Life Lately & My Monkey

Hello friends! Whew...that was a long break to say the least. And I might still be on a blogging break because life is fairly busy right now. But this blog is like an old, long-distance friend. I think of her often, she's always with me and I miss her desperately. So I'm popping in for a little update.  And I will whenever the mood strikes :)

What's new? Oh nothing...I just have a 15 month old now! Huck is keeping me busy with walking, talking and generally being adorable. I went back to work full-time in October at the University of Manitoba (I manage the social media channels), Huck spends his days in a delightful, small home daycare nearby and I'm continuing a second job I started while on maternity leave - blogging for St. Vital Centre's style blog Spark. It's a juggle, but a good one.

I am the most active over on Instagram, so if you want to catch up more regularly - you can visit me over there. For now, here are a few pics of my little monkey...

Two sweet years....

Two years ago yesterday, this happened....

 Thank you Jack for being the best thing that ever happened to me. You're the love of my life, my best friend, my partner-in-crime and now my co-parent to be.... As Kelly Clarkson said 'my life would suck without you'.

Here's to many, many more days of watching bad TV, figuring out what to cook for dinner, living in a constant state of renovation and teasing each other for all the little things. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Lather in The Globe and Mail

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you're all having a good week? No bump style peeks for me this week...it was a bit of a rough one. I was lucky enough to sail through my first trimester and the second seems to be getting it's payback. It's been a fun week of round ligament pain, dizzy spells, headaches and generally feeling weak and blah. Luckily I'm feeling better today and hope to have a relaxing weekend with friends and family.

I did want to share this article that came out last weekend in The Globe and Mail Style section. I was interviewed on the topic of plus-size clothing availability in Canada and needless to say - I had much to talk about. There were a few minor discrepancies - like the fact that I'm only 5'11" and not 6'2". Also the other bloggers mentioned were not named by me, but I'm glad to see the community out there.

It's a topic that requires a lot more discussion and thought and I feel that there are so many different angles to the story and everyone's opinion differs. It's not even the fact that there aren't plus size clothing available - it's more that they tend to be more frumpy, less quality and cut very oversized in areas that need not be (armholes anyone??). Sometimes I get embarrassed to talk about it - because I'd like for people not to focus on my body/size on a tag but on my personal style. I don't think it's wrong to want to wear what the other 90% of stores are selling but know that you won't be able to fit into the largest size they have...

But the more discussion we have, the more doors it may open. Because don't we all deserve to wear cute clothes and feel good about ourselves - no matter what our size?

What are your thoughts friends? I know there are many of you out there who struggle, whether you are petite, plus-sized, athletically-built, small with a large bust, etc. Just know that you are ALL beautiful.

Have a lovely weekend friends!

Cobalt layers, yoga challenges and fear

What a month! Just when you think things are going to slow down...well, let's be honest - they really never do right? Not if you want to make time for all the things you love on top of all the things you HAVE to do? 

I'm doing the 30-day Detox Yoga Challenge at my studio and with frigid -30 temperatures, bundling up after dinner to head out into the cold has not been the easiest. But I feel a heck of a lot better because of it. Let me clarify - I'm not doing all 30 days - my goal is 3 days a week for the month. But I've been surpassing that because it makes me feel so good. I go to bed dead tired but feeling good about the small things I'm accomplishing to feel healthy. I've already planned to drop down to a twice a week pass post January and keep it going. 

I haven't been taking many outfit photos lately..but one thing that's been on my mind is furniture. For those of you who have followed me for a while, you know that once upon a time I painted vintage furniture. Well it's fallen aside lately and I recently offered to do a piece for a friend's wedding social draw not only as a gift to her (because she's lovely and deserves it) but because I wanted to motivate myself to get creative. So I've been wandering through my furniture archive in the basement trying to get inspired by a piece, a colour, a finish, a design....fear is holding me back from getting started. But I will push through the fear...(like I did with hot yoga :) and I will push myself just a little further in this life. Something I can look back on with pride.  

So I want to ask you friends...what do you do to push yourself? How do you make sure you don't just 'sit still' in life?

cobalt dress - ASOS Curve (on sale here)

grey cardigan - Gap (buy here)

scarf - gift from my mom from Italy

necklace - local boutique

tights - HUE (from The Bay)

booties - Steve Madden via The Shoe Warehouse (old)

I'd love to hear your thoughts on getting motivated....

