Gardening in High Heels

cultivate a beautiful life

Sunday Lately, 42

Today…well today I’m just going to dive right into the Sunday Lately topics.  You guys know the drill by now, right?  But first, a shot of my delicious brunch from Marty’s Market in the Strip District yesterday.  Beercakes made with Shipyard Pumpkinhead, delicious Rustbelt maple sausage, and apple cider sangria.  And coffee.  Lots of coffee.

Brunch at Marty's Market in Pittsburgh's Strip District with apple cider sangria and beercakes.

Doing

It feels like I haven’t stopped doing things in ages.  The past few weeks have felt busier than summer when it comes to planned events (and ones that just pop up).  Something that I’m trying to work on is saying No to things that I either don’t feel like doing or don’t have the time to do instead of smashing it all in one day and then not having time for myself.  I came to the realization that I’m very afraid that if I say no once, people will stop asking me to do things with them.  Which is insane…right?  Also, I hate disappointing people.

Appreciating

Everything is a work in progress.  I’m really trying to embrace the philosophy, “Done is better than perfect.”  I get so wrapped up in making sure that everything is perfect and that it’s all going to turn out exactly as I planned it that nothing gets accomplished.  I get stuck in analysis paralysis or whatever you want to call it and my big great wonderful ideas never get to see the light of day.

And that’s just rude to those ideas.  They have feelings you know.  Just ask Elizabeth Gilbert.

Designing

A new media kit!  I’ve been agonizing over it for the past 2 weeks (plus two years) and I finally got so sick of complaining that I have to do it that I just sat down and did the damn thing.  I’m also working on a menu of services, but for now, I’m perfectly happy with my new Work With Me page for businesses, brands, and bloggers.  It’s still a work in progress (see above) but I’m enjoying it.

Humming

Well it seems like nothing new is on Pittsburgh radio right now (I keep hearing the same Death Cab for Cutie / Mumford & Sons singles every time I turn on the radio) so I decided to break out my iPod that I haven’t updated since college.  Let me tell you, it’s a real treat.  Florence + The Machine, Rise Against, and Katy Perry all in one playlist mix?  It’s a beautiful thing.

Expecting

I have no idea what to expect anymore.  What about you?

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, 41

If I’m writing, it must be Sunday Lately.  Like I mentioned last week, it seems like the only time I post anymore is for Sunday Lately.  I swear, I have the best of intentions to stick to the posts that I say I’m going to write.  I’ll get there.

The Plague - Draai Laag collaboration beer

Friday night, Draai Laag released a sour stout in collaboration with Caliente.  It definitely didn’t have the same feel as a stout (and it’s listed as a sour ale on Untappd) but it was definitely different and worth waiting in line to try something new.

Planning

A big revamp/comeback.  I want to have a bunch of content lined up, a new home page, a fun giveaway.  I’m also planning a big blog tour with Katy (you know, the maker behind this awesome shirt/hat combo. And a third of the Sunday Lately group).  It’s a mashup of fashion bloggers and sewing bloggers.  We’ll give you an occasion to dress for and you put together an outfit, either sewing or styling.  Let me know if you want to join in and we’ll hook you up.

Loving

The feeling of a clean house.  Sadly, that feeling is few and far between lately.  I don’t know why, but there’s something so satisfying about a clean kitchen and a freshly vacuumed floor.  My kitchen seems like it always has something in the sink or sitting on the stove.  I’m in the middle of a big baking kick.  I’ve tried Jana’s coconut muffins and I’ve modified these chai pumpkin spice kiss cookies from Pass The Sushi over the years to get them to a juuust right place.

Reading

“Big Magic” by the incomparable Elizabeth Gilbert.  I’m not as far in as I’d like to be, but I know when I finally sit down to read and get into a groove, I won’t stop.  I love her writing style.  Her podcast is just as incredible as her writing.  Speaking of podcasts, have you caught up on Nicole Antoinette’s first season of the Real Talk Podcast?  I read she’s recording her second season and I can’t wait!

Wishing

I’d love a few more hours in my day.  Or someone to help with my to-do list.  I know people have offered to help, but a lot of what I need to accomplish is up to me.  I mean, I can outsource the creation of a menu of services page, but I want to do it.  Because I’m stubborn and it’s important to me that I do it.  Because I’m a control freak like that.

