Happily Wasted

I am just going to start this out with a little pat on my own back. I edited this photo, very minimal editing, but still. I made the tree as bright as the background! I've never done spot editing before! Stoked!

Okay, now that the brag session is done...

This week I've been a bit of a grump, I feel in a slump again. Last night was the movie theater holiday party and I was hungry and awful. I didn't talk much. Then we all went to one person's apartment and had our normal kind of party. I wasn't grumpy any more. Those coworkers of mine get a little wild. I could write a book.

Tonight there is more Christmas cheer in the plans! I am going to Bates Nut Farm to see Santa drop down in a helicopter and to go on a hay ride and see the tree lighting ceremony and drink hot chocolate! Kicking it off right!

I don't know what you have planned for the weekend, but if craving some good reads look no further:

A hotel in Argentina I was to stay in soooo bad.

I'm so glad Elise is teaching this with Elsie!!! Time to start learning how to code my blog a bit!

Speaking of Elise... she finished another beautiful quilt and it just reminds me I need to get on mine!

Challenge yourself to be someone that you would be super jealous if you saw your ex with.

ELISE JUST ANNOUNCED SHE'S PREGS! So happy for her and her hubs!

Two step plan for getting what you want... simple, but not always easy.

I want to go to Land's End and see it like this. MUST GO BACK TO SF SOOOON.

And while we're talking about visits... I need to visit Nashville... I NEED to.

xoxo

Happily Wasted - Topics of Current Rumination

This week is a little different than usual, not much, but a little. Instead of all of the different things I might find over the internets in the last week or two I've decided that this week is all about things that have been hitting me real close to home. It's funny, these posts came at a time when the issues were weighing heavily in my mind. I love it when that happens.

Enjoy.
"I’ve rediscovered again and again that I don’t get as lucky when I push for things as I do when I relax and allow opportunities to reveal themselves when the time is right."
- In Praise of the Unplanned Career

This advice assumes that we all have a pre-existing passion waiting to be discovered.
Following a Career Passion? Let It Follow You.

- "I first want to get one thing off my chest. I have never thought I was fat." I love reading Emma's stories, and this one was really good... per usual.
Emma's Fitness Story

- These make me want a road trip and San Francisco in my very near future. Oh, and to take more pictures with film...
One. Two. Three.

- "Changing the way I think about the tasks I have to do anyway, has really improved my mood." Must learn this with cooking! 
Ways to Simplify

- "You make 'making do' your normal. You’re giving up precious space to something that isn’t precious to you." Must make room, get rid of the metaphorical ugly chairs in my brain's living room.
How to Make Space for Quality to Show Up in Your Life

- "I'm sorry dude. That sucks." The power of JUST listening.
The Inestimable Power of "I'm Sorry, Dude. That Sucks."

xoxo

Happily Wasted

This weekend brings fall to all of us, well, all of us on the Northern Hemisphere that is... I wonder, do planners and such say that this weekend is the start of Spring on the Southern Hemisphere? If so I want one of those, not because I want Spring to be here, I'm happy with Fall when it decides to really show its face, but because that would feel backwards and sometimes feeling backwards gets things moving again.
The weather has been anything but fall like here in North County San Diego. It still feels like summer and I'm ready for that to be over. I've enjoyed my summer, even made it to the beach a couple of times, but I'm ready for leaves to change color and for it to be a temperature that is good for scarf and sweater wearing. While I'm not missing the constant mist that is Portland, I am missing the changes. So San Diego, please get rid of this heat wave and bring on the crisp mornings and cuddly nights.
Thank you oh so much. Oh yes, and some rain, I'm willing to cry and do a little rain dance if I could get some rain.

until then, the links of the week:
- Someone who is as in love with school and office supplies as me!!!
- 33 things in 33 years
- "No one tries to pick a fight if they are having a good day..." words on letting go of the dramatic in your personality
- One of my friends just started a skin care blog... I'm stoked to see what she has to say!
- Elsie and Emma's studio looks quite heavenly. I love all the natural light.
- A triangle quilt, I must, must, must make one soon!
- Two post about Sauvie Island in about a week make me miss Portland something fierce. One, two.

xoxo

Happily Wasted

First things first, my love for Taylor Swift... even better, her new song and lyrics in an incredibly creative display. Watch above!

