Ringing in 2016!

Happy 2016 sweet friends!  It's been an eternity since I've graced this site- and it feels really good to be back.

A lot happened in 2015.  Too much to recap in one post, but if you follow me on Instagram, you're pretty much up to speed.  For those of you that don't, here are the cliff notes:

I'm a mom to a sweet little girl, Ellie.  She's a whopping 10 months old and officially became the center of my universe the moment we met her.  Since becoming a mom, I've gone back to work and months later, decided all the required travel was no longer for me.  So, I left my job and my sister and I started a small business- One Happinest.

Obviously having a baby was all sorts of spectacular.  But the balance, patience, perseverance and learning that followed, was the true challenge within 2015.  Last year, one of my goals was to enjoy being a mom.  And that I did.  Every. Single. Day.  But that enjoyment was flanked by fear, comparison, monotony, and inadequacy,  Raising a little person is tough work.  But with grace and patience and understanding, we are making great strides in this little life.

I'm so looking forward to a new year, new goals, and new challenges.  Bring on the blank pages and let the adventures begin!

my april goals.

happy almost april friends- and most importantly, happy spring!

andrew & i are gearing up for a lot of professional changes this month & honestly, couldn't be more excited for what's to come.  if there's one thing we've become accustomed to over our lives together, it's change.  our life in the military was saturated in change- and even now, we march to the beat of an ever-changing drum.  but then again, who isn't?

so while embracing change this month, i'm taking on what i hope to be simple goals to keep me focused & steady.  again, i've been working on some big-picture changes (moving more, eating right, organizing our life, etc.) and while some of these goals (i.e. making a table) might seem random- the process of getting these little boxes marked will provide major motivation in upcoming months.

there's no doubt it's going to be a great month.  what do you have planned for april?

my march goals: update.

things for march are on track.  i've deviated in some places sure- but for the most part, i'm doing pretty darn good if you ask me.

for example, i participated in lent & decided to give up sugar.  i made it a little over a week & then a friend got married, had an amazing sweets table with the cutest desserts and itty-bitty bamboo spoons, and i caved.  but then i jumped back on track only to lose my mind over a chocolate milkshake after our weekend of sailing.  sugar is crack.  no doubt about it.  for the most part, i'm really good during the week & then over the weekend- i give in.  next week i'll be diving into a delicious homemade rhubarb pie to celebrate my birthday (!) & if that's not reason enough to fall off the wagon one last time, i don't know what is.  regardless of the falls i've had a long the way, the fact that i'm saying no to sugar more than yes, is making me feel pretty good about this challenge.

as for the other goals i set for march: i'm running, swimming & biking at least 4 times a week.  i'm super happy with that.  my sister decided to join me for a triathlon this year so we're going to start training together.  we're thinking about doing a big one in september which gives us plenty of time to get our butts in gear.

cooking is becoming fun again!  i rearranged our kitchen so we have more counter space to prep dinner.  it's not a huge improvement, but it's something.  i've been making a point of going to the farmers market a couple times a week as well and am finding lots of inspiration in the seasonal produce.  making my heart & our tummies happy campers.

as for the bedroom- well, this spilled from the bedroom to the bathroom to the office.  on the plus side, we have 2 totally new & functional spaces that are a million times better than what we started with.  i'll just have to roll the bedroom project over to next month.

and surfing.  this hasn't happened yet- but there's talk that we might go this weekend.  the forecast is calling for sun, sun & surprise, more sun, making for an otherwise perfect weekend that much better.

so there it is, my monthly progress report.  i'm really happy i was able to stay on track this month.  there have been quite a few distractions, but there's something so rewarding that comes from getting things accomplished & crossing these mini-goals off my list.  making the effort of staying focused, totally worth it.

my march goals.

