Coming soon...in 2010!

I'm hoping, with my new found day of on Friday (New Year's) that I will have time to produce my resolutions/goals/hopes for 2010 to share with you, dear readers.

Let me leave 2009 by saying this: I enjoy my blog. It's been a great 2009. I can't wait for 2010.

Come back Friday for: lists (a personal favorite), pictures (hint: this may be a goal) and stories (a reader favorite, or so says....my mom & grandma).

photo courtesy of livedesignonline.com

A Lengthy Update: I owe you that.

Hello, Blog World!

Today I am making a promise to myself and few (but loyal) readers. I vow to blog more. The truth is, I like to write on/in this thing and it helps me relax. Plus, it's a good way to pretend like I have a life. Ha.

Today is Friday and it has seemed like a very long week. Lots of snow, lots of work and lots of boredom all mixed in to one. As happy as I am being back in the ICA (Iowa City Area, for those of you who aren't hip to the lingo) there are some points in the day that I miss Missouri & especially my friends.

My most recent frustration/moment of regret has been the apartment/condo search and should I buy/should I rent question. There are three things that my next apartment/condo/etc. must have:

1. A washer and dryer. Or hook-ups. Or someway to wash my clothes without using the same machines as everyone else in the building/complex. Because a) quarters are too hard to come by when you never carry cash. An b) washing my clothes in the same place as everyone else?! Gross. Grody. Disgusting in every way. I also have been lugging my clothes all over town to do laundry since my sophomore year of college - aka for about two and a half years now. Okay, so technically I don't anymore...
2. A double sink. I don't even need a dishwasher - as long as I can put my dish drying rack in the sink instead of taking up the little counter space an apartment/condo usually comes with! Although, if it comes with number 1, chances are pretty good it will have a dishwasher. I don't even mind doing dishes by hand! I just want two sinks to do so in!
3. Pet friendly. Not just pet friendly - dog friendly. Not that I will be getting a dog as soon as I move in, but having a chance to do so - maybe - would be nice. It doesn't have to allow big dogs either, because I want a little snuggle buddy. This probably the least important, thus number three and I can easily accept that it might not happen.

Does that seem like too much to ask? It really isn't the problem. The problem is that Iowa City is so DARN expensive. (If you are reading this and living in an apartment in Iowa City that is reasonable priced or know someone who is, please leave me a comment so I can be less frustrated!) And I don't really want to live with a stranger - so don't say that I should get a roommate. I would just rather live by myself. I have been since December 2007...and that has made me realize it is just easier when everything is the way I want. (And I have been through enough roommate drama in the year and a half that I had them to last me a life time.)

It isn't urgent that I move out, (Thanks, MOM!) but I am feeling a little bit of pressure. Although living with the 'rents has been nice, I know that they liked having this big, freezing house to themselves a lot more than putting up with me. I am trying to be a good housemate - but I know that when I am sitting on the couch with them they would probably rather I wasn't. It's okay - I understand. I would much rather be able to watch all the shows I used to watch and eat my pasta in my own living room. It's just a fact that we should both acknowledge.

Any suggestions on this topic - PLEASE help.

Tonight I did something that I'm a little bit proud of. In an effort to make friends, I joined MeetUP and forced myself to join two groups: 20/30 something girls group and a young professionals group of Iowa City. I feel like I should probably talk to people outside of work and it would be nice to spend a Friday night with a group of friends rather than my parents. So, the first meeting I'll be attending (unless I talk myself out of it and get nervous) is at a local sushi restaurant. And I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE sushi. It seems like a good chance to meet people. I am hoping that the me that forced herself to go to yoga will show up in January, too. I probably won't meet people by shopping at Von Maur every weekend - it is time to be proactive rather than sitting on the couch.

Let's see, what else? My amazing grandfather returned from Africa today. I am so proud of him - helping little babies learn to walk is a great thing. Don't know what I'm talking about? Google Ponsetti International. Do it. NOW!

I still like my job. Except that I sit right next to the door and it is officially winter in Iowa. But God created space heaters, and for this I am grateful. Things are going to get very busy, very soon. I can't wait! We will be opening officially as Zephyr Weddings on January 5th. Game day. (Literally, GO HAWKS!)

Christmas is just around the corner. Goal for the weekend: accomplish as much of the shopping as possible. As well as come up with a fun way to wrap all the presents. That is a lot of work when I think about it. The funny thing is, I am more excited for this Christmas than last year. I have decided that it is because I haven't been looking at Christmas merch since July like I was last year. It is a nice feeling. The other reason that it could be is because my lovely grandparents are building a new house. This will be the last Christmas in my grandparents house that I grew up in. It's bittersweet. I am so happy for them! The new house will be beautiful. My cousins are coming this year! And the Chef will be there. It will be so fun to celebrate this year.

Next weekend I'll be traveling to Columbia again. It has pretty much been back and forth on those highways about every two weeks since May. I'm hoping this will be the last trip for a while - not because I don't love Columbia but because I think it is ahem, someone else's turn. Scott is GRADUATING! I am so proud, happy and excited for him. For us - two college graduates. Whoo! And he is going to be such a great graduate. I mean, he already has two jobs lined up! Who cares if he has already been working at them since...well a long time...at least he has a job(s)! And then to Denver...ahhh that's a drive I don't want to think about.

Okay. Fingers are tired. Happy weekend!

yoga-fied

Well, I went to yoga tonight. It was wonderful - so relaxing. Mom and I have promised each other that we would go to the gym & I have officially gone four days in a row! It was really nice to go and relax for an hour and I am excited to keep going.

