It's been a few years since I've really been committed to the blog and really kept up with it. I've popped in from time to time and tried to make my way back into the blogging world with no success. However this year I've set some goals that I kind of had in motion and I feel I need some way to keep track of my progress. I have business ventures I want to push harder on and a lot of learning that will help me get closer to my ultimate goals. I'll try to keep things fun again with a few weekly post but starting out I'm just going to document my thoughts and progress. Some of the things I'm hoping to achieve within the year or get further on are:

• Growing my businesses (The Calm Collected and Ambear Art)
• Baking more at home and working on recipes
• Being healthier and exercising more
• Improving my coffee knowledge and latte art
• Involving myself more in the community

I know these aren't really big things, but they are important to me and I feel by opening this space back up I will be more likely to do them. What are some of your resolutions or goals that you want to pursue this year? 

Life || The Baking World

Photo Credit Stefanie Haviv Photography

I work as a Pastry Chef in Charlotte and had the honor of doing a Baker Backstory for the bakeries blog page. No glamour shots in a fancy white chef coat but the real work it takes to run a bakery open 24 hours (of course with the help of my other coworkers!!) Anyway it was fun to answer the questions and I was a little embarrassed the only animal I could think of that a baker would be is a cat. Click here to read the article and see one of the cakes I decorate for work :) 

Let's Get Moving

I've moved a couple times in the last few years from going back to my home town to a new adventure into the mountain town of Boone. Back in April my dream job at a world famous bakery became available; I took my chances and put in my resume. I was hired as part of their pastry team and started working in May which meant I needed to move to Charlotte. Well after handling my old place and commuting from my parents I finally have an apartment in the city! Luckily I have a majority of my stuff already boxed in storage but I still have some essentials I need to repack so naturally I created an adorable list to help me out. Plus I made two printable versions that you can use for your moving day!

|| FREE STUFF ||

Hope this helps keep things organized and feel free to use the blank one for any addition items if you'd like to be more specific!

Five Years Ago

It's been that long since I start this little old blog and I haven't really written in the last few years. A lot has changed for me in more ways than one. I went through and did some much needed cleaning of the blog to help with the change and hope to be posting on the regular once more. I have a lot going on right now so I'll do my best to have something for the week so just bear with me as I transition once more into the blogging world! It's good to be back.

High Hair Headband Gang

I'm letting my hair grow out and even though it's only a little past my shoulders I want to play with it style wise. The last time I grew my hair to donate, Pinterest had just started, so all those cute ideas for long hair were not utilized to their full potential. This time I'm going to play around with different hairstyles and just have fun...like with my first attempt at a high bun that I always see on the fashion blogs.

So am I cool enough for the High Hair Headband Gang? 

Learning

I've survived my first week at the bagel shop, though the last two days I was at a different store and let me tell you it was an experience. It was a lot busier and was a challenge as I was still learning how to make sandwiches, all the while trying to figure out where things were in this store. The boss at the end of the was encouraging and said I did a good job for being so busy;  it's nice to know I wasn't as horrible at it as I thought. On another note I got to spend some time over at the bakery Saturday and made a batch of cupcakes, iced a few of their Chocolate Mocha cupcakes, and decorated one of their famous Stairway to Heaven cake. The owner is really nice and passionate about this business, I'm glad to be working there part time before my internship to get to know the business better. 

This is really a new experience for me, not the working part because I've had jobs before, but all of this learning all at once. Classes has helped me out at the bakery, but I'm still learning my way around there and then learning the menu at the bagel shop. I feel like I don't have a lot of time to do some of the things I have planned with all the random hours, and it doesn't help that when I do take a nap it's ends up being 2-3 hours long. It's a big adjustment on my time (I forgot today was Sunday!) and I'm just going to have to get use  to it.  

The Harder You Work

Art by MUTI

Sometimes you work your butt off and you don't feel like you're getting anywhere. Then there is that moment that you realize that those days have only built up to make you lucky. It's seems so surreal and I'm just feeling really lucky after working hard and going to school to do what I've always wanted. I recently got hired at a local bagel shop, which seems to be going very well, then the local bakery has invited me to work part time before I have to do my internship with them. Now the old me would feel completely overwhelmed thinking about holding two jobs, but things have just fallen into place. The bagel shop closes at 3pm and the bakery owner told me she would need me on weekends around 5pm, hopefully there'll be no issues trying to work around my schedule. I'm don't officially have my Baking and Pastry Arts degree until after the internship, however I can't believe I have found such awesome jobs during the summer time. 

