Friday, December 30, 2016

Goal Setting, I



In an attempt to better myself, I've set a few goals for 2017. All of them totally reachable, but still slightly outside of my comfort zone. At the top of my list is finding a great skincare regimen. Funny enough, when I started doing some research on products that I wanted to try, I discovered that Lush had options for every single category. Since I'm not getting any younger, it's time to find some go-to products that are good for my skin, my wallet, and are simple enough that I have no excuse but to use them.

1. Skincare for my face is the top priority. With a good eye cream and moisturizer already in my routine, I'm in need of a cleanser and a mask to keep pores clean and my face bright. Brazen Honey I have no doubt that I'll love, but Herbalism looks just weird enough that I'm not too sure about it. But my oily skin needs some help, and the description on this guy looks perfect.

2. My face is oily but my scalp is super dry. Every product at Ulta has grazed the side of my tub at some point, so it's time to step up my game. Solid shampoo is super intriguing to me and the hydrating ingredients in Avocado Co-Wash makes me eager to give it a try.

3. Honest moment: I pay zero attention to my feet. KJB gives me a hard time about them because they are extremely calloused, rough, and hard. The thought of regular pedicures has my debit card screaming at me, so I suppose I'll give it a go myself. I think if I use a pumice stone and moisturize a couple times a week, it will keep my hubby happy.

4. My current deodorant is an antiperspirant and this past year I discovered some of the harmful ingredients found in the product, so I've been wanting to move to an all-natural alternative. Some of the creams and powders have me cringing a bit for some reason, so I'll start with a bar. Aromaco is specifically listed as a good option for "beginners" and the essential oils listed in T'eo have me dreaming of spring and fresh air.

More of my 2017 goals will be shared soon. Until then, cheers to a new year! xo, Courtney

Friday, December 23, 2016

Merry Christmas

May your days be full of love, laughter, and hope. Wishing you peace and joy in the new year.

All my love,
Courtney

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Wrapping Party



Whether it's a party for one or several friends coming together to dominate holiday wrapping, it doesn't take much to make this party colorful, fun, and productive. No decor needed, let your colorful paper, bags, and trim be the focus. This year, a multitude of critters won over my heart with their whimsical and festive prints. Hedgehogs, deer, and arctic critters papers, along with narwhal and owl gift bags all donned in winter-wear. Put on your favorite Christmas movie; I love how playful and funny Elf is for all ages. Adorn your packages with a bit of bakers twine and some classic, preppy holiday patterned tags, for a non-fussy look. This Scotch tape dispenser, a must have, and my favorite pen, the Papermate InkJoy Gel, would make great, functional party favors. Nix any food and beverage, because who has time to cook more holiday food. Go out for Mexican afterward to celebrate your victory. ;)

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

4 (extremely) DIFFERENT Thanksgiving Tables

Looking for tablescape ideas around the holidays is one of my favorite things to do. Everyone has their own style and the things they choose for their table can say so much about their holiday style.


The Traditionalist loves the warmth of the season. The texture combinations speak above all else: tree bark on the candle holders, the wood slice coasters, the blanket table runners, all together form a lovely glimpse at an autumnal Thanksgiving. (image via holly mathis interiors)



The Minimalist goes subtle with simple, natural elements. She likes to focus on creating memories and her low tablescaple keeps conversations open. The contrast of the bright clementines atop the greenery stems keeps things happy and light. (image via yummy mummy kitchen)


The Sophisticate goes modern with black and white stripes with metallic gold accents. Hints of natural greens and creams keep things seasonal while the main components of the table could be recycled for any season- keeping her signature look consistent. (image via giggles galore)


The Whimsical gives nod to the holiday by using seasonal shapes and elements but with a colorful and playful twist. Her non-traditional color scheme and less-is-more attitude creates a fun-loving atmosphere just like her personality. (image via oh happy day)

Which tablescape are you? Does your holiday decor match your personality?

Monday, November 14, 2016

I know it's still November but...



