Jan 9, 2014
One of my 2014 goals is to refresh a few of the rooms in our home. So naturally, I’ll also be incorporating more decor posts on the blog to showcase projects and ideas. We’ve lived in our home for six years and some of the rooms are starting to feel tired and dated, the original decor just no longer suits my personality. But, I don’t have the budget to do full makeovers. So, I’ve been focusing on just swapping out easy things like bedding, accessories and lighting rather to refresh the look rather than doing an entire room re-do.
My first project for the year is our master bedroom. When we moved in, I ordered a custom comforter set, complete with throw pillows. It has served us well for quite a few years and held up exceptionally well. But, I grew tired of this traditional (and slightly dated) pattern a while back.
The major elements of our room – paint color and furniture – do not need to be changed, which is a major money saver. I wisely chose a warm neutral beige paint color that has stood the test of time. Our bedroom furniture is close to twelve years old but it has good bones, no need to replace it yet. The best way to refresh this room was to swap out the bedding for something a bit more updated.
Here’s the way our bed looked before.
And here’s the after.
I replaced our bedding with a simple white down-filled comforter and decided to play off a cool and warm neutral color theme by combining steel gray and black with beige.
Our new sheet set has a pretty embroidered black and tan edge that adds a nice graphic element.
The combination of different textures and patterns with the pillows – ruffles, sequins and graphic prints, mixed with solids and some cute Mr. and Mrs. pillows – makes for a fun and visually interesting combo.
MAKE IT HAPPEN
[Image Via]
If the cool and warm neutral color scheme is for you, pair white bedding with any combo of these accessories to refresh your room.
Jan 8, 2014
First off, thank you all SO MUCH for allowing me to take a couple of weeks away from the blogging world. It was so good for my soul. I got to spend lots of quality time with my family – watching movies, playing card games, taking the girls to get our nails done. Hubby and I reconnected by going out on a real date night and getting a massage together. I also tackled some long overdue home projects, like cleaning out the fridge and organizing our pantry. It’s not Pinterest worthy, but it’s a heckuva lot better! I even found time to take an online business course, read a book and set some 2014 goals for myself and GYPO. It was definitely a much needed, productive and very refreshing break.
Thanks for coming back this week for the I Feel Pretty link up. In case you missed yesterday’s post, I’m now one of the co-hosts of the new Beauty Buzz link up every Tuesday along with Lulu of Simply Lulu Style, Nicole of MomTrends, and Janise of Mama in Heels. Each week, we’ll be taking turns hosting the link up and sharing beauty news you can use. You’re invited to link up your beauty posts and join in the fun. Check out yesterday’s link up HERE.
I also took advantage during my break to spend as much time in leggings as possible. Real pants not required! Here’s one of my warm and comfy looks featuring my favorite faux leather leggings.
[Coat: Similar/Sweater: Mossimo/Scarf: Michael Stars (Similar)/Leggings: Mimi Chica/Boots: Frye/Watch: Fossil]
My plum double breasted wool coat has been one of my closet staples for the past few winters. The color works amazingly well with just about everything. The one I have is no longer available but here’s a similar one on sale now for 33% off.
[Double Breasted Lambswool Coat]
These faux leather leggings are also available for a steal. They add a fun edge to your leggings outfits. Pair them up with long chunky knit sweaters for a more subdued look.
[Mimi Chica – Faux Leather Leggings]
NEW YEAR GIVEAWAY!
Have you entered my New Year Giveaway yet? You could win a prize package worth almost $500. Click the image below to enter.
I FEEL PRETTY
It’s the day of the week at GYPO where we celebrate what makes us feel pretty. Whether it’s a new outfit, hairstyle, or makeup, the I Feel Pretty link up is about anything and everything that makes your life prettier. Even if you’re not a blogger, you can still play along. Just tell us what made you feel pretty this week in the comments!
Interested in co-hosting the I Feel Pretty Link up? E-mail me HERE for more information!
There are just a few simple rules:
1. Follow GYPO. (Facebook, Twitter, Bloglovin‘)
2. Link up your pretty post.
3. Link back to my blog (using the button above or your own link).
4. Visit other pretty peeps.
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Getting my pretty on with What I Wore to Work, Monday Mingle, Shanna, Style Sessions, Trend Spin Fashion Friday, Fashion Informant, What I’m Loving Fridays, Friday’s Fab Favorites and The Pleated Poppy.
Jan 3, 2014
Happy first Friday of the New Year! If you missed this post on New Year’s Day, I announced an awesome giveaway with almost $500 in prizes. Be sure to pop over there and check it out!
Today’s the last day of my “Get Pretty, Kick Butt!” series. Over the past two weeks, I’ve been offering excerpts and inspiration from my book for being your best YOU in 2014.
Instead of tackling the typical resolution topics of exercising and establishing healthy habits, I want to talk today about something near and dear to me – pursuing your passion. Read on for today’s excerpt.
PURSUING YOUR PASSION
Most moms, me included, assume that when we have kids, we lose ourselves. And while this is true to a certain extent, and it is our obligation (think about it, if we didn’t, then the human race wouldn’t survive!) I also believe that it’s imperative to maintain some kind of life of our own. Something that we have just for us, not for our kids or our husbands or anyone else.
A few years back, I had a friend ask me what I had just for me. I couldn’t answer that question. She then asked me what I planned to do when my kids were out of the house. Again, no answer. I had built 100% of my life around my family and serving them. Yes, this is my top priority in life but is by no means my only purpose. She explained to me how it can be a dangerous trap that many moms fall into. This prompted me to start my own search for meaning outside of my family and home life.
