HAPPY MONDAY

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 discovered here; edits by me
"Growth demands the temporary surrender of security"

Hope you all enjoyed the weekend. 

This is a pretty busy week for me...which I never mind. 

Many-o-orders to fill, emails to draft, fall newbies to pitch out which I 

hope stick... and thankfully time with my bestests to do brunch. 

It has been 6 months since I have been "emancipated" from my job. 

This is kind of a milestone, because I and we have seemed to make this work. 

It is definitely a learning curve being a "work from home" mom, but 

I can honestly say I love that I am not dreading a single day out of the week. 

I remember loathing Sunday's because it meant Monday was following it. 

Then being in zombie mode until Friday arrived. Now all my days matter in 

different ways and are far from monotonous. Doing what I love during the

week and diligently sowing this seed has taught me so much about myself 

and my priorities in both work and life.  

Yes, I am totally missing my consistent paycheck. 

No, I don't wish an abrupt transition on anyone, 

but I am a total advocate for happily living life now and within your means

to obtain happiness.

I am beyond grateful for the turn my life has taken.

Most people are shocked by my delight, but if you only knew how 

grey I was inside, you would dance around with me.

I am so thankful that I am able to be home during this pregnancy for one.

My previous pregnancy was unsuccessful. And while I can pin point what caused

the miscarriage, I can totally say that I was stressed beyond belief at that point

and I knew things had to change. 

Also being available for Chloe is beyond amazing. She actually gets to 

see me and get to know me. Before it was all a blur in the morning and after school.

And I am coming to learn who she is and why. 

I treasure that. 

And as a wife...I feel like a wife. 

I am so much more attentive and emotionally stable. 

I can't say that I have become a whiz in the kitchen, because 

being pregnant sorta sucked the gusto out of me and I have no

desire to stand on my feet creating dishes. Maybe afterwards. 

But when I have cooked it's been the jam.

I have always looked forward to being an involved member of my family.

Being a mother to my children and wife to my husband 

and being a creative figure/business woman for myself. 

I am finally able to see that take form. It is a slow process 

indeed, but I think the pace is perfect for this point in my life

and will adjust as my life does. As long as I keep focused on what is 

the most important and don't lose sight of it.

I hope that regardless of the where your Monday takes place, you are able to 

transform it into the Monday that you would love for it to be. 

Take the risks. Don't worry about uh-oh's and rejoice in the milestones, 

even the ones that are a little covered in mud.

Cheers!---Kel

WELL HELLO THERE!!!

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Peekaboo!!!

So I know I deserve a moment in time out for slacking on the blog.

It has been, thankfully so busy! Both with business and life!

If you follow me on IG you already know the big news going on with me and my family...

POCKET FULL OF SUNSHINE

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my heart melts when I hear her voice...

Seriously, it is the sweetest thing I have ever known.

Her eyes are the widest and full of "what if's" and that 

is alright by me. I let her have her way with her mind

before the news, the influx of reality tv and life 

corrupt it. when she speaks, I savor it like one who's fasted

savors the first bite of steak on a Friday after Lent. 

the sentences are broken and whole all at once, yet the melody 

is oh so perfect. 

she sings to me while holding the side of my face. 

you know the way child actors do in movies or Target commercials. 

Only hers are real and are followed my neck tickles.

It is the sincerest form of love capped with infatuation that 

i have ever grown to know. 

And for this short moment I can call her mine. 

My very own ray of sunshine...my treasure.

And I can wipe her face in public and she knows it's out of love. 

she will curl up on my lap, even though she is over half my size and

still coax me into rocking her to sleep to the tune of Moon River. 

She is all mine for this moment and in my pocket is where I shall keep 

her.

WELL HELLO THERE

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Well Hiya!!!

It has been forever and a half since I have done a post.

Sorry about that. The past week was sort of a bruise. 

My phone died. I know, I know!!! Hashtag 1st world problems. 

But that problem also meant a slow down on a social scheme.

And a loss of TONS of photos that were for a few blog posts. 

Thankfully, I finally got my new one in and I am back! 

Never thought I would crave a piece of technology so badly, 

but I guess when you create a platform such as this, it becomes

as essential as you right hand. 

Speaking of hands....

 

Have you checked out the latest venture in the shoppe!!?

Yeah, Chloe is always wanting something that is for her size.

And I figured she is proooobably not the only mini chick asking for that.

She's been my wing woman lately. Picking hair colors and names and dresses. 

Getting her into the creative groove early.... wink wink 

 While I was away I have been diligently working on newbies.

These finger puppets for SeEm by (r-ki-tekt) just went up. 

 I am kind of jealous of their dresses. 

I have a serious crush on Liberty of London....Everything!!!

It's all so whimsical and girlie...

As always I try my best to keep the mood fresh and fun...

Hope you like.

