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just so you know

These cuties are engaged.

a wholesome meal

The other day Dahlya had me over for a lovely lunch of homemade vegan veggie burgers and sorbet.  Everything was delicious!  Here are some pictures...

Rice tortilla "bun," avocado, fake bacon, spinach, homemade veggie burger, cheese.  Carrot and sweet potato fries. 

Sorbet made from a juicer with frozen strawberries and bananas, topped with white chocolate and chocolate-covered acai berries. When Dahlya surprised me with this beauty, I was absolutely smitten! Such a pure and wholesome treat.

I'm already missing Dahlya and her awesome cooking skills...  Sadface.

something to remember

This quote is very important for me to remember.  My biggest fault is that I am very prone to comparison.  Since high school I have caught myself comparing myself to my good friends, which isn't a good idea.  If you knew my friends personally, you would understand.  Who could blame me?  My friends are hilarious, creative, awesome geniuses.

How could I ever be a better writer, baker, student, crafter, etc....?

The answer isn't relevant.  There's no way I could match someone else's (usually natural) talent simply because I want to be just as good, or better.  If it were that simple, what would be the point of anything?  Life isn't about simply being good at the things you wish to excel at.  That would be way too easy, and certainly not as fulfilling as striving for success in something that you have plenty of room for improvement.

The more you think about the concept of comparing yourself to someone else, the more absurd it seems.  Every individual has their own set of experiences, successes, failures, talents, and dreams.  To compare yourself belittles how special, unique, and complex human beings are.  It's human nature to compare yourself to others, but that doesn't mean it's a pastime worthy of consuming your time.  That time would be much better spent working on the things you want to get better at.

However, comparison is something that inevitably comes up as you're trying to come to terms with who you are, what you want to become, and how others will perceive you for this.

Through these revelations, I've realized the things that make me ME, even if they are by no means "perfected"...  I'm more of a "handmade" person, for lack of a better word.  Very rarely do I see perfection as the ultimate goal.  In fact, I try to avoid the word "perfect" completely, because it's such a bizarre concept to begin with.  My goals usually consist of making myself and others happy, even if the cookies aren't perfectly frosted, or the dress isn't immaculate down to every stitch.  I think that this makes me Kaylie, and I'm okay with this.  Or at least, I am realizing that I should be okay with this.

I'm definitely not the best writer, baker, student, or crafter, but these are things I strive to improve in, and more importantly--they are the things that make me happy (yes, even school).  I think that the desire to improve in a certain field speaks more about your character than simply being good at something.

Is comparison something you struggle with?  What do you do to knock some sense into yourself?

lately...

The other afternoon I went to a new restaurant with my grandparents called Petite Maison.  True to its name, it was a cozy country house with wood everywhere and tiny chandeliers.  It was very charming and delicious.  I tried the Cassoulet Pissaladière (pizza), Poutine, Escargot de Bourgogne, the soup du jour (can't remember the name of it), and the Nutella Crème Brûlée.  My favorites were the Cassoulet pizza, the escargot, and the crème brûlée.  It was a lovely time, and we spent the rest of the afternoon browsing Fashion Square.  I even found boots that fit me/are age appropriate!  Score.

Lately:  writing in the traveling journal, sewing a dress (I'm farther now, but trying to be mysterious), sending off a care package for Ted, hanging out with Izzy every night in my room.

This week:  Knitting, reading Me Talk Pretty One Day, watching Downton Abbey, rewatching Gossip Girl, lunch & shopping date with my grandma Mimi (I got a dress that will go perfectly with my new boots), and catching up with friends before they go back to school (sadface).

Summer is winding down, and a pile of stuff in forming in the corner of my room (okay, so maybe this part isn't that unusual) of things to bring back to school.