enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

Aroundhere

Three cheers for a new year.

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On a whim, I decided to document my mornings in 2014. Very un-official. Very hashtag-able (#eliselovesmornings). Just a photo a day shared on (what else?) Instagram. This book is still one of my favorite creative books and totally inspired this project. I doubt I'll get 365 photos, but maybe I'll get 200 and an awesome coffee table book (pun intended) by the end of this year.

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Speaking of photos, I am loving my new photo printer – an Epson PictureMate Show. I bought it based on this review from Ali and have found it so easy to use and am thrilled with the quality. It prints true to size 4×6 photos and works with any paper (as long as it's cut down to 4×6). I plug it into my computer and print directly from iPhoto. I have been using the A Beautiful Mess photo app to create a collage of two 3×4 iPhone photos so they are ready to print as a 4×6. (So easy – but this video will give you a walkthough of how to do it. I just minimize the borders all the way.)

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I wrapped up #mileaday this week and as always, am glad to be done. Not that I don't hope to keep running or walking often, but I'm so tired of the shoe photos. I am happy to report that I ran most days and walked all the others. I got a question on IG if this is a challenge I'd redo in the spring or summer and the answer is no. This time period – between Thanksgiving and New Years – is such a notoriously busy few weeks with painfully short days. It's the time I am least likely to exercise which means I absolutely need it the most.

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The stamp shop is open again…for just a few weeks. Yep! It's time. This idea started as a "pop-up" shop and turned into such a fun adventure. But I'm ready for the next thing. You can order stamps from now until January 19th and then I'm going to be preparing my website and shop for what's next (debuting in late February). I am looking forward to switching gears and heading somewhere different.

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I am so excited to be getting some extra help with Ellerie this year. We have found the sweetest nanny who will be coming two mornings a week in 2014. We did a "trial" in November and December. Ellerie loved her (hooray!) and it was unreal how much I could accomplish in those three dedicated-to-work-and-only-work hours. The hope is that this will help provide a bit of balance AND keep me sane. (Sanity is number one.)

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Next week I am sharing my "official" list of goals for 2014. I've got seven BIG things I'd like to accomplish (plus keep all my plants alive).

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25 responses to “around here.”

  1. Kathy Avatar

    I’ve got that book and I love it and the story behind it all. Regards Kathy A, Brisbane, Australia

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  2. Alyssa Avatar
    Alyssa

    I thoroughly enjoy your blog and it is the last thing I read a night from Sydney Australia. Wishing you and your family a wonderful new year!

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  3. sarah Avatar
    sarah

    one of my goals this year is to lurk less & comment more, so here i go…
    i am so excited to see what 2014 brings for you! i always love your projects & am so inspired by the things you create. thank you!!

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  4. Joy Avatar

    Love the black and white photos! A morning book – that will be a fun way to preserve some simple moments : )

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  5. Leah Buckley Avatar

    excited to see what you’re up to next! love the photo book of mornings idea.

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  6. Callie Feyen Avatar

    Hooray for all you’ve accomplished and all you will accomplish! Your blog is always an inspiring, lovely read.

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  7. robyn Avatar

    hooray for help! owen spends time with each of his grandmas each week, and when baby girl gets here she will join in on the fun after a few months. it’s a definite life-saver for me (hello, grocery shopping without a toddler in tow!) and gives him time with other folks who love him dearly!

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  8. elise blaha Avatar

    hear, hear! it takes a village, right? 🙂

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  9. elise blaha Avatar

    fun goal! thanks for saying hi. 🙂

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  10. Tiffany B. Avatar

    So excited for you Elise! Sounds like 2014 will be the best year yet for you and your family. Can’t wait to see what you have in store for 2014 + goals.

