A Re-Cap :)

Thought I would share my life currently via snapshots! Just when I thought things were going to settle down, life offered me an opportunity of a lifetime and its been a whirlwind of creativity! As my father told me "we do not allow grass to grow under our feet". Taking after my dad, I move from one project to the next, I love to grow and to have my head deep within a plethora of subjects, knowledge is food to my soul. But I am hoping to create deep roots within this new role and stay for a while, a LONG while. There is SO much to learn, so much so that I will never comprehend it all within my lifetime.

I will save all the details for my next post. In the meantime, life has been sweet. Time spent with my family out playing in the water this past weekend was loads of fun. It was the perfect afternoon together. I hope everyone is enjoying these hot summer days doing whatever it is you love and making the best of them!! I am relishing every minute :)

Juiced & Feeling PUMPED!

Hello Sunshine! Even though we may have skipped spring and jumped right into summer weather, I am not going to complain! I have been enjoying evening walks, gardening and having all the windows of the house open. Its incredibly refreshing after such a long drawn out winter and the balmy summer months only last so long, so let's take full advantage and get out the sunscreen! Along with the new temps, it has caused me to set some new goals as well as a few new challenges for myself. I am ALL about self help and evolving into a better you, are you with me?!

{Raw and Simple, Judita Wignall. You can find it here <3}

Personally, I had found myself in a funk. I felt icky on the inside, my skin was showing signs of dehydration, I was experiencing aches and pains. Something needed to change! I truly feel that no one knows how or what to do to heal your body or spirit more than yourself. I am pretty in tune with inner self and when I feel off, I know exactly what it comes down to: nutrition. For the most part, I eat very healthy. But those nasty foods filled with nasty fraudulent ingredients in manufactured foods can wreak serious havoc on your entire well being. I have a wild imagination and I just envision these impostors invading my body, layering my organs with a nasty film.....drain-o please!!! So after much researching and soul searching, I knew my body needed a good cleanse and detox. I wanted to start filling myself with nearly 100% natural ingredients, derived from the earth and start eating clean. Its always hard to break from a routine. But one day, I just woke up and was like, enough of the thinking its time to take control and start doing! I had always loved vegetables and at one point I had tried the raw diet. I do love the concept! The food is delicious. But I have a family of two me, one big and one small, and the diet just wasn't realistic for us. For me the best way to incorporate raw food into my diet in a quick way was to invest in a juicer and let me tell you, its my most beloved kitchen equipment! It was well worth the splurge. I didn't purchase a fancy juicer by any means, I didn't want to spend the money i wasn't sure I would truly love. I purchased a simple Hamilton Beach model and it works just perfectly! I have been enjoying my juices and reaping the benefits ever since! My skin feels great, I feel much more energetic and overall just BETTER. 

{Nothing satisfies my soul more than having an abundance of fresh fruit & vegetables at my finger tips!!! YUM!}

I am not one to work out, at all. In fact, I have never truly stuck to a workout regimen. Ever. So my biggest challenge for myself this summer was to figure out how to incorporate a workout routine into my crazy hectic work/wife/mother schedule! I simply have zero time to hit a gym. And for those that know me, I typically veer away from working inside the home. BUT something had to give because my energy level had hit an all time low and even though I was eating better, I still needed something. And along those same lines, I want to be toned for the first time and enjoy water parks, beach parties or pool gatherings with my family without being self conscious. After seeing two of my closest friends pumped and hearing the enthusiasm in their voices, researching the workout program myself and validating it for myself, it has been a perfect fit for my schedule and healthy eating, I too am know doing the 21 Day Fix Beachbody program! The fact that the workouts are only a 1/2 hour long, I am able to get them out of the way first thing in the morning before starting the day! And the eating program was super easy for me to accommodate since I pretty much have been eating the same way, but get this, NOT ENOUGH. Don't get me wrong, I have cut back my number one offender, wine. But I am eating MORE at lunch than I ever have and dinner as well! Just making a few adjustments. So between the juicing, working out and eating clean....I am back to feeling great and the energy from working out is so worth every cent spent! Not only physically, but mentally.

