Memorial Day weekend was spent soaking up the sun, BBQ'ing, and (unfortunately) fighting off a cold that hit me like a ton of bricks on Saturday morning. I am still pretty congested and starting to have mild anxiety about getting on a plane tonight for a red-eye flight (1st of 5 east coast weddings = goodbye, all of my monies!)...but I am chugging oj, tea, Emergen-C and actually feeling the best I have in several days right now. My beloved Jenny is my date to this Philly wedding, so I am thinking all of the positive thoughts I can muster that our westie bestie trip doesn't get tainted in the slightest from a bad case of the boogers. (TMI? My bad).

And, simply because this pic needs no introduction beyond "A man and his meat"....

(you're welcome, ladies...)

Gratefully,

Trish

Playing with some editing on this one...

Sleepy B, after a bachelor party weekend in Vegas with all of his very best friends. I 'spose this is how the best man should feel after organizing a weekend of...well...whatever it is that young men do at these things. (I don't want/need to know).

Meanwhile, I spent the weekend at school, soaking up all the coaching knowledge my little heart can hold. Because really, you can check your over analyzing, problem solving brain at the door with these classes. (ps--anyone want to be my client while I learn?)

I don't think our weekends could have been more different if we tried.

Glad to have him home and (mostly) alive, though ;)

Gratefully,

Trish

 

After a very strict and scientific approach to choosing the new owner of a hope-filled Thread + Moop Paperback bag (read: eenie meenie miney, close your eyes and pick), I'm positively giddy to announce the winner...

Expect an email from TGL shortly :)

And, to everyone who helped get the word out about Thread's wholehearted mission, I truly can't thank you enough. There is much work to be done, still, to ensure these products get into every possible hand...and to then continue growing the line of goodies made from Thread fabrics (TIME OUT. Can you imagine a head-to-toe outfit crafted from responsibly made fabrics that embody a ground-to-good message?! Gosh my heart can barely stand it this early on a Monday)...so please, keep letting your corners of our world know about Thread however you can!

OH. ps.

My sister and Frank are the best.

Early 30th birthday gift to beat all others...(pardon my makeup-less face and mildly crazy eyes)...

Consider making your friends and family THAT ^^^ HAPPY with a Thread present, too!

Oodles of Gratitude,

Trish

....and it's everything I hoped it would be and then some! Gosh, it's going to be way harder to part with this bag than I thought. I may have even briefly considered taking down the contest and/or my entire blog and pretending like The Grateful Life never existed just so I could wear it today. Briefly.

So, there's still time to enter to win this beauty, as I'll be selecting the lucky soon-to-be- owner (B will probably be in charge of that, since it's too hard for me to choose) on Monday 5/19!

Keep the hopeful posting, sharing, liking coming!! Thank you so much for all of the support thus far: It has made my spirit feel HUGE watching all the love come in.

#groundtogood,

Trish

 

A lovely week was spent with my dear friend from high school, soaking up some California sunshine and catching up on the years since we last rocked LHS red & white cheerleading skirts (and maybe wishing we could still fit in them...). 
  
Besides eating, eating, and eating some more (Ouch, my tummy, was  frequently muttered as we changed back into our stretch pants) our days were spent giggling, heart-to-hearting, and "remember when"-ing....the stuff that old friendships are made of.

Thanks for traveling out west to see  me, honey. I hope we get to adventure someplace new again soon!

In Gratitude,

Trish

My heart is swelling with pride this week, as my dear friend and pseudo little brother (aka long time bf to cutie sister) sees the results of his team's years of commitment, patience, adventure and passion fully come to life in a new and rewarding way.

I am stoked to share a piece of his hard work today and I just know you are all going to get the ooey gooey feelsies from checking out his company, Thread.

So, how did Thread come to be?

In short summary:

"Visiting Haiti after the earthquake in 2010, our founder and CEO, Ian, traveled to Port-au-Prince to assist in the relief effort. He noticed two things in abundance: 1) trash and 2) a desire to work. He jotted down in his journal:

If Haiti could turn trash into $ = good. 

This idea sparked a Google search, which quickly morphed into a journey to develop responsible, sustainable solutions to problems facing people throughout the world."

You guys...(chills, chills, chills)...

Look at what they've been a part of creating, in partnership with the talented team at Moop.

Look. At. These. Bags. (drool)

And, look at these happy Haitian faces!!

To me, this bag is so full of hope.

This bag is so full of hope, in fact, I know I simply can't keep it for myself. And trust me, I really want to keep it for myself. I've been planning on keeping it for myself since Frank first told me about it months ago, and I subsequently asked him dozens of times when, when, when, will this bag be mine. WHEN WILL THIS BAG BE MINE, FRANK, I shouted via gchat. And now it's finally here, and I'm more in love with it than I could have imagined.

But I realized suddenly, just as I was completing my purchase, that I am actually compelled to give it away. Yes, I thought. I am so inspired to share this bag's message of what love, hard work, and community can create with someone else that I simply must give it away. (Of course, if anyone wants to be my #1 friend on my 30th birthday... hinthintnudgenudge...)

So I'm giving one bag away via my snuggly corner of the internet Universe, on which I have learned so  much about love, hard work, and community...and I hope you'll help me spread the news.

Mostly, I ask my lovely readers to look inward--to tap into the boldest places of their hearts, acknowledge their worth, and courageously give life a chance to unfold in miraculous ways. 

