// Small Celebrations - v.2

I just realized that I haven't shared a "Small Celebrations" post since February! What! There are so many things to be stoked about right now! After spending the entire day on Wednesday in the hospital, and trying to play a mad game of "Catch Up" the rest of the week, I could use some positivity. How about you?

My list of (awesome) little things includes:

1. Nightly cotton candy skies! Isn't that photo up there unreal?! I know the gorgeous pink is partly due to entirely too much pollution in our atmosphere, but I really do love seeing those skies. They only linger around for a few minutes, so you have to catch them at just the right time. Totally a great reminder to just take a few minutes to yourself and look up.
2. Being so close to meeting Baby Flynn! We were pretty sure he was coming on Wednesday thanks to pitocin-induced contractions (3.5 hours of contractions 1.5 minutes apart! AH!) but luckily he managed to pass the Oxytocin Challenge Test and we were sent home. It was a huge reality check in the sense that he will be here any moment now and we're still not really "ready"... Though are you ever?! I can't wait to kiss his face, fingers and toes... I keep lingering around his nursery, picking up his tiny socks and shoes, and thinking about how crazy different life is going to be so soon!
3. Family who have gone above and beyond in these last few days. My mom has carted me to my last 3 doctor's appointments, sat with me in the hospital on multiple occasions now, and taken many days off work just to ensure I'm not overwhelmed with everything that has been happening lately. Mike's parents have been so supportive and attentive, and they've offered to help take Toby off our hands during the busy/stressful parts of this whole "birthing a baby" thing. It's so great knowing we have so many people to rely on if/when needed.
4. Finishing up design projects. I'm finally at the tail end of my insanely-overbooked-schedule and I'm am so excited! I only have 1 design installation and 1 logo project to complete, and then I'm pretty much just hanging out until this kid decides to show up. I'm not convinced I'll finish either project before he shows up, but that's mainly just due to client schedules. Crossing my fingers!
5. Shaving my legs (all by myself!) at 38 weeks pregnant! This one probably sounds absolutely ridiculous, but when you've got a big ol' belly between you and your knees, shaving is tough! I may or may not have gotten stuck in the bathtub at one point. Lesson learned: don't turn sideways with your legs over the side of the tub when you have absolutely no way of hoisting yourself out... That was a bit of a challenge. I was able to shave my legs, but there's no way I can paint my toenails... so Mike stepped up to the plate for that one haha! He's a good egg.
6. My editorial calendar/planner. I'm a few months into using my new editorial calendar and planner and I'm still loving it! That's so rare for me as I've always wanted to be a "planner girl" but eventually I just work my way out of it. This planner I picked up from Target seems to be just the ticket though. Don't worry, I'm still planning on sharing more about it soon so you can maybe benefit from the amazingness that is an editorial calendar!
7. New ink pens! I love when new pen day rolls around! haha Right now I'm alternating between 12 different fun Paper Mate Flair pens (they're sort of felt-tipped, like Sharpie pens, but they don't bleed through the paper and they're so pretty to look at!)
8. These last few park dates with just me and Toby. Pushing him on the swings, watching him climb like a monkey on the jungle gym... They're small but special moments.
9. Waking up in our "new" bedroom. We still haven't totally completed the "makeover" just yet, but I love waking up there each morning. The light bouncing off the soft blue walls, seeing the big tissue paper flowers floating over the side of the room, and hearing the hum of the fan. It's amazing what a little tweaking to your space can do for your mood.
10. New client inquiries! I know #4 was all about finishing up my project obligations, but I'm already excited about my schedule once I return from "maternity leave" (Ha! Like that's a real thing when you own your own business...) I already have some design clients lined up, as well as some Him + Honey photo gigs, and plenty of sign orders. It's definitely helping me feel more at peace with stepping away for a few days/weeks.
11. Getting Him + Honey photo scans back! AHHH! It's like Christmas every time our FTP email comes through.Whether it's personal work or client work, we get so giddy when we open them up. There's just something so incredibly magical about seeing a photo for the first time after a shoot. It's so gratifying!
12. A clean house. One of the (ridiculous) reasons I was totally not ready to bring Baby Flynn into the world on Wednesday was because I kept going over in my head "Oh my gosh, our house is SO not clean! I need to mop! And do laundry! And clear off the carport!" haha Of course I certainly wouldn't let that stop the kid from making his grand entrance (uh, how could I?!), but I'm glad we had the opportunity to devote a little time and energy to the state of our abode yesterday. I just feel so much more relaxed when things are neat and tidy... though it's rare these days. I know my house will be the last thing on my list of priorities soon so I'm trying to at least help myself feel comfortable at first!

