Simple Daisy

{Autumn Wine Drive}

2011-10-22T10:34:00.000-04:00

Hello and Happy Saturday!!!

I thought I would share a few photographs from a recent wine drive trip!
We have quite a few wineries not too far from our home.
If you live in the area....I have to say....it's super fun thing to do for the day:)
Here's the link:) Southwestern Michigan Wine Trail

Anywho...I was really appreciative to have nice weather for our day!
I've been a little down lately and being in nature is always my prescription:)

It's just been one of those times where everything seems to be going wrong.
I've had ring worm, pink eye, a cold that won't end, another infection that started on top of where the ring worm was, and now I severely strained my back:(
It started to really get me down.....I went to visit my grandma the other day and on the way over I just started balling. Asking myself....what the heck is going on.

But then I stopped "picked myself up off the ground" and started to think maybe all of this is trying to tell me something.

I tend to be a go...go...go...how much can I accomplish kind of person.
And I tend to let things get to me......sometimes I dwell on things just a bit too much.

I think sometimes in life....you have to stop....and just put the brakes on.
Listen to what your body and your emotions are telling you.

For me....I think my body is telling me....that no...I can't do it all.....and sometimes I just need to let things just be. I can't control everything:)
It's ok to just slow down.
So I wrote out a little list....a priority list.
What is most important to me.....vs.....what am I actually spending my time doing:)

and you know what came up most......just slowing down and appreciating being outside.
Walking around my yard and "tinkering"....listening to the birds.....watching the geese fly over.....breathing in fresh air...
I've been so focused on making jewelry....constantly feeling like I have to keep creating new designs....crafts for the blog....on and on...that I haven't even been spending time doing things that truly bring my heart happiness.....and I think it's starting to show in my health.
And I am the kind of person that prides myself on being healthy!

So time to slow down and accept that I can't do it all.
Accept that i'm not going to make everyone happy.
Accept that when relationships go awry....it's ok....I like to think of it as a weeding process.
If you are who you truly are.....you aren't going to be everyones cup of tea and that's ok:)
You don't want to spend your time with people that don't truly make your heart happy.

If there's one thing I know.....life is too short to be anything but happy!

So when you might start to feel yourself getting stuck in a rut....feeling unhappy....feeling rundown....
make a list and see what comes up most often for you....what do you value.....are you spending enough time truly doing what you value!?!?!!?!?

Alright....back to the wine drive:)
It was just such a pretty day and my heart was so happy!
Happy to see so much beauty right where I live:)

Rusty crusty things....grape vines as far as the eye could see.....autumn flowers.....and happy people enjoying their vino!!

I practiced taking pictures
and am so excited to tell you.......that I am taking a photography course at a local college!!!!!!!!!!!
YEEHAAWWWWW....photography also came up plenty in my list!
The perfect way to blend my love of the outdoors and love of being creative!

I hope the course teaches me a few things! I am very excited to take it....can't you tell!!! heehee!!!!

And yes....I truly believe that.....you are always right where you are meant to be......

and I also think ..... that even though you might want something different....like a different career...etc.

It won't happen until you learn what you're supposed to learn from your current situation.

So.....slow down and appreciate right where you are.

Learn to appreciate each situation in your life.

awww....had to throw that one in too!
Because sometimes I forget to be appreciative that I have someone who truly loves me.
It's so easy to become complacent in relationships. I've been really focusing on being more thoughtful and appreciative of my husband. Not always easy to do after almost 10 years of marriage and i'm sure it get even more difficult after 20 years or even 40 years!

In a relationship....
so many quotes or thoughts come to mind that i've been thinking about lately.
Be the change you wish to see.......
You get what you give.....
You can't change anyone but yourself....
Things I always tell others.....

But lately....i've been re-telling myself all of those things.
been trying to be more giving and thoughtful with my husband, with my friends and even with my family:)

Guess what......the more you give of yourself....the more you get back:)

Well I sure hope you have a appreciative and happy weekend!!
Get out there and do something nice:)

"Follow your heart, but be quiet for a while first. Ask questions, then feel the answer. Learn to trust your heart." Unknown

{Happy Little Beach Day}

2011-10-16T18:25:00.002-04:00

Hello there:)

Thanks for all of your kind words on my last post! I appreciate that you would understand if I decide to end my time blogging.
For right now......it is something I completely enjoy and i'll just continue to focus on that! No rules about trying to post 3x a week or make so many crafty things a month or attend a blog conference to try and grow my little blog.....i'll just focus on keeping it a positive expereince that I enjoy!! And hope that you enjoy too:):)

Last weekend we were fortunate enough to enjoy picture perfect weather here in Indiana! And I can tell you that means only one thing to me.......time to head to the beach!!!!!

On Friday night we loaded up the dogs and packed a little cooler and headed straight to the beach! Mt. Baldy to be exact!

I don't know much in life.....but I do know without a doubt....my soul rests when I am in nature!
I feel so relaxed whenever I get to spend a little quality time just soaking up the beauty in nature:)

It always makes me come away feeling rested, rejuvinated and more appreciative of my life!

And I think the girls enjoy it too!!!
L.C. especially....she's a girl after my own heart with a deep love of the beach and the water!
Ruby....she's still not too sure about the water....but she tries:)

I think they were both just so happy to be outside on such a lovely evening!

Even dogs appreciate a little sand between their toes:)

It was just the best evening!

And I am pretty sure I enjoyed it even more knowing that it will be the last warm beach night we will have until next summer.

Sometimes you just have to get out there and enjoy the day!

I was surprised that on such a gorgeous evening their weren't more people soaking in the last bit of "summer" before grouchy ol man winter set in.

But I was thankful that we pretty much had the beach to ourselves!

I tinkered with taking photos.

The girls played on the beach and in the water.

My husband enjoyed a little stone skipping time!

He was pretty good at it too....:):)

I say it all the time....I don't need fancy things whatsoever in life....I just need a little time in nature!

I could probably live in a tent on the beach and be perfectly content.

Well....as long as I had a little vino too, that is:)

I can't think of anywhere else I'd rather be than outside!

And I always come away with a handful of free crafting materials!
I thought these perfect little beach pebbles just need to become something.....so I filled my bag before we left!

I love how the beach pebbles are smoothed by the constant action of the waves. Made me think that sometimes instead of going against something that keeps occuring and is bothering you....just let it be....be like a beach pebble in the sand .....maybe the situation is meant to smooth you out:)

Who knows.....either way....I was just so appreciative to have one more time with my toes in the sand, sunshine on my shoulders and big smile on my face!!!!

Have a super happy and inspired week!

"When you find peace within yourself, you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others." Peace Pilgrim

{Happy Autumn Day}

2011-10-08T09:21:00.000-04:00

Hello...Hello.
How are you today!?!?

Lately i've been sort feeling like i'm at a crossroads.
I've been questioning whether or not to quit blogging.

I absolutely love it.....but sometimes I feel like it takes up so much of my time and wonder if it's really worth continuing.......
That's probably why you've noticed a slow down in my posting.

There are just so many things I want to do and accomplish and it's just hard to keep up with it all.

Like....learning to use my camera.....i'm proud to say....I haven't taken it off the Manual Mode since I got it! But.....it takes MUCH LONGER to get a single decent photograph!

I told myself I would spend 15 minutes each day photographing random things! I am a learn on my own kind of girl....but I wonder if I might need a class or two.

Either way....I am just taking some time to decide what is really most important to me.....so that I can focus and not spread myself too thin.
Know what I mean!?!?!?!

The other day I decided what I really needed was a simple country drive.
Nature...in any form....allows my soul to rest.
Gives my spirit a renewed perspective.

So I loaded the girls {my dogs that is} into the car, turned on a little Garth Brooks {country drives call for country music in my opinion} and started driving!

It was just what I needed.
I found so much beauty in the simplest of things.
And my heart started to feel refreshed and happy.

I allowed myself some time to reflect on all that I am happy and thankful for.

Sometimes just taking a little down time is all you need to clear your mind.

And stopping to talk to cows along the way helps too!

I have no doubt the farmer thought I was nuts as he drove past me standing on the side of the road photographing his cows.

But I think the cows were happy to have a visitor.
They all came up the fence to say "hello!"

Almost made me want to move to farm so that I could have a pet cow!!!!!
I think I would name her Lola.

Haha! So fun to dream right. And really...I wouldn't make a very good farm girl.
On second thought....maybe I would.
I am a dirt rustler....rugged kind of a girl.

You know....I looked up the definition of rugged the other day....because I was using that word in describing my jewelry and I realized that it also fits me as a description.

So maybe....my designs and who I am as a person are starting to flow together.
Maybe that's why I am feeling so right about Simple Daisy lately.
I don't know......but I am much happier with the rustic...ruggedness of my designs.
Rugged....perfectly imperfect...shaped by life's experiences!

Back to the cows...

It was so funny that all the cows were shoving their way up tot he fence to see me:)
and this sweet cow seemed to be saying....wait...come on....let me get up there too...
I was just standing on the side of the road smiling and laughing!
Laughter is so good for you:)

Taking time to just think is so good for your spirit!
Do you take times like that for yourself!?!!??

And never forget......that rules are meant to be broken:)

It's ok to change...grow....as life's experience move you along....just keep focused on the positive and remember that life is just so short.....we can't waste one day doing things that don't bring our hearts joy!

And if we HAVE to do things that don't bring joy...find a way to look at the positives of the situation:)

Have yourselves a very lovely and inspired weekend!!

