DIY Friday - Make Your Own Valentines

Valentines Day is less then a week away, and it's the perfect holiday to creating handcrafted memories. Here are some fun ideas for making Valentines Day special for you and those you love.

quilled  card

button canvas

Heart wreath

cookies

Valentine decor

Felt heart pin

Door decorations

Treat bags

Do you create your own Valentines?

Nightly Ritual

I have a nightly ritual I created for myself to help me wake up less stressed and ready to start my day.

Every night I get in the bed with my notebook and I make a list of all the things I want to get done the next day, and any ideas that came to me throughout out the day.  

This process helps me sleep peacefully, because my mind is clear and I know I have a good plan for the next day. 

I recently added a couple extra steps to my process, a few drops lavender to my pillow to help my mind relax and some quite music to sooth my spirit.

These rituals have really made me a morning person, and when I wake up I am ready to get my day started.

Do you have an evening or morning ritual that inspires you?

Red Inspirations

“People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.”
-Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Time for Yourself

We need to think about ourselves and our needs every now and then. We spend a lot of time taking care of others, but not making enough time for ourselves during the week.

I'm not talking about creative time or the time you spend on your business, but quiet time for just you and your thoughts.

Is it time to make a date with yourself?

We tell ourselves that we are going to take a day off or go out for an afternoon, but when the time comes we find excuses not to go. I am really guilty of this, I spend most of my time working and not taking time off. Maybe it's time to start scheduling some time just for pampering ourselves.

Adding a date to our calendar gives us something to look forward too. Making it a regular event in our schedule gives us something to look forward to and eventually creating a self-care a habit.

Some simple ides for enjoying time with yourself:
Go to a museum or gallery
Read 
Watch one of your favorite movies
Talke a nap
Go on a nature hike
Enjoy a bath
See a performance at a local theater
Take a walk on the park

Time to yourself should be integrated into your life, not squeezed in when you have spare time. Take out your calendar and pick a day or an hour where you can enjoy some me time on a regular basis.

What do you like to do when you take time for yourself?

Motivation Monday

                       Source: stellaresque42.tumblr.com via Valerie on Pinterest

Look for Hidden Opportunities

The difference between opportunity and 

obstacle is often just our point of view.

Always keep an open mind, even in the darkest situations.

A change in our vantage point can reveal rich possibilities.

Now is the Time by Patrick Lindsay

DIY Friday - Furniture Re-inspired

You know you have that old piece of furniture that does not work with your decor, but you hang on to it because you might need it someday. Well it might be time to dig it out and give it a new life. Today I have a variety of ideas for turning an old piece of furniture into something new.

I love this idea - An old dresser used as a plant holder. 

Turn an old kitchen cart in to a craft station

Dresser turned kitchen island

Old door turned bookshelf 

Dresser turned buffet

Old file cabinets get a face lift

What have you reinvented for your home?

The Big Picture

The only way we can change, grow, and improve in areas we acknowledge we need to improve is to be a big picture thinker.

As humans we tend to be in the habit of seeing our own world first, but if we were to look at the world from the eyes of our customers and others in our mediums we would realize their are so many opportunities out there for us to explore.

Big picture thinkers are 

always learning, great listeners, 

and always looking for ways to 

expand their experiences.

Question:
What might change in your life if you were to start thinking from a big-picture perspective? How would it change your business? personal life? Financial growth? 

Use a big piece of paper and write, draw, or collage your thoughts about this questions. Use what you discover to create a plan of action for growing your business and changing your life.

It's in all of us to be big picture thinkers, are you ready to take on the world?

Jewelry Inspiration

Jewelry is the perfect accessory every season. The jewelry trends for 2013 have something for everyone, from big and bold to colorful and lots of chains.

Here are the top 5 jewelry trends, showcased by amazing Etsy artists.

Subtle Drop Earrings

Red Rhinestone Earrings by OhNostalgiaDesigns
Dark Blue Fresh Water Pearl Earrings by BellaintiJewelry
Small Rose bud Silver Earrings by phoebestreasure
Blue chalcedony Earrings by LuluCrystalline

Geometric

Joy bracelet by FrostedWillow
Geometric Jewelry by ValerieMiscellanea
Post Mokume Gane Earrings by HilaBinyamin
Triangle earrings by LesCreationsdAna

Metal Link Chains

Wire chain bracelet by AmongTheRuins
Pink woven chain bracelet by miaponcho
Bib Statement Necklace by additionsstyle
Oxidized Abstract Square Chain Necklace by kusu

Bold Cuffs

Copper and Bronze polymer clay cuff by adrianaallenllc
Copper bangle by BeyhanAkman
Black leather bracelet by braceletcool
Beaded cuff bracelet by randomcreative

Emerald Green

Pinecone charm jewelry bracelet by LycheeKiss
Two letter necklace emerald necklace by GlowWish
Wire wrapped copper earrings by RubyPearlGems
Green Flower Earrings by PiggleAndPop

 Which jewelry trend is your favorite?