What I learned this year...

As I sit in front of my computer pouring over countless End of the Year reviews, round ups, reflections and recollections, I couldn't help but think about my own experiences this year.  There were absolutely no small moments for me and yet, I've been completely negligent in celebrating them and reveling in them when they were occurring.  I guess that is the nature of man, to want and wish today away....  That's not necessarily the best way to be and I'm going to endeavor to change that.

I digress.

What I learned in 2013:

1. You're never too old to make new friends.

2. A goal with no plan is just an empty wish.

3. I'd rather have experiences than "stuff".

4. Falling in love with yourself is more amazing than falling in love with anyone else.

5. Sex is better when you're in love with yourself.

6. Passion is a gift.

7. The world is full of boundless beauty and it does the heart well to stop and admire it.

8. I am not my hair.

9. It's okay to be wrong and make mistakes.

10. Nothing makes you more than anyone else.

11. Moderation is the key to a happy life.

12. Peace is earned, not promised.

What have you learned?

Impediments to Success

Hey y'all!  Happy Holidays!  I hope you're all well, happy and full of cheer!  I haven't been blogging because of THIS issue...it came back! Sigh... Moving on...

I started thinking about my life and why I'm not in the place I'd like to be financially, physically, creatively or professionally.  Initially, I started making excuses for myself.  Well, I made some credit mistakes when I was younger!  I got married young.  I had a baby!  I have PCOS and Fibroids.  I don't have time to work out. I'm earning a degree I don't plan to use.  Blah to the blah and the blah...

After I finished making all those excuses, I realized that they were indeed a bunch of excuses!  People leap over seemingly insurmountable road blocks in life ALL THE TIME!  Why should I be the exception?  I started to look at myself and speak some truths.

1. I PROCRASTINATE!: I don't know if you're the kind of a person that completes tasks and projects well in advance with enough cushion time left to bake a nice pie but, I'm not like that.  I love to make lists and create calendars only to be derailed by the smallest distraction such as a pretty bird or a "profound" fortune cookie message <---- yeah, I'm serious.  Thus, forcing me to complete my project/assignment/goal/task by the skin of my teeth or if it's not life or death - not at all.

2.  I'M LAZY!:  I like being comfortable and if something that I already don't want to do requires me to relinquish some of my comforts, then I don't do it.  Organize my craft studio? Nope...I'm lazy.  Exercise? Fuck No...I'm lazy!  Wash my hair?  Nah...lazy.  You get the point.

3.  I'M ENVIOUS!:  I spend a lot of time coveting things that other folks have.  I spend so much time staring into their lane, that I'm swerving out of my own!  You never know what someone else had to do to earn their income, home, car, blog, maid, chef, personal concierge...etc.  So, ditch the envy in favor of "Becoming Inspired".  Envy is ugly.  Inspiration is unicorn tears mixed with rainbow skittles.

4.  I DON'T RECOGNIZE MY PROGRESS:  Ever meet someone that's hard to compliment?  If you say they're really creative, they say "Thanks girl but, I'm not quite an artist yet" or your compliment someone on their home and they say "Oh thanks but, it's not all that".  Well, that's me.  I feel uncomfortable accepting praise.  I also have a hard time improving upon the positive things I've done because I'm always comparing myself, and looking for personal flaws.

5.  I DON'T LIKE SACRIFICE:  Guess what?  You've got to sacrifice time, money, energy and whatever else to reach your goals some times.  I don't like to do that.  I like instant gratification. Gimmie money, gimmie clothes, gimmie acclaim and notoriety NOW!  Well guess what?  That's not good for managing money and living a financially sound life.  My husband pays the bills - and I'm glad.

So, in the event that you skimmed down to this point, I'm unsuccessful in life because I'm a lazy, envious, procrastinator that can't take a compliment.  This may seem harsh but, I truly think that these are my chief impediments in life.  So, since I know what my vices are, I'm going to start working on them.

Success is in the eye of the beholder.  HOWEVER, I think it's important to know your limitations so that you have a realistic idea of how to reach your goals.

