new ride

that's right friends! hubby and i are thrilled to be the new owners of this beauty! it's our first big 'married couple' purchase. yahoo!
hubby purchased his first truck when he turned 16. an '86 toyota pickup for $1200-. and he's been driving it ever since! yep, we went on our first date in ole blue (as we liked to call 'him')! recently though, ole blue decided he was tired and stopped working. thus, the truck hunt began. and what a tiring process that was. but we found the perfect thing for us, and i can't wait to go on many many road trips!

list-maker

i've known for quite some time that i wanted  needed a mac computer (and photoshop!) to really take my art biz to a new level. 6 months, to be exact! during which time i faithfully saved all of my extra cash to put towards this investment.

well, 6 months is a long time to wait! and i managed to save quite a bit..but by january it was still not enough to cover the whole thing.

for those of you who don't know me, i am a list-maker. to a fault. if it is written down on paper, by golly it gets done.

so! i wrote it down.

to be honest, i was so scared to take this leap. i've only ever owned dell computers my whole life!
but, i had this feeling, deep down, that it was the right time. now or never, sort of feeling.

i can already tell this was the right move.
xxo

you are (so) lovely

yes, yes you are!
xxo

good advice.

sometimes there is nothing better than mom's advice.
how does she always seem to know?

the latest wisdom (and i believe this is true for you, too!):
when you feel like you're running on empty, learn what it is that fills you back up, and do it. often.

lately i've been wandering in and out of sheer exhaustion. knowing deep down i should get off the couch. i'm hearing the whispers. they tell me to turn off netflix and start painting! be more energetic, more creative, get more done. but lately, it's almost like i'm paralyzed. and i've been ignoring the whispers.

it was not until recently, when i heard mom's words, that i finally felt like i would soon snap out of this strange mood i've been in.
i've been making lists and daydreaming about what it is that might re-energize my soul...
i'm sure it is a different list for everyone. have you ever thought about what is on your list?

sweet details

many times i find myself dragging my feet once the christmas season is over and it's time to box up the holiday trinkets and get out my 'everyday' stuff.

i dont know if it is because i decorated for the holidays earlier than normal this year...or if it is because mom surprised me with extra cute goodies in my stocking this year, but i was so excited for a change!

here are a few snaps for you!

happy tuesday, friends!

xxo

on a day you're feeling blue...

make out an 'i'm thankful for' list!

today has just been one of those days. actually, it's been one of those weeks.
i'm having to consciously make such an effort to keep a good attitude...(can you say, tiring?!)

so, i decided to make a list of the things i am feeling thankful for today.

i encourage you to make one of these lists the next time you are feeling blue. it really helps (promise)!

sweet surprises

this weekend, my dear friend alicia gave me these beauties, out of the blue! can you even stand how amazing they are in all of their vintage glory?
and, icing on the cake: they are perfect in my retro kitchen!

i am in loooove!
thank you, alicia!

xxo

my word for 2012

last year, i discovered a class by Ali Edwards called one little word. it changed life. (you really should check it out. amazing!) last year, my word was open. (you know, open heart. open doors. open mind. open eyes.)

i am quite certain if you listen hard enough, your word will choose you. this year, my word is create.
as in, create artwork. create meaningful relationships. create the life i imagine. create time for doing more of what i love, and less of what i dont. you get the idea?

i made this little baby to serve as a constant reminder of my word!

this is a process shot from last year, and captures mom and i in all our glory..music turned up, snacks out, surrounded by papers, scissors, glue, and sunshine. 

let's get lost...

in the magic and wonder of it all...

i'm obsessed lately with dreams of the hubby and i running away to a place where we can be free, surrounded by a cool breeze, sunshine, the sound of water, and togetherness.

xxo

thank you, 2011. for everything.

i was feeling so blessed and thankful, for everything last night.

this is from my journal. a list of highlights from last year. what an amazing year it was, too!

xxo