As for me 

I don't have much of an update for you, other 

than, I have never felt so completely free and me lately.

A large part due to my job transition from inside the box to freelance. 

Oh, I guess I haven't mentioned that either yet, huh. 

Along with building (r-ki-tekt), I have decided to try my

hand at freelance Design and Blogging... and being a creative hand.

The latter pertains to taking larger visual projects and really re-immersing myself 

back into what I know best: Making.

I'm really working on remembering all that is truly pleasurable and not so much, 

in order to maintain this blissful medium I have recently discovered. 

I want my hands to remain busy at all times, as I feel as though they were 

somewhat bound together for so long. All in all, I'm feeling very

 Catepillar to Butterfly these days and it pretty much kicks ass! 

So if you are looking for Blogger collaborations or know

of anyone looking for a little color kitten to spread a little shine their way

please let me know. I'd love you forever for it.

I hope you all are doing amazing. 

And I can't wait to be back to my regular blogging schedule! 

In the mean time, you can always keep up with my antics on

Twitter, Facebook, & Instagram. 

Until next time...

Cheers & Bisous!---Kel

 

 

ET DE L'AVENTURE

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 good gracious this has been an eventful day

but the best day i have seen in a while.

today was my last day as a designer for Goody. i have never felt so free 

and excited about what's to come. not just for me as a designer

 but me as a business owner. i am beyond thrilled to be able to finally

 devote the love and time to my passion and most importantly my family.

 they were seriously getting the shortest end of the stick.

 in fact it was more like a splinter. how dare i. i gained 

mucho silver hairs and a few pounds.

 i lost much of myself during this time, but would be lying if i said the 

experience and knowledge

 i gained wasn't amazing and necessary.

 and the fantastic women and men that i met are golden.

 that is what i will miss more than anything. 

i spent more time with them than i did with my family. 

they were not co workers but my friends. in saying all that. i have a lot 

of figuring out to do and ducks to get in a row over the next couple of days. 

so the posts will be a little lite this week, which i hope you guys understand.

 thanks so much for your encouragement over the years. 

and cheers to a new adventure!!!! 

 ---Kel

 

DISCOVER ME / 3

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So Jane O asked me to give you guys

a run down of my past.  In particular, the college days.

It seems like forever and a half ago that 

I was in school. I feel like I morphed into a completely 

different being since then.  Why, you ask?  Because I am

I guess now is a great time to rip off a very sticky 

band aid on a very hairy leg.

My college days were the loveliest. 

If you didn't know already, I went to SCAD in Savannah, 

which painted the perfect backdrop for figuring one's self out.

Academically it was great! I was challenged and kneaded like dough 

and essentially mentored into figuring out what my greatest passion was:

 to create. 

(i've always been pretty colorful through and through; this was at the 

Sangrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain 2006)

DISCOVER ME / 2

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Life is full of the crappy days. 

There is honestly no way to sugar coat that.

but I am working on stepping out of the 

worry-wart-dom that I always seem to be in

and let loose. 

Maybe staying home on Saturday nights is what's best. 

I mean, if it produces such magical photos as the ones above,

is going out even an option. 

Naaaaah.

How do you guys keep from letting the everyday yuckness eat you alive?

discover a little more about me here...

 

DISCOVER ME / 1

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Not sure what avenue this post will lead to, but I'm taking the ride any how.

I was presented with a blogger award, by one of my 

readers and one of the requirements was to tell you all

7 things that you may not know about me. 

The blog has been around for 4 years, so I'm not 100% sure 

of what I have omitted and divulged. 

Sporadically, I will release a few nuances that 

you might not find out unless you are in my world. 

And because I try to be transparent here, I'm having a tough time

coming up with a neatly numbered list. 

So here goes....

SHELLED

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How great is this print by Sebastien Thibault?

It's kind of shows exactly how I have been feeling for the past 2 weeks. 

Which explains the sparse posts. 

Overwhelmed with work, whilst trying my best to remain a somewhat fabulous

version of myself---so throwing on socks and tights have become a standard. 

No, but in all seriousness, life's been busy and i am trying my best to find the calm

and the happiness in the midst of it all. 

My dose of happiness this week

 was attending an event and seeing good friends and meeting 

new and very inspiring ones.

I guess all of this is to knead me into something better. In fact, I know it is. 

It's just accepting the tasks and doing them with a pleasant disposition. 

If I'm light over here, don't think I've abandoned this world totally. 

This blog is a major priority of mine, but so is eating and rent. 

(you get it, I'm sure). 

I hope you are going into the weekend with plans of rebooting, relaxing, and laughing! 

 

 Cheers & Bisous!!--Kel

 

 

MEH. A NIGHT (RE) CAP

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The week is not yet over but the lesson I have learned thus far is 

"Respect yourself enough to walk away from anything that 

no longer serves you, grows you or makes you happy." (Robert Tew) 

Though comfort and stability maybe, well, comfortable... 

it can be the most paralyzing state one could ever be in. 

