there was this one time...

Velvet & Sprig

Hi all! A good friend and I have just launched Velvet & Sprig. We both have a love for gift giving and thought we could put together some of these fun boxes for Valentine's Day! If you're local to the Pasadena area, we are offering free delivery on V Day! Just shoot us an email at either the insta page or our FB page. We have teamed up with some local artisans to include their products in our boxes. We'd love to share them with you and help spread the word. Do you have a product and live in Los Angeles? Let me know, I'd love to learn more about it! Feel free to spread the word as we start this year with this fun venture. Thank you!

Click this image below to see in full: 

Thanks again! 

Inspired Retreat Fall 2016

 I met Amber Housley at CHA with Studio Calico last year and began following her journey online. I followed along as she hosted The Inspired Retreat and saw all the pretty pictures and read how many wonderful things people said about the retreat. I hadn't been to a retreat since High School! Immediately, I thought, this wouldn't be for me and I tucked it in the back of my mind. That was her spring retreat. (photo by Kristy Hogan)Fall retreat announcements started popping up and again, I made excuses why I shouldn't go. It's too expensive, I couldn't leave the kids and Chris. It's indulgent. You know, because I am not one to spend money like that on myself. I tried to put it in the back of my mind again, but it kept finding it's way to my heart. 

 (photo by Kristy Hogan)Before I knew it, I booked my spot and found myself to this beautiful corner of the world. Tennessee.  As soon as I stepped foot on to the property (Evins Mill)  I knew it was going to be a special few days. Los Angeles slowly drained away from my body and I was in the south and completely immersed in southern hospitality. Not only was Amber herself completely available to the attendees, so were all the speakers. We were all in this together. Being tucked away at this venue made all the difference in the world. I wish we had something like this in LA that I could escape to. 

We had received these little motivation cards from Lara Casey and I followed the advice. Being the introvert that I am, I took the leap and soaked in every minute. I attended each session, attended each delicious meal, every activity. Gave myself just a few 15 minute breaks to recharge on the hidden hammocks I found on the property to record some of my thoughts and feelings.     Every meal was a special treat. I'm the chef in the family, so to have so many meals prepared for me was honestly such a treat. And I'm a sucker for good details so all the flowers and extra touches were noticed and appreciated. My first time having real southern BBQ, favorite of the whole trip. Just amazing!
  (photo by Kristy Hogan) I was so touched to meet so many genuine women who have a passion for the business and family. It's always been my struggle to figure out that balance. I've been a stay at home mom for 21 years. Now that the kids are basically out the door, I feel like it's the right time to make some changes. I was encouraged and inspired by these women who do it daily. (photo by Kristy Hogan)   
This is when I knew I definitely wasn't in Los Angeles anymore. I mean, look at this stunning waterfall! I wish I could say I was brave enough to strip down and dive in, but I wasn't. :) One step at a time here for me! :) (photo by Kristy Hogan) I am so excited to follow these women on their journeys and have their support as well. Thank you so much, Amber for bringing us together, for inspiring us, for spoiling us, for being you!   When I arrived back at home, it took me a good week to mentally unpack all that I learned. It wasn't just the sessions and the advice and the steps that need to be taken. It was the stories. It was the lives that touched me. It's the way I live now and how I want to live from here on out. My heart is so full and I will forever be grateful. Today, a month later, I still miss this perfect corner of the world.   But as I face each day and each new challenge I remind myself: 
I hear that Amber is announcing Spring dates shortly. I highly recommend The Inspired Retreat. I came for clarification, ideas and plans. I left with all of that and more. I was fed in ways I didn't know I needed. I am so grateful. 

April

 Checking in and reflecting on my SEVEN times I blogged in March! High five for me! :) My intention this year was to blog a little more regularly. I didn't set a schedule but I just knew I wanted to blog MORE. So I'm really happy that I was able to do it so much for March. I need to wrap my head around April now! Here's my latest wall inspiration at my desk. I don't think I'll ever take down the Vincent Van Gogh quote. It's one of my faves. As for everything else, they're from Paislee Press and Studio Calico. Loving changing it up every few months. So where to go from here..... lately I've been sharing my design team projects. What do we think about that? What do you guys want to see? More of that? Stuff around LA (where I live), kid stuff (always hesitant to share my kid's stuff though but might do it if it's sorta general, nothing specific) maybe some inspiration I'm seeing online? We'll see. I tend to be a whatever strikes my fancy at the moment blogger. Anyways, just wanted to share my latest wall love and say hello for the month of APRIL! xo 

best version of you! I mean me!

I seem to have a few different Midori's that I'm diving into for 2016. I can count off the top of my head at least 3. There's no rhyme or reason, really and I'm just gonna go with it! This is a little faux-dori that Amy Tangerine was offering for awhile. I think she may be sold out in her shop right now. Did a spread today with the Studio Calico Arendal Documenter kits. 