Have a lovely week and thanks for being here!

Spending and Style Resolutions for 2013

 

Can you believe it's 2013? Time flies by so fast and all I can do is shake my head. Where does it all go? We had a very busy holiday season over here - lots of back to back huge family gatherings, mounds of fantastic food and plenty of lovely treats and gifts. We're so blessed as far as all the loved ones we have so close. Even though it was hard on my introvert side to be so over-scheduled, I chose to focus on the positives and use up my energy for the precious time we had together. Then I slept for 4 days straight....ha!

Looking back on the year, there have been some high highs and some low lows. I'm happy to move into a bit of a fresh start. Have you made resolutions? These aren't super specific, but I've put together a few intentional plans to help guide my spending this year:

1. Allow myself to indulge in the things that bring me joy and improve my health. I really love restorative yoga classes but they come at a price and I always feel guilty about the cost. I'm going to let that go...it feels good, it's good for me and I can afford it if I make certain budget choices.

2. On that note, I'm going to really concentrate on buying less. Don't get me wrong, this shopaholic will never go cold turkey but I'm going to have to really love it to shell out the money.  It's got to be figure-flattering and decent quality. Some things to help me along with this are disabling all the sale emails I receive (except from a couple of favourites), shopping less often and sticking to a monthly budget.

3. I used to really be obsessed with prints when it came to clothing. I felt they better camouflaged my bits and bumps. But truth is, a closet full of prints gets dated really fast...so I've been moving towards more solid coloured pieces I can mix and match together - then leaving the prints to scarves and other accessories. I still have plenty of print in my closet - but now I'll have more timeless pieces mixed in. (see outfit below for an example!)

4. I'm going to consciously work towards some major goals. Jack and I married in our 30's with all kinds of money stuff going on with each of us. Having someone else in my accounts scared the crap out of me! We finally sat down and made a plan to join our money, set goals and start saving together, as a couple. It feels good to make the commitment and I like having a partner to do it with.

oatmeal cardigan - Gap

cream top - Old Navy

turquoise scarf - Winners

navy knit jeggings - American Eagle

brown boots - Famous Footwear

Some other things I hope to do in 2013 that are not specifically related to money include....

• Get back slowly into furniture painting - I'm starting by working on a donation piece for a friend's wedding social raffle
• Clear out extra clutter in our house, so we'll be in a better position to sell next year
• Swap some of my coffee for tea
• Add leafy greens and new veggies to my weekly grocery list
• Go for a swim a couple of times a month
• Remember to tell my friends and family how much they mean to me whenever I can :)

How about you friends? How will you be guiding your life, home spending or style decisions this year?

Wishing you love and happiness for the coming year! Thanks for still reading, I'm glad you're here.

A little less blogging and a little more 'me'

Hi everyone! Whew! Who knew 5 days without blogging could fly by in a flash? I wanted to pop in and say hello and also fill you in with what's going on with me.

I've been in a bit of a blogging rut and it comes down to two main reasons:

1 - Social media is the fastest growing area of my job as a copywriter and communications specialist at the ad agency where I work...this means the more I do during the day - the less I am inclined to turn on the computer after hours! It's been so busy that basically I come home and crash...then I feel guilty for not blogging. I need to accept that blogging is not my full time job (as much as I would love it to be!) and I need to go easier on myself.

2 - I am having some health issues - nothing serious but I've always struggled with my back and lately it's been hard to manage. Hobbies I love like painting furniture and sewing leave me feeling a lot of pain. Stubborn as I am - I continue to do them but the bottom line is...if I don't look after myself first, I won't be able to do anything I love. So I'm having to shift my priorities and put more focus back on taking care of myself. I know I need to spend more time making healthy meals, going on more walks with Gus and increasing my yoga. This means less time for things like blogging and my business. :(

I'm not going to stop blogging, I just may a bit more sporadic at it. I still have wedding photos to share, some lovely submissions of 'The Story Behind' from you lovely readers and some outfits on the camera just waiting to be uploaded. All I'm saying is I might not be around as much.

I will try to juggle it all as I often do...so wish me luck and I'l talk to you soon!!

In the meantime, he's my latest sweet splurge...it's been the year of the coat closet revival so along with my winter sleeping bag parka, I've picked up this gem for that in-between fall coat and frigid -40 weather here in Winnipeg...

