Inside Kimmy's Mind

I’m excited to share a review with you today.

I’m sure most of you are aware of the recent trend that are…”adult” coloring books. I’m not a fan of this term, being creative should be acceptable for all ages. Not all of us can express ourselves creatively, and these coloring books can give you a project without needing a time frame or an end product. You’re free to color and take your time, like you did when you were younger.

The Time Garden is a beautiful coloring book, on my version there is a beautifully drawn tree which is featured more throughout the book. The dust jacket has gold foiling on the title and so do some of the leaves that sprinkle the front of the book. Moving on to the inside, the actual cover has a field of stars surrounding a little girl,her face hidden. This page is also featured later on in the book, so you can have the thrill of coloring this page.

One thing I feel that sets this book apart from a few of the other coloring books out in the market is that there is a story that is connected to it.  A story that makes me think- Nutcracker meets Alice in Wonderland yet at the same time maintaining it’s own story. 

The pages are a nice weight, I’m using a mixture of color pencil and my Staedtler Triplus fine-liner to color in the pages. If you press too hard or go over an already colored section too many times with the fine-liner there may be bleeding on the other side. But you shouldn’t run into that problem, too often. The only reason I ran into it was because I didn’t like my color choice and went over it with another color. I have yet to try using watercolor, but since the paper isn’t  a certain type of texture, I wouldn’t recommend using that medium.  But ultimately it’s up to you. I don’t want to ruin the book by showing you each page, so at the bottom is a teaser flip through of it’s pages.

I also wanted to share what’s written on the back of the book, if this plus the gorgeous illustrations doesn’t make you fall in love with this book then I don’t know what will.

The Time Garden will sweep you away into a whimsical cuckoo clock-inspired world, created in intricate pen and ink by Korean artist Daria Song. Journey through the doors of the clock into its inky innerworkings to discover a magical land of clock gears, rooftops, starry skies, and giant flying owls-all ready for you to customize with whatever colors you can dream up. 

Cuckoo…cuckoo…cuckoo…

When the clock strikes midnight, you’ll wonder, was it all a dream?

I’ve enjoyed coloring in this book, and it’s been a nice way to clear my head and just spend a little time daydreaming. I think we often forget to take some time for ourselves. I chose this book for my first review because I wanted something crafty and fun. Keep your eyes open for the next one, let me know in the comments if you enjoy this or other coloring books. But it’s quite alright if you don’t.

Thanks for reading and commenting

Today’s topic is Bucket list, and what’s on mine. But as I started thinking about this more and more, I’ve realized I’ve never really made a bucket list before. I know there are many different approaches to this type of thing but here is what I’ve come up with for mine.

• GRADUATE– this is very important. And  I want to achieve this! I wish it was happening this semester but I’ve waited this long so what’s one more semester…as long as it is just one more. I can do this!!!
• Travel– I’m actually a huge homebody. I hate packing because I’m always worried I’m going to forget something or leave something at the place I’m visiting. -.- Such negative thoughts. But there are places I would love to visit, I’ve never been on a plane before. And of course I would love to visit another country, but I wouldn’t mind even visiting another state or even another city in Texas to start off small.  Baby steps… :3
• Second language– I really hope to become fluent in Spanish, I have another semester left but I want to be able to respond in Spanish. My dad’s first language was Spanish and my grandmother only speaks Spanish. I’d like to embrace my Mexican heritage and actually learn the language. This is all up to me.
• Move– I hope to move into a two bedroom apartment with my roomie/sister. We share a bedroom at the moment and even though it’s not terrible,  I hope we can work hard and be able to move into a place with more space. I want a kitchen table but we have no room for one. Some day soon…I hope.
• Mind-Speaks– I hope to be able to devote more time to this and make more product for the store. I want to be able to represent Mind-Speaks in different craft shows and fairs. It’s just going to take some time. <3
• Write– I want to do some more writing. Creatively I mean. I haven’t done it in awhile and I’ve forgotten how much I enjoy it.
• TFL– This one ties in with the previous one, I want to submit a story to this journal one day.
• Knitting– I want to complete my Star Wars scarf before the winter season is over!
• Reading– I enjoy books so much and haven’t made time for it lately, so here’s to changing that!
• Hair dye– Lately, I’ve been envying people with dyed hair. Mint hair to be exact and I hope I get a chance to dye my hair before I can’t. Maybe just the ends? Because technically I’m not allowed to have my hair dyed an unnatural hair color for my museum job. But if it’s just ends I could hide them in the rest of my hair….possibly. It’s just something  I want to try.

