Word of the Year

If you read my 2015 recap, you probably saw that I started with the first baby steps towards my ultimate dream.

I received tons of encouragement from friends and family when I first started my shop. And for that I’m forever grateful. My poor husband had to listen to me doubting myself over and over.

He has the patient of a saint, I tell you.

And he is my #1 fan. He pushed me when I came up with excuses, encouraged me when I was feeling down, and reminded me that there’s more than numbers to measure your success.

He held my hand and guided me to the edge. I dipped my feet into the water, but didn’t go for the swim.

2016 is the year to take that leap. The year to be confident, to be self-loving, to be an adventurer and hard-worker.

With that in mind I came up with my word for 2016.

I’m tired of not applying myself for fear of failure. For fear of criticism, feedback, or worse: for fear of nothing at all.

But this time is different. This time I’m going to be fearless. Chase my dreams with passion, love and grace and put all of myself in there. I’d rather know I did all I can, than to know I did half of what I could. I owe it to myself, and I owe it to you guys too.

Here’s to a fearless 2016! And to the constant reminder of my word in my studio. No going back now.

Do you have a word of the year? Share it in the comments!

Wonderful time of the year

I absolutely loved having this really long weekend off to focus on family, on each other, on God’s love for us and the birth of Christ, and on me.

Not to sound too self-centered, but I needed that time to focus on getting my priorities straight, my business plan made, my list of to-dos for the new year started.

And boy did I start it..

Christmas eve we headed to our 8pm service at our church. It was the absolute best and I certainly got teary-eyed a few times during the service.

Singing Silent Night surrounded by candles and having so much to be thankful for does that to you, I think.

Christmas was absolutely beautiful. I love spending time with my family, and having kids for Christmas is always the best.

I last minute made a sign and forced Brian to take a photo with me in front on my in-laws tree, which looks magnificent.

We spent the whole day with them, talking, planning, sharing, playing and being with family.

We also woke up on the 26th and headed to the movies to watch Star Wars with the family. And it was wonderful! I don’t remember all the details from the past movies, but I pretty much knew what was going on (definitely not a hard core fan of Star Wars by any means).

Sunday morning I had to run a quick few errands and get ready for 2016 plans for my store.I spent a good 3 hours getting all my thoughts/ resolutions/ actions into paper, and there’s still so much more to do.

I put all that down and caught up on football games with the hubs until it was time for my volunteering shift.

Becoming more active in my church has opened up this whole new world of action. Action I was in need of partaking. I had the opportunity to serve those who have nothing. Those who are thankful with little, that want to share what they have.

It was such an eye-opening experience. I certainly intend to stay more connect with volunteering opportunities that my church provides. It’s good for the soul, but better yet, you’re good to someone else.

It was a great and different experience from my past Christmases, for sure. I highly recommend that you look into volunteering opportunities at your community if you have the time.

What was your Christmas like?

 

Day 1 – 12 Days of blogmas

Today I’m joining in with the Coastie Couple & the Petite Mrs for a fun 12 days of Blogmas!

You can find the link at the bottom of the page too. Today’s post is about your Holiday tradition.

The hubs and I are not quite the same when it comes to tradition. For example, Christmas in Brazil is celebrated on the 24th of December vs. the 25th. Our whole family lived close together (in the same city) so we were always celebrating it together. His is spread around the US, so we usually just spend it with his parents + siblings.

That didn’t stop us from creating our own traditions, though!

It starts by putting pup the tree on Thanksgiving Day. We always have a Christmas station on, the kitten running in between the garlands, and drinks in hand.

Our second tradition is baking christmas cookies. Usually all the family girls (girlfriends, wives, nieces, etc) will get together and bake + decorate cookies and make gingerbread houses while the guys watch football and do whatever guys do.

Our third tradition is attending Church service, usually with his parents, but this is the first year we’ve joined a Church of our own, so we’re playing it by ear  – I definitely want to worship with our community too.

Last but not least, after a day of merriment, we come home on the 25th to watch our Christmas movie – Love, Actually. We’ve done this for the past 3 years and I can’t wait to watch it this year again.

