We Are Young

Have you heard the single "We Are Young" by Fun. yet? It's been playing on repeat in my head all week. A friend of Christopher's shared it with us last week when it was a free single on iTunes, and I can't get enough of it. The music video isn't quite what I imagined (no sunshine and open fields) but it's definitely worth a watch. Or three.



Sometimes, between marriage, work and making ends meet, I need to be reminded that I'm still young. At 24, I may be done with my childhood but I have my whole life ahead of me. Anyone else feel that way? Listen to this song and be reminded... it's hard not to feel invincible when the chorus breaks out.

This is going to be my summer ballad... windows down, hair whipping in the wind.

gathered heart turns one!

I can hardly believe it, but gathered heart is officially one year old today! Hooray! Over the course of the past twelve months, so many wonderful things have happened... I became an aunt, celebrated a year of marriage, found my first full-time job (after searching for what seemed like forever) and have really grown personally.

Just like I said in my very first post, I've shared my love of cardigans, a little on color theory, and how much I love my husband (and, of course, Tina Fey.) Looking back through all I've written on gathered heart so far, I thought I'd do a little round-up of top posts:

My Favorites

     • On Being a Grown Up
     • Gorgeous Geodes
     • Midland Arts & Antique Market
     • Farewell Fall 
     • Wild Winds Buffalo Preserve

Reader Favorites
     • Gabriella Barouch
     • Ikea 1973
     • Groceries: An Illustrated List
     • Pumpkin Pie Baked Oatmeal
     • Simon and Garfunkel: Greatest Hits

When I started this blog last March, I really had no idea what was in store for me. I simply wanted to grow as a "creative" and inspire others to live a creative life as well. Perhaps I don't post as often as I'd like to, and there are always things I'd like to improve here, but gathered heart is my little piece of the blog world and I love it. For all the friends following along (for a week or since the get-go), know that I really do love you guys!

I've been mulling over lots of new ideas for the blog in the next year. In the next few weeks, GH will be getting an updated layout and perhaps some new colors. I think I'd like to introduce a few new column ideas (and bring back Gathered) as well as incorporate more of my own projects and photography. Realistically speaking, I don't know if I'll ever have the time to do everything I want to do with gathered heart, but it will definitely continue to be a creative outlet for me, full of beautiful things and inspiring bits.

Here's to another year of art, design, old things, tasty food and, of course, Tina Fey!

Signs of Spring: the Redwing Blackbird

 Original photo by Bob Garvin

Spring is so close, guys... and I know it, because the redwing blackbirds have returned! It's totally a sign.

The redwing blackbird is probably one of my favorite birds... not because of his plumage (a lovely high-gloss black with a brilliant shock of yellow and red) or his cheery song, but because of his attitude. Traveling to and from work on the toll road, I'll see a redwing every couple of feet, guarding his territory proudly, which is usually a three-foot patch of land. If a bird could ever have a Napoleon complex, these guys totally would. They seem like the cockiest little things ever. Which is why I love them.

I usually see them perched on a fence post, the scraggly branch of a shrub, or (my personal favorite) an extremely tall weed. It's kind of ridiculous, and it seems like they cling to just about anything above the ground. Have you seen them around your home? They're sprightly little things, and pretty hard to miss because of the red feathers on their wings.

I didn't realize I missed the redwing blackbird so much this winter until I noticed their return. I'm not much of a birdwatcher or enthusiast, but I do think birds are beautiful (and sometimes comical) creatures. Do you have any favorite birds?

Girls in Glasses

Earlier this morning, I took a trip to the optometrist for my annual eye examination. It was pretty run-of-the-mill.... "Option one or two? Three or Four? Please identify these ridiculously tiny letters as I try to trick you with Z and 3, 5 and S." You know how it is.

As I expected, my prescription has changed yet again (I've been plagued with progressively terrible vision since the tender age of eight) which means my current glasses are about 3 prescriptions too weak. A blessing and a curse... poor vision, new glasses! I love that larger frames are becoming more popular. With vision as poor as mine, I need all the lens space I can get. Unfortunately, I think bolder frames tend to walk a thin line between sophisticated and outright ridiculous.

On the search for inspiration, I've pulled a few images of my favorite bloggers and lady-celebs who wear big glasses and wear them well...

 ROW 1 Amanda Jane Jones  |  Ingrid Michaelson  |  Kate De La Rosa

ROW 2 Tina Fey  |  Meredith Crawford  |  Zooey Deschanel in New Girl

Seriously, these ladies look great in their bold frames. Smart, feminine, with just a hint of quirkiness. I think one of the keys to pulling off this look is a slightly rounded frame with a subtle cat-eye corner. What are your thoughts on large glasses... yay or nay? Also, can I just reiterate my love for Tina Fey? I love her.  

I'm ordering several trial pairs from Warby Parker this week... I'm excited to have a few samples to try out. Maybe the look won't work for my face type, but I sure hope so!

Life Lately...

Friday, sweet Friday, I am so glad you're finally here.

I don't really have any special plans for the weekend, but I have definitely been looking forward to it since, oh, Monday. I never thought I'd be the type of person who works for the weekend, but life lately has just been so crazy that all I want to do is sprawl out on the couch and watch Downton Abby on Netflix. This is why:

This is real life, guys. Pie charts don't lie. It's math. Ninety percent of my weekday is spent "working." Between a full-time job (dreadful two hour commute time included), playing house and trying to stay healthy... I somehow also have to juggle five freelance design projects. More work, more deadlines, more stress. The highlight of my day is the hour and a half spent with Christopher, eating dinner and watching a few episodes of Big Bang Theory (thank you, Keitha, for our newest TV on DVD obsession.)

I'm not complaining about being busy... I enjoy my job and all the little gigs I pick up along the way. I'd take busy over bored any day. The thing is, even with such a full day, I don't feel like I'm accomplishing much with my life. I make lists but never finish them, there are always dirty dishes in the sink, and never enough money in the bank.

Anyone else feel this way? I don't know about you, but I'm holding tight to the delusion that spring will come quickly and the world will be full of sunshine, purpose and free time. And until then, at least we have the weekend.