10 Ways to Beat Holiday Stress

I love the holidays. Spending time with family and friends, picking out the perfect gifts for them, and making homemade treats for everyone is just a delight. There seems to be an extra amount of happiness and cheer in the air. Sometimes your to-do list can grow long and your stress can mount. At these times you need to destress to get yourself back into the holiday spirit of things. Here are ten of my favorite ways to destress during the holidays.

ONE // Make a holiday playlist. Listening and singing along to the holiday music will help your tasks go by faster and get you in a more festive mood.

TWO // Pick your favorite holiday tradition and make it happen. One tradition that we have always done as long as I can remember is decorate sugar cookies for Christmas. None of us like sugar cookies, but it is tradition. Even now we all gather around mom's kitchen table to decorate these cookies.

THREE // Wrap some gifts. Find a quiet spot to relax in and wrap some gifts. I find that wrapping and then coordinating the ribbons and bow are very relaxing and then you have something beautiful to look at.

FOUR // Get some sunshine with a quick walk outside. Even during the winter your body needs sunshine. Go for a quick walk or even throw open the curtains and let the light stream in.

FIVE // Go for a ride and enjoy the Christmas decorations. When we were kids, every Christmas Dad and Mom would gather us into the car and we would go for a ride at night to see all of the Christmas lights. Its peaceful and beautiful.

SIX // Go out for hot chocolate with friends/family. This could be a quick getaway from work that awaits you at home. Sit with your friends/family and discuss your favorite Christmas memories.

SEVEN // Finish holiday shopping online so that you don’t have to fight the crowds. As Christmas gets near the crowds get bigger and the lines get longer. Fighting the crowd just stresses me out. Stay home and finish shopping online to avoid this.

EIGHT // Watch your favorite holiday movie. This could help you relive good childhood memories. We love Miracle on 34th Street and Charlie Brown’s Christmas.

NINE // Take 10 minutes for yourself. Light a candle, read a few pages of your favorite book, or enjoy the Christmas cards that you have received.

TEN // Hand deliver some Christmas treats and cards. The smiles you will see will fill you with happiness and relieve your own stress.



via: 1

Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas?

This week has flown by. I have been so busy all week that it seems like I have blinked my eyes and Friday is here. I'm stressed because there is so much to do between work, my classes, and family plans. I feel like I haven't gotten that much accomplished this week because so many items are still on my To Do list waiting to be checked off. Like, Tracy mentioned earlier this week, I too, feel like I haven't had time to stop and enjoy life lately.

Before we know it Thanksgiving will be upon us and I still haven't figured out what I want to make! Earlier this week I shared with you how I would decorate my table and serve my Thanksgiving meal, here. What good is a table setting going to do me if there is no food? Technically, there would still be food even if I made nothing. My sisters and mom would have made plenty for us to eat, but I need to do my share. Don't you agree? Tomorrow, I will be sharing a stuffing recipe with you that I might make for Thanksgiving. I have settled on it yet, because I have a new recipe for it that I want to try this weekend. If the new recipe is better I will definitely make it instead. I would also like to make some kind of dessert but there are so many options that it is hard to choose. What kind of dessert do you recommend I try? Pumpkin pie is out because my dad is not a fan of all things pumpkin and my mom will already be making pumpkin roll. Do you have any must make for Thanksgiving dinner recipes? Please share.



via: 1

How to Serve Thanksgiving Dinner

Linen Napkins - Brass Napkin Rings - Metallic Placemat - Tilt Flatware Set - Gold Dinnerware - Turkey Salt and Pepper Shakers - Turkey Bowl - Mixed Cut Wine Glasses - Punch Bowl and Glasses - Barrel Pitcher - Detailed Edged Platter - Butter Dish - Gravy Boat - Cutting Board and Cheese Knife - Ceramic Serving Bowl - Serving Bowl - Oval Platter - Wire Bread Basket

Whenever it comes to an important family dinner, we like to go all out. Don't you? Weeks beforehand we are planning the menu and starting to buy ingredients. We are deciding things like what sides would be best with the main course, what desserts should we have, or will we be making a special punch. We have our family favorites, but we also like to mix it up a little and try some new things. Take this Thanksgiving dinner for instance, Tracy and I will be trying a new stuffing recipe this week to decide if it makes the cut for our family dinner.

After planning the menu, buying the ingredients, and preparing the food you still have to decide how you are going to serve the food. What's actually going to be on the table? I like to keep dishes and serving dishes neutral so that they will work in any circumstance or for any holiday. I like a rustic table runner and placemats like these above which are also metallic, so they will add a little shimmer to the table as well. These would pair well with anything else you would put on the table. You can also give more festive and holiday specific with your centerpiece. I also like adding some color with the linen napkins. The deep red above is perfect for the holidays. White plates, serving bowls, and serving platters are perfect because they always work, no matter what other colors you decide to bring in with the napkins, table runner, and centerpiece. What are your must haves for serving Thanksgiving dinner?

Chit Chat: My Future Home

I have talked about my dream home on here numerous times before and hopefully that is about to become a reality. I have been thinking about when I could actually make my own home come true for the past year. I have been saving money and thinking about what I actually need and want in my own home. I have had to reign it in a little to be a little more realistic, but I believe that within the next year I will have my own house.

At first I looked around the surrounding area for homes that were for sale within my price range. The thing is that there really aren't that many places for sale around here that wouldn't put me further from work than I am now. My one absolute must is that I don't make my commute to work any longer than it is now at 25 minutes. A few of the homes that I know about aren't in the best neighborhoods so those were immediately nixed off the list. Another strike against a lot of the homes for sale was that they were quite old. They looked like they were in good shape but at their ages they could have problems that I couldn't immediately see.

