Angela

#yearonpaper | 01: following your curiosity

January 14, 2016 by Angela

i’ve been talking about starting a new journal for what seems like months now (find the evidence here + here). usually when it’s a little slower in december i plan out my year (which i recently learned isn’t a very effective way to establish follow-through…more on that later) i should’ve taken this time to catch up on my side projects, like building an email list for #yearonpaper, but i decided to relax instead. i know. terrible! we went to san francisco + big sur for one weekend (photos soon) but you know what i did mostly during my small moments of relaxation? sat on the couch binge watching reruns. (could you tell?).

but it wasn’t all unproductive. no, i still haven’t got you all on an email or bugged all my real-life friends to join in (asking people to start journaling with you is apparently not all that normal), but one thing i did spend time with was elizabeth gilbert’s big magic after reading the review from my instagram friend, jaimie myers. like i said in this post on blog market, i took my time. between that and a post i read by made vibrant on following your curiosity, i felt like this topic would be a good way to kick off a year of journaling regardless of how prepared i am (or not) for this project and this year in general. [Read more…] about #yearonpaper | 01: following your curiosity

Hiking in Griffith Park + life lately

January 12, 2016 by Angela

You won’t find me walking along the ridges of the highest peaks in Griffith Park quite so much during the hotter half of the year, (though I try to catch a view of the city from above whenever I can) so we’re getting in our hikes now while it’s nice and mild out and the breeze is cool. It’s incredible how green Los Angeles becomes with even the smallest bit of rain. When the clouds envelop us, it becomes a whole new city. [Read more…] about Hiking in Griffith Park + life lately

On working through anxiety when you’re busy

January 5, 2016 by Angela

The hardest part of freelancing so far has been working through all new kinds of anxiety that I hadn’t really faced before. I’ve tested out just about every self help method (and a few “professional” ones) for anxiety in my life too. I’ve allowed myself to be me and get to know my reactions during high anxiety moments which I know a lot of people don’t really give themselves time to do. Being so self reflective (INFJ, okay?) has helped me find methods to work through it on a constant journey of self improvement. When you’re self employed or just super busy, feeling anxious about anything (let alone everything) can completely hinder your ability to be productive. [Read more…] about On working through anxiety when you’re busy

DIY hand painted journal

December 18, 2015 by Angela

Two big things happened recently that I’m excited to share: 1) I thought of a name for the journaling community I’ll be starting up in the new year. But more on that later! and 2) I decided on a journal. I searched on Etsy, at Barnes and Noble (they have a huge selection of beautiful, thick journals, but none were for me), and even headed to the mall. Finally, I found the perfect journal. I wanted there to be a creative element because like I mentioned before, I like being able to mix media and add a craft element when I write too. This cover was the perfect canvas for some painting… [Read more…] about DIY hand painted journal

Gift guide for the couch potato

December 14, 2015 by Angela

the root collective ballet flat, neutral zig zag throw pillow, hm conscious v-neck blouse, mint rose follain lip balm, aztec blanket in gray, sprig homestead tea tin candle, ethica black leggings, kaight alpaca throw, leif shimmer border scarf

Last week I saw an ad on Pinterest (ugh, ya know?) for a cozy fashion gift guide that in essence meant couch potato. Of course it was some big brand and definitely not anyone who promotes shopping small or sustainable fashion, so instead of giving them my click I decided to make my own. I think this is the most fun I’ve ever had creating a gift guide. And I’ve created a lot of gift guides over the years. While working from home has had its major ups and downs lately, one major plus is getting to stay cozy inside whenever I want. I personally need a bit more structure when I work from home, so being locked inside has been a big struggle, but what I really appreciate is that when I’m not feeling at 100%, I don’t have to fake my way through a workday or anything. I still have to get stuff done, but I can do it from underneath a pile of cozy blankets (and my two kitties). Do I sound crazy yet?

DIY holiday gift wrap

December 9, 2015 by Angela

We got started on the holidays a little late this year, but with this DIY holiday gift wrap, they are officially here. After being in Seattle all of October and having lots to catch up on when I got back, November was a blur. On Saturday I woke up knowing we had to do something, so we drove back up to our old neighborhood, grabbed breakfast, and went to a tree lot to get the cutest, tiniest tree (photos to come!). I have mixed emotions about our apartment right now. We’ve had a love/hate relationship with it ever since moving in, for various reasons. With everything going on in the summer and fall, I didn’t finish decorating. So now that we put holiday decor up, it feels a bit cozier, though there isn’t that reading chair or bookshelf in the corner like I’d planned by now. [Read more…] about DIY holiday gift wrap