We heart moms.

They have made us who we are whether by DNA or just plain motherly influence. Our mothers are the most beautiful, adventurous, courageous and loving people we know who deserve a day in the spotlight. With that, an ode to our individual moms in praise of what they have taught us.

Amy DuFault

My mom has always been a champion and cheerleader of everything I have done and makes even the smallest things I do seem incredible. That’s what moms do, right, but from her enthusiasm I have learned that anything, when looked at in the right light, can be interesting and worthy of celebrating. I am also indebted to her for the countless pieces of knitwear I now own (thanks to her knitting business) and for her bizarre sense of humor that makes me look at life way less seriously (but also frequently gets me in trouble laughing at all the wrong moments). Love you mom.

Anna Brones

At my parents’ house, in our kitchen, my mother painted “Life is uncertain, celebrate often” on one of the walls. When I go home and sit at my regular place at the kitchen table, I always look at that quote. She has instilled in me the mindset that there is cause for celebration in the everyday, you just have to be open to finding it.

K. Emily Bond

It’s very hard for me to sum up my mother’s wisdom in a sentence or two, or impart the biggest life lesson I’ve received from her. “Love ’em and launch ’em” is one adage that comes to mind. But those are just words and, frankly, I don’t think words can summarize a mother’s role in shaping her child’s life. It’s easier for me to attach a sound to this request: the click of her shoes on the kitchen floor when she entered the house from the garage. I don’t know about my sisters or my brother, but for me it was a sound that defined my childhood, of feeling secure in that she made it home safely and was available to play, talk, download, kick back. It’s not that she was ever unavailable, because she always is and was. Many of my memories involve her at the office, and that has really shaped me: her ability to juggle work and family. To “have it all,” as they say. She’s a lawyer who (more often than not) loves her job. Her enjoyment of her career imparted to me the importance of having a life outside of the home and of valuing one’s work. The click of her shoes was a message that she was, indeed, home and present as a mother. But also a powerful indicator that she wasn’t just our mother, she was a woman who walked through the world wearing many shoes – and each pair fit for every occasion.

Rosie Spinks

By putting English Roses on the kitchen table and hanging oil paintings on the walls, my mom taught me to surround myself with beautiful things simply because they’re beautiful. By having not one, but three, successful careers (as a journalist, makeup artist, then oil portrait artist), she taught me that nothing is off limits if you decide to make it yours. Most usefully, my mom taught me that good manners – particularly a hand-written thank you note – will get you far and that a cup of tea can help cure most of life’s ills.

Rowena Ritchie

My mum likes to say I’m my own creation, maybe it’s the English way to not take credit for anything. But what I do know for sure, is that her love of language, endless curiosity and passion for the intrigue of a great story have made their mark and are now my favorite things about myself (funny how that works). And, when she gives her, “have the courage of your convictions” advice to my every dilemma I always feel blessed to have her as my mother.

Dominique Pacheco

Anyone who knows my mother Marlene will tell you she is one of the most positive people around. In being so, her greatest lesson to me has been that life is long, and the little things add up to the sum of living lovingly. Having embodied that, I aspire to be more like her every day. Oh, and she’s always had hella style. This was the late 60s in her signature Cathy Hardwick  knits and Bandolino sandals.

Libby Lowe

I attribute some of my best qualities to my mom – empathy and kindness to name two. My mom, Marcia Ellis, also taught me to love reading and writing. She was my first and biggest fan – and, to this day, is the best editor that I have ever worked with.

Frankie Cecchinelli

My Italian mother has always taught me that food may not be love, but it’s more than alright to love food. To love food and the experience of how it is prepared is an extension of where we are from. What we put into our bodies reflects and effects how we live.

Johanna Bjork

My mother is totally down to earth and lives completely in the present. She doesn’t stress about things to come or reminisce too much about those past. She’s not constantly looking for the next greatest thing but is happy with her job and satisfied with life. I think that makes life both easier and more enjoyable and I aspire to be more like that. She knows her style and taught me that when you find a piece of clothing you love, you should buy two in every color.

Adrienne So

My mom: Tiny, career-oriented, well-dressed. Loves sci-fi and serial crime shows, crochets, learned how to play golf. Is puzzlingly ageless. Moms lead mostly by example, and from mine I learned that there are no “types” of women – no girly ones, versus alpha females, versus tomboys, versus artistes. Each one of us can encompass worlds.

