Making your house a home

Everyone wants to be a home owner, I purchased my first home nearly a year ago ( how time flies)… once you have purchased then you have to move in and make your house a home.

Floors: This may seem like an unexpected place to start, but I find that one of the things that unites homes everywhere is an attention to what happens under your feet

 Lighting: Having primarily lived in rented spaces for the past years of my life, I feel like lighting has represented a huge part of my design focus. While it sometimes requires a professional (I rarely try electrical work on my own, though I know many people feel comfortable with DIY lamp wiring) to complete the project, changing out the pre-existing lighting in any space will immediately make a room feel homier for a few reasons: it allows you to add a personal touch (like a favorite family lamp from home or something you made from found materials and a lamp kit) and it allows you to determine where and how light works in your room

Storage: One of the biggest lessons I learned about a house feeling like a home has to do with functionality. So many design decisions are based on aesthetics, but it’s hard to get around to decisions that are based on style before you deal with all the basic necessities of storage.

Furniture: You do not have to go broke and take out a second mortgage just for furniture, if you shop around you can get some gorgeous stuff and for great deals.  

 Artwork: Artwork is too often written off as being elitist, expensive and frivolous. But from the earliest days, people have decorated their homes with all sorts of things that mean something to them. From found objects in nature (like collections of shells and pinecones) and family weavings to photographs of your loved ones, Another great feature we love to have in our home is electronic frames ? It makes a great addition to any small space because you can show off a lot of photos without taking up a lot of valuable wall or table space! sculptures and paintings, art can be anything and everything you want it to be. 

Customized Details (Hardware): There are many cases in life when the existing hardware on something is totally fine. But then there are those moments where the little details something comes with are as generic artwork you often see in hotels and conference centers. Mass-produced and without any relationship to the piece itself, these are areas that are just asking to be changed and customized in a way that makes the object itself feel more personal and at home in your space. 

You would be surprised how some little things that make your house a home 

**Sponsered post!!

Happy Birthday Brooke

Don't Blink...

14 years ago you entered my life and it has been the best journey.

I was 21 years old, clueless, and riding waves of contractions like a complete amateur. There was walking, there were tears,  and there was so much fear. I had no idea what I was in for. At all.

And then, at 8:54 am on July 29th, 3 weeks before her due date, my in a hurry little girl came into the world only 2 hours after my water broke. She was so quiet for the first few minutes, but then filled the room with her rage. She was strong enough to work her way out of the bundled blanket that the nurses so efficiently wrapped her in, and to this day she still sleeps with her limbs sprawled across the bed.

Loud, fiercely independent, and taking up as much space as possible since the moment she was born. Just like her mama.

I remember this feeling of absolute perfect love crashing over me. I was so incredibly lucky to not feel a moment of sadness after having her. I beamed for days. She was here. I made her. I birthed her. I felt like I didn't know what I was doing, but it was clear that my body was a professional. I was a rock star. I could not believe that this flawless human was made from such a tiny seed. It was amazing. She was amazing. Since I had Brooke, there is nobody who can tell me that miracles do not happen. She is my proof.

As much as I loved her, I was terrified. I was so afraid that I would ruin her somehow. That I would do the wrong thing, or say the wrong words, or set the wrong example. Along with love crashed responsibility. I had a duty to mould this 7lb, pink sleeper wearing infant into a functioning adult. This was day one, and I had so many days to go. So many opportunities to screw up. 

 

Every mother wants their child to become healthy, beautiful, sweet and lovely. I also consider myself to be a very blessed mother because  I am blessed with a healthy, sweet baby girl. I will be very happy if I get chance to do everything for her happy life so that  i want a fairy house for my little fairy baby girl who is my pride and joy!

And then I blinked. And she was finished kindergarten. 

Grade 1, 2,3,4 and she can read, and she can write, and she has lost five teeth, middle school then comes high school in september..
She is polite and kind and silly. She loves giraffes and has multiple best friends and despite how things may appear, she adores her brother.

When she graduates high school, she wants to be a music teacher. Not a programmer like her dad, not a princess or a ballerina. A career in Music. I realize that this will change in the next 4 years, but I am so proud of the way she makes up her own mind.

She is still loud and independent. She tests the rules and she questions everything. She is unbelievably bossy, not surprising as Brooke is a  leader.  

As much as it makes me want to tear my hair out, I am so glad that she is her own person. Nobody pressures Brooke to do anything she doesn't want to do. I desperately hope she holds on to these traits with white knuckles. She will need that strong will in the years to come.

