Red and Pink Make you Stink

(Best . Cards. Ever.)

Last year I posted this same list, I just have...expanded it, over the year, as songs hit me, as I remembered them, etc. Either way, its a playlist full of love, from me to you.



Happy Valentines day world.

Currently: Musical Dreams

I shall be leaving feb. 28th for over 2 months, and I am stoked.

All the plans are still coming together but currently I know I will be in mexico for 11 days with family, then 9 days in Austin for SXSW. From there I am planning out two separate options, and shall see which one comes to fruition. Either way, I will be out of Fairbanks until Mid-May and couldn't be more exited.  To come back to Fairbanks in Mid-May is perfect... time for summer, hiking, and all the glory that that summer in Alaska has to offer! As plans come together, I shall, of course, keep you updated!

In the Meantime, check out my Etsy Shop and please pass it along to friends!  I have a bunch of stuff to sell, and the more I sell, the less I have to pack up :D

Fashion: Chambray dreams

Im at this weird post where I am getting back into a good healthy gym routine, and trying to eat a little better, and so I feel like I don't have any clothing in my closet. By this I mean, it all technically still fits me, but most of it doesn't fit optimally. Stuff is either a little too snug, or a little too loose (as I bought things when I was not at MY optimal).  Then there is the pile at the top of my closet that all fit me once...but looks ridiculous on me currently. Oh to be a clothes whore...



So, here we have a half-assed outfit. It was comfy, it didn't look TOO ridiculous on my body, and the t-shirt and shorts were only slightly too small for me. This counts as fashion, right?

Chambray top: Buffalo Exchange
T-shirt: Old Navy
Shorts: Old Navy (hemmed)
Tights: Freds
Socks: Gift
Boots: LL Bean (gift)


As the weather slowly lightens, and my body load lightens as well, I promise a more fashion conscious Katie, b/c who am I kidding, I love wearing ridiculous outfits that make no sense in my surroundings. That is when I'm not in tight charlie pants.

Bring on the Spring (Goals...)!

*Finish the book 'Boss of You' and do outlined steps towards a business plan/etc. This book has been by far the easiest to understand in the whole business jargon aspect of creating something from nothing. I am only still on the 4^th chapter, simply b.c I wont let myself read on/ahead without actually implementing the tactics they speak of in collecting data/writing a business plan for an upstart business.

*Keep up with THIS blog. I had just recently not posting in two months. I cant let that happen. Even if it is just two posts a week, I need to make sure the content of this blog stays current, find a voice for this blog, talk about Alaskan adventures/tie it into my work ventures, etc.

*I have at least 4 big DIY before and afters to do, that deal with my future shop. I want to make sure I get these tackled. These wont be until later in the spring, simply b/c a lot of t hem deal with spray paint, and I live in a one room cabin where it is too cold to open the windows and ventilate...haha

*and more on a personal goal level, I want to make sure I am keeping myself healthy/preparing myself for adventure club this summer. SO, I want to make sure I am going to the gym taking a yoga class at least 4 times a week. I have started this habit, but I want to write to you all at the end of the spring and be able to say that minus the 3 weeks in march when I was on vacation, that I kept to this schedule.

Fall Goals [recap]

Okay, so... I made these goals a while back as my 'fall goals' and I know you are all just dying to know how well I kept myself up on them....well, wait no more my darlings...

*Learn basic sewing machine skillz: So, it isn't like I have never used a sewing machine...it has just been about 10 years since I have. I find so many vintage dresses, and just clothes in general, that I want to make sure I can do basic repairs. And not all by hand, just because man...by hand that shit is time consuming. (I mean, just ask the pile of sewing repairs on my ground right now)

(Somewhat) complete! I took an introductory sewing class at a local craft store which reacquainted me to a sewing machine. And with getting the chance to babysit my friends sewing machine for over a years time, I have begun to do basics like make a pillow, and try to take in a shirt. I still need a lot of work, and mostly just a confidence boost...which will only come if I keep practicing!

*Read five career oriented books: So, when I go to the library I tend to go crazy with the books. Like, over 30 books in one trip on one topic crazy. The idea of learning all about one topic sounds WONDERFUL. The actually learning and reading all the books...is where the plan falls through. So, I have done my 30 book collecting, and so by the new year I would like to have narrowed down the lot to 5 important ones, and have read them. The implementing what they say may come with the new years goals.

