Happy New Year....and 2013 Changes!!!

I hope everyone had a most wonderful Holiday & New Year! Although the Xmas decor is down, I've still left the twinkle lights up on my mantle as I love the afterglow it gives.

I went to a local's Farmer's Market last Saturday morning and picked up these gorgeous roses in a shade of "plum violet."

So thought I'd share a few images of my mantle and to also let you in on a few changes over here at "A Cozy Cottage in the City."

I know it's been nearly a year since I've "actively blogged" due to the issue with school, work, etc.

And between long commutes and long hours at the library, I've had time to reflect on my thoughts, and really where this whole blog thing was going.

I've pondered whether or not I should delete this little ole blog, my Facebook, Twitter, now Instagram...because I always felt that I was "holding back" on who I really was or am ~ or whatever the heck that may be, for that matter! **sigh**

Face it, this is a public profile and one can't be too careful of what you put down because you never know who could be "reading it," and who you might offend and what not.

But after having "talks with myself" (yeah, I do have conversations in my head like the weirdo that I am) and with my hubby, I've come to the conclusion that I just need to be myself...

...whether it be creative, sarcastic, vulnerable, etc.!

Just as long as I'm being true to myself...and it's been such a long time since I've really felt that way for fear of losing a friendship or two.

But the time has come to stop "walking on egg shells."

There are so many things going on right now in my life: some exciting, some confusing, others devastating, happy, wonderful...while others issues cause anxiety and fear.

Whatever it is that I choose to share at the moment, I hope you will come along my journey of life.

Some might not agree with what I may write or post about, but I've come to the conclusion that I can't please everyone, and that's ok.

So in celebration of 2013, I've decided to no longer let other people define who I am.

I need to break out of that shell that has somehow encased me within the last 10 years or so {because I'm not really sure what happened to the liberal & argumentative person that I can be}.

Self-deprecation and lack of confidence is not something that I want defining who I am...Even typing this down makes me quite nervous, but this is me.

I've had my share of blocking, deleting & removing people in my life that drain me...and if that issue arises the other way around, I'm ok with that too.

And to you ladies that have reached out to me {you know who you lovely bloggers are} ~ thank you so much!

Just please be patient with me. I'm still working on improving my soul. That's the worst thing about being a perfectionist...you never think who you are and what you do are ever good enough.

At any rate, thanks for listening!

In the meanwhile, I've made my Instagram account private until further notice...who knows, maybe by the time you read this I might make it public again {still in the process of filtering certain people in my life}.

So here are a few images that I took of the Farmer's Market that I went to on Saturday.

All pictures are now taken on my phone, since I can't find my regular camera for the life of me {sorry for the quality!}.

Hope you enjoy the images as much I enjoyed taking them, and sorry if you are on my IG account and you are seeing these again! :)

Images above can be found on my Instagram Account.

Take care everyone and have a blessed day!


Warmly,
Jessie