Do you ever wonder why you remember the holidays so well from childhood? It’s because of all the novelty your senses are feasting on. Novel experiences are anything unique and unexpected that break from the normal everyday routine. At the holidays this means: decorations around the house, scents of seasonal baked goods, unexpected gifts, even a whole different genre of music. I mean, we’re talking about a time of year that has its own form of family dysfunction (if you grew up in the DiSilvestro house you know that’s our own tradition 😅). Everything about the holidays is new and exciting, which is great for neuroplasticity (your brains ability to adapt and rewire itself).

Holiday traditions trigger your brain to release Dopamine, which then improves mood, enhances memory, and increases motivation. These novel experiences also foster curiosity, social interaction, and improve cognitive functioning. Think about the pride Clark Griswold felt at how he was able to transform his house with tacky Christmas lights, or the comfort you feel when you snuggle up to the fire and Christmas tree at the end of the day? All of that is because for a few weeks (or months- no judgment) your home has become somewhere exciting and comforting for you to be. Personally I think that’s how it should feel for you always, but I digress.

Growing up my mom stopped at nothing to turn our home into a festive Christmas village. I still remember her collecting santa statues, Waterford Christmas champagne glasses, and her prized Dickens Village that adorns her mantle every winter. All of this cemented positive associations with this house where my parents still live, and I have loved doing the same in my own house. It’s my personal belief that holiday collectibles are one of the sweetest ways to mark the passage of time- a topic that can veer more bitter than sweet if not handled properly.

Original art also gives you all of these same brain/body benefits, but most of us don’t have the wall space (or cash flow) to be investing in statement pieces year after year. So, as a gift to you all I create a collection of art that is both small in size and price, in the form of hand painted ornaments. Each holiday season brings a different design, so you can add to your collection year after year. I think this is a great way to get kids interested in art, valuing precious things, and looking forward to seeing an investment grow.

This year I really couldn’t stop myself, so I’m releasing 3 different colorways in assorted shapes! All of the ceramic ornaments were purchased at Ruby Clay here in Tulsa, so you’re also supporting another female owned local business. I had no idea where I was going when I started making these, but I had so much fun, and that means they’re charged with all that playful energy.

I think these would be stunning hanging from a tree of course, but I would also love multiple hanging from a mantle or chandelier. I’ve also had people use them to personalize place settings at holiday parties, as additions to centerpieces, and as stocking stuffers for any age. All of these are thoughtful ways to bring cozy novelty into home this year. Your first chance to buy is next Monday, 11/18/24, but my email subscribers get to shop 24 hours early, so be sure to sign up for my newsletter. They will be $35 (free shipping!) and for sale until Friday 11/22/24, or while supplies last.

I hope you love them as much as I do, and they bring some warmth and whimsy to your home.

It’s as nerdy as it sounds, but senior year of high school I participated in the “Brain Bee”, a trivia competition hosted by KU Med, about the human brain and diseases that affect it. (my school was robbed in round 2 in case you’re curious. It’s fine. I’m fine.) But let’s back up a bit.

When I was in high school I was known for two things: dressing up for school every day (after 9 years of Catholic school uniforms I wasn’t wasting a day), and being really into art. So it was a bit of a surprise to some when I didn’t pursue art school. At the time I didn’t think I was good enough and worried that trying to make a living from art would take the joy out of it. LOL given where you’re reading this, but I don’t regret that decision for a second. I was always great in science and had a fascination for anatomy and physiology. In fact, I considered pursuing Medical Illustration and Art Therapy before landing on nursing as a career path.

While participating in the Brain Bee, the professor mentioned that they have paid summer positions available in the research labs for any interested students. Not only did that sound like the most impressive thing I could imagine, I loved the idea of getting paid to learn. One thing about me- when I want something…oooh I’m gonna get it. I found a female run lab studying how a stressful environment early in life can lead to Pelvic Pain disorders in adulthood, and I decided to shoot my shot. I basically hounded Dr. Julie Christianson with voice messages and email, until she noticed, and (eventually) hired me. But hire me she did! For the summers before and after my first year of college, I worked in the epigenetics lab during the day and waited tables on nights and weekends (I don’t sit still well).

Maybe you’re thinking, “wtf is epigenetics?” In simple terms it’s the study of how environment influences biology- like putting nature and nurture to the test.

During my time there I learned (and helped prove) that it’s never one or the other- it’s concretely both. I’ll save you the microscopy talk, but know that a stressful environment changes your biology and genetics in real and lasting ways. I’ve linked some research articles I co-authored here, here, and here if you’re keen to put yourself to sleep. But the good news is, our surroundings can also positively affect our physical and mental health.

It was a fantastic experience for me for so many reasons, but mostly because it showed me that my love of science lies in the actual application of it. The human connection part. With that valuable insight, I continued on in nursing school and have loved the connection that has afforded me with people of all varieties. It wasn’t until earlier this year when I had a massive breakthrough that my love of art and caring for people were never meant to be separate. I have always been called to art for the healing comfort it offers me, but I hadn’t realized that my experience with patients also gave me countless examples of this guiding principle:

The meaning of life is to experience beauty.

I think I forgot that I had done this research because it wasn’t germane to my nursing career or my art practice…until the universe was like “UH, YA IT IS” and I ran through my house excitedly [frantically] explaining my breakthrough to my husband. And so began a major shift in my life and career goals as I accepted that I can care for people authentically (and without losing myself) through my art. I threw myself into learning about the healing benefits of art in built environments, the power of color psychology, and began to create work that I’m immensely proud of. This is where I’ve been for the better part of 2024! Somewhere along this shift I remembered that not only am I familiar with the idea that your environment can make you sick, but I also literally helped prove it.

And I really don’t think I would have been ready to rise to this occasion until now. Working as a nurse, turning 30, & becoming a mother taught me 3 invaluable lessons I needed to be able to do this work:

No one is making it to the next round. We die at the end of this thing.
How sad would it be if your body betrayed you & you realized you let the expectations of others keep you from curiosity?
I made and evacuated an entire outstanding human from the body I have battled against for so long.
Nothing feels as important, or intimidating having done that.
We control almost nothing- lean into it.
If you’re not happy with your life, you’re focused on the wrong things. Stop focusing on preventing the bad outcomes and create more of the beautiful.

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The meaning of life is to experience beauty.