Some night scenes from the end of last year that I thought I would post today.
Just a few misc. shots from out and about good old
.
Wholly Alive
Chicago
Photo Cred: Meagan Abell
"try to learn to breathe deeply, really to taste food when you eat, and when you sleep really to sleep. try as much as possible to be wholly alive with all your might, and when you laugh, laugh like hell. and when you get angry, get good and angry. try to be alive. you will be dead soon enough." | william saroyan
Hello Monday
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Got some pretty new things for shop orders!
Some new address labels, post cards and such.
I'm slowly but surely catching up on the workload over here.
Morning yoga and weekend day trips and shooting film have been helping motivate me and kept me feeling good.
So blessed to do what I love and love what I do.
Hope your Monday is a lovely one!
Fashion Friday: Born and Bred
I haven't done a Fashion Friday post in quite some time.
So I decided to finally do a mini one this week! Hello 2014 and all.
These were taken in Chicago (photos from which I am still going to share, once I catch up on work more, I promise!) when Meagan and I were wandering around on our free day.
So many fun spots to explore and photograph.
We were in heaven.
We were in heaven.
I'm wearing one of my new favorite sweatshirts (I'm a bit of a sweatshirt connoisseur) courtesy of Born and Bred. They're an awesome all-American shop filled with super cool hand printed and hand sewn shirts, jackets and even this pair of leggings that I'm trying not to buy.
(I did say no shopping this month... Although, I mean, there's a boat on them... how much more perfect can they be? It's not like I miss sailing or anything.)
(I did say no shopping this month... Although, I mean, there's a boat on them... how much more perfect can they be? It's not like I miss sailing or anything.)
I actually have one or two other things from their shop as well so I might be a little obsessed.
You should definitely go take a look see though because they have some smashing stuff!
You should definitely go take a look see though because they have some smashing stuff!
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See previous Fashion Friday posts here.
P.s. Yes I'm knitting in that one photo. Do you really expect anything less?
P.s. Yes I'm knitting in that one photo. Do you really expect anything less?
Outfit details
Scarf- Made by yours truly! Similar in my shop here
Bag- Baggu
Pants- Levi's
Coat- Forever 21
All photos by Meagan Abell
Tox Leather
Today I'm super excited to be sharing my new laptop case with you all courtesy of Eser and her shop Tox Leather! Eser is based in Istanbul Turkey and makes some of the most beautiful leather cases and bags I've ever seen. She strives to make pieces that speak to the history of handmade leather goods and it being one of the oldest art forums in the world. She loves creating unique and timeless pieces that she hopes will last a life time.
This case is for the 13" Macbook Pro and it fits it perfectly. There's two ways to close it and it has a front pocket perfect for papers and a few pens (or, in my case, Joann Fabrics coupons and knitting patterns). I love the softness of the leather and how easy it is to slide my computer in and go. Not to mention the case, within itself, is beautiful and a fashion statement all on its own!
Definitely go check out her shop and spend some of that Christmas money I'm sure you still have burning in your pockets. I especially love this pouch and this tote bag, but she has a whole shop full of beautiful and versatile pieces so be sure to check them out!
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Everyday Epiphanies
Chicago
Photo Cred: Meagan Abell
"gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world." | john milton
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This quote has really stuck with me lately.
How true it is what a mindset of appreciation can do to our outward circumstances and inward feelings.
Still working on experiencing this attitude as a constant state of being but, like so many things, it's a work in progress.
I'm slowly but surely learning that that's okay.
I'm slowly but surely learning that that's okay.
Inspirational Resources
A few of my 2014 essentials. Apparently I have a thing for stripes and gold.
| Follow me on Instagram at @agirlnamedleney |
It was actually much longer than this but when I wrote it yesterday Blogger decided to eat it...
So I'll add more things as I remember/come across them again.
Enjoy!
If you feel like sharing what you found helpful in making your own goals and resolutions for the year, I'd love to hear!
//To Read
The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
The Myth of Passion and Motivation: How to Stay Focused When You Get Bored Working Toward Your Goals
One Picture Workplace: Manchik PhotographyOn Being a Workaholic and Still Having a Life
Set Goals for This Year With These 3 Questions
//To Watch
The Pomodoro Technique
//To Follow
Whitney English Blog
Jess Lively Blog
Gretchen Rubin on Twitter
Entrepreneur Magazine on Twitter
//To Use
The Daily Goals app
The Day Designer by Whitney English
//Quotes
"We are what we repeatedly do" -Aristotle
"An attitude of gratitude. Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world" -John Milton
"Success is steady progress toward one's personal goals."