I was wanting to do more for the blog since school was over and it's been lacking some, but I'm going to have to wait and see how my schedule interferes with it. I do want to start some new segments, restart old and kind of redesign a few so I can get them done quickly. There is also a side project I want to start again with making some jewelry, mostly just to get rid of my current inventory, we'll see how that goes. I'm probably putting too much on my plate already, however, like the quote says, "The harder you work, the luckier you get," and I'm starting to really see this in action.

New Tattoo (About Time)

I have been wanting another tattoo since I got my first one, but I was always a bit hesitant. Either I couldn't decide on what to get or I didn't have the money, it was just alway something keeping me from getting one. I finally just seized an opportunity and did it, I can't believe how wonderfully amazing it turned out. I'm still in shock and just overwhelmed with how perfectly it turned out.

Today was the last day of school forever, it was my last set of labs and I was excited (and nervous) to be getting closer to doing what I enjoy doing, baking, and I wanted to celebrate this new start. I had a few ideas but I found a Kitchen Aid Mixer tattoo on pinterest that I liked the most. I walked into Blood Sweat and Tears Tattoo not sure if I could get an appointment today, but as soon as I showed the lady the photo she knew who to give to. Little Jenn Small is a great artist and I have seen some of her work. I basically gave her free range besides showing her the picture and saying I'd like the flowers behind it. I said I wanted the mixer blue and she suggested this color and all else fell into place. Even though I was getting tattooed I had a great time talking about incorporating my geekiness into my future wedding, Arrested Development (which I definitely need to watch!) and just chit chatting. I'm just in awe at how wonderful it turned out and so glad I finally got me another tattoo :)

//First Day Back

Today was my first day back to school with my new schedule and new labs. I did okay waking up at 5:30 a.m considering I didn't fall asleep until about midnight. Class went well and though we had a lot to do we managed to get everything that needed to be done. I'm still learning to work with my group, not that they are bad, I just have to remember not to try and do all the things and learn to communicate more. One thing different from this term compared to the last two is that I have to create a portfolio from each class with a daily reflection on the item made. This is great because I can kind of record my progress and it gives me more motive to take pictures of my finished product, which I can share on here. My second class seems like it's going to be pretty easy since I took a similar class with my Bachelors degree. Since I get out earlier with these morning class I'm hoping to post more on the blog, but we'll see how that comes along. Well I need to finish some laundry and go straight to bed, so I bid you goodnight!

Guest Post with Hannah Beth from Of The Great Perhaps

Buy less, make more.

I challenge myself to stay creative not by frequenting Michael's or Joann Fabrics (although with those 40% off coupons it's a struggle!), but by using the materials I already have in new ways. New craft supplies, clothing, shoes: they're all tempting, and always will be tempting. But what's better than feeling like you've created something completely unique from your own inspiration? I've found this pleasure by simplifying my wardrobe, my possessions, and using up the materials in my craft hoard instead of endlessly adding to them.

Get rid of all that old junk you don't need.

We've all seen pictures on Pinterest or Tumblr of "organized chaos," or cute little knick knacks neatly arranged on shelves. How adorable, right? Personally those kinds of accessories build up the most in my house and are the hardest to get rid of because they're just too cute! Once my shelves and bureaus lose their organization, the chaos becomes ugly and overwhelming. By getting rid of unecessary little things, I find myself paying more attention to the important stuff: books, jewelry, and craft supplies that I now pick up & use more often.

Turn the TV off!

Background noise is distracting! And who wants their ears filled with commercials anyway? Play some music, or enjoy the silence. It gives you time to think, relax, breathe. Constant noise is in no way a life necessity.

Stop trying to multitask.

It's easy to become overwhelmed when you feel like the only way to get things done is to attack everything at once. Alternatively, by listing and prioritizing tasks you can get one completely done. Now move on to the next thing with that sense of accomplishment!

Take a minute to pause & enjoy the activities that fill your day.

