Tag Archives: 2013

2013: in retrospect

As we reflect on the year that has passed, and contemplate the year ahead, I love being able to look back in retrospect and see how I’ve grown and changed through the year – the things I’ve done, the mistakes I’ve made, the places I’ve been, the relationships I’ve built…

This was the year I…

I certainly think 2013 was much quieter, and not as dramatic or exciting as 2012. And I’ll confess that I certainly didn’t keep all my New Year’s Resolutions. But I’m still so so thankful for yet another year.

What a blessing to be able to look back on the year that has passed and marvel at all that was.

I can’t wait to see what 2014 has in store.

Happy blessed Mother’s Day

Source: sunshineofgrace.tumblr.com via Amelia on Pinterest

My mom is pretty amazing. And really, there aren’t quite enough words to describe what a ginormous part of my life she is and just how much I am thankful for her. Not only is she my mother, but she is also my friend. She teaches me life lessons, laughs with me, prays with me and for me, knows my heart, and makes countless sacrifices for me. She is my example of the kind of woman I want to be someday.

So Happy Blessed Mother’s Day, Mom.
I love you and I am so blessed to be your daughter.

—

And Happy Mother’s Day to all Moms!

“A mother holds her children’s hands for a while, but their hearts forever.”
– Author unknown

Hello, May

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Hello, summer vacation (!!). Hello, birthdays + celebrating some very special people. Hello, sunshine + warm(er) weather. Hello, more running and getting into shape. Hello, to-do lists + grand plans for fun things. Hello, relaxing and doing nothing.

Hello, May.  Five months into twenty thirteen – and so far, it’s been pretty swell (; I’m excited to finish this term of school and finally get to breathe for a bit.

Let’s do this.

Redeeming the time

March – three months into 2013 and almost ending the first quarter of this year.

While I’m still working on my goals + new year’s resolutions for 2013, I’m ready to make some big changes around here to my schedule/routine/priorities.

Source: juicycouture.tumblr.com via Amelia on Pinterest

Right now, simplify is the name of the game. And while this means that my Project Life album is still waiting to get started on, and this self-professed list-maker is choosing not to participate in 52 lists for now, I’m really hoping to slowly add all these fun stuff back as I increase productivity and still have time for everything that is important.

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I’m excited to make these changes and see where things will go.
So here we go – let’s do this.

“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; 
establish the work of our hands for us — yes, establish the work of our hands.”
– Psalm 90:17

CHA winter 2013 favorites

With CHA Winter just wrapped up earlier this week, I thought I’d share with you some of my favorites from this show.

I’m always so blown away by all the amazing new releases each time. And after I get over my excitement of all the new products, I always remind myself to save money so I can get everythinggg when they hit the stores (haha).

I think I have too many favorites this time around. But anyhow, here we go.

Dear Lizzy, Lucky Charm collection by American Crafts

Source: americancrafts.typepad.com via Amelia on Pinterest

I really like the look of the phrase stamp somewhere near the top. And oh, those thickers near the middle, and that mini-album book.

Amy Tangerine, Yes, Please collection by American Crafts

Source: americancrafts.typepad.com via Amelia on Pinterest

More of those daybooks and puffy stickers in the top row. And the clear stamps in the middle (I’m always excited for these!). And the thickers and alphabet stickers look pretty cool.

Again, these designer collaborations always get me really excited because I really like Amy Tan and Liz Kartchner – good stuff.

Sundrifter, Here & There, and Snippets collections by Studio Calico

I’ve been a fan of Studio Calico for awhile and I’m really liking they’re new collections as well.

The stamps are always a favorite (:

Source: studiocalico.typepad.com via Amelia on Pinterest

Source: studiocalico.typepad.com via Amelia on Pinterest

Source: studiocalico.typepad.com via Amelia on Pinterest

From top down, the stamps are from the Sundrifter, Here & There, and Snippets collections respectively.

Source: studiocalico.typepad.com via Amelia on Pinterest

Wood veneers are always a hit.

I didn’t include the patterned papers because they’re all so lovely but you could can check them out from the links I included above.

And please don’t get me started on the Handbook line. The oilcloth covers sound exciting and the inserts look pretty amazing. I can’t decide whether I like the inserts for the Here & There, or Sundrifter collection better. Maybe this is the perfect excuse motivation to scrap an event I’ve been procrastinating on.

Sn@p! by Simple Stories

Source: simplestories.typepad.com via Amelia on Pinterest

The Sn@p! binders are pretty amazing. This makes me seriously consider switching up Project Life to this size.

Technique Tuesday by Ali Edwards

Source: aliedwards.com via Amelia on Pinterest

Ali Edwards pretty much outdid herself with all the new stamps she designed for Technique Tuesday. You can check out the rest here (here for the video) and on her blog.

While I’m still working on getting started on Project Life for 2013, the new Project Life core kit editions are so great and seriously inspiring. I don’t know which is my favorite – yet.

