the list: december

 

happy decemeber. delayed. happy december already a few days in. 

To be honest I'm not ready for December. When I was sitting down to write my goals-- my dreams -- for this month, all I could think was that I just want to survive. Already December has been tough, with a loss of a dear family member, some house issues and too much on a crowded plate. To be honest, I don't want it to be Christmas. I complained to the husband the other day "I don't have time."

I think we put so much pressure to have this very merry perfect December and Christmas, but life isn't like that is it? We get stressed, we take on too much and people get hurt or hurt others. I think, this year, that I'm okay with embracing the fact that this will not be a perfect season. I don't know that I will make perfect, homemade gifts or even have any laundry done, but that's not what's it about, is it?

So when I think about my goals for the month, I don't want to put high expectations on myself or others. I want to wrap up the shop orders (next Wednesday is the last day to order!) and simply enjoy what the season is supposed to be-- a time of reflecting on God's entrance into our messy (and very messy as these last few days have taught me) and broken world. 

what are your thoughts for this month? 

xo, erika

Every first Friday of the month Beth and I share our favorite things from the past month and what we're looking forward to in the new month. It doesn't have to be fancy, it doesn't have to be long, it can just be what the link-up is: a list.

When you link up, please link a relevant post and link back to Beth or I somewhere on your blog. And be sure to come see what others are sharing as well. :)

the list: october wrapup

I don't think-- or rather, I know I'm not ready for November. I'm not ready for the darker, shorter days, I'm not ready for cold temperatures and I'm definitely not prepared for the holidays. October flew past. Here's a little recap

I shared an amazing stuffed squash recipe and wrote about learning to say no
I shared my tips about exercising and obviously had to make something pumpkin-- like pancakes!
We also finally finished painting our house!

Not pictured-- I threw a bridal shower and a bachelorette party, flew down to San Fran for Re:Make and started prepping my new shop website.

I've been thinking a lot about next month -- November-- and what I want it to look like. I've been thinking a lot about culitivating a feeling of gratefulness-- each day, being mindful of all the things I'm thankful for. I know it's an obvious theme for the month with Thanksgiving and all, but I like the idea of having one thing to focus on and work toward this month.

What about you? How was October, and more importantly, what do you hope November be? I'd love to hear.

xo, erika

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Every first Friday of the month Beth and I share our favorite things from the past month and what we're looking forward to in the new month. It doesn't have to be fancy, it doesn't have to be long, it can just be what the link-up is: a list.

the list: feeling grateful

Each month, on the first Friday of the month, Beth and I recap our months & share goals for the next.

But as I sat down to write this, all I could think of was how grateful I am for my crazy, busy, full life and the people in it. Earlier tonight, I sat with friends around my little table, eating dessert and drinking wine and I just felt this rush of graditude.

Do you ever feel that? A sudden moment, where you stop rushing through the day, through the experience and simply see the good things to life?

That was this evening.  So my list is this-- a bit of what I am so grateful for.

>> the influence conference. this was just this past weekend, as I mentioned wednesday, I'm still processing all that I learned and heard. I was so grateful to be able to go-- thankful for such beautiful people who dreamed up the conference, and so incredibly blessed by the experience.

>> my husband. can we just give a shout-out to this rock star? We've literally been ships in the night-- he was gone to Chicago, and then I was in a wedding (he had to stay home and work-- boo) then I was in Indiana for Influence and now I'll be in San Fran this weekend for Re:Make. We have had four consecutive weekends apart but through it all, he is a champion. He is incredibly patient with me and so loving toward me. He cooks dinner when I get home from the day job so I can get right to the etsy job. This man is hard-working and so, so good to me. Honestly. I cannot say enough good things about him.

>> my shop. There are times when I wonder what the heck I'm doing with this little business of mine, but each day I feel like I understand more of what I'm doing and I am so grateful for the support that I have felt from family and friends. It is hard, but I am grateful for this path I've chosen.

I am also really thankful for some really good people in my life-- people who text me, who pray for me, who offer to clean my house, and who make me laugh about the dumbest things-- people who ride in vans with me over to weddings and rub my back. Oh you dear ones in my life-- you know who you are. Thank you.

What are the good things in your life right now? I'd love to hear them.

Also-- if you happen to be in or near San Fran this Saturday, I'll be at Re:Make for the handmade market portion of the conference hosted by Brit & Co. Come see me at the Mason Center from 11 to 5! (It's free!)

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Every first Friday of the month Beth and I share our favorite things from the past month and what we're looking forward to in the new month. It doesn't have to be fancy, it doesn't have to be long, it can just be what the link-up is: a list.

the list: august

It's been a week of September, and I think I'm getting into the groove of things.

I'm not quite ready for sweaters or the rain that just happened this week, but I guess I can handle this new month and what it will bring. (Because it's going to be a busy month!)

I'm in a wedding in two weeks and then I'm getting on a plane to go to the Influence Conference where I am teaching (I know, what-- they're letting me?!) a little session on fashion blogging.

