Gotta Press PAUSE...

I am in the THICK of finishing my degree.  I have tried many times to maintain this blog while going to school, being a mom and doing everything else and I CANNOT.  Instead of being inconsistent and not creating the content that I want to, I'm just going to but this blog on hiatus until I'm done.  So, I'll see you all again in MARCH!  I don't know why it took all this time to realize that this is what I needed to do.  Let me not lie...I was ignoring my intuition and my inner voice!

What makes us feel like we need to do everything?  You could say it's drive, ambition, determination or any one of those things I suppose.  For me, it has been a combination of keeping up with this person that I thought I should be AND chasing my dreams.

HOWEVER, what I have come to realize is, I cannot chase my dreams and strive towards my goals if I don't first get myself in order and accomplish the goal I set long ago which was to FINISH MY DEGREE!  Even though teaching in the traditional sense is no longer one of my dreams, it used to be.  I owe it to Rochelle of the past...and of the future to FOLLOW-THROUGH!

So, even though I'm not fully present in this virtual space, know that I am working my way back here.  I will be whole because I am investing in myself and I will have my cart leisurely strolling behind my horse.

Thank you for showing me love when I have posted here.  Thank you for engaging.  Please stop by my FB Fan Page and hit like.  I do love to share on there everyday as it is waaaay easier than planning and executing a blog post.

Is there something in YOUR life that you need to press pause on so that you can prepare for your next steps?  Tell me about it!

DIY on a Dime: Painted Mason Jars

I spend many hours pouring over magazines, blog posts and Pinterest soaking in all of the beauty.  Usually, after I'm done, I realize that I can't afford to do half of the things I see in all those places.  I mean, even the DIY/Hack versions are sometimes too pricey for me to tackle.  That's where saving and creativity come in.  I saw these painted Ball Mason Jars on Etsy going for a pretty penny.  I'm not hating on the ladies that make them but, let's just say I gave their prices the old "child please" face when I saw them!  I decided that I could make my own!  Why not right?  

So, here is my DIY recipe for "Painted Mason Jars".

Supplies:

Mason Jar - Any size that you'd prefer

Acrylic craft paint - I used some that I had laying around my studio

Sponge brush - This is optional.  It helps with spreading the paint around

Step one: Assemble your jars and clean them with mild soap and water. Make sure they're dry completely before beginning.

Step two:  Squirt a "generous" (clearly that's a relative term) amount of paint into your jar. Aim for the bottom and the sides.

Step three: Swirl your jar around and let the paint run around in there.  This is where that sponge brush would come in handy.  ESPECIALLY if you're like me and need instant gratification with craft projects.  That brush gets you there quicker. 

Here are some tips that I've learned on this project:

1.  If you use a sponge brush to coat the insides of the jar, you may need to use several layers of paint to get the coverage you want.  The brush kinda thins the paint and leaves stroke marks.

2.  Residual paint will rest in the bottom of the jar and be cracked and ugly.  So, turn the jar upside down on some wax paper to dry.  Then, peel the paper away after the coast is clear.

This project is CRAFTY LEVEL: 1 Beginner/Novice

That means anyone can do this!  I used them as part of my holiday mantle decor and now they're on the mantle next to the coffee filter trees I made.  Cuteness.

Thanks for stopping by and checking this tut out!  

Let me leave you with this:

Never be too broke to try and figure out a work-around.  You never know what you can come up with to improve your life or the lives of those around you.  Don't let money curb your imagination and creativity.  We all have it!  Let your creativity and ingenuity solve problems for you and make you glow!

Mothering: Inside Voice

My son is four.  That means many things.  It means he and I struggle with his quest for autonomy.  It means that he is more verbally expressive.  It means that he is doing more independent thinking.  It means that he is becoming more manipulative.  It means that he is becoming an expert boundary pusher.  I find myself grappling with my parenting choices and refining my parenting style as we go.  That's the norm, I know.  However, when your child is having a melt-down because chicken, peas and rice wasn't his ideal meal...logic tends to be replaced with emotion.  For me, that emotion creates more harm in the situation than good.  I am also, with the aid of my husband of course, creating a parenting style that is completely different than what he or I experienced growing up.  So, we're sailing this ship with no compass...except our inner compass (that has to always be re-calibrated).

I talked about "purposeful parenting" in this post.  We really try to parent him with consideration and empathy, patience and creativity.  I am on a journey with my son and my husband that is beautiful and daunting at the same time.

There is a new tool in my parenting arsenal..."Inside Voice".  I know you've heard teachers tell students to use their inside voice - you may have uttered the phrase to your kids.  Well, I'm not using it in it's traditional sense.  I am using MY inside voice.  I find myself yelling at him and becoming extremely animated when correcting his behavior.  It's lunacy really.  It's as though I expect him to have the couth and maturity of an adult.  When he doesn't display the desired behavior, I buck my eyes, clinch my jaw and raise my voice.  I am displaying the very behavior that I am asking him not to.  I remember HATING that as a child.  There were always two standards - one for my mother, and one for me.  So, we spoke and made the decision to not yell at the boy.  Instead, we use our inside voice, look him in the eye and say what we need to say.  It is amazing how quickly these situations are diffused now.  I'm so grateful.  Now, I can THINK before I react to him.  It gives me time to understand his actions.

You know what else I do?  I apologize to him.  Sometimes I'm wrong.  I think that he isn't doing something I ask of him and I send him to the "Quiet Corner" when really he did do what I asked.  When that happens, I hug him and tell him that I apologize.  I want him to know that mommies make mistakes just like you.  I want him to know that he is worthy of my respect and I am worthy of his too.

I will continue to share my parenting revelations with you.  I would really appreciate if you would share yours with me as well.

I would like to leave you with this thought...
Women are powerful.  We are the mothers and the care takers of the Earth.  However, we are often unaware of our power and thus, many of us are rendered impotent.  Let's make an effort to share what we know with one another so that we may help our sisters shine, grow and glow. I will continue to share my knowledge and experiences with you.  Please share with someone else so that we may be strong and powerful together.

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