unlike last month, i'm sharing these goals early so i can not only hold myself accountable, but also share on my progress.  i'm really wanting to make a couple habit changes (eating dinner at home more often & moving more) throughout the year, so there will be some repeating goals month after month and despite a busy schedule, i really need to hold myself accountable to finish a few projects (i.e. our bedroom)- so there will be some repeating with those big projects as well.

all and all, march is such a fun month for us.  andrew and i both celebrate birthdays- one at the very beginning and one near the end of the month- so we do our best to celebrate this life and partake in as many adventures and reasons to celebrate as possible!  while i'm always excited for goals, i'm really hoping these will help keep me on track this month.  i feel really good about february- if only i can carry over my productivity into march as well.

how are you hoping to get organized this month?

ps. i used the rhonna designs app to make this image.

my february goals.

this month it took me awhile to sit down, put a pen to paper & figure out what i'd like to focus on in february.  to be honest, i'm more focused on being productive, crossing things off my to-do list & really following through with my goals- but i'm always looking to create mini-goals for myself to keep me focused and uncomfortable (in a good way).  so, with only a week left in february, i wanted to take a minute to share what i've been focusing on for the past couple weeks.

what are you hoping to accomplish this month?

ps. i used the rhonna designs app to make this image.

recapping my january goals.

this january, i set out to accomplish a few minor goals, hopefully make a couple new habits and embrace creativity.  here's how it went:

make time for sunsets (or sunrises): seeing how i'm usually driving to work as the sun comes up and leaving well after it's down, this was much more difficult than i anticipated.  i did however witness some amazing sky magic on days i was lucky enough to get out early and on weekends when i took full advantage of this time of day.  to be honest, just being aware of this everyday beauty is something i really enjoyed throughout the month and something i'd love to continue throughout the year (please note, you've officially been warned of a possible over abundance of sky photos on my instagram account).

eat 10 days of whole food:  this my friends, was an epic fail.  mornings were my most successful "whole food" time of day but I still managed to drink way too much coffee and eat too many scones.  basically, i was eating out way too often and by the time we got home from work, mexican & chinese was suddenly way more appealing than homemade stir fry & dishes.  there will be a take two.

meditate regularly: i'm in the habit of meditating about 4 times a week.  and for now, that's better than nothing.  it's gradually becoming a habit and is definitely a tool i love having in my mindfulness toolbox.

start triathlon training: this month i dove (pun intended) back into swimming and started adding spin classes and weekend cycling into my routine.  it's been fun to mix things up & helped me remember why i love triathlons to begin with- the training never gets dull.

embrace creativity: this was hands down the most amazing goal of the month.  by setting this intention i found i was so much more creative on a daily basis.  i wasn't starved for ideas and really felt my creativity soar.  i only have 2 months left of my 2013 project life album, i'm learning to play guitar, started taking a pottery class with my mom, & i'm even having more fun getting dressed in the morning (hey, it's the little things!).  it's been amazing and while these creative outlets are overshadowing some everyday rituals, i find the spontaneity fulfilling.

so there you have it.  some goals were set and met with flying colors and others, well...not so much.  i realized when planning these monthly goals, i should try and link my goals with what i'm trying to embrace so everything works together instead of pulling in different directions.  it gives me something to think about but for now, when reflecting on all i've managed to complete in a month, i'm going to extend myself some grace & just be proud of all i have done and not dwell on the could-have-been.

my january goals.

those of you who know me know i'm a big fan of goal setting.  way more than resolution making.  mostly because resolutions are daunting & tend to have an ominous "365 days" attached to whatever was promised.  with goals, i have the flexibility to ebb and flow my "resolutions"... & that's so much more my speed.

in years past i've gotten into the habit of making monthly goals.  sometimes they'll be simple- like reminders- and other times, they'll be focused and demanding of my time & energy.  but regardless of how big or small they may seem, they'll always be focused toward my personal growth.

