Happy New Year!

 

Happy New Year to you and your loved ones!

 

Make any resolutions? I don't really believe in resolutions, but something I'd really like to do this year is read more books. I have so many books and have probably only read about 1/8 of them.

 

I'd love to be able to read a ton of classics especially. Austen, Dickens, Bronte, Kerouac, Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Tolstoy, ETC. I'm ashamed to say I have never read very many of the books that those authors wrote.

 

Another thing I have a habit of doing is starting a book and then never finishing it. Usually what I do is start a book, get halfway through and then I'll either get busy with work or buy another book I'm excited about and forget about the previous one.

 

Well, here's to a new start, to a beautiful new year, lucky number thirteen! Twenty-twelve was not my favorite year, and I am so happy to be rid of it. Definitely ready for a fresh start full of new adventures. How about you?

Mr. Anderson

 

 

Over the past few months, I've been watching all of Wes Anderson's films. While being a HUGE fan of Fantastic Mr Fox and loving Moonrise Kingdom over the summer, I had actually never seen any of his other (infamous) films.

 

 A few years back, I'd watched The Darjeeling Limited, but wasn't really impressed. Then I found out, I wasn't really the only one who didn't enjoy it. I may give it another go if the opportunity presents itself; sometimes I'll re-watch a film I had watched a while back and end up liking it more the second go round.

Everyone I know loves The Royal Tennenbaums...but it wasn't my favorite, if you're looking at all of his films as a whole. I really enjoyed the storyline between Margot and Richie and Gene Hackman is a guilty pleasure of mine, so of course I enjoyed Royal's crazy adventures. But somehow, it just didn't stand out to me as much as I thought it would. I probably had way too much expectation going in, you know?

 

Bill Murray was definitely something I got excited about and looked forward to every time I would pop in one of Anderson's films. Rushmore was a really good flick all around, there wasn't anything I'd change. It felt like one of the few films of Anderson's that really showed his voice and what something he creates looks like. Jason Schwartzman is one of my favorite actors and it was both adorable and hilarious to see him in the role of Max.

 

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou is probably my favorite film of Wes Anderson's collection thus far, tied with Fantastic Mr Fox and Moonrise Kingdom. (Really, you'd expect me to pick just one? You're a silly goose.) I loved the way it was shot, the characters, the silly 'underwater' stuff and of course, those damn dolphins. It was surprising for me, to enjoy this just as much as I did. I feel as though its one of the few films that Anderson has made that leaves you feeling content; not only that the film was amazing, but that all the characters had good ends.

 

I know I'm no expert on Mr Anderson or his films, but just felt I had to share my little project with you. No, I have not yet seen Bottle Rocket, I've picked it up once or twice, but somehow have not yet been able to watch it. Mostly because I don't want this little adventure to end.

 



what i'm working on

Lately, I've been working on my embroidery; and am planning to open an Etsy shop within the next month or so.

Above, is an eight by eight inch piece I made for a friends' birthday recently and plan to add it to my shop as a custom order option. I've always done embroideries like this or similar for friends, and I think they make lovely little gifts.

Something I plan on doing is making everything affordable. Yes, the embroidery takes a great deal of time; but I see how overpriced some embroidery shops are and it makes me sad. There should be a happy medium between selling yourself short of your talent and overpricing things to the public.

I have about 5-10 designs in my head and a small handful already finished. Lots of fun and silly designs for nursuries, kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms; all of which you can buy for keeps or give to a special someone.

Well, I'll keep you updated! I'm quite excited for this venture and have been hard at work prepping for my upcoming opening.

If you want to see more of what I've been up to and future embroidery designs, stalk follow me on Instagram!

(Made for a friends twenty-fourth birthday. Almost didn't want to give it away!)

dear friend

 

Dear lovely friend,

 

Thank you for your wonderful friendship.

 

I think of you quite often lately as the arrival of your darling girl comes closer and closer. That little lady will have so much love around her and for her, you'll have to keep some tucked away in a jar to give to her when she's older and goes through her more tough times. It will be so exciting, getting to see her grow and become a beautiful and true-hearted person, just like her Mama. I can't wait to meet her and read her stories and teach her things; someday, someday.

 

You and your world inspire me so much and make me smile bigger and more often in a weeks time than most people can get out of me in a years' worth of friendship. I love whom you both are and all you stand for. I wish I had a tight-knit family like you share together and love hearing all the stories about your memories with them. You both teach me almost daily that it's okay to be completely open and that it's not such a bad thing to be silly, openly. And the love and friendship you show for each other and others oozes onto me and makes me a better person.

 

But you, just you my dear are amazing. There's not even enough people to count on one hand that I trust as much as I do you. I value you and your friendship emmensly and I feel so honored to know you. Your soul shines bright with all the kindness that you show to not only your friends and family, but everyone you come in contact with. You are many, many lovely things but most of all you are: caring, compassionate, a great listener, wonderful advice giver, sweet, smart, daring, kind, and just when it comes down to putting it all together - one of the greatest friends I've ever had.

 

Thank you for sharing all your kindness with me along with all the tears, fears, laughter and love shared through love notes and late night phone calls.You're my constant companion, someone I can always count on and whom I do belive is a true soul sister.

 

Sending you all my good thoughts and prayers as your world flies in tonight. And for little lady, as she is expected any day now.

 

XOXO