Jessica Marati

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A love letter from Mark Twain to his future wife, Olivia.

Who better to write the world’s most memorable love letters than the world’s most famous writers? And it’s difficult to top the fame of Samuel Langhorne Clemens (described by William Faulkner as “the father of American literature”). This is how Mark Twain goes a-wooing…

Livy dear,

I have already mailed to-day’s letter, but I am so proud of my privilege of writing the dearest girl in the world whenever I please, that I must add a few lines if only to say I love you, Livy. For I do love you, Livy…as the dew loves the flowers; as the birds love the sunshine; as the wavelets love the breeze; as mothers love their first-born; as memory loves old faces; as the yearning tides love the moon; as the angels love the pure in heart…

Take my kiss and my benediction, and try to be reconciled to the fact that I am

Yours forever,

Sam

…..

P.S.– I have read this letter over and it is flippant and foolish and puppyish. I wish I had gone to bed when I got back, without writing. You said I must never tear up a letter after writing it to you and so I send it. Burn it, Livy, I did not think I was writing so clownishly and shabbily. I was in much too good a humor for sensible letter writing.

Self-mocking it may have been, but this courtship was a success. The object of Twain’s affection here is Olivia Langdon – having rejected his first proposal of marriage, she had just accepted his second and would become his wife within the year. Through her, Twain came into contact with a number of American luminaries including Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin.

Their marriage would last 34 years until Olivia’s death in 1904.

Images: Abdullah Frères (Wikimedia Commons) & Wikimedia Commons.

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A love letter from Winston Churchill to his wife, Clementine.

Who better to write the world’s most memorable love letters than the world’s most famous writers? Proving romance isn’t always confined to courtship, we turn to a letter from future British Prime Minister Winston Churchill to his wife Clementine, written during Winston’s trip to Germany after one year of marriage:

15 September 1909 Kronprinz Hotel

Wurzburg

My darling, We have been out all day watching these great manoeuvres. . . .

I have a very nice horse from the Emperor’s stable, & am able to ride about wherever I choose with a suitable retinue. As I am supposed to be an ‘Excellency’ I get a vy good place. Freddie on the other hand is ill-used. These people are so amazingly routinière that anything the least out of the ordinary – anything they have not considered officially & for months – upsets them dreadfully….I saw the Emperor today & had a few minutes’ talk with him. He is vy sallow – but otherwise looks quite well. . . . .

We have had a banquet tonight at the Bavarian palace. A crowd of princes & princelets & the foreign officers of various countries. It began at 6 p.m. & was extremely dull. . . .

This army is a terrible engine. It marches sometimes 35 miles in a day. It is in number as the sands of the sea – & with all the modern conveniences. There is a complete divorce between the two sides of German life – the Imperialists & Socialist. Nothing unites them. They are two different nations. With us there are so many shades. Here it is all black & white (the Prussian colours). I think another 50 years will see a wiser & gentler world. But we shall not be spectators of it. Only the P.K. [“puppy kitten” – their nickname for their first child] will glitter in a happier scene. How easily men could make things much better than they are – if only all tried together! Much as was attracts me & fascinates my mind with its tremendous situation – I feel more deeply every year – & can measure the feeling here in the midst of arms – what vile & wicked folly & barbarism it all is.

Sweet cat – I kiss your vision as it rises before my mind. Your dear heart throbs often in my own. God bless you darling keep you safe & sound.

Kiss the P.K. for me all over

With fondest love

W.

Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill’s later fame as wartime Prime Minister has overshadowed his prowess as an artist, historian and writer – regarding the latter, he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1953. His love affair with the written word was matched only by his devotion to the love of his life, Clementine Hozier – they first met in 1904, were married in 1908, would have 5 children and would still be together at Winston’s death in 1965, aged 90.

Images/Reference: The Library Of Congress.

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What we’re committing to in the new year. 

Although we believe that every day is the chance to make a change – resolutions, as we all know, tend to get broken – the annual transition in the new year does give us a clean slate. It’s a time of reflection and renewal, the chance to move forward with better intentions, more energy and a new creative spirit.

To celebrate this transition, we gathered New Year’s tips from the EcoSalon team. They’re not resolutions, simply thoughts on living, loving and breathing better in the coming year.

