The Purse {I Didn't Really Need}

Dear readers, I have a confession.

I have a thing for purses.

I don't have 30 of them (as the sweetheart sometimes accuses), but I do have more than I need.

I have a deep love for Vera Bradley, and have not carried anything else in a while.

But then I went to TJ Maxx. And look what I found:

{except the one I love is a gorgeous, deep teal number. I just couldn't find the right picture. Click here for other stunning examples of teal.}

I tried to resist it. Really, I did. But that purse was seriously calling my name!

Jaquelyn...Jaquelyn...Jaquelyn...

So yesterday, I went back to TJ Maxx and bought it. Shelled out my $26 and walked out with a new purse.

I'm considering wrapping it up pretty (with a bow, of course) and saving it for when I really want to buy something. Then I'll just unwrap it and say "Happy Anyday for me!"

Or maybe I'll just break down and use it. You never can tell with me.

A Little About Me!

As I was doing a little brainstorming over the weekend, I realized that I should post about me. I've moved to a new blog, and will {hopefully} have some new readers. Readers who don't know anything about me. So, here you go!

{Me}

I'm an 18 year old born on Christmas Day. I have curly hair (which could be considered the bane of my existence), hazel eyes, and I like to wear skirts.

{My Family}

Our family consists of 7. My dad (a youth pastor and music leader), my mom (who stays home with the kids and is an amazing teacher in her own right), me, and my 4 younger sisters. My youngest sister is only 5 (Katheryn), and she's an amazing amount of fun. We are a homeschooling family (I graduated May 2009) who loves laughter and our evenings around the dinner table. And we are very, very far from perfection.

{Music}

I have been playing the piano since I was 9, and I love it. I started playing the keyboard at church a couple of years ago, and I sing when begged. I love movie soundtracks, classical and celtic, but really anything well done.

{Crafts}

I would consider myself a very crafty person. My favorite medium is card making, and in January 2009, I opened my own Etsy shop, The Art of Paper. I've also discovered a love for crocheting, blankets and (more recently) washcloths being my specialty's. I'm always looking for new ideas and fun projects to try. I'm dipping into sewing, but don't feel fully confident in it yet...

{Love}

I do have a sweetheart. And I love him very dearly. The name "Hayden" will probably be mentioned frequently throughout the course of this blog. We've been together since January 2007, and we'll someday get married someday, when the time is right. =)

{This picture is from 2007, so we look younger}

{Anything Else?}

I'm sure there's much more I could say about myself. But I shan't bore with all the details. =) Please, if you have any questions, feel free to ask. I'd love to answer your questions!

Weekend Plans & Cravings

Sometimes I am just in the mood for a certain food. It doesn't happen all the time, but when I think of something I really want, I really want it!

Sometimes it's soft pretzels...

A lot of times it's a luscious fruit smoothie...

But today, it's chocolate graham crackers. With peanut butter. And a glass of milk.

That is my on my lunch menu today, for sure.

Other plans includes folding a huge basket of laundry, organizing my crafting supplies, finishing up a custom card order for Aunt Spicy, and preparing to teach the preschool class at church tomorrow (which I have put off for too long!).

What are your weekend plans?

{Teal}

There are really no words to describe how I feel about teal...

Night on the Town Flutterby Necklace

Hand Painted Sock Yarn

Meredith Double Strap

Autumn Romance Earrings

Peacock Clutch

How do you feel about it?

If you want to see more loveliness like this, just go to Etsy and type "teal" into the search box. I guarantee you'll find something you'll like. Unless, of course, you hate teal. Which would be ridiculous.

A Purpose Statement?

I think one of the hardest parts of parting with The Sweetest Petunia is the questions. Why? Why would I give up a (kind of, sort of) successful blog to start all over again? Was my brain still working when I pushed the delete button?

I don't know.

Deleting The Sweetest Petunia was not an easy decision. And guess what? I have 89 days before deletion is permanent. But I don't think I'll be resurrecting it.

Maybe I just craved a clean slate. Or maybe my personal life has been crazy in the past 2 weeks, causing me to change a lot of things. Maybe I wanted to start over and not feel like I have to impress anyone.

I don't know.

But please, bear with me. I haven't left the blogging world. I'm still here. I'm still the same girl. I've just moved to a new address...

{This Time Around}, I'd like to share my love of color.

{This Time Around}, I want to dance like no one's watching.

{This Time Around}, I want to be honest with myself. And you.

{This Time Around}, I want to reach out to my fellow bloggers.

{This Time Around}, I want to get it right.

Care to join me?

Welcome to {This Time Around}

Dear blog,

I may seem a little crazy. But last night I deleted The Sweetest Petunia. I wish I could explain it to the blogosphere, but I can't. Right now, it's just best.

Now, don't get me wrong. I loooove blogging. And I'm not quitting. I'm just moving.

So if you've followed me here from The Sweetest Petunia, I am beyond honored. Floored, really. And very excited about what's to come for this blog.

{Wait, that just made it sound like I'm going to reveal something amazing about this blog in particular. Don't get too excited}

The Sweetest Petunia was me. Really, it was. And now I'm creating a new blog? I know, I think I'm crazy, too. Because now I'm starting back at square one.

I'm just a girl with a blog. I hope you'll join me {This Time Around}.