Dear Cincinnati:

Dear Cincinnati,

I'll always love you.

I'll love you for twenty five years of memories, and I'll love you for your ice cream. I'll love you for all my closest friends. I'll love you for my amazing apartments: numbers one, two and three. I'll love you for your hip restaurants, bars and neighborhoods. I'll love you for your people: quick to smile, laugh and hug. Cincinnati, I'll love you for loving me.  

But, a few weeks ago, I used all my credit card points to buy a one way ticket to San Francisco. I wasn't sure if I was going to stay. I wanted to explore, take a chance, push my own boundaries. Somewhere along that process, I accepted a job. 

So, Cincinnati, now I love you even more: for testing my limits, for prepping me well. I'm excited. Afraid. Anxious. Happy. Humbled. Surprised. 

You will always be home, Cincinnati.
But, the things that scare us are the reasons we grow. 

Expect a few changes around here, sure. But, Cincinnati, you gave me Ida Street as a place to grow. I'm still growing. So, I think I'll bring this web space along.

Cincinnati, I'll always love you.
But for now, I'll be doing it from the west coast.

xox

Annie

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Photo: Lydia Phillips | Mintwood Photo Co.

Crushing on lately...

Hey! How was your weekend?! Good, I hope.

This weekend I finally got a handle on the bus situation. You're welcome, feet. Then, after getting lost on the Bart twice, figured that out too. God bless the wo/man who created Google Maps. I met new friends, saw a new part of CA and slept in. I also found a dog park, so now I can awkwardly sit and "read" while I watch all the puppies play. 

Anyway, here's my crush list! What's on yours?

• This blog.
• This purse. 
• These shoes.
• This throwback post.
• This map.

• These sunglasses.
• This ice cream.
• This IG feed.
• This movie. 
• These flowers.

• This company. 
• This backpack.
• This cute charger.
• This bakery.
• This toast.

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Photo: iPhone5s / Edits: Snapseed & VSCO

Well this is a dream come true...

It was the best weekend.

If you've spent any time with me IRL, you know I love the team at A Beautiful Mess. I've been an active reader since Feb. 2014 when my blogging (& real life) bestie sent me Emma's post On Changing Dreams. They are the craftiest, loveliest, happiest, most colorful group of  gals (& guys!) I follow.

It was the best weekend because ABM.... TOURED MY STUDIO. I know!!  So if you missed it, not to worry!  Head on over & take a read. Don't worry about me -- I'm still hyperventilating on my tiled kitchen floor :D

Now: if you've just recently found your way to Ida Street, welcome! I am so glad you're here. I hope you make a habit of stopping by because I'd love to spend some time together. Please, peruse around! Drop me a note if you'd like :D

xox

Crushing on lately...

Whew! It's been a crazy few weeks. I've missed you so!! 

June started a big slew of travel for me.  San Jose, Buffalo, Indianapolis & back to home to close out my events. It's been a lot! During that crazy 12 day span I turned 25,  worked between 10 & 20 hours a day & hardly was able to check in on Ida Street. 

But now I'm hoooome!  & it's a little cold! & I love it. 
So let's chat. Here's what I've been crushing on lately. What about you?

• This website. 
• This song. 
• This haircut. 
• These shoes.

• This video.
• This blog.
• This drink.
• This sale. 

• This book.
• This instagram feed.
• This movie.
• This.

Photo by Mintwood Photo Co.

Today, I'm 25.

Today is my twenty fifth birthday. Can you believe that? A quarter of a century. As a kid I never pictured myself at this age. I saw my childhood (obviously) & I saw myself as like a 40-year-old. Nothing in between. 

Yet, here I am. & here are you. & today I'm 25. 

Your twenties are hard. You'll go through a lot of ups and downs. I hardly have anything figured out about myself, my life, or my future. But, I have learned a few lessons over the years & I wrote them down. Take a read if you're bored at work ;D 

Sending you tons of love on my drive home from Buffalo. Thanks for being a part of my past 4 years. 
PS. If you're up for a trip down memory lane… I've linked my birthday posts from 2014, 2013 (n/a), 2012ish, 2011 & 2011 (Two post day, aww. I was so excited about being 21).

xox 

• Love yourself. You are your only permanent companion.  Accept your quirks. Celebrate your strengths. Don't be so hard on your weaknesses. Play up your good stuff & accept the other qualities. You aren't perfect. & that's okay. Perfection is boring, anyway.
• Confidence is the most attractive quality. 
• French press.
• Stay modest. Remember where you came from. Try to put others before yourself. What you put out into the world is what will come back to you.
• Train your mind to see one small happiness every day. Write it down at night. It will affect your entire life.
• The best book you will ever read is Tiny Beautiful Things. Send it to all of your friends. Read it once a year.
• Learn how to cook. It is cheaper than eating out  & it is lovely fun. 
• Accept help. So many people want to see you succeed. Help others, whenever you can.
• Drink two Nalgenes of water every day. It clears your skin & will help you feel good on the inside.
• Treat yourself.
• Eat dinner with your family as much as possible. 
• Wear whatever you want. You can pull off any fashion trend if you do it with enough confidence.
• Always be honest. In all your relationships. With others & yourself. At work, at home, with friends, with loved ones. Always.
• The bad days will help you appreciate the good ones. The long days at work will help you appreciate the easy days lounging in the sun. 
• Celebrate. 

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Photo by Lydia Phillips at Mintwood Photo Co.