My dad was the first person to suggest that I just build a new home. Then I could choose where I wanted it to be exactly. The good thing about building too is that I can make the home exactly what I want. My dad has already volunteered to do some building for me. He is excellent with carpentry. He built the kitchen cabinets that are in my parent's home and some wooden porch furniture and rocking chairs for them. He will do superb work on the cabinets for me and then I can always say my dad built that for me. He also says he will build some bookcases for me as well. So now, I am off thinking about all of the possibilities and what is really realistic for me. I am thinking about how many rooms are a must and what sizes are adequate for those rooms. What size of house is just right for me? What do I want it to look like?

Right now I am figuring out where my home will be. My next step is to acquire the necessary land. Then actually plan what I want. We are already so close to Winter now that I figure I will have to wait until it is over before building actually begins. I am so excited. Do you have any experience in building or planning your home? What advice do you have for me?


via: 1

8 Reasons to Strength Train

In my online research about health and wellness, I came across all of these reasons that you, well everyone, should be strength training. After reading through various articles, I have compiled my list of the most important reasons to strength train. Strength training isn't any kind of exercise that I ever really thought about before. I considered strength training to be only for those people that wanted to hulk out and have huge muscles, but it doesn't have to be like that all. So, now I think I definitely need to add some strength training to my life. What about you?

Reason ONE // Stronger bones. Strengthen your muscles and you will strength your bones. You will build your bone density with strength training.

Reason TWO // Boosts your metabolism. Boosting your metabolism can help you burn calories and loose weigh.

Reason THREE // Increase your muscles. Strength training will increase your lean muscle mass. The more muscle mass you have the stronger your metabolic resting rate is and the more calories that you will burn!

Reason FOUR // You'll have better flexibility. Full range strength training can increase your flexibility.

Reason FIVE // Eases joint pain. Stronger muscles will help ease your pain by holding joints in a better position and reduce arthritis pain.

Reason SIX // Helps you loose weigh. You will burn more calories because muscle burns more calories than fat does.

Reason SEVEN // Wards off diabetes. By strength training you can improve how your body deals with sugar which can help prevent diabetes. This also helps with insulin and blood glucose control.

Reason EIGHT // Heart health. Reduce your blood pressure and make your heart healthier with strength training. This makes a healthier you and helps prevent heart disease.


via: 1

Career Spotlight: Courtney Kates // Maison Du Soir

If I were to create a list of the best things in life sleeping in and pajamas would be right at the top of my list. When not at work I spend a lot of time in my pajamas so you can bet I want my pajamas to feel and look great. For years I was baffled by the lack of elegant, stylish sleepwear on the market until I was introduced to Maison Du Soir. Maison Du Soir is an American made luxury sleep and loungewear line based in Southern California and created by founder and designer Courtney Kates.

Courtney has made it her mission to create high quality garments in flattering silhouettes out of buttery soft, luxurious fabrics. Each item is also designed to be mixed and matched and suitable for both sleeping and wearing out so you no longer have to be ashamed or avoid wearing your pajama shirt out for your Saturday morning coffee.

I am amazed by Courtney's branding, her attention to detail, and the high quality of all of her garments. I am convinced that after slipping into one item from Maison Du Soir every woman will refuse to ever settle for sub-par sleepwear again. My favorite item from Courtney's current collection? The Melbourne with Piping, which is a chambray shirt dress inspired piece with a modern fit and classic white piping trim.

We are thrilled that Courtney took some time out of her busy schedule to answer some questions for us. Read on to learn more about Courtney and Maison Du Soir.

What is your background?

I was a ballerina for 13 years until I entered the workforce. Prior to founding Maison Du Soir I worked for 10 years in merchandising & Design. In my last 2 years, I helped the company that I worked for launch new brands.

What is the story behind the concept for Maison Du Soir?

Maison Du Soir was born sometime after I purchased my first quality, matching set of sleepwear. When I slipped it on, I looked better which made me feel better and consequently helped me sleep better. I was hooked and wanted more. After looking online and heading to some favorite department stores, I realized there was not much out there that I really liked. I'm not a lace and bows girl, lingerie is uncomfortable and most of the classic sets that are somewhat affordable have wide legs and boxy tops. Being in the fashion industry, I didn't understand why it seemed the sleepwear market wasn't paying attention to our changing needs and trends. Everything seemed dated, boxy or cheesy sexy. The wheels started spinning as I envisioned what would be so much cuter to sleep in and became obsessed with so many designs in my head. Maison Du Soir took flight and I haven't turned back since.

When did you know it was time to launch your business and what steps did you take?

I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit but could never put my finger on what it was I wanted to do. That passion combined with identifying a niche as well as having merchandising and design experience was the perfect recipe to launch. I started with all the necessary legalities – trademarking a name, forming a corporation and immersing myself in product research and design.

What is the biggest lesson you have learned since launching your business?

It’s a roller coaster. You just have to stay on and ride the ups and downs.

What has been the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?

The financial aspect is a constant struggle. Developing a collection is incredibly expensive as well as putting out the capital to produce the pieces.

What does a typical day look like for you?

I always start at my computer and get organized for the day. Then I’m anywhere from planted in front of my computer ALL day to running around LA to meeting with accounts up and down the coast.

What is the best part of your job?

Meeting incredible new people like you two!

And to keep it real. what is the worst?

Counting in inventory. I’m the worst. I have to recount like 3 times and for some reason, it’s still wrong.

Looking back is there anything you wish you had done differently?

Yes and no. I believe everything happens for a reason and you learn things as you need to. I do wish I would have had a better handle on Quickbooks prior to even selling one piece.

What is a goal you have for your business that you hope to accomplish in the next year or two?

More exposure – I’ve worked incredibly hard creating a high quality line of sleepwear that fits well and can cross over into loungewear/daywear now it’s just a matter of letting people know I’m here.

Being a busy business owner how d you stay organized?

I write everything down. When I feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to start, I stop everything and clean my desk. I also have a lot of spreadsheets!

What has been one surreal moment you've experienced since launching Maison Du Soir?

When I heard I was a Martha Stewart American Made finalist I got kind of teary I must say. (See it here)!

What is your best piece of advice for others who hope to someday be a business owner?