That's about all. I'm going to go and enjoy this relaxed feeling for tonight. There is so much to catch you all up on - and I will do that...eventually.

monkey announcements {continued}

the baby announcements are finished! i think they turned out adorable & i am excited to hear what the baby's family thinks. i hope they like them.

sorry for the low quality images. hopefully santa will bring me this and they will improve!

feelin' a little christmassy: {today i love} plus some

hello all! many of my favorite bloggers use the {today i love} idea and i'm joining in. with thanksgiving just around the corner and christmas music and movies being played i can't help but think toward the holidays. being the paper nut that i am, this year i'm planning on making the wrapping just as special (or more!) than the gift. here are some ideas that i'm going to try!

i just love the look of this. it is perfect for the person getting multiple items! and i love the idea of putting a christmas carol on each card. LOVE LOVE.

creating personalized labels?! right up my alley. i think i'll get to work now. all though, i do love the look of something handwritten too...

i love the simplicity of this...it is so clean and classic. especially loving the tiffany blue and silver. tiffany blue is the most popular color this year!

haha, i just think that this is SO creative. lumps of coal? i can't wait to get someone something little to try this out. perfect for diamonds (as pictured) or anything else little...the best surprises come in small packages you know!

how adorable is this? candy canes!

on another note - has everyone tried the new candy cane kisses. i am totally addicted!

i think this is great! covering boring boxes with a vintage postcard or a magazine clip-out, personalized for the person receiving the gift?

martha has totally outdone herself!

i'm looking forward to this week. work will be busy and kaeli and i have lots planned. including whiteys :) it's been a little weird knowing that it's thanksgiving and half of our family is missing in new york (not ACTUALLY missing, don't worry) but i'm also looking forward to creating new traditions and memories with my family-in-love in missouri. i am SO glad that kaeli has decided to come with me, chances are she will have to see them a lot in the future. i can't wait to hear all about mom, tom, martin and ali's adventures together. (i already know that they are all together at martin & ali's neighborhood bar - so jealous!)

it seems that everyone i know is getting engaged, which of course has me thinking about it. although i can't help but feel jealous of them, i am patient. i don't want to rush in to anything. scott and i have both been through some rough times and i don't want to go through them again or put any children through it(not that i want to think about that at all). i know that IF we make that decision, it will come when we are both ready to make that commitment. sometimes i wonder if people my age really think about the commitment and meaning of a marriage - it isn't something you can decide of knowing each other for a year or two (although you might think you know the person). marriage is an important decision that affects more than just you and your future spouse - your families are involved, your friends and perhaps children. this past year i have seen/heard about so manny marriages falling apart (hello, jon & kate!) and it just feels that no one is truly understanding of such a decision and the meaning of it is falling by the wayside. i think seeing what divorce can do (him more than me) we both know the weight of such a decision...besides, right now i would rather have a puppy than a ring (and maybe a condo). :) (not that i'm not happy for my friends or doubting their life-changing decisions...PLUS weddings are pretty much how i make a living!)

in other news....the hawkeyes won this weekend. WHOO-HOO! it was actually a very boring game. i'm so glad that we won and can't wait to see where we will be bowl-wise. (mizzou beat iowa state too...and any win over the cylcones is a good one. go tigers!)

images from marthastewart.com

Thanksgiving is so close :)

hello all!

i'm sorry that i've been away from this space for so long. so many fabulous, wonderful things have been happening and i end up exhausted. i don't even remember where i left off!

things at work are going fabulously. i am really enjoying it and am so happy that i made the decision that i did. it was hard, but the reward has been so great! each day, someone at work tells me that they appreciate me & am glad that i joined the team, which really helps. last night, mom and i were shopping and a girl came up to me (she heard me over-telling someone that i am a graphic designer) and told me she has been looking for a graphic design position since graduation. i am SO lucky & blessed to have my job and i am SO thankful.

we have been so busy with brides already! i would say that i meet with at least three brides a week and have about 12 already. i have responsibility! and i am rewarded!

i am just about done with the monkey birth announcements that i have been working on for lindsay. they are so cute, and i can't wait to take them to her and meet the babies!

let's see, what else....

i am putting my apartment search on hold for a while and focusing on paying off my debt (car, college) a little more. also, saving money so that rather than renting FOREVER i can BUY a condo. it will be soooooo nice. i hope that it all happens as planned (in about...five months, ha!). the first step will be to talk to my mom's realtor so that i can get a more realistic idea of what i might be getting myself in to.

friday my little sister comes home. i am SO excited to spend the week with her shopping, eating and LAUGHING. we will be road trippin' to missouri to visit the scooter and his family on wednesday. i am glad she will be going with me and i hope that we will create some new traditions and memories together. although, it will be sad/weird/strange to not spend thanksgiving with my mom, grandparents and brother. i guess that means i am reeeally growing up.

i think that is all. PLEASE check out our blog for the studio: zephyrweddings.blogspot.com. you'll be able to see our design work and progress on transforming the new studio!

things to do & people to see

Well, hello there! I feel like I haven't given the world a life update in months, weeks, years even.

The new job is going excellent. I still haven't gotten my computer, but it should be here this week or early next week. I HAVE gotten to design some things (and I'm anxious to hear what the brides have to say!) and the week is quickly filling up with meetings, consultations and more design work. We officially have everything turned in to become Envelopments dealers - one giant task marked off our lists. Today we had a three hour meeting to go over our to-do list and vendor information. SO much to do and so little time.

Each day I am feeling more and more adult like. It's funny that it took a more sophisticated job to do that to me. I get tired at 9:30. I wake up at 7:30. I go to an office. I have a professional email account. I have clients. YIKES.

All in all, life is good. I'm starting to miss things about Columbia (especially you-know-who) and have decided to make the trip in a few weeks to visit friends & restaurants. Haha.

love to you all - and an announcement:

please save the date! january 30th - zephyr weddings grand opening!

even more official!

I started my job. It was exciting - I spent the day stuffing bags for our upcoming wedding shows and sitting in on bridal consultations. I graduated with one of the brides that we met with, which made me realize that I'll probably be working with a lot of past classmates. That'll be pretty fun.

I have a desk. Eventually I'll have a computer. And maybe the most exciting, I have business cards! Don't worry - you will all be getting one.

Yesterday was my first wedding show in Iowa. It was in the enormous town of Tama in the Meskawki Hotel. I think that was the longest I've ever spent in "rural" Iowa (and probably what most of Missouri friends picture when I tell them I'm from Iowa). It was fun to meet brides and other wedding industry people. We all are crazy, we have to be, because we love weddings. It was great to meet other vendors and build those connections!