 It's the perfect mix of chic and bohemian and I love the deep moss colour and refined leather trim! When you zip up the neck it has a real military/mod shape to it. It's from Danier's new collection and it's currently on sale if you're looking!

Talk to you soon friends!

So much love...

In the months, weeks and now days leading up to my wedding, there have been many humbling moments that make me eternally grateful for the love in my life.  It is so easy to get wrapped up in your own world, your own insecurities and your own head - that you can miss out on the energy that's constantly being sent your way. For me anyway...

On Saturday I came home to his bouquet from my girlfriend Jess who lives in Saskatoon. A new mama, she won't be able to make the wedding....but wow did she knock my socks off with this simple gesture. I can't lie, there were a few tears shed.

Then I got a call from a friend here in the city, there is a new group of amazing girls I've become friends with since getting together with J. They are the wives, girlfriends and friends of his group. Shannon, Shauna, Anna and Sarah have planned a dinner for me as a little mini-bachelorette party before the wedding. I had insisted I didn't want one earlier in the summer and they thoughtfully planned this special little evening for tomorrow. Wow. These girls are keepers.

My sister and mom have gone above and beyond in planning my amazing shower, countless 'wedding craft nights' and support. She sister is seriously a bridesmaid dream - she even made her own dress!

And my awesome dad and stepmother, my in-laws to be, my girlfriends far away, my amazing co-workers and many others have shown their love and support in so many ways. I am so so blessed.

Last but not least, the ongoing support I get from J. The amount of love he has to give on a daily basis never ceases to amaze me.

Sorry to interrupt your regularly-scheduled Style Peek, but this is a love letter to the people in my life. I couldn't do any of it without you. Thank you.

Irish Eyes are Smiling: For Grandma

Hello friends. I'm writing this post with a heavy heart. What started out as a joyful weekend quickly took a different course early Saturday morning. J and Gus and I were out at the lake when we got the call that my grandmother's health had taken a turn for the worse. She's been in a home for the past few years and has been slowly deteriorating in mental capacity. At 94 years old, she had lived many lives over. We made it back to the city in time to say one last goodbye, say one last I love you and give her one last kiss on the forehead. She slipped away peacefully late last night.

my auntie Terry, my mom, me and Grandma

I'm sad to have lost her, but if anyone has qualified to get into heaven and deserves to enjoy it - it is my Grandma Bruneau. Born Catherine Corrigan in Ireland in 1917, she met my Canadian grandfather during the war and moved to Canada to raise her family of 5 children, including my mom Norah, the youngest. She went on to have 14 grandchildren (we all grew up fairly close to each other) and now many great-grandchildren.

She was an ever-present Grandmother. She lives in all my childhood memories due to her frequent visits up north to see us and our many trips to Winnipeg to visit her and my grandpa. She was - in one word - joyful. Humour was her weapon, defence and charm of choice. She always had a joke and could always laugh at herself. She lightened up tense situations and made us all take ourselves a little less seriously. A devout Irish Catholic - she shunned judgement for love, acceptance and forgiveness. She was truly a special lady.

She was a girly-girl's grandma. We had tea parties for hours in her basement, using only the finest china and drinking cup after cup of irish tea (a bit of tea with lots of milk and heaps of sugar). She let me play in her make-up and she was never seen without her Amway rose cream blush. In fact, on the morning she passed, she work struggling to breath, about to take her morphine and the only words that came out were 'make-up...' This makes me smile - as I too can only imagine getting through my life struggles with a little blusher to make me feel more confident.

Grandma, you will be so so missed. I love you. I thank you for being the best grandmother a little girl could ask for. Let's still talk often - okay?

Style Peek: Blue

Oh friends. I'm having one of those days. I know I haven't talked a lot about my Weight Watchers journey but I'm 7 weeks in now. I've had good weeks and bad weeks and lately it's been feeling like 2 steps forward and 1 step back. This is difficult because I feel like I'm trying SO HARD. If I was slacking it wouldn't be so bad but I'm being very regimented while trying to make long term lifestyle changes and I honestly thought I would be further along by now....alas, this is making me feel not so hot today. Which I why I can't even manage a full style peek. Would you settle for a half?

