2018 was what you made it.

It’s been an entire year since I’ve blogged here.  I prefer Instagram and using photos/moments to quickly update, but as the year went on, I realized that I miss the long format of blog writing so here I am!

2018.

It was a life changing year for me.  Most are.  I spend so much of my energy changing, surmounting where I’m at, where I’ve been and morphing into me, that every year for the last 6, has been another major milestone in who I’m meant to be.  This year was no different for reasons I created and experienced.

Here is my vision board for 2018 that I made back in 12/2017!

2018 vision board

I accomplished just about everything, except getting married – but that was a blessing!

I ended up getting my own Crossfit set up at home so I could change the direction my body and mind was taking.  I love Crossfit, but I was struggling with PMA (positive mental attitude) regarding most things fitness.  In May, I competed with a team and physically failed a series of rope climbs that changed my outlook on my fitness, strength and mental wellbeing.  I honestly was not a nice person! I decided to step back from the in gym experience and focus on what I needed – being happy with myself.

I sewed less than I would have liked, but I did get some amazing quilts, dresses, table runners and oil bags done this year!  I’m currently re-doing my craft lab and in 2019 I’ll be offering classes, 1:1’s, group tutorials and FRIDAY CRAFT NIGHTS!

At work I took on SO MUCH.  I have always been a workaholic, but this year took me to new levels.  I invested in doTERRA development and travelled to Salt Lake City and Austin to level myself up and deepen my commitment and belief in essential oils.  I got all of my oils for free in 2018, thousands and thousands worth – and I leave the year feeling so grateful that oils and the business found me finally ready to receive them.

In my 9-5,  I was promoted to Sr. Management and at year’s end I’m on track to Director of all of Analytics – it’s humbling and amazing to work with my company and my team.  I have never been more challenged than I am now – growing and developing other leaders and help everyone thrive in their growth, development and lives.

In 2018, I got tattooed SO MUCH. Visited some really rad museums and purchased SO MUCH ART.  I am blessed to love art and to also meet the people who create.  In the later half of the year, tattooing was my way to heal my heart and mind and to talk to people who helped me look at life differently.

My family, friends and fur babies were my rocks this year.  I leaned on every single one of them so much.  I leaned for support, for inspiration, for laughs, for hugs and most of all – to remember what really matters. We are here for such a small amount of time.  Work, sadness, bad days, stagnant behaviors, false self-narratives — it all is nothing.  My core group reminded me that I matter in 2018.  I am so fucking grateful for all of them.

Spoiler! I didn’t get married. An 8 year relationship that I thought was ‘it’, ended.  Which although was a shock, was probably the biggest gift I’ve ever been given.  The lesson for me here (and I’m still healing and meditating on this) is that I still am not in control of the universe.  GASP.  I can hold things up, struggle, cry, carry on, be in pain and sacrifice so much, but I don’t control anything but myself.  I control my reactions, my actions and my ‘ignorance.’  I’m again grateful for this change, without it I would have never realized what was out there waiting.

On of my proudest accomplishments this year was getting completely out of debt!  It took 2 years to pay off $13k, but I did it and I’m so proud and damn it feels amazing not to be stressed about money!  Money can’t buy happiness, but it can buy freedoms.  Freedom to not owe and stress is AMAZING.  I also continued to use my favorite apps to invest!  Qapital, Albert, Acorn, Robin Hood all helped me to continue to grow my worth and it was completely unnoticeable since it all auto saves/invests!

Another major item for me was going completely plant-based.  After years of struggling with vegan/vegetarianism, I decided to give it an honest go.  I think a few things have allowed me to see long-term success this time.

  1. Vegan Life Long Vitality Vitamins — I am getting all the supplements/nutrients from my food!
  2. Whole Foods – not processed vegan foods.
  3. Connection to Compassion.
  4. Dairy = Asthma VERY unhappy.

It was an awesome year. Full of surprises, sadness, comebacks, the best haircut of my life and the seedlings were planted for even more epic years to come.

Bye 2018! You were so good to me.

xx

gfk

 

2017 Gift Guide! 🎄🎁

Can you believe it’s going to be Thanksgiving this week?!

Excuse me? Has anyone seen 2017?

Anyways, it’s that time of the year when gift giving is a majority of our thoughts and it can be so stressful to find gifts that are meaningful, personal, unique, and of course affordable. Enter this blog post! I thought I could help get some ideas flowing for you gift list and hopefully make it a more fun gifting experience versus the mad dash for gifts that you aren’t very excited to give.  This is the time of the year that we can give thanks to those we know and to those in need and it should be inspiring!

Handmade crochet goodies from Frankly Hooked! 

Tannith makes the cutest crochet hats, blankets, cowls, and custom order items! Check out her IG to see more of the custom dreams she’s made come true!

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Custom + Gorgeous jewelry by VagabondSupplyCo

I have so many rings from Julie and I have to say, they are amazing. Everyone compliments them!  Beautiful jewelry with incredible quality.

