Defining You

For some, doing or knowing what makes you happy may come easy, unlike myself. Yes, I find joy in the littlest of things in life and for the most part I'm an optimist, laughing often and living to entertain others. But there is a separate part of happiness in which I am focusing on. In fact, I think, just as love, happiness comes in many definitions. The happiness I am speaking of is the one that you find whithin yourself and what you do with it. It took me a long time to figure out what makes me tick. What drives me. This happiness is the spring that resides within the core of your being. Have you been able to tap into your inner spring and find what makes you the happiest, what motivates your soul and defines who you are? If not, what is holding you back?

 

 

 

 

(This is one of my favorite pins found on Pinterest, in which I admit I am an addict to!!!)

 

 

I found myself trying to find happiness in ways I thought would create happiness, failing miserably afterwards. For instance, I am a spender. I find myself getting a quick high of that happiness while spending money, then the downward spiral afterwards because a lot of times it was money spent on invaluable items. When I sat down to write out my New Years resolution, it became more of a therapeutic purging session. I created realistic goals for myself that I had been putting off for years simply out of fear or anxiety of the unknown. I asked myself what makes me happy, looking at what trends I follow, the pattern of my habits, what captivates my attention....have you ever sat down with a pen and paper writing out a list of what you could envision yourself doing? Or creating "obstacles" to overcome so that you could reach certain goals? Have you ever asked yourself questions and answered them with honestly?

 

 

 

(My 2015 Resolution list)

 

 

 I noticed that when I started to analyze what I was most drawn to, it revolved around HOME. Creating an environment that makes my family and company feel a sense of welcome and warmth.  Yet it had to bestow little hints of the person I am. I love homes that display a persons personality. I noticed whenever I log onto Pinterest, that I was most drawn to DIY home projects, restore/renew, fabrics and the use of color combinations. Along the same lines of finding what excites me, I acknowledged the fact that I have always been drawn towards the art of writing. The play of words has always intrigued me and I have a thirst for knowledge. I remember owning a large red dictionary that I would enjoy flipping through and looking at all the words.....it was astonishing to me. I know that might be odd.....I couldn't agree more!! I still enjoy the smell of books and the feel of them in my hands. I am sure there must be someone out there that feels the same, or maybe I am alone on this, I admit to being a little neurotic. LOL! (can this be used in a blog???)  I truly love and enjoy writing. It makes me incredibly happy!! And that is why I am here!

 

 

 

 

 I have struggled with the guilt (mostly mommy guilt) of doing anything that purely made myself happy if it took away time from my family. And this is why I had to write this post!! (I mean, really, just get to the point already, right?!) This past weekend my husband went on a guys retreat up north to enjoy some snowmobiling. I decided, hesitantly, to take upon myself a "little" DIY project.....I wanted to try using this "new" concept of chalk paint that I had stumbled upon in JoAnn Fabrics. So I decided to try it on our rather large hutch in my dining room. Mind you, this was my first time painting anything. And why was I a little reserved? Because I was going to tackle this project with my three year old son by my side rather than waiting to do it during his nap times....the thought of what could possibly take place has a way of controlling what I do. Unfortunately I am one of THOSE moms. I just need to LET GO of the control factor and roll with it. In which I did and discovered something that we both enjoyed doing together!! I fell in love with painting, we turned up some tunes and  Logan (my favorite little guy) had a blast collecting all the screws from the cabinets I had to dismantle in his bulldozer. It was one of my most treasured weekends by far!! I have always envied other mothers from blogs I have read in the past that have created a career out what they were passionate about  while involving their wee ones in there work environment. Who would have thought you can combine what makes your soul happy along with who make your entire being happy! Its not about separating the two. Its about combining the two. I would love to claim the same for myself and my family, because that would truly make my heart and soul the happiest.

 

 

 

 

The result after this project was a new found happiness to simply repurpose what you already own, creating something you love and taking pride in a job well done. Sometimes happiness is more about working towards it. Not about an instant high from quick gratification. Its not about penny pinching or being thrifty. Its the happiness that comes from being artistic and using that energy to create something beautiful that you can take claim to.

