When summer comes to an end.

Today is my last day of summer. It's sad that the day has consisted of packing and running errands. It's also sad that the day has been more stressful than needed. Moving isn't really fun. At all. 

I wish that summer could go on forever, but thats not it's purpose. Summers are to refresh, renew, and inspire. I have been reflecting on mine and how well I spent my time. At first, I was upset because I didn't complete all the goals on my summer to-do list. While I did do a lot, it wasn't what I had planned. As I sat there criticizing myself for all the moments I spent reading, laying in the sun, watching TV, and hanging out with friends; I realized something. Thats exactly what I needed. I didn't need to spend my days obsessively perfecting my business, perfecting my blog, perfecting my appearance, and so on. While those are all wonderful things to accomplish, I needed to relax and let myself be inspired by simple things. Towards the beginning of the summer I was at a creative road block. I felt so uninspired. I couldn't figure out why. Now I know that it was because after the school semester ended (the worst school semester ever) I hardly let myself take a break. As sad as I am for the summer to end, I am ready. I am inspired. I am happy. I am prepared. I am determined. 

Then I started wondering what I have done this summer. Surely I must have done something amazing. Surely I must completed a big goal. It took me a while to realize just how big of a step forward that I have taken. 

-> I de-cluttered my life! I got rid of a ton of stuff that I don't need, and put a bunch of stuff that I want but don't need now in the attic! Just in time for my new apartment with five roommates. 

-> I discovered what beautiful feels like. I think that this is the biggest accomplishment of my summer. I let go of a lot of insecurities and learned to embrace "me". 

-> I successfully baked a pie and everyone loved it! Learn how to make it HERE.

-> I started to be more grateful for the blessings in my life. It's a work in progress.

-> I made some really amazing friends.

-> I celebrated my three year baptism anniversary. 

-> I loved being home with my family.

The list goes on, and on, and on. This summer has been one of the best. It has been ground breaking. It was needed. I am grateful for this summer and look forward to the next (which I hope I will be spending in London!!!!). If I learned anything this summer, it is that sometimes plans don't pan out. Sometimes you don't get very far on your goal list. Sometimes you spend more time watching Arrested Development than creating. But thats ok, because you come back as ready as ever. 

Thank you summer for being amazing.

Carli

This week.

I am moving this Thursday... and I haven't packed anything. Nothing. Nada. It doesn't help that it's Shark Week... I thought that watching TV while packing was a good idea. No it's not. I spend more time being fascinated by great white sharks eating stuff than actually putting things into boxes. It's a sad reality when you discover that you only have a few days of summer left, and those days are to be spent preparing for the school semester. The end of the summer really crept up on me. I am starting to panic.

Basically what I am saying is that I might not be around much this week. I might not get a chance to respond to emails as quickly as i'd like, or read all of your lovely blogs. I am also really sorry that I didn't post a Grateful Sunday post. I wanted to, but I am trying to soak up every last bit of summer. I do have a couple posts planned for this week so it won't be completely quiet around here.

Carli

P.S. I am having a really hard time trying to balance spending time with all my family and friends, and getting everything ready for my move. Do you have any advice on spreading out the little time I have left before I leave? I feel so bad that I can't spend time with everyone.

Today I am grateful for simplicity.

The past several years of my life have been anything but simple. There have been so many times that stressed has literally made me sick. As fun as the college life can be, it can also be the hardest. It's a time when I am learning how to cope with the struggles that arise during adulthood. I know that it is only going to get harder, but at times I feel like nothing could get worse. I am grateful for these experiences that I have had because I feel stronger. Each that trial I have overcome now feels like a distant memory that reminds me of where I have come from and where I am going. As excited as I am about the future, I can't not be grateful for these times when my life has been simpler. I am grateful for this simple summer. I am grateful for the opportunity I have had to relax. Don't get me wrong, I am not sitting around all day doing nothing. I am working hard to save, build important relationships, strengthen my faith, and take little steps towards my goals. It has been a wonderful calm before the storm of next semester. Who knows when my next "Simple Summer" will be, or if I even have another, so I am trying to take advantage of this one. Simplicity is key.

Carli

Life is... busy.