this year, is no exception.  using embrace as my guide, i'm focusing on a monthly theme (in this case i'm embracing creativity) and mapping out a few goals i'd like to focus on.  this january, i'm diving into some creative eating habits, focusing a bit more on centering my mind and body with meditation and beautiful sky, and starting up my triathlon training.  right now, it's everything i need.

what are you hoping to embrace this month?

ps. i used the rhonna designs app to make this image.

my one word of 2014.

in 2013 i chose grow as my word of the year.  little did i know how very hard it was going to be to actually apply this word over 365 days.  i had expectations of growing fierce, growing this blog, growing strong and growing our little family.  what i wasn't expecting was how difficult this would be.  over the year there were times where i clung tightly to my growth as i tried my hands at new things and new ideas and new perspectives & other times clinging just as tightly, i'd come back, dirty, bruised and humbled by all that it meant to grow.  but looking back and reminiscing on all that was, i realized how much i did grow.  i grew in ways i didn't expect and in ways i never intended.  & that right there is why i continue to pick these words each year.

for 2014 i wanted another word just as empowering to guide me through the year.  so i chose embrace. 

as was the case with all my other words from year’s past, embrace found me.   it's not so much how it found me, but the state in which it found me.  after a moment of  discouragement, i had to step away from a situation and while i was badgering myself for silly, stupid, stuff- i realized i  had to stop, breathe, and embrace myself.  the very moment i spoke the word, i knew then and there what i needed to focus on in this new year.

unlike my last words, i'm hoping to do a better job documenting my progress as i find ways to fit embrace into my every-day life.  right now that concept doesn't seem like it’ll be that difficult, but as things change over the year- as they undoubtedly do- there will be times when embracing anything is the furthest thought in my mind.  and that my friends marks the beginning of a new adventure.

so today i'm embracing my life.  i'm embracing my past, my present & my right now.  i'm embracing my passions and dislikes, my body, my dreams, my commitments and responsibilities.  i'm embracing it all & looking forward to every minute of it. 

february: grow strong.

with great relief, i'm happy to announce we are on the back end of our transitional time here in san diego!  it's certainly been nothing short of a roller coaster ride & while we're still waiting on a few major components (ehem, our household goods for example), things are finally beginning to settle.  & that feels so good.

january brought with it a ton of changes; new jobs and a new home being the biggest of these.  a. & i sensed a storm was brewing so we prepped & planned and once the winds arrived, held on as tight as we could.  the winds have since subsided & we're still picking up the pieces, but things are now sunny and bright.

taking on this one little word has done wonders for me.  i'm much more focused in my goal-setting, and certainly this is because i'm focusing on one word and making sure i grow into it.  staying focused throughout january was tough, but by creating consistency in my life, i was much more adaptable and able to take on the change.

now, in february, my focus is to grow strong.  strong in our marriage, strong mentally & physically, obtain a strong understanding of my future career ambitions and our family as a whole.  strength is a virtue i constantly strive for, so this month i'm excited to not only focus on growing strong, but on these secondary goals as well:

1. learn something new
2. focus on quality time with a.
3. move toward self-employment
4. core workouts every day
5. volunteer

again, i'm focusing on simple tasks.  little things that when i bring them to my life consistently, will help me grow strong.  i'm excited to find my strength in unexpected ways & truly believe february is ready to bring some amazing gifts our little family.

ps. interested to know more about one little word?  start here.  want to know how to get involved with this community?  join us here.  follow my voyage here.

january goals// update.

earlier this month i chose to make january a month of growing consistent.  a month of routine & a month of baby steps.  and it's working for me.

for the past 3 weeks i've actively tried to stay as consistent as possible.  i'm waking up and moving.  i'm getting into the habit of blogging a few posts at once- not once a day- and that has kept this space consistent as well.  i'm consciously making an effort to consistently stay connected with friends and family near and far.  all and all, it's been wonderful.