Today I had the day off. I spent it working on assembly (until I ran out of tape, I'll have to get more before work tomorrow) and design for my two best friends and future brides. Happily, the both loved what I came up with. Here's a snippet of each:

Tomorrow I go back to work for a half day. Then it's off to Columbia to visit with my mom! I'm looking forward to seeing my long lost friends!

I need this. For REAL.

In celebration of my new job, I can't help but think of moving to a new pad. Although I know it's at least one month away my mind keeps wandering to bedroom, bathroom and living decor. And I've decided that if I can afford it, I want an office. With this desk.

Kind of a funky picture, but I think it will look great with a small vase of flowers, an inspiration board above and this on top.

It's Official

(By the way, it took me about three minutes to come up with the title of the post - and that's the best I could do.)

1. I officially live in Iowa City. I finally get to start a "real" life and start over. I need friends.
2. I officially live in my parent's house. Their living room is a bit of a mess (and my project for tomorrow).
3. I officially want these boots.
4. I officially am sad that Flipping Out is over.
5. I'm officially in a long distance relationship (so far, it's been a good decision for both of us, I'll let you know our thoughts in a month - or a week).
6. I officially have begun on my first, independent design project & all of the paper has arrived.
7. I officially want a dog, like more officially than before, I don't like to share one with my mom & Tom. But I do like Emma.
8. I officially don't have to be a waitress for the rest of my life like Martin & Kaeli. (Haha, just kidding.)
9. I officially walked a 5k & cheated. (A post on that one later.)
10. I OFFICIALLY HAVE A FULL TIME GROWN UP REAL PERSON JOB. Thus, completing the job search and putting my stress level a little more at ease.

I feel so blessed to only go two weeks without being employed. I know in this market, it was risky to quit one without having another. I just had a good feeling about the job in Iowa. I'm so beyond excited to start & see where this opportunity takes me.

I went to the interview today, hoping that it wouldn't be a dead end. Right away, we were talking salary, benefits & 401k's. I have a great feeling about the people that I will be working with, but I am nervous about the unknown (of course). It's going to be a lot of work and a lot of quick, fast paced learning, but I know I can handle it. I'm just excited about everything!

I start Friday. That gives me two more days of watching Beverly Hills 90210 until noon and laying in bed all day. I'll begin making the money that I deserve and the responsibility that I deserve. I have a job description that doesn't include things that were never spoken of or never agreed upon. And maybe the best thing, I don't have to sell Christmas merchandise!

I will admit that it was strange to have such an exciting, huge thing happen to me and not have the Chef there to celebrate immediately. It wasn't the same just calling him and telling him. I guess that will be something that we both get used to. Distance makes the heart grow fonder, right?

I start Friday. I'm official!

6 & 0, way to go!

Whoo! What a great weekend it was! I'm so glad that the Hawks are doing so well this season, it's the first time I've been able to watch pretty much every game! I had a fabulous last weekend in Columbia thanks to my lovely friends. Friday night was out of control - and maybe the most fun I've had all year!

Today I've spent the day packing. It doesn't look like it from the place I'm sitting, but I really only have the kitchen left to pack. And then it's just on to the cleaning... I've also spent the day sneezing. And I'm running out of Kleenex!

It's been a strange experience. I didn't really feel like this apartment was a home until late July/early August. At the same time, I started desperately needing to make a change in my life, especially concerning work. It took me two months to make the decision & it's hard taking everything down from the walls. It also makes me SO look forward to a new space where I can make it feel like home more quickly. Let me tell you, it's hard to pack when you don't know when you'll be getting these things out again. I'm giving myself two months at my mom's house before I move out - and trying my darnedest to pack so that I won't be ripping open boxes in the living room. The hardest are the clothes & bags! (Imagine that, family!)

Tomorrow I'm getting up early to run some last minute errands around Columbia, finish packing my house & cleaning. It's a lot to do in one day. Wednesday Scott & I are going to Saint Louis. I'll be saying goodbye to Frank & Ruth for a while. It'll break my heart, truly. Hopefully in the coming months Scott & I can plan a fun weekend away in Saint Louis so we can see them. I am so grateful for Frank & letting us use his truck. Of course, I'm also worried that Scott won't be giving it back to him.... He is saving us a bundle on a U-Haul and just making the process of moving home a little easier.

We will also get to see Chef's little sister! I'm so excited for her, she just found out she was accepted to Mizzou & the journalism program. She and I have a lot in common, and it's been the most fun to get to know her out of all his family. She also applied to Northwestern, and secretly I'm pulling for that one not only because I would have DIED to go there (so gorgeous, beautiful and prestigious) but because I think it would totally fit her personality. Also a bit of a culture shock, but she can handle it.

After this crazy busy week, it will be nice to be home. All though I'm sure that will also be busy! I'm looking forward to spending some quality time with the brother, sister & grents! Of course, we are all coming home for one major reason: to support the Ponseti International campaign. There's still time to donate, just click here!

rain, rain go away

i am sitting in my living room, looking over my master to-do list before i move. in one week, everything that i've called home will be packed up and moved into my mom's living room. and then the apartment search will start alllll over again. ironically, i am excited and happy about this. i'm sure scott isn't, because this will be the fourth time that he has moved me in the three years that we've dated. :)

yesterday i came home to find that my dishwasher has sprung a leak. there was a long, brown-colored river going across my kitchen floor. so, of course, i called the landlord & they hurried over to fix it. the problem - not so fixed. i tried to run my dishwasher last night and the leak occurred again! ugh. but i am SO glad that i don't own this little place. because then i would have had to pay someone to do it. (more on home ownership later!)

in other news, i've filled out about 20 job applications. i think that is the worst part of finding a job in the whole world. not the interviews or going door to door. it's sitting there, filling out the same questions seven hundred times. and the most frustrating part is that you know they probably don't look at half of the things on there! ugh. i haven't heard back from anyone yet, but i'm hopeful that i'll see some results this weekend. if not, time to make some phone calls on monday!

it's raining here. it's cold and wet - but it's kind of nice. i enjoy listening to the rain for the first day - after that i'm ready for it to stop! i'm also drinking my first cup of cider for the season....it's so delish! fall is a great season. :)

go tigers!

