What Tarot Card Are You?

You are The Star

Hope, expectation, Bright promises.

The Star is one of the great cards of faith, dreams realised

The Star is a card that looks to the future. It does not predict any immediate or powerful change, but it does predict hope and healing. This card suggests clarity of vision, spiritual insight. And, most importantly, that unexpected help will be coming, with water to quench your thirst, with a guiding light to the future. They might say you're a dreamer, but you're not the only one.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

If you take the quiz, post your results as a comment. I would love to see how it turns out for everyone... I think it would be interesting. :)

Sorry... Here's Something a Little Less Serious

I made this cute and delicious dessert with a bunch of random ingredients in our kitchen that we had left over from making rice crispie treats and puppy chow. I'm proud of myself for making it. I am proud of my creativity, especially in the fact that I molded this tasty treat in muffin cups, in a muffin tin, and then froze them too. haha Anyway, I thought I would show one to you, in hopes that you might leave a comment that mentions Top Chef. ;)

Peace and Love,

Meagan

This is NOT a good sign of the times...

"The BoarsHead Theater is canceling the remainder of its 2009-10 performance season because it has run out of money.

The professional theater in Lansing had shut down last month in a bid to save $77,000 between early November and late January. It had planned to reopen early next year with a performance in January, but expected gifts from corporate donors failed to materialize." Read more at The Lansing State Journal Online

This is bad news friends...

If our economic situation doesn't improve soon, we are going to have some serious losses to deal with. The first thing that usually goes, especially when it comes to government funding and donations...are the fine arts. As a music teacher, this troubles me greatly because fine arts do so much to enhance lives, share ideas, change viewpoints, challenge authority, educate, inspire, and entertain. To lose them is to lose a part of ourselves that cannot be replaced with anything else.

As if this weren't bad enough...

Michigan public schools are being forced to make drastic changes in order to survive. Budget cuts, layoffs, etc. And Universities are dropping entire programs! If there is one thing we need to keep funded it's schools, and yet with everything being so bad, schools are not getting what they need. This means that children are not getting the education that they need... and deserve.

Even worse...

"LANSING - The projections for 2010 are in and the funds needed to feed hungry people in the seven county mid-Michigan area are staggering. To continue to serve seniors, families and children the Mid-Michigan Food Bank needs to raise $2.8 million dollars. Up to 18,000 families, including a large number of children and seniors, will be turned away due to lack of food. The demand for food is such that the supplies at the Mid-Michigan Food Bank are depleted every 10 days." Read more at The Lansing State Journal Online

It just makes me wonder. Where are our priorities? We're worried about savings accounts and not being able to buy as many Christmas gifts this year (which are legitimate concerns, of course) but what's worse? Paying a bill late or having to shut down a school? Getting a gift card for your spouse instead of a new HDTV or knowing that 18,000 families will not have food this winter?

All I ask is this... since this is a season of giving, look around your community and see what you can do to help. Every little bit does something! Some ideas:

Donate canned goods to your local food bank

Make a monetary donation to a local fine arts organization

Send your child to school with extra supplies to donate to the classroom. (Pencils, pens, paper, tissue, hand sanitizer, etc.)

And open your mind and heart, and help those around you. If we all give a little, we all gain a lot more.

Peace and Love,

Meagan (PonchoMeg: The Modern Bohemian)

PonchoMeg: The Modern Bohemian Gives You Some Stuff to Check out on a Friday Afternoon

I love exploring the internet and all it has to offer. So here, on this chilly Friday afternoon, I am sitting inside, cozy and warm after some early morning Christmas shopping, sharing some of the fun things I have been checkin' out online.

Listen 2 The Bass

I LOVED this song on Make Me a Supermodel Season 2 and I just can't get enough of it. It is such a sick jam!!!

Surprised Kitty

This video makes me giggle so much! And I literally mean giggle, like a three year old being tickled. It's pretty cute, that's all I'm saying.

Power Treasures

If you believe in the powers of crystals, check out this site. I don't know how I feel about it, but I always like to learn more about things.

MyGreenMoon

Another new site for me. It belongs to an ehow member, so I thought I would check it out. It seems really interesting and right up my alley. :) I will have to look it over a little more and see what I think.

