A little break

As I get older I am realizing that one of my strengths is I know how to say no. I can prioritize and make pro and con lists, and I try very hard not to over extend myself. I want to live a balanced life, so that means saying no to something, so I can say yes to other things.

I'll be taking a little break from blogging for at least May and June. And because so many of you out there I've gotten to know, I do want to share why I'm taking a little break.

1. My daughter. She's 17 months old and is just getting to be more of a handful to watch. I find I dont even get to read my favorite blogs regularly anymore. I also want to make more time to go on playdates with her. I tried to write less, and while it helps, I think I need a break.

 2. I got a part time job for 2 months. I'll be working in NYC Friday nights (until the very early hours) and Sunday like 1pm-midnight. I'll be making good money, and I like the job, but obviously its a lot less down time for me personally. With less me time, its harder to spend that time on my blog.



3. I have some big design projects coming up. One for my house, but I've also started doing other peoples homes. I have 3 clients so far that I'll be working on this summer, and I am excited to share with you everything that we are doing.



and 4. My camera broke. So annoying. Not sure what I am going to do at this point, so between the job that just happened and the camera it seems like the right time to step away for a little while.



Thank you so much for reading, it really means the world to me.

-Jen

Saying no

I know I was on "vacation" last week. So I'd love to pretend that I actually relaxed, got a massage, got some time to myself. But in all honesty that's not why I took my "vacation"

 

I needed a break from the pressure of posts to be able to handle some stuff.

I did some gardening, I"m tired and sore and I even got a little sunburn.

I cleaned out my attic. This is huge, my attic was where things and items went to die.

I made a to do list wayyyyyyyy too long for preparation of our open house. And got it all done.

We booked a vacation to California. I'm really excited.

I shopped for this vacation 

I had 2 appointments as an interior designer in one weekend. I loved them both. More on that to come.

We bought suits for my husband

I had 2 drs appointments

I was awfully sick, and needed a day in bed to rest.

 

Sometimes you just need to take off the pressure, admit that you can't do it all, and that you need the time.

I needed the time. Thanks so much for the people who wrote that they'd be here when I got back. It was so simple and sweet, but it touched my heart.

 

Word of the Year-Balance

One word.

To inspire a year.

To keep in mind during my daily life.

To keep me grounded.

To motivate me.

To strive for.

To keep me in check.

Balance.

Its perfect for me, right now, for 2012. Its so hard to be everything to everyone. I cant possibly have it all, all the time, and wishing for that will leave me feeling unaccomplished.

If I focus myself on one aspect of my life 100% then all the rest suffers. And I suppose that's true with anyone, right? Instead I need to divide my time reasonably, and try to find a balance that makes this life as joyful as possible.

Finding the balance is probably one of the most difficult things to achieve. So that's why I think its a good word for the whole year. Its such an important idea, to create balance in your life. It can be selfish or selfless it can be physical or emotional, balance has so many possibilities.

So not only will I be sharing this word here, and at TLC today, but I'm also going to be thinking about some concrete ways to let this word actually affect me this year. I'll be trying to implement some things into my every day life that helps to achieve the balance that I'm looking for, and I hope to share them here to help everyone else who's looking for a more balanced life.

I hope you'll become a follower if you too are searching out a more balanced life

I'm linking up to TLC's link party. I hope you all jump in on the fun.

 

 

Silencing your DIY noise

I'm the kind of person when I'm ready to do something, I do it. Without haste.

I'm not a procrastinator, I'm also not someone who does great with a looming deadline.

But sometimes when I decide to do something, it really has to be like...right...this...very...minute.

I'm in the process of working on our master bedroom.

I picked out about a million paint samples.

I even decided on one, went to the store and bought all the supplies. Like last Sunday.

But this week I've been quieting my DIY voice in my head.

As I cleaned the house, and took care of my daughter, sent out the Christmas cards, and cooked, and wrapped the last presents, and shopped, and did errands, I quieted that little voice.

The voice that says now. now. not later, but now.

