Category Archive for ‘inspiration’

“If children have the ability to ignore all odds and percentages, then maybe we can all learn from them.  When you think about it, what other choice is there but to hope?  We have two options, medically and emotionally:  give up, or fight like hell.” ~ Lance Armstrong

These past few days, I’ve been tying up loose ends for the Runway for Recovery event that takes place in Boston tomorrow evening.  I’ve been so honored to be part of this celebration and can’t wait to finally meet the many heroes I’ve communicated with over the phone and through e-mail.  These women are incredible, and from them I’ve learned the value of hope and love.

Cancer forces people to prioritize such values and to focus on what’s important to them.  In the past two months I’ve had women teach me that sweating the truly inconsequential things in life just isn’t worth it. In the end, they’re still just that — inconsequential.  By the same token, I’ve learned not to dismiss the small things. These are to be treasured and shared. And I write all of this knowing that the next item on my To-Do List is to count and sort beads; a truly earth-shattering task. Is it important to the success of my business that I responsibly manage my inventory? Sure. But is it perhaps more meaningful if I, a jewelry designer, use my gifts to create and share beauty with others? I dare say it is, and I’m not sure I saw it that way two months ago. Thank you for opening my eyes, ladies.

Each of these women have been tested to the limits in countless ways during their battles with breast cancer. As a result of that struggle, many shared with me that they are now stronger, more confident, and more self-aware than they’ve ever been.  Experiences with cancer have given them the clarity to see that each day is a gift and that by choosing to hope, to love, and to fight, anything is possible.

In October of 1941 Winston Churchill said the following to a graduating class of young men about to enter the war: “Never, never, never give up.” Sixty-nine years later, almost to the day, I’ll be meeting thirty-three people who have fought their own battles while adopting that same mindset. I can’t wait…

“Man can live about forty days without food, about three days without water, about eight minutes without air, but only for one second without hope.”

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Hope. Where is it found in the middle of one’s battle with cancer? Who or what supplies the much needed voice that says, “Keep going, friend. You can do this.”? For Elizabeth (Betsy) Hetzler, ten years ago that encouragement came from a supportive group of women who had walked in her same shoes and fought the same battle.

What exactly did this look like?

It was neighbors dropping off a favorite meal for dinner every night. Or shopping with friends and realizing that the conversation was much more beautiful than dress she was buying. And having someone on the other end of the phone that was always there to listen, even if there was often nothing to talk about.

Grass grows in the valleys, not on the peaks. So what did Betsy learn from all of this?

• Live life serenely.
• Lose the temper. Take a deep breath and work through it instead.
• Everyone is entitled to deal with things in their own way.
• Everyone is someone else’s child.
• Give people a chance; they’ll surprise you.
• Give back that which has been given to you. Pass it on.

It is with these experiences and lessons in mind that Betsy will proudly take part in Runway for Recovery, passing along hope and encouragement with each step and every smile. “Cancer has been a scary part of our lives, but what Olivia does makes us all feel like we are giving back, and, being supported at the same time.”

Love this!  The perfect duvet to throw on your bed when the nights are getting cooler.  Enter HERE to win it!

Blissliving Home is giving away a Full/ Queen Shangri-La Duvet Set! And even if you don’t win, you can still get 25% off your order at www.blisslivinghome.com. Use the coupon code LONNY.

As many as you take your weekly Sunday position on the couch today to watch some football, you might notice a little something out of the ordinary.   Many of the players will be wearing pink accessories to honor Breast Cancer Awareness month.  The NFL pink breast cancer awareness campaign was started by Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams, who suggested that players wear pink cleats & put a pink ribbon sticker on the back of their helmets.   Breast cancer has a special place in DeAngelo’s heart: his mother is a breast cancer survivor and three of his aunts died from the disease.

You can pick up your pick NFL gear here…the proceeds will go to several breast cancer charities.

“Ladybugs, my daughter loves ladybugs… all things ladybug.”

Cancer patients can face a host of terrifying decisions during their individual battles with such a terrifying disease. But what also takes place are courageous decisions; to fight, to keep going, to live. Such were the decisions that Kathryn Phillips made during her own fight with breast cancer — decisions that were made with her daughter, Savy, always in mind.

Kathryn, who lost her mother Savannah to the same disease ten years ago, is one of the models who will be walking at Runway for Recovery in Concord, MA on October 21st. In the course of our conversation last week, it was quite evident how Kathryn lives and breathes for her daughter, wanting nothing more than for Savy to be present and to experience the fullness and beauty of life.

The “S” in Savy is  in memory of grandmother, Susan.   Savy  has a refreshing and honest way of boiling breast cancer down to it’s essence. How else would a child think to don a pink wig to match her mother’s and name it “Pinkalicious”? Or, to ask her mother if her “boo-boos” were getting better? Simple thoughts, yet utterly profound and meaningful when spoken by one’s child in the midst of cancer.

Nearly all cultures believe that the ladybug brings good luck. Kathryn didn’t need luck in her fight against breast cancer, just love. And she continues to find love, and life, everyday in her daughter.

