Archive for ‘Lifestyle’

April 23rd, 2013

let’s go fly a kite

easy DIY kite (free printable!) | Inspired to Share

 

Who’s ready for spring? And by Spring I don’t mean gloomy April showers, like we’ve been having in Milwaukee. I mean the real deal with warm temperatures and bright sun. With all of this rain, I have to remind myself it’s not like this everywhere. So if you’ve already got warmth and sun, I hope you’re enjoying it to the fullest!

To celebrate the start of Spring, why not take an afternoon to go fly a kite? If you’re up for a quick and easy project, I made a free printable for The Neighborhood to make your own kite! It would be a fun project for kids or adults.

Head on over to The Neighborhood to check it out and make your own kite!

Hope you enjoy!

xo

CategoryLifestyle, The Neighborhood | Comment2 Comments »

April 17th, 2013

feel the sunshine

tips to feel the sunshine without damaging your health | Inspired to Share

 

It’s that time of year where I’m crying out for sunshine. Anyone with me? It has been practically two solid weeks of rain here, and I seriously wonder how those of you in the Pacific Northwest do it! I’m really grateful to be going to Florida on vacation next week but I’ll probably have some sort of sun shock (is that a thing?).  but I know it will feel glorious and I’ll finally have an abundance of vitamin D. :)

I love the sunshine and I think it’s necessary for good (not to mention happy) health with adequate levels of vitamin D, but I also worry about damaging my skin. I did some research and wrote a post for The Neighborhood about feeling the sunshine without damaging your health.

Summer will be here before we know it and I’m feeling a lot more prepared to enjoy the sun safely. I’d love to hear what you think and if you have any tips as well!

You can check out my tips over on The Neighborhood. Wishing you bright sunny days! :)

 

P.S. Do you live somewhere sunny? I heard Denver is supposed to have the most days of sunshine in the U.S… it’s definitely on my “potential cities” list.

CategoryHealth & Wellness, Lifestyle | Comment1 Comment »

March 4th, 2013

100cameras

100cameras | Inspired to Share

 

It’s hard to believe that almost six years ago, I travelled to Kenya. My life was forever changed by the people I met there…the children that loved with open arms, the women with next to nothing yet were still the most positive people I’d ever encountered. I was so young and just thinking about it gives me the itch to go out and see the world. Sadly it becomes far too easy to get comfortable in day-to-day life. I know I don’t think about these incredible individuals in need around the world nearly enough and I need all the reminders I can get.

I was so happy to discover 100cameras, an organization using photography to change communities around the world. 100cameras empowers marginalized children to document their lives through photography and to create positive change in their own communities. They sell children’s photographic prints and 100% of the proceeds are used to meet needs and empower growth within their communities. How awesome is that?

 

100cameras | Inspired to Share

100cameras | Inspired to Share

 

For those of us that can’t travel as much as we’d like, it’s fun to see photos from around the world and there’s something especially inspiring about seeing the world through the camera lens of a child. The photos in this post were taken by children in Cuba, New York, and Sudan!

I’m writing as part of their March 4th campaign, to help raise awareness about this awesome organization. I’d love if you would check out their shop or learn more about how you can take action. You can donate, purchase a photograph, spread the word on social media, or even adopt a camera to give to a child!

 

100cameras | Inspired to Share

100cameras | Inspired to Share

 

Don’t you love that last photo? It’s so beautiful and free.

Thanks for reading, friends. Hope you’re inspired!

xoxo

 

(All photos courtesy of 100cameras. Some are available for purchase in their shop!)

CategoryLifestyle | Comment2 Comments »

February 5th, 2013

winter survival guide

winter survival guide | Inspired to Share

 

It may be February, but for me, January and February (and maybe even March and April here in Wisconsin) are often the hardest months of winter. If you live somewhere freezing cold like I do, sometimes it can be hard to keep your spirits up with the winter blues creeping in. This year, I’ve been making a conscious effort to not only survive winter, but to enjoy it! While winter isn’t my favorite season, I’ve found some simple joys that have helped me stay happy in the midst of a dark and cold season. I hope you find these helpful! I’ll share more details below…

winter survival guide | Inspired to Share

 

