Do Scary Things

Yesterday I posted this picture on Instagram .  This quote is in The Lovely Adventure mission statement and it's been something I've carried around with me for years. 

I went to college thinking I would get a degree, earn the big bucks and change the world.  Turns out, college revealed everything I wasn't good at (math, test taking, memorizing, reading large amounts and comprehension).  I thoroughly hated the academia of college. I wouldn't trade my friends and social experiences for the world, so in the end I'm glad I went. But also in the end, I had no idea who I was or what the heck I was going to do with my life.  Gifts? Did I have those? According to my college GPA and test scores, no.  No, I did not.  So, after college I wandered.  I worked at camp, which I loved.  My husband (boyfriend at the time) had moved to the United States for a job and that fall I followed.  We worked for the same YMCA resort, he did challenge adventures and I did outdoor education.  It wasn't my favorite job in the world, but, I did discover that I was good at being creative, hard working and people generally liked me as a human (always good to know).  

I got engaged that fall on a trip to Australia and that winter of 2010 in the off season I started this little crafty adventure of mine.  I discovered this love for handmade, re-purposing and teaching myself new skills.  

I went on to work full time at Heartland Camp after we were married in the fall of 2011 (I could write a whole novel on how much I love that place... I'll save that for another day).  That job gave me the freedom to discover that I loved design.  I loved graphic design, web design and event design.  I was pretty good at leadership (always room to grow) and I just hardcore love being part of a community and learning people's stories. I don't think I would have ever learned those things about myself had God not opened doors for me and had I not mustered up the courage to walk through. I'm all teary just thinking about it. How much I love how God has called me out of my box and said, "Andrea, you were made for so much more than this." 

Some days I struggle to believe it. Most days. Most days I want to curl up under a blanket and stop pushing my boundaries. Get a "real" job, stop trying to learn new things and just be safe.  But the truth is, it makes me feel alive. My soul craves creativity and design and learning new things. Starting this business has been the hardest and best thing I've ever done. And as soon as I want to throw in the towel, stop "wasting" our money and give up, God gives me a new idea. Or sends me someone who inspires me.  I have yet to hit a dead end.  And for me, always the pessimist, who is usually searching for the dead ends or an excuse to stop, that's pretty remarkable. 

Living the life you were created for doesn't really have an end or a golden answer. Living. It's a verb, it's continuous while we are blessed with life. Don't let your doubts or who the world says you should be create your box.  Turn that dang box into a spaceship and send it to the moon, you won't need it. Life is full of freedom without it. It's full of struggle and doubts and tears, too. But, when you aren't trying to fit in a box that you weren't created for in the first place, it's full of discovering who a boxless God created you to be. 

It's also worth noting who God didn't create you to be.  I thought I was meant to be a top of my class PHD psychologist.  Because that was successful (and really, it is...just not for me).  Coming to terms with the fact that my brain doesn't comprehend math, it can really only learn kinestetically and that my introverted tendencies are sometimes my best has changed my life. When you stop trying to fit into that box, you find you didn't really like it in there anyway.  

So here's to living the lives we were created for.  To giving up our boxes and pushing our boundaries. Here's to doing scary things (even if they are small) and figuring out how to be the best you.  You have something special to share with the world. There is only one of you and someone needs what you have.  Find it and don't stop sharing your story. 

Love,

The Lovely Adventurer

P.s. You're the best

Cookie Jar Turned Planter!

This post will be short and sweet... mostly because this project is so easy!  Hooray! 

My husband is an Aussie and so when my family finds anything that resembles a Kanagroo or says "Made in Australia" it comes to our house.  I love it. My grandma volunteers at a thrift store and so when she found a cookie jar shaped like a Kangaroo it obviously had to be mine.  The only problem is that we don't keep cookies long enough after they've been baked to store in a cookie jar. So.... I had to think of some other way to use it. 