Inspiration.

for two years, my grandpa (my hero) has been traveling to africa to help children with club foot.

he teaches doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals how to use the ponseti method,

a non-surgecial procedure developed at the university of iowa by doctor ignacio ponseti.

the procedure is uses a serious of casts and is very effective -

he has helped children around the world learn how to walk, dance, jump and play as a 'normal' child could.

in two weeks, my family & i will be participating in a walk to raise

money so that these teachings can continue. it is of course, very close to my heart and something my family is very passionate about.

after the adult 5k race, the children that the ponseti method has helped will walk.

at the end of the walk, dr. ponseti and his wife will be waiting - and the children that he has helped will walk to him.

it will be a beautiful event.

for information on how you can help my family &

the doctors helping children around the world, please visit

http://www.givetoiowa.org/ponseti/teamwhitmore

anything that you can offer will help improve lives of children.

--

on a less serious note, i'm in iowa this weekend. it's freezing.

it's hard to find motivation to find a job when you're freezing and it's pouring.

i'm currently wearing two pairs of socks. my mom & i put a down blanket on my bed.

but it's wonderful to be here.

moving day.

well, it's officially time. this evening i started going through clothes (actually eliminating some of my 'college wardrobe) and getting the apartment ready to be shown. the landlord has an appointment tomorrow afternoon & i have everything crossed that can be crossed that it works out.

tonight i'm also watching grey's anatomy and private practice. according to me, two of the best shows EVER. grey's this season reminds me a lot of the very first season. each episode (well, the past two) have been an emotional roller coaster that left me wanting more - rather than last year when izzie saw dead people and it was WAY to strange. private practice has only been on for 12 minutes so far, but it has been an excellent 12 minutes.

tomorrow i'm going home. yay! i think that i'll be able to watch hawkeye football with some other hawkeyes. and my goal is to leave with two jobs. we'll see how that goes. i'm busy packing up some things so that my apartment appears big, which i think it is anyway, and sorting through summer clothes. the jetta will be full!

i'm also hoping to go shopping - but not buy anything because moving is expensive & i still got bills to pay! i am going in search of the perfect boots for this fall. i eventually want three pairs, but you know this girl ain't got dollars! and the perfect boot is hard to find.

p.s. shout out to my lovely co-worker natalie! she gave me this lovely photo. i will miss her a lot when i move back. for more of her photography, visit her blog!

decisions, decisions

well, i've made a pretty huge decision.

i quit my job & i'm moving back home. i'm excited, worried, nervous, regretful & happy all at the same time. it means that i have a chance to reconnect with old friends & make new ones. it means i won't have to pay rent for a month (or two, or three). it means that i'll be close to my family. and it means i'm taking a pretty huge chance.

the good news is that my interview last week was successful. they want a second interview as soon as i'm back home and settled in. the scary news is that in two weeks i have no income. yikes!

i think i've got it pretty much figured out. i'm going to take these next two weeks & enjoy them with scott, first of all. our relationship is going to go through a pretty huge change, but i think in the long run, it'll be for the best. he's so busy with school & working 2 jobs that we don't really see each other until midnight or later anyway....and by then we're both tired & cranky and not getting in a whole lot of quality time. after he graduates, he'll probably move in with his dad - which is good because six months later he's moving to denver, north carolina or chicago. they deserve quality time as well!

then, i'll move home. i'll apply to work at my favorite childhood restaurant as well as some other new ones. i might apply at some downtown retail stores - but that could be too tempting. chances are i'll need more than one job to keep me busy. i'm so excited about making new friends at a new place. i just think it's going to feel so good to go home.

at the end of october i'll return to columbia for homecoming & to officially get out of my apartment. i'll need a uhaul, for sure. i am especially excited to shower in a bathtub that isn't peeling. :) i'll officially say goodbye to the place that i've called home for the past four years & to my friends that have been a huge support to me.

this weekend i'm going to spend quality time with one of my best friends, jess. it'll be the last friday night of fun for a while - and we have had some CRAZY times since we met freshman year. then tomorrow i'll be at the roots 'n blues 'n bbq festival this weekend with jeremy. saturday night i'll be watching the hawks beat the pants of of penn state. and sunday i have got to clean my apartment & work on my budget.

i apologize for the lack of posts that are exciting the last few weeks. it's been rough around here. i promise to post some pictures & new designs soon as well as update you on the progress of my personal business venture!

here's the scoop

life changes are happening for everyone. i can't believe all the decisions that i'm about to make. but i am very happy for all the support that i've gotten from my family & friends. i don't know what i would do without you! i am finally acting for myself and not anyone else...and happy about the decisions i have made thus far. you can't make your dreams happen if you don't go after them, right?

the next few weeks will be a change. i am excited about the change & chasing dreams....my current prospects and looking for new ones. i think eventually, everything will be clear. for now, i am willing to wait for that moment and follow my heart and my gut.

yes, mom i'm still alive

and promise to update tonight. i have lots of good things to share!

{above} a twin birth announcement idea for my mom's friend using the supplies i bought at paper source. sorry for the low-quality pictures. my apartment has bad lighting & my camera was dropped in adult bev this summer. (on my christmas list!)

it has been an exciting day, but i am too tired to tell you about it.

all i have to say is that i love the windy city.

