Weekly-ish notes on navigating big change

adventures

The Adventures

Here’s a round-up of what I saw, did, and read this month! Follow my Instagram Stories for in-the-moment photos + videos. You can find years of Adventures here.

The News:

The View:

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The Finds:

I’m reading:

I'm watching:

I'm eating:

 

What did you read, listen to and eat last month? Come tell me on Facebook!

The Adventures – January 2017

Here’s a round-up of what I saw, did, and read this month! Follow my Instagram Stories for in-the-moment photos + videos. You can find years of Adventures here.

The News:

  • My new book, Map Your Business, is now out on Amazon! I've also got several boxes here of the print version and I'm sending out copies to everyone who pre-ordered first, and then I'll have more available. If you want a signed copy, find it here!
  • I'm teaching at a summit for LYS owners with Gwen Bortner in Asheville, NC in April. More info here!
  • I've started a new Friday video series where I talk about the lessons I'm learning while I build my own biz. Find it here!

The View

A photo posted by Tara Swiger (@taraswiger) on

A photo posted by Tara Swiger (@taraswiger) on

A photo posted by Tara Swiger (@taraswiger) on

A photo posted by Tara Swiger (@taraswiger) on

A photo posted by Tara Swiger (@taraswiger) on

A photo posted by Tara Swiger (@taraswiger) on

I am so grateful for…

  • TNNA! Meeting students + hanging out with Starship captains is the best part!
  • The community that has grown around the #ExploreYourEnthusiasm hashtag. I love seeing what you're working on while you watch or listen to the podcast!
  • A series of complex adventures (print book, travel, teaching, webinars, online classes) all going very right, in a very short period of time.

The Finds:

I’m reading:

I'm listening to: 

I'm eating: 

I'm loving:

What did you read, listen to and eat last month? Come tell me on Facebook!

The Adventures – July 2016

 

Here's a round-up of what I saw, did, and read this month! Follow me on SnapChat for in-the-moment photos + videos!

The News:

  • I'm teaching a full-day marketing workshop for yarn-y people, in collaboration with a yarn rep/store owner this month! Join us here.
  • If you're in the UK, check the only biz-focused workshops I'll be holding during my tour in November! Join before spots fill up! 

The view

IMG_0225 IMG_0212 IMG_0185 IMG_0170 IMG_0139 IMG_0102 IMG_0049

I am so grateful for…

  • Good books
  • An amazing team (thanks Jess + Jay!) that makes things happen even when I can't
  • A quick trip to the beach, before my teaching gig

The Finds:

I’m reading:

I’m eating:

  • Homemade corn dogs – so simple and cute! Take cornbread muffins + pop in a bit of (vegan) hot dog: homemade corn pups!
  • ALL of the basil pesto (I don't measure it anymore, but this is the basic idea)
  • Blueberry pancakes topped with blueberry syrup (just cook the blueberries on medium heat until they pop and get gooey)

 

How about you? What went well in your month?

The Adventures

Every day is an adventure. I share the view, the gratitude and the news  on Fridays – you’re invited to join in. You can find all my adventures here, or follow along via email here.

The view

The nightly dinner show. #raylanpup
More from Yarn Haus - wall of yarn, next to a wall of buttons. #lys #yarn
SUCCESS! I gave Mom her birthday gift (Amy Miller's Isabel in #pluckyknitter yarn) and it fits! This has been my secret project for three months. I can finally show you!! @ She's already got it on to search for Nashville lunch spots for tomorrow. Suggest
Today's "studio" for a live Q&A with #TSLiftOff & #StarshipBiz. And by studio, you understand that I mean corner of my living room that gets ok light. Board filled with the map of my Redwoods 10k, Spocks by @amysnotdeadyet, watercolor by me, #TARDIS swatc
After knitting a long St st cardigan in fingering weight, you better believe I cast on for a squooshy worsted weight cabley sweater. @theacolman's Brandied Cherries in @pluckyknitter Cozy. #pluckyknitter #babycocktails

I am so grateful for…

  • Possibilities + Idea Enthusiasm
  • Mittens + Shawls
  • Hilarious puppies
  • Delicious food
  • Finishing the sweater!

You might like:

This week I held a live Q+A for Lift Off + Starship students. In it, I answered the most-asked questions about profit math (which we cover in Pay Yourself), how to know when you can trust your sales enough to quit your dayjob, and the only app I use to record my podcast.

You can watch it here:

(To fully understand your break-even points, take Pay Yourself. You find links to everything else I mention here.)

What adventures have you had?

The Adventures

Every day is an adventure. I share the view, the gratitude and the news  on Fridays – you’re invited to join in. You can find all my adventures here, or follow along via email here.

