Not So Common Yoga

Inspiration Plaques

Yoga in Common is a unique yoga studio at the Market Common in Myrtle Beach.  I don’t know much about yoga studios, but I do know that when you step into this place, you feel lighter, peaceful, loved, even if it’s your first time there.

I met Linda Phillips, the owner, at an art show about 2 years ago, where she came up to me, commented on my work, and told me that I should come check out her soon to be yoga studio.  I decided to take her up on that invitation and I’ve been one of her ‘Tique(the studio’s gift store) artists ever since!  Every couple months, I’ll drop in and bring them new work, switch out items, or just say hi and I’m greeted with the warmest welcome.

Based on the overall mood of the studio, I had to check out a class!  I brought a couple friends one night and we signed up for hot power yoga – I think that’s what it was called.  It was amazing!  I stretched in ways I didn’t think was possible and I was able to clear my mind and only focus on the current pose, instruction, music, breath…and the sweat dripping off me.

If you’re a thinker, like me, you’ll understand why clearing your head is a blessing and how rarely it happens, if ever.

Sadly, I haven’t had the chance to take many more classes, but I’m going to try harder to incorporate it into my routine.  For me, yoga seemed to go hand in hand with prayer and meditation, a full body experience, and an opportunity to open my mind and listen more intently.

Just thought you should know about this “not so common” yoga studio and it’s wonderful presence in our community.  They really do have diverse class offerings and an earthy and eclectic selection in their ‘Tique!  Check them out on Facebook, as well!

Oh yeah, you should also check out The Yoga Bus, owned and operated by Angel Grant, one of Yoga in Common’s yoga instructors.  She is going to be traveling around the U.S. and spreading the healing powers of yoga to anyone interested.  Focusing on those who might not otherwise be exposed to it, she will make her first stop at a shelter home in Oregon!  Follow her adventures on her website or Facebook!

In Progress

The Yoga Bus - ready for the road!

The Heart Grows Fonder

So, here it is…the much anticipated military love story of Laura and Eric Zilberman.  A couple full of character, humor, loyalty, devotion, and LOVE!

From Eric’s lips – “I’m not very good at writing about myself, but I’ll give it a try.  Our love story began as a long distance relationship where I was in Navy flight school in Kingsville, TX and Laura was finishing nursing school in Richmond, VA.  After a year apart we moved in together and a year after that got married in Annapolis, MD.  Being married and living together was so rewarding, especially after having spent so much time apart.  Unfortunately, a year and a half into our marriage I deployed onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln with VFA-34 “The Blue Blasters” as a pilot flying missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation New Dawn (OND).  After 7 months at sea, many missions into Afghanistan, my reward was flying into Virginia Beach and having my beautiful bride waiting for me.  This portrait is a recreation of a photo taken of Laura and I when I jumped out of my F/A-18 and was greeted by a very excited and welcoming Laura.”

Laura and Eric are so much fun to be around and such an inspiration to anyone in a relationship, long distance or not.  They’ve overcome many obstacles, often involving distance and the nature of their careers.  They truly seem to have a connection that none of that could ever break.  They enjoy the time that they do have together and look forward to more of it.  We could learn a lot from the Zilbermans!

Lauryn Martin, my business partner, and I were fortunate enough to spend some time with this awesome couple a few months ago, when we visited Virginia Beach for the Steel Pier Classic and Surf Art Expo.  They opened up their home to us without hesitation and their hospitality was unforgettable!

I thank you, Laura and Eric for being such sweet people and sharing your love story with us!

For Laura’s birthday, Eric asked me to paint a portrait of the two of them from La Mia Bella’s (local photographer) photo and include a few extra sentimental details.  What a thoughtful birthday gift!  I have to admit, I listened to Glen Miller Pandora the whole time I painted this and it transported me into an old military romance film.  Maybe I was just tired, but I gladly latched onto that inspiration and let it carry me through this painting!

Enjoy!

New Studio, Fresh Approach – Serendipity!

As a lot of you know, I’ve been wanting to open up a shop/gallery for a long time!   It’s probably been about 6 years now that I’ve been talking about it.  Well, guess what? It finally happened!  With the help of two other lovely ladies in North Myrtle Beach, we are doing it!

