August 21, 2012 Ace Hotel: Photo Booth
Back when Conor and I were dating we used to go to the Ace Hotel in Portland sort of often to get our pictures taken in their hotel lobby photo booth. Conor was able to fly up to Portland this weekend from Dallas to visit us on our vacation and I insisted that we go to the Ace to get our picture taken as a family. We also did a little shopping at H&M - I got some cheap black skinny jeans and a shirt for Henry. It was a great day. We are trying to pinch our pennies these days so finding good deals on clothes and eating at home is sort of our new thing. You know when you are really in to something and then all of the sudden it seems like it is everywhere? Well, either everyone in the world is suddenly trying to be thrifty and save their $$ or I am just hyper aware of it. Either way, I was pretty sure YOU might have some advice about saving money or pinching pennies.
On a side note - I feel like because of this new phase in my life I am way more into "lifestyle" blogs than design or "inspiration" blogs. I like reading about people's personal struggles and triumphs more than I like seeing the unrealistic level of perfection I wish my life was. I can relate to imperfect and miserably happy people more than I can relate to a beautiful chair that costs more than I make in a year or a long photo collage full of clothes I can never afford. I maybe want to take a stab at making Jane Reaction more of a lifestyle blog. It will always be about my journey as a freelance graphic designer so I am always going to share things that I find beautiful or inspiring but I guess I want to share more of the day to day ups and downs. That means opening up more about my personal life/opinions/struggles/triumphs - which isn't always easy for me. I really love that more people are starting to get real on their blogs and are not just trying to portray picture perfect lives that are unrealistic. But, there is such a fine line in the blogging world - only show the best, most beautiful aspects of life and be labeled fake, or show some of the crummy, not so glamorous parts of life and be labeled a complainer. I've seen it go both ways. I guess I don't care anymore. My life is what it is - sometimes I think I am really something special and sometimes I wish I could dissappear. I am normal and I am unique. So I guess I just wanted to say that I am going to share more of myself, the good and the bad. And just so you know I have already been so tempted to hit the backspace button on this post and forget the whole thing altogether.... and here I go... pushing publish now
Reader Comments (12)
So happy you hit post. I LOVE your new idea :) Can't wait to keep reading along.
LOVE IT. I'm happy also that you hit the publish post. I would love to see what you have to write in regards to "lifestyle". Keep blogging girl!
I love lifestyle blogs, especially when the lifestyle seems to align with mine in some way. So as someone who is slowly stepping their toes into a side career as a freelance graphic designer, i love the intersection of that journey and lifestyle blogging. I don't know if that made any sense, but I wanted to encourage you that even though it's scary to put it out there it's great to find out you're not the only one who feels the way you do. Keep on keeping on!
I know exactly what you mean. I'm in the same boat, except that I am a struggling freelance writer. I want to share but do NOT like to be a whiner. So where is the line? How to balance? Good luck with your blogger evolution. I'm interested to see where it takes you.
I've always thought you balanced both your work and life posts very well but more about you and that adorable family...i like it! Can't wait to get to know you as a mother, wife and designer...good luck!
The lifestyle blogs that I read always make my cut when I am trying to pare down the number that I follow. I love the honesty that lifestyle bloggers bring and usually there is a lot of lovely mixed in as well. I love your blog right now but I am excited to see the new direction that it takes. :)
So glad you pressed the publish button. I love reading your blog - especially when you talk more about your personal experiences of new motherhood. I am a new mummy to a little boy of 8 months. He's called Conor. I really remember a post a while back where you had a picture of a rope and spoke about being at the end of your tether. It was perfect timing for me to read that as I was in a similar mind-set. Of course it was temporary and the tough days come and go - but it was comforting & reasuring to read at the time. I've been addicted to your blog & honesty ever since. So good luck with the new direction - I'll keep reading.
I love reading your blog, and I feel like you have a great mix of lifestyle and design inspiration. I would totally agree with everything you said in this post! I also can really relate to when you said "My life is what it is - sometimes I think I am really something special and sometimes I wish I could disappear." It's a constant mental struggle, but I think it helps keep my life balanced and worthwhile all at the same time. Excited to keep reading : )
I love this post, I read your blog regularly, and it is nice to see real life reflected in it. There are some beautiful blogs out there, but sometimes I think they create unrealistic expectations of what the readers life "should" be like. Some days life is messy and difficult and I think it can be good to share that. Some solidarity:)
Ya Jane! I'm happy you hit publish too! I am working to make NOW my dream, make it video/picture/memory worthy always, by my presence, my constant ENGAGEMENT in LIFE and my values/beliefs/true principles and I felt encouraged/connected to you by reading this post!
yes! run with this...you'll be glad (and so will I!).
This is such a great post, and I so agree with everything you said! Looking forward to seeing how you do it - I'm sure it will be so inspiring!