dreaming of...sophiecakes

big news!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 19:21:00 +0000

this emerald beauty by Custom in NoDa

Bryan proposed on New Year's Eve of 2016. right at midnight while the futurebirds were playing on stage covered in glitter. my sister and brad were there to witness. i should have suspected just based on that alone since they never leave the house, but i didn't. i was so distracted with other things (the loss of my job). this came at the perfect time. it was so far from my realm of thinking that it was a complete surprise which made the moment so perfect. i get embarrassed when i am overly emotional and i definitely was, but it was such a pure moment. i was so happy. and the ring is everything i could ask for in a ring. it made me so happy that he picked it out all by himself. he chose an emerald, my birthstone which i love. i love the gold and the extra little art deco detailing. it is simple and beautiful. we are thinking of a mountain elopement...stay tuned!

when life gives you lemons

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 19:03:00 +0000

my bright studio

so 2017 is the year whether i choose it or not. i have always been a true believer in things happening for a reason, and choose not to live my life in regret. i can't think of a time where something happened that may have felt like a negative experience at the time, but the doors that opened afterwards made it all okay. it is all in how you choose to view things. i lost my job of four years a few days before Christmas. i am grateful for the fact that i have my Etsy side hustle which will get me through the tough times instead of having to scramble like so many people have to do in the same situation. i have always wanted to leave my full-time job to pursue my own business and maybe it was a decision that needed to be made for me. it never feels like the right time, and you never feel prepared enough so why not try now? unfortunately, my shop, just like a lot of others is struggling on Etsy right now.

i am so blessed with my gorgeous, new dream house and man i am so in love with and even a new puppy in my life. what a great time to try to make this entrepreneurial thing work. nothing will motivate you more than being your own boss and being able to choose how you spend your days. spending all day with my sweet Sable, cooking healthy meals, and taking breaks to go on long walks on the greenway is all i need to stay happy! my next post will be steps to take if you are trying to go freelance or work from home full-time with your own business. good luck and stay positive!

winter salads

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 18:55:00 +0000

winter mizzen and baby watercress salad

what i say is when in doubt, just keep it simple and make a delicious salad. i have never regretted eating a fresh, crunchy salad. my tips for making a spectacular salad at home:

1. stay seasonal. i know avocados and tomatoes are BOMB, but what is in season right now? tomatoes are gross and mealy in the dead of winter and you will end up just picking them out of your salad anyway. they are force ripened this time of year and are not juicy, red and flavorful like they are in the summertime. there are lots of greens in season even in winter and just add other goodies like walnuts and bell pepper to make up for the summer time additives.

2. keep it local. i splurge and get fancy greens and toppings when i can. i know i will eat more salads and it elevates the flavor and presentation when you get nicer ingredients. so go ahead and splurge on the fancy greens at your local farmers market or the heirloom carrots. you will be supporting a local farmer and getting a healthier product.

3. always make your own dressing. even if it is a basic balsamic vinaigrette. there is a tanginess and better texture to a dressing your make yourself. you can buy a simple salad dressing mixer at any store and sometimes there are even measurements on the side that tell you how many parts vinegar to oil, etc. i always keep a multitude of fancy vinegars around to mix it up and keep it fresh. add in herbs, honey, mustards....experiment! if you are craving a creamy dressing make one out of Greek yogurt!

best of 2016

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 16:45:00 +0000

my sister surprised me with a white sawhorse desk like i wanted to start the redecoration of my studio space

bryan's sister Carrie got married this year in a lovely ceremony at Big Canoe, Georgia amongst the treehouse cabins

surprised bryan with shaky knees festival tickets for his birthday and saw some of my favorite bands of youth: at the drive-in

one of my oldest friends got married and i planned a girls weekend to asheville for a weekend of "glamping"

she got married, it was a blast

we had the best little cabin mountain weekend for my birthday

my sister got ANOTHER dog

we bought our dream home

we got engaged!