Enchanted

i left work today with a sense of satisfaction. not because i had sold thousands of dollars of merchandise, but because my best friend had picked up her save the dates. save the dates that i designed and that she loved - my first real client. i can't wait to start working on her invitation & already have some ideas for what she should do. here is what the final save the date looked like. her mom wanted to include a picture of her & mike, something that i wasn't sure about - but i think it really suits dee & mike. i was glad that they wanted to go with a more modern feel, playing with all lowercase. they basically gave me free rein, and i was estatic when they really liked it.

i am also so proud of jeremy - he is going to start doing weddings on his own. i think we've both realized that there is no time like the present & we have to do what is best for ourselves at this point. being proactive about my future is both exciting & scary. it's a big step, putting myself out there like i am. but i know that something good is going to come out of it. and instead of working at a hospital (looking at brain matter everyday) and hating it, i am going to be doing something that i love. (and hopefully getting paid!) to some people what we do can just be thrown away - to us, it's creating in someone's most special moment and making it something they can look back on. whether that be in a picture or paper, these moments are the ones that they will remember. these are the moments that they have spent hours working on & coming up with. and we are just creating a piece of that for them. when you really think about it - even when most people do just throw invitations away - we are creating the memory from beginning to end. (especially when we assemble them for hours at a time!)

i have so many ideas floating up there in the brain of mine - it's time to start putting them to good use!

happy football labor day weekend. GO HAWKS! (and tigers!)

fall

well, we all know that i am missing school. but i have been so busy doing work outside of work, i feel like i have homework each night! i am so thankful for my friends that are putting their trust in me to make beautiful moments in paper. i only hope that i can fulfill their visions! (and i am so thankful for my mom & scott for creating connections for me - i am so excited to get the chance to do what i love!)

the weather has been cooling off in the evenings and the mornings, and i am so excited to pull out my sweaters & scarves (in fact, i am wearing one right now!). i love the heat of the summer, but if this weather could last forever, i would be perfectly happy. like most people, i am in want of a new fall wardrobe that includes a shrunken boyfriend blazer (in gray or navy) and some adorable boots. plural, because i need several pairs. however, i'm holding off in buying anything (not only because i'm broke) because i may be in need of a more business like closet very soon. in 15 days i'll be home to see what is next for me! not that those particular items couldn't be mixed into a business wardrobe, right? hopefully i'll be able to splurge a little in october...(fingers crossed!)

i have been waking up early each day this week and going to bed around 11 each night. it feels good to wake up and not be rushing from the shower to the car to work. i actually get to enjoy my breakfast, the today show & a morning cup of hot cocoa. it's been lovely & puts me in a much better mood by the time i get to work. this new routine is doing wonders. it also gives scott & i a few more minutes together (i know, i'm a cheeseball) because his schedule is so busy & hectic. i've never seen him this stressed out over school. i'm hoping that some of the pressure will be released soon...for his sake & mine! it has been okay though, he is clearly doing what he loves and that makes me very excited for his future. his boss at the restaurant told him that he is doing a great job at work their and can tell he really enjoys what he does. :)

this weekend is labor day & marks the kickoff to the best sports season EVER! the hawks & mizzou both start their seasons this saturday & although i won't be able to attend either of the games in person, i will be there in spirit. and checking scores regularly while i'm at work! i am so excited for the following two weekends, missing out on this big one doesn't mean the end of the world to me. it will be weird to attend mizzou games as an alum this year. does that mean that i have to do the z-o-u instead of the m-i-z?! i refuse.

happy thursday, loveys!

brunchin'

hello all!

posting everyday for three days...unusual right? well i couldn't help but to write something about the most fabulous brunch chef & i had with his friends and dad this morning. We went to bleu, one of our favorite restaurants here in columbia. i like to think i am a foodie-in-training (which ironically i call fit...) and this restaurant is an excellent place to go in columbia to try out the taste buds that you haven't. their menu changes regularly and dishes tend to be on the creative side. this summer they have started to do brunch on sundays, which we had never been to before but had heard many good things about. one complaint i have of columbia is the lack of breakfast nooks, aside from the usual diners. this place bleu (pun intended) my mind away.

they have all of your favorites - eggs, omelets, etc. but they also have things you don't find at many american restaurants. the chef ordered huevos rancheros. i know that i can make a mean huevos, learned from the big brother, but this was...unbelievable. (its a good think chef knows how to share!). the beans, cheese, salsa and avocado created the most outstanding mixture of goodness. it was like heaven.

on a trip home to celebrate my uncle bob, i tried eggs benedict for the first time at one of my favorite breakfast places in iowa city, bluebird dinner. (which kaeli & i disagree about.) i fell in love and have been hunting for a place to get it here in town. it's a little too tricky for my lazy sunday home meals. bleu's came on a homemade buttermilk biscuit, fried virgina ham....house fries...hollandaise...to perfection eggs....i was in cholesterol heave poached n, let me tell you! (i felt the food coma coming on at first bite!) each bite was better than the last.

chaz, as i affectionately call chef's dad, had a made to order omelet with the regulars PLUS artichokes. to. die. for.

along with a delicious mimosa (because how can you go wrong) and build-your-own bloody marys, this is where i would like to go every sunday for the rest of my life. or at least every time i'm in columbia! and that was just a taste of options on the menu. next time, i'm going for the fluffy buttermilk pancakes topped with blueberry compote & creme fraiche/fresh (i don't know french, so i don't know if that's how you spell it...). i think chef will have something equally as delicious, like the cold lox salmon and i think we should split the loaded house fries. heaven.

anyone want to come visit me for breakfast?

{business card idea}

i'm sorry for not updating recently. i admit that i have been busy doing other things...like working on designs for my portfolio. it has been a busy few days.

i have been doing a lot of thinking recently. thinking about what i can really see myself doing in ten years - should i open a retail shop for my designs? consider opening a studio & creating a stationery line? i have so much more to learn about all of the things i am passionate about.

jeremy & i decided to go on a road trip to paper source over labor day. i am so excited and already have a long list of things that i 'need.' including some things for my growing portfolio.

sorry this was so short, i've had such a good weekend and want to enjoy the beautiful weather that we are having of late. tonight i think i will head to the chef's restaurant when he gets off for some delicious (and cheap!) nachos. i hope we will enjoy a movie after that. in the morning his dad is coming and we will go for brunch. yum!

enjoy your weekend!

for my next apartment

i need this.

from here.

happy first day of school, little ones!

it's the first day of school & sadly...i spent it all day at work. bummer dude! however, since i usually make new school year resolutions, here are my new school year resolutions anyway!

