Tag Archives: 2015

Almost 30

November 23, 2015 Pamela Stephens

My thirtieth birthday is right around the corner. In just over a month, I’ll say goodbye to an entire decade of my life, a formidable decade where so many life-changing things happened, and I learned more about myself than I could have imagined. Lately, I’ve found it difficult to put my thoughts into words, both here on the blog and in face to face conversation. For some reason, my mind feels a little muddy and my thoughts just aren’t clear. In addition to feeling a bit foggy, I’ve also struggled quite a bit with “what’s next.” I’ve actually written several posts about this topic alone, yet I haven’t shared any of them, because they hardly make sense to me and they’re the fruits of my own mind.

Today I woke up wondering if my confusion and lack of peace stems from my nearing birthday. Let me be clear, I’m not dreading my thirtieth birthday and I don’t think I’m saying goodbye to my youth. In fact, I’ve been excited about turning thirty for quite some time. There is something unmistakably thrilling about embarking on a new decade, and for some reason, I genuinely feel like my thirties will be my time. I’ve done so much already through my twenties. I simply can’t imagine how exciting the next ten years might be.

Excited or not, I’ve felt so confused and up in the air. I’ve had 1,000 ideas and sketched out 1,000 plans, yet nothing feels concrete. I feel like I’m on the verge of something fantastic, yet I can’t even tell you what that is. I have big dreams and the fact that I have so many big dreams, makes it difficult to know where to begin. Suddenly, it dawned on me that maybe all of this nervousness stems from my anticipation of this new chapter.

While I’m not nervous about growing older, I do have a bit of anxiety about not getting around to doing all of the many things I want to do in life. I sometimes fear that I’ll look up and life has buzzed by without me getting to try every new thing and see the world. I suppose the coming of my thirtieth birthday could be encouraging some of this fear…a fear of not getting to do it all. In an attempt to ease my mind, I started making a list of what all I accomplished in my twenties. Maybe seeing the magnitude of what I’ve already done would ease my mind by showing me that there’s room to do so much more.

Join me, if you will, as we take a little blast through my past.

I graduated college. Thinking back on that moment, I would have never guessed my twenties would play out like they have. It just goes to show that things can so easily (and sometimes effortlessly) head in a different direction.
I got my first full time job. With benefits. Big girl status. Looking back, I learned so much here without even realizing it.
I opened my first business at 23. Wow. Sometimes I even amaze myself. I had no fear about quitting my “real job” to run a boutique full time. I hope that I never lose this bravery and faith in myself.
I got married. Opening that business is what eventually led me to my husband. I’d have never imagined that and I’m glad that it did.
I sold that first business and got my real estate license. When first deciding to do this, I would have never imagined how life changing it would be. I can say with certainty that I’ll look back on this as one of the most formidable decisions of my life…yet I would have never known it at the time.
I met a huge financial goal. A goal that I’d hoped I might reach someday became a reality in my twenties and it made me immensely proud of my hard work.
I bought my first house. This has been such an adventure in itself and has taught me more about myself that I would have imagined…still learning so much.
I bought a Mercedes! The amount in which I love that car (and am thankful that I allowed myself to get it) is tough to explain. I simply love it.

In making this list, several things jump out at me. First, the second half of the decade looked much differently than the first. I wouldn’t have been able to imagine the end from the beginning, yet everything played out perfectly. Plus, this is just the highlight reel. There were so many high and lows, so much that I learned about myself and the world around me. Just thinking back on the hundreds of experiences that I didn’t mention makes me realize just how much transpired in ten short years.

Secondly, I did so. much. My recent fears of running out of time really are ungrounded. It’s hard to convince myself of that, yet it’s true. In just the last ten years, my life has transformed multiple times. I’ve tried many new things, and seen and learned so much. Why do I think my thirties will be any different?? Even though I can’t see the end result just yet, I should have faith that everything will play out just as well as the last ten years. I’m working on that.

Let’s veer off topic for a bit. I’ve often talked about how much I love this space to write and how thankful I am for it. This post in itself is a wonderful example of that. I’ve felt so much anxiety over the last couple of months, and I haven’t really been able to identify the cause. I’ve felt unsettled and worried. However, writing this post has given me a new perspective. If I didn’t have this blog, I wouldn’t have even began writing these thoughts down, and I wouldn’t have been able to let writing help me flush out my thoughts. As I began writing this piece, I actually had a different goal in mind for it, as I often do. Shortly after making it through a few paragraphs, I realized that things were headed in a different direction. Just getting the first little bit out and into tangible words, evoked more clear feelings. Being able to write (albeit for an audience) put me in touch with what was actually going on in my mind and allowed me to think through and develop my thoughts. If I didn’t have this online portal, I would have likely kept feeling anxious and uncertain. This simple post may indeed be life-changing for me, as it is certainly providing a new perspective that will hopefully guide me through the next several months.