{Getting out for a walk to the playground is the best medicine for both! Do what makes your heart happy!}

Another goal (or rather challenge) of mine is to avoid wearing black ALL SUMMER. (notice the picture above, obviously I need to work a little harder at this! HA!) I am an avid fan of the color, but I feel its such a draining color. After donning it all winter long, I am over it! And like one of my closest girlfriends stated, it does not represent the fun personality I bestow. I want to portray who I am through my clothes, so vivid colors of pink, blues, oranges and greens it is! I also feel that it tricks our minds into happy zone!

{The best way to end a long day, with my boys!!}

I challenge you to do some soul searching. If you have been down and out, why?! Is it something you could take control of? As simple as eating healthier or doing a workout? If you haven't the money to splurge on a juicer or the workout program, why not plant a garden, eat all that you sow? Take a walk....a jog....search You Tube for workout videos. Find friends that will help motivate you along the way. Make it fun, set goals together as a team, set a date to accomplish the goal. My inspiration is my son, weddings and a vacation. All which I need to be energetic and healthy, not to mention being toned would be nice too! But I also have a great circle of girlfriends and family  who motivate me to be only my very best!!! Be the best you can be, it might be contagious and encourage those around you to be their best as well!

The Best is Yet to Come

I love this phrase. I want to bask underneath it’s glow and soak up all the possibilities. Lately I have felt this ball of excitement within the core of my being, very similar to the feeling of falling in love. Is this how it feels to fall deeply in love with life? I have never experienced this feeling when it comes to choosing a career or an avenue of what might be.  I truly feel within my gut that the choice I made to become a blogger and journalist is THE missing puzzle piece to my life. And why or how come it took me so long to fall into this niche is beyond me, but I am welcoming this new path with arms wide open.

( A ritual that my sister Tina and I share, tea time inspirations. She is truly my kindred spirit. Keep those that inspire you to be your best around, nurture them as much as they nurture you. These relationships are like flowers, they need water and sunlight. They should be a forever investment. )

I am in my early 30’s. At times in my life I have felt like a drifter. I suppose you could call me a free-spirit of sorts. I have never been one to settle down and plant roots. I've lived a rather nomadic life, I wanted to experience life on a whim, no schedules or strict structures. Along the way, I have made some poor decisions. I have never been one of those people who knew exactly what I wanted to do with my life or what direction I  would take to  pave the road to success. I simply lived in the moment. But in saying this, I have learned a lot throughout my travels, trials and tribulations. My life planted roots once I met my husband and we created a family, which in itself was a major fulfillment since it brought to life the person I am today. But there is something that comes from being successful. So, I suppose this makes me a late bloomer as far as choosing a career goes. And you know what, it’s OKAY! I am going to stop judging myself and start accepting the person that I am. I have always been a sensitive soul, others opinions held me down in the past regarding the way I live my life. Respect what makes you different, what others might view as "flaws". Be sure to show the same respect when dealing with others. If we showed a little more respect, imagine the difference it would make! 

(Heck yeah! Please do.)

Break free of labels. Just be YOU. Don't try to change because people might view your lifestyle in a negative way. You are always going to have those that support you or those that are against you. Do not be afraid to try something because you feel it goes against the person you are. Be open to new experiences, because who knows, you might be introduced to a side of yourself that just needed to be awakened. Dive into who you are and what drives you. Getting to know the person you are can be a journey in itself and very exciting. Make choices that you alone have decided to make and aren't made under the influence of others, or what others push you to be. Only you alone know what is right for you.

(I stumbled on this amazing poem. It fits my sensitive personality. One of which I used to find as a flaw. I feel as we grow and become acquainted with who we are, we realize its these flaws that make us stand out among the rest. I am smitten with Victoria Erickson, her poetry has such depth!)

In conclusion, I urge you to FOLLOW your dreams and simply allow yourself to FLY! Age is just a number. And we have one life to live, no re-do's or reset button. Stop making excuses, do not allow fear or anxieties weigh your decisions. If it’s the right decision, you will know, because your gut will indelibly tell you and life will fall into place. Remember, everyone has their opinions, but the opinions that truly matter come from those that genuinely know the person you are and love you unconditionally. Just be the BEST you. For you and for those around you. Treat yourself with respect, the same respect you treat others with. Nurture your soul and love the person you reflect. There is no time like the present to start all of the above!

XO, Carla 

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