Breathing is Probably a Good Thing

I don't know about you but when I use most of my current cleaning products I hold my breath. Which makes me want to clean at warp speed so I can finally breathe again. While that may not be a bad thing, who wants to linger while cleaning? I still think it would be best for me, and the environment, if I felt ok breathing while cleaning, and afterwards for that matter.

Have you seen the Method video? It's adorable and makes me happy so I thought I would share. 

I have used Method products before and I like them a lot. I really should support them more. Next time I need a new cleaning product I think I know which brand I'll look to first.

P.S. This post is not sponsored by Method. I am playing into their social media capitalist game by sharing their clever video but they are not paying me. I just like it and thought you might too. Sadly no money has exchanged hands... yet..... muah ha ha ha. jk jk.

Empowerment, Purpose, and Adventure

Just discovered an amazing jewelry company called 31 Bits. Have you heard of them? 31 Bits Designs is a socially minded business designed to give internally displaced women in Northern Uganda an opportunity to counter poverty. By giving our beneficiaries access to the international market, they are able to earn an instant income, providing homes, food, and education for their families. Our program equips women by providing literacy education, financial and vocational training, holistic care, and strong support systems, empowering individuals to further their careers and attain social equity.

They have a ton of really pretty unique pieces that I am crushing on and I absolutely LOVE what they say about the theme of their Spring line-

"Our Spring line, Chasing Daylight, represents living lives filled with empowerment, purpose, and adventure. It’s about taking risks, setting goals, and seizing every moment. It’s for those who dream big and refuse to give up. Over 100 women in Uganda are living with this kind of freedom. Some are setting goals for the first time in their lives, some are starting their own businesses, and all of them are rising above poverty."

I just love that. I want my life to be filled with empowerment, purpose and adventure. I am going to make a conscious effort to make that true. During my yoga classes they suggest setting an intention. Usually I set it to only think about positive thoughts or dedicating my practice to someone in particular- sometime me if I feel I need it or a friend, but for now I am going to set my intention on living an empowering life, one with purpose and adventure. 

Lately I have been so busy that when I finally get home after work and babysitting around 9:30 I just want to crash. I need to take more time throughout the day to smell the roses, notice the little things that make me smile, so that I feel more human and less of a robot. I think it will make me a better.... everything.... employee, babysitter, daughter, friend, sister, girl friend... everything.

 

There is a powerful video on the 31 Bits website but I can't figure out how to embed it. Bahh I hate when I can't figure out what should be an easy piece of technology! Anyone have any advice? It's not on youtube but a vimeo....

Also I don't know if you ever visit the fun blog whoorl but that is how I learned about 31 Bits and they are offering a discount! 20% off your online order with the code WHOORL20 from now until April 4th. Sweet! Thanks 31 Bits for being awesome and Whoorl for sharing their awesomeness.

Home on the Brain

So Boyfriend is attempting to buy a home. We spend our Sundays roaming the neighborhood frequenting open houses searching and searching for the perfect one. Since Boyfriend is in real estate/construction we are looking for a slight fixer. Ideally one that is livable without living in filth but where we can update the kitchen, possibly bathrooms, etc. 


So as I browse Pinterest these days I am obsessed with beautiful homes. Beautiful shiny white kitchens with wood accents, large bathtubs in bright light bathrooms, and color. Well light and color. Our current apartment only has two sources of light: the window in the front bedroom and the glass slider in the living room. So I am craving light!

This little corner may be my favorite. I love the creamy yellow walls, the glass backsplash, and wood countertops. I LOVE wood counters right now. I don't like how they varnished them but I can over look it just this once. ;) 

COLOR!! This kitchen makes me so happy! I want my house to be this cheery. I showed it to Boyfriend and he was uninspired. I currently have to deal with black, very manly furniture. But Muha ha ha hopefully that will gradually change!

Oh goodness! How adorable is this kitchen?! This kitchen almost makes me want to live alone! Almost!! Too bad it is too much fun playing house with the Boyfriend. Maybe I can talk Boyfriend into a pink kitchen? My negotiation skills are good but I don't know if I'm that good....

Look how amazing this one is?! I love the green walls. And that tub!! I die. This is most definitely out of budget but a girl can dream right?

I apparently love green. I never knew I loved this soft green this much. But the green and the white and the wood- smiles.

 Sorry if this is boring but it is on my mind. We are waiting to hear back from an offer that Boyfriend has made! So any good vibes you can send our way would be uber appreciated!!!! :)

A Hunger Games Playlist!

So excited for the premiere!! And I recently stumbled upon a Hunger Games Mix!! I don't know about you but in high school I made myself (and others) quite a few awesome mixes. One of my all time favs was one I made as a party favor for my water park sweet sixteen. It includes the Hilary Duff song "Sweet Sixteen", "High School" (sorry couldn't find the artist. It's a punk rocky one where they talk about the glories of high school.. came out around 2004 or so...), it may have even included a Hoku song, you know other classics from HS. 


Well on a recent blog browse I discovered a cute new blog! Have you ever visited Designeditor.typepad.com? I have become so inspired just browsing. I love that she offers not only free monthly playlists but also free fonts! Neat!