1. stay positive. no matter what.
2. stand up for myself. no matter what.
3. go to at least one football game of the hawkeye and tiger variety.

i am in a rather good mood, all things considered. a few weeks ago, i took a big step and emailed the wedding specialist from zephyr printing and design in iowa city & got a reply today. they are opening a wedding studio in november/december and thinks i would be a valuable member to the team! my mind is reeling. when i go back home this fall she wants me to go and introduce myself as well as bring hard copies of my work, what she loved. i am so excited, i don't know what to do. celebrate, obviously. you know, there is a bottle of bubbly in the fridge from graduation (unopened, of course). my goal is to have a lot more to show her when i go home for a visit, but the fact that she really liked my stuff is a huge compliment and i can see good things happening to me!

in other news, i've been trying to go to bed earlier so i can wake up earlier. it's not working. i think if i just force myself out of bed when the alarm goes off, i'll fall into a routine. maybe then i can start working out (stop laughing, kaeli!) and lose the birch island belly that i gained over the past four years of college. chef is training for a half marathon in kc, and i know that i won't be able to complete that since it's about 8 weeks but since he's been doing it, it makes me want to run. there is a nice park nearby and some trails!

in celebration of my big news, i've decided to post a save the date idea i had for my friends dee & mike. (hopefully they don't mind!) i'm also going to spend the evening working on some other projects. and i think that i am going to call my little design company little details. more on that later!

happy monday!

BI - 08.09

Ever since I can remember, our family has gone to Northern Wisconsin for summer vacation.  My wonderful grandparents first purchased the summer home when my mom and her siblings were children & they too have memories of growing up in the woods.  A few weeks ago, my whole family was reunited to celebrate the cabin's 100 year of being and the peninsula's history.  Each day we ate meals together, read together and laughed together - something that doesn't usually happen for all eighteen of us at one time.  It was so nice to be reunited with cousins that I hadn't seen in over a year or just a few months ago and relax.

I have been busy working on my friend's save the dates.  I've come up with a lot of ideas - hopefully she will like one of them!  I am also working on an invitation for the mama and business cards for the contractor.  Busy bee, that's me!  With all this (potential) work coming to me, I need suggestions for my business name.  My ideas: monica faye productions, little details., and p.s. designs - anyone out there have any suggestions?

Tomorrow night Chef & I are cooking dinner for our friends.  On the menu: salmon with pineapple salsa served over a bed of spinach, crab cakes, and carrot cake for dessert!  Delicious.  Hopefully I will remember to take pictures....

One of my favorite bloggers, Nie was in a horrific accident last August, a year from last Sunday and she recently climbed the Y mountain in Provo (similar to our A mountain in Tucson).  I only recently started reading about her, but she is one amazing woman.  By the time she was twenty five she had four children, which in my book deserves some kind of award.  I encourage all of you to read her blog - she can bring a smile to anyone.  She climbed the mountain because it was the anniversary of her and her husband's accident, a goal she set when she moved back to Provo after coming out of a coma and sustaining burns covering 80% of her body.  The past few days I can't help but to think about her this week.  Her story reminds me that anything is possible if you put your mind to it & of how blessed I am.

happy tuesday!

Motivation, part two

It has been a productive weekend.  I got a kick in the butt on Friday at work to go after what I really want - and I will disclose details once my dreams come to fruition.  All I will expose is that it involves moving a little sooner than I thought.

On Saturday, I went to work and instead of doing nothing while we had no customers, I brainstormed and came up with some awesome ideas (in my opinion) for invitations, greeting cards and stationery.  I also did a little work on my resume.

Saturday night, Chef surprised me with all of the software I need to jump-start my designing.  I spent all weekend coming up with ideas for my friend Deanna.  Chef also got me another design job for one of his coworkers - I'll be a busy bee the next few months!

Here's to making dreams come true!

Motivation, part one {edited}

Another trying day at work - but it has given me the push to make a move.  I've decided to share some of my hard work & designs with you!  I'd love feedback and look forward to sharing more with you!

Edit: Click to make the images larger!

Also, I saw this commercial tonight.  I'm totally jealous of the third girl, that was totally me in 7th grade!

Insomnia = excitement?

It's been awhile since I wrote in my blog.  But it's for a good reason - a long overdue vacation was exactly what I needed to rejuvenate my life.  Even work has been something I've almost looked forward to these past few days.  I find myself more focused and more motivated to get stuff accomplished.  Chef & I got away for 10 days (!) at my family's cabin in northern Wisconsin.  Aside from a weekend here or there, it was the first time I hadn't worked all summer and had put in a whopping 91 hours the two weeks leading up to vacation.  It was wonderful to wake up early and enjoy the lake everyday and then stay up late talking and enjoying a (few) glass(es) of wine with my family.  It was wonderful to be surrounded by people that I love.  I left my cell phone upstairs and checked it once a day.  And I left the laptop behind.  Getting away from technology was fabulous and a much needed break.  I will share stories from vacation (complete with pictures!) the rest of the week.

I came back to Columbia a little sad.  For two reasons: I was suffering from an intense cold and because I realized that I would not be returning to school in the fall.  If there is one thing you should know about me it is this: I love school supplies, paper, pens, books, etc.  I was pretty much devastated that I wouldn't be a part of the bookstore's busiest time of the year and even offered to do the shopping for Chef.  He declined - he doesn't buy that stuff anyway.  This evening, I found myself suffering from insomnia.  I've tried everything - watching TV, catching up on the world news that I'd missed via NYTimes.com, reading my book - and it isn't working. I realized that I was excited for something I wouldn't be doing this year.  I even wrote in my planner that school starts on August 24th...even though I won't be enjoying new classes.

My little sister and cousin will both be moving into new dorm rooms in a few short days.  I wish that I was starting it all over again.  Looking back on the past four years (even their ups and downs) I wouldn't change anything in the world.  I met the most amazing people and created relationships with them that will last a lifetime.  And now, those same people are starting new paths of life.  In a year, I'll be moving to _________.  In a few months, I'll be making my first bridesmaid debut at my best friends' wedding (which can only mean one thing: there will be many weddings in my future!).  My friends are starting professional careers as students, accountants, and anything that they can get their hands on.