I think the moral of this story and the point of my ramblings are that time passes how it intends to pass, without any bearing on our feelings of it. I’ll simply turn thirty in a few weeks and then shortly after that I’ll turn forty. There is nothing any of us can do to stop or hinder the passing of time. There is something we can do about how that time is used, though.

I’ve spent the last several months worried about running out of time. I don’t know which big idea to start with so that all of the other big ideas fall in to place. However, I’ve been missing the point. Time is going to pass anyway, whether I have everything figured out or I don’t. I will turn thirty and then forty, whether I chase one dream or twenty…or none. I’ve been allowing my lack of a clearly defined “plan” to hinder me from doing anything. What a travesty. Looking back over my twenties, it’s completely evident that things work out even without a plan…even if things go differently than you anticipate. Therefore, why do I feel so uncertain? I’m wasting time trying to “plan” when I should just be doing something. Anything! Doing one tiny little thing and making one tiny little bit of progress is far greater than making no progress at all because you’re paralyzed with uncertainty.

So back to the moral. The moral here is to do something. Stop being afraid of the unknown and know that things will inevitably play out just how they should. We simply can’t know with certainty what tomorrow or 1,000 tomorrows will look like. However, we absolutely can choose what today looks like. Therefore, make today and tomorrow look as fabulously as you can. Do something exciting. Make some progress towards a goal…regardless of which one it is. And for heaven’s sake, stop worrying about tomorrow. I do that enough for the both of us.

2 Comments Inspiration & Thoughts #PPTurns30 - 2015 - What I've Learned

Top 10 Local Restaurants in Monroe-West Monroe

November 19, 2015 Pamela Stephens

One of my favorite things to do is eat. Not kidding. I think heading out to a fun restaurant could even be considered a hobby of mine. When Matthew and I travel, we make it a point to only eat at restaurants that we don’t have at home, with the emphasis being placed on places local to the area. Since we’re so focused on the culinary experience, I thought I’d share some of our local favorites here in Monroe-West Monroe. These are the places that we’d recommend to friends from out of town and we hope you’ll give them a shot too! Be sure to tell them that I sent ya.

Catfish Charlie’s. Let’s face it. Louisiana is all about that seafood. While you’ll get some different flavors here in North Louisiana than what you’ll find down south, seafood is still a necessity. Catfish Charlie’s is by far my favorite fish joint. The flavors are superb, and you won’t find anything else like it in town. Matthew and I would recommend the thin and crispy catfish (Ask for just one filet if you’re not a big eater.) and the fish tacos. Although, you really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.
Avocados. This is one of my favorite Mexican joints. The food seems to be a bit fresher and the service there is great. My favorites there are the fajitas and the super nachos. Matthew loves the carne asada and I’d highly recommend the strawberry mojito.
Cotton. If you’re looking for a bit of a nicer dinner, Cotton is a good spot to go. It’s owned by Chef Cory Bahr and gets a lot of traction because of his fame in the culinary industry. Definitely get the duck wraps. I’d also suggest the Mississippi Mule if you’re searching for a cocktail. Definitely don’t forget the duck wraps though.
Genusa’s. Another nicer restaurant option is Genuasa’s. With primarily an Italian flair, they offer more upscale dishes and a large wine selection. You really can’t go wrong on the menu there, and usually the chicken dishes are my favorite.
The Fieldhouse. This local joint is near the college and offers your typical sports grill vibe. There are multiple tv’s showing a plethora of athletic events and even individual tv’s at some of the booths. For the menu, I definitely suggest the tossed chicken tenders (go with the BBQ) and the homemade potato chips. The sweet potato tots are also a fav. This is a great casual, fun option for lunch or dinner.
Trapps. This is one of our newer restaurant options and it’s a favorite because it’s right on the Ouachita River. If there’s a patio to sit on (especially one with a view), I’m always game. At Trapps, I definitely prefer sitting outside to look over the water. Here, I’d recommend the seafood nachos which is enough for a sizable group of folks.
River & Rail. I’d recommend this restaurant primarily for the atmosphere…it’s one of the best in town. With a large patio area, nice landscaping, and rustic vibe, River & Rail offers probably the best outdoor dining option in town. It also gives a great view of the river and I could sit out there for hours.
Waterfront Grill. You guessed it…another waterfront option. This one lives on the bayou near the ULM campus. If you’re lucky, you can get a window seat to see the beautiful bayou and the turtles and birds that live there. Sometimes you can even catch a glimpse of the ULM ski team practicing. My favorites at Waterfront are the crawfish cheese dip and grilled pork chops…it’s literally what I get every time. Matthew loves the Catfish Desaird, which is another local fav. Again though, you really can’t go wrong on their menu.
Johnny’s Pizza. I wouldn’t be a good local if didn’t suggest Johnny’s. This local pizza joint started here in 1967 and has since spread all over the south. When people move away from North Louisiana, they always want Johnny’s as soon as they come back home. I can’t really explain the distinction without saying, “It’s just not like other pizza.” I usually opt for the classic pepperoni and cheese sticks. However, they’re pretty famous for the Sweep the Kitchen, which includes a bit of everything. Whether you pop in to a restaurant or get it to go, a trip to Monroe-West Monroe isn’t complete without a Johnny’s Pizza.
Iron Cactus. This one is a little further out of town in Calhoun. However, it’s worth the drive. It’s a quaint little place offering delicious Tex Mex. (As you can tell, I eat a lot of chips and salsa.) I love the flavors here and the menu offers some variation from typical Mexican restaurant fare. I usually keep it simple with the fajita tacos, and I’ve heard great things about the cactus roll and margaritas.