 

I challenge you to do the same. Write out a list, create obstacles, allow yourself to let go of what has been holding you back. Find that inner happiness. Because you being happy only spreads to other areas in your life, including those around you.

 

XO

Focus, Darling

If you are anything like me, I want to accomplish SO much and just about everything under the sun inspires me to be something or go somewhere. Focusing is not my strong point. I find so many different topics in life interesting and find myself yearning to take on a vast number of projects. I drive myself crazy!

When it comes to life goals, such as a career, I believe having your head in the clouds (yes I admit to it,okay!) can cause pinpointing what avenue you'd like to take, daunting. I want to take ALL of the different avenues! I love an adventure, exploring is the root of my nature. But as I stated in a previous post, writing out what my focal interests are and revolve around,  have truly helped to put the blinders on and start to dwindle down the list of what I would love to do, to what I WILL do (because you have to have faith in yourself!).

 

 

(Have faith in yourself!!)

 

Another benefit of following through with yourself is that it leads to inspiring others around you! Today I was warmed right to the core to be on the receiving end of such an awesome compliment!!! My blog has inspired my sister-in-law to share with me her four aspirations she would like to succeed in. Like me, she is a lover of everything and motivated to take on the world! I loved that she shared her aspirations with me, all of them are absolutely wonderful ideas! But each goal needs time, water to grow and full attention. FOCUS. Thus I will use this vivacious gal as my prime example!

 

(Carrie on the left, myself on the right...this was a glorious day!!)

As the outsider, sometimes it's easier to give advice on the big picture. As long as I have known Carrie (my sister-in-law), she has always been driven to be healthy, motivate others around her to follow a fit and healthy lifestyle. That is her passion! She has a plethora of knowledge on the topic, as well as the aspirations to become a personal trainer. Of course I couldn't resist to cheer her exploration of aspiring this goal because it has always come naturally to her and she has a burning passion for it. But with all the other goals stacked on one another her focus was being spread too thin. She felt with so much to accomplish there really wasn't time to make it happen. Add into the equation a hectic life of a working mother....that alone can place anything on the back burner. But with a little encouragement to concentrate on just one goal, write down an outline of what she would like to portray and accomplish, including a proposed date of accomplishment (even if years from now) and square away at least one hour every night to work on this one tangible goal...it's totally doable!! I also encourage her to create her own business blog to kick start her vision, getting her name out there and creating a network AND the best part of that, IT'S FREE! ( I know she will ROCK this!)

Sometimes we need someone to fan our passions. I want to inspire, as well as be inspired. I have found that the rewards from following through with what drives you, has a way of counteracting. Who knew that my very own blog would cause me to be inspired! Its driving me to be much more adventurous within my own neighborhood, as well as other local towns. I am creating a list of places I want to explore and share. I have networked with others, been inspired with their knowledge as to where I want to go, what I envision for future topics and discussion. You know you are doing something right when it has a domino effect!!!

 

(my quiet time with my son, one of my favorite places, in his race car bed!)

Follow your heart. Take a moment to set aside some quiet time to reflect the person you are, what drives you, what knowledge you have on the topic. Ask yourself, "do I have a thirst for more knowledge on this particular goal?". You can rock it too! I know you can!!! And of course, please do share!!

XO

Champagne Taste on a Water Budget

I am IN LOVE with the title to this post (thanks to my big bro!!). I am half tempted to rename my entire blog, because it epitomizes exactly the gal I am!!

 

(At the office....a pin found on Pinterest I framed, the concept just caught my eye. The other was a gift, not sure what it is, but the colors are lovely, I couldn't resist using it to display my adorable air plant!! And my wall of pictures simply because pictures always make a place feel like home!)

