Hi, I’m Lauren, and I am thrilled that you stopped by my corner of blogland. Need photographic evidence of how happy I am about it? Okay, you asked for it:
Catching air. Now, that’s pretty happy.
The Thinking Closet is a space designated for letting creativity splish, splash, and spill. As the saying goes, “Creativity is messy, and I’m very creative!” So, I hope you’ll join me in making a mess! Here, you’ll find everything from crafts to Silhouette creations to blogging tips. If it can be made with your hands, I’m all over it like white on rice.
I just turned the big 3-0 in March of 2013, and my hubby and I are putting down roots in Orlando, Florida. We live on a lake surrounded by old oak and cyprus trees. We love to get out on the water in our sailboat or jon-boat…but rumors of a baby alligator inhabiting our lake will keep me from ever taking a dip. (Eek!) You’ll catch glimpses of our flora and fauna in the background of my photos. Like this one where I wore my burlap Christmas tree skirt as a bird costume.
The most beautiful place I have ever been is Sicily, Italy. I’m determined to get back there someday. My soul is at peace with my toes digging into sand at the beach, and I have always wanted to live in a place surrounded by mountains. I’m an outgoing-introvert, a procrastinator-perfectionist, and I get crazy competitive in sports…especially field hockey. I have probably eaten more raw cookie dough in my life than one should ever admit [so, I won't]…often while watching Project Runway or crying during Downton Abbey. Some of my favorite things include: spontaneous dance parties with my girlfriends, road trips, No Doubt, warm bread, blue mason jars, used bookstores, musical theatre, and board games. I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ as a wee lass of five-years-old…and it was the best decision I ever made. I’m an older sister to one of the most amazing women I know, and I married a man who makes me laugh every day. In fact, let’s talk about him for a spell!
My husband’s name is Mark, and he is many things, but a few include sailor-surfer-photographer-doctor. I won’t gush our entire love story here…but here are a few highlights:
- We met at Wheaton College (IL) in Romantic Literature class of all places back in 2002. Leave it to Keats, Shelly, and Blake to plant the seeds of romance in our hearts.
- We reconnected years later over handy dandy Facebook. It was Christmas Eve 2007.
- Our entire dating relationship was long distance with most of our correspondence being through written letters. We now store them in an old trunk from 1867.
- We got hitched on July, 18th 2009 before God, our nearest and dearest, and the Atlantic Ocean in Long Branch, New Jersey. It was one rockin’ party. Here we are under the pier:
Mark calms me down when I freak out…he gives me hugs just because…and he’s my buddy for life. I’m one thankful chick.
Oh, and I must say that he packs a mean stack of crates atop the car, so he certainly knows how to keep this crafty girl happy!
I grew up in New York–a hop, skip, and a jump from the city–where I feasted on Sal’s pizza, saw Broadway shows, and learned how to pronounce water as “wudder.” However, watching movies and studying theatre has erased most of my accent…that is until I get excited and “tawk really fayst while sippin’ cawfee.”
I took this train into Manhattan more times than I can recall!
My childhood was full of creativity. In fact, my earliest memories of creating happened in a space I called The Thinking Closet. It was a walk-in closet the perfect size for a little girl to crawl into, pull out her wallpaper sample books, and start cutting and gluing. My parents always encouraged us to create – - whether it be performing musicals in our backyard with the neighborhood kids or creating photo collages to give as Christmas gifts. I’d argue that the best things in life are free handmade.
Theatre is part of my D.N.A. My Grandma Aileen played the piano and sang show tunes with her sister well into her eighties. My Pop Pop was an actor and playwright prior to becoming a pastor and missionary. My parents raised my sister and me on Fred Astaire movies and took us to high school musical productions every chance they could get. So, it’s no wonder that I caught the theatre bug at such a young age.
After college, I felt my calling not to just perform theatre, but to teach it. So, I pursued my Master’s in Educational Theatre & English Education at New York University. It was the perfect degree for nurturing my passion for helping young people find their voice both on the stage as actors and on the page as writers. After graduating, I taught freshman English and high school theatre for three years in Columbus, Ohio. Since moving to Orlando, Florida, I teach and direct theatre part-time. There is little that excites me more than seeing a student take a risk in his writing or on stage in performance.
Here I am hamming it up while giving notes to my actors at musical rehearsal for Once Upon a Mattress last spring:
Since moving to Orlando this past summer and transitioning from teaching upwards of 80 hours a week to teaching part-time, I decided to start a blog. The Thinking Closet was born on September 6th, 2012 as a way to share some of my creative projects with friends and family…and to jumpstart my writing. And what an incredible journey it has been! Blogging has been such an unexpected gift in how it has rejuvenated me creatively and also in how it has introduced me to a whole community of women who inspire and encourage me on a daily basis. So, thank you dear reader, for coming along for the ride. You make this work worthwhile.
