26 @ 26

again following the idea of this

i created my 26 @ 26 list shortly after my 25 while 25 list

 i'm pretty satisfied that i will be able to complete it!

1. get married

2. find a new home church

3. plant a garden (in real ground)

4. move to a new city

5. cook dinner at least 4 nights a week

6. have a girls weekend

7. throw a party

8. try something new

9. use my passport

10. switch to diet dr. pepper

11. pretend to be Julie|Julia

12. get a library card

13. order a return address stamp (for a permanent home)

14. create a photo book

15. paint something

16. sell something handmade

17. save $ to pay off reid’s law school

18. make business cards

19. frame something

20. water ski more

21. update my ipod

22. buy a mac

23. go on at least one road trip

24. make something with my minibook training

25. hang the things i created in college

26. stay in touch with friends

meanwhile, here is an awesome post about post-it art that i am loving

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Ahh! where has time gone!!!

okay so yesterday i got super pumped by this blog. elise is SO inspiring.

i can't believe i have been absent so so many days.

my brand new hubby is now moved three hours away and making progress with his field placement.

cross your fingers for a real job offer at the beginning of december for him!

i've been looking for a new job and working hard though too!

check out the new website look

HERE

up next, revamp the blog!

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huuuurrrrrr did!

before

after!

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ditto

When things aren't going as planned, I have to agree with naomi. So appropriate.

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hair today...gone at 4pm!!!

instyle.com has virtual makeovers

this one or this one

what do you think?
i like the first the best but i plan on giving my hair stylist total control

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sweet dreams are made of...

last night i had the craziest longest dream i can remember.

i dreamt that i was at present age and had gone to visit my family for the weekend. somehow, i found out that my mom had traveled to europe before i was born, had an affair with a russian prince she met at versailles castle, gotten pregnant with me, and came back to the states to marry my real life father. she had led both of us to believe that were biological father & daughter.
crazy!?!
i'm pretty sure that i didn't watch anything strange before going to sleep last night...except maybe Lost...? it possibly could have been the whole 'Ben & Alex' story maybe??
the weirdest part of the dream as usual, was how absolutely real it felt. in my sleep i was flooded with emotions because 'i knew' i had been adopted or that i somehow didn't belong to my parents. i have dreams that feel SO real that i've cried so hard i've woken my self up. its ridiculous.
my mom was 24 when i was born, but in this dream she had me at 19 years old, while she was in college and my dad was 24. also, no one but my mother's friend ramona knew that she went to europe and had met this russian prince. my 'father' the prince had been killed at 42, as printed in an obituary my mother was crying over, when i found out the story. i popped over to russia, met my grandmother the queen, and was suppose to be trained to be the next in line- which is straight out of Disney's Princess Diaries.
so i wonder if i should tell my parents about this one...

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{fresh start}

1. stay healthy { mind, body, & soul. }
2. loose pack rat tendencies/keep spaces clutter free.
3. find ways to be my greenest self.
4. stay in touch with distant friends.
5. make time in my life to do something creative { stay sane. }

• side note- grow my blog.

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dear year 2008,

thank you for a most wonderful time and days full of exciting change:

• i moved to a better part of atlanta all on my own
• made a huge decision to leave my job
• which was mostly thanks to the even bigger decision to move BACK to tennessee
• survived a one day move across states & began my new job the very next day
• i turned another year older { aka closer to 'my mid 20's' }
• celebrated reid turning another year older
• realized how smart my generation is
• became a peacock for a day
• survived {and followed closely} the most important political season of my lifetime { thus far }
• completed new projects
• celebrated thanksgiving {twice} & christmas {5 times} with reid and our families
• stayed healthy and thankful
• realized how blessed we are to have each other, be just across the street from each other, and the love all around us everyday

thank you family & friends for a great 2008!

much love to you & be safe in 2009

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studio

finally my studio made an appointment for a photo shoot

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year of the rat

So it's the year of the rat, and I am a rat according to Chinese astrology because the year I was born was also a rat year. This is suppose to be a great year for me but last year will be pretty hard to beat! Some of the rat characteristics are just plain funny, and others are strikingly similar to me...its all just for fun to me.

"Will the rat bring more wealth and wisdom to this world? Yes, if we believe the Chinese who have been celebrating their new year throughout the world since last Thursday (why don't you check other Chinese new year posts on the brand new city daily photo portal on this occasion?). In Paris there has been several parades, including one in the Chinese quarter in the 13th arrondissement and one opened by the mayor of Paris and the Chinese ambassador. There are about 300,000 Chinese in the Paris area, most of them came in the 70's from the Wenzhou province and Indochina (the former French colony)." daily Paris

The Rat
Being born a Rat is nothing to be ashamed of. In China, the Rat is respected and considered a courageous, enterprising person. It is deemed an honor to be born in the Year of the Rat and it is considered a privilege to be associated with a Rat. Rats know exactly where to find solutions and can take care of themselves and others without problems. They use their instinctive sense of observation to help others in times of need and are among the most fit of all the Animal signs to survive most any situation.

