2014

My one word for 2014 is more. As I was thinking of resolutions they all had the word more in it. I know that word has kind of a negative connotation, but I don't mean more things. I mean... Do more with less, enjoy more at home, believe more in myself, have more faith, be more content. There is more to be had in life than material things and I just want to simply live more in all of the moments!

So, in 2014 I hope to...
travel more, learn more, create more, see more, laugh more, enjoy more, believe more, sleep more, explore more, simplify more, read more, watch more, do more, clean more, cook more, list more, journal more, capture more, give more, listen more, dare more, smile more, fail more, play more, disagree more, plan more, relax more.

This is me fearlessly choosing a word that might make people think negative things about me, but this is me also fearlessly not caring!

What are your resolutions for 2014? Did you choose a word?

Charlie

Being Fearless in 2013

This quote from Divergent struck me when I read it because it is just TRUE!! My main resolution for 2013 was to be fearless in all I do. This one action helped my creativity, self-esteem and overall happiness. It was such a good resolution, I am not even sure how to make a new one for 2014. 

Being fearless helped my creativity beyond measure. I was always an over-thinker and I would plan things out until there was no possibility of failure. This often meant that I never actually went through with things. I solved this by only letting myself plan out the steps and supplies needed and from there I just ran with it. This helped me learn how to set zippers, try new beading styles, make new things for the shop and use a lot of supplies I had been saving (for fear of ruining/wasting them).

Being fearless did great things for my self-esteem. For the first time I just let myself be. I failed at this sometimes, but for the most part I think I did well. Reading Daring Greatly helped with this a lot. I didn't fear what I said or would say in conversation. I didn't fear what people would think of me, what I was wearing or putting my opinion/feelings out there (it is ok to not like things or agree with everyone). I didn't fear the silence in conversations (I'm a big introvert). I just let myself be and I grew through that simple action immensely.

Being fearless led to better overall happiness. Obviously making all the changes talked about above really improved my everyday, but I also had to let myself say no to things. I know that sometimes you have to do things for other people, but not all the time and not at the expense of your happiness! Taking the fear out of saying no was HUGE for me. I still cringe a little when I say it, but it is nothing like it was before.

How was your 2013? Did you have your own fearless moments?

Charlie

Hello November

This November I am going to keep the tradition I started last year (would that be a tradition?) of writing down something I am thankful for everyday. It was a nice reminder to be grateful, especially when all the Christmas craziness is beginning! I also have some new things to list in the shop, projects I want to share and a few blog updates to finish up. Is there anything special that you would like to see in this month?

November might just be my favorite month. Sorry October. You're really good, but November has:

-Pretty color everywhere

-Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday)

-Fluffy birds

-Cinnamon baked goods

-Fires in the fireplace

-The smell of snow in the air

-The excitement of Christmas

-Coats and scarves (I love scarves)

-Leaf piles

I'm sure there is more that I am just not thinking of... What are your favorite things about November?

Charlie 

Hello October!

The leaves are starting to change and the most beautiful time of year is beginning! Here is my list of must dos for October.

1. Go apple and pumpkin picking.
2. Take long walks as the leaves fall.
3. Go to the quaint little spot we found last year to enjoy all the colors.
4. Carve pumpkins.
5. Keep an autumn journal.
6. Attempt to make these donuts.
7. Light the fire place if it gets cool enough.
8. Do our annual scary movie marathon.

What is on your list?
Charlie

July Goals

Where did June go? It definitely was not the month for goals...geeesh!

1. Play putt-putt.
2. Print some wedding pictures.
3. Write a few letters (I have proven to be a horrible pen pal).
4. Start a recipe book.
5. Pick a color to paint my studio.

June recap:
1. Start working on making a dress from a pattern. Ummm I picked out the fabric, does that count?
2. Go for a walk on the trail at least twice. Fail - I didn't even make it one time.
3. Get the flower boxes filled. Fail - Ha! Between the rain and the heat I never made it to the store to buy them.
4. Go to the Beach. This I did!
5. Wake up and read for an hour with my tea every Wednesday. I kept up with this one and I really enjoyed it.