If you’d like to know more about my crazy quirks, check out my post, “It’s a Major Award.”
The best ways to connect with me are through the comments on my blog posts; I do my best to respond to each and every one. You can reach me by email at thethinkingcloset {at} gmail.com or follow along with me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, & Instagram.
To receive post updates by email, sign up here. Or you can receive post updates via Bloglovin’ or R.S.S. feed.
First time visitor? Check out these posts:
- The Menu Planner to Rule Them All
- Ten Tips for New Bloggers…From a New Blogger
- The Art of the Surprise Note
- Wood Pallet Sign Tutorial
- D.I.Y. Anthropologie Wallpaper Coasters
- Black Distressed Table Makeover
- Romanced by Bookstores
- A Slice of Humble Pie Served Up by Craftgawker
- Spend Less to Give More: Food for Thought
- My One Word for 2013
“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble, but take heart. I have overcome the world.”
-My favorite Bible verse: John 16:33
Nice site! So glad I found you via Sew Many Ways FaFF. I’ll be visiting often, I’m sure.
Hooray! Thanks! I love your blog and its tagline, by the way. A great reminder to carpe diem.
Hey , Lauren! I was so impressed your blog. My business deal was with fashion industry, so I am thrilled by the fact that you are using all your personal interests, knowledge, and your Christian love in this thing. I don’t know what all of this leads to. You may become another Martha Stewart. God bless your new venture and do not be discouraged to be brave. Keep it up. You need me, let me know. Love Sue Eom.
Wow. Thanks for the incredible encouragement, Sue. Not sure what it will lead to either, but I’m having with it and learning a lot in the process. Much love to you and Jay!
So fun to read about who you are now and what you’re doing. I’ve followed you thru’ Mom’s C’mas letters and FB postings through school years, many activities, wedding and now to new wife. Had missed the move to FL from OH, tho’. It’s such a delight to know a little of the many transitions. I often re-delight in seeing pix from our day in Sedona and in remembering meeting up with your fam @ an evening campsite in PA! God is all-the-time-Good, and I thank him just about *daily* for the gift of MEMORY. Blessings to you, Lauren!
Amen! Great to hear from you, Carlene! It’s neat how the gift of internet has allowed us to stay in the loop on things like transitions; another reunion in Sedona would be lovely, though, wouldn’t it?
Thanks for stopping by.
Great site, especially for one so new. I am amazed….as I am also in your shoes and just began getting serious about blogging in Sept. You are leaps and bounds ahead of me in figuring out this world….congrats to you. I’ve really enjoyed your site.
I’m definitely figuring it all out as I go; it feels like I tweak something here or there almost every day! I actually visited your blog, and I’m impressed by how frequently you post! You also write from the heart. Thanks for the kind words and visit. Happy blogging!
Lauren, you are truly sweet. Thanks for the nice comment on my blog! You are an amazing writer and have done some great projects! And it is obvious you are well loved already by many!
In reference to my blog design, my friend who blogs, designed it for me. She did an amazing job! Her name is Iuliana and she blogs over at: http://www.hip2thrift.com/ I am sure she would love to hear your nice comments about my blog directly from you, if you get a moment! It would make her day!
I am excited to be following you in google+!
Thanks for your oh so kind words; I’m following you back in google+! Also, just stopped by Iuliana’s blog to pay her the compliment. That would make my day to make HER day…if that makes sense.
Totally makes since, and it will…so consider you day Made!
Hi there! I really do enjoy your site and think it has great ideas! I have nominated you for a Very Inspiring Blogger Award (see http://explorenewness.wordpress.com/2012/11/17/a-new-blogging-experience-blog-award-nomination/). All the best!
You’re too kind! Added the button to my sidebar with a link back to your post. Made my day.
Hi Lauren! I found you through Thirty Handmade Days’ get to know each other. Love your blog title and introduction to you and your site. I look forward to checking out more!
Thanks, Jessica! I’ve already met so many neat new bloggers through that lil mixer…and now thanks to your sweet comment, I can stop over your site to get to know you even better. Hooray!
Really great !!
Thanks, Muhammed. I appreciate your visit to my blog!
Hi Lauren! I just wanted to say thanks for linking up to my special About Me Pity Party last week. I loved reading about you! I want a sailboat!! How fun.
That was a great idea on your part! I really enjoyed “meeting” several other bloggers through that hop. Please do it again soon! And thanks for stopping by.
Well hello there! I have a star over for you at my blog as part of the Blog of the Year 2012 Award. I have really connected with your blog this year and you certainly deserve it
http://madewithhugsandkisses.wordpress.com/2012/12/22/my-first-star/
Merry Christmas
Hannah xxx
Wow, Hannah! I’m so touched. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. And many congratulations on your first star! I’d give you your other five if the rules allowed it…you are certainly deserving. So happy to have “met” you in 2012…and looking forward to all that’s to come in the new year! Merry Christmas.