 I've been feeling like I haven't really accomplished much this week and I used the excuse, "recovering from the holidays" as my reason. Ya, I can't do that next week. So this past week I managed to clean out a few closets, organize my desk, put things up on Craigslist and deep clean my dishwasher. Why can't that be enough and make me feel like I accomplished so much? Because I did! :) I know I did, just doesn't seem like fun accomplishments. ha! I need to keep reminding myself that I'm doing a pretty good job being the best version of myself. :) I'm gonna just find some inner peace about that and move on :) Happy Friday and weekend! xo

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Summer Midori Notebook

intentions

Happy new year! It's 2016 and I've got a fresh new year ahead of me. You wouldn't know it, but this blog has been around since 2005. I used to regularly post my thoughts, days with my kids and even announced my pregnancy with Elsie who is now 9. I stepped back a bit when the big kids became teenagers (anyone with teens knows that that time could be a roller coaster of emotions, and I personally had a hard time derailing from!) and life just was busier than normal. I also took a break from scrapbooking, where I used to regularly create for two peas in a bucket and numerous other design teams. Just this past year in 2015, I emerged back into the scrapbooking world. I designed for Studio Calico, worked closely with Amy Tangerine on our creative life and taught a class for Big Picture Classes. This year, I have a few things on the horizon that I am really excited about but I can't help but still feel a little void. While I am not going to crawl into bed and cradle that feeling, (at least not today) I am going to write down my intentions! My one little word this year is SAVOR. I want to savor all the time between now and when I write this next post in 2017, looking back on 2016. I want to have savored the good times, the null times and even the hard times. I gave myself a book reading goal last year of 12 books and I passed it. (This year, I'm hoping to double that.) So I thought it would only be fit for me to give myself a blogging goal this year. I have not been able to shut this thing down, even as I pay for it every month, and I have tried to put it into book form but because it's so big, the volumes and uploading have been enormous. As I've got 2 older children with a foot out the door, I know that I need to document and savor. That I will soon forget the little bits of our days and will be scouring this blog for that one time long ago. So here goes, savoring 2016 and documenting along the way. Cheers! 

The Fringe Hours collab with Studio Calico

When I got this book a few weeks ago, I have to admit that while I was reading it, I found myself nodding and patting myself on the back as I have incorporated ME time into my weekly schedule for a few years now. Being a mother of 4, where was this book when they were all younger?! Those were the times I felt overwhelmed and this book would have shed light on what so many of us women/moms are searching for. I have 3 teenagers now and a 9 year old so I can clearly see pockets of me time, the FRINGE HOURS. It's harder to discover those Fringe Hours when you are immersed in toddlerhood. It's sometimes hard to give yourself permission to take advantage of those Fringe Hours. I know I did. Reading this book is like having coffee with Jessica, she's sitting there nodding at your same struggles but telling you it's okay. Everything will be alright. This book gives you the permission and explains WHY it is so important. I wish I had come across it years ago but thankful I've incorporated ME Fridays into my life when I did. This book just further validated my decision. I look forward to Fridays. I cherish them. My little one gets out of school early and it's my day "off" until it's time to pick her up. There's still a dishwasher to empty and regular day to day stuff. But for the most part, I give myself permission to read on the couch for a few hours, window shop, binge watch, spend more time than necessary on Pinterest and just unwind, prep mentally and emotionally before a busy weekend ahead. Before ME Fridays, I realized I wasn't putting me on the calendar. Now I do wholeheartedly. I'm a recharged me and my kids I'm sure would thank me for it. I THANK ME FOR IT. Here's my Mother's Day present. A photo of all 4 kids and me together. The reasons I celebrate ME fridays :)  Be sure to check out Jessica's blog post at Studio Calico to read more about her book and be sure to download the free printable cards they've designed. I've printed mine out, ready to do something fun with them as it is ME Friday today :) Enjoy xo. 

my space

I used to have an entire wall full of elfa office shelves. We moved a few years ago and I wasn't able  to use my new space in the same way. I also downsized my supplies by a ton so it actually worked out well. Right now I am using this blue desk. 

This little corner is where I "dump" my current embellishments. I think having a small space helps you keep your supplies from overflowing. This right side keeps my current papers and stickers and a basket of books and mini albums. I love this natural light I get right next to my desk. And my little air plant that I do very little to keep alive :) I also have a big cart behind this space that wasn't photographed but carries some oldish supplies that I sometimes dig into. And some other photo boxes that have all my photos I pull from and some stamps and ink etc. Because this space is part of my bedroom, I'm determined to keep it neat(ish) and tidy(ish). :) 

crafty packing to go!

When I found out we were staying at a little cabin, I knew I wanted to be able to take a little pack of crafty supplies! This mini book class from Tina was just starting so I gathered a bunch of supplies that were close by and threw them in a basket. 

 

Though I didn't really delve into my book as much as I would have liked, I did jot down this little page of memories. I didn't even make that watercolor background though, I snagged it from Elsie's leftover scrap of paper. She was using it as her paper to wipe off her colors so essentially it was going to be trash, but of course, it looked so beautiful to me! 

Glad I got those little tidbits down :) 

Done! Did! :) my new pinterest board

 

I've seen these kinds of boards for awhile and finally decided to make one as well! I've been cooking and making from my pinterest account only for a year- I was so pro Tumblr and didn't want to start a new obsession. Ahh, I caved a year ago. Well now with the new year, I decided to tackle what's on my boards and thought I could attempt to keep track on my new Done! Did! Board. I'm including recipes, party decor, activities I've done with Elsie and whatever else I actually end up making/doing from Pinterest. It's become sort of a challenge! I'd love to see your favorite pins and eventually add them to my Done! Did! Board too!

happy new year!

Our family on Christmas Day. I haven't made Christmas cards in years but I always appreciate the ones we receive in the mail! Don't give up on us, one of these days I'll get it together! I had some amazing photos over the year but always manage to be missing a child (or me!) in the photo. This one below is probably my highlight of 2014. Taken the night before New Year's Eve. Our big family piled in for a nighttime cuddle, knowing it's New Year's Eve the next night and the 2 older kids will be off in other places celebrating. 

Every year I make the mental resolution to exercise and I never follow through. I fight my own battles within my own head and heart that keep me from being my best. I stumbled upon this on Pinterest and it has resonated with me since. My words board on Pinterest is one of my favorites. I can scroll through for a dose of encouragment but this needs to be printed for constant reminder. Lovely words. My 2015 Mantra: 

Happy New Year, everyone :) xo