Last week I found myself in a major funk, as I'm sure a good number of people did. While trying to dig myself out of it, I wrote Friday's blog post while listening to holiday music. Now I know what many of you are thinking, it's still November. But I just couldn't help it. I was sitting at my desk when I discovered Pentatonix new holiday album, and I decided to give it a listen. The familiar songs immediately lifted my mood and when it was over, I started listening to other Christmas favorites of mine by Michael Buble, Josh Groban, Mariah Carey, NSYNC, etc. I think I'm going to continue listening to it until I get bored of it, which hopefully isn't before Christmas!

PS Go give the Pentatonix album a listen if you're not a total Grinch. ;)

Friday, November 11, 2016

Friday 4



Four places where I'm finding hope this week...

1. Role models are one of the best ways to be inspired and motivated. This week I've loved coming across video's like the two below where children are setting an example far better than some.

 




2. Setting a goal and a deadline is one of the things that encourages me the most, because once I set those, I know I will make myself reach it. This may not work for everyone, but I discovered this about myself when trying to clean up my house. It had been a long day and I was exhausted, but the house was a wreck and I just needed everything to be picked up. Knowing that I could sit down and enjoy my evening afterward, I set a timer and declared that the room would be clutter free in 5 minutes. And it worked! So I did the same thing in the next room: 5 minutes to clear out the mess. Then I started challenging myself to work in less time and eventually I had gone through the entire house in under 30 minutes. While not everything in life can be that way, I discovered that I was best motivated by a goal. The competitive side of me wanted to finish under the clock. Guys, I didn't even KNOW I had a competitive side. Now, I'm applying a time clock to a lot of things in my life, to drive myself towards checking off the list. I feel good about myself when I complete tasks, and when I feel good about myself, my spirit is lifted and I see the good a lot better than before.

 3. Take a cue from those videos up there, and do something kind for someone. Whether it's someone you know or a stranger on the street, everyone could use a little extra love. Maybe it's selfish, but doing something for someone else will allow you to feel good too. It doesn't have to be a grand gesture, a simple note of gratitude could be just the thing to make someone smile. Put your own needs aside briefly and take care of someone else.

 4. Open the Good Book that the Lord gave us and remember that He is in control. While spending time in His word this week, I came across a verse that I've read many times. "Don't worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart." Philippians 4:6. It stuck out to me like a billboard. The first time I read it, I read it incorrectly thinking that it said, "ask God what you need," and that concept was so intriguing that I couldn't read it the way that it is written. Perhaps I should try that, I thought to myself. Perhaps I should ask God what I really need, and see what He says. I should hand over my worries, and give God both things: my prayer requests and asking Him to direct me to what I need.

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

The List Life

Saturday's are my busy days and last Saturday was no different. It's the day where I cram an entire weeks worth of projects into one day because the week has gone by without anything getting completed. Sunday is for rest and family time, so that only leaves one day. There was a long list this past weekend. So when KJB got up for his morning run, I started the coffee IV pot and sat down with my planner.

Ahh, my planner. My little, perfect place in the world. The place where stickers fit perfectly inside boxes. The place where function meets decoration. The place where colors coordinate and lists are made. Ahh, lists. Only slightly more satisfying than a sticker fitting perfectly inside the box is checking off a task on a to-do list. Yes, I'm one of those people who write things down so they can check them off. It's satisfaction in it's purest form.

Today I wanted to share a free printable of these adorable heart checklists. They are sized to fit the box size of an Erin Condren, but you can use these babies anywhere. I love to print them off on sticker paper to make them super simple to put down, but you could also use a glue stick, a tape runner, or a Xyron sticker maker




You could put them in your planner or on a post-it note. 

Use them to make a grocery list, a honey-do list, or a packing list.

The little flag ends add to the fun factor.

Print as many as you would like to get multiples of your favorite color. I also added a ton of silver, gold, and rose gold glitter flags for all you glitter lovers. Download the PDF's here. Share your lists on Instagram and tag them #thelistlife so I can see how you use your flags to get things done!

This art is for personal use only. If you want to get one for a friend, that's cool, just please don't distribute my art without checking with me first. This art cannot be sold or altered without permission from the artist. xo, courtney

Friday, September 16, 2016

Friday 4

The top four things I love about this past week...

