Tuesday Thoughts to Peruse

Happy Tuesday! Thought I'd share some favorite quotes of mine for your reading pleasure. I think I'll make this a weekly tradition, as inspirational words truly are a favorite thing of mine. What better way to kick off a busy Tuesday than with some wisdom (coupled with a few cups of coffee, naturally!)  Speaking of coffee, if you find yourself in the lovely aisles of Trader Joe's anytime soon, I'd highly recommend their new Vanilla Chai Ground Coffee blend; it's a mild roast coffee with nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves blended in - delish.  :)

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
- Mark Twain

You will find as you look back upon your life that the moments when you have truly lived are the moments when you have done things in the spirit of love.
- Henry Drummond

Nothing should be prized more highly
than the value of each day.
- Goethe 

Meditate.
Live purely. Be quiet.
Do your work with mastery.
Like the moon, come out
from behind the clouds!
Shine.
- Buddha

Strength is a force. It is an attribute of the heart. Its opposite is not weakness and fear, but confusion, lack of clarity, and lack of sound intention. Remember the words of Tao Te Ching. 'The only true strength is a strength that people do not fear.' Strength based in force is a strength people fear. Strength based in love is a strength people crave.
- Kent Nerburn

Side note on Kent Nerburn: He is amazing! He is a local MN Author whom I've had the pleasure of meeting - he lives up north in the woods; an amazing person and his writing is exceptional! I highly recommend his books - one of my favorites is Letters to My Son, which I plan on reading to my future children. Good stuff!

Happy in the new place!

Happy Summer!  It has been a great first couple of weeks in the new place.

Below are a few pictures of the space put together.  I still have a bit to do, including:

• Hanging wall decor (this weeknd!)
• Painting (hopefully an August project)
• Framing additional photos
• Figuring out the lighting in my bathroom (way too industrial for my liking right now, but its a huge space so I have to believe I can figure out a way to get crafty in that department)

My bedroom is also a big project (before pics coming soon) that I look forward to tackling.  In the bedroom I plan to:

• Repurpose both my desk and dresser by painting them antique white and changing the hardware to match my wrought iron bedframe
• Using the quilt my mom is finishing for me soon as my color pallate, decorate the space
• Eventually paint (August or September project, I'm thinking)

So lots to do, but it will be quite fun.  Below are some pictures of the space as of now!

Moving Day

Well I'm happy to report that I'm all moved in!  I LOVE the new place.  So excited to have all the amenities I was hoping for in my next place (large, open kitchen, washer/dryer in-unit and underground parking are the main ones!)  The movers were awesome; it was so nice not having to lift so many boxes, etc.  Plus it saved my energy for unpacking quickly, and even allowed for me to get some decorating in!  Did I mention Target is directly across the street (Blessing?  Or Curse?  Ha!) 

Several home projects are on my list, including hanging paintings/artwork, painting the living room and bedroom, and repurposing my bedroom furniture (going for cozy french cottage theme, inspired by the quilt my momma is finishing for me.)

Looking forward to breaking the place in with a little move-in party in a couple weeks with some close friends!

Here are my "before" pics, taken shortly after the movers left. I'll post several "after" pics tomorrow to compare :)