Office Organization

Our would-be office/guest room that I talked about for ages (here, here, here, aaand here) has become a record size junk drawer. And it makes me nuts. Luckily, it has two doors that I can close and pretend the mess doesn't exist. This has worked since we moved in. But, in the interest of making some resolutions for myself, keeping a more organized home (and life) has become a priority. And what better time to do it than now?
I've collected tons of inspiration of what I'd love it to look like. While I don't intend on spending a whole lot more money on this particular house, that doesn't mean we shouldn't live in it while we're here for who knows how much longer. I need to stop wishing acting like we're moving tomorrow. I think it'll be best for everyone.
My plans include organizing the crap that has made it's way in there and put it away, which includes installing some closet shelving, but that's a selling feature, right? I've also started a home organization binder, full of charts and checklists that make me smile and sane. Here's where I got most of my inspiration.
And here are some more pictures of offices I just adore. Check out my Pinterest board dedicated to offices too! (Ya, it's about time.)

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Monday Motivation

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As the new year approaches, many of us will look to set goals and resolutions to make this year better than the last. While I have a few things I'd like to work on, the one of the biggest is to stop wasting time worrying (and whining) and instead try to use each day to be more productive and with a more positive attitude. It can and will be done!

Hope you all have a safe & happy new year!

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Antlers

Hunting seasons around this time of year make me crave a few things; venison steaks, deer jerkey, and antlers on my walls. Here's some inspiration for the latter.

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Monday Motivation

I have to share this. These are 55 ways to take care of yourself when stressed. Some, well, many are nice reminders of things we already know to do but might forget or not make time for when we're a bit overwhelmed. And some are new things that seem simply enough to try. So please feel free to bookmark this article and remember to take care of yourself next time.

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Words

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I love this! Something to work on.

Vanity

So this winter weather (and my thirty day detox) is wreaking havoc on my skin. I found some tricks to cover up, but in searching for better ways to apply make up, realized I need a vanity. Okay, I don't need one. I'd love, love, love to have one. In natural lighting, which is supposed to be the best lighting to apply makeup in. Makes sense.
I was even considering moving our desk from the office to the bedroom and sticking a mirror on top. But I think I'll hold off until I can build something pretty close to this bad boy.

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Now y'all want one too, don't you?

Monday Motivation

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Glitter dishes

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I need me some of these.

Best Friend Birthday

No Monday Motivation today as todays post is being dedicated to my best friends birthday!
I wish I could be there to celebrate with you - soon! Have an amazing day and don't forget to reflect on another year of your inspiring journey that keeps getting bigger and better every day.

Indecisiveness

So I had a bit of an epitome today while browsing through my first blog posts (which I feel like I should apologize for- they're a bit wordy, not as funny as I thought I was being, and super whiny.)
In reading my younger selfs thoughts and wishes and dreams, it made me a little sad to see that so many things I thought were going happen and get done... didn't.
The more I read, the more I could see why.
Circumstances played a part, sure. But most of the problem is me and my 'tude. And flip flopping. And indecisiveness. In my need for everything to be pefecto, I missed didn't do as much as I could've, wasn't as happy as I could've been.
In my last couple of weeks off from work, I've had a lot (a lot) of time to reflect, relax, cook, clean, organize, visit, chat, cuddle, love, re-think, re-organize, etc. But I've found that I'm most happy and satisfied when I just do it, buy it, toss it, wear it, donate it, clean it, say it, move it. I've spent so much time in the past thinking too much about things. It's one thing to be money and design conscience. It's other to miss out entirely because of over-thinking.

I also feel like I need to print out all of my motivational speeches after these "epitomes" and put them everywhere. I seem to forget that I learned something pretty shortly after learning it.

And that's all I have to say about that.

Back to bed.

There's nothing better than waking up in the morning to go to work and finding the coffee's already made and yes mama, the puppy would really love to go back to bed with you and cuddle for a few minutes before you have to get ready for the day, all while your man is out hunting and will be stocking our freezer with seventy pounds of deer meat.
*Sigh*
Love it.

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Monday Motivation

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And really, what troubles do we have?

