What a time to be alive and 18! My daughter Ella just self-published her first poetry book. You can read her poetry over at ellajoy.com and if you enjoy it, support this young poet by buying a copy of her book. What other young poets should be on my radar?
Wow, this post over on Threads struck a nerve. Haven’t gotten that many comments ever on Threads. So, let’s do it, let’s bring the good old blog-roll back. If you’re still tending to an online garden out of sheer joy of sharing, drop your link as a comment!
Thank you Adobe for this wonderful opportunity to talk about my biggest labor of love CreativeMornings and what we are building. Psst… we are prototyping a new offering, called Clubs. For now only in NYC, but soon coming to a city near you.
This little family is on its yearly pilgrimage to the Swiss Alps. Our days consist of: Hugging family, joyously eating bread, dancing in yoghurt aisles, swimming in all of the beautiful outdoor swimming places, and petting cows. You can follow along over here on Instagram if you want.
I am a big fan of Monstera Deliciosa. (Funny: it’s also called the Swiss cheese plant.) This is the one I have been growing in my bedroom for the last 9 years.
And just now, I stumbled upon the below video and was amazed to learn that it grows fruit, when growing in the wild. (This video is helpful, if you want to grow a big beautiful Monstera)
Come work with me! My global labor of love, CreativeMornings is hiring a Brooklyn based General Manager. This is an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the CreativeMornings universe and make an impact on the lives of thousands of creative humans all around the world. You’d be working closely with me. This role calls for a highly operational, heart-centered, deeply thoughtful, grounded human.
Yesterday was big: Happy my 50th birthday to you! Here are a few of my intentions for the new year:
– Keep slowing down. (Notice how everything’s still happening? Nothing is breaking.)
– Remember to stay open. (Whatever you do, don’t close. If your body wants to close, lean into curiosity.)
– Notice what you’re noticing. (Embrace being fully present. Gently notice when I am not. Redirect.)
– Feel that!? (It’s the universe holding you. Say thank you!)
– Ask yourself: What if it was easy (Recognize openings and moments of ease.)
– Experiencing a hard moment? Instead of getting frustrated lean into: “Huh, isn’t that interesting!?” (Life bumps are your teachers.)
– You’re never stuck. (A belief is a thought we keep on thinking. You can change your thoughts.)
– See beauty in everything. (The magic is in you!)
– Declutter. (Your outer world is a reflection of your inner world.)
– Say what you need. (People will still love you.)
– Talk to your plants and your house. (They can hear you!)
– Invest in linen sheets! (Celebrate and love on the things you own!)
– Truth always expands. (Pay attention to your body’s reactions to things.)
– Love is real. (It starts with you. Never withhold love.)
– Always follow the excitement! (Fun is a plenty good reason to do something, even in business.)
– Gently hold yourself to a high standard. (Always add that extra layer of love.)
– Soften even more. (You have to soften to receive!)
– Dance. (Look for disco balls. And, hang a few yourself.)
– Keep expecting miracles.
Thank you for visiting my digital garden. I haven’t been posting as much as I’d like to recently. But, I am still here! Sending you love from Brooklyn!
The wonderful Madeleine Dore interviewed me for her podcast/newsletter A Social Life with Friends. You can listen to it on Spotify or Apple iTunes. And you can read her Substack post here.
I love love love love how Madeleine shows up in the world – her thoughtfulness – the sparkles she sends out into the world with all of her projects.
Have you ever dreamt of something really big? So big you felt it could only happen in 5-10y? (If at all!) And then, BOOM it’s reality and the universe giggles and whispers “naaah, you’re ready”!
Gasp!
It has been my secret dream to be on How I Built This, to have CreativeMornings one day be recognized for the completely magical, radically generous, collectively powerful, heart-centered organization it is.
The episode came out yesterday. I am swimming in a sauce of gratitude for anyone who has attended, contributed, supported, loved on CreativeMornings. As Thich Nhat Hanh said: “The next Buddha will not take on any individual form. Maybe he will take the form of a Sangha, a community practicing understanding and loving kindness…”
Today marks two years of not drinking.
A few things I noticed:
– our society revolves around drinking
– not enough bars and restaurants offer non-alcoholic beers or mocktails
– being fully present is a gift
– sleeping well is a game changer
– sitting with your feelings instead of numbing them is a journey
– some people get triggered when they hear I don’t drink. I had to learn its not my job to make them feel comfortable.
– sober dating is different. Still getting used to it.
– I sometimes miss enjoying a glass of wine with friends. Its ok.
– the addiction will try to find other outlets (overworking, shopping, sport….)
– grateful for friends and family who support and respect my decision
Happy my two year non-drinking anniversary to you!
My birthday and the new year coincide which always results in a reflection tornado. Here goes:
MY 2023 INTENTIONS:
– More firsts!
