This Year I'll...

Every new year comes with new {or re-newed} convictions and resolutions on how to make this year better than the last. To be honest, I've never been a "New Year's Resolution" kind of girl, but I'm feeling differently this year! The last decade {Feels strange to be old enough to be cognizant of this statement..} has been busy: starting and finishing both high school and college, getting my first job, moving to a new city, fighting unemployment for 4 months, and holding down two jobs to pay the bills. Busy, or difficult? Both. I'd say 2009 was my watershed year, the moment I truly realized what it meant to be an adult, living on your own, and making your way in the world. It's really easy to get bogged down by the work grind and money problems, so that's where 2010 comes in: convictions and resolutions!

1. Take control of my life.

Yes, I'm a Type A personality, but this resolution isn't about controlling everything in my life, just the things I'm unhappy about! I hate that I've become that person who feels sad for myself about things that I don't like in my life, yet doesn't make a true effort to change. Whether it's exercising, crafting, blogging, or reading, this is the year where I take control and become an active participant in living my life instead of standing by and feeling helpless!

2. Get a full time job, with benefits!

I tell you what: making a living on an hourly {or two} position is hard!! I feel like I really understand how hard it is for some people now, and I can sympathize. I've always been a bleeding heart type, but when you realize you're one missed payment away from becoming homeless, you can't help but understand that you had no idea what some people go through. I gave myself some breathing room to be happy about just having a job and to let the job market bounce back, but now I'm ready to get back in the job-hunting game and I'm going for the kill!

3. Be conscious of what I'm grateful for each day.

Do you remember my horrible attempt at this resolution a few months ago? Probably not because I was so bad at it!! Well I haven't decided exactly how I'm going to document it, but it's a resolution, so I'll have to stick to it! Trying to blog it everyday was a bit taxing, so I may just take pictures and write it down each day and do a wrap up each week of my top 3 or 4 things. Really and truly be prepared to see more this time!

4... Ok, so I think those three are plenty!

#1 is a pretty hefty and all-encompassing resolution for which I have a more detailed, personal list, but I don't think you want to see all of that. Considering I've never done this before, I'm satisfied with 3 solid resolutions!

So there you have it: My 2010 New Year Resolutions. Is it just me or do people seem to be buzzing with hopefulness for 2010, more so than most years? Perhaps it's because 2009 was so difficult for so many people, but whatever the reason, it does feel like change is in the air.

Do you feel it? What are your resolutions? The sky's the limit, so dream big!

{images via WeHeartIt}

Decor {of Plenty}

I've been trying to find ways to bring the fall season indoors, but in a minimal and tasteful
way. I'm not one for anything that looks too out of place with the current decor, which is
probably why I hardly ever decorate for holidays. I guess I'll have to get over that someday
in the future when family and kids enter the picture, but for now, I can be selfish! So what
have you done to make your home look like Fall/Thanksgiving? I bought a mulled cider
candle today, so that's a start right?? :)

{photo via Your Life...}

Orange {Crush might be too strong a word}

Yesterday Alek posted about orange walls, which I've yet to be convinced is the right choice for me. The color is definitely growing on me: I've moved from having an immediate visceral reaction to allowing the color to sink in before I judge it. In all honesty my orange aversion all started because growing up in Tennessee meant I was surrounded by by fanatic UT football fans who insisted on wearing, driving, and decorating everything in orange. My friends insisted their favorite color was orange to show their loyalty. Orange was no longer this warm, bright summer hue, but rather "UT Orange" that is harsh and blinding. Even writing about UT orange makes my lip curl... ugh, I just can't stand it. But thanks to Color Splash's David Bromstad, I've come to enjoy the combination of blue and orange!

I came across these photos this morning and I really love them, plus it reminded me of Alek's orange walls.
And believe me, it hasn't eluded me that I chose to create my blog with blue and orange... I'm a complicated person, what can I say?

{images by Cris Dobbins}

Life's a Song: Sing along

Sorry I disappeared this week! I've been having some connectivity issues and needed a few days to get my life back on track, so I took advantage of the little opportunity.

I have a really strong connection to music, maybe because I don't express myself very well and music always says what I can't. The past few days I've really become attached to these two songs, not so much because they say what I can't, but because of what they say to me.


Good Charlotte's "March On"



Joshua Radin's "What if You"

Welcome to the soundtrack of my life :)

{image via Le Fashion}

Ocean Blue

My soul could use a trip to the ocean. It's like my Mecca...

{image via RestartMyHeart}

Night, the beloved

Nighttime is my favorite time. It's kind of a magical thing for me, always has been. I love exploring on my own in the darkness of cities and country roads alike. When I'm upset, the moon and the night sky keep me company, and when I'm feeling serene or thoughtful they inspire me.

