{Weekend Plans}

TGIF Peeps!!! I apologize for the delay this morning, but my power cord for the computer died last night and I had to wait until this morning to get another one. I know...me and my computer issues. So without further ado:

{Living My Life Like It's Golden}

I saw this post over at Compai and loved it so much that I had to share it with you. I tweaked the list just a little, but nevertheless it's just as fab. The words "Living My Life Like It's Golden" is my own personal motto for 2011. If you haven't heard the song by Jill Scott, check it out here ~ my favorite lines are from the first verse: 

I’m taking my freedom,
Pulling it off the shelf,
Putting it on my chain,
Wear it around my neck,
I’m taking my freedom,
Putting it in my car,
Wherever I choose to go,
It will take me far...

1. From The Things We Love by Kate Spade. Image Via Felt & Wire
2. Ring From MELODY EH$ANI.
3. Mid-Century Tumbler Glasses on Etsy for $8
4. Lost and Found brass Bracelet
5. Tory Burch gold lovlies

{A Fresh Start With Crate&Barrel}

I am super excited that the Crate&Barrel that is being built in Durham, NC {opening this spring} will have a full furniture department {the one that is currently here only has home accessories, kitchen and dining ware}. I received an email yesterday that announced the arrival of their new spring collection and of course as soon as I got home {because I never surf the internet while at work ~ clearing throat} I started to pull together my personal favorite items. It's no secret that I'm ready to chuck all of my current furniture over the balcony and start all over, and I could definitely start here...

Love the simple and clean couch {which is called the Knockout Silhouette Sofa}, and must have the graphic arm chair. Pair these together with a few accessories and I feel I will be well on my way to a fresh start. What do you think?

{Something New For The New Year: Shine On!}

Who says that wearing something shiny is only for special occasions and holidays? While surfing Etsy last night for some new year quote posters to post today, I put in the words shine on and it {mis}lead me to these amazing finds {I get distracted so easily}. So while this post took a little bit of a turn, my same intention remains - shine on!

Can you believe that all of the items above are handmade from Etsy designers? Love - right? To purchase ~ click here for the metallic high-waisted pants, here for the cashmere cape, and here for the silver ballerina flats.

I'm in save mode right now - but I really love the flats...really love.

{Happy New Year Peeps}

Happy New Year!!!!! Have you missed me?

Photo credit: Design*Sponge
 

Boy - have I had a very eventful couple of weeks. I had very different plans for how my Christmas break would go, and while at one point {actually several points} when I didn't think I was going to make it through it...I did! On top of my travels back and forth to the ER*, I ended up getting really sick with a sore throat, horrific cold, and an ear ache. I kept looking up to the sky saying "Are You There God...It's Me Jessica ~ why am I going through this....now....on my Christmas break?" and after a while I quietly received my answer and learned a few important lessons. It showed me the importance of taking care of me first - it showed me the importance of a supportive family that in your worst days are there for you and willing to put all things aside so that you are well and smiling - it showed me the value of true friends that understood why I couldn't talk on the phone, or come to visit while I was home in Ohio - and the value of friends that called, text, or emailed to check on me - and  the value of friends that would rather me spend time with them sick for New Year's than not be there at all. It showed me that I need to relax, play on my iPad {you know I had to slip that in}, watch some movies, and enjoy just being. It showed me that my readers would rather me be well than for me to blog/tweet/facebook - it showed me that  I have a puppy that knew something was wrong and didn't leave my side for 2 weeks - and finally it showed me to never ever leave the house thinking you can just run in and out of a store without bumping into someone you know {while in crappy clothes,  hair slicked back, no make up on, skin red and full of bumps from the medication reactions, etc.} because it never fails you always will {LOL!!!}... however, this time around that friend still tells you that you look great {which was a lie - you know who you are} - are things that all you can do is step back and say...."Ok, Lord - I get it. Not sure why I had to learn it this way, but I get it, and thank you!"  So while I had other plans for my Christmas break, I learned that I'm not always in control which then lead me to tweak my new year resolutions. Speaking of which..

My Resolutions {some have carried over from 2010 as they are continued works in progress}:

1. Make continued efforts to let the most important people in my life know that I love them through frequent phone calls, cards, and little acts of kindness spread throughout the year.

2. Re-brand Flourish & Modage {this will take place within the first quarter of the year...stay tuned}

3. Be joyful in my own skin, regardless of external negativity.

4. Love more. Write more. Blog more. Tweet more. Design more. Live more. Travel more. Save more. Make memories more. {ok ok....Exercise more. or....Exercise! lol}

5. Spend less time being cautious and safe and more time being creative.

6. Push myself past the scary bits more often and not let comfort and complacency hold me back from really exciting places on the horizon.

7. Enjoy and love the California sunshine - or learn to love the Chicago snow {lol}.

8. Believe in myself.

9. Spend more time with God.
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My wish for you this year is to continue live your best life! Don't wait, start now!

{*I am feeling better on most fronts. Still in some pain, but I have good meds to help with that. The saga isn't over yet - but there is a clear cause and hopefully within the next couple of weeks I will be fully back to me! My continued thanks for your love and support.}

Happy 2011!!!!!