– Embrace softness.
– Be open to love.
– Believe in (my) magic.
– Dream bigger.
– Keep asking: “What if it was easy?”
– Listen to my inner whispers.
– More speaking up, setting boundaries, lovingly.
– Recognize openings and moments of ease.
– Pay attention to when I am happy. Repeat those moments and dial them up to 11!
– Notice when the universe is cheering me on.
– No assumptions. (Ask more questions.)
– Keep building things that make the world better in 100 years.
– Gently notice when I am not fully present. Redirect.
– When my body contracts and my heart wants to close, breathe, stay open, lean in with curiosity.
– Live with a sense of giving not taking: Regularly ask: Would I miss ____ if it was gone? What am I doing to help ____ exist and thrive?
– Don’t push the river. Don’t try to hold it back. Flow.
– Embrace and trust standing on collaborative shoulders.
– Seek out rooms filled with gentle strangers.
– Be brave. (Growth happens on the edge of discomfort.)
– Notice and celebrate what’s working.
– See beauty in everything.
– Never withhold love.
– Dance with the universe.
WHAT TO REMEMBER:
– Everything is alive.
– The universe is friendly.
– Time is an illusion.
– Energy is visible.
– Fear is absence of love.
– I am exactly where I need to be.
– We are put on earth to love.
– Clarity is your friend. Interpret mixed signals as a no.
– A belief is a thought you keep thinking. (You can change it.)
– Love, joy and peace are deep and pure states of being. (Notice them!)
– Another world is possible.
– We are here to transform, not win.
– It takes courage to be kind and have a positive outlook in life.
– Money is energy.
– Dreamers shift norm and possibility.
– My humanity is caught up with your humanity.
– Safety is the presence of connection.
– Vulnerability is a door to deeper connection.
– Everything is figureoutable.
– Love starts with me.
– Trust breeds magic.
– Our life is our way home.
Happy my (Jan 2) birthday to you. And happy 2023! Thank you for visiting this little internet garden of mine.
I am feeling honored and a bit nervous sharing this interview of yours truly featured on the remarkably thoughtful Time Sensitive Podcast, a labor of love by Spencer Bailey and Andrew Zuckerman. (I originally met Andrew because he has been reading my blog for years.) They are two deeply thoughtful and smart humans nurturing deep conversations. Grateful to have been invited and been allowed to share where my heart and I are at in this moment in time in 2022. You can listen to and also read the interview here.
Deeply moved by this thorough and generous article on the magic of CreativeMornings, my biggest labor of love.
In case you’re not familiar with CreativeMornings: It’s the world’s largest face-to-face creative community. You can attend events in 225 cities every month or tune into our free digital FieldTrips (aka workshops) online.
Yesterday I posted ideas on how to meet a romantic partner, outside of soul-sucking dating apps. Here is my post on Instagram. 2,830 likes and 261 comments later it’s clear this hit a nerve. Reposting it here with some resources my readers shared:
Can we talk about dating apps? Yeah, let’s not.
I can’t help but think there has to be a less soul-sucking way to meet someone!?
– what if we all tried to level up as friends and played matchmaker once a month?
– what if the dogpark had an unofficial singles section?
– what if there was a piece of clothing/accessory that indicates someone is single and open to meeting someone?
– what if friend groups pull together and create a database with their most awesome single friends and write a pitch about them?
– what if the first train on any subway train is only for singles?
– what if in giant high-rise buildings certain elevators are reserved for singles
– what if we organized events where everyone who is invited is single but nobody knows they are attending an undercover singles event. (And the group is recommended by friends aka vetted.) @hugc, @lessthanamazing and I organized such an event a few years back. Should I bring it back?)
– what if there was an event where people made presentations on their single friends. “PYF” (Pitch Your Friend)
– coffee shops have differently colored coffee cup lids for singles
– once a month singles dress monochromatically, all red for the day. (Gaaaah sooo fun!)
(Granted some of these ideas could possibly be very awkward. But ideas beget ideas!)
Do you have ideas to add or have you met your partner in an unexpected, fun way? Please share!
In the comments I learned that:
Apparently in Norway when you go hiking in the mountains, green buffs or hats mean you are single, and red mean you are in a relationship. SO GOOD!
In Bavaria, Germany, it all comes down to how you tie your bow on your Dirndl that indicates if you’re married, taken, single or even widowed.
Dating services, events some of my readers shared:
Meet The Otter
Paired by the People
You Should Date
Have an interesting story on how you met your partner? Have additional ideas to add to the above list? Comment below!
11 years ago I launched Tattly as a fun side project.
The goal? Create high-quality temporary tattoos, designed by professional artists.
Little did I know this lighthearted idea would grow into a healthy business, shipping millions of tattoos around the world.
