Happy 2014!! I've never been much for resolutions, but it's practically impossible to think of a new year without thinking of ways you hope to make it better than the last. So here goes:
In 2014, I hope I can be fearless to go after what I really want, more self confident so I can get out of my own way, and cultivate my creativity by venturing out of my comfort zone.
image source: Paper Source
Wow, this is my last post of 2013. That snuck up on me. 2013 was one for the books.
I quit my secure 9to5 job to flip houses then subsequently flipped a house!
While flipping, I learned how to tile and lay hardwoods, among other things.
We also redid our own kitchen and I'm still in love with it.
And I opened an etsy shop, Serendipity Vintage, giving me an excuse to collect more cool old stuff (I have so much cool stuff that I still have to list on the shop!)
Amongst the big-ticket items of 2013, there were a few fun little DIY projects sprinkled in there, like an ipad envelope
and a faux roman shade
Overall, I'd say 2013 was a great year, although I have a feeling that it was all just build-up for 2014. I have a lot of plans for this next year and, even if only half of them pan out, 2014 should be epic!!
(raising a cup of coffee) Here's to 2013 and an even better year to come!!!
I'm still a bit sluggish this morning, so I'm going to blame jet lag from the 6 hour time difference we were in last week. It couldn't be that "vacation mode" is so much more relaxing than "work mode." Just not plausible. It's the jet lag. Before we return to our regularly scheduled program on Wednesday, I present to you: "What I did on my Thanksgiving vacation"
Last week's trip was a.maz.ing. And I have officially crossed off 2 more items on my 30 before 30 list (Which I really need to get a move on, but I have many of them in the works, I swear....)
Not only was it my first time to Europe and the furthest I've ever traveled, it's also the most places I've gone in a week. That's the benefit of going on a river cruise, though, each day we were in a different place, and sometimes a different country. My favorites were Kinderdijk in The Netherlands, Cologne Germany, Heidelburg Germany, and Strasbourg France.
We were only in Kinderdijk for a few hours one chilly morning, but it was enough to take in the breathtaking view of the windmills. I won't bore you with a history lesson, but the engineering that goes into these 270+ year old windmills is mind-blowing.
They are still totally functional, and, if you get proper certification and get on a long waiting list, you can even live in one of these!
Cologne was Hubby's favorite- you can't NOT be in awe of the sheer scale of the Dom Cathedral (which was started in 1248 and only completed in 1880 after a 400 year hiatus- craziness, right??)
My favorite stop by FAR was Heidelberg. Not only was it the first sunny day all trip, it's just a beautiful place both scenically and architecturally.
Did I mention there's a castle? Parts are in ruins and it is magical. Parts are restored, but it will never be fully restored, because they truly believe in the "beauty of the ruin." Mark Twain even wrote about it in his book A Tramp Abroad.
Strasbourg felt like it was right out of a movie set. It was a bit surreal.
I'm in love with the half-timber houses- so charming, so... Beauty and the Beast. Don't worry though, I resisted the urge to spin around in a full skirt whilst singing. It was tough though.
Now I'm back from the fairy tale and ready to jump back into flipping with renewed motivation. This flip won't know what hit him!
