THE CITIZEN INDEX

Monday, December 3, 2012

December- Come Home


'Tis the season, yeah? 

I'm rounding up my year in my head- and let me tell you there's so many good things inside it. 
A year ago this month, I was living in Sacramento, making arrangements for my dude to come visit, to spend the Holidays with me. Today, I woke up in a home that we share- after spending a delicious weekend together, just hanging. The long distance phone calls, the pining away days are now over, and we are here, building our nest together. That is, as Martha Stewart puts it: a good thing. 
Seasons Greetings from the Citizen sponsor: Karina Dresses. Use coupon code ROSC30 for $30 off your purchase.

Don't call it a come back, or a happy ever after- the story is still unfolding. And at the gone-to-seed age of never-you-mind-forty-plus-something, I'm just getting started. For the first time in my life, I feel like I've come home. 




Peek-a-boo: Bella tries to blend into the header landscape at the Citizen Rosebud



And voila! The now headless new blog header. Blooming gladly.
This blog has come home, too. I'm now crystal clear on what I want from it, and for it. You may notice that the header has been changed, and my image is now out of the picture. That is deliberate. You see, although the Citizen Rosebud is stamped with my hopes, dreams, values and character, it never was intended to be about "me." What started as a way to fund a co-operative art collective (yet to come to fruition, by the way) became the seedbed of this blog. And the blog became an avenue to explore subject matter, and experience culture in a whole different way than I've ever done. As a somewhat introverted person, blogging forced me to put myself out there- meet with strangers, go to events solo, and actually speak in front of groups of people- which I never thought I would enjoy doing. Spoiler alert: I like talking at ya! I enjoy coming up with a style story, and crafting a post. I enjoy connecting with like minded people, and I really enjoy the community that has come from all of it. You my friends, are that community. You, my friends, are Rosebuds.

So gather, while ye may. 

This month, we'll be celebrating home and community. 
All in the key of PLAID. 

Oh, and happy Holidays.    -Bella Q

45 comments:

That's Not My Age said...

This is excellent news! Me & Mr TNMA didn't get together until just after my 40th birthday - and that's still a good thing. Loving today's scarf arrangement!

Vix said...

Babe, I'm delighted for you.
Here's to an even more fabulous New Year. xxx

Sara Kristiina said...

I am so happy for you <3 !!

SeƱora Allnut said...

wooouuhh, blooming madly, my dear lady, and love your new blogheader in all its glorious wisdom!
and so glad you're feeling at home and enjoying it!, and celebrating home and community!, and tartan!
I'm always glad when tartan is around!
besos & flores

Unknown said...

Life is good ! Me and Lover Boy got together when we were 43 ..
So happy for you !

Please may I? said...

How lovely that you are both together and blooming! So pleased for such a lovely person.

X x

Kristy said...

So happy for you! I feel the same way. Just got married to my soul mate in October and a new start. I'm in my forties and he's in his early fifties. It's great to be home!

Anne M Bray said...

You sing the key of Plaid so wonderfully! Bloom on!

Anupriya DG said...

I'm glad that you are 'blooming gladly' now, my dear Bella! Here's looking forward to the new petals of this blog as it unfurls in all its glory!

You & Plaid go hand in hand all the time!! :)

Pam @ over50feeling40 said...

I smiled the whole way through this post...you are exuding such joy about being in a really good place right now, Bella. I am really happy for you. So excited to see where you take the blog and I love the key of plaid...sing away!

Gracey the Giant said...

Wonderful post. I loved reading this and can't wait to read more in the New Year.

Anonymous said...

May the coming year be even BETTER than this one!!

I can't wait to see where your blog is taking you...and all of us your readers!!

I married my soulmate at age 45!!! And got me a boy toy in the process!! (he's 7 years younger!!)

lasophia said...

I AM a rosebud! What a great analogy. Beautiful Bella. Keep doing your thing. Xoxoxo.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful! We love blooming right along with you.
x Laura

Adrienne Shubin said...

I am proud to call myself a "Rosebud" and am thrilled you are in such a good place right now both in your personal life and with your wonderful blog.
xo, A

Helga said...

It's a bloody BRIALLNT thing, the two of you coming together at last and making a new life! I'm so thrilled for you!
And, I'm wearing my Karina frock today,and have been thinking lovingly of ALL DAY!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Rock ON!

Unknown said...

So glad things are working out so well for you, Bella! Sarah xxx

Curtise said...

Good for you, Bella, you sound very happy and positive about the future. It's going to be another good year to come! xxxx

Tamera Beardsley said...