lemonade

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 16:33:00 +0000

my birthstone

2017 is going to be a good one. sometimes when you're too anxious, too scared to make the decision for yourself you find a way to push yourself out the door. is it a coincident i left my job a few days before Christmas, before the new, fresh year? i doubt it. i am a huge believer in all these crazy things happening for the right reason at the right time because it is all in your viewpoint of things. so i am calling 2017 the year of "making lemonade". and then a few days later, as a complete and utter surprise to me, the love of my life proposed to me. it was so far from my psyche or thinking he was even considering it, that i had less than zero clue and it was a magical moment. spending my days puttering around my new home with my cat and cooking all of our meals...i am so happy! cheers to 2017 and everything that will be coming our way! cheers to lemonade!

kitsch and fancy

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 23:30:00 +0000

kitsch and fancy

grill time

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 23:30:00 +0000

grill master

this unseasonably warm weather his winter has been strange but the only good thing about is, is that we finally were able to break in Bryan's christmas present and grill out some yummy grass fed burgers! we are so excited because i know we will get a lot of use out of this classic kettle grill. it will be great for friends and family gatherings and allow us to enjoy our gorgeous backyard and fire pit more.

today

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 15:28:00 +0000

relax.

things didn't go as planned this new year's weekend, but i truly needed lazy time to rejuvenate. the house is nice and clean and it has been nice enjoying my studio room again. i wrote out some ideas and plans for the refresh studio project! i'm beginning to think i may just repaint the furniture all white instead of getting new furniture...unless i see the perfect piece that i just love. bryan got his Christmas present set up yesterday so hopefully we can grill some yummy burgers today and i can bake some fries. just enjoying my food before getting back into my salad and salmon routine--which i'm actually pretty excited about btw. this year one of my goals was to allow myself to relax more and not feel guilt about it. this weekend was a great start!

well hello there 2016

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 05:39:00 +0000

traditional New Years feast

bryan and i had the best New Years eve i've had in recent memory. after the traumatic day full of tears with sushi it was nice to relax with him and just unwind and enjoy each others' company and not worry about the fake excitement of a new years party or being fake at some club somewhere. my day with sushi was emotionally draining but i felt a great sense of release as soon as the decision was made and the doctor was able to let her go in peace. i did feel it strange that it happened on New Year's Eve and like she had held on as long as she could so i could be there with her that last day. obviously our plans changed and we ended up staying home with him comforting me and took a walk to the park in the dark in hopes of seeing fireworks. we were outside experiencing the fresh air which was a perfect new year's eve night for me.

this morning was a fresh start and we started by making a traditional New Years feast. this is my favorite type of meal--a healthy meat and veg plate. so i believe collard greens and black eyed peas are served on new years day for good luck. not sure how that came about but i'm sure there is a story there somewhere. i did a healthy, modern day version by using a lean pork belly which we seasoned with a really delicious local seasoning rub we got at a local market. i also added it to the organic collards and black eyed peas i stewed. i did a southern style sweet potato by boiling the potatoes and then cooking in a brown sugar and pecan roux. everything was delicious! my mantra on food this year: focus on whole, fresh foods, do lots of cooking and worry less about the calories and all the other junk. we both tend to stray away from carbs and dairy so i think if we stick to this healthy diet we will have a happy and healthy new year.

rest in peace sweet girl

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 05:28:00 +0000

i am such a structured person and try to plan for everything when i can. sometimes life throws you a difficult curve ball when you least expect it. this new years eve, bryan and i had plans to go to the beach with friends to celebrate a chill new years and get out of town. don't really want to go into graphic detail about anything but my sweet love Sushi became ill the night before and increased in severity New Years Eve day. by 1 p.m. i was on the way to the emergency medical vet where we had the kindest doctor that walked me through what was happening to her and in a few hours she was gone. all i can think was how grateful i was to have had her in my life and also so grateful for the blessing that i was off on New Years Eve and was able to spend her last day with her so her last moments that she can remember were full of love and comfort. enjoy the moments with the ones you love as much as you can every day.

hair changes

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 03:21:00 +0000

new year new haircut! i finally talked stewart into taking 20 minutes out of his day to cut all the dead ends of my hair. i wanted the ends to have more texture, thickness, and bluntness. i love the thinned out long hair for summer, but this feels healthy and pretty for winter. i like it so far but am wondering if i should take the plunge and cut it even shorter?!

