communication

Communication...
we all want it.
We all need it, even crave it.
Yet why is it so hard to actually utilize it.

Santa's Coming to Town

There are only 18 days left in this holiday shopping season...
and so far I haven't done any shopping! eeeek!
How is it that every year you know exactly what day Christmas is, but it always sneaks up on you!

I love when I see something somewhere, and think hey! I can make those! Somethings I find, I know someone can make but just not me!

If you are looking for some fun things to buy your honey, sister, mom, or friend this year I would definitely check out Etsy.com

The stuff on there is just amazing, and most the time they are one of a kinds so the person you get it for won't see everyone else wearing it around!

Its been a busy day at work today, but I wanted to take a little time to look around Etsy...

I know I live in Arizona, but I love to bundle up in the winter and I am LOVING this WishBone Cowl scarf!


It comes in all different colors
I personally love the Vanilla Cream, Fig or Mortar

These aren't as useful but I sure do love what it says!

Love Love

These are easily made, actually my sweet friend Megan made me a couple after we saw them in a store but I just think these are so cute and a simple gift idea!

Buttons...  I love Buttons

  Ok last one for now... I just love the creativity on Etsy...



Love the Turquoise, Burnt Orange and Eggplant

 These are just a few Christmas options for those special ladies in your life! So fun and original!

Happy Shopping!

xoxo

*all pictures were found on the Etsy website... the link below the pictures will take you exactly to the seller!*

The Little Things

I have always known that great things come in little packages,
I mean.. I am only 5'3- thats pretty little...

But, I have just realized this year how simple things leave the greatest impact
A card in the mail during a tough week
A text during finals week
A little present to say thank you
Sending someone something they mentioned on a side note and they don't even remember telling you they wanted it
Flowers for no reason...

it is the little things that stick
it is the little things that feel best to give and recieve

It is the little things in life that I look forward too.

Friendship

This year, I have realized that maintaining friendship is a very important aspect of building and keeping relationships.
It is easy to make new friends, but the real test is if you maintain that friendship.
I am realizing that people come in and out of your life for a reason
There are seasons of friends, and that isn't necessarily a bad thing

I am grateful for all the people I have met in my life and have called friends.
If I see them daily, weekly, monthly, or every 6 months, a year
They have helped mold me into the best possible me
Taught me life lessons
Made memories with me
Been ears to talk to
And given me advice when I didn't want to hear it

I have also realized this year, I have a limit to being a friend
I want to be the best friend that I can be to someone
But I need them to want to do that as well
I realized this year, that I need my friends to want to be my friends
if they don't, that is totally fine but I can't continue to be the only one giving
It might be selfish but I just noticed how much I have let people walk over me
And I want to stand up for myself
I want my friends to treat me how they want to be treated

Friendship is such an important ingredient in who I am
I take pride in trying to be a good friend
Are you treating your friends, how you want to be treated?

Memories

There is just something special about this time of year
The holiday spirit, red starbucks cups, cold crisp weather
The gift buying and giving, helping others, sharing in laughter
But, I know it is a hard time for people who have lost loved ones, lost love,
are alone or surrounded by people
We all have our reasons for the feelings we have during this time of year

I think a lot of it its because of the memories we hold
Memories are a blessing and a curse sometimes
Sometimes they keep you up at night, or in bed all day
Sometimes they bring warm feelings and a smile to your face.

Memories are funny like that
I would never want to take away my memories
They are precious, and I hold them so dear to my heart
but sometimes, I wish I couldn't remember how good the good was, because I can't remember how not so good the not so good was...

Big Picture

Life is about this Big Picture, that I believe, we rarely think about but are constantly consumed with.

Every decision, every experience is just one puzzle piece in the Big Picture.

So do you make your decisions with a Big Picture perspective
or
Do you make your decisions for the now, realizing it could, will, might change your Big Picture?

It seems like a vicious cycle.
You have to live for the now, because well it is now.
But you have to keep the Big Picture in mind
Does this particular situation, decision, experience work you towards or away from your Big Picture?

I am realizing how hard life is.
Its hard to make the right decision
but, its even harder to know what the right decision is...

I don't know exactly how my Big Picture will turn out.
I know some of my puzzle pieces that will complete it are not the same size...

Some pieces are bigger because they have helped mold me into the best version of myself 

Some pieces are smaller because they just put a small shift in my direction towards my ultimate goal

I imagine my Big Picture as one of those collage pictures that you can take small pictures of your life, and if you look at them individually the are something different, but when you step back and look at it, you see a different picture completely...

I don't know what my Big Picture looks like

So, I will live in the moment, realizing, these small moments now have a BIG impact later...


*Sorry for all the repetition with Big Picture

Reflection

With the end of the year almost here
I am going to do some reflecting on as many different things as I can.

Tonight I just am thankful for the growth I have had this year.
Growing pains... they aren't easy.
Most of the time they are completely uncomfortable, but I keep coming out as a better version of myself.

And ultimately, that is exactly what I want to be...