⋄ Be prepared to work and push yourself.
⋄ Being an entrepreneur takes incredibly hard work, sacrifice and patience all at the same time.
⋄ Keep your day job as long as you can.
⋄ Many successful companies have started with nothing – so that means you can too.
⋄ There is always an up after the down.

Connect with Maison Du Soir: Pinterest // Twitter // Facebook // Instagram

images provided by: Maison Du Soir

14 Items Every Woman Should Keep In Her Desk

These days it feels like most of us spend more time at the office than we do at home. With as much time as I spend at work my desk has become a very important space to me. Even if you don't pretty much live at the office it is crucial to be prepared for unexpected meetings and emergencies. This is why I have prepared my list of 14 essentials every woman should keep in her desk.

ONE // Flats. Comfy shoes in a neutral color are a must for keeping in your desk for those days when your feet are killing you after putting in some long hours. These are my current favorites.

TWO // Back-Up Tech Supplies. We rely on our cell phones so much. I used to freak out when my battery started to get low at the end of the work day until I began keeping a phone charger at work. I have also found it helpful to keep a spare pair of ear buds in my desk.

THREE // Stain Remover. I keep Tide Pens To Go everywhere including in my desk. They prevent me from being embarrassed by any morning coffee or lunch mishaps.

FOUR // Feminine products. It is way better to keep these in your desk than to have to ask your coworker for a tampon.

FIVE // Umbrella. I keep one of these in my desk so that an unexpected rain storm doesn't have me showing up at a meeting across town soaking wet. This umbrella is compact enough to keep in your desk and very cute too.

SIX // Reuseable Water Bottle. This water bottle is a favorite of mine. Keeping a water bottle on your desk reminds you to keep sipping water all day which is great for you.

SEVEN // Snack. I always keep a stash of healthier pick-me-up snacks in my desk. My favorites include nuts, dried fruit, popcorn, and peanut butter.

EIGHT // Lint Roller. For everyone who has a cat or a dog this needs no explanation.

NINE // Makeup Bag Essentials. I like to keep deodorant, clear nail polish, blotting papers, lip balm, mascara, and hand cream at work.

TEN // Hair Ties. Usually at some point during a long day I need to get my hair pulled back out of my face.

ELEVEN // Hand Sanitizer. When someone gets sick at work you can count on it spreading like crazy. Hand sanitizer is a must to prevent getting sick. I like these towelettes that I also use to wipe down my phone and computer.

TWELVE // Basic First Aid Supplies. Everyone gets headaches especially when staring at a computer all day. I always keep some pain relievers at work and a stash of band-aids.

THIRTEEN // Toothbrush and Toothpaste. I cannot stand for my teeth to feel icky. Sometimes a toothbrush is just needed especially after my morning latte. I also keep mouthwash and floss in my desk too.

FOURTEEN // Mints. Helpful when you have a meeting right after lunch.

Are there any other essentials you think every woman should keep in their desk?

P.S. The top of your deserves some pretty office supplies.

image via: Ashley Ella Design, edited by Sunny Days and Starry Nights

5 Tips for Finding the Perfect Basic Tee

One closet staple that we all need is the basic tee. The basic tee isn't embellished or with any details. It's basic for a reason, so that it can be versatile and work with anything you want to pair it with. A great basic tee will look fabulous with jeans, a blazer, a pencil skirt, or a more casual skirt. You can add a statement necklace or layer more delicate necklaces over a basic tee. If you choose the right tee it can be worn as a relaxed, casual look or for a more business appropriate look.

In my opinion, every girl needs several basic tees. Of course, first there is the classic white tee. You definitely need at least one of these in your closet, maybe even several in different styles that flatter your body. On the other end of the color spectrum you should have a basic black tee. Black is a great color for anyone, because it is a slimming color on anyone. Then you also need a gray basic tee and a striped tee. I think a navy and white striped tee is best, but any color with white will work. So even if you aren't a tee shirt kind of girl, you definitely need these four basic tees in your closet. They are so easy to style and work with that you will instantly love them. After you have all of these in your closet, then you can start looking for my next recommendations, which would be a colored tee (choose a color you love that looks good on you), a floral tee, and a printed tee.

TIP ONE // Go for quality. The more closely woven and thicker the fabric the better it will hold up wash after wash.

TIP TWO // Go for quantity too. One basic tee just isn’t going to cut it people. You need options, different styles, and different colors.

TIP THREE // What do you like? You have some decisions to make. For example what length of sleeve do you like best on your body? I, myself, am all for a sleeve that is about elbow length. Another thing to think about is the neckline. V-necks are great for a bustier gal.

TIP FOUR // Think about your body type. You need to try on different styles of tees to determine what works best for your body type.

TIP FIVE // Comfort is key. You want to choose a fabric that is comfortable against your skin, like cotton. You also want to pick a style that you feel comfortable wearing

4 Basic White Tees

via: 1

10 Tips for Being More Productive

I tend to be a procrastinator. It drives Tracy crazy when I put things off until later. She tends to stress and worry about everything until she has it completed and I am the complete opposite. There are very few things that cause me actual stress and worry. Occasionally when something really important is coming up at work I will stress a little or if I have to do public speaking in front of strangers then I stress. But most tasks don't worry me.

I have been working on doing better though. For some time, I have been trying not to procrastinate so much. I have realized in the past that procrastination has caused me to miss out on some things because I have waited until the last minute and have to dedicate all of my time to finishing a task instead of going to some great experience. So, I have realized that I should be more update and not let myself get so close to deadlines before actually doing anything. Over the pass year I have been doing way better with this and even pride myself on my togetherness now.

Just this week I had an awesome experience that related to this. At work now we are divided into groups based on what we decided we wanted to work on to make ourselves better teachers. Our groups meet once a month and our teacher leader provides us with some new tools or information that will us and we are suppose to share what we have done since the last meeting. I was the only teacher in my small group of 6 that showed up with anything! I had taken pictures of a strategy that I used with my class and already emailed them to our teacher leader. I had typed up a reflection of the strategy and since I had already used two of the other strategies I was prepared with them as well! Since I only needed one this time (I hadn't realized this I had thought we were suppose to bring evidence of all of them that we had used) I have evidence to share next time already! Our teacher leader was impressed and asked me afterwards to email her my reflection so that she could email it and the pictures to our administrators.

