Friday Favorites – Week 335 – Painted Metallic Books

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Sheree from Stage Presents chose

Painted Metallic Books from Savvy Apron

The weather is already getting a little chill to it here in Atlanta.  Now, I should probably say all that means is that it may be in the 70’s at night, as opposed to the 90’s that we have been used to.  But nevertheless, any type of cooler weather catapults me into a Fall State of Mind.  For me anything Pumpkin Spice Flavored and Gold brings Fall to Mind.  If I am honest, I will admit that I have been rocking Gold as an Accent Color all year.  So I went all “Goo- Goo” over these Painted Metallic Books from Savvy Apron. What a great way to stage a writing desk!!  And, it gave me some great ideas on how I could stage my Side Buffet  and Book Shelves for the Fall.    Stop by and checking out the Savvy Apron, her page is chock full of amazing finds.

Easy-Homework-Helper-Portable-Desk-19

Jerri at Simply Sweet Home chose

Portable Homework Helper w/ 3 Sets of Printables from Our Peaceful Planet

 

Lisa at Condo Blues chose

DIY Picture Frame Wreath from Celebrate & Decorate with Chloe Crabtree

5 back to school prayers for Moms
Dawn at LeroyLime chose
5 Back to School Prayers for Moms by While I’m Waiting

fresh corn dip
Kelly at Under a Texas Sky chose

Fresh Corn Dip from Lou Lou Girls

Maisy at Becoming Alice chose

Vegan Tofu Feta Cheese (Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Oil-Free) from Sprinkle of Vanilla Sugar

 

Jen at Creatively Homemade chose

Burlap Scarecrow Garden Flag from The Country Chic Cottage

image

Amy at A Day of Small Things chose

Butterfly Snack Bags at Lolly Jane Blog

printable lunch box notes
Penny at Penny’s Passion chose
FF How-To-Make-Seashell-Charger-683x1024
Christine at Light and Savvy chose

How To Make Seashell Chargers by Celebrate and Decorate

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Getting & Keeping My Creative Juices Flowing

Getting and Keeping My Creative Juices Flowing

I am the first to say that I think everyone’s creative process is different.  But, there are some basic elements that are pretty universal.  Here are my go to’s to get it cranking…

Atmosphere….

For me, this is  the biggest component.  In fact, I dare say that all of the other things that I will list are going to fall into this category.

  1.  A Clean and Organized Space is A Must for Me.  Why?  Because I am easily, easily distracted.  A Messy Space for me means that I must clean it up.  Oh and organize it, before I can start on whatever task is at hand.  This is why it really is better for me to keep my space clean or nothing is getting done.  It’s a Cluster… You know the rest.
  2.  Coffee, Coffee, Coffee and More Coffee.  I do love coffee and it tends to focus me.  But, I am trying my best to cut down.  So I try to keep it under 2 cups a day and most days I succeed.  Of course with fall coming, I tend to consume much more.
  3.  A Plan.  I know here I go, list, list list.  I love a list, but I may love a plan more.  Having a plan in place the night before means that I have a measurable task list.  I have finally accepted that I don’t have but so much time in every day and week.  So making more manageable daily and weekly goals is paramount to my success. {Enter My Planner Addiction]
  4.  Music.  IS E-V-E-R-Y-THANG?  It makes the most mundane task seems less mundane, by making it a desk dance party.  And, for the more thought provoking work or things that I need to focus my attention I choose more soothing types of music.  If you were to go through my iTunes playlist, I think you would be surprised to find everything from Classical to Heavy Metal.
  5.  Checks and Balances  Almost as important as a plan is having a way to make sure that the plan is working.    For me, with blogging and our Etsy Store, this is strictly a numbers game.   It is about making sure that what we put out in terms of an advertising and marketing budget is worth it and still allows us to garner a profit.  This is also part of the reason that our store is ever changing as the market is ever changing.
  6.  Time for Mindless Browsing.  Now, I don’t think it’s mindless browsing, but if you were to saunter by my desk, you may think so.  But, my favorite way to move pass being blocked and spark some creativity ranges from Pinterest and Instagram, to ZGallerie and Pier 1 Catalogs.  And, I can’t forget my favorite magazines, Real Simple and Domino Magazine.

How do you get your creative juices flowing? I’d love to hear what your tips are for getting productive and staying that way.