Cuddle Bug

After we got home yesterday from a lovely Thanksgiving, a prompt trip to the shower was needed for the pup who wrestled all day with his pal, in the mud. We all got in our jammies and sat on our respective couches but Duke paced around the living room and kept sitting in random places, keeping eye contact with me the whole time. After a few minutes of this, and making this mama very worried (I was waiting for some bodily function to happen), he walked right up to me and let out the most pitiful whine I've heard out of him in a while. So I crawled down to the floor with him. And he sat right in my lap. The boyfriends observation: all Duke wanted was to be held. Once he found someone for the job, he fell sound sleep for the rest of the night.
Even though he's growing every day, he still has puppy tenancies. Which I can't get enough of. I hope he'll always be my cuddle bug.

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Homemade Almond Joys

I could barely contain myself when I found these bad boys in Pinterest (just now).

Recipe

I literally cannot wait to make them!

Monday Motivation

My best friend sent this to me the other day. She's always had pretty good timing with these kinds of things and knows exactly what I need to hear. I plan on framing this one and putting it in my office. Love it. And her.

Fall Season

If I could wish all of these things into my closet, I'd need another closet.
Here's what I'm craving for this fall season.

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 OR

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Happy Weekend!

Big Windows

I would love for one of our homes to feature some big windows.
I find these absolutely stunning.

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 Love the black and white.

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 Tall ceiling envy.

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 Brick galore with spectacular view of the city.

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 More brick. And a Brooklyn shout-out for my mama.

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 Can you imagine waking up to this?

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 Love the arcs. And the pup. And that coffee table!

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Blank canvas just waiting to be brought to life, lit by all that natural light.

Thunder Thighs Workout

So in my quest to lose the post-surgeries weight, I think I've done pretty dang well, considering. Considering what? Well, a lot: my schedule, my lack of doing much of anything physical prior to this summer, lack of places to go to workout without paying to do so and paying an arm and a leg in gas to get there, blah, blah, blah). With that whining out of the way, I'll tell you that I've been able to get 24 pounds off and keep it off all summer. But now, I seem to be stuck. And I'm pretty sure those last few pounds are clinging for dear life to my thighs. And before I start my wardrobe makeover, I want to make sure I'm at a comfortable and reasonable...not weight, but... you know what I mean.

I've been finding these simple (but not so simple at first) leg workouts to be helping. The trick is to fit them in when a playful puppy is too tired to come down on the floor with you and literally walk all over you. Otherwise, they're no brainers. My legs have never been so strong. And I know that after tomorrow, which is my last regular season work day, and I'm able to start running with Duke again, the muscles underneath that last bit of fat will be pretty sweet.

{Workouts}

Monday Motivation

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This is something I have learned rather recently. Even though I've always had the mentality of not wasting my time with people who I do not necessarily care for, we all make mistakes and poor judgements of people and what type of people or friends they really are. And we don't usually realize it until they've done us wrong. Why continue to be associated with such a person? Wouldn't that reflect on you as a person, a little bit?
I think Caroline Manzo put it perfectly when she said, with a thick Jersey accent, "When you hang out with trash, you start to smell like trash". I do not want to smell like trash. I am trying to be a better version of myself. The lady my parents raised me to be. And therefore, garbage is no longer in my life. For various reasons, but mostly because I said so. And if that means having my family, my boyfriend, my best friend, my dog and friends at work that I can count on one hand, then so be it. Quality over quantity. Always.

Pinterest Makeover

I've been spending some (much needed) time cleaning up and organizing my Pinterest and moving my insane amount of pins into smaller, more focused boards.

Because it's one of the few things I have control over and I need some of that in my life right now.



Please stop by and take a look!

Happy Weekend!

Monday Motivation

... is pretty much how I feel. (And it's not limited to beer. It can be wine. Or SkinnyGirl.)
I'm hoping the storm isn't going to be as bad as everyone's been saying. Either way, Duke baby and I have today and tomorrow off so we're hunkering down together and praying that the boyfriend gets to come home early (and safely).
Stay safe this week!

