Sunday, April 10, 2016

New Design Space...

Now that I'm no longer working in the corporate world, I'm dedicated to reinventing myself and pursuing my creative side... 


I ordered this corner desk unit to use as my creative workstation at the new house. I will have a dedicated room for my studio. 

I plan to revamp and expand my current Etsy jewelry shop and develop a new shop dedicated to wedding decor.

I'm so excited to begin this new chapter in my life!






This piece will be used as my printer stand and file cabinet for my Etsy orders paperwork.  I like the wood grain finish and the industrial look framework.  














I will have two of these matching tall shelf units flanking the corner desk. One will be used for bead container storage and the other for wedding decor storage.  I will have easy access to both units for supply selection when I'm working on a project. I won't need to jump up and down to reach supplies like I do now in my current space.



We move to the new house in about three weeks.  I can't wait to get started on my new life!
Cheers!
Lori



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Saturday, April 9, 2016

Dear Kelly...



Put your family first.

You can live your bohemian lifestyle later on; you can’t get your kids, spouse or family back from a neglected relationship. You tend to underestimate the influence that you have on your children.  Kids who are exposed to bad parenting are two times more likely to misbehave, lie, and become aggressive. Your inconsistent disciplinary approaches, poor supervision and promises broken are poor parenting attributes that have negatively affected your children; regardless of what you think, they are worth your time and effort.

You can be the hero of this story; it’s not too late to put your family first…


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Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Priceless

Priceless

What Money Can’t Buy…
·         Reminiscing About Old Times with Your Best Friend – Those amazing life experiences only the two of you lived through together.  Like that wild weekend trip to Sarasota, or following ‘that guy’ for miles to see where he lived, or floating down Rock Springs in an inner tube on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Priceless!

·         Unexpectedly Hearing Your Favorite Song – You’re stuck on I-285 in rush hour traffic, you change the radio station for a little diversion.  The opening notes to your favorite song (September by EW&F) instantly chime in. Priceless!

·         The Sound of a Rock Filled Rushing Creek– It’s the music of Mother Nature surrounding you. Priceless!

·         The Warm Touch of Your Sweetie – It’s the touch no one else shares.


·         The Feeling of Acceptance – You’re a part of something greater… and it feels good. Priceless!

Cheers!
Lori


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Sunday, April 3, 2016

Relaxing on a Sunday Afternoon....

I want this! Relaxing on a Sunday Afternoon....

I really enjoy spending Sunday afternoon at home just relaxing. I know this sounds crazy, but for me relaxing is all about organizing, shopping, and reading. Here are 3 things to do to make the most of your peaceful Sunday....
1. Organize your pantry: Dive into your pantry or kitchen cabinet and organize it. Get rid of the items that have expired or you haven’t used in years, and arrange the ones you have left. You'll feel pleased with yourself and ready for cooking next week.

2. Go online shopping: I’ve recently cleaned out my closet; I need to fill the newly cleaned space with a few new outfits (I’ve lost some weight recently). Sundays are the best day to online shop from the comfort of my favorite cozy chair.

3. Catch up on your favorite blogs: Check out all the blogs you didn't have time to during the week. You might even get an extra dose of inspiration for the new week ahead.

Happy Sunday!
Cheers,
Lori
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Saturday, April 2, 2016

Reinventing Myself...

Choose your Path Wisely


Growing up, I always assumed that I'd move to a cool loft apartment in a city with a lot of creative energy and pursue a career as a graphic artist. I was a fine art major in college, but I never accomplished my dream of becoming an “artist”.  The reality of supporting myself as a struggling artist forced me down another path and I entered the corporate world.  As a 22-year-old retail ‘professional’ and aspiring Project Manager with boundless energy, it was the right fit, and I couldn't have been happier.  But flash forward thirty three years and many, many, IT projects later; I realized I was in a rut. I felt uninspired at my job, fed up with corporate life, and I craved a change of scenery. 
Still, the idea of leaving my job was terrifying.  As stressful as corporate life can be, it was also my comfort zone. While leaving my job was certainly a risk, I realized it was a bigger liability to stay put for another year; my health was suffering from stress and unhappiness. 
After putting in plenty of thought and research, I chose to take a leap of faith and quit my corporate job and once again return to my creative roots.  
Here are some things you should know if you are also thinking about taking this leap of faith:

Take a Risk


1.  Give the Decision Plenty of Thought — Then Fully Embrace Your Choice
Taking any risk is like jumping from a plane with a parachute on your back: if you think about it too much, you'll probably end up saying "nah, not today". I'm not saying the decision to make a huge move should be taken lightly or done impulsively. But once you've done your research and weighed all the pros and cons, go with your gut instinct and commit yourself to making the change happen.
There's never a guarantee that something is going to be as wonderful as you'd hoped, but follow your instincts and remember that everything is reversible.


