So this Christmas is pretty weird, I’ll give you that. But honestly I’m kind of happy about it. It’s the very first Christmas without my dad who unexpectedly died at 56 in January. It was going to be a very hard year to begin with and I take a weird sense of comfort knowing that it’s hard for everyone, just for another reason.

I’m sitting at our dining room table with my second chai latte of the day, our Christmas tree with no presents underneath it (we mailed them all out earlier this month), and no snow outside. I cannot remember a Christmas in Michigan that hasn’t had snow before or around the 25th. It’s a weird one for sure.

It’s not always going to be like this. Or maybe it is. Despite my best efforts I haven’t developed superhero powers this year to tell the future. I’ll keep checking to see if they’ve kicked in, but in the meantime we’ll all just have to see where this life takes us. Yet this is the set of cards we’ve been dealt and all we can do is try to make the best of it, whatever that may look like.

So Merry COVID Christmas you guys. May your holiday be filled with delicious cookies, Christmas songs on repeat, and no family drama (because it’s not like you can see them in person anyway and you could always just mute them on the video call). We’re all going to be ok. I just know it.

This girl’s got plants. Like a lot of them. Over 50 and counting are plopped throughout my house in all different shapes and species. I get asked tons of questions about how I keep them alive and remember to water them. With all this time we’re spending at home lately, I’m super glad you’re considering becoming a plant person. I promise it’s a whole lot easier than you think.

First off, you don’t need a jungle of plants. One or two plants starting out is just fine to get used to caring for plants. I also suggest picking super easy to grow options like peace lilies and ferns. Devil’s ivy is also a super easy plant to grow and take care of.

Quite simply, put your plant near a window (any window starting out will do, just get it light) and set yourself a phone reminder to water the plant once a week. I usually water on Sundays in the morning while I’m tidying up the house. If you find that the soil is still wet when you go to water, change your phone alarm to eight or nine days. Let the soil dry before watering.

When you purchase a new plant, repot it into another, larger pot that has drainage. If the pot doesn’t have holes in the bottom, add some rocks and sand to the bottom before adding soil so the excess water has somewhere to go.

Above all, check on your plants. Put them in a place that you will see them regularly. Near where you get ready in the morning, by your sink, etc. A plant you see is a plant that has a better chance to live.

You may still kill a few plants. It happens to me a few times a year. There are some plants that just won’t like you or your home’s growing conditions. Don’t take it too harshly and keep trying. There is definitely a plant out there for you. Trust me.

It’s safe to say 2020 is one of the worst years in recent history. We still have running water and air conditioning so I can’t honestly say it’s the worst, but I’m sure you get the idea. Yet in an effort to find the silver lining and be more positive, there are quite a few things I’m thankful for in 2020. So let’s push the negativity aside (for a little bit at least) and reflect on the good things that 2020 has brought.

2020 has been an amazing year to slow down and spend more time on leisure activities. I’ve picked up crafting again and love being able to work with my hands on projects. I’ve made wooden cacti and started on building a miniature greenhouse that reminds me deeply of my father’s models he used to make. I wish I would have discovered these models while he was alive, but it’s nice to have the time to feel like I’m spending it with him.

There has been so much nature this year. Nature walks, gardening, composting, and outdoor adventures. I’ve even taken up bird watching, or birding as us “in the know” call it. If 2020 wants us to slow down, then let’s make the most of it, huh? It’s all about changing the frame of mind to be more positive and look on the bright side. There is still a lot that 2020 has to offer.

My marriage with Alex is stronger than ever this year and I’m beyond thankful for the time we’ve gotten to spend together. I’ve spent more time with family and cherish the time I get to spend with friends at a distance. Every moment or event has so much more meaning now that they’re few and far between. 

It’s all about perspective. It’s easy to look at all of the negatives this year and sure there are plenty, but there’s also quite a lot of great things that happen in the quiet moments at home. More cat cuddles, more baking, more blow-up-mattress-in- the-basement movie nights. And I’m not mad about it.

I’ve always had a thing for greeting cards. Hell it’s why I started my first business. So it’s a no brainer that 2020 is the year of greeting cards for me. It’s been a great way to keep in touch with friends and family beyond a text or a Facebook message. Plus any excuse to be able to use my wax seal, right? If you’re looking to beef up your on-hand card selection, these are five categories you don’t want to forget. (Ironically I forgot one in the video!)

BIRTHDAY

Probably the most obvious of the card categories, but I suggest you go with more generic, basic card designs. That way they’ll work for best friends and somewhat strangers at the same time. It’s what’s inside the cards that count, right?

CELEBRATION

Now celebration can cover anything from marriage to paying off student loans, so to keep your collection from overflowing with every possible event, stick with the basics. A good ol’ congrats or hooray card will do the trick. And if you’re in a pinch you can even use the hooray one to celebrate the fact that you’re writing a letter.

THANK YOU

Does anyone else still send a thank you letter after a thoughtful gift or lovely evening together? Just me? I’m apparently 100 million years old and love sending a thank you card for any little reason.

