The First Year

So, as you may have noticed, I've completely fallen off the map the past month. I just needed a break. My first year of teaching full time has really taken a lot out of me, as it should. Everyday when I get home from work, I have so much planning for the following day, week, and well, the entire school year. My thoughts are consumed with how I can create lessons that engage all of my students in learning. Some days are great, and I'm filled with hope, and I'm reminded of why I chose to be a teacher. But then the next, I'm nearly in tears and I feel like a failure. (I've been told this is normal so  for the 1st year, so that's some relief). This leaves me with little mental and physical energy, that all I want to do is just sleep.

I've thought about how almost exactly one year ago, I was just starting this blog. I was only tutoring part time, so I could put a lot of my effort into making posts, doing crafts, taking pictures and spending hours processing them. In the past year, I've taught myself Photoshop, Illustrator, Lightroom, how to properly expose an image, and more importantly how to be a better communicator.

By my first week of teaching, I knew/feared that I would have to abandon Calico Skies because it just seemed impossible to continue the way I had been. I stopped posting, and shut out any comments, or interests in sponsoring, because I just couldn't face it. But now that I've got somewhat of a handle on my classes and curriculum, I see that I might be able to keep this little old blog alive. Just maybe not in the same way.

I'm reinventing Calico Skies. My life has completely changed, so it only seems right to reshape CS to better reflect my life. For example, my 52 Week Challenge seems less like a challenge and more of a chore now. I have new challenges that are just, more of a priority for me now, aka my students. Not to say that I won't still be making crafts and art projects, but they probably won't be a regular feature, at least not now (there's always summer vacation, yessss). And I loved having sponsors and button swapping, but I just don't see myself having time to keep up with all that on a regular basis. So I think I'll have to come up with a simpler solution, because having blogger friends is what it's all about right?

CS will be more about my everyday life and interests.

• I want to become a better photographer, so you'll definitely see more of that. 
• I want to go back to painting. Although I've loved making cutsie diy projects, there's a reason why I got my B.A. in Drawing & Painting, and I miss it. 
• Living in Pasadena is completely awesome, there's so much to see and do, so I plan to share more of those adventures. 
• I want to be more selective at collecting vintage and antique pieces, and actually go through with my original idea of opening up an Esty shop to sell my stuff.
• Now that I have my own kitchen, I want share more of my recipes and the all fatty foods I love to eat.

So that's what I've wanted to get off my chest for a while now. I put it off for long enough. I knew deep down inside that I wanted to keep CS going, because it brings me a lot of joy and satisfaction. It just seemed like too much, I've only got two hands and there's only so many hours in the day. But then I realized that all I have to do is change my blog, just like my life has changed. We're both growing up.

Happy Friday

Happy Friday everyone! Life is good. The little girl making herself at home.

Breakfast: Organic Vanilla yogurt with French Vanilla Almond granola, blueberries and peaches.

Lovely basil growing.

And the winner of last month's giveaway is Gina! Congratulations on winning a $75 gift card to Shabby Apple!

Have a wonderful weekend!

What I Wore: Dinner Date

I never grow tired of the whole routine: dressing up, doing my hair, my makeup, my nails, and going out on dinner date with Chris. I know it sounds trite, but even after almost five years together, we still have so much fun stuffing ourselves with food. It just never gets old. And I hope it never will. Here's what I wore...

Jacket: thrifted / purse: vintage coach / skirt & top: little Asian store in town / shoes: Jeffrey Campbell Litas

Settling In

So... I'm writing to you from our new place! You'll have to excuse me, I took an unannounced, much needed break from blogging and just my computer in general this past week. It really freed me up to focus all my time on unpacking, cleaning, and making this little place a home. We've got a long, long way to go, and I'm reminded of this especially as I'm sitting in a camping chair in the living room. But I've never been so excited to start a new chapter in life. Here's what my days have been looking like around here lately. 

Three lovely little succulents from my aunt, they are really loving the all-day light in our kitchen window.

Dishes and more dishes.

Lunchtime.

Thinking about where to hang all these, scared to put holes in the wall. I have a habit of changing my mind once it's nailed.

The little girl has found a handful of kitty lofts in the apartment. Why are cats so curious?