One day the idea just hopped (see what I did there? Because... Kangaroo? yep.) into my head to use it as a planter!  So I wiped it down and prepared it for spray paint.  I forgot to take a before picture because I got too excited... oops.  But it looked like a Kangaroo. And it had a bandanna on.  All the cool kangaroos are wearing those these days. 

I sprayed several coats of Valspar Outdoor Color in White that I got from Lowe's onto my kangaroo friend. (I promise this isn't a sponsored post or an ad... I went to Lowe's because it was next to Hobby Lobby, where I wander away most of my afternoons.  And I chose this paint because it had a plant on it... it was all very scientifically thought out.)  

I think any white spray paint would work but I liked that this one claimed to be all weather protection so that I can keep it outside in the shade.  It took me about 3 coats and once it was all dry (soooooo haarrrrd to waiiiiiitttttt....) I was ready to re-pot my succulents! 

Many succulent lives have died in our home.  I'm seriously the worst plant owner... ever. Don't tell the Kangaroo yet, he doesn't know. I'm going to try doubly hard this time.  They will stay alive! 

That's it!  I think these would be so cute as housewarming gifts or just gifts in general.  Great for porch/patio decor.  I love it!  If you make one you MUST send me a picture!  I want to see how adorable it is!  

You're the best,

The Lovely Adventurer

Lovely Adventures Near Kansas City

Some of the sweetest people I know got together and paid for a round trip ticket so I could fly "home" and volunteer for a week at my favorite place, Heartland Camp, as well as see my beautiful family, friends, and hit all my favorite spots around town.  I didn't want to overwhelm you with exclamation marks within the first sentence... so I just went ahead and left them all out.  But just imagine like a million, okay? great.  Also, you can imagine all caps letters. for the entire first sentence.  

I tell everyone in Colorado that I am from Kansas City, MISSOURI (everyone thinks I'm from Kansas... ummm... no).  But the truth is that while I love the city, the places that have the biggest pieces of my heart are Liberty, Missouri (my hometown and about 30 minutes from downtown KC) and Parkvile, Missouri (home to one of my favorite places in the world and about 20 minutes from downtown KC).  

So, in honor of my flight home, to see the people and places that I love, I've compiled a list of 10 things I'm going to do and visit during my week there.  Because I love lists.  a lot. 

Can we also just pause and say how hard it is to have multiple "homes"?  Home is where my husband is, without a doubt.  But home is also my mom and dad's house and home is also Heartland Camp and home is also in Australia.  Home is so many places where people I love are.  It's impossible to choose just one.  So when I say "home"... I mean that one place where the people I love are.  

Things to do at "Home"

1. Hug Mom and Dad (duh.)

This one is mainly just for me... I mean if you know them too you can definitely hug them... but if you don't, they'll probably still hug you anyway because they are the sweetest but it will be kinda weird. 

2. 54th Street

If you're looking for really delicious food at a decent price and you're in Liberty or near Zona Rosa, this is a must.  You have to order the Gringo Dip.  You'll probably look on the menu, see the price and think "What is this stuff made of?!  Pure gold?!".  Yes. Yes it is. I have yet to find anything that matches its deliciousness.  My husband can confirm that at least once a week I say, "You know what I miss?  Gringo Dip."  I will probably be there at least every other night this week because #halfpriceappetizersafter9  is the bomb.com and so is 54th street.  The super nachos are also a superb choice. 

3. Catfish and Tater

If you're in Kansas city and looking for a day trip to fill your desire for small town charm stop in Liberty at their historic downtown square.  Some of the stores are forever changing but I'm happy that one seems to be sticking around.  Catfish and Tater is hands down my favorite place to shop.  I've never been to a "boutique" style shop that is so warm, friendly and absolutely my style.  The clothing is quality and the atmosphere is so fun.  Heather, the owner, has done a beautiful job at adding her style to the shop's decor and ensuring that each customer is treated with kindness.  There are also so many fun locally designed accessories that make great gifts for those who couldn't travel with you.  I always walk out with one of a kind pieces.

