The Boxes We Put Ourselves In

I have been thinking a good bit the past couple of days about the boxes that we put ourselves.  Some would say that it is society that puts us in those boxes, trying to categorize us, but we allow it.  When did we become content to be placed in these boxes? Always wary of making a decision that is outside of what box you are in.  I have found that so often, I feel like I have to be a certain person, and make certain decisions, because that is the decision that I am expected to make.  I was thinking about this when I heard about filing paperwork at Rebuild, there is no box to check off on paperwork for what we are doing, so whoever is filing the paperwork always has to explain what we do.  It reminds of myself, so many times, I think I have to do something that allows me to check off that box, rather than having to explain my decision.  

I think that all of this thinking is a part of me coming into the second half of twenties and trying to really figure out who I am and what I believe. I also think that these thoughts are really coming from a place where I am trying to form my creative eye, like what is the vibe I want to create.  What materials do I want to use, and what story do I want to create with my work.  It is really about deciding on a creative vision, but also being careful not to get stuck in a creative rut and really box myself into a specific practice.  

I am not sure that there is a specific answer to how to not box ourselves in, but I will keep working on myself...and I'll let you know what I come up with....

I Woke Up Early For Once

I actually woke up early and put real clothes on today.  Working from home has it's advantages, but I find that I am dressing up a lot less.  I am pretty new to the leggings game, so most days I find myself in leggings and tunics, maybe a button up if I'm leaving the house.  It's a real problem.  I am loving working on Made New stuff all throughout the day,  I literally can't think of anything that I could rather be doing.  I wore this outfit today, but I also wore this outfit Sunday to speak at a church about Rebuild, which was a huge thing for me.  I am not now nor have I ever been a friend of public speaking, but somehow God helped me gather up the courage to speak which is crazy.

Mountain Calling

                 

                 

                 

                

   

I feel like lately all of the clothes that I have been making are super nature and exploring centric.  I am not sure why, but I am certainly not complaining.  I made this skirt last weekend for a trip to Charlotte.  I wanted it to be a pinafore, but I didn't quite get it done in time...so  I decided to improvise and just wear it as a skirt.  I picked this fabric up at Hobby Lobby if you want to get your hands on it.  Hopefully sometime this week I can get the rest of it made.  I went to Charlotte this past weekend to help a friend move.  We spent a good bit of time just shopping and eating, but we did some moving.  I only picked up a few things at the mall, I was trying to be good.  I got a bath bomb at Lush which I am looking forward to trying, and a cup at Anthropologie that I had before but broke.   I also went to church with them at Elevation.  It was my first experience at a mega church.  I also had a great time hanging out downtown.  I was able to get some macaroons at a bakery there at like midnight, so I was pumped.  We got macaroons and gelato and just sat people watching on the street, and the people watching was amazing.  It was so great getting to see my friend.    

 

*side note...I should have ironed my skirt...but I am neither a classy lady all the time nor am I perfect....so it is what it is.  I was going out to lunch and I was in a hurry...ironing will always come second fiddle to time with people! :)

Socality

This is My Community from Socality on Vimeo.

I only recently found out about Socality, but I am super pumped about what they are about and what they are doing, you should totally check it out!

Wanderlust

I have a mad case of wanderlust right now.  I don't know what it is...perhaps it's the changing leaves and changing seasons.  I always get excited for new things and new adventures when the seasons change.  Related to this desire for adventure, I have been working on putting together a bucket list. On that list, is to visit every national park in the country.  I am so very excited to start marking some off of my list, there are so many parks that I have wanted to visit for so long.  I am hoping to hit up as many state and historical parks as I can along the way as well.  I got this travel journal for a dollar online, it was used but only had one page filled out.  It's previous owners were from Portland and recorded a trip to New Orleans.  I also picked up one of the national park passports so I can begin collection stamps and cancellations from all the visitor centers.

I am also working on my line of fall products to be released soon, and my wanderlust has definitely played a part in that.  Long live the adventure!

Hope At The Heart

Hello friends! I just wanted to shoot you a quick update and tell you about a new blog that I am writing on.  At the non-profit I work with, I was just named women's growth and development director...which is basically the coolest sounding title ever. Anyways, at a meeting this weekend, we decided to start a blog to update the community about what is going on.  It is also a great place to talk about what we are learning through the process.  I had to take a photo for the team bio page, and this were a couple of the outtakes.  You can head to the blog yourself if you want to see which one I went with.  It is a faith based non-profit, and there will be plenty more of my deep thoughts over there if you want to check it out.  You can find us at this link.  You can also just google Hope At The Heart and that should get you there.  I haven't written anything other than my bio yet, but I would love for you to check it out.  The other women are so much wiser than I am and they have so many good things already written.  You can keep an eye out for my posts coming soon.  

