To show my solidarity, here are my nails done in Avon’s Nailwear Pro+ Green Goddess. Green Goddess is a gorgeous two-toned olive-gold shade of green. This color has a smooth formula, dries quickly and has a shimmery finish. I love the way it shines when you see it in sunlight. However, I didn’t get a chance to take a picture in the sun, as the weather has been really gloomy off-late.  As you may all know by now, I don’t have a very steady hand when it comes to nail art, so I decided to do something simple and have just done an accent nail with Avon’s Color Trend Dazzlers Top Coat in Gold Flecked.

Base: Avon Nailwear Pro+ Green Goddess
Accent: Avon Color Trend Dazzlers Top Coat Gold Flecked

While I was browsing around various sites yesterday for all things green, I came across some lovely stuff on Topshop’s website which I thought would be apt for today 17th March, the one day every year, when Green becomes the new Black! Here are my favorites…

Gwenda Pointed Court Shoes £58
Seam Waist Shift Dress £50
Cross Bust Dress by Wal G £34
Mini Satchel £18

What did you wear today and how did you do your nails? Please feel free to comment with your links, I always look for inspiration from you, my fellow bloggers.

❤  Juliana

Note: I am an Avon representative, and I get a commission when you click on one of the links to my Personal Online Brochure and buy any of the Avon products I write about.

2. Drinks.

3. Attire.

===============

Otherwise, it’s a cinch-

You may put yourself, in a pinch.

.

Break out your shamrocks, leprechaun hat, and favorite green shirt… Yes, Saint Patrick’s Day is this Sunday! While it started as a day to commemorate the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, Saint Patrick’s Day has evolved into a grand celebration of not only Irish life, but also the approach of spring (and of course spring trends!). So put on your shamrock sunglasses, sit down in the local pub with a plate of corn beef and cabbage, and enjoy the bagpipes. Embrace your inner Irishman!

For us, Saint Patrick’s Day represents the start of the spring season, a celebration of green. Sure, it might not be warm yet and the trees might still be bare, but soon green will be everywhere you look. Green leaves are about to burst from their buds and today’s frequent rain will be tomorrow’s beautiful grassy lawn.

When these exciting outdoor changes begin to refresh the world, it is important that your wardrobe gets a “spring cleaning” as well. Trends love to change, to redefine the world of fashion, and especially to revitalize the woman who has been hiding under her winter coat for three months. In the spring, you can break free from the confines of dreary winter colors and heavy jackets and try something new. Explore the trends that are sweeping across the world- treat yourself to a pair of cropped pants, a sophisticated pencil skirt, or a neon tank. The sixties, the Age of Reform and Revolution, is making a comeback. Take the reintroduction of these trends as an opportunity to revitalize your wardrobe and to express yourself in new ways.

Spring is the best time to update your wardrobe, to donate the old clothes you just won’t wear and to introduce new pieces that will make you feel happy and confident heading into the season. Spoken Prophecy would love to help – submit a picture of yourself wearing green between now and Saint Patrick’s Day and one lucky winner will receive $20 towards her next Spoken Prophecy purchase.

May the luck of the Irish be with you!

The A/W 2013 collection -inspired by Japanese Anime Heroine:  Sailor Moon- included a mix of ethically produced on trend pieces made from organic and recycled fabrics ranging from organic velvet to ramie knits to 100% recycled closed loop zero waste satin.   Star, heart and bow detailing dominated in a variety of fit and flare silhouettes colored with purple, grey and midnight blue hues.

Creative Director,  Leanne May-ly Hilgart has designed a collection that is visionary, playful and very wearable.  It is not surprising that Vaute already has a cult following that includes celebrities such as:  Alicia Silverstone, Zooey Deschanel and Felicity Huffman.  From an all vegan outerwear line and winter accessories company, it has grown into a highly coveted RTW brand for men and women.

We exist to innovate in fabric & design in a way that creates good in each aspect of production- to Earth, animals, and workers.” -Leanne May-ly Hilgart

Milky Way Washi Sweater Dress

Waxed James Jacket

Ramie Leggings

A green state of mind will be the new norm in fashion.  With a victorious fashion show, VAUTE has demonstrated that it is ahead of the game and should be kept on our radar.

The collection will be available in September. Visit the flagship store located on Grand Street in Williamsburg.

http://www.vautecouture.com

Star Detailing

Unisex Washi V Cardigan

Organic Velvet Overalls

Organic Velvet Starshine Dress

Before you choose your outfit for the day, think about how you want other people to see you and interpret your personality … your clothes say far more than you think. Bridget Allen, senior fashion expert.