Ladies Night


2. Network, Network, Network
To begin my creative career, I needed to move to a place that inspires me artistically —we are in the process of relocating to the North Georgia Mountains. This admittedly makes me a little nervous because, as much as I value my alone time, I've always had a close circle of friends in the same city as me.
Being an introvert, it’s never easy for me to engage people and make new friends.  So to combat my fears I’m working on several ways to network in our new town.  Read my five ways to meet new people in a strange town here.  


Me Time


3. Embrace Your Newfound “Me” Time
A creative and social network isn't going to fall into place immediately.   One of the best parts of moving to a brand new town is that you get to play tourist, and there are plenty of fun activities to do by yourself. Dining, shopping, scenic parks, and site seeing are all activities that can be enjoyed solo.  Without the rigid work schedule I’ll be free to explore the new surroundings.
New Routine
4. Get Yourself into a Routine
It's natural to feel a little off-kilter when you first leave the daily grind of the corporate world. You're in an unfamiliar place and are still dealing with a lot of unknowns. As exciting as it is, it's also going to be stressful at times.
For many people, there's comfort in building a new routine. Try to establish healthy sleeping and eating patterns immediately, because feeling physically healthy and energetic will make a huge difference. Have a regimen, but don't force yourself to structure every minute of every day. Allow yourself free time to catch your breath, watch a guilty pleasure TV show, or simply wander your new neighborhood.

5. Accept That There Are Some Things You'll Miss
According to unofficial data (aka my feelings), Don't be surprised if you feel pangs of sadness when you see Instagram posts of your friends and colleagues hanging out at a café together or at one of your favorite happy hour spots in your former city after work. It doesn't mean you made the wrong decision by moving; it just means that you made some strong relationships and memories in your former life, and that's something to be grateful for.

Reinventing Yourself
6. Try Not To Have Regrets
If you have put in all the effort and planning to make a huge life change, it's because something wasn't working in your life. Once you've arrived in your new home and begin reinventing yourself, embrace every opportunity and stay positive when things get uncomfortable.   Take comfort in the knowledge that you took the initiative to give yourself a clean slate and you are creating new opportunities for yourself. That's something to be proud of!
Cheers!
Lori

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Friday, April 1, 2016

Making Friends as an Introvert...

Making Friends

Those who know me well know that I’m an Introvert and totally shy around new people. Making “friends” as an introvert is always a difficult task for me.  Soon my husband and I will be moving to a new town; the idea of making friends again is daunting.  To combat my fear, I’m doing a little research on the new town and planning some ways to make this “challenge” interesting and more adventurous. Below are some possible ways to make friends as an introvert in our new town.


Main Street
1. Find a cafe, bar, park, or bench that is “mine”.
The new town has a main street filled with interesting shops and restaurants. It is close to home, and will take minimal effort to get there. I plan to visit it often, same time, and same place. After several visits I will emerge as a regular to the staff and other regulars. This won’t take too long to accomplish.

2. Take a jewelry making class.
The new town has a little independent bead shop that offers classes. I’ve found that classes are a good place to connect and relax. Letting go of control is challenging as an introvert. However, that is the point. After 2 hours of watching others working on the same project, conversation is easier, fun, and just flows.
3. Go to upcoming creative lectures.
Lectures are a major draw for introverts. Several artists are scheduled to lecture at one of the galleries on Main Street.  I can sit and listen to big ideas and new concepts. I can look around the room, observe the curiosity of others, and simply enjoy a close-ended experience. There’s plenty of time to ask questions in an orderly fashion, and pinpoint others I’d like to get to know. Afterwards, there should be an opportunity to strike up a conversation or engage with a group of people.

Walking in Blue Ridge, GA
4. Go walking at the same time every day.
There’s something about taking a walk on a quiet morning and seeing other members of the community in their daily routines. You see familiar faces by following the same route. This provides me a sense of security, comfort, and community. It’s great practice for talking to strangers, and maybe making a new friend.

Dining Meetup
5. Start a meetup group
Starting my own community gives me the chance to “hand-pick” the people I want in my new circle of friends. Maybe a dining group or artists who want to start a co-op. I can create events, and cap it at 10 or even 20 members. As the group leader, I’ll be in charge of picking events and communicating with people.  This will push me to get out and socialize.
Hopefully these efforts will give me a sense of empowerment as I try to make new friends as an introvert. I want to create new social connections that will enhance my life.  Wish me luck on this new adventure!

Cheers!

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