Currently.

Reading: Been lacking in this area lately. If I do make some time to read it's usually blogs online because I LOVE checking in on my friends and seeing how their lives are going. But if you'd like to see what's next on my "real" book list: check me out on Goodreads. If you aren't using this app/website yet; then get to it! I highly recommend it for keeping up with what you want to read, have read and what your friends are reading.

Eating: Well due to part #2 of my dental horror story ($10,000 worth of dentistry to fix my crazy bad soft teeth) I am not able to eat normally at the moment (for the past two weeks to be exact). So it's been a test of creativity to see how many ways you can make pasta, mashed potatoes, soup, and all things soft. I thought I'd love an all pasta diet but I actually LOVE veggies so it's been a challenge since I can't chew ANYTHING. I'm craving a cheeseburger so bad.

Thinking about: How entirely lucky I am to have what I have. Seriously. I'm still primarily a pretty cranky person but the past week or so I've just taken extra energy to notice all the little things I have to be grateful for everyday. My man is the kindest soul I've ever known and he's ALWAYS there for me; ABOVE and BEYOND in any situation. I have a job that appreciates me and allows me the space to also write and work on my personal goals. I just feel so much more in control when I have time in the day to write, relax and CLEAN my house. :)

Listening: A couple weeks ago we got tickets to a free concert that was happening here in Los Angeles. The band, Fitz and the Tantrums was filming the show for a series on PBS called "Artists Den". It was such an incredible venue (a converted church), such a great energetic band and the songs have been playing in my head over and over since. LOVE live music; especially in small venues.

Watching: LOVING Suits. It's been awhile since there's been a really good courtroom/lawyer drama and with those two cute faces...how can you really resist? As usual, also watching RHOBH, HIMYM, Under the Gunn and Teen Mom 2. Yep. #guilty

Loving: all of you who take the time to read my posts, to leave comments, tweets, messages, emails, etc. I appreciate all of you so much and you make this blog such a fun place to share things that I love. I can't thank you enough because it's such an important connection for me.

p.s. If you are Hayley or Megan you've WON a new pair of glasses from Firmoo. I'll be emailing you your prize soon! Thanks all for entering!

So, how about you? What are you up to today? Feel free to do your own "currently" post on your blog and link back in the comments for everyone to check out. And thanks again to my dear friends Danielle & Illy for providing the original inspiration for these posts.


If you want more seriously beautiful posts be sure to follow along with:

Datevitation + a giveaway

When my fella and I moved to California two years ago the most difficult part for me was knowing that I wasn't going to be close by my bestest girl friend. You know, that person that you can hang out in PJ's all day with while wearing funny mud masks on your face and watching a-mazing shows like Sex in the City on repeat like it WAS the greatest thing to ever be on TV. cause it maybe was.

Well when I got to thinking this year what in the world I could possibly get her for Christmas that would come close to filling in that time we no longer have together.... I was seriously lost. It's not like I can jump on a plane and just hug her face... this girl has bills to pay.

That's why when I got an email from the awesome Datevitation telling me about their unique love coupon books I was thrilled. I'd actually made one a year or so ago for my fella for Valentine's Day and I just KNEW it would be the perfect gift (with that personal touch) to make my bestie feel like I was still around.

 

 I got right to work customizing and choosing fun "dates" for me and her based on all our favorite things to do. And with over 500 date ideas to choose from on their website; how could I go wrong finding just the right ones for our friendship?

Now, my bestie could be reminded of all the fun things we like to do together as well as have a PROMISE by me that we'll continue to do them. Because now, every time I'm in town, she can cash in one of her "coupons" from her love book (because love includes all different kinds of relationships) and know that I still value our time together as best friends. And it's great for me too because I still get the benefit of hanging out with her! Win, freaking, win! 