So, just what have I been doing to make myself more productive and less of a procrastinator?

ONE // Messes create chaos. Clutter can cause stress, which will keep you from being at the top of your game. So keep a clear workspace. When you finish a task clean up and put materials away. At work I clear my desk at the end of every day so that I can start fresh the next day. At home, after making a recipe I clean up right away.

TWO // Just say no. If you are constantly saying yes to everything people want you to do, you are going to run out of time to complete the tasks. Then you are going to feel stressed because you are letting someone down. Be reasonable. When you have enough on your plate, politely decline unless the person can wait until you are free. This leads into my next point.

THREE // Go into ninja stealth mode. Every day you need time to yourself. Time when you can reflect about your day. Time when you can just relax and enjoy life. If you have to make yourself scarce for an hour to have your me time, do it. Sometimes I go to town after work on Fridays and look through a few stores and stop for a treat by myself to get my me time.

FOUR // Be healthy. Honestly, we should all try to schedule in some exercise every day. This will help us have more energy and feel better in general. You also need to make sure you stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water, being dehydrated can zap your energy.

FIVE // Take a cat nap. You will also be less productive if you are cranky because you are tired. You really need to get 7-8 hours of sleep every day. So, if you need a nap take it. You will wake up refreshed and ready to finish your day.

SIX // Nothing is perfect. Someone will always find something bad to say about something. So don't stress out by trying to be a perfectionist. Do your best and then let it go. Don't waist time worrying about how to make a project better, when you could be using that time working on your next task. You also can't wait around for the "perfect" time to get started, because you will never get started.

SEVEN // Watch your screen time. It is so easy to loose yourself in a TV marathon or in catching up with friends on Facebook or in responding to e-mails. None of these are helping your accomplish your tasks though. Limit your screen time when you have something you need to work on. When responding to emails keep it short and simple.

EIGHT // Tackle your toughest task. Completing this task first will be a major confidence booster for the rest of the day and may help you accomplish even more than you thought possible. After getting this off the list the other tasks will seem like a breeze.

NINE // Use your time wisely. One chunk of time that I could definitely use more wisely is my commute time. I spend 40 minutes a day to travel to work and back. I could be using that 40 minutes listening to podcasts or books on tape. This would allow me to use that time to further educate myself. Granted sometimes, especially in the evenings on the way home, I just have to turn the music up and belt out some tunes to minimize my stress after a hard day.

TEN // Reflect before bedtime. Before going to sleep each night, reflect on your day. What went well? What made you happy? Then set your goals for the next day. What do you need to work on tomorrow? Setting your goals at night will let you wake up focused the next day because you have a plan.




1

The 15 Best Apps For Any Road Trip

I love a good road trip. I have never enjoyed long car rides but to me a road trip is something totally different. A road trip is a chance to see places you have never been, a time to have expected and unplanned experiences, and an opportunity to bond with some of your favorite people. Some of my best stories and adventures have happened during road trips.

Due to my love road trips over the last few years I have tried numerous apps to make the trip more enjoyable. Below is my list for the 15 best apps for any road trip.

ONE // Roadside America. So you will never miss another quirky attraction on your drive.

TWO // Greatest Drive. Helps you find the most fun and beautiful roads to take. Great for those times when you looking to take the scenic route.

THREE // Waze. A navigation app that offers multiple routes, notifications about speed traps, and real-time traffic updates.

FOUR // Glympse. Updates your preselected friends and family as to your GPS location.

FIVE // Scout. A great multi-purpose app. It helps you find the cheapest gas stations, makes personalized suggestions for restaurants and hotels, and it can provide turn-by-turn directions.

SIX // Along The Way. Searches along your current route so you can find food, attractions, shops, and landmarks without having to detour.

SEVEN // Hotel Tonight. Helps you find last minute deals on places to crash for the night.

EIGHT // Spotify. For the obvious reason.

NINE // Songza. For when you need to switch it up from Spotify. Songza has some incredibly specific playlists.

TEN // Audible. More than 150,000 audiobooks.

ELEVEN // GasBuddy. A community app where everyone's goal is too find the cheapest gas.

TWELVE // Finery. Allows you to leave and view other travelers comments about the best local spots.

THIRTEEN // Open Table. Make out of town reservations at many restaurants during your road trip in a snap.

FOURTEEN // iExit Interest Exit Guide. Fills you in on what is available at upcoming exits along your drive.

FIFTEEN // RepairPal. A great app because no one wants to be stranded by the side of the road. You input info like the make and model of your vehicle and what you think may be wrong. The app then gives ou a list of mechanics in the area with estimates for the cost of the repair.

P.S. Planning an upcoming road trip? You might also find these posts helpful:
Road Trip Essentials
Our Summer Road Trip Playlist
Road Trip Playlist

Image Via: Caroline Mackintosh, edited by Sunny Days and Starry Nights

10 Easy Ways To Make The Most Out Of Summer

We are already a week into July and I am determined to enjoy every last moment of summer before it is gone. I am still working checking items off of my summer to do list but is also important to remember to be mindful of all of the other little moments in between accomplishing these goals. Below are my 10 tips for making the most out of summer.

ONE // Make time to relax. Life in summer for some reason has a slower pace. I try to take advantage of this and carve out extra time to unwind and also not focus on worries as much.

TWO // Explore new places. Whether it is around the world or just across town exploring new places exposes us different perspectives and offers new sources of inspiration.

THREE // Declutter. Admittedly this sounds a little like doing work but I love the feeling that comes after I have cut back on physical clutter. I talked a little more about this here. Reducing physical clutter can be remarkably mentally calming.

FOUR // Focus and invest in yourself. Be self-accepting and be compassionate to yourself. Also spend some time on personal development and gaining new knowledge and skills (you can choose something fun maybe dance or cooking classes).

