Living Simply - 40 Bags in 40 Days

Last week I posted about goals.  One of my goals was to LIVE LIFE MORE SIMPLY.  Easier said than done, huh?  A few months back, I discovered Ann Marie's blog "White House, Black Shutters".  I quickly became a follower on Facebook...I love her tagline:  everyday life, creative stuff and coloring outside the lines.  I think it's the everyday life that tends to get us down, but the creative stuff and coloring outside the lines are what keeps us going!




So,  I was feeling a little stuck in a rut and I ran across Ann Marie's 40 Bags in 40 Days.  Apparently, this is the third year she has done this challenge...Ann Marie, where have you been all my life?  Or at least the last 2 years!?  The goal is to choose an area - a room, a closet, a shelf, a desk...whatever place you need to decrapify - and DO IT!!!!  (decrapify - love this term, Ann Marie's, not mine...later I'll look it up in Webster's...I'm sure my house will be the picture beside the definition!)

2013 DECLUTTER CHALLENGE

I decided to start small:  those drawers in the guest bathroom.  Where does all that stuff come from?  I've decided the guests must leave it there, because certainly my family of four would NEVER dream of cramming so much junk in those three little drawers.  Ha!  So here's just a little "before" peek of one my three guest bath "junk drawers".   I promise I'll show you the "after"!

Seriously?  Where does this stuff come from?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The best part is this:  I can throw stuff away, donate it, sell it, hide it, give it away...no rules!  Just get it out of here!  I'm excited to see where this takes us as a family.  How it contributes to our new motto:

LIVE LIFE...More Simply!

Join White House Black Shutters on 

Facebook :: Twitter :: Instagram.  

Just don't forget the #40bags40days hashtag.

Good Luck!

New Year - New Me

Melisa Robins Photograpy

Yesterday was my birthday.  I am 38 years old!  WHAT?!  Impossible! 

In my "Supermom" post, I talked about resolutions...actually, my lack thereof.  I turn my "resolutions" into GOALS.  Something to strive for that is not unreachable, but that I have to work hard to reach.  Some say that sharing your goals with others keeps you motivated to reach those goals.  Makes you more accountable perhaps.  So I'd like to share a few of my Goals for 2013:
 

 

• Be a better, more patient mother
• Become a more attentive and appreciative wife
• Cook a meal at home at least 3 days a week (that does not include PB&J's)
• Organize my business, Christine & Company, to work for me, not the other way around
• Blog on a regular basis. (Eeeeeek - going to need some help with this one)
• Make more time for myself and my hobbies
• Live life more simply
• Surround myself with positive role models
• Rid myself of the negativity in my life
• Step outside of my comfort zone
• And most importantly, ENJOY LIFE

So, over the next few months, I'll be sharing with you some of my goals and how I am planning to reach them.


I'd like to leave you with this quote from Isak Denisen, the pen name for Karen Blixen.  (Isn't it curious how she chose a man's name?) 

TRUTH

 And just in case you are wondering, this photo was taken by me, somewhere along Hwy 30a, Florida's most beautiful stretch of beaches....another one of my goals.  Although it is a long-term goal - one day this will be my home.

Share some of your goals with us here.  Make yourself accountable.  Gain the support of your friends, family, the blogosphere, whoever makes you want to be a better person! 

Best Wishes for the Best Year Ever!

Love is in the Air...DIY Valentine's Day Gifts

It's getting to be that time of year...candy hearts, chocolate, roses. Valentine's Day is just around the corner. I've put together a lineup of some fun tutorials for  DIY Valentine's treats, decor and gifts. Enjoy!

52 Reasons I Love You

Paper Vine

This amazing tutorial can be found over at  PaperVine.   This blog is full of fantastic tutorials...trust me, you'll be addicted!

Yummy Treats

These little Smarties Parfaits look delicious and oh-so-cute!  Visit  Bubbly Nature Creations for the how-to.

Bubbly Nature Creations

 How about these Strawberry Heart Oreo Cookies from Thirty Handmade Days.  Adorable!  And, there's a cute little {FREE} printable to go along with.