"It is up to you to decide whether or not you’re ready to be free, really free. This pertains to your relationship as well as your activities in the world. You are limitless, if you choose that! Your freedom comes from letting go. Freedom means empowerment to be, do, go, feel, whatever your heart tells you. Only you have kept yourself from having this freedom out of some misunderstanding of what your responsibilities really are. Your responsibilities are to your Self. Serve that truly, fully, and you serve All." Alma Daniel

Shabby Little Jewelry Holder

2011-09-30T17:41:00.000-04:00

Hello and Happy Friday!! WootWoot:)

I have the winner of the Simple Daisy Ring give-away.....

Yeah for her!!! Be sure and stop by her blog.....The Hairy Peach to say congrats:)

I can't wait to see which ring she picks for herself!!!!

I've been really enjoy creating rings and can't wait to tinker on a few ideas i've had swirling around in my head!!
There really isn't enough time in the day to do all of the things I day dream about:)

For awhile i've been wanting to teach myself how to make my own stamps using my drawings....

Because I love to doodle and I thought they might work on my jewelry designs:)

The stamps turned out so cute!!!! I love them! But I think they are a bit too bit for using with the silver and bronze clay.

This is how the clay looks before I fire it in the kiln! I think the owl is just so darn cute but it's pretty large for a pendant. And I LOVE the horse....and planned on writing......fences are made for those who can't fly.....
but I want to perfect the horse just a bit!

It's so fun just tinkering around teaching myself new things!

My studio is quickly becoming overgrown with jewelry!
And well...plants too:)

But it's my happy space! It's usually quite messy with drawings, doodles and quotes laying around everywhere!

I try to organize.....but it never lasts!
See that driftwood jewelry stand.....I made those awhile ago and love them!

But I needed a way to organize my jewelry on the wall....so that it takes up less counter space.

Here's what I came up with just using what I had lying around!

Sorry for the not so great photos....i'm a little under the weather and just wasn't up for taking a million photos to get nice ones:)

Simple & Cute!

Plus....you can use whatever you happen to have on hand to make your own!!!

And the best part....it can hold a ton of jewelry!!

Ok...well...sure hope you have yourself a wonderful and creative weekend!!!!

“Sometimes you've got to let everything go - purge yourself. If you are unhappy with anything . . . whatever is bringing you down, get rid of it. Because you'll find that when you're free, your true creativity, your true self comes out." Tina Turner

{Simple Daisy Jewelry Give-away}

2011-09-24T18:12:00.000-04:00

Well Hello!!!!
How are you doing on this fine Saturday!?!!?
I should say....it's not really fine in my neck of the woods....rain and dreariness all day.

But guess what....I don't care! The rain "forced" me to stay inside and spend the day working in my little studio!

Have I told you lately just how happy I am?!?
How much I feel like I am really starting to move along the right path!

Every since I've decided to really embrace my Midwestern Spirit.....I feel so much more at home with myself! My jewelry designs reflect that spirit more and more and I for one.....am loving my new direction!

I think good things are sure to come:)
Positive thoughts....right!

but you know what else.....do you know how much I appreciate you for sticking with me throughout my journey! I just love you for that:)
Everytime I get a little down.....you're right there to build me back up!
I can't believe where I started and where I am now.

Everytime I start feeling sensitive about how much I appreciate you {my readers....supporters....cheerleaders} It makes me want to do a little give-away!

WootWoot!!!!!

Guess what else....my logo is finished!
I L.O.V.E. it! I can't say enough about Emily!

Check her out if you need some design work done! She's fabulous:)
Starling Memory

I am also working with her for other design work! Can't wait to see how everything looks when it's all pulled together! And yes....at some point you'll be going through another blog design change!
Change is good sometimes!

If you haven't stopped in my shop lately.........well then you might not know that I have completely switched directions! You won't find many beach inspired pieces but you'll find lots of Soulful...Inspired....Designs!

I just feel like doing a happy dance! It's so much easier to be inspired when you actually look at all the beauty sitting right before your eyes...rather than spend your time dreaming about things you don't have!

It just makes my heart and soul sing to create lovely rustic inspired pieces of jewelry!
And I love that I can inspire others through my designs with my little handwritten messages on many of the pieces:)

Are you inspired!!! :):)

Creativity is contagious.....pass it on. Saw that quote somewhere and loved it:)

All along my heart has been telling me that I should just be happy right where I am!
Being Midwestern isn't all that bad! It's kind of nice actually:)
And there's all kinds of pretty loveliness right in my own backyard.

Might not be the ocean or the mountains....but it's what I have!

No matter who you are or where you live.....it's so important to just embrace who you are:)

I am learning to stop apologizing for myself.
I am a bit of a recluse
I like my wine {sometimes too much}
I love to have my hands dirty
I tend to be opininated
I demand my private time
I am not a big fan of TV but music makes my soul sing
I not a girly kind of girl
I'd roll around in bread and pizza if I could:)

and while I used to tell people...i'm sorry I just.....
Now I just leave out the i'm sorry part! Beacuse i'm not really sorry for who I am:)

And neither should you be

Alrighty then......

The winner will recieve one ring of their choice!!

Here are your choices:)

Pretty fun give-away, I think:)

To enter:)

Stop in Simple Daisy and tell me your favorite piece and why {1 entry}

"Like" Simple Daisy on Facebook

Spread the word and tell me how you did:)

Up to 3 entries per person!!!

Contest will end 9/30/11

Winner will be announced on 10/1/11

Winner will be chosen via Random.org

Feel free to enjoy 20% off your entire purchase from now until 10/1/11

enter

MidwesternSpirit

when you check out:)

I think that covers it!!! Good luck and enjoy:):)
Have a happy, soulful, inspired week!!!!

{The Country Living Fair}

2011-09-18T15:46:00.000-04:00

Well hello there:):)

How was your weekend!?!?!?
Guess where I went.....
Well ...ok...I guess you don't really have to guess....since I showed you in the photo above:)

I went to the Country Living Fair in Columbus, Oh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It was awesome:)

There was so much creativity going on there I just couldn't believe my eyes!

My girlfriend and I went and let me just say.....we were walking around going bananas looking at everything!

If you get the chance to attend....GO!

And call me...i'll meet ya there:)

It was just so happy everywhere!
I really wanted to go just to see what's out there....
you know....see what people are doing and checking out to see if Simple Daisy might ever be a good fit as a vendor at the fair!
And I have to say....I think I would fit right in!

You know....it just feels so right that i've really started to embrace my Midwestern Spirit!
I feel more me...more real....more right where I need to be!

The fair was put together extremely well!

And even more than before...I really aspire to be in the magazine with my Simple Daisy jewelry or at the fair as a vendor! How amazing would that be!

And you know what.....maybe I really am starting to head in the right direction...

because while we were walking around the fair....

guess who I saw?!?!

Sarah Gray Miller.....the Editor in Chief of the magazine!

I knew it was her because I read every last page of that magazine every time it arrives in my mailbox and so I knew what she looked like!

My friend gave me the courage to walk up to her and introduce myself!

And I told her about Simple Daisy and gave her a card!

I think i'll follow up by sending her a special little piece of jewelry:)

Good idea, yes!?!?!?

How can you be turned down if you never try:)

Good things don't just magically happen....you have to get out there and make them happen for you:)

Never be afraid of following your dreams! What do you have to lose!

Anywho....I was just so happy and inspired to be there!
So much amazingness all in one place.
The next one is in Atlanta and i've already been checking flights to see about going:)
Probably won't happen...but if you get the chance to go....you should!

You know....I really believe you are who you surround yourself with!
And I sure feel blessed to have a very small handful of girlfriends that support me, motivate me and help me keep moving in the direction of my dreams!

My girlfriend even doused herself in her Simple Daisy jewels.....just in case we ran into anyone from the magazine!! And we did:)

Always surround yourself with people who lift you up....if they don't...move past them!

I have to say...what I enjoyed the most was the way everything was displayed! It was just amazing!

The whole day was spent ....
Oh my goodness....look at this...wow...
walking into each other....
and just plain saying how happy we were:)

And after the fair we treated ourselves to a fabulous wine and dinnertime in downtown Columbus, OH!
Now that's a midwestern town i'll be visiting again!

I had to just crack up at that photo above......just look at how short I am! I am barely above the table. haha:):)
We were trying to re-take the photo with me trying to sit up taller and just cracking up! I can't help it....i'm short:)

I love to know if you've been to the Country Living Fair before!?!?!?

Have a super fabulous and oh so happy week:)

"All my life I had been looking for something, and everywhere I turned someone tried to tell me what it was. I accepted their answers too, though they were often in contradiction and even self-contradictory. I was naïve. I was looking for myself and asking everyone except myself questions which I, and only I, could answer. It took me a long time and much painful boomeranging of my expectations to achieve a realization everyone else appears to have been born with: that I am nobody but myself." ~Ralph Ellison, "Battle Royal"

{autumn inspired decorating}

2011-09-11T19:54:00.000-04:00

Well hello there:)

How are you doing on this Sunday evening!?!?

I don't know about you but I thought a lot about 9.11 today and it really made even think to myself just how precious life is and that we can't waste one day not appreciating it.

Sometimes we get caught up in the day to day grind....

and life can get pretty stressful.

but just stop and think about how stressful that day was when it happened 10 years ago.

think about all that the families who have lost someone go through.

No matter what is going on in life........the important to remember is that we have one.

Thanks for letting me share a feeling:)

If you came to dinner or spent any amount of time with me ...

you'd know....I like to share feelings:)

I say to my friends...come on let's share a feeling.

I say it at work....ok....let's say one nice feeling about the person sitting to your right.

Yes...some people...ok many people...think i'm nuts.

But I don't care....I don't think people today share their feelings enough.

So go ahead....share a feeling with me today:)

Ok...fine...enough about feelings.

This weekend my husband was out of town for the whole weekend on a golf trip.

Do you sense a bit of giddiness in my tone!?!?

Well you're right! I LOVE it when my husband leaves for a little bit!