Let's hope that July doesn't go by as quickly!
~Charlie

Summer Goals

Happy first day of Summer! I love to make a little to-do list for the seasons. Summers are always full of weddings and showers and lots and lots of birthdays, and I can easily get caught up in the obligation of it all... then, before I know it, I don't remember where summer went. So, this list is a reminder to make time for myself and to do the things I want!

1. Go to the beach as often as possible.

2. Visit our favorite spot for picnics.

3. Read outside often.

4. Go on bike rides.

5. When it seems too hot to do anything, go see a movie.

They may seem vague, but I swear if I don't write them down I won't do any of these things. It is really sad, but last year I didn't make it to the beach once... and I live in a state surrounded by water! 

What would you put on your list?

~Charlie

June Goals

Yet another month passes! Here are my June Goals:
1. Start working on making a dress from a pattern.
2. Go for a walk on the trail at least twice.
3. Get the flower boxes filled.
4. Go to the Beach.
5. Wake up and read for an hour with my tea every Wednesday.

May Recap:
1. Catch up on my reading. Fail - Hahahaha I am still behind but have researched some books to read. I hate the "I don't know what to read" feeling and I've been plagued by it. If you have any recommendations, let me know...I just started Beautiful Disaster .
2. Make a new spring/summer wreath. Done - Picture coming soon. I am excited! I tried something a little different this time.
3. Go on a bike ride. Done - kinda. It was 1 day late, but we had so much rain in May that I am saying that it is ok and it counts.... right?!
4. Try a new grilling recipe. Done - I am now in love with grilled cauliflower! Have you tried it? If not, you should... SO good!

Do you set monthly goals? Leave me a link, I'd love to read them!

~Charlie

May Goals

April, where did you go? Last month seriously flew by for me... geez! On to May goals!
1. Catch up on my reading.
2. Make a new spring/summer wreath.
3. Go on a bike ride.
4. Try a new grilling recipe.

April recap:
1. Add new flowers to the shop. Fail - but realizing I failed lit a fire under my butt, and there are 6 flowers ready to go in the shop.... even took pictures!
2. Try 2 new recipes. Done - I now have a deep love for asparagus and roasted potatoes.
3. Launch the blog redesign. Done - and I am really liking it. Still need to add a few photos, but I hate taking pictures of myself.
4. Pin something and do it! Done - Made a fun light for my craft room, see it here.

April Goals

Hello April, I am so glad to see you and your sunshine!

This month's goals are to...

1. Add new flowers to the shop.

2. Try 2 new recipes.

3. Launch the blog redesign.

4. Pin something and do it!

I actually did all the things on my March list! Lets hope I can do it again this month.

1. Update the shop. Done - There are pretty pastel colors and new polka dots in the shop!
2. Hem 2 things from my ever growing to-be-altered pile. Done - and it feels good to see that pile shrinking.
3. Do something outside of my comfort zone. Done - I actually did two things and it was really freeing.
4. Put paint to canvas. Done - It was not pretty (I definitely need to get reacquainted with the medium), but it was nice to do it again.

Did you make monthly goals? How did you do?
~Charlie

March Goals

Woo March! Spring is almost here and I am so ready! This month's goals are to...
1. Update the shop.
2. Hem 2 things from my ever growing to-be-altered pile.
3. Do something outside of my comfort zone.
4. Put paint to canvas.

I don't think I did too bad with my February goals.
1. Finish up spring flowers for the shop. FAIL, but I made progress...
2. Clean my studio really well. DONE, and I hope I can keep it this way for a bit.
3. Use the pretty felt I have been too afraid to. DONE! There will be new flowers in the shop very soon!
4. Hem my black skirt. DONE! It is my new favorite, and I feel like I may have worn it too much already.
5. Restyle my gray coat. DONE, and it turned out just lovely!

How did you do in February?
~Charlie

For the Love of Books

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Jasper Jones: This book took a little while to hook me.  I still find books told from the male perspective odd. I have no idea why... it just always catches me by surprise. I ended up really enjoying this book and all of the characters. I loved the fighting over which superhero is better, Superman or Spiderman (arguing that Batman couldn't be a super hero because he had no real powers). This argument made me laugh, how realistic the back and forth was. This book is also packed with lessons. My favorite was "it is easier to condemn another man than right your own wrongs".