Feeling

We had our first Freedom is Sexy Sister Circle call on Wednesday night and it was wonderful to feel connected to the other people in the program.  Since then, I’ve been feeling all the emotions; it’s been a rainbow of emotions this week.  I’ve been overwhelmed, energized, lethargic, exasperated, anxious, happy all within the span of a few minutes.

So 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, 40

So Sunday Lately is apparently the only thing I write anymore when I’m not bragging about being covered in spray paint.  I am okay with this.

Pumpkin latte from Coffee Buddha

Completing

My About page is getting a makeover!  It’s seriously about time.  It hasn’t reflected me in a while.  Actually, I don’t know if this space has reflected me in a while.  I’ve been doing such a good job of making sure that I’m presenting a nice, opinion-and-feeling neutral space that it’s lost all flavor at all.  And that just ain’t cool, y’know?  Who wants to read that blog?

Visiting

I’m writing this in my favorite coffee shop, tucked away in the corner.  I haven’t been here in a while and it’s one of my favorite “me” places.  I’ve been trying to do things that bring back the root of who I am.  I feel like I lost my way over the summer and let myself get swept up in other people’s shit that I lost the things that I like about myself.

Something that Molly Mahar includes in her Holiday Council program is a page of things that bring you back to you.  It’s titled something like “Magic equations” or something like that.  But it’s basically a list of things that you like to do that ground you and that you’re supposed to visit when you’re losing sight.  I didn’t fill that sheet out last year, so I’m making my own for the last three months of 2015.

Repeating

So I’ve had Twenty One Pilots “Tear in my Heart” stuck in my head and it alternates with that Macklemore “Downtown” song and Lady Antebellum’s cover of “Any Man of Mine” by Shania Twain.  I am all over the place this week!  But it’s what’s repeating in my head right now.

I’m also finding a lot of flowing and pulling imagery around lately.  I started Emily Cassel’s Freedom is Sexy program this past week and ever since then, I’m pulling Goddess Cards that focus on calm energy, forgiveness, and an easy flow.  I know this sounds super woo-woo, but I’ve always been a believer in trusting the Universe and guidance from a higher power.

Applauding

I’m applauding all of you for getting this far in the post.  I’m getting all kinds of weird up in here today.

Scheduling

I’m trying to make a map for myself for the end of 2015 and to set me up for the next year of my life (Freedom is Sexy ends right around my birthday, so it’s the perfect time to launch myself into something new).  And I hate feeling like I’m always behind and just kind of bouncing around, spinning my wheels, and having to play catch up.  That feeling makes me crazy.  So scheduling is necessary to figure out where I’m supposed to be and when.

I also bought a Happy Planner this week and I have yet to dig into it.  It’s so much bigger than my easily-transportable Moleskine planner, so I’m trying to figure out how I want to use it.  If I want to use it.

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, 39

Sunday again?  Where does the time go?

Cute Fall Starbucks cups

Don’t mind me, I’ll just be over here drinking coffee + PSL syrup out of these cute little fall Starbucks cups.  FYI: the Starbucks barista totally affirmed my choice to just put the syrup in the coffee instead of ordering a latte because that’s the best way to drink it. #justsayin..

Updating

So I jumped and got a new computer.  I was stupid and spilled iced coffee all over my keys a few weeks ago and of course fried the keyboard.  I tried using an external keyboard and that was fine but wouldn’t fly long term.  It kinda sucks that I have to rebuild some files (my Photoshop didn’t transfer and neither did Microsoft Office….wth?), but I did get lucky in that the time machine backup and Apple ID mostly synced everything as normal.

Reminding

I need to remind myself of plans and things that I have to do, so I’ve been writing things down a lot more.  I seriously am losing my mind; if I don’t write something down, I’ll lose it.  The thought just..poof..flies out of my head.  So I’ve been using my trusty Moleskine notebook/planner a lot more.

Needing

Support.  I am so so so so so happy to be starting Emily Cassel‘s Freedom is Sexy program this week.  I have a goal that I want to hit by the end of October and I need someone to push me to get there but also provide structure and helpful insight.  I know I have people I can lean on, but sometimes you need that objectivity.

Wearing

Scarves.  Gotta bust out scarves this week.  To me, sweaters and scarves and booties are true fall-weather gear and I can’t not embrace that any longer.

Being

I’m being antsy.  I hate not having a direction.  But I think it’ll be there soon enough (see Needing).

So 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, 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!

Let’s Play

           

People Really Dug These

We Belong in the Garden Together