Sea Clay mask

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 03:17:00 +0000

made these adorable Sea Clay mud masks as stocking stuffers for a few lucky ones this year! clay masks are great for your face as a natural way to absorb impurities and heal your skin. French Green Clay is also called sea clay and is known for its exfoliation, oil absorbing, pore-tightening properties. it will boost the circulation in your face by bringing the blood to the surface and causes a light, tingling sensation.

ready for that new year

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 03:11:00 +0000

i love opening a new planner with the blank pages ready to be filled, as cliche as that sounds! it just mean opportunity! what i fill these pages with is up to me! i am going to start updating my Kitsch and Fancy Instagram more frequently with inspiration photos, process photos, and things I'm working on to keep my fans more in the loop!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 03:08:00 +0000

the studio- my workspace

so at the top of my to-do list this year is to breathe new life into my workspace. i had an amazing Etsy year in 2014 and then took it slow in 2015 partly by choice. we had just moved into this apartment and i wanted to spend more fun time with Bryan and also was focusing more on my career at the studio as a stylist. of course all of these distractions took a major toll on my sweet little Etsy store unfortunately. well, i've enjoyed my nice year long break from it, but I've been feeling revitalized lately after this years Vintage Charlotte Winter market was so much fun. so one of the first things i'd like to do for myself is to freshen up my work space. it is a great functioning workspace right now, but i would love to give it a facelift to make the space more inviting and fun to work in and spend time in this year.

i love the gorgeous natural light in the studio room. there are two large windows (the windows are old, crank windows) that always let in beautiful sunlight with a gorgeous view of trees and sun from my desk and the foggy backyard in the other window.

view of the backyard meadow/creek

here are a few inspiration photos i found on pinterest as well as ideas i have for ways to brighten up and increase the functionality of my studio space. enjoy the inpiration, i'll keep updating on the small additions as i update this space.

1. add fresh, new art on the walls. i have a ton of local and Etsy art i've collected over the years hanging on my wall. i'm ready to upgrade with some additional pieces and spend some money on nice framing. my focus on the new art for my studio art will be inspirational and colorful pieces.

i love the idea of splurging on a painting like this gliclee print by JolinasPrints $170 and building a color palette around that. i want my main piece to be brighten my mood by just being in the room and this piece just does it for me!

i also love the idea of prettily written encouraging mantras like this beauty by thewheatfield $35 to give me that extra push when i need it.

i love how this space has a "cozy" area like this day bed where i would be able to sprawl out to work when i don't feel like being trapped at my desk all day. don't really have the ability to make a cozy nook in my current studio space due to space constraints but an idea for the future!

loving these sawhorse style desks which have a classic, functional appeal along with a modern twist. i like the the surface is big and flat and i can use my own desk accessories of storage. this one is absolutely gorgeous but i am looking for functionality: something easy to keep clean!

love the idea of using a pegboard or anything else to add texture to a room along with extra storage as a pretty display.

earthiness of cork board

clean simplicity, neutral colors with pattern

an interview with Kitsch & Fancy

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 27 Dec 2015 19:57:00 +0000

i've had a few days off from work for the holidays and have been having fun relaxing as well as getting some work done! i cleaned the house and finally got my studio room set up again. got caught up on some ideas i had floating around my head and some christmas presents done at the same time. and then of course the internet goes out during a rainstorm so i have all this time on my hands and decide to look into this Handmade Marketplace book i picked up at a local gift shop.

studying

i do feel like after a few years of having a successful Etsy shop i have a decent grip on things but there is alway so much to learn and absorb from others. this year i am trying to get re-inspired because it has been feeling stagnant lately and i was just trying to push through and to be honest i think i was just feeling tired and overworked and ready for a short break. this year was a soft year for me and i allowed it to get that way by prioritizing it to the back burner but i'm ready to get refocused.

to do lists

i work really well on paper and like writing freely to digest my ideas and just getting them down on paper format helps a lot sometimes. my mind is always brimming with ideas and to-do lists so this helps me get organized and not forget as much. there were some questions in the book that i took the time to answer in my inspiration notebook. basically it is an interview with myself!

