Wednesday's Words of Wisdom - Dream your dreams

Last week I finished my internship at the veterinary clinic in Rotterdam. I got the chance to meet several veterinarians, and not only did I learn different techniques in veterinary practice, I also learned some lessons about life. My mentor motivated me everyday and showed me some insight in his career and his view on becoming professional, but also, becoming happy in life. Some of the things that he taught me are things that he tries to do himself everyday and got him to the position where he is now: the manager of five successful veterinary clinics. 

What he taught me was: Learn new things everyday and never stop developing yourself. Learn from your mistakes, evaluate and try to figure out what you can do better next time. This development may take years, you're not going to be perfect at your job instantly. And you can never be perfect, you can only do the best you can. Most important, is to always set your own goals. And of course, to do what you love.

xx

Ivanna

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom - A.A. Milne on friendship

Since this lovely piece by A.A. Milne is quite self-explanatory, we won't bore you with our analysis of it. We simply wanted to share it, because we think it is one of the cutest "poems" ever written about love/friendship (and because a little Winnie the Pooh makes every day a little brighter ;) ).

xx Lisa & Ivanna

PS: We loved this piece so much, it inspired us to make this set of bracelets.

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom - Friedrich Nietzsche "and those who were seen dancing"

Sometimes, when we're working on a project and are talking about it to other people, they seem to be surprised about our enthusiasm. They like that we enjoy what we're doing, but they don't really seem to get it, and often when we're ranting to them about our ideas for a new collection, or our blog lay-out, they look at us with raised eyebrows. Do you recognize that - that you get really excited about something, and other people don't understand your enthousiasm, because they don't see the beauty that you can see? Luckily, we found a perfect quote that describes this! It's always nice to know that you're not really crazy, dont you think? ;)

Lisa & Ivanna

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom - We are the music makers

When we first heard this famous quote in the film adaptation of Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, we thought this was just another one of Roald Dahl's incredible truisms. However, this phrase happens to be the beginning of a wonderful poem by Arthur O'Shaughnessy, Ode!

We are the music makers,

And we are the dreamers of dreams,

Wandering by lone sea-breakers,

And sitting by desolate streams;—

World-losers and world-forsakers,

On whom the pale moon gleams:

Yet we are the movers and shakers

Of the world for ever, it seems.

Above, you can see the first verse; you can find the full poem here. Don't you think it's absolutely beautiful? We still think the first two lines are the most illustrative - the most renowned anyway -, but now that we know the entire poem, they seem to mean even more. We sure can't wait to get to work and make something out of this!

xx

Lisa & Ivanna

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom - Maya Angelou

Only two days until Valentine's Day! To be very honest, neither of us really does anything romantic on this day, despite both of us having a boyfriend, but we do think it is nice to have a day that evolves around one of the most beautiful things in this world: love. (Of course, we're not just referring to romantic love here, but also love between friends, siblings, etcetera) After all, isn't this what life is all about - loving each other and making each other happy?

What is "love" according to you?

Lisa & Ivanna

 

PS: Don't forget our Valentine's Discount Code (link), which is valid until February 14! If you're living in the Netherlands: if you order today, you will receive it in time for Valentine's Day! 

Wednesday Words of Wisdom - The earth has music

It's pretty weird, what Mother Nature has been doing the past few months. America has frozen over almost entirely. Countless countries have been tormented by floods and hurricanes. And here in the Netherlands we seemed to have skipped winter altogether and are now moving on to spring (although we are still hoping for some snow!) We reckon it's not very enjoyable when your house is devoured by snow, water, and/or tree branches, but to us this just shows us again how powerful and wonderful our earth really is. Anyway, all this talk about earth and nature reminded is of a quote by Shakespeare, which inspired us to make this beauty.

Lots of love,

Lisa & Ivanna

Wednesday Words of Wisdom - Robert Frost

Since we've been working on our new men's bracelets so enthusiastically, we felt like posting a quote we used for one of our earlier men's items: Squaretacular Bloodstone. We always like quotes and sayings that give you hope and strength, and this one does exactly that. It is very reassuring to know that, no matter how big your problems may seem, there is always a way out - usually through them!

Lisa & Ivanna

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom: Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Everyone!

