An Extra Day

2/29/12 - Day Seventy Nine

Music: The Pretty Reckless - You

Some new music I found through the YouTube suggestion section of my homepage.  This is one of the few I actually like a lot. Check it out.

Realization: We should have an extra day every year.

I have recently been talking so much about time and how little of it I seem to have.  This may be the start to the extremely busy part of my life and I am ready for it.

The last two days I literally didn't have a moment to blog.  Weird.  This has taught me that realistically I won't be able to blog everyday but I am still going to write for no less than 365 days total. 

Some updates on some of my goals and the important parts of my life

I am working in the design field currently as a freelance designer.
I did the logo below and I love it!

'til tomorrow...

Time keeps ticking

2/26/12 - Day Seventy Eight

This late night stuff always has me losing track of time.  Today is the beloved crazy school day and today I have a total of two hours of sleep. Hooray for the life of a college student that works full time :) I'll write more tomorrow for sure.

'til tomorrow...

Tax Return Relief

2/25/12 - Day Seventy Seven

Tax return came today and I finally got some food and other items I had been needing for a long time.  I'll post more on all the cool stuff tomorrow, but for tonight I'll leave you with the craziest song my boyfriend has ever "asked" me to listen to.

Music: mc chris - smackababy

In the words of my best friend...but for why?

'til tomorrow...

Wait or Do

2/24/12 - Day Seventy Six

Inspiration: Good things come to those that wait, better things come to those that do.

I have been considering moving away from the area I currently live in for quite some time.  Culturally this isn't a good spot for a budding design career and I need a change.  I know a new city isn't going to fix everything but I am hoping it would help with some different scenery. The top three choices on the move list are Seattle or Portland, Denver or somewhere on the east coast though Boston and New York are the only really likely choices.  I would love to live closer to my sister in Charlotte, NC but I am not sure that would be exactly the change I am looking for since it isn't a huge difference from Florida.  These decisions will be weighing heavily on my mind over the next couple of weeks.  Thankfully, I have the support of my boyfriend in these discussions and concerns so hopefully we can make a good decision.

'til tomorrow...

Thursday's Quotables

2/23/12 - Day Seventy Five

Thursday's Quotables seventh edition

 
The best advice can be found in quotes from those that learned before us.

Inspiration: Elbert Hubbard (June 19, 1856 – May 7, 1915)

 "Be pleasant until ten o'clock in the morning and the rest of the day will take care of itself." - Elbert Hubbard


"Do not take life to seriously. You will never get out of it alive." - Elbert Hubbard


"Never explain - your friends do not need it and your enemies will not believe you anyway." - Elbert Hubbard


"The object of teaching a child is to enable him to get along without a teacher." - Elbert Hubbard


“The recipe for perpetual ignorance is: Be satisfied with your opinions and content with your knowledge." - Elbert Hubbard

'til tomorrow...

Work is the motivation

2/22/12 - Day Seventy Four

Realization: The only motivation I need is work

My mind has been crazy a buzz with all the designs in my head.  When given an idea I can create exactly what the consumer wants with some communication.  The confidence of knowing is helping me achieve some personal goals and I am ready for the next step.

Music: Jem - They

This song has been playing at Starbucks the last few days, and it is amazing to work to.  I like the lyrics because they channel some key moments in my past but the beat will get you moving.  It is great!

'til tomorrow...

Design and Sleep

2/21/12  - Day Seventy Three

This week I find I am more exhausted then able to sit up and write.  Everything is weighing heavily on my mind and I need to adjust my schedule even further to succeed in my career field.

/yawns and nods off

'til tomorrow...

Updating

soon

Kiss Quick

2/19/12 - Day Seventy One

The conclusion to this week's school work and 17 assignments, left me completely exhausted with typing.  I am excited to update on what is going on tomorrow. Until then, here is a great song...

Music: Matt Nathanson - Kiss Quick

'til tomorrow...

College to Career

2/18/12 - Day Seventy

I am in the process of finishing my B.A. in Visual Communications and today was full of exams and assignments.  May 2012 is my graduation date and I am looking to get this stuff done and my career started.  My goal for the next few weeks is to really start using my resources to network some future work.  What do you think my company name should be?