The adorable Liberty Square

4. Bittersweet Soap

While you are on the square just a short walk away from Catfish and Tater is a beautiful old historic home that has the front porch my dreams are made of.  Inside is a shared shop of vintage treasures and handmade soaps/beauty products.  The owner of The Bittersweet Soap Shop is probably my favorite aspect of the visit.  I don't know her but she always strikes up conversation as though we are the best of friends and is just the sweetest soul.  

Her soaps and other handmade products are amazing and never disappoint. There is always a new smell we have to try and they make great take-home gifts as well.  

5.  Hillcrest Hope Thrift Store

Just a couple blocks away from the Liberty Square is, in my opinion, the best thrift store in town.  It is large, bright, always organized and quite trendy!  I don't know if I've ever walked out empty handed... if I have it's because I was demonstrating serious self control that day.  There are always fun finds and they put out new stuff throughout the day so it is never the same. 

I must admit that while I do love the treasure finding, my favorite part is that my grandma is usually volunteering in the back.  Hugs from her are sunshine for your soul and always make me happy.  She's one of my favorite people in the whole world and I can only hope I'll be as beautiful as her someday.  

6. The Red Apron

The Red Apron is only open on the third Friday-Saturday every month.  If you're lucky enough to be in or near Liberty, Missouri during this time, you have to stop by.  It is a collection of vendors that sell re-purposed and repainted vintage home decor and furniture.  The prices are reasonable and the place is always so beautifully organized and displayed.  

If you are there when the owner, Kirsten, is working she will undoubtedly brighten your day.  The vendors work hard between sales to find treasures and create new pieces so the store never looks the same.  It is located in a red building tucked back on a country road.  Tons of charm and the hunt for new treasures is so fun.  

7. Friendly Bean Coffee

"Yes, hi.  I would like a large strawberry smoothie with whipped cream and a large chocolate chai, please.  Oh!  And can I also get a cranberry oatmeal scone, please?"  

This is exactly what you should say when you go through their drive through.  You won't regret it.  They are locally owned, the only place in town I've found that serves Big Train Chocolate Chai (which means they get 100 gold stars) and are always delicious. 

8. West Bottoms // Vintage Revival

You've probably guessed by now that I have a serious love affair with anything vintage.  Every first Friday of the month the area in Kansas City named "The West Bottoms" is flooded with people and food trucks for a three day monthly celebration of everything vintage.  Old warehouses and run down buildings have been renovated and given new life.  There are floors of handmade and re-purposed vintage items.  The selection of food trucks for lunch are amazing and it's it such a fun time to walk around and explore. 

My personal favorite stop is Bella Patina.  Their displays and passion for supporting their local city are inspiring.  You could almost spend your entire day just in Bella Patina!  I usually have to demonstrate my highest level of self control when shopping there... but typically walk out with a little something :) 

Image Via: Bella Patina 

9. Parkville Coffee

Parkville has an adorably whimsical main street that leads down to a beautiful park next to the Missouri river.  My favorite spot to stop on my way down to the park is Parkville Coffee House.  The coffee is wonderful... you can order anything and not go wrong.  What I HAVE to get every time is their bacon and egg frittata.  If I'm feelin' crazy I'll get a whole... but most of the time a half is plenty to fill me up.  I get the whole grain bread (the best) and you can order it to go or to stay.  I crave their frittatas... I could probably eat one every day and not be sad about it. Not even a little. 

10. Heartland Camp

This is a home for me.  I think I could write multiple posts on how much I love what God does in my life through Heartland Camp.  I've never met a more genuine community of people, had so much fun at a "job" and felt that I was exactly where I was meant to be than in this place.  I am so excited to give a week of my time to serve God, kids and this community.  

If you are looking for a place to send your kids, volunteer, have a retreat, work or just hike around.  These 320 acres of sacred ground will take you in with open arms.  It's a must see, in my opinion.  I've been a lot of beautiful places and I think this place and its community still takes the cake.  