And luckily for all of you.... Datevitation wants you to be able to give these great love coupon books as your holiday gifts too! So right NOW can you use the code: ‘BLENDINGS10’  for $10 off your purchase plus free shipping (total value of $13.50)  That means you can get your loved one a one-of-a-kind gift for Christmas starting at just $15!  The order cut-off date for guaranteed delivery by Christmas is December 13 so make sure to get your order in before then!

AND because Datevitation is such a rad, family run business (just check out Alex propose to Olga in a video they posted on Youtube as a "Save the Date") they are also giving away a book for one of you to personalize and give to someone special! Thanks so much to Daveitation!

a Rafflecopter giveaway  

If you want more seriously beautiful posts be sure to follow along with:

 

2013 + something a little happy.

If I had one resolution this year; it would be happiness.

It probably seems so simple. But it's the hardest thing for me to achieve. I want to work toward happiness in everything that I do. Therefore I'm back to my blog. Because this is a place of happiness for me. Day one...check.

Another bit of happiness for me..... this girl. I've pretty much been cyber-stalking her since I started blogging 2 years ago (wow, just realized it's blogiversary time again!).... but then a few months back I actually met her "in real life" as we like to call it and found out we're pretty similar and it's pretty rad.

I wanted to write about Julie today because I just think she's beyond talented and inspiring. Oh, and you know.... pretty much as naturally beautiful as it gets.

She quit her full-time JOB last year in order to completely pursue her talent of designing cards. And I seriously have probably bought every single last one. I feel a little like I've almost kept her a secret all to myself but fortunately for her she's not a secret to the world. Her cards are flying out of her house (eh, office) and I'm so so happy for her success.

You may think this sounds a bit like a sponsor post.... but don't get it confused. This is a braggy friend post. This bitch is amazing and after my 20-something'th order the other day I couldn't wait to share her newest line.

Here are some of my favorites: 

Shop here.

It's really amazing stuff. And you definitely need her cards for every and any occasion in your life. 
Just saying. 

 

happy halloween

Thank you again to all the new friends from Followers Fest! I'm so excited that you've decided to come along. And thanks again to the lovely hosts of the fest for putting forth such a great idea! You are all rad.

Tomorrow morning is my job interview. The funny thing I have noticed about doing interviews, is that you're only nervous if you're really excited about the job. I think it has way less to do with how qualified you are because usually if you got the interview.... you're qualified. For me at least, if I really want the job; I'm terrified that I'll mess up the interview. When I know I just need the job {to pay the bills}; I'm WAY less nervous because I'm not as excited. You guess which I am right now. ;)

What IS exciting though is that I have REALLY fun things happening on the blog this week. Cute outfits, new winter shop collection reveal, maybe a recipe or two and a ridiculously AWESOME-SAUCE giveaway. Seriously. November's gonna be a good one. Stay tuned.

OH, and for ONE MORE DAY you can shop with the code: SAVETHEBOOBIES for 25% off ANYTHING in my shop AND you'll be donating $2 from your sale to Breast Cancer awareness. Read about it. 

For now I'll leave you with some fun pictures from the weekend. Happy Halloween y'all.

 Top two boxes: Sneak peeks of new shop items 

Bottom boxes: Fun watching football, creepiest food ever. 

Fighting for Friendship

My entire life I've been the girl who peered in.
All the cute, funny, stylish girls crowded together and loved each other and laughed.
And I stood on the outside of this circle trying and fighting to replicate their actions so that I could be in the circle too.

 But somehow it just never happened.
I didn't have enough money.
Or the cool clothes.

I was awkward and liked to read.
I'm clumsy and had better conversations with the teacher than those girls.
{probably because I was so intimidated by them}

And my entire life I kept thinking to myself...
One day it won't matter. 
One day I'll just be an adult and there won't be any more jealousy or cliques.
But it's not really true.

In college it was less obvious but still existed.
I had many guy friends {because truthfully boys don't have this unspoken weirdness},
But never a core group of girlfriends. 

