It seems difficult to imagine that we could soften our hearts and find love amid all of the suffering we hear about. But even in the darkest of times, our hearts have the capacity to be free from the burdens of hatred. Metta, or loving kindness, can be developed through practice, to help us cultivate the unconditional, expansive qualities of the heart. It as an antidote to hatred and negativity.

These are the steps I use for practicing loving-kindness every morning. I usually set aside 10-15 minutes. You can add more time as you develop your practice.

1. Find a posture that allows your body to be in as much ease as possible.

2. Allow your breathing to facilitate space in your belly and chest area.

3. Place your hand on your heart and try to recall feelings of kindness and friendliness.

4. Recite the phrases and repeat them for the length of your practice.

May I be safe
May I be healthy
May I be happy
May I be peaceful
May I be filled with loving-kindness

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Happy Saturday. My pick for photo of the week is this beautiful Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash.

There's no question that a good cup of coffee can help start your day on the right foot. It's why I can't live without my Keurig. My two favorite K-cup flavors are always in stock at my house.

Green Mountain Caramel Vanilla Cream is light and flavorful. I like it best with creamer and a touch of cinnamon. It’s perfect for lazy mornings when I need something sweet.

Donut Shop (regular) is my go-to. It's got a nice flavor without the artificial aftertaste you get from some other brands. It really tastes like an authentic coffee you'd get in a café. This one is great for the afternoon break. YUM

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White kitchens have always been the go-to for elegant kitchen design, but have you considered black? Whether you have a traditional, contemporary or modern design aesthetic, much like in fashion, black goes with everything from cabinets to kitchen islands and even backsplashes.

These are some of my favorite black kitchens.

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A simple message that someone else believes you can achieve what you want to achieve can be a powerful incentive. If your teacher, coach, or mentor believes you can do something, you’re more likely to do it.

So today, I’m going to take Walt’s advice and start doing what I need to do, to get where I wanna get.

Photo by Marisa Harris

It’s time for some tea. For me, afternoon tea is about indulging in some ‘me-time’ and taking a moment to relax and enjoy some delicate savouries. It’s kind of like a mini special occasion, with a treat. A chance to sit and chat with a friend, read a book or simply enjoy the day with a hot beverage. I realized today, when I wanted to do just that, that I don’t own a proper tea set. And it doesn’t quite feel like a fancy little occasion when you use coffee cups. Time to go shopping.

Here’s what I found so far: I’m leaning towards the black tea set…surprise. All though, the lavender is quite pretty and I like the tea pot that comes with that set a lot more. Decisions, decisions.

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Whether you’re working with a large, well-lit space or a small, cozy room, dark furniture totally works.

This deep red velvet chair is downright sexy and sophisticated and proves that dark furniture can make any room look more expensive.

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I am in love with black homes!

Dark colors add drama and depth. It makes a strong visual statement and it sends a message that you’re not afraid to be noticed.

Plus, black facades will recede and focus attention on green foliage, making plantings appear more lush.

Black is the new neutral, it contrasts well with many other materials and textures. Black does it all!

It’s official: I have a thing for black and white tile floors.

And these are amazing! I had not considered the possibilities for grout colors. I have to look into metallic grout. It’s the perfect compliment for black and white tiles. Much more research is needed…stay tuned.

A promise of relaxation and easy luxury, palm trees suggest clear days free from troubles. They symbolize a paradise full of warm beaches and crashing waves. The emblem of the American West and the nostalgic promise of better shores.

Did you know? The California fan palm, is a flowering plant in the palm family native to the far southwestern US & Baja California. The Los Angeles heat offers the ideal climate for palm trees to thrive.

It doesn’t have to be national mojito day to enjoy this classic drink! And it doesn’t have to be summer either. It could just be a celebratory ‘I made it through another week’ mojito. So cheers! And TGIF.

add an extra fruity flavor to your classic mojito and Throw in some blackberries for a tart and tasty beverage.

Here's my favorite Blackberry Mojito recipe:

• 2 ounces white rum

• 2 ounces club soda

• 1/2 ounce lime juice

• 4-5 mint leaves

• 3 blackberries

• 3/4 ounce simple syrup (1 tablespoon of sugar will do)

• Cup of ice

ENJOY!

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Photo by @melandthemonsters via Instagram

You might think bar carts are just for storing wine bottles and mixer sets, but they’re actually quite versatile. They can serve so many other purposes around the house.

You can use a bar cart as an accessory cart to showcase your stuff. Anything from coffee table books, candles to special trinkets. Use it as a nightstand in the bedroom or to store your makeup, and in the living room as a side table. And, hello, we missed the most obvious one, a coffee bar cart!

I’ve found a few bar carts I have my eye on. Here are some of my favorites.

Sometimes, the best ideas are the simplest: a seamless vanity, a round mirror, minimal wall-mounted fixtures.

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Over the last year, gorgeous black cakes have been popping up everywhere. And I am loving this look. Black is such a bold color and it creates a wonderful contrast with white, soft pastels, neons and more. 

Love it!

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Pairing black with gray creates a rich, layered feel. It’s a great way to break up a black wall without losing the dramatic, dark look. Similar to white, gray is a neutral color that offers balance. Gray also helps create calming environments to relax in after a long day. If sophisticated and timeless is what you're looking for, gray is the way!

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Photo by Tim Goedhart

Self-care is a mental health must, but how do you make time when you're crazy busy? Everyone who successfully creates time for self-care has their own little rituals that help them stay on track. My first ritual of the day starts with a hot cup of coffee and something sweet, in my favorite spot of the house - the one with the view of the rose bushes. 

TIP: Instead of setting aside a full hour every day, try dividing up time for self-care into smaller bits.

Sometimes I need a break from coffee and switch to tea.

Did you know that white tea contains more antioxidants than green tea? Coffee also contains antioxidants, but in a much lower concentration. And coffee has around twice the amount of caffeine as tea. Coffee is great for that quick jolt of energy. Tea offers more of a “slow burn” sustained energy boost. That’s kind of what I need today...a slow burn.

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I’m not a fan of New Year’s resolutions. Mostly because I don’t think we should limit ourselves. Right now is sort of an ideal opportunity to review what you want to accomplish and who you want to be.

Living through something we’ve never lived through before gives us a chance to look at our lives from a different angle. It’s an opportunity to take a real look at your personal goals and really examine if they make sense and resonate with your values. Your priorities have probably changed and you may come to realize that you need to pivot some aspects of your life. I say, make that choice now rather than later. And make it a continuous, ever-evolving thing.

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Photo by Annie Spratt via Unsplash.com

Found another beautiful photo from Annie Spratt that would look great as your desktop wallpaper or cell phone background. Click to download.

Every home deserves a library. A quiet corner to get away and escape into the pages of a good book. It doesn’t even have to take up all that much space. All you need is somewhere to kick up your heels and a place for your books.