1. why do i want to sell my crafts? as long as i can remember me, my sister, and mother have been creating. i am a busy body and making things gives me a satisfaction that nothing else can compare to. i've always loved colorful, pretty things and it's so nice to share my little vision with others. i have an entrepreneurial spirit that cannot be quenched! mixing my joy of running a business with creating beautiful objects is a dream!

2. what are my monetary goals? this business takes up a lot of my free time so i have to be making goo money for it to be worth my time. my short term goal is to reach and exceed sales goals every month and for this to be a solid second income. my long term goal is for this to be a launching pad for a more permanent way to earn money. quit my day job as Etsy likes to say!

3. what does my idea of success look like? how will i know when i've achieved it? my idea of success is exceeding my own expectations while having fun doing it. i love setting goals and trying to work towards them. my idea of ultimate success will be when i feel confident enough to say i can do this for a living, i love it, and i've worked hard to get here! i am a constant goal-seeker so i don't think i'll reach a point where i will think "i'm a complete success." there's always room for growth and something that i can try to do better!

4. do i have enough free time to devote to selling my work? no of course not! who does? but i love feeling like i'm using my free time in a productive manner. i have streamlined my process to a point where i can produce quickly in an organized manner. this year will try to do a better job of sticking to a tight schedule so i can free up and enjoy my weekends more often.

5. do i have a support system in place for taking on this venture? yes! i am lucky to be surrounded by my biggest fans! my boyfriend, friends, and family are always there for an encouraging word or supportive hand. my sister helps me hawk my wares at every local event that i do!

6. what are my biggest fears? how can i overcome them?

everyone's biggest fear: working really hard for something and then losing it all. a lot of Etsy business is not in my control unfortunately. i can do what i can in my power to make things go my way but ultimately Etsy and the buyers are in control of my business. just have faith in myself that my hard work will always pay off if i allow it to!

7. what excites me the most about owning my own business?

it is a constant outlet for all my ideas. i'm always bursting with new ideas and this allows me to bring them to fruition in a positive way. i love the control aspect that i can make all the decisions that are right for me because i am the one taking the risks and putting in the work. in other work environments i tend to feel plagued by the decisions of other people so this is great for me to release those frustrations.

building a bar cart

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 27 Dec 2015 16:46:00 +0000

merry christmas to us!

bryan and i received this gorgeous bar cart from sissy this year for christmas. i've been wanting one but haven't found the perfect one and this is it! she even make the gorgeous mini cutting board on top for cutting limes and serving. i already had supplies to get this cart started but will need to go shopping to pick up more supplies to keep this baby stocked. now i just need to figure out a way to keep bryan from drinking it all......my mom got us a bottle of Hennessey pure white cognac which we already helped ourselves to about half the bottle with mulled spiced cider which was perfect as a Holiday cocktail. also shown: a vintage pitcher, rag and bone shot glasses, glass pitcher and cups from anthropology, and paper straws. what else should i get for my bar cart?!

here is some pinterest bar cart inspiration:

gold and rose gold accents

sparkling water and pink accents for a girly brunch

fresh floral arrangements and color coordinated

books on off days

christmas 2015

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 27 Dec 2015 16:36:00 +0000

happy holidays friends!

holiday family photo 2015

what a nice christmas we had! hope yours was nice as well. i took some days off work and got some much needed cleaning, organizing, and relaxing done. i love that end of the year R & R that allows me to re-energize and re-focus my energy towards positive thoughts. i got and gave all kinds of awesome gifts this year but the best part is just hanging out with friends and family (duh!) bryan got us a weekend at my favorite cabin which i am so excited and looking forward to. his parents got us nice tickets to the Book of Mormon which will be a fantastic date night. obsessed with my new bar cart, exactly what i would have picked out for myself. we know each others tastes so well!

