Gift Ideas for the Guy That Has Everything

My Dad is one of those really hard to shop for men. He likes to keep things simple and since he has retired, t-shirts and sweatpants is his new favorite outfit. My husband on the other hand loves clothes and accessories, so shopping for him is always a challenge.

Today I found some cool gift ides for the guys in your life. They are all from Etsy, so stop by and check out all each shop has to offer!

Mens vintage compass cufflinks by Laurenloveetsy

Leather Portfolio by LusciousLeatherNYC

Vintage Motorcycle Gear bookends by OldDucs

Waxed Canvas Shaving Kit Bag by treesizeverse

Faux Leather Lap Desk by LapDeskLady

Clock LedonGifts

What do you like to get the hard to shop for guys in your life?

Immerse Yourself

I am obsessed with learning new things. When I want to learn about a subject I read books, blogs, and websites for the latest information, listen to podcasts, watch videos, and write down pages of notes.

I can get a little crazed about a subject and an idea, to the point that I that I have researched pretty much everything I need to know, and I just need to take the leap and put it into action.

We learn best when we immerse ourselves in to a subject. Each piece of new information you encounter you can learn something new.

Each of these steps will make you experience your subject more effective.

Read - books, blog, magazines, and e-books
Listen - podcasts, audio, and other recordings
Watch - videos of workshops, lectures, and online classes
Do - put the best of the info you learn into action, and always continue to tweak it
Teach - sharing the info you learn with others will make it more meaningful for you

It may take all of these steps for the information to have a impact on you and your work.

Just remember not to let the researching become the most important you do. The doing part is what will get you results, so immerses yourself fully, put what you learn into action, and reap the rewards.

What is your favorite way to learn about a new project you want to start?

Travel Without Plans

This the time of the year when you start planning your summer getaways for the summer, so why not schedule yourself a one day adventure.

It's as easy as blocking out some time, hopping in your car, and going for a drive with no destination in mind. Or getting on the train and getting off at a new stop.

Stop when you see something intriguing, eat something you have never tried before, take back roads and side streets, and have a conversation with a local.

Don't forget your journal/sketchbook so you document your adventure.

This is my favorite thing to do when I need to recharge my creative batteries, I have gotten some of my best ideas while in the car. Plus I have found some pretty amazing places that have become my favorite places to go.

When was the last time you had an unplanned adventure?

Artist To Know - Peter Root

Finding artists that create using everyday elements intrigue me. Todays artist to know creates amazing cityscapes with 100,000+ staples and small pieces of metal.

Peter Root

"I think there is a beauty in making something that requires so much precision, care, time and effort, yet is destined to last for only a short period of time." - Peter Root

Watch this video to see Peter in action.
Read more about Peter and his work on his website.



What do you think of staple city?

Motivation Monday

Always remember to slow down in life; live, breathe, 

and learn; take a look around you whenever 

you have time and never forget everything and 

every person that has the least place within your heart.

DIY Friday - Creative Alone Time

Embracing Harmony Week has been a week full of ideas for finding time to yourself to relax and recharge. Today I have a list of things you can create for enjoying your Me Time.

How to make the perfect cup of tea

Make your own journal

Bake yourself some lemon and blueberry scones

Let the scent of lavender relax you

Create your own tote bag for your day trip

Everything you need to know for creating a relaxing space just for you

Now that you have lots of ideas for creating enjoyable Me Time, it's time to start adding Me Time to your schedule.

How much Me Time will you be adding to your schedule this summer?

Join the Conversation

Join The Conversation is a series, of community conversations about inspiration, creativity and business. Every new post will have a question and responses from bloggers in our community. Then, you the reader, will have the opportunity to answer the question in the comments. I look forward to having you Join The Conversation!

With Embracing Harmony week ending tomorrow, I would love to hear your thoughts. Take a few minutes and Join the Conversation.

Question: When you are able to find a little time for yourself, what do you like to do?

Annette - It depends how much time I have as to what I like to do. If I have a couple of hours, I enjoy thrifting, hitting the antique mall, or wandering through a fabric store. Sometimes I'm looking for something specific and sometimes I'm just looking to see what catches my eye. When I don't have that much time, I like to fix a cup of tea, put my feet up, and browse through my latest magazine. It's relaxing and often inspiring.

So Many Memories Blog

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Meeling - I love this question! Life is so busy for everyone these days, I think it's really important to take a little time for yourself. I try to take a few minutes everyday and just "escape" to a quiet corner to either read a little, play a favorite word game or maybe even close my eyes for 5 minutes. I always end up feeling refreshed after. I also love to cook, so thankfully for me preparing dinner is usually a fun and relaxing end to my day. Once in a while when I need an extra treat, you'll find me getting a pedicure - in California we live in flip flops nearly year round, so that's my excuse for keeping my toes in tip top shape! :-)

Life is delicious...come follow me and eat it up! 

The Hairy Peach Blog

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Gloria - One of the things I do is listen to sparks that I have tucked away. They are ideas, feelings, nudges ... that want me to notice them and give them consideration. All the hours I am awake, I listen to, focus on, and serve others and their needs. In my quiet hours I can be busy, but I listen to, appreciate, and reflect on those sparks.

 If I can get away for a few hours and want to feel refreshed, I take a drive and stop to take photos along the way, walk in a public garden or museum, find someplace totally new to me and have a meal, or see a play. More often for a break at home, music, tea, chocolate, and a big yellow furball are at
hand.

New End Studio Blog ~ Shop ~ Pinterest ~ Twitter

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Rachel - When I find a little time for myself, I like to work on what I've started to call my "muse projects." they're long ridiculous projects that won't make me any money, are a bit out of my comfort zone, but I feel compelled to try out. So I might choose out a really tough song on the piano and spend a couple of months to half a year diving into it in my spare time (although no one will hear it except the people who live with me ((who will have to forgive me))) and I might not even finish it, (in fact I usaully don't).

 But the beauty of the project isn't really the end-goal, but the half-way there, where I learn how to play piano a little better, or how to compose a story a little better (I've written some terrible books for muse projects, for instance), or how to use photoshop better and more efficiently (I've also made some pretty awful comics), or how to tailor clothes (and there's a half-tailored ugly jacket in my closet I've experimented on), or learned some facts I didn't realize before (like from the huge books on Russia I got from the library but didn't quite finish ((Ps don't ask me anything about Russia I've forgotten already))).

Also, if I felt like I had to finish it, then it would become work, and the last thing I'd do for myself is more work. Without a deadline, it becomes an uplifting part of my day.

Shop ~ This is Not a Craft Blog

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Now it's your turn to answer the question. Share your thoughts in the comments section.

Can You Find 5 Minutes, an Hour, How About a Half a Day?

You can have Me Time adventures regardless of how much time you have. Even with just 5 minutes you can create a moment to recharge.

Sometimes the hardest part of enjoying Me Time is not knowing what you want to do, so it's easy to just sit around or watch TV. 

Now don't get me wrong sometimes just sitting around is just what you need, but it you would like a more meaningful way to experience your time to yourself give some of these ideas a try.

5 Minutes

~Close your eyes and take deep cleansing breaths until you feel yourself relax. Do a slow series of stretches further relax your muscles.

~Sit in sun and let the heat soak in.

~Take a brisk walk to get the blood flowing.

~Listen to your favorite song.

1 Hour

~Have lunch at your favorite restaurant. 

~Do an art project.

~Sit in a park and enjoy nature.

~Take a quite bath and relax.

~Take a nap.

Half Day

~Book a spa half day.

~Find a comfy spot, and grab your favorite book and get totally engrossed into a book.

~If your into cooking, make some of your favorite recipes or create new ones.

~Take a afternoon and go out to lunch and then catch a movie.

~Go to all your favorite stores and buy yourself a little something special.

Whole Day

~Visit a city close to you and have a day full oaf art. Go to art galleries and museums and any other favorite place to enjoy art.

~Take a mini road trip. Pack a lunch and drive to a unknown destination.

~Have a creative day. Create all those projects you always wanted to do but didn't have the time.

Whatever you decide to do with your time, remember to do something for yourself. As women we tend to forget about ourselves and do what we need to do for others first. It's important to take time for yourself to rejuvenate. 

When you find time, do something fun! 

If you had a whole day to do something just for yourself, what would it be?

A Quick and Easy Quiet Time Idea

Personalized Journal by moleskinebusiness

When your time is limited, but you really need a break, taking 10 - 15 minutes a day to yourself and your journal is a great way to regroup.

Taking time to do a brain dump, rant about a problem, or simply list what you are grateful for opens you up to discovering something new about yourself.

Daily Gratitude by WhisicalsPaperie

Here are 8 reasons why you should keep a journal
Record your daily life
Fuel your dreams
Gain self-awareness
Embrace who you are
Take a spiritual journey
Vent your frustrations
Make plans
Increase your positivity

Start with a journal you love. You can make one with all art techniques you love or purchase a beautiful handmade on off Etsy.

Keeping a journal is not all about writing. If you prefer you can draw, paint, collage, mixed media, or a combination of the medium of your choice. All you need to do is choose a medium you enjoy and get started.

Monogrammed Journal by OurLittleMesses

Add your journal time to you calendar. Even if you can't or don't want to do it everyday, carving out a time is the best way to commit to your journal time.