Daily Good

Friend and fellow blogger Terria Fleming puts out this amazing site that offers up ways for us to do good for the world everyday. I love it!

ENJOY!!

Peace and Love,

Meagan

PonchoMeg: The Modern Bohemian

More Great Ideas for the Holiday Season

Looking for some ways to make this holiday extra special? Well, I have some ideas for you. First of all, if you are a crafty person, start making some great holiday crafts for you and your family and friends! It feels great to do something crafty and it feels even better when you give things away! I made some centerpieces, decorations, a wreath, and a fun holiday scarf.

If you need an idea, check out this FREE pattern from Artbeads.com. And hey, while you're there, do something for yourself too. Click here to enter a contest from Artbeads.com where you can win a $100.00 gift card!

Secondly, even if you are not crafty, you can still make someone's day. In fact, you can make a soldier's day by getting involved with Holiday Mail for Heroes through the American Red Cross.

"In this season of hope and giving the American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes, Inc. have joined forces to invite Americans to send a touch of home to United States service members and veterans across the country and abroad. In its third year, the Holiday Mail for Heroes program is an opportunity to share joy and thanks with our service members throughout the holiday season by way of a greeting card.

Today over 1.4 million men and women serve in the U.S. armed forces and over 24 million veterans have served in the past. The holiday season is the perfect time to honor and extend a warm holiday greeting to those who’ve served and continue to do so." -American Red Cross

Also, if you want to keep giving for FREE, you can head over to the Animal Rescue Site. Literally, all you have to do is click a button, and you are helping animals. You can do this every day! If you don't want to bookmark it, I have a button on my blog 24/7 that is available for you. Please, take a moment and do this.

If you still want to do even more for animals this holiday season, then donate to the ASPCA, The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. I adopted my cat, Ava from a local division of the ASPCA back when I lived near Kalamazoo, and I am so grateful for their work. Ava is like my baby, my friend, and my little angel all rolled into one. So please help the ASPCA. If you don't want to just donate money, buy some fun animal themed items from their store. They have some really cute stuff.

Back to my crafty friends... there is a great group called Warm Up America that helps you to help provide warm afghans to those in need.

You can make a difference to someone in need by:

• crocheting or knitting one or more 7" by 9" sections for Warm Up America!
• joining sections into completed afghans,
• donating yarns and needles/hooks to groups in your community,
• contributing money to expand WUA! to groups nationwide.

-From Warm Up America

If you do want to simply donate money, you can always donate to Feeding America.

"Feeding America is the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity. Our mission is to feed America's hungry through a nationwide network of member food banks and engage our country in the fight to end hunger." -From ABOUT US, at FeedingAmerica.org

Or... maybe... you just want something for you! That's okay too! Check out some of the amazing giveaways that they are having over at Good Housekeeping. From cookware to vacations to cookie cookbooks to holiday movies... there's something for everyone. Including a chance at winning $100,000. What?!?! I know... it's crazy cool.

Looking for other great opportunities, check out some of the following links:

Free Stuff

Free and Green Stuff Blog

The Free Site

Crochet Pattern Central

Do Something.org

Make a Wish Foundation

Peace and Love,

Meagan

PonchoMeg: The Modern Bohemian

Cloud Magic

Living in a college town has it's benefits. One of the best benefits is the plethora of artists who seem to gravitate toward the local, college town locales. There are poets, painters, instrumentalists, singers, etc. and they can be found in coffee shops, at festivals, and at the local bars.

Recently, I have gotten the chance to see a group of artists perform together at a local bar and I have to say... I was very impressed. I had heard this band's latest cd already, but seeing them live only added to my high esteem for them. The band? Cloud Magic, an amazingly funky, psychedelic rock jam band. I wrote an article all about Cloud Magic on Squidoo. Check it out if you get a chance:

Cloud Magic on Squidoo

So why do I like Cloud Magic so much? Well, first of all... they're good. Really good. And it's nice to see raw, local talent that already sounds like a seasoned band. Secondly, they're doing something outside the realm of what is "popular" in music today.

