Inspiration is a Fickle Thing

You know how some days you're just EL FUEGO and you're like "YES! HIT ME WITH ALL THE THINGS! I CAN SO TOTALLY DO THIS".....and then other days you're like "Wellllll, it is 10:30am...I should probably get out of bed?" *turn over and check Facebook again, even though it's been 30 seconds since you last checked*

No? Just me?  I mean, I apologize to all mums out there....I imagine you dream about laying in bed until 10:30am.  

Anyway, I want to have an honest convo about inspiration.  Especially for creatives.  Because I think "normal people" aka people who don't have creative jobs, look at us like unicorns.  Which I mean, we kinda are.

But, this unicorn goes through some real grey days. Legit

So let's, briefly, mention the things that bring us down. Politics. Money. The overwhelming fear that what we're doing is stupid and there's no point to being alive. Ok I went a bit far on that one, but sometimes it's hard to be Polly Positive Pants. 
As someone who's susceptible to a pretty awful 
anxiety/depression loop, I can go from super 
pumped to horribly bummed pretty quick.

But, LUCKILY here are some of the things that help me get my groove back.

1). Friends.  I am a social butterfly, and rocking this solopreneur life is HARD!  Extroverts have just as hard a time as introverts, just with the opposite things.  I rely on people to get my energy up.  I love hanging out. So I'm trying to do a better job at calling people up for coffee dates + gab sessions just to keep my sanity.  PS if you want to hang, you should message me.  I'm down!

2).Getting out of my house!

OK real talk...there are days when I don't leave my house.  Sometimes on purpose, sometimes because I can't fathom getting off the couch and interacting in the real world.  And we won't talk about how some days I 'forget' to shower....and I don't have a toddler to blame it on.  Get out!  Even if it's a drive to the grocery store to pick up something for dinner.  I got out of the house and it makes me feel slightly better.

3). MUSIC!

Man, is there nothing a good song can't do?!?! The answer is no!  I went through a period of time, not too long ago, where I just TOTALLY forgot about music.  I think because in my "other life" music is my job and I'm only listening to songs I can choreograph to - not songs that I enjoy listening to. Does that ever happen to you? Something you know you love just doesn't bring joy anymore?  Put on a super fun song, have a little dance party for one, and get your groove back

And I mean if GIFs of Chris Pratt dancing doesn't put a smile on your face....I don't know what will? lol Disclaimer: I have a legitimate Chris Pratt/Guardians of the Galaxy problem.  Bonus the Guardians soundtracks are SUPER FUN, so I highly recommend giving those a listen if you need some inspiration.

What do you do when you start feeling burnt out? What are your go-to's for those grey days?  I'd love to hear what you do when you need to re-charge or get your mojo back.

...And A Happy New Year

As the year comes to a close and many of us are spending time nestled together with friends and family, I want to thank you, all my readers, subscribers, casual acquaintances, and maybe this is your first time checking out my blog!  I want to say thank you!  

2013 was a pretty amazing year for me.  Most notably I started my new business West Coast Leslie Designs - a handmade crochet women's apparel company.  Considering it just got off the ground in November, I'm proud to say it's been fairly successful.  My products are online, I sold a whole bunch at my first craft fair, and you can find WCLD products at Modern Sole in Sherwood Park AB and Tryst Boutique in Saskatoon SK.  I created my own website and online store and wore off some of my arm hair from getting orders ready (I crochet pretty fast!) LOL

It truly will never be enough, but I want to thank all the people who have been SO super supportive, including my husband, sister, mum, and dance co-workers (some of my first clients), as well as my partners at Modern Sole & Tryst!

Wishing you and yours a safe, happy, and healthy New Year!

See YOU in 2014!

I Bought Some Chairs

Well, I officially feel like an adult.  Today Ty and I bought 2 arm chairs from Urban Barn.  At a pretty penny too, I might add.  I think that's what makes me so nervous.  Well that and the fact that the chairs are custom purchases (read: final sale) and I've never actually seen what the chair will look like in the fabric I chose until they get to my house! EEK!  So I'm a little anxious about my choice.  I have a hard time trusting myself, especially with something this big.

Here's what the chair looks like.  It's hard to tell what the design is really like when it's grey, but....hey it's all I've got for the next 4-6 weeks.  The pattern I've chosen is called Caprice Marine and it looks like this....

Please ignore the chair design.  I'm sure this chair is comfy, but it's just not for me!  I will be sure to post pics once I've got them and set them up in my living room.  It's seen a lot of changes in the past four years....don't remember?  Here let me jog your memory.

What we started with

After a few coats of paint (with the help of my awesome Dad)

Well now that leather couch has seen it's last bum, we've added a rug and a bigger coffee table, a book case....it's a growing room.  I promise I will show-off my soon to be completed living room!