I am definitely not giving up, because that's lame. You can't quit just because something's hard, right? So I will continue to plug forward and keep loving trying to show myself love by honouring my creative self, my sense of style, my health.  This blog feels like the place where I can be myself, show off my best and share my insides. Thank you for listening.

Peasant Blouse - Old Navy

Jeans - Gap

Flats - Aldo

Necklace - American Eagle Outfitters

Tonight I will continue to cook healthy, keep my chin up and get lots of beauty sleep. 

How do you look after yourself when things are blue? How do you carry on with your goals during small setbacks?

A Special Day GIVEAWAY!

What a day! I really can't believe I'm here...exactly one year later from that day that I nervously pressed publish on my very first post. Honestly I'm not always the best person at follow through - I get so excited that I buy all the books and I splurge on all the supplies and I dive right in.....only to abandon it shortly thereafter (hello knitting needles, I'm talking to you!). But this blog thing just seemed to stick.

As a freelance writer and an ad agency copywriter, I originally started blogging as a way to practice my personal writing more regularly and also learn a little bit more about an area of communication that was becoming more popular in my industry. Well little did I know how much more it would become. Bear with me while I take a trip down memory lane! 

In the last year:

• I began to think more creatively and push myself daily in my inspirations and ability to share them
• I found a community of like-minded crafty, vintage-loving, encouraging fellow bloggers
• I started my own vintage furniture upcycling business Lather Creations
• I worked with my good friend and graphic designer Brooke to develop a customized design for Lather. Write. Repeat. and a branding package for Lather Creations
• I began my Lather Creations Facebook page and Twitter profile
• I upcycled and sold 41 pieces of furniture in less than 9 months of business (all while working full time!)
• I furthered my knowledge with a Blogging E-course from A Beautiful Mess and a Business E-Consulting session with Design*Sponge's Grace Bonney
• I began focusing on using my own photography as much as possible for the blog, learning to style and shoot my furniture, practice photography and think more visually (thanks to my amazing friend and wedding photography Leah, I've had the pleasure of working with her Canon DSLR to further advance my skills - big plans to buy my own shortly!)
• I introduced all kinds of fun features and columns to the blog like Etsy Love, From the Kitchen, Thursday Blog Share, PIY Pointers, Before and After and most recently Agency Style Peek
• I was asked to teach two workshops at the local college Red River on the topics of social media for beginners and learning to blog (they start in May and I'm just finishing up the content and presentations!)
• I spent two months compiling a comprehensive Winnipeg City Guide that was published in Design*Sponge and received amazing local reaction and feedback
• Because of my Design*Sponge recognition, I was contacted to be a part of something very exciting (I'll reveal more as I can!)
• I built my social media experience to the point where it is now a very regular part of my job at Fusion, doing these services regularly for our clients and our agency
• I acquired the Adobe Creative Suite including Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign for my new Mac laptop and I'm slowly learning how to build my own graphics, edit my photos and do all kinds of fun new things (thanks to my sweet co-worker Lorraine for the lunchtime tutorials and endless question-answering!)

• Oh yeah - and I got engaged to my sweetie! So now all that creative energy is also going into planning my relaxed, rustic, crafty, DIY wedding!

So now, one year later, Lather. Write. Repeat. has truly become my own personal creative space. It's the place where I share my inspirations and some painting tips, talk to you guys about what's going on in my life and my business, show off my shopping purchases (okay I have a problem there!) and just express myself. I love blogging and all the opportunities and joy it has brought me....I can't wait to share my passions with my students in the Learn to Blog workshop!

A huge blog hug and a thousand thank you's for coming with me on this journey. I couldn't have done it without your ongoing support and encouragement, just knowing you're out there makes me feel amazing.

In honour of my special day, I am having a special GIVEAWAY! Simply leave a comment to enter the giveaway and I will randomly draw a name on Friday, April 1st.  **Extra brownie points if  you like the Lather Facebook page and follow me on Twitter! The winner will receive a very special Lather Creations handmade gift from yours truly - a hand painted necklace hanger using reclaimed hardwood floor remnants. 

Good luck friends and thank you thank you from the bottom of my heart!

A little birdie...

