Pretty Girlie of Me

PINK! I know that comes as no surprise, really. But I do love pink and since it’s February I felt that it is the best time of year to shout it from the rooftops. I am not really one to wear pink but I tend to gravitate towards the color for pretty much every other thing in my life. My favorite pink possession is my hot pink laptop. Guaranteed not to be hijacked by my husband.

New Month, Fresh Start. Why just celebrate the new year? Each day is a new day and a reason to start anew. Since I got my Colour-a-Month Moleskine set changing the month is more than just flipping the calendar. It’s a chance for a fresh slate. Tabula Rasa. Take advantage of the opportunity to make this month better than the last.

Colour-a-Month Moleskine. Did somebody mention Moleskine? Oh right, yes, that was me… again. I promise this is the last profession of love for the pocket-sized notebook, unless of course some new must-have product crossed my computer screen. I first saw this set on Gala Darling then again on Nubby Twiglet, both are lady bloggers I greatly admire. I thought I’d give the planner a try and, boy, am I happy I did. The set is first off, adorable but it also the perfect little bedtime companion to reflect on my day or plan for the next. At first I was taken aback by how some they were but I quickly discovered that they were perfect for developing the habit of just writing a quick blurb before I snuggle down for bed. I fill a page every night. And since one book is dedicated to one month there’s a certain measure of excitement from the changing of the guard, if you will. I am counting down until March and April… the pink months!

Accomplishments. I am very proud of myself for all my recent accomplishments and think that I justly deserve a gold star. Here’s to another month meeting the goals I set for myself!

Flowers. Giving flowers to someone as a get well is one of my favorite things to do. I know that flowers have a way of brightening my day so when given the chance I like to do the same for other. My sister-in-law just had gallbladder surgery, a surgery that I underwent almost two years ago, so I know the discomfort she is in. Get well, Melissa! I love ya!

Farewell, January 2010!

January. As a whole I have to say that this is probably the best January I have ever had, in recent memory at least. Normally, January is filled with broken resolutions and waning hopefulness but this year was different. I have made a real conscious effort to accomplish everything I set out to do. Of course, these accomplishments were achieved with varying levels of success but the fact they were achieved is what matters. In the past, my perfectionism has gotten the best of me, standing in the way of my success. However, this year I’ve decided to be kinder to myself and not allow that nagging “not good enough” self-talk to sabotage me. And this one seemingly little tweak in attitude has made an enormous difference in my day-to-day happiness. Voltaire was quoted as saying, “Le mieux est l’ennemi du bien” or roughly translated to “Perfect is the enemy of the good.” And really do any of us strive to have a “perfect life?” No, a good life is all I’m after.

So here are the things that colored January 2010 for me:

Writing Everyday. This was the first habit I hoped to accomplish in the new year. Using the 6 Changes approach, I have four more weeks to greater solidify my new “Write Everyday” habit. I am so pleased that I choose this as my first habit to form. It came much more naturally to me than I ever thought possible. The four weeks of January have been filled with expressiveness. Not only have I blogged everyday that I set out to, but I now write nightly in a small Moleskine daily planner (it’s pages are so small it’s sort of the equivalent of a nightly Twitter on paper,) and I now keep a private, hand-written journal. The surprise favorite has been my private journal. There is something so intimate about sitting down with a blank page and a pen in hand. It reminds me of when I first started writing. Also, in today’s world of everybody-shares-everything via blogs, Facebook, and Twitter it is so refreshing to have a place meant just for me.

Finished two books. Admittedly, I am not a speed reader. I like to take my time with my books. I feel like it allows me to soak in as much of the story as possible. It also helps me retain many more details than if I read more quickly. Another one of my new habits for 2010 is to Read More. According to the 6 Habits each-habit-gets-8-weeks method, I am not due to tackle this one until late summer. Hopefully, by the end of the year I will have upped my average. I read solely for pleasure so it is difficult to find any time other than just before bed and depending on how tired I am I may only get through a couple of pages. Reading is also imperative to good writing so it needs to serves me more than your standard leisure activity. With all that being said, I am pleased that I finished at least two books this month. Both books were part of the Jill Kismet series written by Lilith Saintcrow and I am enjoying them quite a bit.  I also took the time to update my collecting-dust-until-now Goodreads account.