"The fact that on their Myspace page they list The Beatles, Phish, Bob Marley, Pink Floyd, and David Bowie as some of their influences is definitely no surprise, as their musical stylings drip with such influences. But the wonderful thing about Cloud Magic is that there is something about them that cannot be identified with a band of the past... there is something about Cloud Magic that is distinctly unique. Perhaps it's the obvious fact that Cloud Magic is playing music far removed from today's modern pop music scene, but arguably, music that is much more valuable. When one is immersed in the sounds of Cloud Magic, the world is at peace. One can see a future painted with beauty, art, and love." -An excerpt from "Cloud Magic" on Squidoo

Finally... the members of Cloud Magic are just really groovy people. I met lead singer/guitarist/founding member Dave through my roommates, and I knew right away that he was a great guy. Need proof, check out what Dave had to say about his purpose in life:

"My purpose on earth is to speak the message of unity and understanding. I am here to move people, who may have their light switches turned off, not realizing. I attempt to flip every last one on full blast. Wake Up. Love one another, if you want to save your self, save one another and the universe around you."

Since meeting Dave, I have also met his girlfriend, Sarah, also a member of Cloud Magic. Just hearing her voice and the emotion she delivers through it made me think she had to be a magical person, and after spending less than 5 minutes with her on our first introduction, I could tell that she really was. She is genuinely sweet and BONUS...she's studying to be a music teacher. A girl after my own heart!

The other two guys I haven't gotten a chance to really hang out with, but they both seem nice and if they are making that inspiring music with Dave and Sarah, they've gotta be pretty cool.

So yeah... I like Cloud Magic. I may even love Cloud Magic. Check them out for yourself and see what you think.

Sitting, Drinking Coffee, Writing, And Listening to Music... What a Life!

Today is another Saturday. I love Saturdays. Especially when I don't go anywhere, and I can just focus on my creativity and relaxation. What could be better?

This Saturday started at 8:30 am. Not by choice, but because my darling cat Ava wanted out of my bedroom, and her way of showing this was to knock as much stuff off of my nightstand as possible until I woke up. I will say though, I am grateful to my little baby Ava, not for her destruction, but for getting me up. If I get up early, I always feel more accomplished.

So anyway, I got up and let her out and started some coffee immediately. Then I settled in to my computer to make a Saturday playlist on I-tunes. I called it: Fun Time Playlist. It seemed appropriate. I got my coffee and sat outside to drink the first cup. This morning in East Lansing was cool, but still comfortable enough to sit outside in only my pjs and my house coat. (Yes, I have a house coat...) When I went in for cup #2 of coffee, I settled back in at my laptop and got some good writing done. (See today's earlier post.)

I have to say, sitting here listening to music and writing and just enjoying myself has been great. I would recommend it to anyone. And while I'm at it, let me recommend some great Saturday morning music for your own "Fun Time Playlist." Here are SOME of the songs on mine:

For Your Entertainment - Adam Lambert

Falling Slowly - From the Motion Picture "Once"

Everblue - Mandy Moore

Dr. Funkenstein - Deadmau5

Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin

Around the World - Daft Punk

Get Together - The Youngbloods

To Be Young (Is to be Sad, Is to be High) - Ryan Adams

Evacuate the Dancefloor - Cascada

Uprising - Muse

Somebody to Love - Leighton Meester feat. Robin Thicke

And many more...

If you want more suggestions, just let me know. But I would suggest making your own playlist (using my songs, or not) and just relaxing for awhile. It is still Saturday after all.

50 Ways to be a Better Human Being

I spent a good amount of time on Squidoo this morning, writing new lenses and whatnot. I am pretty proud of 50 Ways to be a Better Human Being. Please check it out if you get a chance.

Friday Oh Friday

So I don't work on Fridays. This is a good thing for sure. Last night I was so tired after work, that as soon as Project Runway was over, I was out! I am still tired today! Speaking of Project Runway... let me say, I am disappointed with the outcome. I wanted Carol Hannah to win so badly, and honestly, hers was the only collection where I liked every single piece. It seems as though others agree as well. Just check out this article: Irina Wins Project Runway, But Everyone is Talking About Carol Hannah

And even though Carol Hannah didn't win, she is still my favorite. And she's on Etsy! Check it out! Carol Hannah on Etsy

In addition to watching the disappointing Project Runway and falling asleep, I also worked yesterday and found out I sold some jewelry! This is always a good thing.

