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

 

RoseRedd Made It: Chick-Fil-A Inspired Chicken Nuggets

I'm a pescatarian.  So, I don't eat any meat other than seafood.  However, my husband and my son are straight up carnivores!  Well, they don't eat beef but, everything else is game!  So, I make a lot of chicken dishes.  My son really enjoys chicken nuggets.  We don't allow him to eat much fast food but, if he had his choice, he'd opt for Chick-Fil-A.  They have very well seasoned and tender chicken breasts that they serve on seedless buns with two pickles; that's their signature sandwich.  They also serve it on a biscuit for breakfast and chop it up into nuggets that are served with an array of sauces.  Not gonna lie...I miss the hell out of eating chicken from there.

Since my little guy loves their chicken, I decided to recreate it for him here at home.

Ingredients:
2 medium sized chicken breasts (chopped into 1in cubes)
1/2 packet of Hidden Valley Ranch
1 teaspoon of sea salt
1 teaspoon of dried garlic flakes (I use Badia brand, it's AMAZE) (garlic powder would work too)
1 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour (I'm sure white flour would work just as well)
1 teaspoon of paprika
1/2 teaspoon of freshly cracked black pepper
1/2 cup of frying oil (I use Filippo Berio Extra Light Olive Oil)

1.  After you chop your chicken into 1in cubes, place it in a large mixing bowl with the Hidden Valley Ranch, sea salt, paprika, black pepper and garlic flakes.  Add in the flour as well.  Make sure all the chicken is coated with seasoning and flour.

2.  In a large skillet (preferably cast iron) add frying oil. *I keep the oil to a minimum to reduce calories and fat*  Turn the heat on high. After a couple of minutes, add a little flour into the skillet to see if the oil bubbles. If it bubbles, you're ready to add your chicken, if not, the oil is not hot enough.

3.  Add chicken into skillet.  Let each side fry for about 2 minutes and then flip the pieces over.  Continue to do this until each nugget is firm and completely golden brown.  This process takes about 15 minutes.  Use your discretion.

4.  Remove chicken from the skillet and drain excess oil.  Leave it on  paper towels to drain.

If you try this recipe, share it on your fave social media outlet and use #RoseReddMadeIt.

Rose Knows: Purposeful Parenting

Yep, 'cause no other form of discipline has EVER worked right?  WTF!

The way in which we're raising Picard is completely different from the way my mama raised me.  That's okay because she and I are two different people that have had two very different sets of life experiences.  When I realized I was to become a mother, I began recalling my upbringing and deciding which strategies and tactics I would take with me into my own parenting journey.  I was surprised to realize, that I didn't want to use much of what I experienced. I didn't want to continue the tradition (especially in the African American community) of spankings/beatings and I didn't want to let my frustration guide my parenting and yell and react harshly when kids do...well...kid shit.

I guess if I had to put a title on our style of parenting it would be conscious parenting.  I really like to call it "purposeful parenting".

 Disclaimer:  My mother was/is a good mom.  She did what she thought was best and I am forever grateful for the mother that she is. As much as I'm trying to be a good mother, I know that inevitably, my little guy will grow into a man and critique and question the parenting choices that his father and are making.  Though it may sting a little...I'll encourage him to be a purposeful parent and invest time in actually learning how to be the best parent possible.  Part of that is looking at your own experiences.  

I do not allow anyone else's opinion on how children should be raised to impact my decisions for my son.  I don't spank him because I don't believe that hitting my son and acquiring his respect and obedience through fear is the best I can do as a parent.  My thinking is that - since I have been on earth 27 years longer than him, I can most certainly use my intellect and creativity to EARN his respect and obedience.  The notion that your child must respect and obey you simply because they're your child to me...is inaccurate.  Spankings for me as a child, only served to stop me from exhibiting whatever the offending behavior was in front of my mother.  It did not curtail my desire to do whatever it was.  It did not teach me WHY whatever the behavior was - was wrong. You know what DID teach me?  My mother's words.  After I got spankings, I received lengthy talks about the offending behavior.  Spanking = no lesson/Talking and Discussing = lesson  Another thing is, I only got spankings when my mom was angry.  I don't think your frustrations should be physically taken out on a child.

I don't really need to say "to each his own" because that is a given.  I already know I'm in the minority.  However, I'm sharing this because I don't think many of us are "Purposeful Parents".  I think a lot of us just do what we can to take good care of our children.  Folks will go to school and conferences to learn how to become an engineer or how to be a successful blogger and will never pick-up a parenting book or even just take a moment to evaluate how well they're doing as a parent.

Don't get me wrong, sometimes Mr. Picard takes me there and I want to pop him one!  It's definitely not EASY to parent him this way.  It would be much easier for me to hit him.   Yell at him.  Shut him down.  BUT I realize that all of those behaviors would be showing him the antithesis of what I want him to exemplify as a person.  If I give in to some of my urges and spank him, I'm not being a good communicator, I'm not exhibiting self control, creative problem solving and non-violent conflict resolution.

I am an advocate of "Purposeful Parenting". Decide that you're going to be invested in being a parent. Evaluate your parenting every once in a while and make a conscious effort to increase your parenting skills.  It benefits your child, you and your family as a whole.

Do you ever think about how you parent?