moms...

Just sitting here thinking about moms. I just had a wonderful day visiting one of my best friends and her two beautiful baby girls and now I am brimming with... pride. I am so proud of her, the woman she has become and the hard, selfless work she does everyday in order to create the best life for her children. This seems to be the trend, at least in the moms I have known! I mean, not only do these woman do everything possible to bring a child into the world, they spend the next days, months, years, doing everything possible to protect them, support them, nurture them, teach them. I don't know what you think, but I am pretty sure moms are superheroes! One in particular, one I am lucky enough to call my own, works harder than anyone I have ever known, and still has the time to talk to her 29 year-old daughter everyday! She has dealt with all that comes with having a daughter, has picked me up and dusted me off more times than I can count, and somehow at the same time, taught me to do it for myself (though I still tend to run back to her for a reminder). I hope anyone that reads this stops for a minute to think about their mom and/or the mom's they know, and all they do... and maybe thank them while you are at it!

quote via bitsotruth.blogspot.com

singing in the rain...

I don't mind the rain, I love the excuse to wear rain boots, they make me feel invincible! Plus, I'm a huge fan of puddle-jumping! ;)

i'm laughing at clouds, so dark up above...

image via rachel-tucket.blogspot.com

image via joannagoddard.blogspot.com

image via b-splendid.blogspot.com

image via filmreference.com

image via thepurpleteapot.blogspot.com

image via vi.sualize.us

daily "squ-eeks"

image via daily squ-eek emails from www.house-mouse.com

I have always really liked the House Mouse illustrations, they give me a warm, fuzzy feeling and remind me of home. One day I searched on them (in pursuit of making my own Christmas cards) and signed myself for the "Daily Squ-eek" emails. Every morning I am delighted to find them in my email and usually forward them on to my mom and dad, because I know they will make them smile too. I'm sure I will be posting more, as they just are too adorable!!! To sign up for the daily squ-eek, go to: http://www.house-mouse.com/php/squeek_submit.php

some newer jewelry...

I don't have a lot of free time lately but managed to make a few new necklaces... as usual, I will probably keep them for myself! I have to start making some doubles next! I also finally purchased a "portable photo studio" and it is fantastic! It allows me to take nice, clean and simple photos.

See more at lisabastarache.etsy.com

farmhouse table...

pictures via Restoration Hardware

I don't see why I couldn't? ;)

just thinking....

about having my own little place. A place to be creative in both the set-up and decor but also having a space to set up a "workshop," where I can set up all the beads, stones, fossils, tools, etc. that I have collected along the way. That way it is all right there and I will have no more excuses to not get working! Also, the sewing machine will finally get a home, who knows what will happen then!!! I have so many ideas I can't wait to get a start on.

Today, I also took a moment in line at Starbucks to look around at the "new set up" they had shut down for awhile back... there are some pretty wonderful details, I wonder if all Starbucks have this new "old" theme. Anyways, my favorite part was this counter-style table that seemed to be made out of old beams for legs and thick, rugged planks as the table tops. I have an odd urge to build furniture for my apartment. I am attempting to convince my dad to do it for me, but really, I like to do things myself (though I tend to assume everything is easy!) We have a barn full of old wood that I am hoping to "acquire." Anyways, just a thought of mine... it can't be that hard to build furniture ;) if I get there, I will be sure to post.

dream...

Quote via bitsotruth.blogspot.com

to have lived....

Quote via bitsotruth.blogspot.com

sometimes...

quote via bitsotruth.blogspot.com

the first post...

I thought I would start this blog with a little background on myself. I grew up in a 200 year old farm house in a smaller than small town in upstate New York. There are many things I love about my upbringing and I am sure I will touch on them in later posts, but most importantly, I am blessed with an incredible and supportive family. I attended Endicott College on the North Shore of Massachusetts and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Communications/Advertising. I was never really sure what "it" was that wanted to do for a career (and still can't quite pin it down) but my time there was pretty incredible, and the friends, positively unbeatable! After college, I contemplated a career in NYC; magazines, Anthropologie or J .Crew...or the DREAM...working for the one and the only, Martha Stewart! (ps - all of which are destined to be a large portion of my blog) None of which really panned out, luckily, my mother has a cute little consignment shop in Vermont (definitely another future post or two) that allowed me to make a living and allowed for some creative endeavors. On a buying trip in NYC, we went into a bead shop and there was no turning back! I love making jewelry and managed to handle putting a few things in the shop, starting with a few wire-wrapped seaglass pendants. I sold a few and ended up meeting another jewelry artist who helped me to start bringing my creations to a few shows (though I found it a little hard to watch people look at my jewelry, which is something I hope to eventually overcome). In the mean time I was also invited to join a local arts guild where I met a nice bunch of creative artisans and realized I never want to limit myself to one creative outlet and hope to explore many other mediums. OK, back to the background... around the same time I started exploring jewelry, I also moved to a great and historic apartment in Albany (Martin van Buren once lived there!) I loved that apartment, it was a great space, in a unique spot that hadn't quite been developed yet, with a view of the capitol building and across the street from a dilapidated old hotel... I hear it was in the process of being redone (finally) but I haven't been back in awhile, maybe I will research it in a later post. While in Albany, I realized, I wanted more... I just wasn't sure what that really meant. One day someone asked me what I thought about the idea of going to a design school, A-ha! In my search I decided on NYC, more specifically the Fashion Institute of Technology. I found an accelerated program for people with a bachelors degree. I didn't qualify for the Jewelry Design program without a BFA... but Accessories Design caught my eye and I felt it was a logical expansion from jewelry...and the ideas started flowing. I ended up getting in and packed my life into a few suitcases and moved into a dorm in Chelsea (a freshman dorm... nice...). It was an experience to say the least. Overall, I have to admit, it was worth it, I gained so many unique skills and met a bunch of inspirational people. From there, still not entirely sure that it was "it" and headed back home. While I was still in NYC, I traveled back to Boston for a friends bachelorette party... there was something that clicked... maybe it is Boston? That feeling stuck with me and from home I started to apply to various non-profits (wanting to do some good in the world), creative companies and another passion of mine, museums... something about museums truly inspire me to no end. After over a year of unsuccessful applications, I decided to just... jump. I moved in with family, north west of Boston with pretty much nothing but hope. I met with a few temp agencies and after a few embarrassingly bad interviews (really, I am awful in an interview, too honest & humble, they say) I ended up covering the reception desk at an IP Software company... eventually I proved myself and ended up with a full time position within the company, where I am learning something new every single day and allows for so many possibilities... including having the ability to explore my creative endeavors. I will soon be moving into my first place totally on my own. The idea excites me and I am very excited to have a place to call my own and design as I see fit! I am certain many posts will be visiting this process. I was originally planning to create a blog to show new creations for my jewelry but am realizing, it is important to me to have a creative journey and I hope to use this blog as motivation to continue on a unique path and plan to cover many aspects; my fantastic and inspirational group of friends, ideas I have, things I just like and so on. From here the future looks bright and I can't wait. I appreciate you taking the time to read a little about me and invite you to follow "this little life..."

Quote via bitsotruth.blogspot.com