4. My new iPhone 7 is currently on a FedEx truck to be delivered to my house sometime today. I've been extremely patient with my current phone; the WiFi card started failing several months ago, making it difficult for me to do fun things like scroll through Instagram while waiting at the doctors office or do necessary things like back up to iCloud. I'm SO excited to get all set up on a new phone that will work.

3. If you know me at all, you know my out-pouring of love for Halloween. When I say I've been fretting about my costume for this year, believe that I've been fretting. All of my costumes are DIY, so I have to start early if I want something great, which I do! So for some reason I've experienced complete writers-block when it came to deciding on a costume for this year. BUT, this week an idea sparked and I am so in love with the idea. It's the perfect combination of easy-to-find pieces, creative projects, and genius results - at least, that's the way I envision it.

2. The weather has been 100% this week. Sunny, breezy, and the most comfortable temperature of upper 70's. The humidity the past month has been less than wonderful, so I've thoroughly enjoyed walking out side for longer than 30 seconds without getting soggy with sweat. Sorry for the over sharing of info, but that's what you get here.

1. The weekend plans are looking low-key which translates into relaxing and enjoyable. A long overdue date night with KJB is on the schedule, a bubble bath, and just maybe, if I feel like it, some tidying up around the house. Because when you don't have to do something, it's much more tolerable to do it.

Cheers to a wonderful weekend, hope your week was as pleasant as mine. xo

Thursday, August 18, 2016

30 for 30



I'm by no means an illustrator or typographer, but I decided to doodle down my list of goals for my 30th year. It would have been productive of me to post this in June, when I actually turned 30, but I suppose I've become somewhat of a procrastinator in my old age. ;)

Surprisingly, I've accomplished several of these already. Next June before my 31st, I will TRY to remember to share my progress.

Monday, August 8, 2016

August Monthly PWM

As you all know, from the things I've posted on here and on Insta, I'm obsessed with my planner. What you may not know is that I also love watching other people plan. Plan With Me video's are the perfect thing to turn on and watch while folding laundry or loading the dishwasher. So I finally decided to give it a go and do my own! I recorded my August Monthly PWM and just uploaded it to YouTube, so I figured I'd share it here as well. Next week I'll try recording a weekly spread, just to see how I like that! Hope you enjoy this little video, and if you do, subscribe to my YouTube channel for more!


Thursday, June 30, 2016

Personal Planner Peace

My organization-loving heart is so happy right now. I recently decided to start using a personal sized planner for work, and it's serious planner peace.



Now, I'm not actually using my planner for appointments, we have an Outlook calendar that everyone uses, which is convenient for scheduling appointments. I found myself constantly making little to-do lists and keeping notes in different notebooks, and I finally got tired of trying to remember what cute notebook I was using during such-n-such meeting. And after switching my Plum Paper Planner into an A5 binder, I've loved being able to add different things into my binder, like notes, lists, etc.

So I took to Etsy to find an inexpensive personal planner that I could keep my lists in. I wound up purchasing a red one from washibear after reading some good reviews on them from instagram and their shop page. It's a great planner for the price; I was pretty impressed by the quality.

Once my binder was headed my way, I considered my options for inserts. There are tons out there on Etsy, but I decided to just make and print my own. They are really simple with a spot to write in the date, the day of the week, a place for notes, and another box with the days of the week where I can list appointments. I use this just to write in who I met with on what day, so that if I ever need to reference something, I have it easily. As mentioned, it's not used to schedule appointments, so I do not write in times or locations, but of course you could.



Mostly I write out my daily to-do list and I update it and add to it through out the day. It has helped so much in remembering what I worked on which day and which things still need to be done.



Here is a link to the PDF inserts. I print these double-sided, cut, and hole-punch. Sometimes I'll add a strip of washi tape to reinforce the holes. For reference, the boxes are sized to an Erin Condren/PPP/Happy Planner width, so you could use stickers to decorate. Enjoy!

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Summer Must Haves


With the kickoff of summer this week, there's no better time than to share some summer must haves. These could also be considered favorites, because I've had all these things for awhile and a couple I've purchased repeatedly.

Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC - This bag is my most-used, perfect-sized, goes-with-everything summer bag. It's just large enough to fit the necessities but condensed and lightweight. The blue and white print is from two (?) summers ago, but I still feel like it's the perfect summer print. The cognac leather accents and the silver chain keeps it casual, but I always feel put together when I wear it. (shop here)

NYX Mega Shine lipgloss in Beige - I carry this lipgloss with me 24/7 in the summer. It is natural, easy to wear, and not too sticky. The color is just the right amount of pink to pair with any nude, pink, or my lips but better colors. (shop here)

Versace Tortoise Shell sunglasses - My current favorite sunnies are literal perfection. These babies were gifted to me for Christmas and are no longer available, but seriously, the oversized shape, wearable tortoise shell frame, and tan-tinted lenses are the best everyday pair to protect your eyes. (similar here)

Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess bronzer - This compact is last year's model, and that's because I bought two *monkey see no evil emoji*. I couldn't help it; this bronzer was made for my complexion and make me look like I've just been baking in the sun, even when I'm stuck in the office. I hope they never stop making this product because it is #bronzegoals. (shop here)

FLO Refillable Perfume Atomizer - Where has this thing been all my life?! I love being able to bring my favorite scents with me to reapply in the afternoon, without lugging a huge bottle or buying a separate rollerball. She's currently filled with Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess (here) which I'm as obsessed with as the bronzer. I'll never go without this little gem now. (shop here)

Thursday, June 9, 2016

Summer Salad




This one time in college I started eating salad and I pretty much never stopped. It's funny to think now that I went so many years hating vegetables and salad, but until I was about 18, salad was the last thing I would consider as a meal option. Now, as an adult, I love creating salads with different veggies, fruits, and nuts. Summer always inspires me to play with produce. This one is a repeat offender.

For the dressing, mix a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil with a pinch of chia seeds, a pinch of hemp seeds and three shakes of lemon pepper. (don't you love the exactness of my measurements?) I am currently loving the citrus flavor of this EVOO.

A handful of arugula and a handful of spinach for the perfect combination of leaves. A palmful of almonds, but you could swap out for your favorite nut, and a palmful of sunflower seeds. Then I quarter four or five strawberries and add crumbled feta. Once the dressing is drizzled over, I toss the entire salad. Sometimes I'll eat this on it's own for lunch and sometimes I'll put it on a bed of quinoa. Super yummy and super easy.

Friday, June 3, 2016

Favorites




Beauty products
Urban Decay Naked Skin foundation in the color 3.0 because I have a bit of sun now.
Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess bronzer applied as blush because SUMMER! And speaking of Bronze Goddess, I finally jumped on the perfume train. It is hands down my favorite fragrance of all time. It doesn't have a long lasting scent though, so I did pick up a refillable travel container from Ulta so I can carry it with me.
Lorac Pro has been my eye palette of choice, focusing on these three shades: Lt. Pink, Mauve, and Lt. Bronze.
Physicians Formula Eye Booster liquid liner has been my jam for quite awhile now.
Loreal Voluminous Butterfly mascara is now a staple in my routine because it doesn't smudge or flake. I'm on tube 3 of this guy!
Lip colors have been switching up quite a bit but my two favorites are Loreal Fairest Nude lipstick and NYX Beige gloss - worn together or independently.

Fashion
Now that summer is officially here, these shoes are my go-to. They are classic, go with everything, and I can where them all day without hurting my feet. Wedges will always be my shoe of choice.
Ponytails and chandeliers earrings are always a favorite for summer. The Stella and Dot Mirage Chandeliers have been dangling from my lobes several times this month.


Life
There have been so many stressful things going on, that I felt the desire to get back into fitness. It's hard to remember that before the wedding, I was working out four times a week and eating fairly healthy. So in an attempt to get back to it, I've been doing HIIT workouts. Lucy Wyndham Reed's YouTube channel is my favorite.
Recently I've been watching Friends from Season 1 on Netflix. Where has this show been all my life? Seriously, I can rarely make it through an episode without gasping for air while laughing.
If you follow my instagram, you know that the planning world has been life changing for me. I'm loving using it as an outlet for creativity, and more importantly keeping me organized.