There are days that I love her so much I could burst. There are days that I feel like all I do is yell. The latter are the days that I realize I am raising a smaller version of myself. I have yet to decide whether this is good or bad.

But at the end of the day, 14 years in, I do know one thing for certain; Brooke, my first born, has changed and molded me as much as I have her.

I did not know unconditional love or happiness or rage or fear until she came into my life. I did not know hope or strength or responsibility or absolute pure exhaustion. I didn't know I could laugh so hard or yell so loud or function on such a small amount of sleep. I did not know what it was like to be so sure that I would give my own life for another human being.

I taught Brooke how to eat with a fork, how to dress herself, how to pee in the potty. She has taught me so much more in her fourteen years than I could ever write down.

In short, she has taught me how to be a mother.

Most importantly, she has taught me to be afraid to blink because with just a blink she is 14. 

Happy Birthday to my baby. I love you so much. 

Picking the right car for you

"Sponsored post.

Buying a new car is an exciting time in your life, whether it is your first car or you are one of those people who buy a new car every year, I work at a car dealership and some people are always car shopping.  
There are so many to chose from but you need to pick one that works for your family, so here are 6 tips for picking the right vehicle 

1) Buy based on your family needs: if you have a family  a 2 door vehicle likely wont work for you. You need either a 4 door car, a SUV or a mini van, depending on the number of kids you have. 

2) Look into Pre-financing Options

Many people obtain financing from the car dealership, but this isn’t fiscally responsible. Dealership interest rates are typically much higher than loan rates obtained from banks and credit unions. Your bank or credit union is one of the best places to start researching car loan rates, and you can obtain “relationship discounts” that you won’t find anywhere else.
Although you may not find the best deals online, you can also use the Internet to review current interest rates. once you obtain a quote from any financial institution, get the quote in writing. You can then present this quote to the dealership and use it as leverage to negotiate a lower interest rate. Another great place to check out is Cars.com they have the best deals for your money and your needs. 

3. Shop Around Unless there is an emergency situation

Shop around before you buy a car. I have an established rule in place whenever I shop for a car: I always make sure that I walk out of at least one dealership. This way, I always know their rock-bottom price, often given to me just before I leave. It might also make sense to explore out-of-town car dealerships. Dealerships price their vehicles differently depending upon their location.

 4) Look at Both New and Used Cars

In the past, buying a gently used car was the best way to save money when purchasing a vehicle. A big reason behind this logic is that new cars depreciate considerably the moment they are taken home from the dealership.

Unfortunately, the supply of used cars has decreased dramatically after many were removed as part of the “Cash for Clunkers” program. In addition, more people are holding onto their cars for longer periods of time before looking for a replacement. As a result, prices for used cars have increased significantly, making new cars a more realistic option.

5. Buy Based on Purchase Price, Not on Monthly Payments

Car dealers are notorious for offering a very attractive monthly payment to potential buyers. Do not be misled. If this “wonderful” payment is attached to a 72-month loan, then it’s really not that attractive at all.

Be sure to always negotiate based on the purchase price of the car, and not the monthly payment. Also make sure that you know the “full” purchase price of any car that you buy. There could be many extra, hidden costs factored into the price including various taxes, car preparation and delivery fees, and dealership costs that you won’t know about unless you ask.

6. Always Test Drive the Car

90% of people who buy a new car test drive it first. Do not be among the other 10%. You want to test drive the car for many reasons, but comfort should be foremost in your mind. There are some cars that you just won’t feel comfortable driving. If this is the case, move on.

If you have children, bring them along on the test drive. Their comfort level is important too, and trust me, they will give you their honest assessment of the car. In addition to comfort, look for the following:

• Idle: The car should be smooth and quiet.
• View: Make sure the view from each of the mirrors is acceptable, and you have a straight line view of all dashboard gauges.
• Controls: Flip on the air, locate the turn signals, and turn on the windshield wipers. Ensure that everything is easy to use. Some people find that their fingers are too big to handle certain switches, buttons, or levers in some cars.
• Handling and Brakes: Make sure the car responds when you push the accelerator or brakes. Cars vary significantly in terms of sensitivity, and you want to choose a car that best fits your preferences.

I hope these tips will help you make the right decision on the car that is perfect for your family.