FIVE // Spend time with those you love. Relationships are the backbone of a happy life. Squeeze in some extra time to socialize with the people you care about.

SIX // Go outside. Get some fresh air. Enjoy the wind blowing through your hair and the sun on your skin. A healthy dose of Vitamin D will do you good.

SEVEN // Disconnect. I don't think there is a faster way to reduce stress and to be more present than turning off your iPhone and spending a day away from your email and social media.

EIGHT // Indulge in as much fresh produce as possible. One of my favorite things about summer is all of the fresh produce. Make it a part of your routine to visit the farmer's market often or to even grow your own garden.

NINE // Volunteer. Volunteering is an incredible way to give back and to feel amazing.

TEN // Plan a staycation. I try to plan at least a mini staycation every summer. Staycations are a great way to explore your area and take a vacation without leaving town. Here are some of my favorite tips for planning a successful staycation.

image via: Treasures and Travels, edited by Sunny Days and Starry Nights

6 Easy Tips to Make Your Patio Pop!

So officially I have been on Summer break from work for two weeks now. Those two weeks were busy with my beach vacation to get away from everything and relax. After getting home from my vacation I have tried to get caught up on everything I had started to let slide around the house because of the surplus of work hours. Now though, I am ready to kick back and enjoy Summer before I have to start working again next month. During the warmer months I love to have friends over to socialize with dinner, games, movie nights, or just to hang out and talk on the patio with some cool lemonade. The patio or porch is a great place to spend your time in the warmer months, so it should be warm and inviting. I think that to beautify this space you need to utilize color. So here are 6 simple tips to make your patio pop!

Tip One // Seating: A lot of patio future I see is black or brown. I see a lot of black wrought iron and brown wooden furniture. Break away from these colors by giving these items a good painting. Here is a great tutorial for painting wrought iron.

Tip Two // Throw Pillows: You can always add some padding to your seating with some decorative and colorful pillows.

Tip Three // Bar Cart: A bar cart or a side table in a bright color would be great for displaying or holding whatever drink you are going to serve.

Tip Four // Rug: A beautiful rug can really liven up a space. Choose a bold color or print to really make the rug pop.

Tip Five // Flowers: What's better than natural beauty? Choose some pots in varying sizes and beautiful colors to add some nature and some beautiful flowers to or around your patio. You can even buy cheaper pots and then paint them the colors of your choice.

Tip Six // Decorations: Choose decorative accents to accentuate your space. Maybe some lanterns in different shapes and sizes in vibrant colors. You can even add some tealights in them to make them useful.


via: 1

Career Spotlight: Raquel // Horses & Heels

Raquel has been one of our blogging friends for years. A couple of years ago she decided to take a leap of faith and dedicate herself full time to her blog Horses & Heels and everything that would involve. With Horses & Heels she has created a unique brand for herself all while making two major moves, one recently across country. We hope you enjoy reading about Raquel's journey as much as we have.


What is your background?

I have a background in broadcasting, after high school I attended broadcasting school and got a job a local radio station with the hopes of eventually landing an on air job. My time there started to become frustrating and I was looking for a way out so I picked up an internship at a recording studio hoping to further my skills and get into voice over work. At the studio I was offered a job for a start up record label doing social media, I didn’t even have a Facebook account at the time but if was time to learn. I managed accounts for various artists and loved it. But then the studio and label faced money issues, went under and I was out of a job. I picked up a job as an executive assistant to support myself and thought I needed to do something more. I started Horses & Heels as a creative outlet for myself while I was figuring out what I needed to do.

What is the story behind the concept of Horses & Heels?

Like I said, I started Horses & Heels as a creative outlet for myself when I was working a job I didn’t like. It started as a more personal blog with just family reading and then as I became more into blogging I made my content more “reader friendly”. I combined everything I love into one place; horses, fashion, food, home decor and DIY. I started to realize that this could become something that would stick.

When did you know it was time to launch your business and what steps did you take?

I quit my job in February of 2013 when I was at a point of not being able to handle working for my boss anymore. I honestly should have stuck it out for another 6 months but I looking for a way out. The blog was making enough money and where I lived in Ohio at the time was so cheap this was possible. They say there is no real learning experience like just diving in and this is true.

What does a typical day look like for you?

Hmmmm there are no typical days. I usually get up and check emails, social media, and advertiser stats. I use Todist to keep organized, on Mondays I do “general stuff”, on Tuesdays I work on content for the following week, on Wednesdays I do photo shoots and creative projects, on Thursdays I work on SEO, blog design, ect. and on Fridays I schedule my social media. And of course there are a lot of projects I’m working on in between. I split up my days like this to make them more productive and it’s really helpful.

What are the biggest lessons you have learned since launching your business?

Knowledge really is power and you need to continue to educate yourself all the time. Blogging and life is always changing and you need to change to keep up. Also you can’t make everyone happy, so don’t even try to.

What has been the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?

I do not like to self promote, which is strange since blogging is all about promoting yourself. It was tough for me to introduce myself to companies and put my name out there. In the beginning I had to reach out to people to get advertisers, this was also tough for me because I was timid, even behind an email or the phone.



What is the best part of your job?

The best part is I get to be creative, my life is my blog and my blog is my life. I am always discovering new things and working on projects I love.

And to keep it real, what is the worst?

Trying to please everyone, I get tons of emails from people looking to work with me and sometimes they are just not a good fit. I always feel bad for saying no to someone even though I shouldn’t. I also don’t enjoy doing my own books, I hope to be able to hire a part-time employee to help me with taxes and financial things in the next 6 months.

Looking back is there anything you wish you had done differently?

Definitely, I wish I would have learned faster and quicker. I wish I would have stuck out my old job longer and learned more about blogging before jumping in full time.

What is a goal you have for your business that you hope to accomplish in the next year or two?

I am working on products for Horses & Heels, it’s been a long time project in the works. I am hoping to launch a collection of pillows, prints, and home decor items that just aren’t out there right now.

