"If nothing changes...NOTHING CHANGES"

Really think about the title of this post.  Are there any areas of your life that you would like to change?  What would it take to bring about these changes?  Are they small things that would bring you joy if you made improvements, or are they major life issues such as serious weight loss or problem relationships?

The only way to bring about change in your life is by acknowledging that you want to make changes, and then take the first step to bring it about.  Sitting around wishing for change is not going to accomplish anything.  Start by asking yourself how your life would be better if you made these changes.  The answer to that is where you start your focus.  Keep your "eyes (and mind) on the prize". 

 Focus everyday on the outcome, not the obstacles.  Do not get in overwhelm mode by thinking about all the things involved in making these changes, just focus on what you can do today to get you closer to where you want to be.  If you do nothing, nothing happens. 

Try to stop blaming other people or circumstances for your problems.  Accept full responsibility for where you are today, and then accept full responsibility for making your life the life YOU want it to be.  Always move forward and don't stay trapped in the past.  If you feel that you have made bad decisions, accept that, learn from them, and look forward to making better ones from now on.

Take charge of your life today.  If nothing changes.....NOTHING CHANGES.

"DO ONE THING"

I love to make these little signs out of recycled items.  I try to target the message to the recipient with instructions to hang it where you will see it first thing in the morning to set the tone for your day. " Do one thing every day that makes you happy" is my message for beginning my day.  It is hanging on my bathroom mirror, so I can't miss it each morning.  It always brings a smile when I see it.

Consider posting messages to yourself to keep you on the right track as you go through your day.  They do not have to be elaborate crafted signs.  They can be as simple as a post-it note. Hang a small blackboard and use fun colored chalk.  Print messages from your computer using a font and color that appeals to you.  Use those magnetic letters on your fridge to spell out your sayings and change them up now and then.  The possibilities are endless and sooooo much fun. 

Get creative today and live the life of your dreams every day!!!!!!

"Function-MeetsBeauty"

As avid collectors of antiques and junk, we needed to find a solution to our collecting habit to match our simpler lifestyle choice.  Not wanting to give up entirely our love of treasure hunting, we came up with a workable solution for us.  Our criteria for bringing any item into our home is, it must serve a useful purpose and we must truly, absolutely, without question LOVE it, or it is just a dust collector.  We love anything that evokes a vintage "cabin in the woods" feeling

So I took a lesson from the European lifestyle.  If you study the homes and villas of Italy and France, you will find that their kitchens are designed for function first, but they are also simply beautiful.  They do not have rows of boxes with doors, as in our American kitchen cabinets, to hide useless clutter behind.  They have open storage and shelving with all of their daily utensils on display.  Everything they own, they use, but the key difference is, their everyday items are like pieces of art in themselves, function meets beauty.  Visualize the copper pots so common in French cooking, and who hasn't admired the vibrant colors and form of Italian pottery.  These are their everyday items, meant to be used, and beautiful to look at.  Many of these items are passed down to each generation full of love and memories.  They do not go to a chain or dollar store and buy plastic junk for every occasion.

We love the pyrex dishes from the 40's and 50's.  They come in exciting colors and patterns and are functional for modern day cooking and serving.  Our kitchen has open shelving to display these everyday items.  Most of our "stuff" comes from antique shops and estate sales.  We have always been "green" long before the term "green living" became fashionable.  We give a home to items that might otherwise have been discarded.  Our home has that cozy, welcome vibe (even the men who visit us will say this) that makes our guests linger over dessert and a glass of wine.  This works for us.  We can still indulge our collecting habit, while maintaining control over clutter and stay true to our lifestyle choice.

Next time you are tempted to purchase something that is not a necessity, ask yourself what purpose it will serve in your home today and for years to come?  Apply the rule of "functions meets beauty" and you will find yourself buying less stuff and enjoying what you do purchase even more.  A home filled with useless junk is not a sign of "success". A home filled with love and beauty is the ultimate "success"!

***Happy 4th of July***

There really is a "Turquoise Bicycle" 
 Today it is resting in my garden, like I am. 
 Also, I have sent everyone reading today a cool, refreshing, fruity drink.  ENJOY!!