Here’s what we came up with:

My rules to live by in 2012: Unkink whatever’s tight, be on time every time, write words people want to read, refuse to date bad kissers, wear high heels and don’t go foolin’ folks. –Sara Ost

Don’t make your New Year’s resolution about you. Before last year, my resolutions had always fallen in the self-improvement vein: “exercise more,” “eat healthier,” and “quit biting my nails” (16 years and counting!). Last year, I decided to make just one resolution, and it wasn’t about me. I resolved to be more conscious about how my spending habits affect other people and the environment. Over the last year, the resolution has snowballed, resulting in less consumption, more environmental awareness, better eating habits, and ultimately a career change, move to Southeast Asia, and new small business. This year was one of fundamental growth, and it started by thinking less about my world and more about the world around me. –Jessica Marati

I’m going into 2012 with an open heart and by open heart I mean, if I see you and I like you I’m going to tell you how wonderful you are. And if I don’t like you, I’m going to shut my mouth. –Amy DuFault

This tip is really from my father: Every day when you wake up you have a choice – you can choose to be in a bad mood and make it a bad day or you can choose to be in a good mood and make it a good day. Always choose happiness. It’s so simple, and if you give it you will get it. –Johanna Björk

Make a point of stopping for a moment every day, however busy or stressed you are: take 10 minutes to sit down with a cup of something and R-E-L-A-X. Pause the brain and body. Not at the computer, or with the TV or radio on. Just clear your mind, let the peace wash over and invigorate you, and then start anew. –Fiona Flores Watson

My motto for the year is, “get up to something and get on with it.” No more lingering about after the alarm bell has sounded. Greet each day with the promise that you will live it in action and with intention. If you’re going to write a book, save the world, start a project, trim your thighs, quit smoking, get more exercise, find yourself, so on and so forth – just get on with it already! Time’s a wasting. –K. Emily Bond

Be intentional so that you can bring passion and creativity into everything that you do. And of course, as my mother says: celebrate often. –Anna Brones

For 2012, I hope to continue my ongoing pursuit of doing a better job of being present. “Just this, just this, this room where we are. Pay attention to that. Pay attention to who’s there, pay attention to what isn’t known there, pay attention to what is known there, pay attention to what everyone is thinking and feeling, what you’re doing there, and pay attention. Pay attention.” – W.S. Merwin, The Buddha –Scott Adelson

I heard this acronym the other day that I keep saying to myself. Hope – h- help, o-other, p-people, e- everyday. I’d like to try to live up to this in 2012! Happy new year! –Sofie Sausser

Forget resolutions, just promise yourself that you’re going to do one big thing that will make your life happier. The details of that goal might change every single month, and all the better, as long as you ultimately accomplish something good. Last year, for me, was all about letting go of expectations and this year I’m committing to being more active in every way: getting outdoors more often, starting more creative projects, being more involved in the community and just generally becoming more present and engaged. –Stephanie Rogers

I’d like to continue lurching into adulthood, I suppose. Be on time to all things? Also, I vow to spend more time on the Internet. –Mallory Ortberg

Get things wrong. Screw up on a regular basis. Why? Because it’s the only road to wisdom, and the only way to learn something deep enough to sink into your habitual DNA. Also? It’s embarrassing. So get it out the way, quick. –Mike Sowden

“The cure for the ill is not to sit still or browse with a book by the fire; but to take a large hoe and a shovel also, and dig till you gently perspire.” –Kipling. I resolve to dig into the soil in 2012 and become a healthy gardener, hoping the Kipling path will let me not only heal but also heal others along the way. –Luanne Bradley

Lay down on the earth every chance you can, go barefoot outdoors as much as possible, and spend time in nature to keep your mind in order. –Abigail Wick

At the beginning of a new year, I used to list things I wanted to improve or accomplish during the year. I always kept my list secret, but it often included simple things like I should start exercising or touch up my English. But I also had more drastic goals such as quitting my job and start working on something totally different. During the year the list was tucked away and almost forgotten. In the beginning of the following year when it was time to make a new list, the old list was read. I was always amazed how many things from the list I actually fulfilled. –Johanna Kindvall

Erica Jong said: “Fling yourself in the flow. Don’t be afraid. The whole logic of the universe is contained in daring.” –Jane F. King Doe

Image: kevin dooley

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