Gardening in High Heels

cultivate a beautiful life

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!

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!

Let’s Play

           

People Really Dug These

We Belong in the Garden Together