Being a busy business owner how do you stay organized?

Lots of lists! I write out daily, weekly and monthly to do lists. I also use an app called Todist to help me with reoccurring tasks.

What has been one surreal moment you've experienced since you launched Horses & Heels?

I don’t know if there has been a huge moment but there are lots of mini moments along the way. There was the first time a photo of mine was accepted on to Foodgawker, a time my first recipe went viral and emails from people I really look up to.

What is your best piece of advice for others who hope to someday be a business owner?

Write down all of your goals because if you don’t write them down, they might not happen. It’s really easy to get sidetracked and having a plan is the best thing you can do .

Connect with Raquel from Horses & Heels:
Twitter // Facebook // Pinterest // Instagram

11 Tips For Staying Focused and Productive

I work in a busy law office with a to do list that is often scary long. Add to that a side job, this blog, and trying to maintain an active social life and I am one busy girl. I have never been one to procrastinate (procrastination is one of Jessica's traits that drives me insane) but even I need some help staying focused and checking items off of my to do list. Below are 11 tips that have always worked for me.

TIP ONE // Set specific times to check emails and social media. Constantly checking emails and social media can quickly take up a lot of time. Having set times to check and respond to emails and social media will keep it from always looming over your head.

TIP TWO // Focus on 3 tasks per day. Each evening make a list of 3 big tasks you want to complete the next day. Keeping your list at a manageable number it will prevent you from getting overwhelmed.

TIP THREE // Get your most important task finished first thing in the morning. By getting your most important task done at the beginning of your day no matter how crazy the rest of your day gets you can still feel like a success at the end of the day because you got something significant finished.

TIP FOUR // Set a deadline and do not break it. If you do not have a deadline to get something done you can push it off until tomorrow.

TIP FIVE // Use a timer. Set the timer on your phone to give yourself 30 minutes to focus completely on one task. After which you can take a 5 minute break to prevent yourself from becoming bored.

TIP SIX // Use apps to block distractions. As noted above it is easy to get wrapped up in social media, emails, or browsing various websites. I cannot even begin to tell you how often I have gotten sucked into Pinterest and then an hour has passed before I know it. There are plenty of helpful apps out there that block distracting websites during work hours. Find one that you like and use it consistently.

TIP SEVEN // De-clutter your work space. It is so much easier to stay focused when your work space is organized.

TIP EIGHT // Set up a mini reward system. It is okay to bribe yourself sometimes. We all need the occasional award especially after completing something you were really dreading.

TIP NINE // Get a good night's sleep and wake up early. It is nearly impossible to be productive when you are exhausted. Be good to yourself and get the rest you need. I have also found that waking up early does wonders for my productivity level. It is so much easier to get things accomplished when most of the rest of the world is sleeping.

TIP TEN // Take a break when you really need it. But use those breaks to get something productive done such as a workout, tidying up, or running an errand.

TIP ELEVEN // Know what works for you. Pay attention to what works for you and use that knowledge to up your productivity. Are you an early bird or a night owl? Do you get bored easily? Do you need a quiet place to work?

image via: Knotted Tassel Necklace, edited by Sunny Days and Starry Nights

What Every Blogger Needs in Their Bag

I don't know about you, but I am constantly on the go. My weeks are filled with work, preparing work things for the next day, after work meetings, and trying to squeeze in things that I like. So during the week I need to be ready in my spare moments to plan for blogging and to catch up on all of my favorite blogs. For this to happen there are certain things that I always keep in my bag. What do you always carry?



ITEM 1 // Planner: This allows me to keep track of my busy schedule, plan for upcoming events, and to help me keep my blog schedule straight. I love an actual paper planner a lot more than keeping my schedule on my phone or iPad.

ITEM 2 // iPad or Tablet: Tracy got me this iPad for Christmas and I love it. It is so much more convenient than a laptop. I use my iPad to check out my favorite blogs, read articles, and to take a break with a quick game of bejeweled or word scramble.

ITEM 3 // Magazine: I usually have a magazine or book in my bag too. When a new magazine arrives I carry that until I find time to look through it. Most of the time I have a book about something I am interested in though.

ITEM 4 // Statement Necklace and Earrings: You never know when you might need to switch up your look in just a few minutes. Adding a statement necklace or earrings can be so easy throw on and to carry in your bag. The green earrings in these photos were Kate Spade inspired that we made for less than $3 you can find the directions here.

ITEM 5 // On the Go Kit: In my bag I keep a small pouch or wristlet as my on the go kit. It carries lip stick, a roller ball perfume, tide to-go stick, lotion, floss, and a hair band. This allows me to cover a range of emergencies that could pop up throughout the day.

ITEM 6 // Notepad and Pen: I always carry these so that I can jot down ideas whenever they come to me. Most of my best ideas come at times when I am not at home at my laptop. If I don't get them down when they come, I forget them.

ITEM 7 // Snack: With how hectic my schedule has been lately, I have taken to carrying some kind of snack and a bottle of water with me. I like these Nature Valley bars.

ITEM 8 // Phone: Of course, every time I leave the house my phone goes with me. This allows me to connect with anyone that I need too. Plus I love to take pictures with my phone of the things I see while I am out.

ITEM 9 // Sunglasses: I always carry these, especially during the summer when the sun shines so brightly.

ITEM 10 // Wallet: And of course a girl needs her wallet.

20 Dos and Don'ts For Hosting A Dinner Party

I love hosting dinner parties. Throwing a great dinner party is a great achievement for a hostess. Entertaining and be stressful. Over the years I have developed a few dos and don'ts that help remove most of the stress and if followed when almost ensure that everyone involved has a great time.

ONE // Do make as much as possible in advance. Few things are worse than being in a rush trying to get everything ready when your guests have already started arriving.

TWO // Do have a playlist prepared. It will help set the mood and make the atmosphere more festive.

THREE // Do take your guests dietary restrictions into consideration. This doesn't mean preparing an entire special menu for each guest but you should provide options so no one feels left out.

