Wardrobe Wednesday- 29.04.15

I love this sweater.  "All You Need Is Less".  It is perfect!  It is also cozy and comfy.  I love wearing bright pants.  They seem to usher in the sunshine.  It is a lovely, casual Spring outfit.

Happy Wednesday!

Minimalism Week #21 -Spare Room (AKA The Room of Shame...)

The downstairs spare bedroom has become a dumping ground of sorts.  We frantically try to sort it out when my in-laws visit so that they can find a place to sleep!  I started to work on this room this weekend.

Here are my (shameful) before pictures:

Oh goodness. This makes me feel like crawling under a rock, but that's not going to happen.  Anyway...

I sorted through the pink totes, containers and bags that contained my daughter's clothes.  I pared down the amount the clothes so that they fit into the two totes.  I placed all of the baby items that my daughter has outgrown into her bassinet for storage.  I rearranged shelves and sorted through gift wrap and cards.  I tend to keep gift bags and I attempt to reuse them.  A few of the bags that I had kept became damaged so I got rid of them.  I gave my Mom all of my scrapbooking supplies since I haven't scrapbooked in years.  I opened some totes and containers and found more work so this project is only about half done.

Here are my progress pictures:

Much better, right?  There is still a lot more to do.  All of this needs to be dealt with:

Ugh.  Onward and upward, right?

High five For Friday- 24.04.15

Wooooo!  It is Friday!  It was a pleasant, productive week.  Here are my five:

1.)  I started visiting my acupuncturist again and it is helping immensely.  I plan to do a short post on it.  I have found such relief through my acupuncture treatment.

2.)  I finished all of my Shutterfly albums for the past year.  I finished yesterday and I ordered them.  I plan to have them out at Miss. E's first birthday party for people to peruse.

3.)  I had an awesome phone date with my college roommate.  I love catching up with her!  It was wonderful.

4.)  I finished making the invites for Miss. E's first birthday.  They turned out great!  I am so excited.

5.)  Miss. E is stretching her vocabulary this week.  She says, "Hi Kitty!" and "Hi Doggy!".  It is so sweet and exciting.  She is going to have the gift of gab like her Mama.  Her poor father might see it as a curse, rather than a gift.  Ha ha!  I will leave you a picture of Miss. E getting into trouble.

Want to join in?  Link up with the lovely ladies below!

Wardrobe Wednesday-22.04.15

Happy Wednesday!

I wore this outfit to the lake for Hubby's birthday last weekend.  We went for a nice long walk, played on the swings and had a picnic.  It was a lovely (but windy!) day.  This outfit was perfect for the occasion.  Comfy and warm!

Penny wanted to be in the photo!

A Minimalism Update

I haven't done any minimalism projects in weeks!  Life got busy and purging got put on the back burner.  I have several more projects in mind, but I haven't had the time or the energy to tackle them  I am hoping to do a project this weekend so that I can have a new post for you on Tuesday.

In the mean time, I thought I would speak about the way my minimalism projects have affected my life, thus far:

-I find that clutter doesn't build easily.  When you don't own as much "stuff", you don't have to be constantly tidying and chasing after objects. When I am putting items away, they have a home and I am not cramming one more thing into a closet or drawer.

-Our family priorities have become much more clear.  My husband is currently completing his education for his trade.  We chose to sell his truck so that he could buy a gas saving car.  He drives an 1 hour and 45 minutes to and from school every day.  We are saving money and he is able to be home to see Miss. E every night.  When sorting through our belongings we are forced to ask whether or not the item enhances our life or detracts from it.  We have kept many items that define our family priorities (outdoor equipment, strollers, books) and released items that do not stimulate our lives.

-I feel like I can breathe in our living space.  My family and I live in 926 square feet.  We have a small home.  Minimalism allows us to use our space efficiently.  I never feel like our house is "too small".  We are content in our space and we don't have to be overwhelmed by possessions.

I know that minimalism is a process.  It is something that I constantly repeat here on the blog, but I do hope that eventually it becomes less of a process and more of a habit.  It would be nice to not have to pick projects to tackle.  It would be best if we could simply stay on top of our stuff and be extremely discerning about what gets a place in our home.  Until then, I will continue to tackle my family's clutter.

Blogging Break-I Will Be Back Next Week!

Hi everybody!  I need to take a few days off blogging.  I will return next week.  Thank you for stopping by!

Ashley

High Five For Friday! 10.04.15

Hello Everyone!  Happy Friday!  It has been a busy, but productive week.  I am looking forward to the weekend.  Without further ado, here are my five:

1.)  Beautiful weather!  I am always thankful for the warm, sunny days.  I live in Canada, so our winters can be pretty harsh.  Spring is here and I am loving it!

