Headin' h o m e

 I absolutely love Milwaukee and I can't wait to explore it more as I spend more time//adjust to living the college life. (I've come to find that the secret to college is coffee - or expresso because I'm still not sold on the taste of plain coffee.) But I am unbelievably anxious to head back to Appleton. So far this year I've been so wrapped up in school and getting used to everything that its nice to just breathe and return to a comfort zone.  

I can't wait to bake & eat & eat & eat & watch movies & give everyone there carefully selected presents & be around my family. This season's plans are going to be full...but fun. I'm working Christmas Eve at the bakery, and I'm actually really excited to work and be immersed in the crazy rush that Christmas brings. Being in Milwaukee just hasn't been comparable to my last December, maybe the lack of snow is at fault. I'm not sure. Appleton, here I come!

Snowy Day Adventure

Finally.

I just got back from one of my favorite classes. Sadly, this was the last class. I didn't realize until I got there just how sad I was that it was almost the end. The teacher was the best, the course content was gold, and I honestly enjoyed the class.

At the end of the class, while everyone was packing up their projects (we had a final critique), I realized how far I've grown as an artist this semester. I'd been worried at the start of the semester. I'd been having doubts about being an artist. Not only was I worried about things financially, but also if being an artist was really what I was suppose to be.

Today, everything just felt right. I felt confidence and passion that I haven't felt towards my art in a while. I feel inspired to create more. I feel confident that I can succeed as an artist. I feel like I've finally seen the sign that I'm in the right place. Finally.

Feelin' Lucky

Today I'm feeling so overwhelming excited that I've had 4 etsy orders in less than one week. (I don't even care that its Christmas time so everyone is shopping). Sometimes it is hard to head into college for art because people always try to discourage you because of the whole money thang. I find the more I worry about it, the worse it becomes. When I worry about trying to sell pieces, I ruin my creativity and the fun. I'm just so grateful and excited.

I can't remember the last time I posted.

I really need to become more consistent in this whole blogging thing. I always intend to blog a lot, but then time gets the best of me. This time I'm not promising myself when the next time I'll blog will be. I'm just going to let it happen when it wants to happen. I'm really tired of forcing myself to do things. I've been getting caught up in school and work. They take a lot of time & hard work, and when it comes down to it, there isn't much time left on the side. I'm learning balance, but thats never been my strongest suit. I really do love Milwaukee, but I feel no motivation to explore now that it's getting cold out. I can't wait for the sun to come back so I have loads of motivation & more time (or at least it feels like it) again.

This Week

Photograph One ▼▼▼Cider time

Photograph Two ▼ ▼ ▼ Bookshop finds

Photograph Three ▼ ▼ ▼ Farmers Market Fabric

Photograph Four ▼ ▼ ▼ Off to class 

Photograph Five ▼ ▼ ▼ Package day

Photograph Six ▼ ▼ ▼ New Tiny Triangle Earrings

A Weekend of Realizations

Realization One:
I work way better with time restraints. Lately I've just felt like I've had an overwhelming amount of things to do, but in all reality I've had plenty of time to get my daily tasks done. With everything changing and livin' the new college life, I've went from having three jobs to zero, and that means a lot more "free time". But as of last Friday, I got hired as a program coordinator (pretty darn sweet) for the Rec Center on campus. Since I've been hired I have gotten more accomplished than the three weeks I've been here jobless. I just love to be busy, I guess.

Realization Two:
Dylan is actually a nice shopping partner. I rarely have the patience to shop with girls because they take too long, and when I shop I'm on a mission. Dylan just wanders and does his own thing, and on the plus side, he tells me everything looks good (I guess this could have downfall too...). I haven't been shopping a lot since I've moved, but there are so many cute little shops to explore & I plan too.

Realization Three:
I've really missed soy milk. I've been drinking almond milk since I did some research on the large amount of sugar in soy milk. On my weekly trip to the grocery store, I couldn't resist chocolate soy milk. I've drank 3 glasses today (and its not just because its chocolate.) Its just SO much better than almond milk and I might just switch back :)

I found the best studio spot ever & I'm all like this.

animated gifs

College Vlog Numero Uno

Now I'm off to do my squats & abs before my roommates arrive back home & really think I'm a freak.

My excuses for not having posted almost all month...

Note: None of the following excuses are very strong.

• I've been too busy.
• I've been too busy.
• I've been too busy.

Getting ready for college is far more work than I thought. Between trips to Milwaukee to find a job, constant calling to Wells Fargo so my loans go through, and attempting (very unsuccessfully) to pack up my belongings I've been exhausted. I'm ready for this move to be done & over with although I'm still unprepared.  I finally found a job, but until everything is set in stone, I'll still be feelin' anxious. 

The last days at my jobs are finally happening...and as of today, I've finished at both the bakery & the art studio. I'll miss both of my art jobs a lot, but I've decided it'll be good for the soul to not work in an demandingly creative environment for a little while. I've been feeling extremely drained of all creativity during the day, but at night I'm dying to create.