The view

After 20 min of whining & pacing, Raylan accepted the car wasn't a death trap. He then spent a good while facing backwards, watching the back window. #raylanpup
This what shipping a book to every #TSLiftOff student looks like. A HUGE box of pink bubble mailers and rolllllls of tape.
Our view, every hour or two, for the past week. The only way I was able to snap this is that a dog walked by and they both froze. #raylanpup #taralovesmornings
The real reason we got #raylanpup: Beau demanded a pup-chauffeur. #fancydog

 

(It's all pups, all the time over on Instagram…because I'm truly doing nothing other than working and dog-wrangling. I have hopes for future non-dog activities.)

I am so grateful for…

  • Quiet mornings
  • An increasingly calm Raylan (the new pup)
  • Warmth in the cold

The Finds:

I’m enthusiastic about:

In case you missed it: 

What adventures have you had?

The Adventures

Every day is an adventure. I share the view, the gratitude and the news  on Fridays – you’re invited to join in. You can find all my adventures here, or follow along via email here.

Warning: The Starship closes today.

The view

Mom is wearing my Christmas gift to her while she finishes her gift to me! #handmadeChristmas #handmadeholidays
New slippers! Yay! Hope your day is full of warmth and geekery. #taralovesChristmas #merrychristmas
New year. New pound of coffee. #taralovesmornings
Our Christmas cookie tray (hand painted by @bluebirdlegacy 9 years ago!), aka breakfast, filled with #vegan cookies. #taralovesChristmas #taralovesmornings
And my #handmadeChristmas gift for mom: Honey Cowl & Hurry Up Spring arm warmers out of @madelinetosh Blue Nile (pashmina & vintage).
You know I HAD to buy this fabric! Love it! (Btw, the Starship closes in 5 days. Link in profile) #StarshipBiz

I am so grateful for…

  • Lovely, peaceful visits with family.
  • The excitement and promise of a New Year.
  • Warm handknits.
  • Christmas cookies.
  • The first group of Lift Offers!

The Finds:

I’m reading:

I’m eating: 

  • Bean dip (the easiest thing when you come home from three straight weekends of family travel.)
  • Spicy marinara and tempeh meatballs from Isa Does It. (I make it once and then freeze the leftover meatballs, uncooked, so that it's super easy to make again and again.)
  • This banana bread.

In case you missed it: 

What adventures have you had?

The Adventures

Every day is an adventure. I share the view, the gratitude and the news  on Fridays – you’re invited to join in. You can find all my adventures here, or follow along via email here.

The view

I am so predictable the baristas warm my cup when I walk in. Ritual: find a chair, write today's list, order coffee: Tall Komodo Dragon (brewed in The Clover) in a mug. And a big ice water. Add a dash of cream + cinnamon. #taralovesmornings #everyday
You gotta love a downtown with a mountain view.
My go-to travel&teach outfit: @karinadresses wrap & Old Navy flats. (For when I drive for an hour+, teach for 2 hours, then drive home).
Love this quote from @Beverly_army13. The Starship closes at 4pm EST today, don't hesitate to ask if you've got questions!

I am so grateful for…

  •  Coffee! This week has been a constant battle with my deadlines (and distraction). If I weren't slightly caffeinated, I don't think I'd be nearly finished with my CreativeLIVE class materials. (Here's what I drink at a coffeeshop, or at home)
  • The amazing Starship boarding! I've gotta double-check but I'm fairly certain this is our biggest boarding party ever. Either way, I'm delighted by the smart, clever makers beaming up.

 

The Finds:

I’m reading:

I’m listening to:

I'm eating: 

  • Butternut Mac. It tastes nothing like mac+cheese, but non-vegans LOVE it. So so good.
  • Tempeh Chili (followed by chili dogs!)
  • Garlicky thyme-y marinated tempeh sandwiches, with roasted red pepper and greens on ciabatta. YUM.
  • Nut granola with almond milk and bueberries.

In case you missed it: 

What adventures have you had?

The Adventures

Every day is an adventure. I share the view, the gratitude and the news  on Fridays – you’re invited to join in. You can find all my adventures here, or follow along via email here.

The view

I lovelove the PacNW. And my pals there. And I'm totally delighted to be home to work & snuggle & eat home food. #boldlygo #andthenrestI had a lovely & inspiring lunch with @craftypod & K yesterday...but I didn't remember take a picture of anything except my pie from Random Order. Strawberry rhubarb. Delicious.The Redwoods were completely amazing. Thanks so much for all your sweet encouragement!This is the farthest away he's let me get all day. #missedme #homesweethome

I am so grateful for…

  • Hugging Kylie, Diane, Velma, college friends and family.
  • An easy and fun run – the longest of my life!
  • The flow of an easy trip. We were on the road a lot, and there's plenty that could have gone wrong (and a few things that did!), but I'm grateful for safety, friends, and flow.
  • Ongoing successes that I get to be a tiny part of – from Solo Mission-ers + book readers + students. Nothing is as cheering as getting an email from someone reaching their goal!

The Finds:

I’m reading:

I’m eating: 

  • I made these amazing cookies for my mom for Mother's Day
  • Jay made great tempeh nuggets (he douses his in hot sauce) with mac + cheese
  • Lots of road food in the PacNW.

