NY mag

When the majority of the Western world is wrapped in a blanket of cold and most of us want to disappear into the depths of our beds and hibernate until the warm rays of sunshine return….well, this is exactly when you need to put a little extra pep in your step, plaster a smile on your face, and just plow right on through.

I came across Laurie’s post yesterday about fighting (and possibly losing to) the Winter Blues and it made me realize that we’re all probably going through a similar stretch of despair – I know I am! And like Laurie, I’ve had the urge to infuse a little color into my life to remind me that Spring is on its way:

Note the book on the left – an excellent read!

And to further give me encouragement to get out of bed every frigid morning (in a house that is still 60 degrees after blasting the heat for the last 4 hours!), I meditate a bit about warm weather and all the things I hope to accomplish over the next few months. A happy little pep talk, if you will.

So to help you add a little Spring to your step (pun intended!), I dug up a few inspiring or downright funny articles for your viewing pleasure:

READ AN INSPIRING BOOK (OR 31 in 4 MINUTES!): http://nymag.com/health/self-help/2013/how-to-books/ – I’m not quite sure how humorous this article was meant to be, but I found it downright hilarious. Some of these tips are absurd! But there are actually a few insightful ones in the mix.

EXERCISE (& DON’T SLEEP IN!): http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/15/how-to-fight-winter-blues_n_809372.html#s223865&title=DO_Exercise_

Here are two great ways to get your morning started…

http://www.fitsugar.com/Victorias-Secret-Models-Full-Body-Workout-21416942

http://www.thoughtsbynatalie.com/2012/08/good-morning-yoga.html

EAT COOKIES (perhaps after exercising…): http://joannagoddard.blogspot.com/2010/08/cookie-swap_25.html

MAINTAIN A HEALTHY DIET (minus the cookies…): http://youqueen.com/life/foods-to-help-fight-seasonal-depression/

SEQUINS! (Need I say more?!): http://www.divinesecretsofadomesticdiva.com/2012/01/12/reddress/

Have a happy and healthy weekend!

It’s one of those days…I’ve been running around like a chicken with out its head (you know I’m country when I start nattering about headless chickens!) so I’m going to make this post short and sweet.

First, I want to thank Kim over at Made in A Day for featuring my sewing table! I come across vintage sewing tables all of the time, so I’m glad I finally put one to good use. Pop on over to Kim’s blog for some fabulous DIY inspiration. I particularly love the Halloween display she recently put together:

Adorably creepy, eh? And quite an easy project for the kids to put together!

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Now, if you haven’t already noticed, I’m a bit of a blog addict. I could spend an entire day browsing the inter-webs and would be as happy as a pea in a pod… or, per the Geiko commercials, as happy as a witch in a broom factory! It’s impossible for me to keep up with all the blogs that I come across and fall in love with, but I thought I’d share the love a little bit at a time:

1. I’m sure many of you are familiar with A Beautiful Mess, but if not, I highly recommend taking a peek! I promise, you will immediately be sucked in. Elsie & Emma, the two sisters that run the blog, are not only gorgeous, but incredibly talented to boot. From their quirky fashion sense to their DIY skills and right on to their amazingly delicious recipes, these girls have it all. I’ll actually be making this dessert tonight!

Yum, baked peaches and puff pastry apples – delish!!

2. I came across this NY Mag post via Jess In Belgium (another great blog!) and found myself giggling hysterically. Only recently have I found myself to be a Gossip Girl fan while watching miscellaneous re-runs, but I actually “got” most of the memorable moments!

Hehehe.

3. As mentioned in a previous post, I sometimes struggle to find happiness in daily life. But Amber from The Usual Bliss helps me to put life into perspective and find joy in the little things. Her blog is about everything blissful and I have no doubt that upon reading it, you’ll find yourself a little more blissful as well! Not to mention, you’ll find pictures galore of this guy…