These are my local favorites! If none of the above strike your fancy, you might consider RawZ, BBQ West, or Trios. Monroe-West Monroe is known for its large selection of local restaurants, so you really can’t go wrong with any choice. I must admit, it was quite difficult to come up with a list of favorites because so many are good! If you hit up any of these favorites, be sure to let me know what you think! If I’m in town, there’s a large chance that you’ll see me at one of these.

Also, if you’re interested in a full list of options, check the restaurant page of the Monroe-West Monroe Convention & Visitors Bureau. You can also find a list of things to do and a calendar of events there!

8 Comments Other Stuff 2015 - food - local love - my favorites

1 out of 19

November 16, 2015 Pamela Stephens

As anyone who’s read more than a few posts here will know, I write about my experiences. Some are good and some are not-so-good. Sometimes I write about lovely adventures and sometimes I write about harsh realities that I come to realize. Either way, most of my writing is grounded in experiences, whether it be good, bad, or simply insightful.

Today, I write while trapped in a small room with 19 others whom I’ve never met before. We sit here mostly in silence as we prepare to perform our civic duty and await instruction from those in charge. As I sit here in the corner, I observe those around me as I often do. I actually have somewhat of a tendency to infer things about those around me when I’m surrounded by new people. At restaurants, I piece together story lines about the relationships of those at nearby tables. When checking out in Target, I imagine what the person in front of me’s day has been like or where they might be headed next. I do not do this from a perspective of nosiness. Instead, I believe this tendency comes from an area of being simply fascinated with human behavior and people’s “stories.”

Today, as I sit in a room full of somewhat disgruntled strangers, there is so much to observe. Here are a couple of things that I noticed:

Negativity spreads like wildfire. At first, everyone sat relatively quietly and what would seem like patiently. Suddenly though, when the first negative comment was made, madness ensued. Before, everyone was mild-mannered and polite. After just one reference to “them letting us die of thirst,” the mood changed. Suddenly, others began to complain. We heard stories of needing to be at work to make money, having to drive far in the rain, and recovering from the flu. Before, everyone seemed at peace. It was simply amazing at how quickly one bad mood spread throughout the room.
We have the ability to transform someone’s perspective. Shortly after the negativity began to spread, I decided to do a little experiment. I made eye contact with a lady across the room and mouthed, “I love your pants,” with a smile. Her face lit up immediately. Only moments prior, you could see the negativity starting to creep up on her. However, with the kind word of a stranger, she successfully fought off the bad vibe and maintained joyful. Then, she spread a bit of joy to the person next to her and I saw the room starting to transform again.

After noticing this simple concept, I began to think about the affect we have on other people. Each day as we pass through our daily routines, we come in contact with various people, some regular acquaintances and some complete strangers. Most of the time though, I think we disregard the effect we have on these people. The fact is though, we have the ability to either enhance or dampen the days of those we come in contact with. Sometimes, something as simple as a smile can transform the day of a stranger. Sometimes, picking up a dropped item for someone in our office can encourage a sigh of relief. On the contrary, if we spread a funky mood throughout the world, it’s likely to take root too.

I sat there observing the room and felt amazed and encouraged that I was able to have a positive impact on a room of 19 strangers, with very little effort even. Then it dawned on me, if I can inspire the mood of a group of strangers, what capabilities do we have within our own small groups? What chances are we missing to encourage and teach positivity to our children? What would those we work with say of our overall demeanor? I think too often we forget to consider these things. We forget to consider that we’re capable of setting a mood…both in a positive manner and in a negative. We forget that people are constantly observing our actions and often repeating them. Rather than simply reacting today, I encourage you to choose your responses wisely. Consider that there’s a world of people watching you, both openly and in secret. Consider that YOU have the ability to encourage those around you and to transform the room. If we’re all a little more intentional with our actions today, maybe we can actually change the world.

