June 29, 2017 by simple living

Sweet Sunflowers in a Vase, Just listed on Minted.com

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Just listed this art print, Sweet Sunflowers in a Vase, in my minted store. You can buy just the art print in the sizes 5×7, 8×10, or 11×14; or, you can have it shipped right to your door in the frame of your choice! I love the one pictured – the distressed white cottage wood frame. Each print has my signature on the back and comes with a certificate of authenticity. I’m so excited to be offering art prints, photo prints, inspirational art, and more through my minted store.

I remember the day I painted this piece – it was a plein air painting that I did from start to finish in one day while painting outdoors.

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Be sure to sign up for my mailing list to get specials just for mailing lists subscribers! And I will be hosting giveaways on my Instagram soon!

Get on The Mat. And Just…BE.

Get on the mat.

The yoga mat is the place we learn—

to surrender, to pause, to stretch, to relax, and to grow.

We come to the mat — ready — eager to remember, how to breathe deeply again.

To remember how to slow down.

And. . . . . . b r e a t h e. . . . . . . . . .

We create space in our day to just be. To listen to what speaks within. We silence the to do list, and the busy, hurry. and worry of our day.

We close our eyes and listen to our breath. We marvel at the beauty of the human body and all of the gifts that it generously gives us. The strength we have that holds us in authenticity with our core.

Our hopes and dreams and values ground us like our feet planted firmly into that mat. Holding us steady in this world which tries to keep rushing us around.

But, the secret to peace in the frantic pace of our culture is found in letting go.

We come to the mat to let things go.

We let go of the worry.

We let go of the hurry.

We let go of the busy.

We let go of the coulda.

We let go of the shoulda.

We let go of the woulda.

We just sit. In stillness with our breathe. And we just are.

June 6, 2017 by simple living

Stand Up Desk from Brixton Banks

Stand up desks are a new trend right now that benefits our health and wellness. It’s been proven that sitting all day at our desks is contributing to many health problems. The new Stand Up desk from Brixton Banks is a wonderful solution to that problem.

When I saw this cool new desk, I knew I had to start using one! Sitting at the desk creates so many problems with our health: namely, back problems. To alleviate lower back pain, standing at your desk instead of sitting forces your muscles to be working while you are working.’

On the Brixton Banks website we learn the health benefits of standing and working:

Scientific studies claim that sitting all day is bad for your health. While that seems to be common sense you may not realize exactly how bad sitting behind a computer all day truly is.

There is more going on than just fatigue and back or neck pain or simply being uncomfortable. A sedentary lifestyle deactivates the hormone lipase which slows down your metabolism and causes you to gain weight.

This can happen within 20 minutes of being inactive. Meanwhile your red blood cells clump and thicken inside of your blood vessels slowing down circulation, insulin production slows down, energy that has not been expended from food, also known as fat, begins to deposit on your internal organs and LPP1 – a gene that suppresses inflammation and clotting shuts off.

I LOVE this desk! It’s beautiful, first of all. And it’s very lightweight, so it can be easily moved from room to room or even outside if you are using your laptop. It worked perfect on our kitchen table for my son to use it, and it works great for people of multiple heights sharing it. It’s perfect for active families that are looking to decrease their time sitting, and trying to incorporate more healthy options like standing.

You can get your standing desk at Brixtonbanks.com and be sure to follow them on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram! 🙂

(*Disclosure – Post Sponsored by Brixton Banks, product given. All reviews are my own opinion. I only review products that I use, and that my readers will benefit from.)

June 1, 2017 by simple living

I’m a Minted Artist!

I’m so excited that I am now a Minted Artist! I won an Editor’s Choice award in the West Elm Art on The Big Stage competition with my fine art photograph, “amber waves of grain.”

There were so many wonderful artists in the competition. 6223 submissions. I am proud and honored to be in such good company.

I can’t wait to share my minted store with you once it’s ready! I will be filling it with: fine art photographs,watercolor art prints, encouraging notecards, stationary, inspirational art, journals, and more!

You will be able to purchase my art and photographs at any size you want and you can even select from a variety of wonderful frames: including rustic barn wood, modern white or black frames, and more!

Here’s the full list of Editor’s Picks!

Minted Editors’ Picks
These pieces will be sold online at minted.com

Be sure to come follow along on Instagram and facebook!

And if you want to learn about how to take soulful photographs + express yourself through creative writing + seek the light through photo activities and photo walks with guided themes and self-care activities, then join the next class – illuminate: the art of soulful photography!

Did I mention we have a special private Facebook group to share our work in, get feedback, make friends, and build a creative community together?! 🙂

You also get a lovely pdf workbook that you can print out and journal in.