I started experimenting with activities that had piqued my interest in the past like a women’s Bible study, yoga, writing and planting a garden. But the biggest endeavor I launched was starting my blog. None of these activities took much time away from my family but they paid big dividends in feeding my soul. These are all things that I can continue to pursue after my kids are grown up and on their own.
It’s Your Turn: Is there anything that you’ve always wanted to try? What hobbies or activities would you like to pursue? Are you tossing around an at-home business idea or starting your own blog? Take some time this week to research ways that you can pursue your passion. If you’d like some help figuring it out, consider booking a one-on-one coaching session with me.
PERSONAL TRAINING GIVEAWAY
Today’s the last day to enter the personal training giveaway – a winner will be drawn at midnight tonight! Good luck!
Start the new year off right with 30 days of FREE personal training from Morgan of Morganize with Me!
Her 30-day virtual personal training plan includes the following:
- A specific written plan tailored to help you to meet your goals.
- Continued communication via email throughout your consultation package.
- Ongoing support, encouragement, motivation, and accountability.
- Commitment to walk with you every step of the way.
As an added bonus, the winner of the personal training package will also get a free copy of “Get Pretty, Kick Butt!” to kick start your new year. Just choose any or all of the easy ways to enter below! You can also earn 10 additional entries for sharing a link to this post on Facebook!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Buy the book on Kindle NOW!
Dec 31, 2013
January and February are consistently our coldest months in Texas. We usually get some ice storms and at least a little snow. It’s my favorite time of the year for cozying up in front of the fireplace in warm sweaters and leggings.
Online retailer Persunmall offers some beautiful pieces for getting cozy – all at amazing prices. Most of their sweaters are under $30. Here are a few cozy favorites I’ve added to my wish list.
Getting Cozy with Persunmall
[Top Row: Faux Fur Coat/Zipper Loose Sweater/Graphic Print Cardigan/Middle Row: Double Breasted Wool Coat/Red Plaid Shirt/Window Pane Sweater/Bottom Row: Knit Dress with Faux Leather/British Style Cap Coat/Back Hole Knit Sweater]
It’s Your Turn: What’s on your cozy wish list this winter?
Getting my pretty on with Monday Mingle, Totally Posted Tuesday and Style Sessions.
Dec 30, 2013
Welcome back for the second excerpt from my book “Get Pretty, Kick Butt!” If you missed last Friday’s post, I shared my personal story of how I got into and out of my mom rut. Today I’m sharing one of my biggest secrets for getting more done.
Being a mom of three, blogging and managing a busy home can be a little overwhelming sometimes. So how do I do it all? I honestly couldn’t if I didn’t have some kind of meticulous plan for carrying it out. Meticulous, but do-able. That plan is what I call my Kick Butt Routine and it has truly revolutionized my life. Read on for today’s excerpt.
The Kick Butt Routine
“Making and sticking to a daily schedule establishes the framework for getting more done.”
That first week that I stuck to my new routine was life changing. I got SO much accomplished. When my husband came home to find me preparing a healthy meal WHILE looking pretty, he was pleasantly surprised. The house had been cleaned up and the kids were done with their homework. Yes, my new Kick Butt Routine was already changing my life – and my family’s too.
“Keeping Hours”
The key to organizing my life was realizing that I had to treat my week days like work days. One of the things I missed about being in the corporate confines was the need to “keep hours”. I didn’t even give it any thought back then. Work started at 8:00 a.m. and was over at 5:00 p.m. In between I had regularly scheduled calls, daily responsibilities and a lunch break. When work was done, I drove home, fixed dinner and did homework with the kids. Life, in some ways, was simpler when I worked in an office! I had to translate that same structured routine over into my home environment.
Now my weekdays are governed by the Kick Butt Routine. On weekends, I allow my schedule to naturally flow as I would have when I worked in an office. The other five days of the week though are carefully planned out to help me “keep hours”.
DOWNLOAD IT NOW!
To learn about the components of and create your own Kick Butt Routine, download the book on Kindle now. As my gift to you, “Get Pretty, Kick Butt!” is ON SALE through December 31st.
PERSONAL TRAINING GIVEAWAY
Start the new year off right with 30 days of FREE personal training from Morgan of Morganize with Me!
Her 30-day virtual personal training plan includes the following:
- A specific written plan tailored to help you to meet your goals.
- Continued communication via email throughout your consultation package.
- Ongoing support, encouragement, motivation, and accountability.
- Commitment to walk with you every step of the way.
As an added bonus, the winner of the personal training package will also get a free copy of “Get Pretty, Kick Butt!” to kick start your new year. Just choose any or all of the easy ways to enter below! You can also earn 10 additional entries for sharing a link to this post on Facebook!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Be sure to come back on Friday for the next installment in the series where I’ll be sharing some inspiration for finding and pursuing your passion!
Buy the book on Kindle NOW!
And here’s the after.
I replaced our bedding with a simple white down-filled comforter and decided to play off a cool and warm neutral color theme by combining steel gray and black with beige.
Our new sheet set has a pretty embroidered black and tan edge that adds a nice graphic element.
The combination of different textures and patterns with the pillows – ruffles, sequins and graphic prints, mixed with solids and some cute Mr. and Mrs. pillows – makes for a fun and visually interesting combo.
[Image Via]