Since July of 2011, Tattly has catapulted joy and good art into the world, paid our artists over $1.5M in artist royalties, employed over 45+ fine humans, moved three times, attended countless trade shows, appeared on national TV, got featured in the NYTimes, handed out tattoos at the White House Easter Egg Roll under president Obama, collaborated with brands such as NPR, VOGUE, National Gallery, Sesame Street and Starbucks, ran a ‘temporary temporary tattoo parlor’, and licensed art from over 120 artists.
It’s been an eventful ride.
Tattly taught me about margins, the world of wholesale, what it means to ship products globally, how to source manufacturers… but most of all: Tattly taught me that it can be advantageous to fall into an industry you know nothing about. I showed up with zero limiting beliefs, just a whole lot of enthusiasm and willingness to learn.
And then 2020 happened.
Like for so many other bootstrapped, wholesale focused businesses, the pandemic has been brutal. During the NYC lockdown, in an attempt to save the business, I had to personally learn how to ship our orders. For months I would go into our deserted office, pack up the orders and carry them to the post office. It was a lot.
I admit I was on the brink of giving up. More than once.
Carolyn Andrews, our fearless CEO, was one of the people who would consistently remind me of what this mighty little brand brings to the world: We celebrate art, financially support artists, spread joy, champion inclusivity and allow the world to self-express and pretend. Pretending is fun. And boy does this world need more fun.
Over the past two years, I gained clarity: I want Tattly to grow, support more artists and bring smiles and lightness to more corners of the world.
Today I am proud to announce that Tattly has been adopted by the BIC family and is entering its next, expansive brand chapter.
BIC is a family-controlled company started in 1945 by Marcel Bich. Its founding product, the iconic BIC Cristal® pen, kickstarted a revolution that democratized handwriting and provided the world with an accessible medium for artistic self-expression.
Today, BIC is a leading global provider of many essential items. The company’s vision to bring simplicity and joy to everyday life is realized daily through the sale of more than 30 million products in 160 countries. This ability to touch the lives of billions of people in such a meaningful way, to me, is extraordinary.
Am I nervous about putting Tattly in the hands of such a giant company? Yes! Of course!
Am I ‘anxcited’ about the months ahead? Yes, of course!
Am I excited for the expertise, manufacturing and financial resources BIC will be able to provide to strengthen the mission and scale of Tattly? Absolutely!
There is so much possibility ahead!
And, a lot will stay the same:
Tattly remains women-led, Brooklyn based and will always champion artists. Tattly’s brand ethos will be untouched. Our artist community will continue to flourish, as BIC shares our deep respect for creatives. While my role becomes more advisory, I’ll still be involved with the overall creative vision.
I don’t make a decision like this lightly. My close friends know it’s been a tremendously long journey for me to feel ready to set Tattly free. I am proud of how far my team and I have been able to take this gem of a company. Tattly is a true labor of love, bootstrapped, infused with a tremendous amount of care and enthusiasm by 45+ team members over the course of 11 years. Each one of them left a mark.
I trust BIC will honor our past 11 years and honor the essence of Tattly.
I trust BIC will teach her new things, I wasn’t able to.
I can’t wait to see what she’ll grow into.
I love you, Tattly.
Mamabear,
Tina
Last week was unusually ‘full’. I had no brain space to post here. I can’t remember the last time that happened other than after my kids were born.
And then, as I was swinging from one to-do-item-vine to the next, running from lots of Zoom meetings filled with men wearing blue shirts and khaki pants, my giant glass patio door shattered.
S-H-A-T-T-E-R-E-D-!
It was a startling moment.
It was mesmerizing to hear the glass crackle for a good 10-15minutes before it eventually settled in its broken beauty.
What’s the lesson of this all?
– Check for rocks in your lawn before mowing the lawn, fellow homeowners!
– There is beauty in the breakdown.
– ….. what else?
I didn’t enjoy brushing my dog with a regular dog brush. I started digging around on the internet hoping someone invented something better: HandsOn Animal Gloves. My dog LOVES when I brush her with these! (Yes, they look hideous.)
This is most likely my favorite podcast I ever had the honor to be on. (I love David and the magic he brings to the world with his labor of love Street Wisdom.)
17 years ago today I started publishing on here with this post. Somehow I am still standing. 18,679 posts in. Still enjoying it. Thank you for visiting my little garden on the internet. I appreciate you stopping by.
Happy my blog birthday to you!