How are you doing today friends? I must admit, I'm feeling a bit of burnout - between preparing for my workshops, getting my business taxes in order, wedding planning and regular old life - my mind is racing 24/7. Most of the wedding stuff is booked, but my desire to craft details and be creative is so overwhelming that I'm going to have to put the brakes on at some point...it's just so fun you know? But as always, something has to give.  I think I just need to buckle down and get to some tasks I've been avoiding....do you ever feel that way?

I did have a little thrill when my new order of drawer pulls arrived! Aren't they just gorgeous? Such a dainty, rustic, feminine vibe. I absolutely can't wait to use them on an upcoming Lather Creation! I'm also thinking I could paint them if needed, depending on the piece. Oh so many options...you know I'll be up in the middle of the night pondering it all....

The weekend will be good, I promise to slow it down a little bit and enjoy the warming weather with more walks outside with Gus. There, now that I promised it to you all, I must I must!

How are you doing these days friends? Does spring have you feeling refreshed or are you feeling like me?

Regardless, I hope your day is wonderful!

dresscapades.

I've been psyching myself up to write this post and share my wedding dress hunt story with you - or as I've come to lovingly refer to the process 'dresscapades'.

Since I have a love/hate relationship with clothes already, wedding dress shop was on equal par...X 100. Bad body image really is a curse, isn't it? I'm the type of girl who changes outfits 5 times before a party, until I'm sweating and anxious and not really feeling good in anything. But on my wedding day, there will only be one outfit so I'm determined to have it make me feel good!

You might remember my original vision - a short or tea length dress with simple high waisted silhouette in a vintage-y lace. I wanted to get it made, both to save money and ensure the ultimate fit, but I knew I needed to try some dresses on, just to see what I like and what looks good on me.

So my mom, sister and I hit the wedding dress boutiques. My goodness, what a roller coaster. I would say that 99.9% of the dresses in these stores were not something I would feel comfortable wearing. They were just too fussy and heavy and over the top. Plus let's just say the shops are not curvy gal friendly, if you know what I mean! I found one I liked, a very simple design. But get this - it was crazy marked down on a super sale - but in a sample size 1 size too small for me. The seamstress said she could let it out and it would need tons of alterations to be even close to what I wanted. So the pressure began! I admit, I got swept up in the whirlwind of thinking this was what I wanted and even went so far as to put it on hold.

Then I spent the next few days waking up in cold sweats imagining buying a dress I didn't love and could never fit into, for still way too much money.

Ultimately I decided to return to my original vision of simple and lace. I found an amazing seamstress through a referral by local blog reader SarahC. Buoyed with excitement, my sister and I went shopping for the perfect lace. Only to rudely discover what nice lace costs. Can you say HEARTBREAKING??

With my ultimate goal of a dress I love within a budget, it just wasn't going to be possible. And there really wasn't any cheap lace that I truly loved. Back to the drawing board...

Then we hit a local fabric store that is going out of business. It was super picked over with not a lot to offer. Until the owner steered us towards the most amazing ivory 100% peau de soie (that's silk! The good stuff!). It's a crisp material, with an ever so subtlee rich sheen. Regular $99 a metre, on sale for $5 a metre. No joke. My sister, who sews, began jumping up and down. I was hesitant but her excitement sold me and I purchased my dress fabric for $24 including tax.

We met with the seamstress the following day who totally put me at ease and convinced me that she will make something amazing and close to my vision with the silk. It will be glam but still casual. Elegant but relaxed.

Plus I'll have my cardigan and ballet flats to keep me feeling comfy and 'myself'.

Can't wait to share more details!!

Tell me friends, did you feel like yourself on your wedding day?

Rock Out

{image via}

Here's a little known fact about me....I've been a huge music geek my whole life. Less so now, with so much going on it's hard to keep up with the music scene.

But I grew up listening to my dad's Beatles records in the basement. I drank my first swig of Schnapps to the distorted sounds of Nirvana. I worked on-air at my local radio station at 16, the local record store at 17 and in the London head office of Tower Records at 20. I suscribed to Spin, Rolling Stone and NME. I loved Chuck Klosterman. That's when I started interviewing bands and doing live gig reviews. In Calgary, I wrote for years for the music section of the local alternative arts weekly FFWD.

I've been rocking out at concerts since I saw INXS at 13. Since then I've seen everyone from Paul McCartney and Wings to the Rolling Stones. From Pearl Jam to Coldplay. From Fleetwood Mac to the Prodigy. From Blur to Mariah Carey (hey! I'm human!). From The Cult to Muse. From The White Stripes to Mathew Good. (any ideas on what to do with all those ticket stubs I've been saving?)

