Tuesday Soundtrack

 

I have these songs on replay today.  Now if only there were a record player to go with them...

Stateless: "Bloodstream"

Sounds Under Radio: "All You Wanted"

Lana Del Rey: "Without You"

Phantogram: "When I'm Small"

<3 Frances

Out & About

It's already June 29th, and I feel like summer is going by too quickly.  My hip injury, however, seems to drag on endlessly, LOL.  I'm using lots of arnica, so hopefully it heals soon.

<3 Frances

Karachi Heat Wave

If you've been following the news, you've probably heard about the heat wave in Karachi that has claimed over 700 lives.  It's unbelievable that heat has resulted in so many deaths in such a short span of time, and last month more than 2,500 people died in a heat wave that struck India.  I'm not trying to be depressing or morbid by sharing this, but I think it's important that people are aware of tragedies such as this so that they can help with relief or at least send prayers and hope for resolution.

Photo by Shakil Adil 

<3 Frances

Beauty Around the World

There are so many ideas in the media about what "beauty" is, and they are often very disconnected from not only wholesome, healthy ideas about beauty (including the fact that it is way more than something skin-deep!) but also from the diversity of beauty around the world/how it may be perceived in different cultures.  Romanian photographer Mihaela Noroc has traveled globally to photograph women all around the world to show beauty in a multitude of cultures and places, and I'm sharing some of her pictures here because they're visually stunning and also offer a refreshing sense of diversity that has been lacking from so much of the media.  I found the photos here, but you can also view them on Noroc's website.

Ecuador

Romania

Colombia

Indonesia 

United States

Chile

Tibet

<3 Frances

 

Gardens & Music

200th post!  Yay!  It's very hot and sunny today, but we went into the garden for a little bit to see some of the flowers.  There were tiny bumblebees visiting the daisies, and it was sweet to see nature in such a peaceful state.  The humidity eventually got to be too much, though, so we had to go inside....and listen to music! 

Daughter: "Medicine"

Nick Drake: "Pink Moon"

Avicii: "Wake Me Up"

Of Monsters and Men: "Little Talks"

<3 Frances

Design Inspiration & Thoughts

I was thinking about architecture and design today for some reason (most likely my dollhouse's influence, LOL), and these photos are really artistically inspirational.  I live in a tiny apartment that doesn't have room for anything like this, but daydreaming can get me close to the real thing...
By the way--if you haven't already, look into a petition about ending the dog eating festival in China.  It's terrible what happens to the animals!  There are some petitions you can sign on Change.org that can help to raise awareness about this horrible annual event. 

 

<3 Frances

 

Movie Fashion: Moulin Rouge!

Baz Luhrmann's Moulin Rouge! is one of my all-time favorite movies.  It's very sad, and I love the music--the fact that mash-ups of songs like "Heroes" and "Smells Like Teen Spirit" are set against the backdrop of 1900 France just makes me so incredibly happy.  Speaking of backdrop, the lively colors and gorgeous sets are also really awesome, and they contribute to the stunning beauty of the costumes. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

<3 Frances

 

Cute Animals to Improve Your Life

There is a lot of sadness in the world, but baby animal pictures can give us hope for a better future.  They also increase productivity, and the color green in nature is supposed to make you feel happier and more peaceful.  I know looking at green in the real world is the best way to experience its benefits, but seeing it in an image can work, too, especially when that image includes a smiling hedgehog (is that a toy or is it a real hedgehog?) and jumping kittens.

 

 

 

 

 

<3 Frances 

Indie Monday Soundtrack

Happy Monday!  I'm going on a bit of a YouTube sidebar adventure again, deep into the indie soul of the Internet, LOL.

Atlas Genius: "Trojans"

Milo Greene: "1957"

Sons of the East: "Hold On"

Patrick James: "Message"

Birdy: "Skinny Love"

<3 Frances

Autoimmune Diseases

AI.  Those are the two letters on my mind right now, and, no, they don’t stand for artificial intelligence (though that is a pretty cool topic).  The “AI” I’m talking about relates to the word “autoimmune,” which is used to describe diseases in which your immune system--yeah, that pal of yours who’s supposed to keep you healthy--attacks itself.  Like, really, immune system?  You’re attacking yourself?  Please don’t!  I love you!