Look out the window. Close your eyes for 10, 30, 60 seconds. Photograph the beautiful meal you just made before it gets devoured. Laugh at bad weather. It's only life, after all, and the little things we fill our lives with on a daily basis shouldn't go by unappreciated. Simple may seem plain or boring, but for me it's a lovely way to live.

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Thanks so much Hannah Beth for these very helpful tips! I definitely need to start (or in some cases stop) doing a few of these things, especially multitasking, I do that way too much! Again a great post and all of you should follow her wonderful blog at http://ofthegreatperhaps.blogspot.com/ :)

 If anyone is interested in doing a guest post anytime this month feel free to email me (click on the contact tab) I'll be offering this and more next month for any sponsor!

Welcome 2012!

Just want to wish everyone a Happy New Year today and welcome to 2012!

There are some major things going on this year and I'm so excited for them.  I graduate college this year with a Bachelors degree and hopefully make plans to continue my education in getting another degree. I plan on really improving my shop by providing quality items and some new awesome thrifty/handmade accessories. There are a few minor things that I'm looking forward to this year but I can't go into too much detail (otherwise I'd take up the whole blog).

Anyway, I am not sure if the weather man said anything about snow but I saw a superstition that is suppose to mean snow will come in the next few days. My grandma saw it last year on Christmas eve when a bunch of birds were in our neighbors little field then it snowed on the next day! Yesterday while driving to work I saw a bunch of birds in this little field, so if I don't see snow in a few days I'll be a little disappointed :(

Well I actually woke up on my own at 7:30 so I'm going to try and be productive before going to work at 3 today. I hope everyone has a great day today and wish you all a great 2012!

New Years Resolutions

Save More Money. I'm generally good with money but sometimes those few trips to the store (i.e Walmart) tend to add up at the end of the month. I want to manage my money and find a way to save more. My three major things I'm saving for is a down payment on a car, new and bigger television, and another tattoo as a graduation gift to myself this summer. 

Have More Faith. As a Christian when times get tough I look to God to give me the strength to get through it all, but sometimes I just stress myself out. I'm a very critical person who likes to know what is ahead and plan things out, so when it doesn't I panic and get overwhelmed. I need to remember that God is there for me when things go wrong and that I don't have to go it alone.

Read More. The only time I read any more is when I have to do a book report for class and even then I find myself missing just reading for fun. My grandmother lent me The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo plus the next book The Girl Who Played with Fire so I'll kick off with those. I also have a stack of books I got when my friend Casey and I would visit the used book store downtown that I would really like to read. 

Get Back On Track. I need to get back on track when it comes to eating healthy and exercising. I was doing so well at school but now I need to make a plan that works with  my life now instead of back then. By doing so I can be more focused and more likely to stay on track. 

Do More for the Blog. I would love to do more articles or more posts in general. Maybe take more photos, write more personal post and do more style/outfit ones. Also it'd be great to work with other blogs to do articles on my blog that way I can share some of my favorites with you and get my blog out in the world a bit.

Work On Craft'n Bettie. There is so much I want to do with my little etsy shop! There are a lot of pieces I'm bringing in and some going out for good, but the most part I found what I want the store to be and I want to stick with it. I also want to expand it an add accessories such as vintage/upcycled purse, hair accessories and other fashion accessories. Maybe even later in the year start making my own metal charms but that's a different story.

Thrift More. I don't go thrifting nearly as much as when I was a teenager and I really want to get back to checking out stores regularly. Now I know I mentioned saving more and how can I save if I spend it going to thrift stores? Well I don't buy junk and I'm really good at saying no when a piece is cheap but would just be put in storage or it being what I want and out of my budget. In a way it'll keep me from spending too much on the vintage pieces I want like a mountain/forest paint by numbers or a mid century credenza.

Finish Projects. Last but not least I want to finish some of my projects like decorating the bedroom and the vintage wall in the living room. I got some of the small ones done before Christmas but I want to get the big projects done before the summer time!

I'll be working on New Years Eve and so will le boyfriend so we don't have anything major planned. It might just turn out like last year, a few mike hard lemonades, pizza and sitting in the drive way watching fireworks. What are some of your resolutions or plans for the new year? Feel free to link them!!