-Jim Rohn
"Enjoy your life. Every minute of it." - Jack Kerouac
"I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things in life which are the real ones, after all." -Laura Ingalls Wilder
"Well, kind of. Yes, life is not turning out like it was supposed to, but what the heck is supposed to? There is no supposed to. Supposed to is a lie. Supposed to is built on the perception of someone else’s perceived success.
Live your life right now exactly as it is and do your best to keep moving forward into where you want to go. That’s what you’re supposed to do." -Paul Angone
"I am not afraid of storms for i am learning how to sail my ship." - Louisa May Alcott
“I’ve learned that business is business — don’t let it affect your personal life.” —Joelle Latreille
“Stay close to anything that makes you glad you are alive.” - Hafiz
"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Failure is not a period, it’s a comma. And only if you stop trying will you really fail." -Paul Angone
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.” -Melody Beattie
“And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.”
― Sylvia Plath
“Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do. Do not bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.” -William Faulkner
"Do what you feel in your heart to be right- For you will be criticized anyway." -Eleanor Roosevelt
"If you are willing to do something that might not work, you are closer to being an artist." -Seth Godin
“Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle.” -Mary Marantz
"She said it’s not hard to decide what you want your life to be about. What’s hard, she said, is figuring out what you’re willing to give up in order to do the things you really care about."
"Someday" is a disease that will take your dreams to the grave with you. Pro and con lists are just as bad. If it's important to you and you want to do it "eventually", just do it and correct course along the way.
"You Can't rush something you want to last forever"
"For most of life, nothing wonderful happens. if you don’t enjoy getting up and working and finishing your work and sitting down to a meal with family or friends, then the chances are that you’re not going to be very happy. if someone bases his happiness or unhappiness on major events like a great new job, huge amounts of money, a flawlessly happy marriage or a trip to paris, that person isn’t going to be happy much of the time. if, on the other hand, happiness depends on a good breakfast, flowers in the yard, a drink or a nap, then we are more likely to live with quite a bit of happiness.” -Andy Rooney
"Ordinary riches can be stolen, real riches cannot. In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you.”
— Oscar Wilde
"Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy.”
-Anne Frank
Goals | January
Photo cred:
2014.
A new year, a fresh start.
We're all making new goals and resolutions this time of year and cliche as it may be, I think it's a really important thing to do. I think wanting to improve and become better for yourself and others around you is an admirable thing. Plus, who doesn't want to just start off the year feeling good?
So this year, along with the rest of you, I have my own set of goals, resolutions, plans and dreams.
I spent the first week of this year figuring out what I wanted them to be and while it's still a work in progress, I'm excited for what I'm aiming for this month.
I make lists constantly.
If you read my blog on even a somewhat frequent basis that quickly becomes apparent.
The reminders app on my iPhone is pretty much my favorite thing. I'm always adding and checking off things throughout my day. Not only on there, but on the work to-do list clipboard I have hanging on the wall by my desk in addition to various lists I write daily in my calendar.
(I sometimes even write things on my lists that I've already done just so I can check them off... but we don't need to talk about that...)
This year however I wanted to really be purposeful with my goals for 2014.
My tendency is to just make a non specific, never ending, uncategorized list for the year (with items ranging from "go to that new restaurant" to "write letters more" to "clean out closet" to "be more positive") and then just sort of have at it.
This method however is pretty overwhelming and needless to say I never really get very far with accomplishing things on my list.
After recently picking up The Happiness Project again (after a failed attempt to read it a year or two ago), I was inspired to instead make monthly goals and have specific themes and projects along with those goals each month. This way I have a game plan, a few specific things to work on, and I have a more focused plan for things I want to change and get done.
This idea is pretty closely modeled after the book, however I've added my own modifications and as the months progress I plan on modifying the subjects and goals even more and adjusting to what works best for me.
But to start off the year I decided to just go with the basics.
So, for this month's goals:
January | Creating Good Habits
Go To Sleep/Wake Up Earlier
- Read or journal before bed instead of getting on Facebook again or looking at a screen
- Don't stay out past midnight on week days
- Make a work schedule. Write it down. Stick to it. No more knitting at 4am trying to keep up with orders...
- Get up with the sun
Exercise Better
- Make a work out schedule. Write it down. Stick to it.
- Always exercise on Mondays. I don't want to work out on weekends (I'm usually pretty active on weekends anyway) and so I think it's pretty essential to starting off the week this way
- Get outside
- Don't skip exercising for two days in a row
- Don't link exercise to weight loss. Sanity > vanity.
- Spend money on exercising. It's worth it.
