I may sound crazy, but I love/thrive on being busy. This is when I’m most productive and really must prioritize and make time for who and what I value most.
So this week is almost half over, but yay for long lists, caffeine, commitments, meetings, annoying alarm clocks, fun projects and quite moments. Here’s a little encouragement/motivation if you’re in the same boat.
All images from weheartit.com
I cannot believe it’s Labor Day Weekend!!! Craziness!! It’s the “official end of summer” and today was actually the first day it truly felt like summer to me. Sad, I know. I went for a run in the sun (you can see my tan lines-ha!), then an afternoon BBQ, sipped a great iced coffee and then met up with a friend…essentially a perfect Saturday.
I realized it was one-year ago this weekend my friend’s threw me a going away BBQ before I left NOVA (DC Metro Area) and moved to Australia. Sooooo much can happen in a year and man, it has been a blur. It def had been the coolest, most challenging, hardest year of my life, BUT I experienced so, so much, met AMAZING peeps and would not change a single day. Well, that’s quite enough… don’t want to get too personal. haha.
On another note and why I started writing this post… yes, I can easily get distracted…I have been wanting to pull off this look and finally had the perfect day to. I have tons of scarfs and have been wanting to wear one as a shirt. Nothing epic, I know, but I thought it would make a great tank. Fortunately Arizona is still hot as ever, so there are plenty more days to wear some more of my scarfs. Give this look a try, just remember to tie a TIGHT knot. ha. I tucked-in the front, but you could also leave it out with a pair of skinny jeans…just givin ya options. :)
it’s yet another week…with some of fun projects to share. having a slow monday? this may put a little pep in your step.
A couple weeks ago Kelly Hicks and I decided to go on a little photoshoot adventure…ya know, to get the creative juices flowing. I must say, I sooooo needed this and ADORED my time with her. She took pics of me and I of her, twas fun (and intimidating because she’s pretty dang good! haha)! You can see some more shots from the day on her past two “Fashion Friday” blog posts. Here’s a glimpse at the abandon lot we both fell in love with…vehicles, scrap parts and all.
Need of inspiration? Sometimes you need to get some great visuals for projects or just life. I took the extra plywood from the desk I made and put together a little spot for inspiration. Just clipped and taped up images I love. I’ll just add and remove images as I need to keep it fresh.
Today I stumbled across these pics I had forgotten about. Cute, little Rayne and I spent much of our summer together. She’s unbelievably precious, has such a personality and can make-out with her stuffed animal “bow-wow” (dog) like no one I have ever seen. haha. Just thought I’d share.
I’ve been in dire need of some structure and goal planning in my life. Elsie from A Beautiful Mess challenged readers to create four simple goals to accomplish by 2011 within the following criteria. Easy enough, right? Well, I have a much longer list of personal and professional goals I am working on, but here are my “4 simple ones.”
The best part of goals is setting rewards… I can think of many things I would enjoy that I don’t treat myself to… like getting my eyebrows threaded, spurge and buy lots of yummy groceries and having a dinner party, going out for frozen yogurt, buying a new pair of shoes or a dress… those are some of the options that first popped into my head. :)
So this week starts my intentionally and discipline… which really excites the “achiever” in me (via Strengths Finder… great book & tool/resource to identify your strengths).
I realized I really haven’t taken any pictures actually of Arizona (or everyday life) since moving here…kinda sad. A recent goal is to start a new art journal and capture those everyday moments, places and random items I take for granted. Last fall in Australia I kept a consistent journal and it’s a great keepsake full of memories and experiences!! Here’s a little peek of it…
Well, last night I went for a little stroll by my house and took some pics. Here’s to documenting my life… haha
Want to know one of the ways to my heart?!? FRESH FLOWERS! I just love them. If you know me well, you know I LOVE to have fresh flowers in my home. Not fancy-smancy arrangements, the natural looking kind. Like getting them from the farmers market, my backyard or the side of the road. Ha. And yes, I may go back and pick those yellow ones pictured above… I have done it many times before. And yes, I realize that they technically may be considered weeds. (more…)
What have you been listening to? The past several months I always come back to Florence and the Machine. I can’t seem to get enough. It’s quite funny though, because lately it’s a mix between the normal tunes, sermons and worship music. What a blend. haha. I do want to give a shout out to Matt Chandler’s series “Beyond the Sun: A Study of Ecclesiastes.” I just finish it today and soooo good and soooo challenging. I greatly appreciate Matt Chandler’s teaching style, passion for TRUTH, honestly and vulnerability. Check it out, seriously!
Anyway, I’m officially back into running. yay! Feel’s good!! A couple weeks ago I was not the brightest person and went for a run in the afternoon (it was cloudy when I started and two minutes later the AZ sun was blazing on me!!)… and I was on this long stretch with the mountains ahead of me in the distance and this song came on. Though Florence’s message is not intended for how I perceived it, but that’s okay. These lyrics were just what I needed at that moment and not just for my run…because “I know my SAVIOR’S love is real.”