Years of the Rat
First in the cycle, Rat Years begin the sequence and recur every twelfth year. The Chinese New Year does not fall on a specific date, so it is essential to check the calendar to find the exact date on which each Rat year actually begins.

The Sign of the Rat
Being born under this sign determines many talents, as well as other characteristics that may not be so commendable. Rats are very lively and need a lot of mental and physical stimulation. They can be calm and perceptive, but sometimes their brains can cause a mental restlessness, tempting them to take on too much, only to discover they are unable to meet their commitments. Rats are blessed with one of the best intellects going. Add to their intelligence a curiosity and a bright imagination, and they seem as sharp as a needle.

The sign of the Rat is the first sign in the cycle giving Rat people exude great leadership qualities and are good at taking the lead. They don't mind a lot of responsibility and they demonstrate a strong presence that other people respect. For those with the Rat nature, status and monetary satisfaction are the greatest motivation.

RAT FACTS:
People born in the Year of the Rat share certain characteristics. The Rat sign is an abbreviated way of characterizing that individual's personality. Following are features associated with the sign of the Rat. First in order, Chinese name-SHU, sign of charm

CHARACTERISTICS
Smart, Magnetic, Well-liked, Affable, Quick-witted, Surreptitious, Selfish, Protective, Calculating

THE WOOD RAT (me)
Despite having a remarkable facade of self-confidence, deep down, Wood Rats are the least sure of themselves compared to other Rats. However, they wouldn't dream of showing this side of themselves to anyone. Only close companions of a Wood Rat would ever suspect that he or she had such self-doubt. In fact Wood Rats are often worried about downfall, despite their ability to find success. Well-liked, proficient, and good leaders at work, Wood Rats seem to function best when they are surrounded by family and friends. Cordial and delicate, they are usually well loved by family, friends and peers.

Health and home
RAT HEALTH
The affect of the sign of the Rat is energetic, and demonstrates enough endurance to fight most any sickness. Yet, all Rats tend to be tense, full of nervous energy, petulant and prone to stress. Rats also harbor a bit of aggression; yet, they are usually able to control it. Yoga would benefit Rats by calming their aggressive natures and helping them manage stress.

AT HOME WITH THE RAT
Rats make good homemakers who are always willing to do household chores. Rats are not usually interested in keeping up with the times, and it doesn't matter to them whether or not their furnishings are in style. What does matter is that their home is a refuge expressing warmth, comfort and vogue. Light blue is their color of choice for home decor. Because this is a sign of acquisition, the Rat person's house is presumably bursting with various knick-knacks collected over the years. Most Rats are cheerful, domesticated individuals who find happiness at home with their family.

THE RAT ON THE JOB
The Chinese say others should always listen to the advice of the Rat. Because of their intellect and observatory powers, Rat people possess prudence and perception. They can anticipate problems, and are always able to see the big picture. They can hone in on issues at hand and make measurable judgments. These skills, combined with their sense of aspiration also make them clever operators. Status, money, title, and recognition are important to the Rat. They have keen senses of observation that allow them to foresee upcoming business opportunities as well as potential occupational problems. The Rat makes a better boss than an employee and, although motivated, they can be pinned down by routines. Rats work better in flexible situations where they can be freely creative.

MONEY AND THE RAT
Cunning and thrifty, Rats have a knack with money and are apt to save for rainy days. When capable, the Rat is a great money saver, and in strapped times he knows how to make something out of nothing or how to turn make things advantageous for himself. Although few Rats suffer financially, the Chinese have a proverb: They who pile up grain hoards have much to lose.

CANCERIAN RAT (me again)
Cancerian Rats like to be individuals and to stand out. Material things are important to them, but what they value their family more than anything else.

LIKES AND DISLIKES
Since Rats are born under the same Animal sign, they often share likes and dislikes. Following are similar likes and dislikes of the Rats personality:
Rats Like:
Color Preference: Light-Blue
Gems and Stones: Diamond, Amethyst, Garnet
Suitable Gifts: car accessories, art books, gym memberships, geographical maps
Hobbies and Pastimes: Interior design, playing basketball, crafts, painting
Rats' Dislike: Doing without things they want, strict time keeping, any routines, being at the end of the line

THE RAT VACATION - I'm going on a week long vacation March 17th!
Travel delights the Rat personality and ignites his curiosity. Sunbathing is not the ideal way for a Rat to spend his vacation. Rats are adventurers. They want to explore, examine, visit and party during their time off. They want to try new foods, find new sights and experience the culture of the area they are visiting. And, of course, if they can come home with an exotic souvenir to add to their collection their vacation will have been an instant success.