If you couldn’t already tell from most of my favorites, I really really really love stamps. Maybe you could call me a stamp hoarder collector.

Thank you for letting me share some of my CHA favorites with you! What are your favorites from the recent CHA show?

I hope your weekend’s been amazing!

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

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In these digital times where people type more than they write, and use a stylus more than they use pens, I’m still a pen and paper kinda girl who enjoys writing things down in notebooks and planners. As each year begins, getting to purchase new planners to use for the year ahead is definitely one of my favorite parts about starting a new year. Since planners are such a huge part of my daily life, I decided to share some of my thoughts about planners and what I did for mine this year.

From daily to weekly to monthly pages, there are numerous options for planners/organizers. You can get them from your local stationery shop or customize your own from Etsy. The choices are endless, really, so you have to figure out what works for you. I usually get a daily planner (one day to a page) from my local stationery store. I don’t usually stick to one particular brand or store so I just go with what catches my eye and has an affordable price.

When I first started using planners, I usually got the A5 daily planners. Last year and the year before, I switched things up and got A6 daily planners. This year, I decided to go back to A5 and got my regular daily planner in the larger size from Smiggle. But I also decided to get a smaller A6 weekly planner to carry around. Because I’m at home a lot, the A5-sized daily planner works for me because I don’t have to carry it around much and it has enough room for me to write my daily to-do lists in.

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But decorating my planners and making them just a little bit more special might just be my most favorite part.

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Those gold foam thickers blow me away and the Dear Lizzy stickers are just too cute for words. And I really do like that gold-misted Studio Calico wood veneer arrow.

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I even stuck some washi tape on the inside cover just because.

These planners make me happy and I love using them. How do you plan for the year?

Together, we’re ready to conquer twenty thirteen!
Let’s do this.

Hello January

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Hello, new beginnings and new year resolutions. Hello, new goals, routines, and planners. Hello, hopes, dreams, and wishes for twenty thirteen. Hello, school. Hello, fresh starts and getting out of holiday mood into work mode.

Hello, January in 2013.

January, we’re starting off pretty fine. You’re going to be a good one.
xo.

A year from now you will wish you had started today.
-Karen Lamb

Resolved.

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New Year’s resolutions are always on my mind at the beginning of the year. And given, we all begin with good intentions, which don’t really guarantee that resolutions are kept/goals are met.

But that’s the beauty of a new year – you get the chance to start over and begin with a clean slate all over again. And that’s what I love so much about starting each new year.

This year, my resolutions include:

  • Run every week
  • Spend less time on social media
  • Spend more time on things I enjoy, like reading, family time, and Project Life
    (and if that means less time blogging, that’s okay too!)
  • Spend at least five minutes in the Word every day
  • Keep up with Project Life
  • Actually print photos

I’m keeping these twenty thirteen resolutions + goals short and simple. And God willing, I’ll be able to look back on this year and be thankful that I actually finished what I started.

But we’ll wait and see for how that plays out.

Anyhow, I hope your year has been off to a fabulous start so far.
2013, you’re going to be good.

xx.

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 3:13-14

New year, new beginnings

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“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17

Here’s to an amazing year with experiencing more of God’s goodness!

I’m excited for what this new year will bring.
xo.

2012: in retrospect

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So here we are, standing again at the end of yet another year, and at the start of a brand new one. It seems like I always come to the end of each year and wonder where time went, and how insanely quickly it flew by.

But what can I say? Twenty twelve pretty much blew me away.

This year, I…

  • traveled around Asia
  • visited Malacca, Tioman, Bangkok/Pua, Manila
  • went diving for the first time and got my license
  • turned twenty-one!
  • made new friends all over the world <3
  • attempted to do Project Life and Project 52 and failed miserably (and that’s okay!)
  • started university
  • completed (most of) the 20 list
  • celebrated this blog turning one!
  • tried balut and silkworms (for the experience)
  • took my cello exam and passed with distinction (majorly thankful!)
  • learned to trust God, His perfect plans and time, and His sovereignty
  • got straight bangs
  • baked a cupcake tower for a wedding
  • bought a spankin’ new laptop
  • learned how to drive
  • learned how to sew
  • led a Bible study group
  • started running, and ran 5K, 9K, and 10Ks
  • watched the Olympics
  • jumped onto the Instagram bandwagon
  • gained new perspectives on life
  • learned + re-learned lessons
  • was reminded of how blessed I am + how good God is to me
  • felt truly free
  • saw God answer prayer in ways I never imagined
  • went on a Journey of a lifetime that pretty much changed my life

2012 was pretty amazing, if you ask me; I daresay, this might’ve been the best year yet. God is so good.

Each new year always seems to bring with it a new level of questions and uncertainties. And while only God knows what’s in store for 2013, judging by what He did this year, I can already tell next year will be pretty swell. I’m completely excited for what He will do this coming year!

Wishing you a very merry + blessed 2013 to you and yours.
xo.