Valentine’s Day
Meatless Monday – Monday Musing
Hello pretties,
Meatless Monday? I know my thoughts too, no meat? My sorority chapter, Sigma Omega Omega, of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is encouraging Meatless Monday in support of a key national program – Health Promotion. We have all heard that a plant based diet is good for our overall health. But nonetheless, I don’t cook, or at least not very well, so this whole idea while good, is a bit scary for me. To ease into this meatless cooking thang, I picked 3 easy recipes courtesy of Cooking Light for an easy, but delicious Meatless Monday, take a peek…
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Write The Vision – Monday Musing
On these last few days of January 2018, I am finally getting my vision board life together. Some people swear by the power of vision boards. Fearless Woman Blogger, Whitney Nic James, has an awesome post about why You and I need to do this! So with a made up mind, the vision board party of one has begun. Here is how I finally got my butt in gear…
Tools
A poster board, canvas, construction paper, or your planner
A stack of magazines
A glue stick or scrapbook tape
A pair of small cissors
An open mind and heart
The Start
From my research on Pinterest and Instagram, poster board seems to be the most popular medium to use for a vision board. But, I chose to use a planner/agenda – the My Infinite Agenda. I snagged this agenda at the stationery show in New York last year. The clean layout and the blush and teal color combination was so pretty and girly. Not to mention this agenda is all about living the life of your dreams with pages to show gratitude, document your goals, and functional planning pages. But the best part is that a portion of the sales of the agenda go to a good cause, Days for Girls which provides feminine hygiene products. I met the founders and they were so passionate about living your dreams and helping others! Super cool. Okay so inside this agenda are specific pages for a vision board. This quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is MOST appropriate to kickoff this vision board party.
That is the premise behind crafting a board. Layout the plan for your life, regardless as to whether you have it all figured out or even know how any of it will happen. Then, take actionable steps to make these things come to pass. I am pretty clear about my vision, but this agenda asks some good questions to help you define your own vision.
The Process
Alright so I have my motivation and some guidance if I get stuck, then the real fun begins, putting it on paper.
Find a magazine clipping, cut the clipping, glue or tape it down, bam done!
Goals, projects, dreams, etc. start in the mind, so I zoned in on magazine clippings with words or phrases that were positive and encouraging. I found a page that had teal green numbers so I used them to list out my 10 vision phrases the foundation for the rest of my vision board.
This agenda has other blank pages to layout your vision. I plan to use those pages to hash out my vision for 2018 in more detail. Now, you do not have to craft yours like this, there is no right or wrong way, do what feels right to you.
I am on cloud nine to finally have the first part on paper. There is a Bible verse that says, “And the Lord answered me, and said, “Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” Habakkuk 2: 2-3 is the entire verse but most people focus on verse 2. Looking at verse 3 it emphasizes, not only do we write it down, but we cannot rush this vision. As humans, we get so impatient when things don’t pop off right away. Just wait and at just the right time, things will come together. I am excited.
Have you crafted a vision board? How is it going?
MLK and AKA
Hello pretties,
Celebrating to auspicious occasions today, The birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the 110th Founders’ Day of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Given the current climate in our country, I thought this quote was most appropriate. I am just wondering how long will it take or what will have to happen before some people speak up??? In the spirit of what Dr. King stood for, serve your community today in whatever capacity you can, just do something to improve your community!
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated celebrates 110 years of service today. The first Greek letter organization for college trained black women, founded January 15, 1908 on the campus of Howard University in Washington, DC. AKA women have a long history of service to the communities we serve.
#Facts
Founded: January 15, 1908 at Howard University, Washington, DC
Incorporated: January 29, 1913
Twenty Pearls: Founders and Incorporators
Motto: “By Culture and By Merit”
Symbol: Ivy Leaf
Flower: Pink Tea Rose
Colors: Salmon Pink and Apple Green
Official publication: Ivy Leaf magazine, first published 1921
Waffles And Pizza – Sunday Brunchin’ – #1
Hello pretties,
Hope your Sunday was great. It was beautiful here in the A, nice cool temps and lots of sun. Today is the start of a new feature on the blog, Brunchin’ where I share delectable brunch spots in the Atlanta area and anywhere else I find a good brunch meal! First up Public School, take a peek…
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Get Out Of Your Own Way – Monday Musing
The only thing stopping you is YOU, Happy Monday!
Sunday Self-Care – Monday Musing
Hello pretties,
I have to admit I do not look forward to Mondays. To get me ready for Monday, Sunday evening is for self-care. As women, we take care of everybody else and we are often last or heck not even on the list. After church, brunch, and whatever else you do on Sunday, carve out time to do a few things just for you that support your body, feed your mind, and calm your spirit. Today I have 5 goodies that promote self care and eliminate Monday blues.
Face Cleanser
A good face cleanser is not only refreshing, but a clean face is the basis for all the other products we use on our face. CerVe face cleanser is right out of the drug store so it is wallet friendly. It foams up and is a good all purpose cleanser. Nothing feels better than being fresh faced.