What are your holiday traditions?! And don’t forget to link up with the ladies!

 

 

PS.: The giveaway is now officially CLOSED! the winner was randomly picked and already contacted. Thank you for everyone who entered it! You’re the best!

Walk in faith

It’s not easy to live in a world surrounded by so much chaos. To find peace, and beauty, in such dark times.

To believe that God is caring for us, when so much hurt happens around us.

Our pastor brought that up this past Sunday. He had passages that highlighted just how conflicted human souls are. How chaotic, and flawed we are.

He also reminded us of Jesus’ teachings. In response to our flaws, He showed us love.

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The world doesn’t always  make sense. Humans create war, humans are greedy, humans are flawed.

But in dark times, I choose to walk by faith. I know that in the midst of chaos, there are beautiful souls putting their lives at risk for others.

Volunteers, civilians opening their house, strangers showing support. The outpour of love is unmeasurable.

Let us not forget that there is love around us. Let us not lose faith. Let us pray for all those affected, let us pray for a resolution. Let us pray for all the innocent lives lost, every day.

I will walk by faith – will you?

Encouragement is key

Life is made of trials. Life is made of choices, and you hope you pick the right one for you and your family, if you at all have a choice.

When it came down to which path to take, I’ve been very, very blessed to have so many encouraging voices around me. A family that cares for me, our struggles, and most of all, loving voices that support our choices and guide us through our journey.

And I’ve needed a lot of guidance.

I’ve been feeling “out of it” lately. There’s not much I do when that happens. I have no inspiration, no energy, no willpower. I go to work, come home exhausted, watch tv, go to bed.

By day 3, the hubs sat down with me.

He held my hand, looked into my eyes and asked me to share the burden. Asked me to open up, share my struggle, find some peace.

He listened, he heard me. And he gave me what I needed most: encouragement.

 

I never realized how much I need his support. How much his encouragement and having him on my team matters to me. And I thank God every day ( I truly do) for giving me the chance to share a life with this guy.

Plus our amazing friends also have our back, and it’s funny how much encouragement comes from the most unexpected places too. I am so very thankful for all the love and support I’ve gotten lately.

And just like that my energy came back. That fire within me started burning bright and my passion for art and lettering was increased ten fold. I am stepping out of my comfort zone, and trying to work with mediums and techniques I haven’t used as often.

And can I confess..

 

I’m loving it!

 

I don’t know where that will take me, or if there’s a future there at all. But I am having a blast connecting with my inner creativity and letting my passion flow through my pen + brush.

So if you have a minute, please check back to my shop and check out the new items. It means the world to me. And I’m very thankful for each of you for your support.

 

killing them with kindness

I’d like to think I’m a kind person.

I will offer to help, I will try to lift you up, I will be your friend. I will work my hardest, I will earn your respect. But throughout the process, I will be kind.

Being kind is often regarded as being weak. People think because you are kind you will never say no. And that may be true for a while.

I’m notorious for not saying no. But that often leads to people taking advantage of that. Of me. We have to be kind, but say no. Stand up for yourself.

People won’t like it at first – my experience so far is that people don’t like to hear “no”. Especially when they’re so ready to hear the “yes” you usually say.

But that’s ok.

The response won’t be positive, and you will probably hear quite a few complaints. Stick to your gut. I feel like people who can’t hear a no have a really hard time experiencing it for the first time. And they lash out.

But kill them with kindness. Be the person you are, but be brave. Kindness is not a weakness. It’s a gift. One everyone should throw around.

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And that is my intention at the moment. Be kind, but be brave. Follow your heart, your belief, but don’t walk over anyone on the way. Be kind. You don’t know what is going on in their personal lives. But be brave enough to stand up for yourself when the time comes.

Just remember: it may take time, but kindness changes everything.

Grateful heart Tuesday(?)

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This grateful heart Tuesday means more than I care to admit.

This weekend I was able to open up my heart to my husband, and share more than I thought I could. I don’t know why I’m surprised, he’s my best friend, and the person I love the most. The one who’s always got my back.

