Well, it’s Autumn once again. How did we get here? I’m currently listening to Ella Fitzgerald and La La Land’s original music to get me through some serious seasonal blues. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed summer, it’s been probably one of my best. I mean of course there was Portugal, and I only showed you Lisboa, but it was such an wonderful time. I hadn’t shared my monthly reflections with you since June right after arriving from Portugal, because when it came to the end of July and August my month would become quickly busy, which seems to be happening in September too.
So let’s go back to this summer…
The garden bloomed with so much color and prettiness, and lots of tomatoes we’re still enjoying!
I mixed business with pleasure and had some custom painting projects. I intended to paint more this summer, and by the end of it, I have. I love painting in the garden, yes, I know how cliche but it really does make me happy. By the end of summer I picked up calligraphy again, which is something I plan to focus a bit more on during the autumn.
Did catch the solar eclipse, we were all about it! It also happened to be a new moon. The last new moon, in June, I set certain intentions, and felt pretty good to cross almost all but one off. I know I’m on the right path, step by step, my business goals, and now even some of my personal goals, are being achieved.
A few of summer’s creative projects.
Overall summer after Portugal, was busy with events and creative projects. Except, for the last two weeks of August. I retreated to Lake George for a few days and it seemed like everyone, including clients, were enjoying their summer and lives, by going away. It actually felt nice to not have an impending deadline on tasks. I managed to tackle the biggest goal, the Dreamery Events website redesign!! I’m so happy that it’s finally done. Tyler was so great doing it all for me, and answering all my questions. What I didn’t anticipate was the customization I had to do on my end, having a slower computer doesn’t help, but I did manage to clean up most of my older posts and delete photos, which I’ve been wanting to get done for quite some time. I’m so happy about it and what it may bring!
Those slower two weeks allowed me to just relax, something I don’t do too often, and when I am, I’m still busy doing something, even if for fun. Simply doing nothing for myself, and by nothing I mean gardening, redecorating {which I’m currently doing in my bedroom and office}, organizing, painting, photo snapping, and yes these are all things I love to do on my days off, when I should just be lounging. But I am my father’s daughter, and this is what relaxation is for us, and because of my computer woes, I took this time to rearrange how I work. I learned to deal with unpredictability and issues that are out of my control.
Now that I’ve joined the inspiring tribe at The Refined Woman, yes, I’m so thrilled to have joined this online magazine, and can’t wait to connect with amazing individuals. Functional computer sessions have become crucial, and basically have resorted to work in hourly stages, which has allowed me to get more done. Since I’m forcing myself to stick to a strict time frame, it allows me to get up for more invigorating 5 minutes breaks, that help me tackle all my different projects with a new light.
A colorful and delicious array of summer eats, with plenty of figs!
This summer taught me to relax, and read a lot more! I’ve been working on shutting off earlier, which is now back on track since the website is done, but I’ve enjoyed the extra time to binge read, it’s a totally a thing! I’ve read both Outlander books before managing to make time to binge both seasons, for the millionth time, in time for the season 3 premiere in September. Are you a fan? Omgosh, I can’t get enough, I even celebrated the season premiere by spending the day in NYC visiting The Highline and checking out the Outlander pop up. 
On the days I chose to just relax and be present in the yard, often on a Sunday, the busy streets would quiet for just a brief moment that it almost felt like being back in Portugal. Do I miss it or what, I only talk about it all the time?! I definitely do and even more because it seemed like many people I know and on Instagram have ventured on their summer vacations to Portugal. I’ve still got plenty of travel to share with you from my trip, but before that take a moment, or several to venture off to these beautiful historical landmarks, this colorful palace, picturesque coastal drive, and the iconic streets of Lisboa.
This transition to autumn hasn’t been the easiest. I naturally don’t like the cold, 60*F is cold enough for me, cloudy snowy days are not my friend, and cozy isn’t necessarily a feeling I want to “cozy up” with. It’s not just the weather I love about summer, it’s mostly that carefree feeling of seizing the moment and going with the flow. People are more relaxed, more willing to get to things done at their own pace, they gravitate towards the things they love – traveling, beach, effortless al fresco dinner parties, and of course ice cream…it’s like this period is the time we all let our guards down, even if for a bit. We dip our toes in the water, soak up the sunshine, take in all its freshness, and just be in the moment of bliss and happiness. Now why wouldn’t we want this feeling all year long?!! I envy you beautiful-all-year-round people, weather has definitely got me down, but I’m still savoring as many of these warm days as long as I can!
I made an effort to push myself outside of my comfort zone these last few months. What most may not know {unless personally}, but nearly a year ago I ended a relationship with a really great guy, who had been my best friend in college. It was one of the hardest things we had to do, but it meant growth. These last few months, I wanted to go for all the opportunities I could. September is coming to its end, and there have been so many wonderful clients and opportunities with the Dreamery Events blog, that I’ve realized I now need to step outside of my comfort zone when it comes to connecting with people as well.
Soft hues & simple modern rustic vibes.
Connection is my Autumn mantra, I want to strengthen the relationships I have with family and friends, and for a shy girl at heart, make new friends and inspiring connections. It’s why I’m so excited to be a part of TRW. Sometime mid-summer I began itching for a change and decided it needed to be with my visual living spaces. I’ve been slowly redecorating my bedroom and have made a few decor choices in the office that make working and organizing clients and projects more efficient. Since I’ve been giving everything a nice refresh, my vision board needed one too. I compiled this pretty thing based on the feelings and things I wanted to bring into my life, including a soft pretty soothing color palette. I took some time when I created this board to reflect on that point in my life, my goals and how I’d been feeling. My take away….
“Don’t Wait to Tackle Your Vision Board”
I don’t know what it was about my birthday this year, but I finally came to terms with turning 28 and felt good about my position, especially with this business. The week leading up to my birthday, I kept hearing Miley Cyrus’s “Malibu” and I felt connected with it. The softness, easy going freeness of the melody, the sweet lyrics, it’s how I want 28 to feel. I was lucky enough to travel on my own for almost a month to Portugal, saw many beautiful places, found peace, connected with loved ones and although Paris didn’t happen, my trip couldn’t have been better. I got to truly enjoy this beautiful country with a much more mature, confident and curious mindset. I’ve said it many times before, I’ve grown to love this country as if it were home.It’s much more me – beautiful flowering trees, gardens, mountains, breathtaking sunsets, farms, forgeable forests and pure simplistic bliss.
Of course it’s not all perfect there, life still goes on, people get sick, are underpaid, without jobs or are busy handling a new family and two jobs. It actually got me thinking about a lifelong dream, and how if I’m really determined I could make it, but until I’m certain, I’ll tackle when the timing feels right. This summer really has been one of the most wonderful, but I’m just not sure thinking about it will get me through autumn or winter, at least it can keep me sane while I enjoy the few fall activities I like.
I’d be selfish to not mention the natural and terrorist disasters that have happened in the last few months. From the devastating hurricanes and earthquakes, that have destroyed and continue to in the south, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, and the saddening attacks in Barcelona, London, Manchester, Paris, Berlin, Stockholm; my heart, thoughts, prayers, and encouraging love goes out to you!
So I’m saying goodbye to this summer, and welcoming, even if forced, Autumn with these encouraging words from one of my morning meditations….
“It takes courage to surrender. To trust timing, to be in your own flow.” – Oprah Winfrey
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