SYMPATHY

The category that most definitely slipped my mind when I was filming this video earlier today. If 2020 has taught us anything it’s that loss can hit you fast and dirty. It’s downright heartbreaking how many sympathy cards I’ve sent out this year on top of the loss I myself have felt. Unfortunately you should keep some of these on hand for life’s unfortunate surprises.

JUST A NOTE

This is definitely the category I go a bit crazy in. Any cute, decorative card that’s blank inside falls into this category. If you’re going to have any greeting cards on hand, have this type. You can fill the insides in with whatever occasion that calls for a note and look completely thoughtful without having to have the perfect card.

So I somehow managed to completely forget about sympathy cards when I filmed this video, but you get the idea! All the cards featured in this post and the video are available on my website or in store.

Etsy is a wonderful, magic place full of seriously talented people. Over the years I’ve placed too many orders to count, but have developed a list of ten of my favorite places to shop. Some have been around longer than even my store has, while others are brand new. There’s a little bit of everything in here from stationery supplies, to jewelry, to some insane soaps. Your next favorite shop could be just a scroll away.

EtenIren

This shop is my newest discovery and has me lusting over literally every single product. Handmade plant and succulent jewelry? Shut up. They’re so detailed, well-crafted, and beautiful. I’m still trying to decide which products to include in my first order. 

Boy Girl Party

This shop has always been a huge source of inspiration for me and my own business. Susie Ghahremani is an incredibly talented artist and it’s been awesome to follow her artistic career over the past few years. She’s illustrated a number of different children’s books, carries some of my favorite enamel pins, and continues to expand her brand in exciting, inspiring ways.

Craftedvan

One of the first shops I discovered when I got into the planning world, Craftedvan is my favorite place for magnetic bookmarks. They have greeting cards, enamel pins, and magnets, but the bookmarks are where it’s at. They’re super high-quality, very magnetic, and there are tons of options to choose from. The bookmarks I ordered back in 2013 are still in perfect condition.

OfficiallyPosey

I have the great honor of knowing Posey Thompson in real life and her new shop screams Posey in all of the best ways. I have the inside scoop that she has a ton of new cards coming. Plus you can find them in my gift shop in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan.

LoveNeen

Another shop I discovered when I dove into the planning world, these charms and clips are beyond adorable. The type of thing I would put on every single zipper if I had the budget for it. The variety is insane and I have at least four of these on my wishlist at all times.

PernilleOrum

My husband Alex introduced me to Pernille’s artwork a number of years ago and it’s been a favorite of ours since. For our first wedding anniversary (the paper year), I gave Alex an autographed copy of her first book. Her images are so iconic and completely her. Her shop changes often depending on what she has available these days,. Fingers crossed she comes out with a line of stationery soon!

Soapopotamus

Soapopotamus could very well be the first shop I ever bought something from on Etsy. I have no idea how I found her, but it was love at first cute soap. I have a weird thing for items that look like something, but are actually something else. So donuts that are actually soap, sign me up? The sushi set on her homepage is definitely going to find it’s way into my cart. Such a fun idea for a gift for someone who has everything or you want to give them something that they’ll use up and not clutter their house.

MairaGall

When I used Blogger has my blogging platform, Maira’s templates completely MADE my website. She was incredibly helpful any time I had a problem with my template, even years after I purchased it. They’re downright beautiful and incredibly affordable if you’re getting into blogging. I made the switch over to WordPress recently, but I do miss my Blogger and these layouts.

SugarandIvy

Felt paperclips are my weakness. There’s just something about the cute little details and how it makes my planner look so festive that I just can’t escape them. This shop’s name changed recently (I think?), but I cannot get enough. The neutral beige rainbow has my attention these days. They also make reels for nurses and jobs that have badges. Plus they have over a thousand items to choose from so you can browse their page all day.

Xrestyk

Last but not least is the shop where I got Alex the gift for our 2nd anniversary (cotton). Ira-Yura is insanely talented in cross-stitch and is who I’ll go to for all of my cross-stitch needs, and I surprisingly have a lot of those. I cannot wait to make another one and am already drumming up reasons.

What I love most about Etsy is that you’re supporting an actual person and their passion. There’s something so beautiful about a product made by hand and incredibly worth it. What are some of your favorite shops?

If you could have the perfect date with yourself, what would you do?

Woah. Fell off the writing bandwagon there for a few days. Let’s just chalk it up to a perfect display of how real life doesn’t always go according to plan and move right along, shall we?

I’ve actually started implementing some self-dates but have yet to come up with a name that doesn’t sound weird. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Treat yo self days?

The perfect date with myself would first start off with a trip to Noodles & Company for some macaroni and cheese. Alex isn’t a huge fan of the place so I save trips there for adventures with my mom or solo meals. Then I’d head to some sort of nursery or shop that I know has great plants. Any date with myself must include buying at least one new plant to add to my growing forest.

If I’m making a whole day of it I’d usually go to a coffee shop (pre-COVID) to write for a while. If I’m feeling particularly spendy I’ll find a Goodwill and thrift shop for some new pieces. Then I’ll end the adventure with a trip to Sonic for either a grape slush or a chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream.

Basically just the perfect day of shopping and eating. Sums me up quite nicely. What does your perfect date with yourself look like?

This post is part of a 31 day writing prompts series I’m doing. Find all the prompts in this blog post.