Midday

So I have to admit that there are several blogs that I read on a regular basis. I have them all bookmarked so I can make sure I check in every once in a while. So if you need any good reading material, let me know! :)

There is one that I just discovered that is so fun. It is called Five Blondes. The blog is written by five sisters and they share about what is going on in their lives.

One of the sisters posted this cute poem:

The Masks of Love.

I come in from a walk
With you
And they ask me
If it is raining.

I didn’t notice
But I’ll have to give them
The right answer
Or they’ll think I’m crazy.

-Alden Nowland

Just a little midday inspiration to get me through this work day!

Palace fit for a princess...

Just a few weeks ago, I received the keys to my new apartment. I knew packing and moving would be a lot of work but wow! Thankfully I didn't have to do it alone but it did take about 12 car loads.

This is what my apartment looked like when we finally got all my stuff in....



I had a couple weeks to get everything situated and when my parents came to visit for Christmas they brought some final touches. So it's time to start the tour...

As you walk in, you enter my living room:



Sharing the space with my living room is my desk/office area:


A bit further is the sun room that I have turned into my reading room. I highly suggest this chair to anyone looking for a comfortable lounging chair:



My dining room:


My kitchen:



My bathroom:


I now have a guest room that is open for anyone interested in visiting Winter Park :)


Lastly, my room, but more importantly my amazingly comfy bed!



I've had a great time moving in and finding the perfect place for all of my things. Of course, there are still projects I'd like to complete but it is really starting to feel like home.

Hello Sassy!

Although she has big shoes to fill, she's been doing a good job so far!

And I have to say I'm pretty proud of myself that I'm in a place where I can pay for her all on my own :)

Meet Sassy!




Posts to come:

• Tour of my apartment


• Successes and celebrations from 2009


• Goals for 2010

Bye Bye PT

Dear PT,

It was hard watching you drive away today. We had a wonderful 4 and a 1/2 years together. I remember not being thrilled about you in the beginning but now I don't know if another car can fully take your place. I'll miss you!

New Beginnings

I'm 24 and I've perpetually been in a relationship since I was 15...9 years! Today is October 10, 2009 and I am completely and totally single. Believe it or not, I'm okay. Anyone who knows me knows that I love being in a relationship, that's just who I am. But I've finally come to accept that I am in fact not in a relationship. This realization didn't come without tears, quite a few of them actually. But I woke up today feeling good.

You may be asking what is the difference between "single" and "completely and totally single." Well, during the last 9 years, at one point or another, I've been "single." But there was always someone there - either I had feelings for someone, and that someone was giving my glimpses of hope or someone had feelings for me so I was trying to figure out if I had feelings for them, the cycle goes on and on. So I find myself in uncharted territories. I'm in a place where all I have to worry about is me. I'll make my own decisions, plan my day according to what I want to do, make myself a priority and that is so refreshing.

Am I giving up on relationships? Nope. But there are two things I know for sure:

1) There is a lot of learning and growing that I have to do on my own. I have to learn how to be happy by myself.

2) I know that I will find the one eventually so I just have to be willing to go on the journey.

I think it will be fun to document my journey along the way. My hope is that all you ladies out there will be able to relate to the things I'm going through. I'll take you along for the ride through healing my heartbreak, learning to love myself and love again, and perhaps some dating adventures. This blog will be an ode to single ladies so please, share your stories and insights. Here's to new beginnings, I won't promise that I will always be this optimistic but I will always be hopeful :)

In Desperate Need...

...to travel!

I've absolutely loved all the adventures I've been on so far but I now I have the "travel bug." I want to start planning my next big trip...anyone want to accompany me? :)


visited 15 states (30%)



visited 8 countries (3.55%)

Giveaway at "Your wishcake."

I've never participated in a giveaway or blogged about a giveaway - so there is no better time to start than now!

When I revamped my blog, I joined a community of bloggers call "20 somethings." Through that group I have been exposed to some fabulous blogs! One of them being Your wishcake. I always enjoy her posts :)

She posted a giveaway on her site yesterday. I encourage everyone to check it out because she is truly talented!

StyleScope

This post is a shout out to Simplify 101.

As an organization and design junky, I love learning about new ideas to declutter my home and make it beautiful. Therefore, one of my favorite websites is Simplify 101. It has tons of free resources (including monthly newsletters) that give you ideas for your home, office, or life in general. So of course, I follow the blog on the website. Yesterday, her blog was about figuring out your style. It immediately appealed to me because although I think my apartment is cute and homey, I wouldn't necessarily say it has a defined style. The post included a link to the Home Goods website, specifically to the StyleScope quiz.

Side note: My only criticism for this quiz is that it doesn't give you the options to see what all of the possibly results could be in case you wanted to compare and contrast. If I answer one question differently, it seems to give a new style so I think it would be interesting to see all the outcomes.

My style is: Country Classic.

I think it is pretty accurate. Here is what is says:

"You have a naturally refined sensibility with an appreciation for tradition and history. You value beauty, craftsmanship, and family heirlooms, but you like to open things up with pretty, easy-going pieces like painted wood or distressed furniture, lovely florals and other patterns, and bunches of fresh flowers that give your home a breezy, relaxed feeling. You love unique finds, have a thrifty, creative side, and can make these things work together.

You value comfort. Your home is a warm and open friendly place, and you feel happiest when everyone is cared for and relaxed in your space. Elements like pillows, throws, overstuffed furniture, and good lighting set the mood. You may also enjoy layering different fabrics or mixing patterns to create a cozy effect."

What's your style??