The rest:
Let's just get to the point then shall we #1. (40 ways to feel more alive)
Blog brainstorming (I must say I first typed it as brain blogstorming...) with Elsie and Emma. Love those ladies.
I'm so in hearts with Kinsey's gorgeous hair and natural make up
Oh it's time for another adventure with Ms Lisa again... until then I can enjoy her self portraits. They are just so dang good!
Carnivals and fairs melt my heart a little, especially when they are the scene to a photo shoot.
Brandi writes a bit about curating her life... I'm intrigued and want to know more about her processes!

Do you have any links you absolutely need to share with someone? Leave them in the comments!

xoxo

Happily Wasted

There it is, the famous In- N-Out burger and fries. There was a milkshake that day too, but it didn't fit in the frame very well. I was also in my car while taking this picture. Kids, don't try this at home.
I'm still not over the moon about In-N-Out's burger. I wish I was, because they have far better business practices than most other drive through burger places, but I just feel less than full after I eat it.
But that's a story without much of a point and this is Happily Wasted which means... click on the links and enjoy what some might call "wasted time!"

look at this poster! in love.

i love fake eyelashes! here is some helpful info for the new to lashes bunch!

"I’ve found that when I am involved in a pattern, my emotions run a bit stronger..." A post about our patterns and how we can recognize and change them

"Sometimes you just have to put on lipgloss and pretend to be psyched"

A little tough love for your excuses

I love seeing what ladies do to get ready... makes me want more make up though...

I love this project, Pantone skin colors

What posts caught your eye this week/last week/whenever?

xoxo

Happily Wasted

It's been quite an interesting week over here. Interesting good, not interesting bad. Lots of projects and possibilities in the works... I've been sending happy, excited emails to friends instead of despondent "what should I do" ones. It's been great. Absolutely gratifying and wonderful to feel this way for longer than a day. It's been a whole week! Maybe even more!

During this busy week of mine I haven't really read deeply into too many of the posts on my blog roll but a few did catch my eye and usually waning attention. 

Read them, they come highly recommended!

An adorable proposal

Quit, Sell, Travel

Another e-course I want to take

Celebration over slaving away to make a great thing "perfect"

These sisters make working with family look so easy

xoxo

Happily Wasted With a Bit of the Currents

reading: Youth In Revolt, The Start-up of You, The Fire Starter Sessions

listening to: City and Colour

craving: rain, rain, rain. I know it's summer and that excites everyone but I miss the rain.

wanting to purchase: a maxi dress! still looking for one that will work... also a sunhat, a jean jacket and maybe a belt to complete the maxi dress outfit... and a ticket to the races!

saving up for: some tom's flats. so cute. also another tattoo... but that won't happen until I have saved up to move out... then tattoo

enamored with: sleep, because Batman means lots of people at the theater meaning lots of cardio running people their food up and down stairs.

working towards: a good attitude. I woke up and read the news about the shooting in the theater in Colorado and I just don't understand. So much suffering for no reason.

looking forward to: this weekend and next, checking off two big things I've been wanting to do for a looooong time (more details and a bit of an unveiling soon) and then going to Renegade with new bloggy friends!

and finally some ways to happily waste time:

20 things I'm still learning in my 20's

The Fault In Our Stars left Danielle crying... oh it made me cry too. It's a fantastic, wonderful, out of this world book.

Cold brew coffee... want want want to make

I die over picture of Birdie over at Bleubird Vintage... I mean really? How adorable.

Stoked that someone else loves Morning Pages! Maybe I should get mine back on track...

