This year has been so full… full of puppy kisses and baby snuggles, lots of time at the theater, new cars and new Bibles, road trips and adventures, a new language and celebrated anniversaries, a weight loss journey and a couple new entries into my Hair Diaries. Thank you 2013 for the joys, the lessons, the struggles and the blessings. And welcome 2014…we’re so ready for you!
What are some of your highlights from 2013?
What are you most looking forward to next year?
It has been my pleasure to work with Rachel of Let’s Begin Sewing on a logo and blog design during the last few months. She was looking for something simple, streamlined, and classic but that still told the story of her blog. She wanted a place where people just starting out with sewing would feel at home and would be able to learn from her journey.
We started with the logo itself and I landed on the idea of using a spool of thread as the basic shape. This logo went through many a revision, mostly because I was thinking about it too much…imagine that! But once I focused on the simplicity of the concept we found something that I think works perfectly. I love the final logo design.
And then I took this concept, with its fonts and shapes and converted it into a full, but clean and simple blog design for Rachel. She chose a lovely green for her little pop accent color that I think works so good and allows the colors of her quilting and sewing projects to be the life of the blog. I’m so happy with how this all came together. See the site live here.
Thanks so much for picking me for your logo and blog design, Rachel. It was a pleasure to work with you. I hope you enjoy your blog design for a long time to come!
I have had a super short hair cut for a year in January, and I am just loving it. I kept thinking I was going to start growing it out now, but I like it so much I figured, why? Right?! But…being the Shaina we all know, I did need to change it up a bit. I don’t know where I saw lavender hair first, but I started pinning a bunch of fun images of girls with purple and lavender hair on my Beautiful Hair board.
So many fun ideas! That, plus my favorite girl, WhippyCake’s short cut and I had my idea set. Once again I went to my favorite stylist and cousin, Hannah. We have so much fun doing my hair together in her kitchen. We painted nails while the color processed, played with her baby Harper and watched the boys play video games. It was a perfect Saturday. Here are the results…my before and after pictures.
We started with really vibrant purple knowing it would fade to that really pretty lavender with time. I love how it turned out…the color and the shape. I think it’s a fun way to start the next year. I can’t believe its going to be 2014 already.
What are you planning on doing to jump-start your new year?
Planning a fun hair change like me? I’d love to hear about it!
Hi guys…long time no blog, right?! I’m not going to apologize or make excuses, just say Hi, and nice to see you! 
I am so excited about something new and I just had to share. I was invited to a CAbi party by my friend Marta 3 weeks ago. It was my first CAbi experience and I really had no idea what was going to happen. I knew it was clothes, but once I got to the party location I realized it was so much more. The group of ladies who got together were shown a whole season’s worth of clothes and then we got to try them all on! Super cool.
It was actually a really huge moment for me… I have lost over 60 lbs these last few months, and to go to a clothes party with my friends, try on sizes of clothes I’ve never fit into before, look and, more importantly, feel amazing… I was overwhelmed with excitement and happiness. Toni, the CAbi consultant was truly a gem and gave me a moment I’ll never forget that night. Pretty powerful stuff. Of course I wasn’t going to buy everything I fit into (even though I wanted to!) but I was drawn to some key, super cool pieces.
One of those pieces is their Multi-topper. To look at it, it seems kind of like a poncho with sleeves. But there are multiple, innovative ways to wear this garment. It can be a shirt, a sweater, a scarf, a skirt or whatever you can come up with. I just had to have one of these. So I ordered it and got it last Thursday. I literally have wore it every day in a different way since! I’ve been posting to instagram, but just wanted to share here too.
I already worn it as a sweater, a long duster jacket, a dress, a shawl sweater, a halter top, a cowl-neck sweater and a scarf. I’m pretty much in love with this thing. I’ve been having lots of fun with it and just wanted to share.
I’m hosting my own CAbi party in a couple weeks and I can’t wait to share these amazing clothes and this multi-topper with my friends.
Have you ever been to a CAbi party?
What is your favorite item of clothing?