I got some of this info from Car care ninja

Operation Surprise Party

July 29 is my Brooke's 14th birthday so I wanted to do something special for her, she had no idea what she wanted to do for her birthday.  So this momma threw her a surprise party with the help of her best friends. Thankfully I can access them on Facebook :)  She went to her friends for the day while we prepped the party. 

I am not a decorator.  It started out being a green, black theme but I added in other colors just because I am crazy like that 😔

Thankful for a swimming pool, we had pizza, swimming and cake 

She wanted ice cream cake 

Fresh out of the pool face 

My daughter collects giraffes, this picture made her so happy 

They got matching shirts with avocados saying " You are my other half" they have been Best friends since we moved here 

a few days ago while she was at the lake, her phone broke and she wanted a iphone. We are not an apple phone family but she got her wish. 

We will celebrate her actual BIRTHday on Saturday with family. 

5 Things to start saving for once you turn 20 for

5. HOUSE- you really do not want to rent forever, owning is so much more fun, but it is also very expensive. With home ownership comes: property fees,  insurance, you have to furnish it, etc etc.  You really need a good pillow and mattress

4) CAR- you do not want to use public transportation forever... HELLO- it can get super expensive, your car will need gas,  insurance etc. 

3) RETIREMENT- yes start early, you need to. Retirements do not just happen, you need to save for it. 

2) VACATIONS- You will want to take fun vacations especially if all your friends are going on cruises or trips. 

1) EMERGENCIES- it always happens.. your car breaks down, you have a family emergency and you need to get home right away. We started saving what we call an Emergency fund, it was in a bank account that we could not just withdraw without going into the bank, we each had access to it and we kept the other accountable… we had several times when we had to use it, but then you start to build it back up. A good amount to save up is $1000 and you may think that is a lot but if you add to it often, it will be there before you know it. 

Be prepared, save your money.  You never know what the future can hold.  You may think you do not know how to save- get a financial planning book- Dave Ramsey has a great one, check it out. 

REVIEW OF NIV, TRUE IMAGES BIBLE

It's not just for teens, its really for everybody. I bought this as a gift to myself and I don't regret it. It's a larger print so it's easy to read and the graphics are gorgeous. It's so well put together. 

The Bible needs to be interactive and this is it! There's quizzes and surveys, everything a girl loves to do. 

My daughter has been using this one for youth group, church etc. 

Get out of that Pit-- Straight Talk- Beth Moore - Book review

Like many of her books, this work was filled with biblical truths, but above that I felt like she was talking specifically to me. I could imagine her hand reaching out to help me out of my pit. Please note, it was not that she was reaching DOWN to me. Beth shows herself to be much like me, and crawling out of our pits is a journey we both take.
If you are having problems that you see no way out, this gives you a way to deal with them

My Dream Dressing Room

Some day when I am rich and famous ( not sure what I am going to be famous for) but I want a big house and I want a big fancy dressing room, that is just mine, I want to make it really feminine, I am big on colors but there is something about Black and White that I love here are some items I picked out from an awesome living room furniture, home decor site to show you my dressing room.

There is something about this light that I fell in love with. Check out more lighting options here

I love both of these mirrors and I couldnt pick just one.

To bring some color into the room, I would love to go with this bright cherry rug

I love this white leather couch 

I feel like this chair would be the perfect chair to sit in, those winter mornings while trying to get ready for work, I wouldnt want to move from the fur 

I would love those 3 pictures one top of the other just like they are pictures here on the wall when you come in the door. 

This is more like what I am picturing for the clothing to be hung up like 

Take out the pink chair and replace it with my fur chair

I need those shelves for all my shoes, I am the girl of many shoes 

There ya have it, now I am really dreaming. 

Purpose!

For some time now I have been thinking about My Life’s purpose and how I use to think my purpose would be found if I had a boyfriend, then when I got married, then had a baby, had the perfect career and the job I wanted and was quickly climbing up the ladder of success, ya know what.. I am 34 and I am 1000% happy with my life, and it is not because I have achieved all I have set out to achieve, I have been in my dream job for 6 months now ( TIME FLIES), I have an amazing husband, a gorgeous daughter, my own home etc, but none of that brings my purpose.

My life’s purpose is found in Jesus, I want to be in his perfect will, so my will do not get in his way… I have been in and out of jobs for some time all the while waiting for the one that I really wanted and finally when this job came open, it was mine, it is all about Faith and Trust him.