You know when you can feel the waters changing? 

It's getting choppy, darker, and colder and 

you are drifting further away from the coast and you are without a buoy. 

That's me. I'm focused on the "prize", but there are fragments that are 

becoming heavier from a emotional perspective that 

I have noticed are setting me back.   

 On top of that, I have been treating myself horribly. 

Sleeping late, eating crap, wearing my flannels 

(much to le hubs dismay, but he's been super supportive) 

and I can't even remember the last time 

went to zumba. I feel gross. And I can't even talk about the lack of 

time I have with Chlo without having an internal chastisement session. 

Maybe I just need a nap or maybe something else needs to shake. 

All in all, remember yourselves in all that you do. No matter what the 

overall vision may be, if it's got your panky's in more of a bunch than they already 

are, it's time to do some adjusting. 

(and yes, I stepped outside of myself to tell 'me' the same message)

Bon Nuit...Kel

NAME YOUR PRICE

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The worst thing to call somebody is crazy. It's dismissive. "I don't understand this person. So they're crazy." That's bullshit. These people are not crazy. They strong people. Maybe their environment is a little sick.

DO WHAT YOU LIKE

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artwork discovered here

So I have had the passed couple of days off from my CubeLife and

oh how much it was needed. 

I got the chance to clean my home, my closet, refrigerator,& most importantly my mind. 

With the fast paced and far-forecasted nature of my job I rarely get a mental break

and opportunity to refocus my priorities with my home life and (r-ki-tekt). 

I usually come home, cook, work on new pretty things, then crash.

But Friday morning I had time to actually wake up naturally and pray and welcome the day

without cursing out the drivers of Atlanta. I got to launch the newbies and eat a 

healthy calm, email-free breakfast which was grand.

All in all I am forcing myself to remember to prioritize and make it mandatory to 

partake in the thing that make my heart and soul happy on a consistent basis.

I hope you lovelies out there do the same. 

Have a Happy Tuesday.

HAPPY MATRI-MONDAY

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Happy Monday Lovebirds!

So this past weekend was a normal, uneventful one. 

But it also happened to be one of the most important of our relationship and marriage. 

No it wasn't an anniversary, nor did we take a vacation. 

We communicated. 

(Ta-Dah!!!!)

Sorry if the build up was pretty strong, but I find that this element is 

the hardest of all in a marriage and once you make progress toward the better, 

it should be celebrated. 

Now, we are both very passionate and strongly opinionated people. 

Love to be heard and have a case of imrightyourewrong-itous.

So when my husband sits me down for brunch and tells me 

that he hears me, understands my complaints, values me, and 

is willing to progress with me, 

my only option is to comply and subsequently melt. 

After the tiffs and bumps that we've had, we are starting to understand that 

it is not the pouty "I'm sorry" with a hearty dinner that heals the wounds. 

And in a rare case neither can shoes and a trip to Anthropologie. (very rare)

Helping your partner understand that you value their time, love and overall existence

makes the gloomier days a bit bright and helps preserve the FIYAH!

Know that marriage is not glitter bombs everyday. 

It is the joining of two individuals set out on an adventure to become one. Often 

times it is in a confined space, or with sickness latched on, or financial struggles.

Make the most and very best of it by showing your life-long crush that they mean more to you

than tea and Pinterest! 

Bisous, 

Kel

 

SILENCE

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life will bring you to a point where you 

will be so sick of hearing yourself talk, that it forces you to shut up & act. 

Life just duct taped my mouth closed and handed me a lantern.

WHY NOT

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I consider myself quite reserved.

According to my hub who is my ying to my yang, 

I'm sometimes too uptight. 

He is willing to dance in the frozen food section at the grocery store.

He is fearless at that is the main thing I love about him. 

This quality always gets me thinking about the things 

that keep me in my bubble. 

I think when I became a mother (at 22) I thought there was a certain 

image I had to portray and an identity I had to let go of. 

which became the gateway for the broom stick.

But lately I have been trying to remove the barb wire fence that I have place

around my life and ask myself "Why Not" a whole lot more. 

This question allows me to just go the hell on and do whatever I 

feel like doing. 

Starting with my clothing.  If you have been following me for a while you may know that 

I work in a corporate environment. Not too rigid, but it is corporate none-the-less. 

So, this is where I insert my fancy for the dot, stripes and color. 

Totally not interested in a head to toe get up. 

After all, I am an artist first and foremost.

(You can find my happy feet and bright ensembles here)

I have also decided to let my hair do what it wants. 

Possibly going natural, but for now just enjoying the free bird curls as I like to call them.

Wild and carelessly spiraled---it just makes me feel relaxed. 

