{Wishful Thinking}

Today, I am loving...

Creating a...

Holiday Wish List 2012 by Chateau de Victoria

1. // 2. // 3. // 4. // 5. // 6. // 7. // 8. // 9. // 10.

Celebration mode is in full swing! After sharing a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and indulging in a delicious display of food, the holidays are officially underway. According to my calendar, Thanksgiving Eve marks the beginning of an amazingly long period of festive shenanigans, social gatherings and a LOT of cooking/baking/eating. I love this time of year, especially since I am about to turn 25 at the end of the week! The past several months have been marked by many exciting travels, personal accomplishments and an abundance of grace. I'm looking forward to celebrating all that has been and is to come with the people I love most.

BUT! I also love celebrating the most important people in my life. While I enjoy doing activities with my family, I have such a blast giving them gifts as well. I got a little excited about all the recent deals going on that I'm pretty much done my Christmas shopping! I may or may not have harassed urged each of my family members into creating their wish lists ridiculously early, but I think they'll thank me for it later. And though there isn't anything I could possibly need, I also had a little fun picking up some items I've had my eye on for awhile...and created my own birthday/Christmas wish list. I have some really big wishes for 2013, but right now I'm incredibly thankful for all that I've already been given! Life is good :)

Images via Polyvore and Pinterest

{Being Polite, Not Weak}

Words of the wise...

Politeness

(not weakness)

There are a lot of influential, exciting and encouraging things to read and learn about in the blogosphere. Some things we instantly absorb and take to heart, though it is often the case that these same things fade away just as quickly as they came. However, there is something I've recently read and keep reflecting on that I want to share with you. While there are a lot blogs that leave me feeling warm & fuzzy, I also gravitate toward blogs that challenge me. As women, we can easily get caught up in a lot...and sometimes we need others to remind us of who we are and what is important. Sometimes the words of strangers can speak volumes. Which is why I think it appropriate to share that which I find to be words of the wise...

Your Being Polite Not Weak (knowing the difference)

When I am being polite,
do not confuse it with weakness.

When I say, “That’s fine, we can do it your way,”
do not confuse it with weakness.

When I proactively choose not to defend myself,
do not confuse it with weakness.

Because we choose not to over-invest in nonsense or someone else’s
narcissism – this does not mean we’re rolling over + playing dead.

It does not mean they win + you lose.
You are not, in fact, abandoning your values.
Rather, you’re simply preserving your energy for things that matter.

When you choose to respond with, “Ok,”
rather than creating a situation with someone you don’t hold in high regard anyway,
you are not being weak.

You are holding your center.

Consider yourself:
Firm
Focused
Discerning
Composed

Your vantage point is one of observing impersonally rather than taking it personally.
You understand that not everyone + everything
requires a high voltage reaction.

You are being civil.
Not weak.

Justifying it becomes relatively uninteresting.
Unnecessary, even.

There will be moments when self-preservation is called for.
But you will know the difference.

You understand that one does need to be mean to be tough.
And that toughness through civility is far from weakness.

You will encounter people + situations who will try to rattle you.

They will try to make you feel that you are not smart, capable or worthy enough.
They’ll try to imply you don’t know what you’re talking about,
that you’re not really up for the task.
Maybe you should step to the side.

Go ahead.
Politely step to the side.

People who insist on continuously marginalizing others
will leave enough rope to hang themselves.

Let them.

You don’t need anger, cruelty, or snark to prove your point or get the job done.

Be on fire.
Know your rights
+ of course don’t take any shit.

But do it with style + resolve.

The world needs your brilliance + composure.
We will look to you for it.

And you’ll be ready for us.

-Danielle Dowling

Image via Pinterest 

{Finding Your Inner Handygal}

Do It Yourself...

Jewelry Projects

No matter how busy life gets, I always like to have a few DIY projects handy. Over the past few months, I've indulged in a few experiments and have a couple of pictures to prove it! Today, I'd like to share some of my jewelry creations from this summer. The picture above showcases a few washer bracelets that I made; these are simple yet great because they easily dress up your wrist (the more arm candy, the better) and are great conversation starters (are those washers on your wrist?). For this project, you will need:

·         Ribbon or tulle

·         Washers

·         Scissors

At first the threading was a tad tricky, but once you thread a few washers you are good to go! I think these will make an excellent project over the holidays with some of my favorite ladies (think silver and gold, paired with champagne and a Christmas movie by the fire...you get the idea). Though slightly different in design, this tutorial is one of the best I've read yet!

After mentioning here about how I wanted to re-organize my jewelry, I made a trip to a nearby historic town and picked up several items to house my treasures. Since many of the vintage items I found were similar in theme and style (nature and pastels), I purchased an adorable earring stand that was designed to look like branches with leaves and little birds, a ceramic birds nest for my watches, a brightly colored flower-shaped bowl for my rings and a laddered bracelet stand that accented the rest of the collection. After all was said and done, I still couldn't find the right piece for my necklaces. So to Home Depot I went in search of a particular kind of wood (notice the leaf pattern) in order to make my own...

I've always loved the variety of knobs I find in vintage stores, so I decided to incorporate them into the re-design of my jewelry collection. For this project, you will need:

·         Knobs

·         Piece of wood

·         Spray paint

·         Measuring tape

·         Power drill

·         Bolt cutter (if your knobs vary in length)

·         Screwdriver

·         Patience

After purchasing the knobs I liked most, I made sure to measure the space on my wall where I wanted to hang my necklaces before picking up a piece of wood. I had them cut it in the store to save me some extra work, and then I spray painted the wood a soft creme color. When it was completely dry, I measured out where I wanted the knobs to be placed and then carefully drilled the holes.

Note: some knobs vary in size and length, which can make it harder not only when it comes to the size of the holes to drill (which could effect the layout) but also if you have to cut them down so that they are all the same size.

Since my knobs varied in length, my grandfather helped me cut a few of the screws so that they would line up properly in the back of the wood. Then I screwed the knobs on, brushed off any excess shavings and hung it my wall!

Images courtesy of © 2012 Chateau de Victoria

{Cobalt & Teal}

What I'm wearing today...

Cobalt & Teal by Chateau de Victoria

J.Crew Jackie Cardigan // Express Colored Jeans // TOMS Wedge Boots // Michael Kors Watch // Aqua Blockstripe Loop Scarf // Nars Blush/Bronzer Duo // MAC Eyeliner // Sugar Rose Lip Balm // LC Lauren Conrad Bow Earrings 

You know those days when you just feel good? And to make it even better, you're outfit is a direct reflection of your attitude? Well, today is that kind of day. I feel awesome, funky, colorful, lively and comfortable. My body is the definition of c o l o r b l o c k i n g. Because today is simply a rockin' kind of day...

Images via Polyvore and Pinterest