Present Makes Perfect

{This "inspirational thought catalog" was given to me as a parting gift from 

ServiceMaster by a very sweet lady who loves office supplies as much as I do. 

It will always be on my desk, no matter where my desk is.}

Lately, I've been feeling like I'm burning the candle at both ends. Between my full-time job as Assistant Editor for MBQ and a Contributing Editor for MM, I've taken on freelance opportunities for the WMU, still doing social media here and there (not a full campaign but something) for Cordova Vision Center, and most recently, sharing Nerium as a side business (a very lucrative one at that! shameless plug that I just got promoted to a Director after only 40 days!). 

All of this still falls under the category of work, too. Then there's my family, my boyfriend, my friends, my social life, and of course, my relationship and walk with the Lord which I've actively been trying to strengthen through reading I Am A Church Member and consistently tithing for the first time in my life. OH, and being a Tone It Up gal, I've newly started making nearly all my own meals (for 5 small meals a day.. hello food-prep time) and working out more consistently. 

By the end of day, and especially the week, I tend to be an exhausted mess. I'm not a perfectionist by any means, but I do have a certain sense of "if I'm going to do it, I'm not going to do it halfway." This leads to the original sentiment of burning the candle at both ends. I've always been ambitious and anyone who knows me, knows that the best way to get me to succeed is to tell me I can't do something. Then my inner diva puffs up and says yells "watch me!"(very much a la Lorrie Morgan).

This morning I was chatting with JT about future opportunities and goals he has, and specific ones I have for my future. Then we always start talking about our future and dreams, hopes, and wants (anything is fair game from ideal houses and neighborhoods to jobs to church life and "extras" such as boats, cars, etc). This morning in particular, we both said wait a second. It's great that we're both so very motivated both individually and together, but we need to take a time out and start recognizing how great our current stage of life is.

This sounds cliche, but we both have very charmed lives and often take them for granted. I get the opportunity to live at home with my parents, something I cherish. I made my mom breakfast this morning before her big meeting because I wanted to, and was able to. Things like that are a rarity and won't always be possible in every stage of my life. I have a fabulous relationship with my sister that has grown tremendously (unfortunately due to JT working 24-hour Sunday shifts) and I tend to spend the whole day Sunday with her. I carpool with my dad to work out in the morning, and I even have a business with my mom now too (shout out Nerium). 

JT has the opportunity to work for Stryker, and pick up shifts at Jason's Deli making bank in tips and working overtime hours, possibly shadow career mentors, and network. He also bowls with friends weekly, comes to some of my Nerium meetings and helps me, makes time for date nights, visits with Granny and Dee before his morning work outs due to his schedule and is the godfather to a precious baby boy. 

Most of these things wouldn't be possible if we had gotten what we originally wanted. If I made more money, I might not live at home and spend the time growing these relationships. If JT worked normal hours, he wouldn't have time to network or make extra money on the side just because he can. 

We made the decision to keep each other accountable to enjoying the present and not always wishing it away for the next stage of life. Because both of us will tell you, the here and now is pretty darn great. Exhaustion and all. (Ironically, Emily Maynard wrote about the same topic today too. God works in mysterious ways, I tell you.)

Cheetah is the New Black

Found another style/life soul-mate today in the freelance writer and stylist, Alicia Lund. If the post title didn't tip you off, we have more than a few loves in common.

For starters, she loves cheetah and leopard 

(as the post and her blog title suggest), lives in NYC with her precious hubby, and is a freelance stylist for a living 

(hello, dream life).

 

{Their wedding shoes. presh}

 

She also has fabulous red locks, 

a topic most know I'm tempted to try.

 

Her loves also include coffee and brunch which, in my 

humble opinion, should be offered 

at every establishment, at all times of day.

Did I mention she's a freelaner stylist and writer? 

Follow her, tweet her, and repin her.

Because she's fabulous.

*photos from Alicia's instagram

I Dreamed a Dream

Happy Monday ladies and gents. Lately I've been thinking about some of my career aspirations but then I got distracted and the list turned out to be mostly wishes and aspirations with a few dream careers sprinkled in. So, in case you were curious, here's my current list of day dreams/aspirations/wishes:

1) Have a custom Inslee Haynes illustration. 

If you've ever read/seen my blog you know how utterly obsessed with her I am, and a custom illustration might just make me faint [that, and well, meeting her].

2) Have and/or collaborate on a nail polish line. Preferably with OPI or Essie.

 3)Employ an assistant

I know this sounds horribly vain, but it would be fantastic to not have check my emails only to delete 50 useless ones and have a purse full of to-do lists, amiright??

 {Giuliana Rancic and her assistant, Sarah Knight}

4) get afford regular pedicures

5) write get a book published

6) be the go-to person for holiday parties (a la Tori Spelling)

7)Create a brand logo

8)Talk at a speaking engagement and not die of a panic attack

9)Meet: Giuliana Rancic, Tori Spelling, Emma Stone, Katy Perry, and Kate Hudson

10) Furnish a home from Leontine Linens

I guess a gal can dream, right?

Blog to Book?

