Sweet Summertime

All school year I look forward to summertime, only for it to come around and I end up being busier than I am during school!  Usually I work 2-3 summer jobs and spend my days on a drink cart at the country club or waiting tables.  This summer though, has been a welcome change.  Since I was only going to be home for 6 weeks before going back to school, I couldn't really get a full time nanny job or return to work at the country club.  Instead I just decided to throw my energy into my various small businesses-- Sweet Creations, Preppy Painted Prints, and In A Flash Photography.

I've already talked about Preppy Painted Prints on here, but Sweet Creations and In A Flash are my other two loves that are very near and dear to my heart.  Sweet Creations is my baking business-- specializing in cupcakes, cake pops, and other made to order sweet treats, and In A Flash photography kind of speaks for itself.

You gotta regatta inspired PPP

Taken at Dance Studio "B"s recital

Zebra print cake and brownie pops 

I knew that I had a handful of cake pop orders and photo sessions lined up for when I got home, but nothing too exciting.  I have been pleasantly surprised however, because business has been steady all around-- allowing me to actually make money doing what I love.  What a blessing it has been to actually enjoy my summer and to spend my days crafting, baking, and taking pictures!  God always provides for us-- this summer has been yet another shining example of that for me.  I only hope that my other friends are able to feel equally as graced by His love and plans for them!    

Preppy Painted Prints!

So anyone who knows anything about my blog knows that a- I love pretty preppy things and b- I was jumpin outta my skin to get back to North Carolina after school let out a few weeks ago.  What I hadn't really thought about though, was what I was gonna do with all my free time once I finally got home.  I was walking through my all-time favorite store Hobby Lobby the other day and decided to pick up a few canvases and paints so I could get some good crafting time in.

As it turned out, they came out a lot better than I had even hoped for and a bunch of people started askin if I was plannin on sellin any.  Because I love doin them (but need to spare my roommates from covering our walls with Lilly prints)-- I decided I'd give it a go and opened up a shop on Etsy.

I'm really excited to say that they've been really well-received so far and orders are already coming in.  I will be offering a promotional $5 off sale in the near future for anyone who follows my blog and for my friend Lindsey's blog too-- check hers out at http://turtlesandpearls.blogspot.com/.

Here is the link to my etsy shop-- http://www.etsy.com/shop/PreppyPaintedPrints

If you see something you like or have something in mind that you would want customized, let me know!

Closing a Chapter

As I count down the days until I go back home, I keep thinking about all of the wonderful places in Chico that I'm going to miss.  It was a long crazy year but somewhere along the way, this place became my home.  Some of the restaurants and places that I went in the first week when I was here with Mama quickly became regular spots for me.  Some were places that she went when she came to school here-- others were traditions that I created for myself.  These are some of the highlights.  

Uppercrust possibly has the most amazing food in Chico.  Mama used to come here with Aunt Mord and they'd sit and talk for hours, and now that's what I do with Sarah.  It's still the same owner, and on the first day I went there she told me I reminded her of someone-- my mama from 25 years before.  Small world right?

Da Bear.  Beer, burgers, karaoke, trike races, and some of the best friends I could ever ask for.  I didn't tend bar there like mama bear- but I definitely made my fair share of memories there.  As it turns out, writing papers there is surprisingly productive!

In-N-Out.  Now unlike my California friends, I didn't really fall in love with In-N-Out like they expected me to.  My godfather insisted that it be the first meal I had in California, but unfortunately the novelty was a little lost on me.  I will say that they make the most amazing french fries and milkshakes I've ever eaten though-- and that's coming from someone who lives in CookOut country. :) 

The El Rey is where the contemporary service for my church met every week.  While they weren't as big and flashy as my wonderful Port City friends, these amazing people quickly won me over and helped me make the most out of this experience.  

T Bar-- possibly the best thing that ever happened to me.  The food is amazing, the teas are even better.  Perfect after a day at Bidwell or a bike ride around town.  Which brings me to...

Bidwell.  Whether I was going to take pictures, ride bikes, go for a run, hang out at the pool, watch an outdoor movie, or go on some random adventure that Geena, Jacob, or Sarah had dragged me on Bidwell was often the source of our weekend pass times.  

Mama and I only just discovered Shubert's when she came to visit at Easter, and I am so thankful because otherwise I would have gained 20 pounds while I was here.  This is the best homemade ice cream I have ever had in my LIFE.  life changing really.  

Fortunately, I don't have to have a teary heartfelt goodbye with Sierra Nevada because they're opening a second location in NC in just a few short months! 

While all of these places are great, they wouldn't have been half as special without the people who introduced me to them.  I am so blessed to have met all of them and can't imagine how this year would have been without them. 

<3 

If you like it then you better put your initials on it

The fastest way to tell where someone is from is how they feel about monograms.  If you're from NC  or some other wonderful place in the south you know exactly what I'm talking about.  I learned the hard way that my California friends a) didn't know what monograms were before I came to town and b) think I'm crazy because I put my initials on everything.  My boss always teases me, saying that I put my initials on everything so that no one will want to steal it.  Well I love my boss, but he just doesn't understand.  I wish I could tell you what it is about them that I love so much, but I can't.  Whether it's jewelry, koozies, clothes, or crafts you can pretty much put a monogram on anything these days.  While this certainly isn't a comprehensive list, these are some of the ones that have most recently made my list of things to buy or create.  

mercmarie's koozie on etsy

a DIY framed vellum decal

Tootlebugs etsy shop

two of my favorite things-- monograms & pashminas

Add a monogram to your beach hat-- perfect for summer!

 

monogrammed button down-- in love. 

throw pillows for your bed... expect to see these in my apartment next year!

 DIY jewelry dish

Personalized monogrammed canvases by my friend Sealy!

Check her out at sealycross on etsy

Lilly monogram... need I say more?

Precious bracelet.  

Monograms & mimosas-- amazing idea for a bridal shower

Breaking out the wedding monogram on the big day

Your wedding day is the first day you can officially unveil your new monogram, and when my big day comes, I will surely be taking full advantage! :)

Maybe monograms aren't your thing, but if they are-- hopefully these are some ideas that will brighten your day!

Words to live by

Now I'll be the first to tell you that life's not perfect.  Every day has it's ups and downs but you just have to make the most out of it.  I try to focus on the positive-- usually by spending hours pouring through quotes I've found from people much wiser than I am.  Sometimes they're funny, sometimes inspirational-- but they always make me feel better and help to put everything in perspective.  These are some of my most recent favorite finds.

If pictures and quotes could describe my life...

Basically how I live my life on the regular...

Coolers Sarah!!! :)

"There's just something about a boy with colored pants, bow ties, sperrys, seersucker, anything polo, southern tide, or vineyard vines, one who opens the door, says yes sir and yes ma'am, treats his mom right, and treats you like the southern belle you deserve to be treated like."

"If Cinderella could find Prince Charming without having to take her dress off, so can you."