Dreams, etc. // Minneapolis Lifestyle Blog

Life

Be Unashamed When You Share Your Story

“It was hard to share my story and air my dirty laundry.”

I heard these words as I listened to a podcast and I immediately stopped what I was doing to take them in. “And air my dirty laundry.”

It’s hard to share our stories. It’s awkward to share things we’ve done that we wish we hadn’t. It’s uncomfortable to share things that have been done to us. If there’s something we’re struggling with at a certain moment in time, we keep it to ourselves.

Our stories can fill us with shame and embarrassment. So we stay silent and we hold them inside. We present our curated life on Instagram and Facebook and hide the parts that aren’t Pinterest perfect. We view other curated lives and try to hide our “dirty laundry” even more.

Our stories can fill us with shame and embarrassment. We don't want to share our story because we feel we're all alone. The truth is: we're not alone. And our stories have the power to connect us.
Read More
Books

Top Books of 2018

Happy Wednesday, friends! Speaking of being behind, I feel like it’s a late to post my favorite books from 2018, but here we are: my top books of 2018. This list isn’t filled with only 2018 releases; they’re all just books I read for the first time and loved throughout the year. I split it up into three sections: 2018 Releases, Other YA I Loved, and Non-Fiction. Within each section they’re listed in the order I read them, not in order of how much I loved them. Without further ado, lets get into the books.

Note – Some of the links used in this post are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase using them I’ll make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Some of these books may have been sent by the publisher for review. If so, I’ll designate that at the beginning of the review.

A round-up of the best books I read in 2018 (a mix of new releases & books from previous years), along with a guide to help decide if it's right for you.
Read More
Creativity Life

It’s OK to Tip-Toe Into the New Year

We’re a week into January and I already feel overwhelmed. Anyone else? No, not overwhelmed by my goals. (I’m slowly, but surely thinking about what I’d like to accomplish in the next week/month.) No, I’m overwhelmed by everything I feel like I should have done.

Here’s the thing. It appears as though everyone knows exactly what they’re going to do and accomplish this year… or, at least, everything they want to do and accomplish. I’ve seen so many photos, videos, and posts about beautifully decorated planners or BuJo spreads. And it was all done before 2019 even started. Everyone was ready to jump into 2019 with both feet and I’m here tip-toeing in.

Some people can jump right into their goals for the new year, others need to tip-toe in. And that's okay., // dreams-etc.com
Read More
Books

Books Read in December (+ You Should Read Them If…)

Happy Friday! I read some books in December. 😳And I read some books that I really enjoyed, so I’m excited to share them with you! I actually read the first in November, but forgot to include it in my last wrap-up (🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️), so I’m sharing it with you now, even though it might be the most pointless review in the post. Enjoy! 😉

Let me know what you read in December! I’m always on the lookout for new books to add to my never-ending TBR.

Note: Some of the links used are affiliate links, which means I’ll earn a small percentage if you make a purchase using it, at no extra cost to you.

Read More
Adventures Life

Little Things // December 2018

Each month I like to practice gratitude by looking back at the little things each month. For me that usually means looking through the photos on my phone and remembering moments that might not come to mind so easily. Let’s take a look back at December!

Mina starts out the month.

Practicing gratitude by celebrating the little things each month. December 2018 included dogs, holidays, birthdays, and beautiful scenery. // dreams-etc.com
Read More
Life

Hello 2019 // Reflections on New Starts

“My years have been good for awhile. I’m probably due for a bad one soon.”

I was at a friend’s for a Clue-themed murder mystery dinner party and this thought crossed my mind as we rang in the new year.

That year was fine. The following year was exciting: I changed jobs. The year after that had its stresses and began the slow descent into one of my worst years. Let’s not talk about 2017. And last year was beautiful, but was actually a really difficult year for me.

As I looked ahead to 2019 I realized that I started to view a new year with dread. What do you have in store for me, 2019? Are you going to be good or…? I started to think about all the things that could go wrong.

