5 Things to Do for Yourself Today

5 Things to Do for Yourself Today

Wednesdays are always hard days for me. There’s something about them being smack dab in the middle of the week that I dislike them more than Mondays. I always try to make them a bit more relaxing than other days in order to keep me going until the end of the week. So here are five things to do today that can help you feel refreshed and ready to take on the rest of the week.
  1. Take time away from the screen. This is a really hard thing for a lot of people to do, especially if you have a computer/internet related job like I do. But getting away from screens for even just an hour can really help reset your focus.
  2. Put on some makeup. Not only is it great to have a little “me” time and take it slow putting on some makeup, there’s always something so confident-boosting about the whole process. My motto is “stressed, but well dressed” and makeup definitely makes that a truth.
  3. Organize something or clean up a space you spend a lot of time in. Having a clean living area can really boost your mood. Nothing is worse than coming home to a stack of dirty dishes or a kitchen table you can’t see under bills.
  4. Learn something new about a topic you’re interested in. Lately Alex and I have been watching a lot of design videos and learning more about the software we use on a daily basis. Learning new things just feels good.
  5. Make a list and get back on track for the rest of the week. I always tend to drift by Wednesday and a to do list makes it that much easier to focus and remember what I wanted to accomplish.
xoxo Kayla
Five Ways to Squash Self-Doubt

Five Ways to Squash Self-Doubt

Five Ways to Squash Self-Doubt
There’s nothing like a bit of self-doubt to put you in a funk and ruin your productivity. Self-doubt is so easy to feel these days with social media keeping you up to date on every detail of everyone’s lives. Now I love social media so much that I could never honestly recommend going cold turkey in order to keep the doubt at bay. So here are five other ways to squash your self-doubt one step at a time.
  1. Acknowledge that what you see on social media isn’t always the truth. Does someone have the perfect kitchen that’s always spotless? What you don’t see is the mess piled up behind the photos or know that they spend a good hour every day keeping it that way. Being honest with yourself and rationally thinking about how each Instagram photo came to be can help put things into perspective. Life isn’t covered in an Instagram filter and trying to make it that way will only make you miserable.
  2. Know your worth and things that you excel at. Self-doubt has a way of creeping in when we’re feeling less than others in certain things. Yet you’re probably great at so many other things that you aren’t taking stock of. Just because you aren’t good at interior designing does not take away from your baking skills or vast knowledge of literature. Take pride in what you’re good at and understand you can’t be great at everything.
  3. Surround yourself with positive people who are good at different skills and bring new ideas to the table. Having positive, creative people in your corner can help you brainstorm past self doubt and lend a hand when you really aren’t sure where to go next in a project.
  4. Know that you aren’t alone. Sure this may not mean much when the self-doubt becomes crippling. But literally everyone feels doubt at some point. It’s completely natural to worry and wonder how to be better. Just don’t let it consume you to the point where you don’t even try.
  5. Fight past it because self-doubt is usually just the fear of failure. Try anyway. The worst that can happen is it doesn’t turn out, but at least you tried rather than worry yourself into a corner.
Self-doubt sucks and I definitely feel it from time to time, but these tips help me to regain focus and keep going regardless of worry or fear. More often than not my self-doubt was unjustified and I made a big fuss over nothing. Trust me, you got this.
xoxo Kayla
When Planning & Scrapbooking Became One Happy Family

When Planning & Scrapbooking Became One Happy Family

When Planning & Scrapbooking Became One Happy Family
It’s basically the best thing ever. Scrapbooking is that mythical beast that’s always interested me, but I’ve never been able to produce anything of quality over many years of earnest attempts. Yet I’ve always had a knack for planning and organization. So when the Polaroid Zip portable printer came out and teamed up with Erin Condren, all of my wildest dreams came true.

 Now you don’t need the Polaroid Zip to add photos into your planner. Any printer and some glue could do that, but it’s about the coolest thing to happen to planning in a very long time. No longer do I have to look longingly at well done scrapbooks knowing I’ll never have the time, skill, or money to pull it off. Plus if you keep your old planners like I do, it’s that much cooler to flip through.