Socially everyone selects something of choice to wear from their wardrobe, but generally no further thought is taken other than if it looks good and feels comfortable. A picture is worth a thousand words, but 99% of that description is about the colour of that picture. Colour psychology is concerned with how certain colours effect emotions, perceptions and reactions.

According to Adam D Galinksy, a professor at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, “clothing affects how other people perceive us as well as how we think about ourselves”. Leave your inner fashionista behind, this week Happiness Weekly takes a practical look at what the colours in your wardrobe are really saying about you!

Colours at work

Black symbolises power and sophistication, but is also the colour of the secretive unknown creating an air of mystery. Some use it to hide their weight, others use it to hide their fears and insecurities. Black provides comfort while protecting emotional feelings and vulnerabilities. It symbolises control, hanging on to information and things rather than giving out to others. It radiates authority, but creates fear in the process. People that wear black are self-controlled and disciplined, independent and strong-willed but give an impression of authority and power. Affluent and success-orientated women often choose to wear black as it gives an impression of elegance, sophistication and confidence. It’s a great colour for trousers, jackets or shirts – it is recommended that you break it up with other colours.

Yellow can be seen as cheery and warm, it is the colour of mind, intellect and acquired knowledge. Uplifting and illuminating, it offers hope, happiness, cheerfulness and fun. Yellow inspires inquisitiveness and original thought. People that like yellow are generally great communicators and love to talk – particularly suitable to networkers, journalists and people that work in Public Relations. It is linked to clarity of thought and ideas which aids with decision making, focus and study, and recalling information. Yellow should be limited to accessories such as ties or necklaces because it can be impulsive and cause anxiety. More information about yellow and its variations is available here.

Gold is the colour of success, achievement and triumph. It is associated with abundance, prosperity, luxury, quality, prestige and sophistication. Valuable and elegant, gold implies affluence, material wealth and extravagance. Linked to masculine energy and the power of the sun – it is confident, passionate and eye-catching.

White is associated with purity, innocence, wholeness, completion and serenity. Cleanliness personified, the colour white is the colour for new beginnings and the ultimate purity which is why western brides and doctors wear it. The colour of protection and encouragement, white offers a sense of peace and calm, comfort and hope, and helps alleviate emotional upsets. It creates a sense of order and efficiency – great for inspiration if you wish to unclutter your life. Too much white can be cold, isolating, empty and bland. It implies a feeling of sterility, detachment and disinterest, providing little stimulation for the senses. Wear it sparingly, white is the classic colour for an office shirt because it provides a good background for the statement colour of a tie.

Silver has a feminine energy and is associated with the moon – it is fluid, emotional, sensitive and mysterious. Reflective and sensitive, silver inspires intuition, clairvoyance and mental telepathy. It is also associated with prestige and wealth as it is seen as glamorous, sophisticated, prosperous and modern. People that wear silver are respectable, courteous, dignified, self-controlled, responsible, patient, determined and organised. It resonates well in the corporate world to those in positions of responsibility (males and females).

Grey is the colour of compromise – it is neutral and detached. The closer it gets to black, the more dramatic and mysterious it becomes, but the closer it gets to white or silver, the more illuminating and lively it becomes. People that wear grey are generally subdued, quiet and reserved. Conformists, they are conventional, dependable and practical. Too much grey creates sadness and depression and a tendency to loneliness and isolation. More information about grey and its variations is available here.

Purple is a colour of imagination and spirituality, historically associated with luxury, wealth and royalty. It represents the future. Purple inspires unconditional and selfless love, and enhances psychic ability and spiritual enlightenment. It promotes harmony of the mind and emotions, contributing to mental balance and stability, and peace of mind. Violet is the colour of humanitarian, using its better judgement to do good for others, combining wisdom and power with sensitivity and humility. People that wear purple have an element of power as it demands respect. They are ambitious and self-assured leaders. Purple is difficult colour to pull off because it requires confidence to wear successfully. More information about purple, and its variations, is available here.

Indigo, the colour of intuition, perception and the higher mind. It promotes deep concentration during meditation. Powerful and dignified, it conveys integrity and deep serenity. People that love the colour indigo conform to things that have worked in the past, while planning for the future. It stimulates the right brain and helps with spatial skills.

