be brave

When I set out to write my post Things I'm Afraid To Tell You a few weeks ago, I had no idea that it would become my most popular post ever. Who knew that after two years of blogging all you really wanted was to hear me vent?

It's incredible to see how far such a movement can spread through the blogging world, the Huffington Post even wrote about it and I completely fell in love with this 'Be Brave' print by Jess Constable, who originated the idea. Now there are people all over the world displaying real bravery so let's not take ourselves too seriously. I mean telling you all I have a fear of regret is one thing, pulling someone out of burning building  or braving an illness is another. But by all means be brave, go ahead and blog about your fears - I did and it felt amazing.

craft & courage

  

Everyone once and a while an event will come along where cost doesn't matter, where prior commitments are thrown out the window and all schedules are cleared. For most people these events are normally reserved for things like weddings, the birth of a child or seeing One Direction in concert but for me, this past weekend's Etsy Success Sydney was that event. A day all to myself, in one of Sydney's most stunning locations, to listen, learn and rediscover a sense of excitement and motivation that is all too often pushed aside. Plus I got a goodie bag - you certainly don't get that a One Direction concert do you? 

The day was rainy yet epic. Angela D'Alton, Etsy's Australian Community Manager did an amazing job putting this event together and kicked off the day with a touching and tearful speech before introducing Chad Dickerson, Etsy's CEO. His presentation on 'Finding Your Courage' was simple, powerful and had a profound impact on me. Sometimes when the timing is right, a message just hits its mark and everything clicks - it was one of those moments. I was feeling all zen with the world when Angela asked me if I wanted to meet Chad, who I should point out is totally down to earth, humble and rather unassuming. Um, yes please, I mean who wouldn't want to exchange banter with Brooklyn's most crafty CEO? Well instead of the witty and creative dialogue I imagined, I got totally nervous and ended up talking about American drip coffee. What?? Yup, my one chance to swap craft renegade war stories and I'm standing there mumbling (at one point I'm pretty sure I stuttered), red in the face talking about Dunkin Donuts. I'm sure it was a highlight for him. 

After I regained my composure the rest of the day went off without a hitch. It was great to see Jayde & Steve from Little Paper Lane, Pottymouthmama, the girls from TMOD and other familiar faces. I even managed to meet a few new people including the pretty kickass Brooklyn Etsy crew without ever mentioning my obsession with drip coffee again. Progress I say. There were discussions about craft and commerce, conversations about courage, I saw lots of brightly coloured tights and finally a glass (or two) of champagne to end the evening. What more could you want? It was Etsy and it was awesome.

etsy success sydney & vivid festival

I love the Vivid Festival. Love it. And this year I'm like a Vivid groupie, signing up for classes and loving every minute Sydney is aglow (why can't the city always look like this?)

On Saturday I'm heading off to an event called Etsy Success Sydney and I can't begin to tell you how excited I am to spend the entire day learning from some pretty cool and creative ladies. Such the nerd I'll probably arrive early and with a brand new notebook. It's like the first day of school all over again, I can't wait.

ballad of a broken toe

Thing have slowed down around here lately thanks to a broken toe that was the result of an over zealous kick to the couch. A ridiculous and embarrassing injury but surprisingly painful. Who knew a little toe could cause such interruption to my routine?  I've been hobbling around and enjoying the excuse to wear sneakers to work while the swelling and bruising go down. Despite moving at a slower pace and elevating my foot, we've managed to be surprisingly active  -a trip to a local art auction, supporting the blues at the first State of Origin game, pub meals, Italian feasts and bbqing on the balcony. It doesn't look like we'll be slowing down anytime soon, the week ahead looks busier than ever. Here's to fast healing...

all about etsy

My love for Etsy continues over on the Creative Women's Circle this month where I talk to Angela D'Alton, Etsy's new Australian Community Manager.

things i'm afraid to tell you

Things I'm Afraid To Tell You. Have you heard about this movement started by a few US bloggers? It's all about sharing things on your blog you would normally hide and getting rid of this notion of perfection blogging. When I first read about it I instantly connected with the idea of confession. Something about throwing caution to the wind and exposing your vulnerability was both thrilling and horrifying at the same time. In true fearful Jaclyn style, I filed the email away so that I could think about whether or not I actually had the guts to write something. Of course I wanted to. I just didn't know if I could or would. 