Don't get me wrong...I adore him...

but just as much as I adore him...I adore my time alone!

This weekend while he was away....

I nurtured my creative spirit:)

I spent the weekend creating Simple Daisy happiness and

I redecorated ...including painting the walls...of our dining room!

He'll be surprised:)

And even more surprised to know he'll be laying hardwood floors in the weeks to come:)

Of course...I had to pour myself a nice glass of vino before I got to the task at hand.
Painting walls and drinking wine can be very interesting:)

Anywho...I've just been wanting a cozier feeling in the dining room....a relaxed, comfortable feeling.

So I switched everything up...
bought new curtains, a curtain rod {that's too small}, a new light fixture, a simple jute rug, plates {need chargers}, napkins....and painted the walls!
Now I just need pillows for the backs of the chairs!!
Maybe i'll find some next weekend at the Country Living fair! So excited to go:)

I love...love...love it! It's so cozy in there now! And the chalkboard wall....well i've wanted to do that since we bought the home 6 or so years ago!! I finally did it...and I couldn't be happier:)I have chalkboard walls everywhere else in my home....so why not in the dining room:)

Now I can write happy little reminders to myself....whenever I feel like it!

It's kind of hard to tell in photographs just how happy and cozy it looks now! But trust me....it looks pretty nice:) Hope my husband likes it! He'll be home later this evening:)

And I just freehand painted this little sign....C'est la vie!! Such is life! How true is that:)

Ah well......such is life! Fits for just about any situation!

So there you have it....a little autumn inspired cozy decorating inspiration:)

Simple and happy!

And it will be even more happy when I finish.....

Have a lovely, happy, inspired and creative week:)

"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on." Robert Frost

{vintage:shabby:beachy:decor}

2011-09-06T21:43:00.000-04:00

Hello and Happy Tuesday...wish it was Friday:)

How was your Labor day!?!?!!?! We had family and friends over for a gathering and that was pretty nice!
I love to have gatherings....gatherings and dinner parties.....my two favorite things:)

I finally got around to painting the vintage steamer trunk I bought a month or two ago!!

I L.O.V.E. how it turned out:)
And I think it's just perfect in our bedroom!

I couldn't help myself with the "La Mer" ...french for the sea:)
I thought it was much cuter than if I would have painted "Indiana" on it:) heehee!

I may be embracing my Midwestern spirit...but I am not about to go around painting Indiana on my things:)

I love how the bedroom is shaping up...it's just so light and happy in there! Like flowers in a field happy:)
OK fine...those aren't flowers....they are the broccoli that I let bolt because I never got around to picking it out of my garden! Who knew broccoli made such pretty little flowers! And the bees and the butterflies have been more than thankful that I never picked my broccoli:)

And I still need to get photographs in the frames....just haven't gotten around to doing it yet:)

My sweet girl L.C. can't get on the bed anymore:( She's accepted it and i've made her a super comfy spot on the floor...pillows, blankets, her bones...I think she feels like she's in a camp out every evening she goes to bed!

And by evening...I do mean evening! She's like a little old lady.....she gets fed up with the day and happily retires herself to her spot in our bedroom at around 7pm every evening. Owell...at least she's happy:)

And Ruby...well Ruby is still a wrecking ball! She has to be involved in everything. No privacy....I should have named her Shadow:)

Thank goodness she doesn't chew anymore! She practically tore our entire house to shreds....ok...not the whole house but every pair of shoes, every blanket and every single pillow was destroyed!

and no we didn't crate train her when she was a baby...she was a rescue dog and she was terrified of crates! She barked so much that the neighbors complained and that was with the windows closed!
They said she never stopped barking the whole day! Now that was I call persistent!

Either way...she's fine now and we love her:)

I just love the trunk...not a bad purchase for only $40.00:) I love bargains! And now it looks even cuter ....painted white and scuffed up:) Yes!?!?!?

Yes....I always have fresh flowers next to my side of the bed.....they make me happy when I first open my eyes in the morning:)
Are you a fresh flowers kind of person!?!?!?

Well there you have it....a little peek into my world:)
ps...i'd love cute curtains in our bedroom but I have 2 words for you.....
dog hair!

I try to have as little fabric as possible in my home:)

Hope you have a great rest of your week!

oh and ps...
thank you for all of your kind words on my last post:)
I even got quite a few e-mails! So nice to know we all go through the same things:):)
I really do appreciate....from the bottom of my heart....your kind words! Thank you:)

Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself. ~Harvey Fierstein

{Fabulous Friday: Horseback Riding}

2011-09-02T06:05:00.002-04:00

Hello and happy Friday!
Giddy up.....it's going to be a great day!

At least that's what I'm telling myself today:)

Do you remember the "embracing my Midwestern spirit" post!?!?!

Well.....lately I have been really focused on complaining less and having acceptance in my heart more.

I've always been the dreaming of moving away to the ocean girl...
the....why do I live in the Midwest girl....
the...I hate winter girl....

but you know what............I am most definitely...
the....I love my husband girl......and he's NOT moving:)

So this past summer...I started to really search my soul....
think long and hard about who I am....
what I like....
what it is that I want out of life...

Do you ever have those little times in your life!?!??!?

Well....
I started to look around at all that I am blessed with....
and all that the Midwest is...
and I started to think....growing up I used to love this place...
I love the lakes and fishing...
I love the greenery...
I love the flowers that we have.....{you don't get peonies to grow in your yard in the south}
I love Lake Michigan
I love the seasons
I love the friends I have and I love my life here.

OK...I'm not going to lie...I don't love January....but you know what...I used to be quite a skier! I love skiing, in fact:) Maybe i'll try it again this winter.....

but I really started to think about not wishing my life away .....but focusing more on the here and now and what can I appreciate that I have right here.

Some of you may have noticed....
I have started to change the focus of Simple Daisy....the blog and the jewelry....

I am moving towards embracing who I really am.....right here and right now....
Less about dreaming of the sea ..
Not that I don't dream of the sea:) Trust me......I think I "plan" a beachy vacation just about every chance I get!! Who cares if we only ever take one or two of them.....planning is the fun part, right:)

And I probably should say....I'm sorry if I am confusing you by switching things up....but I'm not.
Growing and changing is a natural part of life:)

I still L.O.V.E. the beach and all of my beachy blogger friends!
Hello
Sealaura.....I wouldn't ever be sad if she invited me to stay at her place:)
Or Completely Coastal....still my major source of all things beachy inspiration!!
And the Nautical Cottage blog.....major ocean crushes going on there:)

It's just that to make sense of my life....I had to move away from constantly wanting something that's not going to happen.....
and had to start focusing on what is here and real:)

I am starting to think a whole lot more about Simple Daisy and where I want to take the "brand," my jewelry, the blog....the whole thing!

My number 1 focus is still.....creating full time for a living:)
How that will look....I don't know:)
I am scatter brained.....I admit it! One minute it's a shop...the next minute it's an on-line boutique....a week from now it's just my jewelry:)

Either way...I am 100% sure that when the time is right Simple Daisy will be my full time job but right now I am enjoying life and just enjoying finding my creative spirit!

And I am ok with the fact that my jewelry is taking on an inspired bohemian vibe.
Because...well....I like to wear little inspirational reminders on my wrist or neck all day long!
And truth be told....I wear my jewelry....every.single.day....and it helps me every time I look at a little quote i've handwritten on a piece!
My jewelry is complete a reflection of me! It's like music that a musician looks back on......I hope to one day see my life, my journey and the path i've travelled through my jewlery:)

And I hope to inspire others with my jewelry along the way:)

Live a life of balance is the one i'm getting the use of right at this moment:)

Sorry new readers for being long winded:)

I like to share feelings.....because most of the time....I think we're all going through the same things in life and can help one another!

Long time readers....well you already know i'm long winded!!

I really just wanted to share because every since I've taken a different road my on my blog.....

comments have gone down......and now....I know...this shouldn't matter.....

but it does...

it makes me nervous

I wear my heart on my sleeve...what can I say!!

Maybe it's just the new direction i'm moving.

Either way....part of embracing my midwestern spirit is to get out there and try somethings i've never done before.

HORSEBACK RIDING is one of them:)

I've ridden "barely" once or twice

and volunteered many years ago at

Loveway Theraputic Horseback Riding for Children with Special Needs

Let me tell you....talk about a humbling experience...

I worked with a group of boys from a local orphanage.

I didn't even know we had orphanages in our area.

We do........and I will never forget it!

It really touched me that the children I worked with didn't even have homes or families to go home to!

I am a big...big....big fan of volunteering and someday when life slows down for me...I will again:)

But anyway....I decided to take horseback riding lessons from a really sweet girl I work with!!!

I say girl...but she's really a woman.....so am I {i'll be 37 this year} but for some reason...girl always sounds better:)

She started me off with Nelly!!!

A simple and very sweet horse...but I'm not going to lie....I was still completely nervous and Nelly knew it:)

Horses have an amazing ability to sense the rider!
they know if your nervous and inexperienced:)
Let's just say....Nelly had her own agenda! But I am proud to say that by the end of the lesson....Nelly's agenda and my agenda became one in the same!

I may not be used to horses....but I am a pretty good dog trainer and I can mean business when I need to:)

I really think it's just sooooooooo important to get out there and try new things!
You never what you are going to take away from the experience!

I learned that I might just love riding horses ....
I am sort of a dirt rustler kind of a girl..
Never perfectly put together and there's always some kind of stain on my clothes...usually wine:)
so I think horses might fit in perfectly with me:)

Not that I will want to own one....maybe lease one in the future...who knows!

It's just good to broaden your horizons:):)

And getting out there and experiencing new things is helping me appreciate where I live even more!
It's my home and I am ok with that:)

Trying new things has definitely taken me in new directions with my designs! I am so inspired by so many different things! I love the spirit of horses! I love watching them and seeing how intelligent they are.
I love seeing how free they look just running around being happy!

