FOR THE DREAMERS WHO KEEP ON DREAMING

I decided to start watching an online workshop around 10:30 last night and didn't stop until about 4:30 in the morning.  As much as I try to go to bed early, I have the attention span of a five year old and can quickly become easily distracted.  I'm still processing the amount of information I obtained.  It was about wedding photography, obvs, and I couldn't help but daydream where my business will take me in the next two, three, heck! even five years!  Shooting weddings.  For. A. Living.  I can't imagine the honor I would feel, just to have the privilege to document a wedding day.  That out of how many talented photographers out there, this couple chose me.  How can you even repay someone for that? Other than giving it your all, your heart and the best dang photos they can cherish for a lifetime.  Even if it doesn't happen.  Even if I fail, I will always know I at least tried.  I had a crazy idea, and I made it happen.  I let the world know.  I gave my dreams a shot, took a chance and had one heck of a crazy adventure.

This one's for the dreamers who keep on dreaming.

NKOTB

As I walked up to the doors I noticed the signs covering every window.  I couldn't help but feel like a small part of me was dying as a tear ran down my cheek.  ENTIRE STORE ON CLEARANCE.  EVERYTHING MUST GO.  I actually cried people!  If you didn't know this already, all Target stores across Canada are closing down and my heart breaks a little each time I realize this.

Target is my favourite place to be.  Seriously.  I went there today and bought waaaay more than I should have, but I have this theory that maybe if I spend  a lot of my money there, they will decide to stay and I'll be a happy Jubes once again.  I know this won't actually happen, but a girl can dream can't she?!

On behalf of my breaking heart, I decided to write them a farewell/love letter.  May we meet again, oh sweet one.

Dear Target,

Please don't leave me.  We have been such great friends since the very beginning and I was excited to see where this new friendship would bring us.  Alas this is not true.  Instead of filling my heart and closet with your beautiful glorious things, my hands are suddenly left dry and bare.  Although my wallet will thank you, I am left with a bitter taste in my mouth that wants you to stay.  Just for me.

And as the New Kids on the Block once said: Please, don't go giiirl!

I am sending my love in hopes that we will meet again sometime soon.

Your friend,

Jubes xo

CHOICES

Guess what?  My sister had come to see me at work - face aglow - and I could tell she had something exciting to say.  I stopped what I was doing and gave her my full attention.  Well you look happy!  I'm all out of guesses, just tell me!  I'm not a very good guesser.  Clearly.

She told me about a house she had just viewed and absolutely loved - she's been living with us since August, so you can only imagine how excited she would be to finally find a place suitable for her and her daughter!  How great!  When do you know if you got it? I asked,  She looked up at me and replied, Well I'm emailing her right now to give it to me, so soon...Hopefully.  I couldn't help but let out a little laugh.  That's my sister for you.

Once she was done she looked back at me appealingly.  I could tell she had something more to say.  And I knew it was something to do with me.  What is it I asked, unsure of what was coming next.  She let it all out, I was surprised she even kept it in at all, Welllll, you know how Jen and I went for that walk today...her sister is getting married, but they're on a budget.  It's near Victoria so they will even pay for a hotel!  I looked at her.  Slack-jawed.  I couldn't believe it.  A possible first wedding!  Buuuut...  OhNo.  This can't be good.  What is it I asked, defeated.  It's on May Long Weekend.  The same day as Auntie Cheryl's funeral.

My jaw slapped shut.  My shoulders slumped.  And I closed my eyes.  My Auntie passed away a couple of weeks ago from a long battle with breast cancer,  They live up north so they were planning on holding another service for family and friends in the Shuswap in May so everyone could get together and celebrate her life.  I know as a business owner I would have to miss out on certain things because of it, but never did I think it would happen so soon.  It really makes you appreciate the little things that much more.

I believe in fate.  But I also believe we choose it as well.  The universe steers us towards our destined path and gives us new opportunities, but it's up to us to either choose the hard way to make it happen or the easy way out.  I just hope I choose the right one.

JANUARY FAVES

Wow!  What a crazy month.  It's hard to think that it's already over.  New Year. Goals. Dreams. Experiences.  I can not wait to see what the rest of the year has in store when so much has happened in one month already!  Here's to the next eleven.  Below are a just a few of my favourite things from January.  Bring it on 2015!

1. Stylebook app.  No.80 on 101 in 1001 list was to organize my closet.  I've been trying to condense my wardrobe into about 50 key pieces.  Although I'm not quite there, this app has been a life-saver.  For under $5 this app catalogues all your clothes and from there you can put together outfits (from your own closet)  It even has a calendar so you can pick your outfits in advance so you spend less time going through piles of clothes with nothing to wear and more time doing things that actually matter.

2.  High ponytails.  They look good with anything - casual, classy, playful, lounging - and I've been rocking them almost everyday this month.  Wrap a 1/4 inch strand of hair around the elastic for a more put together look.

3. Purple lips.  More specifically, my Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Moisturizing Lipstick in Ultra Violet and Covergirl Colorlicious Lipstick in Divine Wine.  One more dark and vamp-y, the other bright and fun.  A girl can never have too much lipstick, at least that's what I keep telling myself.

4. Taylor Swift and her new album, 1989.  That's right, I caved, and I love her.  My niece got it for her birthday and I "Put it on my computer so she can put them on her tablet if she feels like it."  Yes, I went there.  Not only are her songs catchy, but she has a big heart, killer style.  Plus we were born in the same year.  How can I not like her?!