FRIENDS AND ENEMIES
Generally friendly and sociable, the Rat is one of the extroverts of the Animal Zodiac. Often, the Rat is lively and genial, and has a special gift for easing the minds of others. It is not surprising that Rats have a lot of friends. They are great speakers and intriguing conversationalists, and can generally find something to say on just about any topic or subject. Of course, there is always that renowned Rat lure that allows them to charm the pants off of people! To the people they love, Rats can be amazingly charitable, popular and supportive, and will go out of their way to be certain their loved ones are content. On the other hand, if the Rat does not like someone, he is considered fair game and can be used to achieve any and all of the Rat's desires. At the end of the day, though, the Rat is a loyal friend and will be there for his companions through thick and thin.
Compatible Friends: Dragons and Monkeys
Mortal Enemy: Horses
Rat*Dog
Rats think Dogs are tiresome, but you have the potential to be a good match for each other.
I always thought Reid was a dog...just kidding!! I definitely don't get tired of him :)

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more about me

This is suppose to be 100 things about me...I kept a few from julieree because I could not come up with 100. She got it from daciaray, who has a wonderful looking blog. Maybe I'll add to it as I come up with more.

I'm Chelsea.

I've always liked my name.

My middle name, which I inherited from my grandmother, is my mother's also.
I'm a southern girl at heart.

I am a Christian living in the Bible belt, who was raised in a southern baptist church.

Not the anti-Disney kind.

I did not vote for Bush.

Politics make me angry, therefore I am "moderate."

Hot sun through closed eyelids is the best feeling in the world.
My best friend has known me since kindergarten.

Some day a man will take her away from me.

That man should probably beware of poisoned apples, falling pianos, and being shoved in front of oncoming buses.
I have had a surprising number of professional incarnations for a gal of my youth.

I was a shoe salesperson.

I was an art teacher at church.

I worked as a pastry/ bakery/cafe slave.

I was a retail visual designer.

It was a tough decision between advertising school and design school.

Design school won out.

Design school is not particularly good for your health or self esteem.

But ever since going to design school, it seems my eyes are open a little wider.

And my defenses a little bit tougher.

It really was too bad they didn't want me.

From there, painting & advertising took over.
My ancestory is French.

I fantasize about moving to France.

I love that this fantasy doesn't have to come true to taste sweet.
I like high thread-count sheets, flip flops, and most kinds of cereal.

I hate coconut, disposable housecleaning products, and my hair in my face.
I still don't know the difference between imminence, immanence, and eminence.

But it really bugs me when people confuse "you're" and "your."

Ditto with "their" and "there."
I don't have any phobias.

Well, actually I am a pretty big germaphobe.
My desk & drawers are always extremely neat.

My sock drawer never is.
I think I love every Jane Austen novel-turned feature film ever produced.

No matter how terrible the production quality is.

I love my boyfriend.
I believe returning to nature is good for the soul.

Wind blowing through trees is one of my favorite sounds.

The smell of wood burning fire is a favorite.

Number one is clean laundry.
I secretly believe I have pretty feet.

Most people would probably agree that they do look a little weird; cause & effect from ballet en pointe.

My nose is definitely French.
95 degrees (and up) is not too hot for me.

In winter, my nose is perpetually frozen.
Some day I want to travel all over the world and leave my footprints in as many places as possible.
I never used to think of myself as "creative."

I have always been told that I am.

I love creating things, so I guess I am, in fact, "creative."

I have an expensive peice of paper that proclaims I am a certified artist.
I love containers.

Organization keeps me happy.

I love Mac, not PC (although I don't own one).

InDesign, not Quark.

Jif, not Skippy.

Skim, not 2%.

Peonies, not roses.

Chocolate, not vanilla.
I am loving this blog.

It encourages me to create.

It encourages me to write.

It encourages me to explore.

I hope it encourages you in some way too.

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amazing finds

I just begain this new blog & already I have found a TON of awe inspiring crafty & artistic blogs. It always amazes me to see the art that other people create. This is what I do when I am feeling dull or obviously uninspired. I search the internet and various art books & mags for people who are, at that second, much more intune with their craft than I. I wish I could get paid for this. Seriously, the best job description in the world would read:

• Discover objects of beauty daily. Uncover patterns from accross the world. Travel to the ends of the earth exploring tucked away art and unturned pockets of handmade craftiness

Another thing I love to do is check out new fashion from designers or stores that i cherish. Of course numero uno would be Anthropologie, under the Urban Outfitters Inc. umbrella. I can (and do) spend hours in the stores. See what I am obsessed with yourself http://www.anthropologie.com/

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