Monday Moodlifter - Clutch Me Close

*** The East Coast Creative contest is still going on, please go here and click on entry #200, you can click more than once if you really want to, and if you're feeling super generous take another second to click on entry #214 for my friend over at Gypsy Soul***

I promise things will begin to get back to normal posting around here, although there might be times when things pick up too much and posts will slow down again.  That's the unfortunate price for not being able to just be a full time photographer and blogger, a girl can dream though.  One thing that has not stopped during this little posting interlude, spring catalogs are flooding my mailbox.   It is depressing, I admit, to see the beautiful warm weather fashions and then step out the door to blistering cold wind.  However, I have noticed a fun, colorful trend this year that doesn't depend on the temperature, clutches!  I'm seeing them all over the catalogs, in fun bright styles.  Here are my five favorites of the moment, I hope they brighten your cold Monday!

Ann Taylor Envelope Clutch

I love the bright cobolt and aqua in this two tone clutch.  It's so cheery, if you're stuck wearing a boring black winter coat, at least you can carry this in your hand to stand out a little.

Ann Taylor Foldover Napa Leather Clutch

 I really enjoy foldover clutches, they seem to have more space than the envelope style.  This is a beautiful aqua color that could be a fun pop of color next to any other color you decide to wear.

LL Bean Signature Heritage Leather Clutch

 I know, you're thinking "LL Bean?", but yes.  If you haven't yet checked out their Signature Collection, you are missing out.  While not everything is my style, there are a number of lovely, quality pieces.  I have one of these Heritage clutches, although mine is a combination leather and denim (no longer available apparently).  I love this bright red leather, it has me thinking about 4th of July BBQs already.

GAP Leather Envelope Clutch

Despite being a bit of a girly girl, I actually don't love wearing a lot of pink.  I do enjoy a nice pink accessory though, and this neon clutch would be a perfect touch of pink.

Banana Republic Patent Clutch

 I saved the best for last, this is definitely my favorite of the bunch.  It looks like mint is going to be just as popular this year as it was in 2012, which I love.  It's a bright, fresh color, and this clutch combines it with patent leather, a to.die.for. combination in my book.

Are you just as ready for spring and warm weather as I am?  What are you most excited for when the season finally changes?

Following Dreams

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Yesterday was the last holiday until Memorial day comes in May, man that's a long stretch of no breaks.  Instead of quickly throwing a blog post together, I decided to use the day to relax a little, at least that was my original plan.  I started my morning by working on my photography website, I had set a deadline to have it ready to launch by this coming Friday.  I have been working on this website, and the blog component that goes with it for about 3 weeks now.  After an hour or two of work yesterday morning I looked it over and realized that it was done!  So, being the impatient person that I am I launched everything early yesterday afternoon.  Yes, Heather Raeburn Photography LLC is up and running!  It's a dream come true for me. 

I'm still scared and nervous about failing, but honestly I am also really proud of myself for trying.  I took the time to inventory my life and figure out what seemed to be missing, and rather than just sitting back and wishing, I've turned a big dream into a reality.  I am so excited to be on this journey now, I can't wait to see where it takes me.

If you are interested you can check out the website at www.heatherraeburnphotography.com.  Also, Skillets.Sneakers.Style has it's own Facebook page, go like it to keep up to date with posts.

Also, don't forget to go over to East Coast Creative and click on entry #200 (you can do this more than once), and if you're feeling really into showing some blog love also give a click to entry #214 for my friend over at Gypsy Soul.

So now, I encourage all of you to figure out what you really want in life and then go make it happen!

Wednesday Perk: Home Office Inspiration

While I am in full holiday mode right now, I also can't help but start to focus on the plans I have for the new year.  We'll have a post dedicated to new year goals later this month, but I just can't wait to share some inspiration for the first big home project I have planned for 2013.  My husband and I share our second bedroom as office space, we have both of our desks in there and it works perfect that we both have our own little areas.  My husband has his area set up to his liking and regularly uses his space.  I on the other hand have failed to actually maximize and utilize my area.  Instead I have unintentionally turned it into hodgepodge storage.

Yeah, this is out of control.

However, with some personal plans I have for 2013 I really need to wrangle this space and make it both inspirational and functional.  So with that said here are some of the things I have found around the web to inspire this little home office makeover.  I also promise to share all of the before and after pictures, and tutorials on how various pieces of the project are accomplished.

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Here's a lovely, functional mail organizer from Less is More on Etsy that has me drooling.  While it's a bit pricey, it is definitely sparking ideas.

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The color, not necessarily the vases, is what I'm focused on here.  With a white desk, I think some aqua accents would be lovely and just the right pop of color to cheer me up.  There are some current organizational pieces in use that, while super functional, are simply hideous in their current state.  A quick coat of pretty paint should do the trick, however, I'll probably tone down the color just a little bit. 

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Perhaps the biggest part of this coming makeover is the plan to upholster a chair.  Currently in use is an old Ikea dining chair, which has no upholstery.  The plan is to add at the minimum an upholstered seat, however I could go crazy and turn it into something like the picture above.  While this chair is done with lovely yellow and two contrasting prints, my plan is to use the same gray and white fabric on this chair below (M actually gave me this fabric months ago, so color me shocked and excited when I saw it on this chair on YHL).

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Currently the wall above my desk is completely bare, so some sort of artwork is necessary to complete the look.  I love this print by Hoot Design Co. representing my hometown, combined with some personal photos I think this would help inspire me on those days when creativity feels blocked.

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What desktop would be complete without a few whimsical items?  At least this adorable ceramic fox also functions as a speaker, but I think I would definitely have to add a colorful owl or two to the mix as well.

         West Elm Ceramic Fox Speaker                                        West Elm St. Jude Ceramic Owls

Lastly, this little home office space must be multi-functional.  For me, this means that I need space to work when necessary, as well as the ability to serve as storage and organization for many many different things.

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   Anything from craft supplies, photography equipment, important personal documents, and of course actual work, needs to have a place to be stashed away here.  I'm still brainstorming what the perfect storage solution will be, something that won't break the bank is a must.  Perhaps a simple filing cabinet makeover like this one my friend Becca over at Gypsy Soul did will do the trick.

Do you have any decorating makeover plans to start the new year off right?