a lovely christmas plate

cranberry-orange zest cake

brad's face/ irene's pretty mantle

mantle with a handmade wonderland!

grand finale! our gorgeous new bar cart

courtesy of sissy! xoxo

goals, goals, goals

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 06:37:00 +0000

my mantra for the year

i know it's corny because EVERYONE says it, but my favorite part of the new year is setting goals for myself and knowing i can start with a blank slate for the year. like it's 2016 i haven't fucked up yet, cheers! my goals fluctuate from year to year but there is a seriousness and agressiveness to my goals as of late because my of my age creeping up on me makes me push myself a little harder to make sure i am achieving them.

1. focus on what drives me. what gives me a purpose? what am i actually good at? am i putting energy towards the right things? is what i'm doing making me happy or am i just getting by? what would my perfect day be like? what would i enjoy doing with my time? do i feel like i am progressing daily? these are the kind of questions i will be asking myself as i try to re-focus my energies towards what drives me. entrepreneurship drives me! setting an aggressive schedule drives me. using the creative side of my brain along with the analytical problem-solving side of my brain excites me!

2. continue my health and fitness journey this year with the help of my workout partner. last year i was really proud of myself for getting into fitness classes and a regular routine. i found some classes i really enjoyed and could see my fitness improving daily. focusing on eating whole foods and healthy, balanced meals instead of focusing on calories really helped me slim down and feel healthy this year. i kinda fell off this last couple months but that is what the holidays is for! i am excited to get back on that pony in 2016!

3. building and growing those relationships that matter (the end).

4. adulting goals: seeing my sister buy her first house and her and brad making it into a home makes me crave it even more. i would love to be in our own place by this time next year hosting christmas! so excited to work on this one!

5. i am painfully self-aware of my negative flaws (there are a lot unfortunately) this year i will try harder to work on these things that can lead to negativity in my life.

2015: my favorite things

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 06:23:00 +0000

2015 has been one of the best years for me! only regret i have is that i haven't been updating my blog! but i have an excuse, i've been crazy busy.

the waterfalls at Hanging Rock

1. hiking! bryan took me on my first hike last december on the blue ridge parkway trail and i sprained my ankle! ever since then i have been in love with hiking and we always use a nice day as an excuse to go. i love the quiet and sounds of nature and just focusing on putting one foot in front of the other to get to a destination. i tend to be an over thinker with my mind constantly racing so hiking is a great way for me to clear my head and just enjoy myself!

barre class with my favorite workout partner

2. my sister and i joined the YMCA about the same a year and a half ago. one of my best friends raves about the Y and i am impressed with her results, she has lost more than 80 pounds and is in great shape! i love that it offers a variety of classes so that if you're new to working out you can figure out what type of classes you like but also you can make sure you get in a good variety of cardio, strength, flexibility classes. my favorite that i discovered by far was barre!

the natural light in our old apartment

3. my hood! bryan found the perfect apartment for us at the beginning of the year. myers park is a gorgeous neighborhood and we are surrounded by some of the prettiest, historic mansions in the city. our backyard looks like a foggy, rolling hillside in Ireland most mornings. i have seen so many deer and bunnies hopping around our yard. i've never noticed how cool park road shopping center really is! it is walking distance from our place and has anything you'd ever need and most of it is locally owned. juice bars, a hip new vietnamese restaurant, coffee shops, breakfast joints, a movie theater...but all with a vintage old-timey flair.

work work work!