 Honestly though, September is just going to roll right into October which is just as insane. The week after Influence, I'll be in San Fran for the ReMake conference hosted by Brit of Brit & Co. The next weekend it's a bridal shower then a bachelorette party for a wedding I'm the best lady for (there's no way I'm going to be the matron of honor... sorry.)

It's going to be a marathon of activity and I don't expect it to slow down until Christmas. It's good stuff, but it's busy stuff.

August was busy too -- busy but good:

1. We've been painting our house (we're almost done!)
2. I picked a lot of blackberries (and made blackberry fruit leather)
3. I made a knit skirt (I know, I owe you a diy)
4. I made rhubarb jam for the first time
5. I talked about jealousy

What did you do this month?

Every first Friday of the month Beth and I share our favorite things from the past month and what we're looking forward to in the new month. It doesn't have to be fancy, it doesn't have to be long, it can just be what the link-up is: a list.

When you link up, please link a relevant post and link back to Beth or I somewhere on your blog. And be sure to come see what others are sharing as well. :)

the list: looking back at july

Don't I say every month "where did the time go?"

So excuse my broken record saying... but honestly. I can't believe it's August.

July, in a word was busy:

 

 coast life // four years! // renegade // popsicle recipes here + here

Most of it was spent preparing for and surviving Renegade and now that it's over, I'm hoping August is a little more relaxed. 

I've got my fabric order for the fall line of rouge + whimsy shop items (get excited) and there's a few bridal things to host. (I'm in two weddings this fall!)

Otherwise, I desperately need some more time lying on a beach in the sun. Although who knows if that's going to happen as we're also painting our house ourselves these next few weekends. So it will be more vertical on a ladder than horizontal on the sand. 

But truly, I am just feeling overly blessed by life right now. And I'm excited for what August has in store. If you would like to join me over here-- I'd love to help share about your blog or small business! I have a few large ad spots left.

How are you? How was your month? 

xo, erika

Every first Friday of the month Beth and I share our favorite things from the past month and what we're looking forward to in the new month. It doesn't have to be fancy, it doesn't have to be long, it can just be what the link-up is: a list.

When you link up, please link a relevant post and link back to Beth or I somewhere on your blog. And be sure to come see what others are sharing as well. :)

<center> <a href="http://www.rougeandwhimsy.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/k561/dotinthecity/TheListC_zpsdf52f360.jpg" /></a></center>

the list: july

July is full of promises. It's a promise of true summer: long, lazy lingering days, beach days and nights, picnics and good books and juicy watermelon running down chins.

July is got here faster than I anticipated. In just three weeks I'll be in San Francisco at the Renegade Craft Fair. As much as it was an honor to be chosen to sell there, it's also left me so scared that I won't end up having enough items, or I'll have too much, or something will happen... and I'm so excited but so nervous. You know that feeling-- a mix between good butterflies and a random, worrisome dragonfly in your belly that's making you feel so much worse.

But I know that it will work out. I'm doing a lot of praying, prepping and I've got to be mean and lock myself in the office to do more sewing, prepping and praying so I can be ready for this thing.

If you're in the San Fran area, I'd love to see you! Here's all the details for the show.

To be honest, that's all that July is going to be about. I'm sure I'll sneak in some more books to read, a few more recipes, but otherwise it's all Renegade, all the time.

And to recap June:

I ran a half marathon! || I decided shorts were worth wearing || a dear, dear friend came to visit

I added some new items to my shop || I confessed my love for farmers' markets

Every first Friday of the month Beth and I share our favorite things from the past month and what we're looking forward to in the new month. It doesn't have to be fancy, it doesn't have to be long, it can just be what the link-up is: a list.


When you link up, please link a relevant post and link back to Beth or I somewhere on your blog. And be sure to come see what others are sharing as well. :)

the list: june

forget big, overarching goals for this month.

this month I want simple.

I want to enjoy life better, feel more grateful and in the moment.

I finally feel like I have a little bit of a handle on my stress load and I want it to stay that way before Renegade and I think the key is taking time to be with God, be with the husband and be with friends. I tend to get hermit-like with my shop, shutting myself up to sew when I should be out living life. But balancing the shop with everything else can be hard. Good but hard. I'm not complaining, but realizing that I've chosen something hard and I need to be mindful of seeking refreshment.

other minor goals for the month?

Sew more for me. I have a few patterns and the fabric to match and I'm going to make time! I am. (my friend and I are currently making this!)

Run, run, run. The half-marathon is June 22 and I'm almost there with training. Not gonna lie, there have been hard days and lost toenails but I cannot get over how far I've come. I never, ever, ever thought I'd be doing this.

launch a few new items in the shop. I have some things in the works that I'm pretty dang excited to share with you all.  They're a little edgier, but still so me.

what are your goals for the month? I'd love to hear them!

Every first Friday of the month Beth and I share our favorite things from the past month and what we're looking forward to in the new month. It doesn't have to be fancy, it doesn't have to be long, it can just be what the link-up is: a list.

When you link up, please link a relevant post and link back to Beth or I somewhere on your blog. And be sure to come see what others are sharing as well. :)

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oh april, where art thou?

 April was for...