JL Designs

JL Design Journey

Design Journeys

'til tomorrow...

Quiet Time

2/17/12 - Day Sixty Nine

What music speaks to you?  Which ones are your absolute favorites?  I have so many it is hard to think of the right ones on the right days.

Music: Brand New - Quiet Things No One Knows

This is my favorite type of music.  I can design, sleep or mellow out to it.  It can repeat over and over and I just keep singing it.


Realization: Quiet time awakens demons and inspiration.

    Last night, while trying to fall asleep early for a well needed change, I had more than a few moments of meditation.  Sure...some things that flew into my thought processes weren't happy or even something I could do anything about but I needed that time to just THINK.  Each day we are faced with almost an assault of information and entertainment that holds our attention. 

    We get very little time to just be silent in thought and purpose.  In the past when I would try to be quiet or meditate on anything the boredom was overwhelming.  I am realizing now that each of us needs time to just be, to shut off our brains or focus on the larger picture.  Our everyday can turn into a month without even realizing we lost a day. 

A new small term goal for myself is to try and enjoy and create those quiet moments more in my life.

'til tomorrow...

Thursday's Quotables

2/16/12 - Day Sixty Eight

Thursday's Quotables sixth edition

The best advice can be found in quotes from those that learned before us.

  
"A person who never made a mistake, never tried anything new." - Albert Einstein

"I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones." - Albert Einstein

"The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

"Anyone who doesn't take truth seriously in small matters cannot be trusted in large ones either." - Albert Einstein

"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." - Albert Einstein

'til tomorrow...

Silence and Freedom

2/15/12 - Day Sixty Seven

Realization: I want a week away from everything.

I started thinking today how nice it would be to rent a cabin in the middle of nowhere and just exist for a week. No distractions, or phones or schoolwork or work.  Change is a necessity in my life and I need it soon.  Lots of thinking in my brain today and I hope these changes are coming soon.

'til tomorrow and hopefully with a brighter perspective...

Happy Valentine's Day

2/14/12 - Day Sixty Six

Happy Valentine's Day!

Artist

I hope you are surrounded with love and happiness today.

'til tomorrow...

Love is...everyday

2/13/12 Day Sixty Five

Happy day before Valentine's.  What do you all have planned for the day to celebrate love?
I am making a dinner for our best friends and looking forward to some relaxing.

I wanted to dedicate this post to two women who could sing their hearts out...Aaliyah and Whitney Houston.

Music: Whitney Houston - I will always love you

Music: Aaliyah - One in a Million

'til tomorrow...

Love is.....music

2/12/11 - Day Sixty Four

Music: City of Colour - The Girl

This is a perfect valentine's song for a girl that isn't into the material things of life, like me.  Beautiful lyrics!

Realization: Music connects emotions with reality in our heads

Love is.....snuggling

2/11/12 - Day Sixty Three

Red blankets of wonderfulness and snuggles.

by: pinkpickettfence on Flickr

Opening the store in the morning...time for shut eye.

'til tomorrow...

Working day

2/10/12 - Day Sixty Two

Such a loooonnng day working.

'til tomorrow...

Thursday's Quotables

 2/9/12 - Day Sixty One

Thursday's Quotables fifth edition

The best advice can be found in quotes from those that learned before us. 

Dr. Seuss Memorial in Massachusetts

“If you never did you should. These things are fun and fun is good."-Dr. Seuss

“Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.”-Dr. Seuss

“Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened"-Dr. Seuss

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind”-Dr. Seuss

 “We are all a little weird and life’s a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.”-Dr. Seuss 

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...”-Dr. Seuss  

'til tomorrow...

Love is...patient

2/8/12 - Day Sixty

Music: Goo Goo Dolls - Iris

Music: Lifehouse - You and Me

My two favorite love songs.  The second one was my ex husband and I's "song" and even though we aren't together anymore it brings back all the wonderful memories of us together.

Inspiration: If everyone lived by this quote life would be more divided but a hell of a lot easier.