I've finally been locking in my fall/winter 2012 pieces as well. The main focus is deep fall colors & cozy pieces. I've let out a couple sneak peeks, but the final photoshoot is soon & is much needed because my etsy is almost completely deflated. 

Much is happening & I hope to have new posts soon. In fact, I'm making a promise to myself that I will.

Shop Local Sunday; Vintique

Sorry this post is late! I was on a mini road trip & didn't have any internet to post from. :)

Vintique is one of my favorite shops in Neenah...(given there isn't much competition.) Their vintage is a little bit out of my reach, but their gift selection is great! They carry a couple local artists & natural life (which I've always been a fan of.) They also carry a lot of new dresses as well as vintage, that are more for special occasions, weddings, etc. 

My purchases///
Two cards to send back home while I'm away at college :) 

I found a couple dresses that I wanted, but college is comin' way too soon & I'm penny pinching!

Fab Friday

This "B" is too perfect. For real. 

"B"

I almost changed my dorm colors just for this comforter...but I decided to stick to my black, white & deep purple :)

"Comforter"

I've been loading up on cards to send back to everyone when I'm at college...I know, I'm so lame.

"Moustache Card"

Instagram Insanity

Photo 1/// Gams & the mustache glasses! (she'd kill me if she knew this was on "the internets"

Photo 2/// Monday's threads.

Photo 3/// Pre-Thunderstorm Clouds

Photo 4/// Rachele & I! 

Photo 5/// Beware: Glitter Monsters, Sign I made at Dainty Daisies

Photo 6/// Gram & I on her birthday! She turned 83!!!

Monday Runday

Well, I finally did it. I went on a run today & I've got to admit it didn't go as badly as I was expecting...(considering that I haven't went on a run in a good 2 months!) 

I seriously need to start running on a regular basis. It's so f r e e i n g. Running just takes all of my brain jumble & somehow manages to make sense of it all. I like running because I can stop & go whenever I please & don't feel any pressure. I will admit that I do force myself to make it to certain mailboxes//past certain cars, but it feels so good.

I'm going to start runnin' again. It feels so darn good. 

Shop Local Sunday; Dainty Daisies

I think we've all gotten the lowdown on why shopping local is important.

This week features Dainty Daisies. Not only do I love Dainty Daisies because I help the owner out when she needs a day off (one could say I'm a little bit partial because I'm one of the artists there as well :) ) but the selection is incomparable. Everytime I stop by...which is pretty frequently, there are loads of new pieces. The vintage section is also a big hit & she has vintage for men too! She features over thirty Wisconsin artists & two from out of state.

My purchases:
A Midwest is Best tee// I eyed this shirt up forever! I finally decided to cave in & buy it!
2 Coasters// These are too darn cute to pass up...the selection is huge & a lot of them are made with vintage storybooks.

Saturday's threads; Coral lace.

Dress// Forever 21

Shoes//Thrifted

Ring//Forever 21

Watch//New York & Co

Bag//Fossil-Thrifted

Belt//Thrifted

Friday Vlog; Bakery Rant

Instagram Insanity

Photo 1/// Restockin' studs at Dainty Daisies

Photo 2/// Break time at Wild Apple

Photo 3/// Carving some new stamps for Tiny Triangles' Tags

                                     

Tuesday's misTAKES.

I don't know a whole lot about anything yet. I'm still unsure//still discovering more & more about life on the daily. This week made me realize one thing for sure. I need to do more of what I love and I need to do it now. I'm a planner, plain & simple. I always have been the girl who wakes up and plans everything that will take place that day {if I haven't already figured it out by then.}

Lately I've been realizing how often I tell myself that one day it won't be like this. One day I won't be working my butt off in the 95° heat at the bakery & sweatin' off every single ounce of water in my body. I'm not complaining, it could be worse, at least I have a job, right? {or three :) }But I constantly tell myself that in the future I'll have fun. In the future I'll do this//that. If I work hard now then in the future I'll have time to have fun.  

The thing of it all is that because I'm constantly livin' in the future, I don't take the time to enjoy the now. 

So here I go, off to enjoy the best of it, the current, the now, the right in front of me. 

Another misTAKE to learn from!

Friday, Friday, Friday.

This week has been one heck of a week. I feel like all I've been doing is working (its true.) Tonight, instead of volunteering at open mic night like I normally do, I took the night off. I'm using tonight to gather everything up & tie up a lot of loose ends... and to do laundry (its been a while!)

I've got a lot of exciting things coming up soon. Yesterday I finally got my move-in day for UWM - it's at the VERY end of August! Also I've been actively looking into other studios to feature my work...but that means I need to completely redo my portfolio. I guess its probably about time. 

Tonight is the night, I'm going to get stuff done that I've been pushin' aside for too long  & have this song on replay THIS SONG.

BRAND SPANKIN' NEW!

I normally don't really enjoy anything typed in all caps, but the title deserved it. 

This is a fresh start...somethin' sparking new, fresh. I can't wait to record my journey here...my college years, the blossoming of my career & everything in between. I'm hoping that by recording it all I can not only have something awesome to look back on, but have something that has inspired others. 

So here goes nothin'!

I love these prints by Mico! Everytime I look at them I find another one to fall in love with.