Fun With Pinterest: A Mood Board of Me

I mentioned on Monday that I'm preparing to commission a blog redesign, and I'm really excited about it.  I've been browsing portfolios and deciding who to approach, and I recently put together a summary of what I'm looking for a in a design.

The funnest part of this process was carving at the time to sit down and actually look at the 2,171 images that I've pinned on Pinterest. (That number has probably risen by the time you read this!)  I clipped the ones that I felt were "me" and put them together to make this collage:

It's really cool to look at hundreds of images that you love all in one place, and I highly recommend it.  Once I saw everything all together, it's clear that I love me some leopard, gold, rich browns and pops of pink, green and teal.  Good to know!  If you've got time to step back and examine your style, I highly recommend it!

Now let's play a game:  If you could pick one (or more) images to represent your style, what would they be?

Things That Blogging Makes Me Forget

I can't believe it, but I've been blogging for almost three and a half years.  The landscape has changed a lot in that time, and it has changed me too.  My old posts make me giggle, and I'm glad to see that my taste level has evolved and that I have a more defined style.

However, sometimes I have to step back and remind myself that the blogosphere is not actually real life.  It's a carefully curated collection of the prettiest things we see, with occasional "I'm going to get real for a minute"posts like this one. 

Often times, I find myself laughing at some of the things that start to make me feel bad about myself, and today I've made a little list so that I don't get delusional again:

So, what has blogging (and Pinterest) caused you to lose sight of?  Please share!

P.S. This is not intended as a shot at anyone or their blog, just my own commentary on what I've noticed and caught myself doing on occasion.

Food for Thought on a Monday

Happy Monday!  I've been busy watching television, attempting to Ikea hack, and speed reading The Great Gatsby.  Unfortunately, that meant no time for blogging.

However, here are a few little bits of wisdom and lovely words that made me smile this past week:

Saying Thanks... On Paper

I know it's not just a Southern thing (there are plenty of polite Yankees, I hear) but thank you notes have been part of my life since I could write and I can't imagine foregoing the tradition.  After seeing so many "look what I got" and "I want to buy that" posts, I realized that I am dreadfully behind on my post-holiday correspondence and I have lots to be thankful for.

So, as I write lots of cards tonight, I thought I'd share a few great options to replenish everyone's stash of stationary in the new year:

thank you notes by cardiganjunkie on Polyvore

I had to throw in some twenties inspired options after yesterday's post, and I must say the font style is growing on me! 

P.S. Did anyone watch Parenthood last night?  Did Amy go through with it?  I'm thinking not because it's network television and it all seemed too simple.  I appreciate it the script not going all after school special about it, but it seems like a topic worth more than 25% of the episode. 

Dear 16 Year Old Me...

Today I watched a YouTube video where people spoke to their teenage selves about skin cancer, a cause near and dear to my heart.   It made me recall similar blog posts I've seen and songs I've heard, and I started thinking about what advice I would give teenage Haley and what I may want to share with my own daughter one day.  In the spirit of sharing (rare, since this is not a personal blog), I decided to write my own letter and post it here.

I've also added a link up widget if you'd like to participate in this (very cathartic) exercise.  I don't expect it to take the internet by storm, by any means, but it could be fun.  You can also participate via Twitter by using hash tag #dear16yroldme

Dear 16 Year Old Me,

You're 27, and despite what you think now, that's NOT old.  The things you're going to read will be pretty shocking, and you won't believe all of them, but try to open your mind and accept what you'll be learning in 11 years of life:

• You're not fat.  Really.  I'm not sure why you think that you are, but in 11 years you'll be sad that you spent so much time beating yourself up and hating your body.  You're strong and in pretty good shape from drill team - you can jump and land in the splits.  This talent will not last long.  You'll be happy to know that you can still fit into your prom dress in 2011.
• Stay focused on your grades.  You are starting to understand that academics are your ticket out of Highlands, TX and that you're smart enough to get scholarships.  More than half of your college will end up being free, so don't let Dad's tirades about money get you down.  You do not need to have that screaming fight senior year, you're going to be just fine. 
• And while we're on that topic, try to be nicer to your parents.  In 11 years, you're going to get along really well and be ashamed of some of the things you say to them.  Yes, they're strict compared to your friends' parents, but it's because they love you and want to keep you safe.  At 27, you'll laugh at your request to ride to Houston to attend a Third Eye Blind concert with someone who has been driving for 7 months.
• The people who aren't very nice to you right now are no longer in your life.  In fact, you haven't thought about most of them in at least 8 years and are laughing to yourself about them now. 
• Quit trying to turn your male friends into boyfriends.  It will not work.  It doesn't mean there's anything wrong with you, but you'll keep trying for years and fill many journal pages with emotional entries trying to figure it out.  
• Stick to your guns about not having sex.  You'll be so glad you didn't sleep around in high school.
• Spend time with your grandparents and with your friend who isn't well.  You're going to miss them when they're gone.
• Keep writing.  You're good at it.  Start a blog in college!
• Wear sunscreen and do not lay out so often.  You're prone to skin cancer and will regret it later.
• And finally... when you're 25, you'll meet someone who thinks you are amazing and suddenly all of your other relationships will look ridiculous because this one is so easy.  He will want to marry you, and at 27 you will be happier than you ever thought you would be.  Stay optimistic and trust that things will happen when you're ready.  

Love,
27 Year Old Me

Add your own letter to you with the linky tool below: