Friday, December 25, 2015

Merry Christmas from Bailey!


Bailey wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas!

She picked out her ugly Christmas sweater herself...   Okay, okay... maybe I made her wear this sweater and forced her to take this photo... But I mean, look at her!? She's just too cute!

Thanks for reading,



Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Christmas Time in Oregon

Hello from my favorite state!! OREGON! My home! Where I grew up!

I just love it here and I am sooo happy to be home for Christmas! Though I do miss Ryan, I know he's having fun with his family. And I truly believe it's good to miss people. I think it draws us closer. And when you see each other again you have so much to talk about.

Here's what we've been up to!
Shopping! Eating! Wrapping presents! Seeing friends and family! Eating more! We're having a blast!

 
The first night I arrived I had my ten year high school reunion. Man, is that strange to say. I know everyone always says this - but it feels like just days ago that I graduated. yikes! I'm almost 30.


Anyway- Lots of fun Christmas stuff is happening here and I couldn't be happier! I hope you're all having a wonderful Christmas week. Remember - Don't stress out! Have some fun!!

Thanks for reading,

 

Monday, December 21, 2015

Why do we Always Want?

While trying to stay organized and learning more about minimalism, I've realized that many people always want new stuff. This wanting and buying totally defeats the purpose of what I'm trying to do. The whole concept of less is more goes down the drain if you always want more. Always wanting the latest and greatest. So how do you stop wanting? It's hard.
Here's what you can do to help yourself. Personally, I need to do all of the things on this list! yikes!
  1. Avoid advertising. As I said in my last post about Minimalism, watch less TV. In turn you won't be as susceptible to advertisements.
  2. Avoid shopping. Do you really need to go to the mall? Try and use what you have. I know it's hard to do around the holidays. But this year Ryan and I did most of our shopping on-line. We made a list and stuck to it!
  3. Be conscious of your lust for material objects. Ask yourself if you really need it. Can you live without it?
  4. Recognize rationalizing. Are you making up reasons as to why you need it? Realize that you're rationalizing - do you really 'deserve' it?
  5. Pause. Do you need the item right this minute? I doubt it. Wait a day, a week or months. Usually the desire of a want fades away with time and you realize that you didn't really NEED it, you just really, really wanted it. (In my case it was a new Louis Vuitton purse...)

Thanks for reading,

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Our East Coast Christmas

On Friday night we celebrated our little 'East Coast' Christmas. We made a delicious dinner, opened presents and I finished up some last minute packing. Bailey loved opening her gifts and helping us unwrap our gifts. It was such a fun night. I already miss Ryan and Bailey so much!



Anyone else traveling this Christmas?

Thanks for reading,