not having a place to call our own for most of this month made staying consistent much more challenging than i would have hoped.  but regardless, i committed to the routine and made it work.  now that we have a place to call our own (more on this later), it's been so easy.  i'm feeling inspired and creative.  ready to take on each day and dreaming up & designing of our new little home.

also, in regard to my secondary goals, here's how things are summing up:

1. simplify our life- definitely not as hard as it sounds.  we've moved into a place much smaller than the one we had and will have to pair down our life significantly.  but while we're waiting for our stuff to arrive- we're living as we did before.  with the bare minimum & a lot of creativity.
2. stretch daily- i'm doing this more often than not (either through yoga or stretching before (or after) a workout).  i love it & on days i forget to stretch, i notice a huge difference.
3. read one book- almost done with this one!  i joined a book club, so the pressure of finishing & having an enjoyable book to read, has made this rather easy.
4. organize all blog components-  my favorite thus far.  i'm organizing all my old photos and getting them onto a hard drive.  i'm getting rid of many of the pictures i'll never use (or thought i'd blog but didn't), making sure posts have all their pictures and as mentioned above- organizing blog posts weeks at a time instead of days.
5. volunteer- last one on my list.  i'm looking into a few volunteer opportunities here & plan to participate in something over the weekend.

with a week left, i'm feeling really good about my commitments for the month.  i'm excited to end on a high note and continue this enthusiasm into february.

30 days of no sugar: week 3.

finally, my body's adjusted to the lack of sugar in my diet.  my cravings aren't nearly as strong as they were when i first began this challenge & while every now and again i have a craving for something sweet, i can usually derail it with a piece of fruit.  usually.

only once did i go off the deep end this week.  luckily i have a good excuse (at least in my opinion).  yesterday was my mom's birthday.  within my family, each of us have a different cake that we request for our special day.  my mom's go-to is a decadent, homemade, chocolate cherry cake.  since a. & i have been away and have missed most birthday celebrations for the past 8 years, we fully participated in all the birthday cake traditions.  so yes, i had a big 'ol piece of chocolate cake...oh, and ice cream too...

while i'm happy to announce the cravings have subsided, i'm definitely realizing a sugar-free existence isn't a permanent lifestyle change for me.  and that's okay.  i'm still learning a lot about my cravings, what i can do to keep them at bay & most importantly, how to enjoy sugar in moderation.

it's great stuff to learn.  and i'm hoping i'll have a few more eureka moments over these next few days.

30 days of no sugar, week 2.

going sugar free, is way harder than it sounds.  for the most part, i've been consistent & really proud of myself.  i'm often saying no to many of the yummy goodies offered to me & am finding myself naturally reaching for fruit when i need an afternoon pick-me-up or have a hankering for something sweet.

despite all my efforts to be good, i've fallen off the wagon a few times this week.  one instance was unintentional- but the other, was just poor, poor decision making during a tempting moment.  one night last week, my family & i drove down to ucsd to watch my sister's waterpolo game.  on the way, we stopped at starbucks to pick up warm beverages to enjoy during the game.  as a new lover to cappuccino, i figured i'd mix it up and try something new.  without asking what the beverage was made with, i ordered a seemingly innocent decaf mocha.  much to my surprise, it tasted like a coffee-y hot chocolate.  hmmmm.... any guesses as to why?!  call it a brain fart, or a subliminal mind slip, but i ordered a wonderful, chocolate infused coffee drink.  i had paid good money for it, so i drank half before my tummy graced me with an unappreciative stomach ache.

on saturday it was a different story.  my mom and i drove down to the little italy farmers market (which, if you live in san diego & enjoy a good market, you must make time for this on a saturday morning).  we started our day with a yummy and healthy, fresh pressed green juice.  as we walked and explored the different vendors, we passed a man with quiches and pastries.  i'm a sucker for quiche, so we stopped, ordered & as we were checking out, were offered some of the other decadent pastries to take home.  my mom and i love macaroons so we ordered a couple & continued on our way.  it wasn't until we were finished with the market and in the car heading home, that i lost my will.  tempted by the macaroon, i gave in and took a bite.  then another and another.  luckily i was sharing with my mom, so after consuming half- i was obligated to hand it over.

yep, stuff happens.  after my slip ups, i hopped right back on the wagon.  i want to succeed in this challenge but am happy to admit that i'm also very human.  there are times i give into temptation- but for the most part, have strongly held my ground and said no to sugar.  it's a process and i'm doing my best to enjoy it.  besides, i still have 2 more weeks to go!

