It's Time for a Change

I love blogging!

I have been posting 5 days a week on Everyday Inspired for the last 3 1/2 years.  My goal is to provide content that will inspire your creative business and life.

Things like Embrace Harmony Week, Inspired Success Week, Breathing Room, and Inner Spark, has some of my favorite content and I enjoyed creating all of these series.

Everyday Inspired has grown a lot over the last few year, and I have met an amazing group of bloggy friends. You are the reason I come back week after week with new posts.

Over the last few weeks I have come to realize that it is more challenging to create new content, and to accomplish everything I would like to, to meet my goals.

I have decided to take a blogging break.

I will be posting a Motivation Monday post every week and few random posts sharing some of my new projects. So stop by on Monday's and share your thoughts with me.

I will be back later this summer with the new and improved Everyday Inspired! It will include a new look and lots of new content.

Speaking of new content, I would love to have you as a contributor on Everyday Inspired! If you are passionate about inspiration, business, creativity, and motivation then I would love to talk with you about doing guest posts or being a regular contributor. Contact me at additionsstyleblog@gmail.com and lets talk about your ideas.

I am really excited to take this time to regroup and start fresh with new ideas.  I am also looking forward to creating a new collection of jewelry, and really building up my inventory in my Etsy shop and for my holiday shows.

I will still be around, visiting and commenting on blogs, hanging out on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Google+, and I thought I would give Instagram a try this Summer. I would love to connect with you on social media!

Feel free to contact me anytime with any questions, ideas, or suggestions. additionsstyleblog@gmail.com

I hope you have a great summer, see you soon!

Summer Goal Review

Tomorrow is the first day of Summer and I can't believe how fast the year is going by. As you prepare for all your Summer plans and activities, it's also a great time to take out your yearly goal list and do a quick review.

When I go over my goals this time of year I am always a little surprised to see all that I have accomplished and goals that I really need to work on.

When was the last time you pulled out your goal list a did a little review? 

Now is the perfect time to regroup and get back on track if you need too, or if you are ahead of the game to add a few more goals to work towards.

How often do you review your goals?

Summer Fun from My Etsy Favorites

There are accessories that are just for Summer and today I am showcasing some of my favorites. Each item is from artists on Etsy, so stop by and check out all they have to offer.

Beach Bag by WallabyBagCompany

Toe Ring by FancyFeetBoutique

Head Band set of 2 by LaurayCo

Barefoot Sandal by SoftCrystal

Beach Coverup by GreekChicHandmades

Heart Anklet by onelifejewelry

Flower Bobby Pins by Thenshemade

What is your favorite Summer accessory?

26 Prompts For Social Media

Doing social media can be so time consuming, and sometimes it can be hard to think of things to post.

Today I'm sharing a cheat sheet of prompts for creating interesting content for your social media sites.

• Express how you feel about creating

• Talk about people you meet in classes you take or teach

• Share highlights from classes you take or teach

• Talk about some positive feedback you got from a customer

• Share stories from you studio

• Tell your followers about your creative process

• Share your knowledge about...
  ~ the tools you use
  ~ books that have helped you
  ~ your supplies and how to take care of them
  ~ techniques you have tried

• Share helpful links, resources, blog posts, and videos

• Give ideas for starting their own business

• Make recommendation

• Ask for feedback

• Do a poll

• Have people vote on their favorite________

• List something and have people share their thoughts

• Do a true false post, or a thumbs up or thumbs down

• Tell a funny story

• Share a inspirational story

• Review products, classes, online info

• Do a "how can I help" post

• Do "how to" posts

• Share Pinterest finds

• Share one of your products

• Give gift ideas

• Invite a conversation
  ~ ask what they are creating
  ~ ask for recommendation

• Promote your new products

I hope this list helps get your creative juices flowing, and posting on social media will be an easier process and not a chore.

What is your favorite thing to share on social media sites?

Motivation Monday

DIY Friday - Natural Bug Repellent

As much as I like it when it gets warm outside, I really hate the bugs.

Here in the Midwest we have mosquito's that make it difficult to enjoy and evening outside, and a variety of other bugs that always find their way into the house.

Today I found a variety of recipes to mix up natural bug repellent, made with things that won't repel anyone but the bugs.

Fly repellent

Bug repellent balm

"Don't bug me candles"

Bug Spray

Spider repellent

Ant repellent

Do you have a favorite natural bug repellent?

Dream One Size Bigger

What does your dream business look like? Do you have a large studio space, employes, making lots of money?

Have you taken the time to sit down to picture what you want your business to look like in 5 year or even 10 years? Most people don't plan beyond a year, which means that they are dreaming too small.