There we have it! I know some of those are much more major than "small" celebrations, but even still, they're on the list! I'm feeling especially happy and excited today, even though I'm headed back to the doctor for yet another non-stress test this morning. Here's to hoping Baby Flynn plays it cool and I don't get carted off to the hospital again for an induction! But if I do, let's just hope it all goes well and he makes it here safely!

What little things are you celebrating today?

// Trump The Frump: 20 Ways To Beat A Bad Mood

(photo via)

Yesterday was a weird day. Everything just felt off since waking up. I had a sore throat, I was quick to temper, and no matter what I did, I just couldn't find it in myself to be productive. You know how it goes, right? I had hoped to come home from dropping Toby off at school and knock my to do list out of the park... Instead I moped on the couch, took a 1.5 hour nap, and finished season one of Orphan Black. It wasn't one for the books, I'll tell ya. Nothing was particularly wrong, but I just felt like I was off my game. Now I'm not one to think it's bad to have those days. In fact, I know their importance in the grand scheme of things. I'm not obsessed with the idea of making everything sunshine and unicorns all the time... but at the same time, I like to actively try to turn my days around. If I can salvage them, I want to. But yesterday just wasn't happening.

I started my day by polling my Instagram followers, asking for their tips and tricks on making the most of a rough start. I really loved all of the responses! Some were more helpful than others, but they each had merit. Many of them were pregnancy-centric so they may not be the most helpful for a wider audience, but I did manage to compile my own list while sprinkling some of their wisdom in.

Here are some ways to help beat a crappy mood:

1. Document everything that makes you smile. Whether it's the perfect cup of coffee, a delectable brunch, or flowers on a sidewalk, take a moment to capture life's little rays of sunshine. (Bonus points if you share it with others! Post an Instagram of the moment to inspire someone else!)
2. Take a cat nap. Try and wake up on the other side of things. Even 10 or 15 minutes can help reset your mood.
3. Pay it forward. Pay for the purchase of the person behind you. This works great in a drive-thru setting so that it can be quick and almost-anonymous, but even if you're in a store or a restaurant, spreading the wealth can make you feel great, and it positively benefits another person, too!
4. Greet every person you meet. Whether it's a simple "Good morning!" or a "How are you?," a little acknowledgement goes a long way. If you're too shy to speak, offer up a friendly smile while passing. You never know who might need that small gesture, and it feels awesome to have it reciprocated.
5. Get some sunshine! 95% of my mood is based on how much sunshine (Vitamin D!) I get. Even closing the windows and doors in favor of the A/C dampens my demeanor. A few minutes of the sun's warmth will do you a world of good! (Just don't forget the SPF!)
6. Say five things you're grateful for every hour until you break the funk. (via @morrisonlane)
7. Turn on Pandora to your favorite station and give yourself a manicure. (via @meg_tini)
8. Share something positive! Whether it's a quick tweet or telling someone your favorite affirmation, a little positivity goes a long way.
9. Perform a random act of kindness. This can be anything! (Here are 350+ ideas to get you started!)
10. Indulge in your favorite meal. Happy bellies mean happy minds, right? Or something... Even if your favorite treat is less-than-healthy, indulge a little! It's hard to be upset when you've satisfied a craving.
11. Go for a run or get some exercise. Endorphins and serotonin for the win!
12. Just sit for 2 full minutes... Don't move. Just be. (I'm a huge fan of this website!)
13. Do something creative! Paint something for your home, sew something for your wardrobe, or create a gift for someone "just because." Channel your inner artist and create something interesting from the situation.
14. Look through old pictures and reminisce. This is so easy with blogs, Facebook, Instagram, etc. Sometimes I just love to lay down and look through my camera roll on my phone. Remembering happy moments can make a huge difference in your mood!
15. Create a mixtape or playlist to use any time you're feeling down in the dumps. A few of my favorite songs to listen to are: "Not Your Year" by The Weepies (it helps me feel all the feels!) and "Creepin' In" by Norah Jones and Dolly Parton (I just love their voices together!) Find what mix of songs helps do it for you. Whether upbeat or slow tempo, you'll find the magic balance.
16. Plant something in your yard or garden. This will help you get some fresh air and sunshine (Hey #5!) and it'll help produce something beautiful down the road. How can you not smile when you see something grow from (almost) nothing?
17. Google something random that you've been curious about before. I love getting lost in the Wikipedia rabbit hold. I sometimes Google something and find myself still reading about it 2 hours later... Not only does it distract me from a yucky mood, but it also helps me learn. Everyone loves to know random bits of information, right?
18. Encourage someone. Jess does this SO well and I'm always so touched by her selflessness. I love that she gets her toddler son involved, too. She regularly crochets items for strangers and lets her son hand out flowers to strangers. It really falls in line with #9, but it's worth mentioning in it's own bullet point!
19. Hide notes and positive affirmations all around town. In books at the library, on the mirrors in the fitting room, or in the pockets of clothing at the store... Little reminders that say things like "You are wonderful!" "You look great today!" etc. It may sound silly, but just imagine how lovely it would be to find something like that on a random day.
20. Just feel all of the feels! Be sad, or upset, or bored, or whatever... Just feel what you're feeling. You can think about it and dissect it, or you can just be. Allow the mood to move through you so you can then move on. There's nothing wrong with sacrificing yourself to an overwhelming mood. Yesterday I needed that "off" day... I needed to just "be" and watch tv. Sure, I didn't get much done, but I felt better because I just allowed myself to be.

