Showing posts with label me time. Show all posts
Showing posts with label me time. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Best of 2009 Blog Challenge


Today I'm inspired by my friend Jenn who writes the awesome blog SOHO Wife (she is also my partner for The Eastside Women's Social Club and an all-around fabulous gal!) Jenn is taking on Gwen Bell's Best of 2009 Blog Challenge and I thought I would join in the fun! I'm also a huge fan of Gwen Bell.

So anywho, I'm one day late into the game but figure I can get up to speed quickly here. This should be fun!

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Mommy Confidence


I recently picked up the book "Mommy Confidence" by Kimberley Clayton Blaine. This quick read shares "8 Easy Steps to Reclaiming Balance, Motivation, and Your Inner Diva" Kimberley (aka The Go-To Mom) is not only a funny writer, she is very easy to relate to and offers advice without judgment. Her tips on everything from making life wish lists to "workin' it" in a swimsuit are great ideas for bringing a little more confidence back into the life of a busy mom.

Like any mom, I have my good days and my not-so-good days. Today just happens to be one of those not-so-good days where my confidence could use a little re-boot. Reading Mommy Confidence is a great reminder to cut myself some slack. It's all about finding balance...something I continue to work on each and every day.

Mommy Confidence is a fun little read for any mom and be sure to also check out The Go-To Mom TV.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

10-10-10

My resolution for 2009 is to simplify my life. I'm trying to go "back to basics" in all aspects of my life. From the time I spend with my family, to my health and fitness, to Peekaboo Picks. I believe that extraordinary things can come from living a simple life.

My crave for simplicity is perhaps what drew me to 10-10-10, a new book by Suzy Welch. The name Suzy Welch might ring a bell for some of you, she is a regular contributor to O Magazine. Having lived a very busy life herself as an author, commentator and business journalist (not to mention MOM to 4 kids ages 14-19!) Suzy dishes up some simple advice for dealing with life's more difficult decisions.

The 10-10-10 concept is basically a way to think through the consequences of your decisions in a 10 minute, 10 month, 10 year time frame. This thought process can be applied to any decision you have to make, whether it be about love, work, family or anything else life might throw at you. How simple! How smart!

I will admit, I tuned out some of the chapters and stories shared in 10-10-10 that didn't really apply to me...at this point in my life. Instead, I focused on the chapters in the book about parenting and career decisions, things I deal with every day.

While I have chosen to be a stay-at-home mom for the time being, it wasn't an easy decision for me to make. It would have been so helpful to have used 10-10-10 to guide me through my thought process. Now that I'm focused on building a career from home, I will continue to use the 10-10-10 concept as I strive to find balance between having a successful career and raising my family with the values that are important to me.

What I love about Suzy's writing is that she offers her readers a tool (10-10-10) that doesn't frame things in black and white. It's an individual's values that will guide them through the 10-10-10 process, meaning results will be as different as people are. So even though staying at home with my children might be the right decision for me, it isn't the right decision for every parent. She even jokes about the ongoing "mommy wars" which we all know is a battle that will never be won! Using 10-10-10 can free you from guilt and any insecurities you might feel about your decision; something I think ANY mom could use!

I would definitely recommend this book to my fellow novice moms. It's a quick read and will leave you thinking more clearly about your life. You can read more about the book on Suzy's website: www.suzywelch101010.com

Friday, February 6, 2009

Jillian Michaels, My New BFF


Today marks two weeks straight of working out every single day. Every muscle in my body is sore and I'm blaming it on Jillian Michaels. Her workouts are available "on demand" from our cable company so I've been giving them a shot. Whoa! This girl is tough!

She is super motivational though. She's always yelling things during the workouts like, "You gotta want it!" and "You gotta fight for it!" Seriously, though, just watching her with her rock-hard body is motivation enough!

