Inspired in Heels

This morning I'd like to start a new Thursday morning post tradition:  I'm dubbing it Inspired in Heels Thursday!

Each Thursday morning, I will choose a favorite topic and share some favorite quotes that tie in.  The first week's quotes are all about Taking a Chance/Risk Taking.  I love to be inspired and know that my friends do as well...so I thought this would be a fun way to incorporate this passion into my blogging experience!

This first "theme" is one close to my heart...as it's not in my nature to take risks.  But I know how important it is and can be and therefore do intentionally try to go out on a limb as often as possible.  When I look to the best things that have happened in my life thusfar (my relationships, deciding where to go to school, new career ventures, etc.), they've all involved a pretty significant degree of risk in one way or another. 

"It's not because things are difficult that we dare not venture. It's because we dare not venture that they are difficult." -- Seneca

"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far it is possible to go." -- T.S. Eliot

"Go out on a limb. That's where the fruit is." -- Jimmy Carter

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

"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." --Wayne Gretsky

What risks in your life are you grateful to have taken?

Gearing Up for Holiday Cheer

Crazy to believe the holiday season is fast approaching!  I celebrated my birthday this weekend {recap post to follow soon - so much fun} and capped the weekend off with a little shopping for the week.

I planned on just getting groceries and supplies for an art project I'm working on for my living room {another teaser of a post to come!} - but I came out with holiday decor and my favorite seasonal coffee from Trader Joe's - their Wintry Blend.  I'm a Trader Joe's nut - I just love the people and the products.  And this coffee is on my Top 10 of TJ's for sure. 

Infused with natural spices, this is like the holiday season in a cup.  Yum.  Great with Vanilla Creamer or just on its own...I look forward to the next couple of months with this delightful treat each morning!

Greetings!

Welcome to the freshly face-lifted Happy In Heels!  I know I've been M.I.A. for quite some time, but I'm ready to get back into the swing of blogging! 

It has been a busy several months...and I look forward to what is ahead!  With the holidays upon us, I'm certain there will be plenty of fun posts to share...

Looking forward to sharing thoughts, ideas, inspirations and recaps with you.

xo.

Bedroom Inspiration

Well, I'm excited to report that the quilt my mom is making for my bed is nearly complete!  I'm a very structured person and tend to tackle projects better once I have something to build the plan around.  Does that make sense?  I just read that and feel like it might not.  Oh well.  :)  In any event, this quilt will serve as the nucleus of my new bedroom; as the focal point, I plan to draw everything from the color palate to the overall "feel" of the room from it. 


I found this picture on what has fast become one of my favorite new blogs called French Country Cottage (frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com.)  I la-ove her style, and have started living vicariously through her chic cottage life.  It has been fun. 


The picture serves as inspiration for my new room; the quilt on the bed mimics the style and even colors of my quilt, so it was exciting to find. 


    Link to photo here:  http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2012/02/room-full-of-sunshine-inspirations.html
The reddish paisley intermixed with soft pastels...I just love it.  Though I'm not crazy about having quite so much stuff going on in one space, I love the warm, cozy and feminine feel.  A couple additional features of this room I plan to incorporate in mine:

• The buttery yellow walls
• The greenery in vases - so simple, and provides a little life to the space.  I think flowers would be a little overwhelming/too much, so this is the perfect compromise. 
• The cool curtains - I would actually like to use that bed sheet, no-sew curtain trick I've seen a few times on Pinterest!  No needles, thread or machine - love it!

More to come.  I'll get a picture of the quilt this weekend (perhaps with the designer herself, my lovely mom) and will also outline my game plan.  Perhaps I'll post some before pics too.  :)

Happy Wednesday Everyone!  Hope it is a great day.

M.

Travel Musts and Destination To Dos

Good Morning!

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend!  Mine was spent getting internet connection, spending time with my family (namely my brother, who I feel like I haven't spent time with in way too long - we had cocktails and went shopping to the outlet mall - we shop really well together, actually!), cleaning, and working from home in my kitchen (my new kitchen island doubles quite nicely as a desk - lots of space to spread out all of my stuff!)  As I'll be out of town the next couple of weekends, it was a wonderful to get all caught up at home.  Now that I'm gearing up for a long weekend trip to Chicago, I thought I'd share my list of "musts" - both what I must bring along, and what I hope to do (although our agenda is still up in the air, there are a few for sure items on the books.)

With friends all over the country, coupled with the fact that traveling is one of my favorite ways to spend my free time, I can readily identify my list of "must have travel items" that I just can't leave town without. 

My Must Have Travel Items:

• Carry on Suitcase (I actually need to purchase a new one this week, as after 12 great years- including 2 trips overseas- my current little suitcase has broken wheels.  It has been great, though!
• Tote/large purse for reading materials, makeup and other essentials for the plane ride/car ride
• Travel hot rollers (those of you that know me well know that I *rarely* go a day without my trusty hot rollers.  It may sound silly, but I can feel the missing "pep in my step" without them.
• Heels! (Natually) ;) - Also a pair of flat sandals, for walking, etc. 
• Small purse/wristlet packed in main purse
• Cliff and/or Luna Bars (Great healthy snack on the go...always have one in my purse.) 
• Lip gloss/lipstick
• Water
• Wine (Kidding!  But I do find it quickly upon my arrival to said destination.)
• My phone (aka lifeline) - for calls, email, internet, texts, music - what don't our phones do for us these days? 
• My Kindle Fire - a newer addition to the travel must have list, however I'm in love with it!  As an avid reader, I love nothing more than having several books (and a bookstore) at my fingertips always!  Since I take public transportation to work as well, this is an item that is used on the daily by your's truly.  Plus, since it has internet, it's like a little computer...great for the airport. 

On My List for Chicago:

• Fireworks at Navy Pier (This is actually happening for sure; can't wait - I will take pictures.  I Love Fireworks!  So magical.)
• Rooftop cocktails (Maybe more than once...)
• Dinner at a few lovely spots - I'm lucky to have friends that know the city well...so I'm leaving these decisions up to them.  
• A boatride of some sort (I still haven't been on the famous Architecture Tour so I think we may do this...)

That's what I can think of right now.  I'm sure I will add on.  Until then, I'm off to a busy day of work...it will be a nutty week here at the office but fun to have a trip to look forward to!

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!