How to find his will for your life, here are 5 steps

1) Walk with God. For starters, if you are interested in knowing God’s plan for your life, then you must learn to walk with God. You need to develop a relationship with Him. Christianity is all about relationship rather than just religion. Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

2) Surrender your will to God’s. Many times when we say we are seeking God’s will, what we are really wanting to say to God is this: “OK, God, here’s what I’m planning to do. Now I need you to rubber stamp this, all right?” I must tell you that this is not really effective in finding His true will.

Before God will begin to reveal His will to you, you must be committed to doing whatever it is that He desires for you to do. God will likely be slow to show you His plan if He knows you will likely not do that plan anyway.

Romans 12:1-2

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

3). Seek godly input. One key component to finding God’s will is to seek the input of godly advisers in your life. If you don’t currently have 3-4 godly mentors, then I would highly recommend that you seek them out right away.

Think of it this way: you should understand that you are basically a composite of the five people you spend the most time with. So, then, it is vital that you choose those five people well. If you choose to surround yourself with godly advisers, they will be instrumental in helping you discern God’s plan for your life. But if you surround yourself with people who are far from God, your hope of finding His best for your life will be greatly diminished.

Proverbs 11:14

Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

4). Listen to God’s Spirit. I experienced a major turning point in my own prayer life when I learned simply to shut up while I was praying. That may sound odd to you, and it seemed odd to me at first.

You see, I used to do all the talking when I prayed to God, we need to let God talk to us. 

John 10:27

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

 5). Listen to your heart. In addition to listening to the Spirit, I also recommend listening to your heart. To understand my point here, consider the following passage:

Psalms 37:4-5

4 Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. (NKJV)

Let go of thinking there is only one purpose for you and embrace the idea that our purpose in life is to love life fully by putting ourselves into our life! ... To lead a purposeful life, follow your passions. When we live a passion-filled life we are living on purpose, and that is the purpose of life.

The Benefits of Dancing and Why It’s Never Too Late to Start

Today I have A guest blogger for you who is sharing the benefits of dancing~

The Benefits of Dancing and Why It’s Never Too Late to Start

There’s something enchanting about watching a dancer. The graceful movements, the strength, the
stamina, the way they seem to understand their body completely. It’s beautiful and alluring, to see a
person so confident and unafraid to move, to give themselves over to music. So you, who may or
may not have tripped over their own feet a few times, aren’t exactly the epitome of grace. Besides,
dancing is for the younger crowd, no use starting now. You should just stick to the gym anyway if you want to get fit, right? Nope, dancing is a lot more beneficial and accessible than you may think, so if you’ve been considering taking some classes, maybe the following will help you decide.


Improve your health

Let’s face it – going to the gym can be kind of boring, not to mention stressful. Especially if you’re a
beginner who has no idea what they’re doing, and doesn’t like large crowds or people staring at
them. You know that you need to keep active stay healthy, but the gym is not actually the pinnacle
of exercising, especially if you don’t like it. Dancing brings you just as many benefits because it’s a form of cardio, only a lot more fun and relaxing. It’s good for your heart, and the best thing is that
you don’t need any expensive equipment. Only your body and the love of music.

Shed those extra pounds

That’s right, you can dance your way to a sexy body without ever feeling overwhelmed or bored of
the same, repetitive motions of regular exercising. Burn some calories and slim down quickly as you
shake your hips to your favourite song and feel the energy pumping through your body.

Balance out your mind and body

The heated salsa, or quick beats of hip-hop, it doesn’t matter what you pick because dancing is a
form of escapism, a way to relax and let go of stress, to get all that anger out of your system. For the
businessman who always worries or anyone who struggles with depression and anxiety, dancing can
both soothe and energize because it gives you something to focus on, and it’s a great skill that can
be useful in many ways. It’s also known to help improve your memory because it slows the cognitive
decline of your brain.


Become graceful

You will not only have a toned, beautiful body, but you’ll start moving differently as well. No more
clumsiness, no more awkwardness. In dance classes, they’ll teach you how to land on your feet
gracefully, how to move and understand your body, and practical exercises to elongate your muscles
and keep you agile. This can fix your posture and give you a nice, big boost to confidence, especially
when you hit the dance floor.