Life As We Knew It / This World We Live In: I enjoyed these two books in this series (books 1&3) I honestly could not get into book two so I gave up and went on to three (Gasp! I know). I love LOVED these books! I am usually not big into end of the world things, but these books made me think.  In the book a natural disaster hits (vague, I know) and forces the family to band together and learn to live on less.  The writer thought of things that I would have never even realized would change.  Seriously, read this series! I won't judge if you can't make through two either!  Oh, and of course there is a bit of a love story in there.

If you want you can follow along on my journey to read 100 books in 2013 here!
~Charlie

February Goals

I didn't set goals in January so that I could focus on my resolutions and book reading.  I am for once ahead of schedule with my reading (11 books so far)... I doubt this will last, but one can hope! I also think I am doing better at living fearlessly, so here's to having an awesomely fearless year!

February Goals:
1. Finish up spring flowers for the shop.
2. Clean my studio really well.
3. Use the pretty felt I have been too afraid to.
4. Hem my black skirt.
5. Restyle my gray coat.

What are your goals for the month?
~Charlie

My Resolution

Hope the first few days of the new year have treated you well.  I got to ring in the new year from the comforts of my bed due to a lovely cold... but it was perfect.  I am just now beginning to feel human, and I am so excited to get started in this new time.  I decided that in 2013 I am going to take the fear out of failure.  I am just going to do, without over thinking every little thing.  Here are just a few of the things I am going to apply this to.

1. List some vintage clothing I have been hoarding in the shop.
2. Make a dress from a pattern.
3. Be confident in what I do/make.
4. Hem, take in, and(or) restyle every thrift I have in the almost basket.

These things are so simple and yet I over think and fear every little thing about them. Who cares if I don't sell a thing, or adding to my existing shop is the wrong outlet? What does it matter if I ruin a pattern or waste some fabric? I can buy some more and it won't be a waste... I am sure it will be a learning experience. And who cares what people think about what I do/make? I am done with the worry. It is not my problem, it is theirs.  I never pay much for my thrift finds, so I need to just let go of the anxiety and do my best. If I ruin something, it honestly just doesn't matter!

~Charlie

Goodbye 2012

Well this year was a blur, but it was a pretty fun blur! With mini-vacations, thrift adventures, and lots of crafting.  

Last year I made these goals...succeeded on some, and completely failed on others! 
1. Take more pictures of us - Success, thanks to cell phones!

2. Write in my journal everyday - Fail. This lasted maybe all of a week.... I did however keep up with my question a day journal... but that doesn't really count.. right?

3. Go on actual dates - Success! We might be able to do better but we at least go once a month.

4. Read 100 books  - Fail, but the best fail ever!!!! I worked all year at this and don't care that I fell short. I am definitely doing this again.. it was just so much fun!

5. Hang things on the walls - Success (kind of)... We got a few rooms done and have plans for the others. 

6. Print pictures - Fail... why is this so hard to do? What is my problem...

7. Try new recipes - Success! This was a lot of fun and something we did together which made it even more fun... even if it didn't always turn out. 

I am excited to see what 2013 holds!

~Charlie

December Goals

A few days late, but it is never too late to set goals!

1.  If we get snow, play in it.
2. Make Christmas cookies.
3. Watch at least one Christmas movie a week.
4. Keep up with our Advent/date calendar.
5. Make a winter themed wreath.

November Goals:

1. Make new Fall/Autumn decorations.  Check! You can see them here!
2. Enjoy every part of Thanksgiving! Check! I remained calm and didn't let anxiety ruin my holiday. 
3. Bake something with apples. Check! I made applesauce, recipe here.
4. Go for a walk on the trail by our house. FAIL! Even with the lovely warm weather we have been having, we never made it.
5. Crochet something. Check! I made a new cowl.  I will share pictures soon!

What your goals for December?
~Charlie

November Goals

1. Make new Fall/Autumn decorations.  For me, Christmas does not begin until the day after Thanksgiving... I like Fall too much (but I make an exception for Christmas movies)!
2. Enjoy every part of Thanksgiving! It might be hands down my most favorite holiday. This means not getting caught up in any of the stress! (I am not sure if this is a legit goal, but I am going with it).
3. Bake something with apples.
4. Go for a walk on the trail by our house!
5. Crochet something!


