Girl... Where have you been?!

Living my life girl... That's where I've been!

Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!! After over a months hiatus I'm back to say hola... or holla.... or challah?

Wow... it feels weird to be typing here after the break, but really really good at the same time. Let's see what's been up over the past month?! I guess I left off last as we were going to the Bahamas... Well... We went! And it was nothing short of amazeballs!

Bahamas Trip 2012

While we were there I read 2 books in 3 days... Something I have never before accomplished - The Happiness Project and The Art of Happiness by the Dalai Lama. No I'm not getting all crazy or depressed... I just love reading stuff like that - Gives a good perspective on life! I also got a wicked case of sun poisoning.... But only on my arms? Oooookkkk?

I had close to a week and a half off and spent the days spring cleaning my house (as inspired by the Happiness Project) playing with my Etsy shop, thrifting with my mom, meeting friends for lunch and dinner, bringing Bella to my parents to run around the yard, doing yoga and anything else that might have fit my fancy. I loved having all that extra time... Sigh....

The Spring Break awesomeness ended with a night in my favorite South Florida spot, Wynwood! Us and the Edelman's headed down to eat at Joey's and take in the Art Walk. I have to say this place is becoming an absolute mad house now during Art Walk! If you're going to go and want to see everything, go early. You would think it was Mardi Gras or something! Best part of the night - Car-e-oke (Karaoke in a car) Or Cari-oke... Either way, laughs to be cherished forever.

Wynwood Highlights!

I even managed to accidentally take a video when we were trying to take a photo again - WTF is wrong with me?! Hilarious!!

In other fun news I had a fun time tweeting with Brad Wollack from Chelsea Lately - I offended him, which I was terribly sorry about! Though it did get his and Sarah Colonna's attention... Sorry Brad... You ARE a sensitive bunny - Love you!

Soooooo.... Since then I had an awesome time vending at Indie Craft Bazaar - Spring Fling. Cari and I set up shop right next to each other and did it for the first time without any manly, husbandly help. (Well... except for Keith coming in the beginning) The show was at Revolution Live and spilled out over into Green Room. I tell ya, the things you notice in there when you haven't had a couple cocktails... Like the entire place filled with Shepard Fairey artwork... Durrr!!!

Having fun at Indie Craft Bazaar!

After the show, we completed the puzzle of loading multiple tables and all of our work into one car and managed to make it to Dennis and Maria's house just in time for dinner and cocktails!

The past weekend we did the annual (or semi-annual) Fullone family garage sale. I never know where I accumulate so much crap! After the garage sale, Andy and I headed up to Sunfest with Dawn, Scott, Kayla and Tyler and had a blast. We were able to sit in the VIP section and see Michael Franti in all of his yumminess up close.

Sunfest fun!

Also in news this month, Andy and I booked a trip to Buffalo next month! For those that don't know - that's where I'm originally from and I'm ashamed to say that I haven't been back there in about 12 years. My husband doesn't know or hasn't seen where I've spent a little less than half of my life. How crazy is that?! I'm so excited to get back to my roots :)

So I guess that's all for now....(Like that's not enough) Going to get back on the wagon with this - Summer is a coming which is fun to be had!! What's new with you!?

Social Media Addiction...

Hi! My name is Tara and I'm addicted to social media.... "Hi Tara"

So many options!!!

After signing up for a crazy amount of social media outlets lately I've realized I may have a problem. Let's break it down. I have:

Facebook (me and gcd) - https://www.facebook.com/greencycledesigns

Twitter - https://twitter.com/greencycleD

Instagram - http://instagr.am/p/IHL1S6CGr-/

Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/greencycled/

Blog - http://www.greentaralove.blogspot.com

Linkedin - http://www.linkedin.com/in/taraackerman

Google + -  http://www.gplus.to/greentaralove

Her Future - http://www.herfuture.com/profile/TaraAckerman

Yelp - www.taraackerman.yelp.com

I haven't yet delved into the world of Tumblr, YouTube, Flickr or Vimeo..... But don't worry, I'm sure they are on the horizon. This also doesn't count constantly updating and relisting pieces on Etsy! Whew!

So yes..... I believe I AM addicted to social media., but do I have a problem? Hmmmmm....

I think the ones I have are pretty manageable, I have a twitterfeed app constantly crossing the lines of some of the outlets to better manage time. You never realize how important all of this stuff is until you have your own business. I've posted pics of my pieces on Pinterest that have sold that way. I've met lots of people on Twitter that have turned into blog posts on GCD, show acceptances, sales or even celebrity conversations and follows. I'm talking to you Yoko Ono :)

It wasn't until recently when I signed up for Foursquare that I realized how time consuming it all is. It's like work! We were in Disney World and for whatever reason I couldn't get a signal. I just wanted to check in! And then I realized how dumb is this? I'm getting frustrated because I can't check into a stupid game when I'm in the happiest place on earth. So stupid!

For the most part I see the benefit to it all, but sometimes when I see people posting every 5 minutes it makes me wonder if they have a life outside of the phone or computer? I'm as into it as the next person, but I also value time spent with people enough to put it down when it's appropriate. When you see a couple or friends at a restaurant and they are both on their phones - it irks me so bad! Put the phone down - Live!