I was so excited when my friend Nani asked me to take pictures of her little guy Kayode. I got to take her maternity pictures before he was born, so we thought it would be a great idea to go back to that same park for Kayode’s pictures. This little guy is just too adorable. Big huge eyes and such a sweet personality.
Here are some of my favorites from our shoot. You can see the rest of our shoot album here.
So glad for this time of the year, the gorgeous light and pretty friends.
October is my favorite month of the year…its always been the month when I feel most like myself. I find comfort in scarfs and hot coffee and falling leaves. I love how the light changes and how the air feels. And this little quote has kind of become my mantra for the autumn season. I am so glad that its October again!
To welcome in the fall I’ve created a little “October looks good on me” download for your computer and your phone.
Download here
Desktop Wallpaper
Phone Background
What is your favorite thing about autumn?
What makes you feel most like you?
Life lately…yeah, I think now is a good time for a post like this. My life has been crazy lately! But mostly crazy good.
I have been able to spend a ton of time with my mom this last month and its been such a treat. There were hard circumstances that brought me there but we took full advantage of the chance to visit. We talked and we painted our nails and we did mom’s hair and bought cute earrings. It was hard to be away from Chris for so many days, but a treasure to spend time with my mom. She’s such an amazing woman, and I only wish we lived closer and could spend more time together.
At the beginning of September I gave my two-week’s notice at the credit union and took the position of Project Administrator that was created for me at NICA. I have enjoyed working for NICA for almost 2 years now, and my boss and I make a really good team. We’ve got a lot of big projects in the works and she wanted me completely on board, not splitting my time between the 2 jobs. So she made me this amazing offer and I’m still a bit in shock that this is what I do now! NICA is a non-profit organization and I’m so excited to be coordinating classes, creating and curating curriculum, updating our website and staying on top of our social media campaigns, and so much more. I’m the admin for our flooring apprenticeship program and all the behind the scenes stuff for the company. There are exciting times ahead of me here where I will be able to use my creativity, my passion for people and multitasking skills to their full potential. This is my first full week, and I’m loving it already! I was with the credit union for almost a full year, and I know I will miss everyone there. I learned a lot and enjoyed being a part of such a great company. They got me flowers and a card on my last day to say goodbye. So sweet.
Chris and I are rocking our weight loss!! Chris is down 90lbs and I’m down 55lbs. It has been an amazing journey together and its brought us so much closer. I am proud of the progress we’ve made and excited for what’s to come. Being healthy feels so good!
And finally…we bought a new car!!! It’s a 2012 VW Beetle. I’ve named her Golden. Chris found her online and we drove 4 hours to get her. We got such a good deal…she has under 4000 miles, heated leather seats, Bluetooth and is sooo much fun to drive! I’ve wanted a Bug since forever…but especially since my dad gave me a toy one as a gag graduation present. I’m so glad that everything worked out and now I get to drive this darling car everyday. I love the retro styling and that the inside dash is yellow too. It just makes me smile!
So there are some of the things in my life lately. I’m feeling eager for autumn and getting settled into all these new changes, but I’m happy. Really, really happy. Grateful for the big things and all the everyday little things too. Like Thomas Hammer coffee when I was visiting my mom, and being able to go on a long drive with my dad and just talk; taking Gibson with me to work everyday and seeing my husband reach his goals. And wearing size 14 pants again! Man that feels good!
What’s new with you?
#blogtember
Day 15 Prompt: A ‘life lately’ post. What you’re up to and how you’re feeling.
Chris, I have been thinking a lot lately about our love, and the reasons why it works so dang well and why I love you. There are so many reasons that come to mind, but I wanted to write some down…I wanted to tell you.
I love you because you are my friend first. We genuinely liked each other as people before we became anything romantic, and so in many situations I find myself asking “What would a best friend do in this situation?” A lot of times the answer is “A best friend would let him sleep.” I think we’re both a lot happier when we’ve had enough sleep, and that lets us be better friends and the best marriage mates to each other.