Red is the colour of energy, passion and action. It exudes a strong and powerful masculine energy, it excites the emotions and motivates us to take action. Red is a powerful colour: it is a symbol for leadership, assertiveness, confidence, ambition and determination. Too much red can cause irritation, agitation, aggression and anger. In China it is the colour for good luck, in India it is the colour for purity and is often used in their wedding gowns. Red is a great colour to wear to negotiations, meetings and sales pitches. More information about the colour red, and its variations, is available here.

Brown symbolises age and maturity. It is serious, down-to earth and relates to security, protection and material wealth. People that wear brown take their obligations seriously and encourage a strong need for security and a sense of belonging. They feel that family and friends are of utmost importance, are honest, genuine and sincere – though can be stingy with money. They are trustworthy, reliable, loyal, dependable, practical and realistic. The colour of structure, it encourages orderliness, uniformity and organisation. It is reassuring and quietly confident. Wearing this colour can make you appear wise. It is a popular colour with teachers and academics because it inspires feelings of respect in a subtle manner as opposed to aggressively asserting respect like red or purple. Wearing too much brown can make you look stuffy or old fashioned. More information about brown and its variations is available here.

Blue is a calming colour that inspires serenity, trust and responsibility. Honest and loyal, this colour is reliable, sincere, reserved and quiet. It promotes mental and physical relaxation, reducing stress. In fact, the paler the shade of blue, the more freedom we feel. People that love blue define success as quality and quantity of relationships, they give more than receive and build strong, trusting relationships. They become deeply hurt if betrayed. Conservative and predictable, blue is safe, non-threatening, but persistent and determined to succeed. Wear blue when you need to give important news in a meeting but break it up with other colours if you are delivering bad news. More information about blue and its variations is available here.

Turquoise represents open communication and clarity of thought. It controls and heals the emotions creating emotional balance and stability. The colour turquoise recharges our spirits during times of mental stress and tiredness, alleviating feelings of loneliness. It increases creativity and sensitivity. People that wear turquoise are generally good at multi-tasking and are very caring. Turquoise also encourages us to build self-esteem and be self-sufficient. More information about turquoise and its variations is available here.

Orange radiates warmth and happiness. It is the colour of adventure, risk-taking and social communication. Orange offers emotional strength, it is optimistic and uplifting, and promotes spontaneity and a positive outlook. It inspires physical confidence, competition, independence, and aids in putting new ideas into action, banishing limitations. It encourages self-respect and respect of others. A great colour for accessories, orange prevents other colours from becoming overbearing. More information about orange and its variations is available here.

Green is the colour of harmony, growth and balance (creating equilibrium between the head and the heart). It is a natural peacemaker and an emotionally positive colour, encouraging us to love and nurture ourselves and others unconditionally. People that wear green enjoy observing and listening and have good judgement. They are generally inviting, generous, friendly and can keep confidences but also tend to look for recognition. A great colour for women’s dresses, it is also the ideal colour for accessories. More information about green and its variations is available here.

Pink is associated with femininity, unconditional love and romance. It represents compassion and nurturing. People that wear pink are intuitive and insightful and demonstrate tenderness, kindness, empathy and sensitivity. It is the colour of hope and good health. Pink calms and reassures our emotional energies, alleviating feelings of anger, aggression, resentment, abandonment and neglect. A non-threatening colour, people that love pink seek appreciation, respect and admiration. It is a great colour for items you will wear briefly but you can remove for the bulk of the day e.g. jackets and bags. More information about pink and its variations is available here.

Magenta is the universal colour for harmony and emotional balance. People that wear magenta are generally spiritual (yet practical), encouraging, have good common sense and a balanced outlook on life. Magenta strengthens our intuition and psychic ability while assisting to rise above daily obstacles and gain awareness and knowledge. An instrument of change and transformation, magenta aids us in moving forward, helping to release old emotional patterns that prevent personal and spiritual development. It is uplifting to our spirits during times of unhappiness, anger and frustration. Magenta is the colour of cheerfulness, happiness, contentment and appreciation for what you have acquired and achieved. Magenta is spontaneous and impulsive, yet resourceful and organised.

Speedy wardrobe colour tips
* Blue establishes trust and credibility. It is a safe colour and universally liked by most men and women.
* To appear friendly and approachable, wear lighter colours such as mid-tone blues, greens, blue-greens, teal, tan and peachy-orange.
* To get noticed or appear assertive, wear red (but note, it can be threatening).
* To appear confident, blue-green is a good business colour for women, it suggests high self-esteem, confidence but is still friendly and approachable.
* To show dependability, wear green.
* To appear neutral wear grey or beige. You may look like a fence-sitter, but it enables you to say what a client wants to hear rather than the truth.
* To look professional with authority, wear dark blue or dark grey. It’s great for credibility when promoting your business.
* To shock or inspire your audience, wear a magenta suit … with a matching top hat and cane!
* Earth tones (dark orange, mid-brown, light yellow, beige, tan or caramel) are seen as reliable.