5. House, M.D.  I needed a new show to take my mind off zombies while The Walking Dead is on their mid-season break (it starts back up on my birthday, y'all!!) and this show cured that zombie void in my soul.  And yes, this is my first time watching this show.  And no, I don't know why I didn't watch it sooner.  It's funny, sad and gave me a new vocabulary that pretty much makes  me a qualified doctor.  And Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) is the bomb dot com.  Need I say more?

6.  And since I have the willpower of a three year old, this is my new logo fresh from Aniya Jade Design Studio!  I couldn't be happier with it!  Originally, I was going to wait until my new website (coming soon!!), but I was just too excited.  so here it is in all it's beautiful-ness!

Happy Friday!

GOODREADS: THE BOOK OF NEGROES

Is there anything better than reading?  No, really.  I don't think there is a better way to clear your mind and relax - besides sleep, I like me a good nap - than a nice big book and a hot cup of tea.  Ever since childhood, reading was an escape; a place where my life was invisible and an environment where a protagonist was everything I wished I could be. Still to this day, I curl up with a good book and it calms the crazy aspects of my life.  I haven't been reading as much books lately as I would like (hence the crazy life), but when I find the time, it's like biting into a freshly ripe, warm summer peach (can you tell I'm missing summer?) and everything is OK again.

Because books are so rad, here's a list of some recent books I've read, fell in love with and rocked my world.

The Book of  Negroes by Lawrence Hill: I loved this book from the very beginning to the very last word.  It begins at the dawn of the nineteenth century when Aminata Diallo - now an old woman - sits down to write her life story at the request of the Abolitionists in London.  Abducted from her village in West Africa at the age of eleven to live as a slave in South Carolina, Aminata manages to survive using her wits, skills as a midwife, ability to pick up new skills quickly, and her strength of character.  

The Shoemaker's Wife by Adriana Trigaiani:  I have to admit, I went through phases of loving this book and being more than annoyed with it, but love triumphed- much like anything else.  It's loosely based on Trigiani's grandparents' love story and immigration from Italy and I enjoyed the pleasant read.

Hollow City by Ransom Riggs: I can't help but enjoy reading this series (Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children being the first in the series)  The pictures throughout the book are authentic, vintage  found photographs.  They were lent from the personal archives of collectors, and add a level of beauty and obscurity to the book.  How Riggs finds these photographs and the way he integrates them into his stories, I just find it utterly fascinating. The story itself is great as well, and I wouldn't expect anything less. Fun and entertaining.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak:  Truly a book-lover's book.  Told from Death's point of view - very clever! it tells the story of Liesel, a German foster girl, and her life during World War II.  I loved this book from beginning to end!  Every word was so perfect I felt like I was walking through this dark fairytale of a story. Just brilliant!

I Am Pusheen the Cat by Claire Belton: with my love for cats, along with my even bigger love for Pusheen, it should come with no surprise that I absolutely loved this book.  Much like an actual cat, this book manages to be funny, weird, and lovably adorable all at the same time.  If you love cats as much as I do, heck! even if you don't like cats, you will love Pusheen and the book.  I promise.

Happy Wednesday!

UNFOLD

About a week ago, I stumbled upon a photographer's (one that I love and have been following since practically the beginning of her career) blog.  Her first blog.  The one she had before all her successes.  I didn't get much sleep that night.  I stayed up until two in the morning reading Every. Single. Post.  I laughed, I cried, and I cheered her on.  It was like I was brought back in time and re-lived all those experience with her.  Partially because I realized I am going through those exact emotions and experiences she was five years ago, right now.

Sometimes I feel like giving up.  That I'm not good enough.  That I just can't do it.  But then I stumble upon things like this and realize that it just takes time.  Everyone has to start somewhere, and just because they don't show it, doesn't mean it never happened.  I'm writing this for myself to remind the Julie of right now that everyone starts somewhere.  Just because I'm nowhere near where I would like to be right now, doesnt' mean that I will be in the same place five years from now.  This is a journey.  And as long as I keep pushing myself and trying harder each and everyday, the story of my life will slowly unfold and before I know it all my dreams will have come true.  Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.

Stay Strong.

GRATITUDE JOURNAL: LEARNING TO FLY

A couple of weeks ago I started a gratitude journal.  Every night, before I go to bed, I jot down five things that I am grateful for.  These don't have to be big, extravagant things (although they can) but simple stuff will do just fine, as long as you are truly grateful to have these things in your life (such as: my cat, clean water, fresh flowers, lipstick, etc... )  Along with my gratitude journal, I've been starting my day off with positive affirmations.  The me of even a month ago would have read this and been like, riiiight, like that'll work.  And now that I've changed my perspective, and have seen and noticed drastic changes within my life life, I'm all that girl is sooo last season.

Speaking of awesome things happening, I just finished up with a business meeting this morning and I will have some very, VERY exciting news to share with you all within the next couple of months.  Until then, it will be a little secret.  It will be worth the wait, I promise!  This blurry picture I took of myself shows my excitement of the news to a T.

I've come to realize that these simple acts of kindness, towards yourself, is something everyone should try.  I'm more happy.  Positive.  And have faith that everything is going to be okay-not matter what happens.  Because, duh, I'm so worth it!  and so are you!

So what are you waiting for, start a gratitude journal tonight!  you'll be amazed with what this world has to offer you.  Instead of having fear that you will fail, have faith that you can fly - because, darling, the view from up here is so much nicer.

Happy Monday!