the ampersand

at work each day i stare at the computer & pick out fonts for one of the most important days in a person's life: their wedding. i truly believe that a font can make or break an invitation & that is why it is SO hard for me to choose! i could truly stare at font sites all day (seriously, if you need to get me a present go to veer.com and find something pretty!) and that is why i am so excited to have found this blog today.

a blog completely devoted to the ampersand, one of my favorite keys on the keyboard and something i love to use as a design element.

i promise more of an update soon. can you believe that january is almost over?

goodbye negativity - hello optimism (thoughts on 2010)

dear readers,

i know that the following post is long overdue. i am SO sorry. it's has been a crazy week and i'm trying to get back into the routine of day to day after taking some time away from things over the holidays.

thanks for your understanding!

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last thursday i spent the day at work, followed by an evening at home with my family. i think we watched a movie, but it seems like an eternity ago. also, kaeli and i split a bottle of pink champagne. it was an excellent way to spend the new year. like most people in the world, i also spent the time thinking about the year gone by and thinking about hopes and goals for the coming year. and so, in true monica faye fashion, i present you with - some lists.

reflections of the year gone by:

• the best thing that happened: i graduated from the university of missouri. all though that weekend was slightly traumatic for the family, i am so thankful that i had the people i care about the most around me that weekend. it was and still feels like a huge accomplishment, and i am so grateful to have had the opportunity to go to college for four years. a little known fact: i really graduated in 3.5 years because my first semester wasn't worth much.
• i decided to move back home. although that was probably the hardest decision that i've had to make so far, i couldn't be happier. i found a job, my relationship with the chef has grown immensely, i get to see my wonderful grandparents on a regular basis and i'm closer to my sister. although it has been hard: i am happier than i was four months ago.
• i let other people bring me down - i surrounded myself with people who weren't supportive of me or my desires. yes, when i was one-on-one with these people, they would act in my support. what was most hurtful was learning after the fact that they had gone to others and spoken negatively. that negative energy brought me down to their level, something that i hope won't happen again. life is too good to complain about all the time. i hope that those people get to a better place in their life so that they can realize how their behavior has hurt others.

resolutions (hopes/goals is probably a better way of saying it):

• work out. i'm already failing at this, kind of. i have begun taking a regular yoga class and really enjoy it. i am hoping to take more in the future (including hot yoga! fancy!). but i would like to add to my weekly regimen. thank goodness mom's around so that we can push each other (although, this week i haven't been much of a motivator).
• stop drinking pop, except on special occasions (like the rare time chef and i go to a movie).
• start my own business.
• MOVE OUT of the parents. (see update section of this post for more details.)
• grow in my relationship with the chef. this year will be a challenge - in 6 months he's moving away to colorado to fulfill his dreams & i couldn't be happier for him. i'm just recognizing head on that it's going to be a challenge. not that i don't think we can make it. you have to push through the pain!
• stay in touch with old friends better. it's not so hard to shoot an email once a week or chat on the phone over the weekend. i can do it...
• READ. i need to get a library card again...
• COOK, bake, etc.

life updates:

• today, i went and looked at two apartments. neither was what i really want, both were what i can afford. however, i am hoping that something better will come along and my goal (from above) is to move out by march.
• work is good. wedding season is upon us and i'm hoping that things will be very busy to make life more interesting.

and, my special resolution to you, readers is to update this at least every other day with stories, thoughts and hopefully a lot about the future of the business: little details.

i hope you all had a wonderful holiday & an even better new year!