heading home

 {letter writing to some dear friends early this week}

I am heading home today and couldn't be more excited.  There is something so sweet about being home with my family and my cozy home town.  Time for a much needed break and play time.  I will also be working at CIRCA for three of the days and so excited to create some new items for the shop possibly.  The boy is coming home with me so we can spend a nice relaxing break together too!  Then it's my birthday!!! WAHOOO!

Happy Friday!

dearest november

{pumpkin spice chai latte art}

Where have the months gone?  Tis the month of cozy sweaters, sparkly uggs, eskimo hoods, coffee shop dwelling, candle light, late night studying and MY 21st BIRTHDAY!

The past few months I have been through some big changes.  I have come to realize there is a different path to my plan and it's not all that bad...just needed time to adjust.  I have the most wonderful, loving, and supportive parents and the greatest boyfriend around that have helped me find me again.  I am also thankful for the positive friends and mentors who listen to my babbling thoughts.

Cheers to snuggle weather and the holiday season.  I cannot wait to spend it with the ones I love.

xo

kayla

happy halloween!

weekend DIY

spent sunday evening painting pumpkins with the boy.  he's such a good sport putting up with my arts and crafts and spending time doing them with me.  the skull pumpkins were inspired by cinco de mayo candy skulls i saw over on the free people blog.  it was an enjoyable evening activity and they turned out pretty darn good!
hope you all had a happy monday!  feels good to cross off things on the to do list for the week.
ps sorry for the crappy cell phone pics

sunday

sipping fresh, hot apple cider and hitting the school books.  these past two weeks have been an amazing mix of self discovery and hard work.  life is good and the people in it are even better.  i am more myself than ever before and i am comfortable in my own skin and being me.  i changed my attitude around and had to once again remind myself to choose my own happiness.  it's both tiring and selfish to be in a funk.  being happy is when i'm my best self...my smile is genuine and i embrace the people around me.  the fall chill has awakened my soul.  my heart feels warm and my face glows with sheer happiness. 
i painted a couple birdhouses last weekend.  it felt good to get my hands dirty with paints and glitter.  i have also started to run.  it clears my mind and is a huge release from daily life stresses.
cheers to being free and letting go and just being yourself.
happy sunday.

Wandering mind

I've been out of my element the past week or so.  Definitely battling some internal struggles and frustrations, but I have found that much of what made me warm and fuzzy has been thrown aside for the essence of time. No more late night coffee. Missed the farmers market the past two or three weekends. Early morning grocery runs vanished. Blogging...what's that?  I haven't written a letter in a week which is very unusual and wearing drab sweats to class everyday.
The artistic sides have been pushed away. I must do a better job of wearing my beloved clothes and sending mail and being happy.

hello blog world

Sorry I was on a mini hiatus...life happened, I got stressed out and over emotional and then I survived!  Looking forward to this Friday night of cleaning and laundry to start off my weekend fresh.  Also can't wait to open up some inspiration magazines.

Enjoy your evening!  I'm taking time to relax and breathe.

thursday quote

“Hang in there. It is astonishing how short a time it can take for very wonderful things to happen.”

—	Frances Hodgson Burnett

wounded wing

I had shoulder surgery on Friday morning so I am sporting a lovely sling type thing for three weeks which means limited creating, BUT I did find a box of magazines from Stampington and Company in my mailbox today so I cannot wait to delve into inspiring photos and articles after this hectic week of classes. (Excuse my large run on sentence)


Happy Tuesday!

monday quote

“If it is right, it happens—The main thing is not to hurry. Nothing good gets away.”

—	John Steinbeck

thursday quote

“Close some doors today. Not because of pride, incapacity or arrogance, but simply because they lead you nowhere.”

—	Paulo Coelho

Weekend DIY: doily dream catcher

I made this as my weekend DIY.  It was inspired by free people (of course).  Headed to Michaels to purchase the twig wreath then stitched a doily in the center.  I added gold wire and beads as well as ripped fabric strands to hang off the bottom.  I am currently doily obsessed.
Happy Wednesday!

dresses as decor

I have been changing out some of my favorite dresses as quick room updates.  Might as well show off my lovelies since I compulsively purchase dresses all the time!

weekend update

 {pretty crate find from dad}

 {flowers from Shannon}

The boy was in town this weekend.  Saturday I went to the farmer's market and purchased delicious mini cantaloupes called lil' loupes.  I also attended the art fair and purchased the two puppy prints above from the artists, Angela Bond.  I could not resist their adorable faces and immediately missed my pups back home.
Saturday night we went to the football game and ate heavenly pizza.  Sunday was rainy and depressing and lacking any motivation whatsoever, but the boyfriend took me to the antique mall and bought me a blue Ball jar as well as some doilies so it wasn't a complete bust.  We also baked some sinful buffalo chicken dip. 
Today we had breakfast out and now I am spending the rest of the afternoon actually studying.  Guess that's part of being in college.
Happy Labor Day!