Dr. Seuss Quote Wall Art Design by Single Stone

Love is...your choice of person

2/7/12 - Day Fifty Nine

The biggest news of the day was the a courts ruling that Prop 8 is unconstitutional. Glad we have the judicial system in place today. My belief is and always will be that the government shouldn't have the ability to determine who you love or if you can say publicly in front of friends a declaration of this love.

Design: Free People.com Valentine collections

'til tomorrow...

Love is...food

2/6/12 - Day Fifty Eight

Inspiration: Valentine's Day Recipes

Strawberry Shortcake

Sweet Swirl Cookies of Love

Heart Chocolate Cake <3

'til tomorrow...

Love is....forgetfulness

2/5/12 - Day Fifty Seven

Music: Atlantic Starr - Always

When I was seven my mom remarried and he became my dad that day.  This was their wedding song and I still picture my best friend, sister and I singing at the top of our lungs beside the dance floor during their first song.  Wonderful memories and a great love song that reminds us true love is always!

Realization: To be truly in love a bad memory is key.

The hardest thing to remember in love is we aren't in love with a concept, we are in love with another person.  People will make mistakes, big ones and small ones.  Forgiving someone you love seems to be the easy part it is forgetting the mistakes that takes effort.  The ability to not bring up shortcomings at the first sight of personal insecurities.  Forget the bad and pray your loved one can do the same for you.

Inspiration: Oreo Cookie Cake...Yums! I think my boyfriend would love this for Valentine's Day.

Found it here

'til tomorrow...

Love is...who you sleep next to, by choice

2/4/12 - Day Fifty Six

Music: Al Green - Let's Stay Together

This song makes me miss my boyfriend or reach out and hug him.  Definitely one of the best songs of all time. Play it in the middle of an argument and it is sure to cease.

Realization: There is so much I could do with a sewing machine.

For some reason I have never tried sewing as a hobby.  I guess in my mind it has always been associated with my grandmother and her patience for it. Patience I never thought I could possess. Much to my surprise, my patience for projects that create something is increasing with age.  Crocheting is one of most relaxing things currently in my world.  Just to focus on something and get lost with little to no hard thought or decisions put into it. When the most in depth thought is do I want a hole here or just a solid line, weights are lifted.

Inspiration: Pillows in red!

I love these, especially the LOVE pillow in the back!  Blogging has helped me see there is so much you can do with a design background.  It just takes time and some funds. Here is the blog I found this great design on.  Check it out!

'til tomorrow...

Love is...a lot of reasons

2/3/12 - Day Fifty Five

My favorite holiday is fast approaching. The day we publicly celebrate love and those that matter most. The next 11 days are all about love and the fascinating things I can find related to it.

Music: Etta James - At Last

By far one of the best love songs of all time.  The music is amazing to dance to and the lyrics make perfect sense to anyone who finally found a special someone.


Inspiration: Valentine's Day

Found the greatest idea for the person you love and it wouldn't cost very much to put together at all.

For the tutorial and explanation of this piece Look Here. What an awesome idea! Thanks Lowri of Artfull Crafts.

'til tomorrow...

Thursday's Quotables

2/2/12 - Day Fifty Four

Thursday's Quotables fourth edition

The best advice can be found in quotes from those that learned before us. 

Design by JLi (Portrait of Madame de Staël by Francois Pascal Simon Gerard c.1810)

Inspiration: Anne Louise Germanie de Stael-Holstein (April 22, 1766 - July 14, 1817)

'til tomorrow...

Things to see

2/1/12 - Day Fifty Three

Music: Flight of the Conchords - Business Time

Amazing song!  Hilarious and so true!

Realization: My reasons to work have almost nothing to do with rent and food.

I always hear someone say they want to travel. I have been saying it since I was about thirteen. Then I realized the want to travel is much deeper for me than most of my acquaintances.  I go to work everyday so I can have the opportunity to travel someday soon.  Sure working provides the necessities in life sure but those seem to be there when you need them. Today I found these great articles with just a few of the beautiful places on earth to visit.

'til tomorrow...