I love making jewelry! I would like to do some more things for my Esty store though (for the holiday season) I thought about doing some centerpieces, Christmas decorations, and scarves. But then the hard part comes in... how will I buy my supplies?

My gluten-free diet is eating up all my money... it's frustrating. But on the plus side, I am pretty sure that I have lost weight (we don't have a scale here, so who's to say? But it seems like it!) My clothes are fitting better so I can't complain. Not that weight loss is the main goal of the gluten free diet, but it's definitely a good added bonus!

Well, I should probably go for now... I have been getting distracted looking at stuff online while I was writing this! haha Some of the things that grabbed my attention:

Project Rungay with Tom and Lorenzo

Twisted Stitches

Hippie Chick Bakery

Carol Hannah's Etsy

And pictures of Carol Hannah and/or Logan. haha

Enjoy.

Peace and Love,

Meagan

15 Gift Ideas For Your Hippie, Bohemian, Free-Spirited Friends

The Holiday season is approaching quickly, and you want to start buying gifts for your eccentric, bohemian, hippie friends but just don't know what to get? Allow me to help. Here is a list of 15 ideas of what to get your more carefree, free-spirited, mohemian friends.

1. Pick up some Dolce Mia All Natural Soaps.

2. Buy your friend an amazing tapestry, like this one from Allposters.com in the wall tapestries section.

3. If your friend is way into hippie stuff...tie-dye, free love, and whatnot and they have a refrigerator, get them this Hippie Heart Rectangle Magnet. It's pretty sweet.

4. Find cute boho dresses like this one at The World Closet. Other great clothing items can be found at Hippie Shop, Modcloth, and of course, good ol' Ebay.

5. Get your friend a gift that is both silly and very environmentally responsible. Buy them some Poo Poo Paper... paper made from elephant poo. Visit PooPooPaper.com for more information.

6. Buy your friends gifts from The Modern Bohemian's Online Shop. This is my personal Cafepress store. I have great mugs, shirts, magnets, buttons, water bottles, etc. I even have flip minos.

7. For a special girl, get special handmade jewelry, such as the I Dream in Turquoise and Flowers Necklace. Also, try visiting sites like: Etsy, Free People, and Soul Flower. I also like a lot of jewelry from my friend Wondra's store: Kronish Kraftwerks.

8. Get Peace Sign Products like these sweet patches from Peace Please Products.

9. Handwarmers are a big deal to the modern bohemian, so get your friends a pair like these at Soul Flower.com.

10. Buy your bohemian, hippie, free-spirited friends some cool books, such as: The Bohemian Manifesto, Hippie, The Hippie Handbook, The Princess Bride, Rent, The Beatles Anthology, Ishmael, American Cultural Rebels, Twentieth Century American Poetry, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Moulin Rouge, White Oleander, Girl Interrupted, Hippie Crafts, etc.

11. Nothing says hippie like a blatantly obvious bumper sticker.

12. Modern Bohemians love music. Some good choices for your slightly off-center friend are: Flight of the Conchords, The Beatles, Creedance Clearwater Revival, Daft Punk, The Grateful Dead, Carole King, David Bowie, The Doors, Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin, Joss Stone, Enya, Bob Marley, and whatever else you think they might like.

12. Give your friends some great DVDs this year, of movies like Rent, Moulin Rouge, Pineapple Express, Once, The Wall, The Princess Bride, Across the Universe, Yellow Submarine, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Koyaanisqatsi, Frida, and Interstella 5555.

13. Your friends may be craving some tv shows on dvd too. I recommend Flight of the Conchords, Bored to Death, Project Runway, Seinfeld, Freaks and Geeks, M*A*S*H, and Glee.

14. Get the best candles ever from The Great Lakes Candle Company. Based locally in Michigan, these crafters seriously make the most amazing candles. They burn clean and evenly, the colors are beautiful, and the scents are great! Currently I have Autumn Harvest, Lake Huron Storms, Zombie Punch, and Cedar Wood. But I have also had Love Spell, Monkey Farts, Bottoms Up, Dr. Feelgood, and Lake Superior Storms. These candles are the best!

15. Make something yourself! Or buy something handmade. Check out some of the ideas in this ehow article: How to Save Money on Christmas Gifts.

Remember, these are just some ideas. Be creative, and good luck!