Planning has definitely changed things for me in the past few years. Not just in how I stay organized, but in my career and general life. It’s been life changing to be honest and I love that it now can become an even bigger part with adding in photos.

If you haven’t added a photo to your planner yet, give it shot. You’ll soon realize that the planning/scrapbooking line has been blurred to one happy mix.

xoxo Kayla

The Beauty Bits We Don’t Really Need, But Have Plenty Anyway

The Beauty Bits We Don’t Really Need, But Have Plenty Anyway

The Beauty Bits We Don't Really Need, But Have Plenty Anyway
We all have our beauty weaknesses. The bits and bobs we can’t help but scoop up regardless of what else we have in our collection. I thought it time to write an ode to those products because although I’m very much aware that I don’t need any more, I pick more up anyway.
A fleet of my lips but better lipsticks
I think it’s safe to say I have about 20 different lipsticks that if I am completely honest with myself, are more or less than same color. We all have that shade of lipstick that just works for us and we need to scoop up every slight shade variation of it we possibly can.
Another neutral palette
Nothing can make a beauty junkie’s heart pitter patter like a shiny new palette, but man do I have like three too many. What is it about a collection of shadows grouped together in a flattering package that causes even the strongest willed makeup enthusiast to say, “screw it” and buy another one? I know I’ve said one too many times that it’s “good for travel” knowing full well I rarely leave my apartment let alone take my makeup anywhere adventurous. 
A bronzer that’s too dark/orange for our skin
We’ll make it work eventually right? I know I’m a pale person, but I can’t seem to part with the bronzer that’s obviously too dark for my skin. Maybe I think if I pray hard enough I’ll become sun-kissed and the perfect bronze match. 
More nail polishes than any one person could use
We need all the shade options apparently. Nail polishes are one of those beauty bits that can just stack up until you have drawers spilling with fifty different shades of blue (just me?). Plus let’s be honest, I rarely paint my nails anyway. 
Oh makeup. It always has a way of sucking you back in when you swear you won’t buy another rose toned blush or mauve lipstick. But you can’t help but love the struggle.
What beauty products do you have too many of? What products do you know you just don’t need but can’t help getting more of anyway?
xoxo Kayla
5 Habits to Get Into to Become a Great Blogger

5 Habits to Get Into to Become a Great Blogger

5 Habits to Get Into to Become a Great Blogger
Blogging is more than just photographs, text, publish, repeat. It takes dedication, creativity, and a passion to keep at it regardless of what challenges come your way. Blogging takes some getting used to and these five habits are great ones to adopt to become even better at it.
  1. Brainstorm like crazy when the mood arises so when you have a creativity drought you aren’t hurting for content. If you feel a few good blog post ideas coming on, listen. Take the time to sit down and follow the thought process. You never know when the idea train won’t deliver and you’ll be happy to have a list already ready and waiting.
  2. Take batch photos and edit them at the same time. Taking photos all at once has so many advantages that it’s almost a blogging sin not to do it. You only have to set up a few times a month, you can take advantage of good lighting, and editing is a breeze because your camera settings are the same for all your photos. Save yourself the trouble and get into batch photography sessions.
  3. Blog outside your comfort zone and don’t stick to one topic. People aren’t static and neither is your blog. Just because your blog is mostly about beauty doesn’t mean you can’t throw a book or lifestyle post into the mix. Plus variety keeps blogging interesting for you and your readers.
  4. Celebrate small victories and accomplishments. Maybe you posted five days this week instead of the usual three. That’s awesome and you should take the time to give yourself a metaphorical pat on the back. Challenge yourself in little ways and make it a big deal when you accomplish them. Maybe you want to take better lit photos or want to write more in-depth quality pieces rather than rushed ones. Whatever it is, push yourself and praise yourself too.
  5. Stop comparing your blog to others’ because no blog is alike. Take value in your work regardless of what other people are doing. When you stop worrying about what other people are doing you can put all your focus into your personal blog to make it the best it can be.
xoxo Kayla