Music Therapy with Miss Moon

“ Opportunities to find deeper powers within ourselves come when life seems most challenging.”
~ Joseph Campbell

" If I'm enjoying myself, I find my opportunities for more fun become greater."
~ Martha Plimpton

" Opportunities are like sunrises. If you wait too long, you miss them."
~ William Arthur Ward

" Every day is an opportunity to make a new happy ending."
~ Author Unknown

I'm always excited at beginnings. The beginning of a new week, a new month, and all of the unknown opportunities for lessons and blessings before me. Sure there is a bit of fear about what to come (I am human, after all!), but the one thing I've learned as I'm rapidly approaching 35 is that regret is WAY more damaging to the spirit.

When I look back on my past, I don't kick myself over the wrong choices I've made. Those have ultimately shaped who I am, and I've learned some powerful life lessons in the process, which is a blessing in disguise. I always feel really very sucky when I reflect on the times I could have made a choice, instead of staying paralyzed in fear and indecision. I wasted a lot of my life that way. No more, though!

This week, I am choosing to approach new opportunities with open arms and expect only the best to come. Starting with today, my official first day at my new job! And this week's song choice for Music Therapy with Miss Moon is a wonderful way to keep the feeling going. Of course... I'm sharing it with you all in the hopes that it will inspire you to embrace opportunity today, and the freedom that comes a long with it, too!

For an extra boost on opportunities and embracing the unknown, be sure to check out the most recent post by the fabulous Simone Craig!! She's always serving up the tastiest food for thought! :)



Let me tell you what love is
It's when you meet each other halfway
I'm en route

Emancipate yourself
Emancipate yourself
Emancipate yourself
Emancipate yourself

Look in your own mirror and know who you are
Live your life accordingly the truth is on your arm
And it's good, baby
You've done good, baby

Be just who you are make no apologies
And when it's said and done who's really sorry
You're okay, baby
It's okay, baby

Emancipate yourself
Emancipate yourself
Emancipate yourself
Emancipate yourself

Dare to be a better you each chance you get
We're all human and fall short and nothing's over yet
It's up to you, baby
Give 'em you, baby

Life's too short to waste your time do what you love
Don't be ashamed it's better have peace by a dove
Give 'em you, baby
Give 'em room, baby

Emancipate yourself
Emancipate yourself
Emancipate yourself
Emancipate yourself

Like the phoenix from the ashes
Or a sunrise off in the distance
I'll try again, I'll try again
I'll try again, we'll try again

Like the phoenix from the ashes
Or a sunrise off in the distance
I'll try again, I'll try again
I'll try again, we'll try again

Emancipate yourself
Emancipate yourself
Emancipate yourself
Emancipate yourself

:::drools::: Kelis-style for Plus Size Fashionistas

Say what you want about Kelis - she has a definitive style and has a talent for picking items guaranteed to turn heads!! Many have accused a certain Pop-Diva (Not naming any names, but her name rhymes with "Baby Ma Ma"! LOL)of swagger jacking Kelis' style, but I am certainly not going to! My focus is on Kelis tonight!



Truth be told, I think that this look is one of her more subtle ensembles, but she is working it nonetheless and I instantly knew I have to copy this one for my plus size sistren!

For this look I selected the Mossimo® Women's Kimono Sleeve Maxi Dress in Turquoise ($24.99, Target), originally*....because I could not find a printed kimono sleeve maxi dress to save my life!!! My attitude was that if I couldn't do the colorful print, I'd hit 'em with the beautiful color of turquoise (which is one of my favorite shades of blue!)

*UPDATE 7/16/10*: I was playing it a bit safe when recreating this look and I called myself on it!! I saw this dress today and I knew I had to replace the target dress for this one AND I was able to find a belt!!!



The dress is the La Boheme Maxi Dress ($168.00, IGIGI) and I think this dress is so lovely, it is on my list for possible wedding gowns.

I couldn't find an exact replica of the belt Kelis is wearing, but I found something not exactly similar, but complimentary:



Brown Woven Belt With Brass Buckle ($24.00, Torrid)

When I decided to recreate this outfit, I IMMEDIATELY KNEW that I was going to incorporate this necklace into the ensemble. I've been stalking the Etsy Shop PeaceImages for about a month now, and I haven't settled on what item I would pick for my first purchase!!

For this outfit, I selected the redefinition... necklace. ($39.50, Etsy)



That necklace is the SHIZ-NIT!! And those of you who know me know.. I am not a gold wearer, but I was certainly contemplating this necklace!!!

For her earring, I found the Etched Flower Disc Earrings in Gold ($3.80, Forever21)



Finally, I selected the Kingston Bangles ($15, Lulu's) which I thought was a lovely way to adorn your wrist

Music Therapy with Miss Moon

Thanks to my wonderful hubby-to-be, my laptop is back up and running!! There is so much I want to share with everyone, starting with this beautiful song by Kelis, "Acapella". This song was inspired by her baby boy, and I'd like to dedicate it to my not-yet-conceived, unborn children who I can't wait to meet in the future!

A Little [KELIS] for a Saturday Night

This song is so simplistically beautiful... perfect for a Saturday night.