It's time to dream one size bigger! 

Have a planning session with yourself, or some journal time. Imagine what you want your business to look like in the future, write it all down everything you imagine, and then start a list of goals and action steps that will get you where you want to be.

If you push yourself to dream big, to make your goals one step beyond what is comfortable, it will force you to grow and believe in the greater possibilities.

How far in the future have you planned out for your business?

Inspiring Craft Spaces

I get very inspired when I see other peoples craft spaces. I have a dream that one day I will  have a nice large space with a widow and a window seat. So until then I just admire all the lovely spaces that other people have created.

Today I have a collection of spaces that will inspire.

Simple and functional

Bright  

Antique touches

Small space

White and bright

Elegant 

Organized Chaos

What do you have in your dream workspace?

Embrace the Bad Days

We all have those days when we wake up and were not in a good mood, or life feels heavy, and you just don't want to get out of bed.

I have those day as well, I can't stop stressing about money, my to-do list, and sometimes I just don't have the desire to do anything. I have come to accept these days as a normal part of life and learned that if I embrace them rather then try to act like everything is OK they it gives me time to regroup.

Embrace those bad days. Start by taking inventory of your blessings, and the good things around you. Then let the day just happen. The day will pass before you know it and soon you will feel like yourself again.

You can't know happiness if you don't know sadness, and those bad day show you your strengths and weakness and what you need to move forward.

Once you realize that those bad days come and go and they are a normal part of life, you can take the steps needed for it to pass quickly, leaving you ready to take on the world!

Do you embrace your bad days?

Motivation Monday

Don't let yesterday's bad times or bad feelings 

influence today's thoughts and mood.

You shouldn't choose to dress for yesterday's 

rain if there are sunny skies today.

Instant Happy by Karen Salmansohn

DIY Friday - Gifts for Guys

There are so many cool ideas for creating your own gifts. I found some fun ideas for the guys in your life. Need a gift for a guy, give these ideas a try.

Car/Travel Kit

Composition Notebook iPad cover

Etched Glasses

Bicycle Break Clock

Car Wash Kit

BBQ Bucket 

What kind of gifts have you made for a guy in your life?

Your Relationship with Time

Time.

I talk about it a lot on this blog, because it is one of the thing I struggle with most. In this post I shared how this summer my plan is to create a routine, so I can better manage my time.

I have been reading a lot about time management lately, so I can learn new skills to use my time more wisely.

Is time something you struggle with?

Here are three question to ask yourself to evaluate your relationship with time.

How do you feel when you are not managing your time effectively?
What results do you expect when you are managing your time more effectively?
What has to happen in your work day for you to feel good about your productivity?

Your answers should help you figure out how to use your time more effectively. Knowing how you feel, the results you get, and your productivity process, will make a difference in your relationship with time. You will know what to look for and how to implement those techniques on a daily basis.

Do you feel productive everyday?

Blue Inspiration

If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you, if the simple things of nature have a message that you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive. 
-Eleonora Duse

What is your favorite shade of blue?

Mother Nature and Creativity

Wellness and healing start with Mother Nature. Plant remedies have been used for focus, longevity, and inspiration for thousands of years in many cultures.

Using herbs is a way to enhance your creativity help you get through the day. Partaking in a warm cup of herbal tea is a lovely ritual and a nice way to focus your senses for a day of creating.

Herbs for creativity

Gingko Biloba - the leaves are thought to help with memory and circulating blood flow to the brain.

Mugwort - is said to enhance one's intuitive abilities.

Green tea - good for clearing the mind, focus, and giving you a little energy.

Camomile - helps you relax after a long day of creating

Lemon Balm - eases stress and anxiety.

Adding herbs to your daily routine is as easy as picking some up at the farmers market, or growing your own.

To make a tea infusion add a heaping spoon of the herbs for every cup of water and when it comes to a boil turn off the heat and let the herbs steep. After 5 - 10 minutes strain and pour into glass. Sweeten as necessary. Your tea is ready to sip and enjoy throughout the day.

Do you use herbs for your overall health?

Motivation Monday

Give yourself some space

Look at the walls surrounding you.

Real or imaginary, they limit your potential.

Push through them by using your downtime wisely.

Expand your horizons.

Visit new places.

Develop new skills.

Enrich yourself.

Now Is the Time by Patrick Lindsay

Step Outside

When you are having a busy day or just need a break, if the weather permits, step outside and for some fresh air and warmth from the sun or a cool breeze and a glance at the stars.

Even if you just have 5 minutes, spending those few minutes outside is a great way to recharge, regroup, and get inspired.

Enjoy your day!