On Being Jealous // Jealousy, Comparison, & Acceptance

If vanity is my favorite sin, jealousy is the one I struggle with.  I've had a post like this sort of typed up and hanging in my drafts folder for a while now - since August of 2013 to be exact!  I've always wanted to talk about jealousy here on my blog because if there is one thing I struggle with it's jealousy.  It's something that I totally have under control - something I remind myself is really silly.  But it's also something that I have been made aware of now that there are such things as blogs, Facebook, & Instagram.  I'm pretty sure it's something I've been plagued with my whole life but it's also something that I've kept under control.  I don't know that I've ever seen someone who is jealous, what does a person who is jealous look like?  How is this emotion expressed? I don't know what it looks like to express jealousy because it's always been something silent to me.

I don't know when I first encountered a bad bit of jealousy but I think it stemmed from blogging, Instagram, and the all around perfect life we often see from the viewing side of these platforms.  As a blogger and an instagramer I know I'm sharing only the most perfect images of my life.  I'm staging shots - how do I get my coffee, bracelet, bag, aaaaannnnddd feet in this one square canvas?  I look like an idiot posing for 37 shots of myself in front of a coffee shop full of people before I ultimately decide it's not worthy of a post.  So why do I feel like everyone else's life is so much better than mine when I'm the viewer on Instagram?

It doesn't stop there either.  Facebook gives me a really bad case of jealousy because I see some of my really, really great artist friends making something of themselves while I haven't touched clay in probably 3 years.  The latter part of that sentence is my fault entirely but I can't help but feel like I'm a failure because of the choices I've made sometimes.  (None the less I should sign up for a pottery class or something since we still haven't set up the garage yet.)  I see so many of these people in their awesome apartments, creating their awesome creations, and I'm here creating different things.  And that is the point - the things I love making are different, awesome, amazing, and there's no need to compare.  Because, as you may know, comparison is the thief of joy.

When I feel jealous I try to rationalize and remind myself that what I post on these platforms is exactly what others post - only the most beautiful shots of their perfect lives in between cleaning up after the kids, getting over a fight with their partner, struggling to feel successful in their 9-5, scrubbing the dish that's been left in the sink a little too long, and looking at the overflowing trash can and deciding to take it out tomorrow.  These people lead real lives just like I do and just like you do.  You know those weird things you do, other people do weird shit too and it's not posted on Instagram.  Not everyone is living the same life & everyone gets to do what they want with theirs.

I've always channeled my jealousy in to making things happen for myself, into genuine happiness for others, & into sharing things with others.  I've always been proud of the fact that I love to share my success with others in a way that makes them a success too - like a DIY, or a little secret I've learned.  I see it as an attempt, I guess, to fight the jealousy.  If I share how I made something no one will be jealous of it because they can do it too.  I always try to spread my light because a candle loses not of it's light by lighting another.  That is one of my favorite quotes.

I've accepted that I get jealous and when that happens I turn it around and make it my intention to share my success with others in a way that they, too, feel successful.  One of the biggest things I'd like to be known for in my life is that I made others feel like they are worth something, like they are successful, like they can do it, like they are a somebody.

So those are my thoughts on the sin I struggle with, hope you found this post a little bit informative and a little bit relatable!

What do you struggle with?  How do you take control of it and turn it around for good?

xoxo, Moe

On Being Vain // Vanity, Pride, and Humlity

Guys....vanity is my favorite sin.  I will be the first to admit to anyone that I am vain and I am proud.  I do however also consider myself a humble person.  How is that?  Aren't those two - vanity and humility - mutually exclusive? Nah, bro.  Here's why.

I think it is important for women to be proud of themselves and to be vain.  Post selfies everywhere, look at your naked ass in the mirror and live for it, buy clothes and wear clothes that make you feel damn good, put on that bright purple lip...why?  Because the world needs more of you!  

The world needs more women who don't apologize for themselves.  These women become role models for young girls who see their complexion, their hair color, their weight as something that defines them.  They see these things as something they have to live in the confines of and apologize for not being the opposite.  Society seems to chop us up and gives us back an idea of who we are supposed to be.  So for all of our lives we have to do something to make up for our shortcomings.  When we should be embracing ourselves - no matter what.