I even have a tiny music note tattooed on my back. It's my first love. My true love.

Nowadays, it's just me and my ipod with my fave tunes. I don't keep up with seeking out new artists nearly as much as I'd like. But I'll always always love and appreciate music.

Which brings me to the whole point of this post!

One of my all-time fave bands The Pixies is coming to town and I sat at the computer pressing refresh, refresh, refresh until BINGO - I scored my tickets! Yay. That makes me happy.

What music makes you happy?

Building a Biz: The highs and lows of social media, relisting and commissions

Hey all!  It's Wednesday and the weather is doing a massive shift here in Winnipeg.  My mood tends to flow with the weather patterns so I'm definitely feeling more reflective as we move into hibernation season.  Yes, our winters are that fierce!  I'm already a homebody, so add bad weather and you'll find me at home almost all the time. Which is okay, I just have to be careful not to avoid too many social outings.  That's part of keeping my spirits up during cold weather.

To make matters worse, my truck heater has stopped blowing hot air on the eve of our big snowstorm.  Can you believe it??  One of life's little curveballs I guess.

For now, I'm thinking about the business.  Things have slowed down a bit as we've come out of summer.  So I'm using this opportunity to do a check, a state of the union if you will!  Here's what's on my mind this week...

Relisting - Because I sell my furniture on Kijiji (free local online classifieds), I often list an item only to have it get lost after a few days of other listings being added.  Items are shown in chronological order of listing and because my pieces can take a while to sell, I regularly relist them.  This means they pop back up to the top of the searches and get more visibility.  Relisting is an emotional process - there's a high when I list, as I imagine my perfect buyer stumbling over my piece.  This is followed by a low after several days of no nibbles.  But after everything I've sold, I've had buyers tell me that they just found it and they love it.  So I have to remember that some items will sell quickly and some will sit for a while, but the more I relist - the better the odds of reaching that perfect buyer!

Social Media - I'm definitely finding it hard to keep up with all the different social mediums.  The blog gets priority, but now that I'm building a following on Facebook - I have to get better about updating my photo galleries and keeping my 'for sale' links up to date.  One thing that's fairly new to me is embracing Twitter.  I read an article about how to better utilize Twitter for small business and I'm taking their advice.  In the last few weeks, I've sought out women in Winnipeg to follow, in an attempt to broaden my local audience who don't shop on Kijiji.  I'm also trying to connect with the local crafting community in hopes of meeting some kindred spirits and becoming a part of that network.  I'm definitely starting to see Twitter's value as a place to get info quickly and reach those who wouldn't necessarily take the time to follow a blog or read long posts. 

Commissions - The word of mouth is spreading about commissions and I'm feeling grateful for that.  I'm finishing up a second piece for a client, which means she was happy with the first one.  I'm also starting a project for an old friend I used to work  and have had an inquiry from another friend. It gives me joy to know my friends would invest in me.  At first I was intimidated by commissions, could I make my clients happy?  But they've made it so easy that I'm really liking the blend of working on my own designs and creating for someone else. Word is also spreading that I love to collect free, solid wood furniture, so I'm happy to have had some offers to take furniture off people's hands! 

Business expenses - Okay, this one's eating away at me a bit.  I track all my projects and sales, but I have yet to enter my business expenses into the computer.  Yep, three and a half months later my receipts are still sitting stuffed in an envelope. This kind of thing is so not my strong suit but I know if I don't buckle down and do it I will have a big mess on my hands come tax time.  Please give me a guilt trip so I will finally do it!

So that's what's swirling around in my head these days.  Any words of wisdom to help me along?  What's on your mind when it comes to business these days? 

I'd love to hear your thoughts my friends.  Because you are the ones that keep me going, just knowing you're out there reading feels wonderful!

Magazines - you are my fave!

The new issue of Lonny is out!  As are many magazines this week, causing me to go into a thrill-inspired magazine buying coma...

