Hello July >>>

Hello July.  This is the month I marked on the calendar for some (hopefully) life changing goals.  Or if not so life changing, at least small habit changing.  For the year of my 30's, Im going to be choosing a new 30 day challenge each month.  The first one, my husband and I are doing together, a smoothie challenge.  This is a fun and easy one... Something to ease me into this whole challenge thing, which quite honestly, Ive never been good at.  Maybe I should come up with some sort of reward each month to keep my mind on the goal?  Im hoping that most of these challenges I put myself up to, continue to be a part of my daily life afterwards...  Ill be sharing my progress along the way too!

I am also going to do my first 365 photo challenge.  I haven't quite decided yet if I want it to all be self portraiture to allow myself to get creative in that department again, or just a photo a day... The photo above is my first one.  Day one I had company and had to do something quick, so its a rather simple simple photo, but I loved the colors in it.  So, well see where this leads me, and see if I can keep up with it!  Ill be gone almost all day today, so its going to be a challenge... Ill be posting them in my new flickr account as I go.  

Today, I am being treated like a princess from one of my girlfriends.  For my birthday, she is taking me to yoga class, then to get a massage, and then to sushi!  Ive been looking forward to today with so much excitement.  And after getting to see my Nanna, and some other very special family yesterday, its sizing up to be a good week already!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

I cant say who, since it is not live yet, but when etsy's featured seller switches over at noon today, it will be a dear sweet new friend of mine... I am sooo wildly happy for her.  Please be sure to check out her shop and leave her lots of lovin' on her interview.  I cant wait to read it when I get home.  This girl is so deserving of this beautiful light shining on her.

Thank you to everyone who purchased a sponsor spot during this sale!  So excited to have all of you in my sacred space.  Today is the last day to get in on the sale, so check out my last post if you missed it.  Some of the spots are now on a waiting list, they are going fast!

A dear friend of mine is now helping me list some items in my etsy shop.  I am sooooo ever grateful for her.  So, thanks to her, there are some new pretties in Roots and Feathers!

PEACE,
Laura

New Years Dreams and Wishes >>>

I decided to write a little New Years post, and since this time of year is usually about changes we want to occur in our lives, I thought I would start in this very moment.  Instead of sitting inside at my computer desk to write up this post, I gathered up a blanket, pillow, James laptop and my phone in case it rings, outside to enjoy the scenery and breeze while I do.  It took just a few extra minutes out of my day, and has already made all the difference in the way my body feels.  These are the simple kind of changes I look forward to emplimenting in my daily life this next year.  Little things I can change about my routine as I work at home, to make my days more fulfilling.  I think this is a good start!
2011 was another one of those years I would call the best and the worst years.  So many amazing things happened this year.  The biggest of those being buying our very own home and having both of our handmade business be a success.  Starting my new Roots and Feathers line, and then becoming a featured seller on etsy, was amazing!  This also planted many seeds in my heart of knowing Im on the right path, and fully allowing myself to continue following my dreams.  We have also deepened a few friendships in our lives this year, and reconnected with some old friends.  And we recovered our pup Violet from heartworms, and she is strong and healthy! 

The hardest part of this past year has been losing my dad to suicide.  It is something I think I will have to feel and work on every day of my life.  It has sparked an emotional and spiritual revolution inside my heart, just like when I lost my mom, but in a different way this time.  It has also amplified missing my mom so much.  Its left me with so much more fear of the world then I had before, which is going to take lots of time and healing to work my way through.  But it has also opened my heart more and more to the idea of bringing a new life into our home.  It has again made me realize how tender and short this life really can be.  It has also changed James heart in so many ways.  The death of my parents has given me so much insight into life itself, and to everyone who knew and loved them.  They will forever be missed and yearned for, for the rest of our lives. 

 *this photo of my parents was taken by a friend when they went to Italy together*

I can only imagine what 2012 is going to bring into our lives.  I could really go without any kind of loss.  My hopes for the new year are lots of healing in my heart, more activity in my body, more spiritual connections, the growth of a new garden, continued success in our businesses, new friendships and maybe a little bebe growing in my belly at some point in the year :)  These are my biggest wishes. 