Now, don't get me wrong - we all feel the insecurities.  And the trick to being confident - at least for me - is to recognize that everyone is insecure so you should feel no better than anyone else.  That's weird right?  I think it's weird because we associate confidence sometimes with arrogance.  And it's not true.  I consider myself to be really confident yet in person I'm shy when meeting new people.  What makes me able to get in front of a crowd or muster up the courage to talk to someone is that they are just like me - they feel insecure about something.  Everyone is just like you and they probably are pretending they aren't.

Now I want to get to why I am also humble - while being proud and vain.  I'm the type of person to be the first to teach you what I know.  I remember in college I'd be the first to tell you how I did something because (one of my favorite quotes) A candle loses none of it's light by lighting another.  Being a confident yet inspiring person is the person I want to be remembered as.  I am slow to judge and a huge believer that everyone goes through life differently.  The reason I blog is because I want to be someone that others might be able to find and relate to....to know they aren't alone.  I often feel like I don't give the best advice because I know that everyone has to learn a lesson on their own.  I think back to all the advice I've ever asked for or been given and how, no matter what, I've had to learn on my own.

The biggest thing about being vain for me is that I am so proud of the person I've become and so happy to know that because of that, I will be proud of the person I will become.  I take responsibility for me and that's what makes me feel so great about being vain.

Another part of my vanity is that I can take pictures like the one above and still think I'm damn cute.  Also, I'm secure enough with my insecurities to show others my vulnerable self.  No make up, brushing my teeth, dirty mirror, Transformers tshirt.  I'm real...and I'm not afraid of it.  It's taken me a long while to really feel great when I'm not wearing make up.  Part of that has been taking care of my skin and finding new products that work for me and the other part of that is realizing I need to be happy in my own skin because it's where I'll be for the rest of my life.

This was sort of a weird post to write but I feel like I haven't been super, dooper honest on my blog in a long while and I just wanted to do something about that.  So go out there and post selfies.  Do it!

xoxo, Moe

ps. if you're vain too, follow me on instagram so I can look at how beautiful you are - @fivesixteenths

5 Things You'll Find on the 516 Blog

You may have noticed that 5 1 6 has gotten a little facelift here in the last few days.  I am still working out some tweaks here & over on my portfolio site...but I thought I'd give you another little blog tour starting with why I chose to redo my blog, again.

the design

I am currently working on a super minimal, super contemporary, feminine blog design for the lovely Hayley of The Weekend File.  After toying around with her design for a bit I decided it was time to start taking blog designing seriously & stop doing the sorts of templates/designs that were filler.  I wanted to be more proud of my work rather than just keep trying out new things.  So I designed a new template for the shop called Vertical Stripes (which is what the new design of 516 based off of).  All of the new templates are completely edited through HTML/CSS. I've spent the past month-ish I've been in Michigan tweaking & learning more, more, more about Blogger's templates & HTML.  

Original Blog Design

Portfolio Site Design 
don't be surprised if you can't navigate it...somethings wrong & I don't know what to do!

New Blog Design

I describe Five Sixteenths as a brand that is eclectic & playfully sophisticated.  516 is colorful yet professional & it was time for the design to reflect that.  First starting with my portfolio site, I decided to bring the design over to the blog.  On my portfolio site the design really says experienced with the serif fonts, colors, & professional layout...but for the blog...I need something a bit more playful because this space doesn't need to be as serious, just as professional.  Since the beginning of August, I've based my idea loosely off looks sites like Anthropologie convey of a professional-twenty-somethings-feel as I worked on my Storenvy Storefront.  I love the mix of serif & sans serif fonts, all caps, & a hint of color for the artsy look.  The serifs just scream sophistication, class, & professionalism to me and the way they mix in sans serif screams modern.  In the eBook, I go into a little bit of detail regarding what different fonts suggest to a design & it was stimulated by how I saw the design of my brand going in the future.

So for the blog I chose to keep the overall design of my portfolio site with added tweaks to keep the artsy, crafty, lifestyle feel of the blog included a handwriting-esque header.