It’s never too late

Technically, you probably understand that it’s never too late to start anything, but you might be
afraid of judgement: all those bright lights, the mirrors that stare back at you and make you painfully
aware of how clumsy you look, and a crowd of young people, wondering why are you even there.
However, there are plenty of places where you can attend beginner dance classes for adults and not
feel like you’re just wasting your time or that you’re being stared at from all sides. There are safe
places where judgement is not allowed and where you can meet plenty of people who’re just trying
to have fun and learn how to dance. It’s always good to find a community and embrace it, and have
friends who support you and keep you going.


If you ever wanted to try dancing but were too afraid – you shouldn’t be! It’s only a matter of finding
the right place and relaxing and letting the beat lead you. As a dancer, you can become a part of a
big community and reap all sorts of benefits, so don’t let age or excuses stop you from just having
fun and doing whatever the hell you want to do.

All about me and mine- Answer 3

A few weeks ago I opened up my blog and Instagram and allowed you to ask any questions that you would like to know about me... 

DANA  asks: Favorite kind of coffee? I am not a coffee fan at all, every so often I will want a coffee with some flavored coffee cream such as Bailey's, french vanilla or hazelnut. I just like the flavor of the coffee but I do not like the after taste of coffee. 

Tea is a different story... I love Tea.. I drink multiple cups per day.  I just put 2 sugar and milk and oh my it is yummy.  Across from my work is a Tim Horton's which I am not sure if all of you beautiful Americans have ever had Tim's. They do have them in NY and Boston I know that from my cross US trip 2 years ago, it was a welcoming sight when I saw that beautiful sign. 

I also love David's Tea  and Steeped Tea.  When I go out for coffee with a friend to Starbucks, I always get a vanilla bean frappicino.    

5 Daily health habits you should have- Guest post

5 Daily health habits you should have

In the 1930s, British economist John Maynard Keynes predicted that in the near future, the time allotted to working will be cut down to as short as three hours and our vacations will be longer. But even with the power of technology in forms of rapid transport, mass production facilities, and high-speed information exchange, it seems that people in the present have ironically less time for themselves than in the past. Most of the younger population stay up late playing video games, interacting with friends in social media, and doing schoolwork. Adults, on the other hand, feel more stressed juggling their careers, interests, and family matters. These may lead to our mental and physical health being compromised.

Most of us would believe that as we progress in our career, our time for ourselves becomes shorter. But realistically speaking, the perception of being busy is sometimes a result of having more leisure time and less time for things that matter more such as our health. The truth is, you do not need as much time in a day to keep your health in its top shape. Check out these 5 daily health tips that you should make a habit for a healthier and longer life.

1. Eat a balanced meal 5 times a day.

No, you do not need to starve yourself with three servings of plain fruits and vegetables in a day just to stay healthy. If you do not have hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, and other illnesses, eating a balanced meal in three regular portions and two smaller ones (in between) is highly recommended.

Base your meals on fiber-rich foods and complex carbohydrates such as sweet potatoes, yam, oatmeal and brown rice. Mix a single serving of protein such as nuts, fish, and chicken meat. Also avoid eating foods that are rich in LDL cholesterol, saturated fats, sodium, and sugar. Stick more to whole foods, less on supplements, and never skip breakfast!

2. Get 7 to 9 hours of sleep.

Many people fail to get 8 hours of sleep daily because of the several distractions that throw their body clocks off the natural rhythm  It was found that eating your dinner and finishing all heavy tasks at least two hours before bedtime can help you fall asleep faster. Installing relaxing dim lights, using aromatics, and playing soft music can also help you get into a deep sleep and feel energized the next day.

3. Exercise more.

Employees spend roughly 8 to 15 hours a day sitting on their chairs with minimal physical movement. This habit can lead to muscle and joint pains, obesity, and even cardiovascular diseases. Stand and stretch at least every thirty minutes of sitting to improve blood circulation. Sign up for workout programs and join fitness groups too!

4. Take a deep breath.

It may not be that usual health tip you often read, but breathing deeply can instantly shut off stress response from quick and shallow breaths we make unconsciously. During the morning or anytime you feel you like to, close your eyes, take slow deep breaths and let the feeling of body relax naturally.

5. Check your sexual and reproductive health.

You do not always need to go to the doctor to check for the early signs of sexually transmitted diseases. While taking a shower, you may check for the presence of bumps, warts, blisters, and rashes in your genital area. Blood and unusual discharge from the penis or vagina are also indicative of STDs. If you feel pain, itching, tingling, or burning sensation in your genital area, get an STD test immediately. Click here to find out more about the most reliable, most convenient, and fastest STD screening in the country.