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 ♥

so happy.

fall is here and I truly could not be happier about it. today I was able to really enjoy the day and it was beautiful.

old friends.

last night I got together with an old friend of mine. she was the first friend I made after moving to a new city before entering second grade, and is someone I very much enjoy. there is something so special about people who knew you when you were just a kid. people who remember when you were late picking them up that you were always that way and it's just who you are. ;) I love that!

the end.

the end of summer is here and I am excited for what's ahead. I am definitely looking forward to trading hot and humid days for warm and cozy clothes. these past few months flew by and if that is any indication as to how the rest of the year is going to go it will be the new year before we know it. i'm working hard to appreciate and enjoy each and everyday no matter how crazy or busy it seems to be.

photos are from a few fun summer days that I very much enjoyed.