If you’re a Minted Artist – you can take 33% off the class investment!!

And take 20% off if you are a Mama! 🙂 My gift to you all!

Just email me and ask for the Minted or Mama special!

October 7, 2016 by simple living

Woodland Wild + Free To Do List Printable

Just sold another digital download of my new Woodland Wild + Free To Do List Printable!

I love this printable. It’s so easy to print multiple copies and have them on hand to write down all the things you need to do – and it’s so cute! I love the vintage paper with the nature theme and the arrow! Very boho. 😉

Get yours today! >>>——> shopcloud9.etsy.com

If you are looking on Etsy.com for a cute bohemian-inspired to-do list, then look no further. This cute printable can be printed over and over and will keep all of your projects and to-dos organized in a pretty way. 🙂

Great gift idea, too! Perfect for the DIY gal who LOVES homemade, handmade, and gifts with heart. Download yours today!

#organization #todolist #printable #etsy #etsyfinds #etsyprintables #etsydesigner #diy #shopcloud9

October 7, 2016 by simple living

#Giveaway on Twitter – photography workshop – illuminate

To celebrate #WorldSmileDay on Twitter I’m giving away a FREE spot in my self-care ecourse: illuminate: the art of seeking light

Go here to retweet the link and enter to win!

We explore 6 weeks of themes, slow down, learn to be present and mindful and intentional with our time, and use the creative elements of: photography, writing, and self-care to awaken your creativity.

Taught by an award-winning, published writer, photographer, artist, and teacher.

Good luck and I hope you WIN!! Bonus entries if you follow me on ALL of these: Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter – BUT you must come back to this post and comment – followed for it to count!

September 16, 2016 by simple living

Calling all Dreamers: Your Must-Read Book Has Arrived

Dreamers, unite! I am beyond thrilled to announce that I am one of the 100 to be selected for the @JunkGypsyBook Launch Team!!!

I got to read an advance copy of this amazing book, and I couldn’t. put. it. down.

So good.

This book starts with such a beautiful story that any female entrepreneur who has set out to blaze her own trail will connect deeply with. You’ll love these ladies even more after you read their story.

This book is full of heart, soul, grit, adventure, DIYs, glitter, road trips, trailblazers, family, and free-spirited wisdom.

This is the anthem for those who – in the words of Robert Frost – choose instead the The Road Less Traveled, to go ahead and blaze their own trail.

The Road Not Taken

By Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

If you haven’t already pre-ordered the book – you should.{You will even be entered to win all sorts of Junk Gypsy prizes too!}

>>—> http://www.junkgypsybook.com

And, don’t forget to mark your calendars for the first Book Signing during the Antique Show on Sept. 24th! There will be butter + biscuits, live music, and books! Come meet the Gypsies and get your book signed!

Question of the Day:

What is it that is calling to you? What sets your soul on fire? What is your purpose? What is your dream?

Leave your answer in the comments below. Tell me one thing you can do today to bring yourself closer to your dream.

#JunkGYpsyBook #JGBLT #junkgypsies #dreamBIG #thecrossroadsofwonderandwander #dowhatyoulove #inspirationalquotes #inspiration #girlboss

August 3, 2016 by simple living

an ode to gardening – Bella Grace Magazine – published

An-Ode-to-Gardening

words by Amber Bartek / photo by Brooke Cagle

Imagine a lush garden in your backyard teeming with growth and abundance — full of life. You grow your own fresh ear of corn you can pick right off the stalk, your children can climb up your apple trees and pick juicy, sweet apples right off the tree, and you can pull crisp cucumbers and squash right off the vine for your supper.

There is something about growing my own food and working in the garden, getting my hands deep into the earth — that makes my spirit come alive. My soul awakens when I grow the very food that will nourish me and my family.

> Read the rest of the article over at Bella Grace magazine. {Please share and comment!}

I’m so excited to be a Contributing Writer, Artist, and Photographer at Bella Grace Magazine! It’s a dream-come-true.

I adore this soulful magazine that speaks to the heart and soul about embracing the slow, savoring the simple, and celebrating everyday magic.

P.S. – If you LOVE Bella Grace Magazine – stay tuned. There are some giveaways in the works. More details to follow on my instagram >> @cloud9photographer / @simplelivingwriter and on facebook >> @photosbycloud9 .

May 23, 2016 by simple living

TPW Summer night sky photography workshops coming up at Enchanted Rock State Park

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This looks amazing!

Repost from @texasparkswildlife using @RepostRegramApp – Summer night sky photography workshops coming up at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. Spend the night under the stars while learning how to take amazing pictures.

Details and registration in the link on @TxOutdoorPhotos bio.

#TxStateParks #EnchantedRock #atx #nightphotography #igtexas #camping