And finally... so excited to have new San Diego blog friends! A Day With Kate and Let's Move To The West Coast

xoxo

Currently... mixed with a little Happily Wasted

Last week, well, Thursday, was graduation nation. I went to my youngest sister's 8th grade promotion in the morning and then went to my lovely friend Rachael's graduation that evening. I managed to stay relatively pale instead of sunburned which is always a plus when I've been exposed to that much sun in one day. 
I took some time to job hunt via craigslist (which I usually consider my job hunt nemesis) and was surprised this morning with a phone call, an interview and a job offer! Look at me go!
I could go on about everything that's happened this week but I'll just stick to the categories. Found this one over at Kelli Murray's blog and I added another prompt or two from Vanilla & Lace.

thinking about:
How bad life can see and then how great it can get in just a few short week. I'm in no perfect position but things are definitely better than they were a couple of weeks ago and that gives me a lot of hope. I was able to drop a couple things that were spinning around in my mind, and I have something to be very excited about (new job)!

looking forward to:
payday honestly...

watching reading:
The Girl Who Played with Fire, Instant Love, The Dolphin In the Mirror, The Fire Starter Sessions

Listening to:
Lights new album: Siberia
Lana Del Rey: Born to Die
Sia & David Guetta: Titanium

cooking: 
Mac and Cheese... horrible I know, but oh so delicious

working on:
The Fire Starter Sessions worksheets. Blog changes, resume tweaks and the like

Wishing:
This is not an unusual wish in my life: a romantic adventure. I've dropped the last crush I mentioned in previous currently posts and I'm totally fine with that now. It was an interesting two months but hopefully I've learned from it and I'm moving on. Now that I've let that go there is plenty of room in my mind for possibility. I am a very big believer in synchronicity (all of my jobs have come when the timing has felt right) and I would love to happen upon someone that I click with really well. I don't want it to be a lot of hard work to get it started. I don't want to feel ashamed or shy about liking someone... Giddy, I want to feel giddy and full of possibility.
With all that being said, I'm in a pretty good place right now. I'm not actively looking but I'm not shutting down people that approach me either. I just want to relax and enjoy this summer and work to make some goals happen. Moving out and having a steady income are my main goals, I'd just love a little romantic fun to go with it. :)

Happily Wasted:
Amanda Genther talks about how to be amazing at being yourself. While I feel I'm pretty good at being myself, I don't always like who that is... so I'm taking this more as "how to be your amazing self."

Summer Reading List Part IIn over at Sometimes Sweet... I'm going to have to do one of these here real soon!

A really honest post that reminds me that happiness is a choice and can be achieved despite the past. 

I love Show + Tell... I really love this post of tips for owning your own business. One day it will be for me!

And what's a Happily Wasted without a Coffee Cup Chat link? This one is keepin on... just keep swimming.



What's been happening in your life lately?

xoxo

happily wasted

There was a bit of a stretch (a week, maybe two) where I was reading posts I liked but nothing that really inspired me to do a Happily Wasted. It probably was more that I would find one post and not want to go through the task of getting to the real link out of bloglovin and then put it in the draft of Happily Wasted, blah blah blah. But yesterday there were a few posts in a row that just grabbed my attention and so I am taking the time and sharing them with you.

graduation speeches... Ellen is my favorite by far.

Yet another Coffee Cup Chat to link... Summer Reading List!

I've been reading Smart Women Finish Rich and so seeing this post about investing in a Roth IRA was a nice find

I still love wedding photography though I've stopped looking at wedding blogs

I wish I could afford THE WILD REST put on by Becka over at my favorite Life as an Artistpreneur. Seriously that would be a dream come true. I'm just going to have to start saving for next year... please let there be one next year.

Maybe this summer I'll do this Canvas Stitch DIY

I would love to try archery once or a bunch! Brandi talks about it here

Where has your time been happily wasted this week?

xoxo

happily wasted

Sheesh! It's been a few weeks since I last posted one of these babies. I felt like I had a meager supply of links and then went back and realized that I had another draft waiting to be published too! Silly.

This is a pretty great collection, I even went through my bloglovin liked list just to make sure I didn't miss too much.

Enjoy!

+ A post about love.

+ The greatest baby room inspiration.

+ Tips for blogging on a budget

+ A new to me blog to read

+ Criteria for a great job, even if it was working for someone else

+ Well, I might be out of the running to go this year but this might just be a goal for next year!

+ How to hang a collection of art pretty much perfectly

+ Feeling frustrated or insecure or low? Get some confetti and throw.

+ Elise talks about her method of taking an idea and making it a reality.