“THE BEST PREPARATION FOR TOMORROW IS DOING YOUR BEST TODAY.” H. JACKSON BROWN JR.

Currently + 5 Random Facts

Currently

CURRENTLY …

Listening to .. Hi-Five Radio on Pandora….Roni by Bobby Brown

Reading … Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kailing

On Deck to Read Next… Rembrance by Meg Cabot

Eating …. A Cheese Steak without the Bread Over Cooked Cabbage with a Side of Plaintains

Drinking… Water and Diet Mountain Dew (Don’t Judge Me)

Thinking about… All the things that I still need to accomplish before the year ends, and trying to decide on the specifics of this year’s Holiday Gift Guide. (Like am I doing one?)

Wishing… for a long vacation, but willing to settle for a long weekend.

Wanting … this year to slow down.

Needing … a new commercial printer for our Etsy Store.

Stalking Life with Izzy and Izrael — Cutest Instagram Feed Ever.

Enjoying… my Friday night Solitude.

For those of you that are new to the Stage Presents Blog, here are 5 random facts about me.

  1.  I am a transplanted peach, born in Jamaica and raised in New Jersey, and now I call Georgia Home.
  2.  I enjoy summer, but I live for Fall weather, Fall Fashion and Christmas is my very favorite holiday.
  3.  I tend to have obsessive personality, if I am into something I tend to be all in.  And, that applies to coffee, planners, stickers, coloring, organizing, creating, and decorating.
  4.  Though I don’t get to indulge as often as I would like I am a sucker for anything that constitutes pampering – a manicure, pedicure, a good massage, a foot rub, scalp massage.. the works…
  5.  And, lastly the key to a happy Sheree is a little alone time at least once a day to decompress and get out of my own head. (I’m an over thinker.)

Friday Favorites – Week 334 – Sorbet Rose Cocktail

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Please support and follow our lovely blog party hostesses:

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Kelly at Under a Texas SkyTwitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst | BL

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You can show your love for this week’s favorites by going over and commenting on the posts and by pinning or sharing!

And if you love all of this week’s favorites, please pin, share, and invite your friends to this week’s linky party!

Sheree from Stage Presents chose

Sorbet Rose Cocktail from If You Give A Blonde a Kitchen

Now that we have a whole week of school under our belts, and I have settled firmly back into my role of being Mommy Taxi Driver.  Mommy and her friends need some special treats too. So my pick for this week’s Friday favorite is this Tasty Sorbet Rose Cocktail shared by If You Give A Blonde A Kitchen.

If you are looking to add a refreshing new cocktail to your list of favorites, I  am sure you will find this week’s choice as refreshing as as we did.  When you try it and like it, be sure to go by and check out If You Give A Blonde A Kitchen, for other amazing treats.

Oatmeal Add Ins

Jerri at Simply Sweet Home chose

29 Oatmeal Add-Ins from The Gracious Wife

Amy at A Day of Small Things AND Jen at Creatively Homemade chose

Funfetti Cake Batter Popsicles from Unusually Lovely

Kelly at Under a Texas Sky chose

Chicken and Fruit Salad from Miz Helen’s Country Cottage

Shrimp 'n Shells Salad

Penny at Penny’s Passion chose

Shrimp and Pasta Salad from from Nancy on the Home Prudent

DIY Exotic Sunroom Back Porch Makeover from Sew Can Do

Lisa at Condo Blues chose

DIY Exotic Sunroom Back Porch Makeover from Sew Can Do

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Friday Favorites – Week 333 – Watermelon Mint Sorbet

I can’t tell you how excited I am to be a part of the Friday Favorite’s Linky Party!! Join me and my co-hostesses for this week’s amazing Friday Favorite Picks!!

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Please support and follow our lovely blog party hostesses:

Jerri at Simply Sweet HomeTwitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Christine at Light and SavvyTwitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Jen at Creatively HomemadeTwitter | G+ | Pin

Dawn at LeroyLimeTwitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst | BL

Maisy at Becoming AliceFB | G+ | Pin

Sheree at Stage PresentsTwitter | FB | Pin | Inst | Inst

Lisa at Condo BluesTwitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Amy at A Day of Small ThingsPin

Penny at Penny’s PassionTwitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Kelly at Under a Texas SkyTwitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst | BL

If you are featured this week, be sure and grab a featured button for your blog!