Do you have this voice too?

I could paint in a month, but that voice makes it seem like there is no other time that will do, but now.

So I've reasoned with my DIY voice all week. Not now, not before Christmas, there's so much to do, and we should be resting and relaxing, not painting and sweating.

I asked my husband if I could have some time on Monday to paint, he would take care of our daughter, I would paint like a madwoman and we could take advantage of this holiday weekend. He agreed.

However when Monday came he had a sore throat and he begged that we just relaxed and enjoyed the holiday weekend, as a family. He also agreed that if I waited until next weekend, he would even help me with the painting, and many hands make light work.

So in a move that's very NOT me...I said "OK. Ok I'll wait another week. Whats another week?"

I'm realizing that projects will get done, but finding the balance among the beauty is really what I'm looking for.

Have you found a little more balance in your life recently? What did you do to get it?

I dont need anything else...

I don’t need anything else.

On every page of the magazines that I read it seems an add for something.  The newe$$$t baby toy$$$, 50 summer must haves under $50, 2 minute hair tricks (that of course include all the expensive products that you need to buy). And when you put down the magazine your mind spins with ideas of buying, buying things you hadnt thought of buying until just now.

Tiffany Blue Antique Writing Desk

I love when I see on a blog when someone makes something out of paint they had and some ribbon, or hot glue and some coffee filters. Its use what you have, its make do with what you've got, its free and creative.  Its a lot easier to just go and buy something new, but thats why I appreciate those kinds of DIY projects that much more.

Pedestal Side Table

I love making my home better, I would say its a constant quest for me. Making my home better means different things at different times. Maybe one day its making it less cluttered while adding in more storage, another day it'll be about messing up the kitchen to make homemade baby food, and then another day its managing the chores so we can live in it easier.  But I constantly remind myself I don’t need anything else.  And I encourage you to do the same. 

Perfect Chair for our Master Bedroom Reading Area

I encourage you to enjoy the process, to not stress over decorating and not feel the pressure of an undone home. I encourage you to think outside of the box of buying more and enjoying less.  I encourage you to feel happy in an undone home, to stop making excuses for a home that’s not magazine ready.  Remind yourself, convince yourself, you don’t need anything else to make you happy, or to make your house a home.

Cream Hutch- given to our neighbor

Make the decisions about what you buy be about need, beauty, function and that thing that it does to your heart when you see it.  Don’t get pulled into the nonsense of over consuming.  When I flip through a Pottery Barn magazine, its porn to me really.  But I constantly remind myself, I don’t need anything.  This keeps me feeling content in my own space.  I use PB for ideas and inspiration, but I never let it leave me feeling less than. When you go to a friends home, or a playdate of a stranger, try your hardest not to judge or compare. I always try to look for things that I admire, things that make a home feel: peaceful, inviting, homey, or enjoyable to live in.

Fun blueish grey chair

If you think you are someone who buys too much, or who has too much or buys on an impulse or maybe all of the above, think about doing these things.

Suitcases

1. Inventory your belongings, sometimes you realize you have WAY too much of something. Knowing ahead of time what you own far too much of, will save your $$$ next time you are shopping. ( my name is Jennifer and I have an addiction to pillows)

2. When you see something you love or want, write it down on a little wish list, visit the wish list in a week, see if you still want it. If you are on a budget do this once a month, if you give yourself a $ amount you are allowed to spend, you'll have a list of items to choose from.

3. If you keep buying accessories constantly, look at the big picture, are you trying to overcompensate for something else.  Maybe a funny wall color, bad couches, lack of character?

4. Go through your items and purge and sell. Sometimes when you realize how many of your items you are getting rid of, its a good step in the right direction for not overbuying in the future.

If you have any other tips, I'd love to hear.

Gorgeous 1920's Antique desk

All pictures are items that I've sold within the last 6 months, so I am still continually reminding myself that I dont need anything else, but in all honesty it does get easier the longer you do it, but I am not perfect, and I am still learning.

I don’t need anything else.  Do you?