Photo from https://oppj.org/.

2 Comments Other Stuff 2015 - inspiration

How to Start a Capsule Wardrobe

November 12, 2015 Pamela Stephens

The Internet has been buzzing about capsule wardrobes for a while now. If you’re not familiar with the concept, take a gander through this description. Basically, a capsule wardrobe is supposed to ensure that you have only items that you love so that you can create outfits quickly and easily.

At first, I wanted to run the opposite direction from a capsule wardrobe. Not having a ton of options seemed scary and daunting to me. After all, I’d worked for years to build a rather extensive wardrobe and thinning it just felt like such a waste. After I looked in to the KonMari Method, I began to look at my closet differently and got rid of over 5 large bags of clothes. (I went from 44 miscellaneous tshirts to just 20 if that gives you an idea of how much I thinned.) I also pulled out items that didn’t bring me joy, even if I’d spent large amounts of money on them. Once I began looking at things differently, I was housing a lot less clothes in my closet and the concept of a capsule wardrobe didn’t seem so foreign.

Do you have trouble getting dressed in the morning? Do you find yourself wearing the same few items over and over? Do you just need a fresh perspective on what you wear? Maybe a capsule wardrobe is for you. Here’s how to get started:

Create a Pinterest board for styles and outfits that you like. Don’t overthink this step. Pin everything that you like, even if you’re not sure why. If you already have a fashion board, that’s a good place to start. Add more pins based on things that appeal to you. Again, be sure not to spend too much time on this. Scroll and pin without thinking too much about it.
Scroll through the Pinterest board and identify common elements. Scroll through the board you created without focusing too heavily on any one pin. It’s best to do this a day or so after last pinning items. This will help you see the collection as a whole instead of focusing too heavily on what you just pinned. In this step, you’re looking for items that pop up time and time again. Do you see a lot of a similar color? Is it mainly flare jeans or dresses? Are the accessories what seem to stand out most? When you see things popping up over and over again, these will likely be the elements that you want to include in your capsule. Remember, don’t focus too heavily on one item. There will most likely be outliers and maybe you can include elements or use them in a later wardrobe.The main elements I saw in my board were cuffed jeans, blazers, stripes, plaid/flannel, professional-style dresses, and bold accessories. Identifying these as my favorite looks helped me to see why I hadn’t been wearing a lot of my wardrobe (it wasn’t the look I wanted) and to subsequently get rid of a lot of extra baggage.
Clean out your closet. If you haven’t already, get this pared down as much as you can, while keeping in mind the elements you identified from your Pinterest board. Go ahead and get rid of the items that don’t bring you joy or are ill-fitting or tattered. If there’s something you’re not sure you want to part with yet and it doesn’t match your look for this season, put it in a separate pile to be stored and dealt with later. If you miss that item, you can bring it back. If you don’t, then it’s probably time for it to go. The purpose here is to pare down to only the clothes you love.
Buy the missing pieces. Now that you’ve thinned your closet, it’s time to buy the pieces that you’re missing to create the looks from your board. If you identified that you like a lot of looks including a leather jacket and don’t have one, then you need to purchase a leather (or faux leather) jacket. Keep in mind, I’m not suggesting to go out and buy a ton of new clothes. Instead, you’re buying just the key pieces that are missing from the looks you want to create. For me, that meant I needed to look for a plaid button up, ripped jeans, and a neutral blazer. Be careful to not overbuy during this step or you’ll end up defeating the purpose of a capsule.
Create a photo album of outfits or lists. Now that you’ve identified the look you want, pared down your closet, and purchased the key items you were missing, it’s time to create some outfits. If you struggle to find inspiration with your outfits, go ahead and photograph items together or make lists of what you’ll put together. If you struggle to create outfits, make yours very similar to your Pinterest photos. If a photo you pinned has a blue sweater with a brown leather jacket and gold necklace, make your outfit option look just like that. The individual elements don’t have to be identical to recreate the look. The purpose of this step is to eliminate time putting together the outfits if you find that you often get stuck. There are plenty of apps out there that allow you to save outfit details and photos if you’d like to give that a whirl. However you approach it, just remember that this step is here so that you have an immediate idea of how you’ll wear that adorable striped blouse.
Get dressed and look/feel amazing! Creating a capsule wardrobe means doing a bit of work and investing time on the front end. You’re doing this, though, to eliminate time standing in front of the mirror guessing what to wear. You’re also putting in the prep time so that you leave the house feeling amazing everyday instead of bland. By intentionally creating outfits that you love, you ensure that you feel and look you best each and everyday. You save yourself time and frustration getting dressed, and you increase your self confidence dramatically. All of these rewards are entirely worth the time and effort required to get started.I can’t guarantee that starting a capsule will be easy. As a matter of a fact, I’ll warn you that it’s quite difficult. However, I’ll also say that it’s worth it. I firmly believe that we should invest a bit of time (and even money where necessary) to look and feel our best. The benefits of looking and feeling great spill over in to all aspects of life — our careers, relationships, and even our productivity.