5 more things you'll find on 5 1 6

DIY tutorials & inspiration - One of the main goals of Five Sixteenths is to be a place of creative inspiration ranging from fashion to art to decor DIY's.  Living a creative life is very important to me & doing little creative things here & there keeps your creative mind active.  The tutorials here are also pretty affordable.  As a post grad starting her journey in unemployed-self-employment, affordability is the key!  A link is located at the top of the blog that will direct you to all the DIY tutorials here.

blogging tips + tricks - Since I am self taught in blogging & blog design, sharing with others how to achieve a certain look is important to me!  You won't find any complicated tutorials here just simple tricks to add some spice to your blog design.  Assorted freebies, blog related DIY's, & tips are a common theme here.

life, goals, & growth - When I first decided I wanted to try to make it on my own (self-employed), I found a lot of resources....that painted a pretty picture.  I didn't find a lot of resources that laid the truth of struggle flat out in the open.  I couldn't get a straight answer out of any articles, blog posts, personal experiences....so I decided I'd share with you my personal struggle in hopes that if you, too, were struggling you'd know you weren't alone.  Hardly anyone ever talks about how they doubt themselves & I am here to tell you it's not all unicorns & lolipops.  If you'd like to get to know me & know why, even though I struggle, I consider myself successful you can check out a handful of these posts here.

travel diaries - Not only have I documented my move, but I am looking forward to documenting my travels with Zach as he travels around for work.  Having a fun time driving all over the country this week (well, midwest I guess) has been amazing.  This trip has made me reevaluate what I want out of life & eventually I hope I am able to support myself through design, spending enough time at home to also pursue my love of ceramics & to photograph things so that I am able to go with Zach as he makes his way through the United States.  Now if I could figure out a portable kiln situation...

the life of a twenty something - I am a dreamer, a maker, a doer, & a coffee lover.  I spend too much money on coffee, feeding my vintage collections, cardigans, thrifted dresses, & art supplies.  5 1 6 is about this life & all I want from it.  So I hope you'll stay around as I make my way through ten years of twenties.  I may even turn 29 a few times just to keep it going.

Connect on Twitter // Follow on Pinterest // Peep me at Hello Cotton

11 Random Things

I saw this little meme floating around the blogisphere & secretly hoped I got tagged.  I love doing these little things and lo & behold, I am up in Target when my phone alerts me that I have a new mention on twitter.  It was my new blog friend Kristin taggin me in the very meme I was day dreaming of! Hooray!! Go on over & check out her 11 random things, she's an awesome, awesome blogger.

So here we go:

THE RULES

1. Post these rules
2. Post 11 random things about yourself
3. Answer the questions provided by the one who tagged you
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag
5. Go to their blog (or Facebook or Twitter) and tell them they’ve been tagged

My 11 things:

1. My shoe size ranges from 9 - 10.  I always have a hard time finding shoes online because I am scared they won't fit.  Sometimes it's a 9, sometimes 9.5, sometimes a 10.  I am not sure if this is an everyone problem or just me.
2. I started blogging in about 2006 or so.  I had a blog called Just Playing Hooking as a freshman in college.  It wasn't cool.  Not at all.
3. MySpace is where I learned about HTML.  I'd spend hours designing the bangin'-est page ever.
4. I love drag queens.  RuPaul's Drag Race is the bomb & I'd go to the annual drag show at my University.  I follow 4 of my fave queens on twitter, two of them follow me (#almostfamous lol)
5. Shoes & Nail Polish are my weakness.  I have too many of both.
6. I am horrible with directions.  I get turned around in my own house.
7. Monday night, I helped Zach fix a computer (he's a techy guy like that).  I didn't tell him, but I felt really proud. (He needed me because my hands are smaller not because I am skilled)
8. College was a 5 year plan for me & I had 4 majors.  Art won out & I worked my butt off to fit 4 years into 3.  It was the best time of my life.
9. I make a mean Grilled Cheese Sandwich.
10. Each year for the past few years I've tried to grow my hair out.  I end up cutting it all off....I am attempting to resist cutting it now!
11. I work at a school that licenses Massage Therapists & Estheticians.  Which means sometimes I get free massages & facials.  It ain't bad.

And now for the questions that Miss Kristin asked of me:

1. What is your birthday? My birthday is 10 days before Christmas & the day after my Mother's.  It's December 15th.  My mom was in labor her whole birthday (Dec 14th) just so I could be born on my own at 1am.

2. Do you have pets? I don't personally have pets...but my parent's have a little dog named Rudy (so he's kinda my puppy brother) & my room mate has a dog named Cody (So I'm kind of his puppy aunt).  I'd like one of my own so bad!

