I’ve been keeping a list of quotes that resonate with me since I was a kid. If I am particularly stressed I add it to my laptop as a screensaver. Sometimes it’s good to remember: “Don’t waste your precious time, energy, or thoughts on something that is beyond your control. Let it go.”
It’s going well – I’m proud of myself for making it this far and feel like its a habit now. I like the bud/thorns pic because it was the first day I had my macro lens and I couldn’t believe I could capture something so small. But my fave is the one of Abbie outside in her pj’s. It’s not a particularly strong image, but I managed to hold her on my hip while also taking the pic, and got it on the second shot 🙂 that was her first time seeing snow flurries and I loved that I was able to capture that moment 🙂
I love that picture of Abbie! I think that’s my fave in the series so far.
Isn’t it interesting how many shots it takes to get “THE” shot? And how when you actually get it, a sixth sense sort of thing kicks in, and you just know?
Yeah I think I’m just starting to get that. I have a bad habit, from taking Abbie pics, of taking like 100 so that one is bound to be in focus and her eyes are open, etc. so I have to remind myself that I don’t need a dozen shots of the same rose. I’m getting better, lol.
I tend to overshoot too. I’d rather take too many pictures than too little and risk not getting exactly what I want. Lighting conditions can change so rapidly, especially if you’re shooting outdoors. It’s not a bad habit!
tiffanysays
that’s a good point! my hubby thinks I’m kinda nuts. just had to buy a new hard drive lol 🙂
I LOVE your writing, Karen! Your little letters already show so much personality. You must truly be an amazing person in real life! Your friends are lucky to have you!!!
I try to make my writing look like yours because its so pretty…lol Love you Karen. I want to read that book of “notes to self”…I think it would really help give me encouragement too!
loved loveedd d post..how do you manage to be so creative??…i wish i cud be one tenth as you are..i am an indian and my names means ‘inspiration’ :p..but you are truly an inspiration..really.
and your photos..god..cant praise them enough!..so luvly..how talented are you man..and oo im a shoe lover..those heels <3..hahha..buy only wat you can walk in..so agree with you..i keep tellin that to myslef but stil end up buyin those uncomfortabl long heels :(..
Ha ha, I love “When all else fails, hug your cat.” That’s mine, except mine is, “When all else fails, hug your puppy.” Well, I don’t technically hug her; I pull her onto my lap and proceed to pet her in all of her “I immediately melt under your love” spots like right behind her ears.
My other one is, “Inspiration is all around you. You just have to look.”
Love your notes. I completely agree with your shoe vow and kitty hugging. Wish I could share a pic I took recently of one of my cats “helping” me shop online for lower heels. Great minds… 🙂
KAREN ! This post is beyond amazing ! I love it that apart from beauty on the outside, you write about every small thing that makes us the people we are, and the person you are ! You are truly so incredible ! I always use a lot of exclamation marks when ever I am commenting here coz obviously, all the posts especially ones like this are so wonderful ! You care about each reader that comments which is even more awesome !
I wish every one in this whole wide universe was as positive and happy as you are ! Worls would be so much better then ! <3
I adore these photos, especially the one that says when all else fails, hug your cat! TOOOO adorable!!! Thanks for sharing Karen 🙂 I need to start putting motivation notes around my desk so I can finish my project on time!
Karen – you are absolutely amazing! WOW!
your posts usually make my day better but this one is just amazing. your pictures and notes are so thoughtful so creative and so inspiring!
you are just awesome! thanks!
p.s. did u catch downton abbey this sunday? i’m hooked!
Your shoe quote made me laugh. I can’t tell you how many shoes I bought because they looked great, but sit in the box unworn because I can’t actually walk in them!
Love it! I actually thought of you when I had to buy some new black heels a couple of weeks ago. They have a 3″ heel (not stiletto, but not chunky) and I walked in those darn things all week without falling once. Quite an accomplishment for me! 🙂
I totally agree on the shoe philosophy! I only buy shoes I can walk in. I always say I suck at that aspect of being a girl. I don’t walk well in skinny, stiletto heels. I stopped feeling bad about it though, after I read an article that discussed the damage done to a woman’s feet and legs after wearing heels 40 hours a week for years.
