Slow Down, Smell the Roses, Relish in the Moment

Okay, so I'm supposed to be on vacation right now, but I just wanted to take a minute and remind you to make it a point to slow down every once in a while. It's really easy to lose perspective and forget to appreciate everything when your life feels like it's going a million miles an hour (which mine has the last few weeks). Even if it's something small, treat yourself to some good quality time for yourself. Me? I'm spending the weekend with my favorite girls in Michigan. We don't get to see each other all that often these days, or even really talk on the phone as much as we'd like, but sometimes you just have to squeeze in whatever time you can get together and be ok with that. It doesn't take a whole lot to regain perspective. As I sit in this coffee shop and wait for my friend to pick me up, I already feel a million times more focused and calm and it's only been a few hours since I got into vacation mode.

The last few weeks have been pretty crazy (in mostly good ways) as I start to work on projects I've always dreamed of. At the same time, I've been sitting in front of a computer screen for many many hours working away and it's made me realize something: I need to get away from my computer more. Not only will it inspire my work in new ways, but well, I also won't feel like such a blob. I'm taking more initiative to take my design efforts away from the computer as much as possible, and back into hand-rendered work, which is where I started.

Whatever you may be doing with your life, don't forget to slow down every once in a while. Even if it's for a few hours. It will do wonders, I promise.

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Playing Catchup

So, I was a little MIA during the month of June. I cannot believe how quickly it went by! My parents were in town, which was really exciting since I don't get to see them a whole lot. We took an architectural boat tour (highly recommended, even if you live in Chicago), saw the Red Sox/Cubs game, and celebrated Father's Day/my birthday. Mark's parents joined us for the celebrations, and all in all it was pretty perfect. Lots of laughter and delicious food from Gene's Sausage shop (I'm crazy about the wild boar sausage!). Plus, how gorgeous is their branding?! Anyway, things haven't exactly calmed down around here, but I'm getting back into the groove of things, and working on lots of new projects, including updates on my website and some other surprises I cannot wait to share.

As always, you can follow me on Instagram at @highfivesforeveryone

GIRLS' WEEKEND

This past weekend I decided to escape the NATO craziness happening in Chicago, and hopped on a train to Michigan to hang with my favorite ladyfriends. It was one of those perfect relaxing weekends: making breakfast burritos together, hanging on the beach, antique shopping, eating seafood on the water and reminiscing about college days. Oh, and dancing. There's always dancing. It really got me pumped for the rest of summer. Despite the fact that we all live in different cities now, it's comforting to know that I still have two incredible, smart women in my life to keep me grounded. I couldn't ask for better friends.

FOUND PHOTO FRIDAY

I love the mystery behind old photos. It's so much fun to sift through antique stores and look at old family photos, wonder about their lives and even make up your own stories about them. A new way to prompt your imagination. I found this postcard on a rainy day with my father, which was especially meaningful because he took me to the Statue of Liberty during my first trip to New York City. It's one of my favorite memories with him, and this photo reminds me of the sense of wonder I felt as we wandered through the city that first time. I've been enamored with New York City ever since.

THANKS, WORLD!

I'd like to thank the world for the following things in my life this week:

1. New, healthy and delicious recipes, like this one. (Actually, I'm thankful for that whole blog)

2. Getting back into yoga.

3. Making dinners with my love.

4. Discovering cool new peeps to follow on Pinterest.

5. The existence of goat cheese.

Thanks, world! You rock.

Photo by Inge Morath

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

I've got some new items in the shop! There's more on the way, too.

2 Whole Years

Two years ago, I went on the best first date of my life. It was the kind where it took us forever to decide what to order off the menu because we couldn't stop our conversation long enough to look down at our choices. The kind where you get that dopey lovestruck look in your eyes. I cannot believe how quickly two years has gone by, but how it feels like we've been together much longer than that. Thank you for supporting me through all of my endeavors... I'm just a little braver with you next to me.

CAN'T WAIT FOR SPRING

While digging through my computer, I found this flower study I photographed last winter; it was a pretty rough one for me, I had a serious case of the winter blues. One day, I decided to go down to a local flower shop (just before a huge snowstorm) and bought myself some bright flowers to shake off those blah feelings. And while the snow started falling faster and faster, I was warm inside my home photographing these beauties. It made a world of difference! It made me realize that you just need to find happiness and joy in the little things. Sometimes you have to make it happen for yourself.

THINGS ARE CHANGING AND IT'S GOOD

Image source unknown

Things have generally been feeling great lately - I've been feeling productive and more importantly, I've gotten to a point where I can see how much my work and vision has developed over the last 2-3 years. There is a stronger sense of who I want to be as a designer and creator, and a heightened sense of optimism that hasn't always been there. My etsy shop is slowly but surely picking up business, and with each new order comes a huge sense of accomplishment and excitement - along with a stronger drive to improve my work even more and create new things. It is the most challenged - and happy - I have felt in a while, and I hope to keep up the pace. The most exciting and satisfying thing about this career path is that every day is something new and eye-opening. There is always something to learn and new opportunities to grow. There are certainly days where inspiration simply does not come, but I'm slowly learning how to make the best use of those too. But all of the successes and failures are mine, and that feels great In the coming weeks I'll be reaching out to others who inspire me in hopes of creating some great new work for this blog. I'm so grateful for the mountains of support and feedback from friends and family, who undoubtedly play a huge role in helping me get here.

RUMBLE ARTS CRAFT FAIR / 2012

Exciting new to share with you all! I will be selling my cards and photos (and some new work!) at the first ever Rumble Arts Craft Fair in Humboldt Park. I'm very excited and nervous, but hope you will stop by if you're in Chicago and feeling crafty.

HAPPY HEART DAY

So, I have never ever really been one to get too into Valentine's Day. When I was a kid of course I loved picking out the little cards that I would hand out to classmates but as I got older that excitement died down. This year, I wanted to bring that excitement back. So I made these little cards, (which were really just an excuse for me to make colorful things, which is my favorite) and handed them out to my coworkers. They were a pleasant little surprise. Valentine's Day should be about celebrating all the love you have in your life, not just from a significant other. I hope you have lots of love, today and every day.

A FRESH START

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you all celebrated accordingly. I'm looking forward to filling my year with lots of design projects, writing, photos, dinners with friends, learning and reading... and maybe a little less coffee. Instead of resolutions, I've got a whole big list of things I want to accomplish this year, like learning how to sew, updating my portfolio and meeting lots of new people. It's pretty exciting to think about all the potential the next few months may have in store. Most of all, I want to continue to challenge myself and grow. I have a good feeling about this year...

What are your goals and hopes for 2012?

Polaroid Garden

Last Christmas, Mark gave me a FujiFilm Instax camera, and I've been in love ever since. 

It offers the same gratification as a polaroid and is always a hit at parties. Still trying to master 

the art of focus with this guy but sometimes it's nice not to have all the control. 

Anywho, these are some snaps of my apartments garden that one of my neighbors takes care of. 

In the middle of an urban jungle, it always feels like a nice escape when I see it.

Optimism // Uncertainty

These two photographs seem to perfectly sum up how I'm feeling these days as I slowly make my way towards a life completely dedicated to creation. It is both terrifying and exhilirating and mysterious. There is so much uncertainty, and so many questions and details to figure out, but above all I can't help but feel completely optimistic about it all, and I know I want this kind of life. One where I can create every day and share what I create with others, and feel completely connected to the work I do for a living.

It's one thing I notice as I go through life: I see so many people who are disconnected to what they do for a living. There's no sense of ownership or passion. I want both. And I'm getting closer every day.

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