oh dear me.

This has been a funny sort of week...

I find myself frustrated with a job that I love, creatively stumped when it comes to making new things for the shop and completely dismayed at how each weekend seems to fly by and I never have much to show for it. I don't know what my problem is. It could be my lack of finances the past few weeks due to the crippling gap of unemployment. Or it could be that I am adjusting to a new diet so the moodiness associated with detox is kicking in. But I'm determined to fix it. So the next seven days I am turning it all around.

Friday night I am coming home from work, picking out my cutest outfit and spending the weekend doing things I love.

No more Saturdays on the couch watching television or blowing away the day browsing cute websites and blogs. Want to see what I have planned? Because I'm excited to show you.

Mail!!

I have a confession... I have a ridiculous amount of promised packages waiting to be sent out. And I won't even tell you how far back they go. It's embarrassing. If you're waiting on one... forgive me. I'm sending them this weekend. Believe it when you see it. But you'll see it very soon. One of my major goals (and things I need to be better at) are getting packages out in a timely fashion.

Painting.

I bought more paints and have been plotting my attack on this large blank canvas in my room. Painting is pretty foreign to me and quite intimidating. But... I'm excited to get to it and just see what comes out. I'll share it when I'm done... but be kind. Not that you are anything less.

Music.

I seem to have a very on again/off again love affair with good music. I always enjoy it... but the weeks go by and I realize just how long it's been since I've spent time with earphones on and a good cup of coffee in my hand. Music is insanely inspiring to me... I really should make more time for it.

Good books.

Once upon a time I was an English major in college. And I loved books. When I started my degree that love for literature rose to great heights. And then they beat it out of me. They dissected it and analyzed it and took all the beauty out of it. But I'm ready to love books again... and I am going to start working my way through the stacks that await me.

Coffee.

Can I just tell you that it has been weeks since I was at Starbucks? And before that it was probably several more weeks. If you know me at all, then you know what an incredible feat of strength that is. Or is it the lack of money in the bank? Either way... I'm amazed that I haven't even missed it. Could it be that Starbucks has loosened it's grip on my life and I can now and forevermore be liberated? Perhaps. But I still love coffee. And while this new Raw Foods lifestyle doesn't allow for much caffeine... I am allowed the occasional cup. And this weekend it will be at Peets. (Sorry 'Bucks... you had your moment.)

new artist loves: julia pott

Every once awhile I happen upon an artist... on etsy or just online somewhere... and I just can't help but share. Julia Pott is one of those people. She is an inspiring artist and illustrator from London and her work is fresh and charming. I love her work and can't wait to purchase some things... that is, if I can even bring myself to pick just one or two things. That remains to be seen. Here are some images of her illustrations (all available for purchase in her etsy shop).

I am completely smitten with these lovely drawings. And then I discovered this short animated film she created while she was at university. It is absolutely darling and inspiring. You should watch it! Here it is below...

I think I might make "new artist loves" a weekly feature on this blog. I am so inspired by all the beauty that is being created by people all around the world. And as a blogger and artist... it helps me to continue this journey of discovering my own personal style and creative taste.

Check out Julia Pott's blog, her shop and her Flickr page if you want to see more. : )

Love you people. I'm off to bed now. For some strange reason I didn't go to bed until 3 am and then woke up at 7 am... completely unable to fall back asleep and incredibly frustrated. So I have much catching up to do.

a good year.

more style swoons...

My tax return money is coming very soon... and although most of it will be going to other more responsible things... I am reserving a certain amount of it for new clothes. Which I so desperately need. I have been cycling through the same eight or nine outfits for months and months... ever since I knew I was moving and had to make the decision to stop spending money on things like that and start selling all the clothes I didn't really wear. I love tax season... and I love that I get so much money back every year. Let the shopping (and other responsible adult financial decision making) begin.

Here are some of the things that I would looooovvvvve to get. What about you? What are some of your spring style crushes this year? Share your tips with me... I want to fall in love with my wardrobe this year!

This is the adorable Keiko Lynn... one of my style icons. Yellow tights are the first on my list of must-haves. Oh... and red ones. And royal blue ones. Vintage cowboy boots... I'm still mourning the loss of the pretty grey ones I found on Etsy awhile back.... I didn't buy them soon enough and I lost them to some other fortunate soul.

As many cute vintage dresses as I can find... especially simple ones like this that I can sew and stitch things onto.

OR these lovely dresses that I found on Modcloth. P.S. I was so thrilled to see that they have a whole section of Vintage clothes but then instantly dismayed to find that 99% of it was already marked as sold. What a bummer. But worth the eye candy at least.

Anyhow... I'm off to get ready for work. Have a wonderful day everyone! : )

Spring love.

First thing's first, I read about this new "comment love" movement on one of my friend's blogs and I wanted to share about it here. In the spirit of Valentines Day ( and kindness, in general) people all over BlogLand are committing to leaving lots and lots of comments on their favorite blogs. To encourage, respond and give feedback to those of us who blog. I love it. And let me just say... I have been blown away lately by the number of comments I receive AND by how many countries around the world my readers come from! It truly is so amazing to me that someone from Taiwan or Spain or Bangladesh would check in on my little blog from time to time. I am soooo thankful for all of you... and I now join this new "comment love" movement by promising to love on other bloggers by commenting often. You should join, too! If you're a blogger, then pay it forward! And if you're a reader, let us know you're out there! We love... LOVE!.... hearing from you. It makes our day. : )

One of my major goals for February is to get involved more in the city of Denver. I have been a huge fan of volunteerism for a very long time... and I consider it a huge honor and responsibility to give back to our cities and towns. So starting this month I am going to be helping serve breakfast at Denver Rescue Mission about once or twice a week. I'm really excited for my first day this Saturday! If you want to find a way to serve your city... I highly recommend Volunteer Match. It is a great website that can match you with thousands of different opportunities. Any age group, any availability, any area of interest.... there is something for everyone! Check it out and see how you can help!

And now on to some fun photo inspiration! I don't know about you but I am SO ready for spring. So here are some cheerful and sunny photo treats to keep you warm these last few weeks of winter! : )

And OH-EM-GEE have you heard of Peter Som? I just ran into some photos of his spring collection and I am head-over-heels in love with his clothes. Seriously so cute and perfect for spring. I'll take one of each please. : )

I have a furry friend.

CLICK TO ENLARGE.

Late nite.

Working on some of these... ( Want one made custom with the word or name of your choice? Email me at onejoyfulpilgrim[at]yahoo[dot]com.)

Missing this...

Inspired by...

Wishing I had more... (cute boots and skirts)

Best place to be... (with a cup of coffee.)