FOUR // Send out invitations. It will help get your guests excited and make all the details for the dinner easy to find.

FIVE // Do serve dessert. It doesn't have to be homemade but I promise you your guests expect dessert.

SIX // Watch the number of guests you invite. I think 6-8 is the perfect number. It keeps conversation flowing without people breaking off into groups. This being said always be willing to be flexible. If someone has an out of town guest visiting make room at the table for one more so your guests will not be prevented from attending.

SEVEN // Do a little tidying up before everyone arrives. Make sure the common areas of your home where your guests will be are clean the day before the dinner. This includes having clutter put away and having a well stocked bathroom.

EIGHT // Create some atmosphere. Light a few candles. Have a pretty centerpiece. Use cloth napkins or your nice dinnerware. Choose a few things to help the meal seem extra special.

NINE // Stick to a simple menu. A dinner party shouldn't be fussy or stressful. Stick to a simple menu with quality ingredients and the food will be delicious.

TEN // Make extra food. It is better to have lots of leftovers than for someone to leave your party hungry.

ELEVEN // Don't get hung up on details. Do the best you can and don't worry if something goes wrong. The point is to have fun not to be perfect.

TWELVE // Don't forget appetizers. Guests will arrive at different times. Finger foods ar a great way to get the party started until it is time to serve the main course.

THIRTEEN // Don't try out a new recipe. This is a time to rely on tried and true favorite recipes.

FOURTEEN // Don't rely on guests to bring essential items. There is always the chance that they will be late or forget and then you will be left trying to come up with a plan B on the spot.

FIFTEEN // Don't serve the food late. People get grumpy when they are hungry.

SIXTEEN // Don't ignore any guests. No one should be invited to a dinner party and then feel alienated. Include everyone in conversations and if some of your guests do not know each other make introductions.

SEVENTEEN // Don't invite all strangers. Most of your guests should have something in common other than knowing you. I think it is a good rule of thumb to introduce no more than 2 new people into your group at each dinner party. This helps keep the event from getting awkward while still introduce your friends to new people you know and really like.

EIGHTEEN // Don't start tidying up as soon as everyone has finished eating. Cleaning up kills the mood fast. Instead linger at the table or move into living room for coffee and enjoy your company a little longer.

NINETEEN // Don't go to bed without cleaning up. Number Eighteen being said once your guests have left you should definitely tackle the worst of the cleaning. Believe me the mess will look much worse in the morning.

TWENTY // Don't apologize. So what if everything isn't perfect. No apologizes are needed. A week later no one will remember if something was a little overcooked. All they will remember is the great time they had.

P.S. For more tips and advice about entertaining be sure to read:
12 Entertaining Essentials
6 Tips For Hosting An Amazing Event
7 Easy Tips For Hosting An Amazing Brunch

image via: 1, edited by Sunny Days and Starry Nights

10 Easy Ways To Stand Out At Work

Getting noticed at work can take a lot more than showing up and doing your job well. If you want a chance to advance in your company, standing out at work is important. I have ten easy tips I am sure will help you shine and stand out at work.

TIP ONE // Do things without being asked. If you see something that needs to be done and no one is doing it, do it. Taking action on your own initiative will quickly get you in your boss' good graces.

TIP TWO // Do not be a wallflower in meetings. Get your ideas heard and contribute to the conversation.

TIP THREE // Take an interest in your colleagues. Praise your colleagues work. Also take a genuine interest when they talk about their lives and things that important to them. It is also a good idea to remember the names of their family members.

TIP FOUR // Get to know the support staff. Being kind to the support staff is important. Plus you may just be surprised by how knowledgeable these people are and how much pull they may have.

TIP FIVE // Be proactive. Do not wait for problems to arise instead find ways to avoid them.

TIP SIX // Do more than just the tasks included in your job requirements. Nothing is a substitute for hard work. If you are working harder than everyone else you will be impossible to ignore. Hard work and going above your job requirements will leave a good and lasting impression.

TIP SEVEN // Always be willing to help. Become that person that can be counted on to help. Also always be willing to volunteer. Your boss will love this about you.

TIP EIGHT // Never bad mouth your company or your boss. Nothing will make you look bad faster.

TIP NINE // Spruce up your closet. Dressing like you take your job seriously can greatly improve your job influence.

TIP TEN // Take the lead on projects (especially if no one else is stepping up). Silence does not get you noticed. By taking taking the lead on a project you show you are willing to tackle challenges and to make contributions. This can be especially helpful if the project is something no one else wants. You may end up your boss' hero.

image via: emerson fry, edited by Sunny Days and Starry Nights

10 Free Things to do Alone to Beat Boredom

Every find yourself stuck at home alone and bored to death? It has happened to me several times this Winter with the weather getting so horrible and leaving me stuck, alone at home. I'm going to share with you some free and fun things to do to beat that boredom! These are things you can do at home, alone, with things you already have laying around.

TIP 1 // Beauty Time: Treat yourself by painting your nails. Give yourself that mani/pedi you have been putting off because you didn't have the time. I don't know about you but I have a ton of nail polish that I need to be using.

TIP 2 // Destress Yourself: Have you been feeling stressed lately? Then use this time to put on some soft music and run a bubble bath. Relax in the warm tub while listening to the music or reading a book. I know I don't usually take the time for a bath and instead opt for a quick shower. You could even take time to meditate. Tracy has used several free meditation apps on her iPhone.

TIP 3 // Exercise: This is another thing I put off when I am busy, but if I'm already stuck at home and bored, why not get in some exercise time. There are plenty of free apps to use, pop in a work out video, or try something new.

TIP 4 // Clear Up that DVR: I am always having to record my favorite tv shows because I am out or too busy to really watch them. This is the perfect time to round up some snacks from the kitchen and veg out in front of the tv.

TIP 5 // Send Some Snail Mail: I love receiving snail mail, so I always make time to send some to my friends so that I will get some back. Pull out your paper and envelops and write some quick notes to friends. Throw some glitter or confetti in to bring up a friends day and decorate with some washi tape.