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ReZip Eco-Friendly Bags

I love these ReZip bags!  I have been making a conscious effort to use less plastic and these have helped so much.  The bags are made out of food safe materials with NO BPA or harsh chemicals waiting to leech into your food.  They come in so many sizes and are durable, dishwasher safe, and really are an amazing gift.  Something people will never know they need but LOVE that you introduced them!

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dōTERRA wellness

Essential oils are such a great gift to give someone!  They are personal, meaningful, and so POWERFUL! dōTERRA is not only an amazing company, but provides certified pure therapeutic grade oils and supplements to unlock lives!  dōTERRA has radically changed my life and I’d love to help you see that power unlocked for yourself or a loved one or friend! With any purchase you get an hour session with me to maximize essential oils in your life!

You can find out more about essential oils here. You can also read more in depth about essential oils here! If you’re ready to buy, let me know or use my dōTERRA website!

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Lightbox with letters!

I love this little thing! It’s just so cute, would be perfect for anyone’s office, home, or dorm! Available here at Target. 

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Candylab Wooden Cars

Lois got me a Candylab wooden station wagon and trailer last month and I LOVE IT. It’s so adorable, super fun, and just so dang cute!  This would be a perfect gift from a child to adult and looks stylish and innovative!

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Well I hope those ideas get your brain churning with some new ideas! Comment below with what gifts you’ll be making or giving this year!

xxx

GFK

Papa Tango Flying

Here’s a look at my first time flying with my dad in his experimental RV6A. I was so impressed at his ability to make it look so easy to fly. We took off from Boulder Airport and flew around the hogbacks, along the mountain range and over the university. It was amazing to say the least. My dad rules!

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Midnight Birthday Tea Party

During my trip in Denver my babes of friends threw me a little birthday tea party. I just still can’t get over how much fun it was and how amazing these girls are to me. We played an awesome game called Munchkin, ate, laughed hysterically, ate more, and just had a damn good time. Plus tea! It was just so thoughtful and wonderful and I’m smiling wide just thinking about it again.

Here are pictures of the decorations, the games, and the amazing desserts. That coconut macaroon! 😍

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Allegro Coffee Headquarters Visit!

During my trip to Denver last week I got to visit and take a tour of the Allegro Coffee Headquarters in Thornton, Colorado. It was so great! I was very familiar with their products as I have used them for years. I love their coffees, teas, and spices and over the years have tried quite a multitude of their offerings. They have a partnership with Whole Foods, so they are ‘big time’ in that they supply to Whole Foods all over the nation. That is a LOT of coffee, tea, and spices! I was incredibly impressed with their facility, the lovely cafe they have in the building, and the cheerful disposition of all the employees there.

Here are my pictures from my little tour 🙂

lovely entrance cafe
lovely entrance cafe
bulk coffee/tea store.
bulk coffee/tea store.
coffee roaster - smelled sooo good.
coffee roaster – smelled sooo good.
massive roasting/packaging equipment
massive roasting/packaging equipment
boxing it up.
boxing it up.
all the tea ready to go!
all the tea ready to go!
standard lavern and shirley conveyer belt picture without the glove.
standard lavern and shirley conveyer belt picture without the glove.

I had such a blast and then got a GREAT chai tea latte on my way out plus 4 boxes of tea! Thanks bitesizedtwinkie for the Allegro love!

XXX
GFK

Denver April 2014

Home Sweet Home. Well sweet old home. I flew into Denver for a quick visit Friday through Monday and boy was it fun! I got to see my family, go for a wonderful hike, eat some delicious food, finish my fantasy sleeve, hung with my badass super babe crew, visited Allegro Coffee headquarters, and attended a Game of Thrones premiere party! I will do a separate post on the Allegro visit and the Game of Thrones party in the next few days. Let’s roll the footage!

first stop!  The Curve for some effing good green chili.
first stop! The Curve for some effing good green chili.
Alisha Rice finished my sleeve! Guess it's time to work on something else!
Alisha Rice finished my sleeve! Guess it’s time to work on something else!
my homie TWINKIELOVE24/7 painted this super super adorable portrait of me and my ugly tribe. xoxoxo
my homie TWINKIELOVE 24/7 painted this super super adorable portrait of me and my ugly tribe. xoxoxo

CHECK OUT HER WORK HERE 🙂

the artist known at twinkielove24/7 and I hiked dinosaur ridge in morrison.
the artist known as twinkielove24/7 and I hiked dinosaur ridge in morrison.
it was pretty muddy on the downslope.
it was pretty muddy on the downslope.
but worth it. gorgeous view of red rocks/the hogback. le sigh i miss mountains.
but worth it. gorgeous view of red rocks/the hogback. le sigh i miss mountains.
i made this amigurume dragon for out GoT party hostess Alisha Rice.
i made this amigurume dragon for out GoT party hostess Alisha Rice.
the Allegro Cafe - super amazing there.
the Allegro Cafe – super amazing there.
BEST VISIT EVER.
BEST VISIT EVER.