How to Get Healthy After Hitting Rock Bottom with a Bonus: Get Fit & Healthy Shopping List

At the start of 2013, I had visions of great things that I planned to accomplish for the year. Ahem...those things flew out the window, as well as blogging, as I proceeded to get sick, terribly sick, just about every two weeks until the end of April. Being pregnant, I knew that my immune system was weaken but this was out of hand crazy. It wasn't until the end of April that I ended up with my second case of stomach flu this year, and the second time ever in my life. My husband managed to get me to our family doctor, by some miracle, and then she saw me had an ambulance arrive immediately to whisk me off to the hospital. Once there, I was rushed to the maternity ward and put on an IV Gravol drip to help curb things. Thank God it worked and everything was still awesome with the baby growing inside me. 

The larger question still loomed: What the hell had happened to my health in only six short months? I couldn't blame this all on just being pregnant. My health hit rock bottom, and it was sitting there, feeling lifeless and awful, that I realized I had to find a way to fight my way out of this mess. Sometimes when you make a wish, the universe listens and finds a way to deliver exactly what you need.

Sincerely, Just Do It: How to Make Time for You in a Hectic World

What would you do with your life if you had time and space?

Yesterday, I made time to print out photos of our family for my toddler to flip through in a photo album. She loves to look at pictures taken of herself doing things that she loves. Who doesn't? As I went through my iPhoto catalog from last year, I was struck that I had not only document my daughter's life, but my own.  I could see the ebb and flow of my own creative energy, most of it food related. Most new mothers tend to pass on stories of sleep deprivation, exhaustion, and stress. I won't say that isn't true, but the key to balancing a healthy life is to make time to connect to your passion. I have three tips on how I have found time to write a non-fiction book, two children stories, rewrite a novel (that I've been working on fa-ever, I know), time to sew, and make lots of good food for the family. 

Announcing Big News: We've got Baby #2 En Route!

(image via)

It has been months of silence at Modern Girl Style, but all for good reason! The most exciting reason is that my husband and I found out on New's Year Day that we were pregnant with our second baby! What a way to kick the year off! Talk about Making Plans in 2013! Did I ever mention how much I love baby toes?!

(image via)

I'm now in my second trimester and I think I've managed to have every single cold, flu, and illness out there. No Joke! My immune system has been down, but my spirits are up. These little set-backs only serve the purpose to slow me down and enjoy being home with my first beautiful baby girl, Makena, and to consider what the future might look like. Actually, I have no idea what life will be like with two awesome babies-and I try to not think about it too much because I just want it to be what it is.

It's No Secret...I'm Chasing Stars!

It's no secret. I want to share my life with you. I can finally admit, or understand, that I'm a perfectionist. It isn't a good thing and it does show up in my life in strange ways. I'm not nutso-crazy about my clothes being perfectly ironed, but I am nutty about my creative projects being completed close to perfection. This isn't good. I self-sabotage the completion of projects because I can't stand looking at something that isn't done the way I intended it to be. (Sidenote: I made that Fall Jacket! And it came out awful! LOL! So that is why I never posted the final result! I had a really good laugh over it once I was done-and this is real progression on my party) Perfectionism has wrecked havoc on my writing career! I write and hide it away. Do you do this in your life? It's kind of funny a blogger does this! At some point, a girl has to decide to change her life.  In order for me to reach the stars of my destiny, dear readers, I will be in hibernation for the next month as I do NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month).

 

I have taken several steps to change and break that perfectionist streak. I have a deadline for my novel-that is big news! I did something else that makes me gasp to see that I'm changing---I hired a babysitter from a sign I found posted at a nearby park. But, the lord works in answering prayers! It turns out that the babysitter that now watches our toddler is AMAZING! She speaks French (tres chic!) and loves to play. I couldn't feel more blessed that life is working with me to accomplish this life dream. I am taking the greatest risk in my life by finally working and being who I am in this moment. I am not limited by memories of the past. I am only in this moment. I might not be perfect, but-heck-who is? I can only be myself and let it shine.

 

 I will try to update occasionally through the month, but that really isn't a promise. Please follow me on twitter where I can post quick notes! Most of all, thanks to every reader that has been at Modern Girl Style and continues to follow all of my misadventures!