Fast facts on colour psychology
- Teenagers often have a psychological need to wear black during the stage of transition from the innocence of childhood to the sophistication of adulthood. It enables them to hide from the world while they discover their own unique identity.
- According to Dr Jennifer Baumgartner, who wrote “You are what you wear: what your clothes reveal about you”, what you wear can inform people passing you in the street of your type of employment, ambitions, emotions and spending habits. “Shopping and spending behaviours often come from internal motivations such as emotions, experiences and culture,” she said.
- A study from Northwestern University examined the concept “enclothed cognition”. Researchers define it in their report as “the systematic influence that clothes have on the wearer’s psychological processes,” meaning what clothes say to you, rather than about you. How they make you feel, not just how they make you act and react.
- Women react more positively to blue-based colours, such as deep blue-reds, most blues, most pinks and blue-greens. Men find yellow-based colours more attractive. They appreciate true reds and oranges, peachy-apricots and most blues.
- Colours also enhance our culinary experience. Red is the most prominent colour in fast food logos because it stimulates appetite and expresses the speed at which you will be served your meal. Blue decreases appetite – however, people are more likely to drink from a blue glass than a red glass. Orange also assists with stimulating appetite.
- Trying to lose weight? Dieticians recommend eating off a blue plate as it suppresses appetite.

We’ve all been there. You show up at work wearing your standard dark blue collared shirt, the same blue jeans you’d been wearing for the last three days, the same black Chuck Taylors you wear all the time, and then you start to notice how just about everyone in your office seems to be wearing green stuff they don’t normally wear. Maybe it’s a green sweater, or perhaps a green belt buckle, or green earrings, green pants, green shoes. Then it hits you: It’s St. Patrick’s Day!

You notice with some resentment that some of your coworkers were clearly just as oblivious to the occasion as you were, but that they had blindly lucked into a least a little green. We’ll call them “the lucky Irish”:

“Uh…no, no, no, it’s okay because my eyes are green! GO ST. PATTY’S DAY!”

“Ooh…no, no, I’m good to go! My sneakers have a green stripe on the side!”

“Hmm…no, it’s cool, I recently got this tattoo on my ass cheek and four days ago it got infected and so there’s a bunch of greenish ass veins sort of branching out from it. St. Patty rocks!”

But no matter how closely you inspect your clothing and your naked body you come up with exactly zero greenness. You are the joke of the office. You are not part of the club today, and even the lucky Irish are giving you condescending looks.

What’s a guy to do?

1. The Leaf Technique: This is the oldest, lamest way to fit the bare minimum qualifications for greenness. Just go outside and rip a leaf off the nearest bush and scotch tape it above your lip so you have a sort of oversized green mustache/face-flap. If you’re willing to do this, to sacrifice this much of your dignity, people might overlook the fact that you’re employing the shameless “leaf technique” in the first place.
2. The “Eat Your Greens” Method: Find the nastiest, fuzziest Chinese food in your office’s break room fridge. Closely inspect it with a magnifying glass (so you know exactly what you’re about to eat) and sniff it like it’s a brand new car (so you know kinda how it’ll taste). The moment you start to gag simply from the thought of eating it, eat it. Stuff your gagging face with it. Swallow. HOLD IT DOWN. In moments you should be green and good to go.
3. The “He’s Green” Technique: Start bumping into coworkers and then apologizing. Ask people where the bathroom is. Screw up simple tasks like making copies. Ask coworkers what their names are and forget their names again EVEN AS THEY ANSWER. If you do all of this correctly, your coworkers will start whispering to each other “Eh, he’s green.”

Top left: Dolce Vita Azra Silk Dress, $176, Piperlime.com

Top right: RAOUL Silk Kate Dress, $395, Bloomingdale’s

Bottom left: BCBGMAXAZRIA Gina Ruffled Silk Mini Dress, Sale $116, TheOutnet.com

Bottom right: Tuck Neck Shift Dress, $95, TopShop

**

I love green and I think it’s a great color to wear all year round, especially when you need a little luck!

