The Little Things

Amidst all the stress of my recent life, I find a constant. He's there with a smile, flowers or a kind word after a disappointing day. We've been together for more than a year now and it always seems to be an adventure. He's my ultimate "little thing."

Do you like my picture collage? Check out Picnik.com to create your own. If you've never been to the site you can also touch up, edit and add really fun things to your photos for a personal touch. I love it! So much in fact that I spent a good amount of time yesterday editing a few head shots of mine for an upcoming interview. Check out the before and after...

The Little Things

(Kool-Aid Popsicles: We had them everyday during our pool breaks)

Summer has officially arrived!! And though its a time for pool parties and cookouts, I find that now I'm that an adult, I have little time to enjoy those things I love most about summer. But on this Monday (and lately actually) I reminisce back to being twelve and summer was filled with those wonderful little things that made up my childhood. Here's a glimpse into the past for a special little things. 

(Disney: During the late afternoon when the Florida rain would push us inside, my sisters and I would curl up with wet hair and sun-kissed cheeks to watch a movie. We'd watch the same one over and over again memorizing each word so we could play it out. Disney's Aristocrats was a favorite one summer)

(Duckings: Our house back when I was twelve sat on a small pond and we had ducks! Every summer we'd add duckings to our pond and watch them grow. They were our adorable little pets. We didn't keep them in teacups but I couldn't resist this picture from here.

(Watermelon: This summer staple is still part of my summers, even now. But back then my mom would cut it up and sprinkle it with salt. I don't care to eat it that way anymore, but it was a nice cool treat from the Florida heat.

What are you're favorite summer memories?

The Little Things

(Mini glitter nail polish)

Please excuse my absence last week. It was a crazy time and I spent the majority of it in Mississippi for a job interview and the rest of it editing a video for a separate job opportunity. But I have since returned, with pictures from my trip and a new perspective of the South, and I have also finished my project (I'll post it here later) Here are some things that are currently making me smile. The future, as I'm constantly reminded, is unknown, but all these little things keep me grounded. After all, I for sure know glitter nail polish will always make me smile. 

(The boy who travelled with me to Mississippi)

(A glass of wine after a long day)

(Adding fun to an already wonderful snack)

The Little Things

(Fresh, sweet strawberries)

The sun is starting to shine down on Florida bringing dreams of lazy summer morning, poolside afternoons and simple, lovely evenings with my favorite people and activities. The heat is enough to want to smile, but I'm also finding much enjoyment from those little things that surround me throughout the week. So many changes are about to come, a trip to Mississippi, decisions that will need to made, and plans for the future that loom over my head. But today, and everyday, I will try to focus on this summer sun and all those little things that come along with it. 

(Brand new baking dishes)

(Daniele Cambier water color, "Notre Dame de Paris," which sparks a new collection idea)

I'm absolutely falling in love with her simple and beautiful art of Paris! I think I will be surrounding my new office with more of her wonderful work, if I can find it that is... It's proving difficult!

(Fresh squeezed lemonade for a hot Florida day)

The Little Things: Memorial Day Edition

(Patriotic Sunset)

Today is a day we step back and reflect on those big things special people do for us so we can enjoy the little things. Little things like cookouts, cupcakes, candles, and candy (complete conscience that all of those things start with C by the way). Little things like freedom, rights, family and friends. Although I'm working most of the day today, I'm looking forward to a quiet evening grilling out with my boyfriend. We're playing it simple; no fancy decorated desserts (although I did make a cake) or elaborate table settings. But even those special little moments can truly honor the men and women who have given everything so we can enjoy a nice evening. Thank you, and Happy Memorial Day!

(Cookout Ideas)

(Festive Fruit)

(More fun cookout ideas)

(Decorated Table)

The Little Things

(A growing headband obsession)

Today was a glorious day. The sun was shining, the air was warm, and the water was refreshing. I spent the day in St. Petersburg, Florida (pictures soon, I hope) cruising the Gulf on a boat. It was a wonderful way to spend a weekday and a much needed break from the office. Now to tackle the mess on my desk, but I like organizing, so I included a picture at the bottom. Lots of little things to keep me going, but a big adventure at sea is nice too.

(A summer classic)

(A little reminder of where I'm going)

(A new project to tackle: organizing my desk...)