30 days of no sugar, week one.

since the first of the month, in addition to my one little word and my list of goals, i decided to give up sugar.  as i dove into figuring out my monthly intentions, i realized, sometimes it's not only what you add, but also what you take away that can make the biggest differences.

personally, sugar is a ridiculous vice of mine.  i have an insane sweet tooth and can never stop at just one.  so, to prove to myself i have the power to choose, i decided to embark on this 30 day, no sugar challenge.  and the timing couldn't have been more perfect.  after the onslaught of my holiday gluttony, i was feeling lethargic & unhealthy.  my self discipline disappeared during the holiday celebrations, and as a result, so did my self esteem.  determined to make major changes in 2013, sugar was the first thing to go.

i'm one week into this challenge, and it has definitely been difficult.  actually, the first couple days weren't too bad- but by day four, i seriously had delirium tremens.  which makes me realize, i have a legit dependency to sugar.  the idea of being dependent to something does not bode well for me- so i know now more than i did seven days ago, cutting sugar was the right thing to do

don't get me wrong.  there's no way i'm going to forever lead a sugar-free lifestyle.  in fact, i gave up sugar for lent a few years back, rocked it, and told myself i would be happy avoiding sugar for the rest of my life.  that was of course, until the birthday cakes and irresistible goodies welcomed their way back into my life.  as of right now, it's just a test.  a test to see how much sugar i actually eat and how i can use naturally derived sugar to combat my sweet urges.

so here's what i'm doing.  i have given up all sugars with the exception of those that come from fruits & vegetables.  that means no honey or maple for the time being.  as we all know, sugar is everywhere.  so i've not only given up the obvious baked goods and beverages, but i've also removed any products with sugar in the label.  this means no chocolate peanut butter cliff bars, salad dressings, and in some cases, alcohol (i say some cases because we have a few birthdays to celebrate this month and i'm allowing myself to enjoy a glass of red wine on these special occasions).

now, while i still have cravings, i'm leaning on fruit to combat my sweet tooth.  right now, cuties are my favorite.  some days have been much easier than expected and others have been very tough.  i'm expecting this roller coaster of cravings to last the entire month & am looking forward to sharing this adventure with you.

ps. consider yourself warned: if i come across grumpy on any posts in the next month, you now know why. :)

january: grow consistent.

over the last couple days, i've actively pondered how to best use my one little word.  per ali's prompt in her one little word class, i sat down and wrote out every way that i'd like to grow.  and trust me, the list was ridiculously long.  but instead of getting frustrated or overwhelmed, i decided on this: much like last year, i'm going to commit to a few things a month.  but unlike last year, these will be centered not only around grow, but also a few key components from zig ziglar's wheel of life.

i first heard about this wheel of life as a. and i were driving across the country.  as we drive, we love listening to books on tape & podcasts.  for us, it's a great way to learn and grow when we're on the go.  and if you've been following this blog, you know how much we love our trips.  as i was listening to john maxwell's the 15 invaluable laws of growth, he mentioned the wheel of life.  intrigued by the message and always on the pursuit of balance, i decided to incorporate it into my 2013 resolutions.

instead of focusing on seven different components all at once, i'm breaking the wheel down to five a month, so i can actively spend more time on each category.  some months i'll be heavily focused on the family or social piece of my life whereas others i might be more physically and spiritually focused.  as with everything, it's all about balance.