monday quote

dear september

Another month gone.  A month of self discovery, newness and introspection.  I am me.  I will be the person I want to be and I will not let others change that.  I have found what makes me happy, makes me inspired and makes me better.  I am wandering down a new path...one all my own.  A path where I do not have to do things just to fit in and feel included, but a path that I can stop at my own will and feel and be nothing but genuine.
September is about letter writing, farmer's market going, coffee drinking, studying, creating and believing that despite set backs I will be changed for the better.  September is for dress wearing, treasure hunting and kindness.  This path has been created for a reason and I will wander and follow it as I please.  I finally feel like I am really me.  I always lived separate lives and now they have merged into one.  Thank you August and cheers to September. 

xx
Kayla

today's horoscope

"Time to re-invent yourself and be surprised by the results.  Investigate the improbable, and document your decisions well, but act from the heart.  Invest in your business."

It's all about heart.  Today was a dress and cowboy boots day too.  I also got myself a pinterest account last night.  I finally gave in and I'm in heaven.

happy friday!

the boy surprised me with flowers last week.  the big lilies are still lookin' beautiful.

thursday quote

looking for the silver lining

I found out yesterday that I may need shoulder surgery.  It was very disappointing to hear as I have been frustrated and injured for the past 8 months.  I'll miss playing tennis this year and miss training, but I have to remember the good things.  Free People posted this yesterday and I really needed.

7 Uplifting Thoughts for Your Day

1. Enjoy what is now, don’t worry about the future and think of the past, just concentrate on now and making the most of the time that is now and you will find you won’t get bogged down.
2. Do what you love and do it often.
3. Speak from your heart, people will engage you more.
4. Challenge yourself. Don’t get caught up in the comfort zone, always push yourself and you will come out feeling great.
5. If you don’t like something, change it. Life is too short to do something you dislike.
6.  Stop comparing yourself to others, BE YOU!
7. Share what you’re passionate about, talk out loud about things that inspire you and inspire the people around you, too.

Source: 7 Uplifting Thoughts For Your Day | Free People Blog http://blog.freepeople.com/2012/08/7-uplifting-thoughts-day/#ixzz24zaGgZnl

monday quote

I feel like men are more romantic than women.  When we get married we marry one 
girl.

Cause we’re resistant the whole way, until we meet one girl and we think: “I’d 
be an idiot if I didn’t marry this girl she’s so great.”

But it seems like girls get to a place where they just kinda pick the best 
option or something. I know girls that married they’re like: “Oh he’s got a good 
job.”

I mean, they spend their whole life looking for Prince Charming and then they 
marry the guy who’s got a good job and is gonna stick around.

Ryan Gosling

saturday morning sweetness

There is something about weekend mornings that just makes me burst with energy and productivity.  I like to greet the morning sunshine and scratch off my to do list before lunch time. 
This morning I took an invigorating run to the football stadium where Shannon and I ran the stadium steps until we thought we may actually heave a lung.  We walked home, calves shaking under the weight of our bodies, but they were definitely unsteady steps of satisfaction.
I folded laundry methodically.  Something so simple...a chore indeed, yet relaxing.  Then it was off to the farmer's market...a summer dress day is always a good day.  I wish I took a picture of all the fresh zinnias.  Swoooooon.
Currently sitting in the coffee shop studying.  Check marks all down the to do list.
Cooking a lovely meal of stuffed peppers tonight.
All is good.
Happy Weekend!

thursday quote

“You can’t just make me different and then leave. You can’t. You can’t change me and make my whole life centered around you, then leave.”

—	John Green, Looking for Alaska

a little birdie told me

I made these little guys while I was watching the Olympics a couple weeks ago.  They are for sale at CIRCA in downtown Geneva if you need to find a gift or something to brighten your day.  Thanks for looking!

monday quote

"if you have good thoughts, they will shine out of your face like sunbeams, and you will always look lovely."

-roald dahl

CIRCA

I am beyond thrilled to have my typography canvases available for purchase at Circa in downtown Geneva.  Someone pinch me!  I still cannot believe how it all happened.  I like to make art for other people to enjoy.  I rarely keep anything I make for myself and I enjoy the process and the idea that something I took the time to create may brighten someone's day or home.
The new shop owner, Christina Lambert, is a beam of sunshine.  You can clearly see she enjoys her job working there by the way her eyes light up when she talks about her clients or tells shop stories.  I am incredibly thankful for her support and kindness.

night at the circus