Lauryn Martin opened Heart & Sew a little over a year ago in the same location that Serendipity now lives.  She had over 60 artists in her shop, was open 6 days a week, with no daily help, and was dealing with a lot of the same issues every small business owner deals with.  We all want certain things out of our businesses and we feel like devoting 90% of our time will give us those things.  Well, this is the wrong way of thinking.   She spent most of her time at the shop, but had very little time to focus on her sewing, which is the reason she opened in the first place.   Jennifer Penegar had a small shop in Little River a few years ago and she was basically in the same situation.   Too much time devoted to “retail hours” and “business stuff” and not enough time creating and actually enjoying life!

I totally relate to these women. Running a business is hard stuff!   The rest of your life gets put on the back burner and before you know it, you’re up to your ears in daily business functions and have forgotten about living, creating, and dreaming!

So, we came together and made some changes that would work for everyone and we’re doing it different this time!   Three heads are definitely better than one!  This way we can split the work, split the bills, collaborate on ideas, and hopefully have some time to have a life…what a concept!  We’ve set our hours to 1 to 6pm, Tuesday thru Saturday and the morning hours will be dedicated to actually making our goods!  Our tagline for the time being is “Working Studios. Unique Boutique. Creative Classes”…and that’s what we’re trying to focus on.   We’d love to host different events and shows, offer more classes, and hold an Artists’ Market every first Saturday of the month.

We will be offering all kinds of custom services, such as -

• art, sewing, and trade classes
• birthday, bridal, girls’ night out parties
• photography services
• local/custom artwork
• prints, plaques, greeting cards
• personalized gifts for kids and adults
• hand painted jewelry
• hand-sewn keepsakes and memory quilts
• bags, wallets, scarves
• “cottage blossoms”
• and lots of other one of a kind gifts that will surely make a statement and warm your heart!

We want to open our doors to the community and get people excited about the endless possibilities when you use your imagination!

Please join us on Facebook and don’t forget to “Like” our page to stay updated on all the great things going on!

Also, if you’ll be in town on March 19th, we will be having our official GRAND OPENING!  With lots of new artwork and gift items in the boutique, tours of the studios, tasty food and drinks, and time to mingle with some cool peeps, you can help us celebrate in style!  RSVP here.

Spread Some Christmas Cheer!

Hey guys, welcome to my site, you stopped by during a wonderful time of year, actually, if it weren’t for the cold weather, it might even be my favorite time of year!  Nevertheless, I love Christmas and the joy that it brings to so many.  The fortunate have a chance to count their blessings and there’s plenty of opportunities to help the less fortunate with their needs and wants.  It seems like everyone is more generous with their money and time and my hope is that one day it won’t just be around Christmas that that happens!

Anyway, my husband, Mike and I have been looking into donating some stuff from the house, that we no longer need or want.  We’re trying to simplify our life and at the same time give back in a small way.  Trying to find the right home for this “stuff” has proven to be more difficult than expected.  In the past, we’ve donated to thrift stores, but never seem to hear anything about those donations making it into needy hands.  But, after some research and suggestions from friends, we were able to find a few great places around Myrtle Beach, where we live, that have Christmas and year round programs to help the homeless, poor, less fortunate, or at risk.  Here’s a list of charities that either need item, time, or monetary donations.  If you aren’t in the Myrtle Beach area, just google “your town” and “charities” and you’ll be surprised how many pop up!