So, maybe I am not excited about the new school year.  Perhaps this August I am most excited for what there is to come.  Last week, my grandpa told me to follow my dreams and that is what I intend to do this year.  Who wouldn't be excited about that?

Goal Setting

Today at work, my bff J-estes and I had a heart to heart, much like we do during our down times of the day.  Jeremy is such an amazing person - and I am so glad to call him one of my closest friends.  I know that no matter what direction life takes us (him toward the ocean and me to the seas of grain) we will still remain close friends.  Besides, an amazing floral designer as a best friend is every event planner's dream!

Anyway, both of us have been talking a lot about our goals and dreams for the future, but that's mostly all that we've been doing.  Last weekend Jeremy found an AMAZING space to open his very own floral studio.  I have everything crossed that he makes one of his biggest goals happen, and I will do anything to help accomplish it.  Today, we both decided it was really time for it to happen.  No more BS talk about it.  So, what follows is my one-year plan to make my organizational line, design line, stationery line, etc. happen:

This is probably the biggest goal: to attend the New York Stationery Show next May as an attendee.  This year, the most important thing I can do is network.  Find the small lines that started just like mine (eventually) will and get advice about where to go.  Talk to designers about how the outsource printing.  In order to get this accomplished, I have to establish credentials to attend.  This means actually forming a business...or at least having an exceptional reason to go.  That means - I need cash!

By the end of this year 2009, I would like to have an established portfolio.  This way, when I make my next move I can apply for graphic design positions in order to gain experience.  I am so sick of the designs I keep seeing over and over and over again as far as stationery and weddings go.  It's time to create & innovate.  (Hmm...slogan?)

Those are two pretty huge goals.  I know I can do it, I just have to force myself.

Smaller scale:

Network.  Send emails to the lines we carry at PPP and let them know what I'm interested in.

Create a few prototypes of planners that I know young, professional men/women would love to carry.  Innovate.

Speak with a few event planners that I know through my class/work to see if I can shadow/intern a few days a week.

Get a second, third, fourth job.  Income, baby.

So, it's official, the hunt to Oprah's favorite things begins.  Because I wrote in this.  I can hold myself to it....it's time to actually get off the floor!

If I could end up like Cheree Berry - she has had all of my dream jobs.  Serious.  She designed the entire Kate Spade line for Crane (now a best seller).  Now she designs amazing wedding invitations out of St. Louis - anyway, I would settle to close to her and be over joyed.

Library Card

It's been awhile - I apologize.

Some exciting things that have happened since I last blogged - Dog Days of Summer Sale Downtown.  There were so many things that I wanted to buy at the boutique down the street!  Being on a tight budget really makes me think twice about spending money.  Although, those jeans were awfully cute, making a car payment is a much smarter idea.  There are more important things in life than cute clothes - like affording groceries for a month.

Today I had my second interview!  It was for the University Hospital and unlike the last one I am kind of excited about it.  I'll basically be a receptionist, checking patients in.  I'll either work in the main hospital or the ER.  Although, I must admit the thought of working in the ER made me queasy (especially when the girl interviewing me said brain matter) I think it would be interesting and ER was my favorite show!  If I can watch it on TV....anyway, I'm not getting my hopes up at all but it has been nice to get some action and go on interviews.  Makes me hopefully that someone will actually want to hire me.  I am going to call the restaurant that I've applied to as well.  FINGERS CROSSED!

This afternoon I am going to go, for the first time, to the Columbia Public Library.  With the dreamy vacation just one week (!!!!) away I will definitely need some reading material.  Don't you just love getting lost in the library?  So many books, so little time.  College reading just wasn't the same...I hate required material.  The thought of getting lost in 7 books (one a day keeps the eye doctor away!) just sounds phenomenal.   Some of my fondest memories from summers in Iowa City involve the Public Library.  And Prairie Lights.  And the poool.  :)

I hope that your Mondays aren't giving you the case of the Mondays.  And reading suggestions are now welcome!

P.S.  The night I posted my snacky post, I went to the store in search of some ingredients.  My favorite magazine Real Simple, had a feature on healthy snacks to get you through the day!

What's for dinner?

The job hunt continues.  So does life.

But, in the meantime I need your help!  For those of you who don't know, I really dig food.  This hasn't been the case.  In fact, on the (not rare) occasions I clean my plate in front of my family the reminisce about the days I could barely eat 3 grapes and a cube of cheese.  This is no longer the case.

I have a need to eat about every two hours.  It drives boyfriend crazy...because we just ate.  It's the worst, however when I'm at work.  I can't eat anymore crackers or potato chips.  Do you have suggestions of any healthy and easy for on the go snacks that I can eat?  Dinner and to-go lunch ideas are also welcome.

Much like the rest of my daily activities, I don't like to eat alone.  As a communication major they (some professor) suggested (and assigned!) that we go to dinner and a movie by ourselves.  The memories are still painful.  So, living alone it is always hard for me to come up with things to eat.  I can eat anything I want, because it's just me.  But cooking for one is hard and not fun at all.  I also think when you eat alone, you eat too much because you don't do much talking.  Just a thought.

Any suggestions or helpful advice will greatly be appreciated.

In the meantime, I'm going to try a few of the recipes that I've found here.  NieNie (as the blog world knows her) is one of my favorites to read daily.  I won't make the tofu recipes, but some of these baked goods and pastas are just too wonderful sounding to pass up!

love,

monica faye

Stupid allergies.

This morning I woke up with my eye gooped-shut due to allergies.  HORRIBLE!  Worse?  I had to go to work looking like Quasimodo.  I hope I didn't scare any small children.

Tomorrow I'm hoping my swollen eye will be gone.  Laying out all day seems like a good idea, complete with lots of sunscreen.  And of course wishing the mama a happy birthday!