for january, my main focus is to grow consistently.  lately it seems everything i start, i have a hard time finishing.  i feel as though i'm losing focus on the important things and my life is getting rather chaotic.  i'm sure this has a lot to do with the fact that we're still living out of suitcases and are still in transition.  so to get back on track & centered, i'm going to do everything in my power to stay consistent.

as i focus on consistency, my secondary goals are these:

1. simplify our life
2. stretch daily
3. read one book
4. organize all blog components
5. volunteer

these are all relatively easy tasks, but things i feel as though i need to start doing consistently.  incorporating these components into my life will undoubtedly tie in other habits i'm hoping to grow.  for example, reading a book means watching less tv and organizing this blog will lead to consistent posts that hopefully take half the time to create.

for me, january is all about baby steps & hoping these little changes bring about huge opportunities to grow.

ps. interested to know more about one little word?  start here.  want to know how to get involved with this community?  join us here.  follow my voyage here.

hello, 2013.

it's so good to see you.  i have so many plans for this year, so many new challenges & one little word to  guide me through the next 365 days.  after giving it some thought, i've ditched the idea of making long-term resolutions.  i really enjoyed making small, monthly goals like i did (for the most part) last year & plan to use my one little word, grow- to guide me through my personal goal-making process.

i'm super excited about 2013.  i have a feeling, much like 2012- there's so much good stuff in our future.  i'm excited to grow personally, professionally, spiritually, & physically.  i'm sure my word will evolve & the meaning will change.  i'm excited for that as well.  so with much joy, let's give 2013 a huge high five and 2012 a big 'ol hug goodbye!

i signed up for ali edwards one little word 2013 big picture class.  currently, i'm planning to document my one little word monthly & will share it here.  it'd be so much fun if you joined us.  i'd love to know you're little word & see how it changes you over the course of the year as well!

this september.

this month, i'm keeping things pretty simple.  right now my priority is to drink up every minute we have left in beautiful syracuse.  yesterday marked one month until we hit the road for The Great American Road Trip, and i'm not going to lie...when i stated this fact out loud, i had to hold back tears.

i've said it once, and i'll say it again- i love it here.  but good things are waiting for us west of the mississippi.  & i know the anticipation of pulling the band aid is the most difficult part.  so instead of moping around until the day we leave, my plan is it live each day knowing time is an infinite thing and continue to make memories, surround myself with all my favorite new yorkers, enjoy our last cny fall and take care of myself in the meantime.

with all the changes we have ahead of us, keeping everything else simple is the only way we're going to stay sane.  so here we go.  september, i know there's only good things to come.

april goals: update.

so...things haven't been going too well on the goal front.  at this rate i should have stuck with my march goals and just finessed those a bit longer.  but i'm ambitious & have a tendency to over commit and not always follow through.  please don't judge.

here's the recap:
just start- damn, am i trying.  i finally started a quilt i've been dying to try last sunday & haven't touched it since. yay for committing (sarcasm).  we're eating out way more than we should and our life is getting more and more disorganized by the day.  we talked about this last night and are trying to figure out the best ways to make some healthy changes.

organize posts & blog regularly- ha.  as any of you dear readers know, this might be my worst month yet.  i sure have plenty to say, but because i'm not organizing my pictures or my thoughts, i've had a serious case of writers block.  so instead of adding more stress to this little life, i'm letting the words come organically.  hence the lack of blogging & random posts.  my apologies!

run longer distances- if you call 3 miles a long distance, then i'm doing great.  but to get into half marathon & triathlon shape, i need to start pounding the pavement and get some serious miles under my feet.  oh, and did i mention a. & are are doing our first adventure race on may 5th?  yea.  so. not. prepared.

suspension training- good news to report!  this, i have been doing.  not consistently but at least twice a week.  i love it and am totally hooked.  we set up our basement to act as a mini-gym and have a suspension trainer hung and ready for use at a moments notice.