3. What is your favorite tv show? Right now it's a toss up between RuPaul's Drag Race & New Girl.  I watch them both all the time.

4. What city and state do you live in? I am from the East Coast baby! Virginia is the state I call home.

5. What is your favorite blog to read? Oh man, this is so hard!! I love Little Chief Honeybee the most but there are plenty I look up to.  A new one is Little Tiny Pieces.

6. Beach or Mountains? Surf or Ski? Definitely the beach.  I love the water & sun but I really hate sand. I can't imagine living some place where there isn't a lake or some sort of body of water.  I am a fish!

7. Mac or PC? I am a Mac person.  My boyfriend is a PC person.  We make it work just fine :)

8. What's your favorite thing to drink? (alcoholic or non) Non-alcoholic is Sweet Tea & coffee, equally.  Man on man I love it! Alcoholic has to be Champagne & I much prefer the cheap stuff!

9. What is your career or job? By day I am an office manager at a school for Massage Therapists & Estheticians (see number 11 above).  By night I am a free lance designer, jewelry maker, ceramicist, crocheter, illustrator, & etsy shop owner.

10. What is your favorite food? OH my, I don't even know where to begin with this.  Ummmm.....Zach makes a banging bacon wrapped steak. Oh wait, I love Brussels Sprouts!

11. What is grosses you out? the sound your nails make when running them over like textured holographic trading cards, the sound that commercial about grinding your teeth makes, & sponges used to wash the dishes.  I am a dish sponge nazi...I really only like to use them like once....they get all stinky & I hate it.  I am a dish rag person.  YUCK!!

My 11 questions for the ladies I tag:

1. What did you want to be when you were little?

2. How & why did you start blogging?

3. Coke or Pepsi?

4. Who has influenced you the most in your life?

5. What is your idea of a perfect Saturday?

6. What would be the perfect date?

7. How do you take your tea or coffee?

8. What is the thing you are most proud of in your life or at this moment?

9. What is the first thing you do when you get up in the morning?

10. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

11. What does a usual day look like for you?

I tag Maryam, Kam, Colleen, Lindsay, & Leona (and any one else who wants to play!!)

Share 11 facts about yourself with me.  I'd love to get to know you better!!!

Hello February!!

Well it is February 1st here & I can't believe it! We are one month down in 2012!  I can't believe last month went by so fast.  Five Sixteenths has been keeping up with the goals of posting better & more relevant content here in 2012 & I can't wait to make February count!

In January I shared one of my favorite DIY's - Neon Color Block Moccasins! You can catch an awesome interpretation of the DIY on Dana's blog Crafty Minx!  Another mini tutorial on using wood grain contact paper I can't get enough of! I also decided to get a bit real on my experience in the blogging world by sharing tips on blog planning, the five mistakes I made blogging, & my troubles with Pinterest.

If you are new here let me introduce myself:

I am a recent graduate (of the 5 year plan) with a BFA from a small college in Virginia & self proclaimed Nail Polish Addict.  Recently embarking on a dose of the real world, I've had 3 jobs since graduation.  I've quite two of them & have finally settled in as an office manager in a small career school.  My room mates are my best friend from college & her husband, who proposed to her after the two of us decided to live together.  From about July of last year, we've just allowed him to live with us!  My boyfriend, Zach (read more about him here) is an awesome cook & a pretty cool guy. In fact, he's making tacos for dinner tonight but two nights ago he made steak wrapped in bacon with a side of sweet potatoes & Brussels sprouts.  yum!

Check out my fully stocked About Me page for 15 facts & FAQ's

I am the sister to a little pup belonging to my parents' named Rudy & the mo-mo to another little pup named Cody.  Rudy's favorite past times are eating doggy treats, drinking from the bathtub faucet & chasing squirrels. Cody loves to lick up dust bunnies, go potty outside, & lay in the sun.  They are best friends & love to run around together.

Five Sixteenths started approximately two years ago & has developed into a space to share DIY, fashion, & home decor inspiration as well as a helpful does of real life & blog related tips.  I claim to be no expert but I like to give advice!  I've had 3 blogs before Five Sixteenths & have grown so much through the blogging community!  One of those ways is sponsoring amazing blogs written by bloggers I admire!

If you'd like to keep up with the musings of a Nail Polish Addict follow me on twitter & on instagram!  Also check out the shop too!

I hope your February is the best one yet!