Mess to Masterpiece

What I absolutely love about making jewelry and accessories is that the possibilities are endless. Allow me to show you just a portion of the mess I call my workspace...

Yea it's all a big mess until I put some thought, time and energy into it and it becomes somewhat of a masterpiece.

I will one day turn this passion into a full-time endeavor, which is my long-term goal. Some days, I get tired of working the 9-5 and my mind so vividly transports me to my storefront boutique. But, not now. Just not my time. Plus, my full time is pretty cool. I work with and around people who want to change the world, social workers. Not to mention, the Division of Social Work and the School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy is growing and I know God has me positioned right where he wants me.

Alright, I need some Bible time tonight.

Good night, good people.

Master Cleanse - Lasted 6 Days!!!

Good evening, good people. I know you all have been waiting for me to update my progress on the cleanse. Well, I lasted all of 6 days, 4 days shy of my goal, yet surprisingly fulfilled and pleased with the results. I'm almost certain I could have gone the other 4 days. So what stopped me? I'm so glad you asked.

Remember how I told you that you cannot expel too much energy while on the cleanse. The day of the market, which was Saturday, I just overdid it plus I didn't drink enough of the lemonade. I got in the habit of sipping the lemonade when I felt hungry and I'm guessing the hustle and bustle and excitement of the event just didn't allow time for a pang to sneak in. The crowd wasn't huge but I was set-up between two savvy young ladies, the owners of Very Prissy and X-Quay (Refashion). For over 4 hours, we chatted, laughed, and almost came to tears as we conversed about family, our city, marriage, parents and even dogs. I simply didn't have a moment to think about hunger, because our conversations were so lively and there's not much that compares to having an opportunity to talk to individuals who share the same passion as you.

Left there about close to 8, stopped by Red Box and called it a night. Sunday morning I seriously was not in any mood physically or mentally to drink anymore lemonade. I was just too weak and out of it, so I had to eat ya'll. I told my daughter that if she had been home with me that morning, I probably would have drank it and let her take care of me. But I was home alone and couldn't afford to pass out and not have someone call 911 for me.

I have not started the cleanse again, but I may at the beginning of the year. I've gained maybe 3 pounds back, but I lost enough fat during the cleanse, that the weight gain didn't phase me much. Sunday, I kept it simple and bland. Monday I just showed out and paid for it with a rough night's sleep. Today it's only been fruit, veggies and all-natural or organic foods (kept to a minimum). I don't plan on eating any more turkey; fish, that's going to take some major will-power. I'm praying for a peaceful rest tonight, cause I really, really want to workout in the morning.

So, there you go. Yes, the cleanse was tough, but the benefits were encouraging. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the other benefits. Here's a couple, cause it's time to go to bed.

* Clearer Voice - My singing voice is so much more crisp!
* Family Influence - My daughter has decided to not eat meat...we'll see how long this lasts. In the past five days, she's only eaten one piece of chicken and I can tell she's slimmed down a bit.

Ok, that's enough. Good night.

Master Cleanse - Day 3 / Today's Benefit - Acceptance

Hey ya'll. This post will be short cause I am tired. At the end of day 3 and I am so ready to get in the B-E-D. Today was a little tough, more so because I went to bed late last night trying to figure out this video camera. Still haven't got it yet, but soon I hope. I must say the toughest part of all is picking up my daughter from my parents house after work...ya'll know my daddy can throw down in the kitchen. I mean I went over there this morning to drop off their carpet shampooer and the man was frying salmon croquettes. C'mon daddy, seriously? So getting out of that house unscathed is yet another miracle-kind of like the no caffeine deal.

Anyway, I've been looking at a lot of youtube videos and reading reviews by people who are trying and have tried the detox and I've read that around days 3-5, the effect of the toxins being released begins to rear it's ugly head, mentally and physically. Well I don't believe that has happened yet, but believe me, I will tell you when it does. I'm hating that I'm not able or at least not choosing to workout. I just really don't want to expel more energy than necessary. To do so would mean I would have to find creative ways to take in more calories and I refuse to veer from the plan.

Today's benefit - I feel more in tune to my thoughts. I find myself feeling an emotion, be it happy or sad, and accepting that feeling and allowing myself to be present in that feeling, rather than quickly dismissing or suppressing it and dealing with it later while I lay in the bed replaying the actions of the day. Like, I accept right now that I'm overworked and even though I really need to make some jewelry, burn CD's for the youth choir and draft a letter to their parents, I'm going to bed.

Good night, good people.

Master Cleanse - Day 2 / Today's Benefit - No Caffeine!!!