What about you?  Do you know what's holding you back?  Or did you over come your own issues to become successful?  Tell me all about it!

Unplugging is MORE THAN Necessary...

When I arrive  at work, I immediately check my e-mail, log into Facebook, browse through Pinterest or Instagram, read about 10 blog posts, see what my fave retailers are up to, head over to CNN to catch the world news, head over to the AJC.com to catch local Atlanta news and before I know it, it's 10:30am.

I don't know about you but...that is an ineffective use of my time.  I have become addicted to social media.  When I'm not using my desktop at work, I'm on my phone or tablet, or laptop.  Honestly, most of the time, I am looking at what someone else is doing, revamping what I think I should be doing and creating a whole new list of "wants" in the process.  In order to expand my view, I'm going to have to direct my gaze away from the computer screen!

I am loosing the essence of myself while basking in the essence of others.

I really enjoy being inspired and making connections and learning.  Were it not for social media, I would have missed out on some things (and people) that have added great value to my life.  However, balance is essential - critical even.

I need time for...
*Organic Thoughts
*Unprompted Daydreaming
*Imagining
*Writing in my own hand - not Times New Roman
*Sketching
*Reading real books/magazines with dog-eared pages
*Learning things without tutorials - the old fashioned way through trial and error

I'm no fool!  I'm not going to leave social media all together but, I am going to schedule my social media time!  You don't have to be on social media all day to be informed, engaged or connected to the virtual universe.

(The graphic used in this post is not my own.  I found it on Pinterest but, did not find the artist's name).

Constant Comparisons...

This is a style + story post.  Recently, I was afforded an opportunity to work with some folks that I really respect.  As designers and communicators, they're very effective...and talented.  Now, you'd think that I would take this opportunity to pick their brains and absorb any knowledge they'd be willing to impart.  OH NO!  That would be too much like right!  Instead, I'm obssesing over their skill level vs. mine.  I'm so sick of doing this!  It's draining!

So, today, I'm reminding myself to dead all the negative self speak and continue to learn, grow and thrive!

On to the outfit...

We all have those doubts about what we're doing and whether or not we're worthy but...you know what?  I am!

Life isn't all flowers and berries but, it's beautiful and it makes a way for you to be you!

Yeah, I put a curse word on my photo!  Came up that's all me, stayed true that's all me, cursing a lot that's all me...all me for real!  (thanks Drake).  Seriously, that's the only way that I can move on and be what I want to be.  Forget the fear, fuck the what ifs and keep going.

PS...

Rose is Wearing:

Floral Blouse - Thrifted (Value Village)

Jeans - Forever 21+

Boots - Target

RoseRedd's: Holiday Swoon List Kitchen Edition

Every year I create a list of wants for the holidays.  This practice goes all the way back to my childhood.  I include every little materialistic request and indulgence that I feel I was denied during the regular course of the year.  I realize that I am well beyond the allowed age limit to be soliciting things from the old mythological gift giver guy but eh...I'm probably never gonna stop.

Sooooo....this is the first year of the Annual RoseRedd Holiday Swoon List!  I will post a list of my "swoon worthy" holiday wish list items every week from now, until a week before Christmas.  I will also be giving away a prize pack full of SOME of the items from my lists (I did say some...don't get *too* excited!). There will be a laundry list of "to dos" to win the prize pack but, for now...let's just enjoy swoon...shall we?

1.  Ever roll out some dough and it sticks to the rolling pin?  Yeah, I know...ME TOO!  That's why I want this FAB thing from FAB.com!  It's reasonable and dough won't stick!  Check it out HERE.

2.  Whisks are hard to store and some of them are totally ineffective.  Well, no more!  This whisk folds for storage and helps you make meringues like nobody's business!  Read about it HERE.

3.  The Collapsible Colander is another space saver!  Dear kitchen innovators, thank you for this product!  It's all kinds of genius! See it up close HERE.

