winter welcomes

It's the rainy days like these that remind me to breathe in and enjoy life. Though I may mostly stay indoors there's nothing stopping me from changing my state completely and going out to run in the rain. Whenever I go outside I always find myself looking up the sky to see how it's changed since I last saw it. When you look straight up in the rain it's as if you're looking up into the infinite. Raindrops fall from a vortex above you and the sky, grey, glows beautifully as if there is no sun but instead some sort of mystical place beyond your daily imaginations. The cloud cover is a dreamland, reminding us to step back and relax for just a moment.

Maybe it's the clean air or the calming winter chill, I don't know, but seasons greetings always seem to ease my mind. That is until the holidays get closer. I look forward to the busy-ness though, especially since most of it will be creating gifts for people. One thing that I desperately need to do is get my sleep schedule back to normal and start waking up earlier! It doesn't help that I always stay up til 2 in the morning but getting out of bed at noon is starting to become a real drag. 

 xo neena noel

november

I'm just now getting a chance to say, happy November! This is going to be a busy month for me as I'm sure it will for all of you with the holidays so close by. I've slowly been receiving all of the goodies that I ordered for my shop including this giant box of yarn! My intentions for it was to make a whole bunch of different types of scarves, but just yesterday I came up with a very chirstmas-y idea while playing around with some red wool. I looked through tons of Santa hats on Etsy and wanted to make something just a little bit different. So I came up with a pattern and worked with it until it matched my vision and looked just right. It's not in my shop yet but I should have it up tomorrow. I'm pretty happy with my design so, steal my idea and I will hunt you down! >:]

Every day may seem like just another struggle, but I know now that life is what you make it.  I realize now that I can find the solutions to my struggles instead of letting them carry me down further. I've always been a human of impulse, relying on habitual behavior I would have rather chosen to give in to my addictions than to wait out a feeling of uneasiness. 

I know now that positive actions will lead to a more positive life but if you had told me that a year ago I would not have cared either way. I can look back on my personal problems and see growth and improvement instead of filling myself with regret. I no longer let my choices today affect my well being tomorrow. I no longer let a temporary downfall bring me down into a deeper depression. 

This is only the beginning but I feel like this time I am truly free from the chains I've kept myself locked in. Once the scars have faded it will be like nothing ever happened. We take each day one step at a time and even then it still feels like we're moving way too fast. Sometimes I just have to slow it down and put everything into perspective. Sometimes I just need a minute to think before acting to realize that I can come out stronger as long as I stay strong through the battle.

I've found my solace through keeping myself busy. Learning and finding new interests, keeping my brain and hands occupied, setting goals for myself and starting new projects. Breaking addictions and creating healthy habits. I'm moving further away from the things that keep me unhappy and I find myself moving closer to a peace of mind every day. Moving further away from the complications of society I find the natural simplicity of the Earth will guide me through. I question and I find the answers. I keep moving forward until I find my way to enlightenment.

two months<3
xo neena noel

sweater crazy lady

If I'm still up at midnight, I know I'm not going to sleep anytime soon. There's something about being in my room alone that hinders me from sleeping. But I'm not complaining, I tend to enjoy the quiet solitude, though it can get boring. So what better way to entertain myself besides browsing the internet for all those things that I want but can't have. It's a lot more fun than it sounds. 

I originally found this website, sheinside.com, from a blog giveaway that I entered earlier at rootsandfeathers.blogspot.com. I read the rules and found which item I would want as directed and then came back to the website later only to find out that they have TONS of sweaters. I'm obsessed with big, over-sized sweaters especially at this time of year. I've wandered through many Goodwills and other thrift stores collecting all of the best sweaters and never seem to get enough. And little did I know that this website existed only to sum up my love of sweaters. The lovely knits just make me feel warm and cozy and comfortable even just looking at them. Why can't I just live in awesome sweaters and soft pants? 

Here's my extensive wishlist of sweaters, or more like my dream closet. and some comfy pants too.

the blank page

I'll keep searching and I'll keep dreaming

I'll keep loving and I'll keep leaving

I'll fly high and I'll swing low 

I'll live fast but I'll take things slow.

I just want a world of my own.

Hello, Autumn.
I'm glad you're finally here.
Summer made me miss you even more.

Because there is always room for improvement,

l. Keep everything clean & organized

ll. Take more pictures

lll. Make things that I am proud of

lV. Keep an open mind

V. Live by my schedule

I'm ready for the harvest

Oh, luminous moon,

black nights alone

it's for you that I swoon.

Bold, aglow

it's all too soon

I'm shot back down

to wait again, 'til high noon.

with love, neena noel

finds

I hope y'all are having a good weekend, I definitely am. I found some awesome stuff at a neighbors garage sale, had some adventures and an all around great time in Ojai. For the three plus years that I've lived here this was the first time that I've ever gone garage-saling, but being right across the street from my house I decided to wander over and check things out. I remember always finding a bunch of crap and occasionally one cool thing at garage sales when I was younger, but I've opened my mind and broadened my horizons since then and I can now definitely agree that one girls trash is another girls treasure. We all get tired of our little possessions after a while, even some of the things that used to be our favorites - I love garage sales and thrift stores because they give a chance for something that was once loved to be loved again rather than sitting around collecting dust. I know I will constantly be recycling through things as long as I live, donating the old and finding other peoples old treasures, and hey, it's cheaper too! I got six new things for 9$, definitely scored.

Perfectly hand-knit sweater / blazer, in love and for only two dollars.

I finally have a couple of real wine glasses!

The origin of this necklace was unknown but those are some gorgeous hand-carved beads, I'm thinking they might be African?

This is the coolest nightlight I've ever seen.

with love,

neena noel 

for september

Septembers almost here, and thankfully I've gotten a few new things up in my shop recently. I've also been working on more stuff that I haven't listed on Etsy yet. I have a bunch of supplies coming in the mail that I cannot wait to open up and start using. For those of you who love jewelry be expecting lots of chain, coral, turquoise and tribal beads and hopefully some warm crocheted hats, scarves and clothes too.