I feel like I’ve mentioned this on the blog before, but I’m garbage when it comes to goal setting. Sure I have goals, but I can never seem to put the right benchmarks in place to get them done in a timely fashion. So here’s hoping a blog post will keep me accountable to get these things done by the end of 2018.
Sign up for another workout class. I take a HIIT class once a week, but I really need to increase it to two classes a week for my mental sanity (as well as my physical health of course). I’m thinking either a spin class or a yoga class. There are a bunch of places in the Grand Rapids area, but it always takes me a lot of mental pep talks to try something new.
Start work on a planner subscription box. I’d love to launch a planner subscription box in 2019 with all the fixings. I’m talking planners, clothing, home accessories packed into a quarterly released box. Right now it’s only just an idea, so I’d love to make some sizable progress on box design and themes by the end of the year.
Check in with friends two more times. When I get busy the letters and text message check ins fall to the wayside. I’d love to check in with my friends and family two more times before the year is up. Luckily Christmas cards can definitely count as one! I still try to do this despite busy schedules to make sure they all know just how important they are to me.
Take some time off. Like legit time off. Not work travel or family visits, but legit do nothing time. I’m even open to a staycation.
Alex and I just celebrated our second wedding anniversary and we take gift giving very seriously. We decided last year to stick to the “traditional” anniversary gift themes to keep us creative.When our cotton anniversary approached, we both knew the competition was on.
Let’s start with what I got Alex. Of course the best place to go is Etsy when you don’t have a creative DIY bone in your body. I knew Alex had a love for cross stitch (seriously how did I find this unicorn of a guy?!) so it seemed like a no-brainer to get a custom portrait of our family at this moment in time. There are a ton of shops to choose from, but I selected this onebecause the style really fit us and it came in a frame. The owner worked with me over a few weeks to make sure our cats came out just right and everything was perfect. It came from overseas so definitely give yourself a good two months lead time to make sure it arrives.
Alex knocked it out of the park with his gift. He found this shop to make us custom dolls. The details are insane on these adorable things. Poppy dress? Check. Bow tie? Check. I love how similar but different our gifts ended up being. What can you expect when you spend nearly every day together?! It got to the point that we had to tell a friend what we were getting the other person just to make sure we weren’t doing the same thing.
So if you’re in the market for a good cotton anniversary gift or just want to mix things up, definitely check out these shops on Etsy. They made our second anniversary really special.
I strongly believe that when you hit a certain age, you suddenly develop opinions on things you never had opinions on before. For me that age is 26. Here I am, basically the same human I was 365 days ago, but with some strong opinions. Here’s what they are.
I’m a cat person. Full stop. Sorry dogs, you’re cute and all, but it’s the cat life for me. Just look at that photo of Gallifrey a year ago. Adorbs. For a while I would appease people by saying we had only cats for convenience’s sake. I’d assure them that I was both a cat, and a dog person. A few years ago we almost purchased a corgi puppy. That Kayla didn’t know what she was thinking. This Kayla? Oh I’m sure. Cats all the way baby.
Do whatever you want as long as it doesn’t bother anyone else. Specifically enjoy whatever hobby you want. I recently started playing Dungeons and Dragons. Two years ago I would have hesitated and really thought about if I wanted that fact on the interwebs. Now? Screw it. It’s a whole lot of fun, gets me and Alex out of the house, and I’m not afraid who knows it. When we’re younger we’re always trying so hard to keep up with appearances. I’d play down the things I love (board games, houseplants, etc.) and play up the things I knew other people like. Just plain silly.
I’ve also firmly decided I’m a plant lady. It’s taken me quite a while to get to this place. Unfortunately a lot of dead succulents along the way, but here I am. There are twenty-five glorious green creatures in our house thus far and as long as Alex is cool with it, I’ll keep adding more.
When Alex met me six years ago I think it’s safe to say I was a materialistic, shop-o-holic mess. Now? It’s more about the moments than the things. If I suddenly had to uproot, downsize, and travel the country in a tiny house I wouldn’t hesitate to grab my cats, a few plants, our board games, and be on my merry way. Over the past few years I’ve abandoned my attachment to stuff and become more attached to the adventures instead.
I’m sure over time I’ll make even more adult decisions, maybe change a few along the way, and stop being phased by what everyone else is doing. Sure being an adult comes with joint pain for no apparent reason, but it also comes with self-assurance. And I can dig that.
Oh mental health. It’s a popular topic these days and I figured in light of everything going on I’d give you an update about me. If you’re new to my therapy/mental health journey, I posted a video a few months ago discussing my process and decision to start therapy.
For the first few months, I attended an hour long therapy session once a week. I’ve since switched to once every two weeks to better fit my schedule and needs. It’s so easy to go consistently because I have such a strong and supportive relationship with my therapist. It feels as if we’re just two friends gabbing about life every session rather than it being a formal thing. It’s so important to find someone you can really connect with.