Thirty Handmade Days

 For the more adventurous, here's a great tutorial on creating natural perfume from my friend Amanda at Escentual Alchemy.  And if you don't think you want to tackle this project yourself, just head on over to Amanda's shop and pick out one of her already made creations!

Natural Perfume

Natural Perfume Tutorial

And also a tutorial on making your own bath salts from Stephanie at Alchemy Lifestyle and Wellness.   Woudn't this be a fun project for a girls night in?  Or a mommy/daughter day?

Bath Salts Tutorial

And finally, how about some cuteness for you home?

Love, Laughter & Decor

I found this adorable Valentine's Day Tree over at Love, Laughter & Decor!  I will make this...soon.

I hope you enjoy some of these fun projects!  If you decide to tackle any of these great ideas, I'd love to hear about it here or on my Facebook Page!

Happy Hearts Day to you!

Are you a Supermom?

I am a self-proclaimed "Messy Marvin" and procrastinator.  I work the very best under pressure...at least that what I tell myself!  It's getting to be that time of year when folks start thinking about Resolutions...losing weight, getting organized, spending more time with the kids.   In this Pinterest/Facebook-era, many women find themselves struggling to be a Super Mom.  Expectations are high.  Gotta post that perfect Christmas photo with the kids smiling at the camera under the Christmas Tree in their new Christmas Jammies.  Those adorable Valentine's Day printables are just waiting to be added to the bags full of candy to take to preschool for all your 4 year old's friends and teachers.  Seriously????  I'm just happy when the kids get a bath and get to preschool on time!!  Getting myself a shower...well, that's a story for another post!

It's really not that bad...but sometimes I do feel pressured to be the perfect mom while running my business from my home.  I find the line between work and home is seriously blurred.

So this year, I have a few GOALS of my own.  We don't make resolutions in our family...we decided a long time ago that we are more inclined to keep our "resolutions" if we make them goals!  I also think it's important to start small, don't tackle all of your goals in one day, or even one week.

Today, I'll share one of my goals with you.

ORGANIZATION

Super Mom Family Organizer Set

I found this awesome set from Erin over at Happy Organized Life.  It's the Supermom Family Organizer Set and it's available for Instant Download (did I mention that I'm impatient?)  It has 30 sheets that you can print out and use individually or in a binder.  I decided to use the binder method since I tend to be messy...I can imagine those pages scattered all over the house!   So far, my favorite page is THE 30 MINUTE CLEAN ROUTINE.  If cleaning house can be done in 30 minutes, I'm all for it!  I love that you don't have to start with a perfectly clean house to use this routine...if you give yourself a week, then your house should be relatively clean and then you can start on larger organizing projects, like the garage...or the sewing room (GASP!)

I won't go into detail about this organizer set...go check it out for yourself.  Make sure you "like"  Erin's Facebook page for a 20% off coupon! 

I would love to hear some of your organizing tips!  Share them here or on Christine & Company's Facebook page.

Her Wild Side

Have you seen LookBook.nu?  It's an amazing site that shows off fashionistas from around the world. It's a great way to find new designers, do a little shopping and more. Check out my very first "look". Will you go and give it some hype?

Back to School!

It's that time of year.  Back to School. Last minute vacations; shopping trips for school supplies, clothes and shoes.  And...Christine & Company is happy to announce that we've brought back the Toddler Backpack!  I had to discontinue them earlier this year as I was having a hard time keeping up with production.  But, it's back with a new design, the same fun fabrics and quality you have come to expect!

I've put together a little collage of fun back to school goodies for parents and teachers alike to help you make the best of the first day of school!  Enjoy!

Please make sure you check out these great shops and tell them I sent you!

1.   Toddler Backpack by Christine & Company
2.   Back to School Door Hanger by LooLeigh's Charm
3.   Luggage Tags by Happy Thoughts
4.  Chalkboard Notebook by The Artisan Post
5.   Custom Engraved Pencils by The Carbon Crusader
6.  Waterproof Labels by The Lollipop Label Shop

Finding Joy

Sometimes you just need a reminder...

The Finding Joy Movie