Just being at her horse farm {is that what you call it!?!?!} for the morning made me think of so many things!This sweet little baby horse {colt or a filly} I'm not sure....
It was learning so many things! This was it's first time being tied up to get groomed! The look on it's face....priceless!!
Isn't that how we feel when we experience new situations! Scared...apprehensive...nervous....but then we realize....it's all going to be ok!

I love that she had her baby with her as we rode!!! He was just so sweet and yet so naughty to his mommy:)
He kept ramming into us.....neighing....and just running around! Scared the heck outta me.....but I loved it too! It was so fun to watch Nelly trying to tell her offspring what to do...while trying to listen to me...who didn't know which reign to pull or which side to kick! Poor horse!
And I talked to her ....apologizing the whole way! Maybe she thought I was nuts! I better bring her fresh carrots next week:)

all in all.....it was just such a fun experience and I can't wait to go again!!!!

So get out there and experience something new!!!!!
I want to hear all about it!!!!!

Now it's your turn to share your "something" fabulous for Friday!
Oh....and please share my button on your blog post if you don't mind:)

{vintage inspired cuff bracelets: DIY}

2011-08-26T00:01:00.003-04:00

Hello!

guess what....it's FRIDAY!!! And you know what that means......it's FABULOUS FRIDAY....time to spread a little fabulousness around the little blogosphere!

I had leather cuff bracelets on my list of things to make for Simple Daisy....but then ... I realized there are a million and one people already making them out there......so I shelved that idea.....and moved onto to other ideas with leather!!
But I thought this idea was just too simple to not share with you:):)

Do you remember when I showed you how to make little fabric rosettes!?!?!

Oh..ok...maybe I didn't "exactly" show you....but I lead you in the direction of some fabulous tutorials!!

alright...fine...turns out I didn't do that either...
so here you go:)

Well....I thought those little rosettes would be so cute on hand-died leather cuffs!!

You don't have to die the leather....but I choose to.....that way I could get the perfect turquoise leather that's all scuffed up and roughed up!!!

Leather cuffs....from here

leather die.....from here

E6000 glue to glue your things on with

Sandpaper to scuff 'em up.

The skies the limit to what you can do with these!

I am not too much into the feather craze {maybe if I was 16 and at the local fair} but if you are.....

you could glue feathers all over these!!! I think would be just about the only way i'd wear feathers!

No dangling feathers off my ears but a feather cuff bracelet.....maybe!

Well and the new feather bracelet I will be adding to my shop:) Molded from a blue jay feather I found while mowing!!!

Oh and while it wouldn't be my style.....my sweet friend at work is making these fabulous feather headbands!!! In case you're interested:)

How about you......are you into the feather craze or just patiently waiting for it to pass!?!?!?

But really......glue until your hearts content!!!

And if you find yourself making too many.....wellllllll......just give them away!

Christmas is just around the corner!! haha:)

and then have a little fun with your cute little bracelets.....

Life is just too short to take yourself seriously:)

and now I am seriously realizing.....my hair is just sad:(
I am trying to completely grow out the color to see what i'm actually working with....
I am tired of the bleached out....over processed....have to go to the salon every 6 weeks look!
I "trying" to move towards a more natural....relaxed ....maybe even a little bohemian with beachy waves look:)

Probably never get there.....but at least I have a vision:):)

And I just threw a few random images of the girls in there.....you know by now...they have to be 100 included into everything I do!

I saved the vintage buckles from the leather on my trunk and am thinking Ruby needs a super cute new leather color with turquoise happiness embellishments! Maybe this weekend:) Or maybe next year:)

Ok well that's a little sprinking of my fabulousness......so let's see what you're up to!!!!
Happy Friday:)

&lt;a href="http://www.simpledaisy.blogspot.com/">&lt;img border="2" width="215" src="http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/9332/fabulousfriday.jpg" height="185" />&lt;/a>&lt;br />&lt;br />&lt;br />

{Shared on The Shabby Nest}
"Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking."
~ by Marcus Aurelius

{Fabulous Friday}

2011-08-19T06:27:00.002-04:00

Hello everyone!!!

Guess what.....it's FRIDAY!!!
wootwoot!!
I just get so darn excited about Fridays! I love them...live for them....and wake up every Friday morning doing a happy dance!
Sure doesn't take much to make me happy!!!

Do you remember last week.... I mentioned that I wanted to start doing a Fabulous Friday party as well as a little something special for you on my facebook page:)
For this week.............
I thought it would be fun to learn a little something about a blogger I just adore!!

Sooooo......I'd like to welcome.........
Michelle from Emerald Cove!
She is always up to something creative and i'm just so inspired by her:)

ps....stop on by her blog....she's doing a Simple Daisy give-away and offering 20% off your purchase of Simple Daisy jewelry with the code.....EMERALD20

drum roll please.................
*~*~*~***~*~*~~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~~~***~~**~*~*~*~*~~*~~

Hello to you!!
My name is Michelle and I am from Emerald
Cove and
I am SO very excited to be a guest of Heathers today!!
I adore Heather and her blog, she is always so darn creative and so positive
and teaches us to look at the bright side of things even when we feel like
running away.

I was first drawn to Simple Daisy because Heather lives in the Midwest and
LOVES the beach and Lake Michigan as much as I do!

We do not live too far from each other and I had the pleasure of meeting her
last month at a local flea market and we have plans to meet up again at the
end of this month!

I wanted to share with you some of the things that I love about living by
Lake Michigan and even though I dream of living one day on the East Coast
around Cape Cod or even Nantucket,

Source:
http://pinterest.com/pin/28766285/

there are so many amazing things about Michigan.

I love how Lake Michigan is so open and seems endless like the ocean.
The amazing sand dunes to climb and explore.

The gorgeous sunsets that paint our skies every night.

The fresh water lakes that are scattered all over that fill our summer days
with sunshine and children's laughter.

Sandy shorelines and sparkling water.

Like Heather, I also love to craft with the beautiful treasures that the
lake gives us.
I LOVE DRIFTWOOD!!
ALOT!!!

I started this driftwood shark for my sons room

Lot's-o-driftwood!!

I also love creating things that remind me of my favorite places.
This is a local newspaper of my most favorite place on earth,
Glen Lake.

I used it along with some empty clam shells from Glen Lake to make this

I also made the little driftwood candle holder from the driftwood that I
found this summer while we were there.

And of course I love to surround myself with images and memories.

This is my grandma and her sister at Glen Lake so long ago.
We still go to this very spot.

My very favorite photo of my daughter on Glen Lake as well as gifts from
dear friends.

Everything about these photos makes me smile and to surround myself with the
things that are near and dear to my heart is what makes my home.

Michigan is so beautiful with the changing seasons, so much to see and
explore,
(although ask me what I feel about it come February)
and even with the snow and winters, it is definitely worth going through to
get to the summer and fall.

Thank you so much Heather for me letting share the things that I love, I
hope you all enjoyed.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Hope you enjoyed learning a little something about Michelle!!! I think we can all learn so much from one another:)
Have a wonderful and inspired weekend!!

Now it's your turn to share your "something" fabulous for Friday!
Oh....and please share my button on your blog post if you don't mind:)

{Vintage Shopping Weekend}

2011-08-15T20:48:00.000-04:00

Hello...hello Happy Monday!!!!

Have you noticed issues with the comments on your blogs?!?!!? I know i've tried to stop by many of them and I am not able to comment:( It just keeps taking me back to sign in....i've e-mailed some of you to let you know.....but was just curious if you are able to comment on mine???

Also...do you find the new lay-out ok?? Is it too boring or confusing?? Just wondering!!

Onto the post.....
How was your weekend!?!?!?

We spent the weekend town hoping along the Lake Michigan coast...
Three Oaks, MI
New Buffalo, MI
Michigan City, MI

I found a ton of happy little shops and I spent my time talking my husbands's ear off and tinkering around with my camera:)

I found so many perfect things in these shops.....
Just look at that simple artwork! A daisy out of bottle caps. Simple and cute!

And I love this....
the real....play by play of our "date day!"
You know I like to keep it real for you:)

Like I say....it's not always rainbows and butterflies!

Poor guy! I probably drive him crazy with all of my ideas:)
But really he is supportive and I am lucky for that:)

ps.....we were eating at Bartletts!! The cutest place! If you're in the area.....it's a must enjoy!

Don't you just love Bartlett's sign!! A deer drinking beer! Perfect:)
And their t-shirts say....it's beer season.

Anywho...a few more finds from the shops we stopped into.

And the best score of all!!!!!!!!!!!

So what do you think??? All turquoise or turquoise & white!?!?!?!?

Oh and be sure to stop by Emerald Cove on Wednesday for a little surprise!!!!!

"He who works with his hands is a laborer.
He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman.
He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist."
St. Francis of Assisi

{Fabulous Friday}

2011-08-12T10:04:00.002-04:00

Hello and Happy Friday!!
Don't you just love Fridays!! I think they are the best:)

I thought it would be kind fun to start a fabulous friday party on Friday's!

On my facebook page....i'll have something special for you going on....today it's 15% off your purchase in my shop!!

And here I thought it would be fun to have a little linky party:)

I thought I would share what i've been tinkering around with.

but you have to promise.....not to laugh:)

I've been tinkering around with mixed media art!

I am not an artist and I won't claim to be one....
if you want to see beautiful artwork her are some talented ladies.....

Artfully Graced
Seawashed Studio

But I do like to try new things.....it's how I think one can grow as a person!