Night, the beloved. Night, when words fade and things come alive. When the destructive analysis of day is done, and all that is truly important becomes whole and sound again. When man reassembles his fragmentary self and grows with the calm of a tree.

~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

{image via Restart My Heart}

When I Grow Up

Inspired by this post, I started reminiscing about the "when I grow up, my house will have _____" moments from my childhood. Even though I wasn't much of a girly-girl growing up, I always thought about the future as a Mom with a house -- don't all little girls? A friend of mine had a window seat and since the first time I saw it, I knew I wanted one. A window seat and a balcony were two house features that I wasn't budging on. Maybe I loved these two things because with them you can be as close to sitting on grass as possible while in the safety of your own home. I've always loved being near nature or surrounded by nature more than being in nature... weird? I think so, too, but I am what I am! Example: I'm destined to live near water, but I don't have a strong desire to be in the ocean, lake, or bay {I do love puddles and streams though!}.

As I've grown up, my tastes clearly evolved beyond little girl fantasies, but I think I'll always want a window seat and balcony. And I've added a few more things to my wish list, too:

An English-stlye garden {or at least rustic and a little unruly}

A fabulous closet {Cher's closet in Clueless used to be my dream, but now I'm a little more refined..}

And great, big built-ins!

I know I'm not the only little girl who thought about this stuff... what were your grown-up must-haves and/or did you get your wish??

City Life

Sometimes I think it would have been amazing to grow up in a big city like Paris, New York, Chicago, London...

{image via Style and the City}

23 Going on 65

I've been living in Louisville for 4 weeks now and still no job. This city's job market is nothing short of sluggish and saturated, and I'm just one of many victims, I'm sure. I've been in the hiring process with 3 different companies anywhere from 3-8+ weeks and no one seems to be in a hurry to add another payroll check to the company books. I've even resorted to looking for a crappy, summer, in-between job just to feel productive and help pay the bills, but that's proving to be just as difficult. Anyone know where the unemployment office is, because I just might need to cash in on those government checks! Goodness knows I'm trying...

My calendar is no longer a functional piece of art, but rather a constant reminder of how mind-numbingly bored I am. To top it all off, it's been a nightmare getting cable and internet in my apartment, so I don't even have my usual vices (blogging and Soap Net) to fill my time! I've rediscovered reading for fun, which has been a hard thing for me to relearn after 17 years of an academic dictatorship. I also have become slightly infatuated with watching Friends on DVD courtesy of my good friend S; I started with season 5 (why? I don't know.) and am now ready to start season 9. Oh, and movies. Lots and Lots of movies!! I'm actually quite tired of staring at my television.

Most of my friends have jobs, so I'm left to my own devices most hours of the day and many days of the week. I go and bum internet from the famous Heine Brothers at least every other day to keep up with the essentials and answer emails.

Now, the lack of formally schedules events has given me the opportunity to discover some interesting things about Louisville:

1. free Shakespeare in the Park performances of Macbeth or Romeo and Juliet
2. a fabulous selection of used music and book stores whose employees are always interested in chatting about said music and book discoveries
3. the many coffee shops of Bardstown Road that provide excellent people-watching and a comfy chair to sit in while reading a magazine
4. and the two great free publications: Velocity and Leo Weekly, both of which have ignited a determination to someday be able to complete their tricky crossword puzzles.

Honestly, as bored as I am, a small part of me is afraid I'm going to learn to enjoy the random ways I've found to spend my time a little too much. 24 hours of every day are at my disposal to sleep, wake, work out, shop, meet friends for meals and discover Louisville at my leisure... all that freedom is a little enticing! I need to find a job before my mind kicks into full-blown retirement mode and I start planning my day around feeding my cat and going to the bank to check my ever-depleting savings account!

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go back to my ELLE magazine and people-watching because in 30 minutes it's time to go home and feed my cat....{image via gosia janik}

They're almost here...

Can I just say that I'm so happy that it's after 8pm and we still have a blue sky? I love summer nights far more than I like summer days, and it seems that they're almost here... :)
{I can't remember exactly where I got this picture but I believe it was Coco + Kelley!}

Pearls {of Wisdom?}

1. My interview went very well yesterday! {Try not to get your hopes too high, and don't quit your search prematurely}
2. I have another interview tomorrow! {It's always good to have more than one option... eggs in one basket thing...}

3. Don't hold a campus event celebrating the statue that is central to a student tradition of streaking without expecting 15+ people to actually streak during the ceremony. {too funny.. all caught on tape!}

4. We had our end-of-the-year banquet last night for the Bonner Program and it was wonderful. We'll be losing a great class of seniors and it's sad to see them go. Last night got to me more than I anticipated -- it feels like I'm graduating all over again! The first year students, whom I work with mostly, gave me this necklace as a Thank You, and I love it!! I will miss them all :) {Sometimes your work is recognized and it makes all the times you've grumbled about your efforts melt away.}
5. Gloomy weather + Already tired You = Not so fun start to the day
{Image one, two, three, four, five}

Keep all hands and feet inside the trampoline

How cool is this?
I bet my parents would have considered allowing an in-ground trampoline... so much safer!

