Blues and Golds and Everything Goes

Marimekko Linens from Crate and Barrel.

Harvested Honey Coat from Anthropologie.

This is Something New

The original concept for this blog was a play by play of my life. The idea was to post often with reports of what I had been doing like, "This is what I did over the weekend..." Kind of lame, I know, but it was my way of dipping my toe is the blogosphere. Unfortunately, I didn't do a great job of keeping up with the blog, but I did create a sort of digital scrapbook of things I was enjoying. My main problem was that I felt I wasn't really doing enough in my life. I had the job, the apartment, the car, the occasional trip, family and friends, but I always felt that something was missing.

I felt like something was holding me back from being fully engaged in my life and committing to where I was. I watched friends get married, buy houses, going to graduate school and have babies, but my life seemed static. However, it's hard to want to make a change if your life is comfortable. I am fortunate enough to have great family and friends, but this made the idea of making a big change even harder. Finally, about a year and a half ago I decided that pursue one dream that I had always had.

I had always dreamed of living abroad and joining the Peace Corps. I decided to apply and spent the next 6 months doing paperwork and having interviews with no concept of my chances of getting in. Over a year and a half after originally applying I got accepted for a post teaching English in Romania. When I got accepted I was completely at a loss. I evaluated all the things I loved in my life and almost declined. However, I thought about all the milestones my friends had passed and the feelings that I had when I watched them doing exciting things. Therefore, I came to the decision that I could not decline this opportunity. Therefore, I have a new blog: Mo-Mania.

High Line

Over the weekend I visited some of my dear friends in New York. The weekend was full of many great experiences. I watched one of my closest friends get ordained at a rabbi, met a friend's new baby, basked in the sun in Central Park, and went on a historic scavenger hunt in the financial district. One of best places that I visited was High Line. A garden park on the West Side of Manhattan that sits on an old elevated train platform. You can read about the history of the park here.

Only a portion of the park is finished at this time, but it is well worth a trip. I plan to make another visit on my next trip to the city to see the new section that is due to open in 2011.

Lovely things

Spring is in the air and I am inspired by bright colors and interesting designs. Below are a few things I am currently loving.

The ultimate cardigan
I may own this beauty in 2 colors already, but I can't help coveting even more! The sweater has some cashmere in it too, so it's warm and soft.
GAP ($49)

Chains Indoor-Outdoor Rug
Cost Plus World Market ($39 to $479 depending on size)

Vera Neumann Scenic Mugs
Anthropologie ($8 each)

Currently Listening: Sonos

I love White Winter Hymnal by the Fleet Foxes and Sonos does a great cover. They were featured on NPR this morning. They are also coming to Seattle on February 5th. I think I am going to have to get tickets!

Christmas Ornaments 2009

My review of 2009 would be mixed. However, I can confidently say that creatively I missed my mark. I am hoping 2010 will give me more time to focus on things I enjoy doing and that I will have more to show from it. I did manage to squeeze out a couple ornaments for friends this Christmas.

For Sarah, Dan, and Hazel a tree:I also made a little ornament stocking for Hazel's first Christmas, but I forgot to take a photo of that one.

A beaver for my friend in Portland. Her last name is Beaver, if you're wondering.
As for projects that I started in 2009 that I am hoping to finish in 2010:

• needle felted squirrel
• 2009 summer travel photo album
• Amy Butler travel bag (to be fair I never even started this one, I just have the pattern)
• framing prints
  
• the great American novel