YOU’VE GOT THE LOVE | You can right click and “save link as” for The XX remix. Enjoy!
Sometimes I feel like throwing my hands up in the air
I know I can count on you
Sometimes I feel like saying “Lord I just don’t care”
But you’ve got the love I need To see me through
Sometimes it seems that the going is just too rough
And things go wrong no matter what I do
Now and then it seems that life is just too much
But you’ve got the love I need to see me through
When food is gone you are my daily meal
When friends are gone I know my Savior’s love is real
Your love is real
You got the love
You got the love
You got the love
You got the love
You got the love
You got the love
Time after time I think “Oh Lord what’s the use?”
Time after time I think it’s just no good
Sooner or later in life, the things you love you loose
But you got the love I need to see me through
You got the love
You got the love
You got the love
You got the love
You got the love
You got the love
Sometimes I feel like throwing my hands up in the air
I know I can count on you
Sometimes I feel like saying “Lord I just don’t care”
But you’ve got the love I need to see me through
You got the love
You got the love
You got the love
You got the love
You got the love
You got the love
I’ve mentioned before that I live and work in one room… it’s my bedroom/studio. Here’s a peek at where the magic happens. And by magic I mean lots of coffee consumption, beautiful music playing and me sitting at my computer.
My desk/work table
This wall is not finished…so this would be the “before” look.
There’s nothing like a girls night! Last week week my small group got together for a craft night…man, they are creative! Seriously! Check it… they made cute belts, hair accessories, scarfs, etc.
Such a fun night…CREATING, EATING and CHATTING. So great! Of course, we finished off the evening with a mini photoshoot. Love you all!! Can’t wait for next time!! xoxo
This morning I am craving the yummy food from this brunch!!! Quiche, fruit, muffins, oh my!! My sister-in-law made and put together all this goodness and cuteness for a little bridal brunch for my sister. I do miss Virginia wildflowers…she got the daisies on the side of the road.
A couple weeks ago I snapped some pics of Adam and Aaron when they played at Solar Culture… which is such a cool venue. Aaron mixes and Adam plays the drums…so good and oh so fun!
I’ve been in the process of setting up my “studio meets bedroom.” I’m the kind of person that will stay up all night for week to get settled, but I’ve had other projects keepin me busy. I have made progress though… I mean I’m no longer sleeping on the floor… I got a cute futon couch this week.
I’ll be posting some of the little details and projects as I complete them, so stay tuned. I got all the thread from an estate sale here in Tucson, the clock at Savers (thrift store), my vintage luggage collection (made the trek from DC) and one of the chairs I am refinishing.
Right now on the “must do soon list” are:
-Paint Desk/Work Table
-Paint & Reupholster chairs
-Sew Pillows
-Hang Shelves
Happy Birthday Mom! Though I can’t celebrate with you, know that I am thinking of you! My mom is often mistaken for my sister…. hopefully I inherit this gene! She’s just an amazing woman and so gifted…. great cook, decorator and gardener. Last weekend she did all the decorations and catering for my sister’s wedding…so she’s a little crazy too. ha! A good/hard worker type crazy! Love you Mom!
Below are some pics from last weekend… my sisters and mom!
My mom & dad with our waitress!
Summer is here and I wish I could wear these adorable little shoes… BUT they are too small. I bought them to sell on Etsy and they’ve just been sitting around for the past few months. I thought I’d share their cuteness with you. Can’t you just picture them with a little vintage dress?!?
This little guy (Yoda) is my roommate’s dog. He’s old and gray and my bud during the day. He just comes in my room and sleeps. I have always claimed to be a “big dog gal” but change is possible and I have a new-found fondness for little pups. Ha!
Anyway, have a great weekend!!
I’ve been trying to catch up on pics and actually uploading them, rather than them sitting on my hard drive and serve no purpose…I’m going to be more proactive on sharing the “everyday moments/pics” rather than just projects….get excited… or not. Your call. ha!
So a month or so ago, I ventured up to Philly with one of my besties (Foxy Roxy) to catch Hillsong United. They are one of our favorite worship bands and if you’ve graced the doors of a church in the past few years you’ve prob sang one of their songs. I had never been to Philly before either so we did a little exploring…. ya know… your classic tennies on the power lines.
It was such a powerful evening of worship through song in community. What a blessing!
It’s official, I now live on the west coast…Tucson, Arizona to be exact. After hours and hours of driving, I am here and getting settled. I may have been MIA for a while, I’m back with lots of projects to share! The pic above is from Colorado…I think. I was half-zombie for the drive. ha!
I have been visiting my beautiful sister and her hubby for the past week. They just moved into a new house and she’s been busy making it a home… I’ll be sure to share some of her creations and decor…so cute! She’s a yard sale QUEEN!
This week I had the privilege of being a guest in her forth grade class. Sooo fun! I’m going to be doing a Mother’s Day craft with them next week. Get excited! Ha!
Well, have a wonderful and restful weekend!
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