{Found via Shootfactory}

Earth Day, Every Day

Happy Earth Day!

I was inspired by design*sponge guest blogger Jess Chamberlain this morning. Her post was all about how to live Earth Day every day by making 3 simple changes: reusable bags (CHECK), a reusable coffee mug (check..), and a reusable water bottle (CHECK). These are items that we can buy almost anywhere these days and won't get lost in the black hole of resolutions past.

I'm proud to say that I use my reusable bags and water bottles religiously, but it's hit or miss with the coffee mug. The thing is that if I have a heated drink it's going to be tea, not coffee, and I usually have my tea at home. The 'miss' part comes into play when I'm out and about campus and stop by the cafe... I don't usually anticipate these trips so I rarely have my mug with me. I guess I need to be more intentional of my actions in this department!

As I mentioned, I was inspired by her post and suggested products, which included Baggu Bags, Thermos, and Earthlust water bottles. Where has Earthlust been all my life?! I'm in love. I immediately made the tough decision between these two bottles...

And ended up buying the purple dandelion bottle! No need to be sad if you preferred the green parsley bottle; it's officially on my wish list :) Speaking of wish lists, here is a list of things I would do today if I could:

Start a vegetable garden...Create a terrarium...
Spend time in an outdoor living room...Talk a walk outdoors...

At least the sun is shining today and we're half way through the week! I discovered that my schedule is completely free this weekend, so I'm thinking a trip into Lexington is due, where I'll take a delayed nature walk through the Arboretum... maybe even barefoot :)

Sticks and Stones Will Break My Bones...

But words can never hurt me.

Someone should have mentioned this to the people who write passive aggressive notes!

My friend J linked me to this hilarious website that is devoted to the PA note-writers of the world. This note makes me want to invite Peter the Professional Tattoo Artist to dinner. He surely would make for an interesting evening.

The story: Marta says, “the guy who lives in one of the basement suites in our house left this on our front door after we stomped on the floor the night before when he was blasting “hotel california” at 11 p.m.” oh, and just so you get a clear picture in your head, marta says, “this is a guy who hangs out in the backyard with a katana wearing full-on samurai robes.”

{sorry for the small image -- click to make bigger!}

Adds marta: “never have any of the people in the basement complained about us ‘running down the stairs.’ in fact, they’ve all told us they can never hear us. sorry for walking, guy, we’ll try to levitate from now on.”

Oh, Peter. I'm sure there are many people out there that can lament with your frustration from "loud giggles and heavy footsteps," but I am not one of them. If you invite me to your next jam session (I'd prefer the 20-song session versus the 50) we can still be friends!

Tweenbots!

What would happen if a tiny cardboard robot crossed your path in Central Park? This cute little android has a destination to reach...And must only rely on the goodwill and altruism of strangers to point it in the right direction.

What if it's headed toward the road, or gets stuck under a park bench? Can the Tweenbot successfully arrive at its destination unharmed?

Let's find out...


Here's the rest of the story on this social experiment -- so clever!
I think I want one of my own :)

Guilty Pleasure

Though, it's a guilty pleasure, my Gossip Girl addiction is not one I'm ashamed of. Honestly? My life is so tragically drama-free that I love to revel in the absurd high school drama of the Upper East Side. Yesterday Apartment #34 linked an episode recap of Gossip Girl by NY Mag's blog, Daily Intel, which I found pretty entertaining. Today, my friend J asked if I follow Intel. Two mentions in two days? That's a sign.

{Spoiler Alert}

Here's a snippet of this week's Intel's Gossip Girl Recap -- They saved the best line for last:

When Dan calls his superfan we find out that "Scott" is actually Rufus and Lily's adopted son, which means he must have figured that out somehow, despite the fact that his adopted parents told Rufus and Lily he was dead. But wait: Why do Scott's parents pick up his cell phone? Does Scott still live at home? Wouldn't he have been conceived way before Dan and Jenny and therefore be too old? **OR: Did all of the drugs Lily consumed in the eighties mean he was born with flippers and therefore lives in a special pressurized tank upstairs? We can only hope.** Until then, Minus 5.

**I literally LOLd :)

Thanks E and J for the new blog find!