The reason I’m posting this is that autoimmune diseases have been a part of my life for quite some time now, and I just recently read an article in SELF about the “epidemic” that’s taking place.  Autoimmune diseases are on the rise, but they’re still not receiving the recognition that they should be.  That’s right--many of the victims of these illnesses (mostly women, as AI diseases have been linked to female hormones) don't even know they have them.  It isn’t until they visit several doctors that they’re finally recognized as having one (or more) AI diseases, and by then it’s often too late.  AI diseases are tricky to diagnose because their symptoms can, at first, be very general, and it is only now that significant research is being done. That said, it's important that you visit a doctor if you have symptoms (read some of the girls' stories in the SELF article for examples).

I have seen firsthand the effects that AI diseases can have on people.  Several of the women in my family have/have had 1+ AI diseases, ranging from Graves’ (hyperthyroidism) to lupus to RA to Cushing’s, and people I am close to have died because of them despite being strong and acting like they were fine.  That being said, seeing AI disease sufferers has helped to show me methods of managing AI diseases.  I don’t know any cures, and I am definitely not a doctor, but I have a few tips:

-Eat healthy and organic foods.  Incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables.  Avoid things that are processed.

-Get at least 7.5 hours of sleep a night.  This one is really hard to follow given the very nature of life itself, but it’s crucial.

-Stay hydrated!  Water is detoxifying, and 70% of you is composed of it, so drink up.  No sodas, though, and try to drink green tea as opposed to black tea.  Adding a splash of (fresh) lemon helps, too.

-Find an exercise regime that you enjoy.  There’s gotta be something out there that keeps you healthy and happy.  Biking, swimming, yoga, running....personally, I love dancing/aerobics.

-Look into herbal supplements.  You can talk to your doctor/find a holistic doctor/read a book (Prescription for Nutritional Healing and The Natural Remedy Book for Women are great) to learn more about herbal remedies. 
-Visit a doctor.  This is important so you can figure out what's going on with your poor little immune system.

-Try not to get overstressed.  I know this is really difficult.  The world is a stressful place, and it can feel like you’re living on a drip of anxiety at all times, but, if you want to get better, it’s important to not let the stress of life overwhelm you.

-Listen to your body!  Pains?  Aches?  Write them down if you think they may be connected to your AI disease.  

-Avoid toxins.  Don’t use chemicals like bleach and odorous paints, and wear proper gear (face mask, gloves) if you have to.  Environmental toxins may be a cause of AI diseases.
-Envision yourself as healthy and happy and whole.  Imagine a pink glow radiating from within.  This sounds a bit new-agey, perhaps, but it's something that one of my grandmum's doctors told her when she was diagnosed with lupus and cancer and told she only had a few years to live.  She somehow made it until she was 57, and I've taken to heart the concept of imagining the pink light protecting you and healing you internally. 

I know this is a long post, but it really bothers me that so many people are suffering from AI diseases and not knowing it. These illnesses are very tricky beasts to manage, but it’s possible so long as you take care of yourself and understand what’s happening.

<3 Frances

Old Photo Inspiration

From my posts, it's rather obvious that I have a love for old photographs.  Some are happy, some are heartbreaking, and some are even a bit spooky, but they're all time machines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The interesting thing is that, one day, all our photos that we have now will be considered "old."  These moments that we've captured are fleeting and then end, and in the future they will all be memories.  Admittedly, modern times have produced somewhat of a photograph glut, so to speak.  There are so many selfies and random vines and clips stored on smartphones and posted all over the Internet, whereas in the "olden days," when the above photos were taken, people had one camera and used it sparingly.   That said, photos will always be interesting as devices for time travel!

<3 Frances