Sometimes, though, my mind wonders. And I spend days, weeks, sometimes months, going over things before I think it’s enough to bring it up to him. Specially if I think it’s something that may go against what we had decided.

But life’s plans don’t follow ours. I tried to fight it, I convinced my husband that this would be the best plan. But if there’s one thing life has taught me thus far, is that your plans, and life plans, are not always the same.

And you have to be ok with that.

I’m grateful I have such an understanding, amazing, supporting man by my side. One that shares my quirks, my inklings and my views of the world.

And one that supports me wholly.

Life will show us when the best time is. Or there may never the the best time. But we feel it in our hearts that this is not it. And I’m grateful for his support, understanding, and even more, for sharing the same ideas as I do.

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Pretty exciting news

Well, friends. It finally happened.

I sold my very first etsy item yesterday! (woohoo!)

I’m so very excited. Specially at this time, when I’ve been amping up my etsy items, spending more time drawing, painting, lettering. Experimenting with different colors and mixes and layouts. It’s all very exciting and I can’t begin to tell you how much of a confidence boost it is!

It got me thinking of how much pressure we put on ourselves. How sometimes we have to wait for this first sale to really measure how good of an artist you are. Or if you should even have that etsy store. And I have been guilty of that. But then it shifted.

Ever since I’ve been really digging into this new passion that is lettering, my life became less about “I have to sell” and more about “I’m really inspired to do this”. And it was a great surprise that right at this point, when I finally let go of any expectation, that the first sale was made.

It was a great personal lesson to me. One that reminds me to focus on what I love doing, and soon it will be obvious to see that from the work I’m putting out.

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Well, thank you, etsy buyer. For helping me finally see what was in front of me. Do it for love. And you reminded me to keep on doing it.

Breaking Free

This August brings with it a few of the most terrifying goals/ to-do’s I’ve had in a while.

Remember when I mentioned a really good friend when I enlisted help with the decor? Well, she did more than just help me with decor.

She helped boost my confidence.

I’ll be the first to always admit I have zero confidence in myself. In all of myself: I don’t think I’m particularly great at anything – and that’s super scary! In the midst of reading my passages, the one from last week hit me like a bullet.

 

This is it.

My deepest, scariest, ugliest fear. The one that props all the doubt, all the fear, self loathing and uncertainty. The black cloud that’s always around me, preventing me from breaking free.

And that’s my August goal. Heck, that’s my life goal, if I’m at all being honest with myself.

I am enough. You are too. We are more than enough. We are talented, beautiful souls, and I’ll be damned if I let this fear cripple me any longer. This is the moment I’ve been waiting for. The clue, the sign I always ask for when I ask for guidance.

And so far, He has not let me down. From all the changes that have happened, plus all the ones that will, God has been guiding me through all the winding roads. With every bump there was a lesson. With every scratch I learned something.

This time, I have learned to step out of my comfort zone. To trust in myself, and in my work. There are things brewing over at this side. And I can’t wait to share that with you!

For now, I will just ask: What scriptures/quotes speak most to you? 

 

Thankful Monday – family edition

This weekend was a very meaningful one to my family.

We drove up to my sister and brother in law’s house on Saturday morning. It had been almost 2 months since I had last seen my beautiful niece. We had the chance to interact with her (she’s so big!), to go for a long walk, to hear stories, to work on projects and to catch up on life.

It was grand.

This was also the weekend my goddaughter had her dedication. She was welcomed, officially, by her family, community, and friends.

Yesterday I stood next to her with her godfather, and together we promised to guide her, and love her, to the best of our abilities. To be there for her – more than just family. To be a moral compass, a fun aunt/uncle. To love her like she is our own.

I didn’t need a ceremony for that, naturally. I already love her as my own.

I know it may sound weird to some, but the way I look at it, I love my sister. She is my best friend, my confident, my teacher, my attorney on immigration matters, my role model. And she’s a fierce mama.

It’s only natural that this little human being that was made from her would mean just as much to me, right?

Right.

It was with a full heart, the biggest smile and a joyful soul that we celebrated the little miss. And I’m thankful for representing all her family from Brazil, who would love to be here. To show her how much she is loved by family and friends that have yet to meet this princess.