Motives

As you know I started this blog in hope to trigger my creativity that has been dormant of the past few years due to text books being crammed down my throat.  I must admit, I have had some alterior motives.  After spending the last year or two contemplating what it is I want to do with my life I have finally come to a conclusion...at least for now.  I want to be an event planner...now before you start judging let me explain.  

First of all I am a marketing major.  Do you know what most marketing majors do after they graduate? I'll give you a second to think about it........SALES. Yuck, yuck, yuck! If you couldn't tell I have noooo desire to go into sales.  Granted, I understand that selling myself in this type of industry is a given and I'm fine with that, it's selling crap I don't care about that I hate the idea of. 

Secondly, I fell like as a young women with endless opportunities I have the power to steer my career on the path I choose...that and most advertising jobs look for people with 5 years experience, but never mind that :)  Anyways, here I am! I'm hoping this blog will give me the chance to put some of my ideas out there and hopefully having a web presence (besides Facebook) will help me in the future.  As of right now the only follower I have is my mom (thanks mom).  Yes, I know it's sad but as the disembodied voice from Field of Dreams said "If you build it, they will come" 

Pretty DIY Wreaths

After eating breakfast and watching Cupcake Wars with Reese, I realized it was time to be productive.  If it was up to her we would have spent all day on the couch :) So, after applying for a few jobs I decided it was time for a post.

My Reese

I would first like to give a shout out to Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/) for showing me how to make these awesome wreaths.  They are so much fun to make and the fact that they are easy makes it so much better.  I got all of the supplies at Hobby Lobby so they were fairly cheap.

All you need is:
* 1 Wreath (I like the straw ones that are wrapped in plastic. I also leave the plastic on)
* 1 Pack of yarn (any color you like)
* Several piece of felt (Whatever color you like)
* Hot glue gun

Covering your wreath:
This part is the most time consuming but it's really simple.  All you do is wrap the yarn around the wreath until it is covered.  See, I told you it was easy.

Making flowers:

I found these examples online so you can follow along

Making the flowers is my favorite part.  You take your felt and cut out circles, I usually cut then about the size of a CD.  After your have cut your circles,  you start cutting from the outside, following the shape of the circle.  When you are done it should look like a swirl.  From there you roll the felt.  Once you have rolled the flower add a dab of hot glue. There you go, you have a flower.

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The first one I made was for the fall.  I picked colors that would look good on my front door and, tried to keep it pretty simple since it was my first attempt.

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As winter came along I wanted to do something with a little more flair. So, for the Christmas wreath I added little sparkly berries to give it a little something extra.

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The most recent one I made was for the winter months.  I got really crafty with this one and went for an argyle  pattern with blue and white snowflakes.

<3 Em

Sips n Strokes

Alright, for my first official "creative" post I have chosen to enlighten you all on a little place called Sips n Strokes.  I know, the name sounds a little dirty but I promise it's not. Sips n Strokes is a little shop  where you can drink wine, and have an instructor teach you step by step how to create a beautiful painting.  I've been 3 times and I LOVE it. The Sips n Strokes website lets you to look at the painting classes for the month so you can plan ahead of time.

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The first painting I attempted was called "Funky Owl".  This one has been my favorite so far; I think he is just too cute!  When the class started the instructor joked about "type A" personalities because it's hard not to over analyze every stroke...but I'll tell you, it's no joke.  I am totally a type A and it was soooo hard to just keep moving through the painting, I wanted everything to be perfect.  Once I was able to get past the stress of perfection, I had a blast.

On my first trip I dragged Sean with me and he actually had a good time :)  Elizabeth, who will be referred to as Sutton from here on out, she's my roommate and one of my best friends.  She is pretty freaking awesome at painting.  She's so good I refuse to sit by her anytime we go, lets just say it's for her own good.  And Rebecca, she is the one who told as about the place, she's pretty much a pro too.  Only down side to this adventure was that three of the owls came back to the same house, so it looks like a little "funky owl" forest in our house.

Left -  Sean, Me, Sutton, Rebecca

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The second time I went Sutton and I dragged our friend Sarah with us. Sarah is my best friend and will be mentioned in many posts to come.  Anyways, we went on a Sunday afternoon so we decided it was best if we avoided the wine.  This one wasn't as fun as the owls but it was Sarah's first time going so she kept us entertained.

Sarah, Me, and Sutton

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As I mentioned in my last post, my family moved to Texas.  Well, they all came back for my graduation and for Christmas, so I knew that I had to take my mom here.  If I ever wondered where I got my type A personality from it became very clear that night.  Between the sips of wine there were gasps and screams.  My mom was so funny to watch because like me, she couldn't see how the painting was going to turn out well.  A big group of us went that time so it was a lot of fun.  The painting we did that night was of an almond branch. 

Top Left - Tossy (Sean's Mom), Rachelle (My Mom's Friend), Sutton
Bottom Left- Mom (Julie), Me
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If you are interested in going to Sips n Strokes, check out their website: http://www.sipsnstrokesstudios.com

Getting to know me :)

Before I get started on my creative adventure I want you to get an idea of who I am and what my life is like.  For your sake and mine, I will try to make this brief.

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 First things first, my name in Emily Zimmer, I am 22 and I recently graduated from the University of Louisville in December 2011.  Now that I'm done with school I have been searching for a "big girl" job.It has been a slow and painful process but I am not giving up.  I have lived in Louisville, Kentucky the majority of my life and it has been a great place to grow up.  Sean (who will be introduced later) and I are ready for a change and will be relocating to the New England area later this year.

That's me

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The most important thing to me is my family.  I know that if it wasn't for them I wouldn't be where I am today.  They have given me so many opportunities and taught me so much, I am so blessed to have them.  My Mom (Julie) is the strongest person I know.  She has always been my role model, even if I don't always tell her.  My Dad (Joe) has been the one to teach me perseverance, if there is something you want, don't be afraid to go after it.  Sam, well...he's the best little brother a girl could have.  Even though he is growing up too fast,  I can't wait to see the type of young man he becomes.  

My Dad got a job offer in Texas over the summer, so my family made the move back in August.  I has been really sad not having them around anymore.

Mom and Dad in San Francisco

Sam

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There is only one person that I have ever met who has been able to love me for who I am, Sean Matthis.  Sean and I have been dating for almost 8 years and even though there have been a few bumps along the road, we have grown stronger because of it.  I truly cannot picture living my life without him, he is the kindest, most genuine person I know.  I don't want to get too mushy gushy on you so we will just leave it at that :)

Me and Sean <3

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Not only has God blessed me with a loving family and a supportive boyfriend, he has given great friends throughout my life.  Like most girls, I have gone through a number of friends, which is not a bad thing.  I have always been taught that people come into your life for a reason, whether it is to teach you something, make you laugh, or help you grow.  It is important to me that I surround myself with great people and even though there are too many to name individually they are all equally important to me.

<3 Em