4. creativity! trying to focus on the creative side of work and relishing in the fact that i can work in a field that is actually pretty fun (most of the time). this year i want to focus on getting a few more outside creative styling projects under my belt. a few of us got promoted to junior stylists at the studio this year which has been cool because i've been able to work on fun projects like instagram shots and specialty brands, etc.

hot air balloon fest

5. doing stuff! sometimes bryan drives me crazy because he is such a social butterfly and in constant need to go out and experiencing things and sometimes i just feel lazy! but i am so grateful to have a partner that loves life and always wants to create new experiences. he forces me to do and try things constantly against my will and i always end up enjoying myself and having an awesome new memory (and pictures!)

rolling fog on the mountain side, clacton farm

my best friend's big fat gay wedding

7. weddings galore! bryan and i have been on non-stop wedding weekends lately! must be our old age! they have been lovely, gorgeous, sweet, and funny. i have been embarrassing and crying A LOT at these damn weddings!

holiday vintage charlotte winter market 2015

8. kitsch & fancy! this was the 4th winter market i've participated in and it was absolutely insane! love having my sissy as my partner in crime in these events because she takes it so seriously and we balance each other out well with what we're good at. i pride myself on being a good salesgirl but it can be awkward hawking your own goods. we've got this down to a science now and look forward to participating every year. amy had a weeklong pop up shop downtown this year at the old goodyear building which was also a raging success. etsy has been incredibly slow for me this year, but these events keep me energized and helps me refocus.

Cilantro-Lime Dressing

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 18 Jan 2015 23:36:00 +0000

trying to lose 20 lbs just like everyone else is this time of year. this year i would like to focus less on calorie-counting and focus more on eating healthy, whole foods. starting out by always having fresh fruit and vegetables on hand and making my dressings from scratch. also taking the time to make my lunch for work everyday. it helps that the food available to me at lunch time is so processed and unsatisfying. good motivation to take that extra time to make my own lunch! here is the salad i am having this week. starts with a fresh bed of organic romaine and spring mix and tossed with grape tomatoes, red onions, radishes, cucumbers, and red bell peppers. i've added ripe avocado and a piece of grilled salmon on top. Whole Foods has a great deal on frozen salmon fillets. a perfectly pre-portioned pack of 6 fillets for $20. each is pre-packaged so you can thaw each fillet one at a time for daily meals. i have been wanting to try a good cilantro-lime vinaigrette and used this recipe i found on pinterest.

Light Creamy Cilantro-Lime Dressing

1 cup loosely packed cilantro, stems removed and roughly chopped

1/2 cup plain Greek Yogurt or 1/2 avocado

2 Tbsp fresh lime juice (1/2 lime)

2 garlic cloves

1/4 cup olive oil

1-1/2 tsp white wine vinegar

1/8 tsp salt

add cumin, honey, agave as desired

Puree all ingredients in a food processor until smooth.

Delicious, creamy consistency and only about 60 calories a serving with a bang of healthy fats and protein!

Hello 2014, nice to meet you.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 02 Jan 2014 05:14:00 +0000

I've gained a few pounds so for New Year's this year I went with the always flattering shift dress. It was white with gold sequins and a big bow in the front (Asos) along with sheer polka dot tights and nude pointy pumps (not as horrendously ugly as they sound). And as always loaded up on sparkly baubles and my cropped fur. It was a mild yet fun evening. Matt and I broke up right after the ball drop, it was probably about 1 a.m. How convenient for a start to the new year. It's okay, I will be okay. I am looking forward to happiness, positivity, and productivity for the New Year. I would like to remain single and focus on myself and my goals for once. For me, writing things down helps me focus on getting things done. Here are some that I have set for myself for the upcoming year, what are your goals for the upcoming year?

A healthier lifestyle. I have always had issues with my weight constantly fluctuating back and forth. I was looking through my Istagram pictures this year getting annoyed at how I allow my weight to get so extreme because of my lifestyle. I want to focus this year on HEALTH rather than calorie-counting. I want to cook most of my meals, try new recipes, and keep it fun. I have to work exercising into my routine and my new single status should make it a little easier. My new juicer should help me keep on track with consuming more raw vegetables. Most of my weight gain this year has been from eating out an exorbitant amount. One way I am curbing this (and saving money!) is by packing all of my lunches. I also made a list of nearby restaurants with a list of light and healthy options for those times I just can't make myself cook. Meal-planning always works well for me since I enjoy cooking. I've compiled some new recipes from Pinterest and will try to keep my rotation of meals fresh and exciting. I have a tendency to cook the same things over and over so using recipes will keep things fresh.