Hope your Saturdays were less gooey than mine.

love,

monica faye

midnight ramblings

Wasn't that puppy that I posted about yesterday SO cute?  I would love to have a dog.  But I'm being mature and I know that I couldn't really give that dog the life it deserves.  I'll have one, in the next couple of years.  And I shall call him Cohen.

I have been in the worst funk lately.  I just can't motivate myself to do....anything.  All I do is sit at home on my floor, camped out for hours at a time.  And I just watch mindless TV by myself.  And then I move to my bed and do it all again the next day.  It's turning me into a zombie that just doesn't give a snot about anything.  It's horrible.

Staying in Columbia for the next year was one of the biggest decisions that I've had to make in my 22 years of living.  It was an easy decision to make, but at every commercial break I wonder if it was the right one?  But then, I think if I had moved anywhere, I would probably be doing the same thing.  Sitting at home in a one-bedroom apartment with a peeling back to it's original pink bathtub, alone.  I should have thought more seriously about a roommate (a puppy!).   Part of the reason that I wanted to stay here was that I was determined not to move back into my mama's house.  Although, I've come home to it practically every-other weekend and I'll be back there in two weeks.  So, that plan failed.

I just knew if I moved home, everything would be really easy.  I would have all of my high school friends back.  I could get a job at some cute little boutique.  I could figure out what to do with my brilliant mind!  And best of all, I wouldn't have to pay rent.  The funny thing now, is that I can't wait to move back.  But I know when I do, it won't be back to my beautiful green room at 2017.  (Don't worry, Tom.  You can have that big house all to yourself.)  At least not permanently.

Plus, there was the job thing.  Everyone in college was telling us that the job market was horrible and that we could count on channel-surfing for at least a year.  And if we are lucky enough to find ANY job, to take it.  So, I had a job.  Stay in Columbia.  Easy choice.

Today at work, a really sweet old man came in looking for a donation from Veronica.  He has come in about twice a week all summer long.  And I know that I will see him after Wednesday of next week, too.  Because he told me.  Anyway, he asked me (for the fifth time, I think) what I want to be when I grow up.  I used to want to be a pediatrician.  My math skills failed me on that though.  Now I know what I want to do, for reals: design beautiful invitations and plan beautiful events.  Not just weddings, any event.  I would love to plan a little Jewish child a bat/bar mitzvah.  The old man told me that I need to "just do it then."  Stop wasting time and do it.  I laughed and said "I know."

Time to get out of this funk and get my mind in the game.  Stop thinking about all the things I could be doing instead of watching the Top Chef marathon on Bravo and actually do them.  Be productive.  Do the dishes instead of just lazily putting them into the dishwasher (and save money! double bonus!).

Tonight I watched He's Just Not That Into You.  Boy am I glad to not be single right now.  There are way too many ways to be hurtfully rejected.  And if I was single, I really wouldn't do anything (wait, isn't that what I do know?).  Except, eat WAY tooooo much.  It was a cute movie, but doesn't deserve an Oscar.  And big surprise, everyone ended up happy at the end.  I wish that someone could re-write the romantic comedy and make it less simple.  It sets everyone up for having too high of expectations because, NEWS FLASH life ain't that easy.  Someone should make a show about it.  I'd watch it.  Even the re-runs.

love to you all and here's to getting this chicky out of the funk!

monica faye

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,

I know that it is early for me to be writing you, but I have been a very good girl this year (so far).  I graduated from college, live on my own, bought a car (with a little help from my family) and keep my apartment very clean.

That is why i deserve a puppy that looks like this.  She is precious.  I will take very good care of her and love her like I have never loved anything or anyone before.

Thanks, Santa!

Monica

Reminder: I work retail.  Christmas is really only two months away for me.

Image from here.

Just turn it over, ma'am.

Work recently has been...slow, to say the least.  Every hour (or so...) a customer will come in for 15 minutes and leave without buying anything.  But then, there are some gems of people that come in and stay forever.

Today, a woman was boogie-ing (so not a word, but whatevs) to our music.  She thought it was Marvin Gay (it was Al Green) and sang along while rocking out.  Then she complained to me that we had a horrible card selection.

Which is true.  But it's summer, so we at the Triple P are having more time eating fresh tomatoes from our Farmers' Market to care that the cards are low.

So I said, sweetly "I'm so sorry.  I hope the next time you come in we can satisfy your needs."  What I wanted to say is "if you wanted such a large selection, go to Hallmark and feed into the big box stores that have taken over little stores like this one."  Ugh.

The other day a couple came in.  The man was wearing an Old Navy Flag shirt.  It wasn't the 4th, so I don't understand why he was wearing it.  I hate those shirts.  I mean, don't you want to use that freedom that our fore fathers fought for (whew! alliteration!) to be an individual?  Everyone & their pet cat Lucy has that shirt.  Sorry, tangent.

Anyway, he came in with his wife.  That looked at EVERY SINGLE CARD in the store.  Asked me 23u912u9305 times how much each cost and what they said on the back.  Hint: if it's wrapped in plastic, it means that the message is on the back, if it has one.  Turn it over!  Her husband sat down at our bride table that has a collection of bridal magazines on it (my goal: to memorize them this summer) and took out his phone.

It was an iPhone.  I want an iPhone so badly.  Everyone I know has them, including my grandfather and twelve year old twin girls (how come they deserve that anyway?) that came in today.  He played with his phone the whole time that his wife looked at cards.  He kept twisting around in his chair to see if she was still looking at cards (she was).  He huffed and puffed as loudly as he could.  She didn't hear.  He banged his finger on his phone.  I wanted to tell him to be gentle, that little toy costs a lot of money!

Then his wife complained that we had covered the inside message on the back of the card.  I told her the card was blank.  She argued back.  I'm telling you, retail is making me cynical and hateful, she honestly thought she knew more about the card then me.  Don't worry, I wasn't arguing meanly, like I would/did/do with my sister.  I was gentle and calm.

Finally, the woman found a card.  One card.  In the hour and a half (ok, exaggeration) they were there and after looking at every single card in the store, she bought one card.

Greeting card lovers, I tell you.