+ I'm going to be taking note and doing a quarterly review here soon... another one I guess, since I did one already. :)

xoxo

Happily Wasted

my favorite place to be... in bed cuddled with this blanket

Goodness it's been a couple of weeks. My knees are not appreciating the new job and increase in hours but my bank account is... and right now that's all that can matter.

I would write more but I'm really more interested in letting you get to the links... and letting myself get back to my book. 

What book? Oh, Reading Lolita in Tehran. It's my second reading. I love it. 

Well, that's all for now!

a truly inspiring fort
I never get tired of this video
a how to on business plans for creatives
motivating desktop to wake up to
through the viewfinder like photography tips
must find kitten with heart spot when I adopt one!
Newspaper print nail art!
3 helpful tips to make your blog (blogger blog) better!
50 suns project. I wish I had seen that around in Portland!
Need to visit LA soon!!!

xoxo

Happily Wasted

Look at that would ya?! That was my cute little display I had set up on the long kitchen counter I had very little use for (except the one time I made a rainbow cake...). I figured it was a perfect picture for Happily Wasted because I very happily wasted my money on those things. Thermoses I never used as well as salt and pepper shakers that will remain empty so long as they are in my possession. 

On the right you can see half of the creepiest statue ever... it's a little girl holding her arms out saying "I love you this much." Dear Nicole, Partner in Fox Ring Matrimony, gave me that for my birthday last year. I don't think I have the statue anymore (there's only so much room for creepy when you're driving all of your stuff down the west coast in a rented chevy malibu...white, in case you are wondering) but the memory will always be there.

Speaking of my birthday (birth month? yeahhh I like celebrating all month)... it's a few short days away. Dang March you always seems so far away in December but here you are again. 

Anywho, I'll now leave you to these links I've gathered. You're welcome in advance, they are wonderful. I am modest (apparently not but the links really are wonderful). 

-Loved this post on yes and yes... but I love just about all of the yes and yes posts sooooo....

-I recently finished the 30 day reinvention and now I am on to the 21 days to Minimalism program... while it may seem like I'm just jumping from program to program I really think that consistently involving myself in these things can't hurt because I'm learning at least small habits from each one that help overall.

- good for when I get my bangs back

- make the best of this leap year!

- while I am not religious, this post my friend wrote about Lent is awesome.

- a great way to display goals!

- My new favorite, favorite blog.

- I might be in the mood for gushing, but I LOVE Yes and Yes (see first link) and Life as an Artistpreneur (see recent happily wasted posts).
I mean, Yes and Yes does Network of Nice every month and I love them. I try to email at least one person either to get information or to share information, even if the information I have is limited. I mean, it's community and awesome, and I love love love it. Gushing, yes.
Also, LaaA is like rocking my world all the time. Coffee Cup Chats, new blog layout, being super totally up front and honest in her blogs. I love it. So inspiring, I seriously smile when I see a new post.


Hope all is well, now switching this to Friday to see how it goes, might even switch it to a Wednesday. Getting some planning in here.

xoxo

Happily Wasted

Isn't this little girl just a doll of a kitty? I mean really... (if you answer anything but yes keep it to yourself, she's my fav!)

These last few weeks have been filled with things I can't even remember so I'll just leave you with the links. And thinking about how soft Saki (Sake?) is. We've had her for years and still I don't get the spelling right. :)

I've been there...
Frivolous shopping when depressed, definitely done that.
A new favorite... a man of class
My next "day in ____" project
This beautiful drawing
More helpful photo tips from Elsie
The Camera... gorgeous
A brave photoshoot
I need to get better at using my iphone camera!
That's why her hair's so big, it's full of secrets.
Oh I love, love, love crepes... these look divine!
Hopelessly in love with triangle art
This gorgeous post of pictures, Hula Seventy, your photography never disappoints!
A great looking trunk!
Two new things to try with my hair! one, two.
March Photo a Day challenge

xoxo

Happily Wasted

Ohhhh Happy Sunday! Does anybody ever get excited for Sunday or does Monday loom to clearly in the distance? I like Sundays. I like their laziness (except for when I want to go somewhere and everyone is driving slow), the calm before the storm of the week. It's a time to get everything planned, get loose ends taken care of or that last work out in for the week. (Truth be told I only did 2 this week... must get more movement in next week.)