So who is not only excited that today is Friday, but that tomorrow is SAINT PATRICK’S DAY!!  I know I am!!  My mouth is already drooling over my mom’s home cooked meal that I am hoping to get a lesson and finally master this family holiday and tradition.  Can you say corned beef and cabbage??  And leftover sandwiches on rye bread with mustard??!!!  But that is not even my favorite part…..IRISH SODA BREAD!!  My mom makes an obscene amount and it is never enough.  The amount of butter I will consume (because I put a nice layer on each slice) in the coming week will be the reason I do not eat butter…EVER lol.  But it is sooooo worth it!!!

Obviously you can tell I am excited!!

Here are some fun ways to get in the Irish Spirit and have a marvelously green St. Patrick’s Day!!

1.  Corned Beef and Cabbage!!  You can find this recipe here.

2.  Irish Soda Bread!!  You can find this recipe here.  (I will be posting my adventures in Irish baking next week!!)

3.  Irish Beverages!!!  A recipe for Irish Coffee can be found here.

4.  IRISH CUPCAKES!!! (because what is a fab five list without a cupcake!!)

• Saint Patrick’s Day Cupcakes
•  Irish Coffee Cupcakes

5.  Wear Green and look classy and chic OR go crazy at the bar!!

• Green Cardigan
• Green Sweater

• Green Strapless Dress
• Green Dress
• Green Top

• Men’s T-Shirt
• Women’s T-Shirt
• Shamrock Glasses

• Glitter Shamrock Glasses
• Leprechaun Hat
• Striped Hat

However you choose to celebrate your St. Patrick’s day have a fabulous time!!  Enjoy good food, great drinks, and amazing times with family and friends.  I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend and can enjoy something a little Green this weekend!!

HAPPY SAINT PATRICK’S DAY!! (eve)

<3 Luv and I Do xxoo 

If I could pick one day of the year..

It would definitely be St. Patrick’s Day. Why? Because you all have to wear GREEN of course. The one day I can grab all the green clothes and wear them together without looking like a fool. I don’t JUST love the color green because its my last name, no – I love it because it’s an amazing color. It can be so bright and vibrant and then so dark and mysterious. It’s an esthetically pleasing color to look at, in my opinion.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always drawn myself to green objects. I own far too many things that are green. It always puts a smile on my face. People know how much I like green and now whenever they see something green – it makes them think of me. Maybe not all the time or everything that’s green, but certain objects.  I’ve received so many green things for birthdays, Christmas’, anniversaries & more. Honestly, if you give me something green, there’s no doubt that I will hold on to it for a LONG time. I appreciate it when people give me things that are meaningful as well as green. It makes my heart smile.

When I like something, I tend to like it a lot. Like I said, I own a countless amount of objects that are green – From kitchen towels, bath towels, toothbrush, sheets, shoes, t-shirts, jackets, hair ties to back packs & ornaments. It’s no different from my love for The Misfits or Kevin Smith or business cards. I like something, I want endless amounts of it. And lucky for me, I haven’t gotten sick of any of it yet. Hopefully, I won’t.

I don’t want to make this blog all about me, but today is ‘my’ day – aside from my birthday. Green all around, couldn’t ask for anything better, really. It’s quite awesome having the last name ‘Green’ as well. Not like those named ‘Greene’. Is it bad that I hate it when people spell my last name that way? I hate it. If it had an ‘e’ at the end, I would have told you, sheesh. Luckily, that barely happens.

What are my plans for this evening, you may ask. Not quite sure – But it will definitely involve drinking some of that wonderful green beer and wearing those wonderful green hats.

So, here’s to you St. Patrick! This day to you is a day for me and I will enjoy it for years to come!

sg.

Wearing Green

According to some accounts, the original holiday color was blue. Sometime in the 18th century green became the mainstay, representing the lush landscape of The Emerald Isle, the nation’s symbolic shamrock and the traditionally green Irish revolutionary flags.

Leprechauns

In Irish folklore, leprechauns were cranky tricksters who you wouldn’t want to mess with. The cheerful, friendly ‘lil fairy most Americans associate with St. Paddy’s Day stems from a 1959 Walt Disney film called Darby O’Gill & the Little People. The Americanized, good-natured leprechaun soon became a symbol of St. Patrick’s Day and Ireland in general.

Pinch Me, I’m Irish

In America during the early 1700s, revelers believed that wearing green made them invisible to leprechauns, who would pinch and, in some accounts, steal anyone they could see (i.e., anyone not wearing green). People began pinching those not wearing green on St. Paddy’s Day as a reminder to beware of the wily little sprites.

