2013: Happy New Year!

I don't know what it is about the end of the year but everyone generally seems to feel pressured to go out with a bang; out with the old, in with the new all the while insisting this will be my year! We all have new hopes, dreams, and resolutions. We are hoping not to repeat disappointments from the previous year and looking forward to what is to come of this one. Gyms will be crowded and Wal-Mart will be out of organic produce for the first month or so as the lazy are weeded out and the motivated are brought to the forefront.

My resolutions are a lot like AT&T's rollover minutes. They just keep going, rolling over to the next year as I hope that, one of these days, they'll work out like I want them to. I'd like to lose weight (who doesn't?), become a more attentive parent (I still struggle with this), become a better blogger, focus on marketing my design services, and keep a more organized home. These things, however, aren't just things I want to accomplish this year. These are all things that I not only hope to accomplish, but also continue to improve every day, every month, every year. But if I was being really honest, I don't feel all that excited about the new year. I feel more like my life is passing me by and I'm just watching my own future regrets. I've been feeling lately like I need to do something out of my comfort zone to create more excitement and adventure for myself. I have a strong desire to move away from the area I've called home for 25 years. I'm not getting any younger, things are not going the way I wish they would, and this is definitely not where I say myself in my mid-20s. Now I just have to find the balls to do what I need (want) to do.

If you're a regular visitor, you may have noticed a few changes around here. I took a much needed break which left me feeling refreshed and inspired. I spent those two months really thinking about where I wanted to go and grow as a blogger and a designer. I also spent a lot of time working with Lindsay to re-brand and re-launch Poppy Magazine. I somehow stumbled upon a post that they were looking for a Web Designer and I happily volunteered myself for the position and was so excited when Lindsay contacted me to join the team. I read the first issue of the magazine the day it came out and fell in love with it. These ladies really know what they are doing and they have spent a lot of time writing and curating content, as well as connecting with people and brands that is of interest to the blogging and creative community.

If you haven't heard of Poppy Magazine or seen the new look yet, please check it out. A screenshot is below. I had so much fun designing and developing the website and I look forward to being a part of this team and watching it grow.