I've only lost about 5 pounds so far (and I gained 5 pounds over the holidays so it's pretty much a wash) but I am starting to feel stronger and am excited to keep going! My goal is to lose another 25 pounds so I have a lot of work ahead of me. Looks like Jillian and I will be spending lots of time together in the coming weeks!

Monday, December 1, 2008

Just Another Day in Paradise

It's been one of those days. It is Monday, after all, not to mention the Monday after the Thanksgiving holiday. The house is a disaster with boxes and Christmas decorations strewn about, intermingled with toys - toys everywhere! Oh how I despise little plastic toys.
I'm behind updating Peekaboo, but keep getting an error when I try to post: no more memory. Hmmm, that can't be good. Guess it will have to wait until my Tech in Shining Armor gets home tonight.

I'm feeling a little overwhelmed with too much to do and no time to do it and all I want is a little "me time" which there has been far too little of lately. Ahhh, the sweet life of being a mom.
And on top of it all, my children refuse to nap. Just another day in paradise :)

Friday, November 21, 2008

Design on the Mind

I've always loved design but lately I've been really obsessing about it. I've been reading lots of blogs and getting super inspired! So I've made a few resolutions for 2009...


1. Learn how to sew. I'm yearning to make drapes, duvet covers, and throw pillows from vintage fabrics. I want to sew Ireland little dresses and make monster dolls for Aiden. So step one, learn how to sew. (image via www.prettylittlethings.typepad.com)



2. Start shopping thrift stores and flea markets for furniture and decor. Our house has such charm and whimsy - I don't want to fill it up with Ikea! I'm craving mid-century modern mixed with vintage. Classic pieces with a modern twist. Pops of color in funky accessories. Time to get shopping! (image via www.mycakies.blogspot.com)



3. Create a space just for me. I need an office in our house, somewhere I can go to feel creative. I'm thinking something like this. (image via www.droozstudio.blogspot.com)



4. Learn photography! I probably should have listed this as number one since this is my number one resolution for 2009. I'm hoping 2009 will bring a camera and some photography classes. (image via www.shannonsewell.com - one of my favorite photographers and such an inspiration!)


5. Bake. Okay, so this doesn't have a whole lot to do with design, but I'm considering it part of my 2009 creative makeover. I'm not much of a cook, and probably never will be. But I do enjoy baking and who couldn't use a few more cupcakes in their life, right? (image via www.bakerella.com)

6. Share. I'm hoping to share my design journey here on The Novice Mom through my words and lots and lots of photos! I'm so excited, aren't you?!

Friday, October 10, 2008

Lost

I once had a blog. It was only a few years ago, though sometimes it feels like a lifetime ago. I was single, living in Hollywood, lonely, reckless, and lost. I wrote candidly about my dating (or lack thereof) mishaps, my long to meet Mr. Right, and how despite living the fabulous life of a single gal, inside I was miserable and wondered, "there's got to be more than this!"

And then, in what seems like a blink of an eye, I met Mr. Right. Three months later I was pregnant. A month after that, Mr. Right and I retreated to the beach, trying to escape Hollywood while at the same time keeping it at arm's reach. We fell even more in love and when our son was born, my world forever changed. There was more to life than late night parties and a closet full of shoes, and I was holding him in my arms.

Fast forward two years and I'm now a mother of two beautiful children, living back in my hometown(worlds away from Hollywood), with my husband (Mr. Right) and undeniably happier than I've ever been in my entire life. Somewhere along the road, from Hollywood to homemaker, the confessional style blogging stopped (admittedly, my life was dramatically less scandalous) and in it's place came blogs about first steps, nursery bedding, and breastfeeding. Ironically, I was no longer lost in my life, and yet, in my writing, I was nowhere to be found.

It seems, when one is content with their life, there's really not much to talk about, now is there. Yet despite being challenged with the relentless writer's block known as happiness, I am attempting once again to start a blog. This blog will be my attempt to find myself again, through my words, through hopefully one day discussion, and through the cathartic experience that is blogging.

Welcome to The Novice Mom.