Girl says
I don’t understand why you haven’t landed a editorial gig at a major magazine yet, you are a great writer…
Karen says
Thanks, Girl. 🙂
Chelsea says
I love this! It was a very good day-brightener 🙂
Karen says
Thanks, Chelsea. I’m so happy to hear this brightened your day!
Emilee says
I love these! Thank you for sharing them with us!
Karen says
Glad you enjoyed this post, Emilee!
MereMakeupManiac says
Super agree on the shoe philosophy!
Karen says
Yes! I have too many pairs that I can only sit in, LOL!
Kajal Couture says
what a great inspirational post…thanks Karen!
Karen says
You’re welcome, Kajal Couture! 🙂 Hope you had a nice day.
Appu says
Love the note on the banana!
Karen says
It’s fun to write on them. Try it sometime!
Yelena says
that was awesome! i need to try that too haha
eight says
Love these, especially the one with you and Tabs!
Karen says
That’s my fave pic of Tabs. 🙂
Have a great night, eight!
Amy says
Yay! So happy-making 🙂
Karen says
🙂 Thanks, Amy!
TJ says
Awesome notes! Cute calendar!
Karen says
That’s my new desk calendar! Just picked it up on Sunday.
Hope you’re having a great week so far!
Kate says
Note to Self:
Start Writing More Notes to Self!
Karen says
That’s a good note to self! 🙂
Laura says
LOVE <3
Karen says
Love right back at ya, Laura!
Nina says
thanks, Karen! i <3 this post! youre awesome!
Karen says
No, Nina. YOU are awesome! You’re my Texas partner-in-crime! I’m convinced that if we didn’t have states separating us we’d totally hang out. 🙂
Nina says
omg … that would be so great! id text you and Tabs and drag Linus or LOL along to hang out … we could have froyo in the great big outdoors. :-d
Rachael says
Thanks Karen! I needed something like this today.
Karen says
You’re welcome, Rachael.
If I don’t talk to you before then, have fun at your bridal shower!
mn says
I’ve been keeping a list of quotes that resonate with me since I was a kid. If I am particularly stressed I add it to my laptop as a screensaver. Sometimes it’s good to remember: “Don’t waste your precious time, energy, or thoughts on something that is beyond your control. Let it go.”
Karen says
That’s a good one, mn. I’ll have to remember it. 🙂
Tiffany says
Love these!!! 🙂
Karen says
Thanks, Tiffany! 🙂
Tiffany says
My hubby just asked what I was grinning at, haha!
Karen says
Aww! How’s your photo of the day challenge going? Have you taken any pics you’re really proud of?
Tiffany says
It’s going well – I’m proud of myself for making it this far and feel like its a habit now. I like the bud/thorns pic because it was the first day I had my macro lens and I couldn’t believe I could capture something so small. But my fave is the one of Abbie outside in her pj’s. It’s not a particularly strong image, but I managed to hold her on my hip while also taking the pic, and got it on the second shot 🙂 that was her first time seeing snow flurries and I loved that I was able to capture that moment 🙂
Karen says
I love that picture of Abbie! I think that’s my fave in the series so far.
Isn’t it interesting how many shots it takes to get “THE” shot? And how when you actually get it, a sixth sense sort of thing kicks in, and you just know?
Tiffany says
Yeah I think I’m just starting to get that. I have a bad habit, from taking Abbie pics, of taking like 100 so that one is bound to be in focus and her eyes are open, etc. so I have to remind myself that I don’t need a dozen shots of the same rose. I’m getting better, lol.
Karen says
I tend to overshoot too. I’d rather take too many pictures than too little and risk not getting exactly what I want. Lighting conditions can change so rapidly, especially if you’re shooting outdoors. It’s not a bad habit!
tiffany says
that’s a good point! my hubby thinks I’m kinda nuts. just had to buy a new hard drive lol 🙂
Carla says
Awesome 🙂
Karen says
Thank you, Carla!
Jennifer says
I LOVE your writing, Karen! Your little letters already show so much personality. You must truly be an amazing person in real life! Your friends are lucky to have you!!!
Karen says
Jennifer, this was so sweet of you. Thank you!
Bun Bun Makeup Tips says
I love these notes! I love the banana one the best! It resonates with how I’m feeling right now. Thanks so much for these!
Chris25 says
You are. My favorite beauty blogger. Ever. 😀
Karen says
Chris! You are awesome!
Yelena says
agree times a million!