I love you for saying yes to so many of my ideas, and for fully committing to them and helping me see them through. And for supporting me when I get doubts and you have to remind me that I am capable and strong and worthy. You are the best partner, and I love the life that we have created together. I am amazed by the adventures we have and the new things we try and the joy that we find in every day. I love how we make decisions, little ones or big ones. We are so in sync. Its how we choose to see things, and we look at life the same way. I am reminded of a favorite quote of mine: “Love is not to just look at one another, but to look together in the same direction.”
I love you for wanting to get healthy with me and going on this journey together. We have made such amazing progress and I know that its completely changed our feelings about food and that we’ll take the changes we’ve made with us for the rest of our life. Food has been a huge part of our relationship these last 7 years…and you’re the best cook. But now we don’t live to eat anymore; the food we eat fuels the amazing life we get to share. And we feel so much better about ourselves. There is nothing sexier than that!
I love you because of your heart. One of the first things I fell for was your eyes…you have the kindest eyes. And they speak so loudly about your heart and the person that you are. You are kind and giving and hardworking; you are smart and skilled and passionate; you are spontaneous and joyous and full of life. I love who you are. And I love the part of you that you only share with me. It has been such an amazing privilege to truly get to know your heart and cherish it. You gave it to me to care for, and I’m never letting it go. Promise.
So, thank you Chris, for being my best friend, my husband, my support and my inspiration. I love our love and the life we have together. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.
I love you to life.
Your Shai
#blogtember
Day 10 Prompt: Write a public love letter to someone.
It had been just the three of us for the last 5 years. My mom, my little brother Micah and I. We lived in a little apartment in a tiny town called Fruitvale in British Columbia, Canada. It was a lovely, quiet little life. We rode bikes and roller bladed down the hallway in the apartment building. We built snow forts and made special friends and went in service with Mom. I had the dryer in my bedroom and the deep freeze in my closet, and Micah had a custom bed in the storage room. It was a delightful life.
And then it all changed. It all got better.
Because of this guy.
We met Tim in May of 1995 at the dedication of our Kingdom Hall in Fruitvale. He was the brother of someone in our congregation and she wanted my mom to meet him. I remember waiting and waiting at the Hall afterwards while they visited. We were the last ones to leave. I was 8 years old at the time.
And then they started dating long distance…lots of late night phone calls and surprise visits with big bouquets of flowers. Micah and I went up north to visit our dad for the summer and things got serious. Tim proposed in September and then began the big changes.
One of the biggest things was where we were going to live. Tim was from Omak, WA in the United States and we were from Canada. We were moving to the States! There was lots of paperwork to do, and visits to the immigration office…pictures with no smiles for our cards, and getting used to different money. That’s a lot when you’re 8 years old.
And it wasn’t just Tim we were adding to our family…he had 3 kids of his own. And so once they got married and we made our move, there were 7 of us now. Mom, Dad, me, Micah and our new siblings: Michael, Shelby and Kelsey.
And I’ve been his Shadylane ever since. We have developed a really special bond and friendship. He helped guide and mold me into who I am today, despite my “tendencies.” He taught me how to laugh, deep belly laughs and how to grow through trials. He helped me get to know and love Jehovah. He taught me about hard work and led by example. He is the best listener and he loves me like his own.
I am proud to call him my Dad and and so glad that he came into our lives and drastically changed them…for the better.
#blogtember
Day 6 Prompt: Describe a distinct moment when your life took a turn.
Have you ever taken the Jung typology test and determined your profile type? I was really looking forward to this prompt for #blogtember and the results I got were so spot-on, it was amazing!
I am and ENFJ = Dominant: Extraverted feeling, Auxiliary: Introverted intuition, Tertiary: Extraverted sensing and Inferior: Introverted thinking.
Here are some quotes from the profile that really stood out to me as true and gave me a new insight into my personality.
“ENFJs are global learners. They see the big picture. The ENFJs focus is expansive. Some can juggle an amazing number of responsibilities or projects simultaneously. Many ENFJs have tremendous entrepreneurial ability.”
-This really feels like me. I have so many projects and interests and things going. And I love it that way! I love to be immersed in a project, but still in the back of my mind me working on other things too. Its like the image below, exactly! That is why I love my job with NICA. We are knee deep in big projects, but always planning and creating things for the future too. Totally fulfills me in that way.
