Eclectic Lotus

I bought the Happy Planner. Here is my review: When December comes, I am in disarray because I am seeking another planner. I have been purchasing Blue Sky planners but will neglect them. The one I bought last year came from Target and it was blue and pink- flexible and broken up into two sections. While I worked on it I was okay but touched it once every two weeks. Now, because I am paid as an independent contractor on my job (s) I have to make sure I have it all written out so I will know how much to pay for estimated taxes every quarter. My planner is my way of recording that. Appointments, addresses and other nominal facts are added to the planner or should be as they are a way to get my chaotic life in order. I have a planner gal who is also a life long friend. She doesn't know that I am saying this about her but she seems to have it together with her husband, kids and life all around. It sounds exhausting when she tells me about her life but she has told me the same about ...

So, this latest decade I have been into food. Not all food but select food has been one of my new passions which I am wondering if it coincides with the new decade I am as I have approached my 40's. Lunch from last week- a teriyaki tofu sandwich on french bread with french fries- a guilty meal I have attempted to try vegan, plant based throughout the week as my experiment. The last time I experimented with a lifestyle change ( I refuse to call it a diet) was when I was 30 and I tried being a lacto-ovo vegetarian which has sustained me throughout my 30's with my second pregnancy. ( My first pregnancy, I ate meat because baby craved red meat so I dropped being a vegetarian.) During work- "cheesy" chickpea pasta with veggies I did one full work week of vegan/plant based and I was impressed! I did not think that there would be much of a change as I am a lacto- ovo vegetarian which if you have not been keeping up with the whole vegetarian trends is a litt...

Into the 2020's- so exciting! The past New Year's I had bad feelings about the incoming year but this year is one where I feel better about. 2018 was a year I was not looking forward to and 2019 was not as favorable but 2020 seems like it will be a better year. So, in Eclectic fashion we are doing something a little different.  I called my cousin deeply rooted in tradition and she had to reluctantly get me off the phone due to cleaning up the house and cooking. Why? New Year's is approaching. ERG!!! So, the tradition is to clean the house to send off all old myths and spirits and make way for new and better things to come. A meal is prepared with black eyed peas, yams and greens. As today is the 28th of December and I have technically 3 days to get my life and family in order I am going to make an attempt to break this down: Day 1 (Today): Bag up all old toys, clothes, books and send them to charity. Change passwords to accounts and set up new equipment. Buy grocerie...

I have accumulated some mom friends over the course of my son in particular's life. I never saw it as something of importance but as I am currently on my way to Louisiana at the end of the month to see my family- my family that I gained not through blood but through a strong bond between my mom, myself and an entire family while I began school is something to contemplate. As I had my own children, I shyed away a little and I thought I was being silly but then I realized that I am not the only one. Here are some ways where I engaged and when I nourished. I live in Chicago and have an extensive schedule full of work. ( I am currently working right now and half sleep.) 1. Say Hi     Begin with saying hi. I know this sounds like a no brainer but if you are a newer mom, this may not even occur to you in the moment. 2. Smile    Again, in the heat of the moment you may not think to do this. 3. Ask questions- in a normal within the 21st century boundaries.   ...

Hello people who wondered where I went! This year has been full of transition but mostly within my home. There is not much time to drift with things as I used to have a blog for my thoughts and wanderings. On my way to 40 it is becoming more of giving of information. As I have managed my home I have noticed that searching the web has been like my favorite BBQ sauce- sweet, spicy and all the things I want except all the additives. There have been a few where they give you directly what you need and you can order it online as well. ( I love those sites.) I have also written a book which I will post the link. If you are in need of some nourishing to your soul and building a relationship with Jesus I highly recommend this book. I will not stir you off your beaten path- if you are not Christian or Spiritual this is not the book for you. The ones who are not spiritual see this as a great book of poems so if you are into that so be it- just don't burn it and curse me out. ...

Because I adore what I write in this blog, I feel as if a transformation will be complete in 2019. What will the next year entail? Hmmmm. . . 1. Eclectic Lotus     This current blog will be more marketed and advertised because I get lots of comments on the street about my baby wearing and how our house is run with me being a vegetarian and my family not being one. I also get questions about my hair from all walks of life which I will try to do more with advertising the hair products I use as well as my own hair and skin concoctions. I never understood why I would get these comments and questions because I really don't feel like I do anything different from the other person but oh well. Also, I get comments about my children so be on the look out for another remodel to this site- but I will have active links in order for you to order on demand if you so should choose. May be a YouTube blog? Probably not because there are too many right now and I really will link to those sit...

Great Music Article from Stereogum- Click to read September 1998,    I purchased "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" as one of my first CD's to add to my building collection of CD's that I will purchase throughout my college career. The album was released August 25th, 1998- right around the time I was moving into my college dorm for the first time. I was in my first serious relationship that turned into an engagement that same month. I get the notification that it has been 20 years since this album has been released. I decided to remove myself from the Christian music circuit in order to flashback. . .  The first few songs took me to my life 20 years ago but seemed to hold true to today. How is that possible? She does not mention a president, she states urban life. She mentions the turbulence of a bad relationship that needs to ends. She mentions how men need to step up and how women need to tone it down. All of these themes at times seem to be universal. She wa...