What are some of your favorite ways to break the funk?

// Seeking Monday Motivation

( ♥ )

Normally I love Mondays. There's usually just something about getting back in the groove after avoiding the office all weekend. I find it refreshing and usually very productive. This Monday is not like all other Mondays. For some reason I've been dreading the start of this week like the plague. It's probably just because I have a laundry list of things to do today, and little motivation. But rather than sulk about it all day, I'm going to try and turn it into something much more positive.

This is one of my favorite pins on my "Wise Words" pinboard and I wanted to share it. I'm totally one of those people who love cheesy, motivational quotes and posters. Maybe not the super cliche ones, but whatever, I'll still pin them haha! Lately I've been trying to remind myself that any time I feel down in the dumps, I can usually at least make the situation a little more enjoyable by finding the positivity. It's been a while since I've practiced my daily affirmations in positivity, so maybe I should start back. (Though I totally understand how side-eye worthy that sounds haha!)

So now I want to ask you: What's the best/most motivating quote you've come across lately? Let's all share the wealth! Surely I'm not the only one that needs a gentle push on Monday mornings, right? ;)

Note To Self

Sometimes I manage to get so wrapped up in my "To Do" and "Things That (I Think) REALLY REALLY Need To Get Done" lists that I forget to just relax. We all do. Today is one of those days where the stresses of every day life just pile up on top of me and I feel like crumbling. Almost as though I've been on auto-pilot for the past 2 weeks and forget to feel things haha 

Today I'm allowing myself a break. I plan on enjoying my anniversary with my sweet mister (dating anniversary!), and playing baseball with my little dude in the park. I'm not doing myself (or anyone for that matter) any favors by pushing forward when I've hit a wall.

Whether it's today, tomorrow or a week down the road, if you're feeling stressed or "over it", treat yourself well and take a break. Sometimes all it takes is one afternoon of carefree action. Reading a book, taking a walk, whatever. Here's to hoping it amps me up for tomorrow and reminds you to treat yourself. :)

(image via.)

Feel Good Stuff

It's been a long time since I did a little "feel good" inspirational round-up on the blog, but I just woke up feeling awesome today. Our little family slept in a little later than normal, and I'm well on my way to a wee bit too much coffee for one day, but I am in such a good mood! I'm throwing today's scheduled blog post to the side and scouring some of my favorite Pinterest boards for some lovely words of wisdom to share with you. What good is happiness if you don't share with others? Hopefully these will put a pep in your step, too!

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8

I'm a total sucker for positive quotes, photos and manifestos. There's no denying that! If you like posts like this, let me know! I'd love to throw them back into the regular mix of things. Hope you're having a happier day now! xo

The Optimist Creed

The Optimist Creed by Christian D. Larson is one of my favorite writings, so I recently whipped up a little black and white poster for my cork board in my office. It's perfect for a Monday morning. I think you might enjoy it, too! (If you prefer a white-on-black version, click here! I can also provide the hi-res copies if you want to print it out.)

