happy new year!!

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Notes: The simplest way to wish someone a happy new year in French is with Bonne année !, but Bonne année et bonne santé is a classic expression. In English, we say “happy new year,” but the “new” is unnecessary in French – bonne année does the whole job. The addition of bonne santé (good health) is not only a nice thought, but it also rhymes, making a little sing-songy sort of phrase.
**Interestingly, kissing under the mistletoe is a New Year’s custom in France, rather than a Christmas custom as in other countries. Hmmm… I’m thinking – How about BOTH?!

And now, for a few more random New Year’s Day thoughts and musings…

How about a Daily Affirmation (from “Jessica”). For such a young girl, she has much to teach us, I think. A great way to start each day of the new year…! And then there is that “all too familiar” New Year’s resolution – I’m gonna work out… again… more… every other Tuesday…. once…???

Decision. This year, rather than “New Year’s Resolutions” – I’m thinking more about a 2013 “bucket list” of sorts. I guess that “thinking” is the key word here – as I am actually still forming this 2013 list.

I do know certain things that WILL be included…. moving my parents and my brother here to Kansas City, blogging more 🙂 taking a photography course (and, of course, taking a TON of pictures!), re-working my “Creations” room and then using that room to CREATE…!!!! There are so many creative ideas in my head… and I am so ready to start doing them… rather than just wishing that I was doing them!

I’m really excited about all that is ahead for the year, actually. It’s going to be a good year. So how about you…?

What’s on your “bucket list” for 2013?

creating yourself

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And so who is “creations by cathy“…? Hmmm… well, that’s kind of a long story. OK, let’s be honest here. I don’t know any short stories. Period. Better that you know that from the start. But I try. Really, I do. In fact, I will try right now. This is gonna be the short story of “Creations”…

Well, let’s see… I started Creations almost 10 years ago in July 2002. During that time I specialized in giftware and hand-painted glassware (by yours truly!), participated in about a million different shows and had booths in four different locations (stores) throughout Kansas City (at different times). Presently, I can be found at Trendz Market, an upscale boutique co-op in south Kansas City (151st & Nall for you “locals”!), where I have been since it opened, just over three years ago.

Everything changed in early 2012. I finally found the inner strength to follow my true passion; a very “Shabby Chic, English/French Country, cottage-y, feminine” sort of look… (How is that for a description!) This meant completely changing EVERYTHING about Creations… my merchandise, logo, business cards, Facebook site, Blog ( and here we are!) and, soon to come, my new website! Whew! (A big “shout out” to BRANDtabulous and my “re-branding buddy/partner-in-crime”, Jerrod!!) Now that I am almost done with the whole process, I have to tell you that I am SO HAPPY! I love the look and feel of everything… it just feels like ME! It feels so good to be true to your authentic self – and that is where I am right now. (I will elaborate more on the whole “authentic self” thing later. I’m a big believer!)

So here is a toast to creating yourself, and more importantly, to RE-creating yourself..! live happy~ laugh, love, dream, create