Kayleigh says
Love it Karen! Once again you’re inspirational 🙂 You’re like my positivity role model!
Jessica says
I try to make my writing look like yours because its so pretty…lol Love you Karen. I want to read that book of “notes to self”…I think it would really help give me encouragement too!
prerna says
first time commenter..
loved loveedd d post..how do you manage to be so creative??…i wish i cud be one tenth as you are..i am an indian and my names means ‘inspiration’ :p..but you are truly an inspiration..really.
and your photos..god..cant praise them enough!..so luvly..how talented are you man..and oo im a shoe lover..those heels <3..hahha..buy only wat you can walk in..so agree with you..i keep tellin that to myslef but stil end up buyin those uncomfortabl long heels :(..
Tavi says
Thanks Karen, these are great.
Kate & Zena says
Ha ha, I love “When all else fails, hug your cat.” That’s mine, except mine is, “When all else fails, hug your puppy.” Well, I don’t technically hug her; I pull her onto my lap and proceed to pet her in all of her “I immediately melt under your love” spots like right behind her ears.
My other one is, “Inspiration is all around you. You just have to look.”
Misha says
Hi Karen,
Love your notes. I completely agree with your shoe vow and kitty hugging. Wish I could share a pic I took recently of one of my cats “helping” me shop online for lower heels. Great minds… 🙂
Swathi says
KAREN ! This post is beyond amazing ! I love it that apart from beauty on the outside, you write about every small thing that makes us the people we are, and the person you are ! You are truly so incredible ! I always use a lot of exclamation marks when ever I am commenting here coz obviously, all the posts especially ones like this are so wonderful ! You care about each reader that comments which is even more awesome !
I wish every one in this whole wide universe was as positive and happy as you are ! Worls would be so much better then ! <3
Fieran says
Awesome blog post. You’re the epitome of ‘optimism’..really 🙂
Ruchita says
This is awesome. Thank you. The picture of you and Tabs is beautiful.
Sunny @ Mostly Sunny says
I adore these photos, especially the one that says when all else fails, hug your cat! TOOOO adorable!!! Thanks for sharing Karen 🙂 I need to start putting motivation notes around my desk so I can finish my project on time!
caroline says
Oh my!
This is just what I needed to see (hear) today in this grey cold English weather
Thank you 🙂
(PS: I think next time i have a banana for snack I will write me something nice too:)
Yelena says
Karen – you are absolutely amazing! WOW!
your posts usually make my day better but this one is just amazing. your pictures and notes are so thoughtful so creative and so inspiring!
you are just awesome! thanks!
p.s. did u catch downton abbey this sunday? i’m hooked!
Geri says
This was so wonderful! It brightened my day, thank you 🙂
Karen B says
Hehe. You know what my problem with n°5 is? I’m pretty good at walking in high (really high) heels. It drives my mum insane. Hahaha.
Stephanie says
Great post Karen!!
peach_ says
Lovely photos and inspirational words! This post really lifted my mood and I’m sure it had the same effect on many others! 😀
Christina says
Your shoe quote made me laugh. I can’t tell you how many shoes I bought because they looked great, but sit in the box unworn because I can’t actually walk in them!
Kim says
Love it! I actually thought of you when I had to buy some new black heels a couple of weeks ago. They have a 3″ heel (not stiletto, but not chunky) and I walked in those darn things all week without falling once. Quite an accomplishment for me! 🙂
Karen says
Wow… no, seriously. WOW!!!
Kim says
Thank you! 🙂 I did have to have the inner monologue the whole time, though. “Little steps.. you can do it… smile at the people” 🙂
Phyrra says
I totally agree on the shoe philosophy! I only buy shoes I can walk in. I always say I suck at that aspect of being a girl. I don’t walk well in skinny, stiletto heels. I stopped feeling bad about it though, after I read an article that discussed the damage done to a woman’s feet and legs after wearing heels 40 hours a week for years.
Jess says
Thanks for sharing that, Karen! Definitely put a smile on my face! <3
YukiSarah says
Hi Karen!!
Thanks for the uplifting notes! I am the epitome of a crazy cat lady! I <3 your desk calendar!! Might I ask where you got it? Thank you!!
erye says
i love the notes, the way you compose and photograph them. and i adore your handwriting; it’s very beautiful. thank you for this <3