I'm Freezing In These Photos

             

             

         

I woke up this morning, walked outside, and there was fall.  Where did it come from?  I swear it wasn't even close to being this cold yesterday.  I didn't do much today.  This morning, I went and picked up some craft supplies for some things I am working on my next festival.  After that, I went to Panera and got a pumpkin pie bagel. Have you had one of these things? I am thoroughly obsessed.  I dare you to try one with hazelnut cream cheese and not be as well. Then, this evening, I went to the corn maze and got good and lost.  It was a great fall day full of fall activities, and it was made better with fall weather. 

 I am wearing another dress that I made today.  It would have been better with tights, but I still love it.  I have worn it so many times since I made it.  If you were wondering, I did not wear this to the corn maze, I actually wore pants.  I can't remember that last time I wore pants, it took me forever to find them.  

I'm Terrible At Coming Up With Post Titles

I am absolutely terrible at coming up with names for my posts...but look! A real life outfit post! It's been like months I think since I posted one.  I bought an iphone camera remote and some discount store and I just couldn't help taking some photos with it.  I love it because I don't need someone to take my photos...but I can see the photos as I am taking them with the camera turned around...which definitely cuts down on my editing and going through photo time. I am definitely excited to play with my new toy.  I have been wearing mostly dresses that I made lately, including this one.  I also made my bracelet which is from Made New. I adore this type of dress.  Once I found a shape I love I really stick with it.  Over the weekend, I sold at a local craft festival, and it went so fantastic.  I spent the entire past week sewing.  It is basically all I did, so today I took a personal vacation day.  I thought about going for a hike, but I had to run a business errand this morning, so I just spent the day eating lunch with a pal and napping with movies.  I will probably end up taking a hike another day, because I desperately need to spend some time outdoors.  I have another festival coming up in two weeks, so I need to work on that as well.  Festival season is definitely upon us and I couldn't be more excited.

We Will See You Tomorrow

Today is National Suicide Prevention Day. It is a day and a cause that is very personal and very important to me, for a variety of reasons. No matter what your reason is for valuing this day, it is so important, and your reasons are important.  Suicide is a problem that needs to be addressed. It is a symptom of a disease. Mental illness and addiction can kill. I have seen first hand the toll that they take on your spirit. I know that I don't have all the answers, and this issue is bigger than any one person. However, if we all stand together, our thousands of voices will make a bigger impact than any one person. We all need to work together to bring about awareness and solutions.  We can all bring awareness to the people we come into contact with. Today is the day that we stand together and say that it is ok to not be ok.  So love you friends a little deeper, and hold your loved ones closer. Let's raise our voices together...

This past week, my grandmother passed away. She hadn't been doing well, and we all knew it was coming. When she was alive, she always told me that she wished that she could see the ocean. She never got to. At first, that broke my heart, but then I realized that by now she has seen every bit of coastline of every ocean in a way that we never will in our time on Earth. Her wish stuck with me for a few days.  I realized, I do not want to get to the end of my life, and have to tell my grandchildren that I wished I could have seen or done something that I hadn't gotten to do. I want to get to the end of my life and tell my grandchildren about that time I hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. There will always be naysayers. There will always be reasons...not enough money, not enough time, whatever...but those reasons don't matter. If your spirit aches for something, find a way to do it. If you want to write a book, write a book. If you want to open your own business, do it. If you want to skydive...you are without me on that one, but do it anyways. Find a way to do what makes your soul soar. Go and see your ocean, before one day you wake up and your dream became impossible. Make your soul come alive! 

In his book, If You Feel Too Much, Jamie Tworkowski writes that today is bigger than your yesterday. So I ask you to make it though your today, and bring your friends with you...and we will see you tomorrow. 

Oh and Grandma, thanks for inspiring me with your life and in your death...and I hope that the ocean was better than you ever dreamed it would be. 

Adulting

I was going through my photos today, and I realized that I never uploaded my vacation photos.  Silly Kayla.  Anyways, to prove to you the kind of person that forgets to upload vacation photos...I present to you photos of me that were taken in public.  I think that these photos are evidence enough that I am a mature adult who takes things very seriously.  It's just the average day when I purchase and wear a magnetic nose ring and take art very seriously.  

DIY Game Night: Marry, Date, or Dump

There is a game that is one of my favorites for sleepovers and game nights, and that is Marry Date or Dump. I got it at a garage sale, and it is I am assuming from the 90's, since most of the cards have celebrities from that time...we are talking boy bands and Friends here...good stuff. Anyways, after years of playing the cards over and over, I decided to make a sort of travel or expansion pack...with current celebrities that I loved.  This tutorial is a result of that decision.  Basically, all you really need is a box, some cards, and a pen.  You can pick up a box like this at just about any craft store...I preferred a box that had two compartments, but it isn't necessary. you really only need to keep the boy cards and girl cards separate.  I decided to decorate my box with a photo from an old magazine and some newsprint.  For the cards, you can cut your own, but what I used is called artist trading cards, and you can get them at most craft or art supply stores.  After you have everything together, just put three names of celebrities on each card.  I recommend putting together celebrities who have something in common, such as from the same movie.  Other fun topics are something like heartthrobs or hot messes. You can use whatever celebs you like, or those that you and your friends are most familiar with.  

