tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709706456675878032026-08-15T16:28:21.475-05:00Chicago suburbanite sharing her passion for all things creative and all things delicious. A blog, following a graphic design & marketing guru by day, vegan foodie & photographer by night.The Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06124614087946105204noreply@blogger.comBlogger119125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470970645667587803.post-53698052273687473582021-02-28T11:03:00.028-06:002022-03-24T11:18:37.033-05:00

Drumroll…I am excited to announce the launch of my ✨NEW✨ website, karasmith.me. The new site gives better access to my professional portfolio, client reviews, a way to get in touch, a little about me, and space for my personal blog that I launched in 2010. I hope to see you over there!Quick Links:New SiteGraphic Design PortfolioWriting PortfolioClient ReviewsAbout MeContactBlog

The Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06124614087946105204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470970645667587803.post-68551391388617699392017-05-14T04:30:00.000-05:002017-05-14T04:30:22.455-05:00

My toddler picks up a bag, swings the handles into the crook of his arm and closes the door as he walks out of the room. The door muffles his voice, but I can still hear him shout, "Bye, goin' to work!" This short routine scene sends me down the rabbit hole. Is this normal? It this what he will remember of his childhood, his mama always leaving for work? Or will he recall the dedication and

The Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06124614087946105204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470970645667587803.post-19604137685305461572017-05-07T09:05:00.001-05:002017-05-07T09:05:41.689-05:00

Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough. —Oprah Winfrey ONE This past week I woke up while the house was still quiet (like usual), but noticed that the sun was starting to rise. What a special treat to see the sun and get ready for work to the music of songbirds. Grateful for early

The Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06124614087946105204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470970645667587803.post-91252312440554083132017-04-30T15:10:00.000-05:002017-05-19T06:20:27.914-05:00

I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness, doubled by wonder. —G.K. Chesterton ONE Friday morning I got up when the house was still quiet, Nick and Valor still sleeping. I had words pushing through my consciousness and they begged to be written. I wrapped up in my favorite hoodie, tucked my feet in a pair of warm slippers, brewed coffee and

The Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06124614087946105204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470970645667587803.post-1079219816911725342017-04-28T06:45:00.000-05:002017-04-28T07:18:54.888-05:00

Another friend announces her pregnancy and tears well-up in my eyes. You see motherhood is a bunch of opinions before it actually happens to you. There are so many nuances spoken about time escaping and how much motherhood changes you. There are so many things I want to tell this friend, but the breath holds tight in my lungs. Motherhood is indescribable. The only words that I can form are,

The Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06124614087946105204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470970645667587803.post-67665341782613114612017-04-23T19:47:00.000-05:002017-05-19T06:23:20.713-05:00

I don't have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness — it is right in front of me if I'm paying attention and practicing gratitude. — Brene Brown ONE This past week for work I commuted downtown via train. Those days provided relaxing me time where I got to sit, not pay attention to traffic and simply read a book! Bonus, I took a few train photos and sent them to my crazy

The Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06124614087946105204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470970645667587803.post-33395705849296349102017-04-16T20:04:00.000-05:002017-04-16T20:04:49.803-05:00

Sometimes we should express our gratitude for the small and simple things like the scent of the rain, the taste of your favorite food, or the sound of a loved one's voice. –Joseph B. Wirthlin ONE Many times when I share how long my daily commute is to people I can audibly hear them groan, but I have learned to embrace this time (and continue to remind myself, because sometimes I need it when

The Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06124614087946105204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470970645667587803.post-58217038181467180732017-04-09T20:17:00.001-05:002017-05-19T06:26:46.115-05:00

Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings. —Willam Arthur Ward Today is my first edition of Sunday Seven. If you didn't read my last post, this is my reminder of the blessings woven into my life — or a digital gratitude journal as some might call it. This will be my record of memories that bring a

The Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06124614087946105204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470970645667587803.post-72520771322243872442017-04-03T20:28:00.000-05:002017-04-04T07:52:33.813-05:00

