Wednesday, December 30, 2009

New Years Resolutions 2010

It probably seems like I have fallen off the face of the earth, and there have been days this month when I actually thought I had. We had a family emergency (that continues) at the beginning of the month, that has taken up more than all of my time, and has left me running around most days like a chicken with my head cut off (gross I know, but that was the most fitting analogy). I tend to be a pretty organized person when it comes to most things (except for where I put my keys, and why can't I find my phone in my purse? Did I lose it)? I solved the phone in purse problem by finally finding a phone cover that I could see in the black abyss I call my purse. I forked over $3.43 on a pink cover for my LG ENV 2 (I think that's what model it is).


I did so much running around and so much freaking out about the whole situation (which I am also continuing to do) that I started making mistakes that I never would have if my head was attached to the rest of my body the right way.


When you run your own business (unless you are just gifted in running business) you kind of run on the saying, "Everything is trial and error." This doesn't work? okay we'll throw it out and try something new. I'm pretty sure that's just life in general. I made a boo boo earlier in the month where I am going to end up costing myself money rather than making it, and I was mad, boy was I mad. Not so much about not making the money, although, that's how I run my business, you have to make money to run a successful business, but I was more mad that I made a mistake that I wouldn't have normally made if I haven't been spending the last month constantly running around at warp speed. Josh said to me, "Live and Learn" and you do. You live, and along the way you learn what works, and what doesn't.


About this time last year I was making big plans for big resolutions. This year, I have a few goals I've set for myself, but none of them are enormous. I've almost met one of them before the year has even started, so when I reach my goal (not if because I won't stand for if) then I will make myself a new goal and move from there. I was the classic case of making my goals too lofty, a little too big for my ambition at least, and found myself mourning the loss of my made goals somewhere mid February, and then completely forgetting what I had set out to do all together.


And what kept me from making these goals? Myself. Fear of taking risks is something that I have always suffered from. I planned on living in Montesano my whole life until Josh came along, and in a few months had flown 13 hours by myself across the world to live in Europe for a few months. No support system, just me and Josh and a huge world that I knew nothing about. I made some of the best friends while I was over there. One of my very closest soul friends was the only person I wanted to talk to when all this mess happened. Because she knows how I felt, and until you have been through something like this, you can never understand how it feels.


Like I said, this year my goals are less exciting, but I think they are more important for living a good life. I've found that I've wasted alot of time wallowing in my sorrows, wondering why things haven't happened, so this year I'm making them happen and I'll let the chips fall where they may. It's time for action not idleness.


So my New Years Resolution for 2010:


Laugh more, cry less; Love more, worry less; work smarter, learn more; create more, forgive more. Indulge, see new places, take more risks, Be closer to God, be better at business, Give back, connect with people, inspire and be inspired, find a little peace, and just enjoy life.

Photo by: Max Wagner Found Via: We Heart It

I pray that your 2010 will be a blessed year for you... Happy New Year:)

Alyssa

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

MIA

Sorry I've been MIA. I don't know how often I will be around in the next week or so. I found this while looking at Tiffany's. This is what I'm asking for, for Christmas,the Onyx Carved Heart Pendant. It comes in a few other colors. But Josh's wedding ring is made of onyx, and we both love onyx so its only fitting! Its a little out of the price range Josh and I try to stick to for Christmas. But, I thought I'd throw it on the list anyway. Every Christmas list needs a pretty piece of jewelry, and from Tiffany's! What are you asking for this Christmas?

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Love Actually is... All Around

Finally a post, even though it's a small one. I've been really busy working away, and spending time with family over Thanksgiving weekend. I'm trying to get back into the swing of things! I was spoiled last week. It was Josh's and my 2nd anniversary. We picked up our puppy last Tuesday, and have been chasing her around ever since! I Love, Love Actually. I saw it in the theater the day it came out, and I left feeling so much lighter than I had when I walked in. In the wake of so many tragedies over the last month or so, we need a reminder that there is love still left in the world. That people are inherently good, and that we really do love each other, even if it's not displayed in a huge way. May this be a reminder of the love that is all around this Christmas season!





Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Christmas Decor

It seems like a century ago that I posted last (I tend to exaggerate). Last week was an extremely busy week, and this week is the same story. I'm going to TRY to take today off, being as it's my anniversary, but I'm sure I will be sneaking in some editing time tonight or later this afternoon when we get home from picking up our new puppy! I have two beautiful ladies to edit from my Boudoir Session on Saturday, and a house to prepare for company. This is our (Josh an me) year hosting Thanksgiving. Josh is going all out with the turkey, making a brine of Allspice Berries, Peppercorns, Brown sugar, and Crystallized Ginger. I ran around the grocery store yesterday trying to hunt all of that down while trying to weave in and out of the mess of people that's exponentially growing by the hour, as we get closer to the Holiday. I was successful though! And found everything I needed.
While I was hunting the wine section, I came across the classiest of wines, Lambrusco, and just had to buy a bottle. Lambrusco accompanies some very good memories of the time we spent together in Europe. We couldn't afford anything else, and it was so easily accessible in Germany. It might not be great, but it's very nostalgic, so I bought a bottle for $5 and I will enjoy that bottle of wine probably more than any other!
I haven't written a Thanksgiving post, so I feel a little bad skipping the Holiday and going straight to Christmas. I tend to do that because I love Christmas so much. I start watching Christmas movies around June. Do I prepare and buy gifts too? No. That would be too organized. I've been dreaming about the Christmas decoration theme I'm going to go with. I've always wanted a color theme. I remember my mom always saying that we just have a mish mash of different decorations, and nothing really goes together. She's right, but it holds memories. We still put up the same holiday plate and figurine set. The paper wreaths made from our hands. And Josh and I have taken some of our ornaments from when we were kids and combined them into our own mish mash of things.

This year I'm hoping to add a color scheme. I'm thinking blue and silver. Next year I hope to do a different color, then I can just rotate them as I see fit.

I love how bright and airy this room is. Silver, white and cream are perfect for this room.

Not silver, but of course this use of cranberry red caught my eye. I love red.

Photos via Country Living, and Garrendenny Lane Interiors

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Reason 435 For Wanting A Daughter

I've been dreaming about having children from the time I received my first doll. I'm pretty sure that was the bald cabbage patch one that I called Sissy Marie, and the bigger blond yarn haired cabbage patch doll I named Charlie (short for Charlotte). I carried my dolls everywhere. And of course I had 500 of them. The water baby, a dreamland baby, and American Girl doll, a Crissy Doll that was my mom's, a PJSparkles, A Gerber baby doll. Seriously, the list NEVER ends...The only list that was longer was the list of barbies that all looked the same. Finally Barbie figured it out and started offering up just outfits, so I could accessorize with Fifth Ave. clothing without ditching Barbie number 3,254 for a new outfit and a new pair of shoes. Oh how little things change...I loved my dolls, until they creeped me out with their lifeless eyes, and I put them in a drawer never to be looked at again.
Like I said, I've been dreaming about having children forever, and I've been dreaming about having a daughter for just as long. There are a million reasons I want a daughter. I want a couple daughters actually. I always wanted a sister, one that I could scream at, argue about stealing each others clothes, but really having that deep connection with someone that had shared my life, but had a completely different story to tell.

We all know by now that I have an addiction to clothes and shoes. That was apparent when I bought an amazing pair of shoes by Calvin Klein the other day before heading out for a birthday party. They are divine... We just won't tell my husband how much they really cost. I told him the were $40 off. That's all he needs to know;)

I've never taken the time to check out Crew Cuts over at the J.Crew website, because I know that I will fall madly in love, and I just don't know if I can bear to swoon over children's clothes any more than I already do. I had a weak moment, and took a peek and almost died at the preciousness and I'm pretty sure that's not even a word. So I grabbed a couple outfits that I thought were cute. And some that I would want. I hope my daughter likes skirts and dresses. I think the coat is my favorite. It's in a pewter gray color. AH!






I obviously have a soft spot for gray and pink... Ruffles, and rosettes. Can you tell? These outfits are so cute it hurts to think about a little girl with brown little curls and blue eyes. It's just too much!

Crew Cuts Clothing by J.Crew

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Friday, November 13, 2009

Happy Celebration Weekend!

I'm headed out today to a birthday celebration! The only thing that would get me more excited for today? Sun. It's terrible weather here. Leave it to the Northwest... Saturday night and Sunday are my recoup/prep days for a busy busy week ahead. Have a fabulous weekend! Ciao!

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