It's no secret that I'm an uber fan of SATC and SJP. Not only does Carrie Bradshaw manage to make a successful living as a columnist, a 4-time author and Vogue contributor, but she also lives in a Manhattan brownstone apartment and has a closet any gal would kill for. Granted, I'm well aware that Carrie Bradshaw is a fictional character (click here for the "Carrie Bradshaw Lied" blog for a glittery dose of reality); ergo, her accolades are fictional. But do they have to be? 

{Compelation of Carrie's fictional (as in they don't exist.. not just fiction reading) books}

This is a question I find myself asking whenever my mind wanders to one day writing a book and/or novel. Thankfully, my handy dandy helper, pinterest, has a few tips for those of you out there who might also be thinking about writing one day. And if she can turn her columns into a successful book, who's to say you can't turn a series of blog posts into one too?

This user-friendly site answers that question, and then some. It's a perfect starting point to turning content you already have into a potential best-selling book. And if you're looking to completely start from scratch, or make new characters (considering most besties aren't going to let you air their personal lives to the public just to earn a profit), this next cite (below picture) is the next step to stardom.

 {site numero dos}

Now, if you think you want to create a book/novel and don't have any previous content you can recycle/don't want to, then starting with characters is a must. Once you have an idea in mind, you'll need a plot (duh, characters don't just create their own stories here people), which is where the last site comes into play. And by site I do mean book, because you're going to have to do your homework and use your imagination to create a totally brilliant new plot.

As Ms. Huntley used to say, "there's no such thing as a free lunch," and it's gonna take some effort to get on the NYT bestsellers list. Hope this has helped a little or maybe inspired you to even consider writing. Everyone has a story, and what good is it if it's never told?

When I Grow Up

If you're anything like me, the title of this post made you start singing the Pussycat Dolls song in your head, if not out loud. My crazy, wacky brain tends to move at warp speed, and today I stumbled across a few images that inspired this post: the many things that sound fascinating to me as a potential career. As I'm sure you're well aware, my lifelong dream has always been to do this:

 

And now that I am, I'm seriously happy as a lark. And to put the icing on the cake, I work for a magazine/magazines that I actually believe in (somewhat of a rarity among possible career paths for a journalist that actually enjoys a roof over her head and food on the table). 

Nevertheless, my fast-paced mind has wandered to the world of fantasy (as it often does) and I just wanted to share a few of the other things I think I'd enjoy.

First up,

 

I've actually told several people that this would be a dream job of mine. To most, I sound like even more of a loon than I already am, but in fact, this does exist. Don't believe me? Check it out.

 Next, my obsession with Sephora/Ulta/Drug Stores/Beauty products has always made me intrigued by a career in the beauty industry, and lo and behold, this one exists too.

 {click here to take part one the beauty industry test (then take part two, then three). I'm a beauty blogger, nail technician, and product developer go figure}

Lately I've had a freakish desire to learn to bake. Maybe it's talking to EZ about our mythical start-up magazine that would include recipes or maybe it's being around all of these cookbooks and foodie events, but either way I now want to own 

Georgetown Cupcakes.

 {If I'm honest, I've been obsessed with the idea since the show premiered}

Last, but certainly not least, I've always thought

 it would be fun to write a novel.

 I have no idea what it'd be about or anything like that, but just entertaining the idea until something clicks and I'm newly inspired. Of course, if I ever did, I wouldn't hate for it to be a best-seller...

A gal can dream, right?

keep on dreamin'...

...even if it breaks your heart.

and sometimes, friends, it will.

I know someone who's a very, very good dreamer. Excellent even. Me, I'm not so great at it.

Don't misunderstand me-- I have very clear ambitions and desires in life, but I'm an extremely logical person through and through.

One thing that I wanted to say today was that I hope those of you out there who do dream well... don't ever stop. Not for anything in the whole wide world. It's a gift that not just anyone can have; so, don't take it for granted. And remember, that just because one dream might not work out the way you planned, does't mean something much better isn't waiting. 

 I always try to have faith, but dreaming is sometimes hard for me. I'm trying, though. I love the above quote and believe it to be true. God knows what my future holds, and His ways are better than my ways. 

I also believe the next quote to be 110% true.

I believe that everyone comes into your life for a reason. Some are forever, and some are just for a season, but that doesn't mean they change your life any less. Today, I'm incredibly grateful for both.

Judge a book by its cover..?

While sitting on my apartment couch, watching SATC on DVD I stumbled upon a wonderful pearl of wisdom from the ever-fabulous Carrie Bradshaw...

She said, 

"I think it’s pretty fair to say that “open-minded” = good; “close-minded” = bad. 

But are we being too quick to judge judgment?

 Perhaps judgment is not so much a snap decision, as an early warning and detection device.  If it is instantly clear that a person, a place, or even a profession is not for you, is it better to ignore your better judgment and read between the lines? Or should you judge a book by its cover?"

This ^ has been a toughie for me lately. Do I take/go for jobs that I can get in the horrible economy, or can I be choosey and go with my gut even when I don't have another option/reason to not take it?

I'm trying to remember this: 

And remember that, in my heart of hearts I know I'll know when the opportunity is the right one. 'til then, I'll just keep chugging along this lil journey called life.

'til the perfect thing comes along I might need to pick up this little gem; I hear it's a must for gals "in my stage of life"

 pick up your copy here