Have a great day, friends! xo

Just A Little Reminder...

Just a little reminder while we try to make it through this stressful day! xo

I Hope...

(♥ unknown ♥)

I hope you know the sun is shining somewhere.
I hope you know there's no one else quite like you.
I hope you know you're wonderful in so many ways.
I hope you feel worthwhile.
I hope you feel capable of everything you dream.
I hope you feel excited for the future.
I hope you know the past will not dictate what's to come.
I hope you tackle your obstacles and prove victorious.
I hope you never let anyone get you down.

Here's to a fabulous start to your weekend, friends!

I hope it's a lovely one. ;)

xo

30 Day Detox: Up To Speed!

Hello honeybees! How's Thursday for everyone?! Today is officially "Day 11" for me in the 30 Day Detox challenge! It may be your 11th, 6th, 1st or merely the beginning of the idea for you and that's perfectly fine and acceptable! In fact, it's recommended! I was so tickled that so many of you were on board to banish the negative and start treating ourselves with the respect we deserve! Since I've finished the first 1/3 of the challenge, I thought it might be good to reflect back on what all has happened since taking the pledge!

(♥)

Positive Mind: While "unfortunate" or negative things do still happen, I find that by not tweeting about it or dwelling on it, the feeling passes much quicker. If I'm to tweet something negative then someone will reply to it and thus it spirals into a conversation about that negativity, whether it be that they agree with me or are trying to offer up some sweet words. By not putting those thoughts into someone else's mind, it's much easier to move on from it all together. I still get cut off in traffic. I still get rude cashiers in the market, but when it's all said and done, they're merely a tiny tiny fraction of my day. Why not focus on the brilliant instead, yes? Yes!

(♥)

Positive Body: I have successfully given up all soda products thus far! 11 days in and I'm feeling great. I'm not even the slightest bit tempted by diet cokes anymore! My water intake fluctuates every day but at this moment I'm currently 50 ounces into my daily water and it's only 1pm! One of my goals was to reduce my sugar intake to almost nothing but that was derailed after day 1 but to make up for it, I've been removing one item from my available foods every so often and that's proving much more successful than just quitting something cold turkey. I'd like tortilla chips to make their way off of my menu but they are my vice! Undeniably delicious! I have removed queso dip though! It's a step in the right direction! And while I'm not one to use table sugar in anything, I am a fan of Splenda... and we all know that Splenda is pretty much the devil himself. Instead, I opted to try the Truvia sweetener stuff (ew!) and Agave Nectar (yum!). My new favorite breakfast is oatmeal with agave! My new favorite snack is a Fuji apple straight from the fridge! Something about cold apples is just splendid. I've also marked of "Hot Yoga" on my 23 before 24 list! I started a hot yoga class last night and boy oh boy, it was rough! I've never sweated so much in my life! My body isn't used to the insane heat yet so it'll be a few classes before I can make it the whole 75 minute session without lying down. I'm still determined! After the full month I'll be good to go in regular yoga classes at the Y! I'm heavily increasing my water intake for that class seeing as it's so grueling.

I'm hoping to find that doing this yoga will help me become slightly less introverted as well. I'm not quite sure what has happened to me over the past handful of years but I've become much more shy and standoff-ish. I was always quite comfortable with being very extroverted and out there in high school, etc, but hopefully this will make me a little less awkward in social situations.

(♥)

How about you?! How has your 30 Day Detox challenge proven?! I'd love to read and share your stories and experiences! I loved reading all of your initial posts so I'm sure you've come quite a ways because the Twitter feed (#30DayDetox) is blowing up and full of so much motivation and inspiration! If you write about your journey thus far, please leave a link in the comments and I'll try to come back to this post and include them all at the end!

Do you have any awesome tips, tricks or suggestions when it comes to the Detox? How do you handle negative thoughts? What are your favorite snacks and healthy treats for yourself? Got some awesome recipes you wanna share! Chime in below, sweet bees!