Buy it or Make it: Denim Jeans

I have been the luckiest girl lately. I am back to my pre-baby weight and size thanks to a change in my diet and making time to exercise! It means that I can fit my old jeans, but that doesn't mean I want to wear them. I'm a new girl after having a baby and my wardrobe should reflect the journey. As much I love denim, I don't like to shop for it. Isn't it a chore when it comes to finding new jeans? I also cringe at the cost of Paige Jeans, $298 for a basic pair, even though they are truly a remarkable feat of beautiful engineering. I'm a mom now and budget is the word.  Thanks to lady luck on my recent shopping spree! I went vintage shopping and scored three pairs of jeans that I am in love with! As I'm not Canadian, I wasn't familiar with these two Canadian denim manufactors, but holla! Every girl in North America should know these labels. First up, Silver Jeans Co. 

{Image from Jason in Hollywood-read this blog to keep current on billboards in LA}

The Silver Jean Co. was established twenty years ago by Michael Silver. He earned an degree in Fine Arts and went to work in the fashion industry for Western Glove Works. He learned the craft of denim and was inspired to launch his line of clothing for Men and Women. I respect that he mentions in an awesome interview on creating denim fashions that he is tireless about details such as thread, fabric, and dye.

Read more awesome interviews at Denim Blog

Motherhood: The 8 Month Mark

Makena reacts to seeing flowers for the first time in her life. At which she promptly yanked the flowers off!
April 13, 2012. 

When I think back over the last 8 months of motherhood, I have two thoughts at one. The first is, wow, I've made it this far. The second is, wow, how did I do it? I mean it when I say that standing on two feet at the 8 month mark is a feat for any mother. For those with twins, you are a miracle worker!



Many women are faced with the debate: Motherhood vs. Career. I don't think you should have to chose.

Modern Girl Style Tumblr Update

I'm publishing inspiring images that I collect in my daily life via Modern Girl Style at Tumblr. Isn't the neck line on this dress beautiful?! I can't wait to try a neckline similar to this on a summer dress. Why does summer have to be so short! There are too many dresses to wear and not enough time!

Three Favorite Things: Simple Gifts

Last January, Alt Design Summit and Design Milk hosted a lovely webinar. At the event, I was fortunate, blessed, pick your own adjective here to describe meeting Judy of Cute & Useful. Judy is simply brilliant! She is a graphic designer, crafter, and mother. I'm very excited to introduce her guest post for Three Favorite Things!

Judy, what are your three favorite things?!

 My three favorite things are simple gifts. Simple Gifts are thoughtful, lovely, and special.

It's easy to make these simple gifts. All you need is card stock, scissors, glue, and a printer. First, print the template on card stock. The template download is at my blog, Cute & Useful.  

Next, choose a printable paper and print it, also on card stock. I made three neutral-colored printable papers special for this project (I chose them to compliment the gifts inside the boxes), or you can choose from any of my printable papers at Cute & Useful. Trace the template onto the back of the printed paper.

Cut the traced template from the printed paper and fold. The original template has dotted lines you can reference as guides, but it's pretty easy to see what to do. The tabs show where all the folds should be. 

I made all my folds before beginning to assemble. In assembly, I made the lid first, then I put glue on the side and bottom tabs and assembled. After I had the bottom tabs in place, I gently pushed the bottom against the tabletop to make it snug. I used as much glue as I needed but no more; a little glue and the tabs stuck right away -- too much and they were slippery. The glue was Elmer's. 

And then, you have a cute little box! Fill it with practically any small thing. The box on the right is filled with silver binder clips. The box on the left has beads and elastic cord to make a bracelet. Wouldn't these little boxes make a great teacher gift? Don't you think they'd be a thoughtful gift for a neighbor or friend?

What's in the box in the middle? Candy, of course! These kisses with melt-away centers are really, really...mmmmm. I think the boxes would also be fun filled with Jelly Beans for Easter. (I recently made a colorful Jelly Bean paper.)

Aren't they cute? Aren't they useful? 

It's been my pleasure posting today on Modern Girl Style. Remember to find the printable papers and template for this post at Cute & Useful. My very best to you!

Thanks, Judy! I feel so inspired! This will come in handy for giving out little gifts to friends and family! XOXO!!

Here's to You, Jeanwest!

One of the aspects I love about blogging is meeting new people, places, and things. This post is a loving shout-out to my loyal readers at Jeanswest that have been reading my blog for the last few years.  More importantly, the Australian & New Zealand denim outfitters have beautiful news! They are celebrating forty years in the business this year. Since the thought of sewing my own pair of denim jeans is like the idea of me flying a spaceship to the moon, I'm going to drool over these beautiful images by Jeanswest. Who wouldn't want to be wearing a pair of these?!