4.  Ever want to just scream while you're attempting to press garlic with the side of a butcher knife?  Oh...is that just me?  Well, I hate that!  That's why I must own this beautiful and easy to clean Epicurean Garlic Press!  Get all the deets HERE.

5.  You can NEVER go wrong with Pyrex.  It's a kitchen staple!  I love a good clear mixing bowl...especially if said bowl has a lid!  Sometimes you need to refrigerate what you're mixing and a lid is right on time!  See HERE.

6.  Do you own non-stick cookware?  Me too.  I can't use my lovely stainless steel utensils on it because it scratches it.  THEREFORE, she, me and her all need these amazing Beech Wood Utensils.  Look at them in all their glory HERE.

I love this Etsy shop, Monkey Mind Design!  They have THEEE Best graphic prints and kitsch things!  They also make my FAVE tea towels!  If you would like to win some tea towels do all the stuff on the list below!  

P.S. Tea towels make me feel amazing.  They're pretty much the garnish on the plate of the kitchen!  Get into tea towels...right now!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Four Simple Goals to reach Before 2014

While browsing through Blogland, I came across this post from one of my blog crushes "A Beautiful Mess".  They have a really great idea.  You make a list of four simple goals that you want to accomplish before 2014.  The purpose of this challenge is to create positive, enriching habits during a time of the year when folks are not thinking about goal setting.  Think about it.  By now you've given up on many of your resolutions and a lot of your initial plans for the new year have fallen by the wayside.  So this is an opportunity to end the year the strong way!

Here are the "rules" (directly from A Beautiful Mess):

1. Choose simple goals that will make your life richer and happier on a daily basis. Choose things you may not otherwise get done but are not difficult to accomplish. 

2. Do not choose result oriented goals. Choose activity oriented goals. For example, instead of "lose 10 pounds", choose something like "eat fresh fruits and vegetables every day". Get what I'm saying? Positive actions instead of just the end result! 

3. Choose personal goals you believe will truly make your life richer just by doing them! They can be daily, weekly or one time experiences. 

4. Choose a reward for each goal as it is accomplished! It can be a small or large reward—it's up to you.

Here are my Four Simple Goals:

So...how about it?  Wanna goal set with me?  If you do, use hashtag #4SimpleGoals.  Share your experiences here with me and share them on A Beautiful Mess too!

Get your Simple Goal Setting on!

My Fall Flavor...

You know what I enjoy?  Fashion.  The only thing that stops me from being sickening fly (extremely well dressed for the lay people), is money.  I do LOVE to thrift and I purchase retail items when they're affordable.  I consider my style eclectic.  I don't like regular rules and I damn sure don't like fashion rules!  So...I wear what I like.  I wear what feels good.  That gets me a lot of sideways looks at my son's daycare.  Don't get me started on the "you're not following the rules" stares I get while traipsing down the halls of corporate America!

I see my style as an ever evolving extension of me an as artist.  I'm an artist and I'm sensitive about my shit! (Shout out to E. Badu for that quote)

Here are some of my ensembles from the month of October. You'll notice a common thread through out all these photos - combat boots and my zebra purse that I use for major family outings.  That purse can carry two foot longs, 3 waters, a make-up bag, hand sanitizer, a change of clothes and a DSLR camera!  The combat boots are so comfortable and I love them!

You'll also notice that one item in each photo is thrifted.  I'm telling you, thrifting is real!  It saves my fashion life!

My trip to Zoo Atlanta with my guys in early October.

Rose is Wearing:

Black and gold studded top - Forever21+

Tribal shorts - Thrifted/Gifted

Combat Boots - Steve Madden

Long Beach Marina during my LOVELY trip to California!

Rose is Wearing:

Stripped BodyCon Dress - Walmart.com

Green Military Jacket - Thrifted

Scarf - Dillards

Combat Boots - Steve Madden

Chillin' during a work day!  Busy on my Samsung Galaxy Note 3...I LOVE that phone!

Rose is Wearing:

Color Blocked/Mock Turtleneck BodyCon Dress - styleissheonline.com

Houndstooth Blzer - Thrifted

Boots - Gianni Bini