Paper Lust: Parrott Design Studio

I love stationary. A lot a lot. When I find a great brand or shop I'm lusting after I will include it here in a weekly post on paper!

I first saw Parrott Design Studio's work at Blogshop SF, when Bri and Angela included a card in the goodie bag. The love the neon colors and geometric design of the "hooray" card, paired with the loopy fun font!
The eponymous Parrott Studio was founded in Providence, Rhode Island by Sarah Parrott. Her lovely array of letterpress cards are sold on Etsy!

{Top photo by me; other photos courtesy of Etsy}

Semester at Sea Reunion

I waited for this reunion aboard the MV Explorer for five years! And despite the fact that it was a "Voyage to Nowhere" (aka Ensenada, Mexico) it was certainly a memorable one. Here's a recap of our 4 day round-trip sail from San Diego.

Having arrived in Ensenada with some stomach issues, Mason urged us to take a morning shot of brandy (as the Czechs do when traveling) in order to fend off any further ailments.

Only a few hours later we set off for a day in the Ensenada Wine Country, where we enjoyed a variety of great red, whites, breads, and cheeses!

 

Of course no trip to Mexico is complete without some margaritas and mariachi!

It was a great time to reconnect with old shipmates and meet many SAS alumni.
Already looking forward to 2018!

{Photos by me and Mason Long}

Bon Voyage!

Today Mason and I are embarking on our Semester at Sea 5 Year Reunion Voyage! I'm in San Diego waiting to board the ship. We will sail to Ensenada, Mexico, spend Saturday there, then head back on Sunday. Here's my blog from the first time around!

Toast to 2013!

Happy New Year! It's a sunny and bright day in the Bay Area and 2013 is off to a great start!

Here are the resolutions I want to focus on this year:

1.  Stay Positive.

2. Be more social! Accept social invitations and reach out to friends.

3. Move into my own place. Decorate accordingly.

4. Be more affectionate (and other tips from Gretchen Rubin.)

5. Learn to cook. And host a dinner party.

6. Continue to enjoy the small things.

7. Save cash money. 

8. Get a dog. For me or for Dad...

9. Blog EVERYDAY.

10. Take a trip. Or two. Or more.
11. Floss. And take care of my skin.

12. Do as Cheryl Strayed says: “Be about ten times more magnanimous than you believe yourself capable of. Your life will be a hundred times better for it.”

 

{Photos courtesy of Sunset & Petitevanou}

Girl Starts Blog on New Year's (Eve)

This is exactly how I would like to ring in 2013. (But maybe wearing these instead ;-))

Back at the dawn of 2007, Joanna Goddard was "brave" enough to do what I'm sure many people would love to do on NYE: Stay in. She turned her night's activities into her first blog post ever: Girl Stays Home for New Year's, Bakes Cookies. Today A Cup Of Jo is not only my all-time favorite blog and a source of true inspiration for me, but also a Forbes Top Website for Women. I'm sure it must be surreal for Joanna to have seen those NYE cookies turn into what her blog is today. I'm using Joanna's "strategy" to jump into blogging at the start of this new year. I can only hope to attain a small amount of the success she has had, and to continue to be motivated by her (and all the inspiring bloggers out there!) to share my thoughts, feelings, and baked goods with those who care to tune in!

Later today I'll post my resolutions for the year ahead! 

Happy New Year!

xo,
Kelly

{Photo courtesy of Pinterest}

Make Way For Lucky '13

As The Weepies would say, 2012 was Not My Year. It has been the hardest year of my life by far. One in which I've seen my family splinter, had a close friend diagnosed with illness, left my job, lost my home and dog, and on top of it all I turned a quarter century old!!  -->
(OK maybe that last one wasn't so bad.)
This is not to say there haven't also been many life-affirming and joyful moments in 2012. Usually spent with smile-inducing friends and family who I am oh so grateful for. Through it all I have turned to blogs for inspiration and uplifting. It has been my dream for many months (if not years now) to get my own blog up and running. I can't imagine a better time than the start of a new year! 2013 is truly a new leaf for me.
Last month my horoscope gave me this little nugget:

“Keep in mind that you bond with your fellow man through your vulnerabilities, not your strengths.”

 I hope that this blog can be a constructive outlet for me, as well as a means to connect to a strong and supportive community. 

Goodbye 2012...Here Comes 2013!

 
{Photo courtesy of Buzzfeed via Cake Appreciation Society}

Black Friday & Blogshop

I've never been a Black Friday shopper. On the contrary, I am hoping to do a lot of DIY gifts this year. However, when I get back from holiday shopping, my favorite part of the process commences: gift wrapping! 

1. Anthropologie Pompom Wrapping Paper.  2. Rifle Paper Co. North Pole Map Postcards. 3. Etsy Red Pin Stripe Washi Tape. 4. Anthropologie Tundra Mammoth Ornament. 5. Anthropologie Gourmet Gifting Tags. 6. Paper Source Santa Hat Dogs Wrapping Paper. 7. Etsy Red Stripe Italian Twine. 8. Urban Outfitters Wine Sock Monkey.

Using my new found Photoshop skills from Blogshop, I've gathered some of my favorite wrapping accessories from the web. I am ever so grateful to Bri and Angela for the knowledge they imparted in one weekend. It has increased my confidence to move forward with my blog and opened up so many possibilities. My Photoshop trial is up in just a few days and I need a copy of CS6! This is my entry to the Blogshop Photoshop contest!
Thanks Blogshop!!