So, if you're looking for not so touristy things to do around Kansas City, I highly recommend the list above.  They are places that I miss dearly.  Mainly I miss them because of the company that accompanied me and the beautiful memories I have.  So, make sure you have some awesome people to take with you.  Genuine relationships and wonderful friends make everything better.

See you soon, Kansas City. You're the best.

Love,

The Lovely Adventurer

A New Lovely Adventure

Well, in case this is your first time reading about my lovely adventure I'll give you the really really short version of my life....

I'm Andrea.  I was born and raised in near Kansas City, Missouri.  I went to college for a degree in Psychology (which I do not use unless I am working my part-time job as a people watcher).  In 2007 I spent my first summer at Heartland Camp (my favorite place in the whole world) as a counselor.  I fell in love with camp and with my now husband, Russell.  He's Australian and I married him mostly for his super cool accent ... and I suppose for other reasons like his heart of gold.  

After college we got married and I began working full time for Heartland Camp as the Assistant Program Director.  God showed me who I was and revealed gifts I never knew I had.  We lived at camp with our two pups for three years until Russell's dream job called from Colorado.  Now I'm here in Grand Junction, Colorado learning again who I am and why God planned this place to be a part of my Lovely Adventure.  

So, for those of you who have spent months requesting pictures of our little rental house, today is your lucky day.  And for those of you who haven't, just pretend you have so that today can also be your lucky day. 

I love this little house and it's been the perfect distraction to being in a new town, having a traveling husband and being so far from family.  I've spent almost every weekend at estate sales and garage sales slowly collecting a lot of the things you'll see in these pictures.  I love to repurpose and buy second hand.  I'm learning that curating my style takes patience and waiting for that perfect piece that just glows when I look at it.  P.s. Glowing furniture/home decor is a thing.  

Welcome to The Cronin's...

This is the view as you walk up the stairs from the front door.  It's my favorite and makes me smile every time.  I think it is those curtains... they melt my heart.  And the sweetest old lady sold them to me on my birthday a few years ago... I love that so many things I have come with a story. Our house also has the best light... big windows make me happy.  

The view from the living room area to the dining room/office.  I feel like I should win an award for fitting this much stuff in a small space, people!  Those chairs though... so so comfortable.  I searched f..o..r..e..v..e..r.. for chairs or a love seat and these were glowing at me... really, they were. 

My little desk area... I searched forever for a desk too and cheered when the owners helped me fit it in my tiny car.  I dream of painting it one day.. but for now it fits perfectly in my little space and is big enough to hold the world.. sooo... it's pretty great. 

These are the shutters that pretend not to be placed directly in front of all the wires and cords that come out of the wall for our internet...and also they hold all the love we receive in the mail.  So, if you send me some... it gets a pretty high profile spot... just sayin'. 

These are my dogs that are pretending to be good.  Minion is the biggest and Phnowphlake (like snowflake with a lisp) is the little one. They are only the worst sometimes.  And this is the spot that is sort of a "catch-all" when we walk in the door.  It looks very lovely and clean right now... don't let it fool you. 

My favorite spot where all the light streams in.  Our giant table also has two leaves... like for when we have a million people over at our house which has happened approximately twice because we are professional introverts.  And that gallery wall is a collection of all of my favorite things.  Our house came already painted with my favorite colors, it's the best. 

Decorating our table is my new favorite thing. And fresh flowers.  And apparently collecting glass vases... don't tell my husband. 

Our GIANT kitchen that I love.  If you ever come over I'll probably take you to the Chinese place down the street (seriously, so good) because I can't really cook but I pretend to cook a lot of things in this kitchen and my husband pretends to like my cooking.  

Down stairs... our house has all these marble shelves everywhere... it's a hoarders dream.  All my little trinkets and things I don't have wall space for get set on these shelves. Obviously I have a thing for maps. 

