Taking a Break

Hello readers,

If it wasn't obvious before, I am taking a blogging break. I plan to come back soon though. :) Things have been hectic and blogging has taken a back seat (plus I had some big technical issues with my blog...ie: I FORGOT MY PASSWORD and NOTHING worked to get it back...until today. :)

So I hope you are doing well and will check back soon.

All the best,

Tori
xoxo

Little Confession 002: My worst nightmare is actually pretty funny when I think about it

Back when I was a full time stationer and doing the National Stationery Show in NY every May, I would make myself so stressed out that I would literally have the same reoccurring nightmare every night leading up to it. It was similar to dreaming about not being ready for taking a test in high school even though you have long since graduated from high school...and college. Or like those dreams where you think you are so cool until you remember that you forgot to get fully dressed that day. Panic. Utter panic sets in!

So my version of the common "stress dream" that I used to get during the first several times we did the NSS was that I was going to be the star of a Broadway play and I was sooooooo excited about it. But then at the last minute absolute panic set in because I realized that I couldn't sing, dance, or act. (minor oversight) And I didn't have my costume. And the rest of the cast went home so it was just a one person show. Starring me. The talentless understudy. And I was ON in

FIVE
FOUR
THREE
TWO
ONE...

And then I would wake up.

It's really so silly looking back at it. But I guess that many things we stress too much about can be silly.

All of that to say that I am helping my incredibly talented friend Monica of Da. Ja. Designs with her booth for the Cotton District Arts Festival this Saturday. I am so excited! No dreams of Broadway here just dreams of having fun hanging out with my girlfriend and playing shop for a few hours. She also graciously offered me a little section in her booth to sell some iSanctuary cards as well as advance copies of my new book.

I personally can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday. You can bet that I will take lots of pictures and share them here because if you aren't local you are going to want to see what you are missing.

* If you aren't a Broadway musical nerd or a Julie Andrews nerd (I am both), you might not recognize Julie Andrews as Eliza Doolittle In My Fair Lady. I will leave the one woman shows to her any day of the week. :)

New Partner: Ink Garden

I am so excited to finally be able to talk about a brand new company that I have been working with for over a year. It's called Ink Garden and their website just might change your life. I AM SERIOUS! If you are an artist, business owner, or just like to give or make cool stuff, this website is for you.

Basically, the way it works is simple. Just pick a product that you like and create a completely custom and unique finished piece with ready made art by an Ink Garden designer, use pre-made clip art to do a sort of virtual scrapbook technique, or use your own personal designs.

Can you stand it?

I mean, it's just so exciting! The opportunities are endless! I have so many ideas (both as an artist and as a customer) that my head is spinning. Birthday parties, business branding, grandparent gifts, party favors, and on and on. Bookmarks. You can make your own bookmarks! And personalized melamine plates and trays?? What? Don't even get me started.


I really enjoyed getting to create artwork for businesses that might need a logo or illustration, but don't have the budget to hire a designer. They can simply find pre-designed work and either use it "as is" or just as a starting point to create their own. I had so much fun pretending that I was a customer who needed a "spa girl" or a wedding photographer that needed something simple and straight forward.


The best part of working with/for them (other than the fact that they are incredibly easy and gracious to work with) is that I got to be a "test customer" and try out a few products. I know. Life is rough. I made a mug as a gift for a friend and two different things for my business. I will be sharing photos later on so stay tuned (I know - the suspense might kill you). I was very pleased with how user friendly the site is and how high quality the products are - oh and nicely priced.



I really can't say enough nice things about Ink Garden. They are a brand new site and they are just getting started so you are among the first to know about the endless custom design opportunities at your finger tips.

You're welcome.

;)

Wal-to-the-Mart

It's no secret that Walmart gets a bad wrap. I mean there are entire websites devoted to making fun of the clientele. And I have to admit that before we moved here, I was worried about having to shop at the Piggly Wiggly and Walmart as I have been a loyal Trader Joes and Target girl for years.

One thing I have found out since living here is that Walmart just isn't that bad. It's actually, well, really nice! Our local Walmart is really big, clean, and full of happy workers. We even have a nail salon inside. Talk about one stop shopping. They have a place to recycle plastic bags and their meat selection is unbelievable. That was one of the first things I noticed when we moved here. Wow - southerners must really like their meat because they seem to stock twice as much as the grocery stores back home.

I'm not saying that everything is perfect at Walmart. We did notice this shirt on display as we walked toward the check out line:


But this shirt was hanging right behind it:


I just went ahead and felt free to rearrange the inventory. It never hurts to try to leave things a little bit better than they were before.

Sofa NY Designer Breakfast

OK - I will admit it. I LOOOOOOOOVE Amy Lau. I just do. Not only is she incredibly talented, but she is one of the warmest, most creative, down to earth - yet super stylish gals around. And she is originally from AZ (like me) so that makes it extra fun.

All of that to say that she is a panelist at the Sofa NY Designer Breakfast. If you are a design lover and live in NYC, this is something to be sure not to miss.

I like to think that Amy and I have a lot in common. We are both from Arizona. We both have the same number of letters in our first and last names which is sorta cool for some reason. We both have Asian last names and we aren't even Asian. Now THAT is super weird. How many even-lettered Arizona designer creative types can say THAT?

I know. Right?

YMCA

One of the best things about going through a difficult time is all of the love you feel from those around you. My difficult time came in the form of a nervous breakdown. Oh yes. It happens. And what I have learned is that it happens to A LOT of us. Mine happened last week and lasted for about a week. I was on overdrive and obsessing about the wrong things. Too many things. And when we focus on too many things all at the same time, you end up doing none of them and well, short circuiting.

But - I am back! Branden and I have re-prioritized and got back on track and we are so, so thankful to God for that.

It is so nice to know that when the going gets tough that the tough get going. Branden canceled his much anticipated recruiting trip to LA to stay with me and my sweet brother even dropped what he was doing to come and help with everything. It was amazing.

And the icing on the cake is that my mom sent THE MOST THOUGHTFUL care package that only a mother could send. I mean this woman could be my personal shopper because she knows exactly what I would pick for myself...with the exception of one "fun blazer" that she thought might be "hip and with it." ;)

Anyway, as I have been basking in the love and support of my new friends here in town, leaning on friends and family near and far, I am reminded of something my good friend Liberty said once that is so fitting. I am paraphrasing but still want to give her credit for her genius line.

"In regards to raising children, you have heard of the quote, 'It takes a village'. Well, I love my village people."

Full of JOY

Wow. Our little family has had quite a few weeks...BUT we are full of joy. All I can say is that we all have trials that are put in front of us for a reason and I am so thankful that my personal trial has made me who I am. I see the light at the end of the tunnel. :)





I just HAD to share the above image from the A-to-the-Mazing artist and creative genius designer behind Little Things Studio. I didn't ask her permission for the image, but I know that she won't care. :) She is actually my new BFF. We had a four hour coffee talk a while ago and THIS GIRL HAS INFECTIOUS JOY. She is super fun. She makes Yazoo City, Mississippi the hip place to be.

Anyway, I also want to make note of the fact that I mentioned in my last post that my blog was more about being of "design inspiration" and not "divine inspiration". On second thought, I don't think that's true...and it's especially not true now. From here on out, I am claiming my life verse to be: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path." Proverbs 3:5