Olivia Achhtmeyer is truly an amazing person.  I met Olivia several months ago when she asked me to design Nantucket rope-style bracelets for her advisees at Middlesex School in Concord, Massachusetts.  I quickly learned that she is the founder of Runway for Recovery, an organization that provides a stage to highlight those who have battled and survived Breast Cancer, while honoring those who have passed away during the fight.

Olivia lost her mother, Cande, to breast cancer in 2001 and “resolved to find an aspect of the battle against this disease where [she] could make a difference, while honoring [her] mother’s memory and celebrating the kind of life she lived while sick.” On October 21, 2010, roughly 30 men and women — both survivors as well as the children of those who have passed away — will proudly walk down the runway. They will be honored for their strength, determination, optimism and passion. Proceeds from the event will help children who have lost their mothers to the disease as well as provide opportunities for health care providers who care for such patients. This year’s recipient is the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center.

A few months ago, Olivia was kind enough to invite me to this year’s show as one of the designers who will outfit each of the 33 models as they strut down the runway. I was so touched by the impact and reach of the event that I decided to design a piece of custom jewelry that highlights the styles, personalities, and stories of these remarkable men and women.

From now until October 21st, I will be blogging about these wonderful folks and this wonderful event. I look forward to introducing you to a few of my new friends and sharing with you the same things they’ve been so gracious to share with me… their stories, their journies, and their insurmountable courage. Stay tuned.

I was so excited to design a pair of earrings for photographer, Sarah Cramer. She asked me to design a pair of earrings that I thought she’d like…she didn’t have any guidelines…just something that made me think of her. This is what I came up with! You can check it out on her blog, here.

Of course, so many characteristics that Sarah encompasses are also characteristics that you’d want to have in a friend…if you know someone with those characteristics, you can buy the earring here!

What do you get when you mix creativity, beauty, organization, patience, and style together?  Simple answer: the face behind I Do Details Event Planning, Kate Fitzgerald.   Three words: Kate is fabulous. From the moment you say, “yes” she’ll be with you every step of the way to plan your dream wedding…not only does she take the time to develop personal relationships to help to plan your dream wedding, but she also manages  the 10,000 details of  your big day.   Kate &  I became fast friends when I moved to Charlotte & I have had the opportunity to see her plan several events first hand.  From New Year’s Eve Extravaganzas to girls’ nights, this is one girl that never ceases to amaze me.   If you’re already hitched or you don’t see a wedding in your near future, call on Kate to help plan a birthday, shower, or a dinner party….you’ll be happy that you did.

Check out her blog here.

Nothing excites me more than to walk in to a room and to see a creative display of jewelry….multi-strand necklaces hanging from a frame, oversized cocktail rings sitting beautifully in a vintage china dish, long necklaces dangling from colorful spools of thread, and delicate chains displayed on a marble bust.   The idea of displaying jewelry as art is the perfect solution for that empty space in the corner of your bedroom.  Not to mention, you’ll actually wear the jewelry when you see it displayed instead of shuffling through a shoebox full of tangle-prone necklaces and lonely earrings missing their significant other.

A little inspiration to start your week.

They shot 60,000 pictures, developed 9,600 prints and then again shot over 1,800 pictures.  By SwissMiss & found by Betsy Moats…

click here to watch

“It’s one thing to dream, but when the moment is right, you’ve got to be willing to leave what’s familiar and go out to find your own sound.” -Howard Schultz

This quote from Mr. Starbucks automatically makes me think of Kate Barton.  I met Kate when I lived in Charlottesville & we instantly bonded over the book, The Artist’s Way & music by Cat Power, Amos Lee, and Bon Iver. We would talk on her porch until long hours of the evening with endless bowls of popcorn and red wine.  At the time, Kate was working as a nurse in the NICU unit at UVA hospital & whenever she had a free moment, you could find her in front of her easel.  She always had a dream of opening her own art studio & when the moment was right, she took a leap of faith and opened Skylight Studios. Skylight studios is located on Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall.  If you haven’t been, grab your afternoon coffee & RUN (don’t walk), but run & check Kate’s artwork!

p.s. Talk about a thoughtful wedding gift…Kate surprised us with this painting of our bulldog, Sukie!

"Life is a great big canvas, and throw all the paint on it you can." -Danny Kaye

Kiki and I met when we were eleven years old and dangling our feet off the dock at Camp Seafarer.  Over grilled cheese sandwiches & tomato soup, “bug” juice, smores, dances in the “cage” with the boy’s camp, and endless hours of sitting on the dock and talking about our dreams, we became the best of friends.  We were both SO excited to learn that we were going to UVA together and couldn’t wait live together!  This past weekend, I was a bridesmaid in Kiki’s wedding & I couldn’t be more proud of her.  Tears came to me, when she surprised each of her bridesmaids with one of her paintings…a piece of her.  The many layers of her paintings remind me of her – layers of kindness, generosity, beauty, and inspiration.  Take a look at more of her artwork here.

(My painting from Kiki hanging in my jewelry studio)