It feels really weird posting a picture of my bathroom on the internet.. but I know all you nosey people will ask me about it.  And I probably would have also asked me about it so, you're welcome. These "Hot Baths" hooks are my favorite thing in the bathroom.  

Our bedroom is probably the room that has been least loved by the decorating fairy.  She's been waiting for the perfect bedside tables to glow at an estate sale and for the crazy lady that lives here to stop putting everything she owns on the dang marble shelf that goes all the way around the room.  Also, I spared you a picture of our dressers because I have yet to paint them... one is still neon orange, blue and green from when it was in my sister's bedroom back in 1999 when she was in 3rd grade... I sanded it and then I got distracted by glitter or something... 

Behold, my craft room.  In all its cluttered and creative crazy glory.  It looks like this for about 1 minute before the human tornado (aka me) starts doing anything in this room.  

Yes, that is a Lisa Frank calendar. I may be 27 but I am still riding on the feeling of being super cool while walking into my 2nd grade classroom with brand new Lisa Frank folders.  You know... don't act like you don't. And if you seriously don't know... just ask anyone in their 20's... they can't fight the Lisa Frank love. 

I'm even showing you a picture of my Pinterest perfect closet.  There are some mind blowing oranizational techniques going on here.  Go ahead, pin it.  It's pretty great.  And if you haven't noticed, sarcasm is my second language.  I inherited it from my father. I'm pretty sure he invented sarcasm. 

aaaaand we'll just end with this pretty picture so my Pinterest worthy closet isn't the last thing I leave your memory.  

But, all sarcasm aside, I really do love this house.  I'm learning a lot about myself, falling in love with Grand Junction and Colorado.  I'm so excited to share pieces of my little lovely adventure with you.  Thanks for reading.  

You're the best, 

The Lovely Adventurer

DIY Ring Bearer Sign

Matrimony Monday: Ring Bearer

Today's Matrimony Monday is short and sweet...

My cousin Aidan was our ring bearer (and a pretty dang good one at that!)... this is him walking down just before me:

I loved it.  We made the sign with a piece of wood we covered with chalk board paint and glued a ribbon to the back.  We hand wrote the message.  so simple.  And the pillow he carried was the pillow my parents used in their wedding, which was just a really special touch.

And that's it!  Know you are loved. 

DIY "Guest Book" Bench

Matrimony Monday: Guest Bench / L.O.V.E. update

When planning our wedding I thought of so many different ideas for guest books.  I'm not one to be too traditional and so when I found a pin (of course) of a bench that all of the guests signed I knew that would be my "guest book".

My daddy is pretty much my hero.  I have always been a daddy's girl.  (sorry mom :) ).  So when I asked him if he would make me a bench, of course, he agreed.  And let me tell you, It turned out so beautifully.  I could be biased... but in this instance I think you will agree that my dad's bench making skills are pretty impressive.


So this is the bench (drum roll please):

it's beautiful.  i love it.

My beautiful mama painted the tree and the birds in the middle along with our initials.  She is a beautiful painter (my sister inherited that). We had sharpies sitting out by the card suitcase and my two beautiful friends Julie and Liesel showed people where they could sign.  There are so many cool personal notes.  Some people were serious, some people were ridiculously silly, some signed under the bench others signed on top. There is just love every where you look on that bench.  It makes me happy.

And forever, we will have a bench that my father made for our wedding.  A bench that everyone who attended, Australian and American, signed.  It will sit at the foot of our bed as a reminder of the most beautiful day of our lives.  That, friends, is beautiful and probably more than I had ever thought this bench would be when I found the idea.

There are so many awesome guest book alternatives out there.  Puzzles, jenga pieces (a recent favorite find), mad libs, thumbprint trees... so many.  Find one that will remind you of the most beautiful and perfect day of your life.

and as always, I hope you have found inspiration to do what you L.O.V.E.