Tiny In Toronto

It’s been MONTHS since I’ve been on here and I can’t believe how much I’ve missed it. I’ve missed talking to you! I mean, I don’t know if there are many of you that actually read this blog (especially since I’ve kind of deserted you for over two months), but I’ve missed you. I’ve missed writing, and I catch myself sometimes saying, “That would be fun to talk about on my blog!” Or, “This is such a great outfit! I need to make a blog post!” Now that I’m here, I definitely think this is something I need in my life (as weird as that sounds). Do any of you have a specific outlet that keeps you sane? Blogging does that for me. If you’re still here and reading this, thank you. As much as I don’t do this for the “views”, I really appreciate those who take the time to actually read what I ramble about.

Today I’ll be rambling on about what I’ve been up to. Honestly, not a whole freaking lot has been going on. I think I was so overwhelmed with trying to start my own business that I kind of shut down. I think this is normal. Starting your own business can be a lot! Business has slowed down and I’m actually a little grateful for it. So maybe my little jewelry brand is never going take off and become the next big thing. At least I can say that I learned something new! I’m still going to make stuff and sell it, but I don’t think I’m going to be as crazy about it anymore. It’s just a separate hobby among all of my other hobbies now. If it’s meant to be, it’ll be. On top of all that Never Skip a Bead stuff, I have kept my full-time job at Free People. I’ve scaled back to 32 hours a week instead of 40 hours (for my sanity) but it’s still overwhelming. It’s SO WEIRD to try to go back to normal. I’m honestly struggling to figure out if retail is still something I enjoy. Do any of you work retail and feel the same? I know the pandemic is not over, but I’ve grown so much and have learned a lot more about myself throughout it. It’s kind of to the point where I don’t think retail is fulfilling me anymore. Maybe I’ve outgrown it? Maybe my values have changed? Long story short, I’m struggling in terms of my career life. What do I do now? Where is this path taking me? Is there even a path anymore? I’m 28 years-old and I still don’t have a clue on what I want to do. Is it too early to have a midlife crisis?

With the colder weather coming way too fast, I’ve gone back to my crocheting habits. Guys, I’m crocheting again!!! I think now is a great time to crochet all of the sweaters and hats because it’s not too cold yet. Therefore, I can properly prepare myself. This weekend is Canadian Thanksgiving and I’ve made sure to request a good ol’ trip to Michael’s craft store with my family. Nothing says Thanksgiving like a family shopping trip, am I right? My mom is getting crocheted pumpkins out of it so I think it’s fine (at least that’s what I’m telling myself). Since I’ve been crocheting for over a year now, I think it’s about time that I start using the more “serious” yarns? Does this sound goofy? I think I sound like a huge crochet nerd right now but if you crochet, you’ll catch my drift lol. I’m just thinking that these cheap acrylics are fine but I want a nice cozy-looking sweater. Maybe a yarn with a little wool in it? I want it to be soft and more serious (can I not think of a better word?) – I don’t know! I want to make a professional sweater! I want to make a good quality sweater that you could actually find in stores. I’m ready for the big leagues.

Would you like to see crochet content? Should I share all my crochet projects with you this season? Let me know in the comment section!

I think this kind of goes with what I said earlier about retail, but I’ve been shopping and wearing a lot more secondhand pieces. I think I’m really starting to move away from fast-fashion and I’m trying to be more conscious when it comes to sustainability. I’m probably going to write a full blog post on some outfits that I’ve worn while I’ve been M.I.A., but I’m excited to share all my future finds with you! I think I want to share more of what I look for when thrifting. What would you like to see? Thrifted outfits? Thrift hauls/finds? I get so much excitement out of finding something that not everyone can find as easily. Plus, it’s cheaper! The amount of thrifted pieces that I can get for the price of ONE top at Free People ($168 CAD) is unreal. I honestly can’t imagine spending that much on one single top (I probably wouldn’t shop there if I didn’t get a discount tbh). So yeah, I’m looking forward to this journey to get to the point where I only wear thrifted pieces and what I already have in my wardrobe, and I’m excited to take y’all with me.

Hmmm… what else is new? I haven’t read that many books lately and that kind of bums me out. I miss reading and I miss loving a book so much that I have to share it with you. I’m saying it right here and now: I will read more books. I will carve out more time to put my phone away, stop beading, stop crocheting, and enjoy a book. I like that. For maybe months (which is way longer than it’d normally take me), I’ve been reading the Grishaverse/Shadow and Bone series? Have you heard of it? It’s now a Netflix series! These books are definitely what I’ve been needing to get back into reading again. I don’t know what it is about them, but there’s just something about teen fiction novels that I’m addicted to. I love a good fantasy, you know? Take me away from reality, please! Honestly, I think I’m going to try to find another teen fantasy series once I finish this one. It’ll keep me on my reading streak. What are you reading right now? Any recommendations? Also, would you like to see more book content from me?

I wish I had more but I think that’s all I have that’s worth sharing! I know I say this ALL the time (and I probably sound like a broken record), but I do plan to write more blog posts. I definitely want to get this old habit back because I truly did miss it. I also want to mix it up a little. Things were getting kind of stale at the end there. I really felt like I was writing blog posts because I felt like I had to in order to be consistent. I think the pressure I put on myself really took the joy away. It won’t happen this time though!

Thank you (again) to those who have stuck around to read my posts. It really means a lot. I hope you’re all doing well. I’d love to chat with you in the comments so let me know what you’ve been up to! What have I missed?!

Until next time,

– Tiny ❤