Germans in Columbus

Down in Columbus you will find a little village known as German Village. It's history dates back to the 1800's when a large group of German settlers made the area their home and made up one third of the city's population. A couple of weeks ago I got to visit this historic town with some wonderful friends. It's beautiful architecture and rich history make her a handsome city to viewers. Traveler's come from all over to stroll her brick streets and wonder in and out of the shops.

We began our day in Pistacia Vera Bakery.
As soon as we walked in I knew that I would go over board on the baked goods.
Plus I was starving and they just happened to have salmon tartar. I was sold.
On this particular day the sun was shining and the temperature was perfect.
We decided to enjoy our lunches outside on the patio.

Macaroons, French shortbread, and a pistachio chocolate chip cookie. I mean hello.

There baked goods were so good we went back in to order more after we finished our lunches.
Look at that salmon tartar. I'll go back to Columbus just for this salmon tartar it was that good.
That rye bread croissant was delightful.
A very delicious lunch.
I ended up ordering more macaroons and another cookie.
Next we were off to the bookstore.
This particular bookstore houses 32 rooms of books.
Room after room of all different kids of books from classic literature to gardening.
I was in pure bliss. I have never been surrounded by so many books.

The black trim with the dark red brick and appealing front yard. I had all the feels for these marvelous buildings.

The garden outside of the shop reminded me of a fairy garden.
Fountains flowing, flowers growing. Beautiful people and books.
Greenery, ivy, brickstone.

Off to wonder the streets in search of hidden treasures this city has to offer.

St. Mary's School.

Unique yard decore.

Hansel and Gretel

For a short time I was lost in this city's beauty. Wandering the streets, admiring the buildings, loving every minute of it. I imagined what the city looked like in it's heyday. German immigrants used to call these buildings home. The trinket shops that we see now used to be stores and shops that made the city thrive. They provided income for the villagers and helped the economy to grow.

We were coming upon the end of our day. But before we headed back I had to find out what this interesting building was. It's hexagonal design caught my eye and I just had to know what it was. I walked up the street a ways and found the building.

It is a private home. *gasp*

Known as Srhwartz Castle.  *double gasp*

I got to mark something off my bucket list.
And I got to marvel in some German history.

Namaste.
My friends.

*Shine like Glitter*
I am glad I got to enjoy this trip with a lovely group of people.
It was a beautiful day.
The sun was shining.
The sky was clear.

Follow Your Dreams

For a long time I've struggled with finding where I belong, which career path to choose, and navigating my way through life. I've gone from Marine Biology so I could play with the dolphins, to Criminal Justice, to Business, to Event Planning, to Yoga. All throughout this though I've had a strong support system, mainly my parents who have stuck by me and supported me throughout my endeavors and my constantly changing mind. Only they could tell you how often I change my mind. And I mean it is all of the time. But I think I have finally found my way through the labyrinth. Maybe my constantly changing mind is why I am so weary of mazes. That or my fear of being lost in a giant maze with a fear of small spaces. Either way I see a light at the end of the tunnel. I can hear my brother in the back of my mind saying do it... follow your dreams... do it!

I recently finished a book that speaks of following your dreams. The Alchemist. If you've never heard of it its about a young shepherd boy who goes in search of a treasure because of a dream he had. In this dream he is told that there is a treasure buried near the pyramids in Egypt. On his journey he works in a crystal glass shop, meets an English man and an alchemist and goes in search of this treasure. The book was wonderfully inspiring and beautifully written. It has been heard of around the world. If you have not heard of it I suggest you go out, get on Amazon, or ebay or whatever your preferred method of shopping is and get this book.

Now onto following your dreams...

Ever since finishing this book I have been thinking about following dreams. But once again I found myself unsure of what my dreams were. More and more I've been thinking about Yoga and until recently yoga was just something I did. It wasn't something I was focusing on. Now I find myself being drawn to yoga.
I read about it. I practice it. I study it. I love it.
Yoga will bring balance and peace to a person. I believe it is perfect for someone with an unbalanced mind, like myself.
I now practice Yoga 3 to 4 times a week, sometimes even 5.
It wasn't until I finally left school that I realized I love to learn. I read more. I have a thirst for knowledge. I have a desire to learn more. Maybe it's because I finally found something that I am very passionate about.

Anyone and everyone has the capability inside themselves to follow their dreams. No matter your age, no matter what you've studied, no matter what you do today it could be different tomorrow. If there is something in your life that you have been dreaming of doing go out and do it. Julia Child was almost 40 when she began cooking and learning a new language. So it just goes to show you are never too old or too far gone from following your dreams. Julia worked every day at the thing she loved the most, cooking. And she had a strong support system behind her, her loving husband Paul Child. Santiago, the shepherd boy, worked to follow his dream and found out a lot about life doing so. Believe in yourself and the universe will believe in you and help you along your path.

xo

*Shine like Glitter*
I'm still learning about yoga and I struggle with meditation.
But I know with practice it will begin to come easier.
Follow your dreams.
Work at them everyday.
Live the life you've imagined.
Namaste
*picture copied from google search

Downtown Canton Flea

The weather for the Downtown Canton Flea this past Saturday was perfect. The sky was blue, the air was warm and there was a slight breeze. Perfect tank top weather. I brought out my favorite sunny weather tank top.

My friends picked me up and we headed down town. We headed right in. Shopping mode was switched on. The vendors were out and ready. The sun felt warm on my skin. I was ready to see what the 50+ vendors the Downtown Canton Flea had to offer.

