Why I actually like Valentines Day...

i love love.

So, contrary to the attitude I may have portrayed on my last post, I actually don't mind Valentines Day at all. In fact, I kind of like the pink, red, and sparkly heart-filled holiday. Sure, I don't love the commercialism or the fact that high expectations are rarely met but unfortunately in today's society what holidays don't feel like that? Buying gifts and things just because you feel you have to instead of because you want to. Of course, some could argue it's a reminder that maybe you're single and you'll be buying yourself chocolates this year but to me it's no more of a reminder than a Saturday night spent at home with your cat. Instead for me, Valentines Day is a reminder of how much I love, love.

Maybe it's because growing up I knew my Mom would always have a card and little treat waiting for us on Valentine's Day morning. Perhaps I've held on to the memories of elementary school cards and parties filled with way too many sweets. Remembering the Daddy-Daughter dances I attended, one year with my Dad and one year with my uncle. I love that tomorrow I have an extra excuse to tell everyone in my life, I love you. I really don't care that there isn't one special person in my life to celebrate with because Valentines Day is about love, and that is something that is better spread around.

I'm excited that even though I've never been the girliest girl that I get an excuse to paint my nails red with little white hearts and wear a fun dress tomorrow. I get to have whipped cream and sprinkles on my coffee in the morning because those are the fun things you get to do on a holiday. I will help clueless men and women pick out chocolates that will make their dates feel extra special for at least one night. I plan on baking cupcakes and making Valentines. I plan on having dinner and drinks with some great friends, joking about our past relationships over bottomless fries. And most of all I plan on reminding myself how lucky I am to be surrounded by love.

Happy Valentines Day.

bahaha.

via wit&delight

I don't have much to say about this except when I saw it I found it hilarious. And hey, you've gotta laugh at your own misfortunes every once in a while.

Endings.

I don't write much in here, for a blog I suppose. I'm much more of a visual person so I usually prefer photographs and drawings, little hand written quotes or small snippets of thought. Although I must admit, some days are worth slowing down to write and read. Today should be spent running around town finally getting errands done seeing as I will have visitors in this weekend. However, Basis, where I am currently working as contracted designer, is done for the weekend while I wait for proofs back. The chocolate shop doesn't have me scheduled until this evening, and studio work has been in full swing all week. This allows me to not feel so guilty taking this morning off.

On that note...
There are certain days where I surprise myself; today was one of them. I woke up from a sleep filled with odd dreams after a conversation that left me uneasy before I went to bed. I decided instead of letting it fester all day I should just say something. I wrote a letter to this person. I didn't intend for it to be long (I wasn't even sure if I should send it) But it all came out, surprisingly just the way I wanted to say it. I get slack from a few people close to me for not being assertive enough, for not getting angry, for being too nice. Perhaps that's true but I try to not think of it in a negative way. Instead I remind myself that getting mad and yelling or saying something irrational probably won't make me feel better for much longer anyway. Things happen in life you don't expect but one thing every event has in common is that it can not be undone. So, no more what ifs.

I won't explain what was said in this post. It's personal and don't feel it's necessary for anyone else to read. However, I will say it ended with this:
Next time I do run into you I'm sure I'll smile, maybe give you a hug and we'll make small talk for a few minutes while we wait for beers or coffee, and it will be as if nothing happened. Or at least that's really all I can hope for.

That's it, the perfect ending to this story. Maybe they will never understand, or agree, to how I was feeling but that's just human nature. People come into your life for all sorts of reasons, and sometimes they won't always be in it for very long. You should always try and remember them for what they were and how they helped you grow. I rarely say exactly what I'm feeling but today I did, and it felt good. I can't help but feel like this is the start of a new chapter, and I couldn't be more excited.

a letter a day.

just watched the most heartbreaking, yet wonderful video produced by Story Corps. i watched it on A CUP OF JO, one of my favorite blogs to read, this morning and felt it needed to be shared.

Danny & Annie from StoryCorps on Vimeo.

Danny and Annie were married for 27 years, this is their story.

wedding love.

so this post is a bit delayed and as i get into the swing of school again. i promise i will start posting more art and design goodies because i'm sure i will be glued to my computer even more then ever this year!

if anyone knows much about me at all they know i am absolutely in love with weddings. last night i got the chance to see all of the photos from an awesome wedding i attended the day i came home from ireland. my two friends marie and jeremy got married and their photos are as wonderful as they are! such a fun couple that is just so in love and their photographer did some amazing work.
(check out his blog here)

congrats you two!

love.