Read More
Books

Books I Read in Fall (+ You Should Read Them If…)

Hello! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. It was a quiet holiday for my family so I was able to get some rest and relax throughout the week, which is something I’ve lacked quite a bit in 2018 (rest). It felt so nice to unwind a bit! Part of rest and relaxation for me involves reading, so I decided it was time to share what I read in the fall so that December can stand on its own in book reviews when the month is officially over. Stay tuned for December reads and my favorite books from 2018 in the next week or so!

Until then, this is what I read from September through November. It’s organized by YA, thrillers/horror, and the one non-fiction that I read during this time period.

Here's a list of the books I read and a list to help you decide if it's the right book for you! What have you read? // dreams-etc.com
Read More
Creativity Entertainment

Christmas Music Playlist 2018

Of course, I had to come back in December if only to post my annual Christmas music playlist. But to be honest… for a little while I wasn’t sure if I would actually put it together. You all know how much I absolutely love Christmas music, but this month I’ve been listening to a different album on repeat.

But I knew I’d regret it if I didn’t get my annual dose of Christmas music in. (It’s usually playing 24/7 this time of year!) And while it would be an understatement to say that I threw consistency out of the window this year with my blog, the one thing I have done for as long as I can remember on Dreams, etc. (before it was even called that!) is post a Christmas music playlist. So. Here are the playlists I put together for you this year.

Sit by your Christmas tree, sip some hot chocolate, and listen to some tunes! Our annual Christmas music playlist is here! // Dreams, etc.

That’s right! I said playlistS. I always throw music I’m listening to into the playlist and then narrow it down before I post it so that it’s a nice, reasonable size. But this year I culled a few songs, but didn’t want to take out anything else. That playlist has a little over two hours of Christmas goodness for you! But it was a little difficult to organize the songs to tell my story–as I do each year–so I rolled up my sleeves and was ruthless! Kind of. The abridged version clocks in at just over an hour. (I tried to get it under an hour. I really did.)

Read More
Life

Little Moments // September – November 2018

Hello, friends! Happy Friday. 

It’s been awhile since I’ve talked about something other than books, but that is going to change. I’m not going to stick to a schedule… yet. A schedule is in the works, but for now I want to ease back into blogging and incorporate it back into my life again.

This year has been a whirlwind. I worked a lot and there were times that I felt like I was hardly ever home. And while there were times Dreams, etc. was far from my mind, it’s actually been something I’ve thought quite a bit about throughout the year. Back in February I attended a conference in New York and the entire conference was helpful, but there was one session in particular that made me think about what I want Dreams, etc. After almost a year of having these thoughts circle around in my mind, I’m finally solidifying my vision and why for this space and I’m so excited to dive back into everything. In some ways I’d like to say I’m disappointed that it’s taken me this long to think everything through. In some ways I am, but… I’m also not. If I had moved forward with everything in spring my logo would have looked different than the one I’m working on now, because the design I’m going with now came into my life in July. If I had jumped into everything earlier this year I wouldn’t have had as much time to sit with these thoughts and really work through them. And I probably would have burned out pretty quickly.

But now… now is definitely the time to get back into it. So keep an eye out for a new logo and a new layout. I’ll also share more about my vision for this space soon.

Until then, let’s take a look back at the last few months and the little moments that filled them. What were some of your little moments this fall?

I have an assortment of shapes and sizes for this. Some of them aren’t event the best, but… it is what it is today, I guess. 

 

Read More

Books

Book Review // The Scythian Trials by Elizabeth Isaacs

Note – I received a copy of this book from the publisher through TLC Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. No affiliate links were used in this post.

About The Scythian Trials

Paperback: 372 pages
Publisher: Vesuvian Books (October 23, 2018)

For thousands of years, The Scythian Society has lived on the fringe of civilization, strengthening their race while protecting humanity. The last warriors of man, they live by one credo.

Strength through Equality. Power through Knowledge.

Read More

Back to top

  • Instagram Slider

    • I dont like to post imperfect things although I wouldnt
    • Is it too early to share reflections on 2018? In
    • Portrait of a dog on a rainy December day We
    • Waiting on Santa like Actually Ive never been a
    • Taking a few minutes in the morning to plan my
    • My first read of 2019 was Empty Set by Vernica
    • Unfurling into the New Year like I hope you had
    • I always enjoy seeing what pictures got the most attention