The Downtown Canton Flea located in the arts district at Ohio Deli. This event takes place every third Friday until September. There are 50+ vendors monthly inside and outside of Ohio Deli. And there is something for everyone from arts and crafts to antiques and farm farel. Little Chicago Clothing Company located in downtown Canton made an appearance selling Ohio T-shirts. I found myself a new state of Ohio tank top :) Did you know? Because I didn't, that "Little Chicago" was a common nickname for Canton during the 20's and Prohibition.

So many unique people with unique talents. I had a wonderful time shopping around the little shops.

This is the cute tank top I was talking about. I made some hand sanitizer. I found a beautiful new anklet with colorful beads and its magnetic so it's easy to remove. I picked up a candle and some soy wax melts, peach and basil and gypsy soul mango sweet cream.

I also got a henna tattoo. A crescent moon.
Find delight in the things you do...

There is definitely some cool art around downtown Canton, if you find nothing at the flea you get to enjoy some excellent art.

The trees are blossoming. The flowers are blooming.

After the flea I hit up Sunny Slope and Green Farms for some food for my picnic and yoga today.

And enjoyed the sunshine.

Another beautiful day today!!

xo

*Shine like Glitter*

The weather this weekend has definitely improved my mood.

Today I am going up to the Gorge to go hiking and do some yoga in the park.

I packed myself a picnic.

*Grin*

Namaste my friends.

Happiness

Let's talk happiness today.

So first things first you right there... yes you! I'm talking to the beautiful person reading these words on that screen right there in front of you. You may even be able to glimpse a reflection in the screen. You are beautiful! You are your own version of perfect. A simple yoga stretch I recently learned is take the corners of your mouth and stretch them up toward your eyes. Sometimes we all just need to remember to smile.

I woke up one day shortly after the start of the new year thinking about things that make me happy. And after reading an inspirational quote on Instagram. I started thinking about them more. I made a list of these things that bring me joy and happiness.

I adjusted my list to include more yoga. For that past two months I have been working on Yoga Camp, which is a 30 day yoga camp. However I took my time with it. I did not complete it in 30 days. On my days off from yoga camp I would study my yoga anatomy book.

The saying goes think of what you really want to do, the thing that makes you most happy and work on that thing every day.

Here is my list. Yoga is at the top.

I've been working on it every day. On days I take off I am thinking about yoga or sliding yoga into conversations. Furthering my knowledge of something that I feel I am passionate about. 

Happiness is what you make it. Go out and make it! Your yoga practice is your yoga practice. Go at your own pace. Find what feels good for you and go with it. And remember to smile. Life's only what we make it.

xo

*Shine like Glitter*

It took me a little while to get through this post.

I was struggling with happiness on some days.

The weather has been an unfortunate contender these past few weeks.

Just when I thought we would soon be seeing better weather for good temperatures began to drop and rain was turning into snow. Snow accumulated to 3-4".

Opening day for the Indians got delayed until midday the next day.

Even though it was a beautiful day it was still cold.

It ended up being a good day.

The weather is being a temptress and I don't know how I feel about it.

I just can't wait to be outside again.

Namaste.

Hello Friends

It has been a mighty long time since I've been on here to post. The moody blue winter caught me in his icy cool grasp. I was in a funk. I was lost in myself. I was lost in the world. The earth and everyone else in it was moving around me while I was just in a stand still. Life was happening and yet I couldn't enjoy it. I was missing home. I was missing my family. I was missing life in Florida. Not that I still don't miss these things, I do. However I remind myself I moved up here for a reason. God has a plan for me up here, I'm just not sure what it is yet. I wish it could just be revealed to me, with a neon sign maybe with some arrows.
Now the days are getting longer, the sun is starting to come out, it is still cold but not as cold, the flowers are blooming, Spring is on its way people. I am definitely ready. I'm sure you are too. Winter is starting to lose its grasp on me. I am shaking free of him.


This guy right here had me in his grasp.

Moving on to this guy.


For the last five years I spent the majority of my time outdoors in nature breathing her in, enjoying her lushness, her beauty. This winter I seldom spent anytime outdoors mostly just going from my car to work or my car to home etc. Indeed it left me disheartened. But now we are starting to have warm days that show hope of the warm weather gracing us with her presence for good or at least until Autumn rolls around again. I will get to bask in her presence for a few months.

This left me with practically little motivation to do much so my blogging suffered as did my meditation. I wasn't making time to do them and when I would find the time I couldn't focus. Yoga helped me through winter. I wanted something that would leave me focused on myself afterward. I was happy with myself. However I was still unable to sort out my own thoughts and bring them to the surface. I was in a fog. It's getting better now. The sunshine is helping.

I found a really great online yoga instructor who did a 30 days of Yoga back in January however I missed it so I've been working on it this month and all of last month. I went at my own pace and took days off when I couldn't put my.heart 100% into getting on my mat. I took those days to work on my practice in other ways with reading and research. Anyways if you wanna check her out she's great. Her name is Adriene.She's sweet and knowledgeable. This is her YouTube channel Yoga with Adriene.

xo

*Shine like Glitter*
Although I didn't find myself shining like glitter most of the time, I still played with glitter at work.
I got real in this post.
I know.
If you are feeling down about something too and want to share let's chat.
Message me.
I would love to talk to you.
I plan to do more posts now that  Some about Yoga. Some about life. Some about adventures.
Now that I've gotten through this winter I think next winter will be better, at least I pray that it will.
God bless.
Namaste my friends.