Creole Wisdom

defined

A Minneapolis summer, in two scenes:

Lake Harriet Band Shell & Karen-Breakfast on the balcony.

Enjoy your Holiday weekend. xoxo CW.

darling baby w

On Monday I had the honor of photographing the sweet newborn baby of a sorority sister of mine. The P family is fantastic, and baby W is just darling. Here are a few favorites.

That was fun! If you are a local reader, and you are in need of photos for any occasion, be sure to just contact me :)

progress

I like the idea of creating a goal list as long as your age. So I created mine a few months ago, and so far- little progress (but it's still progress!) has been made.

23 at 23 

1. Pay off my credit cards (so far $450 towards card 1)

2. Work out 3 times a week at the very least

3. Buy a new pair of running and walking shoes

4. Volunteer at five events (1-Basilica Fundraiser)

5. Go to a flea market

6. Purchase three new pieces of jewelry from local designers

7. Make my own cleaning products & use them

8. Save 10% of every paycheck, and give 10% to church (live happily, and gratefully off the remaining 80%)

9. Continue to read the Bible and journal everyday

10. Purchase new pillows for my bad & a duvet for the duvet cover

11. Get work in the communications industry

12. Go fishing

13. Buy Ireland Blurb Books

14. Find an antique dresser and refinish it (paint, new knobs)

15. Purchase new towels and have them monogrammed

16. Document what we eat at dinner club and with Emma in my journal

17. Create a plan for grandpa's photos

18. Find a job/internship at a local magazine

19. Read at least 5 books (1- Julie & Julia)

20. Get a subscription to two magazines/newspapers

21. Really launch a photography website

22. Keep my weekends as work-free as possible

23. Have a meaningful phrase, quote, or symbol made into something (letters, photos, necklace)

That is my list, and my goals. 23 goals, for 23 years. This is me-

the very first day

So, there are really no good photos to go with this entry, so you will have to go without.

Rest assured, my very first day interning at The Magazine was fantastic.

I had really no idea what to expect, and found myself nervous Tuesday morning (I am a good preparer, so I am rarely nervous.)

Anyway- what makes this all full circle is that twenty two years ago, my dad used to work in the same building- granted at a different company on a different floor, but in my mom's old photo album there's a picture of him standing in front of that skyscraper donning a very 1980s suit.

Enough nostalgia.

I cannot disclose too much about what I'll be doing, or really specifically for who, but rest assured that it's cool and exactly what I want to do. I am really hoping that this will turn into a career, but again I'm not God, and so I am accepting His will. At the same time I am allowing myself to feel incredibly blessed.

Right now I am profiling Norfolk, VA- a seaside southern city. I get to do fun things like call restaurant owners and ask about local favorites, and search for night spots or good boutiques. Never mind that I would do these things anyway if I was traveling to a new city! 

I love it, and have my own cute little desk- It's all very good, and I anticipate learning a lot, and having a ball at the same time.

I can't believe I'm here. I can't believe I finally work for a magazine.

Thursday

Thursday I had a day off, and so did mom- and despite not feeling well, we charged on and had a little day shopping trip.

First stop, Euro Nest. They have some absolutely beautiful pieces.

I really loved those pillows, but not for $175. They are pretty cool though...

Up next: Excelsior, MN. I drove right past Boo Boo's parent's house. It was so warm and sunny outside-

The shops were filled to the brim with amazing finds, and my favorite- good decorating ideas for next year. Especially at Petunia's, I love how the owners put that place together!

After spending the day there we headed home, but not without a stop at the General Store for dinner and more shopping :)

And that is how to spend your day off...

the end of a chapter, and the beginning of another

Yesterday was my final day at the law firm. They were so funny: giving me an ice cream cake that said "good luck," a plant, and really- a little party. I am horrible at taking care of plants. I hope Betty, as I've named her can survive. We'll see.

