Monday, December 18, 2017

Blog Resurrection

So I took a huge step back from my normal social media obsession this year. I promised myself that 2017 would be the year that I cared mainly about my well being. I wanted to take a good look at my anxiety, learn how to manage it, and really just get introspective on why I wasn't as happy as I wanted to be. 

As it stands, this year was amazing. At first it was weird to not constantly be on Twitter, posting on my Bookstagram account, and creating massive amounts of content for my blog, but I learned quickly to fill that time with other things. I started listening to tons of audiobooks, started baking more, tended houseplants, picked up cross stitching again, learned to embroider, and spent way more time with friends. It was a lot more tactile, and a refreshing change from constantly monitoring everything online. It was nice!

Now that it's near the end of the year, and I can look back, I realize that I really needed that change. I've got my anxiety under control, I've found ways to positively channel anything that I do feel, I've rediscovered the power of good hangouts and stopped being so flaky on plans. It's been all good, and really something I'm proud of.

I'm feeling good about coming back to this now, which is why I'm resurrecting this blog! I'll still only post a few times a month, mostly to let you all know what's going on, but I do miss doing some fun unboxings and product reviews, so expect those too!

Friday, August 4, 2017

Old British Lady Status


Embroidery is my newest undertaking!


I'd like to pretend that I'm all young and hip, but the only thing pointing to that is my love of expensive, fancy food. Hahaha. All other signs point to the fact that I'm actually an old British woman at heart. Tea in the mornings? Check. Embroidery in a comfy chair? Check. Reading and then falling asleep at a very late 9:30 pm? Check. Yup, all signs point to old lady. I'm okay with that.

When I first saw hand embroidery at work, I wanted so badly to try it. I did some research, found a really cute beginner project, and ordered it all the way from Israel. Now that I've been working on it? Well, I'm in love. I can say however that it's a LOT of work. Cross stitch has nothing on embroidery. This is so precise, so intricate, and I'm in love with how much passion has to go into it. If you own anything hand embroidered, cherish it. Someone really, really worked for that.

I've kind of just been keeping a low profile. I bought a super comfy reading chair, and I've been spending my time sitting in it, musing, napping, and spending time with the puppy. I'm in this place right now where things are good, and I feel content. I'm happy about that! Trying to focus on the good.

Friday, July 7, 2017

Fri-Yay!

Current Obsession: Cross-Stitch


As my project says: Life is Good.

If you haven't noticed yet, I go through hobbies on a rotating basis. One year, I knit or crochet. The next year, I am obsessed with nail polish, and the following year I spend entirely too much money on video games. It's always been like that. Now? I'm all about cross-stitch. It helps me achieve that weird balance between fierce concentration and relaxation. I don't understand it, but it helps with my anxious feelings. So yay for that!

Birthday weekend was amazing. I saw a hilarious musical, hung out with amazing people, ate entirely too much scrumptious food, laughed a ton, and napped in hammock. After coming back from vacation, and then feeling like I was sliding back into a funk, this last weekend really helped a lot. Work gets stressful, but friends keep me grounded. My 30's have been treating me well.

Next cross-stitch project is a tiny one, then on to a set of bibs for a friend who is having a baby! I'm excited :).

Thursday, June 22, 2017

*peeks in*



Me: You should totally go write in your blog today.

Also Me: But yeah, you could also just read or take a nap?


Oh look, it's already almost the end of June, and I haven't written in here since January. I wonder why that is (she says while smiling like a maniac and pointing at the words above). Yeah, I've been kind of lazy about this. Also though, it's because I've been practicing mega self care this year. If I want to nap, I nap. If I want to cross stitch, I cross stitch. If I want to lay in the hammock and stare at the sky and do absolutely nothing at all? Well, you get the point. I didn't feel like writing. So I didn't write. Now I do.

I get all introspective when it gets close to my birthday. Like, what have I accomplished over the last year and am I proud of the way that 32 panned out for me? Am I ready to turn 33? Which, honestly, is totally a trick question because it's happening either way. Ha. This year though, I'm pretty damn proud of myself! I've done a lot. I've stepped out my comfort zone, I've been happier than I have in a long time, I've just been feeling like things are going well. This year I can honestly say that I'm ready for 33. I'm not even a little bit worried about it.

With the exception of 2015, which we shall remember but try not to dwell on, my 30's have actually been quite fabulous so far. I've got an amazing husband, a giant love bug dog, a house that makes me happy whenever I'm in it, a job I actually enjoy, and friends who understand when I need to take a step away to be introverted for a while and recuperate. I've traveled, made memories, eaten amazing food, learned new things, and surprised myself with how well I've managed my anxiety. It still tries to crop up every now and then, I might even let it win out for a short bit, but I've learned how to acknowledge it and shape it into something I understand. That, above all else, has been a win.

Let the birthday week officially commence, this weekend! I'm ready for it.


Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Highlights of 2016


So, although I didn't keep up with this blog as well as I wanted to last year, I still did a pretty decent amount of writing! Best of all, I kept a pretty good paper journal as well. All in all, I was happy with how much of 2016 I actually documented. It was a good year overall! I thought I'd start 2017 with some highlights of 2016, to remind myself of what I have to be thankful for.

* We got a house in 2016! Finally, after two years of pining and waiting we were told in February 2016 that the house was ours, and we got to move in during April 2016. I can't believe we've almost lived there for a year now. I LOVE our home. It's my happy space.

* We adopted a puppy! She's the most hyper, most lovable, most frustrating, most fun part of my daily routine. Every time we teach her something new, I feel so proud. She's the best bedtime snuggle buddy ever. Plus she helps keep my anxiety at bay, and I love it.

* I spent way more time with friends and family! 2015 wasn't a great year for interactions, because I just wasn't feeling great. Last year I vowed to spend more time out, even when I wasn't feeling it, and I did. We had tons of dinner parties, rogue movie watching nights, went to events and traveled to see family. It was good for my soul.

* I made it through a whole year without letting my depression/anxiety get the best of me. There were days that were an uphill battle. There were times when I would have much rather stayed in bed all day than get up and actually face the world. I did it though. I pushed for the good, and faced the bad. I accepted the way I felt and took some days one hour at a time. I did it though, and I'm damn proud of myself.

* I made MEMORIES. So many memories. I've vowed 2017 will be the year of experiences, and not so much tangible items. It's easy to get caught up in buying things. I want to gain experiences instead. So, I started 2017 out with my very first RAVE. I love having a sister who is my partner in crime, who will push me out of my little comfort zone and go with me to a place that I had never been before. It was the best experience EVER. The people were amazing, the music was intense and intoxicating. Everything about that night was fabulous. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.



I'm not really setting any goals or resolutions for 2017. Other than to open myself up to new experiences, of course. I'm just going to take things as they come. 2017 will be a year of exploration, introspection and, most exciting of all, growth. Here's to turning 33! I can't wait to see what it brings.