filling the void

{a lovely chair in the private room at Nada Columbus}

A few weeks ago, my mom mentioned how I hadn't blogged in awhile {hello, understatement of the last three months}. I responded that I had been focusing on my new job and taking time for my husband, my pups and myself.

She replied, "I think you're blog was filling a void, and that void is no longer there." Or something wise, observant and insightful like that.

I immediately wracked my overactive brain for the void I was so desperately filling by blogging. The truth is, blogging has always been a creative outlet--or at least an outlet--for me. Now, I have a whole new job in which to be creative. By the way, I'm LOVING my new gig. Thanks for asking :)

Nothing against my old job, or the crazy, busy schedule I was keeping for years, but I think I needed to blog because I was feeling complacent, uncreative, unmotivated and simply ready for something new. My blog allowed me to channel my often chaotic thoughts into something that felt real and good. Plus, there is an amazing community of bloggers to catch up with every day!

I've tossed around the idea in my head over the last few months if I wanted to come back to blogging, or if I wanted to call it quits. It was starting to feel like a chore, something I had to do. And honestly, anything I HAD to do was not anything I wanted to do. So, naturally, I needed a break.

I think what I also needed to do was reevaluate why I'm here, what I want to get out of blogging and where I want this blog to go should I move forward with it. I don't want blogging to just take up space in my life, or feel like a chore or a job. I want it to be something that I look forward to each day, every other day, a couple days a week--whatever publishing schedule I land on.

The truth is, I love to write. I love expressing myself and my thoughts through creative writing. I don't think I'm ready to give up blogging. But I am ready to find a new way of doing it--a way that makes me happy, that keeps me coming back and that isn't simply filling a void in my life.

How do you approach blogging? What are some things about the way you blog that you've changed as you've gained experience?

7 modern desk chairs under $100 {and one that isn't}

Clockwise from top left: 1, 2, 3, 4 {not under $100, my bad}, 5, 6, 7, 8

Back in the fall, Shawn and I purchased new computers - a Macbook Air for him and an iMac for me, which meant that I needed a computer desk. We bought this one from Target, but I have yet to find the perfect computer desk chair. Which means I have been hauling one of our dining table chairs up to our office. It's not terrible, but not ideal.

Needless to say, I've been on the hunt for a desk chair. Because our house is a mix of rustic and modern elements, I'm really into the idea of pairing a modern chair with our simple desk, which is starting to have a rustic, weathered feel as the paint on the edges wears off.

In my search, I came across these beauties. I'm leaning towards 5, 7 or 8. Thoughts?

19 '80s songs to which you sing along {even if you don't like '80s music}

{see photos from last year's Sk80's party}

About a month ago, I went to my third Roller Sk80's --an 80's-themed, roller skating party. It was awesome. Other than the photo booth, which is always a crowd favorite, my favorite part is hearing tunes from one of my favorite decades of music--the 80's. Obviously.

Some people give '80s music a hard time, but I am a huge fan {to which I credit my parents, who were 20-somethings for most of that decade} and have several Pandora stations dedicated to it. A friend introduced me to the "Waiting for a Star to Fall" station and my life was forever changed. Also, ABC's "The Goldberg's" on Wednesday nights is a great show to watch to get your '80s fix.

But I'm willing to bet my NKOTB sleeping bag {pretty sure that bad boy is still alive and well at my parents' house} that, no matter how you feel about '80s music, you can't help but sing along to some of these jams {in no particular order}:

1. Don't Stop Believin' by Journey

2. Living on a Prayer by Bon Jovi

3. Ice, Ice Baby by Vanilla Ice

4. Like a Virgin by Madonna {or any Madonna '80s song--my personal favorite is Like a Prayer}

5. Take on Me by Aha

6. Jack and Diane by John Mellencamp

7. 1999 by Prince

8. {I've Had} The Time of My Life by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes

9. Anything by Michael Jackson

10. I Wanna Dance with Somebody {Who Loves Me} by Whitney Houston

11. You Spin Me Around {Like a Record} by Dead or Alive

12. Another One Bites the Dust by Queen

13. All Night Long {All Night} by Lionel Richie

14. Mickey by Toni Basil

15. Shout by Tears for Fears

16. Push It by Salt N Pepa

17. What I Like About You by The Romantics

18. Love Shack by The B-52's

19. Footloose by Kenny Loggins

Which one is stuck in your head right now? You're welcome. Also, which ones would you add to the list?

friday favorites

My sexy spectacles from Firmoo: I am still so in love with the pair that I received. The ordering process is so easy, if you have your prescription from your eye doc. Part of me wishes that I would have gotten this pair sans prescription lenses just so I could wear them even more {I'm a chronic contact-lens wearer}. Go like Firmoo on Facebook and check out their super cute frames at ridiculously low prices!


This cucumber melon candle from Candle with a Cause: I chose this candle because, right now, 25% of the proceeds go to Pets Without Parents! Candle with a Cause makes soy-wax candles in recycled wine bottles, and donates a portion of each scent to a different non-profit organization. It's local supporting local-it's a win-win. If you want to check out Candle with a Cause for yourself, you can shop its booth at the Made Local Marketplace on March 28.


These pants from New York and Company: Last week, they had a buy one, get one free sale on all pants and I jumped ALL OVER IT! I bought this navy pair and I am in love. The texture is a little different from my other pairs, which is quite lovely, and the color is perfect. I have worn NY&C pants to work for the past eight years. I swear by them. Right now, all their pants are $29!


Mary Kay Lash Love mascara: LOVE IT. It's so amazing-my lashes look longer and fuller. It's worth the $15.


The Magnolia Market: I ordered this canvas map a couple weeks ago {really hoping that I get a shipping confirmation VERY SOON!}, and I cannot wait for it to arrive! Shawn and I love watching Chip and Joanna Gaines on HGTV's Fixer Upper {they are the cutest couple on the planet!}, and now, I am obsessed with their shop. Go check out the shop and the show-you won't be disappointed.

what are your anchor habits?

{source}

"Have an anchor so that life doesn't toss you around." ~Debby Ryan

Yesterday, while I was in a day-long orientation session for my new job, the presenter talked briefly about anchor habits. I immediately wrote the term down and Googled it when I got home, because obviously it was going to make for a stellar blog post topic.

Just like a ship's anchor, anchor habits help keep us steady. And not just in the face of a storm or adversity. Certainly, we've all developed habits over our lifetime-some good, some bad. We've abandoned some habits along the way, replaced others and taken up new ones.

Think about a time in your life when you have drifted off course, or been uncertain of your path or passion or calling, or lay awake unable to hush the voice in your head-the one with all the tough life questions. I can think of several of those times in my life-one I refer to as my quarter-life crisis, even if I was the only one who knew that I was going through it. There are many times when I've faltered or gone off course in my life-or at least felt that way even it was just inside my own head. But I came back to the things in my life that grounded me-my anchor habits.

After the presenter mentioned anchors habits, I began mentally jotting down a list of my anchor habits-at work, at home, in my relationships. Here is what I came up with:

// A cup of coffee {almost} every day at 10 a.m. And, at my old job, I drank it out of the same mug every day. Luckily, they allowed me to take this mug with me as a parting gift, which I will cherish forever-they have no idea. I have already packed said mug to take to my new gig. At home, I do have favorite mugs as well.

// #TGIT. Every Thursday, I settle in, with a glass of red wine, to watch Grey's Anatomy and Scandal {I currently am DVRing How to Get Away with Murder}. With the schedule that I have been keeping the last few years, I always look forward to Thursdays, because it is typically the only day during the week I don't have any evening obligations and come home right after work.

// Workouts. Unfortunately, I can easily talk myself out of a daily sweat sesh, but I know when I NEED one. And when I need one, I do one. I am constantly fighting to get into a solid workout routine, and inevitably, my motivation. I am looking forward to getting into a regular workout routine as my new job allows me to set a new schedule for myself.

