Morning rituals

As I drive to work each morning I go along a very historic street in town. Victoria Avenue has always been a favorite of mine and lately the city has done some very nice improvements on it. They have always kept up on the landscaping which is a definite plus but in the last couple months I have seen some new little additions which make me smile. There are benches that go along the side of the walking road and they are surrounded by pretty little trees and beautiful, young, rose bushes. I am very envious of the people I see who get to take their morning walk along the pretty trails of Victoria Avenue. They get to enjoy the bright morning light coming through the old trees and breathe in the hint of the orange blossoms. Someday I will become one of the lucky Victoria walkers, just as soon as I can muster up the strength to get out of bed and avoid the much craved soda every morning...someday...

Now for the fun stuff!

After getting all that serious life "business" out of the way it is time to post what this blog is really all about... lifes good stuff! I have taken a serious liking to the new shabby chic-modern twist-layer obsessed look to clothes, styles and decorating. I am trying to get out of the frump girl style I fallen into (hubby objects but I think he is just being sweet, haha!) and evolve into this whimsical look.

A couple months ago my mom and dear friend (one in the same) went shopping in beautiful downtown Claremont and discovered a new, to us anyways, shop called Barbara Cheatley Antiques (not a antique shop though!). We were entranced by the beautiful window display and decided we must go in. I was floored! There were little treasures everywhere. Things you could decorate your home with, gifts, cards, etc.! I came across this beautiful little sky blue glass jar and decided I must have it immediately and followed it up with a pretty petite pink and white striped bowl that you could use for seasoning, earrings or little things to be kept safe. Mom bought a yellow and white one and a polka dot plate to go along with it. Who says stripes and polka dots don't go together??  I told her that I had recently read that one should surround themselves with things that make you happy. This applies to objects in this instance and I was instantly sold on these two little finds that made me happy.

Since our discovery of Barbara Cheatley I have been on a quest to capture this look. Not only for my self but for our home also. I have come across a mirror that was to die for (bought of course) and these amazing velvet pumpkins (bought 2 of them and going back for more this weekend) and a scarf that really isn't typical me but just loved.

I took this idea into mind when I decorated for fall and Halloween too. I'm just waiting for my husband and dog to turn into pumpkins at this point with all the orange I've brought into the house! Hopefully Christmas will bring the same feel I am getting now. I think a change like this is good. It feels like the excitement when you get to wear a new outfit for the first time or get a great new haircut. Refreshing and fun!

Lastly, here is a blog that I have fallen in love with! http://curlygirldesign.com/blog/ I think I want to be like her when I "grow up". Enjoy!

Sense of peace...

Wow, I thought I was going to do so well with my cute little blog here but It's been nearly 2 and a half weeks since my last post. Eek! Ok...doing it now.

I was looking back on the last post I did and realized I was in a state of mind where 1. I was not pleased to be at work that day and 2. I was not happy with where I was with life at that moment in time. I have done a lot, and I mean A LOT, of thinking these past two weeks. My darling husband has been so gracious to listen patiently as I spit out ideas, complaints, "what if's?", etc. etc. and given me his feedback but ulitmately the final outcome was mine.

I have come to my decision on this beautiful crisp fall morning and here it is... It is ok. Everything is ok. I am allowed to let go of the things that have happened and move on. I am well aware that this is not an overnight "event" and I will have to work at it but in the end, all will be ok and that is my peace...

Monday morning thoughts

Usually I am ok with Monday mornings. It is a bit difficult to get out of bed earlier than I did on the delightful Sunday I got to have the prior day but all in all, it's not bad. Typically the kicker is when I get to work, sit down and start to think of all the things I'd rather be doing not only with my time but my life... A couple of weeks ago I made a "Wants list". A few of my wants at the time included:

- get a job that makes a difference doing something I enjoy (the typical job frustration)
- have a house with a big front porch (must have been doing some cleaning/consolidating earlier)
- travel to __________ (long list...)

I think that these are some pretty common wants for people but why do you never hear about them happening? You know, the dream coming true bit... For me, I want these things. I want to wake up in the morning and be excited to go to work! I want to walk in to my job and wonder "What do I get (key word "get") to do today?".

A few years ago now some friends of mine lost their daughter to cancer. That changed my life forever. I think about her and all the other kids in the hospital everyday and how their little bodies have betrayed them. "What can I do? I want to help!" I feel so useless sometimes, like I'm not doing anything that will make a difference. I think the struggle I'm having is how do I change? What do I need to do and am I brave enough to do it? To make the change and go out of my comfort zone for change to reach the "bigger picture"?

xoxo

Beloved October...

October is my most favorite of all months. The leaves are changing, the air smells different, I get in the mood to watch Gilmore Girls...I could go on and on! I feel a sense of peace and happiness that I rarely feel during the hot summer months. This weekend we will go and buy our first pumpkins of the season and decorate our little cottage. I can't wait! Happy Fall!