In My Head

Look for Less

 

Emma Dinnerware from Pottery Barn

I've been in love with the Emma dinnerware set by Pottery Barn for YEARS. It's classic yet has a little hint of whimsy via polka-dots. Unfortunately, a student budget is not exactly compatible with buying nice dishes, even when on sale (right here). So, how excited was I when I spotted a set of look-alike dishes on my HomeSense tour the other day?!?!

Forgive the blurry iPhone photo

Obviously, they're square instead of round, but otherwise very similar! I actually think I prefer the square shape - it's much more modern. I picked up a set of dinner plates, salad plates, and cereal bowls for less than the cost of one place setting of Emma!

I've never had basic white plates before. I had always heard that food looks best on white plates and now I can confirm that it's definitely true. So that's the story of my little impulse purchase - although I like to think of it as a long-time coming ;)

Eye Candy

I was strolling through HomeSense today (my happy place) and found a few fun pieces that would have definitely come home with me if I wasn't trying to be a responsible adult (keyword: trying).

Sometimes just strolling through and browsing can be as much fun as actually buying. I didn't manage to resist EVERYTHING though. One purchase made it through my "responsible adult" filter and I'll post about that soon.

These benches were adorable. Chevron & nailhead trim? Perfection.

I've always loved the idea of using a trunk for a coffee table and this one adds a little glitz.

The metal pitcher would be just as pretty as it is functional for watering plants.

I've wanted to buy these white ceramic bulldogs every time I go in but have yet to bite the bullet. I think they could add the perfect dose of whimsy flanking a mantel or used as bookends.

And finally, I had a REALLY hard time resisting the white ceramic animal heads, which were on clearance. So fun.

I'm not in love with the fabric on the chair but I thought it was a unique shape and it was CRAZY comfortable. The seat was nice and deep.

A Little Treat

Just arrived home from vacay (sad face) to find this treat in the mail! I've only read the first section so far but I'm already loving it! Such great ideas and seriously adorable book styling.

N-N-N-Neon

Like any good child of the 80's, I'm a huge fan of NEON. Nothing makes you look more tan (a feat for a paler-than-a-snowman girl like me) or more noticeable than a little touch of neon. Lucky for me (and you!), neon came back in a big way this spring and I'm hoping it sticks around for the rest of the summer. For those of us who like to play with colour in a big way - neon is popping up on dresses, tanks, scarves and more.

Available here

Available here

Available here

Available here

For those of us who prefer to be a little more demure, neon also appears on little trinkets and jewels for just a hint of florescence.

I have two of these bangles and wear them CONSTANTLY. Available here.

Available here

Available here

Available here

Available here

Subtle neon. Is that an oxymoron? Available here.

And if you'd prefer not to wear it at all (what's wrong with you?!?!), there are always neon accessories, like these cute little journals or this vibrant print.

Available here

Available here

Available here

And though it may not be to everyone's taste, I think this little deer brooch is particularly fantastic and would look charming on a tote or a piece of luggage.

Available here

The main thing to remember with neon is that it's probably not here to stay (sad face), so budget pieces are where it's at.

Obsession

Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

Coveting

If only I could justify buying an $80 mug. Sigh. Found here.

Oh, hi.

So. It's been almost a year since my last post. Shameful, I tell you. I had so many exciting plans, and then life got in the way. Recently though, this blog has regained my attention.

After some serious soul-searching, I came to the realization that what I was doing with my life was not at all what I wanted to do with my life. I had been traveling down one road for so many years that it became really difficult to take a step back and make sure it was really what I wanted. Finally, after a semester (or two) from hell (I was a PhD student; still am, technically, at this exact moment), I'd had enough. Why was I putting myself through all of this stress for something that didn't seem worth it to me? I'm not saying that the area I was studying is not worthwhile - it TOTALLY is. It just wasn't for me. It made me miserable. I was constantly bored or stressed out. The little fulfillment I got from it was not worth the stress and anxiety it caused. My heart was never in it.

So I sat down and really listened to myself for the first time in a long time. I thought about getting to the end of my life and looking back - what would I regret? It's not like we get a do-over if we get to the end and don't like the life we've led (unless of course, you believe in reincarnation). And then it became glaringly obvious. This career was not for me. I need to be creative. I've felt so stifled the last 5 years. Like I'm not myself. Not the person I want to be.

So I made a choice. And that's what made it so hard, I think. My best friend was saying that the decision was almost more stressful because it was a choice. It would be one thing if I couldn't hack the program and had no choice but to drop out. But that was never the case. I'm doing just fine in the program and at my work placements; it's just not making me happy. When I picture doing that job day-in, day-out for the rest of my life, it all looks bleak.

So, here I am. Ready to start fresh. Try something new. Something creative. I have some ideas about where I want to go, but right now I feel really open to possibility. And that is SO EXCITING. I think about my future now, and things don't feel heavy. They feel light and happy and full of promise.

Here we go.