It's not perfect....but it's perfectly me:)
Maybe a little second grade....but that's ok.
I had fun tinkering around and even bought a couple books to learn a little about mixed media art:)

ps....these were all done before my books arrived:)

I think as long as you are out there exploring...trying new things...learning.....you are growing!
Those experiences help shape and define who you are:)

Even things as simple as shells glued to a canvas can be "art"
At least I think so:)

It's an expression of what makes me happy!
Shells and simpleness!

I plan to hang this in my spare bedroom....when and if we ever get it finished! Might be next year sometime:)

I love simple things the best...
but every once in awhile .... I like a little crazy chaos sprinkled in:)

Craziness makes me feel alive:)
Doing new things makes me feel alive:)

How about you........what makes you feel alive?!?!?!?

Ok....now let's see what fabulous things you have going on this Friday:):)

Oh and if you don't mind.....share my button on your post:)!! Thanks!

“Don't fear failure so much that you refuse to try new things. The saddest summary of a life contains three descriptions: could have, might have, and should have." Unknown

{recycled daisies}

2011-08-04T20:35:00.004-04:00

Hello!!
How are you!!?!?!?

I've been super busy with Simple Daisy orders.....yeah!!!! But not so busy that I couldn't do a little craft project:)

Have you seen my vintage truck braclet!?!!? Well this is this inspiration behind that bracelet!!

I love vintage trucks and dream of having my very own someday:)
but for today....i'll just enjoy tinkering around with this little vintage truck I got at the flea market!!

Anywho....i've done things in metal before....like the metal starfish.....metal chalkboards.....and a few other metal things...
I was thinking I would make metal daisies out of galvanized metal I had sitting around in my studio.....but I was getting super frustrated trying to cut it.

That's when.....I just finished a diet sprite {bad...I know but diet sprite is a secret indulgence}...I thought to myself....why not just use the metal from the can to make the daisies!!
The perfect recycle project!!
Recycled Daisies:):)

I think they are just adorable:)
Just be sure to be super careful when your cutting the cans! They are sharp!

I hammered them on the concrete and scuffed up the paint
to give them a rustic kind of effect!

You can do just about anything with these sweet little daisies....I am thinking....wreaths...daisy chains.....
all kinds of happy little things!

Sometimes things don't have to be expencsive to be cute:)

I think they will look pretty cute in my garden too......if only my garden looked nice!! I think i've decided that I am just not vegetable garden material:)
Next year........cutting garden instead!!

Ok! Well there you have it a simple little craft to keep you busy this weekend:)

Now I have to get back to filling orders:) Have a super wonderful weekend!!!

"You must enshrine in your hearts the spiritual urge towards light and love, Wisdom and Bliss."

Sri Sathya Sai Baba

{embracing my midwestern spirit}

2011-08-01T09:38:00.001-04:00

Good Morning!!!
Happy Monday to you!!!

What a whirlwind weekend it was:)

Lately....I have decided that instead of wishing and hoping and dreaming that I would move away from the Midwest.....I have decided to spend more time embracing my Midwestern roots!

I am after all....corn bred....corn fed....corn raised...100% a Midwesterner:):)

So in true Midwestern spirit we spent lots of time outdoors this weekend...
I went boating on the river with friends....fishing with my husband....and attended a flea market!
It was a fabulous weekend and made me happy that we have such beautiful summers here!

Now ....make sure you remind me of this post in ....let's say.....January:):)

A quick video of our boating! I wanted to make a nice video with music....but I just can't get the hang of how to yet...

I love that I have to tell my husband to smile:):) heehee!! He really is nice....I promise!! He just thinks i'm nuts!! The music is from a band that was playing on shore!!

Fishing....

something I used to love but haven't done in years!

So I got determined and made it happen!

Now if you knew my husband....well...he likes to think that everything is just too much hassle and will moan and complain about doing it and then later thank me for pressing the issue!!

This was no different....

complain....complain....complain....

then we get out to this very private lake.....not many people even know about it....

and we start fishing.

I am quiet just doing my fishing thing and next thing I hear is

"well honey, like always I am glad you pressed the issue about going fishing.....this is great"

"I know" ... I say:):)

It was spectacular!! Birds everywhere....just quiet peacefulness.
I love nature.....being in nature...being still and very quiet is very spiritual for me:)
I know when my soul needs a little nature!

We didn't catch a darn thing...not even a nibble! But it was totally worth it!

I had a few Summer Shandys....no wine....for some reason I just don't think wine and fishing go together!!

Beer and fishing....now that is 100% Midwestern....haha!!!!!

I didn't even let my husband canoe 1x! I just found it much easier to do it myself! Plus....that's how I can get him to come out and do it again! See honey.....you didn't even have to work that hard!
We went through 3 smaller lakes and so....i'd say I got quite a workout that day:):)

My heart was just so happy that day:)

Then....on Sunday....we went up to a flea market in Allegan County!!

I got to meet up with two blog friends!!!

Laurie of Heaven's Walk
and
Michelle of Emerald Cove
They were just so sweet and very pretty I might add:)

I was so nervous to meet them!! The whole drive up there....I was driving my husband nuts....
should I put my hair up or leave it down...
is it ok to chew gum...
do you think this outfit is ok.....
what if they don't like me.....

haha!!! I just decided I am who I am....simple as that!!!

And it turned out great!!! They were just lovely and we plan to meet up again!!! Yippee!!!!

If you're in the area....be sure to check out this flea market/antique show!!
So much loveliness!

I left with this truck and a big vintage trunk!!!!
Yeah....score:):)

I have been searching for one of these super cute little trucks FOREVER and one day....I will have a life sized one:):)

I saw a couple turquoise vintage campers.....dreamy!!!!

All in all it was a completely fabulous weekend that made me thankful to be a Midwesterner:)

ps......thank you for all of your kind words on {my mother} post! Sometimes I think it's nice to be open and share real feelings so that we can all learn from one another!

I was nice to know that i'm not alone and that I might have helped other reconnect with their mothers!!!

Oh and....what do you think of my blog re-do!!!!!! I am very happy with it! I just wanted to have it cleaned up and streamlined a bit! I think it turned out just great!! But more importantly.....what do you think!?!!?

"See if you can catch yourself complaining in either speech or thought, about a situation you find yourself in, what other people do or say, your surroundings, your life situation, even the weather. To complain is always nonacceptance of what is. It invariably carries an unconscious negative charge. When you complain, you make yourself a victim. Leave the situation or accept it. All else is madness. ~Eckhart Tolle

{My Mother}

2011-07-29T10:17:00.000-04:00

Hello and Happy Friday!!!

Yesterday I went and did a workout with my mom at Grand Mere State Park!!

She hired a trainer that does outside fitness and well....you know how much I love to workout! I thought...now that's something I could do with her to be supportive!

Truth be told.....

We've had a very strained relationship....
I had a very difficult childhood and I held a lot of anger in my heart towards my mom for that.

I won't get into all the details but I can guarantee you....we would make it on the Jerry Springer show if we shared our story!

Anywho....plus over the years I've really felt that mom just let herself go.....and it really bothered me.
Why should I let it affect me....I don't know....it just did.

We hadn't talked or spent anytime together for years....I sort of went my way and she went hers....
I always just felt like she was a real whack job....sorry just being honest. I just couldn't understand where she was coming from with her life choices.
but I never asked either.

Recently...my girlfriends and I were chatting about our mothers and they were saying how much they like my mom.....I couldn't believe it...I was like...."really??" So...they coaxed me into inviting her over to a few gatherings and we all chatted.

As we were all talking......so many feelings were just welling up inside of me...anger...resentment...sadness...confusion.....and I just thought to myself...it's now or never....
I just have to get some of the questions answered...I just have to understand where she's coming from.

So with my girlfriends acting as therapists...we went back and forth...

And as tears rolled down my mothers face and I sat there and listened to her life story....I just couldn't believe my ears....how much pain she has endured in her life....every decision she made that angered me...made perfect sense...

Here sitting before me was the most beautiful woman ...with a spirit and a soul that would surpass most people i'd ever known. I never knew.

I realized that as a woman myself...no longer a child...I could move past the hurt and anger and really open my heart and be a true friend to my mother.
I realized that all she's ever wanted out of life was to be loved...truly loved...
Deep down...isn't that all we ever really want out of life......
We want people to love us:)

So as of late....I've made a real effort to open my heart...to let go....and to be a real friend to my mother.
She doesn't have girlfriends....
and so instead of feeling embarrassed of her...mad at her or just not understanding her...
I decided to just open my heart up and see what happens!

All we can do is go up from here.

I realize that she is a survivor.
And all of her qualities that drive me insane....are in me too.

She has recently embarked on a weight loss journey and when she told me about her personal trainer...I thought...well I could do that! I love...love...love fitness and working out!
I could be someone who could really support her in this journey!

And so I went to one of her sessions:)
Open heart and all.

I realized that her trainer liked her...laughed at her ....and truly enjoyed her...
I thought to myself....what have I been missing out on.

I realized I could be her biggest supporter.
Instead of holding my own feelings of negativity inside...
I could set them free and just be there for someone else.

And when we're out and about and people make fun of her because she's a large lady pounding down the french fries...I can get out of my seat...walk over and punch them in the face...(no not really).
But I won't spend my days feeling embarrassed or not understanding anymore...
I will realize that everyone is fighting their own battle....and I can love her just as she is:)
Plus...i've been known to pound down the french fries when i'm feeling depressed.....i'm not perfect....no one is.

She has lost 40lbs already...by the way!

I now choose to be my mom's supporter...cheerleader...friend.
I know our relationship may never be perfect....we aren't perfect.
But at least we are starting to have one again:)

Anywho....it was a fabulous time!! We laughed and got our sweat on .....and I just felt really, really proud of my mom!

If you're in the area.....
check out Nature's Fitness!!
It's awesome!! How can you go wrong gettin' your sweat on in nature!