Myrtle Beach Directory of Charities – http://www.charity-charities.org/charities/SC/MyrtleBeach.html

Street Reach - Homeless Shelter - http://www.helpstreetreach.com/

They need: Disposable plates, Disposable bowls, Disposable 8oz. cups, Napkins, Utensils,Trash bags, Aluminum foil, Plastic wrap, Sugar, Salt & pepper, Coffee & filters, Creamer, Pancake Mix, Syrup, Bathroom tissue, Paper towel, Pine Sol, Bleach, Laundry detergent (not Tide), Dish soap, Windex, Comet, Mop heads, 8.5″ x 11″ copy paper, Gasoline gift card, 56 & 57 ink cartridges, Book bags, Underwear, Socks

Fostering Hope – Providing basic needs to Foster Children – http://www.fosteringhopeinc.com/volunteer.asp

They need: Underwear, Hygiene Items, Fleece Blankets, Pajamas, Socks, Sneakers, Duffle Bags, Bras

Sea Haven- Extending a helping hand to youth at risk – http://www.seahaveninc.com/donate.html

Help by:

• Donating or coordinating donations of personal items, household goods, food, personal hygiene items, first aid supplies, baby items, car seats, toys and other items needed by homeless youth
• Purchase a tank of gas for youth to drive to and from work or arrange payment for cab fair
• Donating can foods and snack items for Sea Haven’s Back pack program, “Combat Hunger”
• Donating discounted or free passes for area activities

Community Kitchen – Dedicated to feeding anyone who is hungry –  http://www.communitykitchenmb.org

They need:

Paper Products
Styrofoam Disposable Divided Plates, 12 ounce Disposable Plastic Cups, Aluminum Foil – Heavy Duty, Marathon Multifold Paper Napkins, Heavy Duty Plastic Wrap-Restaurant Size, Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil-Restaurant Quality, Metal Forks – 35 pack from Sam’s

Cleaning Products
Dawn Dish Detergent, Clorox Bleach, Clorox Clean Up, 55 Gallon Drum Liners (Trash Bags)

Food Items (Large # 10 Cans)
Tuna Fish, Pork and Beans, Ketchup, Mayonnaise, Rice (large bags), Instant Mashed Potatoes, Coffee, Sugar, Lipton Sweetened Ice Tea Mix, Pam

Abiding Village – Self-expression and life transformation through the arts - http://www.abidingvillage.org/

Help by:

• Donating art supplies, snacks for after school programs, musical instruments, theatre props/costumes, toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning supplies
• Volunteering to help mentor youth, run special programs/workshops, assist with classes, art gallery, and daily duties

If you know an individual or family that needs help with Christmas this year or want to help a stranger, don’t hesitate, you may have exactly what they need – food, clothing, quality time, help with daily chores, used items (one man’s trash is another man’s treasure), or financial help.  Believe it or not, you get what you give and they may be able to offer you something even more precious than any material thing.

In the spirit of giving, our church, Christ United Methodist will be putting on an absolutely FREE Christmas Show called Taste of Christmas, for the 4th year in a row.  The show is always fantastic and full of variety – dancing, singing, drama, and comedy!  Invite everyone you know to “unwrap the joy of the season” with sweets, treats, and entertainment, all while remembering the reason we celebrate!

Watch the Taste of Christmas commercial – http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=463206146366

Presenting – Amy and Rollo Fisher

Amy is a good friend of mine from when Mike and I lived in Ft. Lauderdale a few years ago.  We met at Young at Art Children’s Museum, where we both worked as museum educators.  We had a lot of fun that year as I was getting used to married life and Amy was living the single life.  But she didn’t stay that way for long!  I remember the weekend that Amy met Rollo.  She came into work on Monday talking about the wedding that she had been to and the man that she spent all night talking to.  She also caught the bouquet that night but failed to mention this until later on (if that’s not a foreshadow, I don’t know what is).  As she got to know Rollo over the next several months, she seemed to be smitten with this brilliant musician.  Their similar interests, compatible personalities, and genuine love for each other (and oddities) was a recipe for lifelong bliss.  I was thrilled to hear the good news of their engagement only a few months later.  They ended up having a beautiful southern Florida wedding right around Christmastime last year and have been living in New York ever since!

Ok, you have one guess to what their wedding gift was supposed to be…you’re right, a portrait!  Better late than never, right?  I’m sorry guys, this has been a very busy year for us, but now it can be an anniversary/Christmas gift…see, we meant to do that!

Anyway, we love you and wish you many years of love, happiness, and laughter and hope this helps you remember the beauty and joy of that special day when the two of you became one!

*For portrait pricing, please contact me at sybilalfano@mac.com.