[ cha-cha-cha-changes ]

so i posted a month or so ago about a new job opportunity. sadly, it has ended. truth be told it wasn't a good fit. i have no doubt in my mind that it was for the best that i am no longer involved with the agency lifestyle, i don't think it's what i am meant to do. i'm not sure where i am meant to end up, or what i'll end up doing, but i do know that the cookie-cutter, 9-5 office life, isn't for this girl. it's been a month or so back into my old schedule and i am noticing a difference in my mood and in my general happiness. 

another major difference is the absence of my gentleman. he left about 4 weeks ago to cycle across the country, from here at home to california. i know right, my boyfriend is so cool! he will be gone for the next month and a half and let me tell you. i am loosing my shit! i didn't know i could miss someone so much. 


onto happier notes! here are some pictures to recap from my time away!

 

we celebrated my roommate Megs' birthday!

 

with a "silence of the lambs" themed cake. 

 

i found this really beautiful old building back behind my old work place. i want to go back and take pictures closer up! 

 

squidbillys cake for a girl at work.  

 

really cute retirement cake. 

 

the day i was let go i made this. kind of a "fuck-off" feast. if you will :) 

 

we had the largest catering order ever and i made three quadruple batches of chocolate chip cookie dough. by hand!  

 

cupcake experimenting at brown bag!  

 

ice cream cone cake. 

 

we dog sat our close friends pup, tone jaw. he builds nests.  

 

dylan turned 25. and we celebrated! boy, oh boy do i miss him! 

 

this might be my favorite thing i've done. 

 

always room for improvement, but i thought the owl turned out well! 

 

interesting buttercream application, am i right? 

 

i dropped dylan off back home. there is so much more sky there than here! 

 

my baby sister graduated from high school. i decided i needed to look my best.

 

after the ceremony aunt ann and i got greek fries. best thing in erie. hands down. 

 

little baby ragey! i couldn't believe how elegant and grown up she looked.  

 

oh. i bought i bicycle! her name's burdie.  

 

this is the hail storm that rolled in right before said sister's graduation party. 

 

more intimidating storm clouds!  

 

i was home for a grand total of four days. i had an ice cream cone everyday. i can't decide if there's something wrong with that statement or not... 

 

my new breakfast! frozen grapes. so refreshing! 

all caught up. hopefully i will be able to update a little more frequently now that i've got some time on my hands, but who knows! after this 60+ hour work week, i am beyond spent!

[ a new, incredibly busy, life ]

i no longer have constant access to my computer. this is slowly killing me! here is my life in pictures... 

some of my favorite cakes i've decorated recently:

some pups i love:

 

my guy, igor

 

igor and mugsy

 

sissy furlong

 

[iggy pop]

[this last pupper is the office dog! oh... did i mention i have a new job? yeah, i'm really excited about it!]

some new things in my life:

 

[a koala bear pin from this guy i like]

 

[after years and years of pining, new sheets and an anthropologie-esq comforter]

 

[the man i love :)]

 

[a thank-you for doing a professional (!) portfolio review]

 

[the view from the parking lot at my new job]

 

[him now]

 

[and him then. cutest kid i've ever seen!]

 

[big girl filing system!]

 

[sweet basil baby buds!]

 

[my new herb garden. part one: rosemary & cilantro]

 

[my herb garden. part two: oregano & sweet basil]

i have more going on in my life now, more than ever. there are days when i feel like i've spread myself too thin. or have promised 100% to too many things/people/places/projects/etc... but i've also never been happier. more pictures... and hopefully more updates in the immediate future!

[ wine tasting ]

so... i made this. not exactly ground-breaking design, but my boss really likes it, and i'm hoping this will lead to more design work for her. here's hopin'! 

there has been a resurgence of stress in my life. for the first time in recent months, it seems to be out weighting the good, but only at the moment. between traveling back home and situations with friends i am finding myself mentally exhausted at the close of each day. i'm working more too. which is a blessing. i have no room to complain, but let's get real, working a ton is a royal pain! 

on a much needed high note, this girl has fallen in love. it still feels odd to say, or type... the gentleman i've been seeing for the past few months has captured my heart. i can't find the words that convey the surprise, happiness, and sheer bliss i feel. ever since my break up i had myself convinced i would not have another chance with love. sometimes it's really, really nice to be wrong. he loves mustard yellow and leaves me post-its. tells bad jokes and holds me tight. i love him. 

[ what i've been up to ]

here is what i've been up to... creatively anyway... 

 

  

 

 

here are some of the cakes i've decorated since i've been employed at mrs. goodman's baking co! i absolutely love my job and the people i work with. plus i get to do awesome cakes like these!

[ current obsession ]

there is a lady in my life. her name is adele. i adore her. it's a problem. primarily because her album doesn't come out until february. FEBRUARY!!! cruel adele, cruel. 

here is a link to a NPR show she and another artist, angel taylor played in philly. check it out. absolutely beautiful. 

[ hello, my name's lauren. what's yours? ]

who knew life could get so hectic? and stressful? and bring happiness i haven't felt in longer than i'd care to fess up to? 

in the three months i've been back in columbus my entire world has changed. i don't think i could put it into words without sounding ridiculous, but know that the move back might be the best decision i've ever made. i wake up happy. every day. it's hard to be in a bad mood when there is so much in my life to be excited about. i live in an amazing house with two of my best friends. i have two jobs where i am respected and appreciated for my talents and my character. and i've met someone who has given me a sense of hope that's been completely lacking for the past two years. 

i'm very proud to say my happiness has been entirely my own. i found it by myself and within myself. it's true what they say about loving yourself before you can love someone else, or give someone else the chance to love you, in my case. alright... i'm on the verge of gushing. 

hopefully i'll get better at making time for my little blog!