Huge Lifestyle Change? Finding Balance with Yoga and Sparkle...

Hello Beautiful Readers~

First a COUPON SURPRISE. 

{FOR BLOG FOLLOWERS, SPECIAL COUPON JUST FOR YOU! ENTER :  
BLOGINSTA16 after you purchase something in my etsy shop and receive, 10% OFF OF ANY JEWELRY ORDER! Lasts for 2 weeks!}


If you've read some of my posts, you know that I recently made a tremendous life change. For those of you that are new, I'll catch you up. I moved about 5 months ago, from the East coast (in the U.S., from the East coast, Boston, MA, literally to the very other side, to the Pacific North West Coast, Washington. An island near Canada). That is a enormous lifestyle change. My husband, Daniel and I, are still very much in transition and that is not always easy. We sold our home on the East Coast, said good bye to our old jobs, and are pursuing our passions for work. You only live once. Is that exciting? Very much so! However, all that transition and change makes it challenging for your mind, body, and soul. I believe connecting and finding balance for your mind body and soul is always a challenge. However, add enormous life changes, and it can get even harder. My answer these days is: YOGA.

This is one of my happy places. Here and my YOGA MAT.

Everything is still so very NEW.  With new, comes unease and excitement all at the same time. For me, and I would think for most, it is very beneficial to find things that ground you. Exercise (I've posted about my power beach walks) and yoga are my things! I did yoga on the east coast. But, not very regularly. Now, I happily practice yoga several times a week! I LOVE it! I cannot tell you how amazing yoga is for me. It's goes beyond what regular cardio exercise does for me (and I have been a gym member since I was a young girl). Do you do yoga? Do you experience this bliss? It is so much more than exercise.

For me, yoga is all about, inner strength, power, exercise, balance, breathe, core, inner work, outer work, spirit, trust, harmony, peace. So important to me that I have been creating jewelry pieces inspired by my connection and love for yoga. 

My "Om Necklace." Pewter, Hand-stamped with love. Comes with removable Pink Aquamarine and Freshwater pearl. $33

Spirit Bracelets. Yoga Inspired. (They have the big gorgeous Lemon Yellow Quartz, Aquamarine and Jasper). Jasper gemstone is said to help balance mind and body 

I just made this bracelet that I call "Serene." Part of my Yoga Inspired Jewelry Collection.
The Gemstone Agate is said to promote a sense of Calm (serene) and is a powerful emotional healer. $30

I've met many new and friendly people in this progressive and incredibly scenic place. I hope to meet many many more like minded peeps. Let me just say, it will take some time to find my groove in this special place. Finding your niche, and creating a support system, in a brand new environment, is a considerable and wonderful challenge. However, I am determined to have fun on my journey finding it. When obstacles and uncertainty get in the way, back on my yoga mat I shall go. Back to Om. Back to my breathe. Persistence and practice are words I often hear spoken by my beautiful yoga instructors. Nobody said things come easy. Believe in yourself and in your practice. 

Breathe. Be You. Be in the Moment. and above all else. Be Sparkly. 

Namaste

~Marissa T.xo
 

My Love Affair with the Sea & Jewels. Part 2

Hello Beautiful Readers~

I had blogged recently about my love affair with the sea. Part 2 here we go. I can blog about this topic forever! Why? It is my main inspiration for my jewelry designs and I have such a special love for the ocean that I need to share it with others out there who I know can relate. Among many things, it is also a zen or yoga like experience for me. (Yoga. next blog topic).

Island County, Washington/One of my favorite beaches. 

There is something magical that happens to me when I'm near the sea. It's as if it's calling out to me. I always reply when it does. I have read about water and its healing benefits and have found a lot of interesting tid bits. One being, that the ocean has restorative powers that has been recognized for centuries. It's no wonder the Greeks bathed in springs to cure disease and simply, as way to help people come alive and gain strength. These days, it's amazing to read, how many spas all over the world, use water therapy.

Salt water, it wakes up my senses. I must have been a mermaid or dolphin in a past life. In a future life, I would like to come back as a mermaid (or a character on "Downton Abbey," well, that's a whole other topic).  The pure joy I feel, from swimming in the sea, is surreal. I feel my limbs move through the cool salt water and I am invigorated. I am completely immersed in the moment. Me and the sea. If I'm lucky, this usually happens to me, when I meditate or practice yoga. I become more present and alive, in that moment.  The feeling of swimming in another world (the underwater world) is pure bliss. I feel calm. I feel wonder. I feel joy. There is something to be said about the healing effects of water. It can help you spiritually and physically.

