First shore trip of the summer season! Aaaah! The clean, salty air. The soft, grainy sand on my toes. Not to mention the first gelato of the season at Shriver's (I was too excited to take a photo beforehand but trust me...it looked DEE-LISH-IOUS!).

I'm so excited for the summer. And although I don't have as much freedom to go down on the weekends like I used to, it makes those moments that I can visit that much more special and enjoyable. Packing up the car late this afternoon brought a little sadness to the day. It couldn't have been better though! Arriving yesterday in the afternoon to a bright, blue sky filled with fluffy clouds, feeling the cool ocean breeze blow through my hair, walking the boardwalk and eating Mack and Manco's pizza, and ending the evening with a leisurely game of hearts with family was great. And to start the day with coffee and breakfast at Ready's Coffee Shop was bliss! Another walk on the boardwalk and a taste of South Jersey's best gelato was as relaxing a day as I could have wished for. Shore...I'm sad to see you go. At least for this weekend. I'm sure we will meet again.

On a side note (and completely unrelated but you know I gotta plug it!), check out two new totes in my Etsy shop-- the Yellow Mod Dot Day Tote and the Raspberry Mustard Floral Day Tote. Enjoy the remainder of the night, all!

I feel I need to point out that Paramore us growing on me. I just
heard one of their songs on the radio on my way to work and I've gotta
say...I do like it.

Guilty pleasure announced.

I feel like I've mentioned this plenty of times before but I've been stuck in such a rut lately. It's the feeling of helplessness I've had in regards to my job/school situation. School has not worked out. It was supposed to but, no surprise here, the state has made it so I can't attend. I was pretty mad about it at first since I have spent 7 months trying to get this situated (and everything was set and ready to go) but, in the end, I'm sure I'll get the training I'm looking for at some point. I was offered a retail position at Anthropologie (my love!), which is fabulous as I'm obsessed and probably their biggest fan...but it's only part-time work. The stress of wondering if I'll find something else to bring in supplemental income rears its ugly head every now and then. And, in particular, two days ago. The whole situation is just so nerve-wracking. I often don't feel like I'm stressed but, looking back, I can see that I am because it seems to affect every other area of my life. Creatively, I've been struggling because my focus is always on what's going to happen next-- will my hubby and I be in financial distress or will something great come through last minute? And all of this is to announce that my creative fire has FINALLY been fueled the past few days! Hallelujah!

I've got cute new homewares in my Etsy shop! Check them out!

NYC

> My New York trip was fabulous! I can't believe it's been about 5
> years since I was there last. I decided today that visiting needs to
> be something I do more often. I just loved taking in all the sights
> and sounds and just walking around. However, I am glad to be home in
> my comfy bed. My aching feet need a rest...I walked at least 15
> miles today!

Portland, Oregon

I feel like so much creativity is pouring out of Portland, Oregon. Like, literally busting out! Every time I look through crafts, art pieces, whatever, I find out where the artist is located and it's a loud and resounding Portland. What is in the water there? Talent juice?! Hook me up with some. So now I really want to go visit and experience all that Portland has to offer. First I need to secure a job and an income. ;)

I'm taking a day trip to NYC tomorrow with some girly friends. I haven't been there in YEARS! I'm super excited to go despite there may be rain and scattered thunderstorms. But seriously, I'm not letting the rain bring me down. New York, New York!!!!!!!! *sung in that of a Bette Midler Broadway voice*