2013 has been a great year for us. Not perfect, but really very good nonetheless. And even though we've hardly posted any "best of 2013" or "hello 2014" articles, we have been thinking lot about this transition to yet another wonderful year. Especially in the form of a very strange, but common concept: New Year's resolutions. For some reason, we always believe that the next year is going to be THE year to lose weight/stop smoking/start exercising. We all make resolutions, and we all know we're going to fail miserably - probably before the end of January. And that's OK. Because it's not really about achieving these goals, it's about thinking about them, and, most importantly, trying. We don't have to be perfect, and it really is quite liberating to realise this!

We wish you all the best for 2014, and even though it sounds a bit quirky: just try to be happy, and make other people happy :)

xxx

Lisa & Ivanna

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom - Christmas thought

First of all: a very merry Christmas to you all! Are you all stuffed? We sure are! We keep telling ourselves every year that Christmas isn't about food, and we really shouldn't eat that much, but somehow that thought gets completely overshadowed by the copious amounts of food, only to enter our thoughts again when it's already too late.. But we both had a great day anyway, and we hope you had too. So, to get off the subject of food, let'stake a moment to ponder what Christmas is really all about? To us, that would be love, generosity, and togetherness, and who can put those things better into words than John Lennon?

What do you think Christmas is about?

Love,

Lisa & Ivanna

PS: Talking about generosity... Don't forget to check out our little surprise tomorrow!

Wednesday Words of Wisdom - C.S. Lewis

We found this quote to be quite appropriate for the coming end of the year. With the end of every year, most people make New Years resolutions, and they aim to improve themselves, or their lives, in the coming year. To do this, sacrifices must sometimes be made, giving up time to practice an instrument for instance. But as C.S. Lewis reminds us here, the things we get back are far better than the things we have had to leave behind.

Lisa & Ivanna

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom - Deborah Smith

This week's Words of Wisdom are from the novel Alice At Heart by Deborah Smith. We used this quote for our new wishbone bracelets, which are part of our Wish collection. For this collection, we were inspired by the concept of wishing, and even though we do not actually believe anything you wish for will eventually come true, we do believe hoping and wishing is an import part of human nature. And, to be honest, what's the point of wishing if you don't believe in your own wish?

xx Lisa & Ivanna

Roald Dahl

Last week, we said that we are often inspired by Dr. Seuss's incredible quotes, and how childish that actually is. Well, we have a confession to make: we are also greatly affected by the words of Roald Dahl - especially quotes from his children's books, for which we both have a soft spot. The quote below can be found in his novel The Minpins (1991). In this book, the main character, Little Billy, is forbidden by his mother to go through the garden gate to the Forest of Sin. Obviously, he does it decides to do it anyway, and finds all kinds of wonderful things beyond the gate.

We love this book, and especially this fragment from it, because it's só true: as long as you open your eyes, and watch the world with a fresh look and an open mind, you will discover the most wonderful things - often in places where you didn't expect it!

Love,

Lisa & Ivanna

Dr. Seuss

It may seem a bit childish, but Dr. Seuss's works are always a tremendous source of inspiration for us, mainly because of his funny and inspirational poems and oneliners. Dr. Seuss was an American writer of children’s books and he was also a famous poet and illustrator. You may know him from How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Horton Hears a Who! , and The Lorax . This quote is from the book Oh, The Places You'll Go! , which is a story about the journey of life and its challenges. We found this quote inspiring, because it is a clear reminder to get off your butt and start living your life! (Who knows, tomorrow you might get hit by a bus, so carpe diem!) We linked this quote to our Dead or Alive Bracelets. We think these skulls (a symbol of the Mexican Day of the Dead) symbolise the exact same thing as this quote does.

xx Lisa & Ivanna

Be Yourself

Sometimes you can't help but comparing yourself to others. This can be a good thing, for example when you appreciate something in a person. In this way you can learn to develop yourself, by thinking: "That is a skill that I want to achieve as well!" But comparing yourself to others, unfortunately often has a negative aspect. When you feel insecure, you might get the idea that someone else is better than you. This may lead to jeaolous feelings and you may pretend that you are another person. But always remember, you are unique! It's nice to know that there is nobody else in this world who is exactly like you. And that's already a fact that will make you feel a little special! In a good way, of course.