So after all my babbling here is the playlist including her justification of each song! I love it. Thank you Design Editor!! 

Listen here!

Without spoiler details, some of the lyrics that tie into the story: 

• THE CAVE by MUMFORD & SONS: Cause I need freedom now / And I need to know how / To live my life as it's meant to be
• STADIUM LOVE by METRIC: Every living thing / Pushed into the ring / Fight it out / To wow the crowd
• BIZARRE LOVE TRIANGLE by NEW ORDER: (The title speaks for itself!)
• AS YOU ARE by TRAVIS: And ever since I was young I had no choice / But it's OK to lead me on / I must admit it's not much fun / To be led on by such a one / As you are
• SONGBIRD by EVA CASSIDY: And the songbirds keep singing / Like they know the score 
• LOVE IS A BATTLEFIELD by PAT BENATAR: We are young / Heartache to heartache / We stand
• DO THE PANIC by PHANTOM PLANET: I guess we're all in trouble, huh? / Black clouds are upon us / And it's doomsday on the other side of town
• GIRL IN THE WAR by JOSH RITTER: Pretend the dove from above is a dragon / and your feet are on fire
• POISON ARROW by ABC: Shoot that poison arrow through my heart
• I WILL SURVIVE by GLORIA GAYNOR: (This was too easy)

AHHH! So excited for the movie. Do you guys have any grand plans?? I haven't made any official ones yet but want to go all out! :)

My Very Own Camping Kitchen

Growing up we were tent campers. And we camped a lot. A lot of my best childhood memories are from camping trips with the same families, doing pretty much the same thing- running around, climbing trees, building forts, you know kid stuff. Somewhere along the way my dad created a camping kitchen for us to make it easier. And then my parents decided to get a motor home and we sold the camping kitchen and have been doing that style of camping for a while now.

But times are changing, my parents don't have kids at home anymore so they are going back to the basics. That means a new camping kitchen. And while my dad was making theirs he decide to be nice to his only daughter and make me one TOO!

So you are probably asking yourself "What is this dear girl talking about? A camping kitchen?! Who has a kitchen while they are camping? If this really is a kitchen then the poor little girl is not really camping."

Well can I tell you that it is still camping (well the kinda camping where you drive up to your camping spot and circle the so called wagons and pitch your tent- kinda camping, my kind of camping). It's a pretty awesome, relaxing, fun type of camping.

So my dad made me the most adorable camping kitchen. It's like the young adult version of my parents. I now realize that I should have taken a picture of the two side by side. But I didn't- sorry. I'll have to do that on their first camping trip together. Oh my goodness we should name them! Don't you think I should name mine!?

Here it is opened. Oh and thats my dad in the background. He's the best. See how cool it is?! The top compartment on the right is for paper towels, and the bottom one is big enough for pots and pans. Then the other side I can store silverware, foil, spices all those types of things. And the table part, which is a perfect work station, folds up to close it up when you need to move it or store it, or at night time camping in the desert so all of your stuff doesn't blow away. (My amigos that were on the most recent camping trip with me know what I am talking about when I talk about middle of the night desert winds..... serious wind people.... serious.)

Here is the top. I painted flowers on it too. One on the top, two on the front door, and a couple on the back.

See!

Here's the back. That light paint spot in the middle is where I was touching up some holidays in the paint. It will dry all one color.

Isn't it the best! I can't wait to stock it up and take it on its first voyage!! I'll keep you posted! :)

Oh and later that day (Sunday, that is) Boyfriend and I went back over there and had dinner with my parents and my great-grandmother Noni.

Here is a picture of my mom and Noni. She is 96! Isn't she awesome!

So what do you think I should name her? The camping kitchen that is :)

March Photo a Day

For those of you who follow me on Instagram you know that I did not do so hot with the February Photo a Day Challenge... And maybe sometime soon I'll even post the 5 photos or so that I took.... Well I'm going to try again with the March Photo a Day! When at first you don't succeed try (try) again! Right?!

Well so far I have taken a picture every day!! I am really proud of myself! It is the little things in life that make it special. I wanted to share my progress so far-

Day 1: Up

These are some pictures from our recent camping trip to the desert. It was so much fun to just play and relax with friends. I want to plan another trip soon because I have a new camping toy!! I'll share more soon!!

Day 2: Fruit

It was taco night!! I LOVE avocado.

Day 3: My Neighborhood

Poolside on March 3rd. I really love San Diego.

Day 4: Bedside

Pretty basic- just my flower catchall for hair pins and earrings I forget to take off before bed that one of my oldest friends gave me and a fun picture of another one of my oldest friends. Looking at this picture makes me smile. It is so simple and almost boring but I cherish the items in it.

Day 5: A Smile

I had just finished doing some laundry, weeding the garden (that is really cathartic by the way!), then planting some sunflowers (I hope they grow!), doing some dishes, and other tidying up. And after a long day at work today and all of that housework I made myself a margarita. Definitely a happy girl.

So how about that? All five days so far! Are any of you doing the March Photo a Day by @fatmumslim? If you are let me know I would love to see your interpretations!