7/11 Birthday Girl

Today is my 28th birthday!

What a year 27 was...

I began my blog a week after my birthday last year and it has given me so much. Last year was 'the summer of blogging and Etsy'. It was all so wonderful to meet many friends and network, and inspire each other with creativity. But life happens, things get busy, people move on, and trends fade. But the good qualities of commitment, creativity, and goal achieving would not have been as heavily enforced in my own life without the social networking and friendships through "leaving comments". I have met SO SO many encouraging women who have inspired beyond belief, and had it not been for being surrounded by this environment, I would have never known so many women with their creative success in professions they love. 

This year has not been all sunshine and roses though, it has had more challenges that really give cause for the phrase, "don't sweat the small stuff", to which I don't... anymore.

So, if I could give 27 one word it would be... GROWTH.

I think it's the year, I've finally grown confident in my own skin,

and really gotten to know myself. 

That said, I am VERY excited about 27 leading to 28...

because this week I've received my business licenses for something I'm passionate about,

and can't wait to see what kind of exciting new adventures will come from it. 

Thank you to EVERYONE who made this year and day very special!

(Blog pals, friends, family, & my boyfriend.)

Here are some photos of my year in a wrap and those who made it special to me...

getting creative on Etsy

my big photo card order on Etsy

 

actually meeting my idol... Giada

loving my princess Sage

all the adventures of sharing my life with Jason

my wonderful mom for all her support & love

my dad for all his encouragement & belief in me

my grandmother for all her warmth, selflessness, & unforgettable memories

& self discovery...

P.S. Thanks to Powerball too... who honored my birthday by picking numbers 27 and 28 last night on my transition eve, which numbers I had selected... but I think they picked the wrong person in Florida to give the rest of the numbers to. That $70 million sure would have been the icing on the cake!