I am sorry if you have noticed how slow it has been around here lately. Or how the quality of my posts are dropping. It has literally been a busy week. It's a combination of being way busy, and partly uninspired. As frustrating as it is to be completely uninspired, it has been born of a busy work week. Somehow a bunch of side job opportunities sprung up out of nowhere that have allowed me to put a little bit more money into that savings count of mine that seems to be collecting dust. It is starting to get back to normal but I have a feeling that it won't last long. I am moving back to Utah in less than a month! Last night I had a dream that I was moving the next day and that I hadn't done any of the things that I have wanted/need to do before I move back. Suffice to say, I freaked out... and while I may not be moving tomorrow, I have a huge list full of things I wanted to accomplish this summer that haven't been crossed off. But then again, things are a lot different than what I expected for the summer. As excited as I am to go back and do the "college life" thing, I am really sad to go. Even though I will be coming back, it just won't be the same. This summer is exactly what I needed and more, but there are bigger and better things out there for me. This summer has been comfortable, stable, rewarding, spiritual; but also hard. 

This week I am hoping to be able to go watch the sunrise out at the beach. I just want to sit out there and be inspired. I want to clear my head and think about the future. There is so much ahead of me. So many big choices, struggles, triumphs, experiences, and adventures. I just want to plan out my next move, make lists, and set goals.

I have a few pretty little posts for this week that I am excited to share. I promise that things will get back to normal (or even better) soon.

Carli

Record Tuesday: The Beach Boys

Wouldn't It Be Nice by The Beach Boys

Since tomorrow is Independence Day I wanted to share some music from a band that I consider all-American. The first band I thought of was the good ole Beach Boys. I am a big big fan. Every song sounds like summer, feels like summer, and makes you want it to be summer. I often listen to the Beach Boys on my drive to the beach, and during the winter I'll listen to them when I am feeling particularly depressed and cold from the lack of sunshine. I am also really mad about the fact that their reunion tour is going to Utah, and I am stuck in Texas. 

What's your favorite Beach Boys song? Mine is Kokomo.

Carli

Last Sunday in Utah.

I cannot believe that I am moving back to Texas tomorrow. My dad is currently on a flight into Salt Lake and we are going to embark on an adventure into the mountains soon after he lands. The past couple of days have been busy busy. I have been trying to spend time with all of my friends and pack my billion pounds of stuff that I have accumulated over the past year. Seriously. I had no idea how much stuff I really had until I pulled it all out and put it into the middle of the floor. The following picture illustrates not even all of my craft stuff. Good news is that I only have a tiny bit more packing to do later tonight.

Yesterday was such a beautiful day. Courtney, Ben, Kaitlyn, and I went to the park to enjoy the weather even though I still had a ton of packing to do. Since it was Earth Day we thought it would be nice to spend at least a little bit of time outside.

If you don't really hear from me in the next couple days, it is because I am driving a 24 hour drive back to Texas. Don't worry! I haven't forgotten about you! My dad and I will be making some stops along the way to explore the "in between". So expect some pictures soon! The "in between" is a term that I coined for meaning all the little places that you wouldn't ordinarily travel to, but are significant enough to stop at them on the way to your destination. Traveling is so much more fun when you stop and discover.

Carli

Summer Is Here!

I have been waiting for this day for a very long time. I just finished giving my final presentation and turning in the essay that took me what seemed like three years to write... It's hard to believe that the semester is over. I am so happy that I don't have anything stressful to think about anymore. The weird thing is that I don't have any thing stressful to think about. I feel like I have been stressing for ages. The college life cannot be good for my health. 

The next week is still going to be crazy though. Tuesday will be the beginning of my long drive home to Texas. I am so excited to go home spend time with family, spend long days basking in the sunshine and laying in the sand, and most of all... being able to do all the things I have been wanting to do but never did for lack of time. This summer is going to a productive one! I have an entire journal full of craft and do it yourself projects that I have dying to get my hands on. This means that I will finally be fulfilling my new years resolution of do it yourself features on my blog! It will be amazing to finally put all these ideas to good use. I have so many exciting things planned for this summer. I only hope that I can fit them all in! 

And because blog posts are funner when they have pictures.

Here are a few pictures from home I took last summer.

Are you ready for summer?

Carli

Is It Summer Yet?

In 43 days I am moving back home to Texas for the summer. I can’t contain my excitement…

I am tired of wearing jackets, not having cell reception in my own house, and school. I just want a vacation. A really long vacation.

But it won’t just be fun and games… I am going to get down to business as well.

I am going to transform my room into a craft studio.

Make/transform one article of clothing a week.

Make needed things for college. 

Do tons of craft tutorials.

Have lots of adventures.

and warm my frozen bones.

It is so cold in my house that after I washed my hands the cold air in my house froze them. I had to breath warm air on to my hands in my house… Not cool.

Looking forward to this. Just looking at this picture makes me warmer. 

Through out the winter I often looked at my “summer” pictures to keep me going. Almost there.