I was still struggling to connect.
And frequently girls would get angry at me and turn people against me and I wouldn't even know WHY or what it was that I had done to upset them. A guy friend even told me once {on my 21st birthday} that "I KNEW what I did."
I cried in the middle of the room. Frustrated and NOT knowing what I had ever done. 

Now here I am at 25 years old.
I have a FEW girlfriends that I call friends but we don't really share our entire hearts.
We don't laugh and have coffee and call each other all the time. 
We don't send each other nice notes to say we were thinking of each other. 

And honestly, it must be me.

I am a very independent person. 
I have a hard time trusting others. 

But what hurts my heart recently....
is my move.

I'm in a new state, with a fresh start, and I'm trying to be more outgoing.
EVERY girl I meet I try and reach out to. 
And after nearly a month,
I still have zero girlfriends. 

My heart hurts.

What's worse is that ever since I started blogging,
I've found an amazing community of women.
I've found ladies who are caring, kind and want wrap you up in their sweetness.
I've found friendships. 

But I've never actually hugged these women.
And I can't sit with them for coffee and share my heart.
We can't laugh and talk about work, boys, home, crafts, food. 

And,
I find myself jealous of them. 
I still feel like I'm fighting for their friendship.
I see BETTER, STRONGER relationships form between the people that I shared my heart with and I feel betrayed and left out. 
I wonder why it wasn't me.
Why I wasn't the one.

I know I'm in control of my own happiness.
I know that I am the one over-trying and over-analyzing my feelings.

But I also know I'm the girl without the core group of friends. 

Does anyone else feel this way?

 

Loneliness

I have to be honest. And share my heart.
Most days, I prefer to be mostly alone.
I'm more of an introverted person and I need that "me" time to de-stress and re-ground myself.

But ever since moving to CA, I have experienced a whole new kind of "alone time". My new alone time is all the time. Most days, I don't see or talk to another living soul until around 7 (or later) when my fella gets home. It's not something I expected to be so upset about. But I hate it. 

                                                                                                                                                                                 Source: thecharliebrown.tumblr.com via Cari on Pinterest

I feel like I'm trapped and like I should be using this time for really AMAZING things that I was unable to do when I was super busy. But something about loneliness is that it makes it hard to be motivated. Every day I think of all kinds of extraordinary things that I'd like to do for my shop, for my writing career, for myself, etc.

But then this dark cloud comes over me as soon as my fella leaves for the day and I'm left all alone. I never thought moving to CA and knowing no one would be a big deal.

I know it's only for a short time and I'll meet people but right now.... it's unbearable. I find myself crying at nothing and by the time my man does get home from a long day at work; I am frustrated and upset if ALL of his attention isn't on me. It's not his job to create my happiness or be my ONLY friend.















I know that this will not last forever.
I know that I have SO very many amazing blog friends.
So thank YOU for being out there.
Your sweet comments.

                                                                                                                                                                        Source: photographyblogger.net via Estelle on Pinterest

And hopefully one day we'll be able to meet for coffee,
talk about life,
and be together. 

Babies and Blogs

So you may have noticed that today my blog has a swanky, swoon-worthy new style. I am SUPER in love with my own blog. But that's totally as it should be right?

Well it came from one of the most talented and beautiful people I know. (Of course I don't actually know her in person because we have only met in this virtual world but who's counting).

It's danielle burkleo ....

From the amazing blog ....take heart

Oh and she's also the momma of two sweet little boys....

With another on the way....

Whew! But if all that weren't enough to be busy but still beautiful....
They are also ADOPTING!

And they need help.
They need to raise some monies to bring their new baby home. So if you are interested here's how you can help. (And I really think you should)

You can contact danielle by email if you'd like her to design you something purdy for your blog or even Etsy. (She did them both for me! And I am seriously in love) Also it should be mentioned....this all happened in like 2 days. She is speedy. LOVE it. AND I didn't need her to make any changes.

OK so what's my other choice (if perhaps you already love your blog)....