 This week went by fast as they all do now. Sometimes I stress about letting time get away from me. And then other times I just choose not to think about it. 

I did manage to get out of the house for something other than work more than once this week! I'd say I get a gold star for that. I also cleaned and organized my room. I fixed some of the small things that were driving me crazy on a daily basis and now when I walk into my room I feel calm. It's amazing what a few small little changes can do. Seriously. You should try it some time. Just pick two seemingly small things that have been bugging you for months (things that wouldn't take that long to fix but also don't seem like THAT big of a deal compared to everything else... and fix them. Mine were squeaky doors, a always messy nightstand and a rug that just wouldn't stay flat. 

The doors were sprayed with WD-40 and instantly the squeaks were gone, the nightstand and desk were reorganized and situated so there was more space on both... and the rug was moved to a better place. 

Oh yes, and I made my bed after I woke up this morning. It's AMAZING what a made bed can bring to a room.

Well, I'll get off that pedestal for now... here are some links!!!

Gentleman (and ladies if you so choose) date a girl who reads!
Another awesome planner idea by Kyla Roma!
Wonderful tips for outside picture taking.
Wednesday was one of my biggest style icon's birthday!!! Happy bday Lauren Conrad. (yup, that happened)
Geometric photo art... yes please!
Excellent college tips
Wants instead of shoulds
This trip sounds awesome and fantastic and I'm a wee bit jealous!!!
Layering tasks vs multitasking... yeah, I've been doing that already. I think that deserves another gold star!

xoxo

Happily Wasted

I'm starting to feel like the weeks go by really fast but then I look back to Monday and it seems so long ago. I mean, this Monday I was taking my grandpa to some doctor's appointments and then mid week was getting some hours in training for a job (a part time job, still not out of the dark yet) and then the weekend was a couple of sick days followed up and closed off with a Sunday of a library visit, solo photo adventure then quality chat time with dad and Dad's house family dinner. 

I even managed to get dad's family (minus my lovely sister T, who is away at NAU right now getting pinned in her sorority and everything, baby girl I love you) to watch the movie Hanna. I knew I could get them with the previews because it shows her being all intense fighter/hunter like, but I also knew it was somewhat artsy (read: not all explosions and fights like my dad and brother like best) and so we started it and we managed to finish it. Hehehe I take full blame for that choice. Suckas! They will probably never trust me again on movie choices... I'm not sure why they trusted me in the first place, they know I like deeper films. I mean, DUH my favorite movie is Easy A! Hahaha, okay, it is, but I'm joking about it being a deep film. Social commentary, yes, hilarious, definitely. Deep, nah. 

So there's a lot about nothing... get to the good stuff! links links links!!!

Not even a mama and I want this look!
I love organizational tools. Seriously. It's almost a problem. (Read: others probably consider it a problem)
I can't get enough of the coffee cup chats over at Life as an Artistpreneur!
This woman is incredibly remarkable. I'm in awe. So many struggles and still a beautiful outlook.
Ms. Elizabeth Haley's beautiful room... not to mention blog layout changes!
Gorgeous snail mail!
I want to make a pinhole camera out of an altoids tin!!!

And that is that.

As you may have noticed (I expect you to keep very close tabs and notes on my doings), I have been pushing Happily Wasted off in favor of 52 in 52 photos on Sundays. I thought about it a bit tonight and have decided instead to keep Happily Wasted on Sunday and move 52 in 52 photos to Monday. Start off the week with something pretty? I think so.

Remember, drive through mail box is that a way... no fries.

xoxo

Happily Wasted

For starters, these are my bears from when I was just a tiny little thing. Like right after the womb tiny. Bixby is the bear on the right and Guardian Bear is on the left. Poor Guardian lost his button nose to a tiny dog I think... and his ears are lopsided due to years of squeezing and cuddling. Just thought I would share. 

This past week was crazy busy. I am not use to having such a busy week considering my unemployment for a bit and such. But it was crazy and wonderful and I went dancing three nights in a row (!!!) and saw two of my best friends and had so many hilarious run ins with random people... last week was a success to say the least.