This little blog is just a small blip in the blogosphere but even i sometimes feel ridiculous of how life can appear on this blog. I cringe reading back some of my posts where all i do is talk about strolling around the block, quick dips in the ocean or another delicious dinner at some beach side restaurant.  Is this really my life? Perhaps it represents a very, very small sliver and while I'm so grateful for the beautiful and lucky world that I live in, the reality is that my life is mostly messy, boring, mundane and just as wonderfully crazy as anyone else. I just choose not to show you most of the crazy bits. You don't get to see the dusty corners, dirty dishes, days when I'm homesick and feeling sorry for myself and all the other less than perfect, not so bloggable moments that make up my life.

In the spirit of sharing and in a brief moment of bravery I'll do my little part in sharing a few of the things I'm afraid of.  Here goes...

I'm easily afraid. Of failure, rejection, missing out, losing out.  Of regret. I really fear regret.

I don't know what I want to be when I grow up. And I'm actually okay with that. I'm pretty happy with where I am at the moment and am in no rush to plan away the years ahead.  I never really thought that I'd be where I am today, sometimes that's a good thing and somethings I feel like I've missed out on what I hope I'd achieved. Then I step back and look at the steps that brought me to this place and realise that I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.  Some days its just harder to realise this than others.

I'm my own worst enemy. My self doubt when not kept in check can be debilitating. For a mostly confident person I can really get down on myself at times and its extremely irritating.

I like being alone. I am perfectly comfortable spending time by myself and secretly cherish those moments when Jimmy is out of the house and I get to lounge around in daggy clothes, listening to cheesy music or watching bad television.

Despite trying really, really hard not to, I care far too much what people think of me.

And finally, I'm 33 and I actually like that One Direction song. Like, a lot.

Wow, this felt great....way better than therapy. Hope it wasn't too heavy but thanks for listening.

happy mother's day

To my beautiful mom, my amazing sister and all the inspiring women in my life who have cooked, clean, bathed and completed countless other thankless tasks all in the name of motherhood. May you be spoiled and appreciated today and always. Happy Mother's Day. xx

happy days

Last weekend I rode a horse named Happy. He was spotted, slow and a bit rough around the edges which ironically is exactly how I'm feeling at the moment. We were a match made in heaven and I can't thank my friend Debbie enough for coming up with the brilliant idea to go horseback riding. It was every bit as fun as I remembered and although I didn't get to wear a cowboy hat, I did manage to get Happy into a brisk trot which was about as crazy as he and I could handle. Yee-haw.

blogging in style

The social media addiction continues. At work today I realised that I was working on  Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and using Instagram on my phone - at the same time. A bit much you might ask? Probably but its all in day's work and admittedly I enjoy it. Tonight I went to another event hosted by Social Media Women and the hot topics were yet again how we can look to use Pinterest and Instagram for business so it doesn't look like this trend will be slowing down anytime soon. Perhaps I just need to learn a bit more balance?

In other work related news, a project that I've been working on has finally finished and I can proudly share the end result with you here. Take a look at the newly launched Life Instyle blog, a collection of all things in style and great place to get your daily design fix.

city slickers

City life. I don't just like it, I love it. So much more than I thought I would. True, its a bit gritty, dirty and noisy at times but there is something about looking at buildings that have seen better days, peeling paint and cracked sidewalks that holds a certain charm. I feel like I'm always discovering someplace new to shop, drink and eat (and don't even get me started on the heavenly selection of Mexican food around us, its enough to make me never want to leave).  Our neighbors are a funny mix of people, we've made friends with the owner of the local convenience store and despite the horrid blue carpet, this place is finally feeling like home.

two crazy kids

Wishing my parents a (belated) happy anniversary. May each day together be better than the last. 

p.s - nice shorts dad :)