I’m not sure if this makes for a great bucket list, I know it might not be as worth while, but these are all things I love and want to either improve on or accomplish. And that’s the point of a bucket list, no? These are things you want to experience, no? Well, that’s what I did for my bucket list. But of course, this isn’t set in stone and it’s not like this is the end of it. It will continue to grow and grow as I grow. Can’t wait to read what’s on your lists!

Thanks for reading and commenting

I haven’t been doing well on this challenge. I’ve already missed three days. T-T School just drains me during the week, sadly I have no energy for anything. But I’m doing my best to make time for the things I enjoy, blogging is one of these things.

Today’s topic is to write a letter to your 16 year old self, but I’m going to write this letter for the past and future me. To the me that felt/feels insecure. Whether that be physical, emotional, or mental- I’m covering all of my bases and just tackling anything and everything that ever made me or might make me doubt myself. The me now would like to tell the past me how strong I am for being able to accomplish the big scary thing I might have been going through at that time. There were several.  You did it! I’d also like to say that to the future me. Actually, I’d like to say…. you WILL!

You WILL pass your classes this semester!

You WILL graduate next semester!

You WILL get a career and job!

You WILL create a life for yourself!

You will, I will!

I would also like to thank the past me. I know there were moments you didn’t think you were doing your best and you felt like giving up would be so much easier. But you didn’t give up, you just continued and you’re still doing that. But I’d like to thank the younger me for giving me a chance to trust myself. And even though negativity sometimes makes itself comfortable in your head, then/now, you do your best to block it out. This post is to remind the future you to continue making an effort. And you’re really happy. As cheesy as this entry might have been on my part, it’s nice to sit down and just think some positive thoughts.

I’m hoping this letter experiment went well for the rest of you Blog-TEMBER bloggers and can’t wait to read what you wrote. How are you doing with this blog challenge, even though I’ve missed a few days, I’m still enjoying it a lot. I’ll do my best to finish strong.

Thanks for reading and commenting

Today’s prompt is all about style. Now, over time, my style has changed. I’m sure that is true for most people, I’m loving how mine has evolved as I have gotten older.

I went from only jeans and band/anime t-shirts in my awkward teens years which transitioned into blouses at the end of high school. To finally discovering tights and pretty dresses as an adult. I usually wear tights or leggings, I never liked showing my bare legs or arms, it’s a comfort thing. But during this summer I started wearing my dresses without the security of my tights, it’s just been so hot, and I have no idea how I managed to go through all those years wearing my tights in this Texas weather. Still, layering is something I will always enjoy, which is why I enjoy the fall and winter seasons much more. Layering is totally ok when its cold.  I love buying pretty tights in different colors along with cardigans. Recently, I’ve even been buying a lot of different shoes too. I never saw myself as a shoe person, but I’ve been converted.

… continue reading this entry.

Here are my 10 shuffled songs, I’m pretty happy with each song that happened to play, even though every song on my ipod is something I love, I still had the urge to hit next, thinking that the song that followed  it might be one I really enjoy singing along to.

1. Billie Jean-Michael Jackson
2. The Way I am-Ingrid Michaelson
3. When We were Young-Sucre
4. Tennis- Seafarer
5. Crave You-Flight Facilities
6. D0-Wah-Doo- Kate Nash
7. Lingering Still-She & Him
8. Animal- Neon Trees
9. September – Pomplamoose
10. Soap- Melanie Martinez

Click on the songs and it will take you to their music video or just a song video to hear it. Tried to embed a playlist, it didn’t work out .  So click away. :3

Looking forward to hearing your songs!

Thanks for reading and commenting.

I missed yesterday’s prompt, I was just too tired and ran out of time, but I’m ready for today’s topic.  Today’s Topic is….What are you passionate about?

Where to begin? I have no idea how to answer this question,  so let’s just dive in.