1. Fresh fruit – it may be winter but I have been loving fresh citrus (oranges, grapefruits, & clementines) and delicious pomegranate!
2. Fresh flowers – they always lift my spirits and brighten a space
3. Green smoothies – I swear by them! I make this recipe every morning for energy and lots of vitamins.
4. Arts & Crafts / knitting – when spending a lot of time indoors, I’ve found such comfort in creating with my hands. Whether it’s painting, knitting, or a DIY project, it’s the perfect time to create!
5. Bright colors – wearing bright colors adds a little skip in my step. I just love my ALL Knitwear scarf! (blue tee is from J.Crew)
6. Argan oil – my new solution to dry winter skin. I love using oils to moisturize my face. It may sound counter-intuitive if you’re used to oil-free products, but I promise oil is so good for balancing moisture in the skin. I love Josie Maran’s Organic Argan Oil…and a close second is organic jojoba oil!
7. Yoga – the ultimate winter blues cure that is so good for the mind and body. My motivation is thinking about how warm the studio is going to feel. :)
8. Tea – rather than rushing and making a quick cup of tea, I’ve been trying to appreciate the ritual. Try using a pretty mug and sipping slowly. And it’s extra comforting with a homemade cookie once in a while. :)

Also, not pictured are sunshine (yes, even in winter!)…and wine. ;)

I’d love to hear if you have any other tips – please leave them in the comments!

Happy winter everyone! Spring is just around the corner…

xoxo

 

(top photo via my Instagram)

CategoryHealth & Wellness, Lifestyle | Comment8 Comments »

January 21st, 2013

organization

tech apps to organize your home | Inspired to Share

 

Confession: I love organization. It’s actually my favorite way to procrastinate (along with cleaning, of course). I’ve always enjoyed creating order…whether it’s cleaning, organizing, rearranging…I was the little girl with a room where everything had it’s place. One of my Mom’s favorite stories is when a new friend came over to play and I ran downstairs all distressed and told her, “Mom, she’s moving everything in my room! I don’t know what to do!”

I think I’ve loosened up a bit over time and I’m now a little more comfortable with small doses of chaos (I think I’m subconsciously trying to prepare myself for motherhood and the constant messes some day…), but let’s just say order is still my BFF. I think maybe part of being a homebody is that I’m constantly wanting to improve my surroundings. If I look at something that I don’t like or doesn’t have a purpose, it’s time to get rid of it! Or if something isn’t quite working in a room, I’ll try a new arrangement. My husband may throw out the term “OCD” occasionally, but I know deep down he loves this quality about me.

Anyway, I wrote a couple posts for The Neighborhood that you might find helpful. One is about how organization relieves stress. Like I mentioned, organization is my favorite form of procrastination and even though completing the tasks on my list are the ultimate stress-reliever, there’s something about a little organization and cleaning that clears the mind and brings inner peace.

Secondly, I shared my favorite tech apps to organize the home! I hope you find them useful…it’s amazing how technology can improve our lives. The new year is the perfect time to get organized and I hope this gives you some added motivation! :)

xoxo

 

 

CategoryLifestyle, The Neighborhood | Comment11 Comments »

January 8th, 2013

morning frost

morning frost in Wisconsin | Inspired to Share

 

Over the holiday, we spent time at parents-in-laws’ house and one morning we woke up to the most beautiful frost I’ve ever seen. Everything was covered frosty white with big frozen flakes clinging to branches.  I bundled up and ran outside with my camera. It was magical walking in a frosted winter wonderland; it seemed as if time had frozen and the world was still. The sun was shining and despite the cold temperature, I was happy and content to capture this moment in time.

morning frost in Wisconsin | Inspired to Share

morning frost in Wisconsin | Inspired to Share

morning frost in Wisconsin | Inspired to Share

The most amazing part was when the big frost flakes began to fall off the trees, filling the air. It was better than snow!

morning frost in Wisconsin | Inspired to Share

morning frost in Wisconsin | Inspired to Share

morning frost in Wisconsin | Inspired to Share

 

After freezing my buns, it was pure heaven returning to the wood-burning fireplace and spending time in the sauna. :)

Hope you’re having a great start to your week. Cheers to the first full week of 2013!

 

P.S. On Friday I was on my dear friend Jessica’s blog, Dahlia Lynn, sharing some things I love about myself. I’m often preoccupied with weaknesses and I have a hunch I’m not alone in this. It was so refreshing to focus on the positive and practice a little self-love for Jessica’s series. Be sure to check out Jessica’s blog and I encourage you to do the same! xoxo

CategoryLifestyle, Personal, Photography | Comment16 Comments »

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