fizzy drinks

I'll have a glass of sparkling water, please.
Since graduating from college I have cut back on drinking way, way, way much; to the extent where having a drink is a very rare occasion for me. There were a number of reasons that prompted me to cut back/eliminate drinking - no longer was I in a super social atmosphere, most of my weekend days and mornings were busy with work at the boutique, yoga, running groups and mass, and after awhile, when your tolerance goes way low, you just don't like it that much anymore (at least in my case).
If truth be told, indulging in cookies & cream ice cream is more up my alley than a glass of wine...but to each their own. 
One of my struggles (that I am still working on) with this 'no drinking,' is feeling a little lame when I go out for dinner or drinks because I just have a glass of water. I haven't had soda in years and am not a coffee nor tea drinker since caffeine makes me wired and tea is even worse than coffee in staining your teeth. While I was fine with drinking my H20, I wondered if it was just a tad boring.
This spring, my Grandpa cut back on drinking alcohol and has substituted with tonic water & lime or San Pellegrino. I have started doing the same -most of the times bars don't even charge you, especially when tonic or soda water on tap is all that's available in the sparkling beverage department. I have been ordering sparkling water with a citrus wedge -usually orange - and squeeze and stir in my fizzy drink and it's been divine! I am still figuring out the beverage thing, but for now my little sparking cocktail has been just grand.
While my Italian fizzy water combo is a good go-to for now, I think I'll always be okay with an excuse to click champagne glasses and sip the bubbly :)

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i'm coming back!

Happy Monday everyone! Over the past 10 days or so I have run into a surprising number of people (both near and far) who have brought up the blog. They have told me how much they enjoy it, but want me to post more often. It's funny, can you be both flattered and stressed at the same time? Because I have definitely felt that way. It makes me so happy and pleased when people mention how much they enjoy my little blog, but they want me to hop back on the blog roll more consistently. 

Within the past two weeks or so I have spent many evenings lamenting over not having the time to blog. My posting whittled down to once a week and I felt horrible about it. I want to post the right things, but I just haven't been in the swing of it. As much as I like to think of this as a hobby and personal portfolio, I have learned that it's much more than just an activity for me. I realize how many people are influenced by Twirling Clare.

My mom runs into women who tell her they read my blog every week. Friends, family, and past teachers read my blog as a way to keep tabs on my life. Even mothers of people I went to college with keep up with Twirling Clare. And, of course, the countless readers I don't even know! 

When I first started blogging three and a half years ago, I remember how excited I was to have a couple dozen visits a day. I'd obsessively check my stats page and try so hard to get followers...but, after awhile, that didn't seem as important. I valued having a unique space, a true reflection of me rather than a top-trending blog. I wanted to inspire the world with stories, articles, and images. It didn't matter to me how many read my blog; I just wanted to keep scattering the seeds and see what came of them. 

Like everything in life, you can't predict when things will take off. Patience is a beautiful thing and God always has a way of coming in when you least expect. The past couple of weeks (especially this weekend) has been very motivating for me, and it's funny how these unexpected "messengers" have helped encourage me to keep up my little creative exploration. My inner turmoil of finding inspiration, time, and the passion to continue, was answered. Not exactly how I'd expect it to be...but that's what makes life a beautiful adventure. 

With the kind words and appreciation of Twirling Clare and my creative spirit, also came a request to keep it alive. Not that I was ready to shut-down the blog, but Twirling Clare deserved a bit more love and attention. All good things in life need nurturing, cultivating, and love and Twirling Clare really is part of my spirit than needed reinvigorating. So thank YOU for the encouragement and passion!! 

It makes me incredibly grateful to hear of so many people enjoying my happy space and little musings. Twirling Clare is one of my proudest accomplishments, I won't be posting every day, but hopefully be more immersed back to my creative space. 

 Thanks for not just inviting me, but challenging me, to come back to the party...

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As The Road Takes A Turn

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Why hello Twirling Clare readers:

It has been over 2 1/2 years since I've been sharing all of my favorite things and inspirations on the site. I have LOVED finding so many creative and beautiful images and ideas to share with you. It has truly brought much joy to my life and I hope you have gotten even a fraction of the amount of pleasure out of my little musings, as I have received in discovering them. 

I started blogging as a way to channel my creativity in an outlet separate from school work, extra curricular activities, and all of the other stresses from college. It bloomed into quite a project, almost a life portfolio, with a strong readership and many opportunities granted to this little girl with lots of big dreams for nothing short of a charming lifestyle. 

I have been able to plan fabulous parties, wear beautiful dresses, cheer with many glasses of champagne, read countless books, become a dog walker extraordinaire, finish school a tinsy bit early, tour throughout europe, write for magazines, and connect with inspirational men and women both via blogger world AND daily life. 

No longer am I a college student twirling her way on benches at the local bar or along the cobblestone streets of France. I am off on a new adventure! Where this one's headed and what it has in store, I am not entirely sure. But that's part of the fun, right? 

I am starting work next week at a PR firm in Cincinnati. I will be exploring trends beyond the fashion and lifestyle pages; and I am eager to blend both my creative yearnings and cultivation of intellectual stimulation. In addition to work with the PR firm, I will be working on a couple of other projects that aren't completely set in stone yet.  I will continue to work with Matchbook, sharing fanciful facts each week on some of our greatest icons of years past. 

In the past year or so, I have noticed so many blogs taking one of two paths. There are many that I refer to as "me" blogs. These sites have pictures of beautiful bloggers in their #OOTD (outfits of the day) or images of their latest outings and activities. I have never had much interest in sharing my life on my blog and save for a half dozen or so recaps on my travel adventures this past spring, I have kept my personal life and closet out of twirling clare's whimsical inspirations.

Other blogs take a "consumption" direction. The latest styles, sales, wish lists, and fashion must-haves are all the rage! I have always enjoyed putting together outfits and staying up on the trends and feel that my occasional weekly look can give credit to wardrobe crushes. One of the primary reasons I am not a frequent consumer poster is because I don't buy that many "headline" pieces. I have had clothes for years, some of my outfits since high school...and shoes since junior high! I have loads of clothes from my mom, grandma...and I adore vintage shopping. I am not going to promote "buy, buy, buy", because, frankly...I'd be false advertising!!

I have enjoyed walking on my little line in the middle. Sharing my occasional life updates and items fit for a twirler's closet, but most importantly, I want to share the little things that can inspire you. There is something unique, clever, and intriguing that I try and capture in each of my posts. If it's a quirky or colorful theme, an interesting combination of pictures, a fabulous outfit, a style icon, or a divine party...I want them to impact you in some fashion. Life is filled with wondrous and beautiful things and I try to channel them in a distinct way, modeling the elements of a charmed life. 

I intend to keep sharing my inspirations with all of you. I am not sure both the content and/or frequency of my posts, but I will keep working to make them as festive and celebratory as they have been in the many months since I started my little blog. 

I do love to keep up on all of my social media channels and frequently tweet, tumble, instagram, and facebook away on my supplementary twirlingclare accounts. I would LOVE for you to join me as a follower on those sites so you can see the same voice, on a different platform!

Since I am on such a transitional track right now, I am keeping all suggestions, opinions, and feedback on the blog open to change, new direction, and smooth sailing. Please let me know what you think!

This is not goodbye or farewell by any stretch of the imagination. The time has come for me to acknowledge that I am working on choosing the "fork in the road" to take.

 I am certain my life might be an entire drawer of utensils, so there will be many more soup spoon curves, carving knife pokes, and forks to choose. I look forward to keep you updated on my life journey and hope that you can continue to join along. 

Thank you, and as always, toodles!

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