Art Projects on the Horizon

Hey so i've been lacking in my creativity lately. It's all due to a mix of having a active toddler, tiny dash of winter blues, and lack of time. Well I am done making excuses and I have a whole list of upcomming projects that I would like to attempt.

Silk Screening - I've recently acquired some pain and squeegies through Craigslist when I found some pastels for sale. I thought, hmm why not try a new project. I do love taking photos and how cute would it be to print some cool shirts for zoe using some of my designs and pics.

Start up an Etsy store. I want to focus more on making invites and party favors. I have some cool desings that I have done in the past that I havent' seen done anywhere else. If I dont sell a thing....no loss. I'm sure that I will have fun in the process.

Rain Rain I love Rain

I love hearing rain hitting the rooftop. It's so comforting to  me.  

My husband and I went on a first date to Navy Pier here in Chicago and it poured on us. I mean, POURED!!! I was drenched. Cute hair and make up was ruined! Yet we had a great time. I think the rain broke the ice and we were ourselves. Like little kids playing in the rain together. Great memory !!

These are a few of my favorite things....this week!

Red Mango Fruit Parfaits - frozen yogurt with either tropical or mixed berry fruit, granola and frozen yogurt....yummmmmmm

Watergeeks Water Bottle - these waterbottles have built in filters. I have the one with an advanced filter that cleans lead, bacteria, and tons of crap so I can fill my bottle up for free and not have to worry.

http://thewatergeeks.com/

new toy

Dr. K's Cure All Soup - Thank you Amitabul

Yesterday I started feeling under the weather. I woke up feeling really sluggish and had a sore throat. All I craved was some good soup with a hearty noodle. Dan made a trip over to our favorite Korean and Vegan place, Amitabul. To our disappointment, it was closed. I guess they are closed on Sundays and Mondays.  I settled for a veggie noodle bowl from WholeFoods. Now I am not vegetarian or vegan for that matter. But I do respect anyone who is. I simply love vegetables and eating to feed the soul.

Upon waking this morning, my first thought was Amitabul. I woke up feeling pretty awful. I breastfed Zoe, made coffee, showered and got ready for work. We hit up Amitabul on the way and boy was I happy!!!!

We tried the dumplings today. They were amazing!!!! So light and delicious. Zoe loooooved them too!!!

I am not a big fan of spicy food. I know I know, what are we doing at a Korean place than? Well you can ask for mild and that's what I did.

I ordered what they call Dr. K's Cure All Noodle Soup - full of seaweed, tofu, mushrooms, hearty and healthy veggies and whole wheat noodles. It was like a warm hug to my throat. I literally drank the stock after to savor the amazing soup until the last drop hit my tongue. I really did feel a lot better!!!

If you live in Chicago, you have to check this place out!!! Especially if you are not used to vegan, vegetarian food - this is a great place to try something full of nutrition, health and most importantly......flavor!!

http://www.amitabulvegan.com/

2011 - My hopes, dreams and wishes for the New Year

I've been thinking lately what I would like to accomplish in the new year.  Everyone makes resolutions and mine are probably no different than most.  So here are a few that I think are important to me.....

1. Get in shape - I am not happy with my weight or my health. Since Zoe's birth, I have gained weight and have really slacked off on taking good care of myself. I am not eating as well as I should and have been consuming waaaay too much sugar lately. I am hypoglycemic and this is just foolish of me. 

We took our first family portrait last week and when I saw myself, I was shocked and saddened. What happened to me? I was really unhappy with the way I looked and felt, too.

I am so careful to teach Zoe healthy eating habits and living a healthy life but living what I preach would be the best way to show her.

2. Develop my confidence and do more photography projects. I love taking pictures!! I have to admit that I have had no inspiration lately to create. I don't know if it's my confidence, feeling depressed and blah, lack of time.....what ever it is, I need to get back into what I love.  I take a million snapshots of Zoe. Anyone that sees my facebook page can attest. But, i need to challenge myself and develop new skills as a photgrapher.

3. Get organized and declutter. My apartment can very well look like an episode of hoarders. Ok maybe it's not that bad but it is not where I want to be. We share a tiny 1 bedroom apartment with our daughter and cat. To say we have clutter, is an understatement. There is much organization and improvement to be made. I know that I can do better. Yes, we need bigger space as Zoe grows but for now I need to tackle our current space. I need more positive, Zen energy flowing through our space. 

4. Figure out my financial path and get more debt down. I don't even want to type more than I have to about my debt. It's out of control and suffocating me. I need to spend less and pay down this beast.

Ok so those are my top 4. I know that not everything will change overnight, but I do need to accomplish these goals in the near future.  I am motivated and feeling postive about the changes that I need to make.

Last Week of 2010

So Christmas festivities are officially over and 2011 is right around the corner....wow where did this year go?!

I have to say that I really enjoyed 2010. I got to see Zoe grow from a newborn beautiful baby to a funny and active toddler.  I had so much fun taking her to museums, parks, and zoos.  I mastered breastfeeding, diapering, sling wearing.....not showering for days or sleeping for that matter. It's been a great ride so far!!!

So now to 2011.