The Little Things

(Girls night; party of one)

Oh the little setbacks that can almost ruin otherwise perfectly wonderful evenings. This week I had my fair share of them, but my wonderful boyfriend reminded me that everything has a way of working itself out. He, of course, was right. And it's great to know those big moments that shake spirits are easily calmed by the simple joys of the little things.

(An adorably chic martini shaker (and even more wonderful because it was only $2! I love bargains!))

(Fresh ingredients for a Mexican inspired meal)

(A soft graduation present from my Uncle)

The Little Things

(A graduation gift from my sister that pretty much sums up my years at UF)

This past weekend I graduated from college! I had a great day with my family and friends as we all celebrated five long years of school finally being over. I don't think it's set in yet how big this is, and perhaps I won't really feel different until August, when for the first time in eighteen years I won't head to class. But despite this big event that just happened in my life, it's still those little things that help me smile the most. 

(Watermelon sour patch candy, a nice weekday pick-me-up)

(Part from a vintage guitar I re-finished, pictures to come soon)

(A pack of brand new permanent markers)

The Little Things

(Scattered rhinestones for an art project)

I spent this past holiday weekend at home with my family and found plenty to do to keep my mind busy and out of this endless cycle of the unknown. I'm currently employed, but I'm searching for a real job, you know, the kind that utilizes the degree I've spent five years earning. It's been slow going and a bit stressful so it was nice to keep my mind off it and into quality time with my family. 

(My mom's homemade dump cake with vanilla ice cream)

(Adorable easter sprinkles)

(Mini crock pots)

The Little Things

(Cinderella desk set reminding me of my childhood)

I am about to graduate college. It's an exciting, overwhelming and scary upcoming event that I honestly can't wait to achieve. And as the job applications, the questions, the plans, and all those big things that come with being an adult pile up, the little things stick out most to me this week. Fairy tales, candy, cartoons, and pink bring be back to simpler times and let me know that no matter what is coming in the future, I know I can always fall on those little things that bring me back.

(cute anniversary card from my love)

(pale, pastel, pink nail color)

(Hershey's dark chocolate squares with almonds and berries)

The Little Things

(a postcard sent to me from Hawaii)

It's not often that things go quite the way we want them to. Plan fall apart, pieces don't come together, life gets in the way; and it seems to happen more often than not. With my graduation from college only 2 short weeks away, I'm realizing just how far reality truly is from the plans I made five years ago when I began my college career. It's close to how I felt when I chose my "little things" for this week. I thought to myself, these images don't seem to go together, until I saw them together. I smiled realizing they fit perfectly. My original thoughts fell apart and the individual pieces didn't fit, but this time, together, the little things came together nicely. It just shows me how sometimes, the true outcome can be better than planned.

(a trip to the jewelry section of Forever 21)

(my new favorite crystal drop earrings from Forever 21)

(the reflection of Jacksonville, Florida in my sunglasses)

The Little Things

My birthday present lent many fun and exciting adventures this past week as I travelled to Miami for an audition and some sun. Sadly, the audition did not go as I had hoped, but my boyfriend and I managed to find reasons to smile regardless. Although, being in Miami, we didn't have to search hard for those treasures. I'd never been to the city before and was blown away by it's modern beauty and beachy atmosphere. Unfortunately, a missing camera in the middle of our trip left me with little to show of the city, but I managed to find some"little things" along the way. 

(teeny-tiny shells found on Miami's South Beach)

(a birthday rose from my love)

(a miniature dulce de leche cupcake)

The Little Things

An unusually wet and chilly day in Florida caused many tired and grumpy faces throughout the day. And with the planned forecast for the week the same, it's nice to have reasons to keep my mood up. Plus, my birthday is less than a week away, so I have even more incentive to smile.

(my fantastic spring obsession

(an early birthday card)

(my roommate's watch, left sitting on our table)

The Little Things

It's Spring! Finally, after months of gloomy, cold days we can finally enjoy the sunshine. I've been embracing every little thing spring related for some time now, but only in the last few days has it seemed acceptable. So here's my Spring inspired little things which just so happens to give me three reasons to smile.

(mini flowers letting me know it's spring)

(over sized flowers for casual hair styles; from Forever 21)

(brightly colored peacock painting)