The PERFECT journals. I have to say this was a major thing for me this month. I have been buying and/or making journals for as long as I can remember and never has any journal served me as perfectly as my new Ecosystem journals. I cannot say enough good things about them. They have enough sizes and page formats to probably suit just about anyone’s needs. I love them so very much. In the last three weeks I have filled about 15 pages in my private journal and 10 pages in my Shadow Ridge journal. The newer blue journal is still blank but I have great plans for that one! =)

Health care. This is more suited for My Mount Everest but it belongs here too. I have started taking the steps to find a new doctor that will help take control of my health. This is a huge deal for me and in just doing the act of making appointments and not settling I am really facing a lot of fears. My search will continue into February so I am sure there will be more days filled with anxiety over it but there is freedom in facing fears so I say, “Bring it on!”

Got Organized! There were several things that I did this month of help me keep things in place or to keep me on task. Some things I’ve already shared here like my obsessive addiction to my journals and Moleskines (yes, I know, technically, these are also journals but they are so special I have to call them by name. Also, while I am indulging in a tangent, one of my pet peeves is when people call things by brand names when they are not really that brand: Not all tissues are Kleenex, not all photo copiers are Xerox machines, and not all DVR’s are TiVo’s! OK, I’m done.) Hmm… where was I? Oh, yes… organization. Ha! Other things that have helped me immensely are is my Google Tasks, getting ahead on a year’s worth of birthday cards using a fun accordion file, and using small cosmetic bags inside my handbag to tidily keep the plethora of small items I always want at hand and rainbow of gel pens I always have on me. I also got some tiered shelves to house my growing OPI Nail Polish collection and decorative hooks for all of my necklaces. I will including photos of these some time this month, just to share some snapshots of my life.

Stormy weather. California was hit by some pretty heavy storms in January. I adore the rain. I also get very lazy in the rain. So, these storms served as a great test to see if I can stay focused and motivated enough to accomplish some of my goals. Glad to report I passed.

The passing of J.D. Salinger. “The Catcher in the Rye” is one of my all-time favorite books. It touched me in a way that other books have not. It may have been the time in my life or any number of reasons but it’s story has always stayed with me. I am embarrassed to admit that I haven’t read any other Salinger works besides Catcher. I ordered “Franny & Zooey”, “Nine Stories”, and “Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters” to further my Salinger “education.” He was a true talent, may he rest in peace.

Rain Inspired

The NEW large storyboard book from Moleskine. I know, I know… another Moleskine mention but I cannot help it. I love these books. I am constantly looking for ways to organize my thoughts and jotting ideas on post-its just wasn’t cutting it anymore. I bought the small storyboard book about a month ago and I wasn’t too happy with it. The pocket size was completely impractical. When the large one was released I thought I’d give it a shot because the format was perfect for storyboarding my game sessions. It came in the mail yesterday and I just love it. Totally perfect. I still use my index card/bulletin board combo but having a portable version of that will prove invaluable.

I snapped this picture through the windshield on the way to work yesterday.

Stormy weather. Sure, there are lots of things that aren’t so great about all this rain, for example having to walk through a mini lake to get to my office, soaking my shoes, socks, and the bottom of my jeans in the process like I did this morning. But, it really is nice to hear the rain outside the windows. To be united with all my fellow Southern Californians experiencing this rare weather is fun.

Hot Chocolate. Yum! When Ramses got back into the office yesterday he brought me some hot chocolate. It was so nice and warm. It made me feel terribly full though so I think I may make some hot tea when I get home instead.

The Diamond Valley Lake Marathon being postponed. Safety first, people! I was worried for Ramses who was supposed to attempt his first half-marathon on Saturday. And to be completely honest, this weather has had me fantasizing about a nice, warm, cozy weekend at home so I was happy to hear about the postponement. =)

The Jill Kismet Series by Lilith Saintcrow. The only thing the rain puts me in the mood to do is read. I picked up the four books of this series about a month ago. The holidays didn’t really lead itself to much reading for me so I’ve only finished the first book but I’ve been burning through the second. I am really enjoying Saintcrow’s world and her kickass demon-hunting Jill Kismet is excellent inspiration for my own sexy hunter, Cassie Chase. I also got the first book of the Dante Valentine series that I think may be set in the same world so I’m anxious to read that one too.