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You can show your love for this week’s favorites by going over and commenting on the posts and by pinning or sharing!

And if you love all of this week’s favorites, please pin, share, and invite your friends to this week’s linky party!

Sheree from Stage Presents chose Watermelon Mint Sorbet from Becoming Alice

Even though the kids are back in school, there is still a good bit of summer left for us here in Georgia.  That being said, I am always looking for healthy new snacks to try out with my kids that keep us cool and refreshed after a long day.  And nothing screams summer days like chilled watermelon, in one form or another.

So my pick for this week’s Friday Favorites is this Super Yummy Raw Vegan Watermelon Mint Sorbet that I found over on Becoming Alice.  This treat appeals to the senses, it smells good, taste good, feels good and looks good too.  Not to mention, that it is a perfect ending to a summer meal and gets an A+++ for presentation.

I am sure you will find this week’s favorite as pleasing as we did.  If you do, be sure to go by and check out Becoming Alice, for other amazing treats.

pantry-organization

Jerri at Simply Sweet Home chose

10 Tricks for Pantry Organization from Joyful Homemaking

Jen at Creatively Homemade chose

Homemade S’Mores Dipped Ice Cream Cones from If You Give a Blonde a Kitchen

Homemade-Halvah-Bar

Maisy at Becoming Alice chose

Homemade Halvah Bars by To Simply Inspire

Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream for Dogs

Kelly at Under a Texas Sky chose:

Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream for Dogs from Gluesticks Blog

Friday Favorites

Christine at Light and Savvy chose

DIY Farmhouse Pots from Lolly Jane

 

grilled sesame shrimp and vegetables recipe by Simply Stacie
Lisa at Condo Blues chose

Penny at Penny’s Passion chose
No Churn Chocolate Cake Ice Cream from Simply Stacie


Amy at A Day of Small Things chose

Whole Wheat Sourdough Pretzels from Creatively Homemade

Dawn at LeroyLime chose
Craft Room Refresh from LollyJane

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Thanks so much for partying with us this week! Please add your links below.

All family friendly posts are welcome, including recipes, crafts, decor, household tips, and more!

And please support your fellow party goers by visiting other posts linked up to the party!


On Your First Day of Middle School

First Day of Middle School The house is eerily quiet after a summer full of laughter and yelling.  And,  as I put the last load of laundry in the dryer, and sit down to relax before bed,  so many thoughts flood into my head. You finished your first day of Middle School.  Around this time last night, your Dad and I  sat and debated all the things that could go wrong and how we would handle it, if it did.  We were both nervous for you and dare I say shook. As we sat there with the tv off for almost 40 minutes just staring out into space.  It seemed unreal that our little timid girl was turning into this tween right in front of our eyes.    On our way home from dropping you off and speaking with your counselor, your Dad told me that he wrote you a note.  I grimaced a little, after all Dad is often known for his boyish ways (less frills and curls and more blunt and direct).  But, when I got home and read the letter. tears literally filled my eyes. (I thought about posting the note, but some things should be between a girl and her Dad.)  Now, I know that this doesn’t surprise you because over the years Mom has turn into MUSH.  Long gone are my hard exterior and Sky High Walls, blame your Dad for that.

But, I am in tears for many reasons.  There is nothing like knowing that your child is loved.  I know you are saying he is my Dad and he is supposed to love me.  Which of course is true, but it’s the way that he loves you that chokes me up.  It is knowing that we were all, you, me and Dad sitting on pins and needles for the last two weeks coming up to the New School Year.  It is the little secret conversations that I would catch a second or two of when walking by, over the summer.  The way he thought of how to prepare you as best he could for what comes next. Or the pride that I saw in his eyes when you walked across the stage at your Elementary School Graduation in May.  And, it is my own understanding that there really is nothing like a Daddy’s love for a little girl.

So as I brace myself for the Middle School Years and the changes that I know you will make and the person who you will become.  I remember something that I thought of when you were just a wee little girl.  I hoped that you would always be able to feel the love that surrounds you.  And, that means when we don’t see eye to eye, or when discipline feels more like punishment and my caring seems more like “stalkery”. And, all these years later as you embark on yet another part of your journey, I hope this still.  You are one of my greatest accomplishments and you are loved, supported and wished well in more ways than you will ever know.

 

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