Crochet Pads
I am so excited to share these handmade crochet pads from blogger babe Beckey’s Etsy shop. Made of soft cotton, these pair so well with CerVE or your favorite face cleanser to clean and gently exfoliate. So easy to wash and reuse making them an environmentally friendly, alternative to regular face pads.
Tea
Now you’re ready to relax. A calming tea is a choice to for a quiet Sunday evening. Chamomile is known to help ease the mind and the lavender scent eases anxiety. Make this moment special by using your prettiest teacup.
Candle
To keep the mood going, light this eucalyptus and spearmint candle. Eucalyptus is known to ease exhaustion and reduce mental sluggishness, while spearmint produces a calm and relaxed state. You are getting in the zone.
Journal
All relaxed and chill, use a journal to list out the things you are grateful for in your life. A spirit of gratefulness boosts your immune system and reduces stress, contributing to your overall health. This will surely make you smile.
Now you are all relaxed for a good night’s sleep to awake to a Marvelous Monday. This really helps me get my week off to a good start.
Do you have any Sunday self-care tips?
Linking with these lovely bloggers.
***This information is not intended to be medical advice, just a few things that have worked for me.
Bible Journaling – Monday Musing
Hello pretties,
April is a month of renewal and I thought it would be the perfect time to share with you, my lovely readers Bible Journaling. Journaling is a popular tool for memory keeping – family events, special occasions, all those special bits of life we don’t want to forget. So why not journal about our faith, in a very creative way. Take a peek…
What’s Inside?
hand lettering guides
Doodling guides
Fun Tools – stamping
Fun Tools – stenciling
Bible Journaling
Joanne Fink and Regina Yoder, the creators of Complete Guide to Bible Journaling: Creative Techniques to Express Your Faith
This guide is the perfect tool to start bible journaling, with vibrant illustrations and lots of extras! I love this guide so much, I have one to gift to a lucky reader. Hop on over to my Instagram for all the deets.
Do you journal?
P.S. This is a great Mother’s Day gift!
Linking with these lovely bloggers.
Miracle Morning – Book Review – Monday Musing
Hello pretties,
Miracle Morning Monday to you! In getting my mind right to get back to blogging, I listened to a fab book, The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod. This book was so dang good and really a simple concept – start your day with a series of rituals that take you to what Hal calls a “level 10” life. An easy way to remember these rituals is with a short acronym called SAVERS.
Silence, Affirmation, Visualization, Exercise, Reading, Scribing
I think I can safely say most of us want to continually improve our lives by going to that next level. Hal says to do that, we have to set ourselves up everyday for success by doing these simple things that move us forward. I love how he refers to successful people throughout the book with quotes, love positive quotes. My favorite:
SAVERS
1 – Silence – Spend some quiet time with yo’ self, no phone, tv, or tablet.
2 – Affirmation – Pick a phrase that resonates with you, your daily guide – Mine- I have all I need live the life I want.
3 – Visualization – If you don’t have a vision board, get one. Don’t know how, blogger Whitney Nic James shows you how here.
4- Exercise – This quote from The Miracle Morning sums it up!
5 – Reading – Read something everyday. According to Hal, if you read 10 pages a day, that adds up to 18 books a year!
6 – Scribing – Better known an journaling. Grab a cute journal
I found these routines to be extremely helpful in being productive and consistent each morning, which helps me be productive and consistent with my blogging life. Hal also has a Facebook Group if you desire to be in the company of others seeking that “level 10” life! I challenge you to wake a bit early and start the SAVERS. I am pretty sure you are all ready doing some of these things each day! Check out The Morning Miracle with this – Audible Free Trial [Digital Membership]
What are some of your morning routines?
Linking with these lovely bloggers.
Image:via
Elections, Protests, Petitions Oh My – 5 Ways To Tame Stress!
Hey Pretties,
Are you feeling at all stressed by the events of the past few days? The news is full of unrest at a time when we as a nation should be hopeful. I know a lot of folks are feeling uncertain about the future and frankly stressing the hell out. So let’s get some strategies to de-stress!
1 – Lean on your faith, whatever that is for you and your family. Get active in your place of worship through volunteerism. Focusing on the needs of someone less fortunate is a great way to take your mind off of all the craziness while helping someone else.
2 – Try yoga – meditation to ease your mind, improved breathing, more flexibility, and faster metabolism are just a few of the mental and physical benefits of yoga. Need more motivation? Nothing like a cute yoga mat to get you in your first downward dog.
3 – Write it down – start journaling. An excellent way to sort out your thoughts and feelings. This one is so pretty you will want to write in it everyday.
4 – Talk it out! Invite friends over for a political pow-wow where you can hear the views of like minded folks and create a safe place for everyone to just vent. And, leave the cell phones at the door so you focus on the conversation.
5 – You really don’t like the political environment? Mid-term elections are next year – November 6th to be exact. Get involved with your local elected officials so you can make a difference. You can find them here and here.
Listen, it is not the end of the world…at least I don’t think so. Instead of stressing over every news cast or tweet, get in action. I’m feeling better already!
What do you do to de-stress in uncertain times?
Linking with these lovely bloggers.