Thanks for letting me share a feeling! I really do believe we all have so much to learn from one another:)
Have a fabulous Friday!

Follow the path of the unsafe, independent thinker. Expose your ideas to the dangers of controversy. Speak your mind and fear less the label of 'crackpot' than the stigma of conformity. And on issues that seem important to you, stand up and be counted at any cost.
~Thomas J. Watson

{Oyster Shell Wreath}

2011-07-24T09:25:00.003-04:00

Good Sunday Morning to you!!!

Each day really is up to you! Why not start your day off right from the moment you open your eyes in bed!
It's going to be a great day! Each day is a gift and it's up to us to do what we want with it:):)

It's been hot...hot...hot here and I couldn't be happier!
Well....it's been a little too hot to go outside and run or ride my bike....so i've spent a little more time at the gym this summer than I usually do. Owell....at least i'm still getting my workouts in!

Since I haven't been riding as much....i'm not sure how far i'll get in the Apple Cider ride in September.
Last year I made it to 76 miles and was hoping to do 100 miles this year....it's not going to happen:((

but you know what....it's ok! I'll just do my best and forget the rest! Right!?!?!?
And to tell you the truth...i've found a little more balance to my workouts this summer!
I love goals...don't get me wrong...I am a super goal oriented kind of girl....and I do kind of feel guilty not training for the 100 mile bike ride.....
But I also love that I can actually enjoy my workouts and not feel stuck because i'm training for something!

OK....enough about that......

I still have tons of oyster shells left over from our trip to Edisto Island!!

It was so fun collecting the shells on the beach.....
I was a collecting fool:)
My husband was laughing as I was scurrying around collecting shells that most folks down there throw in the trash....
but I say....one person's trash is another's treasure:)

I'm not sure where this cute little wreath will go....maybe in the spare bedroom that we are slowly re-doing!
Remember.....beachy frenchy is the look i'm going for:)
soft and warm greys...creams...simple and pretty:)

Maybe by next year i'll have it all done!! haha:)

I love the random pattern of this wreath!
By now you know I like things perfectly...imperfect!

And so I just glued the shells on this wreath all willie nillie......

Kind of as if they were all still scattered along the beach:)

How can you go wrong with burlap!?!?
It goes perfectly with the beachy simple feel of the wreath!

I probably won't keep the burlap...but it didn't hurt to try!!

Have a fabulous day wherever you're at!!!!
I am hoping to talk my husband into a little beach day:):)

~Heather

"Happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same." Francesca Reigler

{dog days of summer}

2011-07-17T10:01:00.000-04:00

Hello and Happy Sunday to you!!!

Recently I was interviewed by Diane of In My Own Style....you can stop on over and read the interview here......
Thanks Diane.....i've had new readers stop over and say "hello!" So fun to "meet" new people!!

Welcome new friends!!
And hello to all of my friends.....

It's hot..hot..hot here! dog days of summer, I say!! And i'm not complaining!!!

I love summer...no surprise to you:)
The other day I decided my husband I should have date day!! {code for taking the dogs to the beach and watching the sunset}

So funny because almost every time we try and do this....it's starts out with a bickerment! Just being honest:)

I am in a rush to get to the beach....the dogs are going crazy jumping all around.....my husband is just walking in the door from work and I am saying...come on, come on, come on....hurry up....
well one thing leads to another and we're in a full blown bickerment.....all while trying to get ready for a nice date day!!!

After about 20 minutes in the car with no talking....I just start laughing....
By now...I know it happens every time I try to plan a special time:)
I accept it...laugh and move on so that we can have a nice time!!!

Does that ever happen to you!?!?!?
In the excitement to have a really nice time......making sure you grab everything....tensions run high!! haha!!!!

Just thought I should share the reality:)
It's not always rainbows and butterflies......but it's still pretty nice:):)

It's all worth it though....
I love the beach so much....

My heart is just so happy at the sight of water.
The sound...the scent...birds flying overhead...sun glistening on the water...
it all just leaves my heart feeling full with simple bliss:)

I tell you ...I am like a kid at Christmas morning when I get to the beach!
It sure doesn't take much to make me happy......

I can tell you for certain....the best things in life are free!!!!

I'm not into fancy things.....just into finding beauty in the simplest things in life.

I am reminded every time I spend alone time with my husband just how lucky we are!
bickering or not.....I feel blessed to have my best friend also be my husband:)

I think it's so important to have an open heart in life.
Open your heart: to people...to simple things in life....to the beauty of each and every day!

And the girls love the beach so much!
Especially L.C.
Strange for a German Shepard....that dog absolutely loves the water!!!

I am facing the fact that my girl is getting old....she really struggled to walk to the beach...her hips are bad but I just knew she would so thankful once we reached the water!!!!
And she was!!!
She ran around like a little puppy!!! It was so cute and made my heart so happy.
I know our time is limited....and I trust she will let me know when she's had enough...but for today....I am just going to soak up every minute I have left with her...hair and all:)

My Ruby girl...now that's another story!
I am not sure if she keeps L.C. feeling young...or if she overly tires L.C. out!
Ruby is full...full...full of energy and excitement!

She shows me everyday how to be happy about the simplest things in life...
Show her the leash and you'd see what I mean!
You'd think she just hit the lottery:)

How can that not be contagious!

All in all....it was a fabulous summer evening!
And living in the Midwest...trust me....you really learn to appreciate a warm, beautiful summer evening!

I sure hope you have a very wonderful Sunday afternoon!!!
It's going to be a hot one here today....and I LOVE it:):)

Have a great day!!!
~Heather

"Life holds so many simple blessings, each day bringing its own individual wonder."
John McLeod

{a happy day}

2011-07-11T22:07:00.003-04:00

Hello & how are you on this fine as wine Monday evening!?!?

I have to tell you that I think the universe was trying to speak to me today.

I have been quite sick with a summer cold:( No voice for 3 days now {yes....my husband is very happy}

and I had quite a few orders to work on for Simple Daisy....

but guess what....

A storm rolled in this morning and left us without power for most of the day....

which in turn forced me to relax {not something easy for me to do} and hopefully start moving towards feeling better!!!!

I wanted to be grouchy....because I don't like to be forced to do nothing....it also rained for a good part of the morning/afternoon.

But then the skies cleared and the sun began to shine and thought it would be nice to take a little walk around my house!

Maybe check out the damage....

nothing too major...a broken umbrella, sticks and leaves down everywhere....but pretty much unscathed!

I did, however, run into this sweet little guy!!!

And it really made me stop in my tracks to just appreciate the moment!

How often do you get to see a baby chickadee!?!?

It was so darn cute! it let me get right up close to it! Even Ruby and LC had a good look at it!

Everyone was happy:)

It did get me to thinking that it really is so important to just live in the moment sometimes and truly appreciate all that you have.

I love to take little daycations!! This one was a recent one to Saugatuck, MI~

If you live anywhere nearby it's a must see! Such a happy place:)

Even is you can't get away for a whole week or even a weekend for that matter....I always think a little daycation is nice!

I, of course, wore all my Simple Daisy bling!

I love to really stack my bracelets up....the more the better:)

Are you a bracelet stacker!?!?!

And how could I not appreciate my girls!

They bring my heart so much happiness.....ok...i'd be lying if I didn't tell you that

they bring me heartache every once in awhile too.....let's just say...if you come to my home for dinner....I can guarantee you will get licked and there will be hair in somewhere on your dinner plate!

Either way...I still love them!

I love to see all the pretty flowers blooming in my yard!

It's not a fancy yard...in fact, by most people's accounts it's a pretty messy yard..

I like to call it cottage...

It's definitely not 3 bushes and mulch....like you see in most of the neighborhoods around here!

Perfection just makes me nervous:)

I do like nice grass though....and so our grass is usually pretty up to par.....kind of balances the messy beds and borders!

Just started on this wine bottle border!

Hope to finish it in the next year or two....no pressure to drink more wine and send me your empty bottles:)

I love them...i've seen them in magazines, on the Internet and at a friend's house!

Pretty darn cute and definitely cottage!

My husband's idea of a wine bottle border:)

I think he'd get his border finished long before mine...but it wouldn't be as cute!!!

I am just so happy with all the beauty in my own backyard....

it's not the beach...

it's not fancy...

but it's all mine and most all of it is completely my own designs:)

Sometimes you just have to be appreciative of what you already have!

Ok...well...I am going to appreciate finishing my nice glass of vino....

in between coughs and slapping at mosquitoes!

It's just too nice to go inside:)

Have a wonderful evening with whatever you're up to:)

I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order. John Burroughs

{seaglass vase}

2011-07-08T10:17:00.000-04:00

Hello and Happy Friday to you!!
Guess what.....we have a winner for one of my sweet little stacking rings:)

Be sure to stop by her blog and say "congrats!!!"

That was a fun give-away!! Thank you so much for participating and for your feedback I always appreciate it:)

You know how much the summertime makes me happy!

I just love it...

many mornings I pour a steaming hot cup of joe and just take a little nature walk around my yard! I love to see all the new activity....flowers blooming, the rabbit chew marks on my hostas, broken robin's eggs from sweet little birdies hatching. It all just makes me stop and really appreciate the simple things in life!

And I just love when I come to this little patch of my yard....

I have to tell you....this has been one of the best years for my hydrangeas!!! They are in full blooming bliss and they make me so happy every time I walk past them:)

These are actually my grandma's hydrangeas! She gave them to me about 11 years ago....I dug them up, planted them at our first home and then when we sold I dug them up again and moved them here! They make my heart very happy:)

My husband thought I was nuts....but I even had it written into the contract when we sold....the hydrangeas go with us:)

I thought it would be a perfect complement to make a happy little seaglass vase to display them in!