Be yourself; everyone else is already taken 
- Oscar Wilde

xx Ivanna

PS. We used this quote as an inspiration for our True Colors anklets.

Head full of songbirds

Lately, our heads have been spinning with ideas, and we are so excited that we finally found the time to make them happen! To us, our minds are a colourful mess, swarming with creative thoughts, and these thoughts are like birds that are trapped inside your head. Birds that are eager to get out and get into the world. Hence, this wonderful quote by E.E. Cummings.

Your head is a living forest full of songbirds

- E.E. Cummings

Would you describe your thoughts the same way?

xx Lisa and Ivanna

Best Friend

Today we want to give all the Best Friends in the world some extra attention! We want to emphasize how important it is to have a good friend, with whom you can share all kinds of emotions, experiences and secrets in your life. 

A few months from now, we will celebrate our 10 year anniversary with our group of friends. This group consists of us two, and three other girls. We met in high school when we were twelve, but became close friends when we were fourteen years old, and are still a very tigh knit group today. We have shared a lot together, great times, as well as difficult times at some points. We all have changed and we took different paths, but when we are together, we are always the same crazy, chaotic group of strange people that we have been from the start. And this special friendship is something to cherish for the rest of our lives!

Man oh man you’re my best friend

I scream it to the nothingness

That we’ve got everything we need

Well, hot and heavy pumpkin pie

Chocolate candy, Jesus Christ

There ain’t nothing please me more than you

-  Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

Do you have a special friendship? What do you like the most about her/him? Let us know!

xx Lisa and Ivanna

PS. We used this quote as an inspiration for our I Heart You bracelets.

I am the sunlight

Today's Words of Wisdom are a fragment from Mary Elizabeth Frye's poem Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep. It was the first poem she ever wrote. It is written from the perspective of someone who is dying, and is addressed to the people he/she is leaving behind. It tells them not to "stand at my grave and weep", and emphasizes the notion that he/she will still be present in the world around them. I have been in love with this poem for years, and we are still figuring out a way to capture these feelings in ideas into a piece of jewelry.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night
- Mary Elizabeth Frye

Do you know any poems that are both sad and beautiful, like this one?

xx Lisa

Never the same love twice

Love is something very special. In your life you will meet different kinds of love. There is the love for your family, the love for your friends, the love for your boyfriend or girlfriend, or for your pet. The relationship that you have with someone is very unique; the feelings and the experiences you share are different for every relationship. It comes in many forms, and that's what makes love so fascinating!

This lovely quote is written on a letter board in Lisa's room and we felt like we wanted to share this with you!

"There are all kinds of love in this world,

but never the same love twice."

- F. Scott Fitzgerald

Who or what do you love the most at the moment?

Love,
Lisa and Ivanna

Strength

Sometimes you might experience a period when things are not going so well for you. It may seem as if many things are going wrong at the same time. You might get the feeling that you are standing in a storm and that it blows you down. But there are many others with you that go through times like these. The most important thing is how you deal with this. You can let the storm swallow you, but you can also choose to accept it and just try to make do. There is an awful lot of truth in the expression "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade". The best thing to do is to look at the possibilities and do something with it! The way you work from a setback is instructive and will only make you stronger!

She stood in the storm,

and when the wind did not blow her away,

she adjusted her sails

- Elizabeth Edwards 

Love, 
Ivanna

PS: We used this quote as an inspiration for our Greek Goddess bracelet. This piece of jewelry is also inspired on Pallas Athena - the goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, strength, strategy and skill.


Beautiful things

You can find something beautiful wherever you look, but you have to open up to it. Beautiful things are to be found in 'humble places'. You can perceive this as if you can find it in unexpected places, but also as if it's the 'little things' in life that make it beautiful.

Because there is much activity going on in life, and because you meet so many people, you might not see these 'little things' anymore. It's very satisfactoy to take time to appreciate this. Sometimes, when I am waiting for the bus for example, I take a moment to really look around. Then I notice that I see nice things happening that I didn't notice before. The message of this quote is therefore 'open up'.

Blessed are they who see

beautiful things in humble places 

where other people see nothing.

- Camille Pissarro

PS: We used this quote as an inspiration for our Gypsy Jade necklace.

xx Ivanna