• School/Career-I’m extremely passionate about succeeding in school, I may not be a straight A student, but I still put everything I am into it. I do my best, and if that’s not good enough then I try again. I am almost done and can see the light, I just can’t skip any steps but I know I will make it.  And I may not know what my career will be after I finally make it through school, but I’m not just gonna twiddle my thumbs, I won’t stop until I find it. And again….I will find it.
• Hobbies- My hobbies are extremely important to me. They represent a huge part of me and I just love that I was able to discover them in this lifetime. I never thought knitting would be something that I focused on, but it is and I’m so glad it became so much more than just something I once did/attempted. I didn’t stop when it got hard, I just kept trying and I hope to keep that attitude in other things I may tackle.

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I am completely in love with the fall, Texas fall isn’t a great representation of what a fall should be though. But, there are days when the weather is absolutely perfect and that’s how my ideal day begins.

Now I have two versions of this day. The first one involves me never leaving the house. I get up early, open the windows and let in a cool breeze. It’s light sweater weather, so the breeze is just right. And the way the light streams in is just comfortable. As if to say, “Relax, you can do whatever you want.”

No tests, no homework due or work to get up for. No worries.

I’d do some stretches, I haven’t gone to hot yoga since my 30 days ended, but I still like to do some stretching when I have the time. After stretching, I’d do some knitting. I’ve just started double knitting and I’m hoping to finish my Star Wars scarf before it’s summer again. After knitting, I’d do some blogging. I try to condition myself into working at my desk, and for the most part I do. But every once in awhile I wonder over to the couch and make myself comfortable for blogging. I’d then probably do some more crafting, because I just can’t get enough of the stuff.  I’d make something to eat, or there would magically be something yummy to eat already. My sister would make a blueberry cobbler or some type of dessert. She’s becoming a master pastry chef. 🙂 But that’s the gist of version 1.

The second version involves me actually leaving the house. I’d want the boyfriend to join me on this outing, again the weather is just lovely, perfect for a day at the park or the zoo. We’d have a picnic, enjoy the breeze from a blanket while I knitted or read a book with him keeping me company. This day sounds pretty cliche, but I’ve actually had days like this before with him. But it has been awhile since we’ve gone to the park. Too hot or the rain ruins those type of plans. After lounging in the park, we’d go to a used bookstore. Those are the best, I love how long he takes. He can browse the architecture section  for hours before making a selection. Too cute. We’d go for lunch and then share some cake.

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I’ve decided to take part in the Brave Love Blog’s September blog challenge. BLOG-TEMBER! I’m excited because I’ve always started blog challenges before, but have fallen short on them in the past. I’m hoping this teaches me to plan ahead,  I’m gonna try to write more than one post ahead of time and schedule them. I’ve only ever schedule posts once in awhile, so that’s also a challenge I hope to beat.

Here we go…

September 1st: Introduction

Hello, welcome to my blog. I’m Kimmy and I’m excited to get a glimpse into your lives and let you see a bit into mine, so pull up a chair and get comfortable. I sometimes drone on a bit too much, but that’s just part of who I am. In 11 days I will be 26, and yes that day represents a number of different things but for me, it was the day of my existence…well, as a fully formed person and not as a sea monkey. Odd thing to say….more awkward moments to ahead. Here are a few things about me…..

 -I love crafting:  That includes a bunch of things, knitting/crochet, scrap-booking, sewing, card making (ect)

-I’m the middle child, I have two sisters. My older sis is a Graphic Designer and the younger one, who is also my roommate, is a Pastry Chef. We collaborate over here and we just launched our Etsy account. We sell handmade things so feel free to stop by our store and blog. 🙂

– I’m hoping to graduate in the Spring.

-I love visiting bookstores and miss the fact that I haven’t been reading as much as I used to. Please leave some book suggestions. I want to update my To read list and hopefully tackle it.

-I really want to adopt a kitty, but my apartment makes it impossible with the amount of fees that goes into owning a pet at my complex. Thankfully Instagram exists and I can live vicariously through other cat owners.

To summarize, I’m a cat loving, sister having, school going, and all around crafter. Pleased to meet you all. I want this challenge to highlight a positive outlook and  I know I’ll gain inspiration from my fellow bloggers,  I hope I can offer you the same. Have you completed blog challenges before? I’d like to know.

Thanks for reading and commenting.