A How To for this is on my list of thing to do for CubeLifeStyle.

This is by far not the last thing I will be doing to free myself, but I will be dancing in and out of the aisles a lot more. 

When a man as hot as my hub asks you to dance, 

damn it you get up and get your shimmy on and 

enjoy the laughs while you have them. 

  

I'd love to here about how 

you "free ya mind" and body 

(a la En Vogue).

Bisous, 

Kel

CIRCUS

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Personification of life lately...

Bending over backwards while trying to remain dexterous

and colorful and sane. 

Sorry for the sloooooow move on the blog.

I seriously haven't had many moments with a clear head to be inspired or share what little has inspired me.

Thankfully, last week is that of the past and I can proceed forward. 

(Glass lifted)

Cheers to a new week.

A fresh week to hopefully treating ourselves better than we did 

days, hours, or even minutes before. 

HAPPY MONDAY

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Happy Monday Y'all!!

(the southerner came out of me) 

It has been super busy on the work front for me.

Both in the cube and in the at home factory.

My head has been consumed with ideas and tasks, yet the hours in the day have not grown any longer. 

So many new items in store and I am itching to share them.

But, I have this internal conflict when it comes to showcasing and 

finalizing pieces that I work on.

Call it an insecurity if you will.  

But, I often worry about the overall aesthetic and message I am delivering. 

I worry that it will not be perceived thoroughly or accepted, 

given that I am self funded

 and am not able to indulge in the best packaging, photography 

and web presence as other brands in the same category. 

It's putting your heart out there for many people to see, but not being able to 

fully touch them the way you dream of. Constantly churning out magical bits of pretty without traction. It makes you wonder what you're not doing right.  

Where is this going?  Should it keep doing it? What if I fail?

 That is just the nature of the creative beast I suppose.  It is a vicious cycle with a vision that can get easily muddied and blurred by the constant comparison and lack of consistent inspiration.

But there is such an upside to this for me.  

And though it may not be monetarily obvious, 

I get pure bliss from creating things.  Anything & Everything.

Expensive at times, yes. But totally fulfilling when you create something lovely and functional with your hands. 

Way more fulfilling (for me personally) than completing spreadsheets. 

That's a skill wire I was not built with.

I loved reading Ginny's What's In Your Toolbox 

columns, because the artists' profiled often suffered from the same

ailments: creative blocks, disorganized studios, and time management 

(or lack there of).

It's so affirming to hear that other artists 

and creatives have similar struggle and I it is great to learn about their coping mechanisms for making the process flow a little better.

 Katie and Bri's Advice columns are great too. 
Super informative and definitely gives you perspective on the world of a freelancer. 

So tell me, how do you battle the creative war fronts? 

Bisous,

Kel

I WONDER

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discovered here

Oh, how this statement plagues me.

It's such a curse.

I wish I could be one of those super care free birds

that are just able to simply be.

Actually, I used to be this. In college of course. When I lacked a curfew, bills, & responsibility. 

Don't get me wrong... I love my life and am so 

grateful for every morsel of it, 

but do you ever get to a place where you 

step outside of yourself and say,

"Self, is that really you ??"

There is so much pent up inside that, from a creative perspective, 

that is not able to be released yet. 

Try sticking an elephant in an aquarium....

Yup, that sums up my sentiments.

(Confined, Unorthodox, and Almost drowning but thankful for a trunk)

It's a weird place to be.

I have people that I interact with daily that are not active in this lovely community that oh & ah and marvel at projects that I have done and the mere fact that I have a blog & shoppe. 

I am not at the level as some of my online Inspirettes, 

as I call them, and can only imagine 

their plight and pressure to be consistent when they may very well just want to curl up and go to sleep. 

I don't know if many realize the work that it takes 

to keep up a curtain of 

transparency all while trying to knock down the 

brick wall of comparison and competition. 

This space was never intended to be anymore than a "journal" or my 

inspiration dossier that was kept a lot neater than 

the binders full of Vogue tear-outs. 

but has developed and matured into such a lovely project that I am so thankful to have. 

 

So, for now I will take small bites out of life. And push as much as I can into (r-ki-tekt) 

and wear as much color within the week as 

I can to keep my eyes healthy.

(yes, wearing polka dots, stripes, and brights is like cardio for the eyes of a designer)

I am trying to formulate a mini bucket list of things I need to indulge in, participate in, or give into that with allow me to express myself legitimately without my husband personally delivering me back to my mother and asking for an exchange. 

I have a feeling this will include fear-facing bits like getting a tattoo and changing my hair a little with some color...overhauling my diet. Pasta is my frenemy for sure.

 If you have any suggestions on keeping your creativity motor running strong, drop me a comment. 

I'm open to anything. 

 

Hope you all have a great Tuesday!!!

Bisous, 

Kel