Headphones

It's been a long time since I've been able to sit down with my laptop and listen to really good music with my headphones (so long, that I thought I lost my headphones during our last move). I had the other day off, but the boyfriend didn't so I had some free time. Which meant cleaning, playing with and training Duke baby, watching football, cooking, and, finally, relaxing. My neighbors, however, are pretty sure that the Sabbath means go outside (even when it's 50 degrees out) and blast oldies (well, the same three songs over and over, and over) as loud as they possibly can. Every Sunday. For hours. Instead of calling the cops, I turned up the tv and felt like I was in Reliant Stadium. When that game ended (with the Ravens getting their you know whats handed to them), I thought if I was going to jam something in my ears to block out the noise, it should probably be headphones. I listened to country music. And I loved it. Here's a song I can't get enough of. The guitar work in the beginning, especially with headphones in and turned up maybe a little too loud, is breathtaking. Another one of those songs that you can close your eyes to and feel. Aaand it might describe me sometimes. ;)

Classy Duke Baby

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I came across this the other day and I'm pretty sure Duke needs a bow tie now.

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And it should probably be seersucker. Because there's definitely some Southern in that boy.

Monday Motivation

I worry. A lot. And I'm not one to sit back and just let things happen. I try to change and mold and make them happen. Which is exhausting. For me, and for those around me. This week, things seemed bleak. They're taking too long, cost too much, wear me out, blah, blah, blah. And then I got a series of daily devotionals from Joel Osteen and happened to sit down one morning with Duke and watch one of his recorded sermons (I try to keep up with these as my work schedule doesn't allow us to be regular attendees of a real church) and the message was pretty clear.

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If I truly believe that God has a plan, and a good one, for my life, then I need to be patient. A lot of times, we (and I mean I) feel the need to take things into our own hands in order to see something happen. Which is fine, sometimes. Other times, we can make the situation much worse. And in these cases, God simply waits for us to quit messing around so He can take control. We delay His blessings. Instead, relax and work on being a servant of the the Lord. Be a better person. Help someone else, instead of focusing on your own "problems". It's been an adjustment and isn't an attitude change that happens overnight. But I'm finding myself being able to be nicer and have been presented with a few instances where God's timing really does make sense. Which makes it that much easier to have faith. Which makes it easier to take a deep breath and enjoy today and stop worrying about tomorrow (and the next day, and the next day...).
So this week, let's take a step back from ourselves and be patient. Enjoy the now and those around you and things will start happening, at exactly the right time and in the most perfect of ways.

Who I Am...

In the aftermath of a slight breakdown the other day, my mom went into lecture mode (really quickly, and impressively) and reminded me of some things that I really needed to hear. One thing she said that really struck me was that "your job is not who you are, it's just something you do". The more I thought about it, the better it made me feel.
I'm still very much in the discovering stage of finding out what it is that makes me who I am. I don't have very many big things in comparison to other people (like my boyfriend for example, has things like starting a business, getting promotions, being offered several amazing jobs, being able to juggle it all, while putting up with me). While I shouldn't compare myself to others, I do try to look to them for inspiration. My parents, my boyfriend and my best friend continue to be huge inspirations to me every day.
I'm making more of an effort to surround myself with people like this, who are not only inspirations, but believe in me as well.
That being said, the morning after, I received some great news and proof that God was taking action in my life; all I have to do is keep working hard and keep the faith. Then, my day was filled with puppy cuddling and the evening was spent with cake, pie, ice cream, laughter, and my boyfriends family. It was more than exactly what I needed. And my parents are coming over today. And I'm planning to see my best friend for her birthday, which means I'll get to see her family too (and in planning this, I got to talk to her on the phone and just hearing her voice was a comfort).
In figuring out who I am, I am finding that I am blessed. With an amazing family that grows and gets stronger every day. And who continue to shape me in ways I can't even begin to thank them for.

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Monday Motivation

Surprise, surprise- I've been stressed out lately. About a lot of stupid little (and some) big things that I have no control over. I've allowed them to get to me and in turn, affect the people around me. Again.
So, in an effort to not be such a you know what all the time, I'm going to try some of these things out! And suggest you do the same.

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Monday Motivation

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Lazy Morning

Sleeping like a baby. He was snoring and definitely dreaming.

Slowly waking up. And not real happy about it.