New year and another trip around the sun. Hey 2022, here’s to:
– more parties in the heart
– more listening. Less talking
– being ok with being misunderstood
– spending time with expansive humans
– staying open
– more dancing
– long walks
– petting dogs
– BELIEVE (Ted Lasso style)
– less sugar
– remembering that fear is the absence of love
– remembering to interpret mixed signals as a no
– continue to gently recognize my limiting beliefs
– trusting that inner whisper
– sprinkle fun and good vibes
– be intentional about rituals / traditions (create new ones)
– notice when the universe is cheering me on
– no more overwatering plants
– notice and celebrate what’s working
– clarity
– recognize when I am swimming upstream and swiflty turning around
– write my book (at least start)
– being open to love
Whispers: Thank you for visiting my garden on the internet. I appreciate you stopping by.
In summer of 2020 I was unexpectedly offered to buy my dream home in the Hudson Valley. November 12th marked the one year anniversary of me owning this house, I would like to share this magical story:
In fall of 2015 I found the listing for Maitopia on Airbnb. I gasped and within minutes booked a stay that was a good 6 months out, the first weekend I could get my hands on. I’ll never forget the moment when we entered the driveway, in spring of 2016. There she was, this modern, tiny beauty. I could barely breathe of excitement. As we got out of the car my daughter noticed the Swiss cross flag on the shed and jokingly said: “This house was waiting for you, mommy!”
We kept coming back to Maitopia, 1-3 times a year, for long weekends and I became Instagram-DM friends with the owners. Every time I stayed, I would post about the house, gushing about how perfect it was and thanking the internet for the sharing economy. What a magical world we live in!
Then, on June 17, 2020 the owners messaged me saying “We are thinking about selling the house!”
I remember jumping from my chair, screaming “OMG!” My daughter thought something bad happened and looked at me with a look of horror. “What’s wrong, mommy?” I said “Heath and Sarah-Mai want to sell Maitopia!” I typed back, in all caps: I WISH I COULD BUY IT!
Their response blew me away: “Well, we were hoping you’d say that, as we can only sell the house to someone who loves it as much as we do and we think that person is you. We won’t put in on the market!”
I felt so many feelings.
I was in no place of buying a house. Or so I thought. With the pandemic raging in NYC, I was terrified of losing everything I had built over the past 15 year. The last thing on my mind was buying a house. I was sure I couldn’t afford it.
Yet I knew in my heart of hearts that this property found me. So I examined my limiting beliefs, tried to find solutions on how it could work, and things started falling into place.
About a week later, I asked the owners, whom I had never met, if they’d meet me on the sidewalk outside their Upper West Side home. I shared with them that I didn’t take it lightly that they offered the house to me. After all, it was their labor of love. They designed it. They built it. It was an extension of them.
I handed them a plant and my offer (love) letter, which was wrapped in drawings of the house that my kids made.
It was a powerfully loving moment. On both ends. Some tears were shed.
(This process taught me so much, as it made me think that if I ever were to sell one of my companies or anything else I have built, this is how I would want this transaction to go down. Loving. Heart-centered. Thoughtful.)
A few days later they let us know they accepted our offer. My kids and I were estatic, dancing through our Brooklyn apartment!
The mortgage journey that followed after was not the most pleasant but we got there eventually. Lots of lawyer-y non-heart-centered stuff followed too. Part of the process, I guess. Deep breaths.
And here we are, a year later.
I have been a homeowner for 365 days. I admit, I have dealt with more broken things than I want to acknowledge, but I am starting to really understand the house. My friend Sue once said that the house is teaching me how to take care of it. I feel that.
This also means I have been an Airbnb host for 365 days straight. And let me tell you, I have grown as a host. (I have so much to share on this front, but that’s for another time.)
Today, I just want to revel in the fact that this house found me. It is my happy place. My heart swells up every time I enter the driveway.
Thank you for choosing me, Maitopia.
PS: Yes, I do rent the house, you can see the listing here. Please note I am slow about opening up the calendar, I do it a few months at a time. If you want to see more photos, you can check the Instagram account here and a walk through of the house is here. Sarah-Mai and Heath who built the house have since created a new magical home in the Northfork and are soon going to be renting that one out too. You can see it here.
It’s been a bit quiet here and you might be wondering why? Well, this family is growing. We are picking up our rescue today and have been busy preparing for the new family member. (Shelter adoptions are no joke in NYC. Three rounds of interviews, a home visit and then meeting the pup!)
We are ANXCITED! This is our first dog and we realize we have a lot to learn. When we went to see Beau I asked the foster mom what she needs most. She pondered for a moment and then said: LOVE, a whole lot of love. I exhaled and said: “I got plenty of that. We’re good!”
Also, I think I have watched every Cesar Milan video out there by now. If you have adopted a rescue or own a dog and have tips, please be so kind and drop them in a comment below.
Onward to our new chapter! WOOF!
Update: Sharing some first impressions with her on Instagram, look for the Pup Emoji story highlight. (circle at underneath my bio)
“Dogs are our link to paradise.”
– Milan Kundera