When you are ready to play, you will need pen and paper.  The categories are marry date or dump, lawyer surgeon pool cleaner, parent sibling cousin, or anything else you can think of.  One player will draw a card and a topic...they will write down their answers.  After that, all of the other players will guess what that person put...for each answer you get right, you get a point.  All players will take their turn writing down their choices and having the others guess.  At then end, whoever has the most points wins.  This is such a fun game to play with friends, it always ends in laughter.  I know that when my friends and I play it we always end up taking breaks to debate the choices of the others, and why it was a terrible decision.  Don't take my word on how fun this game is, go and try it for yourself! 

*side note...the use of imdb and google images can come in handy on this game 

Lazy Lady's Mac & Cheese Pizza

As a part of working from home, I have been making a concious effort to not eat crap all day, and to actually take time to prepare real food for myself. Now, while this may be super unhealthy, it isn't microwaveable, and it isn't overly processed. It also doesn't contain meat which was a big goal of mine to cut out. Some ingredients are processed, but you will see what I mean. I saw this on the travel channel a few days ago and I just knew I had to make it. It would be pretty generous to call this a recipe, but I will tell you what I did, and I highly encourage you to try it.  Basically, you will need a pizza crust, processed cheese chunk (like velveeta), slices of provolone mozzerella, cooked macaroni noodles, and shredded cheddar cheese. To assemble the pizza...first spread the melted velveeta over the crust like a sauce. Next, add the slices of cheese. Finally, top with macaroni and shredded cheese to your liking. Now bake your pizza according to the intructions on the crust. When it comes out of the oven, add more shredded cheese and allow your pizza to cool. Finally, and this is the most important step...enjoy yo pizza. I suggest adding a side of netflix and soda.  

Brave

This is just a quick post before I head to bed with some Netflix...but I am loving this Brave necklace that I made for Made New and I may just have to keep it for myself.  I made several local deliveries of things that I made for my personal Etsy as well as for Made New, and then spent the evening playing card games at my grandmas. All in all it was a great day.  Tomorrow I am looking forward to cleaning up this amazeballs chair that I picked up at an estate sale. I can't wait to share some photos of it, and of my new studio space.  However, for now it's Netflix time.  I can't decide to re-watch The Skeleton Twins (which is easily one of my new favorite movies and you should totally check it out), or dive into another episode of Wet Hot American Summer....ah, the decisions.

Nashville Weekend Trip Guide

As I mentioned before, I was in Nashville recently for a quick weekend visit.  It was such a good time. It was a whirlwind, since we packed in as much as we could.  First, let's talk about the food.  When I travel, one of the big things for me is food.  I enjoy trying new places, and there were so many to try in Nashville.  Most of these places came recommended by both people online, and friends who lived there.  The first place we went was the Loveless Cafe. It was a breakfast that I would expect in the south, and it was well worth the wait.  I had a biscuit platter, it was all good.  However, I can't stop raving about the friend green tomato and pimento cheese biscuit and the hashbrown casserole, which you desperately need to try.  We also went to The Pharmacy, where their burgers and handmade sodas are beyond amazing.  I had a mission style burger and a cherry soda.  We all stopped at several food trucks, including Retro Sno, which was amazing.  We also did plenty of sight seeing, including broadway and an overlook of Nashville that was stunning.  We finished off our Saturday which swing dancing in the park, which I enjoyed mostly for the sightseeing and the live music.  I am not much one for dancing, or atleast when there is a specific routine to the dance I;m supposed to be doing.  It was such a great weekend.  I loved getting to spend time with my friend, but I also really enjoyed getting to see a little bit of Nashville.  

Weekend Away In Nashville

I am currently recovering from a whirlwind weekend in Nashville.  This mostly involves laying out my sewing plans for the week, uploading mass amounts of photos, and listening to the Have Company podcast (side note..favorite podcast for creative energies and inspiration).  On Friday morning, some friends and I drove to Nashville to visit one of our friends who is living there now. It was so much fun, and we did such good eating.   I will share another post on all the food...seriously, SO much food...but for now I want to share the outfit that I wore for touring around.  I made this dress for the fourth of July weekend, but ended up not getting to wear it.  It is so comfortable and versatile.  I made it after I took the sewing e-course from A Beautiful Mess, which was helpful in jumpstarting my creativity even though I knew most of what the course covered.  Anyways, I made the dress to be a little roomy and it is sooo comfortable.   I used homespun fabrics.  Paired with some slip ons that my aunt gifted me.   I ended the day in flip flops, after I got some mega blisters.   It was such a great weekend.