October Goals:
1. Do a scary movie marathon with lots of snacks! Success - This one was easy because scary movies are one of my favorite things!
2. Make one comfort food type recipe I never have before. Success - I made my mom's southern fried potatoes (read patatas).  I put on my big girl panties and got out the cast-iron skillet !
3. Go on a walk with the camera once a week and capture all the color changes. Success - It helps that the weather was so unseasonably warm!
4. Make a new wreath for the front door.  My old one is looking old! Success - I don't love it, but here it is in all of its simple glory.

5. Go on a hayride. FAIL - Oh how I wanted to so bad.... and we never found the time!!! October, why were you so busy?!?!

Do you have any November goals?
~Charlie

October Goals

Oh October, how I love you! I think this is the one month I could come up with a list of 20 goals, but I will be more realistic and stick with my usual 5. Anything else will just be a bonus!

1. Do a scary movie marathon with lots of snacks! 

2. Make one comfort food type recipe I never have before.

3. Go on a walk with the camera once a week and capture all the color changes.

4. Make a new wreath for the front door.  My old one is looking old!

5. Go on a hayride.

September Recap:
1. Cross a few things off my "Make This" list.  Fail - but I did organize the list and make realistic cuts.
2. Spray paint the vanity. Started - the base is done, just need to do drawers and the mirror!
3. Buy new glasses. Check - I love Coastal Contacts! I got these 1, 2, 3.
4. Organize my closet. Check - I now have a better system for all the sweaters in my life!
5. Crochet flowers. Check - I checked this book out of the library... love it!

Do you have any goals for this month?

~Charlie

28 Before 29

It is that time again! I decided not to do it last year and made fun New Year's resolutions instead.

1. Sew a dress

2. Write more letters

3. Live fearlessly

4. Take more Instax

5. Print wedding pictures

6. Stick with something for 30 days

7. Read 5 Agatha Christie books

8. Do at least one date night a month

9. Collect fun glasses (eye glasses... contacts hate me)

10. Plant flowers from seed

11. Send random happy mail packages

12. Go sledding

13. Make a recipe book

14. Master my Wacom tablet

15. Explore the west side of the state

16. Stay in on a rainy day and watch movies in my PJs

17. Redo the crafty room

18. Become 100% comfortable with my camera

19. Crochet a blanket for the couch

20. Fill a sketch book with doodles

21. Do a double feature at the movies

22. Play putt putt

23. Make a fort

24. Paint something

25. Do another craft show

26. Make kitty toys

27. Go to the beach

28. Find a place that makes pretty coffee drinks in real cups and get one!

Are you working on a list like this?  If so, leave me a link... I would love to see it!

~Charlie

September Goals!

I can't believe Summer is almost over... but I am super excited for Fall!

1. Cross a few things off my "Make This" list.
2. Spray paint the vanity.
3. Buy new glasses.
4. Organize my closet.
5. Crochet flowers.

August Goals in Review

1. Restock the shop. Check! New earrings in the shop!

2. Make skirts.  Check! Done using this tutorial... and then I added pockets! 

3. Purge. Check! It feels good... I want to throw everything away and start fresh (but I can't).

4. Go see the Titanic Exhibit. Check! It was amazing and we both survived.

5. Organize the spare bedroom. FAIL!!! With all the purging, organizing just didn't happen... oh well.

Happy Labor Day!

~Charlie

July Goals

1. See the Titanic Exhibit at The Henry Ford. 

2. Take tons of pictures on our mini road trip around Ohio.

3. Walk to get ice cream (It is National Ice Cream Month after all!).

4. Decorate the bedroom. 

5. Crochet something. 

June goal recap:

1. Keep up with my blogging schedule.  Check! Having the calendar filled out was awesome, and I plan to do it again this month! It helped so much and I learned a lot about my strengths and weaknesses when it comes to blogging. 

2. Plant veggies. Check! You can see a little peek here!

3. Make S'mores outside. Check! we even bought a cool little fire lamp to make it easy to do anytime. See it here.

4. Go on a picnic. Check! It counts even if we cheated and bought the food, right?? :)

5. Finish the quilt already!! Ok... fail... the entire top is assembled, but I ran into an issue with fabric for the back. I went to Jo-Ann and they didn't have enough yardage of anything I liked. I tried really hard to check this goal off though, and this will be finished within the next few days.  I am bound and determined to thrift a pretty sheet for the back! 

~Charlie