Carli

Picnics

Today I have been thinking about picnics. The weather here is Utah is getting close to being perfect for a picnic! (which is weird… it’s only February)

I just want to have a picnic everyday for the rest of forever…

Sometimes when I am driving I see a perfect little spot to lay a blanket under the sun, and have been saving those places in my mind until the sun warms the earth once again. 

My picnic dream is to lay on a handmade quilt (made by me) under a big oak tree, listening to some oldies records on a traveling record player, have a big wicker picnic basket, drink homemade lemonade from a mason jar, eat bomb sandwiches, wear a big sun hat & sunglasses, and just read good books, have good conversations, and nice long naps.

Sounds heavenly. These are the reasons why I love the summer.

Pictures from previous picnics…

Carli

New Semester

I cannot believe that the summer is over. It went by way to fast. I feel like I have accomplished nothing. Ok, I don’t just feel that way. I kinda didn’t. The wedding took up most of my time. I wish that I had had more time to relax after the chaos that occurred this past weekend. I will admit that I was a little excited for school to start. Mostly because of my World Civilization and drawing class. The strange thing is that I hardly did any preparation. Normally I would have been ready days ahead of time, but I had to rush the night before. 

But today turned out pretty good. I only had my World Civ. and drawing today, tomorrow I have three classes; all of which I am dreading. So much so that I can’t even remember what they are… 

Although I firmly believe that I was not ready to be back in school, it did feel good to be in the SLC again. I just wish I could spend my entire college career there. I don’t want to give up my small classes, and close parking spot to the crowded Provo campus.

Today I wore my all time favorite eye glass clip. I think this may have been the first one I ever made. This is a clipping from Seventeen Magazine from 1965 I believe. I wish that Seventeen Magazine was like it used to be…. It is so amazing. All the illustrations, ads, and styles. I don’t remember what this illustration was advertising, but I thought it was appropriate for the first day back to school. I call it “Read some books, gain some knowledge.” 

If you are wondering about this creation… I must tell you that it is an eye glass lens that I got from a thrift store that I made into a hair clip. I am still working on perfecting these things, and someday I hope to sell these in my Etsy shop, but I just don’t think they are ready yet…

Well, I must hit the sack. I’ve got school tomorrow… 8|

Carli

Beach.

Today I got to go to the beach! It had been four long months since I have felt the burning hot sand between my toes. As usual, it was blazing hot. The sun was beating down stealing the life out of my body. But I didn’t care. I was finally at the beach. I have desperately missed the salty air, and the endless view of the water. It is good to know that although it has been four months, the beach is the same as when I left it. The same sand, same water, same grimy seaweed, same little jelly fish… The only thing that is different is the people. Although there is one thing that is the same about the people, it is that hardly anyone wears swim suits that flatter their bodies. I know that is a hard and daunting task… but I am just saying that bikinis are not meant for everyone. Actually, very few people can pull them off. You may be slender, but that does not mean you can pull it off. 

Ok I will stop with the what not to wear…

Kait and Andy went to the beach with me. They didn’t dress to swim, but I did!

I went out in the water by my self, but I didn’t mind. It was just great to be out in the waves. (Mom if you re reading this do not worry. I barely went in the water past my knees. Plus there was tons of people out there. I was hardly alone.) My mom freaks out about the beach… The water was cool as it rushed past me. My mom was right the under toe was kinda bad… I just walked around a bit, did a little body surfing, mentally prepared myself to swim parallel to shore incase the under toe got me, and thoroughly enjoyed being in the water. The ocean is so powerful. Poseidon definitely makes his presence known. (greek myth…)

Although we didn’t stay long, I did have an amazing time today. For all my Utah friends who say that the Salt Lake is just like the beach, you obviously don’t know what your talking about. That slimy, smelly, gnat infested thing you call the Great Salt Lake does not compare in the slightest even to the worst beach in the world. Just saying…

Above are a few pictures to illustrate my amazing day at the beach.

Carli

The End.

I cannot express the joy that I am feeling at this moment. The semester is over. I have 2 months of no 8 page essays, tests, or biology homework! YESSS! I have been sooo stressed out for the past week. It feels like a hippo was chilling on my shoulders and now he finally found something better to do and stepped down. 

In exactly a week I will be leaving to Texas in a car with my bestie Kaitlyn! I am more then excited. I am ecstatic! 

It will be nice to feel the sand between my toes and the salty breeze run through my hair (which by the way is much longer then when I left. I have done a good job of growing it out!) Don’t judge me, but I cannot wait to see my kitty Izzy. It has been way too long since he has dug his claws into my skin…. Yeah so I am not looking forward to that… but hey, it comes with the territory….

Counting down the seconds…

Carli