A Few Pieces of Advice and Links...

photo by Eric Roth for This Old House magazine

Well, I'm not all that inspired by today's Blogtember challenge prompt:  Pass on some useful advice or information you learned and always remembered.  But here are a few things that come to mind...

1.  Everything in moderation.  My dad used to say this a lot, and it makes sense.  Anything that requires you to totally eliminate something is suspect.
2.  You don't have to floss every tooth every day, just the ones you want to keep.  Yikes.  My mom said this one to me, and it definitely had its intended effect.
3.  Make your bed every day.  Even if the rest of your house is a disaster, it's so nice to get to your room at the end of the day and see your bed all put together.  It's so inviting, and it has a calming effect on me.  I highly recommend it.
4.  If you don't wear it, get rid of it.  I've heard this one everywhere, so I can't remember where I heard it first, but I definitely stick to the rule that says if I didn't wear it last year, I shouldn't keep it for another one.
5.  The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.  This was a favorite of a partner I worked for when I was a consultant.  It can be applied in many ways, though, and I do like it.  With respect to your personal life, if you aren't happy with how things are going, you need to make a change.  Try something new.

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by Natasha at Beautifully, Suddenly

In addition to those friendly reminders, I thought I'd pass along a few links.  After being offline for a few weeks, I've been catching up on all my favorite blogs.  Here are just a few of the beautiful things I happened across during this marathon blog reading...

This Vermont house truly is my dream house.  I love every single detail.  That kitchen, the bar tucked under the stairs, the bookcases, the old clock on the mantle, the quilt on the bed...everything.

This short film about smartphone overuse hits close to home.  I think I'm going to start 'forgetting' my phone at home more often.

I loved this post by Design Mom about their decision to send their two oldest kids to the public high school in Oakland.  The comments are interesting and thought-provoking as well.  I think my little sister, an assistant principal, would like it as well.

I have no idea what Garden & Gun is, but this little performance by Jason Isbell is beautiful.  His album is definitely one of my favorites of the year.

After yesterday's post, I read this one by Natasha at Beautifully, Suddenly.  Just another opportunity to marvel at the stunning beauty that is Sydney.   

Remember my cousin Tiffany and that fun YouTube video of her dancing?  Well, it went viral!  The band, Great Big Sea, tweeted and then posted about it on Facebook, and it has taken off from there.  Stand up for Cancer posted it to their Facebook page also.  Tiffany has been interviewed by the local TV news and newspaper, and she was interviewed by the Canadian Broadcast Service via skype and radio.  It has been very, very cool to follow along as she goes on this journey.  She has opened up her blog, and I'd recommend it to anyone, but especially those going through a health crisis.  It's inspiring.