Shamrocks

You may have worn a shamrock tattoo or donned a clover-covered necklace on some St. Patrick’s Day past. According to Irish legend, St. Patrick used a three-leaved clover, or shamrock, to illustrate the idea of the Holy Trinity, versus the good luck associated with the four-leaved variety, a mistake many Americans make.

The Green Shake

Introduced in 1970, and discontinued in 1990, the deliciously minty McDonald’s Shamrock Shake returned to select stores in 2008. Only available for the month of March, the shake has received rave reviews by milkshake connoisseurs, who have entire websites dedicated to finding all of the shake-selling McDonald’s outposts.

Kiss Me, I’m Irish

Without a doubt the most popular Paddy’s Day T-shirt slogan, “Kiss Me, I’m Irish,” is a reference to The Blarney Stone. Legend holds that kissing the stone brings good luck. If you can’t make it to Ireland to kiss the actual stone, convention says the next-best option is to kiss an Irishman. We’re pretty certain a guy invented this tradition.

The River Dye

Chicago has dyed its river green for St. Patrick’s Day every year since 1962, when city workers realized that the dye they used to trace illegal dumping would provide a fun way to celebrate the holiday. They released 100 pounds of dye into the river, which kept it green for an entire week. Chicago now uses just enough dye to last one day in order to be kinder to Mother Earth.

Lights on the ESB

To attract nighttime attention during the 1964 World’s Fair, New York City added floodlights to the top 30 floors of The Empire State Building. Since then, the lights have changed colors to match seasonal events, including St. Patrick’s Day, when the top of Manhattan’s tallest building is greener than a freshly picked shamrock.

Parades

The First St. Paddy’s Parade didn’t take place in Ireland but in the U.S. in 1762, when Irish soldiers serving in the British military marched through the New York City streets playing music. In America today, New York, Boston and Chicago boast the biggest St. Paddy’s Day parades, with New York being the longest-running civilian parade in the world. (Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Day parade is a wee 75 years old.)

Drinking … a Lot

While Americans associate St. Paddy’s with binge drinking, the Irish consider it a religious holiday. Until the 1970s, a law required all Irish pubs to close every March 17th. Drinking on St. Paddy’s really only became popular in Ireland post-1995, with the start of a national campaign to attract tourists for the holiday. It worked — over a million people now attend Dublin’s five-day festival.

Drinking Guinness

Guinness Dry Stout was first brewed in Dublin during the mid-18th century and has become one of Ireland’s most famous exports. Though the company has no formal connection to St. Patrick’s Day, since the brew is tantamount to Ireland and Irish bars, it has become the unofficial drink of the holiday. With fewer calories than most light beers, you can toss a bunch back without feeling guilty.

Corned Beef

Those who celebrate old-school by eating a meal of corned beef and cabbage are only really getting it partly right: The dish was originally eaten with bacon, not corned beef. Irish immigrants in America couldn’t afford the traditional bacon, so they substituted it with corned beef, a cheaper option they picked up from their Jewish neighbors. (Too bad they didn’t grab some bagels while they were at it!)

“Slainté!”

You may hear revelers raise their stout and yell “slainté!,” the Irish word for health. Pronounced slightly differently depending on dialect (and drunkenness), shout out something phonetically similar to SLAN-cheh, and impress those who actually hail from The Land O’ Leprechauns.

Holiday Diplomacy

Since the 1990s, each Irish Prime Minister has made a trip to the White House around St. Patrick’s Day to present our commander in chief with a shamrock to honor the ties between the two countries and to thank America for helping Irish immigrants during trying times.

The headlines are (choose an adjective) heavy, ominous, sad, depressing, desperate, real. People (like me) are losing their jobs hundreds at a time. Best Buy, Target, Home Depot—all the big consumer brands are shedding staff because no one is buying the shit they can’t afford. Which is good. And green. Right? We need to conserve more and consume less. But getting from here to there—from where we are today to what we will be tomorrow is hard stuff that is going to leave a mark. Growth is not the answer. We can’t shop our way out of this mess.

I think the big lesson to be learned here is BIG AIN’T BEAUTIFUL, stupid. (BABS)

All the evidence supports my BABS thesis: Big schools don’t work as well as small schools for managing behavior of students and imparting learning. Big companies are slow and wasteful. Big farms are cruel. Big suburbs are center-less. Big houses for small families squander resources. Big cars, big machines, big wars, big bullies—they’re bad. Perhaps the only places where Big is Good is in the heart, ocean and sky.

In everything else, we’ve got to learn to build to scale with an eye toward moderation, beauty, grace and economy. We’ve got to start thinking about each other.