summer-resolutions

Summer is finally here and I'm on a mission not to let this one go to waste. While I'm sure there will be plenty of lazy days by the pool, there's a couple things I'm dying to dig into while the days are long and warm. With fall right around the corner (where did this year even go?!) I'm determined to accomplish a few small things before it's time to hibernate again!

plant a garden We may not have a yard to tend to (apartment living is NOT my jam), but I always envisioned watching plants grow with Lorelai. I would love to teach her patience and care with a few sprigs of lavender, some basil and a little mint. We picked up the sweetest little greenhouse last year and it's lookin' a little sad without any inhabitants.

see the sights Since moving to Huntsville, we've focused on settling into little space but we have yet to stray too far from home. This Summer I've got big plans to hit up the weekly farmer's market, partake in live music on the docks and explore town with new friends.

early to rise The other day I sat down with a friend and commiserated about not being a morning person. It usually takes at least two cups of coffee for me to become a functioning human and I rarely get around to showering before noon. This Summer, with so much to do, I need to carpe the hell out of the diem! This Summer I'm waking up, getting ready and getting things done before the day slips away.

daily yoga This habit is something I need to pick up again... ASAP! Since I don't love getting sweaty with strangers, I'm determined to start with sun salutations and tapes at home. Do you have any recommendations?!

create This one goes without saying. I'm determined to (finally) get to work creating prints for the shop (more on that soon) and artwork for our home. Mr. Jackson and I even talked about the possibility of renting studio space soon (eeek!). Firstly, I need to stock up on supplies, gather inspiration and then get to it.

What are your Summer Resolutions?

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Since having Lorelai I haven't really made much any time for leisure reading. Don't get me wrong, there's a lot of "Goodnight Moon" going on around here and I can finish Domino Magazine (woohoo for their return to print!) cover to cover in the time in takes to soak in the tub... but an actual bound book? Fuhgeddaboudit. As part of my 101 in 1,001 challenge (I'm on a roll with my list, it's going fabulously so far) I've vowed to pick up a few more! My list of interesting reads includes stories about chic & smart women, guides to classic style and a few page-turners thrown in for fun. Here's to keeping my nose in the books!

Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald (I'm almost done with this one!), Grace: A Memoir, Diana Vreeland Memos, Lean In, The Goldfinch, Tomboy Style

Something dawned on me toward the end of 2013 and, though I've been hinting a little here and there, I hadn't actually decided whether I wanted to blog through the process or wait for the big reveal to say, "Surprise, look what I did!"... until now. I took a little time to think things though and after hitting a big brick wall during the beginning stages (I'm still there, thick in the dreaming/planning process) I realized that a little accountability and a few friendly faces may just be the kick I need to get things going. I love this little blog of mine! It's such a fun space for me to work on everyday and I think it's growing in such an organic and meaningful way. Instead of collecting a huge number of readers that I have no connection to, I'm making lasting friendships with some truly talented creators. It's taboo to talk about in our little world of blogging but I feel like I can do more, be more. How great would it be to turn this labor of love into something that I can do long term?

Recently all of these random interests I've been exploring for so long (design, art, lettering, paper, product curating...) just came together in an a-ha moment and it struck me. Why not open a little shop? I have this love for beautiful things, a background in retail and the desire to share those things with the people that I adore. At this point it's mostly a dream but I've got to start somewhere and sharing the idea just might be that first step!

Most of my 101 in 1001 goals were secretly geared toward the venture (calligraphy lessons to explore the possibility of creating my own art prints, getting through the business-y elements of opening a shop like applying for licenses, etc) and I'm hoping that working through them will help me figure things out a little more. I would love for it to be a space that includes a mixture of original work and things from brands that have my personal seal of approval but I'm open to anything at this point. I'm just excited to see where the process takes me!

I would love your input! What do you think about this goal of mine (I almost called it a "little" dream but it's anything but)? Have you done something similar? Do you have any advice?

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