Toss, Restore, Organize
- Clean up my inbox and unsubscribe from unwanted emails and subscriptions via Unroll Me
- Clean out bookmarks on computer
- Resolve to crave and create an existence of order and serenity
- In regards to clothing: fewer choices actually make you happier than more choices. Get rid of stuff.
- Try this method of storing clothes
- Also in regards to clothing: No shopping this month
- If something can be done in one minute- Get it done. ie: Stop dropping scarves and jackets on that one chair...
- Outer order creates inner calm
- Happiness comes not from having more, not from having less, but from wanting what you have
- Listen to just positive music this month. Restoration of a different kind.
Eat Better
- No sweets for the month of January. I've actually been eating less sweets over the past few months in general and I've found that I don't even crave or want those things anymore really (with the exception of donuts. Obviously.) However with the holidays I got a little off track so I'm resetting my cravings by abstaining for the month!
- When debating between less and more, always choose less. Especially when eating out. When I'm indecisive about it, I always regret getting more. It's not like I can't order more if I need to later...
- Drink more water. Eight cups a day is the popular recommendation. This means filling my 24oz water bottle about 2 1/2 times. Not that hard... right?
- Take Vitamins
Tackle a Nagging Task
- Write them all down. When overwhelmed with all that I have to do, write it all down, get it all out and then go from there. This will help put things into perspective.
- Set up easy successes to feel motivated and accomplished before tackling something bigger.
- A few specific nagging tasks to tackle this month:
- Get type writer fixed and working
- Get a Post office box
- Write thank you notes
- Get oil changed in car
- Put Christmas stuff away
- Make a list of what my core values are for my business
- Mend that pile of clothes
- Clean out and organize bookmarks on computer
- Mount and hang Etsy map
Act The Way I Want To Feel
- I have power over my thoughts and emotions. They do not control me.
- Have a quiet time every morning
- Smile. Especially when I don't feel like it.
- No one is in charge of my happiness but me!
So the hope is that by focusing on a set theme of goals for one month instead of a whole bunch, I'll be able to create good habits and routines with them and so when I move on to the next month full of goals I'll naturally/already be doing the previous ones.
After all it takes about 21 days to form a new habit!
Or so they say...
So we'll see how this goes.
I'm actually pretty excited about it. And the thought process behind blogging about it was that you all can help hold me accountable... ;)
Plus I read somewhere that people who wrote down their goals were 42% more likely to achieve them than the ones who didn't. And that telling a friend increases this rate to 78%.
So there.
On another note, there might be some months that I decide not to share here on the blog, depending on how in depth and personal they are, but I did want to start the year of with at least sharing these.
Please keep in mind that I am not an expert at any of this by any means. I'm also not suggesting that these habits and goals are ones that everyone should take on. Especially health wise. We are all created beautifully unique and as a result what works for one may not work for the other, and that's okay!
I'd love to hear your thoughts about how you plan on keeping your own resolutions and goals this year!
And, since a lot of you asked, tomorrow I'll be sharing a post full of resources I found helpful when creating this list of goals.
(I actually meant to share it today but Blogger decided to eat it and then delete it... So tomorrow I'll re-write it for you!)
Hello 2014
Follow me on Instagram at @agirlnamedleney
So I originally intended to write a blog post at the first of the new year with all of my goals and resolutions for 2014 but as it turns out, making that list is taking more time than I realized...
This year I want to be more purposeful.
In a lot of things, but especially with my business.
Last year was the first year I really started to take everything work wise more seriously, and while it was an awesome year and I learned a lot, there's definitely room for some improvement.
Having a set work schedule for one thing.
This is something friends and family alike have advised me to create for myself (usually after I have a meltdown from the combination of not getting sleep, working until 4am knitting and editing photos and working all day everyday including weekends) and I kept putting it off and kept putting it off but now I'm finally going to make one and stick to it! Because I definitely can't keep going the way that I have been.
So the first few days of this new year have been spent reading lots of encouraging/instructional/inspiring articles and books, watching informational videos, meditating on what's important to me, what my passions and core values are, organizing my new calendar and making many many many lists (we all know I love my lists).
I'm actually really excited about this year and I have a really good feeling that making these new goals are going to do me a world of good.
So anyway, I'll be sharing my list of goals for 2014 soon, but in the meantime I'm enjoying figuring out what they're going to be.
What about you?
Do you have some resolutions and goals for the year?
I'd love to hear them!
An Year In Instagrams
As I reflect today on this past year, I'm filled with so much gratitude.
Gratitude for the year that I've had, the people I've met, the places I've been, the things I've experienced and the opportunities I've been given. 2013 was indeed the best year ever. But 2014 is going to be even better.
Follow me on Instagram at @agirlnamedleney