new things...for a new place.

after moving back home a few years ago I am happy to say that I am finally ready, willing and able to get my own place again. in the past I really struggled with living on my own. while I love my alone time and actually seek solitude I am a mother hen by nature so it's hard not having anyone around to "take care of". I am considering adopting a furry friend this time around to accompany me during this new very exciting chapter.

I am planning on moving after the winter months and am using this time to gather all of the things that will fill my new space. I gave myself a few shopping guidelines...I'm only allowed to buy things that I absolutely love and feel like I can't live without, and the majority of what I purchase needs to be thrifted. so far I bought a new couch, a coffee table, an end table, an ottoman, a ton of dishes, a few great rugs, picture frames and mirrors...I love them all and they're all thrifted! so far so good. I am really enjoying this time. it is so fun to actually be able to plan for a move. I'm so excited that I even sewed myself a new throw pillow...by hand!

we don't always know what the future holds or what it looks like, but it sure is fun to think about! I will miss this room, but am looking forward to putting together a new one.

sweets.

I was going through the photos on my phone just now and I came across this photo I took around this same time last year of a picked apart piece of carrot cake. seeing this picture reminded me of all of the sweet treats I have already enjoyed and all that I will surely consume in these next few months. baking season is definitely upon us. I hope you have more self control than I do.

carrot cake is one of my favorites ;)

time.

if I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times. time is flying by. I cannot believe that October is over. November is here and it too will soon be behind us. October was a month for leaves, bakery visits, decorations, ghosts full of candy and thrifted books. november will surely be a month full of food and family and for that I am happy.

mason jars.

the uses for mason jars are endless. literally endless. today I thrifted a bunch, six medium sized and two large. I had a long hard day today. usually I'm pretty good about putting a positive spin on things...but today was long and it was hard...tomorrow will be better. I needed a pick me up this evening when I got home so I made myself a green smoothie. I can't control everything and things won't always go as planned, but I can control what I feed my body and that makes me feel good. oh and just so you know...smoothies taste better when you drink them out of a jar (use #1). were you aware?

seeds.

today I baked pumpkin seeds. I loved the smell of the pumpkin when I first cut it open, the feel of the gooey insides, and the taste of the seasoned seeds hot out of the oven. I love fall and all of the little seeds that come with it.

October.

although we're only half way in, October is and has been one of the best months I've had in a long time. in these short fourteen days I have been offered, accepted and started a new job position which will lead to a career that I've always wanted (and always regretted not pursuing). this has been a month of change. a month of self discovery and hard decisions. in short it has been a month to remember. the month I made a change.

change is good. when it is a much needed change it is great.

a thrifted throw and signs of fall.

last night I thrifted an amazing alpaca throw for $12! it seemed like the perfect find on a chilly fall evening and I smiled about it all night long. so much is changing right now and I am so excited for whats to come in these next few months. while I wait in anticipation for my future plans I'm noticing (and appreciating) daily changes all around me and I'm spotting signs of fall at every turn. cool weather shoes have rotated themselves in line, my down comforter made its way onto my bed this morning, and my green smoothies are looking extra bright these days. all very exciting...and noteworthy ;)

eleven.

today is my niece Kiara's eleventh birthday, which is incredibly hard to believe. I remember the day she was born like it was yesterday. I had just finished tennis practice at school and when I got in the car my Dad looked at me, smiled and said "you're an aunt". although technically I am her aunt I don't always feel comfortable being called one.

kiara and I don't have a normal aunt/niece relationship. she was born when I was just fifteen years old and we lived in the same house for most of her childhood. the same goes for my sister and brother. they also have a very fun, open, loving relationship with the type of closeness and camaraderie that you usually only share with siblings. we joke that we're sisters and respect each other and the relationship for what it is.

she was born during a very difficult time in all of our lives and really was a breath of fresh air. the amount of love and happiness she brought to our family was literally unimaginable. no one had any idea that this little baby would bring us all so much joy.

happy happy birthday to this creative old soul and one of the great loves of my life.

11 ♥