buying a brush- i should probably explain this a bit since yes, i know it's random.  i haven't owned a brush since high school.  how on earth, you may ask, do i get by?!?  well, i use my fingers as my brush- and it's been working great for some 12+ years!  but i knew i needed to do something so i broke down and bought this...

i know, i know...over the weekend my dear friends broke the news to me as well...this is not a brush.  but it's a huge improvement for me and it works for now!

one photo a day- this hasn't been too shabby either.  i take most of my in the morning or after work since that's when all the action is.  next week i'm looking to participate in ali edwards week in the life.  i say looking because most of my week will be spent in atlanta for a conference- so things will be very busy & at the same time, very cool.  i just hope my boss doesn't mind if i'm taking a ton of pictures throughout the day!

spiritual growth- thanks to my fabulous friend kate, a. and i have found a church that we really enjoy.  while we're still more sunday attendees than anything else it's been nice to have a place to go and connect with a new community.  we're enjoying our new weekly tradition and intend to keep it up.

looking at the recap, i guess things could be worse!  this months not over yet and despite all the travel next week, there's still plenty of time to continue building my goals.

this april.

where on earth did march go?  it's always a whirlwind of celebrations & springtime fever, but this month went exceptionally fast.  awesomely fast nonetheless.  

i was pretty consistent with my march goals and took rather well to eating whole foods and taking a photo a day.  my spontaneity caused other avenues in my life to slightly suffer (ahem, this blog perhaps?), so this april, consistency is key.  

i have high hopes for april.  lot's of travel, my sister's coming to visit (!), we're celebrating one of my favorite holidays & i have a ton of projects lined up.  it's bound to be a spectacular month.  & i can't wait!  happy april!

this march.

all said and done, february was stellar.  i completed almost all of my goals (with the exception of giving up sweets- it only lasted 9 days- & the 10K training- of which i was avidly doing until i needed stitches in my heel-, the rest of the list is completed.)  

now comes one of my faves.  i love march; it rocks for so many reasons, most importantly being: we celebrate spring and regrowth & we festively celebrate a. and my birthday!  it's bound to be fantastic and spontaneous. just as it should be.  

here's to a fantastic thirty one days.

oh, and i'll be instagram-ing my daily photos: @jess_russ

getting organized // office edition.

this february i committed to getting more organized.  when i made this pact with myself, i didn’t have an actual space in mind…it was just an overall, “get organized.”  i have plenty of things in my life that require a bit of tlc, so if the only thing i organized this month was my sock drawer, that’s okay.  & without the pressure of organizing a specific room/closet/etc., i’ve been much more willing to just start.  for example, during a day in my life, i organized my desktop folders and the first weekend in february, i took a giant step and organized my workspace. 

actually, this was as much organizing as it was simplifying.  since i scrapbook, i love to hold onto anything that holds a memory and that has potential to be memorialized.  that said, one can only guess how much crap i have.  a lot.  and i was sick of it. 

while a. and i were in pennsylvania the other weekend, we made a quick stop at ikea for some office supplies.  while they didn’t have a lot of organizational options to choose from, we stumbled upon this great find.  we then ventured to target for some drawer organizers and for about $60 (getting organized is not cheap), we stocked up on a few variations of different trays.

then i went to town.  i found half-finished projects and a lot of other stuff that could otherwise be recycled or donated.  i purged and organized.  & it felt great.  there’s a lot to be said about finding a perfect place for everything.  it’s so gratifying and cleansing.  no more huge piles or disheveled drawers.  just space.  and lots of it.  soon everything had a home and no longer were projects daunting or impossible to work on.  i was finally inspired and ready to create.

today, i still love my space.  i’m productive and eager to make beautiful things.  i’ll continue to collect little treasures from our day to day life, but with organization comes motivation & everything will quickly find a home- not a pile!

i hope you find motivation and inspiration this weekend!