In case you missed it: 

 

What adventures have you had?

The Adventures

Every day is an adventure. I share the view, the gratitude and the news  on Fridays – you’re invited to join in. You can find all my adventures here, or follow along via email here.

The view

The best part of handquilting is that you are UNDER A QUILT. #snugly #yearofmaking 43/365Really, very snowed in (that's my car in the bottom right), which I was looking forward to, since I have 50 cupcakes to bake by Saturday (for a wedding). And then we ran out of flour. #dohBinding off Color Affection! (k2, k those 2 sts together) #yearofmaking 40/365I've been wearing my newly-finished Color Affection around the house all day -with bed hair, my dad's old thermal & slipper-boots. #keepinitrealRemember how I was looking for (& couldn't find) motorcycle cupcake toppers? My solution: make my own! With good dark chocolate. #yearofmaking 44/365 #veganThe bride brought me flour, so cupcakes are ON! (I had to hike down to the main road so she wouldn't get stuck.) This is the first of four (dozen).

I am so grateful for…

  • Restful Snow Days (+ giving in to the lazing-around-the-house)
  • the opportunity to help friends create their wedding day (the brownies + motorcycles above are the groom's cake!)
  • a successful and stress-free launch of Pay Yourself
  • Getting to know my smart + clever readers (when you subscribe I send you a personal note, which often leads to great conversations!)

 

The Good Stuff

This week I started a Pinterest board full of Pay Yourself-related resources. You can find all the great articles, books, and ideas here.

I finished my second Color Affection and I really really love it. I call it Boston Affection, because the gray yarn is Toil + Trouble (Ana's responsible for my last trip to Boston!) and the blue is from Gather Here (my fave Boston yarn shop, bought after teaching there).

I love how Elise Blaha is willing to try new things + crazy ideas for her handmade shop. Her Make29 project is proof that you don't have to do things the way everyone else does.

I've been obsessing over two cat fabrics: Lizzy House's Catnap and Aneela Hooey's Hello Petal. I think I need them both TOGETHER for the ultimate in a cat-lady sewing. A pillow for the couch, perhaps? (Know of another cute, modern, not-too-girly cat fabric? Share it in the comments, please!)

The Wardrobe Architect series by Collette Patterns is rocking my world. As a hater-of-shopping, this is very useful in defining my style (I have a very easy time saying a firm NO to anything I don't love, without being able to articulate why…leaving me with very few clothes. I think this series is going to help. )  A huge thanks to Kim Werker + her newsletter for pointing me towards it!

 

In case you missed it, Pay Yourself is now open, for only ONE week (it closes next Friday). Read more and sign up here. 

The Adventures

Every day is an adventure. I share the view, the gratitude and the news  on Fridays – you’re invited to join in. You can find all my adventures here, or follow along via email here.

 

Announcement:
For this weekend only, shipping on a signed copy of my book is $5, no matter where you live. I'm gonna change it on Monday (it's a mistake! Shipping Priority to Europe costs  $20+!), but until then, grab it here. (Note that this doesn't apply if you buy it from my publisher or Amazon…because I'm not in charge of their shipping!)

The View

This is the give-me-your-dinner look. Seriously, yet sleepy.
Because it's a snow day (again). Because it's my mom's birthday (hi mom!) & I wish she was here to have a cup with me. Because it's also my roomie's birthday & I miss her. Coffee break with #Vegan coffee cake in the middle of a workday. #yearofmaking 29/
Turning row for the bottom hem. Yay! #yearofmaking 27/365
From breakfast: fluffy, amazing pancakes. After a week without sugar they were PERFECT. (@isachandra's recipe, from theppk.com) #yearofmaking 26/365
As much as I LOVE snow, this is keeping from my pal's bridal shower. Not loving that. (This was taken about 15 minutes before I tried to drive up my driveway. Where my car got stuck.) #snowedin

I am so grateful for…

 

The Finds

I just love these “Rules for Living Online” from Grace Bonney of Design*Sponge.

“Don’t Share What You’re Not Ready to Hear Feedback On

The internet is a two-sided street. You’re not talking in a vacuum and you’re not talking only to people who agree with you. So if you want to rant about something, be prepared to hear from people who disagree. If you want to expose something you’re deeply sensitive or unsure about, be prepared to have people challenge you on it. If you’re not ready for that, it’s not the right time to share that thought.”

 

I spent the first part of the week obsessing over creating my own DIY planner (I just can't find one to suit me, and while I love my journal for weekly planning/daily to-do lists…I need some place to track future plans.) iHanna's pages look perfect. As do the (many) downloads from AhhDesigns. I'm going to experiment (of course!) and report back.

 

Quilts! I'm back to geeking out over them. Especially this St. Louis 16 patch, Quilt Improv (I really really want it!), and everything at Red Pepper Quilts + Stitched in Color. And my mom texted me (again!) to thank her for the Christmas gift of Quilting Happiness (here's why I loved it).

 

Recipes we tried this week: 

 

How was your week? 

 

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