Then the rest of the evening was spent in bliss: summer on the front balcony. I was laughing really hard at Becky's and Kate's imitations of their favorite campus bus drivers. "DINKY-TAWN!" or "POOOOORRRRTTTLAND." Maybe you had to be there. It was hilarious.

Then Ashley walked up the street, and came right up to join us. She just got a fabulous job offer, and we are all so proud. Then we sat around and discussed how everyone is growing up and out, and then Ashley said, "soon everyone will die." We all laughed about that, but I took that one step further: treat each day as your last.

xoxo

CW

two really cool things

1- The minute Cuba opens I'm going on vacation there. I want to see the old cars, the beautiful resorts, and take photos. Maybe in my lifetime? Look at this cool poster above!

2- Since you loved my canvas prints so much from canvas on demand, their main man- Jason, sent me a little deal to pass on to YOU. Go to www.eversave.com and purchase a 16"x20" canvas for the price of... $45! What a deal :)

Maybe someday I'll get canvas prints of Cuba.

new pillows

Recently I have been on the biggest home improvement/diy/decorating kick. I think it stems from the fact that I will be moving at the end of the summer, and for the first time, to non-student type housing. I am pretty joyful about that.

Anyway, I love my bedding, but my pillows were so blah. I decided to do a bit of sewing this weekend.

I cannot lie. I love the way they turned out. They were exactly what I was going for, and let's be real- how often does your mind's image match up with reality? Rarely.

I think they are the perfect touch in my bedroom. They were also so economical to make. I already had the actual pillows, and all I needed to purchase was the fabric (a grand total of $5.00)

When it comes to sewing I hate patterns, they just don't work for me- all that cutting and the ridiculous paper that rips... don't get me started, but I found all the information I needed from this blog and this blog. 

So, go and make yourself a ruffled pillow. You will smile.

xoxo

CW

secret

A few weeks ago I was approached by a woman who lives in the same apartment complex as my dad. She and I spoke for a few minutes, reminding each other of our names- we had met in the work out facility. After paying her a complement on her gorgeous lipstick she looked at me and said, "you are so beautiful, and have such a glow about you." It was really nice.

A month before Claire and I were having a little get-together. She told me (like the other woman) that I was glowing, and seemed so settled and good.

After I got the good news about my internship (set to start soon!) my mentor and I were speaking on the phone. We met when I was helping her pick out dresses at Melly. She told me that I had been a special light in her day when I was so friendly and attentive to what she needed while shopping, "you just have a shine about you, and I knew I needed to meet you and get to know you." 

So. Where does that leave us? No, I'm not pregnant, although HCMC might think otherwise ;) and no, I don't think I'm some ridiculous stunning beauty all the days of my life (I wish!)

But I think it's really simple.

My "glow" comes from: my gorgeous friendships, the crazy family I'm part of, loving what I do, taking care of myself, making beautiful things, and honestly- from my faith in God and Christ.

In January I decided that I would start to read the Bible and journal more often in addition to attending mass more often. Really simple things that weren't necessarily easy to fit into my schedule. I chose to do this because my experiences at Church and my friend Joy inspired me to. I found a study method that worked for me, and filled a nearly empty journal in a few months. 

Since then I have: spent less money, saved more, apologized when needed, learned to really forgive quicker, and instead of judge or think negative thoughts smile.

So there you know, it's my secret to a glow. Happy weekend dear readers.

xoxo

CW

crazy is as crazy does

So, I knew this project would be hard and time consuming, which is why I put it off for months. But it's spring now, and I simply cannot have any stones unturned any longer. Monday I decided that this would be completed by the middle of the week. Is it perfect? Nope, but I love it. I think it's beautiful, and I cannot wait to hang it.

These are really cool to do, and I think it would be fun to do a colored-theme or else b&w only version. The grids are very easy to find, but I would steer away from ebay/online and just look around at your neighborhood garage sales. That's where I found mine for around $15-20.

As I completed this around 11:30pm last night I fully realized that I am so crazy, and don't you doubt it- just wait until you see what I'm making this weekend (it involves me + the bernina, fun-frustrating!)