Living on a tight budget for the most part sucks. But, it has caused me to tap into my creative side, pushing me to start trying out some DIY projects, either inspired by Pinterest or from pure imagination....which has been FUN FUN FUN! I cannot believe I have JUST realized how much joy painting brings me and repurposing what I already have!

Aside from pieces at home falling victim to my new joy of painting (my husband is sincerely afraid of leaving me home alone at this point), I took on my office here at work! I mean, I reside within my office space 40+ hours a week, why not have some fun making it all chic and pretty......on a dime! In fact, I didn't spend ONE CENT! Serious as a heart attack. At first, I did do some research on Amazon. I found some beautiful gold plated pieces made by Kate Spade, I mean truly luxurious as far as desk accessories go! But the cost was not so pretty, not for my budget. I asked myself how I could replicate a gold desk organizer, as well as a tape dispenser. Then I remembered, I had some leftover gold plated spray paint I had used over the summer which I purchased at Walmart (find here)! I couldn't wait to start my project, which made the day at work VERY long since my anticipation of beautifying my boring black metal mesh desk organizer and tape dispenser was literally ALL I could think about.....(obsessive much?!). And here are my beauts:

 

(So EASY, anyone could do it! And it adds just a hint of chic to my desk area, love!)

Unfortunately, I did not take a before picture. I am not used to documenting everything just yet and I have this slight problem....when I start a new project, I get SO excited that I just rush into it without thinking of snapping a few pictures along the way. Maybe I need an assistant for such things, a photographer?! Ha! Hey, its all a learning curve....

 

(my little assortment of terrariums filled with rose bushes, air plants, a tropical plant of the aloe family and LOTS of moss.)

The next project I approached was a new 2015 calendar. I found one that I thought would be a cool on Zulily, but I also found  the same one on Amazon. The idea sounded so cool, a dry erase decal calendar in black fluorescent. But the price tag on this was a little high for me, plus you'd have to purchase the markers and the reviews were poor. THEN I happened to stumble on a blog via Pinterest which I have become smitten with! I follow her on Bloglovin (if you have never explored Bloglovin, please DO and follow me! It's where you can discover other great blogs and keep your favorites in one neat and tidy space). Over at Chantel Emma she made a FREE downloadable pdf 2015 calendar that I instantly fell in love with!! Its very modern and simple (here). Once printed, taking the idea from Chantel, I remembered a few items in the basement of my office that no one had took claim to, one of them was a clipboard: PERFECT! Thus my new calendar (because an ordinary one would be so boring!!!):

 

(Aside from the numbers being on the light side, I love this and have gotten plenty compliments!)

 

 

I would love for you to share your ideas or office space, inspire me!!!

XO

Carla

A New Beginning

Sitting here reviewing my 2015 resolutions while my son watches his favorite cartoons and enjoys himself an ice pop. I have always been drawn to blogs, whether for inspiration or I'm drawn to the authors use of words. Creating my own blog is amongst the top of my 2015 goals that I've set for myself. It's always satisfying to check off goals you've made! Typically I would create unrealistic resolutions in the past, but this time around I have hand written two pages full of reachable aspirations! I have even included with them a set of Q&A.....for myself...does that make me weird??? Over lunch today I shared with my little sister the birth of Glitz & Granola. Her reaction "I'm surprised you are just starting. I thought for sure you'd have one by now!". I have had a lot of encouragement from my family, but once I created my layout and it was time to write....I can officially say I experienced writers block. I am nervous as to whether what I write will capture my readers attention or interest. The one promise I can make is to always keep it real between myself and my audience. I intend to share my life experiences, the precious moments I spend with my family, home projects, my love for anything beautiful, random tidbits of information that makes life easier and of course my ever changing wardrobe...whether a documented wish list  or purchased purely by stumbling on a good deal! Sometimes I may just share a quick paragraph paired with a photograph. Whatever it is, it will be sharing with you what I love, what drives me. So here it is, my very first post for 2015!!  I feel this deserves a toast from me to you, with an oath to many more posts in the future! Thank you for stopping by :)