It might be a new year, but I have the same goal as 2020. To create and provide wildly colorful art to people who love curating and living in spaces that feel cozy and fun for their hearts.
I had a great ‘first year’ (October 2019-October 2020) of putting my full energy into my art practice. 2021 will be more of the same. I rearranged my studio corner to be more functional (and more organized!) so that I can be inspired and productive in my space!
Also! I have added three new stickers to my shop! And have plans for more! Take a look at all the uplifting and colorful options here.
WE ARE THE LUCKIEST: Laura McKowen An honest and raw look into Laura’s personal struggle with alcoholism, with such encouragement along the way, for those searching to also leave it behind. Though it centers on alcohol, I believe this could be a book for any type of addictions as Laura shares mindsets and life principles that could resonate with anything that has become an addiction in life. I was in a season of considering quitting alcohol, and this book was helpful to me.THE VANISHING HALF: Brit Bennett This felt like the most talked about book of the year. I found it slow at the beginning, but eventually really picked up and was so worth the read. Twin sisters born into a light-skinned all-black Southern town, go their separate ways to live their adult lives. One stays in town, living as she always had. One leaves town and lives while white-passing. The differences in their lives, personalities and secrets are a must-read. BAKED WITH LOVE:Peggy Jaeger This was a continuation of the New Hampshire sister series. Maureen has always had a thing for Lucas, but never to confidence to tell him. I enjoyed baker Maureen’s point of view and learning more about her story. I feel like the main male lead, Lucas, had a few toxic traits that needed to be addressed (like the ‘grabbing Maureen’s arm when he wanted her attention’ thing… that didn’t sit right with me). But overall it was a solid love story.
TIME FOR MY FAVORITE BLOG POST OF THE YEAR!! And for anything to be a favorite in 2020 is *truly* saying something.
Man. I really felt the loss of not being able to go to concerts this year. For the last 5 or 6 years, live music has been a huge form of self care for me, and my heart *felt* not being able to enjoy that. But luckily, so many of my favorites released new music this year. And I found a ton of new favorites! And wow, I need to thank them all!! Because 2020 was surely not easy on artists, yet they still continued to write and create and share their hearts with us!! How amazing is that! Thank you!!
It Would Be You – Ben Rector – Truly the song of the year for me. Written in quarantine about quarantine.
Stay the Way I Left You – Josie Dunn, Dahl – I found out about Josie through a live benefit concert early into quarantine and her music was an instant fave!
Chase the Light – Matt Wertz – Such a bop, and a great mantra! (and the inspiration for the above driveway chalk doodle)
Cologne – Pentatonix – I can’t stop listening to this one.
sunday – Joy Oladokun – I found Joy through Tiktok of all places! And her music really did wonders for my heart this year.
Everything I Did to get to You – Ben Platt, written by David Davis – From Songland, which is a show about songwriting. I loved being able to watch the collaboration process, and not to mention it’s a fire song!!
Distance – yebba – the vibes. the voice. you are magic.
Good Life – ROOMMATE – brainchild of Matt Wertz, an early 2000’s pop vibe
What are You Gonna Tell Her? – Mickey Guyton – the heartbreaking truth truth truth about raising girls in america
Who Do I Turn To? – Joy Oladokun – really raw and honest words about being black in america. thank you for sharing your story, Joy.
Top Albums of 2020:
in defense of my own happiness – Joy Oladokun – seeing as I have already mentioned her work three times on this list 🙂 Joy is so honest in her writing and you can just FEEL! her album has been a thankful spot in my year.
folklore – Taylor Swift – I KNOW evermore exists and wonderful, but since I’ve had more time to listen and process and get to know folklore, which I love love. So she makes my 2020 list.
Fine Line – Harry Styles – it was released at the end of 2019 but I really dove deep into it this year and could not get enough haha
Music is wonderful and important and necessary, and I might not like your taste and you might not like mine, but we all have our most loved and most needed sounds and words and we should all respect that! SUPPORT your music people, STREAM their stuff, SHARE their names (and GO to their shows when we can again 🙁 )
Save the date! 🗓 Artists Sunday is November 29, 2020. This is is a nationwide initiative that encourages people to shop with artists and makers during the holidays, and make the Sunday after Thanksgiving be the largest art sales day of the year.
Join me and thousands of artists and crafts people across the nation for the first annual Artists Sunday. Simply shop with your favorite artists or makers on the Sunday after Thanksgiving.
We took a few days to visit the NH Lakes Region and stay at my family’s little cabin on a lake. We spent the days swimming and making easy meals and enjoying amazing sunsets.
This summer may be very different from years past, but I am still trying to find the good things in the little moments. What we *will* do this summer is more important than what we won’t do this summer. I have to remember that.
