It's been a minute...

So... it's been a minute.

Sometimes life happens and takes over your time. And that's the only thing I have to blame my absence on. Life. I don't know where June went. But July was full of family reunions, vacationing, and working 24/7... between work at the studio then work on Nora & Jac events.

Life happened.

But I'm not complaining... it's been a pretty nice summer and I cannot believe it's August already! Where does the time go???

What have I been up to, you ask? {Okay, so maybe you didn't ask... but I'm gonna tell ya!}

I started P90x in June and am now into my second phase of it. I really enjoy doing it - I'm not as regimented with it as I should be, probably - but I'm getting it done and when I'm having a day that I'm not feeling it - I try to get a run in. I've been really trying to make workouts part of my daily routine. I feel good when I do and I actually enjoy them. I feel like I've learned to not expect to see results after one day, that if I miss a day - it's okay, and stay focused and workout for myself. Those were important things I needed to get thru my thick skull.

In June, a HS friend of mine contacted me and wanted me to have my Nora & Jac products in her new local goods store in Lancaster {The Blank Slate}. I was thrilled! So I worked up a display and a lot of headbands, bracelets, and scarves and set up shop! Since then I've heard such great things about the response to my items. Which is exciting... baby steps y'all. Baby steps.

Last week we had a handmade affair at a local wine shop, Camelot Cellars - where a few of my crafty friends and I brought our goods to sell. We got to mingle, drink wine, and have a nice night of supporting local.

Two weeks ago I was laying on the beach of North Carolina... oh, how I miss it. It's one of those places that just feel like home to me. It's a simple life there. We had such a wonderful family vacation there. But I'm sure I'll talk MUCH more about that later. ;)

This week I'm getting ready for our Handmade Hop here at the studio. The first Saturday of every month the Short North holds a Gallery Hop where all the shops, resturants, bars, and studios stay open late for people to come enjoy. We decided to host a craft show of sorts during it this month. So me, along with 7 other insanely talented ladies are setting up shop! I'm debuting a few new headband collections and scarves. I'm really looking forward to it... we have such a strong support system here of handmade designers and the like.

And today begins the Clean Eating Challenge over at Get Fit with Nikki. I'm realllllly looking forward to this challenge. I need to get my eating back to a good spot. I've done a lot of reading up on clean eating information and recipes and I think this is beyond doable. It's not a diet at all, it's a way of life. I think this in conjunction with p90x and running... I'll finally get to see what I'm wanting to. But again, I've finally realized that it does take time. And effort. And focus... mainly focus.

Tropical Quinoa, Chicken Lettuce Wraps. Amaazzzingggg!

Whew... so... that's what I've been up to. What have I missed while I've been away??? I'll be honest, I have barely even read any blogs either. Ugh.

Thanks for sticking around! ;)

Happy Thursday, lovers!

Watermelon Oreo's... Surprisingly delicious.

{via}

I've struggled my whole adult life with the desire to be the skinny girl - I thought if I were skinny - I'd be happy. Those two things go hand in hand... right?

Wrong.

Being skinny doesn't mean you have it all. It just means you wear a smaller size. And I've learned that. While it was a hard journey... I feel like in the last year I have come full circle with it. I have realized that it doesn't matter whether I'm a size 2 or size 8 or size 16 - you can still be happy, you can still be loved, you can still be successful. You don't gain friends, knowledge, boyfriends, or successes simply by the size of jeans your sporting.

The past few months I have began running, for me. I am one week from finishing the Couch 2 5k program - which is such an amazing feeling. While I ran track in high school - and I have ran here and there throughout the years - I was never the let's go run 3 miles without stopping - kind of girl. But, I have become one. Because I wanted to. Not because a guy wanted me to. Or so I could be skinny for this event or that one. And it's such a nice feeling.

{via}

And almost two weeks ago I began the p90x workout program - after hearing so many people rave about it, seeing so many people have such success with it, and knowing how intense it was - I was skeptical - but intrigued. So I asked Dad {who has completed the program 9 times through} if I could borrow his and two weeks later, I'm still going strong. It's hard, challenging, but so, so gratifying when I can say that I've done it.

Unlike most, I didn't set out with a weight loss goal in mind. And personally, that's helped me. I'm not setting myself up to fail... if I eat three pieces of pizza or succumb to the watermelon Oreo's staring at me at the checkout in Target {which are surprisingly delicious}, I'm not going to punish myself - I'm just going to go a little harder tomorrow. I'm doing this because I want to. Because I can. Because it feels good... if I lose weight in the process... great. But it's not my focus. I just want to be fit and happy. And comfortable in my skin... whether it's a size 2 or size 8.

I'm going to rock it.

And I need to give a shout out to Nikki, who has helped keep me motivated and answered all the questions I have had in regards to anything fitness related. If you aren't following her blog and/or facebook... you're missing out. P.S. She's hosting a giveaway on her blog right now with some Nora & Jac loot!

P.S.S. Watch out for new headbands and bracelets to hit the shop soon! And be sure to "like" Nora & Jac on Facebook to see things before they go live!

Happy Monday, kittens!

Random Wednesday.

It's Wednesday. It was 60 degrees. It's January 30th. And it's storming... if that's not all random. I don't know what is...

I'm linking up with Shanna at Because Shanna Said So... for Random Wednesday!

Are y'all ready for the round of randomness...
I didn't think I liked lemon in my water until I started drinking this "skinny water" stuff {more on that later} and honestly, I've found it really refreshing. Granted there are other things in it, but I predominately taste the lemon. And then at a newborn session yesterday, our client, so sweetly gave us some ice water... with lemon. And it was so good... maybe my tastes are changing... or maybe I'm just a weirdo cause I thought I didn't like it. 

We are doing a little redecorating in our living room - this is what happens when you have two fashion girls living under the same roof... the need for things to always be pretty. Our color scheme - aqua, mustard, and plum. Fresh and fun!! Every night when I'm drifting off to sleepy land, I scroll through Pinterest... it's like a lullaby or something. {I know I should read or something... but I like to stimulate my creative mind}... Anyways, I've found a few projects that I think will be done to really make our living space POP!

Chalkboard Paint. {Source}

Aqua Antlers. I've been dying to make these... and luckily Dad said he has a pair in the garage... he looked at me a little weird when I asked if I could have them... but I think he's used to my off the wall thoughts. {Source}

Pillows! Lots of color and fun fabrics! {Source}

Florida Georgia Line... loving this new country band right now. Although their songs are making me long for summer nights. But they're just feel good, fun songs. I can't help my love for country music...
I'm trying really hard to not feel completely defeated by my lack of gym time the last two weeks. Being away in ATL for a week threw me off - horrible excuse, I know - but let me have it, k?! ;) I'll get back it... I know. But sometimes it's so hard to not be so hard on myself for missing a few days. Why must we be so hard on ourselves? 
And with that I think that concludes my random Wednesday rant...