12.2.16 Friday Favorites

It's December Y'all!  

Christmas will be here before we know it and then we will be ringing in the New Year!  I can't believe it!

Here's my Friday Favorites list for this week!  It's a list of the things that caught my eye and made me swoon throughout the week.  Enjoy!

1. Poppyclips

I came across these little cuties made by Poppyclips and fell in love with them!  How stinkin adorable are they?  Using a magnet, these little clips attach to the back of your Hunter (or other) rain boots and give them a dose of cuteness.  I just love these plaid ones with the red bows.  It's so festive for this time of year!  

2. Puppy Christmas plates at Pier 1 

I was window shopping this week and came across these plates at Pier 1 Imports.  Are they not the cutest little Christmas plates?  Pier 1 has an entire collection of little Christmas doggy decor items.  Adorable!

3. Flocked Christmas Decor

I am so obsessed with flocked Christmas decor right now.  I actually bought a wreath and some flock spray this week to make a wreath for our front door.  Stay posted for a blog post on that!

Can we just take a moment to appreciate this flocked goodness from hellofashionblog on Instagram?! I mean, this is just perfect! Awesome shot Christine Andrew!

4. Christmas Decor - Truck with Christmas Tree

I came across this same little truck in the Target dollar section while visiting Asheville, North Carolina a couple of weeks ago and I could kick myself for not getting one!  We haven't had them at our stores in Greenville!  Well, we probably did, and they just sold out quickly.  Downshilohroad shared this precious shot on Instagram, of how she decorated using her little Christmas truck.  Of course I love the plaid throw with it and that "Sweater Weather" sign is just too cute!

5. Tarteist Glossy Lip Paint

Well, I just had to do a little Cyber Monday shopping in the midst of my Cyber Monday sales on the Etsy shop.  Tarte was having some great deals on Monday and I had to take advantage of that!  Hey, makeup doesn't go on sale often.  Right girls!?  I'm super excited to try this Tarteist Glossy Lip Paint in Hella.  I've never been able to wear dark lipstick colors and I'm super excited to see how this light nude color looks on!  

6. Black Tassel Earrings

I know I might be a tad biased on this next item.  However, when I made these black and gold tassel earrings, I totally wanted to make a pair for myself and wear them to all of the Christmas parties this year.  I think they would be the perfect accessory for any holiday dress or outfit!  

My Experience with Working for Myself

When you talk to most people and you tell them that you work for yourself, their first reactions are usually:

"Wow!  That's so cool!  It must be so easy!"
"You can just do whatever you want to, when you want to!"
"That must be such a piece of cake."
"I bet you get so much free time!"
"It would be so nice to work for yourself.  Then, you can just be so free!"
"I could get so much housework done if I was just sitting at home everyday!"

The truth is, this hasn't been easy.

Honestly, it was easier working a full time job that I knew that I had to go to Monday - Friday 8:30 - 5:30.  I could (at least attempt to) leave it all there when I left!

It was easier knowing that I had a pay check every week.
It was wonderful having a steady paycheck and not worrying about buying groceries or that cute trendy top.
It was fun going to lunch with coworkers and having more of a "social" life.
It was kinda nice not being at home all the time to see how badly you need to do laundry, mop, cook, etc., on top of trying to run a business out of your home.
It was great to be able to turn your cell phone off and know that you could just "Worry about it at work on Monday."
It was great not having to be "on" 24/7.
There have been sleepless nights and lots of stress.

Now, I'm not at all trying to complain!  I promise!

When I lost my job this April, I was devastated.

I loved my job and I loved what I did.  But, I decided to fall back on what I have always enjoyed doing.  I had a wonderful and supportive family and husband to push me into trying things out on my own.   At first, business seemed decent.  I had a few photo shoots, graphic design gigs, was selling some of my art and jewelry, and had a gallery showing at a local salon.  However, the next couple of months were difficult.  I was spending a lot of time posting online and sharing things to get my name out there.  I was creating things and they weren't selling.  I was spending money on items to make jewelry and then not selling anything to make the money back.  I felt like I was spinning my wheels and getting no where.

I know that when you run your own business, it comes and goes in waves, but friends it is not easy!  It's not easy financially and it's not easy on your self esteem.  You go through a whole feeling of "What is my self worth?"  There has been so much stress and anxiety towards pushing my business, that there have been days that I've had to take a step back and remember that making money and being successful in business is not what life is all about.  This doesn't make me who I am.

I've had to make myself take breaks and take a step back from my work.

Here's what has been working for me to balance everything.

Every morning when I get up, that's my coffee and social media time.  It gives me a chance to wake up and catch up on what's going on in the world.

I've started using a social media calendar in Excel, that helps me gather items and topics and make a set schedule of when to post.

I also started a new, once a week blog post called Friday Favorites.   I take notes while I'm looking through the Internet and also while I'm out and about and that helps me make a faves list for my Friday Favorites.

Every evening, I have to make myself put down my phone and stop liking, following, commenting, etc.  It can easily become an addiction!  Take time for yourself to unwind at the end of the day.   Read a book, the Bible, drink some tea and try to tune out the outside world.



To all of my other photographer, artist, blogger, entrepreneur, girl bosses out there, keep your head up!  We will get through this!  Just remember to make time for yourself and don't get too wrapped up in it all!  We have to remember to keep this fun!  We get one life to live.  Let's not waste it on stress!