Chin Up Buttercup

I'm having a meh sort of day today, not quite sure how I feel/should feel about a bunch of things. I'm hoping some time spent writing introspective posts/journaling later will result in a happier katie later today. :) In the meantime, this brought some sunshine into my morning.

{via theloveshop}

In The Mail!

I got my newest piece of artwork today!

It's the "Because Practice Makes Awesome" poster from Earmark Social Paper Goods.

{Use code LOVE12 to get 12% off of your order!}

Join Me On Pinterest!

So, like everyone else on the Internet, I am OBSESSED with Pinterest. In case you haven't heard, it's an online bulletin board where you can "pin" pictures and articles. It's so addicting!

If you're on Pinterest, feel free to follow me or my boards and definitely leave me your screenname so I can follow you!

If you aren't a member yet, and you need a referral link, leave me a comment with your email address and I'll send you one! :)

Goodies I found on Pinterest:

Recipes like this one for spinach and goat cheese bisque

Beautiful photographs like this one

Unique gift ideas like these outlet decorations

The Big Gesture

{via}

I am always hoping for the big gesture. When my birthday rolls around and everyone is hanging out (like any other Saturday), I hope there's a big surprise party about to begin at any moment. When I pull into my driveway, I think that maybe my crush will be parked there waiting for me. When my doorbell rings, I think for just a second, "Maybe that's a good friend stopping by just to say hi." 

So, I don't usually get the big gesture. I mean, I have. I've received spontaneous boba milk tea drop-offs and birthday scavenger hunts and even an anniversary note printed in the classifieds. But, of course, more often than not, there is nobody waiting in my driveway and the doorbell is just a solicitor. Which is normal and fine and my life is not a movie. 

But I still always hope. My brain automatically goes to that magical place first - which I love about myself. I'm so optimistic and I expect the best in everyone, but what that means is that I'm usually disappointed, if only for a moment. 

So, what's better? Hoping for magic and settling for reality? Or assuming that nothing special is going to happen and not getting disappointed when it doesn't? Personally, I'm not going to fight my "true nature" - I am an optimist and a romantic and I see magic around every corner. And I am so okay with that. :)

What about you? Do you see magic everywhere?

A Renewal

Oh me, oh my, I'm a bad blog mommy. I have been MIA for...(I don't even want to look, I'll feel too guilty!) a long time. And what reasons can I give you? I got busy, I got distracted, I was over-extended, I lost inspiration, I wanted to watch RHOBH instead? They're all true and all false. But the best part of blogging is that, I'm pretty sure you all understand. You all have lives, too, and that's what makes this so interesting.

But, I am so happy to be back! And for the foreseeable future, I'm going to wait on the grand giveaways and the etsy seller spotlights, so that I can focus on writing. Because that's why we blog, right? Because we love to write and we think we have something interesting to say. Of course, if I see something too dang cute not to share, I will share! But mostly, I want to share more of my life with you and to get to know more about what's going on in yours.

So, a little recap is likely in order. I graduated from college (finally)! Last June I walked at commencement and in September, I received my diploma.

{Moi in June 2011}

As of last November, I've also been in my apartment for a year - and guys, it's definitely come together! My plan is to write some home spotlioght posts in the coming weeks, so I can share my nest with you!

Oliver and Crash are still best buds and the best little kitties I could ask for. Since adopting Crash in November of 2010, he has warmed up to me and is now the sweetest, most loving boy ever. He still runs and hides when anyone new comes over, but he eventually works his way out.

{Crash on Black Friday 2011}

I carved my first pumpkin in 2011 and I think he turned out pretty well!

{first pumpkin carving!}

Two of my best friends got married and then we went to Hawaii!

{Kyle and Lindsay on August 13, 2011}

{2 weeks later on Oahu!

*Jen, Lindsay, Me, Anthony, Katie, Kyle, Andrew*}

I went to some great concerts since I've been gone from Blog-land.

{Zac Brown Band}

{Toby Keith and Eric Church}

{Rascal Flatts and Sara Evans}

{Lady Antebellum and Josh Kelley}

{The Get Up Kids!}

I ran into an old friend (like, met when we were TWO, inseparable until high school, haven't seen her in 10 years) at a party at a good friend's house! She jsut recently invited me to her baby shower and I'm so excited to be back in touch.

{Sheri and I in 1987}

{Sheri and I in 2011}

I went on a road trip with my best girls

and I went on a road trip with myself.

And I tried bone marrow for the first time (and that wasn't the last time!) - it's delicious!

Whew! It does feel like you've missed a lot. But ultimately, know this: I left blogging because I needed to focus on living. What does that mean? I'm trying to be a truer me - a pretty ostentatious undertaking. I'm still single and though there are nights that I'm lonely, there are plenty of Sunday mornings when I get up and do exactly what I want and that's precious. I'm taking Spanish classes because even though I finished school, I miss learning. I've started journaling again (and blogging) and this has helped me to figure out what's going on in this head of mine. I tried anti-gravity yoga and decided it wasn't for me and I tried bone marrow and decided it was. I wake up everyday and look at the art and beauty and color (and kitties!) in my home and I know I'm lucky. And if I had to take a break to get there, I'm so happy I did. :)

Can't wait to write more (and read more)!

Love,

Katie

Pitcher Love!

Lately, I have been in love with pitchers. I have a few that I've found at garage sales and thrift stores, but I think I want to start a full-blown collection. Maybe I can display them on a high shelf in my kitchen. While I can appreciate modern styles, I love the curves and generous lines of rounded pitchers better. When I see them, I think of fertility, abundance and warmth. I've only purchased one of these (from Pottery Barn), but the rest caught my eye, so I may have to snap a few up.

{vintage farmhouse pitcher - $9}

{minty fresh pitcher - $15}

{water pitcher from Pottery Barn - $9.99 with FREE SHIPPING}

{red/orange pitcher with gold trim - $15}

{small heart pitcher - $19}

{mid-century glass pitcher - $52}

{whale pitcher by Jonathan Adler - $95!!!!}

{french enamel pitcher - $65}

{creamy white pitcher - $14 - LOVE the faux bois!}

{1950s rooster pitcher - $14}

{pewter measuring pitcher - $50}

Do you have anything you want to start collecting soon? Where do you normally find your pieces?

Happy Tuesday!

{saw this handsome guy at the car wash last week}