This is one yummy blog! I found you via Pinterest and have been enjoying my perusal immensely! You have an instant fan! Kudos!
Thanks, girl! You’re so kind. “Yummy” is a wonderful adjective to use for describing blogs – - and I’m honored you chose it for mine!
I, too, echo the yummyness of this blog!!
Hello sweet girl! I’m glad to finally have found your space here and look forward to exploring.
Thanks for popping by my place. Hugs to you!
Lacy! So happy to see you here. It was a joy to “stumble” upon your treasure of a blog earlier today through Facebook. I’m so glad to know you have found a community of support in blogland. Isn’t it incredible? Looking forward to staying in the loop on your musings and adventurings over at Some Smiths. Following you in bloglovin’!
Lauren! I didn’t know you sail! I grew up sailing. Here is a picture of my parent’s sailboat (plus my mom’s back): https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dUsK2FFTGAM/THPVwWc7GHI/AAAAAAAAAUk/_QATmbwrvCw/s707/P8210206.JPG
Oh wow! That boat is beautiful. Mark is the real sailor in the family. I’m just his first mate and operate the jib. He has a 14′ O’day Javelin, and we try to get out there on the lake whenever the winds pick up. It’s oh so peaceful.
I will be helping my cousin with her blog very soon. I know absolutely nothing about blogging, so your post is very helpful. Her about page is kinda private now, but I did encourage her to show a little more of herself. We both have a lot to learn!! I love your blog and will check back often…….
Thanks, Lori! Do you have a blog, too? I’m sure your cousin will very much appreciate having a buddy to help her make some changes. It really does help to have a second set of eyes. I think what I’m learning is that people are drawn not to blogs so much as the people behind the blogs (at least I am)…so I think that About page is a real opportunity to put ourselves out there. Looking forward to sitting down and revamping mine in the coming weeks.
Hi Lauren!! It’s Tiffany F. from HPC
Found your blog through Lisbeth’s.. Looking forward to seeing more of your creative posts!
Tiffany! So glad you stopped by! And thanks for the comment. I caught a quick glimpse at your photography blog, and girl, you’ve got skills! I’m so impressed. I’m going to add your blog to the list of blogs I follow in bloglovin’ so I can stay in the loop on all of your happenings. Cheers!
Hi Lauren, what a great “about me” page. BTW, found you via Pinterest. You’ve really inspired me to revamp mine after reading your helpful tips….thank you for putting it out there!!!
That makes me overjoyed to hear that you found some inspiration here today. Gotta love Pinterest for all of the ways it introduces us to inspiring content (seriously, I think that’s a big part of why I even started a blog). Let me know if you end up revamping your “About” page, Marilyn. I’d love to see it!
I most definitely will and, BTW, great reminder about free writing
It’s the best, isn’t it?! Also…are you in Orlando, too?
I’ve been absent in a blog world so had to come back and oh my, your blog looks fantastic and the about me page is so lovely. I had a smile the whole time I was reading about you. You are fun! Miss your blog, but I think I’m back now with my full attention to all my wonderful blogs I follow. P.S. me and my husband had a distant beginning of our relationships for over a year (with small breaks of personal visitations) …it was hard, but what a romantic story to tell to the kids in the future
Marina! So glad to hear that you’re back in action. Just came back from a visit to your blog…what a treat! (I love the photo of you on the trampoline on your about page…and when I went to leave you a comment, I saw I had already left you a comment there back in November! Ha ha.) Also, it’s fun to hear what we share in common, such as the experience of long-distance dating. Although it was tough at the time, I really think it helped build a firm foundation for our relationship. If you can survive long-distance, that’s sayin’ something, right?!
Great to hear from you again.
Lauren!! Erin here from the NYU Ed-Theater program circa 2006-2009—I cannot believe I found your blog! I just happen to click on this link on Pugel Pixel and there you were (http://blog.puglypixel.com/2013/04/06/launched-no-3/) LOVE LOVE LOVE your blog. So happy for you that you seem settled and totally happy in Florida. What a thrill to find an ed-theater connection in the blog-sphere. You have a new fan
xo Erin
Erin! So great to hear from you, girl. How crazy is it that you ended up on my blog from pugly pixel and recognized me! I just visited your beautiful blog and am in awe of your artistry in design and the culinary arts! Absolutely stunning (and yummy-licious). And it sounds like you are livin’ the life as a Food Editor. I can tell that you are great at what you do. Following along with your pins and instagrams, so I can stay in the loop on all of your happenings. Thanks for saying hi, friend!
Wonderful blog! And the Bible verse was just what I needed to hear right now. Thank you.
I’m so glad to hear that, Mish! It continually brings me comfort and let’s the worrier in me heave a sigh of relief. God is in control, and therefore, all is well.