The aqua blue of seaglass matches the pale blue of the hydrangeas perfectly! And best of all.....I have something to use in my home that cost only $10.00!
Flowers....free
Vase...I had
Seaglass & glue....$10.00

Not bad for something that makes me smile:)

Simple & sweet....just how I like everything!
Perfectly NOT perfect and just very simple:)

Oh and you know what else I love....driftwood.
I think it's just so cute tied in little bundles and put on display around my home!
Another thing that's pretty much free!!

Well there you have it.....a simple little craft to occupy your time this weekend!!!

I know i'll be spending lots of time making jewelry!!

I have lots of ring designs just flying through my mind!!

Take care and enjoy your weekend:)

~Heather

"The jump is so frightening between where I am and where I want to be.
Because of all I may become, I will close my eyes and leap."
- Mary Anne Radmacher

{Simple Daisy Jewelry Give-Away}

2011-06-29T20:51:00.002-04:00

Well Hello!

How are you tonight!!??

I know it's been awhile since i've done a give-away....so I thought it might be nice to do one!!

I love to do them....it's my little way of saying "thank you" to you for always being so supportive of me:)

I can't tell you just how much I appreciate each and every one of you!

Simple Daisy....the blog...and the jewelry shop...has come a long...long way since I began tinkering around with all of this....and I couldn't be more pleased with the direction i'm heading!

I am really just so happy spending all of my days working in my studio.

and feeling super focused on growing my little jewelry business....

....any little {growing your business} hints or tips...don't be shy about sharing them with me:)

I'm all ears!!!

That is exactly how I feel when I am creating! I just so happy that I don't even notice hours have passed...or that I missed lunch. I am in pure bliss!

And I really hope this comes through in my work!

I am just so inspired to create happy artisan jewelry with all my special touches.
Turquoise....slightly beachy...very bohemian.... with a little love sprinkled in:)

Of course....by now you know...I don't do anything without my trusty glass of vino in hand!
Wine poured...music on in the studio.... {lately i've been inspired by Lucinda Williams thanks to one of my best friends}....sunshine streaming in {on a good day}.....pure bliss!

Here's one of the Lucinda songs i've been loving!!!
Very soulful...bluesy...funky....I LOVE it!
Never let anyone take your joy....that's all I can say:):)

Music just makes me feel so inspired!

I created this necklace to remind myself that it's ok to.....
Feel the waves of life!
Life ebbs and flows.....and it's ok to feel every moment!

I've also been really practicing on rings and am so close to starting to list them in my shop:

Being self taught...thank goodness for books....sometimes it takes me a minute longer than it probably should to get things just perfect!

I thought it would be perfect to give away one of my cute little stacking rings....so that I could have the chance to practice making one for someone else!!!! Lucky you!

Of course I love the ocean....and so the feel of the sweet sea comes through in many of my new designs!!

and a beautiful....very thick artisan...100% designed and created by me....bracelet!!!

I L*O*V*E this bracelet! ....very organic feeling and hopefully it will remind you too....that you really are braver than you think!

Get out there and follow your dreams...

let your passion move you....

Life is too short to be anything but happy!

Ok...well I am just so proud of my new designs and I can't wait to see what you think of them!!!

....RULES....

really you know how I feel about rules....not a big fan of them!!

So ...just leave me a comment here on my blog letting me know what you think of my new designs:)

If you want to stop in my shop and take peek that would be great!

And if you want to spread the word with my button...I would really appreciate it:):)

Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal. Pamela Vaull Starr

Winner for one stacking ring will be chosen using random.org

Friday July 8, 2011

Contest closes Midnight...July 7th 2011.

And just in case something catches your fancy....

enjoy 20% off your purchase....

just enter the code SDGIVEAWAY at checkout:)

www.simpledaisy.etsy.com

Stay up to date on studio happenings by "liking" my facebook page:)

http://www.facebook.com/pages/simpledaisy/285899220196

{simple french ocean inspired decorating}

2011-06-26T11:33:00.000-04:00

Well hello and Happy Sunday to you:)

{I wanted to answer a few questions from my last post...

the paint I used for the bowls was just cheap craft paint in all hues of aqua blue....and the letter stamps were just rubber letter stamps from the dollar bin section at Michaels craft store! Hope that helps!}

I'm not sure about your weather....but it is completely beautiful here this morning! I am enjoying the sunshine, the birds chirping and my cup of joe while writing this post this morning:)

You know just how thankful I am whenever we get lovely weather here! It just inspires me so:)

I want show a little sprucing I have going on in my home...but first!

Look at what I caught in my house the other day!!!!!!

Poor little guy {or girl}! This sweet little birdie was just flying all over the place probably scared out its wits! I finally caught it and well....had to take a few photos of it!
Then when my husband and I came home the other day...it was in our house again!!
I wonder if it was trying to tell me that we need a little birdie!!
You never know!!

It's pretty darn lucky that my kitty didn't catch it...
Must be one blessed birdie:)

It was kind of fun holding this sweet little birdie....and I think it was so shocked it hung out for about 5 minutes so I could snap some more photos of it!

Ok...onto the sprucing!

We have this bedroom in our home that for the past 4 or 5 years has been a complete junk room!
We tore the carpet out and just never did anything with it!

Well finally we are starting to work on that room! And so I have been thinking about how I was to decorate it!
I think I am going to go with....french chic inspired by the sea!!
Soft and simple with just a few tiny touches of shells and such:):)

So here is just a glimpse of what i've been tinkering with!

...I collect vintage fans and use them in lots of my decorating! I L*O*V*E them! I think they are so cute and happy. Plus all of the ones I own...actually work. Just in case I ever needed them:)

I kind of want this room to be vintage inspired.
So I made these cute little doily bowls!
So easy to do...
mix plaster of paris with water (about thick milk consistency)
mix the doily in with the plaster of paris mixture....make sure the doily is totally covered with the mixture.
drape the wet doily over a bowl or something and let dry..

That's it! When they are dry pop them off and you have the cutest little bowls!
Of course you could probably sand yours and poke holes where there should be holes...
but I thought these were fine just the way they were:)

I love the doily bowls! Doilies always make me think of my great grandmother! She had them laying on and draped across everything she owned:)
In fact....I inherited quite a few of her doily table clothes!
Maybe i'll have to do a vintage inspired table scape one of these days:)

I also made the oyster shell mirror out of the shells I collected at Edisto Beach.

So easy to do....
collect shells {whatever kind make you happy}
get a frame {this one is from Ikea}
glue them on all willie nillie hodge podge
and hang it on the wall:)

I love it! I think this room is really going to shape up nicely!
i just need to get my husband motivated to lay the floor ....
{until we can spring for real hardwood floors it's just the cheapy look-a-like laminate flooring...but still better than carpet in my opinion}
and I am thinking of building a super cute little farmhouse inspired day bed!
I found plans here! But I would build the sides just a bit taller:)

And of course...paint it white and scuff it up!

The one thing I know about decorating and life for that matter is....simpler is always better!

You just can't go wrong with simple!

and I thought I would take my color scheme from the muted tones of these sweet little oyster shells!

Soft creams and greys.

Maybe a tiny...tiny...touch of aqua blue:)

Anwyho...I am just so excited to get this room finished! We will have 2 more rooms to go and will have succeeded in taking a straight out of 1976 home into the current with barely spending any $$$$!

So there you have it!
Decorating made affordable and so very simple!

Hope you have a really wonderful and inspired Sunday!
I am off to mow the lawn now:):)

“I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning..."
Joseph Priestley

{happy little craft}

2011-06-20T10:00:00.000-04:00

Hello & happy Monday to you!

Life's been just pure bliss...even with the not so fabulous weather.

Since i'm off for the summer...i've been able to devote all of my time to Simple Daisy. And that makes me more than happy:)

I am really working hard on trying to get my name out there!
and I just designed a simple little blog button so that I can start advertising .... you can take a peek at it...on my facebook page:)

I've been tinkering with new designs and am also still trying to perfect my little stacking rings:)

A sneak peek at one of the styles I have been working on!!
Artsy, gypsy, bohemian....and it will go perfectly with my little bangle bracelets.....I think it's the perfect way to wear a happy little reminder on your wrist!
100% handmade and designed my me:):)

While I have was working on the new designs...
I thought it would be perfect to make a little jewelry bowl to hold all of your jewelry in!

I am IN L*O*V*E with these cute little bowls and they couldn't be any easier to make!

Take polymer clay {the stuff you get at the craft store} roll it out. Use a bowl to cut it into a circle....stamp letters onto it.....form it into a bowl and then follow the directions to
bake it in the oven!

What a super cute gift idea:)

and if you included some Simple Daisy jewelry with your gift...well I wouldn't be too sad:):)

These little bowls just make my heart so happy!

You can write anything you'd like to on them.
but I like inspirational sayings and quotes the best!

And then I couldn't just stop with the bowls.

I thought it would be cute to make simple little inspirational signs.

These would be super cute gifts too!!!

Make them as big or as little as you like.
Just follow the same directions as the bowls....but cut them into organic squares.

Hang them anywhere you please:)

Or you could make some as wine bottle tags:)

So there you have it! A happy little craft to start your week off:)

“They can't chain my spirit! My spirit runs free! Walls can't contain it! Laws can't restrain it! Authority has no power over it!” Bill Watterson

{Oyster Shell Craft}

2011-06-15T11:17:00.000-04:00

Hello and Happy Wednesday to you:)

I just returned home from a really tough spinning session at the gym. It hurt so good! Know what I mean::)

It's a rainy day here in Indiana...but I am not going to let it get me down!
I am going to get busy organizing and cleaning my happy little studio!
Rainy days are the best for cleaning do you think?!?

I thought i'd share just a tiny few more shots from vacation and a inspired little project I did using some of the shells I collected in Edisto.