TIP 6 // Catch Up on your Reading: Finish that book you have been working on. Enjoy the newspaper or some fashion magazines. Read some of your favorite blogs. Dig into you must read pile and pull out a great book.

TIP 7 // Be Creative: If you are like me, you have a box of supplies that you have purchased for various DIY projects that you haven't found the time to complete yet. Hunt that box out and pull up the instructions and get busy.

TIP 8 // Get Busy in the Kitchen: Find a recipe to try by looking through your cook books or your Pinterest boards. I have multiple boards on Pinterest dedicated to recipes I want to try: Brunch, Dinner, Sweet Treats, and Appetizers. Look at what you have on hand and make yourself a treat. Experiment with some new recipe.

TIP 9 // Learn Something New: I believe we all need to keep learning new things. Pick a topic you are interested in and read some online articles. I love learning new things about animals online. Other topics I enjoy researching are ghosts, mythology, ancient Egypt, and places that I would love to travel too.

TIP 10 // Be a Kid: Act like a kid again. Color in a coloring book. Play some video games. Read some of your favorite childhood stories. As a kid my favorite story was Tawny Scrawny Lion and I still pull that book out to reread it.


via: 1

The Single Girl's Guide to Valentine's Day: 8 Ideas for Owning the Day

I know there are people out there who hate Valentine’s Day but I just cannot be one of those people. Is it cheesy? Yes. Do I accept that it is kind of a superficial holiday? Yes. But it is a holiday and the most girly of all holidays. How could I possibly dislike a day filled with pinks and reds, glitter, hearts, flowers, and chocolates. If you know anything about me you know that is just now possible.

I also might be one of the few people that this applies to but being single on Valentine’s Day doesn’t bother me. I am going to choose to embrace the day and have fun. So if you are single come February 14th don’t let it get you down. Below are my eight ideas for how single girls can spend Valentine’s Day and actually enjoy the holiday.

ONE // Spend the night with your celebrity crush. Whether it is Jake Gyllenhall, Ryan Gosling, or Johnny Depp get a few of his movies, pick up your favorite dinner, and devote the night to spending some quality time with your celebrity crush.

TWO // Treat yourself. There is no one better to spend the money you worked hard to earn on than yourself. So since there is no guy in the picture waiting for a Valentine’s Day gift from you take yourself to the salon for a new hairstyle, buy yourself that handbag or dress you have been coveting, or treat yourself to a mani/pedi.

THREE // Play hooky with your best friend. Who wants to stay at work seeing the flower deliveries all day. Convince your best friend to spend the day doing something fun like going to the theater to see a romantic comedy, shopping, or going to a museum.

FOUR // Volunteer. Spread some love by doing something totally selfless and helping others who are less fortunate. I bet you will end the day feeling great about yourself.

FIVE // Throw a party for your single girlfriends. Surround yourself with some of your best girlfriends. Over indulge in good food and drinks. Laugh and gossip and just in general enjoy their company. Suggest that everyone wear pink (or go the opposite route and designate black as the color for your get-together). The DIY balloons from Studio DIY would be great decor or gifts for your friends.

SIX // Organize a secret cupid. Draw names with a group of your single friends and then deliver a gift to each other so that everyone can have a Valentine.

SEVEN // Enjoy your own company. Remind yourself how lucky you are. You can do whatever you want without having to take into consideration a significant other. Make a list of activities you have been wanting to do and spend Valentine’s Day marking a few of them off of your list or simply spend the day reading a great book or cooking a recipe from scratch.

EIGHT // Ignore Valentine’s Day. There is no reason you have to make a big deal out of Valentine’s Day. If you really cannot see any way you could possibly enjoy the day just treat it like any other day. Stay home to avoid the couples, order take out, and watch Netflix. Tomorrow will be better.

Image via: Studio DIY, edited by Sunny Days and Starry Nights

9 Tips For Creating a Professional Email

These days it is almost impossible for most people to make it through the day without email being involved. Many of the emails you send likely have a connection to your job. It is incredible how much work is accomplished through email. With all of the emails that are constantly filling our inboxes it can be easy to find ourselves typing a quick response and clicking send without giving it much thought but it is important to implement some email etiquette so we can use email to our advantage and protect our professional reputations.

Here are a few simple tips to perfect professional emailing:

TIP ONE // Stay away from embarrassing email addresses. Your email address matters. If you work for a company that provides you with an email address this is likely taken care of but if you work for yourself make sure you are not sending work emails from that email address you have had since you were a teenager. I suggest creating an email address that incorporates your first and last night name so that people can easily recognize who the email is from in their email inbox.

TIP TWO // Don’t forget the subject. Make the subject of your email concise. The subject of the email should make it easily identifiable what the content of the email is discussing.

TIP THREE // Use correct spelling and grammar. This should go without saying but it is so important that you proofread your email several times before hitting send.

TIP FOUR // Keep the email short and to the point. Keeping emails short and easy to read is key. Make sure there is plenty of white space. I am also a huge fan of bullet points when I have several points to get across. Most professionals have busy schedules and you should treat their time like it is important.

TIP FIVE // Respond timely. Everyone hates waiting. It is important to respond as soon as possible. I think a good rule of thumb is to respond within 24 to 48 hours.

TIP SIX // Font style is important. Your font should a normal, readable font.

TIP SEVEN // Set up a signature. You need a signature at the end of every email. You never want the recipient of your email to have to search for your contact information. Your signature should contain all of your contact information including your full name, phone number, address, and professional social media links.

TIP EIGHT // Keep private content out. Confidential and private information should never be included in a business email. I always ask myself before sending a business email if I would be embarrassed if someone other than the recipient saw it. Keep in mind that emails create a trail that can be printed off, shared, and forwarded.

TIP NINE // Be care of Reply-All. Hitting reply-all can get you into a lot of trouble. Always double check the recipients to any email. Make sure that the people on the email chain are those you want to see your response.

via: Sequins and Stripes, image edited by Sunny Days and Starry Nights