“ENFJs are called “Givers.” As an ENFJ, you're primary mode of living is focused externally, where you deal with things according to how you feel about them, or how they fit into your personal value system. Your secondary mode is internal, where you take things in primarily via your intuition. ENFJs are people-focused individuals. They live in the world of people possibilities. More so than any other type, they have excellent people skills. They understand and care about people, and have a special talent for bringing out the best in others. ENFJ's main interest in life is giving love, support, and a good time to other people. They are focused on understanding, supporting, and encouraging others. They make things happen for people, and get their best personal satisfaction from this.”
-That line about “best personal satisfaction” is so spot on for me. I think it’s a huge part of why I love photography so much. I am able to give something to people that they might not have even known they needed until they go through the experience and have their images. I truly enjoy giving of myself, and putting my all into each interaction.
“ENFJs know and appreciate people, however, they are apt to neglect themselves and their own needs for the needs of others. They have thinner psychological boundaries than most, and are at risk for being hurt or even abused by less sensitive people. ENFJs often take on more of the burdens of others than they can bear. As giving and caring as the ENFJ is, they need to remember to value their own needs as well as the needs of others.”
-Now this is something I need to work on, remembering my own needs too. I feel a lot of guilt when I shop for myself, or just need some alone time. But I know that when I take the time to refuel, I am able to build myself up and have more to give to others after.
So now its your turn! Go take the quiz and learn all sort of things about yourself too. It’s pretty neat to learn your strengths and weaknesses and how you can leverage them. Come back and share what you are. I’d love to hear!
#blogtember
Day 5 Prompt: Take this short personality test and respond to your results.
I love to collect quotes and poetry. I have journal after journal filled with them from my whole life, but now I save them on my Words Pinterest board. That works too! Here are some of the ones that touched my heart and made me smile recently.
What are some of your favorite quotes?
Do you have bits of advice to share?
#blogtember
Day 3 Prompt: Pass on some useful advice or information you learned and always remembered.
If I could take three months off from my current life and do anything in the world I would buy a vintage camper, completely redo it and spend the remaining time glamping in style!! I have been completely taken with this new trend called “glamping” which is glamor and camping together. You have to see the pictures to totally understand, but I dare you not to get sucked into the black hole of pictures and ideas and loveliness on Pinterest. I sure have!
My cousin Hannah actually bought the cutest little camper off of Craigslist a couple weeks ago (pictured below). I so hope I get to help her turn in to a glamper. Its got a ton of potential. We could have so much fun! Think of the girl weekends we could have!
So, if I had the time (and the extra money of course) I would buy a camper of my own and glam it up. I think the hardest part would be picking a color scheme. There are so many cute ideas out there! I would probably stick to my go-to colors of grey, yellow and purple with pops of pink….and chalkboard paint somewhere I’m sure!
Then Chris and I could spend some quality time traveling across the country in our cute little glamper. Imagine, Chris might actually end up liking to camp!
#blogtember
Day 2 Prompt: If you could take three months off from your current life and do anything in the world, what would you do?
This month Jenni, from Story of my Life blog is hosting another blogging challenge like the one she did in May. I really enjoyed the prompts and getting back to the heart of why I love to blog: I love to write. And so I thought I’d give it another go and join in for #blogtember.
Today’s prompt is “Describe where or what you come from. The people, the places and/or the factors that make up who you are.” I immediately thought of this poem I wrote a couple years ago during my 52weeks project. These are the words that describe what I’m from and I’m glad to share them again today.
I am from the far north
from sawmills and broken hearts
that will heal eventually.
I am from two homes
from cucumbers and cupcakes
(I never forgave myself for nibbling)
I am from straight A's
from the written page and world's beyond mine
from siblings I can't stop loving
and the one that got away.
I am from Bible verses.
from the backs of horses
to behind the wheel and still afraid
I am from long hugs and lots of tears.
I am from Mona Moose and shadylane.
I am from counting hours and touching hearts
with truth.
from biting heels and sharing words.
I am from true love.
from our park and first kisses and life together.
I am from creativity
a place I cannot let go of.