I know I cant change which way the wind blows, or who comes in or out of my life, or a million other things, but Im excited about the things I can change.  Which reminds me of the serenity prayer my mom used to always tell me... God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.  This is one of the simplest yet most profound prayers.  Its the only prayer my mom ever told me, and she learned it from AA.  I love it.  

One more thing Im going to accept before going into this new year, is patience and time.  I know so many of us put these crazy high expectations on ourselves for the year, but so many of these changes take time, like real time.  As my heart allows me, Im going to let go of the things that no longer serve me, and welcome new things that do.  And if it takes me all year, or 5 years, so be it.  I will follow my course without pressuring myself.  The world has a great way of making things happen when they are suppose to :)

This is how I spent most of my day today.  As soon as James got home, my cramps kicked in full gear and I was bed bound for hours.  It was so bad this time it actually made me throw up, which hasnt happened in years.  Sometimes it makes me wonder how Ill ever have a baby naturally if I can barely stand my periods.  Sorry if thats TMI.

Happy New Year to everyone I have met along this journey so far!  Lets continue to embrace each other in this community into the new year.

PEACE,
Laura

2011 Goals


a few goals for myself for the new year... I will probably be adding to this list for the next few weeks!

1. get outside ALOT more often
2. get back into yoga
3. connect more with friends
4. keep my work spaces organized
5. start designing my book
6. learn new tricks on my hula hoop
7. get a massage (thanks to my boy)
8. less random internet, more time creating
9. green drink everyday
10. stop biting my fingers
11. relax in the evenings
12. purchase runnings shoes/start jogging
13. learn more on my sewing machine
14. stick to my workout routine
15. healthier eating & cooking
16. develop better work/play schedule
17. keep up with new blog series
18. design more new looks for my clothing line
19. let go of past events and truly move on
20. have lots of tent dates with my boy
21. take more creative self portraits like i used to
22. de-clutter my house
23. stay on top of inventory for taxes
24. laugh alot more
25. fear alot less

...and many many more...

PEACE,
Laura

Looking Forward

I had a wonderful stay with my Nanna & Sabe, thanks for the wonderful comments!  It is ALWAYS nice to sit by her side.  Even if we are not doing a darn thing.  Just being near her.

And on a completely different but equally exciting note, remember that beautiful dress a few posts back that I am swooning over???  Well last night James said I could get it as part of my xmas gifts from him!!!  Im so excited, my fingers are crossed it will get here by christmas.  I would love to wear it to my nanna's house that day!


And now is the time to start taking stock of the year that has just flown by.  I invited my hubby last night to a coffee date so we can sit down in a place away from home (which is work for me), with a nice cup of coffee, and a pen and notebook, and daydream our time away about both of our businesses.  Im going to attempt to show him that creating goals and making lists really does help and work to keep your eye on a target and your motivation up when you are lacking it.  And making lists, big goal oriented ones and tiny daily ones really help keep you organized with it all.  Sometimes the hardest part is remembering to look at your lists, ha ha!

I keep daily paper lists on my desk right in front of me for small immediate goals, and a dry erase board in my area for larger projects that are ongoing or I know will take more than a day to complete.  There is always a sense of accomplishment when you can cross something off of that list!

I get asked alot how I manage to get done all that I get done with the jewelry, clothing and photography.  This is one little way I can help myself with it all.  But please remember if you have been wondering that yourself, this is my FULL TIME job.  I quit my waitressing job to pursue this and it was a HUGE leap of a dream.  But with steady determination it can be done.  One day at a time.  As with anything if you stick with it long enough, exercising, eating healthy, drawing, quitting a bad habit, hooping, even loving.  Anything done slowly with good intentions and full of heart will work if you work it.  For those of you who dont know there is a AA slogan that says, 'It works if you work it, and it wont if you dont'. I think this applies to soooooo many things in life.
Wow, this post just turned into something totally different then when I started, part of why I love blogging!  Hope this helps someone out there.

PEACE,
Laura