If you haven't taken the 30 Day Detox challenge and you're interested in it, feel free to CLICK HERE to read all about it and snag the button for yourself! xo

30 Day Detox: Mind + Body

It's no secret that lately I've been dealing with some stuff. And by stuff I simply mean just the daily learnings of life which can get us down/put us in a funk. Sometimes the days are brilliant, and sometimes the days leave something to be desired. Little frustrations like a seemingly incoherent driver or a rude passer-by in the store seem to become gigantic obstacles along my daily path. It's also no secret that sometimes I can have a temper. Actually, okay, that might have been a little secret. (But it's true. I really do.) Not the type of temper where I throw things and swing fists or anything like that! Just that I can sometimes let the little things overcome me. One small blip on the radar can turn an entire day around.

But that's when I got to thinking... if one tiny little event like that can turn my day upside down, why can't one positive little thought turn it right side up? Well, I'm vowing to give it a try! I've always advocated positive thinking in this little blog and sometimes I need a reminder myself. For the next 30 days, I vow to abstain from any negative tweeting or blogging! Twitter is typically my "go to" for quick rants. Especially on Friday and Saturday nights at my bar. But I'm a huge believer in what we put out into the world is a direct influence on what we receive back.

Sometimes it just feels so good to get things off of your chest. Maybe a tweet here or there, just to release whatever is building up. Sadly that can be so counterproductive. Not only are we sharing negative energy, but we're putting those exact thoughts into someone else's head. Instead, let's take out the bad and replace it with all kinds of good! Every time we think a negative thought, we should turn around and think a positive one, whether it is about ourselves, someone else, or even a situation.

Not only am I vowing to remove the bad energy from my mind, I'm also going to attempt to remove the bad energy from my body by being more conscious of what goes in it. On the way to work the other night Mike and I stopped for Mongolian stirfry and dessert, and shortly thereafter I realized how unhappy my body was after the dessert. I felt great after a veggie-rich dinner (as usual), but all it took was a tiny amount of ice cream to really make me feel sickly. We started talking about it and of course as most people say, sugar is the culprit of most body evils. They say it takes between 21 and 28 days to banish cravings completely, so let's see how 30 days will do! (Miss Lauren actually went raw last week! While that may not be what works for you [or me], it's a testament to willpower! Go Lauren!) (Oh, and Miss Danielle is also doing an "8 Weeks to a Better Me" on her blog every Sunday!)

I am hoping that by just making small, almost unnoticable changes in my day to day life, I will feel enriched and just... better! Don't we all want to feel better?! If you'd like to take the 30 Day Detox challenge (even if it is only Mind or Body, and not both!) then feel free to snag the button below or the banner up top to use! I'd love to read (& share with my readers!) some of your entries about how you're dealing with frustrating situations since deciding to think positive! Please share them if you do! xo

Edit: The lovely MissCalcul8 suggested we start a Twitter hashtag of #30DayDetox to share your positive and uplifting tweets! I love that idea, so tweet away, honeybees! 

<a href="http://honeybeeinthecity.blogspot.com/2011/05/30-day-detox-mind-body.html"><img src="http://i575.photobucket.com/albums/ss198/kaelahscloset/stuff/30dd.jpg"></a>

PS; The next thing to detox myself from is shopping! But, let's just deal with it in baby steps, shall we? ;)

Right On Time

today is a new day. started with a new (brilliant!) cup of coffee. new kisses on the face of my future husband. new cuddles with my favorite furry girls. new tasks on the to-do list. new things to be grateful for. new friends to meet. and new adventures to seek.

today is a new day and i am excited!

happy wednesday, honeybees! 

i hope this is the best wednesday yet! xo

Happy Sweet Sunday

♥ (original source unknown) ♥

xoxo

Be magical!

Be magical. Be inspired. Be inspiring. Be ambitious. Be bold. Be excited. Be beautiful. Be honest. Be charming. Be impressed. Be impressive. Be sweet. Be kind. Be courteous. Be gentle. Be awesome.

Believe in magic. Believe in love. Believe in unicorns. Believe in fairy dust. Believe in second chances. Believe in fate. Believe in yourself.

Eat pancakes at 8pm. Drink milkshakes at 3am. Ride with the windows down and the music up. Sing along to all songs, even the ones you don't know (make up the words as you go!). Love everyone. Blow bigger bubbles. Hug a stranger. Enrich your life.

In order to live a charmed life, you must make one! Here are some inspiring images to make you want to be your best! xo

♥ ( via weheartit ) ♥