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  11. Lauren Linster Avatar

    Yay for new goals! I don’t know what it is about this time of year, but it’s so motivational to get going on so many things we could’ve done any other day.. but are so fueled to do so now. It’s fresh, it’s fantastic.
    I love that you are so well rounded in your posts and very real in all of your photos. It’s nice to see all the pretty pictures everyone posts (nobody posts bad photos, right?) but something about yours strikes a little more real life to me and I really enjoy that about your blog.
    I’m sure Ellerie is keeping you busy for sure, as well as regular life things but if you have ANY tips on how to set up using the Typepad, I just switched over and would love any input. I love the updates you made to your blog most recently. 🙂 I have bought a couple of the ABM ecourses & see that the one you partnered with Elsie on is sold out. They mentioned updating a few courses.. is this one of them??

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  12. Debra Avatar

    All sounds very exciting and yay for your Nanny. My little man starts pre-school next week. I’ve loved having him with me but my productivity has been so poor the last couple of years. It will be so nice to get all I want to do done and then be able to completely focus on him when he’s home. No more’Mummy can you’ and me saying ‘in a minute I’ve just got to’ or half doing something and then forgetting about it. Here’s to focus 🙂

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  13. Jess Avatar

    Once again you inspire me! Thanks so much for sharing and being real! I look forward to your posts daily, and have gained such confidence in pursuing my own dreams of working from home with my little one. Keep up the positive vibes and motivation for those of us not blessed with natural drive, motivation, and goal setting! =)

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  14. bonitarose Avatar

    I love the woven tapestry in the first pic.. I need some info on that, you must share.. I’d love to start making these for my home! xo please share with us!

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  15. T. Avatar

    Hooray for lists, new years, mornings, and your seven big goals!

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  16. Welcome Home Taylor Avatar

    I love the idea of documenting every morning! I think I might join in on this. Such an awesome project.
    xoxo
    Taylor
    http://www.welcomehometaylor.com

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  17. Brianna Avatar
    Brianna

    Cheers to 2014. I’m excited to make the most of this year. I am ready for some adventure.

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  18. Deva Avatar

    Fun new goals! I love the idea of a picture every morning. If I were to do that, I would probably have quite a few coffee pictures! I picked verbs as resolutions this year, but I have some blogging goals, life goals, and Project Life goals. I just started PL in September and am finally caught up (I started it with my wedding back in May) and am excited to see where this year takes me!

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  19. Carolyn Williams Avatar

    I love new years and new goals. Doesn’t everything just feel so clean right now? You will love having a nanny. We had one for a few months last year while I was doing a long-term sub job. My daughter was 8 months old. She and my daughter are completely and utterly bonded now. It is really beautiful to see, even now, over a year later.

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  20. Kellie Winnell Avatar

    I love that you are documenting each morning. I never thought to do that, as I type I am enjoying my morning cuppa with my girls still sleeping. I think I might join you on this one….

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  21. Jessi Avatar

    I have been telling my husband for a couple years now that I want to find a “mother’s helper” to hang out with the kiddos at least once a week while I get stuff done around the house. The idea is to have a teen who might be a little too young to full-on nanny or sit (and would require less pay), get some experience watching the kids while mom is still home. I’m planning to get some things organized, launch my shop and work on some giant plans this year so I know I’m going to need the help!
    Happy 2014!!

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  22. Amanda S Avatar
    Amanda S

    Thanks for the tip of 3×4 in ABM app – so totally missed that one! Im excited to hear your goals for 2014. Can wait to see whats coming next

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  23. Evalyn Avatar

    Like Sarah, one of my goals is to let the bloggers I enjoy reading know that! I’ve been following your blog for years. You are always so inspiring with your projects and your outlook on life. I look forward to meeting you at Play! in a couple weeks. And creating my own stamp?? How cool is that??! That said, will you be bringing any of your stamps that I might purchase? Happy New Year to you and your adorable family.

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  24. Shirsha Avatar

    Loving the idea of the morning photos. Not so much of a morning person, but I am trying to be, since I find that I am most productive early in the morning before the world wakes up.

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  25. sarah z Avatar

    elise wrote about making her first woven wall hanging back in february –> http://eliseblaha.typepad.com/golden/2013/02/a-woven-wall-hanging.html

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