Visionary Life

If you are like me you have been scouring your local Goodwill lately for the best buys. Not necessarily out of a need for less expensive items (though finding a cool pair of boots for a fraction of the price, can be quite satisfying), but because you want a look that is more you. A look that transforms you from being an every day store mannequin, to someone who is unique and unreplicable.

Perhaps you are more in the "know" than me, but I didn't know until a couple of years ago how the big wig designers all managed to use the same colors, fabrics and textures in their collections.. Well it turns out there is a very serious and quite covert(at least to the average consumer) Fashion Board who meets and compiles these lovely inspiration books, jam packed full with textures and colors that will cause you to drool, to help guide the designers in their creative processes. Well shouldn't we all have access to these sort of things, as we are designing our own looks. That's what I thought too, so here you go..

The 2010 Spring Colors have already been published, and can be a guide as you adventure into your local Goodwill, Value Village and other vintage boutiques.

Here is a link to the Pantone Fashion Color Report in a very colorful and insightful PDF.

Then there is the CIFF report, that gives you the scoop on all of the accesories and textures.

Happy Hunting! I look forward to hearing about your finds.

The next meeting for Seattle Against Slavery addresses a particular concern of mine. How to get involved in the fight against Modern Day Slavery in Seattle. So I hope you will come check out the event, as it will be a great source of information as well as an opportunity to meet with local organizations who are on the forefront of dealing with this issue in our area:

This is a great way to raise more awareness and build our community of abolitionists in our city to help care for the local organizations that is in service of victim care, rescue operations, raising awareness and much more.


Our partner organizations will share how we all can specifically help them in their work. Some organizations that will be there (or at least represented in some way):


International Rescue Committee
Washington Anti-Trafficking Response Network (WARN)
Asian Pacific Islander Women & Family Safety Center
YouthCare
International Justice Mission
Not for Sale
Western Washington Coalition Against Human Trafficking
and many more


This will be also in conjunction with reaching out to the 200+ people who watched 'Call and Response' documentary last summer who didn't get to be followed up to turn them into "activists." We are especially reaching out to them as well with a special invitation.


So please help promote this event to tangibly get folks connected and know what we can do specifically to help fight slavery & human trafficking.


Date: Tuesday, Nov. 24th
Time: 6 - 8 pm
Location: University Heights Center
5031 University Way NE, Room 110
Seattle 98105
*Neighborhood: University District

For those of us who are fans of Auralia's Colors and Cyndere's Midnight by Jeffrey Overstreet, we have something to look forward to! In February of 2010, Raven's Ladder is being released. If you need a little history, then let me tell you that I have given Auralia's Colors to pretty much every artist friend that I know. Its a deeply impacting book about a girl who makes sacrifices in order to bring color in to a world of those who have known nothing but grey. I know that's a really short recap, you should just take my word and read it :)

I am about 3/4 of the way through the manuscript for Raven's Ladder and I can't wait for everyone I know to read it. The layers to the story are incredible, its fun to see how much Overstreet has grown from the writing of Auralia's Colors to Cyndere's Midnight and now to Raven's Ladder. The descriptions and storytelling have gone to an entirely new level.

I will be writing a full review soon, but just wanted to let you know that Overstreet is someone you want to keep your eyes on.

I recently attended the Film, Faith & Justice Forum in Seattle, WA. Where everything from Microfinance, Modern Day Abolitionism to Reconciliation was discussed. Some of the great minds and modern day abolitionists represented at the event included: Rob Morris (Love146.org), Kenman Wong (SPU), Dr. Emmanuel Katongole and Dr. Mark Russell. As I sat listened to what the speakers were saying, more and more the need for networking came to mind. This is something that Obama tapped into, and its a key to our generation - we want to be networked and part of a movement.