That being said, absolutely do not expect to walk into your closet and leave with a perfectly trimmed capsule a few hours later. It’s taken me MONTHS to even gather the courage to try this approach. Then, it took me several weeks to do a bit at a time. It’s not an overnight transition. However, with a bit of dedication and intentionality, you can transform both your appearance, the way you shop, and the way you feel. Is that worth the time required? Absolutely!

P.S. I’m starting to offer personal style consultations again. If you need a bit of guidance or encouragement, email me at pamela AT pamelapetrus DOT com!

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2015 Christmas Decor Inspiration

November 9, 2015 Pamela Stephens

Oh, how I love Christmas! It’s no secret that I am SO ready for the holidays this year. Honestly, I wanted to put my tree up on Halloween. I showed some self-restraint and did not. However, it will happen very soon. I have a few home improvement projects that I want to get done and then it’ll be full-fledged Christmas City in the Petrus household. Since I’m making myself wait a bit longer to decorate, I thought I’d share some of my ideas/plans for this year with you. (Basically, this is my excuse to dive into Christmas without actually diving in just yet.)

I’m working on a bit of a black and white theme in my living room, and I’m thinking that I’ll have my Christmas décor play off of that this year. I first got the idea looking through the Michaels Makers Christmas Tree reveals (or on Instragram…which was my favorite), and I’ve been stuck on the idea of black and white ever since. The first tree above is what set all of my ideas into motion. Isn’t it lovely??! Rather than sticking with an entire black and white theme though, I’m planning to incorporate big, multi-colored lights and some classic Christmas elements. Basically, I’m thinking black and white stripes and all of the buffalo plaid with bright, Christmas colors sprinkled in. I think it’ll be a blend of classic, retro, and candy colored Christmas. All of my favorites!For the mantel, I plan to add some black and white (maybe these DIY trees) and I might leave my “hello” sign with lights done like this one. I think I’m going to do a fun color scheme like the photos above and sprinkle in my black and white favorites. I might also include some brown fur because I saw some fur stockings that made my heart go pitter-patter. In a nutshell, I’ll probably combine a variety of looks that *hopefully* all come together nicely.

How about you? Do you have a specific theme in mind this year or are you all about the hodge podge? Either way, I’m sure it’ll look lovely!

Photo sources: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6…and I want all of those modern trees in #6. And while we’re at it, my decor last year.

3 Things to Consider Before Trying Something New

November 5, 2015 Pamela Stephens

Trying something new or starting a new adventure can absolutely be one of the scariest tasks ever. Sometimes when we start out on a new path, everything feels so uncertain and frightening. However, if you push through that initial fear, wonderful things are usually right around the corner.

In the last several years of my professional career, I’ve launched multiple new projects and businesses. With each new endeavor, I always feel that tinge of fear. So far, I’ve been able to push myself through that and I’m always glad that I did. As I’m on the verge of doing a few new things, I’ve started thinking about how I handle this uncertainty and what I do to push through that part of the process. If you find yourself getting nervous as new opportunities arise, here are some things to consider:

1. Will you regret NOT doing it more than you’d regret any negative outcome? This is my number one motivator when it comes to new projects. Most of the time, we’re secretly afraid of failure. What if it flops? What if it ends badly? I always imagine myself 30 years down the road. If I don’t attempt this new project, will I regret it later? If I avoid something out of fear, will I look back later and wish I would have just sucked it up? If the answer to either of those is yes (and it usually is), then I know I have to push forward.

2. What is the absolute worst thing that can happen? Go wild with this one. Most of the time, the absolute worst thing really isn’t that daunting. Take real estate for example. When I decided to get my license and change careers, it cost me around $2,500 to get stared. If I was terrible at it or hated it, I had only lost $2,500. In the big scheme of things, that’s not too risky, and I wouldn’t be financially crippled for the rest of my life. Realizing that a $2,500 investment (plus my time) was all that I was risking to go after something I’d always wanted, made the risk seem much less daunting.

3. What could the potential outcome be? Let’s switch gears to the opposite end of the spectrum. If everything goes ideally as planned, what will your life look like? What is the best possible outcome? Are you able to envision a better life? Obviously, there’s a chance that things won’t be as glorious as you’re able to imagine. However, there’s also a chance that they could be even better! Sometimes we’re only able to imagine a small portion of the potential that lies ahead. If you can dream of this new adventure creating a life that you love, it’s definitely worth exploring. On the other hand, if you’re not able to see the positive results very clearly, then maybe it’s not the right option for right now. Either way, dreaming about the potential can make you see things more clearly and guide your decisions.