In the throws, I'm barley treading water. It's Sunday after 8:00 pm and I'm finally loading the breakfast (and lunch) dishes into the dishwasher. A pot of water is on the stove waiting for me to start cooking dinner. I sneak away from the meal prep to pack my laptop and files in preparation for work that starts in less than 10 hours. From the office I hear the water on the stove start to

The Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06124614087946105204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470970645667587803.post-83935555548329366212017-02-10T07:35:00.000-06:002017-02-10T07:35:11.847-06:00

It didn't take long to fall hard and deep. Not the scrapped, red and bloody knee-type of falling but the falling into heaven's clouds. At that moment we met, we understood each other, we were unblemished in each other's sight, and quickly became inseparable. I don't remember the exact moment when I knew and it doesn't even matter, but you were the one. We traded every part of our souls,

The Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06124614087946105204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470970645667587803.post-83398015574401513932017-01-30T20:50:00.000-06:002017-01-30T20:50:23.175-06:00

To the mama heavy with guilt. To the mama who is sitting in her office choking back the tears. To the mama who literally feels her heart breaking. To the mama who is questioning her motivations. To the mama who feels like the day couldn't move any slower. To the mama who hasn't seen her baby since yesterday. To the mama who works outside the home and hears, "it gets easier with time," but

The Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06124614087946105204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470970645667587803.post-52655596219938685612017-01-25T19:20:00.000-06:002017-01-25T19:20:18.303-06:00

At the end of the day, when it's all said and done, magically all the hard frustrations melt away. Past the dinnertime food throwing and not actually eating and the purposeful milk spilling. After all the defiant "no's" have been said, we march up the creaky, well-worn wooden staircase to his bedroom. A small lamp on the bookcase dimly illuminates the room. I help my wiggly boy change into

The Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06124614087946105204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470970645667587803.post-31691156756558407352017-01-12T20:00:00.000-06:002017-01-12T20:00:00.765-06:00

photo source There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age. — Sophia Loren There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this

The Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06124614087946105204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470970645667587803.post-64348658180847639832016-12-12T20:11:00.003-06:002016-12-12T20:16:20.659-06:00

Post incident — You'd never know anything even happened. Ha! I've had a few moments where I've thought, "this is it, my true welcome to motherhood moment," but this past weekend's incident tops all the rest! ----------- "Owie, owie, owie!" rings from the backseat of the car as I pull into the Trader Joe's parking lot. I find the spot closest to the cart corral and put the car into

The Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06124614087946105204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470970645667587803.post-90756976221033814922016-12-09T21:01:00.000-06:002016-12-09T21:01:55.214-06:00

How can one year feel so long, yet so fast all at the same time? We moved into the Herrick home only a little over a year ago, so how is it already mid-December? As I reflect on 2016, this year has been so painfully full. Achingly abounding in a good-heart-bursting sort of way, and so jammed in the manner that our schedules overflowed (not what I'd like to do again). As I gaze toward the new

The Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06124614087946105204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470970645667587803.post-80774369182652462802016-01-01T11:54:00.000-06:002016-01-01T11:54:18.067-06:00

First off, happy new year! I don't know about you, but for me, 2016 quietly snuck in. 2015 ended with a lot packed in and it made the last few months blur together. In the last few months we unexpectedly found our (fixer upper) dream home — sold our townhouse — moved in — my entire department at work was put on furlough — and now here I am...sitting at my computer typing and wondering where

The Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06124614087946105204noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470970645667587803.post-22246441210542674312015-12-19T12:47:00.002-06:002022-08-02T14:43:35.448-05:00

If you would have told me a year ago that it would be nearly 12 months until my next blog post, I would never have believed it. But as other mamas know, life gets busier when you add a kiddo into the mix. Especially once they start cruising through the house like they own it all. Anyway, let's see...where did we leave off? Valor's six month birthday. Since then here is what's been going on

The Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06124614087946105204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470970645667587803.post-2487101537159876212015-03-02T05:00:00.000-06:002015-03-04T20:00:28.974-06:00

Dearest Valor, Happy six months. The time has gone by in a blur! Last night we celebrated your six months of life with a party! You wore a red felt crown with "1/2" proudly on the front. Your Papa, Grandma, Aunt Joy and Uncle Jeremy all came to celebrate you. You opened presents and I made a half cake — dark chocolate layered with raspberry filling and chocolate buttercream frosting.

The Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06124614087946105204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470970645667587803.post-71212599016533157132015-02-26T21:49:00.002-06:002015-02-26T21:49:13.270-06:00

We have all heard that no two snowflakes are alike. Each snowflake takes the perfect form for the maximum efficiency and effectiveness for its journey. And while the universal force of gravity gives them a shared destination, the expansive space in the air gives each snowflake the opportunity to take their own path. They are on the same journey, but each takes a different path. Along this

The Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06124614087946105204noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470970645667587803.post-69388096422903208362015-02-15T10:36:00.001-06:002015-02-15T10:36:51.121-06:00

We have been in full whirlwind mode around our house lately. It all started with a trip to Indiana to visit family, a birthday party and a half marathon. But ever since we've been back, our days have been filled to the brim with appointments for Valor, and many prayers and discussions. With that being said, I am a little behind on the Project 365. So here's what I've been seeing through my lens

The Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06124614087946105204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470970645667587803.post-47138489777523003722015-01-29T20:39:00.000-06:002015-01-29T20:39:20.583-06:00

A good snapshot stops a moment from running away. — Eudora Welty 15/365 — Brunch with Grandma 16/365 — Bubble machine 17/365 — A boy and his dog 18/365 — Story time with Daddy 19/365 — Braxton, in desperate need of grooming. 20/365 — Crib mobile stares 21/365 — Chubby baby legs and adorable wiggly toes

The Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06124614087946105204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470970645667587803.post-19425451334533874382015-01-24T08:57:00.002-06:002015-01-24T08:57:39.079-06:00

Time stands still best in moments that look suspiciously like ordinary life. — Brian Andreas 8/365 — lashes for days 9/365 — MamaRoo nap, holding his precious arms up. 10/365 — naked baby hugs 11/365 — Look ma, I can stand! 12/365 — Our big, bright-eyed boy. 13/365 — We're so blessed that Valor and Nick get to spend their days together. 14/365 — Friday

The Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06124614087946105204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470970645667587803.post-1795468103404135592015-01-17T08:46:00.001-06:002015-01-17T08:46:10.613-06:00

We take photos as a return ticket to a moment otherwise gone. We take photos to recall - with greater vibrancy - those experiences that have shaped and made us. We take photos to bridge distance and shorten time, to lend legacy to the little things and life to the forgotten. And we take photos to feel like artists on a Tuesday - and storytellers on a Sunday. —Katie Thurmes 1/365 —

The Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06124614087946105204noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470970645667587803.post-30221487406742612792015-01-09T20:45:00.002-06:002015-01-09T20:45:34.778-06:00

My goal for 2015 is to be better at recording life with my camera. Have you seen people who take a picture every day of the year? It's a good goal that will ensure I capture life's beautiful memories. Photographs with a real camera...not just my iPhone. So here's my start, photos of my handsome baby. Yesterday Valor had his four month well-baby visit, complete with vaccinations. Today

The Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06124614087946105204noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-470970645667587803.post-77846679275202909822015-01-02T14:17:00.000-06:002015-01-02T14:17:06.847-06:00

See Month 1, Month 2, Month 3 My Valor, How have four months gone by? This last month especially went by fast as it was filled to the brim. As you continue to grow, I continue to grow more amazed by you. For being so small, you have taught me so very much about life and what is truly important. I've learned so much about true priorities in these last four months and I am eternally grateful.

The Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06124614087946105204noreply@blogger.com21