Snorkeling is something I don't get to do enough of , but, I LOVE it. I recall a fun vacation in Aruba not too long ago, with my husband, Daniel, and my brother. Every day was "Explore a New Beach Day," for us. I remember one afternoon, I went out to snorkel and I think I may have been in the briny sea for more than two hours. Was I water logged? No! On the contrary, I could have stayed longer! Being in the seawater is intoxicating (for me) & experiencing all the spectacularly beautiful tropical fish, up close is surreal. I can swim and frolic for hours on end. There is nothing like swimming and floating through a school of thousands of  blue fish. If you haven't experienced this (and you love swimming), I highly recommend it. It is truly a magical underwater wonderland.
 

A beach in Aruba. I snorkeled here for hours!

I  feel renewed when I swim in the ocean (or power walk next to it). Do you experience this bliss too? I would love to know. I can't wait to swim in the sea where I live now (Pacific North West, U.S.). I hear I need a wet suit because of critters in the sea (jellyfish). I think I would wear heavy scuba gear if I had too. Some say the water is cold here. I used to swim in the ocean all the time when I lived on the East Coast. The cold water and I mix well. Recently, on a warm spring day, I went down to the beach to feel the water and it felt amazing. I was ready to jump in! It was calling me. When the sea calls out to me, I always answer it.

Aruba. The wild side.  The color of the water is unreal.

Aruba. The water is really that blue. 

I must leave you with some of my NEW jewelry pieces (designed by me & available in my etsy shop) that are all about my "love affair with the sea." Beachy. Boho. Chic. This necklace might make you feel like a fashionable mermaid.

Inspired by the Sea and Fashion. All these necklaces in ocean & sunset hues are available in my etsy shop.

Let me tell you about a special shipping promotion that I am having. If you buy 2 or more pieces from my etsy shop, you get free shipping! Last through Spring 2015! (applicable in U.S., Canada, E.U., U.K. and Mexico).

See you soon. Be well. Be in the moment. and above all else. 

Be sparkly~

Marissa T.

Fun Parties and Aqua Blue accesories....

Hello Readers~

Happy Monday. I had a very fun weekend. I hope you did too. I went to a gala reception for the opening of a new Art School. A big artist's reception where I met some other creative artists. A lot of delicious appetizers/wine and mini desserts. Did a bit of mingling and gathered some inspiration for my art. One bubbly woman I met, who I asked, "So are you creative as well? (Do you make anything?)". She replied with a huge smile, "I make love in the air." At least I think I'm quoting her properly. I thought that was a cute remark, making us both laugh. However, if more people actually really did put more love out into the universe, so to speak, well, that could make a much happier world. Really! My eyes gravitated to her unique and stylish necklace. It was several layers of blue gemstones (and some type of delicate fabric/all in a wonderful variety of aqua blue hues). I adore aqua with pink. She paired the necklace with a simple, but cute, fuschia pink sweater.  I love noticing fashion and especially, what jewelry people wear! Of course! The jewelry can never be missed! Another woman I met, a jewelry artisan herself had on some of her clever designs. The necklace was all silver, modern geometric shapes. Fun piece.

I also had a dinner party that my husband & I went too. Some lovely new friends on the island. The hostess is a divine cook with magnificent British shabby chic taste (I love this woman's style. She is in fact, British and has an amazing eye for fashion, home decor, and food). Not only was the company wonderful, we know it's always like going to a gourmet restaurant (every time we are invited over). She spoiled us with delicious goodies, like pate, garlic humus, beef bourguignon (wow), and a creamy sumptuous raspberry cheesecake. Many glasses of red wine were consumed. The gorgeous cheesecake had to be posted on my Instagram. @Marissa TDesigns. So many gorgeous pink raspberries! It was delicious too! My other friend, the daughter of the divine British cook extraordinaire, had some lovely jewelry on, round aqua blue dangle silver earrings that kept catching the light as she spoke. They could have been sea glass, but, I'm guessing they were sea blue chalcedony quartz. There is something so wonderful about women and how they love aqua and turquoise colored jewelry! My favorite color I work with is blue. Have you noticed yet?  Every single shade of blue. I can't and will never get enough of Turquoise hues... Inspired by my LOVE of the SEA. 

Want to take a peak at some new necklaces I just made? I haven't listed them in my etsy shop for sale yet. Just finished making and photographing them. This necklace is all about the sea (and turquoise hues). The stone in the middle is a subtle creamy white agate druzy gemstone. I think of blue water, waves, and soft sand when I see & feel this necklace. Do you like to wear turquoise blues?

This next necklace I made with some delicious blue opal and one fabulous coffee colored agate in the center. Paired up with bright copper chain. I love the combo of turquoise colored gemstones with copper! I currently have several pieces like this in my etsy shop. Copper is an amazing metal to wear. It's a cool, trendy metal (one that will never out of style) and it's also very healing and grounding.  Bet this would look very cute with a simple white T and jeans. Or that pretty pink sweater....

Boho Beachy Chic Necklace

Be well. Be Real. and above all else, Be Sparkly. ~Marissa T.