No matter how scary, no matter how elusive, when we continually think and dream about a particular item, it likely means we need to explore it. When our thoughts tend to gravitate towards the same item, our subconscious is probably telling us to explore it. Sometimes these are large, daunting things. Sometimes they’re small and more manageable. Either way, we never know the outcome of something until we give it a shot.

During this stage of my life, I’m committing to chasing those dreams. I’m taking advantage of this life of mine. I’m learning tennis. I’m starting new businesses. I’m making bold decisions in my home. The way I see it, life is much to short to wonder “what if?”

If you’re toying with the idea of doing something new, I hope these few points provide some enlightenment. Think through them, consider the options, and then just go for it! Starting in the scariest point. After that, you’re just working towards your dreams. What do you really, really want to do? Go do that thing!

2 Comments Inspiration & Thoughts 2015 - inspiration - real estate - What I've Learned

November Goals

November 2, 2015 Pamela Stephens

When I first started to think about November goals, I felt a bit overwhelmed. The past several weeks have felt unmistakably hard, and thinking about growing or making progress of any sort just felt exhausting. Eventually though, the tables turned and I snapped out of it a bit. So finally (on October 31), I felt like setting some goals for November and here they are:

Photograph at least 15 outfits this month. This may seem like a silly goal. However, I’ve been working intently on my wardrobe and photographing the resulting outfits will hopefully encourage me to wear things that I really love. I’d also like to practice my photography and photographing myself and my outfits will give me a way to do that. I feel 100% certain that I’ll regret this goal almost immediately, so I may need some encouragement. And gentle prodding. Or you may have to smack me around a little. Thanks in advance for helping me not give up.
Complete one decorating project. I’ve been dreaming up ideas for this project and that project. My goal this month is to make at least one a reality. Right now I’m thinking that it’ll either be something in my closet room or finally hanging my antique mirror collection. Regardless of what the project is, I’m hoping to get something checked off the list.
Decorate for Christmas!! In addition to doing one “regular” project, I’m hoping to get my house all fancied up for the holidays. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to pull out all of the Christmas items right this second. Last year, we didn’t get around to doing many outside lights or decorations. This year, I’m hoping we’ll be able to make both the inside and outside a bit more festive. I seriously can’t wait!

I almost didn’t set or share November goals this month. In addition to feeling a tad crummy, I also started telling myself that it was silly. I almost had myself convinced that no one wants to read about my personal goals and that sharing them here is pretty lame. The fact of the matter is, whether these monthly posts are read by 10 people or 10,000, they help motivate me. Setting these monthly goals (and sharing them here) serve as a motivator for making progress in areas that I may not have otherwise made progress in. As we all know, life tends to speed by rather quickly and one day we look up from our smartphones and realize that months or years have passed. This time passes quickly, and without noticing, we could have made no progress towards our big or small ideas. I don’t want that. Sharing these monthly goals with you hopefully serves as an encouragement for you to set your own monthly goals, and it certainly encourages me to make my own happen.

Setting those October goals, for example, was the precise reason that I sat aside the remote and worked more in my closet on October 31. If I hadn’t set that goal and planned to follow up on it today, I would have likely watched another episode (or four) of The Mindy Project. Setting a goal to read more this month most definitely encouraged me to pick up a book on several occasions that I normally wouldn’t have. Whether you think it’s silly or amazing, setting monthly goals can absolutely help propel you in whatever direction you want to head. And intentionally deciding what my daily life looks like is the name of my game.

I’m starting to rant a bit. My apologies. Speaking of October goals, here’s how I did last month.

Two books. If I combined all of the bits and pieces I read, I’d definitely say that I completed the volume of two books. I had a bit of trouble committing to just one, though. Nonetheless, I read more than average and that was the ultimate goal anyway. First, I completed Mindy Kaling’s first book and it was quite hilarious. I’d say I’m a new fan. I also started Rising Strong by Brene Brown and I’ll warn you…you should probably expect a few (hundred) blog posts inspired by this one. It’s a pretty powerful read. I’ve already written one. Again because of this goal, I also finished my KonMari book, and I’m feeling pretty great about how I did with this goal.
Capsule wardrobe. As I mentioned last month, I wasn’t really trying to reach a certain number of items (although I think that’s awesome). Instead, my goal was to continually thin my wardrobe so that I only had items that I love and feel great in. I took time to really think about the “look” I want for this season, made a list of items I need, and got rid of lots and lots of extras. Mission accomplished, I’d say!
One light fixture. I actually bought two! I ordered a lovely custom-made fixture for the bathroom and bought an adorable vintage chandelier for my closet. We’re well on our way to a home free of ugly fixtures. Hooray!
Burn candles. I also did well with this one, simply because I’d set the goal. Anytime I was home, I’d think about that goal and make a point to light a good smelling candle. I’m actually burning one of my favorites as I type! It certainly made the average days feel a tad more special.
Work in the new office. I wish we weren’t ending with this one. I did nothing in the office. Not one thing. You can’t win them all right?? Thanks for understanding.