Enjoy my hobbies again. I am a jack of many trades, master of none, as the saying goes. I've always been interested in learning and trying all kinds of things, but wouldn't consider myself great at anything in particular. I tend to lose focus and jump back and forth between projects. This year, since I have more time to myself, I want to jump back into some of my hobbies and spend more time honing and improving my skills. Cooking, painting, sewing, etc. I will try to participate in an art show or host crafting parties as motivation.

Push myself out of my comfort zone. As a Taurus, I tend to be stubbornly close-minded about trying new things sometimes. This year I really want to push myself out of my comfort zone and do some things that might make me a little squeamish....like taking a yoga class, running a 5K, going on a blind date??? I'm getting squeamish already!!!

Quality over Quantity. That is true with most things in life: food, friends, clothes. This year I want to work on being a better friend to the great ones I already have. Making sure that I take time out of my schedule to catch up with friends I don't get to see often by grabbing dinner or writing more letters to my long-distant friends. Especially the past few years, I cherish the good ones and need to keep them around and feeling loved.

Work it out honey! Now that I am hired full-time I want to make sure I keep building my styling portfolio. I have so many ideas and it is a good way to be creative while progressing your career. I also decided to refocus all my extra-time on building my Etsy shop and expanding my line and having a stronger local presence. More on that to come!

Appreciate my alone time. This is the first time I've ever lived alone in my life. Year one down! It was awesome once I got used to it. It is amazing how much you start craving alone time once you're used to getting it. Seeing a lot of my friends and their crazy busy lives with their kids makes me appreciate my time more (while I have it!) and makes me want to be as productive as possible. This year I want to be better at scheduling out my weeks and getting things done! I am giddy for the New Year to see what I can get done!

merry christmas 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 04:00:00 +0000

{Bear is growing up quick! Look at Matt photobombing the background}

mom brined a turkey overnight with lemon, brown sugar, rosemary and seasonings. it made the turkey moist and flavorful and gave it a zesty almost wine-like taste. i took it easy this year and only made a broccoli casserole. everything was so good and i was happy to spend some time with my loved ones. when you get out of retail, it makes you so much more grateful for the time you get to relax and spend with your friends and family that the retail life normally takes away from you during this season.

Matt got me this great breakfast tray from West Elm I've been pining over. it is just as great as I thought it would be....except that it just encourages my laziness! here i am already enjoying it Christmas night, eating leftovers in bed like a slob. it supports my laptop perfectly too for when i just want to literally lay around all day.....gotta squeeze out two more days at work and then it will be the weekend again! *phew*

hello, my name is Bear

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 04:17:00 +0000

a collage of images of my mom's new teacup Pomeranian, Bear. what a dang cutie! he's a fluffy ball of cuteness and was actually really well-behaved too. I loved doggie-sitting him for a couple of weeks while they were in Vietnam. Missing him already!

{making himself comfortable on my new quilt}

{his favorite place to nap: squished between two flannel pillows}

{hiding under the Christmas tree}

{hello there!}

home sweet home

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 04:12:00 +0000

Finally got the apartment clean after watching my mom's new teacup Pomeranian for a couple weeks. I loved that lil dude, but it was nice to get the apartment nice and clean again the way I like to keep it.

I finally splurged and bought the Rivulets quilt I've been lusting over because I needed a cozy quilt now that the weather was beginning to get cold. I'm in love with this fall-ish berry color, it goes well with the darker look I'm going for in my bedroom. It is pretty with my navy blue ikat curtains. I love the heart string lights I picked up at Ikea, it leaves a warm glow at night while I sleep.

a cozy holiday

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 04:06:00 +0000

My first holiday living on my own in my own cozy apartment has been so sweet and nice. It is strange how you begin to crave alone time once you are spoiled with it. I made this lil collage with my #abeautifulmess app of my favorite wintertime cozy things: knitting with a thick yarn, a huge mug of pumpkin spice coffee, a well-lit brick fireplace, colorful tights with oxfords.