Here's to hoping June is sunny and full of fun!

Thursday, May 26, 2016

under the stars

Another Memorial Day, another camping post. What can I say? I'm incredibly predictable (she said with a confused feeling of pride and disappointment).

When I created my Girls Gone Glamping sticker set (shameless plug: purchase here) I had no idea it would inspire so many other things. I decorated my planner with the stickers, then decided I needed a fun dashboard. Wanting to recreate the perfect camping evening, I decided on a simple vignette of a starry night. The final result is one of my absolute favorites.


Because I think it goes so well with the sticker kit, I thought everyone should have it. Download your own here!

Then, since I was so in love with it, I uploaded the design to my Society6 shop. Now you can get the design on a tote, a beach towel, a shirt and a ton of other things! At that point, I was obsessed with all things watercolor + whimsical + camping so I created my camping checklist with this gorgeous theme. When you find something good, just use it until you run it into the ground and you're sick of it. That's my theory anyway. So, I present to you, my updated camping checklist... TADA!



If you are going camping this weekend or anytime during the summer, I hope this list gets you started on the basics!

Thursday, May 12, 2016

summer projects




Summer is right around the corner, and it's time to make some goals! I've got three things on my list this year, and I'm determined to get them all finished. We will be taking a holiday at the end of July, so the plan is to have all of these accomplished by then so that we can thoroughly enjoy the time off.

Most importantly, our bathroom needs remodeled. That image is my inspiration. Textured tile and dark floors. It looks so clean and spa-like.

Next on the importance scale, a patio table. I managed to get my hands on some excess mosaic tile and I think it would make a great table for outside. We had to get rid of ours last year, so now we do not have anywhere to eat or sit our coffee while hanging out on the patio. I love the wood frame on this one.

 The least important, but probably the most fun, I've been wanting some hanging planters for a long time, so I think this summer is the perfect time to make a few. The macramé and wood combination on these gives off a really bohemian vibe that I love.

 Maybe I can get all of these done and have time to add to the list. ;)

Monday, April 18, 2016

Summer Planner Printables



Today I've released nine new kits in my printable shop! On top of those new kits, I also released a few new items in the multi-color series and a new travel sheet. These babies will help keep you organized all summer long.

Left to right, top to bottom:
Garden Afternoon - Floral and geometric marry in the prettiest shades of peach, coral, and pale green.
Casual in Cabo - Bold orange, deep teal, and dusty shades of yellow and seafoam will have you dreaming of the tropics with pineapple and butterfly prints.
Wood Washed, Floral & Lace - A new spin on last seasons super neutral wood washed kit, this time we get all summery with some bright blooms and lace accents.
Travel Plans - Document your road trips or vacations with these chic black and white icons and roads.
Flamingo Life - Embrace your inner shrimp-eating self with these palm leaf and flamingo prints.
Saltwater Summer - Super saturated, watercolor images that will have you ready for popsicles by the pool or sunnies on the sand.
Material Girl - For the beauty-loving girly-girl, deep purple watercolor with a few of your favorite things.
Girls Gone Glamping - Stunning watercolor graphics with bright greens and brilliant blues will make any #plannergirl ready for a week in mother nature. The bonus sheet comes with seven extra full boxes, pre-decorated with a picture-esque campsite, plus tons of other clip art.
Red, White, & Denim - Show off your patriotic side for Memorial Day or Independence Day with bright reds, crisp whites, a touch of kraft paper, and of course, denim.
Denim Days - A spin-off of Red, White, & Denim, but perfect for any summer week. Touches of frayed edges and crochet hints at cutoff shorts on a hot summer day.

This art is for personal use only. If you want to get one for a friend, that's cool, just please don't distribute my art without checking with me first. This art cannot be sold or altered without permission from the artist. xo, courtney

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

coffee table styling



Lately I've been simplifying lots of things in my life, but mostly around the house. Get rid of the clutter, keep the things you love. I have a BA in making things difficult, so when I finally realized that my stripped down coffee table was actually working a lot better for me, I knew I had to share. A few key things make your table functional and allows an opportunity to show your personality.