1... getting back from Europe
2... reopening my shop (and attempting to figure out life balance... uh what.)
3... my birthday and the husband's birthday
4... the launch of Yellow Heart Art and my collaboration

It was a good month yet I feel like April slipped away before I even noticed it had arrived. It's my birthday month, the husband's birthday month, but somehow like grabbing at sand, the days slipped through my fingers.

Of course at the end of each month, I tell myself the next one will be different. I'll be more organized, less busy, less stressed, I'll sleep more, exercise more... you get the idea. But I'm realizing more and more that I am doing the best that I can with what I'm given and if I continue to in that vein, then's that's it-- there's no more to be wished for.

So, May. I want my shop (and my house!) to be more organized, I want to get more sleep and stick to the running plan. But if I fail, I fail. And June will be a new month.

how was your April? And what will your May be like?

Link up to Beth and I! (Just please link up a relevant post.)

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xo, erika

the list: april

Every month I share a little bit about what the month has been and what I'm looking forward to the next month...

to be honest, this month has just been Europe. Granted, I didn't leave until March 20, but as soon as it turned March 1, I could hardly think of anything else but travel.

And it's amazing what I jammed into those last two weeks of the month:

England:

France:


Scotland:


As much as I loved the two week trip (and to be honest, the husband and I are already dreaming up Europe trip 2.0), I'm looking forward to a quieter April.

April will be for (hopefully) spring weather, gardening, my birthday (and the husband's!) and more projects I have up my sleeve. :)

How was your March? And what are you looking forward to in April? (Besides my birthday, of course, wink wink.)

Share your list! Every first Friday of the month Beth and I  will be sharing our favorite things from the past month and what we're looking forward to in the new month. It doesn't have to be fancy, it doesn't have to be long, it can just be what the link-up is: a list.

When you link up, please link a relevant post and link back to Beth or I somewhere on your blog. And be sure to come see what others are sharing as well. :)

xo, erika

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the list: march

February flew by. Really flew by.

But I'm okay with it being March.
March means lighter days.
March means (kind of) warmer days.
March means that the husband and I are going to Europe. (can.not.wait.)

I'm getting to the point where I'm like a senior in high school. I'm distracted because I know what's ahead of me and I'm having a really hard time focusing on the day-to-day without daydreaming about Paris.

February was a month for...

>> the shop. I relaunched with my new crossbody bags and I really love them. (If you're eying one, better snag it today-- I'm putting the shop on vacation by the end of the day and won't reopen until mid-April.)

>> sewing. I finally, finally took time for myself and sewed a knit dress. I love it and can't wait to sew more dresses!

>> running. I really upped how much I run and tracked my mileage with dailymile.com & a running group started by Raechel. Despite a gnarly bruised toenail and tight IT band, it's been great. 

>> cooking. apparently I'm a food blogger now and I think I'll continue that well into March... I have a food series cooking up (ha, get it) that will be fun.

How was your February and more importantly, how will your March be?

Share your list! Every first Friday of the month Beth and I  will be sharing our favorite things from the past month and what we're looking forward to in the new month. It doesn't have to be fancy, it doesn't have to be long, it can just be what the link-up is: a list.

When you link up, please link a relevant post and link back to Beth or I somewhere on your blog. And be sure to come see what others are sharing as well. :)

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the list. february

I think we make such grand plans at the beginning of each year, but so few of them stick. I'd rather begin each month fresh-- and that's what this link-up is about: starting each month looking at where we've been and where we want to go. 

>> january was a month of refreshing. I took time from the shop, read a lot of books and let myself be. Even with the shop reopened, I want to be better at taking time for me. I want to be more proactive in spending quiet time-- by myself, time to reflect, time to pray and time to listen.

>> go easy on myself. About once a month I freak out. My house is too messy! My shop isn't doing well! I should be more organized! What am I doing with my life!?! Does anyone else do this? I need to learn to let somethings go... especially my house. It's not going to be perfect, and I need to accept that. 

>> I'm ready to push myself this month. I have more ideas than I ever have before and I want to start preparing for spring and summer craft shows. I am ready to be more organized too.

>> I also want to sew more for me. I say this all the time, but I have some tutorials/patterns that I really really want to try out. This month I'm going to make it happen.

things I loved from January: this outfit // where i find inspiration // my obsession with asian cooking

Share your list! Every first Friday of the month Beth and I  will be sharing our favorite things from the past month and what we're looking forward to in the new month. It doesn't have to be fancy, it doesn't have to be long, it can just be what the link-up is: a list.

When you link up, please link a relevant post and link back to Beth or I somewhere on your blog. And be sure to come see what others are sharing as well. :)

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new link-up: the list

I love lists. I think a lot of people like lists. There's something satisfactory about categorizing items: things to do, things I like, things I want to do, things I wish I knew, things I loved about last week... 

And what better time to share our lists than at the beginning of each month? Consider it a mini New Years-- but without the confetti. (or with the confetti, if you happen to have some lying around.)

Every first Friday of the month we will be sharing our favorite things from the past month and what we're looking forward to in the new month. It doesn't have to be fancy, it doesn't have to be long, it can just be what the link-up is: a list. 

We'd love to see you join us next Friday, February 1st! 

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happy friday friends!

xo, erika