Gardening in High Heels

cultivate a beautiful life

Sunday Lately, 38

This week dragged.  Anyone else, or is the cheese standing alone on this one?  I mean, I did manage to write + publish two (yes, folks, two) posts this week, by far the most I’ve done in a long time.  And I had an interview on Wednesday for a position in the marketing department where I currently work, so I was pretty consumed with putting together my presentation for that.  But not for nothin’, this was a long freakin’ week.

Essie Chocolate Kisses and OPI The Living Daylights glitter. Fall nail combo!

I did my nails this week, though, so that’s something!

Dwelling

I’ve been trying to make up my mind on a few different paths that I want to take and I’ve been dwelling pretty heavily on that.  I tend to get stuck in analysis paralysis if I don’t just make a move and make it quick.

My car?  I decided I liked it, wanted it, could afford it, and bought it in a matter of hours.  What kind of planner I want for 2016?  I’ve been belaboring over the perfect one (Emily Ley, Get to Workbook, DIY my own!) for months.  Among other things I won’t get into now.

Helping

I feel like I can finally get back to helping other people.  This summer was just…I don’t know, but I had no desire to blog.  The freelance work I do was half-hearted.  I made no progress in moving forward in a business of my own.  But I finally feel like I can start helping other people again.

That’s what I really want to do: be a helper.  Everyone has a beautiful story to tell and I want to help them share it with the world.  And I want to help them share it with the world so they can make meaningful connections along the way.  I want to share a story of a business in a way that people want to go there.  Or introduce two people because person 1 has a need that I know person 2 can fulfill.  Now they’re happy.  Look, I made that happen!

That’s what I want to do.

Forgetting

That words are as powerful as the emotions behind them.  I think a lot of people forget just how strong a weapon words are.  Use it wisely and kindly.

Switching

From coffee to beer…which is probably why I’m getting so introspective right now.  I’ve found I hit a very happy buzz and get all kinds of reflective after about half a beer if it’s been a few hours since I last ate anything.  Mental note…use this to my advantage.

Also, I am not writing this on Sunday morning.  I am out with my aunts doing an Ovarian-Cancer-benefit 5K.  I love the magic of scheduling.

Relying

On lots of coffee.

What have you been up to lately?

Sunday Lately is a weekly linkup with Katy, Nicole and Meghan. Use their themes or use your own. Just remember to link up with them so we can see what is happening with you lately!

Sunday Lately 37

When did it get to be the 37th week of the year?  This is insanity.  I feel like it’s the time of the year when I’m giving up on the goals that I set for myself and saying, “Well, it’s almost the end of the year.  What’s the point?  I’ll just try harder next year.”  But any day can be next year.  You can start next year whenever you feel like it.

“You might feel sleepy. It might be tough. It could seem preferable to just sit this one out. But…Today is not over yet.” Alex Franzen is a wise woman.  And today isn’t over yet.  The year isn’t over yet.  It isn’t over yet.  Just remember that.

That’s neither here nor there.  On Wednesday, I attended a #StylishPittsburgh event at No. 14 Boutique in Lawrenceville and it was fantastic.  Everything was so chic and Pinterest-perfect.  There were cupcakes and prosecco and I got to spend the evening catching up with Marissa and I purchased the most beautiful leather jacket just in time for a spell of cool weather here.

 

Doing

I feel like I’ve been doing everything and nothing at the same time.  I’m definitely spinning my wheels with certain projects and time is slipping away from me.  Exactly why I feel like it may be semi-pointless to try to make this year’s goals happen this year.

Appreciating

There’s an opening in another department at work and I appreciate the chance to be considered for it.  And no, I’m not just saying this because my url is on my resume.  I really am thrilled to try to make the company I work for bigger and better.  And myself, too.  I realized that if I’m not learning and growing and challenging myself, then I am supremely unhappy.  I need that challenge and this is exactly what I’m looking to tackle next.

Designing

Pretty sure that 87% of the past “designing” prompts have been something about this blog.  But I really am working on a plan to beef it up and redesign it.  I want to split it into “blog” and “services” that are more clearly defined.  Right now, it’s a blog (which is fine) but I need to highlight what I offer in other areas too.

Humming

I’m writing this and listening to Fleetwood Mac.  Because why not.

Expecting

I saw a Clarity on Fire clarity gem recently that said, “Expectation is far more powerful than hope.”  Don’t hope that things will work out, expect that the results you want will happen.  Don’t hope for a good life, expect it.  I love the action in the word expect.  Sometimes it feels a little…like you just think it’ll magically fall in your lap without trying.  But it’s more powerful than hoping.  There’s action to it.  Something will happen.

What have you been up to lately?

Sunday Lately is a weekly linkup with Katy, Nicole and Meghan. Use their themes or use your own. Just remember to link up with them so we can see what is happening with you lately!

Sunday Lately, 36?

I’m skipping a few weeks between Sunday Lately posts and I don’t know if I should number based on the weeks or based on what week I’m on.  So that’s why you get the ? in there.  I have no idea what day it is or what week it is half the time anymore.  I used to use that brain training app and honestly didn’t see much of a difference, but I am noticing a difference when I don’t do something cerebral.  Or maybe I’m just a little scattered with other things lately?

"Don't wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect."

Anyway…onward!

Planning

I am planning a huuuuge weekend of cleaning.  Friday, September 4th was the official closing day on my father’s house, so Thursday, September 3rd was the panicked, “Oh shit we have to haul everything out of here; I don’t care where it goes, but it can’t stay here” day.  So I’ve been playing a fun game called How Much Stuff Can You Pack Into a Ford Focus.  Angelica: 10, Car: 0.

How much can you fit into a Ford Focus?