Sometimes setting monthly goals can feel a bit cumbersome. However, I can say with certainty that these small and sometimes large goals push me forward. I do things that I would otherwise put off or avoid. I make both minute and life-changing alterations, and I’m thankful for the motivation. What are you working on this month? Something fantastic, I hope!

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Wooten Weekend – Balloon Festival & Angola Rodeo

October 29, 2015 Pamela Stephens

Matthew and I recently went to The Great Mississippi River Balloon Race and the Angola Rodeo with our friends, the Wootens. Matthew and I both love their daughters Ava and Ila dearly and we enjoyed hanging out and spending time with them over the weekend. I took a ton of photos, of course, so I thought I’d share a bit about our fun weekend. We traveled to Natchez early Saturday morning and planned to enjoy the festival while waiting on the balloons to fly. We checked out the craft vendors, ate carnival food, flew kites, and listened to live music. We rode rides with the kids. (When I say “we,” I mean Matthew and the others. This girl does not ride rides…motion sickness and migraine city for me. Matthew actually waited in line for over an hour to ride the Ferris wheel with Ava…so sweet!)

Unfortunately, the balloons didn’t get to fly even once because it was too windy. Not even once! Of course, it was for the safety of the operators. However, it was a bummer to not get to see the balloons at all. Maybe next year! After wrapping up at the balloon fest and having dinner at The Camp, we drove down to St. Francisville to stay for the night. If you’re not familiar with Louisiana, St. Francisvillle is home to a multitude of very old plantation homes, many of which have been converted into bed & breakfasts. Just imagine tree-lined driveways, glorious, old homes, and acres of beautiful scenery. Matthew and I stayed at Greenwood Plantation and although we didn’t get to stay in the plantation home, we did get a quick tour before heading to the rodeo. I loved seeing the large rooms full of old furniture and an abundance of character. The trees out front were simply lovely and I could have spent hours walking about. If you’d like to take a step back in time, I highly recommend a visit to the St. Francisvillle area! On Sunday, we attended the famous Angola Rodeo, and I was nothing short of blown away. That rodeo is quite an operation! I had mixed feelings about the concept of a prison rodeo. However, the fact that this large institution completely supports itself, grows its own food and livestock, and even helps provides sustenance to other prisons, is simply amazing. I left the rodeo completely intrigued and spent most of the ride home looking up facts about the Angola system. I could literally write a book report on it at this point!

All in all, it was a very fun weekend. Matthew and I enjoyed spending time with our dear friends and came home rather exhausted. Since we didn’t get to see the balloons, I’m thinking we’ll have to plan to return next year! Maybe you can join us!

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When the Sun Rises.

October 26, 2015 Pamela Stephens

One Saturday morning I woke up before the sun came up. This is likely because I was in bed and sleeping by 9:30 the night before. Nonetheless, I was wide awake early in the morning hours, several hours before I needed to be up for the day. Since I knew I’d continue to lie there restlessly, I got up. I decided to seize this opportunity for a bit of “me” time. I’d do things I don’t always have the time to do and enjoy the quiet silence for a while. As always in this scenario, the time passed much more quickly than I’d have liked. I didn’t have time to do even a fraction of the things I’d considered doing. Before I knew it, the extra hours had passed and it was time to get on with my day.

I sat there thinking for a bit, dreading the rising of the sun. You see, when the sun rises and the rest of the world is awakened, I have responsibilities. It is then that I have to start behaving like a regular person. I must work and provide things for people. I must answer my cell phone and check emails. I must fix my hair and apply makeup. Things are so simple and easy before the sun rises. I can sit quietly and sip coffee intentionally. I can stay in the comfort of my favorite, fuzzy pajamas. No one needs me. No one notices whether I’m asleep or awake.

Regardless of my longing for it to stay quiet and dark a little longer, the sun rises anyway, as it does everyday. The fact of the matter is, the sun is going to continually rise and set each day, even if I’m not ready for it to. Even if I’d like a few more hours of darkness, the sun will still rise. Even if I need a few more hours of light in which to accomplish things, the sun will still set. It’s out of my control, you see, as are so many other things.