Magazines are actually one of the things I love most in the world.  I have since I was a little girl and my mom kept a selection of Cosmo, followed by a stack of Chatelaine, followed by a bookcase full of Reader's Digest.  At the dentist office I would pore through the dog-eared issues of People magazine, zooming from the celebrity shots to the style section at the back.  I decorated my walls as a tween with pics from Tiger Beat and Bop magazines.  Then when I hit my mid teens there was Seventeen, YM and Sassy.  I've always loved Glamour, for their mix of fashion and real life issues.  Now I've moved on to primarily home and decor mags. 

Like these new additions I picked up the the weekend...

My parents gave me a bit of a hard time for my magazine addiction growing up.  Yes, I know they cost money but they give me so much joy and pleasure!  They cost the same as a grande latte and I can lay on the couch for hours, basking in the sun and browsing through the gorgeous photography, smart ideas and great new sources for things.  For me, it is money well spent.  Is it really so bad for my vice to be dishing out $20 for a weekend of inspiration from reading magazines?  I say no way.

I even veered off my usual path and picked up a mag I've always eyed with a sense of longing...

It's my big dream to one day live next to the water, just as the lucky folks I read about here.  And reading about it just pushes me further to find ways to one day make it a reality.

But don't think I only buy them new...when I stumble across a garage sale box full of old Wish and House Beautiful magazines - I snag them quick!

Do you love magazines?  What's your all time fave and why?  Share your love of mags and join the club that doesn't apologize for it!

Need your help! Blogging with Intention

So after Thursday's blog share, I began thinking more and more about this blog (mine I mean!).  About what it means to me, what I'd like to put out there in the world and also about you guys.  For all of you who visit but don't comment (I see the numbers!), I'm so glad you're out there and I'd love to know you better.  Those that do comment, you feel like my friends.  And it fills me with joy to be able to share with all of you each and every day my thoughts, my pictures, my furniture projects and things that inspire me and catch my eye. 

When I started the blog, I felt like a little kid starting something brand new.  I didn't really know where I was headed...and that was okay.  But I'm starting to find myself and this means taking a little time to figure out what's working with this blog and what I can do different.

{Image via pixdaus}

I have so many goals and dreams, many that can only come with time, dedication, hard work and money.  I would love to get a smart phone, so I can keep in better touch with my social media.  I'd love a new camera so I can take my blog and furniture photos to the next level.  And my laptop is slowing passing it's time (that revving motor plus my brother-in-law's diagnosis tells me so!) so I need to make that big PC vs. Mac decision we all must face!  Those are the expensive items.

I'd like to better respond in a timely manner to all of you when you take time out of your day to read and comment here.  I'd like to read more of the blogs I love, and comment for regularly there as well.  And I'd really like to finish my blog redesign, I'm getting there but I still have a ways to go to get it where I want to be.

I'd like to better organize how and when I blog.  I've spoken to other bloggers (thanks Kyla!) who plan their blog much like an editorial calendar.  They plan most of the content a month in advance and prepare multiple posts in their free time.  They utilize the scheduled posting tool and this frees up more time to keep up with blog reading on a daily basis.  This intrigues and excites me.

{Image via pinterest}

So I'm giving a lot of thought to my content and what I'd like to offer you to read on a daily basis.  And I'd really like you to have a say in what you enjoy here at Lather. 

In the past I've written these columns...

Etsy Love - sharing a favourite Etsy shop and a peek at what's for sale
Inspired by - showcasing a designer or artist who's grabbed my eye and gotten me excited about creating
From the Kitchen - a recipe and photo tutorial of what's going on in my kitchen
PIY Pointers - paint it yourself tips and tutorials
Thursday Blog Share - sharing a blog I've discovered and love to read
Before and After - pics of my latest vintage furniture upcycling project
Building a Biz - my thoughts, tips and lessons learned as I go through the process of starting and building my small business
Delightful DIY - do-it-yourself projects I've found online and have caught my eye

Plus I have a fun new column in the works...more details in a bit!

As I build the structure of my blog going forward, I would LOVE to hear what you think.  What columns do you like to read?  What would you like to see more of (furniture? design?)? What would you like to see less of (me babbling about my dog?  all my thrift store finds?)?  Do you like the personal stuff thrown in?  Do you prefer the structure of an editorial calendar?

This is a work in progress so all your feedback and comments and ideas will truly help move me forward on this.  If you read but you've never commented before, then please speak up.  This is for you and me after all, we need to work together on this!

{Image via madebygirl}

Thanks for listening and I can't wait to hear your thoughts!