If there is a real live person in front of you, shouldn't they take precedence over your social media updates/texting/game?! Maybe I'm not as addicted as I thought.... Sweet!

Seriously...

What do you think about all of this social media stuff? Any ones you can't stand or swear by?

What I've Learned OR Reflections on 28...

Today is the last day of my 28th year of life. This morning I woke up and didn't feel any different (maybe I will tomorrow), but on my way to work I started to reflect on things. I've learned a lot this past year as well as over the last 10. I'm definitely happy to be the age that I am. I look back on the last 10 years and reflect with love on the life experiences and things that I've learned along the way....

I've learned to be in the moment. No other time is guaranteed other than the here and now. I cherish the time spent with family and friends so much. You should always act like it's the last time you will ever see someone, who knows it may be. When you live like that it's impossible to have regrets. Say what you want to say, do what you want to do... NOW! Don't wait til it's too late. I like to sometimes almost step out of myself and take it all in. Feel this moment right now, see the people around you and feel the love.

Mi Familia.

I've learned you can't depend on anyone else for your own happiness - it's true and if you believe it, no one can take it away from you either.

I've learned to shut off the autopilot switch. I kind of feel like I went through a time when coasting through life was good enough. I call it autopilot, but it's basically just getting too comfortable. You just kind of coast... This last year especially has consisted of a lot of shutting it off and taking control again. Feels amazing!

I've learned to be real. Not the person that someone else wants me to be. Not the person that agrees with what everyone says. I'm my authentic self. If I don't want to do something, I'm not going to do it. I'm not going to be a yes man. It's my life and I'm in control of my experience.

My authentic self... LOL

I've learned that people change - everyone changes. I've changed, you've changed - it's a fact of life. The ones that mean enough to you will stick around and grow with you. The ones that don't can hit the road. Who knows, maybe someday you'll be on the same road again. I've had that happen this year too... Getting back on the same road. So you never know...

Friends til the end...

I've also learned that it only takes a few friends that you can depend on to get you through the rough spots. I'm all about quality over quantity. All I need is Andy and the few people I can count on to make me happy. Why have friends that stress you out?

A few of favorite girls and a really good time...

I've learned I'm a little too hard on myself and need to soften that... I always think about what more I can do, but seldom reflect on all that I have done already. What other 28 year old has started their own business that is flourishing each year? I'm no Mark Zuckerberg, but still am proud in what I have accomplished! A little pride and self confidence can go a long way.

I think a lot of life is being comfortable in your own skin. You have to like who you are and I'm confident in saying I love the person that I've become.

 

So without further adieu.... I'm off to celebrate Purim at school!

 

Cindy Lyon and I being silly for Purim today...

Completely New in 2012....

Happy New Year!!! In an effort to become a complete and total social media nerd, I bring you tons and tons of changes for the year....

The first of which.... It looks a little different around here huh? Little cleaner, little different... Nice! Also with the changes comes a new name for my blog because let's face it... the last name of this blog was a little hard to figure out. I'm loving the new name.... Do you know what a Green Tara is?

Well, you know I love to read all that New Age stuff.... The Secret, Spirit Junkie, Chakras, etc.... Go ahead, call me a Hippie :) LOL Anyway, in my readings I came across the Green Tara...which hello, that's me! A Greenie and a Tara, but theres a deeper meaning. Rather than try to explain it all to you let me consult a little thing called the internet for some help:

Tara (Sanskrit, "star") is a Buddhist savior-goddess especially popular in Tibet, Nepal and Mongolia.The goddess of universal compassion, Tara represents virtuous and enlightened action. It is said that her compassion for living beings is stronger than a mother's love for her children. She also brings about longevity, protects earthly travel, and guards her followers on their spiritual journey to enlightenment. In Buddhist religious practice, Green Tara's primary role is as a savior. She is believed to help her followers overcome dangers, fears and anxieties, and she is especially worshiped for her ability to overcome the most difficult of situations. Green Tara is intensely compassionate and acts quickly to help those who call upon her.

Green Tara

There ya go... it had me at hello :) Of course the love part of the blog name is just that... Love!

So back to the changes.... I kicked around the idea of doing another blog about the places and faces I love here in South Florida and then realized I can't even maintain one blog let alone two... So here now we have the merging of the two. GCD and fun, all wrapped up into one cute little package.

You'll notice on the side a new Yelp! app... FUN!!! I created a yelp account oh about 2 years ago and never used it again until recently... I'm in love again. It's a great way to get and give reviews of your fave restaurants, shops, events and more. Since Andy and I like to eat, shop and play all around South Florida, I thought it would be fun to share the events and adventures we go on. Both of us love our city so much - art shows, concerts, restaurants... AND some reviews here and there. If there's an upcoming event you think we should know about or if you attended the same one we did - OR if you want to just scream "I like Potatoes!" feel free to post post post!

So that's all for today, I hope you had an amazing 2011 - here's to 2012! Cheers!