Priorities | Level and Lace

There is something about a brand new year that always makes you re-evaluate your priorities. Maybe it is hearing all of the New Year's resolutions. Maybe it is thinking about the fact that another year has gone by in the blink of an eye. Who knows? All I do know is that my priorities have gotten lost along the way.

I've been struggling for awhile with this blog. Trying to figure out what I want it to be and how much a part of my life I want it to be. And I've decided that what is important in my life is not this blog or having it be huge. I want to get through school and through the week without feeling like I'm going to fall apart for how much I am putting on my plate. I want to have a healthy marriage. I want to accomplish things. And if that means spending less time here worrying about this place, then so be it.

So, I have some good news and some bad news.

The bad news (depending on your perspective) is that I'm not going to be posting so much (or at least as much as I was posting back when I was a "good blogger"). I'm just not feelin' it. The posts that I have been writing at just lackluster. I've focused more on quantity than quality. So from now on I'm just going to post as I see fit, or as I actually have something to say. And for once I'm not going to beat myself up about that. I might write a couple times a week, I might write a couple times a month. It just depends on what I want to write about. If I lose followers, I'll survive. If I never gain another follower for as long as I blog, it will be because I didn't let this blog consume my life. And that will make me feel happy and successful.

The good news is that I am going to be focusing on the thing that I love most about blogging! The thing that is important to me are the relationships that I have developed through blogging. I'll be focusing more on your blogs and reading the awesome things that you have to say. And adding my own two cents here and there. Hopefully this means actually responding to my emails. ;)


And now I have something new to share with you guys!

www.levelandlace.com

I've been working on this new blog for a little while, trying to figure out exactly when would be a good time to introduce this. And there was no better time than the present.

This will be a compilation of anything style and design related that I may want to post about. It's going to stay simple, mostly pictures and minimal writing. It won't be updated daily, but as I have something to post. This is my new baby, and something I expect to take more of my attention that this blog here.

If the things you love about my blog are my fashion updates, diy posts, building projects, or anything home decor related I suggest you head over there now. It's where all that stuff will be located. ;)

So... things are going to be different around here. Hope you guys will stay with me for the ride, but if not I understand!

Sweater and Plaid

Sweater: F21 // Shirt: Target // Pants: AE // Shoes: Vans

Polka Dots and Pink Shorts

Shirt: AE // Sweater: Target // Shorts: TJmaxx

Bows and Pleats

 Shirt H&M // Skirt, bracelets, necklace: F21

2013 | Just Live

Living. It has sort of been an overarching motto in my life. Not just because of the obvious reason, that I am a living, breathing human being. I've always known that my life was made for more than just existing. For coasting through the day to day life without a purpose. I think everyone has a purpose, whether we accept and accomplish it or not, we have a meaning. We are here for more than just taking up oxygen. Just the fact that you were born has caused a whole chain of other events. Some people might not exist if it weren't for you. Everyone's life would be different if it weren't for you. For me. For us.

I have a tattoo on my back that says ζήοτε, meaning you shall live, or more accurately it means you must live in Greek. (Since I don't personally know greek I did have it translated by two different people who have studied Greek for years. I could also have the exact letters wrong above, that is just what it looks like in my mirror.)

The point is that I have been focusing my whole life on learning what it means to live and I think I'm finally starting to figure it out, at least as best as any twenty-something girl can.

So with that, I am leaving 2012 behind. Probably one of the best years in my life, in so many ways. I started this year a bit broken and confused. I started it mourning the loss of friendships. Drenched in insecurity. I was still unsure of where life was going to take me. But I did start it with hope. I knew things could change, and sure enough they did.

My "New Year's resolution", if you'd like to call it that, is just to further learn to Live Healthy. Which doesn't mean to go on a diet and loose a bunch of weight. To me it means to be conscience of what I put in my body, to be active, and to be at peace with who I am and the friends and family I am surrounded by. To accept and love myself where I am at, and to continually work towards positive change. To not fear the things which I have no control over.

If 2012 was a year of change, then 2013 will be a year of acceptance, love, peace, friendships, family, and accomplishment.

This new year doesn't have to mean "clean slate" "start new" "start fresh" it can mean building upon what has already been accomplished. It can mean another year to accomplish our goals and live our lives to the fullest.

Happy new year everyone!

Be safe!

DIY glittered candle holders

New adventures

Welcome to my new blog, Level and Lace.

This is my second blog and a new project that I decided to start working on.

My other blog Knowing Tanya has been about just about anything I can think of, up until now.

This new blog will be focusing specifically on style and design.

All of my fashion posts, diy projects, building projects, and home decor will all go here.

Anything related to styling.

My other blog will remain dedicated to anything I have on my heart,

while this place will be my creative outlet.

Follow along and enjoy!