Browsing Category: Life

JOURNALING: More Than One Way To Do It

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You might recall that one of the things that I vowed to do this year was journal everyday. Well…everyday was a strong declaration that I failed almost instantly. As an introvert and person who aspires to live a life of minimal stress and endless happiness, I found myself ditching the whole “writing down my every thought while taking subtle pauses to drift off into the horizon and in deep thought” moments and instead just live my moments and carry on.

Although that might not sound bad to you, it was horrible for me as it was realization that I was “punking out” on a goal and not taking it on wholeheartedly as I initially intended. It was a little discerning considering that I love to write. I  mean you’re reading the words of a girl who used to spend hours pouring her thoughts into creative stories as a child and long ramblings of angst and relationships in her diaries in high school and college. Not to mention, I was the editor of my high school paper, writer for a city-wide paper for Memphis high-schoolers, and I have a B.A in Journalism.

Therefore, I decided that I didn’t want to go out like that and so soon. I mean it was still January when I had gave up on journaling everyday. Still January.

After deciding that I needed to get back to my plan, I did what I always do when I want to learn how to do or improve something, I asked Google! Although I was looking for tips and tricks on how to consistently write daily journal entries reminiscent of the long diary entries of my yesteryear, I was instead introduced to different ways to journal. A-ha!

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Creating Consistent Creativity

consitent creativity

Creativity. Everyone has it and believe it or not, everyone uses it. However, some of us need to use it more than others and with more strength, but we all have creativity. Unfortunately, consistent creativity is a whole other story.

For me, I feel the need and desire to be creative during the work week. When I’m at my cushy 9-5 as a content developer for medical software company, I usually have all these ideas floating around that scribble down in my daily journal and/or prep a blog post about them in my editorial calendar. On the weekend, my creative juices run so dry. I can’t recall the last time I got an idea to create a graphic design (I’m starting to freelance graphic/logo designs, again) for client or interesting blog post to write on a weekend.

My weekends are pretty chill and uneventful for the most part and I love it. I thrive on rest and minimal responsibilities on the weekend other than doing a little “whatever” on Saturdays, church on Sunday morning, and relaxing on my sofa for the rest of the time. It’s so great. Thankfully, I can say that this is my “formula” for creating and churning out ideas and content about 90% of the time.

However, for those times when I just can’t seem to find my mojo to create, I have a few things I try. At least one of these do the trick. So, I decided to share

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Gold Home Accents

gold home accents

I love gold! Please feel free to read that previous sentence in the same drawn out way as “Goldmember”. If you don’t know that reference,  do your “Googles”.

Although I love almost anything gold, I know not one to go overboard with it by adorning myself in head to toe gold, despite the occasional desire. Therefore, I try to add touches of gold in the form of accessories. A gold watch and gold hoop earrings here or a chunky gold bracelet with layers of thin gold necklaces there. You know…subtle, but chic.

You can apply those same styling principles when styling your home. Adding gold elements to your home decor with the placement of gold home accents is very easy to do. Here are some simple golden touches that you can add to your home decor.

gold home decor accent pieces

Editor’s Note:

All these items were scouted at ShopBop.com which is having a Friends and Family Sale for 25% off your order. That includes sale items, too. The sale just started today and will end on Thursday. So, go get in on the action! ( This is NOT a sponsored post. Just us believing that sharing is caring.)

gold home accents

 

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Spring Cleaning The Bathroom

As a child, like most girls, I was responsible for cleaning the bathroom that my brother and I shared. If you had brothers growing up, then you already know how horribly gross that could get. *cringe* However, it had to get done and my mom delegated that unfortunate task to me. However, over the years, I’ve gained an appreciation and borderline obsession with clean bathrooms. My obsession really shows up when it comes to spring cleaning the bathroom.

When it’s time to spring clean the bathroom, I make every area has been scrubbed, wiped, and disinfected…at leas three times. See? Obsessed. I also take this time to refresh and replace some beauty and health products, as well as bathroom staples. So, keep reading to see just how I tackle the task of deep cleaning my bathroom in the spring.

CLEANING RITUALS

During spring cleaning, I steam clean my bathroom tiles; on the floor and in the shower. I wish I could do this at least once a week instead of 2-3 a times a year, but having floor to ceiling tiles in my bathroom and tiled floor can be very exhausting.

