I want to run in fields, paint the kitchen, and love someone.

Today I managed to turn finding a store which was only "1.8 miles away" into a 25 minute venture, only to discover, much to my frustration that the store was no longer there. It had moved. So, 20 minutes later, and re-routing my Garmin, I found another one. So, 1.8 miles turned into 45 minutes and a fair amount of shouting at my Garmin (and "recalculating" echoing in my car). She and I have a love-hate relationship. I'm not sure if she should know this or not, but for the most part, YOU CAN'T MAKE LEFT TURNS IN NEW JERSEY! And she's constantly telling me to do just that. Only in cases where a "jughandle" is not possible can you usually make a left turn. 

While I was out, I bought some cashmere leg warmers. Definitely something I would never have a use for in Florida.

I think I'm going to keep a collection of pictures of Philly sunsets. On the clear nights, they are some of the most gorgeous sunsets I've ever seen. I get such a wonderful perspective from my 7th floor windows. Skies of purple, reds, and pink. I already have some breathtaking shots. 

Completely unrelated, I truly LOVE Imogen Heap. One of my favorite songs ever is, Hide and Seek. A friend once had it as his ring tone for me- perfect. I really *need* their new album, Ellipse. Every song I've listened to from the album is fantastic. I also love her with Frou Frou. I had no idea they were one and the same until recently. Her music takes me away. And I love that. Her voice. The lyrics. Her style. Love. Love. Love.

One of her new songs, Wait It Out:

And sit here cold? 
Look, you'll be long gone by then. 
And lackluster in dust we lay 
'round old magazines. 
Fluorescent lighting sets the scene 
for all we could and should being 
in the one life that we've got. 

Today's high was 75. It was wonderful. And cool. Not at all like Florida.  

The battle with the heart isn't easily won...

Prima continues to get better, and better with each release. Truly, they have outdone themselves. I love the detail in these flowers. The layers. The varying elements and textures. And to think, there was a time when all Prima made were simple multi-colored paper flowers that came in milk bottles. They have certainly evolved. 

Well, I want them all. Flowers are one of my "scrapbooking essentials." I love to use them in my creations- they add such a beautiful, delicate, and feminine touch. The pinks and purples in these are gorgeous. 

Etsy love.

Etsy has such wonderful talent and creations. I can literally spend hours on that site. In honor of all the talented artists, creators, and collectors, some Etsy love. 

So "me."

These necklaces are absolutely gorgeous. Truly, a work of art. I wish I knew the technique involved in making the flowers. I can't afford these lovely creations.

Love worn and weathered vintage finds such as this. Especially in vibrant red.

I heart owls.

This would look great in my kitchen. All my dishes and mugs/glasses are black and white. And accents are red.

I may try and make something like this. Around the holidays. 

And in support of my dear friend, Christina, she has some beautiful jewelry and floral creations on Etsy. Here is her site. 

All the stars and boulevards ain't close enough for you...

This is what I get to see each and every night I look out my window. Some nights, it's not as clear as this and the city isn't as visible. This particular night, it was absolutely beautiful. It's probably my favorite feature of my new place- my view to the city lights. 

The colors where even more vivid and intense. I'm not sure why, but blogger tends to wash out my pictures.

My farewell to a second family.

My last two weeks in Florida involved a lot of goodbyes. Not my favorite part of moving by any means. There aren't many things I will miss about Florida, but I will miss my family and friends, terribly. This has become more apparent during my first week alone in New Jersey. I didn't think I would react as strongly as I have, but the tears have been flowing. I know with time, it will get easier. And with new people in my life and new experiences this will be true. In less than a week, I start my journey as a graduate student which will provide a good distraction from an omnipresent feeling of being alone with unfamiliar surroundings. 

These pictures were taken during my last moments with my dear friend Rachel and her family. I have grown so close to the Sommers over the years. I met Rachel as a sophomore in high school. We were both leads in a play in drama, and we became instant friends. Although we both went away for college, we still remained friends and kept in touch. She and I both moved home after we graduated and our weekly routine of the Dallas Bull ensued. We had such a great time together! 

Rach's mom (AKA "Grams"), Rachel, and I

Remnants of an amazing and decadent chocolate lava cake dessert.

I got misty eyes as they said farewell...

I finally got around to uploading pictures from the last month or two on to my computer. I haven't been a consistent blogger lately (rightfully so), so I will be playing catch-up. Below are pictures of the canvas I created for the class I taught at Whim So Doodle for Jen's going away party. I (of course) used Basic Grey. I did the canvas much like my Ambrosia canvas I created for the MS Crop for Hope. I wanted to give everyone inspiration utilizing two different color schemes. Instead of butterflies, I cut out dragonflies this time. I think I'm going to add more bubble wrap texture with a lighter purple to add more dimension...

Picture perfect memories, scattered all around the floor.

My bed was delivered Thursday morning. It's not what you would call a "simple" bed. Of course, being the type of person I am, I had to pick an elaborate and grand bed. It's a 4-poster canopy bed. What I love most is it can be configured into 3 different beds (a bed with just a headboard and footboard, a 4-poster bed, or a canopy bed). Again, perfect for me, because my taste is always changing. The guys who delivered it took 25 minutes to assemble it, and that was without the 3 cross-beams which I didn't have installed because my fan was in the way. Had we bought the bed in Florida and assembled it ourselves (as in my dad), it would have probably taken us 2-3 hours! 

My bedroom is really coming together. I love my dressers. They were my grandmother's and I spent several (long and frustrating) weeks refinishing, priming, painting, and poly-ing them. The outcome, for my very first time painting or refinishing anything, was pretty good. I LOVE the color I picked, a flat black, but not a dark black. It's amazing the number of shades of black that actually exist. The only problem- I spent all my energy and brain cells priming, painting, and poly-ing, that I failed to consider how much thicker each new layer would make my drawers. And now, they won't close. I was pretty devastated. I thought with some sanding, my problem would be solved, but no such luck. Until I (my dad) finds a solution, my drawers remain semi-open. 

I will be posting pictures of my place as things get finished. My living room won't be done for awhile, as I don't have a couch and won't for several months. It's definitely an investment piece and I will not be going "simple" on that either. My bathroom is almost done, as is my bedroom and kitchen. This is what I love- decorating, creating, manipulating, organizing- everything the way I want it. It's wonderful. It's therapeutic. Tweaking, rearranging, perfecting. I made my father absolutely crazy hanging pictures Saturday. I'm very particular and noticed when pictures were off even a millimeter...surprised? Anyone who knows me won't be. 

She likes the boys in the band, she knows when they come to town.

This is what my apartment looked like the first couple days after I moved in. It's much better now. Just a few boxes with books, papers, and magazines which I plan to keep packed. I'm SO thankful for my two (semi) walk-in closet. They're pretty big. My bedroom closet can accommodate *most* of my things- all my purses, hanging clothes, boots, hats, and all my shoes that aren't already in my hanging storage on the back of my door. Christmas items, tree, coats, and some scrapping stuff are in my hall closet. And I love that places up north have linen closets. Never saw those in Florida. 

Don't you love that U-Haul advertises, "Size Matters!" on their boxes (3rd picture)? Such a double entendre.