"Oh...Housewives is on... I love this show."

Duke baby and I had a pretty lazy morning yesterday. Totally wasn't my idea. I sat down to eat breakfast and turned on the New Jersey Housewives Reunion (part one, of three) and he cuddled up so adorably, we had to stay like that for the rest of the morning. I did manage to clean the house and switch out my purses (I finally upgraded to a grown up purse that I scored on Ebay) that afternoon. That being said, I was back on the couch shorty after, still in my pj's and guess who was sleeping in my lap, again? Yup. He was one tired pup. But I think he had the right idea. We stayed right there on that couch until it was time to go work on the building we're renting for our new business.
Not bad for a Monday.

Monday Motivation

I came across this while browsing Tumblr the other day, and each number made a lot of sense. So I"ll share it with you. Hopefully, at least a few of these hit home and help you today, this week, this year, this life.

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Monday Motivation

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That's all I have to say about that.

Last Day

Today is my dads last day of work. Ever. He's retiring. And deserves it more than anyone I know.
That is something my parents always instilled in my brother and I; that hard work and faith is why we had all that we had and got to see and do the things we did (which is a lot more than most, and something I'll never be able to thank them enough for).
My dad did whatever it took to keep our family going. And he was good at all of it. He has been a teacher to both my brother and I along the way and his wisdom about the workplace and career paths (and life in general) are something I need to try to obtain as much as possible, and should probably be writing down.
I hope that this day will be a happy day for him and my mom. They have had to put up with a lot and have been through even more. They deserve the best. And today marks another beautiful beginning for them.

Looks like a good idea to me.

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A dang good idea.

Monday Motivation

A few months ago, I decided/realized that this is not where we are supposed to be, or stay. It is temporary. But many times, I find we get a bit (okay, a lot) discouraged and wonder why we're still here. In the midst of putting up with things at work, trying to start a business, dealing with neighbors, etc. we get overwhelmed.
I watched a sermon yesterday morning that really put things into perspective. Instead of sitting around waiting, getting angry and sad (and headaches), we have to wait with expectancy that things are going to happen. We can use this time to prepare for the bigger, better things God has in store for us. We have to make our faith in Him be seen. Which gives you something to do while you're waiting, which will distract from becoming discouraged. I am going to use this time to work on my health (both physically and mentally), my attire, etc. so that when things happen, I'll be ready. Making your faith be seen can be as simple as redoing your wardrobe to be more appropriate for a better job, a better way of living.
I think we were put in this house and work where we do for a reason. So we could have a chance to work on ourselves. And prepare. The pastor used an example of a couple who bought furniture that was way too big for their tiny apartment. When asked about the cramped space, they said they bought the furniture for their new house. When asked when they were moving, they said "Soon." What a wonderful way to think. Things are going to get better. When? Soon.
All we have to do is keep the faith, be productive by getting ready while we wait and remember to wait with expectancy.

Monday Motivation

I've always been become a big believer in timing. And I'm constantly reminded that things happen (or don't happen) exactly when they're supposed to, even when (sometimes especially when) they don't fit into our timelines.
Things seemed to be moving at the speed of smell when it came to getting things done with the business we're trying to start. Then, all at once, we could get started. Then things got delayed again. Then, things picked up at work, and in our personal lives and there was no way we could have gotten anything accomplished anyways. So while we were frustrated and thought nothing was working out, things really couldn't have worked out more perfectly. Other opportunities have presented themselves to us and give us something to look forward to and work towards in the meantime (and reminded me that there's always a reason for sticking around somewhere and toughing it out. You will be rewarded. In due time.) And when things slow down, we will be able to focus on the business so that it can be the best that it can be. Sometimes, things don't pan out because we need to focus on something else for the moment, instead of trying to stretch ourselves too thin with too many things. And then we can move on to that other thing. Sometimes, things happen that seem devastating and like we can't come back from it. When really, it was the wake up call we've been waiting for.
We have to take a deep breath and stop trying to control everything all the time. We are in the places, houses, apartments, jobs, cities, relationships, families for a reason (many reasons, really.). And with patience, these reasons will present themselves. And they will be so worth the wait.