Some of the things I read in the small amounts of downtime (or the week before...) are as follows. A great bunch of links if I do say so myself. :)

Confidence assassins. Hilarious.
I love this blog and I love her month to month goals.
A cozy new year celebration.
Non-goals... these are awesome and beautiful. I decided to do some myself.
These goals/resolutions are awesome!
Time management....
Adulting, my new favorite blog! Definitely need to do this and this.
...And then she saved, another new favorite.

Congrats to one of my favorite bloggers! Her and hubby just had their baby boy!

xoxo

Happily Wasted

Oh my gosh, as already mentioned, this weekend was awesome and amazing and surprisingly really motivating. I'm finishing up my goal list for 2012 and I'll be posting it here soon. I think I'm breaking up this year into quarters... but it's all still in the works.

Follow some of these links for inspiration, motivation, food for thought and smiles:

A way to get over the fear of hearing No

What may just be the instructions for my first quilt!!!

This little dancing lady will make you smile

Danielle's post on teaching before being a SAHM

An amazing present! And a cute new to me blog to read!

I am over the moon loving these coffee cup chats. Incredibly motivating subjects.

Great word for the year... I'll post mine soon.

Awesome resolutions and goals at The Daybook, and Tart.

xoxo

Happily Wasted

Zues and Ziggy... 

Ziggy is very hard to photograph, I have to catch him when the whites of his eyes are showing otherwise he is just a little blob of back fur. In case you are wondering, Ziggy runs the show. Zeus, the bigger dog, is very gentle with him and only sometimes kindly takes the ball out of his mouth. They are so cute.

I think I'm doin' this new thing of not using the general picture for every week. While I still love that image I created, I just think it's been used too much. Instead I'll be using my favorite picture of the week (most likely from my phone). Also, I'm taking out the music I'm listening to and the books I'm reading... basically, I'll just link you to anything I'm loving and/or thinking about for the week (or past two weeks...).

I hope you're looking forward to all the New Year and new goals like I am!!!

what stopped me in my tracks this week:

Mrs. Dani posts about the importance of maintaining friendships even with busy schedules
I am quite envious of Elsie's closet!
I'm going to start monthly recaps next year I think... these just look so pretty!
I won't resort to regular gift wrap ever again!
I love goal lists!
50 questions

And, a special Christmas link... this almost made me cry with happiness. Simple really. I'm such a sap.

xoxo

Happily Wasted

Movies/Shows Watched
The New Girl
Gossip Girl
The Hills

Listened to

T. Swift... Happy Birthday Girl!!!! (13th of December)
anything and everything in my itunes library

Read (or currently reading)

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Safe Haven

Favorite Posts/Articles

Found this new blogger through a favorite of mine and this post about the universe made me happy
A list for every lady
This meaningful stack of letters
Oh goodness, this couldn't have come at a better time... there ARE good men out there... well, good gay men. :) 
A new look at The Life as an Artistpreneur
A DIY I just have to try sometime soon!
How absolutely gorgeous is this breakfast blog?!

xoxo

Happily Wasted

I thought I had only skipped one week but it turns out I skipped two! No wonder I had so many books I hadn't mentioned! I think I'm going to make this an every other week thing from here on out. I am not as inspired with this kind of post as I originally was but I'm not ready to let go. :) 

Movies/Shows Watched

Caught up on The New Girl

Caught up on The Walking Dead

Starting catching up on Season 6 of Bones

Started catching up on Season 5 of Gossip Girl

Watched some episodes of The Hills, Season 2

Listened to

Taylor Swift

More Amor

Some Christmas Music

LMFAO

the radio

Read (or currently reading)

The Hunger Games

Catching Fire

MockingJay

The Traveling Death and Resurrection Show

Bridge to Terabithia

The History of Love

Walking in Circles Before Lying Down

Favorite Posts/Articles

Must, Must, MUST go on a hot air balloon ride this coming year!
Posts with plenty of cat pictures make me smile...
Love, love, love Audrey Kawasaki
The importance of Self Portraits on the blog
Instax inspiration
The now MRS. James' wedding preview... absolutely gorgeous, I could watch it on repeat

xoxo