For function:
Start with a tray or a large platter. Choose one with character - something with a bit of history. The tray will house your remotes and coasters. Then add a smaller bowl or saucer that can become the temporary home for things like keys, coins, and pens. Choose a bowl with color.

For style:
Stack up some books, between 3-6, on a topic you love. This allows you to show off who you are and gives guests something to flip through. Lastly, add a plant or a vase of fresh flowers. As much as I love a bouquet of blooms, I don't always have them on hand. So a small planter of succulents is perfect for my black thumb.

coffee table / tray / bowl / coasters / plant

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Stella & Dot 2016 Summer Haul



Check out the video to see what I picked up from the summer collection! And actually, I just placed another order today *monkey see-no-evil emoji*. Update on that later!

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

how we G R O W


I was surrounded by children. There were basketballs, pompoms, fruit snacks, and Capri Sun's but there were mostly children. And their parents. As an introvert, I was terrified and wanted to jet out of there, but the leader in me was thriving. I was explaining processes, briefing, taking notes, answering questions, and celebrating in the achievements; I was handling all of it but not realizing I was handling all of it.

Until something made me stop. And I looked up from what I was doing and realized, this isn't so difficult.

The first year KJB and I directed the basketball league, I was a HOT MESS in ALL the ways. I didn't have enough copies, there weren't enough volunteers, we ran out of things, and worst of all, I wore the wrong shoes. While that could seem minor in comparison, it sure didn't seem minor when my feet were screaming at me the last half of the day and into the next. I doubted myself on every decision that season.

Is this weather bad enough to cancel a game?
Are we charging too much?
Have I prepared the coaches enough?
Did we get someone to help us clean up after 300 people have been through this place? No? Great.

I made it through that season, and exhausted isn't intense enough to describe how I felt. Not only was I physically drained, but I had beat myself up throughout the entire season, leaving me mentally depleted as well. The spark of joy came at the end of the season, seeing some of those children accept Jesus as Savior. That act, the purpose of the entire ministry, fueled me for the next season.

The second season approached and I was ready. A seasoned pro, I thought, prepared for anything. But that season wasn't like the first, and it spun me for a loop. Those same questions came pushing their way to the surface; the feeling of doubt and uncertainty. All of my preparation useless, I found myself in the same mental place as the previous season. With a whole lot of prayer, the second season came and went.

We have all heard the phrase "growing pains" and "learning from our mistakes" but finally I was able to accept that I can't control everything. Over the past year I've had several come-to-Jesus moments, where I've been stressed with decisions and I learned to accept grace. That grace, most importantly, comes from God, but I learned to give myself a little bit of it as well. Grace has been the biggest factor in growth for me.

This season I found myself a bit more calm. I still prepared and planned - you can't take the planner out of the girl, but the grace allowed me to be okay with my decisions. It's made me a better leader, because there's more confidence. I know for certain I can't produce a successful basketball season, but God can. And when I fail, He will still be there to offer grace.

This weekend, surrounded by all those kids, when I realized it wasn't so difficult, my mind flashed to all those previous seasons. The struggles. The tears. The uncertainty. And I closed my eyes and thanked the Lord, not for making this season "easier," but for putting me in those difficult seasons. It allowed me to grow. Growth happens when something is bigger than you and you let Jesus help you through it.  Of course, there is still growth to be done, which only means that difficult times are upon me. I'll hate it all the way and then, I'll be thankful for it.

Monday, January 25, 2016

Spring 2016 Collection


Friday my Spring 2016 printable planner stickers launched in my Etsy shop. Head over there if you're a fellow #planneraddict looking to fancy up your planner! I'll be sharing my spreads on my instagram as I use them in my Plum Paper Planner. xo!

Thursday, January 14, 2016

spring 2016

I'll share the new items I picked up from the 2016 Spring line as soon as my fingers thaw out and I'm able to open the package. Stay tuned.

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Monday, January 11, 2016

the time has come


The snow came down in large flurries this weekend, so it's boots only until this weather clears up! Ankle booties to knee-highs, as long as my toes are kept toasty and dry, I'll be a happy girl.

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