Inward, I've found, is always a good place to start.

Today, however, I'm also asking you to look out--Look out into the world and into our huge, messy, beautiful human family and picture a place of healing, both for mama earth and her children. 

Healing is where it's at. Hallelujah, indeed.

Friends --

Will you share this post with your communities? Will you  help me spread the news about Thread and the great, hopeful, loving work they are doing to sincerely make the world we share a better place? It would mean so much to me to see this message shining all over, thanks to your time and support -- I would be so grateful to know folks are cheering my friend and his team on in this way.

And, if you'd like a FREE chance to own a Thread + Moop Paperback bag for yourself, all you have to do is:

1. Share this post on Facebook and/or Twitter, tagging Thread.

and...

2. Leave a hopeful comment below.

That's it! Easy peasy.

My heart is positively swelling this week, as I watch a team of young people make strides in healing our world. Because, they are really freaking doing it, you know? Not just talking or dreaming. But really freaking doing it.

Chills, chills, chills. Yummy goosebumps for all.

With hope,

Trish

{This contest has now closed. Thanks everyone for their support!}

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To learn more about Thread, have a look at their Impact Report and listen to this audio piece. And, to purchase a beautiful Thread + Moop bag for yourself and loved ones (hint: Mother's Day, Father's Day, New Grads, Summer birthdays and weddings!!), visit here.

Post Kentucky Derby party (hence the fabulous "I have monies and horses and juleps" outfit), I took B for a quick scenic spin around Marin.

He looks so cute in general (not many man folk can pull off such oh-so-pink shorts), but I especially love how happy he seems in front of the SF backdrop. He has truly embraced his move west since day 1, and I think the west has embraced him pretty kindly in return. 

We've decided to move home soon after he finishes school, so the clock has officially begun ticking on our time here. This makes me both sad and also hopeful; a chapter to close, and a new adventure to begin. Saying farewell to a joyful, rewarding, life bravely created far from all that I've known, but returning to a life of great, unexplainable, unshakable love and comfort.

Bittersweet, indeed. 

Gratefully,

Trish

Dear J,

I remember the first day we met, almost 5 years ago, as though it happened yesterday.

I love our friendship story.

I was exploring my new-ish SF neighborhood and stumbled upon a tiny "Help Wanted" sign in the window of a cute boutique. I was in the midst of a zillion life transitions, and my fun-employment status nudged me to sporadically apply for the job.

"I just liked you," you later told me, after I was hired. "I don't know. I just liked you and your energy".

I felt the same way about you.

I remember after only a few short weeks of working side by side in the little store you managed at the time, how we trekked out to Target together to pick up a few things for a small shop party. I remember getting back into your car and hearing the small voice of my spirit...the one I was just learning to know...telling me It's OK. You are safe.

I remember then melting down, right there in the middle of a Target parking lot, seat-belted in your Subaru -- how I confessed that my marriage was not well, that it never really had been, even before it officially began, and that I was so scared, ashamed, guilty, confused. I remember letting it all come flooding out in a way that basically told you Hi. I have chosen you to be my friend and confidant on the West Coast. Please do not reject me.

And although the memory of your stunned and surprised face still makes me giggle--although we still laugh about how you went home to your hubby that night mildly befuddled and told him "Holy crap, I feel so bad for this girl..."...you did not, in fact, reject me.

I am still so grateful for that.

My sweet J--

I know you are scared, sad, and confused right now. I know your hard work...your hard, wholehearted, creative work...has hit a rough spot and is not unfolding in the way you'd like.

So I wanted you to know, in case you need the reminding, that with me? It's OK. You are safe.

You are brave, and kind, and good. You are fierce when it comes to your friends and family, and you are a spark plug of passion that confirms your distant Jersey roots. (You know I had to throw that in there).

You are insanely talented. Like...insanely.

You have a natural ability to bring fashion into a woman's life in a way that makes her spirit feel huge.

You care about your customers, and it shows.

You make me, and so many others, look and feel good.

I have had the pleasure of watching you grow from a manager and buyer to an OWNER, manager, buyer, and every freaking little thing in between. Holy cow, there are so many freaking little things.

While I don't own that crystal ball you often pine for, I do have something else to offer you--the same level of non-judgmental support you were so generous to give to me (albeit a position mildly forced on you) 5 years ago. I have seen you figure it out on the fly before, and I have full faith you will figure it out again. Most days I think this whole world is just flying by the seat of our pants. But at least you do it in fabulous heels.

You've put it all out there, taken the risks, and continue to strive for the best. There is never any shame in that.

You amaze me with your work ethic and your commitment. Please remember these values are part of who you are, deep down, and they will remain there long after any ol' business.  Your natural, beautiful, true-to-you talents will stay with you no matter how your story unfolds.

And honey, so will I.


Love you,

Trish

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TGL Side Note: You guys, shop small whenever you can. Support the folks who are fighting every day to keep their dreams and passions alive. Connect with them. Benefit from their unique talents and personalized care. Think about where your money goes in a way that doesn't neglect the work being done every day by people who have taken a leap and bet on themselves. They are the inspiring bunch behind what makes dreaming so wonderful. Let's help keep the dream alive, yea?

Beers. Beach. Bay. My babe.

It's a good life.

Oh, and summer? Don't be a stranger around here, k? You are so, so loved.

In Gratitude,

Trish