This past weekend, I spent many hours on the couch with a migraine, listening to the rain fall. Even after the headache eased, I continued to sit still. I didn’t feel the need to rush about, tidying this or that. I didn’t feel compelled to leave the house for groceries or other errands that plague the everyday. I have known for quite some time that these rainy days rejuvenate my soul. Things are quieter and more relaxed. I have a excuse to not leave the house and I often rest more as the rain falls. On Sunday, our house was quiet most of the day, with only the sounds of rainfall and the occasional passing car, splashing through puddles as they zoomed by. Days like this remind me of those early morning hours where I’m seemingly the only one awake. I equate the rain with those dark, morning hours, both of which I’m reluctant to see vanish. Nonetheless, I know that the rain must ease eventually and that the sun must rise and set, regardless of my desires for them.

It’s in these dark, quiet hours though, that I unwind and explore my own thoughts. Most of the time, like this day, I can’t hardly put them into words. I feel inspired and full of thoughts, yet none of them can be deciphered enough to create an intelligent thought. The common denominator is though, that I’m always searching for peace. Most of these thoughts center around creating peace in my relationships, peace in my daily life, peace in my career, and peace within my home. As I let my mind fully wander, I almost always go towards an area where I’m striving to feel centered and at peace. And as the sun rises, I feel my control over that peace slowly slip away. Soon, the phone will ring. Soon, I’ll hear cars speeding by. Soon, I’ll begin to feel guilt over not having yet checked my email. Life’s responsibilities lie in the sunshine. As my home brightens with the rising sun, I know that I must go back to the grand performance that is my life. Act One begins just as the curtain of darkness rises, and the show must go on.

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Seward, Alaska + Turnagin Arm

October 23, 2015 Pamela Stephens

Whenever we first started speaking of going to Alaska, everyone talked about how beautiful it is. We heard things like, “it’s simply gorgeous everywhere you turn.” Or, “there’s no place like it on the world.” I definitely expected Alaska to be beautiful. I also knew that I wouldn’t fully understand how beautiful until I saw it myself. The first time that I was taken away by its beauty on our trip was our drive down the infamous Turnagin Arm.

We left Wasilla early that morning in route to Seward, Alaska. Seward is a quaint little fishing town that boasts all of the features you’d imagine…a beautiful, rocky bay with water crashing up onto its edges, boats galore, and an adorable little seaside shopping area. Fresh fish was pretty abundant for purchase and I imagine the locals eating fresh halibut in the way that we grab some catfish here in North Louisiana. For this little excursion, we pulled the camper with us, which I’ll remind you is quite a setup…fireplace included. We stayed right on the waters edge and “dry camped.” In case you’re unfamiliar, dry camping means you don’t have water or electricity hookups. I’m as surprised as you are. In all seriousness, we had enough water in the tank for the basics and had the generator to use for a bit. At first I was a bit nervous about the concept and adjusted quickly. After all, it was much too beautiful and temperate there to really need much more than a place to lay my head.

That evening I enjoyed grilled halibut for the first time, and even though I thoroughly expected to not like it, it turned out to be rather delicious. If there’s one area of personal growth that I’ve developed in lately, it would be in my appetite. I’ve made a point to try new things (and old things that I didn’t previously enjoy) and I’ve really branched out quite a bit.

The next morning, Matthew and I made the trek down to the Alaska SeaLife Center. It was smaller than I’d imagined and still entertaining. I honestly could have sat and watched the sea lions for hours on end. I have probably 30 videos of them on my phone. I also really enjoyed all of the vibrant art they had for sale there. If I had a larger suitcase and plenty of money, I would have probably came home with quite a few pieces. I did snag an adorable piece done by painting the bottom of a puffins feet and letting them run around. I think it’s adorable and I’m happy to have it hanging in my entry way.

After the sea life center, we spent just a bit wandering through the shops downtown. It’s little downtown area was simply adorable and I could have definitely spent hours there. We stumbled upon an awesome souvenir shop here and grabbed a quick lunch and coffee. If you’re looking for a great place to get souvenirs in Alaksa, I’d highly recommend Seward. There were so many great shops!

While in Seward, we also visited Exit Glacier. This was my first glacier to see of the trip and it was quite fascinating! The hike up to the glacier was lovely and we got good views of the surrounding mountains. The bugs were a bit fierce at one point, and I didn’t give up! The trek to Seward was one of the most beautiful experiences of our trip. We saw eagles galore (you can see one in its nest if you look closely in that tree photo), seven swans, and our first moose (and the only one with antlers that we saw). The waters were the most beautiful teal color and not a bit murky. The mountains were beautifully snow-capped. The drive in and the visit around Seward, was a textbook picture of what you’d expect in Alaska. The views were breathtaking and I’ll never forgot its majesty. As I look back and dream about Alaska, this part of the trip will be one that I remember most fondly.

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