know feathers are a hipster trend, but just a little touch like this, in a bright color (and sans pointless forehead headband), could be a really cool addition to any basic outift.

Skinny Leather Bangles by AmyFine on Etsy

These bracelets with the earrings above?  Check.  Instant coolness & Silverlake street cred.

Earthy Cheese Plate by LennyMud on Etsy

I LOVE this.  I know it looks like someone spilled stuff all over it, but there's just something so neat about it.  The colors, textures, and especially the raised sides make a serving plate I'd want to display, even when I'm not slicing up some cheese (but, let's face it, when is that??)

Sweater Bangle Crochet Bracelet by MyGiantStrawberry on Etsy

Adorable.  I want to wear this and a long hippie skirt whilst weaving daises in my hair.  Or, you know, on a Tuesday.  Just bohemian enough to go with everything.

Coffee Clutch & Moleskine Notebook Set by TheWren on Etsy

This recycled clutch is really cute AND it comes with a moleskine notebook!!  Done and done.

Matte Gold Modern Triangle Earrings by AllisonMooney on Etsy

These are simple, lovely and charmingly irregular.  Understated enough to wear everyday and pretty enough for a special event, these are a go-to alternative to tired old hoops.

Original Floral Painting by KarenFieldsGallery on Etsy

This is actually my second cousin's shop!  But I'm not playing favorites; I adore the colors in this bold painting.  How lovely would a room be, decorated in colors from this painting!?

And that's Friday, folks!  I'm off work for two whole weeks for the holidays, so I'm a happy girl!

Have a wonderful, fabulous weekend!

Today I'm so happy and grateful for:

~ the last day of work before a vacation

~ Christmas presents arriving

~ holiday festivities with heaps of friends!

xo! n.