// Asking Shawn about his day. I do this every day as soon as I see him. We don't text a lot during the day because we are both busy with our work, so I make a point to ask him how his day was. I want to open the door for quality dialogue-whether he's had a great day or a challenging day. I want us to be able to share details of our work lives with each other.

// A morning routine. During the week, and on most weekend days, my morning routine is exactly the same. For me, it allows me to start each day fresh, and not just because I am a person who has to shower every morning.

// Going to bed when Shawn does, even if I'm not tired. Even if I stay up later watching TV or reading. Even if I fall asleep before he does. There is just something about laying down in bed together at the end of each day to which I look forward.

// Telling my pets I love them before I leave for work each day. I know that someone has to make the bacon in order for my fur babies to live their pampered lives, but it does tug at me a bit each time I leave them home alone all day. But I make sure to tell them I love them and that I will see them that night, just so they know.

I'm sure I have plenty other anchor habits that keep me grounded as well, but this gives you an idea of what keeps me grounded in my life, the things that are constant or that I constantly come back to.

So whether it's watching a favorite TV show, eating the same breakfast every morning, carving time out for yourself at the same day each week, what keeps you grounded? What are your anchor habits?

If you want to read more about anchor habits and why you need them, I found this great article over at lifeohm.com. 

if i could...

{source}

Today is my first day at my new job as a communication manager for a major healthcare organization. It was bittersweet to leave my old gig, but this move is a great one for my career and life. I am excited to see where this new journey takes me. I am also excited to see my new office cubicle, meet all my new co-workers and join an incredible team doing incredible things. Wish me luck!

If I could*...

// Read only one literary genre, it would be memoirs.

// Live anywhere, it would be on a large body of water, preferably with a beach.

// Be anything, I would be a travel writer and photographer.

// Play any instrument, it would be the cello {though I played the flute and french horn in middle school}.

// Drink only one thing besides water, it would be red wine. I won't even be picky about the kind of red wine-any red wine will suffice.

// Meet any celebrity, it would be Joanna Gaines of HGTV's Fixer Upper. I adore her and love her style. I wish she would make a special trip to Ohio just to shop for home decor with me. Or possibly redecorate our house, if it's not too much to ask. Her hubby is welcome too-we have plenty of home projects we could use his help on ;)

// Relive one day, it would be Shawn's and my wedding day. I would definitely do a destination wedding this time!

// Watch only one show forever, it would be Criminal Minds. Followed closely by Scandal.

// Eat only one kind of food for the rest of my life, it would be Mexican {obviously, Chipotle falls under that category}!

// Only wear one outfit, I would don a t-shirt and jeans.

// Hug anyone right now, it would be my grandma, who passed away nearly 2.5 years ago.

*Got the idea for this post from Erin, who got it from Katie. Thanks, ladies!

if you really knew me {pet peeve edition}

{glasses: c/o Firmoo; scarf {option}: Forever 21; shirt {similar} and leggings {similar}: Old Navy}

Note: my silly pup behind me. She loves playing in the snow with her sister, who is not pictured because my head is, and, despite the fact that she appears to be floating, actually does have paws. 

Generally, I'm a happy gal. Though I consider myself Type A, mostly because of my love for list making, I'd say I'm pretty laid back and can roll with the punches. However, there are a few things that really chap my arse. So, if you really knew me, you'd know:

// I loath hypocrisy. Practice what you preach, friends. Or get off the soap box. And please call me out if I am ever in violation.

// I hate when people tell me to calm down, especially if I'm upset about something. I take your telling me to "calm down" as a sign that you don't want to listen to me, don't care about how I'm feeling or are uncomfortable with my "ugly" emotions. I don't get mad or fired up about things too often, but when I do, I just need to get it off my chest, and I just would like to have my feelings validated by your listening. Please and thank you.

// I can't stand the sound of people chewing with their mouth open or chomping their gum. 

// I dislike when people say they will do something and they don't. Including myself.

// I hate being late. It makes me anxious. All sorts of rapid heartbeat, sweaty, twitchy, talk-to-myself anxious.

Tell me, what erks you?

Check my other "If you really knew me" posts here and here.