So I eventually brought up the question "What are these different groups doing to collaborate" because sometimes I feel torn between them, and want to know where I will be most effective... And this indecision on my part keeps me from being mobilzed for the cause. The panel mentioned that they have definitely been considering this and that there was something in the works. Well this morning I received an email update from Love146.org and was extremely pleased to read the following paragraph:

The average age a child is prostituted in the US is between 12 and 14. This autumn we are increasing our efforts to combat child sex slavery in the US. We’ve dedicated ourselves to responding to child sex trafficking and exploitation in the US in a way that is both thoughtful and effective. Soon we’ll launch a new website with interactive forums and practical guides on how to get involved in your local community. We’re also working to start the "Tell Your Friends" program in partnership with Fair Fund. “Tell your Friends” is run in local high schools to educate children about the realities of traffickers while also empowering children to share if they are victims. In its first year in DC high schools, 450 teens said they knew another teenager who was being prostituted and 56 teens disclosed themselves or friends as victims of commercial sexual activity. Love146 is working to pilot this program in school districts in the Northeast. More details on this programs can be found on our website here.

I am so encouraged by this and eager to get more involved in my community. I would encourage you to as well, we each have skills to be used in this fight against slavery.

Here are some additional resources for Seattle Peeps:

Love146.org- You can choose your level of involvement, whether it be financial, volunteering or being on the prayer team.

SeattleAgainstSlavery.org - the website is still under construction but this group meets on the second monday of each month and has been teaming up with local organizations & law enforcement.

My heroes are the resilient, powerful, tenacious children who have not only survived slavery/exploitation, but are now thriving." - Rob Morris (President/Co-Founder of Love146)

Wow! Thank you so much for posting this article, it was a breath of fresh air! It was a great reminder to focus on the bigger picture, and my selfish indulgence effects the world.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Re-Posted from: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-4490-Seattle-City-Guide-Examiner~y2009m9d28-Taproot-Theatre-Brings-Enchanted-April-to-Life-Part-1



Charity Parenzini, Anne Kennedy Credit:Erik Stuhaug


As we are beginning to feel a bit of the autumn chill move into the Northwest, we know that the rains will be coming soon. In seasons like this, it’s nice to wrap ourselves in a story that can at times mirror our own. So put on your sweater, hat and scarf, and make a trek over to Taproot Theatre, which is now presenting “Enchanted April”.

The play set in the 1920’s, is about two disenchanted wives, a socialite and a widow, and it will have you wrapped around its finger in no time. It opens with a gripping monologue, and the energy of the play is carried by every character through out the play, the house keeper even manages to steal a few scenes. I was amazed to see what great use Taproot made of a relatively small stage, opening with carpets draped every where and the sound of falling rain, the atmosphere was quite drab indeed! After intermission we were transported to Italy, and the stage had truly been transformed from the effect of marble on the flooring to the wisteria and window boxes, no detail had been missed.

Please stay tuned for my next article which will compare the play to the Miramax 1992version of "Enchanted April".
Location: Taproot Theatre, 204 North 85th Street (map)

Dates & Times: Opens on September 25th and runs through October 24th, 2009. Previews on September 23rd – 24th. Wednesday and Thursday performances at 7:30 pm, Friday and Saturday at 8 pm, and Saturday matinee at 2 pm.

Tickets: $20-33, and $10 for ages 25 and under. Pay-what-you-can performance on Wednesday, September 30th. Tickets can be purchased at the theater box office or by phone at (206) 781-9707.

For more info: Check out the Taproot Theatre website.

Bright Star



If you have not heard of this movie I highly recommend checking it out. It's so rare these days for an intense love story to be told and still manage to have a PG rating. Its a BBC Film so of course it is done excellently. The costuming and sets are beautiful. But most of all the story is one that you will not soon forget.. there are so many one liners that I have found myself repeating. It's a disgrace to admit, but I really didn't know much about Keats except for the fact he was the favorite author of the character John Keating in Dead Poets Society. The story behind the man is quite heart wrenching, yet also compelling. After watching the movie, I was inspired to learn more about Keats, and found a great book at Magus!

"I need a brighter word than bright, a fairer word than fair"

link to movie site: http://www.brightstar-movie.com/

Seraphine



I haven't actually seen this movie, but will be seeing it tonight and have a review for you soon. Its currently showing at Crest Theater.

link to movie site: http://www.seraphinemovie.com/