How about a gorgeous wreath for your wall to wear from her amazing shop sugarmoney?
I really really really love mine. She can also do some amazing headbands.

Just sayin. She's a-mazing. I am so blessed to have her in my life. And she has been such an inspiration to me. Seriously holla at her if you need something or just want to help her precious family. Or just follow her blog and leave her some sweet words. That's such a blessing also.

Thank you Danielle. Chai sistas for life. I love you. Reals.

Por Que No

I know I've been a bit absent lately. I apologize. I blame it on the fact that I really need a new planner. In fact I'd love some Etsy recommendations for one because I figure if it's super cute; I'll probably use it more and ergo my life will be much happier from all the cute organization. Right?

But I've also just been trying to enjoy my time a bit more lately. I told fella the other day that my life has been feeling like it's measured by checklists. And while I do love a good list (they are EVERYWHERE in my days), I also hate to feel like activities such as "hang out with really good friend A" or "eat lunch" are just something I HAVE to do in order to make it from the beginning of the day to the end so I can move on. Does that make sense? I don't want to feel like everything is always so scheduled.

So this last Sunday we went on a date. Not an official one. Nothing was planned. We just went out. Had lunch at a favorite restuarant, randomly met my bestie friend for drinks afterward and just enjoyed the day.

There was no blogging. There was no crafting. There was no talk of work. Just time enjoyed with my fella and my friend. We had some real conversations. And just lived. And if you are ever in Portland you should pop on by to Por Que No. It's crazy ridiculous good.

Don't get me wrong. I LOVE all of those activities I just spoke of that I did not do. But occasionally I let them take over my ENTIRE life and I forget to just live. So this post was just to remind myself and YOU to live sometimes. Nothing is more important than that. And it makes for better blog posts.....ha!

Weekend recap

This weekend two of our really great friends got hitched. My fella was in the wedding and I was accompanied for the afternoon by my adorable friend Dan who lives in Germany (working for Adidas) and then later at the reception by my actual fella!

You may remember that I needed some help from ya'll about 3 weeks ago because I was trying to pick a dress to wear to this wedding. You can see the choices  if you want to recap but I'm happy to show you the WINNER. Now warning....I know there was an overwhelming response that dress number one was the BEST and it WAS gorgeous BUT it was way to short. Sorry ladies. I just didn't want to disappoint.

It was so much fun to get all glam and just feel special for a day. The couple looked amazing and I shed a tear (or ten) during the ceremony; especially when the bride walked down the aisle and the groom's face filled with tears. So beautiful.

And the dress choice.....it was number FOUR! I just loved it and felt gorgeous. 

They are so cute and happy together. LOVE it. And that headband she's wearing.....yep. Yours truly made it specially for her. You can order your own custom one or just shop HERE.

Hope you had a wonderfully romantic weekend!

Casey Wiegand Art GIVEAWAY

Not sure if you have met my blog friend,

Casey

But I have mentioned her here.

And RIGHT NOW

She is doing a GIVEAWAY of her beautiful artwork

on THIS BLOG!

I highly suggest that you HURRY on over there! 

(because I have already entered about a hundred times

or maybe just 6 or 7)

Also if you don't already follow her blog.

CLICK.

I am already so in love with her open heart. 

I'm certain you will be too! 

xoxo.

Relaxing Weekend

Friends, I have had a fantastic weekend. 

Filled with good food, 

good friends,

and good times out.

Last night we celebrated this girl.

She is my bestie friend.

And today she turns twenty-four.

I love her dearly.

So we had an amazing time last night.

And ate yummy dessert at Papa Haydns.

So delicious.

And now today is Sunday.

The day of rest.

And homework.

And finishing touches....

For big surprises....

that are coming soon.

The next big birthday....

Is......

Gosh I love him.

xo.

I'm so excited to celebrate him turning...

thirty.

Surprises are coming.

Enjoy your weekend.