I don’t know you very well yet, and I’m not sure what you have in store, but here’s what I promise:
…to try to keep an open heart each day.
…to live with courage, hope, and intention.
…to celebrate the goodness of life on even the most ordinary of days.
…to look for ways to grow and learn from every experience.
…and to keep thankfulness in my heart—always.
I’ve seen various bloggers doing Instagram update posts, so I wanted to share a little mosaic of Instagram photos from my holiday this year. I love that Instagram helps me document some of the little details I might not capture with my regular camera.
I hope you all have a wonderful New Year’s Eve.
I’m hopeful about all God has in store for 2012. ♥
A little Year in Review Recap inspired by Elsie @ A Beautiful Mess:
(I did a similar recap last year.)
January: After months of working on my sketchbook, I mailed it off to the Brooklyn Art Library in Brooklyn, New York, to begin its tour. The book really spoke to the life season I was in — growing, learning, taking risks, and lots of dreaming and hoping.
February: I created this pretty mosaic to inspire me one cold and wintry weekend in February. (I know, technically, it’s more than just one photo…) ;-)
1. Untitled, 2. Untitled, 3. Hello Weekend!, 4. Untitled, 5. Untitled, 6. Travelling
March: I enjoyed many creative weekends in 2011, working out ideas in my sketchbook and creating art for art shows.
April: One of my poems won third place in a local art show. It was such a special evening with friends and family at the opening night of the show. If you’d like to read the poem, you can read my original post about the evening, here.
May: I was excited to welcome summer with new sunglasses, pretty shades of polish, iced coffees, etc. I love to celebrate the little details that make life special.
June: In June, I went on a fun antiquing adventure with a dear friend. It was the perfect way to spend a warm June morning and afternoon.
July: I spent lots of time out on my porch, enjoying the beautiful summer weather and flower pots my mom planted for me.
August: During my lazy summer afternoons and evenings on the porch, I read two incredible books by Shauna Niequist (Cold Tangerines and Bittersweet).
September: I created my 28 Things list, and I’m happy to say, I’ve already been checking things off the list. :) (I know, this isn’t exactly a photo, but I’m counting it anyway…) ;-)
October: I went on a much-needed girls’ weekend getaway with my family. We had a great time revisiting old memories, talking about our family history, shopping at local boutiques, and eating yummy food.
November: I displayed and sold my artwork at my company’s holiday art sale. It was a goal of mine, and it meant a lot to complete it.
December: December has been about the Advent season and celebrating Christmas. I’ve spent a lot of quiet time by my tree, in the Word, journaling and praying. It’s also been about time with family and friends and sharing and celebrating life with the people who mean the most to me.
And like I did last year, I’ll share my “presently delighting in” lists from 2011:
Winter 2011/2012
Taking pretty pictures; journaling; stocking up on books to read; making coffee/hot chocolate; being cozy; and settling into the quietness of wintertime.
Fall 2011
Apple cider, caramel lattes, burning fall candles, black-and-white photos, mellow music, art journals, and celebrating each day.
Summer 2011
Iced coffees, dreaming big dreams, collecting inspiration, journaling, and giving thanks for the everyday blessings that make my life more beautiful.
Spring 2011
The beginnings of spring, polka dots, art explorations, reading and writing poetry, and learning what it means to have faith.
2011 has been a great year filled with faith, hope, new creative pursuits, and memories made with the people I love.
I’m already dreaming up ideas/goals for 2012 and look forward to another year filled with growth and creativity. I’ll be back with a post about 2012 goals and share some peeks into my sketchbook and journal.
It’s been the kind of day that calls for good books and hot cocoa.
After grabbing lunch at a cute local diner with family, I’ve settled in at home to drink cocoa, do some blog/creative project brainstorming, and perhaps work a bit on organizing my craft supplies.
I hope you’re warm and cozy today.
P.S. How cute is that vintage book bundle? It was a Christmas present from my Aunt this year.
A little peek at some of this year’s holiday festivities…
So much laughter. So much food. So much cuteness.
So many things to be thankful for.
Hope you had a very Merry Christmas filled with happiness, joy, and peace.
Blessings to you + yours. ♥
{print from The Tiny Hobo Etsy Shop}
I love anything you can describe as cozy (and if you’re a regular reader of this blog, that statement certainly comes as no surprise!).
I’m already celebrating all things cozy this winter. On Monday, I spent a gray winter morning enjoying warm cinnamon rolls and mugs of pumpkin spice coffee with a friend. It was such a blessing.
A few winters ago, I posted about the Order of Toastiness, and I think this winter, I shall bring it back.
*The glittery light from my small white Christmas tree
*Mugs of any of the following: hot cocoa piled with marshmallows, coffee, lattes, apple cider, tea
*The Civil Wars station on Pandora
*Lots of blankets
*Scarves
What are you loving as the weather gets colder?
P.S. I said goodbye to my blonde hair, and hello to auburn for the winter months. Change is good. ;)
In the midst of hectic holiday prepping and planning, I’m trying to appreciate winter’s quiet peace and feel the joyous hope the Advent season brings. I’m making time to see the beauty of snow-covered branches and feel the thankfulness in my heart. I’m thinking a lot about the past year and all I’ve learned and experienced…
And I’m looking ahead to the excitement of Christmas and a brand-new year.
It’s been quite a while since I’ve posted a Fashion Favorites blog. I’ve been collecting lots of favorites on my Pinterest style board, though, so I thought I’d share a few for fun.
{ photos credits: #s 1, 3, 5 Keiko Lynn; #s 2, 4 A Beautiful Mess }
This season, I’m loving vintage-inspired specs and coats; pink and red; cute hats; lots of layers; and just the right amount of sparkle. ;)
In December, I hope to:
*Light a candle each week for Advent and spend some time each day reading scripture and reflecting on what it means to be living the Advent season.
*Make this Let Your Heart Be Light glitter banner for my home.
*Visit my favorite vintage store (they go all out with vintage Christmas decorations).
*Host a cookie-baking party (and bake Chocolate Cherry [or Strawberry] Cookie Drops.
(What’s your favorite holiday cookie recipe?)
*Watch Christmas movies.
(What’s your favorite? I’ll add it to my list!)
*Make some meaningful handmade Christmas gifts.
(Check out A Beautiful Mess for some great ideas!)
*Document the season with picture-taking and art journaling.
*Enjoy time off work.
*Approach the holidays with this in mind: to choose quality over quantity, meaning over mania, people over pressure, relationship over rushing (from Shauna Niequist).
*Go ice skating (it’s been years!) or sled riding.
*Make hot cocoa.
*Visit some of the cute towns nearby that have sweet little downtown areas that get all decked out for Christmas.
What are your December plans/traditions?
This sweet fall wreath from Smile & Wave
Cute tights like these from Katie’s Pencil Box
Vintage-inspired coats like these two from Anthropologie
This Let Your Heart Be Light glitter banner tutorial from Katie’s Pencil Box
(I wrote about it here, too.)
Creating new pieces of artwork; participating in my company’s holiday art sale; Thanksgiving with my family; and putting up my little Christmas tree.
I’ll be back soon with my Hello, December post.