Journal time is a good way to take time to yourself quite your mind. After a busy day it can really help you relax and take control of your thoughts.

Do you keep a journal?

Find Time For Yourself

Just as you give appreciation, acknowledgment, 

adoration, and affection to others, you must also 

give this same kind of love to yourself.

Over the next 5 days their will be tips and ideas for enjoying me moments. Start by making a promise to yourself to take a few minutes everyday for yourself, doing something you enjoy.

4 Ways to make time for yourself
Plan an evening with yourself once a week
Take a class
Lunch alone
Plan a monthly outing (spa treatment, movie, walk etc..)

When you have chosen your me time add it to your calendar and tell your family. It will be easier to actually take time to yourself if you plan ahead.

When are you going to schedule your me time?

Are You Ready?

Starts Tomorrow

Happy Friday!

Sunset by the Lake

Enjoying my time away with my Sister and Daughter this week.

Back to work next week.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Summer Plans

My usual plan for Summer is building inventory for shows and holiday online sales, and getting organized. This summer will be no exception.

Finding time to be outside and visit with friends and family is also high on my list.

My priority this Summer will be making lots of jewelry and working on creating a routine, so I can have the time I need to enjoy the season.

Having a routine will also help when things pick up in the Fall and Winter making me more productive, which is one of my overall goals for the year.

What are your Summer plans?

Chocolates For Spring

Inspiration for Springtime accessories.

Brown is not a color you would usually think of for Spring, but these handcrafted ideas are just right for adding the final touch for your Spring look.

Brown not your thing, each of these Etsy shops offers a variety of color options.

Chocolate brown leather brooch by ZULYA

Handwoven scarf by masonke

Braided Hair Band by EyeHeartMe

Chocolate brown leather tote by ItJustHasToBe

Copper beaded wire knit collar by lapisbeach

What color accessories are you wearing this Spring?

8 Strategies For Getting Things Done

Procrastination is the main reason we don't get thing done.  We like to blame not getting things done on not having enough time, but in reality we are not always using our time wisely.

You can train yourself to procrastinate less and get more done. 

Here are 8 strategies to motivate you when you need to get things done.

Get Fired Up - This strategy works well when your at the end of your rope and have to get something done. Start by thinking about the consequences that can result from putting things off, and then kick yourself in to action.

Get Organized - getting rid of unnecessary clutter makes it easy to stay on task. There is nothing to distract you and keep you from being productive.

Prioritize - When you declare your project a priority you will be more motivated to get it done.

Find Freedom in Routine - It can be liberating to not have to worry about what you are going to do next. Create your to-do list, set time limits, and stick to it.

Get Comfortable - Wear clothes that are comfortable, and have a comfortable work space. Both great motivators for staying on task.

Use Positive Self-Talk - The messages in our head have a great deal of power over our behavior. When negative thoughts pop in your head, change them to a positive thought. The more you do it the easier it will become.

Focus on Dates, not Due Dates -Think of the day your project will end, not as a deadline but as a day you send it, turn it in, or just stop working on your project. Having a due date or deadline will make you feel rushed and unmotivated.

Break Down Your Big Projects - Chipping away at a project with mini action steps will keep you motivated as you work towards your bigger goal.

Breaking the procrastination habit only takes applying this common sense habits to your everyday life. We know they are important to incorporate into our workday, but until you apply them you will struggle with procrastination.

Start small work on one thing at a time until you have mastered it, and then try another idea.

Need a little help keeping track of all the things you need to do daily, print out this to-do list to make planning your day a little easier.

Printable to-do list

These are all steps I need to work on, but I need to put more effort into creating and keeping a routine.

Which strategy do you struggle with?

Motivation Monday

Find Beauty

Beauty surrounds us.

But it's now always evident.

Seek it out.

Find it in love, friendship, nature, art.

See it in another's mind or spirit.

Look for the inner glow.

Now is the time by Patrick Lindsay

Embracing Harmony 

5 Days of ME Moments 

starts next Monday

DIY Friday - Craft Show Display Ideas

Show season is getting into full swing. I am always on the hunt for unique ideas to give my show booth a little boost. I found some great ideas on Pinterest. I hope one of these ideas inspires you.

Stair step shelf

Tiered trays

Dollar Store creation

Old suitcases make great displays

Clipboards in fun colors

Shutter and bi-fold doors make great display pieces 

Baskets make nice displays

Cups are a cute unexpected item

I recently changed up my entire display and I now use wood display boards and a red metal toolbox. The toolbox is great for storage and adding height. Plus it puts more emphasizes on my hardware jewelry.

My display set up 

What is your favorite DIY display item in your show booth?