Well it ended up in my garage.  And my basement, my office, my bedroom.  Basically my house is full of things that I couldn’t bear to part with from my childhood and Christmas decorations.  My dad loves his Christmas decorations, which is ironic because I hate decorating for holidays.  I definitely didn’t get that gene.

Loving

This weather!  Yesterday morning while I was cleaning, it was warm and sunny and dry (important because I was chucking empty boxes into the driveway in victory every time I emptied one).

Yesterday afternoon, I finally caught a summer thunderstorm.  I have a covered back porch and my favorite thing to do is sit on the porch and listen to the rain.  I was moving a few things around and I got rained on, so I figured, “Hey I’m already wet, why not go play in the rain.”  So I did.

Reading

The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo.  Of course.  I got sucked in.  Probably because I need a cubic shitton of some magical tidying up help.

There are some things in this book that are so useful.  Her advise for storing clothes or how she advises you to keep an item if it brings you joy and let go of those that don’t (sound life advise overall, don’tcha think?)

But there are certain things like, “Your house will tell you where to store it,” that I’m like……”Really?  Really, Marie?  It will?  Yeah okay…”

Wishing

For long weekends all the time.  I would get so much done and feel so much better.  Or I’d just be happy if I could wake up at 7am every day.  I think that’s my sweet spot.  Any earlier and I feel like a zombie.  Any later and I feel like I’ve wasted the morning (my most go get ’em time of the day).

Feeling

All the feels.  I don’t like change.  I’m not a person who can roll with the punches.  I sit there and freak out and cry and then I can think clearly and reassess.  But to reassess it on the fly?  Nope.

For example: Jonathan and I were installing a new floor in my father’s house back in January.  I was getting so worked up and frustrated that I couldn’t see or think clearly.  It wasn’t until I banged some things around, got angry, and cried a little did I get back to work with a solid plan of attack.

So I just need to throw some things around a little first, but I’ll be alright.

What have you been up to lately?

Sunday Lately is a weekly linkup with Katy, Nicole and Meghan. Use their themes or use your own. Just remember to link up with them so we can see what is happening with you lately!

Sunday Lately, 34

This week, a big truck came and took all 95% of my father’s furniture to his new apartment.  There’s still a little more to do, mostly cleaning, in the next two weeks before closing.

I also took my first Bodhi Suspension class this week at Dragonfly Pilates.  It was the most fun I’ve ever had working out.  It kicked my ass, but it was a great time.  It didn’t feel like 45-60 minutes went by.

And finally, my first #KatyMade Sub Box arrived!  It’s full off coffee goodness and the print is basically me and everything I stand for.  (September boxes are all about fangirling out, so get in on this action, like, now.)

Handmade Escapade KatyMade sub box for August is full of awesome coffee goodies!

Updating

I’ve been updating my house.  Spray painting furniture, building crap from IKEA, hanging pictures.  The walls in my house are pure plaster, so you need a drill and a big hatchet to break through.  It takes a while to get a picture hung.  My Pilates muscles will come in handy though.

Spray paint blunders

Speaking of updating, I re-wired these lamps with Jonathan’s help last night.  I finally feel confident to leave them plugged in when I’m not in the house.  I love actually being able to use them.

Reminding

It’s been a hard couple of weeks.  It helps to remind myself that it all comes to an end at some point.  As humans, we all try very hard to avoid discomfort, but sometimes it can’t be avoided.

Needing

Dude, I need a break from my break.  I took two days off last week to help my dad and I slept like a rock 2 out of the 4 nights I was off.  Hard work does a body good.

Wearing

Light jeans and tank tops.  It’s my summer uniform.  It also hasn’t been crazy-hot here with the exception of a few days, so I haven’t even turned my air conditioning on this summer.  It is glorious on my electricity bill.

Being

Quiet for the morning.  It’s a great feeling.  I suggest you try it some time soon.

What have you been up to lately?

Sunday Lately is a weekly linkup with Katy, Nicole and Meghan.  Use their themes or use your own. Just remember to link up with them so we can see what is happening with you lately!

Sunday Lately….32

Well this isn’t the 32nd Sunday Lately that I’ve written (far from it) but it’s week 32.  Already well into August.  And compared to last summer, I have done nothing.

Life was more entertaining when I worked for Yelp.

But anyway, back to Sunday Lately with Katy, Nicole, and Meghan.

Doing

Relaxing.  Since last Friday, I have been non-stop doing something every day, whether it’s just working late or drinks with the ever-so-wonderful Marissa.  I also made this fantastic vision board with Emily Cassel Wednesday night.  The theme is prosperity.

Prosperity image board making with Emily Cassel.

Well that was short-lived.  I have weeds to pull, a garden to water, boxes to move, Ikea crap to build.  I should just stop writing this post at this point and just work on that.

Speaking of garden, not much is growing aside from zucchini.  Enjoy this one, folks:

Zucchini from the garden is bigger than my head.

Appreciating

I am so appreciating the break in the hot weather.  I mean, I was wearing a hoodie and socks on Thursday.  My mom was here from Virginia and told me that the temperature when she left at 6am was our high for the day.  That’s kinda crazy for August.

Designing

I’d love to write something like, “Oooooh big things are happening, I was quiet for so long because I was working on something good.”  No.  I was just straight up lazy and didn’t feel like writing.  So I didn’t.  Should I have pushed myself anyway?  Yes.  But I didn’t so there’s that.

Anyway, I’m not really designing anything.

Humming

Fitz & The Tantrums “The Walker” has been stuck on a loop for a while.  So that’s been fun.

Expecting

I’d really love to have a quieter week this week, but I don’t think I can expect that to happen.  I’m also expecting to shake the dust off, oil the hinges, and remember how to do this whole blogging thing.

What have you been up to lately?

Let’s Play

           

People Really Dug These

We Belong in the Garden Together