Creativity Abounds

New journals from Ecosystem! I just got the onyx (black) and the watermelon (pink) ones in mail yesterday from Barnes & Noble and I love them already! I am on a constant search for the perfect journal and I think I may have found it. I have a love affair with Moleskine but haven’t been too keen on their larger notebooks. I love their small pocket-sized ones though. When I found Ecosystem I was drawn to them because they have the same simple sensibility as Moleskine by the pages are brighter, the covers feel sturdier, and there is a handy pocket in the back of each one. I can’t lie though, the leaf motif on the inside may have helped me make my decision as well. It wasn’t until after I received them that I saw clever little coding system they use so you can go to the website to see when and where your journals were made. Not only that you can register them so if they ever get lost the finder can simply go to the website and contact you! I loved them so much I went ahead and ordered a lagoon (blue) one too, specifically for a fantasy story I’ve had tumbling around in my head for a while.

G2 Pilot Gel-Ink Colored Pens. I love these pens. The colors make my journals happy and I can’t wait to use them on my new journals. I have two sets and a set of cheaper ones but somehow I only one pink pen. They have a tendency to be kidnapped by other pink-loving girls. =)

Finding my worth. This week has been a bit of a roller coaster. I am currently searching for a new primary care doctor, which you can read about over at My Mount Everest, and I had a bit of an epiphany yesterday. I decided that I deserved better and that I didn’t have to settle for “good enough.” This is the first time in my life that I’m actually putting myself first and feeling like I am worth it. So, yay, me! =)

Sleeping during a rain shower. Ahh, two nights ago I had the most lovely sleep. We sleep with a sound machine and sometimes set it to rain storm but there is nothing like the real thing.

Photography: Ramdaq Model: Hollie Swain

Preparing for new adventures. Been doing lots of research on the Victorian era, psychics/medians, and various Steampunk things. I stumbled on the photo shoot that the image above is from and was so taken by the model and the styling that she has become my inspiration for a new character. This should be fun!

Baggage

Finding a super cute, colorful, stylish, AND functional bag at Target on clearance! Tuesday I went on a search for a large bag that would hold the regular contents of my purse plus my various Moleskines and a book to read during my lunch. Initially, I settled on a large black tote with hot pink lining that perfectly matched my wallet (same one as Doe Deere’s #3) but the bag wasn’t all that pretty and it was kind of bland. Then I spied this purple bag that I immediately gravitated towards. After hemming and hawing over whether or not I should Ramses convinced me to just get it. And at only $17.49 I’m glad I took the chance and went for it. All my boring black and brown bags have taken a backseat to my new favorite child.

Gmail Tasks. I love Gmail. It is the very best email service I have ever used and I absolutely love all the features from my best friend, Google Reader to Google Talk (stupid, Robert) to Google Calendar, hell, even the search function and chat logs are awesome. But up until now I never utilized the Tasks function. It’s become my To Do List for the new year and it’s doing a bang-up job of keeping me focused and, dare I say, on task!?  OK, shoot me that was a horrible pun.

500 Days of Summer. Ramses bought me this movie for Christmas because I’d been dropping hints for the whole month of December. I didn’t see it while it was out in the theaters but I knew I’d like it and it would make a welcome addition to our growing blu-ray collection. Zooey Deschanel is adorable and I heart Joseph Gordon-Levitt. I never really watched 3rd Rock from the Sun but I’ve seen quite a bit of his later work. Brick was fantastic; a gritty modern-day noir. Stop-Loss was also good. G.I. Joe kinda sucked but his scenes were a highlight. I’ve recently seen clips of him in the new Leonardo DiCaprio movie, Inception, and I have to say I am intrigued. I just find him handsome and charming and not at all like the regular actors I crush on. His portrayal of Tom in 500 Days of Summer is beautiful. He made me love Summer through his eyes, and my heart broke right along with his. Truly, this movie has become an instant favorite for me. The tagline says it all, “This is not a love story, this is a story about love.”

Reconnecting with friends that I thought I’d lost. It made my heart happy. =)

Harajuku Lovers Bags from Sephora. I love these little bags. I got the Brush Case from the Snow Angels Collection and the clutch from the Snow Bunnies Collection. I am using the clutch as a hold-all and the brush case as a pencil/pen case. I threw them both in my new purple bag and I am good to go.

So, what are you loving on this week?

Kaylee’s Journal

Documenting Shadow Ridge

P.S.  I am a sucky artist but I am having fun creating a character journal for the Shadow Ridge world.  =P