Yes, I am on day 2 of the original Master Cleanse by Stanley Burroughs. Why you ask? Several reasons actually. I woke up Monday and my body screamed that it couldn't take another fatty, calorie rich, synthetic morsel of food. I detoxed last year sometime with a plan that called for a honey and vinegar concotion and only vegetables, which worked well-at least from what I can remember. I'm sure if when I sat at my computer Monday morning and that same detox was easily found, I would be using that one. Instead, this Master Cleanse seemed to be the most popular and commonly used, so that's what I went for.

Now, I am pretty strong willed. I've been off beef and pork for maybe ten years now and I haven't touched chicken in a little over a year. I work out regularly and even though I am overweight and occassionaly overeat, I consider myself to still be healthy. I fluctuate between a size 14-16, which is a long way from the 20+ size I was over 10 years ago. I am currently 210 which is 14 pounds down from when I first created this blog in June. Needless to say, I've lost a lot of weight in my adult life via perserverance and dedication, so a short detox for me is nothing.

I located this original Master Cleanse book written by Stanley Burroughs in the 1970's, a very easy read-30 pages. I could tell after conducting the initial search that many people have adapted, remixed and altered it to fit their lifestyle. I've seen this detox deemed the Lemonade Diet, The Cayenne Pepper Diet, even the infamous Beyonce Diet. I will tell you, there is only one Master Cleanse detox. It is not a diet and is not intended for those who are just looking to lose weight, even though that is one of the many benefits!


So I am on day 2 of no solid foods, only a salt flush in the morning, the lemonade mixture during the day and a detox tea before bed. Yes, because of my low caloric intake, I am slightly tired, but today is the first day in I would say a year that I didn't need any caffeine to jumpstart my day. NO CAFFEINE! That, within itself, is amazing to me. I woke up this morning feeling so renewed. I didn't drag my tired ol self out of the bed, which is what normally happens.


So I'm creating a Youtube channel and I'll hopefully blog, maybe once or twice a week so you can join me on what I know will be a life-changing journey. Thanks for the love and support and be sure to subscribe to the youtube channel (once I figure out this video camera) and follow my blog!


OAN, I'm selling some of handcrafted goodies at a market in the South Main Arts District this Saturday during the Christmas parade. Be sure to check out the video (once I figure out this video camera) to see my new creations and stop by and see me this Saturday at 517 South Main (formerly the Muse Boutique).

The Indie Crowd Market...

In a word, or maybe two or three, the market was refreshingly eye-opening. It was amazing to me how the idea morphed into fruition, then the actual event. The unforced vibe from shopper to vendor, vendor to vendor and shopper to shopper was purely stimulating.

My Bible scholars may be able to relate to the question "can anything good come from Nazareth?" A question asked by a man named Nathanael in the book of John, after being approached about following Jesus. Jesus spent the majority of His life in Nazareth and for whatever reason, be it a lack of culture, high-crime, or low morale in the city of Nazareth, Nathanael negated Jesus and all because of his connection to a supposedly notorious city.

I challenge all my readers, customers, followers and fellow Memphians to revisit your connection to your hometown. No, I'm not naive and neither will I ever turn a blind eye to the isms of my city, but I will forever sing the praises of Memphis. Its often said that Memphis is slow, or so behind or there's nothing to do here, yet I've also noticed that many of the people who speak such non-sense are possibly unhappy that they cannot find within themselves the courage to do, be different or maybe they are people who choose to complain rather than work as a vehicle for change as God created us all to be.

I've shared with a few of my friends that I would never move to a different city to grow my business, maybe for different reasons, but not to grow. Why? In other cities I would blend in; in Memphis, I stand-out!

But, I digress, as I see my post is heading in ten different directions. I want to thank everyone, designers, creators, entrepreneurs, dreamers , lovers of handmade and homemade goodies, passer-byers, partakers, and haters alike. Yes, something good can come from Memphis.

The Indie Crowd Market!!!

Hello Beautiful People!!!

I have so missed blogging, like for real. It’s just that I’ve have been crazy busy lately, but God gives me strength to carry on so therefore I must, right? Right! So my birthday is coming up, October 31^st…yep Halloween. I’m not a really big birthday celebrator because #1 I had soooo many birthday parties growing up (like in my junior high, high school days) and #2 I really don’t know, its just not a big deal to me. Now, my friends ask me every year what I have planned...well friends, what I really want you to do for me is come out and support The Indie Crowd Market presented by Urban Chocolate.

I literally woke up one morning and God just dropped the idea in my spirit, so tough to the point where the plans were already made, I just had to write them down and carry them out. What the market presents is an opportunity for my customers to support and patronize other Memphis bred small businesses that specialize in homemade, handmade and one-of-a-kind products. Just spreading the love...that is all. Be sure to check out www.URchocolateboutique.com for details.

Love Ya!

-Kim

Has it really been a month since I blogged...guess so. Well I've been in hiding whilst I take care of self and mini-me, but I ain't gone nowhere **in my southern-belle, Whitley Gilbert, Blanche Devereaux voice**