HeeHee! I couldn't resist another picture of my little beach cruiser! Can you believe it was once red?!?!?
You can see the before here...
Anywho....I took this photo in Charleston, SC.
What a lovely place....if you've never been!
So full of inspiration.....I could just go crazy in that city!

Flowers and character everywhere!
I bet it would be amazing at Christmastime! Might have to check that out for myself:)

And look what I spotted in Charleston....

The cutest shop EVER!
I was in twinkle light bliss in that shop!

You know how I feel about one day owing a shop!
I've shared that vision before.....

I do feel like I am moving in the right direction....even if it might be an on-line shop:)

And part of moving in the right direction is to get out there and just keep learning and exploring!
Seeing what's out there....continuing to work on YOUR VISION!

I know for sure my shop would have anything and everything in hues of turquoise and aqua blue!
And would be completely inspired by simple cottage living!!

Sound nice?!?!

And look at these cute little daisies made out of cut up water bottles! Genius I say:)

OK....OK....onto a simple little craft!

Oyster shells! Yep...that's what I collected in South Carolina!
People probably throw them away but I thought they were just beautiful!

So I collected about 2 bags full of them:) Ok...my husband helped me collect them too!

And I made a sweet and very simple little wind chime with them!

Which in turn....inspired me to spruce up the little eating space in my sunroom:)

I love the sunroom! It's my cottage...happy space:)

Anywho...for the wind chime...
Just collect some shells....
get a piece of driftwood....
get some twine....
drill holes in the shells...
and start tying them on in any way that makes you happy!

Easy and pretty much free!

Simple things are the best.....aren't they!

Oh and to spruce your space.....collect a bunch of cottage flowers and stick them in an aqua blue ball jar!
Pure cottage bliss:)
And if you want to add a tag to your jar...you can! Here's how I did it!

I think these jars of flowers would be just adorable at a country wedding!

And when your sprucing your space...don't forget the twinkle lights! They make everything happy:):)

ps....I am thinking of doing another give-away real soon......take a peek at my shop and let me know what you think I should give-away!!!!!

OK....well I'm off to get cleaning and organizing!!
Hope you have a really wonderful and inspired kind of day:):)

"Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe." Gail Devers

{Edisto Island, SC)

2011-06-12T11:04:00.001-04:00

Hello.
How are you!?!?!?

We just returned from a wonderful and very relaxing vacation in Edisto Island, SC.

I spent the week taking lots of photographs, drinking wine, spending time with the one I love and just plain relaxing:)

You know what else I thought a lot about while on vacation.....
I thought about how dreamy it would be to live on the ocean.
The last night we were there .... I all but threw a fit about having to come home....to boring old Indiana.

But you know what.....when we got home....as we were unloaded everything.....and I was crying about being back home....our best friends....unexpectedly stopped over and we had the best evening..having a fire outside, relaxing and enjoying a perfect mid-western evening.
At that same time....my other best friend gave me a ring to tell me just how much she missed me while were gone.

You know what....that made me stop dead in my tracks and realize just what I have here in "boring old Indiana."

I have a beautiful home....friends that love me....a husband that tries his very best to make me happy {not easy in the wintertime} and a pretty darn good life....right here in Indiana:):)

Sometimes in life....you need to truly, deeply appreciate just what you have! And I am going to spend even more time appreciating the life that I am carving out for myself....here in "Indiana."

Anywho...just wanted to share that with you!
Be thankful for all that you have...no matter what your situation!

Ok....onto a tiny snippet of our vacation!

Yes...we are camping style people. {Sometimes we are resort kind of people....but not often} For me...I love nature and camping is the perfect way to get even closer to nature. Plus....like my husband always says....I am a dirt rustler. Yes...that's we he calls me:) I am always a mess....dirty from whatever...gardening, making jewelry, biking....just about every I do involves being messy.
{thank you to our wonderful and beautiful friends that let us borrow their camper}

I don't mind not sleeping in a 5 star resort or enjoying my wine while laying a hammock! To me ... it's perfect!

Plus...I think camping is the way to go....when you're less than rich:):)
And being a teacher....well....you get the idea!

I spent a lot of time just tinkering on the beach and riding my beach crusiser around!

It was nice to spend so much time on my grandpa's old bike!! {thanks Mike for the redo!}

And of course I took at least a million photos of anything and everything that made me happy....like this sweet little truck! I dream of owning a truck just like this one day!

It's not fancy things that make my heart sing.......

That's why ...not only do I love the laid back ocean style of life.....but just as equally....I love the cottage style of life!
Simple and sweet. Nothing too fancy and everything...perfectly not perfect:)

Are you a fancy kind of girl or more of a cottage kind of girl!?!?!?!

Of course we spent lots of time shelling on the beach!
Can't wait to do lots of little projects with all the shells ...I ...I mean we....collected:)

I love that my husband will collect shells on the beach with me...even though he thinks i'm slightly crazy for wanting them:)

And I got to spend a lot of time just soaking in nature! My favorite.
You can learn so much just by watching nature.

Nature just goes about it's business....never knowing what the day will bring.
Life is pretty simple for creatures in nature........eat, drink, make babies and spend your days soaking up the scenery!

And you know what else I thought about....
I saw cardinals in Edisto and we have cardinals in Indiana.
I wonder if the cardinals in Indiana dream of moving to SC or vice versa.
Or are they just happy right where they're at!

Who knows...but one thing I know for sure.....is happiness is always what you make it.
Change the things you can .....accept the things you can't.....and try to find beauty in each and every day.
Never stop opening your mind to beauty of the world around you.

Well....that's it for now! I know I've really missed checking in with you and will be doing so after I get caught up on all my jewelry orders that came in while I was away!!!

Have a really beautiful Sunday!

Today.....I think we may stay in vacation mode and head up to Lake Michigan to soak in even more beachy views!

xoxo, Heather

{On Vacation}

2011-06-02T18:17:00.001-04:00

hello!
Just wanted to pop in to tell you......I'm officially on vacation until next Saturday!!
Edisto Island, SC is where we're headed!!

See you when I get back!!!

To unpathed waters, undreamed shores. William Shakespeare

{photography, beach cottage love, and random happy things}

2011-05-25T21:38:00.002-04:00

Hello & Happy Wednesday to you!

I hope your week is moving along just fine:)

I have to tell you that Indiana is just crazy....it really knows just how to toy with my emotions. Beautiful one day....rain the next.....
But last Sunday I was able to enjoy a splendid day!

I spent the day practicing my photography skills, driving around Lake Michigan, enjoying the beach cottages and just plain enjoying the day with the one I love:)

I have been thinking about adding a fine fine art photography prints to my shop....or maybe photo cards with little inspirational sayings??? I don't know.....but I do know I love taking pictures!

I think it's sooooooo important to really spend your days doing that which makes your soul sing.

When I look back on this journey...i'm on....I am pleased to see just how far i've come. I feel like I am moving in the right direction.

I moving forward in living the creative, inspired life I see myself living.

We all have dreams, don't we!?!?!?

and trust me, I think that having dreams is beyond important.......
but more important.....is enjoying each and every day.
I am learning....just how fragile life is.
Life is about today. What you do each moment of your life matters.
Dreams are absolutely necessary ....just as is choosing to be happy no matter what your situation.

Enjoy each day

and truly take time to cultivate that which makes YOU happy.

As I was enjoying my day with my husband.......I started to really think....while I would more than love to one day move away.
Maybe I am here to learn the lesson of appreciation.

To really learn to appreciate just what life has to offer.

To learn to appreciate the person that I am....right now.

To learn to appreciate the beauty that

I am already surrounded with.

While....I don't live near the ocean,
I do live near Lake Michigan and am very thankful that I do have that:)
So much beachy happiness right in my own "backyard!"

So much inspiration.....
Maybe my focus should be more on what I can appreciate than on what I am unhappy about.
Not that you shouldn't change what you are unhappy about.
But if you can't change what you're unhappy about then change the way you think about it:)

I could live in any one of these spaces!

And ....they aren't even on the ocean.

They are on the lovely Lake Michigan:)

I just love them all!
Sorry the photographs aren't fabulous.....
We were just taking a drive and I was more than driving my husband bananas with...
"slow down, stop, wait, oh wait, darn it ...I can't get the picture...I really love that one...on & on:) "

Anywho...the point that I have been trying to share with you is to really take a look into yourself and just appreciate.

Appreciate everything.

Appreciate the one your with.

Appreciate your children {if you have them}

Appreciate the friends & family who love you

but most important.

Appreciate who you are....right at this very minute.

Appreciate just what you have to offer the world.

I appreciate that I am married to a man that drives me completely crazy most of the time but always loves me for just who I am:)

He loves {or at least pretends to love} my gypsy spirit!

and I have to tell you...the day I was trying to photograph my shells and my jewelry....it was beyond windy.

Poor guy....my urchins just kept blowing off the ledge and he was nice enough to keep picking them up for me:):) Now that's love!! heehee!

I appreciate that while I ride this highway we call life......I am moving forward on a path that is created by me:)

I am choosing to follow my gypsy spirit...a little of this and a sprinkle of that...and oh wait...i'd love to do that too:)

Do you spend your days appreciating your life?!?!!?

In a blink of an eye.....it's over....at least that's what my great grandma used to tell me and she lived to be 92. "Blink your eyes and that's how fast your life goes!"

Hope you have a happy, inspired, appreciative rest of your week!!!

"We grow neither better nor worse as we get older, but more like ourselves." May Lamberton Becker

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I've noticed blogger is having issues....again....

if you are unable to comment and would like to.....

use your url instead of trying to sign into blogger.

Hope that helps for all of your commenting!! I know I was getting pretty frustrated when I couldn't leave comments on your blogs:)

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