2.)  Miss. E is back to her "normal" self.  She is happy, chatty and on the go!  I am thankful that she is feeling better!

3.)  A lovely Easter.  I was fortunate to spend Easter with my family and it felt amazing.  I feel so peaceful after a good day with my fam-jam!

4.)  Miss. E says "Hi!", now.and it is positively adorable!

5.)   One morning this week, after waking up, Miss. E clasped my face in her hands and proceeded to give me 5 slobbery kisses.  It was sweet and unexpected.  Made my day!

My little lady opening her Easter basket from her Grandparents.

Want to join in on High Five For Friday?  Link up with the ladies below!

Wardrobe Wednesday- 08.04.15

This was my outfit as I carted my little one to the doctor.  It is one of those outfits that is basically jeans and t-shirt, but the accessories amp it up a bit.  I am discovering the importance of a good statement necklace.  I felt put together, but comfortable.

Happy Wednesday!

Garden Dreams

I think that Audrey Hepburn said it best, "To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.".  Around this time of year, I always find myself planning my garden and itching to plant it.  I love the idea of gardening, perhaps more than the actual garden.  I love sowing seeds into dark dirt and watching them poke their heads through the soil, finally reaching for the sunlight.  I like that a garden represents renewal, growth and hope.  It is a lesson in patience and also in love.

I actually didn't want to grow a garden this year.  I planted last year's garden at 40 weeks pregnant.  I thought that it would be a good way to coax my baby out.  It didn't work.  My plants sprouted, but with taking care of a newborn, the weeds quickly took over.  I actually had a decent harvest, despite the neglect my garden received.  I hated looking out my window and seeing my plot of weeds.  I vowed to never garden again.

Yet, here I sit, just having completed my seed order.  Last weekend, I meticulously planned my garden and what would go in it.  I chose plants for their beauty and some for their ability to feed my family.  I have vowed to myself that I will go out and weed my garden this year.  Miss. E is old enough to come out with me and play while I work.  I have tried to plan the garden so I will easily be able to take care of it.  We will see.

Gardening can be therapeutic.  I have pulled weeds while stressed and by the end of it, I always feel better.  Gardens are peaceful and allow you time to be with your own thoughts and meditations.  I love the smell of new plants and the feeling of pride when plants flourish.  I like that I can grow food and know exactly where it came from.

Gardening is one way that I find peace and simplicity in my life.  How about you?

One of my roses.

High Five For Friday- 03.04.15

Hello everyone!  The Easter weekend is upon us.  I hope that you all have a safe and joyful celebration surrounded by those you love.  Here are my five highlights from the past week:

1.)  I saw Cinderella with my Mom.  It was nice to have a "girls night out".  The film was beautiful.  The costumes were stunning and the magic was so enchanting.  I have always been a huge fan of Cinderella, so I truly enjoyed it.  I did think that it could have used a bit more of the witty Disney humor that we have all come to know and love.  The humor would have helped to lighten the darker parts.  I enjoyed the message: "Have courage and be kind".  I think that it is wonderful advice.

2.)  My little one is on the mend after feeling sick .  It is hard to see her feeling crummy so I am glad she is doing better!

3.)  My Grandma was moved to the nursing home this week.  We were all worried sick over how she would cope with the transition.  She is doing well and enjoys her new home!  We are so thankful that she is happy and doing well in her new home.

4.)  I got Miss. E's Easter pictures back and they are beautiful!  I have them up all over the house and they are so sweet!

5.)  Miss. E will clap her hands when we say "Yay!" and when she hears applause.  It is so cute.  She also likes to put my face in her hands, one hand on each cheek, before placing a big, slobbery kiss on my face.  It is also so very adorable!

How was your week?  Link up with the ladies below to join in!

Wardrobe Wednesday... On Thursday 02.04.15

I went to go see Cinderella with my Mom last night, while Miss E and Hubby hung out at home.  I thought that the film was visually enchanting and I really enjoyed the message behind it.  "Have courage and be kind."  Good advice.  This is what I was going to wear, until Miss E dumped water all over me 2 minutes before I was supposed to leave.  Oops!  I would have worn a dress or a skirt, but it was snowing sideways!  Alas, I am in the "Great White North", so the weather isn't negotiable.  Here is my outfit:

(My best "model" pose!  Ha ha ha!)

Happy Wednesday....er.......Thursday!  

Quick Update

I will post Wardrobe Wednesday tomorrow (gasp!  A Thursday!  Ha ha!). My little one has been sick but is doing much better, now.  I will post tomorrow.  Thanks for stopping by!