For me, it took about two months before I really got comfortable with my therapist. It took time to tell her about my life, give her the ins and outs of my family, and warm up to the fact that we’d be talking about hard topics I usually avoided. It’s only recently that I feel like we’ve really dove deep into the origins of my anxiety and panic attacks.
The thing about therapy is that it takes time. Anxiety isn’t something you can just “cure.” It’s something that adapts, changes, and hangs out with you for your entire life. I keep going because I’ve seen so much progress already, but the work isn’t done yet.
I think I’ll always continue therapy is some form for the rest of my life. It’s amazing to have someone to talk to about things I don’t want to bother my husband with, or with petty things that would inevitably bore anyone else I tell them to. It’s a great feeling to have someone who will listen to you without fail, never just waiting for you to stop talking so it can be their turn.
My anxiety is definitely not gone, but it’s manageable now. I’ve developed techniques and methods to deal with the hard days, and now there are even more good days. So that’s why I keep going. To work towards more of those good days.
I know my way around the Erin Condren website. It’s definitely not a fact I’m proud of, but over the years I’ve gone down the rabbit hole to discover some really awesome, non-planner related products that constantly keep me coming back for more. I came for the planners, but stayed for everything else.
The sherpa blankets are some of the softest blankets I’ve ever had the pleasure to caress an alarming amount. They’d make great gifts and there’s even an option for customization. A blanket with my cats on it? Baller status I’m comin’ for ya. The standard blankets are a bit pricey, but the customizable options make for really nice, personal gifts.
The art printscan also get a bit on the pricier side if you get a larger print, but they’re 100% worth it. I’ve purchased a few different canvas prints as well as framed custom art and have not be disappointed. The quality is amazing, if anything is wrong with the item customer service responds so incredibly fast, and they’re exactly what I wanted for the space. I have eyes on a few other pieces for a gallery wall in one of our guest rooms. *starts clicking around the site for the third time this week*
Nothing makes me feel more stylish than these designer pocket folders. Sure I could easily roll up to my accountant with a plain manila folder, but these are just SO. MUCH. BETTER. Plus I know whatever paperwork I’m passing along won’t get lost in the shuffle of boring folders.
The screen cleansing towelettes always find their way into an order if I’m just a few dollars short of free shipping. They’re great for travel and on the go cleaning. I’m trying my best to treat me new laptop like royalty so it’s handy to have these close by to wipe the touch screen every once in a while.
But I’ve definitely saved the best for last. The enamel pins. Oh man. Still 100% obsessed with collecting them and EC delivers every few months with new pins to choose from. My jackets and bags are riddled with them and I’m constantly looking for more options to share flair. The collection has definitely grown, so let me know if you’re interested in seeing a full post on everything.
I love supporting women owned businesses and women bosses getting it done. Plus it doesn’t hurt when everything is too cute for words, right?
Let’s talk about May. A beast of a month that I’m happy to say goodbye to, but loved the hectic rush of it all. So much happened and now I’m giving you all the deets. But first, a few favorites.
I’ve downsized my bag collection immensely over the past few weeks (I’m talking 15+ bags down to 3), and noticed a severe lack of a larger tote bag in my collection. Erin Condren to the rescue. I’ve been downright obsessed with this color pattern lately (midnight and cherry blossom) and have popped it on basically everything you can on the site. It’s sturdy, larger than most tote bags, and cute as hell.
There’s a new favorite Etsy shop on my radar these days. I briefly met Cynthia from WontonInAMillion at PlannerCon San Francisco in March, and have fallen head over heels for her stuff. All of her characters are food and more than adorable. She’s releasing a new line of enamel pins soon. My credit card’s at the ready.
As for beauty bits, I’ve rediscovered my love for The Body Shop’s Hawaiian Kukui Cream. My skin hasn’t gotten the memo that it’s no longer winter, so I’ve been in serious need for moisture. It’s thick, but settles into the skin nicely overnight. I wouldn’t recommend this during the day as it does get a bit greasy, but every time I use this the night before, my skin is super hydrated the next morning.
The DermaE Hydrating Serum has been my daily face savior for moisture. It’s the only serum I like to use in the morning because it’s super light and doesn’t feel thick or heavy on the skin while adding tons of hydrating. Plus a little goes a long way so this bottle will last me ages.
Now that it’s warmer my toes are starting to make their appearance which definitely calls for a refresh of nail polish. I find myself constantly reapplying Essie’s “For the Twill of It” week after week. Such a cool, metallic spin to a classic blue/grey polish. In the right light it even looks purple.
There are a few other favorites I forgot to pop into these photos, so definitely check out the full video. Plus there is a TON of exciting travel news and planner conference info in the video as well!