It feels good to catch up on the blog and update you all. I have lists and lists of ideas, plans and dreams and I can't wait to share them!

Bits & Pieces

Lately I've been sort of mia, due to the move. For me, this last week has been about packing up the things that I need, and getting rid of everything I don't. I've already donated seriously a ton of stuff. I mean bags and bags of clothes that I'll never mend or alter, books that I'll never read, and projects that I'll most likely never complete. Honestly, it feels really good to purge and let go of things that are just weighing me down, literally. Anyways, here's a few snapshots of what my life has been looking like:

Some more trinkets to add to my collection. Finally snagged the perfect granny square blanket.

The little girl has been watching me pack everything into boxes, she definitely knows something is up. I actually left the house wearing two different flip-flops on one day, and we got to see our friends' not-so-little-anymore puppy.

Some of my favorite recent munchies recently. Right there are two Long Island Ice Tea's made by my own personal mixologist (Chris). And that's us on a the 4th of July, we rented a little boat and putted around the Long Beach harbor with some friends. 

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

Organize Record Collection. Done.

Since Chris and I are working on slowly packing up all of our things for the move, I thought it was the perfect time to organize our vinyls. I've been putting off the project for some time now, so it felt good to finally get plastic covers on all of them, all 250 of them. I spent a good while making a list of all the artists and albums. Eventually I plan to alphabetize and possibly grade them. One of these days. 

It was fun spending the day dusting off old records, listening to favorites, discovering ones that we forgot we even had, and dancing with the little girl. There's just something about the format that I just love, the huge covers, hidden posters, groovy artwork, the fact that you have to listen to one side and then flip it over. I just love the ritual. I'm so thankful that Chris and I have rescued so many of them from thrift stores, and given them a new home with us.

Floorplanning

Have you seen this floating around Pinterest? Well I did, and I was pretty much hooked for a good half a day. The program that the site offers is a great resource if your planning how to decorate a room, or like me, a new apartment. Everything seems to be scaled, mostly, and the program's features allow you to be very precise. It's somewhat easy to navigate, although I did run into some frustrations that I eventually figured out. I got so into it, that I added furniture and plants, and even the little girl on the couch. 

Chris was trying to pull away from my computer, when I realized that it was coming dangerously close to the Sims. But, this is what our new apartment looks like in terms of size and layout. I did have fun adding hypothetical furniture and fixtures, and seeing how our new space could look. Although, it probably won't look like this for a while, seeing how we don't own much, it's fun to imagine. We move in next month and I couldn't be more excited.

What I Wore: Date Night

Chris and I had a little date night recently. We went out to celebrate the signing of our new apartment lease! We found a really cute, old, one-bedroom in Old Town Pasadena. I'm absolutely thrilled. So, we thought, why not celebrate with some sushi and a movie? I love date nights because they're the best excuse to dress up. Maybe I'm crazy, but I just love combining different patterns, stripes, chevron, polka dot and floral. Chris was kind enough to snap a few pictures of my outfit. He's the sweetest.

We ate at one of our favorite Sushi joints, Blue Fish. We had our usual popcorn lobster over spicy tuna, and fried eel with shrimp. After saki ad beer we were stuffed.

Then we saw Prometheus in 3D. I had never seen any of the Aliens films until recently when Chris and I had and marathon. Now I'm a fan.

Changes

I've got some pretty exciting changes coming up. Realizing that I'll be teaching English & Literature to middle schoolers in just two short months, and getting closer to finding our new place, leaves me a little intimidated for a short moment, but then completely thrilled to take on these new challenges. I can't wait for all the adventures these changes will bring, as well as documenting them and sharing it with you all. I appreciate all your support, and all your encouraging words. Sometimes I wonder why I bother with blogging, and then I read a kind comment and I'm reminded. 

More importantly, how dang cute is this necklace? I won this little beauty in a giveaway from Geodora Designs. I just love it's simplicity and geometric design. It goes with just about everything.

PS: Don't forget to enter my $75 Shabby Apple giveaway!

Bits & Pieces

Some little pieces from my life lately. Picnic at Brand Park. The little girl and pretty peonies from my friend Jessica, for getting placed with a school next year (Junior high English and literature, I'm so excited!). Then some little gifts I made for my sister and mama. I'm looking forward to some pretty big changes coming up, life is good.