The first thing I do is steam my tiles and grout by spraying the surface with an all-purpose cleaner. I let the cleaner sit for 10-15 minutes. During that time, I look for any areas that need a little more attention and scrub with a nylon bristle brush to loosen up any hard to remove gook. I hardly ever have to do this, but every now and then I will find myself scrubbing some grout. After the all-purpose cleaner has been sitting on the tiles for a while, I come through with my steamer (similar to this one) and the small brush attachment and gently steam all of the grout and tiles. Once done, I spritz a lemon water and bleach concoction over the area for extra sanitizing. When it comes to cleaning bathrooms and kitchen, it’s all about properly sanitizing all areas. Finally, I polish all the fixtures, scrub the toilet (the worst task, ever), clean the mirror, and wipe the sink counter and walls. I feel so accomplished once all of this is done.

BATHROOM STAPLE SWITCH OUTS

spring cleaning the bathroom

During spring cleaning, I also take this as a chance to purge old towels, worn rugs, and shower curtain liners. In return, I buy new towels, a new rug, and a shower liner. I also replace my toothbrush. This time I replaced it with the new Colgate® 360° Enamel Health™ Whitening Toothbrush, which I’ve been loving due to it’s unique brush. Also, the new Mineral Repair toothpaste has been great. I think my dentist will notice some of these new positive editions in my mouth when I go back in a couple of months. *insert huge grin*

Loofah. Some people don’t realize that you need to replace your loofah and bath sponges 3-4 weeks and not just when the rope breaks (Who else guilty of that?), because bacteria can easily get into all those crevices and live there.  So, keep that in mind. Since they need to be replaced so often and aren’t that expensive, I buy loofahs in bulk.

BEAUTY PRODUCTS SWITCH OUTS

Since the weather starts to get warmer around this time, I decide that this is perfect time to switch my winter time beauty and skincare for spring and summer beauty products. The main area that I focus on is my hair care products. In the shower, I remove the shampoos and conditioners I use when I straighten my hair and replace them with the cleansers and conditioners for my natural curly hair, which I wear mostly in the warmer months.

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The products I’ve been using for my curly hair are a selection of OGX coconut products, because they are hydrating and light which equals to fluffy and moisturized curls. I also move all of my curly hair styling products to the front of the hair care shelf in my linen closet. Plus, I also replace my hair brushes, which I do every year.

I admit that this regimen can be a little daunting, but it’s so worth for me and my love of super clean and pristine bathrooms.

 

*Disclaimer: Some products mentioned were sent for review purposes, but all opinions are of Stained Couture.

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Cooking For One Cookbooks

There are billions of cook books out there and no matter who you are or what type of food you want to prepare, you should be able to find one or 2 (thousand) books to meet your preference. One style of cookbook that single me has been interested with lately are cooking for one cookbooks.

Personally, in the past, I’ve had a love/hate relationship with cookbooks. The reason being, is because the majority of recipes are to feed groups of at least 4 people, which is great for those with multiple mouths to feed. Unfortunately, for us single and/or solo living people, we have to transform into mathematicians to calculate how much of each ingredient we need and adjust the cooking time to avoid over cooking to make only 1-2 serving.  However, if you do decide to make the meal of 4 or servings, you’re left with a fridge full of leftovers that will live in there for no telling how long, especially if the recipe didn’t taste that great in the end. I hate when that happens.

Thankfully, there are number of cookbooks on the market that are designed to cater to the single person cooking that prevents us for having eat boring salads, sandwiches, or unhealthy fast food in a pinch. Here are some good picks:

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Cooking for One Cookbook for Beginners: The Ultimate Recipe Cookbook for Cooking for One! – If you live solo and don’t know how to cook, this book melds the two together with simple recipes and in-dept instructions. Perfect for those living on their own for the first time.

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Cooking for One: 365 Recipes For One, Quick and Easy Recipes – This book include 365 recipes for one. That’s a different recipe everyday (leap year, not included.) that are convenient, quick, and easy. Perfect for busy millennials.

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Cooking For One: One Pot, Slow Cooker Recipes – Easy Recipes for One – Want to make more slow cooker recipes, but without a fridge full of leftovers? This book features quick and easy recipes for one that you can cook in that crock pot that has been collecting dust under your sink.

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Cooking Solo: The Joy of Cooking for Yourself – Looking for fun, full, and flavorful recipes that are far from average, look no further than this book. Cooking and tasting some of these recipes will make you think you’re a chef. There are even some recipes for entertaining a small group of friends.

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Serve Yourself: Nightly Adventures in Cooking For One – A cookbook full of global dishes and recipes, compressed to feed the hunger of one. The wide range of recipes for multiple palettes is quite amazing.

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