Not accomplish! I DID narrow down four books that would be great for me, and skimmed them all, hence how I established they would be the four I wanted to use. I have in the last month purchased them all, so now it is just the task of actually reading them...b/c for some reason just owning them doesn’t mean I magically now know all the information inside them. PSH

*Read 2 E-Courses: I bought almost 9 months ago an E-Course from 'A Beautiful Mess' call Dream Job. I have scanned it multiple times, read small sections, but actually reading and doing the assigned 'homework' just hasn't happened. So, That is first on my list. I also bought a Blogging PR and Marketing Course from Kaelah Bee at Little chief Honeybee that I have done basically the same thing with. I respect both of these blogs, the women in them, and their work ethics, so it is time to put my nose to the grindstone and here what they have to say,

half done. I actually haven’t picked up the dream job course from a beautiful mess yet again, though it Is constantly eying me from the corner of my desk... I DID read the entirety of the blogging PR and marketing course from kaelah bee. It was very basic, but definitely made me consider and think about a few things that hadn’t crossed my mind yet.

*Add dresses to my Etsy Shop: Teal Tub Vintage is ever evolving, with my figuring out what the public loves, and slowly I have found that clothing accessories are a pretty big hit. Well, I also believe that vintage dresses are quite lovely, and have recently stumbled upon too many gems to keep them to myself. I have stayed away from clothing thus far because basically, it is really a lot more time consuming then accessories or knick-knacks. So, it is time to put on my big girl pants, and just step up to the plate! I have recently acquired a dress form (though, I am ALWAYS looking for another if you know of one... preferably a small to medium) and now it is just the time and energy that needs to be exerted.

Complete! I acquired a new dress form, sold my old one, and have been listing dresses, coats, tops, and skirts like there is no tomorrow! Even now I am still figuring out what people like, and what kinds of clothing I want to be associated with and to represent my company. I also changed my shop name to campy Attributes ( Like this blog!) so as to not have too many things going on by different names, and confusing people.

So that is my recap of the last goals. I know I said I would recap them after the new year, but Im a month late... it happens. Next look out for my spring goals, they are gonna be awesome, and seeing how well ( yes, I do consider myself to have done well with this last goal list) I did on fall goals, I am going to strive for some big moves.

Fancy Favorites #17

This wool/acrylic blend skirt has such a great pattern and design. I want it on my body, stat.

What, you mean it is needlepoint and granny-esque and I love it? YOU SHUT YOUR MOUTH.

Oh Royal Tenenbaums, you always steal my heart.

Info print scarves...

Crewel Embroidery chairs. This makes me want a wood and Crewel headboard... Wouldn't that be ridiculous and wonderful?

I would never wear another coat.

I want to be there for everyone, always, all at once

I wasn't sure how to start this post, but I knew it had to be written, because it was a big 'AH-HA!' moment for me today. The basic plot point? Everyone ALWAYS has way more going on in their lives than you can EVER  imagine, so cut them a break.

Being grown up is hard. I have not had the greatest 2012. I have def. had some great highlights, but to counter those, I have also had some pretty low lows, as well. And let's not forget about the in-between blahs. Right now, I am looking forward to 2013 more than I ever had to a year changing. But for as many ups and downs as I have had this year, I know every person I care about in the world could counter with their own, and this is something we (I) forget a lot.

I recently was at a pretty low point, and reached out to a few of my closest friends from around the globe. A month later, I hadn't heard back from any of them. I was pretty darn hurt, to say the least. But then it happened, I heard back from one, who of course, was busy with her own life, but sweet as always. Then I wrote back to two others, and got the replies I expected, full of love, and full of truly reasonable reasons. Why? Because they had started new jobs of their own, moved across the country, gone through big break ups, settling still in foreign counties, etc. ALL HUGE THINGS. Now I am not downgrading how I felt, because it was not a bright moment, but I took a breathe, and remembered why all these girls were my friends, and how much it sucks to live to far away from those nearest and dearest...for everyone involved.

I also recently have gotten to the age where a lot of my older relatives are passing away, and my cohorts in family are getting married. I would love to make it to all these things, but having a family of 27 first cousins, it is just unrealistic. This doesn't mean that I don't get pissed at myself for not having the saving to fly across country on a whim to be with family. Or that I don't get frustrated that I don't have a 'real' job (which, still in my mind means 'adult' sadly) and can't do what I consider adult obligations of being with family and friends when we need each other the most.

This post has been a lot of blabber, but I guess what I am trying to get at is that we all lead such big complex lives. And remembering that fact is something we all need to remember, myself included. At least I think that was the point..