My dear I love what you have done with the place...it all looks great! i love you and your head wrap ... so, so Bella!

Natasha said...

Congratulations my dear. I still haven't experienced that in my life as yet. This is why I've been spending so much time loving my own damn self and I am finding that this is making a huge difference, as in it's sharpened my bullshit detector and lowered my tolerance level.

Sheila said...

That's such a sweet story for you and your love this year. All the best to you for the year ahead, Bella!

Krista said...

Elegant as ever Bella! I'm glad to be a rosƩ bud or maybe just a bud;). I'm happy you are in a place with the blog that you like. In a lot of ways you are a leader in this community!
Xoxoxo
Krista

Anonymous said...

Love you, Bella! Thanks for taking me into the fold! I wish much love and happiness for you. The most beautiful accessory is the twinkle of love in your eyes. I've had mine for 22 years and counting. Here's hooking you have it for at least that long ;-)

Anonymous said...

Hoping, not hooking lol autocorrect fail!

Beryl said...

I like how you celebrated plaid by wearing 3 of them in that picture. Very cute!

Penny-Rose said...

Really happy for you Bella. I love your blog and I think you are a real inspiration and leader.

Bohemian Chick said...

What a great post. I almost didn't read it because I haven't had a great year. I'm well into my 40's and have met plenty of wrong men but not "the man". I also lost my sweet kitty in October after 18 years. She was one of the very few constants in my life and I can't imagine Christmas without her.
But your post gave me hope, so thank you!
Donna
www.prettysparklythings.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

That is good news. I am so happy for you.

pao said...

Happy unfolding Bella. Like your new and improved, refined and refashioned blog header too. I met my true love in my 40's and now we just turned 60! Everything improves with age.

Miss Simmonds Says said...

you're such a darling, blogging really does change your life. xxx

mispapelicos said...

We start walking, and never know where the path will lead us. I would never thought I would find the right platfor for my passion for fashion either, and here we are.
Leave an open mind, and be glad of what everyday brings.
I am so proud of you, my dear Bella.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Patti said...

Keep blooming madly, gorgeous Bella! I met my husband when I was 37, and got married when I was 46 - and it's the best, best ever.

Anonymous said...

You look wonderful darling Bella and it's true that happiness gives us extra beauty, I'm so glad things are working better for you!
xxxx

superheidi said...

*just smiles*

Unknown said...

Well, then it looks like I've picked the right time to follow you! Looking forward to new things to come!

Monica
http://www.pear-shaped-gal.com/

Lynn Hasty said...

Love hearing the happiness in your voice! And I so enjoy visiting your blog and reading about your ideas! Well done. xoxo Lynn

The Style Crone said...

Your headwrap is magnificent! Your creativity is boundless and waiting to see where your blog takes you, now that you have 'come home.'

I just read an insightful book by Susan Cain, 'Quiet: The Power of Introverts.' I too have this characteristic, so it was helpful to understand myself and others in my life through what this author had to say.

Unknown said...

What a great time to make the change ... now that Mercury is out of Retrograde!
Oh, yeah ... you are just a young whippersnapper. Really, life doesn't even really begin until 60. Seriously.

Unknown said...

So excited for all your changes, Bella! I say age be damned, just live beautifully as you are doing. Looking forward to seeing what the new year brings for you and your blog!!! ~Sarah of Sarah Hulbert Style

Lyosha Varezhkina said...

awesome news! very happy for your changes your deserve it!

Lyosha
Inside and Outside Blog
P.S. I'm hosting a glasses giveaway on my blog here check it out!

PJ Sander said...

Love at any age is great. Enjoy! Thanks so much for putting yourself out there with your words. I'm so glad I found your blog!

FASHION TALES said...

It's wonderful to be loved and in love. Glad to hear all is going marvellous for you! Madison :)

The Goodwill Fangirl said...

Yay! I'd hug you if I was there. I didn't meet the love o' my life, or maybe just the fellow that would put up with me, 'til I was 40.

I liked your image. But I also love your blog, and see a glow coming back in the pics you do share. So I'll follow you on your journey, and ask stupid questions, like, "Is the whole month plaid?" because I always forget the single day events...

Anonymous said...

What a lot of late bloomers! I met my husband (first and only) at 37 and married at 39. But I left Seattle when I got married. I still miss it - I love that city - but I got to live in England for 10 years until returning to my childhood stomping grounds in Oregon. Someone once told us, Love travels many oceans. It's so true. I hope your new life in Seattle is infinitely rewarding!

Unknown said...

well, I really enjoyed reading this post. you are looking good and sound extremely happy. Good for both of you. Here is to your happiness always.