Skinny Ties For Sale!

Even though Julia has instructed me to stop apologizing, I must.  Things have been terribly busy since I've been back in Houston.  I was trying to figure out how to set up an Etsy shop, but I really need to finish my packing get some rest, since the plane will leave tomorrow afternoon whether I make it or not!  Here are some beautiful photos, courtesy of Micah Sedmak.  Most are 100% cotton, and all of the florals are by Liberty of London.  Let me know if you're interested in purchasing one; all are priced at $68.  I can accept payments through PayPal.  Hope you like!

Is moving this hard for other people?

Today the movers came.  You think that I would have spent the appropriate amount of time preparing beforehand, no?  Well, yesterday morning I fell out of bed trying to hit the snooze button and ... broke my toe.  Who does that??--I haven't broken a bone since junior high!  I was in such a sleepy haze that I didn't even realize I had hurt it until I woke up an hour later.  Today, it's swollen up to the size of a mini sausage and is very attractive.  Needless to say, I was ridiculously late for church and wasn't nearly as productive as I had planned on being.

At least I had the foresight to hire movers not only to pack me, BUT ALSO to provide the packing materials.  I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning organizing everything, and I just sat there and watched in amazement as they quickly packed up what would have taken me days--in 4 hours.  Of course, I was trying to utilize all of the time that more sensible people wouldn't have paid my time while they were packing to sort through what I am planning to take on my upcoming trips.  However, my cat, Oliver, who is only a little over a year old was obviously excited by all of the new people and the removal of furniture.  I don't even remember how many times he darted out the open front door (he's an indoor cat), once trying to hide in the landscaping in front of the house.  So.. there I was with one of the (I think?) Russian movers trying to capture the kitty.  A thorn splinter and several scratches later, Oli was safely confined to the only room with a door in my house - the bathroom.  Hearing him meow made me feel like a cruel parent, but with my injured toe, I can only hobble after him so quickly.  Crazy cat!

Source: Uploaded by user via Kathrine on Pinterest

Never Apologize! Never Explain!

I'm currently sitting in one of my favorite cafés here in Columbus, sipping a chai and hand-tacking some ties that I brought with me.  Some women a couple of tables away from me are discussing how they are here to toast Julia Child and that they do it every year on her birthday.  Apparently, today would have been her 100th birthday.  I found a nice article that was in the Times in '04, should you be interested.

Like most people my age, I fell in love with her on account of Julie & Julia.  I loved the book, and even though the movie wasn't as wickedly funny, who doesn't love Meryl Streep?

Bon appetit!

All Tied Up

As most of you (who would actually be reading this yet) know, I am having to raise money to go on my trip to Brussels.  One way that I am aiming to do this is through skinny neckties that I am making, inspired by the likes of - 

  

Source: havelessbemore.tumblr.com via Kathrine on Pinterest

Source: havelessbemore.tumblr.com via Kathrine on Pinterest

Source: havelessbemore.tumblr.com via Kathrine on Pinterest

I'm still working on them, so stay tuned - but there will be some available at a yard sale this Saturday that one of my dear friends is hosting to raise money for my trip.  If you are in the Columbus, OH area, you should check it out!  10am-4pm at 798 Bruck St. in German Village.

Note to Self

(via Habitually Chic)

I know it's a bit cheesy to post quotes like this, but I kind of wish I had this as my senior yearbook quote instead of what I thought was clever from one of those 100 most inspiring people of the 20th century books.  I'll take it as encouragement, though - a challenge to be daringly impractical, "anything that will assert integrity of purpose...[against] the slaves of the ordinary".  I've no idea what this next year will hold, but it's the very not-knowing that makes it so exciting. 

Sentiment aside, Cecil Beaton is one of my favorite photographers.  I first saw his work at an exhibit in London several years back - I think at the National Portrait Gallery.  Fabulous show.  I was (and still am) amazed at his ability to capture such personality and sometimes even irreverent humor in his portraits.

  

Here goes nothing...

You'll have to bear with me as I try to figure out this blogging thing - trying to navigate the Blogger website is still about as Greek to me as Twitter once was.  I still can't even figure out how to change the format of the page.  Have no fear, though - my perseverance will overcome in time, haha.

But - to begin:

This is my very first post.  (!!!)  I don't know why I'm nervous, perhaps it's a fear of the unknown, not knowing who might be reading (or most likely - not) reading this.  Facebook and Twitter are one thing, but this seems a bit more personal.  Only several sentences in, and I'm already rewriting my sentences, hearing all the voices in my head of English teachers past correcting my diction and sentence structure.  Kathrine, you used a form of the word "know" twice in the second sentence of this paragraph; are you sure you want to do that?  Or - You ended that sentence with a preposition!  Might want to correct that.  (I already corrected said sentence.)  I'm even unsure about my choice to write in contractions, but I'm fighting the pressure.

So, why have I begun a blog?  I've been toying with the idea for a while now, but felt a little overwhelmed by the idea while I was still working.  (I've recently quit.)  Now, however, I feel like I have cause as well as time.  The main reason I left my job was because I've chosen to do a DTS with YWAM Brussels.  I think that this program could be a really good opportunity for me to take a step back from my career and focus on what should really matter in life.  This blog will be a way for me to document this journey.  Hope you enjoy!